Voices of Franklin: Why Are We Losing Candidates Night?

For the first time in recent memory, Franklin will not be holding a Candidates Night—and I have to ask, why?

This year, nine new candidates are running for Town Council, myself included. That's unprecedented. Candidates Night has long been a cornerstone of our democratic process, offering residents a chance to hear directly from those seeking to represent them. It was more than just a forum—it was a live, in-person opportunity for dialogue, challenge, and connection. it's a place where people are heard all at once making it easier for the community to hear. Because technically everyone can spend time watching people's interviews etc., but that's very time consuming. This is centrally located for residents to be a part of.

Incumbents have the benefit of visibility through their votes and public meetings. Their positions are known. But for new candidates, our values, priorities, and perspectives are not yet familiar to many residents. Candidates Night was the one venue where everyone—new and incumbent—stood on equal ground, answering the same questions, engaging with the same audience. It was a chance for voters to compare, reflect, and decide.

While I appreciate the Observer's published Q&A and the video interviews by Franklin Matters—both excellent resources—they cannot replace the energy and accessibility of a live forum. Candidates Night was a shared experience, a civic ritual that brought us together in real time. Its absence this year is deeply disappointing.

I participated in Candidates Night in 2021 when I first ran for Town Council. It was an experience that shaped me, and I believe every candidate deserves that same opportunity—especially in a year with so many new voices stepping forward.

I'll be attending the Meet & Greet this Wednesday night at Teddy Gallagher's because I believe residents deserve the chance to speak with us face-to-face. I hope all candidates will come—not just for the voters, but for each other. After all, nine of us will be working together come November. We owe it to the town, and to each other, to begin that relationship with openness and respect.

Let's not lose the traditions that connect us. Let's restore the spaces that allow every voice to be heard.

Sincerely,  

Jane Callaway-Tripp  

Candidate for Franklin Town Council

* Editor's note: There was no candidate forum in 2023 either. 15 Candidates for Town Council in 2025 is a record. There were 14 in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2015.

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: Why Are We Losing Candidates Night?

School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 24, 2025 (audio)

FM #1388 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1388 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Legislative Forum held on Monday, Feb 24, 2025. The Forum was held in the FHS Lecture Hall and broadcast via cable, Zoom, and to YouTube by Franklin TV. The audio of that recording is available here as a podcast. 

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan was host, welcomed Superintendent Lucas Giguere who provided a briefing on the school redistricting and school budget.

Chair Callaghan turned to the legislative delegation, Senator Becca Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy for their opening remarks before getting into some prepared questions. After the prepared questions, the audience was allowed to ask questions or make comments.

The recording runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1388-school-cmte-legislative-forum-02-24-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuUN6giRqc0 

The agenda doc can be found -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1582 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pX-uJFiDmOih9nE4vdq9QSr7qeGlQwQH/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos taken during the event -> 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/821vCMxw7Br6KakP8 

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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. 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"

School Superintendent Lucas Giguere

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, February 24, 2025 ???

Monday, February 24

9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: David Laughlan III - WWII (Veterans Walkway - Franklin Town Common) 

6:30pm Legislative Forum (Franklin High School)

**  Town Meetings today   **

6:30 PM - Franklin School Committee Meeting (Legislative Forum @ FHS)

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1582 

7:00 PM - Franklin Agricultural Committee (not broadcast) https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1591

7:00 PM -  Library Board of Directors Meeting (not broadcast)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_02242025-1593

7:00 PM - Recreation Advisory Board (not broadcast)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1535

7:00 PM - Planning Board

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02242025-1594 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Franklin School Committee is pleased to host the Legislative Forum on Feb 24, 2025

The Franklin School Committee is pleased to host the Franklin Legislative Forum on February 24th at 6:30 PM in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall.

This forum offers a valuable opportunity to engage directly with MA Senator Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy to discuss key issues impacting our community.

We encourage community members to attend this event and take advantage of this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with our local legislators!

Franklin School Committee is pleased to host the Legislative Forum on Feb 24, 2025

Franklin School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/page/school-committee

Franklin School Committee schedules Legislative Forum on February 24 - 6:30 PM

The Franklin School Committee is excited to host the upcoming Franklin Legislative Forum on February 24th at Franklin High School Lecture Hall at 6:30 PM. 

survey -> https://forms.gle/tomt66xtVYyK8KyKA

This forum is an opportunity to engage directly with legislators and discuss important issues affecting our community. 

To ensure that the topics most important to you are considered, we invite you to submit questions in advance. Whether you have concerns about education, funding, infrastructure, or ideas for improving our community, we want to hear from you!

Reply to the survey -> https://forms.gle/tomt66xtVYyK8KyKA 

This survey will be open through Friday January 31st.

Local Democrats to Host Governor's Council District 2 Candidate Forum - Aug 7

In a cooperative effort to involve the voters in our communities in the Governor's Council District 2 race, the Democratic Committees of Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham will host a forum for the Democratic candidates for the Governor's Council District 2 race on Wednesday, August 7th at 7 PM.

Council District 2 Candidate Forum - Aug 7

The forum will take place at the Norfolk Public Library. It will also air live on Norfolk Public Library and available on their YouTube Channel.   

The Governor's Council records advice and consent on state treasury warrants, pardons, commutations, and gubernatorial appointments. Appointments include judges, clerk-magistrates, public administrators, and members of the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board and Industrial Accident Reviewing Board, as well as notaries and justices of the peace.

