Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #1 - General Government - May 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, May 9, 2022  - 6:30 PM

 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. March 9, 2022

4. 2022 Capital Budget Round 2

5. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials

a. General Government - Accounts 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196 Central Services

b. Human Services - 510 Board of Health, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services

c. Culture & Recreation - 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest - 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest

e. Employee Benefits: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance)

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

The agenda document includes remote connection info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2022-05-09_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

Senior Center: Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials - Apr 21 - 8:30 AM

"Please join our Town Administrator, State Rep, and Town Council Member for coffee and open office hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month. "

Shared from Town of Franklin calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/events/357201

Senior Center: Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials - Apr 21 - 8:30 AM

Engaging in critical conversations and the budget season are 2 big topics for this "Talk Franklin" episode - 03/25/22 (audio)

FM #760 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 760 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Conversation around the following topics: 

Community engagement/discussion this week

Critical Conversations - social media

Franklin Newcomers - Jamie & Sara

 

Budget season

FY 2023 budget model previewed at Joint Budget Subcommittee

School budget hearing held 3/22, vote scheduled for April 12 meeting

FinCom budget hearings over 4 nights May 9-12

Town Council budget hearings 2 nights May 25-26

 

Franklin For All  - survey open through April 1

The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie as we “Talk Franklin”. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talks-on-the-Town---Franklin-Newcomers--Critical-Conversations-and-Budget-Season-e1ge4i7/a-a7lmths

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Town of Franklin meeting calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar 

Franklin For All survey -> https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce  

Franklin For All web page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

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

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"

Engaging in critical conversations and the budget season are 2 big topics for this "Talk Franklin" episode - 03/25/22 (audio)

Town Council Meeting - 02/16/22 - Audio in 3 parts

FM #735-736-737 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 735-736-737 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police new hires, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the three hour and 10 minute meeting into three (3) logical segments:

• First - covers the opening, the swearing in of four Police Dept new hires, the West St/Dean College neighborhood parking discussion (~55 minutes)  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-735-town-council-meeting-02-16-22-p1-of-3
• Second - covers the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) presentation and discussion by Supt Sara Ahern and Asst Supt Lucas Giguere (~ 90 minutes) https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-736-town-council-meeting-02-16-22-p2-of-3
• Third - covers the Subcommittee reports, Legislation for Action, Council Comments, and meeting close (~ 41 minutes ) https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-737-town-council-meeting-02-16-22-p3-of-3

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 16, 2022

Part 1 -

Part 2 -

Part 3 -

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Town Council Agenda document  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-feb-16.html

Presentation Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dei_presentation_february_8_2022_5.pdf

My notes for the meeting ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/recap-town-council-views-4-police-new.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 www.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 Meeting - 02/16/22 - Audio in 3 parts

This "Talk Franklin" episode covers Town Council goals, Franklin For All, and pop up shop successes

FM #722 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 722 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Our conversation covered current events

• Town Council goals => Town goals, Town Administrator review base

• Franklin For All -> EDC plus,  MAPC planning, Forum Mar 7

• Pop shop success stories

The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-Council-Goals--Franklin-For-All-and-Pop-Shop-Program-Success-e1e3tr8/a-a7cagii

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Finance Committee agenda -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/finance-committee-gets-lesson-on.html 

Franklin For All web page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

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

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"

This Talk Franklin episode discusses the Town Council goals, Franklin For All, and pop up shop successes

Ad Hoc Committee for the Town Administrators Review - 01/26/22 (audio)

FM #712 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 712 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Town Administrators Review. The meeting was held on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2022 in the Council Chambers, live streamed and shared via cable and Zoom. We recorded this audio in the room. 

Subcommittee Chair Glenn Jones opens the meeting. Councilors Robert Dellorco and Tom Mercer participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, assistant Alecia Alleyne and HR Director Karen Bratt are also in the Chambers.

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators review meeting. Audio file => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-712-town-administrator-review-cmte-mtg-01-26-22

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Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/town-administrator-evaluation-ad-hoc.html 

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-procedure-review-completed-town.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"

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen gets a good review and has no plans to leave

Recap: Procedure review completed; Town Administrator review previewed

Quick Recap:

• In back to back meetings on Wednesday, two subcommittees of the Town Council completed discussion on their tasks
• First, the Procedural Review picked up from their Dec meeting to complete review of the current document and make mostly minor and/or technical revisions. One key component is to expand the remote participation up to "no more than 4". Pre-pandemic only one councilor was allowed to participate via phone remotely. Now, with Zoom in place, the limit can be raised to 4. Still need to maintain a physical quorum in the room
• This is also pending further review depending upon what the State House does with the Open Meeting Law requirements with the current pandemic exceptions expiring in April (or June?)
• The procedure doc changes as drafted by the subcommittee will be reviewed at a meeting Feb 2, before the full council session at 7, and scheduled for full discussion with the Council
• Second, the Ad Hoc Town Administrator Review subcommittee met to review the performance and accomplishments of Jamie Hellen
• Jamie insisted that his review is a reflection of the overall town personnel in providing service to the community. When pressed if he had any plans to leave, he said no. Paraphrasing - I don't take things for granted, it has been most rewarding here, we are rooted in MA, if I had my druthers, I'd stay here. I am still young. #tctar0126 I'd be more than honored to serve here at your discretion.
• The full review write up is currently planned to be brought to the Town Council for the Feb 16 meeting for their full discussion and approval

The combined Twitter thread for the two meetings is located here (below).  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MBd3ieaUnIBVv8rrJ9zV_Bo2e8FBhJK9/view?usp=sharing

The audio recording of the TA review meeting will be available in a couple of days.

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen updating the Council at a recent meeting

Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee - Jan 26, 2022

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION AD HOC COMMITTEE

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 26, 2022 = 6:30 PM

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

Agenda:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION DISCUSSION

3. ADJOURN

Agenda doc also contains the remote connection information for this session
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-26_ta_evaluation_agenda.pdf 

Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee - Jan 26, 2022

"Talk Franklin" covers current news with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 01/14/22 (audio)

FM #701 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 701 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Conversation around current events

• The passing of former Town Council Andy Bissanti

• The move of Superintendent Sara Ahern to a position in Barnstable effective July 1 

• New leadership at the Senior Center; Director Danielle Hopkins and Deputy Director Christina LaRose

COVID-19 – change to remote meetings? No

Finance Committee - budget timeline and lesson on revenue process 

Reminder on Municipal aggregation – direct mailer coming

Community Preservation Act - public hearing, priority list starting

Town Council - to hear from DPW on their budget overview

The recording runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/New-Year--New-Beginnings-e1d41ei/a-a78mor3

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Council on Aging meeting - introductions of Director Danielle Hopkins and Deputy Director Christina LaRose and ensuing discussion ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-senior-center-new-director-and.html 

Finance Committee recording -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/finance-committee-gets-lesson-on.html 

Municipal aggregation mailing update -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/attention-franklin-residents-dynegy.html 

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf 

Town Council agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/tc_agenda_jan_19_2022.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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

"Talk Franklin" covers current news with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 01/14/22 (audio)