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. "

Sign here to support the override election be held THIS budget season!

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?

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."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/5MciuUTumq8sx5dU/?mibextid=Nif5oz

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

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’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

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)

Economic Development & Town Council Meetings - Weds, August 16

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 5:45 PM

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-16_edc_agenda_.pdf

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 7 PM

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for August 16, 2023 Meeting

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for August 16, 2023 Meeting

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 16, 2023 - 7 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled.

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Agricultural Commission

i. Daniel Morse  

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

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

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  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._23-898_-_grv.pdf

i. Legislation for Action Item #9a

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  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._23-899_-_marijuana_overlay_district.pdf

i. Legislation for Action #9b

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8aii._franklin_ma_-_pavement_management_report_-_final_draft_8.3.2023.pdf

iii. Water Tank Master Plan

b. Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8b._i_-_override_discussion.pdf

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

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8bii._1_-_discussion_memo_-_ethics_-_mark_1.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

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 - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-898 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._bylaw_amendment_23-898_-_grv.pdf

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 - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-899 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9b._-_bylaw_amendment_23-899_-_marijuana_overlay_district.pdf

c. Resolution 23-48: Appropriation of $35,000 from Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund (Motion to approve Resolution 23-48 - ⅔ Majority Vote)  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9c._23-48_-_opioid_funding_35k.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for August 16, 2023 Meeting

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting - August 2, 2023 at 7 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee 

The Joint Budget Subcommittee will meet on August 2, 2023 at 7 PM. 

Please note, this meeting will include a review of the Town Administrator's 5 Year Fiscal Forecast as well as a slideshow presentation regarding an Override (Override 101 & Override History in Franklin).

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/august_2_2023_joint_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/joint-budget-subcommittee-august-2nd-2023

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting - August 2, 2023 at 7 PM

The Override history slides

Preliminary Five-Year Fiscal Forecast Budget Model for the Joint Budget Subcommittee - Aug 2, 2023

To: Joint Budget Subcommittee 

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

Re: Preliminary Five-Year Fiscal Forecast Budget Model

Attached is the latest five-year fiscal forecast for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) through Fiscal Year 2029 (FY29). This is a preliminary model based on a series of assumptions outlined below. These assumptions are based on Proposition 2 ½, trends, market conditions and a couple strategic initiatives (mainly capital facility and infrastructure costs).

This forecast is only intended to be a guideline for strategic budget development and discussion. It is important to emphasize that if the Town has further needs for bond rating evaluations, items will need to be cut out of the budget in order to demonstrate to the ratings agencies a solvent, balanced budget.

The current FY24 Budget baseline is highlighted in light yellow. The five-year forecast is highlighted in light blue. The sections highlighted in light green will be the center of the discussion at the meeting and represent the most challenging areas in the next five years.

Revenue assumptions

The model makes the following revenue assumptions:

● New Growth - The model assumes $1,100,000 in annual New Growth revenue from year to year. Town policy is to use a ten-year aggregate average for annual new growth calculations. While this number will fluctuate, the town has seen a drop in private sector and residential homeowner property improvement investments in recent years. There is a lot of risk in the marketplace due to supply chain uncertainty, high interest rates, inflation, and increasing costs. The model assumes an increase in New Growth. In FY24, New Growth revenue is expected to decline. FY25 could see a similar decline.

For those interested in reading analysis about the Massachusetts economy, please take a look at the UMass Donahue Institutes’ MassBenchmarks series here. This publication represents a coalition of economic experts, including our state's most preeminent financial and academic  

institutions, who publish their independent analysis of the Massachusetts economy.

● Tax Levy - The anticipated tax levy growth increases by 2.5% per year. Staff anticipates a reduction in the tax levy of approximately $630,000 over the next five years, due to debt exclusions “sunsetting” off the tax rolls as projects are paid off.

● Local Receipts - The model assumes a 2% growth in local receipts per year.

● State Aid - The model assumes a 1% growth in state aid per year. Education aid from the state has been well documented by the town for a decade. The public should not expect a large infusion of state education aid in the foreseeable future.

● Other Revenues - The model assumes a 2.5% increase in indirects per year. The model assumes a 2% increase in state assessments per year.

Expenses Assumptions

The model makes the following expenditure assumptions:

● Assumes a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all municipal personnel line items each year for five years. Please note most union contracts, including FEA, Police, Fire, DPW, Custodian, and Library expire Summer of 2025. A 2.5% increase is modeled to stay within the tax levy.

● The Franklin Public School district budget increases 2.5% per year, or approximately $1.8 to $2 million per year.

● All municipal expense budgets increase 2.5% per year.

● Norfolk County Retirement System budget assumes a rate of growth at 5% and health care costs are projected at 7%.

