Finance Committee gets the answer on how much it would take to fully fund Technology (add $1.5M/year) (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025. All 9 members participated; 8 in Council Chambers, 1 remotely.

Technology Director Tim Rapoza was the key presenter and outlined the technology requirements for licenses, hardware, and software which enable the Town and Schools to deliver the services they do.

Franklin TV video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAQEXjI0D8

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039 

The presentation doc will be shared when available. In the meantime, pictures of the slides presented are captured in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThWM9bemHaA48xk69

My notes can be found in one PDF ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/10VfXGVVfuS1pge0RwuA3VxKgYAoZKuCx/view?usp=drive_link

the common practice for handling most technology requests

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 ???

Wednesday, December 10

1:00pm Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Library & Senior Center events

** Town Meetings today   **

Finance Committee Meeting

December 10, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039 

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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

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Finance Committee meeting scheduled for a "deep dive" into Technology

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments 

- 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.

Finance Committee meeting scheduled
for a "deep dive" into Technology 

3. Approval of Minutes

a. October 22, 2025

4. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Technology Capital Presentation - Tim Rapoza, Technology Director

5. Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Dates:

a. January 14, 2026 (Town staff and Board of Assessors: the economics of development)

b. February 25, 2026

c. March 11, 2026

d. April 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2026 Finance Committee Budget Hearings

6. Finance Committee Member Comments

7. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039

Agenda for Finance Committee Meeting on Weds, Nov 5 at 7 PM

Finance Committee 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments 

- 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

a. October 22, 2025

4. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Technology Capital Presentation - Tim Rapoza, Technology Director

5. Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Date:

a. December 10, 2025 - Economics of Development

6. Finance Committee Member Comments

7. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aN0UXMmHpFCRHUO6lrYv5bvtG3Utzt5K/view?usp=drive_link

Agenda for Finance Committee Meeting on Weds, Nov 5 at 7 PM

Finance Committee has gets a fiscal discussion but runs out of time to get into the Technology deep dive (audio)

FM #1555 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1555 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The Committee opened with 3 new members getting sworn in. The Committee also formally organized itself with votes to select George Conley as Chair, Natalie Riley as Vice-Chair and Lauren Nagel as Clerk

Quick recap:

• The agenda could not be completed in the time allotted before the Town Council meeting at 7:00 PM. The planned 'deep dive' on Technology was the major item as it will be rescheduled to their Nov 5 meeting.

• During Citizen Comments, M Minnechelli spoke on the economics of development proposals, i.e. 444 E Central, and the need for some body, perhaps FinCom to weigh in to help clarify the numbers that are being mentioned which are conflicting and perhaps erroneous. 

• The Town Administrator advised not weighing in on the specifics of 444 East Central as the public hearing is underway. However an understanding of the overall economics of development would be a good topic for a future meeting

• Much of the discussion revolved around the fiscal issues currently being faced not just by Franklin but by most communities in the State. The "perfect storm" report by the MMA was referenced. The work underway at the State level to take a new look at local contributions for Chap 70 could affect our "hold harmless" situation. The Federal cuts will affect Mass revenues, and some of that will also affect our State funding.

The MMA "perfect storm" report -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19iUBj6jDGQuWo8XDCfhwefqnK9WlALK1/view?usp=drive_link 

The Town Administrator memo of Aug 7 was refreshed as many appear to have not read it, or understood the implications -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UnddsW97syeHkkVjNOgRlOkKgHgOGiS0/view?usp=drive_link 

The recording runs just about 68 minutes, let’s listen

Audio link ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1555-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-10-22-25/

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Franklin TV broadcast is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMhCNMRndj0 

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1961 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11PCj1OfVixPiPgZ8jrk5-HD7VjH3vuEu/view?usp=drive_link 

Explore the MMA’s new report,
"A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face
Historic Fiscal Pressures", to understand why

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

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"

Agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for Weds, Oct 22, at 5:30 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Swearing in of the new Finance Committee members

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

4. Public Comments 

- 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.

5. Approval of Minutes

a. August 11, 2025 

6. Resolution Recommendation

a. Electric Charging Station Expenditure Limit

7. Standing Updates:

a. Stabilization Account Report

b. Budget vs Actuals 9-30-2025

c. Fees Revenue by Department 9-30-2025

d. FY26 Budget Tracker as of 9-30-2025

8. Town Budget Updates

a. Town Administrator Fiscal Forecast

i. Town Administrator Memorandum

ii. Five Year Fiscal Forecast

iii. Five Year Department Forecast

iv. Budget Presentation

b. A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face Historical Fiscal Pressures

9. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Technology Capital Presentation - Tim Rapoza, Technology Director

10. Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Date:

a. November 5, 2025

b. December 10, 2025

11. Finance Committee Member Comments

12. Adjourn

The agenda doc is rich with links to supporting materials

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10222025-1961

Agenda for the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for Weds, Oct 22, at 5:30 PM

Finance Committee reschedules their deep dive on Technology until the fall (audio)

FM #1467 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1467 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting very briefly conducted Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The Committee initially struggled to make a quorum needing 5 members. It had one, then 2, 3, and 4. Discussion on whether to hold the meeting as quorum appeared to be in jeopardy. 2 more arrived to make quorum. 

