Finance Committee Aug 11, 2025 Transcript available

As noted, due to the room change on Monday from the Agenda posted on Friday, 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 will be processed for broadcast later by Franklin TV.

The audio was posted earlier ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/finance-committee-recommends-option-b.html

The transcript is now available. As with prior transcripts, AI is used. We do edit for speaker name accuracy only.

In our cursory review of the transcript, it is not perfect but generally phonetically correct.

The timestamps for each speaker are shown in the transcript so you can also shift to the audio and scan to that time in the meeting to listen.

Transcript PDF (29 pages)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WupbCSx0GqVLLyMdyAqRY5J78CkXHjJr/view?usp=drive_link

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

Slides as presented -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6560/2025-08-11-Fin-Comm-Slideshow

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

Don White at the library, Saturday, Aug 16

Don White at the library, Saturday, Aug 16 

Don White writes:

"I'll be performing from 3:00 to 4:00 at the Library in Franklin, Mass. this Saturday August 16th.

I know that for some folks money is tight these days and for some folks driving at night is an issue.

This daytime gig is free to the public.

Please let my friends in that part of the world know about this show. Thanks."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/18Nb7wKLJw/

Jennifer Tefft has two solo shows this week, 8/14 & 8/15

Jennifer Tefft has two solo shows this week, 8/14 & 8/15

Jennifer Tefft says "Two solo shows this week…"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNQm-khRZaZ/

Community Cookout – Aug 23, 2025 at Franklin UMC

Community Cookout – Aug 23, 2025 at Franklin UMC

Join us Saturday, 5:30–6:30 PM behind the church for free burgers, hot dogs, chips & drinks (veggie options too!).

Bring a friend, a lawn chair, and your appetite!

All are welcome.

Rain cancels.

Franklin United Methodist Church

More info: https://franklinumc.org/2025/08/11/free-community-cookout-august-23-2025/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This time slot features a combination of 2 conversations; first with TOwn Clerk Nancy Danello on the timeline for the November election, then with G&C Plumbing on their teacher give away. Applications close Aug 14

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi have a discussion with Viticulture Leader Brenae Royal -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, August 13, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am Mental Health: Shannon Nesbitt

8:30 am FSPA Spring 2025 Show 4

10:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rob Lawson

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Party Chicken

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

3:30 pm 4th of July 2025: GQ and the Lady

5:30 pm More Perfect Union: Teachers Unions

8:30 pm Concerts on the Common: The Reminisants

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Band

8:30 am Public School Concert: Elementary Music Pt. 2 06-04-18

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

11:00 am FHS Spring Jazz 2025

12:30 pm Franklin Fury Softball v Dedham 07-23-25

3:30 pm FHS Track and Field: v North Attleboro 05-09-23

6:00 pm FHS Varsity Swimming v Milford 01-03-25

8:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Bridgewater Raynham 04-11-25

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council 07-23-25

2:00 pm Town Council 07-23-25

6:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  894 8394 6920

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 ??

Tuesday, August 12

Library & Senior Center events

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

School Committee

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851 

Design Review

Tuesday, August 12 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1849 

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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

Voices of Franklin: Jane Callaway-Tripp calls for potential candidates for School Committee

Franklin needs you.

As we approach the upcoming election, two seats on our School Committee remain open—and not enough candidates have stepped forward to run. This is more than a vacancy on a ballot. It's a call to action for anyone who believes in the power of public education and the importance of community leadership.

Our boards and committees are only as strong as the people who serve on them. Without full participation, we lose the diverse voices, thoughtful oversight, and collaborative spirit that make Franklin work. The School Committee plays a vital role in shaping the future of our schools, supporting students and families, and ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.

If you've ever felt the urge to make a difference, now is the time. Please consider running. Be a voice. Be part of the change. Help guide the decisions that will impact our children, our educators, and our town for years to come.

Franklin's future is built by those who show up. Let's make sure we do.

Sincerely,  

Jane Callaway-Tripp  

Franklin resident and candidate for Town Council

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: Jane Callaway-Tripp calls for potential candidates for School Committee

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.

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 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

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

Slides as presented -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6560/2025-08-11-Fin-Comm-Slideshow

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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 ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WYo4oK4oQWpQLKDfA

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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. 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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