● A full year assessment of $1.5 million for regional dispatch in FY25 and a rate of growth of 2.5% each year thereafter.

● Tri-County Vocational School building project estimated assessment of $2.1 annually for 30 years at an interest rate of 4.25%. The Town will have to consider funding this project through a debt exclusion vote at the ballot. A debt exclusion will increase taxes for citizens over the next 30 years in order to pay for the new school building. Tri-County is entering the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process now and a districtwide authorizing vote (on the project, not the financing) is scheduled for October 24, 2023. The financial forecast illustrates in the light green section an increase of almost $2.1 million in FY27 for this building and a 2.5% increase in the following years. Given the construction and planning processes, this will likely not be the funding schedule. However,it is important to put this project in the model as a placeholder to illustrate costs as well as competing demands. It is important to note that if a debt exclusion is not passed or another financing mechanism is not found, the town will see structural cuts of about $2.1 million in FY27 and beyond.

● Includes anticipated borrowing for projects that were authorized by the Town Council in 2020, which includes the Washington Street sidewalk ($3 million), High School improvements ($2.5 million, including visitor bleachers), Remington-Jefferson remodel ($4 million), and recycling center ($4 million). These project estimates will need reauthorization to accommodate for a 25% increase in costs from the original 2020 authorization. Of note, these numbers are preliminary and could be greater, once finalized. Staff anticipated a 4+% interest rate for these projects, even with our AAA Bond Rating.

There is also $1 million authorized to borrow for the Parmenter School’s mechanical upgrades. This is NOT included in the model. A review of the costs to rehabilitate Parmenter needs to be explored at a deeper level, as Parmenter will need a new roof, mechanicals, and other improvements. If Parmenter is to maintain its use as a school for the foreseeable future (meaning 20-30 years), then the community should expect a complete upgrade of approximately $5 million. The Town will need to borrow for this project as well.

It is also important to reference that our staff capacity may not be able to coordinate this number of capital projects in such a short time. Also, the debt and interest line items have quickly decreased the last two fiscal years due to sunsetting debt exclusions and other borrowing coming off the books. The community is going to have to make some judicious decisons and prioritize projects in the coming years.

● Includes the borrowing for the Fire Department ladder truck, authorized earlier in the year.

What does this model NOT include?

A short list of items that have been discussed publicly in some variation (not in this order):

● Costs associated with the Police Station and Davis-Thayer Building. These projects will each cost tens of millions of dollars and will certainly require debt exclusion votes of the public to raise taxes (and then sunset).

● Additional strategic investments toward Franklin Public Schools.

● Additional public infrastructure costs for roads, sidewalks, parking lots, trails, and green energy commitments.

● $500,000-$1,000,000 in additional annual capital needs that have been requested to be put into the operating budget as annual operating costs, such as public safety protection gear, equipment, fleet, vehicles, and school curriculum.

● Funding relative to an increasing demand and reliance on technology. Whether it's cyber security, computers for students and/or employees, the proper recruitment and retention of exceptional technology staff, or required fiber and equipment upgrades, technology is a necessary cost driver. This is an area of significant underfunding, and the Town has not invested nearly enough in what is needed to build a sustainable technology environment.

● New investments in social services, regional transportation investments, personnel, clean energy, or any of the other requests the community may have.

● Off-budget accounts, such as utilities and community preservation.

 

Where do we go from here?

The community has several choices to address public school finance:

1. The municipal and school departments must live within the means of 2.5% revenue and expenditure growth. Ultimately, this presents challenging choices, but is the most sustainable option at the current time.

2. Work toward an override ballot question to permanently raise property taxes to pay for a defined set of service investments.

3. Shift resources from the municipal departments to the Franklin Public School Department.

4. Redesign the service delivery of the School Department. In other words, the District will reevaluate what services it offers, what is required, and what are the projections moving forward with cost drivers. One exercise that would prove valuable for the Franklin Public School District is to create a five to ten year strategic financial plan that addresses the balancing and shifting needs in public education with considerations given to the district's declining enrollment.

The model, as shown, illustrates a significant structural deficit in FY26 and beyond. FY25 also shows a deficit, but appears manageable, due to healthy local receipts and stable new growth. Barring any unforeseen global circumstance, FY25 will likely be manageable.

The community has a flood of expensive projects and competing demands coming up in a very challenging market to borrow money. The Town does not have any unused tax levy capacity, and has rebuilt its reserves to a baseline level in order to obtain a AAA Bond rating. Town and School reserves should not be withdrawn. While it may feel like a rainy day, it is not. The future likely holds more turbulent waters given the geopolitical state of our world.

