Dollars and Sense in Franklin: Town Department Heads "overwhelmingly support an override"

Join community efforts for a sustainable financial future for Franklin.

"Hang Together" At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our town's namesake was purported to have spoken the quotation above. If the statesmen assembled didn't maintain unity among themselves, they would surely fail and literally be hanged.  While our stakes are obviously not as severe, we nevertheless face a dire situation and must maintain our unity and respect for each other.  That's why the founding team at One Franklin rejects any attempt to mischaracterize our financial woes as a competition between the municipal departments and school department, or to use the multimillion dollar budget shortage to set Franklinites against each other, based on income levels, partisan affiliation, or parental status. We must hang together to forge a fruitful future for Franklin.  Joint Letter from Department Heads On December 17, a letter signed  by twenty-one Town department heads and leaders was presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee. The letter decried potential budget cuts (partially outlined in our inaugural newsletter) and warned of the dire consequences of inaction in the face of our current shortfall. Specifically, the letter claimed that that the scale of the cuts could "significantly jeopardize the public safety of Franklin", "expose the Town's AAA Bond rating to a downgrade", and "decimate community lifelines".  The letter, signed by--among others-- the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Director of Public Works, and Library Director, also states that the aforementioned leaders "overwhelmingly support an override for the community, as the passage of an override allows our departments to remain solvent and not be affected by any further reductions". This letter is consistent with comments made by elected officials and FPS leadership: without bold action and community engagement, Franklin is headed towards dire cuts in the next fiscal year. Important Dates Tuesday 1/14 @ 7:00 School Committee Meeting Wednesday 1/15 @ 7:00 Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday 1/22 @ 7:00 Town Council Meeting Tuesday 1/28 @ 7:00 School Committee Meeting Thursday 1/30 @ 7 JBSC Listening Session (Franklin Elks) For the full calendar of events, click here. Zoom links are released with meeting agendas 48 hours in advance. All meetings are streamed on Franklin Town Hall YouTube. Get Involved! January's Actions The Joint Budget Subcommittee has set up at least six listening sessions to hear from residents. This is a way to engage for folks who can't typically make the town hall meetings. The first meeting is 1/30 at 7:00 at the Franklin Elks.  Ask a question about potential cuts at 1/22 Town Council meeting (in person or on Zoom!). Write an email to all members of the Town Council asking their views on the budgetary path forward.  (Email onefranklinvolunteers@gmail.com for example template) Clips We're Watching Town leaders read letter (12/17 JBSC) 45:29-1:01 watch as department heads read the aforementioned letter and community members react Are we losing our brand? (10/12 JBSC) 42:24-45:09 watch as a local father testifies that he moved to Franklin in part because of its reputation for "great schools", but he now worries that the stellar reputation might be gone by the time his kids are school-aged Stay tuned for more clips from elected officials, advocates, and neighbors! If we don't take action in 2025, public safety, quality of life, and public education for Franklin residents will continue to decline. Stay Tuned For... The third, fourth, and fifth "Dollars and Sense" issues the weeks of 2/4, 2/25, and 3/11  Our website going live! More information about the organization we're building and how to get involved More important dates, data, and ways to engage Click here for our first issue Reach out to this email for any questions, corrections, or clarifications onefranklinvolunteers@gmail.com One Franklin Founding Team Dr. Anne Bergen, former Franklin educator and School Committee Chair Camille Bernstein, resident advocate, former School Committee member, and parent of 2 Sue Dewsnap, former Chair of Finance Committee and resident advocate Ken Ojukwu, current member of Finance Committee Sue Rohrbach, former School Committee member Roberta Trahan, resident advocate and former School Committee member Ruthann O'Sullivan, member of School Committee, resident advocate, parent Jenna Cohen, resident advocate and parent of 3 Celia Courtright, resident advocate, parent, and Music Boosters president Patty Dolan, resident advocate, PCC leader, and parent Erin Ferguson, resident advocate Jayson Joyce, educator, resident advocate, and parent of 3 young children Ben Liberto, resident advocate and parent of 2 young children Alison Murphy, resident advocate and parent Laura Minnichelli, resident advocate and parent Caryn Parnell, resident advocate, retired teacher, and parent Jessica Ulm, resident advocate Rob Vacca, FPS educator for 29 years, parent of FHS student, resident advocate One Franklin, West Central St, Franklin, MA Send free email today

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda for meeting Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 7 PM

Finance Committee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. Approval of Minutes

a. November 6, 2024   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-11-06_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_0.pdf

4. Town Administrator Recommendation on FY25 Capital Plan

a. Town Administrator FY25 Capital Plan Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf

b. Five-Ten Year Department Capital Plans  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/capital_-_dept_requests_5_year_plans_0.pdf

c. Backup materials & quotes 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/quotes.pdf

