FPAC to present Cabaret - Jun 14-15

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will conclude its musical season with Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret June 14 and 15 at THE BLACK BOX. In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. 

Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken by English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Musical numbers include well known show tunes such as “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies.”

Zoë Kassay as Sally Bowles

FPAC’s production stars Zoë Kassay as Sally Bowles. A former Equity actor, Kassay’s regional credits include Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Hairspray (Penny), 9 to 5 (Doralee), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Deelee), Footloose (Ariel Moore), Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont), and a stint as a mainstage performer with Disney Cruise Line. Originally from Franklin, Kassay’s FPAC credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella), ‘Tis the Season, and more. She has a BFA in Music Theatre from the Hartt School of Music and a Masters of Arts in Theatre Education from Emerson College.

Aaron Frongillo, a musical theater junior at Wagner College, will return to FPAC to play Clifford Bradshaw. Frongillo toured for three years with Electric Youth and has been seen in FPAC productions of Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), and THE BLACK BOX Sings...Frozen (Hans). 

Former Equity actor Nick Paone will reprise his role as the Emcee. His professional credits include Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, Red Roses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Romeo and Juliet. Nick has written and directed numerous shows, produced an evening of one-act plays in NYC, and traveled extensively performing with TheatreWorks USA.

Cabaret will be choreographed by NYC’s Chris LeBeau. LeBeau toured internationally with Chicago the Musical and was featured in Crazy for You at Lincoln Center starring Laura Osnes and Tony Yazbeck with choreography by Susan Stroman. He was most recently seen as Davey in FPAC’s production of Disney’s Newsies earlier this season starring Broadway’s Christopher Rice with choreography by Chaz Wolcott. 

Additional choreography will be by Kellie Stamp. Stamp has a Masters of Performing Arts Degree from Emerson College and she continued her tap and jazz training at the On Stage Academy for the Performing Arts, as well as with Rosemarie Boyden and at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Kellie has also studied Dance for Musical Theater with Broadway actress and choreographer, Leslie Woodies.

Cabaret runs June 14 at 7:30 PM and June 15 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Tickets are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. You can follow FPAC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Message

If you are reluctant to read the PDF copy, a good portion of the Budget Message is shared here. The link to the Full PDF copy is at the end.


Executive Summary FY 2020 Budget

While fiscal challenges remain, our resolve to overcome them is relentless.

The FY 20 proposed budget will be balanced with use of approximately $390,000 from our
Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day account), which will bring the balance of that account to zero. Further, both the School Department and the Town will cut budgets to make ends meet While this will work for one year the FY 21 budget will require policy decisions on how to handle the budget shortfall. The fiscal forecast suggest a shortfall of approximately $4,000,000 +/-

We continue to face challenges in properly funding the annual operating budget, Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and roads. We should continue to maintain the capital plan and debt capacity in the annual operating budget to fund capital improvements.

The Town’s property tax revenue (not including debt exclusions) will increase by 2½ % plus new growth, or about $2.7 million. Local receipts, which include the excise tax and permit and license fees, etc. will increase $240,000, mostly due to increased motor vehicle commitments. Net State Aid (based on the House budget) will decrease $861,500. The FY 20 “net” revenue increase is estimated at about $2.5 million dollars. The final amount will not be known until the state has adopted a FY 20 budget

Proposed FY 20 Highlights

Town Administrator - The office will be reconfigured with the recent retirement of the Town Administrator. The staff will include the Town Administrator, Assistant to the Town Administrator and the Administrative Assistant/Marketing Coordinator. This will save money and help the town to continue to expand its communication and marketing efforts.

Police – The police have added five positions through the collective bargaining process while saving money from the new schedule change and the employees of the PD and Command staff should be commended for their innovative outside the box approach.

Regional Dispatch – The dispatch center opened in May 2019.

Franklin Schools – The recommended School budget is far short of the School Committees request by over $2 million dollars. The proposed FY 20 State Aid is about $900,000 less than in FY19. The reduction is related to the lack of proper funding for Charter Schools. We are working with our elected officials to try and mitigate the problem.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School – The school is relocating to its new location on Washington Street in 2019. The increase enrollment from Franklin diverts funds from the Franklin Public Schools to the Charter School. This is a flaw in the funding formula (see above)
in state law.

