FM #386 Finance Committee Mtg - 11/09/20 (audio)

FM #386 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 386 in the series.

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday, Nov 9, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

• No major cuts for FY 2021 budget given the level funding plus provided by State
• Adding $75K to each of the Town Clerk and Recreation budgets (to cover for TC - election expenses and Rec for summer camps)
• Increasing New Growth by $1M in light of performance on revenues to date during COVID-19
• Next meetings Nov 17 (Beaver St interceptor) and Dec 15 (topic TBD)
• With new member participating there is some good Q&A to provide insights on process and dollar flows

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and my notes. 

The meeting runs about 75 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting for Nov 9, 2020.  Audio file  = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6KzTwlS

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

Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda.html 

Town of Franklin agenda doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/11-9-2020_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/finance-committee-meeting-recap-nov-9.html 

 
--------------

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

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"

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen answers a question

Finance Committee - Meeting Recap - Nov 9. 2020

Quick Recap:

• No major cuts for FY 2021 budget given the level funding plus provided by State
• Adding $75K to each of the Town Clerk and Recreation budgets (to cover for TC - election expenses and Rec for summer camps)
• Increasing New Growth by $1M in light of performance on revenues to date during COVID-19
• Next meetings Nov 17 (Beaver St interceptor) and Dec 15 (topic TBD)
• With new member participating there is some good Q&A to provide insights on process and dollar flows

Photos captured during the meeting and mostly shared via Twitter can be also found online   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hF8csGHAzu1j1JfD8

----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom1109
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom1109&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Finance Committee meeting #fincom1109
• Minutes for two meetings approved 7-0 (two members missing) (maybe we'll figure out who in this new zoom world) #fincom1109
• Budget update tonight as some adjustments need to be made before the Nov 18 Town Council meeting as the tax rate will be set at the Dec 2 meeting. #fincom1109 with maintenance of local aid (Chap 70) and unrestricted aid were carried forward with inflation adjustment
• Hence no major adjustments for the Town budget for FY 2021 and aside from Town Clerk budget (due to election costs for COVID) the town budget is in good shape, no deep cuts anticipated as opposed to what was expected earlier this year. #fincom1109
• Adjusting the new growth number up by $1M #fincom1109
• #fincom1109 additional revenue after all the plus/minus with assumptions of the Gov's House 2 budget. Proposing extra growth to go to stabilization fund to help cover for change in circumstances down the road.
• $2.7M in free cash certified is a good number (currently would be used for capital planning). Generally and by fiscal policy this free cash is one time funding, shouldn't be used for operations expense #fincom1109 encumbrance partially explained by POs cut for some budgets
• Encumbrance also used to carry forward expenses from year to year, it is a good business practice to do so. #fincom1109 shows good management of the budget Q on charter school funding, all based upon state formula, student opportunity act would have made changes
• Discussion on charter school funding, really just an in and out of the town flow, not really the charter school 'budget' #fincom1109 line 820 is not currently set as it is set by the State not the Council. Will be set with final cherry sheet numbers before the tax rate is set
• Savings anticipated by closures were realized, aside from DT funding in good stead, anything excess will flow to free cash at year end. #fincom1109 reduction in health care premium due to shut down as they weren't serving in the period
• With new member on #fincom1109 some good Q&A to provide insights on process and dollar flows. (She is not the new member) here she helps to explain charter school funding
• Recommendations of $75K for Town Clerk and Recreation as the reopening was doing more than what was initially forecast due to the COVID-19 changes. Did run 6 weeks of summer camp, and run concerts on the common during summer. #fincom1109
• What elections will look like in the future is unknown but it will not be like the normal past; mail ballots likely to be standard, we'll need to relook at election staffing, and materials etc. #fincom1109 police detail for transport of ballots from municipal bldg to FHS
• Resolution on adding supplemental appropriations , motion made, second, passes 7-0 #fincom1109 $853K to budget stabilization fund, motion made, second, passes 7-0
• Nov 17 and Dec 15 next meetings, Beaver St interceptor on topic for Nov 17; open for topic on the 15th #fincom1109 leasing and bonding vs free cash, etc. Q on next 5 year forecast and even given the uncertainty, it is needed; there will be surprises
• Maybe after Jan 20, and with a state budget, we should have something falling into some clarity, certainly by the regular budget time in May June we should, we all want to get back to something of a regular schedule. #fincom1109 should have school dept here for discussion
• Level service is one thing as it tends to cost more, level funding is a different issue. #fincom1109 motion to adjourn, passes 7-0 That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

George Conley, FinComm Vice Chair

 

December 5, 2020 - Town Election Information

The Town of Franklin is holding a special election on December 5th to fill a vacant Town Council seat. Mail-in ballots will be sent out on or around November 16th. 

