FM #1385 - Joint Budget Listening Session #2 - 02/12/25

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the Remington/Jefferson cafetorium.  8 of the 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Supt Lucas Giguere. 

Brief statements by TA Hellen and by Supt Giguere opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments.

About 10 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.

Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Towb budget coming out March 5.

Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates 

The recording runs about 2 hours 20 minutes , so let’s listen in.

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The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_02122025-1560 

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/UWOc6uLkOO0?&t=356 

My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZqQ_mjYRrkcoszx1YVW-JVq4o9CSz1V/view?usp=drive_link 

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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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