Library – The Library will continue to meet the Minimum Appropriation Requirement of the State
Library Commissioners.

Historic Museum - The part time archivist wages have been moved from the Town Administrators budget to this budget into a separate line item for the Museum.

Employee Wages/Benefits – All collective bargaining expire on June 30, 2019. The town is currently in negotiations with the Unions, Pension costs increased by about 10% or about $540,000, OPEB is funded at $600,000 and health insurance continues to be a challenge. Thanks once again to the employees for working together to constrain health insurance increases. This is critical to maintaining staffing levels.

Budget Overview

In compliance with Article Six, Sections 6-3-1 through 6-5-2 of the Franklin Town Charter, I am submitting the proposed FY 20 budget to the Town Council and Finance Committee.

Process
Each department is required to submit a proposed budget to the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator, the Comptroller, and the individual Department Heads review their budget request.

The Town Administrator also reviews the highlights of the Town’s fiscal plan with the budget subcommittee of the Town Council. Based on input and the meetings with the Department Head, the Town Administrator makes a budget recommendation to the Town Council and the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee reviews the Town Administrator’s proposed budget and forwards their recommendations to the Town Council. The Town Council holds two public hearings prior to adopting the budget.

Financial Policy Summary
While the budget process identifies issues and concerns that the Town will address on an annual basis, it also must do so based in a framework of sound financial management. The Town Council has adopted fiscal policies in the past and should continue to update and review them on a regular basis. The Finance Committee and Town Council reviewed and adopted new Financial policies in 2019. Below is a summary of current policies:

Balanced Budget
● Annual costs funded from current revenues.
● Do not defer current costs to future years.

Current status – Whenever possible we refrain from using one time funds to balance the budget. FY 20 is an exception due to extra challenges we face. We are all the funds left in the Budget Stabilization account, $390,000 to prevent further reductions in staff. We have not addressed our (post-retirement health insurance) although this year we have budgeted $600,000 to continue to fund the obligation of about $74 million (2018 actuarial study). (Editor's note: FY 2019 was also an exception as some of the Budget Stabilization Fund was used to balance the FY 2019 budget. The remainder of that fund is being used this year; hence two consecutive exceptions.)

Compensation and benefits
● Budget with current revenues
● Compensate at market rates

Current status – We have nine municipal unions. All unions have collective bargaining agreements through June 30, 2019.

Revenues
● Estimate annual revenues in detail and project for the following five years.
● Maintain full and fair market value of property assessments.
● Ensure fees charged cover costs incurred.

Current status – Future revenue projections are included in the budget. New growth and local receipts have been adjusted to reflect the trends in actual collections. Included in the projections are the enterprise funds direct and indirect charges that pay back the general fund for costs attributable to those funds. Again this year we are charging the water and sewer enterprise accounts for their OPEB obligation.

Financial Reserves
● Adequately fund and maintain reserves (Stabilization, Free Cash, Overlay Surplus)
● Maintain Stabilization account at $6 million or 5% of recurring general fund revenue (less debt exclusions and SBA reimbursement).
● Short-term revenue surpluses shall fund non-recurring projects.
● Free Cash will be used to fund the capital budget and for unforeseen expenses.
● Overlay surplus will be used for capital budgets and non-recurring expenses.

Current status - the General Stabilization fund balance is just about $6 million, which is recommended by our auditors and

Long-Term Debt - Proposed
● Reserved for large capital projects.
● Net general fund debt service (not including debt exclusions) shall be targeted at not more than 3.5% of recurring general fund revenue. We are currently well below that number.


Read the full message online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/fiscal_year_2020_budget_message_0.pdf

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget pie by category of budget expenses

FHS girls lacrosse and boys tennis teams post wins in stormy weather

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Monday, May 20, 2019. The stormy weather played havoc with the schedule. Many games were shortened and/or rescheduled.

Baseball = Franklin @ Attleboro – Postponed to TBD.

Softball = Attleboro @ Franklin – Postponed to TBD.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin @ Canton – Postponed to TBD.

