Showing posts with label ballot question. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ballot question. Show all posts

Sunday, December 17, 2023

One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM

Join One Franklin for a New Years Resolution Public Event on January 11 from 6-9 PM at 67 Degrees Brewing

Meet our leadership team and talk directly with elected leaders about how we are working together to avoid cuts to Franklin's town services, most significantly to our public schools!

(One Franklin is a ballot question committee formed to pass an operational override in Franklin.)


One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM
One Franklin’s New Years Resolution - Jan 11, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello walks us through voting process for the Oct 24 Tri-County Election, then for the Nov 7 Biennial Election (audio)

FM #1074 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1074 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello conducted in her office at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. 


We talk about 

  • The Tri-County election October 24

  • The biennial Town of Franklin election Nov 7, includes the debt exclusion to fund the Tri-County building 


The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and to the Tri-County information.


The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1074-franklin-ma-town-clerk-nancy-danello-10-03-23



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Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 


Tri-County new building page -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/ 


Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent (presentation to Town Council) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdf


Building update meeting in June, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/tri-county-building-project-update.html 


Tri-County Election Announcement  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-tri-county-district-wide-election-10242023

Memo from Town Administrator - Tri-County Election if approved: Estimated Cost Per Household   ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/imce/u353/8b._1_-_memo_-_tri_county_school_financing.jpg

Tri-County Election Warrant  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/tri-county-warrant

Tri-County Sample Ballot  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/tri-county_10-24_sample_ballot.pdf


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello
Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Town Council asked to approve ballot question to authorize funding for new Tri-County school for the Nov 7 election

Among the key items on the Town Council agenda Wednesday, Sep 20 is the proposed ballot question to fund the Tri-County new school building. The proposed ballot question is part 2 of the school building approval. Part 1 of the approval is the 11 community vote on October 24, a simple yes or no answer required to build the school. Assuming the school is authorized by a 50% plus 1 margin, then this question is required to authorize Franklin to fund its portion. The proposed ballot question is before the Council to get on the Nov 7, 2023 election ballots.
"Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of
proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay the
Town’s allocable share of the bonds issued by the Tri-County Regional
Vocational Technical School District to pay costs of designing, constructing
and equipping a new high school to be located at 147 Pond Street, in
Franklin, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?"

Agenda doc includes supporting docs as well as remote participation info  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf 

Friday, November 11, 2022

Notice Of Post Election Tabulation - Nov 14, 2022 - 9 AM

In accordance with MGL Chapter 54, section 25B(a)(14) as amended by section 10 of Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2022, known as the VOTES Act of 2022, the Town of Franklin will perform a post-election tabulation session for the November 8, 2022 State Election.

Any ballot returned by mail and received on or before 5PM on November 12, 2022, if postmarked by November 8, 2022 will be opened, processed, and added to the Election Day totals.

This session will take place in the Municipal Building, 355 East Central St on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 9:00 AM.

We respectfully ask that observers register in advance by emailing townclerk@franklinma.gov.

Shared from Town of Franklin page ->


So in case you are wondering when the early votes, mail ballots and absentee ballots were counted:

The early voting, absentee ballots, and vote by mail ballots were processed last Saturday in to the voting tabulators. The memory cards with those results were taken out, stored securely and a new set of memory cards put in for all the day of voting on Tuesday. Once the polls closed Tuesday night, they ran the tape (tally) for the day of activity, took those cards out, put the other cards from Saturday in, and ran the tape (which they did not do on Saturday). 

Both tapes with the voting totals were then entered manually to the spreadsheet shown in the unofficial results posted 10ish Tuesday night.

Both sets of cards were tested  in a public session on Oct 26 and the audio for the testing process as well as community member questions on the process is available for review   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/town-of-franklin-tabulator-testing.html


Notice Of Post Election Tabulation - Nov 14, 2022 - 9 AM
Notice Of Post Election Tabulation - Nov 14, 2022 - 9 AM

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The schedule for a busy Election Day,. Nov 8, 2022

Voting opens at 6 AM at Franklin High School. 

The School Committee has a budget workshop scheduled for 6 PM in the 3rd Floor Training Room. I plan on being there to report/record the meeting.

