Finance Committee meeting is THE meeting to be on Wednesday, Dec 13

If you really want to know Franklin, then Wednesday night at 7 PM, the Finance Committee meeting is THE meeting to watch, listen to (or catch on replay), or read about after.

With all due respect to the Master Plan Update Committee meeting also about the same time (they start at 6:30), they are early in their process so the more important of the two (in my view) is the Finance Committee "Bill Dowd deep dive" on Facilities.

The agenda doc provides plenty of information about the facilities department and about the recent history of how grants have been able to augment the Town and School budgets with about 2M each per year. (Yes, the data does show an increase since 2020 but most of that is the Federal ARPA, ESSAR funding, and not likely to continue at that rate).

For your reading pleasure in advance of the meeting:

5. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive” Series

a. Public Property & Building, aka “the Facilities Department”

i. FY24 Public Property & Buildings Budget  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy24_public_property_buildings_budget.pdf

ii. List of Town Owned Buildings  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/list_of_town_owned_buildings_0.pdf

iii. December 2020 Kaestle Boos study on school facilities current conditions  

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_comprehensive_facilities_assessment_-_final_updated_12.1.2020_1.pdf

iv. Franklin School Department Redistricting Analysis 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/redistricting-analysis

v. Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee  

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/subcommittees-and-liaisons

vi. 10-year Capital Facilities Plan  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._vi_-_facilities_capital_improvement_plan_fy23.12.07.23.xlsx_-_10_year_plan.pdf

b. Grants discussion

i. Ten-year municipal grants history  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._i_-_grant_reporting_project_for_fincom_-_town.pdf

ii. Ten-year school grants history  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._ii_-_grant_reporting_project_for_fincom_-_school.pdf

The agenda doc includes supporting materials and covers 38 pages (also includes remote participation info)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/dec_13_2023_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for meeting Dec 13, 2023

Finance Committee hears about adjustments to the FY 2024 budget and gives approval

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, November 8 to review the adjustments to the FY 2024 budget. Agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_8_fin_com_agenda.pdf

These adjustments are a check point in the full budget process. Some assumptions made early in the process (i.e. for State funds) can now be adjusted to be more real as the State budget, still in development at the time Franklin's was developed, is now finalized. Well, almost but that is another item for another day.

These adjustments are made each year before the Town Council tax classification hearing sets the rate later this month (Tues, Nov 21). 

The Town Administrator's memo outlined the adjustments to reduce new growth, local receipts, and among other items add $1,000 to the Disability Commission to enable the funding for the annual Disability Expo. For some unknown reason, they previously did not have a budget at all ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/fiscal-year-2024-fy24-budget-adjustment.html

One of the adjustments made was the removal of the communications position jointly funded between Town and School budgets. At a time when the Town (overall) could really use a central point to handle communications (the past several years have shown the benefits of that position)), they currently are operating without one. What wasn't mentioned in the meeting is that there are plans to hire an outside firm to provide such services at a savings vs. the current position. Stay tuned to this topic.

Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay (less than 50 minutes) -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsbriG2ngw (meeting begins approx. 2 minutes into the video)

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - 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. Public Comment

3. FY24 Budget Amendment

a. Town Administrator memo, revised budget document and backup materials  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a_fy_budget_amendment_materials_0_0.pdf

4. Future Agenda Items

5. Recurring Business:

a. Approval of Minutes - None scheduled

b. Stabilization Account Balance  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/stabilization_fund_balances_9-30-2023.pdf

6. Adjourn

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_8_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Adjustment details to be reviewed by Finance Committee Nov 8, 2023

To: Finance Committee

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

Re: Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Adjustment

We are requesting the Finance Committee support the amendment to the FY24 Town operating budget and recommend the changes to the full Town Council for their approval prior to setting the annual tax rate on November 21, 2023. This proposal amends the final budget approved in June 2023.

Five-Year Fiscal Forecast Update

We drafted a five-year forecast, with assumptions, for FY25-FY29. Please review the forecast that was presented at the August 2, 2023 Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC). At the October JBSC, we gave high level revenue trends throughout Quarter 1 of FY24. The next forecast will be in 2024.

Revenue Adjustments

The following is a summary of the proposed revenue adjustments to the FY24 operating budget. The total revenue downgrade figure is $310,491.

1. According to the Assessor’s final approval, the town will need to downgrade “New Growth” figures by

$158,380 due to less investment in personal and commercial property improvements. After a few record breaking New Growth years, it appears the economy is beginning to show signs of slowdown.

