You are welcome to observe multiple sessions of the advance removal and deposit of vote by mail ballots for the Nov 8 election

Franklin's Town Clerk Nancy Danello posted the notice of "Notice Of Advanced Removal Of Early Voted Ballots From Envelopes And Advanced Depositing Of Early Voted Ballots" on Oct 13, 2022 announcing multiple sessions to process the State election early returns. While the notification contains some legal terms as required by MA General Law, the notification in "kitchen English" outlines the following.

As there are over 6,000 vote by mail and absentee ballots sent out (and more being requested), to ensure a timely and accurate count on Tuesday, Nov 8, the state outlined a process to enable a secure two-step process of these ballots in advance of election day.

Step 1 - Advanced Removal Of Early Voted Ballots From Envelopes

The vote by mail ballots are returned via mail or directly to the Municipal building drop boxes. The outer white envelope is scanned to acknowledge receipt for tracking by the State system. 

For example, my ballot was dropped into the box at the Town Clerk's window on Tuesday as I went into the School Committee meeting. The ballot tracking shows it was acknowledged as "accepted" on 10/26/22. I dropped it off after their working hours, and they processed it during their next business day. (photo below)

The advance removal session will allow us to watch the brown envelope with the ballot be opened, the ballot itself put in a pile, and the voter system updated to show the voter has proved a ballot. Two people perform this process for each precinct.

There is no actual counting of the votes on the ballot. The ballots are simply piled by precinct for feeding into the voting machines at the next session.

The votes by precinct are stored in ballot boxes and secured in the vault. The security of the process is open to observation by Franklin residents.

There are six sessions scheduled for this advanced opening process:

• Friday, October 28 - 9:00 AM

• Monday, October 31 - 9:00 AM

• Tuesday, November 1 - 9:00 AM

• Wednesday, November 2 - 9:00 AM

• Thursday, November 3 - 9:00 AM

• Friday, November 4 - 9:00 AM

Step 2 - Advanced Depositing Of Early Voted Ballots

On Saturday, Nov 5, the advance processed ballots will be moved by Franklin police detail from the Municipal building vault to Franklin High School where they will be processed in the second step. If the processing is not completed on Saturday, it can be continued on Sunday, Nov 6.

The ballots as opened and processed in Step 1 will be securely transferred from the vault to Franklin High School by a Franklin Police detail.

Each set of ballots separated by precinct will be feed into the voting machines. The voting machine overall tally will be noted but the tape to 'count the votes' will not be run. The second set of memory cards for each machine will be installed and the machines will be ready for processing on election day.

At the end of the session, the memory cards for this deposited process, along with the ballots, will be securely transferred from the High School back to the Municipal building vault by a Franklin Police detail.

Election day

Normal in person voting will take place beginning at 6 AM and complete at 8 PM. The precinct voting totals will be tallied and the machines tapes (with the vote totals for each election position or ballot question) will be manually entered into the election spreadsheet.

The memory cards from the Advance Depositing action on Saturday will be placed into each precinct machine so their totals can be run on the tape. That tape will also be entered into the spreadsheet to help complete the unofficial results. 

There are other steps required by the Town Clerk to create the 'official' results, including cross checking all the totals of votes by precinct. She has three days to complete the process and send the results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth to be part of the State certification process. 

In summary, all ballots are paper, counted and tallied in an observed and secure process to guarantee a fair result. The paper ballots can be audited or recounted as required to ensure the results are what they are.

The Advance Notice document (PDF format)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Y1239lXnCDqRnTiSVYCmGthnMEgd5f0/view?usp=sharing

The link to the Town Clerk page where it was posted Oct 13, 2022

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/notice-advanced-removal-and-deposit-ballots

Town Clerk link (directly opens up a Word doc)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/notice_of_advanced_removal-deposit_11-8.docx

My vote by mail ballot status

You can check your vote by mail status at this link

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot/

You are welcome to observe multiple sessions of the advance removal and deposit of vote by mail ballots for the Nov 8 election

Tabulator testing completed Wednesday, demonstrating the voting machines count what they should

"Wednesday morning, the Council Chambers at the municipal building became the scene of a mock election, as batches of ballots, marked up randomly, and in some cases very incorrectly, by a third party,  some with too many selections or markings out of the proper area, others no longer exactly flat.

The nine machines, one for each precinct, were put through their paces with the sample ballots by a crew of election workers and election wardens, all  under the eye of Town Clerk Nancy Danello and Assistant Town Clerk Dyan Fitzgerald. Also present was the Observer, Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters (who recorded audio of the whole process) and a few members of the public."