Girls Lacrosse = Canton, 1 @ Franklin, 11 – Final 
– Franklin seniors Annie Walsh and Hailey Toolin both had solid performances for the Panthers in a rain-shortened contest.

Boys Tennis = Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final
– Franklin defended home court and picked a 5-0 sweep over Attleboro. Liam Marr didn’t drop a game at first singles in a 6-0, 6-0 win while Rohan Herur won 6-1, 6-0 at second singles and Shoumik Sompally picked up a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles. The team of Saketh Saripalli and Lucas Gulick secured a 6-3, 6-0 win at first doubles while Ryan McSweeney and Thomas Broyles won 6-1, 6-0 at second doubles.

Girls Tennis = Franklin @ Attleboro, 3:45

Photo gallery from the rain shortened baseball game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Attleboro-Franklin-Baseball-05-20-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-05-20-19/

Cooper Ross at bat during the rain shortened game (hockomocksports.com photo)

Furry friends of the Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee: Beer & Wine tasting fundraiser - June 2

Furry Friends of the Franklin Dog Park volunteer committee are having a Beer & Wine tasting fundraiser on Sunday June 2, 2019 from 1 PM to 4 PM, at Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove Street, Franklin, Ma. 

The purpose for this fundraiser is to raise money so we can purchase supplies for the dog park and in the future purchase a water fountain for our furry friends. 

Tickets can be purchase at the door for $10.00 per person. We will be selling raffle tickets at this event for $1.00 per raffle ticket for some awesome prizes.

Here is a list of prizes to be raffled off:

1. $100.00 gift card from Vet Med
2. $50.00 gift card from Restaurant 3
3. Coupon book for 5 exterior ca washes from Franklin Car Wash
4. AAA Northeast membership for one year and can be redeemable at all offices of AAA Northeast
5. Complimentary one hour service at Massage Envy includes Massage, Facial and Totally Body Stretch

We will have entertainment provided by Mike the piano player and snacks

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING FRANKLIN DOG PARK

Dacey Field dog park

Franklin Public Library: Hungrytown Folk duo - May 22

This Wedbnesday at the Franklin Public Library, you can listen to some great music!


Hungrytown Folk duo, Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 PM

After more than a decade of world-wide touring and three album releases, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson--otherwise known as the folk duo Hungrytown--have earned a reputation for the quality and authenticity of their songwriting: "It's great to hear an act eschew sentimentality in favor of honesty and to prove that you don't have to go raiding the memory of others to find the stuff that really good songs are made of," writes Jedd Beaudoin of Popmatters. 

Lyricist Hall is credited with compositions "that sound as timeless as any traditional songs" (Northern Sky, UK) while producer/multi-instrumentalist/husband Ken Anderson is lauded for his "remarkable affinity for instrumental embellishment" (No Depression) and for crafting Hungrytown's "gorgeous vocal harmonies" (Folk and Roots, UK).

They released their first CD, Hungrytown, in 2008; Any Forgotten Thing in 2011; and Further West in 2015. The couple continue to spend more than half of each year on the road, especially roads in North America, Europe and New Zealand. Hungrytown's music has received extensive radio airplay worldwide and has appeared on several television shows, including the Independent Film Channel's hit series, Portlandia.

For more information, please visit http://hungrytown.net/index/ . This performance is free and open to the public.

Franklin Public Library: Hungrytown Folk duo - May 22

“There’s a great need”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A proposal for an affordable housing facility for seniors will be in front of the Zoning Board early next month. 

The 40B project has been in the works for over a year and will go to a public hearing at the Zoning Board meeting on June 6. 

The project, named Franklin Ridge Senior Housing, will be constructed on Veteran’s Memorial Drive off Panther Way near Eaton Place Apartments. The proposed three-story building will contain 60 dwellings for residents over 60 years old. 

The building will be placed on 6.5 acres of town-owned land. It will have 45 single-bedroom units at 700 square feet and 15 two-bedroom units at 900 square feet."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190520/proposal-for-senior-development-goes-before-franklin-zba-next-month

building views captured during presentation to Town Council, May 8

building layout captured during presentation to Town Council, May 8

Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Patio Celebration - June 1

To celebrate the Franklin Public Library's new brick patio, the Friends of Franklin Library will host a reception on Saturday, June 1, from 2 to 4 PM at the library.

