Showing posts with label town council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label town council. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walks us through the changes to the updated FY 2027 budget (audio)

FM #1751 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1751 in the series.


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Thursday, May 28, 2026.  


Key topics

  • Updates to the FY 2027 budget

  • Health care overview

  • Final stretch for budget approval

    • Finance Cmte Jun 3

    • Town Council Jun 10

    • Town Council Jun 17


The recording runs about 1 hour & 5 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Audio link - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PJREAiffxNX7eUUsa18hn



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


Summary memo on budget changes - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/05/town-administrator-memo-to-finance.html 


Town of Franklin page -  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


FY 2027 budget page - https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 



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


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"


Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Monday, June 1, 2026

This Chalkboard Chat catches us up on 4 meetings in about 40 minutes (video or audio)

FM #1750 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1750 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from four recent meetings:


Our conversation covered the following topics:

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - April 16

  • Joint Town Council & School Cmte meeting May 12

  • School budget discussion at budget hearing #1 - Wednesday, May 20

  • School Committee meeting - May 26


Our conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen


Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PqOzGMMeg



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


School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 


School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 


The Franklin TV video is available for replay - 

  


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


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"

 

Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Communications Subcommittee listened & talked almost 4 hours on Thursday (audio)

FM #1749 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1749 in the series. 


This session shares the Town Council Communications Subcommittee Meeting. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

 

Subcommittee Chair Caroline Griffith, members Jane Callaway-Tripp, Max Morrongiello, and Gene Grella also participated. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Operations Manager Julie McCann and Director of Communications & Community Engagement Liz Kalaijian participated.


The recording runs about 3 hours & 50 minutes, so let’s listen in.


Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1749-town-council-communications-subcmte-mtg-05-28-26/


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


Franklin TV video for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/bUhHdEn119Q?&t=66 


Meeting agenda and supporting docs - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05282026-2333  


Meeting recap - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/05/communications-subcommittee-listened.html 


My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JmRSQOP0pbuQiaCVeMG5-Xla6eT8s_wz/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"


Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, May 28, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, May 28, 2026 ???

Thursday, May 28


  • Curbside trash/recycling pickup schedule delayed one day due to holiday; what was Wednesday will be picked up Thursday

2:00pm Middle School Reunion (Franklin Middle School)

4:30pm School of Fish updated (Franklin Sculpture Park)

6:00pm The Little Shop | Food & Wine Tasting (Little Shop of Olive Oils)


For Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events
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/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   



***   Town Meetings today   ***

Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, May 28 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05282026-2333 


ZBA Meeting- NO Meeting

Thursday, May 28 Time: 7:30 PM



----------


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


Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, May 21, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, May 21, 2026 ???

Thursday, May 21



7:00pm Rising Stars Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

7:00pm BEN 4 FRANKLIN (meeting canceled this month)



For Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events
For Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events



For additional details on Senior Center events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   




***    Town Meetings today   ***

Town Council Monthly Office Hours
Thursday, May 21 Time: 8:30 AM
No agenda for this informal session

Pole Petition Hearing - Panther Way
Thursday, May 21 Time: 1:00 PM

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)
Thursday, May 21 Time: 6:00 PM

Conservation Commission (3rd Floor Trng Room)
Thursday, May 21 Time: 7:00 PM


----------


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

Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Second Budget Hearing at Town Council meeting Thursday, May 21 - 6 PM

The second FY 2027 budget hearing is scheduled for the Town Council meeting tonight, May 21 at 6 PM.  

Assuming the normal format was followed on Wednesday night, the questions left over (not answered) usually are answered on Thursday. While there normally is a vote on the budget, recall that it was revealed that the current budget version would not be revised to include 
  • the latest from the Senate or House versions
  • the actual costs for the GIC health plans for FY 2027
  • the Finance Committee recommendations.
Until after Memorial Day, and hence may be ready for the Finance Committee meeting May 27. (Late breaking word says the 27th meeting is to be cancelled, the health care numbers are not yet available.)

The Finance Committee is also scheduled to meet June 3; at this session, the Finance Committee will (finally) get to vote on the revised budget.

The Town Council mets on June 10 and at that time will get to close out this portion of the FY 2027 budget with a vote. 

So settle in, the questions and answers are going to be interesting to see which way the Council will go on the budget.

Town Council budget hearing #1 agenda

Town Council budget hearing #2 agenda

Finance Committee budget hearings covered spent 16+ hours reviewing, questioning, and deliberating on the FY 2027 budget over 4 nights. The YouTube videos are available on the TV Town Hall Channel. The meeting recap for each session is available at Franklin.News
Posted by at
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)