Continue reading the Observer's recap ->

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/128573/ballot-machines-tested-muni-building-wednesday

 

As noted, I am processing the audio of the testing session. Our Town Clerk Nancy Danello was happy to wear a microphone for the event so her outline of the process as well as many of the questions asked of her were captured and will be shared as soon as possible.

demonstrating the voting machines count what they should

Finance Committee learns more about the assessment process for valuations on residential and commercial property (video)

The Franklin.TV recording of the Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, Oct 26, 2022 is available for replay on YouTube.

Video file -> https://youtu.be/OaibaQ9dOBk

Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-26-22_finance_committee_meeting.pdf

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qvpZtcz3JE529S9wN1tkJJ3FB9w92B8N/view?usp=sharing

Finance Committee learns more about the assessment process for valuations on residential and commercial property (video)

Both FHS field hockey and volleyball teams top Milford on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Field Hockey = Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 11 – Final 

– A second quarter explosion led the Panthers to a big win at home, capping an undefeated (15-0-1) league schedule for Franklin. Shaw Downing scored twice in the first quarter and finished with a hat trick, Kaitlyn Carney and Payten Crandall each had a pair of goals, and Haley Wernig, Kaeley Dubriske, Ella Griffin, and Delaney Hess each scored once.

Volleyball = Milford, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Milford put the Panthers on upset alert with a win in the first set before Franklin fought back and finished off the win, 3-1 (23-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-7) to clinch a share of the Kelley-Rex division title. It marks Franklin’s fifth straight title. Freshman Makayla Kuykendall followed up her big game on Monday with another strong showing, putting down 16 kills along with 10 digs and three aces while junior Taylor Lacerda had another strong all-around game with 12 kills, 11 digs, and an ace.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-26-22/

FHS Panthers

Franklin School Committee - video recording available for Oct 25, 2022 meeting

The Franklin.TV video recording of the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2022 is available for for viewing on demand at YouTube.

The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/10-25-agenda

The Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-25-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes including screen shots of the presentation screen and other photos of the meeting can be found here ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mrhwQ21akMfp7Mnm4vjMDf5ukTnkOvPA/view?usp=sharing

Video link -> https://youtu.be/T8qQATbsSSU

Franklin School Committee - video recording available for Oct 25, 2022 meeting

Franklin Food Pantry changing daytime curbside pickup to indoor shopping by appointment

Hello neighbors!

 

Tuesday's daytime curbside pick up will be eliminated starting Nov 1, 2022

 

Daytime shopping 

- Tuesday's - 9 AM - 1 PM, indoor only, by appointment only - call 508-528-3115 or email ->   ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org 

Evening curbside pick up 

- Tuesday's 5:30 PM - 7 PM - No appointment needed

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1584903872069394433

Franklin Food Pantry changing daytime curbside pickup to indoor shopping by appointment

Get your pumpkins soon, the 3rd Annual Pumpkin and Gourd Sale closes up Sunday, October 30th

Pumpkin season is almost gone. St. John’s Church will be closing out its 3rd Annual Pumpkin and Gourd Sale on Sunday, October 30, 2022.

So there is time to get them before they close up Sunday!

Hours for business:

• Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00
• Saturday 10:00-4:00
• Sunday noon-4:00

The pumpkin patch will be on the front lawn at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin MA. Great photo opportunity for your friends, kids and family!

You can feel good about purchasing St. John’s pumpkins. The pumpkins are grown using sustainable agricultural practices that help benefit the environment. They are grown in a region of New Mexico with 42% unemployment, providing jobs for Navajo people.  

In addition to supporting the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, your purchase also supports St. John’s Church and its work right here in our community.

Cash, check, or credit card are accepted to complete your purchase.

For more information:

Call 508-528-2387

Email: Admin@StJohnsFranklinMA.org

Visit us on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church

See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org

Get your pumpkins soon, the 3rd Annual Pumpkin  and Gourd Sale closes up Sunday, October 30th

Halloween costume party at La Cantina - Sat, Oct 29

Join us for a fun day filled with raffles, prizes, Live music with Freak Flag band & authentic Mexican tacos from Los 3 Garcia!!! 

Enjoy our new heated tent!!

