FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Debt & Interest

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

Type and Purpose of Debt

The Town of Franklin sells General Obligation Bonds to finance capital improvements and other projects that require large amounts of cash such as schools, public works, recreational areas, public safety, and public buildings. General Obligation Bonds are supported by the full faith and credit of the Town and are repaid from property taxes from both current and future property owners or, in the case of water or sewer projects, out of their respective enterprise funds. Over the last few years, typical rates for 20 year municipal bonds have been in the 3% to 4% range. With the current situation, rates may be more variable and possibly higher as less bidders compete in the marketplace.

Debt shall be issued only for capital improvements with a useful life equal to or exceeding the term of the financing. The Town will manage its debt in a manner that maintains a high credit quality, ensures long-term affordability, and limits the impact on taxpayers.

The Town’s most recent borrowing is a one-year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) issued to fund the replacement of Fire Engine 3, with a total authorization of $935,000.

 

A BAN offers a cost-effective short-term financing option, as issuance costs are significantly lower than those associated with long-term bonds. This approach is particularly advantageous if the Town plans to reduce the principal over time or consolidate this borrowing with other authorized projects into a future bond issuance.

The BAN was authorized by the Town Council on March 4, 2026.

After a ratings review by Standard & Poor’s in May 2025, the Town’s bond rating was affirmed at AAA with a stable outlook.

FY26 Debt Service by Category

1. School Buildings – Franklin High School and Tri-County Regional Vocational H.S

2. Public Buildings – Senior Center, Library, Municipal Building Renovation

3. Technology - improvements to school and town systems

4. Public Safety – Fire Truck, Aerial Ladder Truck

5. Water Debt – Water mains, repairs, storage, lines and the water treatment plant through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Loan Program (MCWT)

i. MCWT is a state agency that improves water quality throughout the Commonwealth by providing low-interest loans to municipalities.

6. Sewer Debt – Beaver Street Interceptor, through MCWT.

Debt Service Trend Chart

The Town maintains a policy of limiting annual debt service to no more than 5% of the operating budget. Current debt service represents approximately 4.5%, reflecting adherence to this policy and a prudent approach to long-term financial management. Debt service is projected to decrease from FY27 to FY28, primarily due to the following factors:

● Horace Mann Middle School debt – both excluded and non-excluded debt service will drop off in FY27

● Final payments on major capital projects – debt associated with the Senior Center, Fire Station, and School issuances will reach their final payment in FY28, resulting in significantly lower debt service compared to prior years.

 

For reference, below is a summary of excluded and non-excluded debt retiring between FY23-FY28, including issuance and sunset years:

Continue reading this section to review additional text and charts in the PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OQNtkj-72ohybKN8bt4QMSajSOflXqvG/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Employee Benefits

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

Retirement

This line item funds pensions for the Contributory (MGL Chapter 32) retirees. There are 104 contributory retirement systems for public employees in Massachusetts. A retirement board governs each system and all boards, although operating independently, are bound together under one retirement law—Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws—that establishes benefits, contribution requirements, and an accounting and funds structure for all systems. All 104 retirement systems are overseen by the Public Employee Retirement

 

Administration Commission (PERAC), which was created by Chapter 306 of the Acts of 1996. The Town of Franklin is a member of the Norfolk County Retirement System (NCRS). The Norfolk County Retirement System was established in 1911 for the purpose of providing retirement benefits for County employees. At present, the system includes not only County employees and retirees, but also nineteen (19) Norfolk County towns and twenty-three (23) authorities and special districts. The system is governed by a five-member board chaired by the County Treasurer, and the Treasurer is responsible for the management of the System's funds. PERAC (Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission) exercises general supervision of the System. The Town of Franklin receives an annual assessment from Norfolk County which covers all Municipal employees and non-teaching School Department employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The appropriation funds both the normal cost (the cost of current employees’ future pensions) as well as the unfunded pension liability.

Fiscal Year 2027 assessment is $8,786,849.

Health/ Life Insurance

This line item covers the cost of health and life insurance for all active Town employees and retirees from the Town. Retirees from the schools are in a different line item within the Benefits budget.

Active School employees have typically been within the School Budget. In the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Sessions last spring, many residents had questions and concerns about this. Town and School leadership discussed whether it might make sense to transfer the budget costs of School Health Insurance from the school budget to the Town Budget in future years. It was voted on and the School Health Insurance will now be under the Town Budget. For FY27, the total appropriation amount for account 300 - Franklin Public Schools reflects their total operating budget minus health and medicare costs. To keep School Health Insurance costs isolated within the total Benefits budget, we have created two new line items; School Health Insurance and School Medicare.