Please find the information below and on our website at https://t.co/6vZoiF1KQe

https://t.co/tShIlZt5ah

December 5, 2020
Town Election Information

 

The Town of Franklin is holding a special town election on Saturday, December 5, 2020, to fill a vacant Town Council seat. Voting will be held at Franklin High School from 7 am- 8 pm.

 -   There will NOT be early voting hours held for the Town Election.
 -  Mail-in Ballots will be sent out on or around November 9th.
 -   If you requested a mail-in ballot for ALL ELECTIONS, you will receive a ballot for the Town Election in the mail.  
 -   If you requested a mail-in ballot for the Primary or the State Election only, you will NOT receive a ballot in the mail for the Town Election.
 -   You can request an absentee ballot for the Town Election by filling out the Absentee Ballot Form.
 -   Mail-in ballots for the Town Election can be returned via the drive-thru window, the designated white mailbox at the Municipal Building, or by mail. 

 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/2020-town-election-information

December 5, 2020 - Town Election Information

In the News: MA "may become recruiting field for Team Biden"

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

"When President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team announced his COVID-19 advisory board on Monday, House Speaker Robert DeLeo quickly did the math, pointing out on Twitter that more than half of the members “were educated and/or employed in Massachusetts.”

And while Boston Mayor Martin Walsh noted Sunday that Biden “can’t take everyone from Massachusetts to Washington with him,” speculation has started to swirl about which Bay State pols might find a new home in a Biden administration.

Walsh and U.S. Sen Elizabeth Warren -- who’d indicated a willingness to serve as Biden’s running mate after her own presidential bid came up short -- are frequently mentioned names among Democrats, and another one-time 2020 presidential contender, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, endorsed Biden in January after ending his own campaign.

With Biden trumpeting a message of unity, the Delaware Democrat could look to pull some members of his cabinet from across the aisle. Gov. Charlie Baker’s name has surfaced as a potential candidate, and former acting Gov. Jane Swift said she was “honored” to be among the ”#unexpected5″ blogger Patrick Riccards floated as potential education secretaries."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201109/massachusetts-may-become-recruiting-field-for-team-biden-which-already-includes-franklins-jennifer-omalley-dillon?rssfeed=true

Franklin Public Schools: Please don't use school grounds during school hours

"We are sharing the following message from Franklin Public Schools:

As public facilities, the Franklin Public Schools is pleased to share our grounds and facilities with the community whenever possible outside of school hours.  However, our priority is always our students’ health and safety, so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in not walking, jogging, running, walking dogs on school properties during school hours, including arrival and dismissal.  The only exception for dogs includes students and school visitors requiring service animals in compliance with ADA requirements and district policy.  

Our school hours are as follows:

• ECDC: 9:15 AM - 3:15 PM
• Elementary Schools: 8:15 AM - 3:00 PM  
• Middle Schools - 7:10 AM - 2:30 PM 
• High School - 7:15 AM - 2:30 PM

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools "

 

Shared from https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/message-community-fps

 

Franklin Public Schools: Please don't use school grounds during school hours

 

FHS field hockey tops Mansfield to close out regular season

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Monday, Nov 9

Field Hockey = Regular Season = Franklin, 8 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final 

– Franklin exploded for five unanswered goals in the second half to earn a big win on the road to conclude the regular season unbeaten. Amanda Lewandowski notched five points in the win, scoring once with four assists. Kaitlyn Carney (two assists), Stephanie Bell, and Jill Fenerty all scored twice in the win.

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-11-09-20/

 

"According to Franklin High School athletic director Tom Angelo, of the 71 students tested in Saturday's COVID-19 rapid testing, all came back negative.

All 5 @FHSSports sport teams practiced on Sunday.  "Could not have gone any better," Angelo said.

Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/tommycassell44/status/1325818147421687810 

 

 

FHS field hockey tops Mansfield

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Veteran's parking space

"The Town has installed a new Veteran's parking space at the Municipal Building. Thanks to the Massachusetts Legislature for approving a law requiring such parking space! @jeffroy @KarenSpilka @BeccaRauschMA"   https://t.co/HDQts9xSZW

Town of Franklin, MA: Veteran's parking space