Links to Candidate Info for Franklin (MA) Election 2021

Information on the candidates for the Franklin Election 2021 - combines the info of the Voters Guide, Franklin Matters and Frank Presents (Franklin TV).

If a particular candidates info is not available, check with them. They had opportunity to do so over the past several weeks.

Candidate	Voter Guide	Franklin Matters	Frank Presents
Board of Assessors
Chris Feeley
Board of Health
Bridget Sweet	response	Audio
Planning Board
Joseph F Halligan Jr
Anthony D Padula
Beth Wierling	response	audio	video
Jennifer D Williams	response	audio	video
School Committee
Jennifer L D'Angelo		text
Mary Jane Scofield		audio
Denise Spencer	response	audio
Elise Stokes	response	audio
Camille N Bernstein	response	audio	video
Mark A Bisson		text	video
David C Callaghan	response	audio	video
Al Charles	response	audio
John McCormack		text
David J McNeill	response	audio
Dashe Videra	response		video
Meghan L Whitmore	response	audio	video
Town Clerk
Nancy Danello	response	audio	video
Lynne R Santorsola
Town Council
Andrew M Bissanti			video
Brian M Chandler
Robert R Dellorco	response	audio
Cobi Frongillo	response	audio	video
Melanie J Hamblen	response	audio	video
Glenn F Jones	response	audio
Thomas D Mercer	response	audio	video
Deborah L Pellegri
Jane Callaway-Tripp		text	video
Theodore D Cormier-Leger	response	audio	video
Alan R Earls	response	audio	video
Patrick C Sheridan	response	audio

If any of the links don’t work for you, try going directly to each source

Franklin Voter Guide ->  https://www.franklinvoterguide.org/2021-voter-guide 

Franklin Matters Election Collection  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html 

Franklin TV video on Demand ->   https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/ 

Milford Daily News - Town Council candidate summaries -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/milford-daily-news-town-council.html

Milford Daily News - School Committee & Planning Board candidate summaries -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/milford-daily-news-school-committee.html

Milford Daily News - Town Clerk candidate summaries -   https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/country-gazette/2021/10/28/franklin-clerk-faces-challenge-posting-town-election/8552583002/

Links to Candidate Info for Franklin (MA) Election 2021

Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Meeting Agenda - Nov 1, 2021

Planning Board Meeting 

November 1, 2021

Planning Board will meet at 7 PM

The Planning Board will meet on November 1, 2021 at 7 PM. 
Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Planning Board Meeting posted here: https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/agenda/planning-board-agenda-123

Franklin, MA: Planning Board  - Meeting Agenda - Nov 1, 2021

FHS field hockey and football teams post wins vs. Milford on Friday

Via @HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Oct 29, 2021 

 
* Football = Franklin, 13 @ Milford, 3 – Final
1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: (F) Garrett Portesi 19-yard field goal; (M) Nicholas Araujo 28-yard field goal.
3rd Quarter: (F) Jared Arone 71-yard pass to Shane Kindred, G. Portesi XP good.
4th Quarter: (F) G. Portesi 25-yard field goal.

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap: 

"When it comes to Hockomock League football, one of the first things you learn is to expect the unexpected. 

Such was the case on Friday night as Milford and Franklin, the top two offenses in the Kelley-Rex division, ended up locked in a defensive battle. Both the Hawks and the Panthers entered the contest averaging just north of 30 points per game, but Friday’s contest featured just one trip to the end zone.

In the end, it was the Franklin defense that stood tallest, limiting the hosts to just four first downs and pitched a second half shutout to grab a 13-3 win to improve to 7-0 on the season."

Twitter thread by Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com   https://twitter.com/R_Lanigan/status/1454219952848781319

• Great slate of Hockomock football games this weekend and I’ve got a good one between Milford (2-1 Kelley-Rex, 6-1 overall) and visiting Franklin (3-0, 6-0). #hockomock
• End 1Q: Franklin 0, Milford 0. Panthers have 3rd and goal from the 1-yard line to start the second quarter. #hockomock
• False start hurts Franklin and the Panthers settle for a 19-yard field goal from Garrett Portesi. Franklin up 3-0, 11:08 left 2Q. #hockomock
• Milford converts a fourth down but Franklin defense stands tall. Hawks tie it up with a 28-yard field goal from Nick Araujo. 3-3 with 7:21 left 2Q. #hockomock
• Half: Franklin 3, Milford 3. Portesi and Araujo traded field goals and both defenses have played well. Will be interesting to see if the teams open it up a bit more in the second half. #hockomock
• First play, misdirection and Arone finds Shane Kindred for 71 yards. Three plays later, Arone hits Will Tracey on the bootleg for a 2yd touchdown. Portesi PAT good. Franklin up 10-3, 10:17 left 3Q. #hockomock
• End 3Q: Franklin 10, Milford 3. Panthers were inches away from a fourth down conversion in the red zone but turned it over on downs. Big sack from Joe Tirrell stopped a Milford drive. Franklin 3rd and 4 from their own 44 to start the fourth. #hockomock
• Franklin with another lengthy drive but can’t get into the end zone. Portesi drills a 25-yard field goal and the Panthers take a 13-3 lead with 6:40 to play. #hockomock
• Milford hits a big play, Cornelius to Agnew for 41 yards and moved into the red zone but Luke Davis hauls in an interception in the end zone. Panthers take over up 13-3 with 4:44 left. #hockomock
• Final: Franklin 13, Milford 3. Heck of a performance from the Panthers defense and Mack Gulla (35 carries, 200 yards) helped the Panthers dominate time of possession. #hockomock

