Capital Budget Subcmte reviews the capital budget proposal & recommends to Town Council (audio)

FM #1367 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1367 in the series. 

This session shares the Capital Budget Subcmte Meeting held Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in the Council Chambers. All four members participated. 

 

1. FY25 Capital Plan & Subcommittee recommendations 

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4098/2025-01-29-CBSC-Agenda---1a-FY25-Capital 

b. FY25 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4117/1b---Capital---Dept-Requests-and-5-Year-Plans 

c. Quotes  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4116/1c-Quotes 

The votes to approve all recommendations were 4-0

The agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The recording runs about 3 hours , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1367-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-29-25/

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My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNNvCsoWOmoEZ8ReL0iqH6B9MO9Moj96/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/capital-budget-subcmte-reviews-capital.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

The "free cash" allocation overview for the capital budget proposal 

Capital Budget Subcommittee

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

FM #1311 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1311 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 6, 2024. 7 of the 9 members were present in the Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton). 

Quick Recap:

• Committee voted to keep the same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 

• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions

• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch

• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently

• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too

• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

The meeting runs about 1 hour & 50 minutes. Let’s listen to the Finance Cmte meeting Nov 6, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1311-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-11-06-24/

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The Finance Cmte agenda can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf 

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/view?usp=drive_link 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 6 with 7 members participating in Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton)

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Quick recap:

• committee voted to keep same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 
• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions
• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch
• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently
• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too
• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

My notes captured during the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

Lt John Ryan retires after 32 years of service with Franklin Police Dept

"Today (Oct 4, 2024), we said goodbye to Lieutenant John Ryan as he retires from the Franklin Police Department.  

Lt Ryan is retiring after 32 years of dedicated service. Lt, your contributions to the department have been invaluable, and you will be greatly missed by all.  

Wishing you all the best as you embark on this new chapter—most importantly…enjoy the golf course!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/K9fPrgsksMJo9k6A/

Lt John Ryan retires after 32 years of service with Franklin Police Dept

Congratulations to Lieutenant David “Sal” Smith - retirement after 27 years

"Congratulations to Lieutenant David “Sal” Smith who officially retired from the FFD on Thursday September 12th. 

David served the town for 27 years, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2020. We wish him a long and healthy retirement with his family as he has certainly earned it. 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by during his last shift to congratulate him."

 

Congratulations to Lieutenant David “Sal” Smith - retirement after 27 years

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_5n_nIxjSz/

Thank you, Officer James Lawrence for 37 years of service taking care of us

Via Franklin Police Dept 

"Today Officer James Lawrence retired from the Franklin Police Department. James was joined by retired officers, friends, town employees, and his family.  

Born in North Carolina, James and his family moved to Boston in 1967 to escape racial tensions in the area. James attended Boston English High School then Fischer Junior College and Northeastern University.  

James was hired by the Franklin Police Department on April 26, 1987, by then Chief Lawrence Benedetto. In 1997 James joined the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (Metro-LEC) and worked in the regional response team and SWAT logistics unit. During his time with Metro-LEC, James responded to the Boston Marathon bombings and security for the Democratic National Convention and countless SWAT-related missions. In 2015 James joined the Franklin Police Community Service Unit as a traffic officer. Throughout his career, James has been awarded the Exceptional Duty Award and Town Council Proclamation. 

Over the last 37 years, James has been the gold standard of professionalism, honor, and integrity. James’s influence will be felt for years to come. James is truly the last of an old-school generation of police officers to retire from the Franklin Police Department. Congratulations James! Enjoy your much deserved retirement!"

Thank you, Officer James Lawrence for 37 years of service taking care of us

Shared from (Find additional photos there) ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/sLimc142LZLrNHHq/ 

NYTimes.com: The Best and Worst States for Retirement

Best and Worst States for Retirement

From The New York Times: "The Best and Worst States for Retirement"

"A new study ranks the 50 states on metrics including affordability, health care costs and weather. The upshot: head south."

"If the rankings seem all over the literal and theoretical map, here are the factors Bankrate used to reach its conclusions, and how they were weighted: affordability (40 percent), overall well-being (25 percent), quality and cost of health care (20 percent), weather (10 percent), and crime (5 percent)."

Shared from -> (subscription maybe required)
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/realestate/the-best-and-worst-states-for-retirement.html?smid=em-share

School Committee approves Pledge agreement to focus on getting override passed (audio)

FM #1222 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1222 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. All seven members of the Committee were present in the Council Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• Multiple Parmenter students led the pledge of allegiance

• FHS "Seal of Biliteracy" students were recognized

• School retirees were recognized for their years of service

• The Franklin Education Foundation is going to close out as an organization and turn over their remaining funds to a new "revolving account" for the School District to continue the grant program. Details remain to be worked out on the final amount of the contribution and within the District on how the grant process will work

• District Improvement Plan updated 

• Superintendent evaluation data provided to the Committee in preparation for their formal review scheduled for June 18

• Discussion and vote on the override pledge document. Questions remain on exactly how much the schools will get in years 2 and beyond as the pledge doc is inconsistent in providing the info. As the successful override is the primary matter of focus, the Committee did vote to approve the pledge (5 for, 1 no, 1 abstain). The funding for FY 2026 and future can be addressed after the override is determined

• Preview of the proposed fee schedule to be implemented if the override fails. Staffing cuts were also provided in a summary format, as there are multiple scenarios where a position cut could trigger a chain reaction where the person fulfilling that position ends up bumping someone else to remain employed per seniority and certification as set within the contracts

• Committee entered executive session not to return to open meeting just before 11 PM

The recording runs about 3 hours & 46 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1222-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-05-28-24

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/eDKY6IjM1GU?si=j7JVUIWwZf1f6sXn&t=218 

Agenda doc  ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_5-28-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder -> (other docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting) 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-28-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cLsuju5KNR_O8vnKbIvZ_Sbm-l9gAbZ3/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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Seal of Biliteracy achievers

School district retirees recognized for years of service

FEF's Carlucci & Trahan pose with School Cmte

(L-r) Asst Supt. Dr Rogers, Supt Giguere, Asst Supt. P Marano