"Dollars & Sense in Franklin" shares the potential cuts for the FY 2026 budget

Welcome!

From the volunteers who brought you OneFranklin, we hope this newsletter serves as a monthly resource for busy Franklinites interested in our town's financial health. We'll include important upcoming meetings, action steps you can take, and more!

"Dollars & Sense in Franklin" shares the potential cuts for the FY 2026 budget

Potential Cuts

At the October 23 Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting, Town Administrator Hellen was asked what cuts the Town might have to make in light of the expected multimillion dollar shortfall (~1:51-1:54). He responded that, while numbers could change, the tiers presented at the 6/26/24 Town Council meeting (2:25-2:50) were the likeliest cuts. 

This means that the following cuts are likely in 2025. These cuts would not restore any cut services to the school system, nor would they close the entire deficit.  Additional potential cuts, including to Franklin Public Schools, will be covered in future Dollars and Sense. 

potential cuts for the FY 2026 budget

Important Dates

12/10 @ 7:00 School Committee Meeting

12/11 @ 7:00 Finance Committee Meeting

12/17 @ 7:00 Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting (JBSC)

12/18 @ 7:00 Town Council Meeting

Zoom links are released with meeting agendas 48 hours in advance. All meetings are streamed on Franklin Town Hall YouTube (https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall).

These are items shared from the email newsletter Dollars & Sense. Additional items will be shared over the next couple of days. You can download the full PDF version -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/15pPqEXZrlBAplHHjtbNbxe8tGpClZeW5/view?usp=drive_link

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Joint Budget meeting & the need to begin discussions now (audio)

FM #1313 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1313 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, November 7, 2024. We recapped the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Oct 23, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall

• Reorganization provides minimal savings, mostly in Facilities on Town side

• Level service means no additions to current budget which was significantly cut and added fees due to the failed override

• Ultimately the Subcommittee came together that there is a significant hole for FY 2026

• Town to add their wish list to go along with the Tier 2, 3, & 4 cuts as presented in June

• School to bring updated figures forward months earlier than normal

• Subcommittee to work through the wish list to get to the needs, review priorities

• Town Council committed to discuss an override question (yes or no) at a February 2025 meeting; assuming yes, then also to set date, and choose an amount

• No reason not to begin discussions with community around the minimum shortfall and how to handle it

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1313-chalkboard-chat-recaps-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-11-07-24/

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Contact info for Dave McNeill ->  mcneilld@franklinps.net   

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

• Agenda for Oct 23, 2024 session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jbsc_agenda_revised_oct_23_2024.pdf   

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWmbJdKWrAY

• wfpr.fm audio of the session ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/10/joint-budget-subcmte-meeting-oct-23-24.html 

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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

• 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

• 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!

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

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Joint Budget meeting & the need to begin discussions now (audio)

Chalkboard chat reviews the redistricting decisions (audio)

FM #1310 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1310 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, November 4, 2024. We recapped the School Committee meeting of Oct 22, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• Approval of the Davis Thayer exemption for the Redistricting approved at the earlier October meeting 

• The implementation work that now begins in earnest

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1310-chalkboard-chat-with-dave-callaghan-11-04-24/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

School Committee Meeting

• Agenda for Oct 22, 2024 session ->   https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4941932/SCAGENDA_10-22-24.pdf 

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ff3Vn-2hi0g?si=0REBBEJdliJoXiyW&t=186 

• My notes for the SchCmte Mtg 10/08/24 in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F633bBHQYfntqvuKD_XocZBsiRQouF1j/view?usp=drive_link  

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

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"

Chalkboard chat gets inside the redistricting decisions (audio)

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee agenda for meeting Wednesday, Nov 6 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 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. Annual Election of Officers

a. Chair

b. Vice-Chair

c. Clerk

3. Public Comment

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 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.

 

4. Approval of Minutes

a. May 6, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-06_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

b. May 8, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-08_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

c. May 15, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-15_finance_committee_meeting_minutes_-_google_docs.pdf

5. Town Administrator Recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustment

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._-_memo_-_fy25_budget_adjustment_and_reconciliation_-_google_docs.pdf 

b. FY25 Budget Voting Resolution  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._-_24-xx_general_fund_appropriation_transfers_and_adjustment_fy25_-_google_docs.pdf

c. FY25 Q1 Year to Date expense report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5c._ytd_budget_expenditures_q1_fy2025.pdf 

d. FY25 Q1 Local Receipts report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5d._local_receipts_enterprise_revenues_budget_to_actual_report_september.pdf

6. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series

a. Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6._a_-_finance_org_chart_-_10-31-24.pdf

7. Standing Updates:

a. FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/memo_-_standing_updates.pdf

b. Stabilization Account Report  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/7b._stabilization_fund_balances_-_three_year_comparison.pdf

8. FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update

9. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting

a. December 11th, 2024 or Joint Budget Subcommittee

b. January meeting will review FY25 Capital plan

10. Finance Committee Member Comments

11. Adjourn

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee agenda for meeting Wednesday, Nov 6 at 7 PM

The redistricting decision has been made, implementation planning can begin in earnest (audio)

FM #1288 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1288 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• Redistricting draft alignment of schools as approved at the 10/08/24 meeting

• The implementation work that now begins in earnest

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget Subcommittee Oct 23

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1288-chalkboard-chat-10-09-24/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

School Committee Meetings

• Agenda for Sep 24 session ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4856277/SCAGENDA_9-24-24.pdf  

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQiP_yP2tM 

• Agenda for Oct 8 session -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4900497/SCAGENDA_10-8-24.pdf    

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t39_TWwVqe4 

• My notes for the SchCmte Mtg 10/08/24 in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f3Tp-WFHqQ4EI5RxgToRDgX9qxUkIug1/view?usp=drive_link   

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

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 redistricting decision has been made, implementation planning can begin in earnest (audio)

Your input requested for this "Franklin Budget Investments" survey

"This is requesting residents opinions on whether we are spending too much or too little on various parts of the budget. It does not include all of the budget. This is intended to be if we had all the money we as a town needed to properly fund everything, what is at a stable amount, what have we put too much in, and where have we neglected.

It also requests opinions on what school fees should be.

While this is not sponsored or created by any Franklin Town government committee, the results will be shared with the School Committee, FinComm, Town Council and the Joint Budget Subcommittee.

Thank you for your input!"

Fill out the form ->   ttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nNBxoHtBcW3gPUoeklggm5BSM8SaUW4-FPccJiO0yBk/viewform?edit_requested=true 

Your input requested for this "Franklin Budget Investments" survey