Franklin Matters

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Franklin, MA: Election Turnout from 2003 to 2011

The disappointment in the local election turnout is real. When only about one fifth of the registered voters come out to cast their ballot, something is wrong. Especially in Franklin, where history does show that voters can and do turn out, just not for these local municipal elections.

The recent history of voter turnout in Franklin shows four levels of getting to the polls. National elections (2004, 2008 and the special election for Sen Ted Kennedy's seat) draw the most. The next draw is when there are state-wide elections (2006 and 2010). Money issues will bring out about 40 percent of the voters as shown with the three override votes (2007, 2008 and 2010).

At the bottom of the pile: the local election to run our town on a daily basis. The folks that make the important decisions for town operations get the least attention (15-22 percent).

Maybe next time a charter change is discussed, we should give some consideration to changing the cycle to get in with either the State-wide elections or national elections (even years instead of odd years).

The spreadsheet that drove the chart above can be viewed here:

You can also click through to Google Docs to find this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?
key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDB6NnUyUWZJbW90azlKbHBzTzdqYWc

The data was taken from the annual reports as published by the Franklin, MA Town Clerk.

Note: that for some years the annual registered voter totals need to be re-calculated as what appears in the report is incorrect. The election result totals are always correct. Specifically, you can look for a recent example in the Annual Report for 2010 - p77, the cross totals don't agree with the indivdual categories

"not all the roads will be taken all at once"

The legislation targets subdivisions built in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Those subdivisions are generally not fully up to state standards for town acceptance in areas like curb height or pavement drainage.

The bill also helps deal with a second issue in accepting streets in those old developments: ownership. Unlike subdivisions built now, where the developer owns the streets before turning them over to the town, the roads are a patchwork of ownership - each person owns the piece of road in front of their house.

"To accept a road, you had to go through a legal taking for every property owner in the subdivision, so it would have been utterly ridiculous," said Robert Cantoreggi, director of the Public Works Department.

Vallee said he's been working on the bill, a home rule petition that applies only to Franklin, for five years.

School Committee: Agenda - 11/15/11

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

"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."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 9, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. School Improvement Plans
1. Keller Elementary
2. Davis Thayer
3. Oak Street

b. MCAS – Joyce Edwards

3.Discussion Only Items
none

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of all Elementary School’s School Improvement Plans as presented.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $116.82 from Target for In-House Enrichment at Remington Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Hockomock Y Healthy Futures Grant for the Annie Sullivan MS gift account.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from the ECDC PCC for supplies for ECDC.
e. I recommend acceptance of a donation of a piano from Carole Preble for the Kennedy Elementary School ($500.00 value).
f. I recommend acceptance of the donation of piano moving service from Gallo Moving & Storage for the above mentioned piano to Kennedy Elementary School ($350.00 value).

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

"give back whenever I can"

"I love animals and saw a need for this," Goulet, 13, said yesterday as volunteers set fence posts in concrete.

About 20 volunteers helped yesterday while 40 people began work on the fence last weekend. Earlier in the year, volunteers cleared brush from the 1/4-acre plot in Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street. Town workers have spread mulch throughout the dog park.

"It means a lot," Goulet said of support she has received from the community. "I really didn't expect this much of a turnout but so many people were willing to come out."

Richard Siccone, 62, a lifelong Franklin resident who volunteered yesterday, said the park was a piggery 50 to 60 years ago and the Dacey family later donated the land to the town.