Finance Committee closes out FY 2026 budget hearings (audio)

FM #1438 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1438 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Thursday, May 1, 2025. 7 members of the Committee participated, 6 in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Hamilton), 1 absent (Nagel) for the last of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026. This session covered the General government line items and led to the series of recommending votes.   

Quick recap

• Up for review tonight were the General government departments, many of them much smaller than the Police, FIRE, DPW, and Schools covered previously but all key to Town services. 

• Recreation pays for itself with fee revenue from servicing 7200 kids with 3 full time personnel

• Library just above the minimum required by State legislation not revised since it was enabled over 100 years ago

• Town Clerk's office runs the annual census, dog licenses, registrations, and this year 2 elections; the special override election June 3 and the local election in November (Town Council, School Cmte and other elected positions, including this year the Town Clerk).

• Senior Center has a minimal expense budget most of it is personnel and a good portion of it is covered by fee revenue or grants. Still working on how to fine tune it, won't likely get to the fee supported  status of the Recreation Dept. May 15 ribbon cutting for the van and gazebo at the Senior Center (10 AM)

• Resolutions for approval - all passed by same 7-0-1 (1 absent) roll call vote

• Resolution 25-20: Recommendation of FY2026 Budget

• Resolution 25-21: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official 

• Resolution 25-22: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53E½, as Amended 

• Resolution 25-23: Snow and Ice Transfer of Funds 

• Resolution 25-24: Appropriation and Transfer of Funds from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to Water Line Project

The meeting runs 2 hours and 28 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1438-tof-finance-cmte-mtg-budget-hearing-3-05-01-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/C5g8YGdpTmI?&t=430 

 

The agenda and released documents for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012025-1710 

My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFcbiY2E14_zoCwZHMOjuSOpnIaaUM1J/view?usp=drive_link 

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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

• 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"

Finance Committee closes out FY 2026 budget hearings (audio)

2025 National Recording Registry Entries Announced by the Library of Congress

National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of Elton John, Chicago, Broadway's 'Hamilton,' Mary J. Blige, Amy Winehouse, Minecraft and Microsoft Elton John's monumental album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Chicago's debut "Chicago Transit Authority," the original cast recording of Broadway's "Hamilton," Mary J. Blige's "My Life," Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black," Microsoft's reboot chime, and the soundtrack to the Minecraft video game phenomenon have been selected as some of the defining sounds of history and culture that will join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation's recorded sound heritage. Click here for more information -> https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/national-recording-registry-inducts-sounds-of-elton-john--chicago--broadway-s--hamilton---mary-j.-bl/s/986b2312-27dd-4b66-bd41-3113e0cb2e57   You are subscribed to Latest News from the Library of Congress.

2025 National Recording Registry Entries Announced by the Library of Congress

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

FM #1311 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1311 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 6, 2024. 7 of the 9 members were present in the Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton). 

Quick Recap:

• Committee voted to keep the same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)

• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 

• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions

• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch

• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently

• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too

• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

The meeting runs about 1 hour & 50 minutes. Let’s listen to the Finance Cmte meeting Nov 6, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1311-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-11-06-24/

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The Finance Cmte agenda can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-06_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf 

Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/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"

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (audio)

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 6 with 7 members participating in Council Chambers and 2 members absent (Batchelor, Hamilton)

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ejPhlcZs29g?si=otfRPnwkBa6Yta-B&t=158

The agenda doc ->

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

Quick recap:

• committee voted to keep same org structure as prior given status and new members, etc. Conley, Chair, Riley, Vice-Chair, Corbesierio, Clerk (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• committee approved the minutes for the 3 budget hearings in May (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked through the recommendation on FY25 Budget Adjustments and the committee voted to recommend them as discussed to the Town Council  (passed 7-0-2; 2 absent)
• Jamie took time to outline the new Town and School Finance and Human Resources organization restructure, a work in progress for a number of years and finally operational, answered a number of clarification questions 
• Jamie also presented the FY24 Preliminary Expense Recap & Local Receipts year-end report  and the Stabilization Account Report and answered a number of clarification questions
• Brief update on the FY26 Budget Model and Fiscal Forecast Update, discussion around dodging a massive increase in the Norfolk County Retirement Fund, procedurally the Retirement Board should have bene more forthcoming about the increase, they weren't, still an item to watch
• Related to the retirement funding, it had been anticipated that once it was fully funded (approx. 2032, now 2035), those funds could be reallocated to the OPEB account and start paying that down more sooner. Confirmed delayed to 2035 currently
• As a result of the OPEB funding process, why doesn't the Town consider helping the Schools with the "hold harmless" funding. Can't be done all at once, it is about 12-15 Million, but the town is chipping away at OPEB, we should consider chipping away at the "hold harmless" too
• member comments lead to discussion (and future discussion) around how the committee can help raise the awareness of the community on the fiscal issues. More to come on that front

My notes captured during the meeting ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZYVtQx2ljoXcuxpA78ltwoeWgRxKIlB/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee gets preview of FY 2025 budget adjustments, Norfolk Retirement issue, Finance & HR reorg for Town/Schools (video)

Share worthy Hamilton Cast performance In honor of National Voter Registration Day (video)

Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) posted Sep 16, 2024:

In honor of National Voter Registration Day tomorrow, the Broadway company of Hamilton headed into the booth to record "The Election of 2024". 

We're proud to partner with @WhenWeAllVote and @VoteRiders to make sure everyone's voice is heard at the polls. 

Register to vote now! https://t.co/hcAPw9Yf5y

Video link -> https://youtu.be/sJayRSyTsDc?si=jNgmPHtlSHjgFZDl

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/HamiltonMusical/status/1835710238210613557

Share worthy Hamilton Cast performance In honor of National Voter Registration Day (video)

@HockomockSports provides the outlook for FHS girls soccer for Fall 2024

Via our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports outlook for Franklin High School girls soccer

Franklin

2023 Record: 18-3-0 (Kelley-Rex division co-champions)

Head Coach: Jodi Klein

The Panthers won a share of their fourth straight league title and reached the Div. 1 quarterfinal last season and, despite several key players graduating, the expectations around the program remain just as high coming into the new season.

Franklin’s attack will look a little different after graduating two-thirds of last season’s front three, but senior Kelly O’Connor is coming off an MVP-caliber season in which she scored 26 goals and she will be back to terrorize opposition defenses again. Junior Gwen Holland will support O’Connor up front and freshmen attackers Lily Strong and Claire Michel have both impressed during preseason scrimmages. The midfield should also chip in with goals, with senior Ava Vivella and juniors Morgan Lovell and Vera Hansen all returning and sophomore Sophia Horton being added to the mix.

Last season, Franklin allowed just eight goals in 21 games. Graduations and transfers mean there will be several new faces in the back, but the Panthers still expect to make it difficult for the opposition. Senior Eiley Cinelli will provide leadership in the middle with junior Cassidy Carmignani returning at outside back. Senior Meghan Griffith has moved from midfield to outside back and looks ready to step up in her new role. Freshman Grace Marinella is already looking like a leader in central defense. With Rachel Welch graduating and Jill Hamilton going to prep school, Franklin is turning to sophomore Cami Towers in goal with freshman Devyn Cairns looking to gain experience this year as well.

“This is a new, young group and we are getting acclimated to one another, learning each other’s tendencies and really starting to connect,” said Franklin coach Jodi Klein. “We are fortunate here in Franklin to have so much talent in our program this year at all three levels. They are working hard this preseason and we are improving every day. I see a bright future for the 2024 season as well as in years to come.”

For other team outlooks across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/2024-hockomock-league-girls-soccer-preview/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Jay & I cover Franklin's Current Issues in this Q&A 3 part series (audio)

FM #1215-1216-1217 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1215-1216-1217 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jay Horrigan, Franklin resident, Franklin TV & Radio talent and fellow Board of Directors member for the Franklin Community Cable Access organization. We met to record this conversation in the studio on Thursday, May 16, 2024.  

We spent enough time in the studio discussing current events that our wives were sending out queries as to where we were. The conversation is split into 3 sections to better enable sharing via the radio time slot (less than an hour).

We talk about 

• Jay’s story and what he keeps busy with

• Spend time to answer current issue questions 

• June 11 override vote

• How the $6.8M was determined

• What is an override vs a debt exclusion

• Development of the ‘fiscal cliff’ post COVID

• State vs Commonwealth (no real difference in operation)

• Fund allocation from the override in FY 2025 and following

• Coordination of Town and School

• Explanation of the bigger ‘pie’, budget, etc.

• Franklin TV video archives of Town, School, and other committee meetings

• Condense the Town Council and School Committee meetings via audio as Town Council Quarterbacking and Chalkboard Chat answering the 2 questions: What just happened? What does that mean for us as residents and taxpayers?

• Does the override tie to the redistricting plan?

• School ‘master plan’ va Town Master Plan

• Modular units helped to accommodate the school ‘population bubble’

• Mr G’s analogy on how the redistricting was done, stepping back to better align students with the better school facilities

• How the “Portrait of the Graduate” plays into this

• Teachers are being reduced gradually to account for the decline in school enrollment

Part 1 of this conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1215-franklin-current-issues-qa-with-jay-horrigan-05-16-24

Part 2 of this conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay.

In this second episode we answer more questions

• How does the override provide funds for school teachers’ pay?

• Teacher union president Donna Grady interview provides insights to teacher issues

• Teacher retention issue, is it related to the ‘massive new schools’?

• Better expectation for future funding of the Schools post override

• Difference in level of planning for redistricting, the ‘plan’ vs the implementation plan to work out the details

• Civic engagement, the parents concerned about the redistricting can be involved in the implementation plan

• What is the goal of the Town “master plan”? What do we want Franklin to be when we grow up?

• The issue with the middle school after school activities and late bus, how is that related to the override?

• School funding of buses vs parent cost, a change from $360 to $500 if the override fails, along with other activities and sports fees will increase if the override fails

• Sense of community and ‘commonwealth’ vs the divisive and personal focal points we hear

• Timing of the override June vs. November, better for the students educational experience

• Demise of newspapers, rise of newsletters, flyers sent home replaced by email and PDFs on the schools pages

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1216-franklin-current-issues-qa-p2-of-3-05-16-24

Part 3 of this conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay.

• The possibility of an underride and what it would do

• Concern of getting the message out amidst the Presidential campaign ads

• School planning needed for redistricting, 2 summers needed

• Disruption for school year in November if the underride succeeds

• Assuming override passes, when would taxpayers see the increase?

• How does the new apartment revenues flow to the Town (about 10 minutes in P3)

• Tax increment financing (TIF) (Tegra Medical - 2009, Hamilton Technology - 2011, Cold Chain - 2015, Plansee - 2022)

• What’s happening with Davis Thayer

• Redistricting tied to override?

• Redistricting tied to new police station?

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1217-franklin-current-issues-qa-part-3-of-3-05-16-24

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Contact info for Jay -> jayhorrigan@gmail.com 

Town override summary page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy25-override-information 

State vs Commonwealth info ->  https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/whats-the-difference-between-a-commonwealth-and-a-state

Donna Grady interview -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/talking-about-teaching-education-with.html 

Police Station Building Committee May 13, 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/police-station-building-cmte-agrees-on.html 

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

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" 

Jay & I cover Franklin's Current Issues in this Q&A 3 part series (audio)