The School Committee has their organizational meeting and a full agenda scheduled for 7 PM. I will miss the meeting. Franklin TV will record and broadcast via cable, live stream and YouTube.

I'll be at the high school to report on and record the announcement of "unofficial results" when they are available from Town Clerk Nancy Danello after the polls close at 8 PM. (My unofficial "guestimate" ~ 9-9:30 PM at the earliest)

The Election Collection - all the info we have gathered on the local candidates and ballot questions ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/election-collection-2022-state-election.html

The map of the 9 precincts for Franklin

Other information can be found on the Town Clerk's page

Voting in Franklin on Nov 8, 2022
Voting in Franklin on Nov 8, 2022

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Town of Franklin: Tabulator Testing shows ballots will be read properly - 10/26/22 (audio)

FM #873 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 873 in the series. 


This session shares the Tabulator Testing conducted in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building on Wednesday, October 26, 2022


Town Clerk Nancy Danello opened the session. Deputy Clerk Dyan Fitzgerald assisted and took over to close the session when Nancy left about 10:30ish for a meeting at the high school to plan for the election setup. 


9 or 10 election workers were sworn in to start the process. Other observers arrived as the process was underway. You can hear the welcomes, and overall instructions, and the various question and answer sections.


The full recording was edited to remove the extraneous conversations, noise, etc. The intent of the recording is to share the tabulator testing process as discussed in the open session. 


What is the tabulator? The tabulator is what most would refer to as the voting machine that reads the ballot and tallies the vote by precinct.


The outline of the steps as described by our Town Clerk is provided. The Early Opening sessions as mentioned did start on Friday, Oct 28 and complete Friday, Nov 4, 2022. The steps of the early opening process are provided in the show notes.


The Early Deposit session is scheduled for Saturday, Nov 5 at Franklin High School. They intend to process all the early ballots on Saturday. If something prevents that, they do have time scheduled on Sunday, if necessary.


Ballots still arriving via mail, election dropbox at the municipal building, etc. will be gathered sometime late Tuesday (Election Day), and transported to the high school for processing.


All results Tuesday are ‘unofficial”. The Town Clerk has a couple of days to back in the office to check all the totals before making them ‘official’ to submit to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.


The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and other election information.


The edited tabulator testing recording runs about 43 minutes, so let’s listen in.


Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-873-town-of-franklin-tabulator-testing-10-26-22

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Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 


Transcript of the audio (except for the intro and closing segments read by me (Steve Sherlock)which are spelled out in the 'show notes' document.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ICGkw21S1u9YOQnitAKsklW6j8A76aM5/view?usp=share_link


Tabulator Testing Process outline  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I525elrG6Vhh_TwidcENERfjoRAEufxf/view?usp=share_link 


Early Opening outline ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I6tvfzTROGOl_dFYR5OKi58oCdrNAZBX/view?usp=share_link 


Vote by mail process diagram -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/vote_by_mail_process.pdf 


Town Clerk podcast episode talking about the voting changes in advance of the Sept State Primary ->

Town Clerk podcast episode talking about the overall election process -> 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Town of Franklin: Tabulator Testing shows ballots will be read properly
Town of Franklin: Tabulator Testing shows ballots will be read properly

Voices of Franklin: Karen Landers is Yes for Question 1

There are many opinions about whether to vote “Yes” or “No” on Question 1.  For those who have voted or will vote “No”, I wonder if you will regret your decision when some of the  services that we all pay for with our current tax dollars are eliminated for lack of funds.  

Our schools, roads, public transportation, bridges, etc. are not in great shape right now.  Imagine, when all of the extra funds that have been provided due to COVID is spent.  And there are also the funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.  All of that money will be gone one day.  Our quality of life may suffer.  I can see lots of tax override questions being argued in our towns.

Also, consider what will happen to our property values if schools fail, potholes increase, bridges collapse, there is more crime, public transportation comes to a halt.   Oh, boy!  I can see future increases in our real estate taxes, state income taxes, excise taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, etc.  Those increases will hit everyone, not just the wealthy folks with high earnings.

Please think it through for yourselves.  Public services cost money.  This state’s transportation Infrastructure needs maintenance, repairs, and replacement.  Schools need to prepare our children for the future.  Workers need to be paid a fair wage.  Folks who earn lots of money can afford to part with a little more for the benefit of all.  Let’s allow them to do this.  

