Showing posts with label override. Show all posts
Showing posts with label override. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

What's this about a possible override for Franklin?

The first pass of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) budget as presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting last week shows the Town of Franklin facing a $10.1 million deficit. The numbers will continue to be worked. As discussed during the meeting, breaking news that afternoon showed a reduction in the projected cost increase for health care that had just been received. That will be adjusted for future budget discussions.


The timeline for the budget development is as follows:

  • School Committee budget public hearing - March 19

  • School Committee votes on school budget recommendation - April 2

  • Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget scheduled for release - April 12

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee - (TBD - possible Apr 17?)

  • Finance Committee budget hearings - May 6, May 8, May 15 (vote)

  • Town Council budget hearings - May 22, May 23 (vote)


If there were to be an override, the decision on “When?” is as critical as “How much”? Election requirements call for 35 days notification of a vote on a ballot question. Hence, a vote scheduled for June would have to be decided no later than early May


Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials


School budget page -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget


Recent meetings/documents (most recent on top, scroll down for prior)


Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - March 6


School Committee Superintendent’s budget - March 5


Visit One Franklin to find out more about the group and their efforts advocating for the override https://onefranklinma.com/

What's this about a possible override for Franklin?
What's this about a possible override for Franklin? 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

 FM #1156 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1156 in the series. 

This session shares a recap of the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This recap was recorded via Zoom on Thursday, March 7, 2024. 

The recap of this critical budgetary meeting was conducted with:
  • Council Chair Tom Mercer who also serves as the Chair of the Joint Budget Committee
  • George Conley, Chair of the Finance Committee
  • David McNeill, Vice-Chair of the School Committee as well as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee for the schools

Quick recap:
  • Role of the Joint Budget Committee
  • Reflections on the info shared in the meeting
  • Next steps including schedule of meetings to continue to work on refining the FY 2025 budget
The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen to the recap of the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1156-recap-of-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-07-24
 

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   



Photo album capturing the slides and meeting 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link 

Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 


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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

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"

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)
Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Via Boston Globe

"Nearly five years after Massachusetts lawmakers overhauled the state’s school funding formula, districts are struggling to balance their budgets for the upcoming school year, prompting many to consider cutting programs and staff or asking taxpayers to dig deeper. 
The chief culprit, district leaders and advocates say, is the high rate of inflation that hit the US economy in recent years, much higher than the adjustments used in the new funding formula that was revamped to reflect modern-day costs. 
The failure of the new formula to accurately capture inflation could be collectively costing districts hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, according to Colin Jones, deputy policy director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, a nonpartisan research institute. 
Voters in Belmont, Harvard, and Westford will be considering hefty property tax hikes at the polls this spring, which, if they fail to pass, could result in significant cuts to school and town services. In Belmont, for example, if voters reject an $8.4 million override on April 2, school leaders have said they will need to close the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School, eliminate dozens of teaching and other positions, and make deep cuts to extracurricular activities."
Continue reading the full article online (subscription may be required) ->

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget
Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

The presentation doc used for the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere is now posted to the Town budget page and available for further review.


Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review
Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

Joint Budget Subcommittee get the details on the current $10.1 million deficit to start the conversation & process (audio)

FM #1153 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1153 in the series. 


This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with a huge crowd and multiple folks tapped in via Zoom. 


The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the 4 members of the Town Council, 4 members of the Finance Committee and 3 members of the School Committee (to avoid a committee quorum for each of the respective bodies).


Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo, and Melanie Hamblen of the Town Council

George Conley, Natalie Riley, of the Finance Committee

David McNeill, Paul Griffith, and KP Sompally of the School Committee


Quick recap:

  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School superintendent Lucas Gigiuere jointly presented the story of the town and school budgets as they initially create a 10.1 million deficit to be resolved

  • Next steps outlined as this is the start of the discussion and fine tuning of the budget

The show notes contain a link to the agenda, the Franklin TV meeting video, and to my notes.


The recording runs about 3 hours and 30 minutes, so let’s listen to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1153-town-of-franklin-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-06-24



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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   


Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024.pdf 


Presentation document link -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-03-06_fy25_budget_slides_jbsc.pdf


Photo album capturing the slides and meeting 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4HcchHohAs9vqrJA 


My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link 


Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials


Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 



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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


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"




Monday, February 26, 2024

Will you sign the One Franklin petition to put an override request on the ballot?

via One Franklin: signatures looked for on the 
"one tool we have for getting this on the ballot this budget season, June 2024. 
We (One Franklin) will campaign hard in April and May. 
Otherwise, if we wait until November, the schools will suffer, and the problem will increase requiring an even larger number. "

More info about the One Franklin group can be found on their web page ->    https://onefranklinma.com/

Will you sign the One Franklin petition to put an override request on the ballot?
Will you sign the One Franklin petition to put an override request on the ballot?