The Town has been a member of the Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (MSHG) since FY23. With support from the IAC and Town Council, the Town is joining the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) for FY27. Per the GIC requirements, the Town will be with them for a minimum of 3 fiscal years. At the time of this report, we have not yet entered the Open Enrollment period for FY27, so we do not know exactly what plans employees will choose in FY27. Since we are joining the GIC, it is hard to estimate what employees will elect since they will now have the option to select from 8 different plans under 4 different vendors. The current FY27 budget model reflects our preliminary estimates of a flat 14% increase, the final appropriation is subject to change when open-enrollment begins on April 1st, giving us more accurate data on actual enrollment in health insurance plans. As of March 26, 2026, there are 1,047 benefits eligible employees between the Town and the Schools. This number changes regularly, depending on vacancies and enrollment at the time the data is collected. 536 employees are currently electing health insurance, which is about 51.19% of all employees.

.... 

Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB)

The Town provides medical, prescription drug, and life insurance to retirees and their covered dependents. These are all considered “post-employment benefits.” All active employees who retire from the town and meet eligibility criteria will receive these benefits. Retirees contribute between 30% and 50% of the cost of the health plan, as determined by the town. The Town contributes the remainder of the costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Many years ago, the Town implemented GASB Statement 45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Post-Employment Benefits other than Pensions. Statement 45 requires governments to account for other post-employment benefits (OPEB), primarily healthcare, on an accrual basis rather than on a pay-as-you-go basis. The effect is the recognition of an actuarially required contribution as an expense on the financial statements when a retiree earns their post-employment benefits, rather than when they use their post-employment benefits. To the extent that an entity does not fund their actuarially required contribution, a post-employment benefit liability is recognized on the Town’s Statement of Net Assets.

The Town has financial policies which prioritize investing into OPEB each year. Current policies require increasing our contribution by $50,000 each fiscal year. The Town also dedicates 10% of free cash to OPEB each year.

The Town created an OPEB Trust and all funds were moved from the OPEB Stabilization account by a vote of Town Council. The OPEB Trust Committee voted to invest these funds with the State Pension Reserves Investment Trust (“PRIT”). These funds are overseen by the State’s Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (“PRIM”). The Trust currently has

$17,697,329 in net value as of 2/28/2026.

 

Compensation Reserve

These funds are for any wage adjustments during the fiscal year, to cover absences in individual departments where additional coverage is necessary and to cover unexpected retirement costs.

If an employee resigns or retires in the middle of the fiscal year, we are required by law to pay out all their remaining vacation or earned time and many collective bargaining agreements include payments for a portion of unused sick time. If we receive ample notice that a person intends to retire, we build the costs into departmental budgets wherever possible. The compensation reserve fund is used to supplement budgets at the end of the year to avoid budget deficits, especially in smaller departments.

Continue reading the PDF of this section. A couple of smaller text sections were skipped as well as all the tables and charts. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKQX6XeWwv5w_szfCP8brYuU1rH1QQpY/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Liability Insurance

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Town purchases the following insurance for the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Public Schools: Automobile, General Liability, Law Enforcement Liability, Property, Public Officials Liability and School Board Liability.

The Liability Insurance includes premiums for our insurance coverage through the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA). Our initial data suggests that we will see increases ranging from 4 to 8% on each of the insurance lines.

In addition to premiums through MIIA, the Town also pays a separate carrier for a drone liability policy and a vacant building liability policy. Drones are used by the Police Department, and we anticipate insurance will cost approximately $6,000 in FY27. The vacant building policy is for the Davis Thayer Building. We expect this to cost approximately $42,000 in FY27. This coverage protects the Town from potential liabilities and damages if anything happens within the vacant buildings.

Vacant properties are generally considered riskier to insure compared to occupied ones since insurance providers view them as more susceptible to vandalism, break-ins, and other perils due to their unoccupied status. Davis Thayer School closed in July 2021, so FY26 will be our fifth year of insuring it as a vacant property. Insurance carriers often are not willing to maintain coverage for vacant buildings indefinitely since there is so much risk involved, so we may eventually struggle to get coverage for the building.

The Town has an active “Safety Committee”, which Operations Manager Julie McCann and Human Resources Director Karen Bratt co-chair. Representatives from each Town department serve on the committee. The Safety Committee strategizes best practices and policies to avoid workplace injuries and maintain a safe work environment. This, in turn, helps reduce costly insurance claims which could affect future premium costs.

The Safety Committee also participates in a great incentive program provided by our insurance company, MIIA. The “MIIA Rewards Program” incentivizes the Town to implement various training requirements, best practices and policies to maximize staff proficiency across a broad spectrum of safety related matters. Each rewards eligible task or training that staff completes reduces the Town’s insurance premium by a certain percentage the following year. For the past several years, we have maxed out our rewards and saved between $35,000 to 52,000 per year in insurance premiums. We expect to max out our savings again in Fiscal Year 2026, which will result in a discount of approximately $35,000 against our FY27 premium.

Consistently, Franklin is among the top MIIA rewards earners of participating municipalities and have won numerous awards for our employee training programs.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PdcnVTVp-mnN3cOaIqidf0SbA_-Udc1G/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Cultural District Committee

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Cultural District Committee exists to enrich and inspire residents and visitors by fostering a diverse range of local cultural, artistic, culinary, and historical preservation activities. Working closely with partner organizations, the Committee positions Franklin as a hub for cultural and economic activity throughout the District and the town.

