FinCom gets the FY 2024 summary from Town Administrator Hellen as budget hearings open Monday (audio)

FM #992 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 992 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and first of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Eight members of the Finance Committee participated (1 absent - Hansen); 6 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone and all the department heads except for those associated with public safety (police, fire dispatch, & inspection) scheduled for Thursday (5/11). 

Quick recap:

• The first 35 minutes or so are a “must listen” for any Franklinite to understand the scope of the revenue and cost drivers for the Fy 2024 budget

• That segment will be made available separately just because it is such a good summary, it should not get forgotten or lost in any other shuffle

• Many interesting tidbits of info along the way from this or that department

The meeting recording runs 2 hours and 5 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-992-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-05-08-23

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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_8_fin_com_agenda_0.pdf 

FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

YouTube recording =>   https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpAFzF4Z97irFB6s5 

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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/ or www.franklin.news/

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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Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer

Franklin's recycling process is recognized across the State as one of the best thanks to the participation of all of us. The three word mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" still applies.

The Town page is full of helpful information on what and how ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Quick links

• Beaver St recycling center hours -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/beaver-st-recycling-center-hours
• Waste Management has a new page with information linked to from the Town page ->   https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right 
• The curbside schedule PDF for reprinting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2022-2023_0.pdf

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

"The WooSox may have hit a home run with huge attendance numbers at their new home in Worcester, but a study says the city has whiffed when it comes to shelling out public dollars to fund the team’s new stadium. 

The Red Sox Triple-A farm team moved from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Worcester in 2021, setting up shop in Polar Park, a new $160 million stadium owned and largely paid for by the city of Worcester. 

Last season, the team’s second year in Worcester, the Worcester Red Sox drew more than 500,000 fans, second among all 120 minor league teams in the country. And the WooSox arrival has unquestionably contributed to the upbeat buzz about the state’s second-largest city. 

But Robert Baumann, an economics professor at College of the Holy Cross, says the stadium still adds up to be a loser for the city’s finances. In a new paper, Baumann and co-author J.C. Bradbury, an economist at Kennesaw State University, conclude that Polar Park will cost the city $40 to $60 million over 30 years."

Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/new-study-calls-woosox-stadium-a-bad-deal-for-worcester-2/ 

Direct link to report ->  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4443118

Open PDF in your browser window ->   https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID4443118_code1813071.pdf?abstractid=4443118&mirid=1&type=2

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Melanoma Awareness Month

It's Melanoma Awareness Month. Schedule regular skin exams & if you see anything that looks suspicious, contact your doctor. 

Visit: cdc.gov/cancer/skin

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Melanoma Awareness Month

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, May 12, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

9:00 am     Frank Presents: Nick Remissong

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 2

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Sandhya: Homemade Cheez-Its

1:00 pm     Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:30 pm     OSRP: Public Hearing 04-25-23

7:00 pm     The Black Box: Newsies

8:30 pm MIAA: Girls and Women in Sports

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Chris Nayler

11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Hopkinton 05-20-22

12:30 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

1:30 pm     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

5:30 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Milford 05-14-21

8:30 pm School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 04-13-23

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 04-13-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Summer Music Academy - early bird pricing ends May 31

The Early Bird price for the Lifelong Music Academy’s Summer Music Program ends on May 31st!  

For details and to register: https://bit.ly/3wqfLqL

Summer Music Academy - early bird pricing ends May 31

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FPSLearning/status/1656405701474893825

Event Reminder: Pen to Picture is Saturday, May 13 at 12 noon

Join us as we welcome three popular graphic novelists to Franklin! 

Meet/Hear from Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares and Maris Wicks and participate in interactive, creative breakout sessions, photo ops and book signings!

Shared from the Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/pen-picture-graphic-novelist-panel-saturday-may-13th-1200pm 

Pen to Picture is Saturday, May 13 at 12 noon

Finance Committee gets to hear from Norfolk Aggie, Tri-County & Franklin Public Schools (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee met for the second of their 3 budget hearings on Wednesday, May 10 at 7 PM. Schools were the topic for the evening. The FinCom heard for the first time from Norfolk Aggie, got an update from Tri-County, and spent the most time trying to understand the Franklin schools systemic budget issue.

The third and final hearing takes place on Thursday, May 11 also scheduled for 7 PM.

