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To the Editor:
In
Response to “Look Before You Leap”
I would like to quickly respond to the anonymous posting regarding Franklin budget planning titled “Look Before You Leap”.
The anonymous author has stated: “Many towns, including Franklin, have estimated their budgets based on last year’s state funding levels. However, this estimate is uncertain, as state funding is expected to change due to federal restructuring and savings from DOGE audits being redistributed, in some cases, back into public systems or potentially even as stimulus checks to taxpayers.”
I have prepared many operating budgets during my 40 years in business. It is common practice to use the prior year’s, or several years’ actual spend to help estimate future budget needs, of course modified by known and expected changes. And yes, it is an uncertain estimate, as all estimates and budgets are! Federal funding changes and their impact on both state and local finances are certainly important, but impossible to predict, especially in the current environment. Speculation does not work well in the development of budgets. We should plan based on what we know.
The anonymous author has stated: “Given these uncertainties, should Franklin and other towns pause discussions of an override until the federal restructuring is fully implemented? Current budget projections do not account for these upcoming changes, likely making it premature to determine the true scope of need for an override.”
Many people responsible for developing the Franklin municipal budget have been working days, weeks, and months to produce the current version of the FY2026 budget, including the town administrator, department heads, superintendent of schools and his staff, the town finance committee, school committee, and many others. We rely on these professionals and volunteers throughout the year to provide important and critical services for Franklin residents, and to manage their budgets. Likewise, we should rely on their knowledge and expertise to develop future budgets as well; no one knows what they need to deliver results better than they. Since none of us has a crystal ball, how would the author propose to account for potential federal funding changes? It’s not even clear to me whether the potential changes would be helpful or hurtful to Franklin’s budget; is it obvious to you?
Finally, the anonymous author has stated: “Of course, the town must continue operating at current levels to maintain essential services. However, until these federal changes and funding allocations are clarified, rushing into an override decision may be premature and ultimately unfair to taxpayers and town employees.”
To the author’s point, the current budget estimate which has been developed is based on the town operating at current levels to maintain essential services. All the budget details and assumptions can be found online on the official Franklin website. The Joint Budget Subcommittee has held 4 public listening meetings to help explain the budget challenges and gather public feedback and input; 2 additional meetings are scheduled to be held during the next week. The details of the current budget were publicly presented to the Franklin Town Council by the town administrator on March 5th. In order to simply maintain the current service levels which we receive today, based on current funding sources, we have a gap of $3,862,672.
This financial gap exists even after each department made serious cuts last year. The choice to make deeper cuts now would have serious, significant impacts to the safety and quality of life in Franklin. The plan for potential cuts, if needed, from the various departments has also been shared publicly. We absolutely need to close the budget gap either through additional funding or through reducing the cost of services, through these deeper, painful cuts.
The timing needed to move forward is very tight. The town council needs to decide on whether to have an override vote, then the town officials and residents need time to prepare and share more information, ideas and opinions. Finally, the potential override vote must be properly planned and executed.
Last year many residents complained that the vote was rushed and didn’t give residents time to fully understand the issues and options. Shame on all of us if we make that same mistake again. We are not “rushing into an override decision” as the author states. And I think it would be unfair to both taxpayers and town employees if we didn’t take a responsible approach to ensure the decision is put to well-informed voters in a timely and responsible manner.
Mark Minnichelli
Resident