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

School Committee Special Meeting

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum

When: April 8, 2024 - 6:00 PM

Where:  FHS Cafeteria

Agenda

• Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum

Agenda doc (no remote participation for this workshop)

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_community_forum_-_4_8_24.pdf

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting- March 11 at 5 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Community Relations Subcommittee

March 11, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Legislative Forum Update

● March Newsletter Feedback

● April Newsletter Planning

● Strawberry Stroll Planning

The agenda document contains remote participation info   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/community_relations_subcom_agenda_-_3_11_24.pdf

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting- March 11 at 5 PM

Legislative Forum hears of limited help from state funding for school budget issue (audio)

FM #970 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 970 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the 5th Annual Franklin, MA School Committee Legislative Forum held on Monday, April 10, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: School Committee members, key guests, and the public were in person in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School. Others participated virtually via the Zoom webinar set up.

Senator Becca Rausch, and State Representative Jeffrey Roy participated in this 5th annual Forum

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about an hour and forty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Legislative Forum held April 10, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-970-fps-legislative-forum-04-10-23

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Agenda doc  https://franklinps.net/district/events/93796

My notes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oUmnGWn3v7UrVk-2xU1aXisoca6aB07x/view?usp=share_link 

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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!

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

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

Legislative Forum hears of limited help from state funding for school budget issue (audio)

School Committee: 2 key events this week - Legislative Forum Monday, School Budget vote on Tuesday

#1 - The Franklin School Committee's 5th Annual Legislative Forum is set for April 10th at 6:30 PM!  @BeccaRauschMA  &  @jeffroy  will address the challenges facing districts across the state, with a focus on Franklin. 

Learn more here:  https://franklinps.net/district/events/93796

#2 - The regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 11 includes the vote on the proposed FY 2024 budget. Full agenda content can be found online (link below).

The budget as proposed and voted by the committee will be scheduled for review by the Finance Committee during May (budget hearings scheduled for May 8, 10, 11) and then the Town Council (budget hearings scheduled for May 24 & 25).

Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-11-23.pdf

Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting (some will be posted AFTER the meeting - per School Committee policy)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-11-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled for April 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled for April 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM

The Franklin School Committee's 5th Annual Legislative Forum is set for April 10th at 6:30pm!  @BeccaRauschMA  &  @jeffroy  will address the challenges facing districts across the state, with a focus on Franklin. 

Learn more here:  https://franklinps.net/district/events/93796

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled for April 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting - March 29 (virtual only)

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Community Relations Subcommittee

March 29, 2023 - 5:30 PM

Virtual Only

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be

discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

●  Legislative Forum

The agenda doc contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/community_relations_sub_comm_agenda_3_29_23.pdf

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023

You're invited to join us for our 5th Annual Legislative Forum on Monday, April 10 at 6:30 PM in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall and via Zoom.

Our state legislators will be updating the Franklin community on important issues specifically related to education. Topics will include:

• The growing need for school-provided social services
• FY24 State budget
• The Student Opportunity Act
• Unfunded and underfunded state and federal education mandates
• Educator wellness and workforce elasticity amid the national teacher shortage
• Special Education funding

An opportunity for Q & A will be available for participants. We hope you will join us. 

For remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/legislative_forum_4_10_23.pdf

or visit the event page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/93796

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023

Franklin Public Schools hosts "Legislative Forum" on April 10, 2023

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Legislative Forum

Monday, April 10, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Franklin High School - Lecture Hall

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

 

● Legislative Forum

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/legislative-forum

Franklin Public Schools hosts "Legislative Forum" on April 10, 2023

Less than 20 participate in Redistricting Forum; hear overview & get answers to questions (audio)

 FM #955 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 955 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Forum conducted in person at the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. 

This is the first of 2 forums for public input, this being in person, the next (scheduled for March 13) will be a virtual meeting. The same material is to be presented at both meetings.   

Quick Recap

• Review of the objectives and timeline

• Presentation on 3 options depicted in a new “storymap”

• Feedback solicited from the less than 20 participants, mostly clarification questions around the choices and rationale for such

• Survey form to collect feedback distributed as the meeting closed. If the survey doesn’t provide enough room for your input use the redistricting email to submit that redistrictinganalysis@franklinps.net 

• Next steps - 

• Second public forum scheduled for Mar 13 with same material

• Next advisory meeting Mar 21 to prepare for School Committee presentation 

• School Committee presentation scheduled for Apr 25 

• School Committee vote scheduled for May 9

The meeting audio recording runs about 89 minutes. Let’s listen to Redistricting Forum held at FHS on March 7, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-955-fps-redistricting-forum-1-03-07-23

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Agenda doc for Mar 7, 2023 meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/redistricting_advisory_subcom_3_7and13_23.pdf

Storymap with the three options ->

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9db1fa2830964554ba24ddb4558556fa

Handout available at the Forum -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l9KQNRFUxKCutPmNMJSMWGmf0dIMKROa/view?usp=share_link

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee 

My notes in one Twitter threader document   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nWZR-XL2N79-p8duC_8vwbSMZTiTveEJ/view?usp=share_link 

The photo album shared via Twitter of the pix taken of the meeting and presentation slides  https://photos.app.goo.gl/VbZgf8aFb41P9F9B6 

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

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

Less than 20 participate in Redistricting Forum; hear overview & get answers to questions (audio)