Presentation documents for Tri-County and Franklin Public Schools are scheduled to be added to the Town page. Once those links are identified, they'll be added here. In the meantime, photos capturing the slides used are available.

a. Education:

i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School  FY 2024 budget -> 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/FY24%20Norfolk%20County%20Budget%20V3%204-12-23.1.pdf

ii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District  FY 2023 budget ->  https://tri-county.us/budgets-financial-documents/

iii. 300 Franklin Public School District  -> FY 2024 -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget

Franklin TV Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/1-4GwOsbRNc?feature=share

Tri-County update ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6akR6TvwSyrYvkFh6

FPS update ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WYTBKhpxisJFUuT9

one slide from the Tri-County update to the FinCom on Weds

FHS baseball team and girls & boys tennis teams all post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Baseball = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 4 – Final

– Franklin junior lefty Austin Campbell dazzled on the mound, tossing a complete game shutout against a talented King Philip squad. Campbell allowed only three hits — all singles — and issued just one walk while striking out eight in seven scoreless innings. The Panthers provided run support by pushing a pair of runs across the plate in both the third and fourth innings. Senior Ryan Carlucci led off the bottom of the third with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice from Ryan Gerety. A single to right from Jase Lyons opened the scoring, and then Lyons — who stole second — came sprinting home on a single from Eisig Chin. Matt Kelley had a leadoff single for KP in the top of the fourth but was caught stealing by Franklin catcher Tyler Bellan. A one-out single from Ethan DePaolo ignited the Panthers in the fourth as Luke Sidwell reached on an error to put two runners on. DePaolo came home to score on a single from Carlucci and Sidwell scored on a sac fly from Gerety to make it 4-0. Rudy Gately pitched well in the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and one walk, striking out four in six innings.

Softball = Franklin, 0 @ King Philip, 12 – Final (5 Inn.)

– King Philip senior Liv Ali punctuated a big third inning with a bases-clearing triple and the Warriors rolled to a big win over Franklin, earning a season sweep of the Panthers. Ava Kelley, Maddie Paschke, and senior Ava Lanza (2-for-3, three RBI, run) each drove in a run before Ali ripped a double to center to score three runs in a six-run third inning. Senior Charlotte Raymond had a big day at the dish, launching a first-inning home run to present KP with another early 2-0 lead and added a double as well. Senior Sarah Cullen had a double, an RBI, and a run scored, senior Libby Walsh scored two runs, and senior Charlotte Griffin had a leadoff single in the second, a walk, and scored two runs. McCoy Walsh allowed just one hit and one walk in five shutout innings, striking out nine.

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ King Philip, 2 – Final

– Franklin won first doubles in three sets, clinched a win at second doubles with a second set tiebreaker, and added one win from singles action to edge out host King Philip. Franklin senior Eric Tomaino and junior Ahan Shetty prevailed in the third set after splitting the first two for a win at first doubles (6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2) while Aaron Ramaswamy and Andrew Amante closed out a competitive second doubles match in straight sets with a 6-3, 7-6 (8) win. Franklin senior Tyler Fitzpatrick added a key singles win, landing a 6-3, 6-1 win at second singles. KP’s Jacksom Hom won 6-4, 6-1 at first singles and Arjun Kollu added a 6-0, 6-2 win at third single.

Girls Tennis = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final

– Franklin swept both doubles matches and one key win in singles action to secure a close 3-2 win over visiting King Philip. Sophomores Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen continued their impressive campaign at first doubles for the Panthers, notching a 6-0, 6-3 win, and Franklin’s second doubles team of senior Allison Bagley and junior Ava Davies prevailed in a tight match 6-4, 6-4. Junior Brooke Taylor was impressive in a 6-0, 6-0 victory at third singles for the hosts. KP’s Ahunna James dropped just one game in a convincing 6-0, 6-1 first singles win and junior Shea Mellman added a 6-0, 6-2 win at second singles.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-10-23/

FHS Panthers

Franklin incoming 9th graders - register now for High School Experience - Aug 8 & 9

High School Experience (HSE) is 3 months away - August 8 & 9! Register today at https://t.co/CYZCzxgep8 

Hope to see our Class of 2027 there!!

Franklin incoming 9th graders - register now for High School Experience - Aug 8 & 9

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/HseFranklin/status/1656359216322342918

Follow the High School Experience twitter account for updates ->   https://twitter.com/HseFranklin

Special School Committee Meeting - May 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Special School Committee Meeting

May 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Municipal Building - Council Chambers

Agenda

Call to Order            Ms. Spencer 

I. Candidate for Interim School Business Administrator Interview 

II. Deliberation on Candidate for Interim School Business Administrator 

Adjournment

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/may_16_2023_sc_special_mtg_agenda.pdf

Note: It has been quite a while since this circumstance has arisen but in addition to hiring the Superintendent, the School Committee is also responsible for hiring the School Business Administrator. Hence as previewed in the School Committee meeting Tuesday, May 9, this set is set up for the discussion and candidate review for the interim position.