Designated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), the Franklin Cultural District highlights a vibrant community full of culture, events, assets, and creative partners. The MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative, established through a 2010 economic stimulus bill, supports arts, sciences, and humanities programming to improve quality of life across Massachusetts.

Franklin became the 46th Cultural District in the state in January 2019, following a unanimous vote by the MCC, after a multi-year effort led by the Town and a dedicated group of citizen arts advocates and cultural partners.

Today, the Cultural District is managed by the Franklin Cultural District Committee, an official Town Committee responsible for marketing the District and coordinating cross-partner programming and events.

Core Functions

● Promote the Cultural District as a Hub for Arts and Culture (especially for the World Cup in June and July 2026!)

○ Aligns with MCC requirements to increase visibility and awareness of the district within the community and region.

● Support and Facilitate Local Arts Programming

○ Encourages arts, cultural events, and public performances in compliance with MCC guidance that districts should foster vibrant cultural activity.

● Collaborate with Community Partners

○ Works with local artists, cultural organizations, schools, businesses, and municipal departments, consistent with MCC regulations requiring partnerships that strengthen the district's cultural ecosystem.

● Support Public Art and Cultural Assets

○ Maintains and promotes public art, murals, and temporary installations in alignment with MCC standards for enhancing cultural assets and public accessibility.

● Marketing and Promotion

○ Develops digital, print, and in-person outreach to showcase events, programs, and district offerings, reflecting MCC’s goal to increase engagement and visitation.

● Ensures Sustainability and Strategic Planning

○ Plans long-term programming and leverages municipal, state, and private resources, aligning with MCC regulations to create a sustainable and growing cultural district.

Staffing

● Seven (7) Volunteer Members

○ Includes: One (1) Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Vice Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Clerk

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Expanded District Programming

○ Supported town-wide events such as Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and A-Wreath-of-Franklin, enhancing community engagement and downtown activity.

○ Launched Pop-Up Arts initiatives to activate public spaces and bring art to residents throughout the town.

○ Collaborated with local artists, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations to integrate arts programming across multiple town venues.

■ Franklin Public Schools (JFK and Parmenter) Support music programs at the two schools.

■ Franklin Public Library hosted a concert by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra in April 2025.

■ Franklin Farmers’ Market Provide entertainment at the weekly Farmers Market.

■ Franklin Art Association - Creating an exhibit "Fakes and Forgeries" in June 2025.

■ Franklin HS Music Student Access to quality string Instruments

■ Franklin Public Library Funding for the Blackstone Valley quartet performing music of Taylor Swift

■ Children's Museum of Franklin, Supporting Mural Project in their new space.

■ Franklin Historical Museum - Historic Museum Ben Franklin Month celebration.

■ Franklin School for the Performing Arts - Support funds for programs.

■ LGBTQ Alliance Outdoor Festival, Celebrating Pride month.

● Coordinated with the Franklin Cultural Council to align grant programs with

district-wide initiatives. Including, a joint reception with the Franklin Cultural Council celebrating all FY25 community culture grantees across Franklin. The event was hosted at Dean College, March 2025.

● Enhanced Regional Visibility and Tourism

○ Supported initiatives to attract visitors to Franklin through cultural programming and special events, increasing foot traffic and supporting local businesses.

○ Worked with the Cultural Council and local organizations to maximize regional promotion of Franklin as a creative destination.

○ 2nd Annual Franklin Porchfest, alongside the Porchfest Subcommittee: Participation Growth 40+ bands in 2024; 50+ performers / bands in 2025 showing rapid growth year over year, Strong artist interest, Scalability of the event.

● Expanded Marketing and Outreach

○ Developed marketing campaigns, social media content, and printed materials to promote district events and programming.

● Launched with the Dept. Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, our first-in print cultural district guide to offer more of a narrative to our cultural partners.

○ Cultural District Weekly Eblasts: Open rate: Currently 66%, which is 3% higher than your average over the past 12 months and 27% above the industry average. Comparable high-performing nonprofit or community engagement campaigns often range from 50–60%, so your emails are outperforming most peers.

○ Click Rate: Your click rate is 7%; and 4% above the industry average. Interpretation: The audience is engaging with the content within your emails.

○ Comparable campaigns for arts, culture, or community newsletters usually see click rates between 3–6%, indicating your audience is more actively engaging with your content than typical peers.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Increased expenses by $15,000 to ensure continuity and stability of district-wide cultural programming, community events, and public arts initiatives. With Massachusetts Cultural Council direct funding ending in FY26 and the new Accelerator Grant requiring increased municipal matching, this funding maintains consistent support for local artists, businesses, and free arts experiences for residents and visitors.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

Shared during a MCC District Update Nov./Dec. 2025:

“Mass Cultural Council Direct Funding FY26 will be the final year of annual funding for current Cultural Districts: details to come in the upcoming months. Current districts will have the opportunity to apply for a one-time, 3-year Accelerator Grant that leverages more municipal/outside funding with increasing matching requirements”

With Massachusetts Cultural Council direct funding ending in FY26 and the new Accelerator Grant program requiring increased matching, the Franklin Cultural District Committee is requesting $15,000 in FY27 to ensure continuity of district-wide cultural programming and community events.