The patio, located at the library's School Street entrance, consists of thousands of bricks. What makes it special is the inclusion of hundreds of individually engraved bricks. Beginning in 2017, residents and businesses were invited to have a brick engraved with a name or message of their choosing. Interest in these engraved bricks wildly exceeded expectations, prompting a second order to be placed in 2018. In all, 750 engraved bricks were purchased and installed.

Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Patio

In addition, several donors stepped forward to sponsor the purchase of benches and large flower urns for the patio area and front entrance.

The Friends of Franklin Library, which organized the brick campaign, will host the June 1 event as a way to thank donors and to invite the public to take note of the new space. All are invited to participate in this special celebration. 

Refreshments will be served. A room inside is available, too, in case of bad weather.

Those who purchased bricks will be able to request a printed certificate of acknowledgement.

Proceeds from the brick sale have been used to supplement library programs. Since 1992, Friends of Franklin Library has raised and donated more than $500,000. Recent projects have included the purchase of new tables and chairs in the library's main reading room, funding of summer children's programs, and the institution of an annual scholarship program for a graduating senior at Franklin High School.

Franklin Matters is proud to be a brick sponsor

Franklin Historical Museum: EXPLORING STONE WALLS - Jun 9

Our Second Sunday Speaker Series continues with EXPLORING STONE WALLS. Robert M. Thorson, Professor of Geology at the University of Connecticut, will present a program of images, stories, and readings based on his three books on New England's fieldstone walls, the region's signature landform. After reviewing their deep history, cultural geography, and dryland ecology, he will focus on the clues you can use to interpret your own favorite walls. He will conclude with a message from Henry D. Thoreau for reverencing stone.

Robert M. Thorson

Copies of Thorson's books on stone walls and Thoreau will be available for purchase and signing as a fund-raiser for the museum. Thorson, a Midwestern native turned western geologist turned eastern academic, is coordinator of the Stone Wall Initiative. Recently he has become a book reviewer for the journal Environmental History, the Wall Street Journal and Orion. This promises to be a very interesting and educational talk. Join us at 1:10 PM, Sunday, June 9. The Second Sunday Speaker Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

On Friday, June 14 the museum is happy to participate in the annual Strawberry Stroll. We will open our special Summer exhibit, Victorian Secrets. Bloomers, chemise, corset covers, camisoles, petticoats, hoop skirts and more. It took an awful lot of layers to properly dress a fashionable Victorian lady. View garments from the museum's collection carefully prepared and beautifully displayed. The special Friday night opening coincides with the Downtown Partnership's annual Strawberry Stroll. Enjoy refreshments on the front porch and live music by local entertainer, Kai Olsson.

Now available for sale in the museum gift shop, Franklin collectibles by the Cat's Meow. Three styles are presently available for $18 each: The Red Brick School, The Franklin Library and the Downtown Train Station. They are great gift ideas for anyone who loves Franklin's landmarks. Come in and get them while they last. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

The museum has resumed our summer hours, Thursday evenings 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Saturday mornings 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Sunday afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 

We are wheelchair accessible, admission is always free, and donations are always welcome. Come in and find your history!

Both FHS boys and girls outdoor track teams finish 4th in Hockomock Championships

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Sunday, May 19, 2019


BOYS TEAM RESULTS
1. Mansfield – 116
2. Stoughton – 101
3. North Attleboro – 91
4. Franklin – 55
5. King Philip – 54
6. Milford – 47
7. Sharon – 46
8. Oliver Ames – 41
9. Attleboro – 35
10. Canton – 32
11. Taunton – 27
12. Foxboro – 17


800M
1. Jason Windvogel, Mansfield – 1:57.76
4. Daniel Barrow, Franklin – 1:59.41
5. Dylan Kehoe, Franklin – 1:59.87

1 Mile
1. Michael Griffin, King Philip – 4:20.87
2. Tyler Brogan, Franklin – 4:22.98

2 Mile
1. Patrick Heavey, Mansfield – 9:42.35
2. Michael Hagen, Franklin – 9:43.85

400M Hurdles
1. Patrick McManus, Sharon – 58.05
7. Kyran Peters, Franklin – 1:00.13

