Franklin Matters: OCPF

Here’s an example of empty words: the Republican candidate for State Senate claims to run on “accountability” and yet failed to satisfy even the most basic of her own accountability requirements: timely reporting of her campaign finances.

Candidates for the legislature were required to file pre-election deposit reports with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance by October 28. That deadline came and went several days ago. Ms. Videira has failed to complete this basic task.

If voters want a real, proven champion of transparency and accountability, they should vote to reelect Senator Becca Rausch.

Sincerely,

Julie Garland

Wrentham, MA

Correspondence with Ms Videra returned this reply:

"I thank you for the courtesy update regarding the upcoming publication. When covering the story, please highlight that a recent loss in our family has delayed our filing compliance and we are working with OCPF directly to resolve this matter. "

Screengrabs submitted to support claim of noncompliance

OCPF page with requirement for filing within 8 days of elections

OCPF page for D Videra showing no report activity as required

You can search the OCPF site -> https://ocpf.us/Home/Index

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Sunday, August 20, 2023

This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)

FM #1042 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1042 in the series.

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of August 16, 2023:

ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS a. Agricultural Commission i. Daniel Morse

PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map

Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan

iii. Water Tank Master Plan

Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

ii. Campaign & Political Finance and Ethics Laws - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

Near Future outlook

Police Station Building Committee meeting – 8/23 – 6 PM (Council Chamber)
Master Plan Committee – 8/23 6:30 PM (3rd floor)
Dean College President Ken Elmore will provide an update at next session

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Aug 17, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1042-town-council-quarterbacking-08-17-23

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

The complete agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/vlYIlCbc4hs

The PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mCqfZ5ZEaL6jBcpFEFFOrqh8NrW6noP/view?usp=drive_link

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)

Saturday, August 19, 2023

State Ethics Commission Feedback Shared by One Franklin

Hello One Franklin!!!

I wanted to forward the email below to you all regarding the question that came up at last nights TC meeting. I sent the email to Nancy Danello, Town Clerk and copied Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator, Tom Mercer, Town Council Chair, and Denise Spencer, School Committee Chair.

Thank you everyone, have a great weekend!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ruthann OSullivan
Date: Fri, Aug 18, 2023 at 3:45 PM
Subject: State Ethics Commission Feedback
To: Nancy Danello
Cc: Jamie Hellen, Tom Mercer, Denise Spencer, Kenneth Ojukwi

Hello Nancy (and friends)!!

I wanted to let you know that I spoke to the State Ethics Commission, Attorney John Macdonald specifically. I told him about the One Franklin Ballot Question Committee, as well as the fact that I am running for School Committee.

He verified what the OCPF had said, which is that I can run for School Committee without it being a conflict. Once elected, I will have the same restrictions as other members. However, I plan to contact his office once again if elected and get specific clarity as to my limitations working with One Franklin, which appear to be around fundraising and using municipal resources as expected.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions for me. Have a great weekend!!!

Ruthann O'Sullivan
508-397-7785

State Ethics Commission Feedback Shared by One Franklin

Saturday, July 15, 2023

School officials likely violated campaign finance laws, Town Counsel says - Brookline.News

One key reason for being aware of the campaign finance rules and regs ...

The Master Plan Update Committee got a briefing on this recently as they started their work https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/master-plan-update-committee-gets.html.
The Davis Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee is scheduled for one at their kick off session Tuesday, July 18.
The Community Preservation Act advocacy got similar training as they prepared for the CPA ballot question that was voted on in 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/office-of-campaign-and-political.html.

I would expect to see similar training in advance of the possible override being talked of for next year especially given the news from Brookline ->

"Several Brookline school officials likely violated campaign finance law by sending out emails to parents with information about ballot questions ahead of the May election, according to Brookline town counsel Joseph Callanan.

By sending “unsolicited” emails to various school email lists about the operating override and Pierce school rebuild ballot questions, Superintendent Linus Guillory and four principals improperly used public resources, Callanan wrote in a report published July 7.

Callanan was investigating because a Brookline resident, Joslin Murphy, filed a complaint to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance after the election. Callanan sent his report to the state agency, which does not publicly comment on investigations."

Continue reading the article -> https://brookline.news/school-officials-likely-violated-campaign-finance-laws-town-counsel-says/

public employees can take a position on a campaign but not advocate for it on official time

The Office of Campaign and Political Finance webpage -> https://www.ocpf.us/home

Saturday, February 4, 2023

OCPF Reports - info for local candidates (Nov 2023 is a Franklin local election)

OCPF Reports (@OCPFReports) tweeted Fri, Feb 03, 2023:

OCPF provides instructions for people who run for office.

Candidates who file with OCPF: https://t.co/AweKdSv6ZA

House/Senate: https://t.co/Kvy7rLAKCp

Candidates who file with local election officials: https://t.co/Ged02abZPO

#mapoli https://t.co/LUQWxPMvP3
https://twitter.com/OCPFReports/status/1621501268849037312

OCPF -> Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance