Showing posts with label tax rate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tax rate. Show all posts

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Agenda for Town Council meeting Wednesday, Oct 28 at FHS Auditorium

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
October 28, 2026, 6:00 PM


Franklin High School Auditorium - 218 Oak Street

Agenda for Town Council meeting Wednesday, Oct 28 at FHS Auditorium

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 Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

4. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Joint Budget Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)
b. Economic Development Subcommittee (next meetings: October 29, 6pm; November 12, 6pm, December 10, 6pm)
c. Communications Subcommittee (next meeting TBD)
d. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: October 26, 10am)
e. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: October 26, 4:30pm)

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Retirement Proclamation: Police Chief Thomas “TJ” Lynch
b. Police Department Promotion Recognitions:
i. Chief of Police, James West
ii. Deputy Chief of Police, Eric Copeland

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

8. APPOINTMENTS

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

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Tax Rate Workshop #2

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 26-56: Town Council’s Support for Restoration of Full-Service Acute-Care Hospital Services at 800 Washington Street, Norwood (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-56 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11483/12-26-56---Letter-of-Support-Norwood-Hospital-

b. Resolution 26-57: Gift Acceptances (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-57 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11482/12c-26-57---Gift-Acceptances---Senior-Ctr

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda also contains remote participation info
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Monday, October 19, 2026

Town Council hears student intern report in first of 3 tax rate workshops (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct 14 in Council Chambers. All 9 members were present.


The agenda doc and released supporting material

Quick recap
  • need more info on how the split would work for Franklin (The calculation is actually one page in the annual tax rate hearing documentation provided by the Board of Assessors)
  • aside: the tax rate is a result of a calculation and not a decision or a toss of darts to a board the authorized budgeted amount divided by the total assessed valuation results in the tax rate as the residential evaluations have increased recently (due to the increased price war for housing), the ratio of residential vs CIP has generally been in a tight range until the last couple of years
PDF version of this memo to the Council as part of the Oct 14 agenda


Student presentation doc 


Complete agenda for Oct 14 session

In addition to the info brought forth by the FHS students for the tax rate discussion tonight at the Town Council meeting, I offer the following.

Item 1 

For the chart the students offered in the Comparison Report, I

1 - added the total assessed valuation per community

2 - sorted by the CIP%

3 - highlighted the exceptions in both sections of the sort


The same chart in PDF format

The Excel workbook used for this


Item 2


Content in context is important. While the research produced the chart with 17 communities, what is the view across the Commonwealth? The Dept of Local Services has a great data bank to provide the info. 2026 was chosen as the data for 2027 is not fully populated across the 351. 2022 was chosen simply as the first year before the housing crunch from COVID.


In 2026, 129 of the 351 communities had split tax rates

In 2026, 37 had a CIP% less than 20%  (92 had more than 20%)


In 2022, 118 of the 351 communities had split rates

In 2022, 49 had a CIP% less than 20%  (70 had more than 20%)


Why the change in 4 years? Oh, the residential valuations have increased significantly more than the commercial valuations changing the ratio between the two.


Has the residential demand (or valuations) slowed down yet? Not likely given what we are seeing in the market.


Item 3

From the FY 2026 tax rate hearing (and decision to confirm the single rate as calculated)  

While it is regularly mentioned during the tax rate hearings, the move to a split rate does not add a single dollar to our revenue. All it does is shift the burden from one property class to another.

I'd also add, no matter the single or split rate, no matter the rate rising or falling, the tax bill is always going up.

no matter the single or split rate, no matter the rate rising or falling, the tax bill is always going up

Additional charts posted in Dec 2025

The full agenda doc for the Town Council meeting October 14, 2026

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

3 items to add to the single vs. split tax rate discussion scheduled for the Town Council meeting Oct 14, 2026

In addition to the info brought forth by the FHS students for the tax rate discussion tonight at the Town Council meeting, I offer the following.

Item 1 

For the chart the students offered in the Comparison Report, I

1 - added the total assessed valuation per community

2 - sorted by the CIP%

3 - highlighted the exceptions in both sections of the sort


The same chart in PDF format

The Excel workbook used for this


Item 2


Content in context is important. While the research produced the chart with 17 communities, what is the view across the Commonwealth? The Dept of Local Services has a great data bank to provide the info. 2026 was chosen as the data for 2027 is not fully populated across the 351. 2022 was chosen simply as the first year before the housing crunch from COVID.


In 2026, 129 of the 351 communities had split tax rates

In 2026, 37 had a CIP% less than 20%  (92 had more than 20%)


In 2022, 118 of the 351 communities had split rates

In 2022, 49 had a CIP% less than 20%  (70 had more than 20%)


Why the change in 4 years? Oh, the residential valuations have increased significantly more than the commercial valuations changing the ratio between the two.