4×100 Relay
1. North Attleboro (Liam Conway, Jacob Petersen, Omar Jasseh, PJ Gilpatrick) – 43.09
7. Franklin (Liam Pek, Jacob Cummings, Justin Flaherty, Grady Ellis) – 45.65

4×400 Relay
1. Milford (Rafaell Feliciano, Anthony Ghalbouni, Joey Madden, Hugo Lopes) – 3:27.09
8. Franklin (Camden Harrington, Sam Stowell, Alec Hanley, Nicholas Zaffino) – 3:41.58

4×800 Relay
1. Franklin (Dylan Kehoe, Nicholas Calitri, Michael Hagen, Tyler Brogan) – 7:59.05

Discus
1. Thomas Pulcini, Canton – 137-05
4. Sullivan Weidman, Franklin – 117-07

Javelin
1. Emmett Ruote, North Attleboro – 165-04
5. Zanthius Collins, Franklin – 152-03


GIRLS TEAM RESULTS
1. North Attleboro – 133.33
2. Sharon – 87.33
3. Mansfield – 78
4. Franklin – 67
5. Taunton – 56
6. Foxboro – 49
6. King Philip – 49
8. Milford – 42.33
9. Canton – 37
10. Oliver Ames – 31
11. Attleboro – 18
12. Stoughton – 15


400M
1. Olivia Dias, Taunton – 58.42
8. Samantha Powderly, Franklin – 1:01.93

800M
1. Julia Fenerty, Franklin – 2:20.64
2. Halle Atkinson, Franklin – 2:21.17

2 Mile
1. Lexi Quinn, Foxboro – 11:28.52
7. Caitlin Casey, Franklin – 12:16.55

100M Hurdles
1. Jada Johnson, Sharon – 14.69
3. Daniella Pierre, Franklin – 15.09

4×400 Relay
1. Taunton (Nia Mainer-Smith, Morgan Zakrzewski, Kerla Sylvestre, Olivia Dias) – 4:05.59
5. Franklin (Halle Atkinson, Samantha Powderly, Lauren Jackson, Julia Fenerty) – 4:14.88

4×800 Relay
1. Franklin (Halle Atkinson, Samantha Powderly, Brandi Osborne, Julia Fenerty) – 10:04.05

Shot Put
1. Julia Mechlinski, North Attleboro – 37-03.00
6. Katelynn Taylor, Franklin – 30-02.25

Discus
1. Julia Mechlinski, North Attleboro – 107-06
3. Rachel Anderson, Franklin – 100-11

Javelin
1. Hannah McEntee, Taunton – 122-00
3. Maggie Doyle, Franklin – 110-06

High Jump
1. Jada Johnson, Sharon – 5-04.00
3. Lindsey Morse, Franklin – 5-00.00
4. Dreya Martin, Franklin – 5-00.00


For the top results from the Hockomock League Championships
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-outdoor-track-championships-2019/

Photo gallery from the meet by HockomockSports.com
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/2019-Hockomock-League-Outdoor-Track-Championships/i-t3WqfGM

Franklin girls relay handoff

Norfolk County Register of Deeds - Office Hours in Franklin - June 11

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell will hold Office Hours in the Council Chamber at Franklin Municipal Building located at 355 East Central Street from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Register O’Donnell and members of his staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The Register will have information about the Massachusetts Homestead Act as well as on-site work stations that can provide in real time the status of your mortgage discharge, a print out of your deed or a demonstration of how Registry technology works. No appointment is necessary.

This is a community outreach initiative sponsored by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. It is Register O’Donnell’s goal to provide a convenient way for residents to learn more about how the Registry serves Norfolk County while conducting Registry business closer to home. Although Registry staff cannot provide legal advice, they will be able to answer basic questions, provide general information, take a document for recording and assist in filling out Homestead Declaration Forms.

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Register of Deeds - Office Hours in Franklin - June 11

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 23 - Budget Hearing #2

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 23. This is the second of two budget hearings on the FY 2020 budget. The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22.

