The purpose of this webpage is to provide a one-stop shop for helpful information related to the Town Budget. The budget cycle is a continuous process, thus this page will evolve as the budget process unfolds and additional information is unveiled. Please continue to check this page frequently in order to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Town's operating and capital budgets. Over time, this site will become an archive of information relative to the Town Budget.

If you have questions or comments, please email the Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, or call 508-553-4887. If you have questions concerning the process, please refer to the Budget Process (PDF) link.

The Town has developed a flow chart of the budget process, which reflects state law and the Franklin Home Rule Charter. This flow chart gives a general overview of the yearly process. Specific dates change from year-to-year, however they rarely extend outside of the timeline provided in this chart. See the Budget Process Flow Chart (PDF).

Current Climate

The following section has some helpful resources to explain the current fiscal climate.

Operating Budget

• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Materials
• Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Materials

Capital Budget

• Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget Materials

Town Budget Archives

The town has "two budgets." The Operating Budget is for the town's operating costs (e.g. staff wages, general maintenance, general operations, etc.) and the Capital Budget, or one-time purchases (vehicles, new buildings, playgrounds, etc.). See the Town's Fiscal Policies for more information on how funds are appropriated.

• Operating Budgets
• Capital Budgets
• Budget Narratives
• Budget Materials Archive

Audits and Bond Ratings

The Town performs an annual financial audit, an archive of which can be seen below.

• Audits
• Bond Ratings

Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)

Like every other city or town in Massachusetts and the state, the Town has a large unfunded liability known as "OPEB". Beginning in 2018, an actuarial will need to be completed each year showing the Town's unfunded liability. See previous OPEB Actuarials.

Other Resources

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has many helpful resources to help educate and inform the public of the complex web of laws governing cities and towns on municipal finance. See the links below to get more information on topics of interest.

• Division of Local Services Website (DLS)
• Proposition 2 1/2 Primer and Tutorial
• DLS Municipal Finance Glossary (PDF)
• DLS Municipal Finance Trend Dashboard
• Fiscal Year 2026 Override Information 
• Fiscal Year 2025 Override Information
• Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Materials
• Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Budget Memo and Materials
• Pandemic Related Stimulus Funds
• 2018 Risk Assessment Report (PDF)

It is also important to note the state budget process is not usually finalized until after our local budget is approved. The Town has its own internal process to predict future revenues appropriated by the state budget and communicates with its legislative delegation and state agencies to develop accurate numbers. The Town budgets the Governor's proposed budget in January and we follow the state budget process throughout the budget cycle  for the most accurate numbers. For more information on the state budget process, see their webpage here.

Email Notifications

The Town has set up numerous email notification lists for residents to receive news and information directly to their email inbox. Included in the menu of options are Town Council agendas. If you wish to receive Town Council agendas and the Actions Taken documents, which tallies all roll call votes, please visit our email notification website to sign up. You can also sign up for employment opportunity notifications, Recreation Department sign-ups, News & Announcement, and much more.