* Field Hockey = Milford @ Franklin (Franklin win, score not available) 

• Two Team Sweep vs Milford…. Big wins to close out the regular season by Varsity and JV 1…. Varsity finished UNDEFEATED 16-0 and KELLEY-REX CHAMPS 17-1 !!  JV 1 also finished UNDEFEATED!!   https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038/status/1454234391681683459

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-10-29-21

Franklin’s Jonathan Martins (left) and Devine Johnson (right) tackle Milford quarterback Evan Cornelius in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Trunk or Treat updates - Sat, Oct 30, 2021

1 - trunk or treat at the Library

"Saturday, October 30, 2021 - 10:30am

Families! Dress up and join us in the library parking lot for a safe, little-kid friendly afternoon of trick-or-treating in the daylight! The parking lot will be full of decorated trunks and activities!!  

** Rain date October 31st **"

Shared from the Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/346221

2 - trunk or treat at Franklin United Methodist

Due to the wet weather forecasted for tomorrow, the Trunk or Treat event will be moving indoors! Masks for all persons (ages 2+) regardless of vaccination status is required inside our facility. A limited supply of masks will be supplied at the door. No hot dogs will be served due to the change of location. We hope to see you tomorrow afternoon! All are welcome. Bring a friend.

Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/FranklinUMC/status/1454226305873072132

Trunk or Treat updates - Sat, Oct 30, 2021

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - the word is 'complicity'

As Alan Earls appears to be a friend and supporter of Dashe Videira, his statement in Voices of Franklin on October 28, 2021 (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-alan-earls-i-heard.html) , attempting to shift blame to a righteous voice in our community, is preposterous. He states "Free speech, and all that, it still seemed to be in poor taste and stingingly calculated to burn whatever social bridges remain on our street. And just when I was hoping we could heal."

I know several families on that street. I can't imagine ANY of his neighbors that I personally know being okay with inviting a bigot into their home, or attending an event where one was invited to speak, or even continuing to enjoy and defend an association with the bigot promoter.

I can't imagine ANY of the people that I know on Mr. Earls’ street supporting or accepting a public demonstration such as the one on October 8th, 2021 on Route 140 near the Honey Dew Donuts.  This demonstration was described by Mr. Earls (https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/45065/flags-aflutter) as “A group of adults and children bearing flags and signs with patriotic-themed messages.” The photographs in his post show School Committee candidates Dashe Videira and Mark Bisson amidst signs stating “In God We Trust,” “Vote 2021” and “We Are A Christian Nation.” Excluding non-Christians is not patriotic. A public demonstration marginalizing and excluding Franklin residents of other religions from the demonstrators’ nation should not be applauded by being labeled patriotic. It not only hurts people but directly contradicts the United States Constitution, in which the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion. 

There's a word for Mr. Earls' statement in Voices of Franklin and his “reporting” of the October 8th demonstration. There’s a word that describes his willingness to continue to speak well of people permitting and promoting hate and exclusion. It's "complicity." Attempting to smooth over the natural consequences - sadness, discord, anger, activism, and any other appropriate response - of bigoted and exclusionary acts, writing an opinion such as the one in Voices of Franklin, blaming the person pointing out the hateful choices, at no point indicating or recognizing wrongdoing on the part of the candidates referenced, this pushes it way past being a vocal bystander.

Dashe Videira invited a man into her home as an honored guest speaker. The man is an unapologetic bigot, as anyone who Googles him can determine on their own in less than a minute. Dashe Videira and Mark Bisson participated in a "stand-out" in which they marginalized and excluded non-Christians by promoting the message "We Are A Christian Nation." These are things that happened; no one is contesting that. Aaron Gouveia's post brought these things to light. Rejecting hate does not, as Mr. Earl states, "burn social bridges." Promoting and validating hate speech and exclusion "burns social bridges."

