Franklin Matters: Search results for override

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Monday, June 2, 2025

Special Election June 3, 2025 - Collection of info on the FY 2026 Override

6 to 3 to 2 to 1, finally

One can pick and choose when it started, there are a number of key points along this budget journey for the Town of Franklin. Go back to the first successful override in 2007. Or to the failed overrides in 2008 and 2010.

To the failed dedicated override for road repairs for $1M that folks chose not to accept in 2014. Yes, even after hearing that the Town needed to confirm that money for the override would be spent for a specific item, the voters chose not to fund needed road repairs.

Whether you call it the “fiscal cliff” or the “structural deficit”, it really comes down to a math problem. More money required to fund existing services than is scheduled to come in due to the 2 ½ override restrictions. You can try to ignore it but inflation is the major driver. Councilor Jones calculated the inflation impact of Prop 2 ½ since 1983 during the override discussions in the run up to the June 2024 failed attempt.

It is so much easier to blame someone else for the problem. That avoids the harsh reality of the situation our community faces. It seems there are a number of relatives of Rodney Dangerfield (“I get no respect”) who live here. They attempt to dominate or divert the conversation from facing reality. It gets a chuckle, laughed off, and the tragedy remains in front of us.

So the Town took on a massive effort with

6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions
3 Finance Committee budget hearings
2 Town Council budget hearings

In the run up to the special election Tuesday, June 3 at Franklin High School gymnasium from 6 AM to 8 PM.

Of the 25,865 registered Franklin voters, 2431 ballots have been cast by early and absentee voters (through 5/30/25 close of business) for this election per Town Clerk Nancy Danello.

The questions that remain?

How many of the remaining voters will turn out on Tuesday?
Will they be Rodney’s relatives? Or will they fund the current services our community needs?

When will we get an answer?

We’ll find out by about 9 PM Tuesday evening.

** Town of Franklin FY 2026 override page

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

Special Election June 3, 2025 - Collection of info on the FY 2026 Override

In addition to the trusted source of info (above) we provide the following:

** Election prep resources

Joint Budget Listening Session “Watch, Listen, or Read” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html
Finance Committee Budget Hearing “Watch, Listen, or Read” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/finance-committee-fy-2026-budget.html
Town Council budget hearings “Watch or Listen” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-fy-2026-budget-hearing-1-2.html

The More Perfect Union radio show has resumed with an episode on the Special Election June 3

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/more-perfect-union-wfpr-98-june-3rd.html

The most recent Town Council Quarterbacking session summarizes the Council budget hearings and the all alcohol license transactions they approved in the May 22 meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/tom-mercer-i-condense-2-budget-hearings.html

** Campaign Reports

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/campaign-finance-reports-for-special.html

** Voices of Franklin

Voices of Franklin: Jane Callaway-Tripp "The Cost of Silence: A Town at a Crossroads" https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/voices-of-franklin-jane-callaway-tripp.html Voices of Franklin: Town Councilor Glenn Jones says "get out to vote June 3" (video) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/voices-of-franklin-town-councilor-glenn.html

Sunday, June 1, 2025

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of May 27 (audio)

FM #1459 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1459 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of May 27, 2025.

We cover

MICCA award recognitions
Biliteracy certificate recognitions
School personnel retiree recognitions
District Improvement Plan/School Improvement Plan updates
Override discussion, vote June 3; any questions, please reach out to find out

The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1459-chalkboard-chat-05-28-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBa7M7YI4A4

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272025-1761

The meeting folder where other docs will be posted after the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/may-27%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/806450

Retiree recognition -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/fLJf4boDFr6S9MvE7

Civics Project presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/oAh2AdNrLoE1Exu89

DIP/SIP presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6ipuwvmfph7khgNF8

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMp9pP040uUMF-aEHLahg3-LSN3ErBDV/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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of May 27 (audio)

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - 3 Reasons to Vote Yes

There’s been a lot of discussion about the override — and understandably so. People care about this town, its services, its taxes, and its future. But somewhere along the way, a few misconceptions have taken on lives of their own, and discussions meant to be productive have sometimes turned... well, let's just say they've become about as fun as untangling old holiday lights or trying to find that one missing sock. But here we are. It's important that these things get talked about, though. Not just because there’s a vote coming, but because decisions like this shape what kind of town we live in — and what kind of town our kids, neighbors, and future residents will inherit. It deserves clear information, honest reflection, and yes, some tough conversations. So, in that spirit, here are some key considerations for your vote: BENEFITS OF VOTING “YES” 1. Investing now helps stabilize our community’s financial future and can mitigate future increases. A crucial way to stabilize the taxes families pay over time is through responsible growth that contributes more in taxes than it costs the town in services. For example, homes that contribute to our tax base with minimal immediate impact on services can help balance our financial needs. Investing in maintaining and improving our community, including well-funded public schools, can attract growth that strengthens our overall tax base and supports property values. 2. Financial stability provides greater control over future development. When our town is financially stable, we have stronger leverage to ensure that new development aligns with our community's vision and needs. This means we can thoughtfully guide growth, ensuring it contributes positively to our town without disproportionately increasing municipal costs. Strong finances allow us to insist on development that fits our community’s character and long-term sustainability. 3. Delaying necessary investments leads to greater costs and challenges in the long run. Inflation on large items, like essential town equipment, has been significant in recent years. Postponing purchases doesn't save money; it often results in higher costs later due to inflation and increased repair/maintenance needs as equipment ages. For example, delaying a $100,000 purchase could increase its cost by $5,000 to $11,000 within a year, while our standard tax revenue growth may not keep pace. Furthermore, delaying maintenance or replacing aging equipment can lead to more frequent breakdowns, more expensive repairs (as parts become scarce), and even increased safety risks for our public safety and public works personnel. Using outdated or inefficient tools ultimately costs more in terms of labor and productivity. Proactive investment helps maintain efficient operations and ensures our town services can operate effectively. CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR VOTE Addressing affordability and fixed incomes:

