Reminder: What is the ONE question would you ask of each candidate for the Town of Franklin 2023 Election?

The candidates are in their final days to gather signatures for the November 7, 2023 Biennial Town of Franklin Election. The nomination papers are due to the Town Clerk by September 6. 

It is now time for us (together) to prepare the set of interview questions. 

• Which one question would you ask of a Town Council candidate? School Committee candidate? etc...

Submit one question per elected position via the form below. 

Your email is required to avoid nefarious folks from interfering with this process. Your email will only be used (1) to verify the question if not completely understood, and (2) to ensure you get a copy of the final set of questions. 

Note: the question set would likely be similar to prior years. We would have 3-4 questions that would generally apply to all candidates and at least 1 (maybe 2) for specific positions. I want the question set short so we (the candidates and interviewers) can proceed efficiently, and concise to provide answers so Franklin voters can make an informed choice for each elected position.

Based upon feedback obtained after the last election, every effort will be made to provide interviews in all three formats (video, audio, and text transcript). The video interview would be recorded, audio extracted, and audio transcribed. This will require the coordination and willingness of the candidates to be available for this interview to be scheduled in time to turn it all around.

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The current listing of candidates as of Thursday, August 24 can be found here ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/nom_in_out_november_7_2023_11.pdf

The question set used for the candidates in 2021 -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GkFh21gYukaMheQL-P4C0T_EEaItvcAu/view

Submit your Question via this form ->     https://forms.gle/UiNS5sqmz9RV1MUF8

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

Franklin Election Collection - 2023

Franklin Matters information service updates

As part of the integration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) you likely have seen some changes to this home page and or to some posts.

Two additions

• The daily schedule for Franklin TV and wfpr.fm is shared. This is in addition to the weekly post sharing the programming guide. We'll be watching the stats (such that are available) to see if this addition is making a difference.
• "Ask Franklin Matters"  is back in a top of fold web page spot. I had introduced this when we started the "Talk Franklin" radio interview series during 2020. This is a new year, hence a new opportunity. A couple of question have already come in so that is good. Hopefully, this feature will help answer your questions. 

Two reminders

• This is a daily digital newsletter and you have a chance to have your say (with a question - as noted above) or a comment/email. You should also know that the "Voices of Franklin" is really the same as a "Letter to the Editor". It has been used primarily during the election season but is a feature available any time you feel the need to write. Guidelines here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
• The community calendar functions best when all the events are available to the community. Organizations with a Google calendar can integrate automatically. If you don't have one, you can use the form to submit the event  -> https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6   If all else fails, send me an email. Be sure to include the basics of the event (who, what, when, where, etc.)

This Franklin news service (daily newsletter, podcast, Twitter, etc.) is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 reading/emailing/commenting/listening, etc.

Friendly reminder: The best way to remain informed is to subscribe for the daily newsletter -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Franklin Matters information service updates

Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21

Franklin Matters Q & A with Steve Sherlock is scheduled for Thursday Jan. 21st at 1 PM

You can get a preview of my Franklin "watch list" for 2021. You can also ask questions. I'll either have the answer, or get it for you.

Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21

Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - 10:00 AM via Zoom. This is an opportunity to get information and your questions answered.

 

Talk Franklin Matters With Steve Sherlock 

 

To join us, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov.

 

Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

 

 

You ask - we answer: Dean Ave Apartment complex - Questions posed

Dean Ave Apartment complex - Question posed:

"How many parking spots are there for all those apartments? Has there been a traffic study? How will the neighborhood be impacted. Will the 30 mph speed limit on Dean be reduced with the additional cars, pedestrians, dogs, kids, commuters on the street?"

Q - How many parking spots are there for all those apartments?
Answer: 495 parking areas total, this INCLUDES 10 x 6 bay garages (60) per Apr 24 notes (page 4 of 8) and
490 proposed at 1.9 per apartment per the May 22 notes (bottom of page 6)

Q - Has there been a traffic study?
Answer: The May 22 notes discuss at some length a parking study and impacts as well as mitigations. Refer to the details there

Q - Will the 30 mph speed limit on Dean be reduced with the additional cars, pedestrians, dogs, kids, commuters on the street?
Answer: no, per notes speed reduction was not discussed. Sidewalks and roadway discussed

For reference: Planning Board dates and meeting notes
Initial hearing - Apr 24, 2017
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/april_24_2017.pdf

May 8, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/may_8_2017.pdf

May 22, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/may_22_2017.pdf

June 12, 2017 meeting notes for this and the June 26, 2017 meetings are not posted to the Town of Franklin page. The meeting notes of July 10, 2017 show the notes from both of these meetings were approved by 5-0 votes just before the meeting adjourned.

The July 10 meeting has no mention of this project so likely it was rescheduled from a prior meeting to a future one; at least to the July 24 meeting, where a record per the minutes does allow for the thread to be followed.

Updated: did get a copy of the Planning Board minutes from the Town and confirmed that the June 12 meeting the hearing was continued to July 24 with no additional discussion. The meeting notes for Jun 12 and Jun 26 will be shortly posted to the appropriate page.

July 24, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/july_24_2017.pdf

August 7, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/august_7_2017.pdf

August 21, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/august_21_2017.pdf

Sep 11, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/september_11_2017.pdf

Sep 25, 2017 - hearing finally closed off and vote made to approve
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/september_25_2017.pdf



If you have a question, ask it with this form and we'll get an answer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html

You ask - we answer: Dean Ave Apartment complex - Questions posed

You ask - we answer: tax our driveways?

Q - Is it true that the town is going to tax our driveways? Sounds pretty ridiculous to me but I heard it from a trusted friend?

A - Yes and no. There is a stormwater utility fee coming that could be viewed as a tax that will apply to all landowners and the impervious coverage they have. "Impervious" simply is coverage that wouldn't allow for penetration of water into the ground. So roofs, driveways, pools, tennis courts, etc. would all count toward the impervious amount of square feet on an individual property. 

While there will be a fee charged, the rate remains to be determined. There will also be credits for mitigation of stormwater. These details and others remain to be worked out. 

As an example: while my driveway needs to be replaced, if I were to get it covered with some paving blocks rather than blacktop, I would likely qualify for some credit for mitigating my impervious coverage. The exact details for paving block to be used and amount of credit are among those details to be worked out.

The Town has created a stormwater page which will capture the Frequently Asked Questions, presentation documents, and other information:  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

In the first session held, March 6, it was revealed there would be more sessions as the stormwater utility fee proposal moved forward. Stay tuned to find out. We'll share as soon as we hear.

The current information sessions scheduled:

• March 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Franklin TV Studios
• March 21 from 11 AM - 1 PM at Franklin Public Library

The schedule was posted on the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/storm_water_8.5_x_11_in_0.pdf

The Franklin Police dog, Ben Franklin, made an appearance at the stormwater information session

Submit your question here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html

Ask Franklin Matters: You ask the question, we'll get the answer!

New form to "Ask Franklin Matters" a question about the Town of Franklin. You ask the question, we'll get the answer!

Some of the questions may get queued for the regular Franklin Matters Radio show with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.

Form link -> https://forms.gle/inzMdvBuQoaiM6ke6

** Anonymous questions are NOT likely to be answered **

Ask Franklin Matters: You ask the question, we'll get the answer!