2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan
Last updated: January 3, 2024
The following are a list of proposed goals (not in any particular order) by the Town Council and Town Administrator for the 2024-2025 session.
Finance
● Review & approve biennial Town Finance Policies
● Review annual financial audit and OPEB actuarial
● Conduct a market analysis on Chapter 82 fees for service
● Authorize and manage final allotments of ARPA federal stimulus funds
● Approve annual capital budget for FY24 and FY25
● Approve annual operating budget for FY25 and FY26
● Evaluate and discuss the need for an override through the Joint Budget Subcommittee
● Commence collective bargaining prior to contract expiration (Summer 2025)
● Reevaluate and approve revised borrowing legislation for school and town facilities
Economic Development (To the EDC)
● Comply with the MBTA Communities law, including evaluating the potential of rezoning around Forge Park MBTA station
● Monitor statewide Housing Bond Bill & housing legislation relative to ADU’s
● Support and codify a grease trap bylaw with the Board of Health and Sewer Department.
● Discuss a 40R Bylaw
● Prioritize and/or implement recommendations from the Housing Production Plan and townwide Master Plan (pending approval of the Master Plan by the Planning Board)
● Execute Phase 1 of the branding & marketing analysis, including a refresh of the town and school websites
● Continue to research and discuss a home occupation business bylaw
● Research zoning relative to shared kitchen spaces
● Review and approve the Franklin Crossing Neighborhood zoning district (C-1)
● Collaborate with FPS, local, regional and statewide stakeholders to prepare for and market Franklin when the World Cup arrives in 2026 in Foxborough
Public Works
● Support and educate the community on the Beaver Street Interceptor project
● Develop a strategy to prioritize town infrastructure investments, including roads, sidewalks, stormwater, sewer, water and recycling
● Evaluate the need for a stormwater rate increase to meet the federal mandate
● Approve a new 5-year Water Main replacement plan
● Complete the state land swap and design the Recycling Center
● Implement the Water Tank Analysis Master Plan
● Apply for the next phase of Complete Streets grant funding
● Continue to fund and accept public ways
Facilities
● Support the staff in completing the backlog of funded or partially designed projects, including:
○ Municipal Building renovation
○ Hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) to lead the Police Station Building project
○ Restore the Cupola in the Franklin Historic Museum and hire an architect to reevaluate the Museum floor plan to create more flexible exhibit spaces
○ Replace High School visitor bleachers and sound system
○ Design and build the Senior Center Pavilion (also install sign lighting)
○ Update the design of the Remington-Jefferson renovation
○ Support the King Street Memorial Park rehabilitation
● Collaborate with the School Department on a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment
● Evaluate the reuse of the Davis-Thayer School by issuing a preliminary Expression of Interest and finalizing the property appraisal
● Work with Habitat for Humanity to execute the Purchase & Sale and Renovation of the Old South Church on Washington Street
● Apply for the next round of Green Communities grant funding
General Government
● Promote and educate on the new sidewalk snow removal bylaw
● Evaluate and discuss a Flag Policy
● Accept Municipal Disability Commission statute
● Execute Cannabis Control Commission’s unfunded mandates to comply with new permitting regulations and equity requirements for private cannabis companies
● Support School & Town Finance and HR departments’ reorganization, electronic personnel records integration, onboarding software, succession planning, MUNIS updates, and expanding LinkedIn recruiting and retention presence
● Research and evaluate a revised Family Leave policy
● Fund and lead a townwide Polco/NRC/ICMA scientific “Citizen Satisfaction Survey” to evaluate and help prioritize policy development and strategic planning goals
● Fund and Master Plan Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm parcels
● Prioritize Open Space and Recreation Plan implementation goals (once approved).
● Review and approve a Public Art Display Policy
● Establish a 250th Town Anniversary Committee
● Collaborate with Dean College to establish and build stronger relationships and support collaboration on shared initiatives
● Develop a strategy for the use of opioid settlement funds
Administrative (Presentations/Discussions)
● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to review Town Council biennial Rules of Procedure
● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to evaluate the Town Administrator annually
● Presentation update on the Franklin Ridge project
● Presentation on homelessness in Massachusetts