Mr. Earls states "To behave as if a young mother of four children, brimming with energy and kindness, is an existential threat to society, is at best a gross exaggeration." It's one thing to turn your head away and ignore prejudice. That’s bad enough, but that is not what Mr. Earls has done. By looking straight at it and willingly telling a fairytale, by reporting an exclusionary event as patriotic, by attempting to redirect blame onto someone doing the right thing, Mr. Earls has made it very clear that he is okay with what has transpired in recent weeks, and equally clear that he is part of the problem.

Arielle Shearer

Franklin Resident

To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - the word is  'complicity'

Pantherbook - series on "History of Franklin"

Pantherbook, is working on a series touting the "History of Franklin":

History of Franklin: America’s First Public Library

"Considered “America’s first public library”, the Franklin Public Library is located in Franklin, MA and was named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In exchange for the library being named after Franklin, he was asked to donate a bell for the town’s church. Rather than donating a bell, though, Dr. Franklin decided that in return, he would actually donate books for the citizens of Franklin to use. Later on, there were many disputes over who should be allowed to use those gifts. In 1790, the people of Franklin voted to let the books be free for anyone to borrow. This was the vote that had established the Franklin collection of books as the first public library in the US. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/10/15/a-history-of-franklin-americas-first-public-library/

History of Franklin: The Red Brick School

"In the nineteenth century, school was quite different than it is now. Children, flushed red in the cheeks from their wearisome trudge through the fickle New England weather, gathered in a one-room schoolhouse clutching a bundle of wood, a thin slate, and perhaps an apple to slice with their friends over lunch. They relied on the glowing flames of the fireplace, and later the wood-stove, as their heat source. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/10/20/history-of-franklin-the-red-brick-school/

History of Franklin: The Ladybug Story

"To those who have never heard of “The Ladybug Story,” the several ladybug decorations around Franklin may seem like mere ornaments, or perhaps contributors to an obscure joke that only townies understand.  

However, the red-and-black bugs hold much more significance than what meets the eye. Whether they be represented in kindness rock gardens or in sculptures downtown, ladybugs make clear to passersby that they are a significant aspect of Franklin’s cultural fabric. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/entertainment/2021/10/29/history-of-franklin-the-ladybug-story/

One of the Ladybugs around Franklin is at the Library

A Call to Our Community: #LOVEfranklin

We are appalled by the recent lack of respect and civility shown to Mackenzie Atwood, a Franklin High School senior and student representative to the Franklin School Committee, who spoke with courage at the October 26, 2021, Franklin School Committee meeting about the discrimination she and her friends experience on a regular basis.  The interruption and attempt to silence Mackenzie by speaking over her cannot and should not be tolerated.

 

Over the last several months, we have become acutely aware of an increase in hate-filled rhetoric and vandalism in our community.  Hate speech and vandalism against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial slurs, and anti-Semitic graffiti cannot and should not tolerated.  We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to hate-filled language and actions no matter how frequently they may occur in our community or elsewhere.  We must speak out and act against hate to build a better community.

 

Each of our faith traditions calls us to love: to value the sacred worth of everyone, treating each person with dignity and respect.  To be very specific, let us love Franklin.  We resolve to create a beloved community where all persons regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background, age, stature, ability, creed, or faith can find a home.

 

Therefore, we commit ourselves to love Franklin.  And, we ask you to commit yourself to love Franklin too.

 

• Rabbi Tom Alpert, Temple Etz Chaim
• Susan Borchard, Franklin Federated Church
• Rev. Eric Cherry, First Universalist Society in Franklin
• Mary Diehl, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Franklin Interfaith Choir Director
• Rev. Maggie Geller, St. John's Episcopal Church
• Alisa Hansen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker, Franklin United Methodist Church
• Father Brian Manning, Saint Mary Parish, Franklin MA
• Rev. Kathleen McAdams, St. John's Episcopal Church
• Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Franklin Federated Church

I hope you’ll consider adding your name and encouraging others to do the same.  You can find a link to the statement along with a form to add your name here: https://forms.gle/2NDHRSLeqNhkFknY6

A Call to Our Community: #LOVEfranklin

Franklin's Event Outlook: Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2021

The last Farmers Market of the season runs today with the Library providing some activities for the young folk. The Pumpkin Patch at St John's closes out the weekend with Halloween on Sunday. Two "Trunk or Treat" events to choose from on Saturday and the important local election on Tuesday! Early voting was last weekend, if you haven't prepared, links to candidate info are ready (Election Collection 2021). Please vote on Tuesday.

