"This year were the “Tier One” cuts ... "Tier Two" cuts next year will be more severe"

Via School Committee Chair Denise Spencer:

Franklin Public Schools has been ringing the alarm bell for 15+ years.

2020 was going to be the swift kick in the rear, but the covid money came in and served as a band-aid. And for the last three years we've been warning people - the money is running out. I don't see another global pandemic happening anytime soon. There are no more handouts. I can't even say the day is here because we've passed the point of no return.

This year were the “Tier One” cuts (see photos in separate post), as discussed at the budget subcommittee meetings, Finance Committee, Town Council, regularly scheduled School Committee meetings…

Tier Two cuts next year will be more severe (read: think programs such as Music, Arts, Foreign Language, not to mention Sports - freshman, froshman JV, Extracurricular Activities, Small Class Sizes, etc. etc..)

The information is out there. Do some research and spend some time to reflect on what you want your community to be.

If you have questions, you can go back and watch some meetings… 

• FRANKLIN TOWN HALL TV - YouTube  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE Here you can find recordings of School Committee, Finance Committee, Town Council, Joint Budget, Budget Hearings…
• Franklin Matters: https://www.franklinmatters.org/  Steve does a great job of collecting information and sharing
• Franklin School Committee: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

Here you can find meeting packets, agendas, budget information and more

I encourage folks to attend the August 2nd Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting.

Linking historical articles that show this is NOT a new problem

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../will.../42531477/)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../officia.../41275973007/

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../frankli.../41194886007/

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

FM #1020 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1020 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and School Committee Chair Denise Spencer. 

We had our conversation at the Municipal Building on Tuesday June 27,2023. Tom Mercer joined via Zoom.  

Now that the major FY 2024 budget decisions are behind us, how we will go forward becomes the topic. The next steps start with the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Aug 2. 

Over the next several months, lots of conversations, and planning discussion should result in a plan to go forward that the ad-hoc residents committee can then spread the word on for a potential override decision by the Town.

The conversation runs about 54 minutes. Let’s listen to the recording of the way forward discussion on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1020-fy2024-going-forward-06-27-23

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

School FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

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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

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"

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

Talk Franklin: Jamie and I go 'long' talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

FM #985 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 985 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in person at the Senior Center. We had already been involved in back-to-back sessions and added our recording session to this slot on Friday, April 28, 2023.  

We usually watch the clock to keep the session shorter but we were having such a good discussion we went with the flow.

Topics for this session

Arts & Culture listening session (2nd of 3 scheduled)

Senior Center volunteer recognition event

Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled May 8, 10, & 11

Town Council hearings scheduled for May 24 & 25

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie on Friday, April 28, 2023

Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/State-of-Franklin---May-2023-e23gcru

 

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

Arts & Culture survey -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4AWODps2aVQd_tzHIGfcJBRwUdpvYB9jK3hgfxploSWc7zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Town of Franklin calendar for May meetings & events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar/month/2023-05 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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

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: Jamie and I go long talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

Talk Franklin: Jamie & I talk about the FY24 Budget Season & Earth Day (audio)

FM #976 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 976 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, April 20, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Earth Day, a weekend but really every day

Town FY 2024 budget released

Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled May 8, 10, & 11

Town Council hearings scheduled for May 24, 25

Please get involved in the conversation, we need to develop a strategy to succeed together

The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/FY24-Budget-Season--Earth-Day-e22pfls

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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

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: Jamie & I talk about the FY24 Budget Season & Earth Day (audio)

School Committee member Dave Callaghan & I talk about the school budget situation - 04/18/23 (audio)

FM #975 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 975 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee member Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in person in the Franklin TV Studio on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. 

Our primary topic was the school budget. Dave also spent a few minutes talking about the forthcoming Critical Conversations scheduled for April 26 at Franklin High School at 7 PM.

The recording runs about 65 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Dave Callaghan. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-975-school-cmte-member-dave-callaghan-04-18-23

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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

Town Administrator’s budget ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

  

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

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"

School Committee member Dave Callaghan & I talk about the school budget situation - 04/18/23 (audio)

Explore the Town Administrator's Recommended FY 2024 Budget!

The Town Administrator's Recommended FY24 Budget materials are now available online.

You may access it here: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

Explore the Town Administrator's Recommended FY 2024 Budget!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

In preparation for the Finance Committee budget hearings 

• May 8 - general government
• May 10 - schools
• May 11 - public safety (police, fire & dispatch), DPW and enterprise accounts (water, sewer solid waste & stormwater)

We'll be spending some time on a series of posts to get into some of the details and issues raised. For one quick example, the School Committee asked for more than the Superintendent's Recommended budget, which was asking for approx. $3.4M more than last year. The Town allocation is only about $1M more than last year which would force the schools to cut $2.4M from what the School Committee approved. 

A problem we all need to solve not just for this year, it will likely be worse next year.

Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (audio)

FM #956 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 956 in the series.

This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. Remote participation was enabled for the public for this session. 

The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the budget subcommittee of the Town Council, the Finance Committee and the School Committee.

• Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo and Melanie Hamblen of the Town Council
• George Conley, John Grace, Michael Hamilton, and Natalie Riley of the Finance Committee
• David McNeill, David Callaghan and Meghan Whitmore (absent) of the School Committee

Quick recap

• The Joint Budget Subcommittee met for almost 2 hours on Wednesday and has the task now of resolving the  $5.7M deficit between projected revenues and projected expenses for the FY 2024 budget. 

• The recognition of the issue and some of the school budget cost drivers was where most of the time was spent. The next steps and strategy to resolve the deficit were not mentioned. 

• Chair Mercer urged all present for this and future discussions to refrain from talking about 'sides'. We are one Franklin, we are all in this together. We can talk about the 'town part' or the 'school part' but it is our budget and needs to be worked collaboratively.

• Councilor Frongillo did reference his rationale for increasing density with smart growth as one way to increase revenue without further burdening the expenses. The 'standard' option mentioned was reducing expenses (meaning reducing services) and since 70% of the budget is people would mean reductions somewhere.  There was also mention of 'finding other sources of revenue.' 

• For those listening who have been through this before, there is no 'other source' of revenue to resolve such a deficit. There can be increases within the existing revenue streams and the key question is whether anyone is ready to have that discussion.

• There was no 'next meeting' mentioned during the session to develop the strategy that is needed for the Town to have a sustainable budget.

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 2 hours, so let’s listen to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Mar 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-956-tof-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-08-23

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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen highlights the expected revenue and expense items and summarizes them in the budget narrative. The budget narrative can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/fy-2024-budget-narrative-for-discussion.html 

The full agenda document and supporting docs can be found here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/joint-budget-subcommittee-meeting.html 

Franklin TV/YouTube Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/5RqRcDQCNuI?feature=share 

My notes captured via Twitter are combined in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1buX_DBa5Jz6m9osdAhNjxIAM5yY5tk7T/view?usp=share_link 

Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 

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

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"

Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (audio)