If you have not voted, yet, please vote “Yes” on Q1.  If you have already voted “Yes”, thank you!

Karen Landers 
Franklin MA


To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

Voices of Franklin: Karen Landers is Yes for Question 1
Voices of Franklin: Karen Landers is Yes for Question 1

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Franks Musings: 047 - Ballot Questions (audio)

In this episode, Frank Falvey discusses the ballot questions that are on the upcoming election's ballot; breaking down what each question means, what a yes or no vote would mean and how this will affect voters moving forward.


Franks Musings: 047 - Ballot Questions (audio)
Franks Musings: 047 - Ballot Questions (audio)

Frank Presents: 046 - Mark Lenzi on Ballot Question 3 (audio)

In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Mark Lenzi, owner of Franklin Liquors and co-host of Franklin Radio's "Wonderful World of Wine" to discuss his background, the wine world, the different varieties of wine, and the upcoming ballot question #3 involving wine.


046 - Frank Presents - Mark Lenzi on Ballot Question 3 (audio)
Frank Presents: 046 - Mark Lenzi on Ballot Question 3 (audio)


Sunday, October 30, 2022

The Franklin Voter Guide for 2022 is available

The 2022 Franklin Voter Guide has been published.

The Franklin Voter Guide for 2022 is available
The Franklin Voter Guide for 2022 is available
"The Franklin Area Voting Guide is intended to be a non-partisan resource created by private individuals to allow the people of Franklin, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities to cast an educated vote on issues that impact our community.

Information contained in this guide is provided by candidates and taken verbatim from their survey responses, or sourced from candidate websites/social media accounts, public statements, town halls, and past achievements."


Visit the 2022 Franklin Voter Guide ->   
 https://www.franklinvoterguide.org/2022-voter-guide



SAFE Radio: Ballot Question 3 with Mark Lenzi (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Anne Bergen sit down with Wonderful World of Wine host and Franklin Liquors owner Mark Lenzi, to discuss Massachusetts ballot question #3; the confusing nature of the question, the repercussions of both sides of the question, what to consider and how it affects underage use of alcohol in local communities.


SAFE Radio:  Ballot Question 3 with Mark Lenzi (audio)
SAFE Radio:  Ballot Question 3 with Mark Lenzi (audio)

SAFE - WFPR
Substance Use Disorder; Hope, Health and Healing
SAFE Radio (a product of the SAFE Coalition) will examine the disease of Substance Use Disorder. Each week the program will feature guests that are subject matter experts covering topics such as treatment options, coping strategies and recovery.

The SAFE Coalition exists to provide pathways for support, education, coping mechanisms and treatment options for Substance use Disorder

Monday, October 24, 2022

60 Minutes: "Dominion Voting Systems CEO speaks out against conspiracy theories" (video)

"Can you flip votes in the computer system? Can you add votes that did not exist?" Anderson Cooper asks Dominion Voting Systems CEO John Poulos. "Absolutely not," Poulos says. See the interview, Sunday on 60 Minutes.

Shared from CBS News: -> 
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dominion-voting-systems-ceo-machines-conspiracy-theories-60-minutes-2022-10-23/#app

The MA voting system administered by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and used by Franklin (along with the other 350 communities) is
  • paper ballot based
  • the voter registration system is a closed network (not part of Internet)
  • highly secure

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Vote by mail ballots are in the mail to Franklin voters

"The Town Clerk's office received mail-in ballots on Tuesday, October 11th! Election workers, wardens along with the Town Clerk's office were hard at work for 1 1/2 days processing resident vote by mail ballot requests. If you requested a mail-in ballot, keep an eye out on your mail as ballots have been sent out!"
Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj3G0JaNfIp/

If you requested a ballot by mail, track it's status


Vote by mail ballots are in the mail to Franklin voters
Vote by mail ballots are in the mail to Franklin voters

Boston Globe: "Liquor store giant Total Wine enters fray on Question 3"

"The mom-and-pop package stores in Massachusetts now can identify an enemy in their Question 3 ballot campaign: retail giant Total Wine & More.

