Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)

FM #947 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 947 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (Pellegri absent).

Quick recap:

Three key items regarding the capital budget were all approved by 8-0-1 votes (8 for, none against, 1 absent (Pellegri))

• Resolution 23-18: FY23 Capital Improvement Plan

• Resolution 23-19: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers

• Resolution 23-20: Water Retained Earnings Transfer to Water Main Capital Project R19-05

The two referrals to the Planning Board on Inclusionary Zoning were also moved forward after some clarification questions by the Councilors were answered by TA Jamie Hellen or Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development.

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Referral to the Planning Board 

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 5 - Referral to the Planning Board 

The recording runs 2 and 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on February 15, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-947-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-15-23

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The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/TxINM8EMueg?feature=share 

One PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e3mWHu8EEyeIooV0ryedEmH-aY3hdmGY/view?usp=share_link

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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!

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

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

Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)

Finance Committee gets briefed on first compensation study performed for non-union personnel, approves FY 23 capital budget first pass (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee met on Wednesday for 2 hours. The major items on the agenda were the presentation on the first comprehensive salary & compensation study performed on the non-union positions. The second item was the review and ultimate approval of the proposed first pass at the FY 23 capital budget.

The Franklin TV recording is available via YouTube. Video link -> https://youtu.be/Q2Kbhwq1pdk

Discussion: Compensation & Classification Study

i. Final Report, Results & Methodology -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_draft_final_report.pdf

ii. Compensation & Classification Plan -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_plan.pdf

FY23 Capital Plan

a. Town Administrator FY23 Capital recommendations memo -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_memo.pdf 

b. FY23 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_requests_5yr_plan_sheets.pdf   

c. Quotes (if available)  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_quotes_and_backup.pdf 

The agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_jan_11_2023.pdf

Note: the doc used by the consultant for the compensation study is not yet available. Screenshots of the presentation were captured during the meeting and available in this photo album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/WEoCSrZ2Kn3sBcxT6

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee Meeting - January 11, 2023

 

Town of Franklin: FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

January 6, 2023

To:    Finance Committee

From:  Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Re: FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

Please find the attached Capital Plan for FY23, as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included with this memo is a sheet with the 20-year free cash history. The average is $3.26 million over the past ten years and $2.75 Million over the past 20 years. FY22 an unusually large year in excess, unspent revenue due to the continued adaptation around symptoms from the pandemic.

From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy) as well as the usual recommendation from staff to hold revenue for annual snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.

These recommendations are Round 1 of the FY23 Capital program. Once we know the final totals of the winter costs for snow removal, if there are remaining funds, staff will propose a “Round 2” Capital later in April. Traditionally we have used this excess to fund road and infrastructure projects.

The following is an overview of certified free cash status for FY23:

FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

a. Town Administrator FY23 Capital recommendations memo -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_memo.pdf

b. FY23 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_requests_5yr_plan_sheets.pdf

Finance Committee votes new leadership slate, approves recommendation of additional funds for Red Brick renovation (audio)

FM #852 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 852 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: 7 members of the Finance Committee were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, 1 member was remote along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period. 

First item of business was to vote for new Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk. Only 8 members for this meeting, the 9th was approved by the Town Council in the meeting after this so they will be available for the next meeting.

• voted to select new Chair - George Conley; Vice-Chair - Natalie Riley; Clerk - Nicole Corbosiero
• Discussion on 5 year fiscal outlook provided by Town Administrator
• Approves recommendation of $50K additional for Red Brick exterior renovation
• Reviews stabilization funding balances and how they pay in the fiscal outlook for the Town
• Future meeting items requested Board of Assessors, School Committee

The meeting recording runs about thirty-three minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Sep 28, 2022.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-852-finance-committee-mtg-09-28-22

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Meeting agenda =>  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-09-28_finace_committee_meeting_agenda.pdf  

 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

My notes for the meeting =>  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1khlAwYemfQS4-lc8OyBd-YnStwRzaHHB/view?usp=sharing 

YouTube recording => https://youtu.be/9ANddS7JyAA

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

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"

 

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee agenda for meeting scheduled Sep 28, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee agenda for meeting scheduled Sep 28, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, September 28, 2022 - 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Election of Officers: Finance Committee Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

3. Public Comment

4. Town Administrator Fiscal Forecast

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-08-15_fy23_to_fy27_town_administartor_fiscal_forecast_1.pdf

5. Discussion: CPA Project Approvals

a. CPA Master Plan  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_cpa_plan_v.2_4.pdf

i. Discussion on Red Brick Schoolhouse additional funds request of $50,000

ii. Project Updates

6. Stabilization Fund Balances - 3 Year Comparison  (see page 5 of agenda doc)

7. Future Agenda Items

8. Adjourn

Agenda doc (includes remote connection info)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-09-28_finace_committee_meeting_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee agenda for meeting scheduled Sep 28, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - June 15, 2022

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. May 9, 2022

b. May 11, 2022

c. May 12, 2022

4. Community Preservation Act:

a. CPA Master Plan Version 2

i. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Reservations (Budget)

ii. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Project Recommendations)

iii. Resolution 22-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land

5. Stabilization Fund Balances - 3 Year Comparison

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Reorganization for July 1st, 2022

8. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote connection information

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-15-2022_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - June 15, 2022

Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating

Amid pandemic restabilization, Town achieves major peak 

For the first time in the town’s history, Franklin was awarded a AAA (Triple-A) bond rating by Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings. Progressing from the Town’s previous AA+, the new rating is indicative of exceptionally high creditworthiness in the eyes of municipal bond issuers.

