FM #1368 - Joint Budget Subcmte Listening Session #1 - 01/30/25

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the Elks Lodge on Pond St. All 9 of the 10 members participated along with TA Jamie Hellen and School Supt Lucas Giguere. 

At least 11 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.

Resources referenced during the listening session

The FY 2026 budget page has the docs and they will be updated as the budget discussion progresses through the cycle. The Governor's budget just came out to set out local aid baseline https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

The Franklin For All podcast series as touted by Jamie can be found. A series of 8 episodes on housing, development, new growth, etc. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html 

FY 2026 school budget was presented at the SchCmte meeting Tuesday, Jan 28. The budget hearing is scheduled for Tues, Feb 4. The School Committee is scheduled to vote on the budget at their Feb 11 meeting. Tuesday's (1/28) presentation https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5256287/28Jan2025_FY26_Super_Rec_Budget_to_SC.pdf     

Redistricting updates are posted to the Schools page https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment 

Jan 15 FinCom session has a “hold harmless” explanation https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html  

The recording runs about 3 hours , so let’s listen in.

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

The agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01302025-1536 

The agenda packet includes:

a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 

b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 

c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 

d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/Dx2Zq5Ql_CU?&t=653 

My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DK7FArRJNsgwnwdXSehJtDtQRbleA0x8/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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
• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

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

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