- In the first of 2 long updates, discussions, the Council ultimately approved the restoration of the 3rd ambulance by adjusting the expense budget by $114K, authorizing the hiring of 2 firefighter/paramedics, and including half of the anticipated ambulance revenue in the budget to balance for the $231,152 shortfall in State funding that came after the State finalized their budget in July
- In the 2nd, key decision, the Council voted 7-2 to NOT accept a private donation to provide funding for the health & wellness nurse at the Senior Center. There are 2 actions out of this: one for the Town Administrator to find another way to fund and restore the position, and 2 - to draft a policy for the Town on donations and acceptable uses. As noted during the discussion, the School District has such a policy, the Town does not
- Per legal advice, the Town Council can not rescind the 40b approval vote for the 444 East Central development. Residents are encouraged to continue to participate in both the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission meeting as the project moves through the process. There is no short cut to this long process.
- Franklin Ridge project is likely to put shovel in the ground before year end (a delay from what was announced earlier this year). In another year, the operator will begin outreach and info session for the resident application process. Federal income guidelines will be followed but 70% of the units to be prioritized for Franklin residents
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Town Council responds to budget adjustment by adding back 3rd ambulance, (video)
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Finance Committee recommends Option B, adding back 2 firefighter/paramedics to resolve budget adjustment (audio)
FM #1492 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1492 in the series.
This session shares the Finance Committee meeting very briefly conducted Monday, August 11, 2025. The Committee opened with 3 new members and the Chair absent, for his first time, so 8 of 9 present. One member was initially remote, then he came into Chambers so roll call votes were not required.
The room had changed from the posted agenda so the Studio personnel were not present to broadcast as normal. The Owl was used to enable video and audio for those participating via Zoom. The recording of that can be processed for broadcast later by Franklin TV.
Quick recap:
After a lengthy presentation and discussion, the Committee voted to recommend Option B for the Town Council to discuss and determine their vote on the FY 2026 budget adjustment.
The State budget finalized in July authorized $231,152 LESS than the Town had put in the budget and adjusted after the failed override.
Model A would have split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets
Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again
Note the numbers presented on the option B slide still result in a NET ADD of $18k to the budget (maybe that will get corrected before the Council meeting Wednesday)
Model A
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Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112025-1822
FY26 Budget Amendments
a. Town Administrator Memo
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6478/Town-Administrator-Memo
b. FY26 Control Sheet Model A & B Comparison
c. FY26 Budget Voting Doc Model A & B Comparison
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6433/FY26-Budget-Voting-Doc-A-and-B-Comparison
d. Budget Voting Resolution Model A
e. Budget Voting Resolution Model B
My notes for the meeting captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DkU4mNB3P894CmvRaaqTJQXWhFPhYdB6/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"
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda for meeting Aug 11, 2025 at 7 PM
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 Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.
a. April 28, 2025b. April 29, 2025c. May 1, 2025d. June 11, 2025
a. Town Administrator Memohttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6478/Town-Administrator-Memob. FY26 Control Sheet Model A & B Comparisonhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6434/FY26-Control-Sheet-Model-A-and-B-Comparisonc. FY26 Budget Voting Doc Model A & B Comparisonhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6433/FY26-Budget-Voting-Doc-A-and-B-Comparisond. Budget Voting Resolution Model Ahttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6489/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-Ae. Budget Voting Resolution Model Bhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6492/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-B
a. Town Administratori. Five-Year Fiscal Forecasthttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6432/5-Year-Forecast-FY26---FY31ii. Five Year Departmental Forecasthttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6475/Five-Year-Departmental-Forecast---FY2026-to-FY2030
a. Stabilization Account Reporthttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6437/Stabilization-Fund-Balances-6-30-2025docx-1b. Municipal Local Receipts Report 6/30/25https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6436/Local-Receipts-Enterprise-Revenues-Budget-to-Actual-Report---6-30-2025c. Municipal Local Receipts Fee’s Revenue by Department 6/30/2025https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6440/Local-Receipts-Fees-Revenue-by-Dpt-6-30-2025
b. October 22, 2025c. November 5, 2025d. December 10, 2025
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Chalkboard Chat condenses the last School Committee of the school year (audio)
FM #1469 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1469 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the School Committee meeting of June 10, 2025.
We cover
Executive session to approve teachers contract
Vote on revised budget due to failed override, cutting $2M including 12 FTE positions, sports and activity fees remain as high this year
Superintendent’s review approved
School ends June 18, redistricting works continues to implement for Sept
Reading program “Meet me in the Middle”
Register for bus by June 20, fee set $387/student with a cap; if not registered by 20th no guarantee of a spot on a bus
The recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1469-chalkboard-chat-06-11-25/
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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net
Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQVNOKqqR8
![]() |
Chalkboard Chat condenses the last School Committee of the school year (audio) |
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102025-1780
The meeting packet folder (all the docs released before or after the meeting)
My full set of notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rqv1NSxrFjWZdzwpeo2WJwq3H7FIwujA/view?usp=drive_link
Pictures of the budget revisions can be viewed here -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/YnKXoUH5NncMo2Wk6
-------------
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 out. 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"
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council Meeting June 4, 2025 - FY 2026 Budget Vote (Updated agenda)
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 othersb. Chair to identify members participating remotelyc. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events
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.
a. May 7, 2025b. May 21, 2025
a. FY26 Town Council Annual Operating Budget Hearing - Continued from May 22, 2025
i. FY26 Voting Documenthttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5850/9a-1----25-20---Adoption-of-FY26-Budget---Google-Docsii. FY26 Town Administrator Budget Message (per Town Charter Section 6-4-1)https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5322/FY26-Budget-Narrativeiii. Appendix A Town Administrator Recommended Budget Voting Document & Budget Book (per Town Charter provision 6-5-1 & 6-5-2)https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5246/Appendix-A-Town-Administrator-Recommended-Voting-Document-and-Budget-Bookiv. Appendix B Franklin Public School District Budget Bookhttps://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5269967/-FY26_Franklin_Budget_Book_.docx_-_Google_Docs_1_.pdf
n. Resolution 25-22: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E½, as Amended (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-22 - Majority Vote) https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5873/9n-25-22-Expenditure-Limits
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Joint Budget Subcommitteed. Police Station Building Committeee. GATRA Advisory Board