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CkGTk25LeLN/

Halloween costume party at La Cantina - Sat, Oct 29 

Massachusetts Climate Action Network: Retrofits Without Displacement webinar available for replay (video)

Massachusetts Climate Action Network (@MassClimate) tweeted on Wed, Oct 26, 2022:

"In case you missed our Retrofits Without Displacement webinar you can now watch our event by using the link: https://t.co/d6cgAD1SrD

Ensuring #equity is critical to us. And we would like to thank our panelists for uplifting our values by sharing their knowledge and expertise."  https://t.co/Xtyjv6KtuU

Video link -> https://youtu.be/6ahUdW8KpqI

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassClimate/status/1585292733320728578

Massachusetts Climate Action Network: Retrofits Without Displacement webinar available for replay (video)

Frank Presents: 040 - Conversations with Charles Bailey and 041 - Shawn Dooley (audio)

In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Charles Bailey, candidate for State Representative in Franklin and Medway, to talk about his background, the State rep position, why he's running and what he aims to accomplish in the position.

Audio file -> https://frank-falvey.captivate.fm/episode/042-frank-presents-c-bailey

In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Shawn Dooley, candidate for Mass State Senator, to talk about his background, the State Senator position, why he's running and what he aims to accomplish in the position.

Audio file ->  https://frank-falvey.captivate.fm/episode/040-frank-presents-shawn-dooley

Frank Presents - Conversations with Charles Bailey and Shawn Dooley (audio)

Conversations with Charles Bailey

 

Conversations with Shawn Dooley

 

The Nation's Report Card: Declining Reading Scores - Reading Is Fundamental

The Nation's Report Card: Declining Reading Scores Erin Bailey is Reading Is Fundamental's Director of Programs and Content, a former teacher, and is pursuing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. In light of the October 24th release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, Erin shares her thoughts and expertise on how we can work together to ensure our nation's children have the support and resources they need to become passionate, lifelong readers.   The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results were released yesterday (10/24/22) and while the data is discouraging, I feel optimistic that we can unite and recover.  The NAEP results show that school disruptions caused by COVID-19 have returned us to reading scores seen 30 years ago. The number of children not reading proficiently has grown: 37 percent of fourth-graders performed below NAEP Basic in reading.  The achievement gap has widened, and the lowest-performing students have fallen further behind.  As a former teacher, literacy expert and parent, these results are disheartening to me, but I know that by working together, we can reverse and, in time, improve this trend. And I know that RIF is deeply committed to supporting educators and families as the key to this reversal.   While our progress as dropped back to 1992 levels, I do not believe it will take us 30 years to recover from this. Today, we know there are evidence-based practices, such as those identified by the National Reading Panel, for teaching reading that will help students to recover and excel. At RIF, we know it takes a village, and we are incredibly thankful that you – our families, educators, literacy advocates, and volunteers – share our commitment to supporting our nation's children in their reading education and success. Having worked in classrooms across the U.S. and internationally, I know what a difference it can make when educators and families collaborate to support their students. While I share your frustration and dismay, I know how dedicated you are to supporting your students and children as we tackle this national crisis together. Because of this, we are sharing some family engagement resources and educator tools from RIF that you can put to use today: Early Childhood Tip Sheet: Studies show that reading to children, even from birth, builds literacy. Use this tip sheet to help your child begin their reading journey. At-Home Reading Webinar: RIF has a wealth of webinars, including one on at-home reading tips, where we share strategies and activities that families can use to support literacy development. Read-Aloud Guide: Reading a book aloud with children is one of the first steps of putting them on the path to becoming proficient, lifelong readers and learners. Use this guide for tips in maximizing read-aloud time.  Vocabulary Guide for Educators: This guide helps educators determine which vocabulary words and phrases they should teach as they are encountered in books and text.  Rally to Read 100: This free six-month reading engagement program, aimed at inspiring a joy and love of reading, includes monthly read-alouds from beloved children's authors and a variety of stimulating reading activities, all tied to monthly themes. For nearly six decades, RIF has focused on partnering with educators and families to best support children on their reading journey. We believe that now, more than ever, is a critical time to come together and work to inspire a joy of reading for all children and support them to become strong readers and leaders. Together, I know we can make a difference on setting children back on course.   © 2021 Reading Is Fundamental | www.rif.org

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Oct 27, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Franklin Cultural Festival 2022

8:00 am Veterans' Call: VA Pension

9:00 am Celebrate With Pride: Pt. 2

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Apple Crisp

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:30 pm Sandya: Pasta

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Winter is Coming

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 5

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7

3:30 pm Franklin Harvest Festival 2022

4:30 pm Frank Presents: Rachel Plukas & Allan Earls

5:00 pm Frank Presents: Mark Lenzi

7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 6 - Swinging Steaks

8:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

9:00 am Critical Conversations: Social Media

11:30 am Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022

2:00 pm Public School Event: FHS Winter Jazz Night '22

3:30 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7

4:00 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music

8:30 pm FHS Varsity Football: v Attleboro 10-21-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 10-13-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 10-13-22

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers, 830 4058 4187

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Franklin Cultural District: From books to pumpkins to Fire Dept open house, food, music #artshappenhere in Franklin

The Farmers Market closes out the season this Friday with vendors, music and the pumpkin weighing contest. But as usual that is not all that is happening in and around Franklin as #artshappenhere. 

