Voices of Franklin: "please know who you are voting for, and understand why you are voting for them"

I spoke during Citizen Comments at the Town Council meeting, October 22, 2025. My comment was as follows:

"Please know who you are voting for and understand why you are voting for them

With many of the candidates help, I created 24 videos of our conversations to share with the community (soon to be 25).

They are on YouTube, available via podcast apps, Franklin TV has a schedule for broadcasting them on the Town Hall or Government Channel as well as on the All Access channel.

All you need to do now is gather the info to cast an informed ballot on or before Nov 4 at the High School

Let’s create a scenario: 

• candidate gets on the ballot
• stops actively campaigning
• voters cast enough votes to enable that candidate to be one of the 9 for Town Council
• the candidate in this scenario doesn’t step up to fulfill the commitment that they took when they turned in their signed papers

Realistically, this could happen with any of the top 9 should one of them not choose to fulfill their commitment 

Folks may think, oh, take the next one

Actually, per Town Charter, that circumstance would kick off a special election to be run within 90 days to fulfill the seat of the candidate who “technically” would have resigned

Elections cost money, and we have enough of a budget issue as it is, we don’t need to add to it with this circumstance

My one ask, please know who you are voting for, and understand why you are voting for them, are they going to serve our community"

Steve Sherlock

Volunteer Community Information Director

for Franklin Matters, Franklin Public Radio

Town Charter -> look for Article Two, Section 8 Vacancies -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1135/Town-Charter-PDF

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

Voices of Franklin: "please know who you are voting for, and understand why you are voting for them"

School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses their recent meeting in this Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

FM #1552 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1552 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, October 16, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 14, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Superintendent’s Report

• Budget book, zero based budget effort

• Teacher evaluations underway

• Update on clubs for FHS & Middle School

• FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school

• Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November

• Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand the availability of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with the School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshops outside of the high school to the community. Looking into why middle school students who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school

• Good of the order raised the following items

• Consideration of removing restrictions on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting

• A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels

• Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations

• Entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The meeting recap runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1552-chalkboard-chat-10-16-25/

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School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses
their recent meeting in this
Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwf-tNffMs 

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948 

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/857413 

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic as shared during the meeting -> 

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic

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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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share, and show you what, and how we do what we do

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!

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

Town Council hears of clean audit and renewal of AAA rating among items on a varied and busy meeting (video)

The Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday evening, May 7 starting a few minutes after 7 PM with all 9 Councilors present.

The Franklin TV recording is available for review -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BjLJUaJedMc&t=389

The agenda and released documents for this session ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072025-1719

Quick recap:

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides some updates on the early voting, last day to register, etc. for the FY 2026 override special election June 3
• School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan provides some updates on the redistricting efforts, how the savings will lay the foundation for the future assuming the override does pass
• Citizens comments:
• J Callaway-Tripp, thanks for the Parmenter property deed adjustment; Future use of whatever the property be designated for, requesting a Town wide vote as it did back in the early 1950's; Request a town committee to determine the future of the property
• M Minnichelli quotes Yogi Berra, reminding that we should set a target, the 10% is a state requirement
• J Nutting speaking for the override
• Sherlock spoke to the FinCom budget hearings (watch, listen, read almost complete) and Pen to Picture event May 10 at the Library
• J Cohen asking for help in speaking for clarity on the issues around the override, stopping building is not the same as voting on the override
• Recognition
• Police Department - Swearing in of New Police Officer, Tyler Hosley
• Police Department - Recognition of New Town of Upton Chief of Police, Chief Nicholas Palmieri, former Sergeant of the Franklin Police Department

2 minute recess 

• Public hearing
• New Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine. Attorney and applicant participated remotely. Applicant had started ABCC application without legal assistance, withdrew it from ABCC and with legal guidance resubmitted. No real changes to application operational details; Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
•  Public hearing
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-935: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District. No comments or questions from public or Council, had also been approved by Planning Board  Motion to move to 3nd reading, second, passes 9-0
• License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License: The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. d/b/a The Chateau, Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
• Presentation: 
• FY24 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, CPA, Managing Director, CBIZ, we have a clean audit result this year. Scott compliments to the Town for preparing and executing in the audit, Entirely new set of staff to conduct this audit, a clean audit opinion. This reflects an evaluation of the internal controls of the Town operations
• Jamie also updated that the recent bond application resulted in renewal of our AAA rating, a major accomplishment to continue this
• What does the triple AAA mean? The lowest interest rate is available to use and will save us millions of dollars; Beaver St interceptor project is at 1.5% interest, in today's market it would be about 4%
• Legislation for action
• Resolution 25-28: Extension of the Time Period for the Automatic Reverter Contained in the Deed of Former Town-owned Land Off Panther Way Previously Conveyed to the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund; Motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-927: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of The Code Of The Town of Franklin, Definitions (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen) - Second Reading;  & Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-928: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 3, Use Regulation Schedule, Part II Principal Uses (Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen)  - Second Reading; Both measures Motion to approve, second; Discussion, there has been interest expressed; Passes 9-0 via roll call
• TA Report highlights
• Budget hearing May 21-22, will be continued to June 4 to do the votes that night after the
• override results are available
• How does development affect the budget? Jamie will do his best to address, will be beneficial for community discussion as part of the hearing 5/22. Jamie will be attending the ZBA meeting at the request of the chair and members. Will be part of other discussions on the 444 East Central St item for as long as it goes
• Best Western no longer housing emergency shelter as of July. Budget issues were not being created by that State item. The Town has not spent a dollar on that
• Bids came in on budget for the cupola, hopefully work will start June/July when contractor will be available
• Cricket field being built and opening here on Pond St (behind Kennedy)
• Sculpture Park new features there
• Porchfest will also feature a Cornhole competition June 7

