Please vote today, the polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM. This local election determines how Franklin's dollars are spent.

The Finance Committee will review the adjustments to the final FY 2024 budget to the town (including school funding) on Wednesday, Nov 8. The Town Council will meet Nov 15 to reorganize (determine Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk) and vote on the final FY 2024 budget. Then on Nov 21, the Town Council in its first significant act for the new 2-year term will vote to set the tax rate. 

Your local priorities are set by the Town and School administration with oversight and approval by the Town Council and School Committee. Your vote determines who gets those seats.

Yes, we should have more candidates to choose from but that is something we as a community will need to work on for next time around (Nov 2025).

Aside from the local races, the ballot question to fund the Tri-County new school is up for vote. Will Franklin decide to fund it via a debt exclusion (30 years, approx. $2M/year) or will they force the Tri-County expense to come from the regular operating budget which would likely mean cuts across all the Town and School budgets.

** Sample ballot via Town Clerk page ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/ballot_proof_11-7-2023.pdf

** Listen to Town Clerk Nancy Danello walk us through the Oct 24 Tri-County election (now completed) and the Town Biennial Election Tuesday, Nov 7, 2023

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/franklin-town-clerk-nancy-danello-walks.html

** Other info shared during the election season is collected in one page ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/franklin-election-collection-2023.html

Candidates interviews for the Franklin (MA) Election - Nov 7, 2023 via Franklin TV & Radio

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 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.

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

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

Franklin Election Collection - 2023

In the News: Franklin constable election finds 4 candidates for 3 positions

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town’s biennial town election ballot includes a race for constable, with four candidates seeking election to three, four-year terms.

Candidates include: Incumbent Philip M. Brunelli Sr., incumbent John S. Power, incumbent Daniel J. McCahill, and Rancourt (Randy) Larosa, who has served as constable on an appointed basis.

Following are profiles for McCahill and Larosa. Brunelli and Power have not as yet sent their statements."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191104/town-constable-race-on-franklin-ballot


For additional info on the candidates and election overall, visit the Franklin Election Collection 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

Franklin Election Collection - 2019

 

In the News: three contests on the ballot for Franklin voters Tuesday, Nov 5

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"There is no lack of choices to be made as voters head to the polls Tuesday for the town’s biennial elections.

The election features three races: Town Council, School Committee and constable.

Polling will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191103/three-races-featured-tuesday-on-franklin-ballot

Interviews with all 10 School Committee candidates and 9 of the 11 Town Council candidates are available in the "Franklin Election Collection - 2019". Read, review and vote Nov 5.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

Franklin Election Collection - 2019

 

Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query (video)

The Candidate Query hosted by Franklin in Focus on Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

Recorded and edited by Franklin TV. 

Candidates for Constable, Town Council, and School Committee in the Town of Franklin biennial election were invited to participate.





The audio or podcast version is also available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/franklin-in-focus-candidate-query-oct.html

Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query - Oct 22

Franklin in Focus, a nonpartisan organization focused on bringing information about town issues and town government to the public, is sponsoring an evening with the candidates running for office in the upcoming November 5 town election. 

The Franklin in Focus Candidate Query will be held October 22, 2019, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM at the Franklin Senior Center. The public is invited but seating is limited, so please reserve. 

Due to time constraints, only candidates in competitive races will attend: Constable, School Committee, and Town Council. 

The program will be recorded and broadcast by FranklinTV.


RESERVE YOUR TICKET (to be added)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-in-focus-candidate-query-tickets-74766800513


WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019 - 6 to 8:30 PM

WHERE: Franklin Senior Center

​

Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query - Oct 22

In the News: "Seams Like a Dream"; Franklin election candidates set

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"There’s something to be said for putting on costumes. They have a certain magic to them, imbuing their fabrics and accessories with the power to transform and transport.

Franklin resident Lisa Maxwell Rounds -- a teacher, drama club advisor and seamstress -- knows that better than most people. For the past 19 years she has helped drape visitors to King Richard’s Faire, Massachusetts’ annual Renaissance fair held in Carver, in that magic and has seen it at work.

She owns Seams Like A Dream, a shop that serves as King Richard’s costuming shop, and operates it with the help of her 24-year-old daughter, Emily.

“Once you put on a costume, you become someone else,” she observes. “I’ve found this with a lot of people. They sort of become a character. They come out of their shell.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190922/her-faire-kingdom-franklin-resident-runs-costume-shop-at-king-richards-faire

"Campaigning for the bi-biennial town election in November is expected to kick into high gear as the deadline for filing candidacies has passed.

Town Clerk Teresa Burr issued the ballot lineup on Friday after her office completed certifying nomination papers. Burr, whose position is among those up for election, is facing no challenge in her bid for re-election to a four-year term.

The entire Town Council and School Committee are up for election, and there is no dearth of candidates for either."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190922/franklin-ballot-takes-shape-races-emerge-for-town-council-school-board-and-constable

The Election Collection for 2019 can be found 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

Franklin voters will have a choice for some positions in the Nov 5 election

The candidate listing was finalized this week. There had been a total of 40 people who had stepped up to draw nomination papers. 8 subsequently withdrew or did not return their papers leaving 32 candidates for 27 positions. 

Franklin voters will have a choice for 3 of the 7 positions up for election. 3 positions have the right amount of candidates. One position is short (Board of Health).