How long has it been? Actually since 2008. In March of 2008, Miriam Goodman, who is setting to retire was interviewed and hired. 

The 14 questions (2 per school committee member, 7 members) asked of the candidates at that time are still in the top 10 search results ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/03/school-business-administrator-interview.html

 

good message on Parmenter Elementary school sign

The Frongillo Family in the news (video)

"In the coming weeks, thousands of college students will graduate and need a place to live. 

With the high cost of housing and student loan debt, a growing number of them will trade their roommates for mom and dad. 

The trend in recent years is for young people to move home."

Watch the video clip online -> https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/more-young-people-rooming-with-mom-dad-high-cost-housing-sends-them-back-home/DAEXY6NSKVATLGRKQUHGJK5COU/ 

The Frongillo Family in the news

Rich Frongillo has two interviews worthy of listening to (if you haven't already)

• In September2020, we talked about his business growth in Franklin ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-353-rich-frongillo-growing.html 
• In January 2023, we talked about the newest expansion of his business with a preschool opening later this year -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/talking-with-rich-frongillo-about.html

12th Annual FBRTC 5K - This Saturday, May 13 at 9 AM (early bib pickup info)

12th Annual FBRTC 5K - This Saturday, May 13 at 9 AM (early bib pickup info) Coming up this Saturday   12th Annual FBRTC 5K Road Race Hosted by TVFR & FBRTC ​ Location: Grove Street SNETT Trailhead – Parking at Waters Corporation, 210 Grove St., Franklin, MA. 02038 Early Bib Pick-up:  For those already registered or would like a 'last chance' pre-registration, stop by 67 Degrees Brewing (158 Grove Street, Franklin, MA) on Friday May 12th from 4:30pm to 7:00pm . Pick up your bibs and have a delicious beverage!  ​ Entry Info:  18 yrs & Under: $25.00 pre-registration / $30.00 day-of 19 yrs - 69 yrs: $30.00 pre-registration / $35.00 day-of 70 yrs and Above: Free Awards:  5K Awards will be First Place Overall M/F. Age Group Awards: Top 3 M/F: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ Event Details: Race start time: 9:00 AM. Registration opens at 7:30 AM. Course Details: Out-and-back 5k on hard-packed dirt trail. Course map available soon! Amenities:  1. Plenty of water and refreshments. 2. Walkers welcome. 3. Post-race refreshments 4. Awards to top 3 in each age group 5. Post-race gathering at 67 degrees (with indoor changing facilities) with raffle door prizes 6. Commemorative Race Gift to registered participants prior to Midnight April 30, 2023. Additional gifts available until they run out! Additional Info Available at http://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc/FBRTC5K.php This race benefits the continuing efforts to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multiuse path for Franklin & Bellingham. The SNETT is an abandoned rail bed running from Franklin through Douglas to the CT boarder, sections of which have become fully developed multi-use paths linking communities across southern Central Massachusetts.  For more info & to learn how else you can help visit:    https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/ Register Here

Tri-Valley Front Runners
PO Box 125, Milford, MA, 01757 United States
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Veterans' Council Meeting - Thursday, May 18 at 7 PM

May Veterans' Council Meeting

All Franklin residents are invited!

The Franklin Veterans' Council will meet on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center.

All Franklin residents (Vets and non-Vets) who are interested in Veterans' events and activities are invited.

Council meetings from January through May also include the Memorial Day Parade Committee. Volunteers for this committee are always needed and welcome!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/may-veterans-council-meeting

Veterans' Council Meeting - May 18

Franklin Police provide good reminder to lock your cars at night!

"If you’re debating on whether you should lock your car tonight please reference this flow chart…

Last night we had a few cars gone through throughout town and officers recovered a stolen vehicle from a nearby community. It’s typical for stolen vehicles to be used in these crimes. 

So…if you don’t want your vehicle being used to steal someone else’s belongings…lock your car!"

Flow chart stolen borrowed from: West Seneca Police

Flow chart stolen borrowed from: West Seneca Police

Shared from Franklin Police Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CsFR_6bx7Gl/