Has the residential demand (or valuations) slowed down yet? Not likely given what we are seeing in the market.


Item 3

From the FY 2026 tax rate hearing (and decision to confirm the single rate as calculated)  

While it is regularly mentioned during the tax rate hearings, the move to a split rate does not add a single dollar to our revenue. All it does is shift the burden from one property class to another.

I'd also add, no matter the single or split rate, no matter the rate rising or falling, the tax bill is always going up.

no matter the single or split rate, no matter the rate rising or falling, the tax bill is always going up

Additional charts posted in Dec 2025

The full agenda doc for the Town Council meeting October 14, 2026

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Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's memo to the Town Council on Tax Rate Workshop #1

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's memo to the Town Council on Tax Rate Workshop #1
"October 8, 2026

To: Town Council
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Michelle Monsegur, Deputy Town Administrator

RE: Tax Rate Workshop #1

A central goal for the Town Council in 2026-27 is to evaluate the tax rate.

October 14th is the first in a series of three tax rate workshops and public discussions to be held this fall. The second and third workshops will be held on October 28th and November 18th respectively. The annual tax classification hearing is planned for December 2nd.

On October 14th we will kick off the public discussion with a presentation by three Franklin High School students, Shravan Dev, Arnav Garg, and Saumy Jani, who recently completed a summer internship in the Town Administration Department. They have done an incredible amount of tax rate research with a focus on comparing single vs split tax rates, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of their outstanding work. Their presentation and analysis report is included in the agenda packet for the October 14, 2026 Town Council meeting.

The goal for workshop #1 is to get direction from the Town Council on what information and analysis they would like to see for the following workshops in October and November, ahead of the tax classification hearing in December. It is our recommendation that the Council also allow public comment on this issue during the second and third workshops.

The Assessors’ FY26 tax rate packet from last year’s tax classification hearing is included in the agenda packet as an additional reference."

PDF version of this memo to the Council as part of the Oct 14 agenda


Presentation doc (as referenced above)


Presentation embedded here:



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Sunday, October 11, 2026

Town Council starts set of 3 workshops to understand split vs. single tax rate issue

📢 UPCOMING TAX RATE WORKSHOPS
Town Council starts set of 3 workshops to understand split vs. single tax rate issue


The Town Council will hold three workshops to discuss whether Franklin should maintain a single property tax rate or adopt a split tax rate.

🏛️ Residents and business owners are encouraged to attend and share their feedback!

📅 View workshop dates and Town Council meeting agendas: https://buff.ly/599jiS9

Agenda for the first session, Wednesday,  October 14



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Monday, June 22, 2026

CommonWealth Beacon: "Massachusetts court blocks high-stakes income tax cut question from the November ballot"

"VOTERS WILL NOT have a $5 billion question to answer after all.

The state’s highest court on Thursday tossed a measure seeking to trim the income tax rate by one-fifth from the November ballot, stopping in its tracks a bruising, months-long political fight that would have carried major implications for both household budgets and public services.

Justices on the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that the attorney general’s office erred in its summary of the question, rendering the measure ineligible to appear before voters in November.

It’s a massive decision that cuts the fuse of a revenue bomb that had top Democrats in the House, Senate, and corner office sweating. Independent analysts estimated that reducing the income tax rate from 5 percent to 4 percent, once fully implemented, would trim more than $5 billion from the state’s coffers, likely forcing cuts to public spending.

Justice Serge Georges, Jr., writing for a unanimous court, said the official summary produced by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s team “misstates the petition’s impact” by incorrectly stating the rate cut would not impact taxes on long-term capital gains.

“The summary’s contrary statement is not a minor imprecision. It is significantly misleading and likely to influence voters,” Georges wrote, concluding that the AG’s office therefore did not provide a sufficiently “fair” summary."

Continue reading about the SJC decision

You can read the full decision here (PDF)

You can find the full court docket here (PDF)

Video of the Supreme Judicial Court hearing of this matter


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Thursday, December 4, 2025

Town Council approves single rate but shows interest in split rate, frustration on lack of preparation for the decision (audio)

FM #1599 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1599 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 3 hour session. 

 

Quick recap:

  • Franklin TV had trouble broadcasting the video. It was recorded and will be available later. The Zoom session was active for audio only.