2. Cumulatively, Local Receipts are on target through Quarter 1 (9/30/23) but we are requesting a downgrade by $150,000 to reflect three trends:

a. Building fees have not met projections through September due to fewer overall permits, as well as the types of permits for smaller construction projects.

b. Hotel tax will likely slightly decline due to the Commonwealth’s lack of a firm commitment for the entire fiscal year in funding the 6% local option tax for the hotel temporarily housing migrant families through the state's Emergency Assistance Shelter Program. That said, the state has recently committed to paying the local tax for 90 day durations, per family, which is good news.

 

We are confident the Commonwealth with be working with cities and towns throughout the fiscal year to ensure we receive as much of our revenue projections as possible; and

c. A modest reduction in meals tax revenue to correspond with the loss of traditional hotel rooms.

3. State Aid, Assessments & Other Revenues should see an overall decrease of approximately $2,111 after the state local aid, education, county assessment, and state budget formulas settle out. Please note the Legislature has not finalized FY24 yet, with potential overrides of the Governor’s vetoes and a supplemental budget filed by Governor Healey pending.

Expense Adjustments - Decreases

The attached resolution depicts the changes within each departmental account on the voting document. A summary of proposed expense reductions are as follows:

1. Line item 123 - The Town Administrator’s personnel and expense budgets will be reduced $58,014. The total reflects the reduction in costs for the Marketing & Communications position for 8 months ($22,514), six months of unfilled Administrative Assistant positions ($26,500), and additional expenses that are not anticipated to materialize in the Administrator’s expense budget (sign lease $9,000). Please note the Marketing & Communications position was a joint position with the School Department, which reduced the financial obligation in the school budget as well. The benefits for that position was reduced in line item 910, as the town budget included the benefits for this position.

2. Line item 390 - Tri-County School will be reduced $100,553 due a decrease in Franklin students attending the school, thus our assessment was lower.

3. Line item 910 - Benefits to be reduced $148,257 due to fewer health insurance subscribers and an increase in employees on the high deductible plan.

Expense Adjustments - Increases

1. Create a Disability Commission line item and add $1,000 to the budget for expenses. As many of you know, the Commission has spearheaded an annual fair with vendors and activities. For some reason, the Commission has never had a line item in the budget. The Town should be funding expenses for the conference and have funds like all of the other boards and committees in town.

2. Add $5,000 to the Elections budget for a pilot to test a new voting tabulator machine. The Clerk hopes to test this out in the March primary to evaluate its effectiveness for the money.

Stormwater Adjustment-Decrease

As this is the 1st year with a Stormwater Enterprise Fund, we propose reducing the Stormwater budget by $200,000 and plugging the gap with County ARPA funds to ensure the Town can depict to DOR a solvent enterprise fund with a small and proper surplus at the close of the fiscal year.

Please let us know if you have any questions

This memo was shared from pages 2-3 from the FinCom meeting agenda doc which also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_8_fin_com_agenda.pdf

Finance Committee get to review the FY 24 budget changes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7 PM

Joint Budget Subcmte hears of shortfall in new growth, hears update on School Budget, plans next session (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023 as scheduled. The first ten minutes of the meeting were shared via Zoom, then there was an approx. 10 minute break and the meeting resumed also being broadcast via cable and live streamed to YouTube. 

The 'missing' video was recorded via Zoom and likely will be available later. The audio was captured by Franklin Matters includes the complete meeting and will be shared in a day or so.

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD
• Schools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)
• Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, Town Council meeting Nov 15, Tax rate hearing set for Tuesday, Nov 21 (Yes, note it is a Tuesday!)
• Next Joint Budget Subcmte session in Jan 2024 (TBD)

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3sqZhpIT9Q

Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf

Photo album capturing some of the School presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v1qW8nmPYUQTcLgm8

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHP7KFAXd6DDwtAKGLIUwnEFOX_qFte7/view?usp=drive_link

one of the FPS slides used for the budget update

Franklin, MA: Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Oct 11 at 5:30 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

(Members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee)

October 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Agenda

1. FY24 Budget Update - Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf

Note: FY24 is the current budget we are operating under. FY25 would be next years budget. The Budget year is fiscal, beginning July 1 and running through Jun 30. The year when June 30 occurs is the "fiscal year" for the budget. Hence, next June 30 is 2024 and the budget year is FY24.

The FY24 budget materials can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

Shared from the Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Reminder: Joint Budget Subcommittee to start work on long range budget requirements Wednesday night - 7 PM

The Joint Budget Subcommittee will meet on August 2, 2023 at 7 PM. 

Please note, this meeting will include a review of the Town Administrator's 5 Year Fiscal Forecast as well as a slideshow presentation regarding an Override (Override 101 & Override History in Franklin).

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/august_2_2023_joint_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/joint-budget-subcommittee-august-2nd-2023

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting - August 2, 2023 at 7 PM

"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!

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

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)