Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, August 22, 2022
Annual Report Of The Recreation Department - FY 2021
Inside the Town of Franklin Budget Cycle & Financial Terms (audio)
We cover the following key topics
A typical day for Finance Director/Comptroller
A typical day for Treasurer//Collector
The budget cycle, and fiscal year (July to June)
Three financial years; past, current, and future all in the mix
Our conversation runs about 62 minutes. Links to the documents referenced during this meeting are included in the show notes. Let’s listen to this recording of my conversation with Kerri and Chris.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-780-town-of-franklin-budget-cycle-finance-terms-04-14-22
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Town of Franklin budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
Budget process flow chart -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/new_budget_process.pdf
MA Division of Local Services (DLS) Municipal Finance Glossary -> https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qc/dlsmfgl.pdf
Norfolk Registry Of Deeds: Update On Information Technology
The Norfolk Registry of Deeds should have an onsite direct report IT staff to the Register and Registry workers. This has worked exceptionally well dating back to the 1980's. Many of you who voiced your disagreement with Commissioners Collins and Shea did not get a response or answer to the letters, petitions and emails you sent. I hope you get answers from the incumbent Commissioner Peter Collins who has been part of the County for 28 years dating back to 1994 who is up for election this year. The other Commissioner Joe Shea in the 2 to 1 vote has been around for 7 years.We all get there are appropriate times to make changes. Look at all the modernization changes made over the years at the Registry of Deeds because there was an on-site direct report IT staff. Well not having an on-site direct report IT staff is not a smart change.The lack of transparency and getting answers from Norfolk County as this "Consolidated County IT Department" transition takes place continues. Promises that there will be a permanent County CIO hired by mid-July have not been kept.This is not government working like it should. This is not government running like a business. The actions and inactions at Norfolk County only increase the chances for negative operational outcomes at the Registry of Deeds. The considered approach to this County IT transition that Registry users, Registry stakeholders and the residents and property owners of Norfolk County deserve is not taking place.Some change is fine and needed. Some change is bad. The Registry of Deeds will keep working through these challenges and changes.
Norfolk Registry Of Deeds: Update On Information Technology |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Aug 22, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Town of Franklin early voting schedule for the September State Primary
- August 27 9am-3pm
- August 29 9am-3pm
- August 30 9am-3pm
- August 31 9am-5pm
- September 1 9am-3pm
- September 2 8am-12pm
Town of Franklin early voting schedule for the September State Primary |
Annual Report Of The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - FY 2021
Remember May 2022: Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating
Amid pandemic restabilization, Town achieves major peak
For the first time in the town’s history, Franklin was awarded a AAA (Triple-A) bond rating by Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings. Progressing from the Town’s previous AA+, the new rating is indicative of exceptionally high creditworthiness in the eyes of municipal bond issuers.
“Achieving a AAA Bond Rating is the ultimate team accomplishment in local government” said Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen. “The rating reflects the unity and collaboration of everyone involved, past and present, including the Town Council, Finance Committee, boards and committees, department heads, staff, and the residents of the community. It’s like winning the Super Bowl. Everyone had to do their job to get this victory.”
Despite economic and social uncertainty posed by the pandemic, Franklin’s stable financial portfolio, performance and management has positioned the town’s reserves to its highest levels ever. The behavior and actions of the Town have resulted in the community being in the strongest position to continue to perform should fiscal stressors arise.
A ratings report published by S&P Global Ratings outlines the following as the primary contributing factors in achieving Franklin’s AAA rating:
● Four consecutive operating surpluses, increasing reserves to its strongest levels ever with management projecting ongoing maintenance at these levels, as Franklin continues to work through their capital improvement plan
● Prudent budgetary modifications amid the pandemic supported by great financial policies to position the town well as fiscal year 2023 approaches
● Franklin’s employment and tax base saw little deterioration amid the pandemic which indicated a resilient and affluent local economy
● Ongoing economic development projects and a strong real estate environment resulting in substantial tax base growth which keeps tax rates low and affordable
● Maintenance of a favorable debt profile
● Manageable pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) costs
“The Town Council, Finance Committee and all of our town staff have established strong financial policies and have remained committed to them,” said Hellen. “The support from the Town’s elected officials is without question a signature factor in the bond rating for their continued support of the staff’s professional expertise. But, the foundation for this achievement is having a great finance team that helps to see beyond the data, providing intelligent information for strategic short and long-term decision-making. I can’t say enough about the work of Finance Director Sandini, Treasurer-Collector Bertone and all of the employees who work in the finance offices. We’ve been zoned in on this goal for years and I am very happy for the entire team to achieve it.”
“The pandemic has only made the Town of Franklin more resilient and productive than ever before,” Hellen said. “With a AAA bond rating, ISO-1 Fire Department, a soon to be fully accredited Police Department and reducing liabilities, such as OPEB and Stormwater, with modest, common sense, slow-but-steady policies, the Town is as prepared as we have been to meet future challenges.”
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-of-franklin-earns-aaa-bond-rating.html
Franklin TV: from "Making Progress!" to "Still Making Progress!"
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Lifelong Music Academy: 2022-2023 Registration Opens Monday, August 22
Annual Report Of The Franklin Senior Center - FY 2021
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/town-franklin-annual-reports
Financial Audit Report for FY 2021
Congressman Auchincloss poses with Town Council, Town Administrator, and Town Clerk at the May 4, 2022 meeting |
Friday, August 19, 2022
Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - August 23, 2022 - 7 PM
School Committee Meeting
Municipal Building - Council Chambers (Virtual Link in Agenda)
Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk: Ballot/ Tabulator testing will take place August 24, 2022.
Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk: Ballot/ Tabulator testing will take place August 24, 2022.
Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk:
Ballot/ Tabulator testing will take place on August 24th, 2022 at the Franklin Municipal Building in the 2nd floor Municipal Chambers at 9am. This testing is open to the public and all are more than welcome to attend.