Fiscal Year 2020 brought a lot of challenges due to COVID-19. Many operational changes had to take place in order to comply with the “new normal”. Thank goodness for the drive-up window at the municipal building. The drive-up window was also utilized so that residents could return their ballots directly to an employee.
Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating again this fiscal year.
Standard and Poor’s stated
“Our opinion of Franklin’s strong and balanced finances, supported by a very strong, growing, and affluent property tax base, in addition to a strong management team that maintains a number of formalized financial policies and practices. In addition, due to conservative capital-project management through the annual budget process, the town has maintained a favorable debt profile, in our view, coupled with manageable costs.”
During FY 2020, $149,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Five property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 20 properties in Land Court.
There were 1,350 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $67,525.00. Also collected was $3,600.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY20, the Treasurer- Collector’s office printed and mailed 11,818 Real Estate Tax bills, 694 Personal Property Tax bills, 30,653 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 42,326 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 590 Real Estate Tax, 124 Personal Property Tax, and 4,424 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,984 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY20. There were 5 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $7,587.81. We also collected $96,213.24 for backflow testing and $56,872.83 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.
The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY20 we collected $20,393.56 for parking violations.
I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, you made me believe once again that hard work and coordination can accomplish anything. I am really proud to be part of this team. Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their kindness and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector
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Continue reading the Annual Report for 2020
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Treasurer Collector |
