Thread by @FranklinMatters

Second of three budget hearings coming up at 6:30 PM full set of docs available franklinma.gov/town-budget/we… #fcbh0511 public safety and public works line items up for Q&A tonight

Chair Bill Dowd opens meeting, 7 present, one expected remotely, no comments. Announcement of AAA bond rating finally achieved!!! Yes, long time coming and well earned!
Ultimate team effort to achieve this #fcbh0511 strong financial policies, implemented; stabilization, CPA

Storm water utility also a factor to AAA achievement, now we'll need to keep it. How many have this? How many comparable communities have it? About to find out. #fcbh0511 Police up first, Chief Lynch present to answer questions. Expense increases for training, initial equipment

Training and hiring changes affect the hiring process, academy is 6 months long and training locally reqd before getting to street drove those. Incentive for training is actually less than what could have been under the Quinn bill #fcbh0511 Quinn bill history oulined

Have effectively hired more than half the dept on Chief Lynch time while losing 1 to a transfer/leave. The process seems to be working well. #fcbh0511 A highly educated police force avoids the issues. 3 self sponsored individuals fortunately were hired here

Only at full staff, folks on the street for 2 weeks over last 2 years, any time away, vacation, training, etc puts OT in place to provide coverage, should be a couple over rather than 1. Would need 5 more, approx $500K to get there. #fcbh05111

4 would be 1 /shift, and another Sargent to assist with the training/operations, "I'd be happy with that" we are fortunate, 6 years ago, we were at 46... Body camera would help us, expense to use, retrieve, manage the data and storage #fcbh0511 public records law a factor

State commission has not yet determined what it is that would be required/recommended, why do something before that and find out it's different #fcbh0511 Chief had to close with bond rating at a good time as a new police station is in talk of planning

Paramedic is a requirement for Franklin Fire, Chief McLaughlin. Chiefs answer on wish for would be 8 more, COVID has thrown a wrinkle in the call volume past 2 years, if at 13 can serve 3 ambulance, other than adding a full 3rd ambulance #fcbh0511

Mutual aid numbers are tracked, we do have the numbers and could provide, will need to go sometime. 2.5m submitted for grants $308k brought in by grant committee awaiting word on the $1.5 SAFR grant #fcbh0511

MECC in 3rd year of grant process, money set aside to help when the grant expires and the full cost comes back. #fcbh0511 do have capacity and have talked with others to see, nothing yet.

Inspectional services budget decrease move from staff moves to other depts, seal weights & measures; how does that work? $7k for service doing the inspections on pumps and scales, etc. State sends itemized bills, that is used to turn around to bill the company #fcbh0511

Animal control, Bellingham does the services, we host the site, they bill us, never got a complaint #fcbh0511

Street lights had been separate budget item, now with LED lights have merged it into DPW as the costs have reduced such. Storm water being funded with ARPA funds so it will allow for a transition to the fee implementation as of July 2023 #fcbh0511

Expenses hard to forecast due to the supply constraints as inflation is also a factor, road contract already set for start within month or so, and generally within summer or a little after #fcbh0511 weed control costs about $60k, cut last year but also a storm water impact

Work forthcoming on Maple Hill trail plan, looking also at creation of a friend's group to help maintain the trails #fcbh0511 water conservation plan to start after Memorial Day, likely through Labor Day; level 1 drought was declared as it was today. Not a town decision

CRW is good service, assessment usually less each year, largest driver for sewer; SRF grant for Beaver St interceptor being applied for, 1% rate off the binding, on 25+M it is a good benefit savings #fcbh0511 our costs have gone down based upon volume being sent

Solid waste budget slightly less than last year, despite huge ebb/flows it has settled somewhat
Motion to adjourn passes
That's all for tonight catch you next time #fcbh0511

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