 
Friday, October 29
2:00pm - Farmers Market
3:00pm - Pumpkin Patch
3:30pm - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
7:30pm - Arts Mosaic (Dean College)

Saturday, October 30
10:00am - Pumpkin Patch
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am - Truck or Treat (Franklin Library)
2:00pm - Arts Mosaic (Dean College)
4:00pm - Trunk or Treat (Franklin United Methodist)
7:30pm - Arts Mosaic (Dean College)

Sunday, October 31 - Halloween
10:00am - Pumpkin Patch
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, November 1 - First Day of American Indian Heritage Month

Tuesday, November 2 - Election Day

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

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

Community Calendar

November Veterans Coffee Social - Nov 3 - 10 AM

November Coffee Social

Join us! November 3, 2021 - 10:00 AM

FRANKLIN SENIOR CENTER CAFÉ 

ALL VETS ARE INVITED! 

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY OUR FRIENDS AT STARBUCKS! 

Per Town policy, please bring proof of vaccination to the Social

November Veterans Coffee Social - Nov 3 - 10 AM

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams both top KP on Thursday

Via @HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Thursday, Oct 28, 2021   

Field Hockey = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final 

– After a scoreless first half, Franklin finally broke through a stingy King Philip defense just over a minute into the second half and added a late insurance goal to get the win. The Panthers clinched the Kelley-Rex division title outright with the victory at home. Freshman Raena Campbell scored an unassisted goal 68 seconds into the third quarter while freshman Haley Wernig doubled the lead with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Sophia Cuneo, Emily Carney, Kaeley Dubriske all played well for the Panthers. KP sophomore Kelly Holmes had an outstanding game, nearly scoring on a pair of occasions. Seniors Margo Riley, Haley Izydorczak, and Lily Brown also played well for the Warriors while junior Haley Bright recorded 10 saves.

Volleyball = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com,  provides the game recap:

"The state tournament doesn’t start for another week or so, but fans were treated to a preview of what’s to come on Thursday evening. 

Franklin overcome a 2-1 deficit to take down previously undefeated King Philip in a five-set thriller, 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 15-25, 26-24, 15-11), in a clash of the Hockomock League’s two best teams, and two squads that are poised for deep runs in the postseason. 

With the win, Franklin claims a share of the Kelley-Rex division title along with the Warriors. It marks the third straight season the two teams have shared the division crown. At least one of the two programs has won the division each year dating back to the 2013 season."

Continue reading the recap

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-volleyball-rallies-past-kp-for-share-of-kelley-rex-crown/

– For a photo gallery of this match

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Fall-2021/Franklin-King-Philip-Volleyball-10-28-21/

For more results around the Hockomock League on Thursday

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-28-21/

Franklin junior Cate Roberge attacks the ball in the fifth set against King Philip. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Panther TV: news for Oct 29, 2021

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted Thu, Oct 28, 2021:

Check out our spooktacular Halloween show! This week a recap of @FranklinHSDrama's Cabaret, interviews with @_FranklinSoccer, and a call to action so we can use our school bathrooms again. @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS   

Video link => https://t.co/GAOBESSsPj  

or via @YouTube => https://youtu.be/PVb5Vt0-yN4

The FHS bullying page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/bullying-prevention-intervention  (info, plan, and form as mentioned in the video)

024 - Frank Presents - Tom Mercer (audio)

"In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Tom Mercer, current member and candidate for the Franklin Town Council, to talk about his background, the town of Franklin, the work he's done already as part of the council, and what he hopes to do moving forward."

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fca6feea-e6d8-40f3-af73-25c6adec7b74 

024 - Frank Presents - Tom Mercer (audio)

Notice from DPW: Fall Curbside Leaf Pickup will not be available. Here are your options...

Notice from DPW: Fall Curbside Leaf Pickup will not be available. Here are your options...

Leaf drop off areas will be available the week of November 15th only.

Waste Management is unable to carry out the Fall Curbside Leaf Pickup.

What does this mean?

This means you should not bag and place your yard-waste at the curb. Waste Management will not be retrieving any curbside yard-waste this fall.

What can I do with my leaves?

During the week of November 15^th only, residents of Franklin can utilize the 'leaf drop off' areas at the Recycle Center (located at 455 Beaver Street) without purchasing an annual pass. The specific dates and times you can bring your yard waste (without a sticker) to the Recycle Center are as follows:

·  Tuesday November 16th from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

·  Friday November 19th from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

·  Saturday November 20th from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

·  Sunday November 21st from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

DPW confirms no leaf/yard waste pickup this November 2021

023 - Frank Presents - Mark Bisson (audio)

"In this episode, Frank Falvey sits down with Mark Bisson, candidate for the Franklin School Committee, to discuss his background, the Franklin school system, and the work he'd like to do as a member of the School Committee." 

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d2c26be7-5a78-4a48-bc5f-b0db17e0fa5b

023 - Frank Presents - Mark Bisson (audio)