  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked the new Council though the 5 year revenue forecast and laid out what’s coming next

  • The Public hearing on the Tax rate was opened and ultimately closed after much discussion. The Council did vote to approve the single tax rate by an 8-1 vote. The Council indicated a strong interest for more info on the benefits of a split tax rate. They seemed wanting to go for until they understood that a split rate decision would delay the Town timeline on getting the 1st Quarter bills out


The recording runs about 3 hours 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1599-town-council-mtg-12-0325/


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Franklin TV video is NOT yet available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zByUmQbYP08


The agenda for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2031 


My notes for the full meeting in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zZoXOBk167dHuuSm3wetBhhP25WyaSRf/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"
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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025 ???

Wednesday, Dec 3

9:30am Busy Bee Holiday Bazaar (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)

12:00pm Dean College Women in Business Expo (Dean College)



For additional details on Library events -> 

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   


**  Town Meetings today   **

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, December 3 Time:  5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2030 


Town Council Meeting / Tax Rate Hearing

Wednesday, December 3 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032025-2031 



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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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Annual Tax Rate Hearing for FY 2026 - Charts Updated

The Annual Tax Rate Hearing for FY 2026 is on the Town Council agenda Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025. There will be a public hearing before the Council votes to set the rate. A couple of helpful charts have been updated in advance of the hearing.

The key decision at the tax rate hearing is to maintain the single tax rate or move to a split tax rate. The Board of Assessors memo to the Council lays out the argument distinctly:
"A single tax rate means that all property classes (residential, commercial, industrial and personal) are taxed at the same tax rate. A dual tax rate means the commercial-industrial-personal tax rate is increased while the residential rate is decreased. In other words, some of the residential tax burden is shifted towards commercial, industrial and personal properties.

Please note that a dual tax rate does not produce more tax revenue, it simply shifts the burden." (Bold added for emphasis)
Franklin has historically had an approximate 80-20 split between residential and commercial/industrial as shown in the following chart.

It should be interesting to hear why the residential percent rose from 81 to 82%
It should be interesting to hear why the residential percent rose from 81 to 82%

As the assessed valuation increases over time, the tax rate will drop. As the valuation decreases, the tax rate will increase. The tax rate is a good talking point but is simply the result of math driven by the assessed values and the amount to be raised to meet the budget.

The net change in assessed values vs the tax rate shows the inverse relationship
The net change in assessed values vs the tax rate shows the inverse relationship


The rate actually means little to the average home owner. Whether the rate goes up or down, it is more important to know what the valuation of the residence is. The chart will show that over time, the tax rate can go up or down but the average tax bill will continue to increase due to the automatic 2.5% increase voted by the Council. 

The tax rate means nothing when the actual tax bill always increases
The tax rate means nothing when the actual tax bill always increases


Download these updated charts in a PDF to share -> 

FY 2026 Tax classification hearing info -> 

The full Town Council agenda also provide an update on the projected revenue for FY 2027 out five years. 

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Sunday, November 30, 2025

Agenda for Town Council meeting Dec 3: includes Tax rate hearing and FY 2027 Five Year Fiscal Forecast

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
December 3, 2025 = 6:00 PM

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 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 - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Amy Galose, Creative Corner

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee
i. New Member Maureen Brennan
ii. Ratification of Officers
1. Chair: Jayson Joyce
2. Vice Chair: Robert Browne
3. Clerk: Alan Earls
4. Treasurer: Charleen Belcher
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. FY26 Tax Classification Hearing
i. Legislation for Action Item 9a
ii. Legislation for Action Item 9b
iii. Legislation for Action Item 9c
iv. Legislation for Action Item 9d
v. Legislation for Action Item 9e
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Five-Year Fiscal Forecast
i. FY26 Town Administrator memo - August 2025
ii. FY27-FY31 Fiscal Revenue forecast - August 2025
iii. FY27-FY31 Fiscal Department forecast - August 2025
iv. Budget presentation - August 2025 
v. Other Budget Resources:
1. Town Budget Website Portal
2. School Committee & School Department Website Portal
3. FY26 Compensation & Classification Plan
a. 2022-2023 Compensation & Classification Baseline study
4. Department Heads Letter - December 17, 2024
b. Deputy Town Administrator & Town Administration staffing
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 25-76: Tax Classification Residential Factor
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-76 - Majority Vote)
b. Resolution 25-77: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-77 - Majority Vote)
c. Resolution 25-78: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-78 - Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 25-79: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-79 - Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 25-80: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-80 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 25-81: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-81 - Majority Vote)
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Agenda for Town Council meeting Dec 3: includes Tax rate hearing and FY 2027 Five Year Fiscal Forecast
Agenda for Town Council meeting Dec 3:
includes Tax rate hearing and
FY 2027 Five Year Fiscal Forecast

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN


Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QfgJW2si5mxS-2zYN9l22AB9t7b8Ec6p/view?usp=drive_link



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