This municipal support provides stability, sustains partnerships with local artists and businesses, and guarantees consistent, free, and accessible arts experiences for residents and visitors.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PvfaYikYCcdvNw6GHQAkz_VpewhFyr1X/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Cultural Council

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is dedicated to supporting arts, culture, and the humanities within the Franklin community. As a Local Cultural Council (LCC) funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and supplemented by municipal support, the FCC provides grants and programming that enhance public access to diverse cultural experiences. The FY26 budget reflects our ongoing commitment to funding local artists, educators, and organizations while expanding public engagement with cultural initiatives.

Core Functions

● Grant Distribution: Administers Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) grants to support local arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences projects.

● Grant Reporting & Compliance: Ensures adherence to MCC guidelines and proper documentation of funded initiatives.

● Community Engagement: Promotes cultural opportunities for Franklin residents through events, programs, and partnerships.

● Cultural Advocacy: Serves as a liaison between the community and state cultural agencies to advance Franklin’s creative economy.

● Diversity & Inclusion in the Arts: Prioritizes equitable access to arts and culture for all community members.

● Cultural District Collaboration: Works alongside the Franklin Cultural District Committee to foster cultural growth and visibility.

● Event Sponsorship & Support: Assists in organizing, funding, and promoting cultural events within the town.

● Education & Youth Programs: Encourages arts and cultural education through partnerships with schools and local organizations.

Staffing

● Nine (9) Volunteer Members

○ Includes: One (1) Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Treasurer

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Successfully Distributed MCC Grants. Funded over $40K in local cultural programming through the FY25 grant cycle, supporting artists, nonprofit cultural organizations, and community-based projects.

● Increased Grant Applications. Expanded outreach efforts, resulting in a higher number  of  applicants for MCC funding, including new organizations and youth-focused programs.

○ FY24 $59,002 in requests from FCC

○ FY25 $81,925 in requests from FCC

○ FY26 $168,041 in requests from FCC

● Engaged Schools and Youth Organizations. Funded cultural programs that directly benefited students and young artists, fostering arts education and creative engagement across the community.

○ Some of the organizations that the FCC has funded in FY26: The Franklin Farmers Market, Empty Bowls Project, The 4th of July Coalition, The Franklin Senior Center, The Franklin Public Library, the Franklin High School Theater Booster Club, The Franklin Art Association, The Franklin School of the Performing Arts.

● Supported Key Cultural Events. Provided funding and promotional support for

signature town-wide events, including The Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival Trunk-or-Treats, and the 2nd Annual ‘A Wreath of Franklin’, helping to increase attendance and community participation.

● Implemented More Transparent Reporting.  Improved documentation and tracking of grant impacts, providing clear reporting on community, educational, and cultural outcomes.

 

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level funded budget. The state provides grant money to the FCC based on a formula in state law and is subject to appropriation by the state Legislature.

● The Town continues its own resources to “match” the state grant money.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Franklin Cultural Council is requesting our standard $20,000 to continue supporting the expanding pool of local MCC grant applicants, including emerging and youth-focused artists and organizations. These funds will also support sustain free, community-wide arts programming that enriches public spaces, engages residents of all ages, and strengthens Franklin’s cultural identity.

Investing in this funding ensures broader access to the arts, promotes local talent, and enhances community participation, positioning Franklin as a vibrant regional hub for arts and culture.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l80LIoK4b3BmpLWsGtqq_kntyaLWFS1g/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy exists to foster a thriving, inclusive, and dynamic cultural environment that enhances the quality of life in the Town of Franklin.

The department works to position Franklin as a regional leader in arts, culture, and creative innovation, ensuring that cultural engagement remains a core part of the town’s identity, economic vitality, and long-term growth.

Core Functions

● Supports and Promotes Local Arts

○ Encourages the growth of artists, cultural organizations, and creative enterprises through programming, partnerships, and public opportunities.

● Drives Economic Development

○ Leverages Franklin’s cultural assets to increase tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen the Town’s creative economy.

● Enhances Public Spaces

○ Develops and supports public art installations, cultural programming, and creative placemaking efforts that activate parks, downtown spaces, and community gathering areas.

● Engages the Community

○ Creates opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds to participate in cultural experiences, events, and creative programming.

● Collaborates with Stakeholders

○ Works in partnership with municipal departments, local businesses, schools, non-profits, and cultural organizations to integrate arts and culture into broader community initiatives.

● Supports the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council

○ Strengthens Franklin’s designated Cultural District as a hub for creativity, economic activity, and community engagement while supporting the work of the Franklin Cultural Council.

