Town Council and School Committee hear from residents for or against an override, for June, or for Nov (video)

The Joint Town Council and School Committee meeting took place last night with over 400 in attendance at Franklin High School and at least another 200 viewing via YouTube (over 800 views on YouTube as this went to press before midnight).

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/xMN27_nBPUU?si=aeSWZvxA-SMPJ6wo

My notes collected in one PDF can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h_7qKlYxPivFDjatz9mjtDg8lU-WMY_q/view?usp=drive_link

Photo album of the slides shared (the slides will be posted sometime)

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

Town presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-04-24_fy25_budget_update_joint_sc_tc_meeting.pdf

School presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_super_budget_sc_tc_presentation_4_24_24.pdf

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presented town side of the FY 2025 budget and financial outlook
• School Superintendent Lucas Giguere accompanied by Dr Dutch, Business Administrator, presented the school budget summary and cost drivers as well as potential cuts if the proposed override does not come to pass
• Town Council Chair Tom Mercer then opened the floor for resident comments. They lined up individually at one aisle or the other to raise a question or make their comment.
• The Town Council will take this information to their May 1 meeting and decide on IF, when, and What the $ amount would be. From that set of decisions, additional info can be prepared on both side as to what the override would bring us, and what failure to pass would mean
• The budget hearings by the Finance Committee (May 6, May 8 & May 15)  as well as the Town Council (May 22, & May 23) would still happen to work out the details of the budget.

TA Jamie Hellen, School Supt Lucas Giguere

Franklin High School is where it is at on Wednesday, April 24: Art around the world & Joint Meeting on Possible Override

• 
  Art Around the World, a  fun family and free event is scheduled for the 5:30 to 7:30 PM
   

You can listen to the conversation about the kid friendly (and did we say, “Free”) Create Art Around the World scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1158-fhs-nahs-create-art-round-the-world-03-07-24

• Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg for an Operational Override Discussion April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM until ??

The agenda was posted by the Town Council/Town Administration. The post from the School Committee/School District also adds a survey form to solicit questions and/or comments in advance of the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote viewing info (No Zoom participation, only YouTube and cable viewing) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel is available via cable or YouTube

• Comcast 9
• Verizon 29
• YouTube ->  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE

Question and/or comment link ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqX7WYOkT2nuhXQbYaIEF8q_0_Lbz2PUIx9WSn8-xKd5Ynsw/viewform

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Voices of Franklin: Dear Franklin Town Council & School Committee, "Please, vote to put the override on the ballot in June"

Dear Franklin Town Council & School Committee, Mr. Helen and Superintendent Giguere, 

I am writing to you this evening to urge you all to vote to put the override on the ballot this June.  Anyone who claims this has been a rushed process has simply not been paying attention.  I take particular umbrage at the residents who have lived here far longer than I have who are claiming this override process has been rushed.  As someone who only moved here in late 2021, and, again, has a toddler and an infant at home, I should be the resident who has no idea of the financial straits Franklin is in.  And yet I am aware.  The idea that this override process has been rushed is simply absurd.  A simple Google search will pull up the former Superintendent of Schools comments from 2008 - 16 years ago - about the financial crunch facing the Franklin Schools.  

Former Supreme Court justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, "taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society."  That's the ballgame - taxes are the price we pay to enjoy all the benefits of civilization.  At the local level, that means our water and sewer systems work, our roads are paved, we have police and fire departments, we have good schools, and all of those services must be funded adequately.

I believe reasonable people can disagree.  I also believe that reasonable people, when looking at the financial data provided, will happily shell out more money in property taxes in order to continue to fund our local government properly, because the alternative is horrifying.  

Let me be clear - I want to live in a town where our local services are properly funded.  If that means I pay more in property taxes to do so, then I will do so happily.  I want the Franklin Police Department to be fully funded (and I want them to get the new police station they need when the time comes for that).  I want the Fire Department to be fully funded.  I want the DPW to be fully funded. I want the Library to be fully funded.  I want the Facilities Department to be fully funded, and yes, I want to make damn sure the schools are fully funded as well.  And I know that nothing in life comes free, so I (and many more people in town) are willing to pay that cost, to ensure that our local services remain the best they can be.  

