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Memorandum of Agreement Follow-Up

  • Writer: Marty
    Marty
  • Dec 12, 2023
  • 6 min read

December 12, 2023 in support of a continued partnership between the City of Franklin and Mill City Park, I presented the following and gave copies to the City Council.


Slander, defamation, and the degradation of community, respect, and collaboration felt like it was at an all time high.


The previous meeting December 4, 2023 City Councilors (sitting and elected) were literally yelling back and forth from the audience.



Dear City Council,


These words are in regards to the Mill City Park agenda item from the December 4th City Council meeting.


I understand that currently, I am a polarizing figure in the community… Someone some love to hate. Someone some love to talk about. Someone some can’t stop talking about. This is being driven by a loud vocal group that believes they are moments away from a conspiracy theorist headline of epic proportions. Their vigor and wasted time into super sleuthing is astounding. I wish they would clean up a park, volunteer at their favorite charity, perhaps, get involved fundraising or take up a cause for the betterment of the community with the same enthusiasm and vigor. However, it is unlikely.


I believe we have our fair share of problems as a community, most are due to decades of decay, deterioration and deferred maintenance. Basic economics tells us that there is only two ways of making more money in the City of Franklin: cut expenses and raise more revenue.


Mill City Park has contributed on both fronts. In regards to cutting expenses, we’ve had a modest impact: we are responsible for all lawn care and maintenance regarding Mill City Park, police and fire no longer get called to the once famed “heroin hill,” city municipal services no longer pick up the illegal dumping that was occurring within Mill City Park, and we pay our property taxes even though we are a 501c3 and are eligible for exemption. Regarding our impact on the city’s income, look around… We have played a significant positive and important role with Franklin’s revitalization: attracting residents, businesses, and redevelopment. This work expands our community’s tax base.


Mill City Park is a movement. A movement that directly benefits the City of Franklin, with each and every success.


During the December 4th meeting, Councilor Desrochers stated that “to get the bullseye off our back, we need to come out in the open with all the information that people are asking for.” I’m hopeful that he is correct. I do agree with Councilor Chandler, that this is dangerous precedent for a simple document supporting “Continued Collaboration” between such important partners. However in support of partnerships and transparency, I’m providing the information requested by City Councilors as of Tuesday, December 12.


Is Mill City Park in good standing?


What are Mill City Park’s goals and timing?

  • Mill City Park’s goals, projects, and core values are present in two documents, both are online at millcitypark.com.

  • We have three areas of focus documented in the Strategic Plan: developing the park, working with the community and contributing to revitalization. Our overall goal is to see Franklin thrive, which is why our mutually beneficial partnership is incredibly important. It will be a beautiful day, when Franklin can fund its schools every year, their roads can be fixed with money allocated from a well funded CIP, and all residents are proud to call Franklin home.


  • Our top 2024 objectives, in no particular order, are:

    • Fund and apply, as necessary, to build out the whitewater park per our permit,

    • Fund and apply, as necessary, to build out Mill City Park per the Master Plan,

    • Host six profit earning events (this is an increase of 4),

    • Role out business and individual sponsorship opportunities,

    • Develop a free concert series in Mill City Park,

    • Finish trail building and open the Conservation Trail,

    • Open our campground,

    • Develop and install improved signage at the whitewater park, at Mill City Park and at the Conservation Land, and

    • Support strategic partners, this includes the City of Franklin, Businesses of Franklin, Franklin Outing Club, Winni River Trail Association, Northern Rail Trail Association, Foothills Foundation, Granite Outdoor Alliance, Merrimack Valley Paddlers, and others.


What is Mill City Park’s Financial Viability? Are they sustainable?

  • Thanks to Franklin Savings Bank and other partners, we have been well funded and kept organizational expenses small year over year. Like many organizations, we had to reinvent ourselves during the Covid pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, events and project management services were our primary sources of revenue. However, that income dried up with Covid and we had to switch to a different business model. This meant concentrating on capital campaign initiatives more than ever before. This part of our business is taking off and is now our largest revenue source.


  • Our Public Private Partnership with the City works. Together, a 13 acre park and an 18 acre conservation area, which secured the north side of the Winnipesaukee River from Kayak Man to Cross Mill Road, has been created, as well as, the first phase of the whitewater park. Mill City Park handles all levels of care and expenses for the upkeep. This land was once referred to as the “blight of our community” and identified as “heroin hill.” No longer is that true. The land is now and will be forever held as a public park and conservation parcel.


  • This question is driven entirely by loud social media “pundits,” who know just enough to get into trouble but don’t understand the facts and have no desire to seek knowledge. 501c3 nonprofit financials are available in hundreds of places online. Most online sources parse out your tax returns (like Propublica) and produce a very rudimentary snapshot in time of your finances. If your expenses were more than your income, then it is a simplistic and easy conclusion that the organization is unsustainable. One most look at assets from previous years to truly understand an organization’s cash position.



  • December 11th Balance Sheet:

    • Bank Account - $115,000+

    • Money Market Account - $38,000+

    • Stock Account - $10,000+

    • Land Value - $30,900


  • 2024 Income Projections:

    • Our projections for the upcoming year, will surpass our current monthly expenditures and we believe will lead to a surplus. Our events are growing and will continue to expand. This is why we are in the beginning stages of hiring our second employee.

    • For 2024, we have continued to pivot the organization and are adding additional revenue sources. Their impact is conservative at an additional $150,000.


  • 2024 Expenses Projections:

    • The sources sited above or the IRS website are a fine location to pull our organization’s expenditures. Our expenses have remained relatively constant over the years. They fluctuate drastically only when we contribute cash to match a grant project.

    • This year, an additional expense will be said new employee. The organization is actively developing a plan that will ensure a seamless and sustainable transition.


In closing, the last City Council meeting wasn’t our brightest moment. We had incoming Councilors yelling at current City Councilors.


My late mother taught me a great many things, but none more important than treat others as you would like to be treated.


At the same meeting, I met Myla. She sat in the front row and spoke during public comment regarding transparency and Mill City Park, as well as, read her daughter’s letter, which was along the same theme. At a break, I introduced myself and our conversation led to a meeting the following day. We talked in great detail for 2 hours. We shared experiences, knowledge, traded questions and no - we didn’t agree on everything, but all of my interactions with Myla were pleasant and cordial. I was happy to have met her and we departed with a hug.


That is civil discourse. That is community. Please be more like Myla and take my mother’s advice. Before you take on lies and slander as if they were fact. Ensure you understand why, what and who you are supposedly “fighting.”


Sincerely,


Marty Parichand

Franklin Resident

Mill City Park at Franklin Falls

Buell Block Properties

Outdoor New England



 
 
 

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