The Town Council has two special meetings this week for the annual budget hearing on the FY 2013 budget.
Franklin operates on a fiscal calendar from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The FY 2012 budget approved last year funded operations through June 30, 2012. The budget hearings on Weds/Thu will look at funding operations for the period from July 1 through June 30, 2013.
The budget cycle generally begins in Sep/Oct as each department puts together their capital budget. The capital budget is funded by 'free cash'. Free cash is the amount of money left over from the prior budget year that the State has certified is really available. It is a one time fund and not used for operational expenses (personnel, salaries and benefits). It is used to fulfill the capital requirements (new equipment, school books, vehicles, etc.).
As the capital needs are reviewed, each department also puts together their operational requirements. These are reviewed by the Town Administrator and then brought before the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee holds a set of budget hearings where each department manager presents their case for the next year budget, explains their operations, their funding priorities and answers any questions.
The Finance Committee (FinCom) budget hearings were held in April and ended with the FinCom voting on the budget to forward it to the Town Council. This is the budget the Council will be reviewing.
The voting document shows multiple columns. The last two years total for each line item. The original total for this year as put forward by the department. The recommendation by the Town Administrator (TA). This year, the TA only changed one line item (510 - Health) reducing the amount by $1,500. On the one hand, you can attribute only one change to close coordination between the TA and the department head. In this case, the Board of Health apparently submitted a request to create a salary or stipend for what has been a volunteer or unpaid position.
The expense side of the budget generally gets the most focus but the revenue side of the budget is equally important. Franklin is required to present a balanced budget. Where the money comes from is as interesting as how it is spent. For example, this year $350,000 that was taken away from the School budget in Oct 2011 is being put back into the budget for next year. The vote to approve that transfer is part of the overall budget process decisions coming up Weds and Thu nights.
The budget documents
Expense budget FY 2013
Revenue budget FY 2013
FinCom hearings
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/finance-committee-budget-hearing-fy.html
Hearing schedule for FinCom
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/fincom-fy-2013-budget-hearings.html
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Big Y: construction progress
The BIG Y continues to make good progress. The parking lot is more level, more curbs are in place.
Another view of the main entrance
Another view of the main entrance
This Week on the Radio: "Take the Money and Run for Office"
I was behind on my audio listening having changed my routine to finish the Hunger Games trilogy of books on tape and caught up to this one on Monday's drive to work. How timely that it deals with the US Supreme Court decision on Citizens United that lead to the People's Rights Amendment.
Ira Glass and This American Life deal with this topic in their usual fashion including an interview with both Senators McCain and Feingold who were the architects of the campaign law modifications that were overturned by the Supreme Court decision. Interesting listening! And scary to think of the consequences of the last minute SuperPAC attack impacts!
What was the Citizens United decision? You can find the Wikipedia version here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission
For anyone who has ever heard the term "Washington insider" and felt outside — we are with you. So this week, we go inside the rooms where the deals get made, to the actual moment that the checks change hands — and we ask the people writing and receiving the checks what, exactly, is the money buying?
Broadcast March 31 to April 2
Ira Glass and This American Life deal with this topic in their usual fashion including an interview with both Senators McCain and Feingold who were the architects of the campaign law modifications that were overturned by the Supreme Court decision. Interesting listening! And scary to think of the consequences of the last minute SuperPAC attack impacts!
What was the Citizens United decision? You can find the Wikipedia version here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via This American Life Updates by adrianne on 4/1/12
For anyone who has ever heard the term "Washington insider" and felt outside — we are with you. So this week, we go inside the rooms where the deals get made, to the actual moment that the checks change hands — and we ask the people writing and receiving the checks what, exactly, is the money buying?
Broadcast March 31 to April 2
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to This American Life Updates using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Franklin Downtown Partnership: Networking Event
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 5/21/12
Members are invited to attend a special networking evening
Franklin Downtown Partnership
Networking Evening
Thursday, May 31, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
An evening of networking and design tips
at Sally's Alley's New Showroom
470 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin
Refreshments and drinks will be served.
Come browse and see the newest in Window Treatment Fashions!
Enjoy meeting new FDP members!
RSVP to Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Lifelong Learning: Summer programs
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 5/21/12
Lifelong Learning has registered over 1,600 students in enrichment classes for Summer 2012! This coming weekend, May 26, 27 & 28 is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day signals the informal beginning of the summer season ... days on the Cape, working in the garden, and sunny days. It also means that the Summer Program 2012 is just a few weeks away.
Beginning the week of June 25, Franklin Public Schools is offering over 100 classes to students entering pre-school through grade 12. The classes meet during different weeks, at different times and at different locations. The opportunities include:
- Math Academy for students in grades K through 6 who see everything throught the lens of mathematics
- Summer Art Institute for students in grades 7 through 12 who enjoy painting, or drawing or ceramics or digital photography or more
- STAR and StarPLUS are programs that offer a variety of enriching and enjoyable classes for students in pre-school through grade 5 (STAR) or middle school(StarPLUS)
- Summer Music Program that offers classes for string and band players in grades 5 through 9, as well as Summer Glee classes
- high school academic support in math, English, social studies and science
- High School Experience for the incoming Class of 2016
Visit our website: www.franklin.k12.ma.us
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Lifelong Learning using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Monday, May 21, 2012
Events in Franklin this week
The Parmenter Elementary School sign highlights some of their events this week
Also up this week:
Jeff Roy's Campaign kicks off with an event at the Elks Club on Tues, May 22 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
http://www.facebook.com/events/234977643273553/ or http://jeffreyroy.com/
Author Kristi Marsh talks about her book "Little Changes" at the YMCA on Weds, May 23
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/local-author-to-discuss-making-little.html
The Town Council reviews the budget for next year over two nights Weds and Thu (May 23, 24) both night beginning at 7:00 PM. The final vote on the budget for next year is scheduled for Thursday's meeting.
Also up this week:
Jeff Roy's Campaign kicks off with an event at the Elks Club on Tues, May 22 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
http://www.facebook.com/events/234977643273553/ or http://jeffreyroy.com/
Author Kristi Marsh talks about her book "Little Changes" at the YMCA on Weds, May 23
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/local-author-to-discuss-making-little.html
The Town Council reviews the budget for next year over two nights Weds and Thu (May 23, 24) both night beginning at 7:00 PM. The final vote on the budget for next year is scheduled for Thursday's meeting.
Friends of the Franklin Library: newsletter - Spring 2012
Who are the Friends of the Franklin Library?
Do they play a role in the Library or do they just do the 'book sale'?
These and other questions of your might be answered in the Friends of the Library newsletter for Spring 2012.
If you have a question not answered by this edition, you can send an email to FOFL02038@gmail.com or join and participate in the group which meets the first Wednesday of the month.
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