The concern about affordability and the impact of taxes on those with fixed incomes is a genuine and serious issue that our community must address. It’s important to understand that property taxes can still rise significantly even without an override, primarily due to increasing property valuations. For instance, a homeowner with a $350,000 assessed home could see their annual tax bill climb by nearly $600 over two years simply due to rising assessed values, even without an override. A financially stable town is in a much better position to explore and implement assistance programs for residents facing financial hardship. A town that is struggling to maintain essential services may lack the resources and capacity to adequately develop and offer such crucial support programs. While every dollar matters, a stable town can build the foundation for real, systemic solutions to help our neighbors. Understanding shared community investment:

It’s true that property taxes fund a wide range of services, and individuals may not directly use every single one—whether it’s schools, libraries, senior centers, or public safety.This is a fundamental aspect of living in a community: we collectively contribute to services that benefit the whole, even if our personal use varies. We support schools to prepare the next generation, recognizing their future role in our community. We care for our seniors, building a community that values and supports all its residents. Choosing to live in a community means accepting a shared responsibility for its well-being. This collective investment provides the infrastructure, safety, and quality of life that often attract people to our town in the first place and keep them here. Being part of a community involves contributing beyond what we or our immediate family directly use, fostering a place where everyone can thrive. Impact of leadership concerns on critical services:

It’s important to address concerns about current town leadership, and these should be addressed through appropriate channels, such as elections. However, refusing to fund essential services as a response can cause cumulative harm to the entire town. Based on publicly available audits and our strong bond rating, there is no evidence of financial impropriety that would suggest a reason to fear disastrous spending in the next few months if your goal is to voice a need for change in the November elections. Delaying critical investments due to leadership concerns only increases costs over time, as seen with our large equipment needs. While some may view a "no" vote as sending a message, it’s crucial to consider the practical consequences of underfunding essential services like public safety, education, and public works. These problems will continue to grow, becoming more expensive and challenging to fix, regardless of who is in leadership. It’s important to maintain respectful dialogue and address concerns constructively. Our town needs continued investment to maintain vital services and protect our future. Addressing immediate fiscal needs through this override allows us to then focus on longer-term solutions and improvements for our community MOVING FORWARD Yes, there are problems to fix, and those conversations must continue. But we can’t wait any longer. This override is critical to keep essential services running and protect the future of our town. Delaying only makes everything harder and more expensive. Nobody really wants an override, and nobody wants taxes to go up. It's kind of like needing a plunger. You're never thrilled to pull it out, but you use it when necessary. And once the immediate problem is fixed, you then work to prevent needing it again, whether that means being more careful or fixing the plumbing. Refusing to unclog a toilet because plungers are "gross" or because it "might clog again anyway" only worsens the problem, risking damage, health concerns, and even more costly cleanup down the line. We know some residents worry that approving this override might mean we'll face requests for more overrides in the future. It’s a valid concern, and the fear of a recurring cycle of increased costs would unsettle anyone. The goal with this override is to stabilize our town's finances and ensure we have the foundation to proactively plan and manage our resources. This will help us minimize the need for such measures in the future and work toward long-term financial stability. Only then can we change our focus to how to prevent needing a plug—an override—in the future.

Arielle Shearer

Franklin Resident

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

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - "3 Reasons to Vote Yes"

Friday, May 30, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, May 30, 2025 ???

Friday, May 30

Library & Senior Center events
1 day offset for Trash & recycle schedule due to Holiday

Early Voting - FY 2026 Override Special Election

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today **

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What's happening today in Franklin?

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

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

More Perfect Union - WFPR: #98 - June 3rd Special Election (audio)

In this episode, the group and guests Scott Dragonetti and Rachel Plukas discuss the special election happening in Franklin on June 3rd proposing an override. They discuss Franklin's history, the last special election not passing, and what the group hopes to happen this time.

Audio link -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/98-june-3rd-special-election

The FY 2026 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

The FY 2026 Override info for the June 3 vote -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information