Thursday, February 22, 2024

One Franklin: Community Coffee Conversations at Birchwood Bakery from 7 to 9 PM today

"Beginning Feb 22, then continuing every other Thursday 7-9 PM. One or more members of One Franklin will be at Franklin’s Birchwood Bakery to connect, discuss the latest developments around an override proposal and to just have good conversations at a great spot in town.

All are welcome to come by and say hi ultimately we are all working together for the same outcome… One Franklin, where everyone benefits from our united effort to nurture and value our community."


One Franklin: Community Conversations at Birchwood Bakery from 7 to 9 PM today
One Franklin: Community Coffee Conversations at Birchwood Bakery from 7 to 9 PM today


Thursday, January 4, 2024

One Franklin "New Year's Resolution Event" scheduled for Jan 11, 2024 at 67 Degrees

Happy New Year One Franklin!!!

We have shared our New Year's Resolution Event on our Facebook Page, through Franklin Matters, and other channels, so hopefully most of you have saved the date!
One Franklin New Year's Resolution Public Event!
Thursday, January 11, 2024
67 Degrees Brewing, Franklin 

Help us fill that room One Franklin!! We invited the media, so please make it count.

All of our active volunteers will be there to launch our website & we will have lawn signs to take home too. Good drinks, good people and a New Year's Resolution worth fighting for... Franklin! This is a great chance to invite friends and neighbors to join!

We have invited elected leaders to answer questions. Many who have been supporting our efforts, working to educate residents that "the pot isn't big enough" and that it's up to the community to take action. 

We are pushing forward trying to get the override on the ballot just after budget hearings are finalized this May/June 2024. The public school number is a huge ask, and they must make sure they are responsibly addressing the call to close schools. Doing so will not solve the budget shortage, we saw little impact from closing Davis Thayer. Nevertheless, it's going to be a hot topic creating some pushback during override debates. 

The Superintendent has been asked to create a 5-10 year "vision" which is a massive undertaking and this is why they did not redistrict last year. The School Committee voted to thoroughly research all moving parts of the district, with updated enrollment numbers, understand specific facilities conditions, and produce a road map for the next 5-10 years.

However, we will have a good number to work with before that vision is complete because even at 'level services' we are well above the 2.5% expected in the standard budget increase. Once the school committee is able to bring forward their defined needs, the other departments should be ready to go. One Franklin has met with the Fire Chief and Union, Superintendent and Union, Police Chief, and DPW Director and Union thus far. Our Town Admin will add on Fire, DPW, Police, etc. and that's ultimately the number we will be working with to get the Town Council to approve for a vote. 

Please reply if you can make it, and if you want to help with food or decor, please don't hesitate to let us know at onefranklinvolunteers@gmail.com. Many hands make light work.

Thank you!!!

One Franklin "New Year's Resolution Event" scheduled for Jan 11, 2024 at 67 Degrees
One Franklin "New Year's Resolution Event" scheduled for Jan 11, 2024 at 67 Degrees

Sunday, December 17, 2023

One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM

Join One Franklin for a New Years Resolution Public Event on January 11 from 6-9 PM at 67 Degrees Brewing

Meet our leadership team and talk directly with elected leaders about how we are working together to avoid cuts to Franklin's town services, most significantly to our public schools!

(One Franklin is a ballot question committee formed to pass an operational override in Franklin.)


One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM
One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM

Sunday, August 20, 2023

This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)

FM #1042 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1042 in the series. 


This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of August 16, 2023


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS a. Agricultural Commission   i. Daniel Morse  


PUBLIC HEARINGS 

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements  

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map  


Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan   

iii. Water Tank Master Plan


Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator  

ii. Campaign & Political Finance and Ethics Laws - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney  


Near Future outlook

  • Police Station Building Committee meeting – 8/23 – 6 PM  (Council Chamber)

  • Master Plan Committee – 8/23 6:30 PM (3rd floor)

  • Dean College President Ken Elmore will provide an update at next session


Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Aug 17, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1042-town-council-quarterbacking-08-17-23



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The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/vlYIlCbc4hs 

The PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mCqfZ5ZEaL6jBcpFEFFOrqh8NrW6noP/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


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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)
This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)