Question 3 represents the latest round in a debate that has lasted for years over the limits on how many retail, or “off-premises,” alcohol licenses can be controlled by any one company in this state. It’s a fight that has long pitted small, independent liquor stores against larger retail chains that want the right to sell alcohol more broadly.

This ballot question would, among other things, somewhat loosen those caps, by increasing the number of locations under one corporate owner that can sell beer and wine from 9 to 18 over the course of a decade. However, it would also reduce the number of locations with common ownership that can sell hard alcohol from nine to seven."
Continue reading the Boston Globe online -> 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Monday, October 17, 2022

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Franklin Liquors: Please watch this video on why we need your Yes vote for Ballot Question 3

Franklin Liquors (@Franklinliquors) tweeted  Sat, Oct 15, 2022:
2022 Massachusetts State Election- Yes on Question 3, Expanded Availability of Alcohol Licenses 
Please watch this video and why we need your yes vote!
https://t.co/Nf6rX7RMZ8
 

#voteyeson3 #vote #ma #liquor #franklinma b
Shared from Twitter ->    https://twitter.com/Franklinliquors/status/1581434806084153345




Visit the Election Collection for Nov 2022 for information
Visit the Election Collection for Nov 2022 for information

Boston Globe: questions & answers on Ballot Question #1

Staci Rubin (@Staci__Rubin) tweeted on Mon, Oct 10, 2022:
"Yes on 1!

Great article about MA ballot Q 1.

Answers to your questions about the millionaire's tax https://t.co/BKfZEYFdFy via @BostonGlobe"


Karsen Eckweiler works at Democracy Brewing in Boston and is featured in the latest ad that supports Question 1, a ballot measure to raise taxes on the wealthy.JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF
Karsen Eckweiler works at Democracy Brewing in Boston and is featured in the latest ad that supports Question 1, a ballot measure to raise taxes on the wealthy. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Information for Franklin Voters Regarding the Upcoming Election

Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk's Office regarding in person early voting, mail-in ballots, and election day.

The State Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 from 6am - 8pm at the Franklin High School Gymnasium. In person early voting will take place October 22nd - November 4th at the Franklin Municipal Building ONLY (355 East Central Street). There will be NO in person early voting at Franklin High School.

The Municipal Building in person early voting dates are as follows…
  • Saturday, Oct. 22 in person: 9am -3pm
  • Monday, Oct. 24 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Tuesday, Oct. 25 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26 in person: 8am - 6pm
  • Thursday, Oct. 27 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Friday, October 28 in person: 8am - 1pm
  • Saturday, Oct. 29 in person: 9am - 5pm *Last day to register to vote*
  • Monday, Oct. 31 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Tuesday, Nov. 1 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2 in person: 8am - 6pm
  • Thursday, Nov. 3 in person: 8am - 4pm
  • Friday, Nov. 4 in person: 8am - 1pm

The last day to register to vote is Saturday, October 29th, 2022. You may check or update your information via the State's Online Voter Registration tool: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

Ballots arrived at the Town Clerk's office on October 11th, 2022. Our staff is working diligently to ensure all voters that have already requested a mail-in ballot receive them in a timely manner.

Requesting a Mail-In Ballot

Voters may apply to receive a mail-in ballot by Tuesday, November 1st at 5pm the latest. Voters are encouraged to apply as early as possible for a mail-in ballot, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline. You may apply to receive a mail-in ballot online here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm

Returning Your Ballot
Once you have received and completed your ballot, you may return it by…
  • Mailing it back using the envelope provided; or
  • Hand-delivering your ballot to the Town Clerk's Office in the Municipal Building during Early Voting hours or during regular business hours on November 7th (8am - 4pm) and before 8pm on November 8th, 2022; or
  • Hand-delivering your ballot using our ballot drop box any time before 8pm on November 8th, 2022. Both ballot drop boxes are located at the Franklin Municipal Building. 
    • 355 East Central Street (To the left of the building)
    • 355 East Central Street (Mail slot to left as you enter walkway to main entrance)
Please note that Ballots cannot be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day.   


Please see the attached voting schedule flyer. Questions? Call the Town Clerk's Office at 508-520-4900.

Shared from Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/information-franklin-voters-regarding-upcoming-election

Information for Franklin Voters Regarding the Upcoming Election
Information for Franklin Voters Regarding the Upcoming Nov 8, 2022 Election