My notes collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrOYu85-re20L0v7tmmAvCY2e54ir5sY/view?usp=drive_link

The Town Council meeting of Oct 16, 2024 condensed to 30 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1291 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1291 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, October 17, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

APPOINTMENTS

a. 2024 Election Workers

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Franklin Branding Project - AJ Rebecchi 

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-61: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 8J (Disability Commission) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-61 - Majority Vote)  

b. Bylaw Amendment 24-914: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-914 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

c. Bylaw Amendment 24-915: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 139, Sewers - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-915 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

d. Bylaw Amendment 24-916: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-916 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

e. Resolution 24-60: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,125), Senior Center ($275) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-60 - Majority Vote)  

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1291-town-council-quarterbacking-10-17-24/

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Town Council agenda Oct 16, 2024

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_10.16.24.pdf

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0-31yEe5Lk   

Photos of the branding presentation ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hAFLbh9iGmNCZM819

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfDsPHUko2WK1i-xRMQFP24JZDvYI8rN/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

The Town Council meeting of Oct 16, 2024 condensed to 30 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

As a taxpayer, I have significant concerns for Franklin’s financial stability and the lack of conversations and planning at the Town Council level on the topic.  After the failed override in June 2024, there was no municipal contingency spending plan available until 2 weeks after the vote.  It is now 15 weeks into FY 2025, and we do not have a published five-year projection.  The last quantified five-year projection was published on May 7, 2019 (link below). Without this information, how have you been making financial decisions?  

I attended the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting.  After the discussion, I left with an estimate of $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall for FY 2026.  Let’s see how close I am when the Joint Budget Subcommittee reconvenes on October 23, which will be almost 4 months into FY 2025.  If my estimate is correct, a $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall will result in town reductions of 40 – 50 employees.  Where are we going to reduce 40-50 employees?  Are you prepared for those difficult decisions?  How are you going to do collective bargaining with our employees?

I’m most concerned about the lack of interest, urgency and commitment from this Council to solving our Town’s financial challenges.  At the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee, we were told that the process to develop a projection and identify cuts to services “will take some time”.  I respectfully challenge this, as our finances are not that difficult to predict.  Next step would be to decide which departments absorb the cuts and the resulting service impacts to the community.  I see no reason why this information cannot be available for Council review by Thanksgiving.

It’s time to start elevating this topic and requiring accurate financial information from our Town Administration on a regular basis.  A $4.0 - $5.0 million shortfall will have significant implications to our town services and further erode our school programs.  Franklin will look less attractive to new families and our property values will decline.  That is not the Franklin that I want to see.  I ask you to put Franklin’s future financial stability at the top of your priority list.

Respectfully,

Susan Dewsnap

Link to May 7, 2019 five year fiscal forecast:  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy20_-_fy24_five_year_fiscal_forecast_document.pdf

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

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

Town Council gets update on branding efforts, approves additional election workers, after 30 minutes of citizen comments (video)

The Franklin MA Town Council met on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024 in the Council Chambers with all nine members present. 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0-31yEe5Lk

Agenda doc  -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_10.16.24.pdf

Photos of the branding presentation ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hAFLbh9iGmNCZM819

The Council approved the following bylaw changes all via roll call by 9-0 votes

● Bylaw Amendment 24-914 will amend the town code relative to fees. The updates reflect increases, decreases, additions, deletions or corrections to existing fees due to changes in state law or state code, changes in market conditions for municipal fees and/or calculations to the costs of service.

● Bylaw Amendment 24-915 will remove old pipe materials (i.e. asbestos-cement pipe) as acceptable as well as clean up language for the drain layers license to conform with the fee schedule and current practice.

● Bylaw Amendment 24-916 will authorize the DPW Director to waive compliance with the bylaw, as well as the associated noncompliance fine, based on a determination of undue hardship of private residential property owner(s).

While the citizen comment instructions included a slight wording change, it wasn't applicable to the 40 minutes of various comments.

"The First of Many' a new tag line proposed for Town marketing efforts

My notes captured during the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfDsPHUko2WK1i-xRMQFP24JZDvYI8rN/view?usp=drive_link