“Achieving a AAA Bond Rating is the ultimate team accomplishment in local government” said Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen. “The rating reflects the unity and collaboration of everyone involved, past and present, including the Town Council, Finance Committee, boards and committees, department heads, staff, and the residents of the community. It’s like winning the Super Bowl. Everyone had to do their job to get this victory.”

Despite economic and social uncertainty posed by the pandemic, Franklin’s stable financial portfolio, performance and management has positioned the town’s reserves to its highest levels ever. The behavior and actions of the Town have resulted in the community being in the strongest position to continue to perform should fiscal stressors arise.

A ratings report published by S&P Global Ratings outlines the following as the primary contributing factors in achieving Franklin’s AAA rating:

●  Four consecutive operating surpluses, increasing reserves to its strongest levels ever with management projecting ongoing maintenance at these levels, as Franklin continues to work through their capital improvement plan

●  Prudent budgetary modifications amid the pandemic supported by great financial policies to position the town well as fiscal year 2023 approaches

●  Franklin’s employment and tax base saw little deterioration amid the pandemic which indicated a resilient and affluent local economy

●  Ongoing economic development projects and a strong real estate environment resulting in substantial tax base growth which keeps tax rates low and affordable

●  Maintenance of a favorable debt profile

●  Manageable pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) costs

“The Town Council, Finance Committee and all of our town staff have established strong financial policies and have remained committed to them,” said Hellen. “The support from the Town’s elected officials is without question a signature factor in the bond rating for their continued support of the staff’s professional expertise. But, the foundation for this achievement is having a great finance team that helps to see beyond the data, providing intelligent information for strategic short and long-term decision-making. I can’t say enough about the work of Finance Director Sandini, Treasurer-Collector Bertone and all of the employees who work in the finance offices. We’ve been zoned in on this goal for years and I am very happy for the entire team to achieve it.”

“The pandemic has only made the Town of Franklin more resilient and productive than ever before,” Hellen said. “With a AAA bond rating, ISO-1 Fire Department, a soon to be fully accredited Police Department and reducing liabilities, such as OPEB and Stormwater, with modest, common sense, slow-but-steady policies, the Town is as prepared as we have been to meet future challenges.”

This press release on the Town of Franklin’s AAA Bond rating was shared from here:  https://www.franklinma.gov/comptroller/pages/aaa-bond-rating

The Standard & Poor's rating letter can be found online: 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/ratingsdirect_summaryfranklinmassachusettsgeneralobligation_51616013_may-13-2022.pdf

Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating

The Town of Franklin Budget Cycle & Financial Terms - 04/14/22 (audio)

FM #780 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 780 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town of Franklin Finance Director/Comptroller Chris Sandini and Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. We had this conversation in the Franklin studio on Thursday, April 14, 2022.  

We cover the following key topics

A typical day for Finance Director/Comptroller

A typical day for Treasurer//Collector

The budget cycle, and fiscal year (July to June)

Three financial years; past, current, and future all in the mix

Our conversation runs about 62 minutes. Links to the documents referenced during this meeting are included in the show notes.  Let’s listen to this recording of my conversation with Kerri and Chris. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-780-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle-finance-terms-04-14-22

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

Budget process low chart -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/new_budget_process.pdf 

MA Division of Local Services (DLS) Municipal Finance Glossary -> https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qc/dlsmfgl.pdf 

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

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" 

Town of Franklin budget cycle

Finance Committee Meeting - Feb 9, 2022 - agenda to review the FY 2022 Capital Plan

From Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's memo to the Finance Committee: 

"Please find the attached Capital Plan for FY22, as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included with this memo is a sheet with the 20-year free cash history. The average is $3.19 million over the past ten years and $2.72 Million over the past 20 years. FY22 is an unusually large year in excess, unspent revenue due to the second pandemic year.

From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy) as well as the usual recommendation from staff to hold revenue for annual snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.

These recommendations are Round 1 of the FY22 Capital program. Once we know the final totals of the winter costs for snow removal, if there are remaining funds, staff will propose a “Round 2” Capital later in April, which we have traditionally used to fund road and infrastructure projects."

Capital Plan memo ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmZGJ1f4Z8FiEpvZTVFUbRRZgkujzwxD/view?usp=sharing

Full FinCom agenda and supporting documentation (127 pages)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-02-09_fincom_agenda.pdf

Finance Committee Meeting - Feb 9, 2022 - agenda to review the FY 2022 Capital Plan

Recap: Finance Committee gets a walk through on revenue calculation and preview of budget cycle timeline for FY 2023

Quick Recap:

• Overview of Joint Budget committee proposal to formalize more than had been over the past several years. Members of budget subcommittee of Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee make up this review, collaborative, and non-voting body
• Committee gets a walk through on revenue calculation (see page 3 of agenda doc) and preview of budget cycle timeline for FY 2023 (see page 2) The walk through on the revenue calculation is a "must listen" when recording is available
• Finance polices to be reviewed during next session, potential changes coming to a few of the policies, for review with FinCom before going to Town Council for their approval too

Agenda doc for the Finance Committee, note it has supporting pages with great info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/agenda/fin-com-agenda-20

 

The twitter thread of my notes taken during the meeting can be viewed in the embedded doc below or at this link ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KHbng2g4Q_CU8bHBeS8Uhp7ezXt6APLX/view?usp=sharing

Audio file to be available in couple of days

 

TA Jamie Hellen provides Overview of Joint Budget committee proposal

FM #547 - Finance Committee Meeting - 05/19/21 (audio)

 FM #547 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 547 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the Finance Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with the Town Administrator and other town personnel; the public participated via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, May 19. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/283f0265-082d-43a9-b960-80d825899321

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Meeting agenda -> 

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-19-21_fincom_agenda.pdf

Recap of the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-finance-committee-further.html 

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

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"

FM #547 - Finance Committee Meeting - 05/19/21 (audio)