"Just less than half of the roughly 3.5 million voters who cast a ballot in November’s elections here did so in person on Election Day, Secretary of State William Galvin’s office said in a new report on the roughly $8 million costs associated with the popular vote-by-mail option.The report filed with the Legislature this month details many of the costs connected to Galvin’s responsibilities as chief elections officer for the state, and the requirements of the 2022 law that allows voters to cast their ballots by mail or during a dedicated early voting window.Not counting the costs of printing ballots and envelopes, assembling ballot kits and reimbursing local election officials for unfunded mandates, Galvin said the vote-by-mail effort cost a little more than $8 million ($8,005,676.43 to be precise), including nearly $2 million in postage for voters to return ballots, for the September primaries and November’s general election."
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Boston Globe: "State spent $8 million on mail-in voting"
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Town of Franklin, MA: Unofficial Election Results for Nov 5, 2024
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Franklin, MA voters: cast your ballots in person at Franklin High School. Pools opened at 6 AM, will close at 8 PM
Most recent posts on top, scroll down for earlier posts -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/election-collection-2024.html
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Franklin TV: Veni, Vidi, Votum
Franklin TV: Veni, Vidi, Votum |
And – as always –Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.And, thank you for watching.
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Saturday, November 2, 2024
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, November 2, 2024 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots & Advanced Depositing of Early Voted Ballots for Nov 5, 2024
Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots & Advanced Depositing of Early Voted Ballots for Nov 5, 2024 |
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
As Goes Franklin ... a look at Franklin’s voting habits - Nov 3, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Monday, October 21, 2024
I caught up with Senator Rausch to review her accomplishments and future plans (audio)
FM #1292 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1292 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with our State Senator Becca Rausch. Due to the Senator’s full calendar we were fortunate to have booked this opportunity weeks ago. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conf bridge on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Senator Rausch. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1292-senator-becca-rausch-10-10-24/
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Senator Rausch MA Legislature page -> https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/RLR0
Campaign page -> https://www.beccarauschma.com/
Sign up for her newsletter -> https://www.beccarauschma.com/newsletter
Hey Sam support page -> https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/hey-sam/
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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!
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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"
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Town of Franklin: Town Council Meeting Agenda for October 16, 2024
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.
a. 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.
a. September 4, 2024b. September 18, 2024
a. 2024 Election Workersi. See Exhibit 1 of Appointment Transaction in agenda packet for list of nameshttps://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/appointments_-_election_workers.pdf
a. Presentation: Franklin Branding Project - AJ Rebecchi https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/marketing_branding_project_0.pdf
a. Resolution 24-61: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 8J (Disability Commission) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-61 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-61_-_disability_commission_local_acceptance_0.pdfb. 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)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/bylaw_amendments_24-914_915_916.pdfc. 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)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9c._1_-_bylaw_amendment_24-915_and_backup_materials_-_sewers.pdfd. 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)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9d._1_-_bylaw_amendment_24-915_and_backup_materials_-_snow_removal_bylaw.pdfe. Resolution 24-60: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,125), Senior Center ($275) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-60 - Majority Vote)https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/24-60_-_gift_acceptance_-_vets_dept._sr._ctr.pdf
a. Green Communities Update
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommittee/Joint Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Police Station Building Committeef. GATRA Advisory Board
Town of Franklin: Town Council Meeting Agenda for October 16, 2024 |
Friday, October 4, 2024
Ballots for November 5th Election are in the mail to Franklin, MA voters
Ballots for November 5th Election
A message from the Town Clerk:Ballots for November 5th Election
Ballots for the Presidential Election(11/5) HAVE arrived!! They have all been packaged up and are in the process of being mailed out.
Precincts 3,5,6,8 and 9 were mailed out Wednesday, 10/2/24. Precincts 1,2,4 and 7 will be out by the end of the week.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/ballots-november-5th-election
Boston Globe: "Threats, requests, and expanded voting: Mass. clerks are gearing up for a daunting election"
"In September, local elections clerks received an email that purported to be from a reputable national organization that helps to ensure voting integrity. The message asked clerks to fill out a survey and include their personal cellphones and home addresses.But the URL behind the sender was not for the cybersecurity group the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center, or EI-ISAC. Instead, it led to a website, electioncrimebureau.com, with an image of a grinning Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO-turned-high-profile-election-denier who continues to believe former president Donald Trump won the 2020 election.The faux email, say Massachusetts election clerks, is just the latest example of the deluge of threats, interference, misinformation, and burdensome requests coming at them as they approach what many fear will be one of the most daunting elections yet.Burnout and frustration after the 2020 election and the subsequent storm of misinformation sparked massive turnover within the ranks of local elections officials. Those who stayed faced cybersecurity threats and emails sent by bad actors. The threats come on top of new state laws that boosted access to mail ballots and expanded early voting."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/03/metro/election-clerks-2024-threats-massachusetts/
We talked with our Town Clerk Nancy Danello in advance of the September primary and have not scheduled additional time due to the other demands for her attention during this period. Listen to out conversation, much of which still pertains to the November election. The dates for early voting, etc. have changed but available here and on the Town Clerk page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrator
Boston Globe: "Threats, requests, and expanded voting: Mass. clerks are gearing up for a daunting election" |
Monday, September 23, 2024
MA Ballot QUESTION 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature
This proposed law would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
The proposed law has no discernible material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances.
A YES VOTE would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to the State Auditor’s authority.