Check out the listing below the live calendar for updates should they occur.

Wednesday, October 26

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church) 

5:00pm - Michael Dukakis - Leadership Series at Dean College (free registration)

5:00pm - Domestic Violence Gallery Walk (SAFE Coalition)

6:00pm - Teen Murder Mystery Party! (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, October 27

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church) 

6:00pm - Charlie Rock Live (live music) (La Cantina Winery) 

6:00pm - Community Conversations: The Politics of Book Banning (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm - Paint and Sip (ticketed event) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Friday, October 28

2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common) 

Farmers Market

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church) 

5:30pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Steve Dogilio (live music)  (La Cantina Winery)

Saturday, October 29

8:00am - National Medicine Take Back Day (SAFE Coalition)

10:00am - Franklin Fire Dept Open House & Touch a Truck (Franklin Fire Dept - 40 West Central St)

10:00am - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church) 

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm - Halloween Costume Party (music & food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - KO Jazz Pop Trio (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Franklin Garden Club

Sunday, October 30

12:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church) 

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, October 31 -  Halloween

Tuesday, November 1

First Day of American Indian Heritage Month

6:30pm - Franklin Garden Club (Franklin Public Library)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events    https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

State Representative Roy endorsed by state and local firefighters

The Franklin Firefighters Local 2637 and Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts have endorsed Jeffrey Roy in his State Representative race for the 10^th Norfolk District (Franklin and Medway). In his letter announcing the local endorsement, Franklin Union President, Brian Hamann, stated: 

"The Professional Firefighters of Franklin feel very fortunate to have a friend of your stature representing the 10th Norfolk district. Since your election in 2012 you have stood by our side through triumph and tragedy. Your unwavering commitment to the fire service and our members has been evident.”

In announcing the state level endorsement, PFFM President Richard D. MacKinnon Jr. stated: 

“During your career as an elected official, you have prioritized the relationships you hold with the firefighters of your district. You understand our issues and are an effective advocate for us on Beacon Hill. We look forward to your next term in office and continued leadership for firefighters.” 

State Representative Roy

"I am absolutely thrilled to receive the support and endorsement from these public safety professionals," noted Roy. "Public safety and having the backs of those who put their lives on the line for us has been a priority for me since I first took office. And I have learned a lot from the engagement, training, and feedback I receive regularly from these professionals. We have built a strong and lasting partnership to make Massachusetts and our communities great and safe places to live, work, and raise a family."

 

In addition to the firefighters, Roy has been endorsed by Maura Healey, the MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO, the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund, the Sierra Club, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and SEIU Local 509. He has also been endorsed by Thomas Mercer, Franklin Town Council Chair; Robert Dellorco, Franklin Town Council Vice-Chair; Glenn Jones, Franklin Town Council Clerk; and Franklin Town Councilors Deborah Pellegri, Melanie Hamlin, Cobi Frongillo, Ted Cormier-Leger, and Patrick Sheridan.

 

Roy is seeking re-election the State Representative for Franklin and Medway. In 2021 he was appointed Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy and is the House-Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes and encourages “Making It” in Massachusetts.

 

Since 2013 Jeff has been part of a legislative team that has addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, civil rights and social equity, gun safety, climate change, energy, and the environment. In addition, he led efforts to:

 

• Draft and pass the clean energy and offshore wind bill in 2022;
• Draft and pass the Genocide Education Act in 2021;
• Finalize the Roadmap Bill on climate change in 2021;
• Draft and pass legislation on Step Therapy and Patient Safety in 2022;
• Draft and pass legislation relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses in 2021;
• Draft and pass legislation increasing transparency and financial reporting requirements for higher education institutions in 2019;
• Draft and pass legislation that increased transparency and civic engagement by creating a searchable online database of legal notices in 2015;
• Pass legislation lowering thresholds on specialty license plates, making them available to smaller charities and causes in 2015; and
• Pass legislation to create a Regional Dispatch Center for Franklin, Norfolk, Wrentham, and Plainville in 2013.

 

He has also led efforts to bring millions of dollars in local aid for schools, roads, infrastructure, public safety, arts, recreation, substance use disorder, economic development, historical preservation, and food insecurity. He has also helped thousands of constituents with issues involving unemployment, health care, human services, and other matters with state agencies.

 

For more information on Jeffrey Roy, please visit http://jeffreyroy.com/.

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

Franklin Firefighters Local 2637