Given the nature of the topic, a deep dive on Technology, that 3 new members of the committee will be appointed in July and should participate, that 1 present wouldn’t be returning, it was decided to postpone the meeting and topic until the fall.

For the record, the decision was formalized with the ‘official’ meeting opening and closing in less than one minute. 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1467-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-06-11-25/

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

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06112025-1781

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

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"

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Finance Committee meeting June 11, 2025 at 7 PM

Finance Committee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

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

a. April 28, 2025  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5904/2025-04-28-Finance-Committee-Meeting-Minutes

b. April 29, 2025  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5905/2025-04-29-Finance-Committee-Meeting-Minutes

c. May 1, 2025  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5908/2025-05-01-Finance-Committee-Meeting-Minutes

4. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series

a. Technology Capital Presentation - Tim Rapoza, Technology Director

5. Standing Updates:

a. Stabilization Account Report   

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5900/Stabilization-Fund-Balances-4-30-2025docx

6. Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Date: September 10, 2025

7. Finance Committee Member Comments

8. Adjourn

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06112025-1781

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the Finance Committee meeting June 11, 2025 at 7 PM

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 285 - Interview with Jim Spadaccini (audio)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!

Immersive Wine Experiences: The Future of Tasting with Ideum

Episode Summary:

Join Kim and Mark on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as they delve into the cutting edge of wine technology with Jim Spadaccini of Ideum. Discover how Ideum is revolutionizing the wine tasting experience with its innovative interactive tasting tables.

In this episode, Jim shares the story behind Ideum and its expertise in creating captivating museum exhibits. He then dives into the fascinating details of their wine tasting table technology, explaining how it enhances the user experience. Learn how the tables cater to both still and sparkling wines with their different modules, providing a unique and informative journey for wine enthusiasts.

Jim also discusses the accolades Ideum has received for its groundbreaking work and how their experience in museum interactives has contributed to the development of this exciting wine technology. Looking ahead, he offers insights into the future of wine experiences and how technology like Ideum's tasting tables will continue to shape the industry.

Episode 285 - Interview with Jim Spadaccini (audio)

About Ideum:

Ideum is a company specializing in the design and development of interactive experiences. Their wine tasting table technology is transforming the way people engage with wine, offering a blend of education and enjoyment.

Learn More:

Ideum: www.ideum.com

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): www.thewww.wine

Cheers!

Kim and Mark

🍷🍷🍷

http://www.thewww.wine

#wine #thewonderfulworldofwine #ideum #winetasting

https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-285-interview-with-jim-spadaccini?

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 285-Interview with Jim Spadaccini

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 

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walking the committee thru the memo on the capital budget https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
• Many clarification questions on what for when, as well as possible reallocation of the recommendation
• Chart on free cash is for information purposes
• First resolution on use of free cash for the capital budget resulted in a discussion around amending the amount and creating a technology stabilization fund but ultimately that did not get amended and it was approved as proposed by a 7-0-2 (7 for, 2 absent) vote
• Second resolution on funding from the enterprise accounts was approved as recommended with the same 7-0-2 vote
• Now to the Opioid settlement funds. Memo  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf  and the Resolution for approval https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf
• After explanation of the current funding and a look at future funds coming (approx. $1.2M) the vote to approve the resolution passed 7-0-2
• Now to the "hold harmless" topic for Chapter 70 school funding. State house news article references a commission to look at school funding 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
• We are currently getting $12m over what the school funding formula calls for. We are the
• 2nd largest hold harmless (Boston #1) A change to the formula takes time. Jamie has been warning of this for some years. 
• Approximately 18-20m of town costs for school functions go to the net school spending. accounting to determine the per pupil spending calculation. ** $27m for FY 2024 fiscal year is actual. Confirmed that 24, 25 and 27 for last 3 years
• Long and complex discussion around the possible review of the formula
• Folks see the buildings going up but the population has been flat. Great quote from Jamie (to clip later) on the wealth growth and the hold harmless getting worse unless we choose to pay more

My notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArVXe5jDOAsetxonq0voW2eKTSe_XWN3/view?usp=drive_link

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