5. Town Administrator Recommendation on expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf

b. Draft Expenditure Resolution  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf

6. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series

a. Public School “Hold Harmless” Presentation  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._hold_harmless_2025.pdf

b. State House News Service Article  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf

7. Standing Updates:

a. FY25 Q2 Year to Date Department Expense report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7a._ytd_budget_expenditures_encumb_option_-_summary_final.pdf

b. FY25 Q2 Local Receipts report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7b._local_receipts_enterprise_revenues_budget_to_actual_report_-_12-31-2024.pdf

c. Stabilization Account Report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7c._stabilization_fund_balances_-_three_year_comparison.pdf

Joint Budget Subcmte Listening Tour

8. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting

a. Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour & FY26 Budget Update Tour  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/jbsc_flyer_fixed_old_site.png

9. Finance Committee Member Comments

10. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf

Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Sessions starting January 30, running through March 12, 2025

The Joint Budget Subcommittee will be holding several listening sessions in the coming weeks.

Join us for open discussions on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, feedback on last year's override ballot question, the structural deficit this coming year, and the priorities of the community!

Listening Tour Schedule

Listening Sessions starting January 30

Session 1: Jan 30, Franklin Elks 7:00 PM
Session 2: Feb 12, Remington-Jefferson Cafetorium, 628 Washington St. 7:00 PM
Session 3: Feb 19, Franklin Senior Center, Common Grounds Cafe, 10 Daniel McCahill, 7:00 PM
Session 4: Mar 4, Franklin Senior Center, Common Grounds Cafe, 10 Daniel McCahill, 9:30 AM (coffee and light refreshments provided)
Session 5: Mar 8, Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers, 355 East Central, 10:00 AM (Virtual and in-person participation options)
Session 6: Mar 12, Franklin High School Auditorium, 7:00 PM

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/upcoming-joint-budget-subcommittee-listening-sessions

This Town Council quarterbacking session condenses the Council meeting of Weds, Jan 8, 2025 (audio)

FM #1350 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1350 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, January 9, 2024.  Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night with a focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

a. Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of

Department of Planning and Community

Construction to commence later this summer, after Town finishes its infrastructure work

b. Residential Development & Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI, aka Chapter 40B) Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of Department of Planning and Community

At 10.86% (the guideline is more than 10%) 

A summary of what’s approved and or in the planning process

Over 1,000 housing units, approx. 400 would be “Affordable”

"A 1% increase in new supply; i) lowers average rents by 0.19%, ii) effectively reduces rents of lower-quality units, & iii) disproportionately increases the number of second-hand units available for rent. Moreover, the impact on rents is equally strong in high-demand markets."

Institute for Employment Research, A German federal agency

A study on secondary housing, or the domino effect of what new housing does to existing stock and population movement within the existing stock

Legislation for action:

• 2 bylaws to enable to Town work on Franklin Ridge

• 2 bylaws to bring to compliance with State law on ADUs

• 2 bylaws on signs deferred to Jan 22

• Resolution 25-01: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,672), Veterans Department ($3,125) 

Town Administrator Report reveal the home rule piece was approved to exempt the Town from posting legal notices in print editions of the newspaper

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1350-town-council-quarterbacking-01-09-25/

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Franklin TV video  -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208 

Agendas for Town Council meeting ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf 

Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9

My set of notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council quarterbacking session condenses the Council meeting of Weds, Jan 8, 2025 (audio)

This Quarterbacking session recaps the Joint Budget & the Town Council meetings (audio)

FM #1344 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1344 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, December 19, 2024.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

Joint Budget meeting

• Health care, pension cost updates; deficit was 3.7ish, now more like 4.5

• Communications planned with 5 or 6 listening sessions at different locations, end of Jan through March…

Town Council meeting

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

• Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams

• Peter Brunelli

• Steve Carlucci

5. APPOINTMENTS =  Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau

Annual License Renewals

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

• National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS   

• Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

• Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator 

Legislation

• Resolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies

• Resolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4

• Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515)

The recording runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap both the Joint Budget and Town Council meetings held this week. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1344-town-council-quarterbacking-12-19-24/

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Franklin TV video

Joint Budget -> https://www.youtube.com/live/Pq0-UqDkm4o?&t=54 

Town Council -> https://www.youtube.com/live/5h-UYum-TtQ?&t=132 

Agendas

Joint Budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-17_joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda.pdf 

Town Council ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf 

My set of notes in one PDF ->  

Joint Budget -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVajSM_qNPtttoVAWuWjqA9OMDRtTyYl/view?usp=drive_link 

Town Council ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yn6Ems4Gc0TfI9L-9vE_Ll40oVGHPfFU/view?usp=drive_link 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Quarterbacking session recaps the Joint Budget & the Town Council meetings (audio)