● Administers Funding and Grants

○ Oversees cultural grants and funding opportunities to expand access to arts programming and support local creative initiatives.

Staffing

● One (1) Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Strengthen the Franklin Cultural District

○ Promoted and supported district-wide events that increased community participation and visibility.

○ Expanded partnerships with local businesses, artists, and organizations.

○ Secured additional funding and grant support for Cultural District initiatives.

○ Expanded the “A-Wreath-of-Franklin” program alongside in downtown Franklin.

● Advanced Public Art Initiatives

○ Launched in May 2025, ‘The Town of Franklin is proud to be the first municipality in the United States to implement Arts Prescriptions, an innovative initiative designed to support community well-being and combat the ongoing impacts of the opioid crisis. ‘ Through the use of opioid settlement funds, Franklin is integrating creative experiences—such as music, dance, visual arts, and theater—into substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts. This pioneering program demonstrates the town’s commitment to fostering resilience and healing through the transformative power of the arts. Read on to learn more about how Franklin is leading the way in this groundbreaking approach to recovery.

■ Since the partnership on May 1, 2025, community members have been referred to Art Pharmacy, and 88% of those individuals have completed intake with a Care Navigator.

■ For those individuals who have been enrolled, arts and culture events have been scheduled to support their engagement in local, community-based opportunities to support their well-being. .

■ All community members have access to bring a companion along with them to their event to support their engagement.

■ Costs for these events for community members and their companions are covered as part of the contract.

■ Enrolled individuals are actively involved in personalized Care Navigation with Art Pharmacy’s team to support their engagement in the Art Pharmacy Program.

■ Revitalized the ‘Arts and Culture Symposium’, attracting regional tourism and integrating Pop-Up Art initiatives into Franklin’s cultural landscape

■ Strengthened the partnership with Wheaton College to expand the Franklin Sculpture Park program with new installations.

■ Launched multiple public art calls for artists including:

● MBTA train station mural, Microgalleries, The Art of Play, and other Public art stipends

■ Increased public engagement with Franklin’s public art collection through digital outreach and educational materials; partnering with the Franklin Historical Museum and the BLACK BOX Theater. Designed and distributed a youth-focused public art educational materials.

● Boosted Grant and Funding Opportunities

○ Effectively managed the $50,000 public art allocation from Senator Rebecca Rausch and administered Massachusetts Cultural Council grants to support local artists and community-based cultural projects.

○ Secured additional funding through Cultural District grants, Festival grants, and Accessibility/Disability initiatives.

○ Improved transparency and reporting on the impact of cultural grant funding.

● Fostered Community and Economic Growth Through the Creative Economy

○ Advocated for initiatives supporting artists, creative entrepreneurs, and local businesses.

○ Increased economic activity within the Franklin Cultural District through event-driven tourism and cultural programming.

○ Partnered with local businesses and organizations to integrate arts and culture into broader town initiatives.

● Positioned Franklin for Future Cultural Growth

○ Strengthened relationships with state and regional cultural organizations.

○ Laid the groundwork for expanded cultural tourism and regional programming initiatives.

○ Established formal partnerships with Massachusetts Cultural Council, Wheaton College, and regional arts councils to support collaborative programming and resource sharing.

○ Developed strategic plans and preliminary materials for expanded cultural tourism initiatives, including a Franklin Public Art Map, walking tours, and marketing for district-wide events, laying the foundation for measurable increases in visitor engagement.

○ Coordinated with local businesses and institutions to pilot new regional programming, including Pop-Up Art exhibits and collaborative festivals, to integrate Franklin into broader regional cultural networks.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Marketing

FY26: $7,000 | FY27: $12,000 → Increase: $5,000

○ Justification: Increased funding supports expanded marketing, promotional materials, and outreach for Cultural District events, festivals, and new initiatives like the Pop-Up Art projects and Franklin Cultural District Guide.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The FY27 requested budget for the Department of Arts, Culture, and the creative Economy is essential to sustain and expand Franklin’s cultural programming, public art initiatives, and community engagement efforts. These funds directly support district-wide events, youth arts programs, public art installations, and marketing of Franklin’s Cultural District, all of which drive local tourism, strengthen small businesses, and enhance quality of life for residents.

A reduction or cut to this budget would limit the department’s ability to maintain these programs, diminish opportunities for local artists and cultural organizations, and reduce Franklin’s visibility as a regional arts and cultural hub. Approval of the requested budget ensures continuity, growth, and meaningful cultural impact across the community.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IvYsvulTKD_b1Arqg4FHozDeQK6jfd_7/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Historical Commission

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Historical Commission consists of seven (7) appointed voting members and associate members. The mission of the Historical Commission is to preserve, protect and develop the historic assets of Franklin.

Core Functions

● The Historical Commission works to preserve the history of the Town of Franklin by Identifying, describing, and locating buildings, objects, burial grounds, and other sites that are of historical importance to the community. Many of the Town’s historical assets are housed at the Franklin Historical Museum on 80 West Central Street.

