Showing posts with label joint budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joint budget. Show all posts

Monday, June 1, 2026

This Chalkboard Chat catches us up on 4 meetings in about 40 minutes (video or audio)

FM #1750 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1750 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from four recent meetings:


Our conversation covered the following topics:

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - April 16

  • Joint Town Council & School Cmte meeting May 12

  • School budget discussion at budget hearing #1 - Wednesday, May 20

  • School Committee meeting - May 26


Our conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen


Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PqOzGMMeg



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


School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 


School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 


The Franklin TV video is available for replay - 

  


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


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 out. 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"

 

Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Friday, May 1, 2026

Listen to the first session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Thursday, April 16, 2026 (audio)

FM #1736 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1736 in the series. 


This session shares the Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting held on Thursday, April 16, 2026. 


The recording runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen in.


Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1736-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-04-16-26/

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


Franklin TV video is available for replay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKccD9CA3Q 


The agenda for this session

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04162026-2252  


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

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 out. 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"


Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

Friday, April 17, 2026

Watch the first session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Thursday, April 16 (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met in its new term for the first time on Thursday evening.

Franklin TV video is available for replay




Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Joint Budget Subcommittee - Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee (Town Council, School Committee, & Finance Committee) — 

Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 PM | 3rd Floor Training Room, Municipal Building

Attend in-person, join via Zoom, or stream on Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube.







Posted by at
Labels: , ,

Friday, March 20, 2026

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee meeting of March 10, 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1690 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1690 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, March 12, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting March 10, 2026.


Our conversation covered the following topics:


  • Recognition of Chloe Bowser, essay contest winner (1 of 12) for the USS Massachusetts commissioning ceremony March 28, 2026

  • Food Services presentation 

  • Joint Budget subcommittee April 16

  • Combined Town Council & School Committee meeting March 18

    • A presentation/discussion by Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) on Chapter 70 and hold harmless



Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen


Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5r5NlMmfI

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


School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 


School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 


The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/CBHC618gXFE?&t=230 


The agenda can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175  


My notes via Bluesky thread in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZdhJ_TR0vgcoX-NAP_06FKpj1LndhMW/view?usp=drive_link 


The March 10, 2026 meeting recap and video can be found  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/school-committee-gets-insights-recipes.html  

 

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

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 out. 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"


Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, February 13, 2026

Town Council adds to the Tier 1 capital budget and extends their 4 hour limit (video)

The Franklin, MA Town Council met on Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 as scheduled opening their session just after 6 PM. All 9 councilors were present in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay


The agenda and docs released for this session

Brief recap:
  • After tabling the prior meeting minutes for a future meeting to add some questions that were asked but not reflected in the minutes, they approved a technical change for the Shaw's alcohol license
  • The 5 year budget model and forecast was next on the agenda and instead of making a presentation Town Administrator opened for questions. In the discussion that ensured, there was a thread of hesitance to bring back some of the prior cut positions with free cash. There also remains reluctance to staff the Deputy Town Administrator position. An interesting contrast in that the Council needs support to conduct the Town business but they don't seem to want to support the resources required to do so. Hence, no subcommittee meetings among other items wanted but no resources to accomplish. There needs to be a strategy to resolve the deficit but folks seemed to be stuck getting started
  • The Capital budget came next and after much discussion to clarify some of the items in the Tier 1 top priority items determined by Town and School, the resolution was amended twice, first unsuccessfully, then successfully before approving Tier 1 with the addition of $75K for some school security cameras and servers.
  • Then as the clock turned past 10 PM during their deliberations on the amendments, the Council voted to allow extension of the meeting past their 4 hour curfew. The meeting did close approx. 20 minutes later.


Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Franklin Town Council sets June 3 for date of Override vote on $3,862,672 to balance FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1412  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1412 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 8 of the 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers (1 absent - Dellorco).  


Quick recap:

  • after approval of 2 prior meeting minutes, the Council get to the key item and after a brief discussion took two votes; 

    • one to approve the amount and ballot question text 

    • the second to set the date, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 for the override

    • both votes were 8-0-1 (1 absent)

  • The School Committee had met earlier that evening and voted unanimously to support the override vote. Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice-Chair David McNeill stood up to make that announcement during the discussion

  • Other legislation for action on the minimum item agenda for the evening; 2 items to extend the sewer and water lines to a new residence that had already been approved in the first vote both received the passing vote by the same 8-0-1 vote (1 absent) via roll call

  • A resolution accepting gifts to the Veterans services was approved and thanks extended

  • Town Administrator's Report

    • Jamie acknowledged receipt of a letter from Archbishop Henning commending the work of the Fire Dept on the St Mary's Church fire. He had just recently attended the re-opening masses. The letter will be posted to the Town pages

    • The lease for Town use of the Ferrara's parking lot was signed to extend the agreement for 5 years

    • The final approvals on the deed and associated documents for the Old South Church were completed and to be handed over to Habitat for Humanity so the docs can be filed with the Registrar of Deeds, and work can begin to renovate the building for a residence

  • After a round of Councilor comments, the meeting closed


Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 1 hour and 38 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1412-town-council-mtg-03-19-25/


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


Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI 


The agenda doc released for the meeting ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 


My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/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"


Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI
Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)