Showing posts with label stabilization fund. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stabilization fund. Show all posts

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Town Council effectively conducts business before going to Executive Session on Feb 26, 2025 (audio)

FM #1391  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1391 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 26, 2025. 8 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 1 was absent (Dellorco). 


Quick recap:

  • Going right to legislation for action

    • Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading; Motion to waive reading, passes - Motion to approve, second, vote via roll call passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

    • Resolution 25-05: Free Cash To Stabilization Accounts Transfers Motion to approve, second - Discussion had been part of the capital budget review by FinCom and Capital budget subcmte but not yet set here for approval - Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

    • Bylaw Amendment 25-925: Amendment to Sewer System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Last parcel on the road to extend this to. Motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent) Related to the above

    • Bylaw Amendment 25-926: Amendment to Water System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Water to go along with the sewer as noted, motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

    • Resolution 25-11: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 -  Motion to waive reading, passes 8-0-1; Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

  • Town Administrator's Report

    • March 5 preliminary FY 2026 budget update coming Traditional slide show, and updates

    • Mirchi withdrew the alcohol liquor license application

    • Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program; Jamie still gets emails etc. and blame us for the town role which was not our choice, it was totally a state decision and effort, thanks to the residents and organizations for handling this under the circumstances

  • Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting

  • Motion, second, passes via roll 8-0-1 (1 Absent)


Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1391-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-26-25/


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My expanded notes -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/10yE_Dj5dIlYdzyYou4cZhh5AD4kJL0JZOGgg0BDuOfA/edit?usp=drive_link 


Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y 


The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1602 


My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFS-kA1Xy3rCoN2v-1H8-wbGw6nlI21m/view?usp=drive_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

  • 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"


Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y
Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y

Sunday, February 2, 2025

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/



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


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

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

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



Capital Budget Subcommittee
Capital Budget Subcommittee

Thursday, January 30, 2025

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

The Capital Budget Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7 PM. All four members were present in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU2Z065FX-g


Quick recap
  • Comments by the committee members opening the meeting, acknowledging the work of the Finance Committee, seemed like this could be a short session. 3 hours later, the meeting adjourned. All the budget items as presented were approved by 4-0 votes
  • The Town Council will now take these up at one of their February meetings
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF

The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday
The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

Capital Budget Subcommittee
Capital Budget Subcommittee



Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Capital Budget Subcommmittee to review the FY 2026 capital budget - Jan 29 - 7 PM

The Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council gets to review and vote on the capital budget at their session Wednesday night.

The Finance Committee reviewed this capital budget among the items on its agenda at their Jan 15 meeting. The recap, audio and video links are available here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html


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 capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday
The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

The Capital Budget Subcommittee agenda ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The meeting will be broadcast to Comcast & Verizon subscriber as well as to Zoom and to YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Finance Committee approves recommended capital budget & gets the insights on the "hold harmless" liability the Town faces (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 of the 9 members were present in Council Chambers. 

Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234

The agenda doc also contains supporting information ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf

Quick recap 



Dr Dutch & Jena Melotti presenting on Chap 70 "hold harmless"
Dr Dutch & Jena Melotti presenting on Chap 70 "hold harmless"

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - agenda for meeting Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 7 PM

Finance Committee 
Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 = 7:00 PM


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

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment
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.

3. Approval of Minutes

4. Town Administrator Recommendation on FY25 Capital Plan
a. Town Administrator FY25 Capital Plan Memo  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
b. Five-Ten Year Department Capital Plans  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/capital_-_dept_requests_5_year_plans_0.pdf
c. Backup materials & quotes 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/quotes.pdf

5. Town Administrator Recommendation on expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds
a. Town Administrator Memo  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf
b. Draft Expenditure Resolution  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf

6. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series
a. Public School “Hold Harmless” Presentation  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6a._hold_harmless_2025.pdf
b. State House News Service Article  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf

7. Standing Updates:
a. FY25 Q2 Year to Date Department Expense report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7a._ytd_budget_expenditures_encumb_option_-_summary_final.pdf
b. FY25 Q2 Local Receipts report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7b._local_receipts_enterprise_revenues_budget_to_actual_report_-_12-31-2024.pdf
c. Stabilization Account Report  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7c._stabilization_fund_balances_-_three_year_comparison.pdf

Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour
Joint Budget Subcmte Listening Tour
8. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting
a. Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour & FY26 Budget Update Tour  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/jbsc_flyer_fixed_old_site.png

9. Finance Committee Member Comments

10. Adjourn




Tuesday, December 17, 2024

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 


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

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"