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!

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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)

Joint Budget gets updates, sets "listening sessions" schedule, hears from Town Dept Heads (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met as scheduled on Tuesday evening in Council Chambers. 10 of the 11 members participated (Corbosiero was absent).

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/Pq0-UqDkm4o?&t=54

The agenda doc and supporting material for the meeting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-17_joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda.pdf

The Town Department Head's letter to the committee ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/letter-to-joint-budget-subcommittee.html

Quick recap:

• First item approval of prior meeting minutes
• Mar 8, 2023; Aug 2, 2023; Oct 11, 2023; Mar 6, 2024; Oct 23, 2024
• All minutes were moved separately for a vote, all votes unanimously approved. 10 members participating in Chambers
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on minimal changes to the developing FY 2026 budget; Norfolk County pension #s now firm  
• Health care costs are increasing approx. 18%, company is loosing money on Franklin our claims are exceeding what we pay in premium $s, by about 12 cents more than we pay Insurance Advisory Cmte (IAC) has been working well, less competition available in the market
• $4.5M is a large number, we are still far away from the final numbers, dept budget are due soon, collective bargaining underway, Gov budget coming out in Jan 2025; local receipts likely will get bumped up with the 2nd Quarter results, as well as the 3rd Q results for Input to the FY 2026 budget
• Employees participate in health care costs with a 68-32 split (town pays 68, employee 32). Only 64% of the employees have coverage.
• So what had been a $3.7M deficit is now a $4.5M deficit with those 2 factors; Norfolk County pension cost and health care costs adding to increase the deficit. Jamie holds that it will come down slightly as the rest of the numbers get firmed up but will likely still be in the 3-4M range.
• Schedule of "listening sessions" released, to be adjusted slightly adding (or moving) one session to a Saturday. All have commitments to make this series of sessions work. Other coffees can be scheduled with some members participating
• Letter from the Town Department Head's was handed to committee members and read jointly by Chief Lynch, Chief McLaughlin and Library Director Oti.

My set of notes from the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVajSM_qNPtttoVAWuWjqA9OMDRtTyYl/view?usp=drive_link

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on minimal changes to the developing FY 2026 budget

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcmte schedules Listening Session (redistricting) - May 7 at 7 PM, FHS

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Listening Session

May 7, 2024 - 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Location: Franklin High School Auditorium

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Public Input on Master Planning Recommendation

No remote participation enabled per the agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-5_7_24_revised.pdf

 

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcmte schedules Listening Session - May 7 at 7 PM, FHS

For reference find the presentation doc from the April 30 meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/comp_school_facilities_recommendation_presentation-_april_30_2024.pdf

The frequently asked questions are updated here ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/comprehensive_schools_facilities_assessment_faq_0.pdf

Find additional info on the new website created for this

https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment

April Rock and I talk about local business and her lessons to share from Escape Into Fiction (audio)

FM #1056 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1056 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with April Rock, owner operator of Escape Into Fiction. We met in person at Escape on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.  (Yes, this may seem to have gotten ‘aged’ in the archives. However, the discussion was relatively green so it did age well. Fortunately, April is healthy now and approved of sharing this.)

April shares her insights into operating a bookstore downtown Franklin, collaborating with Franklin Art Association, the Cultural District, Cultural Council, and other local groups. How research and listening are her two big pieces of advice for local businesses.

Their inventory is small but they can order other books you want, as long as they are still in print. So if you don’t find something in particular, don’t be afraid to ask.

This conversation runs about 16 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with April at Escape Into Fiction. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1056-escape-into-fiction-with-april-rock-02-14-23

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Escape Into Fiction webpage  -> https://escapeintofiction.com/ 

Located at 12 Min St, Franklin contact and hours -> https://escapeintofiction.com/contact-hours 

—------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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

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"

April Rock and I talk about local business and her lessons to share from Escape Into Fiction (audio)

Reminder: Redistricting Listening Session May 7 from 2 to 3 PM At the Library

 A redistricting listening session has been scheduled by two members of the School Committee: Camille Bernstein and Dave Callaghan. The session is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 from 2 to 3 PM.

