Kerri & Jana share the Finance Town & School reorganization details, how the process works (audio)

FM #1338 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1338 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town of Franklin Chief Financial Officer Kerri Bertone and Interim School Business Administrator, Jana Melotti. We had our discussion in person in the Finance offices at the Town of Franklin municipal building on Thursday, December 12, 2024. 

Kerri, Chris Sandini (now retired) and I had recorded a session on the budget cycle and finance terminology in April 2022. Aside from the Triple AAA bond rating, which we had not achieved at the time of the recording, it did happen in May 2022, nothing significant had changed in the cycle and recording material.

The Town and School sides did see a reorganization of the Finance functions this year and we review those details in this session.

 

We cover 

• The new Finance team org chart for Town and Schools

• Separation of duties and cross training

• Maintenance of the AAA bond rating is key

• Discussion on similarity of enterprise funds (Town) and revolving accounts (Schools)

• Free cash and capital funding

• Reimbursement of the emergency shelter school kids by DESE

• Audit of FY 2024 closing out, free cash being certified, budget cycle in process

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1338-franklin-ma-finance-reorg-updates-12-1224/

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Finance organization chart (part of Nov 6, 2024 Finance Cmte meeting)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6._a_-_finance_org_chart_-_10-31-24.pdf 

April 2022 recording with Kerri & Chris Sandini

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/the-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle.html 

3 part series on Water

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley

3 part series on Sewer

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-regarding-franklins-sewer-services-doug 

Town budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

School budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 

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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"

Kerri & Jana share the Finance Town & School reorganization details, how the process works (audio)

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for December 18, 2024 Meeting

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 18, 2024 - 7:00 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 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

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. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. November 13, 2024

b. November 20, 2024

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams

b. Peter Brunelli

c. Steve Carlucci

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Annual License Renewals

i. See attached “2025 Town of Franklin Alcohol License Renewals”  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7a._1_-_license_renewal_memo_5.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._-_discussion_-_national_citizen_survey.pdf

b. Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

i. Legislation for Action Item # 9a.   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8b._1_-_memo_24-78_-_discussion_-_biennial_goals_update_-_google_docs.pdf

c. Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

i. Legislation for Action Item #9b.   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8c._tc_memo_for_branding_project.pdf

d. The Distribution of Town Initiated Ballot Question Materials - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator; Mark Cerel, Town Attorney; and Nancy Danello, Town Clerk   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8d_election_materials.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-78: Adoption of Town Council 2024-2025 Goals

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-78 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 24-79: Approval of Town of Franklin Official Town Logo

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-79 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-82 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9c._24-82_-_adoption_of_fiscal_policies.pdf

d. Resolution 24-83: Grant of Overhead System Easement, Town Owned Land at the Northerly Side of East Central Street to Originate from Pole #574

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-83 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-80 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-81 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. FY26 Budget Update   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-12-17_joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda.pdf

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee/Joint Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Police Station Building Committee

f. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Full agenda doc contains link to the supporting documents as well as to remote participation for this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for December 18, 2024 Meeting 

School Committee with a light agenda list has heavy discussions (video)

The Franklin, MA School Committee met on Tuesday, June 18 as scheduled. While the agenda line item list was relatively light, the main topic for discussion only, dealing with the aftermath of the failed override vote to fund the schools was rather heavy.

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcxG4nP96wQ

The School Committee agenda -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_6-18-24.pdf

 

Packet folder is where all the documents released for the meeting are stored (note: some of them after the meeting)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-18-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes collected in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPdSl_iiJ_lSDyK8hAT9Rt262UZpM8dI/view?usp=drive_link

School Committee with a light agenda list has heavy discussions (video)

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

The Franklin, MA School Committee met on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM (3 mins late starting). The Council Chamber was packed and the crowd dispersed as the evening progressed. 

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

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 reutrn to open meeting just before 11 PM

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  (Photo albums created during the meeting are linked to in the full PDF of my notes)

FHS Seal of Biliteracy award winners

school district retirees

School Committee poses with Roberta & Pandora of the FEF

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget as released for the Feb 13 School Committee Mtg (audio)

FM #1150 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1150 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, February 26, 2024. 

The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion. 

Recall that Tuesday, a snow storm was forecast, school canceled, the meeting went virtual and the snow didn’t fully come to pass in the amount expected.

Topics:

• SAFE Coalition Overview - Jennifer Knight-Levin

• Budget Overview

• Costa Rica Field Trip Proposal

• Italy Field Trip Proposal

• Joint Budget Subcommittee of March 6 starts the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget

The recording runs about 43 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1150-chalkboard-chat-02-26-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

2/13/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_2-13-24docx.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-13-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpgZMxaUY0I 

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

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

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"

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget