Showing posts sorted by date for query override, 2008. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query override, 2008. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)

FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.  


Key topics

  • Picked up with summer concert

  • New Council, new School Committee, learning curve

    • Tax rate hearing Dec 3

    • Finance Committee Dec 10

    • Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri 

  • January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made

  • Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December

  • Spend with with family & friends this weekend


The recording runs about  46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/

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Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)
Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap,
then budget & other Town business,
before taking time to recoup (audio)
Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 


Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets 


School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 


BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.


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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"



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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Finance Committee recommends Option B, adding back 2 firefighter/paramedics to resolve budget adjustment (audio)

FM #1492 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1492 in the series. 


This session shares the Finance Committee meeting very briefly conducted Monday, August 11, 2025. The Committee opened with 3 new members and the Chair absent, for his first time, so 8 of 9 present. One member was initially remote, then he came into Chambers so roll call votes were not required. 


The room had changed from the posted agenda so the Studio personnel were not present to broadcast as normal. The Owl was used to enable video and audio for those participating via Zoom. The recording of that can be processed for broadcast later by Franklin TV. video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVIWsqxNQsQ


Quick recap:

  • After a lengthy presentation and discussion, the Committee voted to recommend Option B for the Town Council to discuss and determine their vote on the FY 2026 budget adjustment.

  • The State budget finalized in July authorized $231,152 LESS than the Town had put in the budget and adjusted after the failed override.

  • Model A would have split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets

  • Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again

  • Note the numbers presented on the option B slide still result in a NET ADD of $18k to the budget (maybe that will get corrected before the Council meeting Wednesday)


Model A

Model A would have split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets
Model A would split the difference in making further cuts to both Town and School budgets



Model B

Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again
Model B makes some minor cuts ($21K), adjusts health care (by $75K) but also by restoring 2 firefighter/paramedics ($115K) is forecast to also bring in $249K in revenue to offset the adds and ‘balance’ the budget again


Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1492-tof-finance-cmte-mtg-08-11-25/

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Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112025-1822 


FY26 Budget Amendments

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6478/Town-Administrator-Memo 

b. FY26 Control Sheet Model A & B Comparison 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6434/FY26-Control-Sheet-Model-A-and-B-Comparison 

c. FY26 Budget Voting Doc Model A & B Comparison  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6433/FY26-Budget-Voting-Doc-A-and-B-Comparison 

d. Budget Voting Resolution Model A  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6489/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-A 

e. Budget Voting Resolution Model B  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6492/General-Fund-Appropriation-Transfers-and-Adjustments-Resolution-25-52---Option-B


My notes for the meeting captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DkU4mNB3P894CmvRaaqTJQXWhFPhYdB6/view?usp=drive_link 


Photos of the presentation slides for the meeting are in one album ->

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

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"


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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

School Committee meets virtually, approves fee schedule and middle school accounting in short session (exclusive audio)

FM #1476 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1476 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. 5 members participated in this virtual session, 2 were absent (Gallagher, Griffith).  With the virtual session, there is no Franklin TV video or YouTube available.


Quick recap:

Superintendent’s report, end of school year officially June 18, schools closed out in memorable ways, thanks to PCC 's et al for making it possible. 


Boxes labeled, classrooms cleared… Summer relocation work underway, all packing was completed, walkthrough underway to confirm readiness for transition, thanks to Colin for all the effort in this. The preparation and communication was organized


Transportation registration closed, 2492 registered, vs. 2466 for past year, 16 on waitlist; routes scheduled for posting in August; special education van can be purchased via earmark along with local funding to keep fleet current


Question: On the waitlist, when would they find out? During route creation over the next couple of weeks. The SchCmte will get an update on the routes before the initial routes are posted


SPED vans backstory; had 3 in trouble and were adjusting to cover with reallocations, the next in line is now covered with the earmark, etc. to bring us more current on cycle


Discussion/ action items 

  • DECA trip to VA - I recommend approval of the request of Emily Rosborough to take DECA students to Arlington, VA from November 21 - 23, 2025 as detailed. Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call

  • Girls Basketball Trip to ME - I recommend approval of the request of John Leighton to take the Girls Basketball team to Augusta and Portland, ME from December 26 - 27, 2025 as detailed. Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call

  • Disposition of Student Activity Accounts - I recommend approval of disposition of student activity accounts as discussed Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call

  • Recommendation to open FMS Student Activity Accounts and close Existing MS Activity Accounts - I recommend opening of Franklin Middle School Student activity accounts and closing the existing middle school student activity accounts as discussed. Moved, second, discussion - Lots of details involved in the reorganization. Vote on the motion, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call 

  • User Fees - I recommend approval of the FY25-26 User Fees as discussed - Policy Subcmte met earlier tonight. Athletic fees remain at 3 tier structure with one sport changing tier (wrestling) to tier 2 at $600. Transportation fees, $387 with a 3 student cap per family. Unfortunate consequences of failed override User fees also have an escalation clause built in; an attempt to maintain cost control, Modeling fee structure planned as part of the new budget cycle in the fall

  • Moved, second, passes 5-0-2 (2 absent) via roll call 


Consent Agenda

Moved, second, passes via roll call 5-0-2 (2 absent) No citizen comments


New business

next meetings, July 22, Aug 12, Aug 26

New hire updates, reorg progress Handbooks scheduled for Aug 26

Cautiously optimistic about where they are


Motion to adjourn, passes via roll call same 5-0-2 vote as others


The exclusive recording runs about 35 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1476-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-06-24-25/

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Agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5789326/SCAGENDA_6-24-25.pdf 


School Committee meets virtually, approves fee schedule and middle school accounting in short session (exclusive audio)
School Committee meets virtually,
approves fee schedule and middle school
accounting in short session (exclusive audio)
Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/june-24%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet---virtual-only-(link-in-agenda)/822105 



My full set of notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v8oaOo2GNU5NVOEr2H4pEu43SNUBKReC/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 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"
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