The Town of Franklin (and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) currently enjoys some of the best overall quality of life in the United States. As demonstrated again this month, it is rated as one of the safest communities in the country against violent crime. The community has an elite school district with exceptional teachers and educators, incredible special education services, championship athletics, and diverse extracurricular and recreational opportunities, a vibrant and jam-packed senior center, and a public library that is second to none. The community has worked hard to rebuild its most critical infrastructure over the past 2 decades to ensure quality and clean drinking water, great roads and sidewalks, exceptional parks and grounds, and to ensure the community has plenty of sewer capacity for the next several generations; hopefully another 100 years! The Town has preserved over 200 acres of open space in the last two years and has been awarded the highest bond rating at AAA for incredible financial management for the first time in the Town’s history.

The community enjoys a healthy, strong and supportive social fabric with events for all ages, economic classes and tastes. The Town has a robust diversity of retail shopping, restaurants, basic needs, social services support, and amenities. Franklin also enjoys a government that shows its citizens that it can act in compromise, humility and a dedicated focus on decisions that enhance the quality of life in the community. While many very difficult decisions will be here for the rest of the decade, we also think it is important that the community recognizes, and does not take for granted, the current state of the town.

The numbers to support this narrative along with the remainder of the package released for the August 2 meeting can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/august_2_2023_joint_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

Preliminary Five-Year Fiscal Forecast Budget Model for the Joint Budget Subcommittee - Aug 2, 2023

What is the One Franklin group doing?

via One Franklin

We have officially registered a ballot question committee called "One Franklin 2023" aka One Franklin. (Ruthann O'Sullivan, Chair and Ken Ojukwu, Treasurer) We are piggy-backing off of the efforts originally started in 2019 after many of you saw over 100 Franklin teachers standing with pink slips on Route 140.

The original committee was led by then School Committee Chair Dr. Anne Bergen, as well as Roberta Trahan, Chair and Jim Roche, Treasurer.

When the federal covid relief money was given to Franklin, our public schools were given a temporary band aid. This federal money plus the chaos ensued by managing covid, stalled the progress of that original committee.

However, that federal relief money is gone and this is why once again our schools are back facing a "fiscal cliff". With the original committee's blessing, we have reignited the efforts to solve this problem. More importantly, One Franklin is for ALL of our community! We do not want the health of our public schools to come at the expense of other departments. We have amazing services in town, they are all stretched thin, and we need to band together as a community.

To summarize:

The One Franklin committee is a group of engaged citizens who are working with elected leaders to pass a tax override in Franklin.

The community's engagement is the absolute most important factor. We have a ton of ways to be involved regardless of your bandwidth. We also don't expect folks who have not been closely watching the history of Franklin's budget process to know immediately that this override is necessary. One of the initiatives of One Franklin is to educate the community as to why we support an override.

Please join our efforts! The email to be involved is OneFranklinVolunteers@gmail.com

We also have a Facebook page, but often cross post on this Support for Franklin Public Schools page as well.

Citizen's engagement motivated our Town Council to reconvene the Joint Budget Subcommittee, which meets Aug 2. Please attend and recruit as many in the community as possible to learn what's happening and engage.

We thought it would be helpful to summarize our expectations of how this process will unfold.

Since our school budget is at such a critical tipping point, by default it will be a significant portion of what will be the amount asked for on the override ballot question. The School Committee, and specifically the members from School Committee's Finance Subcommittee as well as the members of School Committee on Joint Budget Subcommittee will work with school administration to put together line items which they will then bring forward as a request for an override.

Those line items seem to be what folks in this thread refer to as a "proposal". These School Committee members and our school administrators are the best people to draft this request.

One Franklin is committed to remaining engaged, motivating and supporting those efforts to get this done.

From there, One Franklin will engage, motivate and support the other non-school departments to submit their needs so that our joint budget subcommittee and TC can discuss/debate in open meetings.

The Town Council will ultimately vote on a number they believe the community will support.

Once that number is specified and outlined so that citizens know precisely where money will be allocated, the town attorney will draft the ballot question.

One Franklin will have many many open meetings and resources available above and beyond what you get to hear during Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee meetings. We have over 200 active volunteers and the list is growing. So whether you just want to dip your toe in the water, or host an educational event, we want you!

Franklin values our town services, let's work together to make sure they're not just efficient, they're excellent!

General Update from the One Franklin group

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

FM #1020 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1020 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and School Committee Chair Denise Spencer. 

We had our conversation at the Municipal Building on Tuesday June 27,2023. Tom Mercer joined via Zoom.  

Now that the major FY 2024 budget decisions are behind us, how we will go forward becomes the topic. The next steps start with the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Aug 2. 

Over the next several months, lots of conversations, and planning discussion should result in a plan to go forward that the ad-hoc residents committee can then spread the word on for a potential override decision by the Town.

The conversation runs about 54 minutes. Let’s listen to the recording of the way forward discussion on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1020-fy2024-going-forward-06-27-23

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

School FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

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

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

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)