Note: the School Committee is scheduled to vote on the redistricting proposal at their May 9 meeting.

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cre885Juzxr/

The report to the School Committee with the redistricting proposal can be found ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_analysis_recommendation_report_2022-23.pdf

Redistricting Listening Session May 7

Redistricting Listening Session May 7

A redistricting listening session has been scheduled by two members of the School Committee: Camille Bernstein and Dave Callaghan. The session is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 from 2 to 3 PM.

Note: the School Committee is scheduled to vote on the redistricting proposal at their May 9 meeting.

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cre885Juzxr/

The report to the School Committee with the redistricting proposal can be found ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_analysis_recommendation_report_2022-23.pdf

Redistricting Listening Session May 7

Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Apr 28 at 9 AM

Missed the first Art and Culture Listening session?

No worries! There is another one on April 28th and is from 9 AM - 11 AM in the meeting room at the Franklin Public Library.

Join the conversation about the culture in your community!

More info about the Listening Sessions schedule -> https://buff.ly/3MDdEYY

Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Apr 28 at 9 AM

Redistricting Listening Session - April 1 from 10 AM to Noon at the Library

School Committee members Camille Bernstein & Dave Callaghan would like to hear your thoughts on the proposed public school redistricting plans.

When: Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 10 AM to Noon

Where: Franklin Public Library

Redistricting Listening Session - April 1 from 10 AM to Noon at the Library

What do you want to tell the Survey about Arts & Culture in Franklin?

The survey to provide input on arts & culture in Franklin is open ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4AWODps2aVQd_tzHIGfcJBRwUdpvYB9jK3hgfxploSWc7zw/viewform

Or use the QR Code in the image to get to the survey -> 

The Arts & Culture Survey is open for your input!

You can also participate in the Listening Tour; next stop Apr 28 at the Franklin Library. Additional details on the tour stops -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/youre-invited-franklin-arts-culture-listening-tour

   

The Arts & Culture listening tour

Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

The Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is seeking input from residents and community stakeholders on all things arts and culture. Take the survey today: https://buff.ly/3mEA7Kh 

Access event details here: https://buff.ly/3F9YoOv

Shared from Twitter- > https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1633603520065863680 

Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

If it is Tuesday, it must be time for

• 5 PM to 7 PM -> 

The first stop of the Arts & Culture Listening Tour - at Dean College, More details on the event -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/youre-invited-to-franklin-arts-culture.html

• 6 PM to 8 PM -> 

Franklin Public Schools seeks public input on proposed options amid redistricting analysis process (also a virtual event is scheduled for March 13, same information both nights) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/franklin-public-schools-seeks-public.html

• 7 PM -> 

Community Preservation Committee review the proposed FY 2024 budget for allocation of the CPA funds for projects - Agenda and supporting materials ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/community-preservation-committee.html

• 7 PM ->

Peonies: Love of My Life presentation hosted by the Franklin Garden Club at the Franklin Public Library - additional details ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/reminder-peonies-love-of-my-life-march.html

If it is Tuesday, it must be time for

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 3, 2023 to Mar 9, 2023

New England weather apparently will show signs of winter tonight and Saturday even as we edge closer to spring. Be safe as you move out and about to take advantage of what's happening.

Friday, March 3

6:00pm - FHSTC performs "Lord of the Flies" (Franklin High School)

Saturday, March 4

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm - Joey D's Wingz & Thingz (food truck)  (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - John Demers (live music)  (67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, March 5

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, March 6

8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event

Tuesday, March 7

8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event

5:00pm - Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Session 1 (Dean College)

6:30pm - Franklin Garden Club - Peonies: Love of My Life (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm - YA Adult Book Club (for Adults!) (Franklin Public Library)

Wednesday, March 8

8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group (virtual meeting)

Thursday, March 9

8:00am - Next Size Up - Kids Online Consignment Event

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar  3, 2023 to Mar 9, 2023