Like many municipalities across the Commonwealth, the Town of Franklin is grappling with mounting financial challenges. Rising costs—driven by inflation, aging infrastructure, and increased demand for public services—are placing significant strain on our local budget. At the same time, the constraints of Proposition 2½ severely limit our ability to generate the revenue needed to meet these growing demands. As a result, Franklin is facing an unsustainable gap between the services our community requires and the resources available to provide them.
Without the passage of a Proposition 2½ override, the town will be forced to implement deep and painful cuts to essential services. These reductions could have serious consequences. Public safety would be directly affected, with fewer police officers and firefighters on duty and the potential loss of our third ambulance, an indispensable resource for ensuring timely emergency medical care. Basic services such as road maintenance and snow removal could be curtailed, leading to deteriorating conditions and slower response times during winter storms.
Deferred maintenance on public buildings would likely result in more costly repairs in the future, while our public schools could suffer severe budget cuts, threatening the quality of education that Franklin families count on.
A successful override would allow Franklin to preserve and maintain the vital services that residents rely on every day. It would support adequate staffing levels in our police and fire departments, ensuring swift and reliable emergency response. It would enable the Department of Public Works to continue keeping our roads safe and accessible throughout the year. It would provide for the upkeep of municipal buildings and facilities, and most critically, it would help safeguard the strength of our public schools, allowing students to continue receiving the
high-quality education they deserve.
This override is not about funding new or expanded programs—it is about preserving the core services that form the foundation of Franklin’s safety, livability, and overall quality of life. The long-term financial and societal costs of inaction will far exceed the short-term investment required today.
I encourage all residents to learn more about the override proposal, attend public meetings, and engage in informed discussions. On June 3rd, please join me in voting YES at Franklin High School to support this critical investment in the future of our town and the well-being of our entire community.
Respectfully,
Councilor Glenn Jones
Clerk of Council
Franklin Town Council
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