● The Historical Commission works with the Archivist to make sure the items are cared for properly. No item can be removed from the Museum without approval of the Commission.

Staffing

● There are no paid staff members.

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● The Historical Commission works with the Building Commissioner to manage the Demolition Delay Bylaw as well as with the Director of Planning and Community Development to monitor the Town’s entries on the National Registers of Historic Districts and Buildings

● The Franklin Historical Museum presents a Second Sunday Speaker Series every month hosted by the Historical Commission. The Series engages the public on informative and interesting topics by well known speakers.

● The Franklin Historical Museum also takes part in various town activities, Strawberry Festival, Harvest Festival and PorchFest.

● Please visit the Historical Museum’s website and Facebook page.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level funded budget.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Franklin Historical Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Franklin’s historical and cultural heritage, and sharing that heritage with the community and beyond. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers in the Franklin Historical Commission who contribute many hours every year to the operation of the museum. We are asking for the same $3,300 budget in FY27 so that we may continue our robust programs at the Franklin Historical Museum.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kQLUtz9mChLpttux6qIbycWDSQRu4Tzg/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Historical Museum

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Historical Museum is a cultural heritage institution devoted to the stewardship of Franklin’s history and culture. Our mission is to collect historical artifacts and archival records pertaining to Franklin’s history; preserve the artifacts and documents in our collections; make materials accessible to the public; and to educate the public about Franklin’s historical and cultural narratives through exhibits and programming.

Core Functions

● Collection and Preservation

○ Collect historical artifacts and documents relating to the history of the Town of Franklin, including records from businesses and industries, educational institutions, municipal activities, religious organizations, and social organizations, dating from the 18th to 21st centuries. Ensure the physical stewardship of fragile documents and artifacts, and carry out preservation measures where necessary.

● Organization and Description

○ Organize, describe, and house objects and archival collections according to professional museum administration and archival standards. Develop and manage internal collection documentation, including donation records, object catalogs and inventory, informative finding aids for archival collections, and loan agreements. Make collection documentation accessible to inquiring parties.

● Education and Advocacy

○ In cooperation with the Historical Commission, plan and coordinate exhibits and programming to educate the public on the history of Franklin, and promote awareness and advocate for the protection of the town’s historical and cultural resources.

● Historical Reference

○ Fulfill inquiries and requests from researchers, community members, and town departments on business and industrial history, historical property research, genealogy, and other historical topics related to the Town of Franklin.

Staffing

● One (1) Archivist

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Welcomed over 2,300 visitors from Franklin and surrounding towns for an average of 197 visitors per month, our highest annual attendance on record and a 16.6% increase in visitorship over 2024.

● Offered educational programming on a range of cultural and historical subjects to the public through five exhibits, thirteen guest speaker events, and two musical events.

● With funding from the Community Preservation Committee and support from the Facilities Department, restoration of the cupola was completed on our 183-year-old building.

● Continue to advocate for the preservation of historical resources in the community and make them accessible to the public through programming and exhibits.

● Expand outreach to surrounding communities to increase visitorship and build solidarity with local historic organizations.

● Grow digital collections to improve awareness of and accessibility to communal historic resources.

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level funded budget.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The Franklin Historical Museum is requesting a level funded budget for FY27, with no increases beyond the standard 2.5% COLA for the Archivist, the sole non-union employee for the department. In total, FHM’s budget request accounts for 0.04% of the Town Administrator’s FY27 Operating Budget Model. While this request accounts for a small percentage of the overall budget, that small percentage is fundamental to the continued activities of the Historical Museum, and essential to its mission to preserve and protect Franklin’s historical and cultural heritage.

A loss of funding and/or the sole municipal employee at the museum would result in the loss of 50 years’ worth of progress in historical stewardship and storytelling, the loss of a community space that has been utilized and treasured by Franklin's citizens for the past 183 years, and the loss of 247 years’ worth of history directly preceding the Town’s 250th anniversary in 2028. We hope to continue our mission in sharing historical narratives and being a space by the community, for the community.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JkvJdmL5nqFgmBMnVdW2AEh2J-DbKr4E/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Recreation Department

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Recreation Department is responsible for delivering exceptional recreational programs and facilities that enhance the quality of life for our residents. Through a steadfast commitment to consistency, dependability, and a deep sense of obligation to our community, we strive to elevate the well-being of all those we serve. As a self-supporting department, we rely on program fees to sustain operations while fostering partnerships with local sports organizations, the Franklin Public School Department, residents, private groups, and other town departments. Our impact is far-reaching, with over 12,000 individuals benefiting from our programs, parks, and playgrounds annually. This year alone, our registration numbers exceeded 7,200 participants, reflecting our ongoing growth and success.

Core Functions

● Coordinating recreation activities with youth and adult sports organizations (e.g., youth baseball, youth and adult soccer, youth and adult lacrosse, youth softball, youth football, youth and adult cricket, adult pickleball, and youth and adult street hockey).