COMMITTEE/BOARD/POSITION OPENINGS	Candidates	Positions
BOARD OF ASSESSORS - 2 SEATS  (4Yr.Term)	2	2
BOARD OF HEALTH -2 SEATS  (4 Yr.Term)	1	2
CONSTABLE - 3 OPENING       (4Yr.Term)	4	3
PLANNING BOARD - 3 SEATS   (4Yr.Term)	3	3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 7 SEATS   (2Yr.Term)	10	7
TOWN CLERK - 1 Position    (4Yr.Term)	1	1
TOWN COUNCIL  - 9 SEATS      (2Yr.Term)	11	9
Totals	32	27

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YsaLzrQD8q6S99HVlHis4uaUOiB1CKz2/view?usp=sharing

or the Town Clerk page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/final_candidates_-_2019_biennial_town_election.pdf

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

Franklin residents have stepped up to create a choice for voters

The candidate listing has grown this week. There have been a total of 40 people who have stepped up to draw nomination papers. 5 subsequently withdrew their name leaving 35 candidates. 

23 of the candidates have returned their papers and 20 of those have had their signatures certified to be on the ballot Nov 5. 

The remaining 12 candidates need to turn in their papers by Tuesday, Sep 17 and have the Town Clerk certify the signatures. 

Franklin voters will have a choice for most positions up for election.

COMMITTEE/BOARD/POSITION OPENINGS	Candidates	Positions
BOARD OF ASSESSORS - 2 SEATS  (4Yr.Term)	2	2
BOARD OF HEALTH -2 SEATS  (4 Yr.Term)	3	2
CONSTABLE - 3 OPENING       (4Yr.Term)	4	3
PLANNING BOARD - 3 SEATS   (4Yr.Term)	3	3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 7 SEATS   (2Yr.Term)	11	7
TOWN CLERK - 1 Position    (4Yr.Term)	1	1
TOWN COUNCIL  - 9 SEATS      (2Yr.Term)	11	9
Totals	35	27

The last day to return papers is Tuesday, Sep 17.

The listing of the 35 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 20 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry.

The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3icT0ng70NyfDFIGTT1yyUHH5u63JdU/view?usp=sharing

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

26 total candidates; School Committee, Board of Health and Board of Assessors lacking candidates

The candidate listing has grown again slightly this week. There are candidates equal to the number of positions for Constables, Planning Board, and Town Clerk. The Town Council currently has 11 candidates for nine positions (a net increase of one this week - 2 added, 1 withdrew) and the other boards/committees are currently short of candidates. 

Critical issues: 

1. The School Committee has only 5 candidates for 7 positions. Two are new candidates which is good but we simply need more candidates. The school budget accounts for more than half the overall Town budget and the role has oversight for the education of our youth (and future). 
2. The Board of Health (EEE) and the Board of Assessors (annual tax rate) are also important positions lacking a complete slate never ind a choice of candidates.

Let's go Franklin. 

There should be more candidates to allow for some competition and choice. The last day to take out papers is Friday, Sep 13. The last day to return papers is Tuesday, Sep 17.

The listing of the 26 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 8 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry.

The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1FFoxMMU4k3Ml-iKuYX1Mt3CwOtmvlS/view?usp=sharing

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

25 total candidates; School Committee has only 5 candidates for 7 positions for the Franklin Biennial Election

The candidate listing has grown slightly this week. There are candidates equal to the number of positions for Constables, Planning Board, and Town Clerk. The Town Council currently has 11 candidates for nine positions (an increase of one this week) and the other boards/committees are currently short of candidates. 

Critical issue: The School Committee has only 5 candidates for 7 positions. Two are new which is good but we simply need more candidates. The school budget accounts for more than half the overall Town budget and the role has oversight for the education of our youth (and future).

Let's go Franklin. 

There should be more candidates to allow for some competition and choice. The last day to take out papers is Friday, Sep 13. The last day to return papers is Tuesday, Sep 17.

The listing of the 25 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 8 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry. (Yes, for those tracking along, one candidate previously listed as having papers returned and certified is not checked in these categories this week. Was that an error previously reported and finally caught? Or a mistake this time? We'll find out on Tuesday.) (updated 9/1/19 with "8" and the updated/correct file)


The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeXN6UUVVTHVsQVltcHJBRjZ3V01FcVJTd3RB/view?usp=sharing


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

5 candidates certified, 22 total candidates thus far for the Franklin Biennial Election

The listing of the 22 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 5 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry. 

There are 28 seats open so there is plenty of room for additional candidates. The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.


Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQVBHWlNrX2h1OXRFWFN5Q1N2T1dTRXZHdHdR/view?usp=sharing


 
Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

5 candidates certified, 22 total candidates thus far for the Franklin Biennial Election

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?

It was interesting to do the research on what a constable does. I know of them. There is no reference in the 2018 Annual Report. The initial search on the Town of Franklin web page turned up some weird results, but a second search did better.

From the Town of Franklin Constable page
https://www.franklinma.gov/constables

"Constables help assist various law enforcement agencies serve notices. Constables are all bonded and may serve, within the Cities or Towns in which they are appointed or elected, the following:

• All Summons and Complaints with maximum Ad Damnum allowed by law
• Writs and Trustee Process
• Real Estate Attachments
• Land Court Process
• Executions
• Supplementary Process in any Amount
• Small Claims Notices and Notices To Show Cause
• All Process under G.L. Chapter 239
• Summary Process, Ejectments, etc.
• Notices of all kinds and Demands
• Capias
• Probate Court Process, Domestic Relations
• Subpoenas, Criminal, Civil, and Federal,and other certain Writs and Papers from the District Courts, the Superior, Supreme Judicial, and the United States District Courts

Constables may be appointed to serve all process under Rule 4-c of the Federal and Mass. Rules of Civil Procedure and the appropriate motion for use in obtaining this appointment may be found at http://www.constables-mbca.org/special-process-server-appt.php"

There are three positions of Constable and all three are up for election in November

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?