I know Franklin does have people on fixed incomes, and this will be difficult for them.  This includes my own aunt and uncle living here as well.  I have all the sympathy in the world for people on fixed incomes during these times of crazy inflation. I can only hope that they understand this override is absolutely necessary and their sense of civic duty and pride in the town of Franklin motivates them to vote in favor of it, despite the additional hardship such an override will represent.

However, I believe a lot of the opposition to the override comes from people who are currently in the workforce, people who have seen the property values of their homes skyrocket in recent years, and simply buy into the narrative that government is the problem and that taxes are a form of theft.  Please, ignore those people, as they do not represent the majority of voters here in Franklin.  Please, vote to put the override on the ballot in June.  Thank you all for your service - I know that you all get a lot of flak in your positions as government leaders.  Keep your heads up, ignore the negativity, and please do the right thing and put the override to the ballot in June.  I look forward to seeing the joint Town Council/School Committee meeting this Wednesday at FHS.

Respectfully,

Ben Liberto

23 Southgate Rd.  

Voices of Franklin: Dear Franklin Town Council & School Committee, "Please, vote to put the override on the ballot in June"

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Dr Bergen & Dave Callaghan talk about the school budget in this Chalkboard Chat episode (audio)

FM #1178 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1178 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares this special episode of Chalkboard Chat with  Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and former School Committee Chair Dr Anne Bergen. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Monday, April 22, 2024.  

Our conversation was a discussion around the school and Town budget issues in advance of the joint School Committee and Town Council meeting April 24 at 7 PM.  

During our conversation we address the key topics of 

• the rationale for the current school budget as “level service plus”

• the history behind the school budget cuts over the years (and resulting declining in academic performance)

• teachers and school personnel still providing a heroic effort in the face of challenges 

• rising special education costs and the creative inhouse programs saving the district (and taxpayers millions of dollars)

• the ‘old’ classroom is not today’s classroom, how the schools are telling that story

• redistricting status, fixing the holes in the prior studies to provide answers to all the questions that a long term facility plan should have

• how this is a “One Franklin” effort, the Town departments need more than they are getting in this budget, check out their needs listing

 

The conversation runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Dr Bergen & Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1178-chalkboard-chat-school-budget-insights-04-22-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

Contact info for Dr Anne Bergen  annekbergen@gmail.com 

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

School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

Town FY 2025 budget narrative  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy_25_budget_message_narrative_updated_links_2.pdf 

Town FY 2025 budget book 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.pdf 

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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

Dr Bergen & Dave Callaghan talk about the school budget in this Chalkboard Chat episode (audio)

In this Chalkboard Chat, Dave & Dave discuss the school budget situation with me (audio)

FM #1175 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1175 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  

Our conversation was a recap of the budget approved by the School Committee at their meeting of April 9, 2024 and the next steps toward what funding will be provided for their budget.

The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Dave & Dave. Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1175-chalkboard-chat-04-16-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

Contact info for Dave McNeill  mcneilld@franklinps.net  

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

School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

The Franklin TV broadcast of the session is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8KxgjR7dhk

School Committee agenda ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-9-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet

Photos of the presentation doc shared ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/PxKxwydbV64HKmFx9

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

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.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

In this Chalkboard Chat, Dave & Dave discuss the school budget situation with me (audio)

Please join us for a Joint Town Council & School Committee Mtg for an Operational Override Discussion April 24 at 7:00 PM

Please join us for a Joint Franklin Town Council and Franklin School Committee Meeting Operational Override Discussion April 24, 7:00 p.m. FHS Auditorium

The agenda was posted by the Town Council/Town Administration. This post from the School Committee/School District also adds survey form to solicit questions and/or comments in advance of the meeting.