● Expanding partnerships with public schools, nonprofits, and citizen groups.

● Trail maintenance efforts led by Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

● Enhancing resident participation in program development and park planning.

● Developing new self-supporting programs and securing additional funding through grants, donations, and sponsorships.

Staffing

● One (1) Recreation Director

● One (1) Deputy Director

● One (1) Program Coordinator

● Three (3) part-time Program Coordinators

● One (1) part-time Administrative Assistant

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Revenue Overview

○ In FY25, our revenues were $844,702, marking a 6.5% increase from the

$793,230 generated in FY24. This growth is driven by:

■ Increased participation, rising from 7,136 in FY24 up slightly to 7,179 in FY25.

■ So far in FY26, we have seen higher monthly revenue peaks, with August 2025 reaching $131,000, February 2026 hitting $82,000, and March 2026 reaching a record high $156,000.

■ Expansion of programs and facilities, attracting more participants and broadening our offerings by moving to the Gerald F. Parmenter complex in June 2025.

■ Anticipated revenue growth in FY26, with a projected total of

$868,000.

■ As we grow, we are committed to reinvesting in our programs, staff, and facilities to enhance community engagement and accessibility

● Facility & Infrastructure Improvements

○ King Street Memorial Park Master Plan: Seeking Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for new electrical service, additional parking near the pickleball/basketball courts and community garden, restroom/concession building for summer camp, 4 additional pickleball courts, improved field lighting, and security enhancements.

○ New 70’ baseball batting cage at Fletcher Field with synthetic turf surface.

○ Construction of a press box at Beaver Pond turf field.

 

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● Budget realignment: increasing our Other Contractual Services line by $1,000 due to expenses related to basketball referees and concerts on the common. However, we have decreased our Printing and Meetings/Conference line item by $1,000 to match.

● Increasing our Recreation Programs line by $10,000 due to expenses related to programs offered by our department. These expenses will be recouped by revenues.

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

We remain committed to fiscal responsibility, ensuring that revenue growth aligns with strategic reinvestments. Through careful budgeting and diversified funding, we continue to strengthen our self-sustaining model while enhancing the quality of our offerings. With projected revenue of $875,000 in FY27, we aim to:

● Expand recreational programs to meet rising demand.

● Improve accessibility and inclusion across all facilities.

● Pursue additional grant opportunities to reduce financial barriers for residents.

● Continue infrastructure enhancements to maximize community benefit. Our consistent growth in participants and revenue reflects the Recreation Department’s commitment to delivering exceptional services and enriching the lives of Franklin’s residents. We expect to see further growth in FY27 and anticipate our revenues to surpass the $875,000 mark.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p36YcnY5Uf7g7ePV_tMvwb98a3pIjDvJ/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Public Library

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The Franklin Public Library is an essential municipal service that supports the Town’s goals related to education, civic engagement, economic opportunity, cultural vitality, and quality of life. The Library provides free and equitable access to information, technology, educational resources, and community space for residents of all ages.

Core Functions

Consistent with its mission to foster knowledge and engagement through education, enrichment, technology and lifelong learning, the library’s main functions include the following:

● Facilities

○ The library’s magnificent building, art, and architecture are inspiring spaces that invite residents of all ages to exist, learn, connect, and thrive, and enjoy a warm welcoming safe haven.

■ Study spaces

■ Meeting spaces

■ Conference spaces

■ Art display spaces

■ Big program rooms for large-scale events

● Programming

○ Our programming is the catalyst for inspiration and beacon of creativity, serving residents of all ages, equipping users with tools to learn and pursue novel ventures, and driving traffic to our doors from several towns away, making us a destination.

■ Programs tailored to specific age groups and developmental stages, specifically targeted to meet the needs and schedules of children and their grown-ups

■ Community programs

■ Educational workshops

■ Outreach activities

● Collections

○ At the heart of the library's services to the community and key to education. The library’s wide-ranging print and digital resources empower residents to learn, reflect and build new perspectives, propelling them from uncertainty to capability, unemployment to new pursuits, and isolation to connection.

■ Acquisition/ Development

■ Maintenance

■ Creative/ non-traditional materials

● Technology

○ We bridge the digital divide, and are a pathway for transformational skills that provides:

■ Computers, internet and Wi-Fi

■ Software, online databases, digital resources and Mobile App

■ Printing, scanning and fax services

■ Innovative tools, and tech-related non-traditional materials in the library of things

● Reference and information services

○ We connect patrons to resources, technology research and local history

● History

○ We are the first public lending library in the nation. Our magnificent building houses the original town documents, the collections of both Benjamin Franklin the founding father of public education, Horace Mann.

 

Staffing

● One (1) Library Director

● One (1) Deputy Library Director

● One (1) Head of Reference and Public Services

● One (1) Youth Services Librarian

● One (1) Assistant Youth Services Librarian

● One (1) Programming and Outreach Librarian

● One (1) Circulation Supervisor

● Five (5) Library Assistants

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Rocked by inadequate funding that resulted in the Library decertification in 2012, the Library has developed and implemented significant restructuring and organizational strategies to continue to provide stable, reliable and durable services to Franklin residents.