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_may_23_2019.pdf

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of May 23, 2019
1. HEARINGS	FY 2020 Budget Hearing: 7:10 PM  Voting Document FY 20 Budget Message FY 20 Town Administrator Proposed Budget
2. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
2a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-32: Adoption of FY2020 Budget (Motion to Move Resolution 19-32 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (6))
2b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-33: Amendment to FY2020 Budget (Motion to Move Resolution 19-33- Majority Vote (5))
3. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
4. COUNCIL COMMENTS
5. ADJOURN

Why are there two votes to pass the budget?

As Councilor Glenn Jones is employed by Tri-County RVTHS, it would be a conflict of interest for him to vote on the Tri-County budget (effectively authorizing to pay himself). The budget votes is split so Councilor Jones can participate in and vote on the vast majority of the Franklin budget and recuse himself (properly so) for the portion that is specifically associated with Tri-County.

Depending upon how the Town Council reviews the budget this year, you may or may not get a whole lot of info on the inside story of the major departments and their cost drivers. In recent years, the Council has taken the approach of reading the totals of the voting doc department by department. 

During such reading of the totals, a councilor or more can put a 'hold' on the item which after the reading will make that item available for more detailed discussion. Sometimes this are simple questions, sometimes these get involved.

From a resident stand point, what really happens in the budget can only be found at the Finance Committee meetings. They have each department head come forward to review and answer questions on the details of their budget. Granted some of the departments budget needs are minor, some are major. 

The first budget hearing for the FY 2020 budget was held on March 18 and recorded. My notes and audio recording is available here

Notes for March 18

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-march.html

Audio recording for March 18

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/fm-160-fincom-budget-hearing-1-fy-2020.html

The second budget hearing held on Apr 25 unfortunately was not recorded by anyone. I was out of town on business. If there were minutes of the meeting, the FinCom has not met since the April 25 meeting and no minutes are published to their page.

https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee

Voting document

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/voting-document-fy2020

Budget Message

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy20-budget-message

FY 2020 Proposed Budget

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy-20-town-administrator-proposed-budget

This is the first year in many that there is no need to ask for an exception from
the state due to insufficient funding for the Library

Franklin Public Library: Resume Writing Workshop - May 21

One of a series of employment workshops offered at the Franklin Public Library is the "Resume Writing" workshop scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

Franklin Public Library: Resume Writing Workshop - May 21

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/resume-writing-workshop

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 22 - FY 2020 Budget Hearing #1

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2019. This is the first of two budget hearings on the FY 2020 budget. The second hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.

Editorial note:

Given the schools have already cut their budget by $2 M, with teachers and other personnel scheduled to be let go, class sizes should increase. It would be good to know by how much? 

Given the decision was reached by default now due to lack of time to schedule, and/or inaction on the part of the Town Council and Administration there will be no opportunity for residents to change the budget at this point. So it would also be good to find out when this decision was made. At least in the meetings I participated and reported on, it wasn't discussed. Or was it at a meeting I missed? Maybe the Finance Committee budget meeting April 25 that wasn't even recorded.  

And given the mention of a possible override for FY 2021, what will be done between now and then to prepare for such a vote? Where is the pain being felt other than in the schools? The Town is hiring in multiple departments. Police are at their largest force in years. The Library doesn't need an exemption for the first time in years. What other services were cut that we would notice? What other services would be in jeopardy next year?

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_may_22_2019.pdf

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of May 22, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. HEARINGS	FY 2020 Budget Hearing: 7:10 PM Voting Document FY 20 Budget Message FY 20 Town Administrator Proposed Budget
4. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
4a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-34: Expenditure Limits for FY 2020 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as provided in G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53E1/2, as Amended (Motion to Move Resolution 19-34 Majority Vote (5))
4b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-35: Compensation Plan, FY 2020 (Motion to Move Resolution 19-35- Majority Vote (5))
5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
7. COUNCIL COMMENTS
8. ADJOURN

Voting document

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/voting-document-fy2020

Budget Message

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy20-budget-message

FY 2020 Proposed Budget

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy-20-town-administrator-proposed-budget

Legislative Forum hosted by School Committee was meant to bring attention to school budget issues