April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote viewing info (No Zoom participation, only YouTube and cable viewing (Verizon/Comcast broadcast) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Question and/or comment link ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqX7WYOkT2nuhXQbYaIEF8q_0_Lbz2PUIx9WSn8-xKd5Ynsw/viewform

Budget details

School FY 2025 -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget

Town of Franklin FY 2025 ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

A Joint Meeting of the

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL & FRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

[A quorum of the Franklin Finance Committee will be in attendance]

April 24, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street

Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction from the Chairs of the Town Council and School Committee

2. Presentation

a. Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen and Superintendent of Schools, Lucas Giguere

3. Discussion & Public Hearing

a. To discuss the public opinion of an operational override

4. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-04-24_town_council_school_committee_agenda_.pdf

Agenda for the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting April 24, 2024 at 7 PM

Finance Committee approves policy revisions, gets a summary of the FY 2025 budget & vents frustrations (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 as scheduled at 7:00 PM. 8 members participated, 5 in the Council Chambers, 3 remotely, 1 was absent. With the hybrid participation all votes were via roll call.

Agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_4.17.24.pdf

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgLQtP8Z1AM

Quick recap:

• Voted to approve both sets of minutes with an 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call
• After discussion and clarification questions, only one modification to remove a number and leave the percent in the policy to maintain the stabilization account was voted also by the 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen gave a set of slides to highlight the proposed FY 2025 town budget
• photos were capture of the slides shown ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/4yBm9c9BQNaG9sJZ7
• Slide deck to be posted to Town page on Thursday (link to be added when available)
• Joint School Cmte and Town Council meeting scheduled for April 24 at Franklin High School
• Town Council to vote at May 1 meeting, (a) if there is to be an override, (b) when it would be, and (c) the amount 
• Frustrations with
• lack of action by multiple parties to avoid the fiscal cliff we are now facing
• lack of action on the redistricting decision by prior parties as it could have a potential fiscal impact at least long term if not short

Public Hearings scheduled by Planning Board & Town Council for King St parcel zoning change from residential to business

Franklin Planning Board

Public Hearing Notice

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, notice is hereby given that the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00 PM and the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street (also available to be attended remotely) to consider amending Chapter 185, Section 5 of the Code of the Town of Franklin.

ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 24-905 

Zoning Map Amendment 24-905 (formerly 24-901) would amend the Town’s existing Zoning Map (Chapter 185, Section 5, of Franklin Town Code) by changing parcels 313-061-000 and 313-062-000 parcels from the Single Family Residential III zoning district to the Business zoning district.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman 

Franklin Planning Board 

Tom Mercer, Chairman

Franklin Town Council

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_24-905.pdf

Public Hearings scheduled by Planning Board & Town Council for King St parcel zoning change from residential to business

Audio for the April 10, 2024 Town Council meeting in 2 parts: P1 for opening & closing sections; P2 for the friendly 40b discussion (audio)

FM #1173 & 1174 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1173 & 1174 in the series. 

This session shares the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 councilors took part, 8 in Chambers and 1 was remote for all but the last few minutes (Frongillo).

Part 1 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1173-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-04-10-24-p1-of-2

This part covers the first hour of the meeting

• Citizen Comments

• Approval of Minutes - March 13, 2024

• Appointment to Design Review Commission - Priya Natarjan

• 2 ABCC license transactions

And then skips past the 40b section to include the last 30+ minutes of the meeting

• Legislation for Action

• Town Administrator’s Report

• Subcommittee reports

• Future Agenda Items

• Council Comment

• Enter Executive Session (not to return to open session)

Part 2 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1174-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-04-10-24-p2-of-2

This part includes the entire section around the proposed “friendly 40b” development of the Stobbarts Nursery (approx. 2.5 hours)

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The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour session is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WPC4cB_S4 

Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1labnvYVykW4HGk01mHIQDk7d725ikuLn/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WC1n843rA3AQwjTg7 

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

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"

Audio for the April 10, 2024 Town Council meeting in 2 parts: P1 for opening & closing sections; P2 for the friendly 40b discussion (audio)