● Since the 2012 decertification and resulting reduction in staff from 24 to 12, our restructuring and organization development, the transition from part-time to

full-time staff has allowed for cross-training, cross-functional responsibilities and the development of enabling internal processes that allow every single library staff member to adapt and become jack of all trades, managing every facet of library operation, from front-line patron services, collection management, cataloging, reference services, technology assistance, and programming output.

● While our staffing levels have not increased since 2012, during this time the building footprint has increased by 8,000 square feet, we have expanded our collections, and tripled our programming output.

● As a result of our organizational initiatives, the Franklin Public Library has become one of the outstanding exemplars in the State Library System with the following major milestones and accomplishments:

○ The largest circulation per FTE in its population group (31,297 vs.15,000 for Natick)

○ The largest program attendance in its population group (49,000 vs 15,000 for Natick)

○ The most efficient and cost-effective Library in its population group ($33/resident/year vs $70/resident/year for Natick)

○ All of the above milestones are achieved with the lowest staffing and funding levels in our population group. (Natick, Needham, Chelmsford, Norwood, Milford)

 

● In spite of budget challenges and because of its organizational initiatives, the library has managed to grow and expand program attendance and offerings. By turning our energy and efforts towards creative staff-led programming while also leveraging community partnerships, the library remains a thriving space for patrons of all ages.

● We have also adjusted our registration-based programming to reach wider audiences and have expanded our school-age afternoon impact by 50%, with multiple art-based program options, expanded read to a dog program capacity, and innovative half-day events to support caregivers during planned school closures.

● Services

○ The library introduced home delivery to ensure that Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations can continue to benefit from services.

○ To advance community health and well-being, the library joined forces with the Franklin Health Department and the American Heart Association to provide access to a blood pressure monitoring station at the library and blood pressure kits for home use. These kits have been very well received.

○ An art exhibit showcasing the library’s storied history, splendour and magnificent murals and art attracted visitors from across the state and resulted in a feature article in the Boston Sunday Globe.

○ Three Franklin Public Library staff were invited speakers at the Massachusetts Library Conference to present and discuss our practices, programs and services.

○ Introduced a new Large Print Juvenile fiction collection in consultation with a local family.

○ Over two hundred residents received free tax preparation help through the library’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.

● School relationships

○ Our school partnerships impact over 1,000 students each month, from preschool up through 8th grade

○ Expanded read-aloud initiatives, reaching 600 students from grades K-2 each month

○ Monthly read-aloud visits to 15 ECDC classrooms

○ Over 80 middle school students served through the BLAST Mobile Library Program each week

○ Continuation of the fourth annual graphic novelist panel in partnership with Franklin Middle School

○ A redesign of the teen/adult Summer Reading Program to streamline student and adult participation saw an increase of 65% in adult signups and 8% in children signups during Summer 2025.

○ The expansion of passive program offerings in Youth Services Spaces has improved patron engagement and increased foot traffic

● Programs

○ Added new afternoon literacy initiatives and art/painting classes for school-age patrons

○ Partnered with Franklin Fire Department to offer quarterly Local Hero Storytimes

○ Collaborated with Town Departments and SAFE Coalition for family health and safety programs during the holidays

○ Collaborated with the Department of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Franklin Cultural District and Downtown Partnership on multiple initiatives (A-Wreath-of-Franklin, Fairy Trails Program, Strawberry Stroll and Harvest Festival)

○ New collaborative programs with local parent groups introduced dads to the art of Parent/Child Hairstyling and a Petite Prom program

○ The SAFE Coalition rolled out monthly narcan trainings for the community

● The Library’s FY27 priorities

○ Welcoming and safe spaces

○ Equitable access to services

○ Responsible stewardship, operational efficiency and sustainability

○ Internal and external collaborations

○ Staff, facilities and technology

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The FY 2027 Library budget is a bare bone service level budget that barely meets the Municipal Appropriation Requirement, (MAR) the amount the town must fund the library by statute. If the Library loses its MAR certification, the Town jeopardizes losing almost $90,000 in State funding.

● This budget is less than 1% of the total town budget. Any cuts to this budget will put the library at risk of decertification. Currently Franklin residents have access to over 59 million items from other libraries across the State. Last year, Franklin residents borrowed over 58,000 items from other libraries, saving the town over $870,000. If the Library is decertified, residents will lose their borrowing privileges.

 

FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The FY2027 budget for the Franklin Public Library is designed to maintain core services, address operational needs, and support thoughtful planning for the future. It reflects the Library’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, public access, and alignment with the Town’s long-term goals. The Library appreciates the continued support of the Town Administrator, Town Council, and Finance Committee in sustaining this essential public service.

The PDF of this section - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S9UQw3TKsr6qhXiNUsFNzDE9ITFmAaBQ/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative -  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The FY 2027 budget information can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577