Franklin MAtters Weekly: Financial details laid out for review in advance of casting an informed vote on or before June 3

With the Finance Committee budget hearings completed, the Town can focus on other business in advance of the early voting which begins May 16.

Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies scheduled for May 26 are being adjusted. The parade route is being changed, it will start at 11 AM, the ceremonies at Dean College and the 2 cemeteries will be conducted in advance of the parade beginning at 9:30 AM. The ceremony on the Town Common will remain in place at noon. The American Legion & VFW are making these changes to hopefully make it easier for veterans to participate.

The Town Council budget hearings are scheduled for May 21 & 22. The second hearing will be continued until the June 4 regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Council. If the override passes, the budget as proposed can be officially and formally passed. If the override fails, the budget adjustments will need to made before the budget is approved. The vote of June 3rd will be available for them to close out the budget.

What do cuts look like if the override would fail?

Fire Dept would lose staffing, and 3rd ambulance would come out of service
Police Dept would lose staffing
DPW admits many won't notice changes immediately but road repairs, etc will either be delayed or not happen with their cuts
Other personnel cuts across the smaller departments would be significant in affecting service and program delivery

The Schools redistricting as currently funded, could lay the foundation for future or if the override fails, cuts of $2M across staffing would be made. The bus and athletic fees would remain as they are (rather than be reduced if the override passes).

The choice will be up to the voters. Be informed with accurate info from Town and credible sources.

Town Clerk's page with voting info and schedule

https://www.franklinma.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Special-Election-for-Proposition-2-12-Ov-20

Town page with all the budget info and override details

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here:

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Meeting

Monday, May 5 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-1714

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Monday, May 5 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-1717

Franklin School Committee - Executive Session Contract Negotiations

May 6, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05062025-1588

Charles River Pollution Control District

May 7, 2025 Time: 3:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1718

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING - Moved to May 14

Wednesday, May 7 Time: 5:00 PM

No agenda at this time

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, May 7 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

Pole Petition Hearing Agenda - 90 East Central Street

May 8, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05082025-1716

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

May 8, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05082025-1695

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

Three Finance Committee budget hearings, along with Planning Board, School Committee, Town Council and Conservation Commission were a full line up of meetings.

The Franklin TV recordings are available for all of them as follows:

Finance Cmte recap & video

budget #1 (education) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/finance-committee-hears-of-franklin.html

budget #2 (public safety & public works) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/2nd-budget-hearing-confirms-what.html

budget #3 (general government & recommendation votes) - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/finance-committee-closes-out-fy-2026.html

Planning Board video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koR2GYAZDaU

School Cmte video - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/school-committee-approves-elementary.html

Town Council recap & video - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-recognitions-for-police.html

Conservation Commission video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQInKdj_mFw

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For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events on posted on the top of the page

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx