FM #220 - Town Council FY 2021 budget overview - 3/4/20 (audio)

FM #220 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 220 in the series.

The Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 4, 2020 featured, among its many topics the initial look at the FY 2021 budget. It projects a deficit of $3.5M which will need to be resolved before the budget is finalized by the end of June 2020.

To remind folks, Franklin operates on a fiscal calendar. We are currently operating under the FY 2020 budget which carries us through June 2020. The FY 2021 budget would begin to provide funding for operations from July 2020 through June 2021.

The show notes provide links to the key Town of Franklin budget page and to specific documents

This is the real beginning of the budget process or cycle for FY 2021. The key dates to follow are

• March 24 - School Committee Budget Hearing
• April 7, 8, 13 and 29 - Finance Committee Budget hearing meetings
• April 14 - Final School Committee Budget approval
• May 21 and 22 - Town Council Budget Hearings

The audio segment from the Town Council meeting runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in to a preview of the FY 2021 budget  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HskhsYjX



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Town of Franklin budget page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town Administration FY 2021 budget introduction
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

Superintendent’s Recommended School budget for FY 2021 (audio and links)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-214-superintendents-recommended.html

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"

FM #220 - Town Council FY 2021 budget overview - 3/4/20 (audio)

FM #219 - Budget SubCommittee Meeting - March 4, 2020 (audio)

FM #219 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 219 in the series.

The Budget Subcommittee met at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 before the Town Council meeting that same night.

The agenda was an FY 2021 budget update, effectively a preview of what was going to be covered in the full Town Council meeting. The conversation in the meeting provides some insights into the overall budget discussion. The meeting audio runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in to a preview of the FY 2021 budget https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1Y99CjX




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To remind folks, Franklin operates on a fiscal calendar. We are currently operating under the FY 2020 budget which carries us through June 2020. The FY 2021 budget would begin to provide funding for operations from July 2020 through June 2021.

This is the real beginning of the budget process or cycle for FY 2021. The key dates to follow are

• March 24 - School Committee Budget Hearing
• April 7, 8, 13 and 29 - Finance Committee Budget hearing meetings
• April 14 - Final School Committee Budget approval
• May 21 and 22 - Town Council Budget Hearings

Budget Subcommittee agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/03-04-2020_budget_subcommittee_meeting.pdf

Town of Franklin budget page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town Administration FY 2021 budget introduction
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

Superintendent’s Recommended School budget for FY 2021 (audio and links)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-214-superintendents-recommended.html

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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!

------------------

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

FM #219 - Budget SubCommittee Meeting - March 4, 2020 (audio)

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 10, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Student Passion Project Presentation (Parmenter students)
B. Elementary School Improvement Plan Updates

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy – 2nd Reading / Adoption
I recommend adoption of policy BEDH – Public Participation at School Committee meetings as detailed.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wiNkmfLCqKXN-X8HO8VPIFh_LqJEcNTY/view?usp=sharing

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. FY21 Budget Discussion
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mEpYp_hrinZcboiNm8B4ha0WiYxWYLGs/view?usp=sharing

B. Student Opportunities Act Plan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zPMR05pGNy4t0OjULSUeb0Wa4Fyv5iCW/view?usp=sharing

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 25, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. ASMS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $650.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for in-house enrichment at Annie Sullivan Middle School as detailed.
C. Oak Street Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $8,336.25 from the Oak Street PCC for in-house enrichment and field trips for Oak Street Elementary School as detailed.
D. Oak Street Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Allison Fuller to take 3rd grade students to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on May 19, 2020 for a performance as detailed.
E. SATF - Hidden in Plain Sight Grant Award
I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Norfolk District Attorney for in-house enrichment as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI. Adjournment

The file released for this meeting can be found online at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-10-2020-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 10, 2020

Reminder: Stormwater Information Session - March 11

The Town of Franklin is holding three storm water information sessions to educate residents on the facts of storm water and the financial impact. Come meet Ben Franklin and learn more! Ben will be at all 3 events.

• Wednesday, March 11, 6 - 8 PM at Franklin TV
• Saturday, March 21, 11 AM - 1 PM at Franklin Library

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/storm_water_8.5_x_11_in_0.pdf

And yes, it is true that Ben will provide the ruff overview! (sorry, that was too good to pass on!)

