As a taxpayer, I have significant concerns for Franklin’s financial stability and the lack of conversations and planning at the Town Council level on the topic. After the failed override in June 2024, there was no municipal contingency spending plan available until 2 weeks after the vote. It is now 15 weeks into FY 2025, and we do not have a published five-year projection. The last quantified five-year projection was published on May 7, 2019 (link below). Without this information, how have you been making financial decisions?

I attended the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting. After the discussion, I left with an estimate of $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall for FY 2026. Let’s see how close I am when the Joint Budget Subcommittee reconvenes on October 23, which will be almost 4 months into FY 2026.  If my estimate is correct, a $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall will result in town reductions of 40 – 50 employees.  Where are we going to reduce 40-50 employees?  Are you prepared for those difficult decisions?  How are you going to do collective bargaining with our employees? I’m most concerned about the lack of interest, urgency and commitment from this Council to solving our Town’s financial challenges. 

 At the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee, we were told that the process to develop a projection and identify cuts to services “will take some time.” I respectfully challenge this, as our finances are not that difficult to predict.

Next step would be to decide which departments absorb the cuts and the resulting service impacts to the community. I see no reason why this information cannot be available for Council review by Thanksgiving.

It’s time to start elevating this topic and requiring accurate financial information from our Town Administration on a regular basis. A $4.0 - $5.0 million shortfall will have significant implications to our town services and further erode our school programs. Franklin will look less attractive to new families and our property values will decline.  That is not the Franklin that I want to see.  I ask you to put Franklin’s future financial stability at the top of your priority list.

Respectfully, Susan Dewsnap

Former chair of Franklin’s Finance Committee and one of One Franklin’s founders

 

*Editor’s note: the opinions expressed are solely those of citizen submitting this letter and do not represent an endorsement or necessarily the opinion of the publisher