Although homes in Franklin have experienced massive increase in their values, our tax levy remains limited to increase only 2.5% annually
Though Franklin is a broad range or income levels, our median income has increased steadily, and remains a major contributing factor effecting the state funding equation for our public schools.
This is an operational override benefiting the entirety of Franklin. Our public schools have hit the fiscal cliff and are operating in a deficit, which will require $6 million+ in cuts next year. Franklin's Emergency Departments will suffer as a result of educational compliance requirements, and most extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, music, art, etc...) will be eliminated.
Our Superintendent, Lucas Guigere, will present district budget models to Franklin residents at a Public Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting Tuesday March 6, 2024. This is a public meeting and all are invited to attend in person.
See Agenda here and please attend!
Tuesday, March 6, 2024 at 7pm.
One Franklin is asking the committee to act diligently and ask the Town Council to approve a special election June 2024 to ensure our schools have adequate funding next year.
We have a petition requesting this be completed in time for June, which would require Town Council to vote during one of their April meetings. You may sign the petition HERE
Franklin Fire Department will use funds to ensure our third ambulance in Franklin is properly staffed. This will prevent many 'call-outs' to surrounding towns to respond to our residents during emergencies. These call-outs are costly because Franklin loses the ability to collect revenue from insurance payments for services. This poses a risk to Franklin residents as well because Franklin Fire emergency responders are paramedics, this can not be said when calling other towns to respond. Properly staffing this third ambulance will also ensure our ladder truck, which is vital in certain instances, is always available during emergencies.
Franklin Public Schools will use funds to keep up with the increased costs associated to properly staff and provide services to all students across all levels; to hire and retain staff across the district, prioritizing our human capital to decrease turnover and reverse the increase in class sizes which currently exceeds School Committee recommendations. Funding will also provide increased support staff to address the massive uptick in mental health concerns among students. This will also prevent cutting most extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, music, art, etc...) and work to restore previously cut programs depending on what the Town Council, and ultimately the voters of Franklin support.
Franklin Police Department has been fortunate to have essential equipment needs met by utilizing our town's Capital Funds. These are the 'leftovers' so to speak, when we are efficient as a town, and luck falls on our side by saving on things like snowstorms
Practically, this is a risky practice, and we believe residents will support any safety equipment be moved to the operational budget. The police have stepped up over the last few years, operating on a very tight and extremely efficient budget. At times moving funds to our public schools to help keep heads above water. This override will ease this tension, and allow our Chief to focus more clearly as he develops the plan for the new station. One Franklin is aware of the inability of our current station to meet the needs of our officers. Once plans are developed our volunteers will work to educate the community on this need. We are one Franklin, and we can do great things together!
Our police force also received a grant that will expire in two years that funds clinicians who are able to assist with calls related to mental health emergencies. This override will help ensure these positions continue to be funded as they are essential to support our officers and our community.
Franklin DPW will use funds to ensure our ability to train & retain staff, this becomes even more significant during snow season as subcontractors continue to become harder to hire. DPW will increase road and sidewalk maintenance, including proactively addressing wear and tear resulting in savings for future restoration. The backlog of approved projects for our infrastructure in town keeps growing as investments are the first thing to be set aside when all departments are stressed to just fund level services.
In progress, coming soon
In progress, coming soon.
One Franklin is advocating for an election this fiscal year to prevent exacerbating the deficit and layoffs (which require notice by June 15). We are anticipating a special election June 11, 2024 and keep this page updated.
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Franklin Massachusetts
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