Franklin Residents: Stormwater Information Sessions Scheduled

2020 Census Invitations Arrive March 12-20

"Ninety-five percent or about 143 million households in the country will receive an initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in their mailboxes between March 12 and 20. The U.S. Census Bureau released informational copies today of the invitations, the enclosed materials, and the subsequent reminders households will receive. These materials can help the public know what to expect and avoid potential scams.

Households are encouraged to respond when they receive their invitation. Depending on how likely the area is to respond online, households will receive either an invitation encouraging them to respond online or by phone (about 112 million households), or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire (about 31 million households).

All invitations will include a short phrase in English and 12 additional languages inviting people to respond online or by phone in their language. In areas where 20 percent or more of the households need Spanish assistance, the invitations will be in both English and Spanish.

All households receiving an invitation in the mail will receive a second letter in the mail shortly after reminding them to respond. Then, households that still haven’t responded will receive a series of additional reminders, including a paper questionnaire in mid-April. Census takers will follow up with households that don’t respond to collect responses in person."

This was shared from the 2020 Census page
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/2020-invitations-arrive.html

A sample of the English/Spanish letter coming in the mail

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g4CSkYK1fXOrOHCp_etDJX7qb6bcNmiM/view?usp=sharing

2020 Census Invitations Arrive March 12-20

In the News: Firefighters serve seniors traditional Irish meal; some residents don't like the civil discourse pledge

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

"St. Patrick’s Day came early to the Franklin Senior Center on Friday, as members of the Fire Department spent lunchtime serving plates of corned beef and cabbage, with potatoes and carrots, to a few dozen seniors.

Although the Lenten season has begun, Catholics in the group had no need to worry about enjoying the classic St. Patty’s day meal instead of sticking with fish and vegetables.

Firefighters had that covered.

“Maybe next year we’ll try not to plan it on a Friday during Lent,” said firefighter/paramedic Doug Perro, going on to quip, “However, we talked to Father Brian (Manning, of the Parish of St. Mary), so you get a special dispensation ... if you’re over 59.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200307/franklin-firefighters-dish-up-new-tradition/1

"That’s what the Franklin Fire Department is all about."

"A civil discourse pledge has upset dozens of residents who say the Town Council is targeting free speech rights when it comes to their – and certain councilors’ – online activity. One resident has even suggested it’s a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

While the proposed pledge originally stated that a councilor’s participation on certain social media channels could violate the Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law statute, a crowded meeting room applauded as council Chairman Tom Mercer suggested a slight amendment to the pledge toward the end of Wednesday’s meeting.

On Wednesday, councilors approved the Civil Discourse Pledge, Resolution 20-14, which was originally drafted by Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and the Town Council. The resolution follows a series of related administrative actions, starting in 2018 with harassment training for all municipal employees, said Hellen in a memorandum dated Feb. 7.

Designed as an aspiration for the town to make everyone in the community feel welcome, the amended resolution was approved, 6-2-1. Councilors Andrew Bissanti and Eamon McCarthy Earls were opposed, and Matt Kelly abstained."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200307/civil-discourse-resolution-riles-some-franklin-residents

The audio file for the citizen comments and the civil discourse discussion can be found here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-218-town-council-citizen-comments.html

"We really want to make sure people do not panic, wash their hands and do the simple things they can do”

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

"Although nobody in the community has been reported ill with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the town is looking to allay any concerns -- and take preventative action -- by wiping its municipal spaces clean.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said Franklin has engaged the services of an independent vendor to sanitize the town’s public buildings over this weekend as a precaution.

From the municipal building to the senior center and library, to public spaces of the police and fire departments, officials want to ensure that residents feel confident when they need to stop in at town buildings amidst concerns about COVID-19.

“It feels like a step to take when you can say we have a new baseline,” Hellen said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200307/franklin-to-sanitize-public-buildings-over-weekend

The audio of the recent Board of Health meeting can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-216-board-of-health-meeting-march-4.html

Coronavirus Information Portal
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/attention-franklin-coronavirus.html 

"We really want to make sure people do not panic, wash their hands and do the simple things they can do”