Franklin Public Library returns to normal operations at 118 Main St

After the grand re-opening on Sunday, the Library operates today with their normal hours.

Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thurs: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sun: 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Sept - May only)

There is still time to purchase a commemorative brick for the patio
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/friends-franklin-library

Library returns to normal operations at 118 Main St

Candidate Interview Collection - Prepare for the Nov 7 Election

While there is the overall election collection, all the posts with information leading to the Franklin Biennial Election, Tuesday, November 7, this list pulls out the interviews conducted for the candidates that collaborated to do so.

Town Council – 9 Seats – 2 year term

Andrew Bissanti - Candidate for Re-Election
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_50.html

• Robert Dellorco - Candidate for Re-Election

Glenn Jones - Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_5.html

Matthew Kelly – Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_1.html

Thomas D. Mercer - Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council-tom.html

• Peter E. Padula – Candidate for Re-Election
• Deborah L. Pellegri - Candidate for Re-Election

Judith Pond Pfeffer - Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council.html

Patrick Casey

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_6.html

Melanie Hamblen

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_23.html

Eamon McCarthy-Earls

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_16.html

Mickey Lee Whitmore
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-town-council.html

School Committee – 7 Seats – 2 year term

Anne K. Bergen – Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_26.html

Cynthia Douglas - Candidate for Re-Election
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee.html

Denise L. Schultz - Candidate for Re-Election

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee.html

• Mary Jane Scofield –Candidate for Re-Election

Dianne C. Feeley

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_30.html

Dr. Monica Linden

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_24.html

Alexandra Porter-Marques

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_20.html

Virginia (Gigi) Zub

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_31.html

Board of Health – 1 Seat – 4 year term

• Bruce J. Hunchard - Candidate for Re-Election

Bridget Sweet

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/franklin-candidate-for-board-of-health.html

Franklin Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Glenn Jones

Glenn Jones (GJ) and I (FM) met recently at Panera Bread to discuss his re-election campaign for Franklin Town Council.


FM: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

(GJ): My wife and I moved to Franklin in 1998 and immediately fell in love for the rural, country appeal that Franklin had to offer. Since then we are raising our 5 children on School St. in a beautiful Victorian Farmhouse situated downtown near the Town Commons, Library, Dean College, and Davis Thayer Elementary School.

I was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and raised in Watertown on the West End. My neighborhood was filled with children and families dedicated to their community and growing up I always dreamed of raising my own family in a similar type of loving community. I was lucky to find such similarities in the Town of Franklin. My own children have been fortunate to be educated in such a fine education and within such a safe, fun, and caring community.

Our life here in Franklin since 2008 has been fulfilling and adventurous!

FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

(GJ): The ongoing opioid epidemic that is sweeping across our communities. It affects everybody, it is personal, it affects families, it taxes our resources, our police and fire first responders. It steals the life and souls of those afflicted. Honestly I, like many people, am baffled on how to approach the problem next, but I feel that educating the community, through the SAFE Coalition or through other methods, will ultimately help stamp the problem out. Educate, educate, educate! Those that are not criminals, they are loved one, family, and innocent children, however, we need to start treat the drug dealers as criminals or as Governor Baker has suggested treat them as murderers if someone dies from the drug they sold them. After all, it’s poisoning innocent people.

The Town’s ongoing budgetary needs are also an ever changing challenge. They are constant, insistent and ever growing. As we try to maintain our community, we have to balance our expenses and our needs. What is the best course to take, everybody has their needs. My Marine father used to say, “I am here to give you what you need, not what you want”. My logical voting record reflects the overall needs of the town as a whole and never one specific area.

OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits), is a daunting obligation. For years, the Town did little to fund it and we will eventually have to make some hard decisions to properly fund it. The School Budget accounts for over half our budget, then comes the DPW, Police, and Fire. It takes experience, understanding, and logic in meeting and addressing our ever growing budget needs.

FM: What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

(GJ): Having served now since 2009, I have learned the nuances, details, and regulations necessary to be an effective councilor. I served as Chairman of Economic Development from 2011 till 2014 and helped bring forth the town’s first and second Economic Summits. In the past two years I have served as the Communications liaison to the council and helped improve various aspects of communication on the town side to better engage its citizens. A unique part about me is that I bring to the council and all my decisions is that I hold no bias or a personal agenda.


(FM): The Franklin Cultural Council submitted this question for Town Council candidates:

"As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin, and what is your plan to advance that agenda?"

(GJ): For all the years that I have been active in local politics, I have been a huge supporter of the Cultural Council and Cultural District concept. I used to volunteer at the Historical Museum and I have supported the various events that the Cultural Council has proposed. I have always believed that art, music, and cultural are the glue that hold everything else together. Without them everything else seems to deteriorate and fall apart.

By having a local district that encompasses all the cultural features, the Library, THE BLACK BOX, the statue park, the restaurants, etc. it becomes another tool for us to attract people to Franklin. It helps to bring in more commerce and that is a win-win. That is what community is about. We need to get out of the mentality of “what benefits me?” and get into “what benefits us?” It may not gain us a great deal of funding but it puts us on the map, on the brochure, etc. It says Franklin really is a strong cultural community.


For additional information on Glenn’s campaign, check out his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Glenn-Jones-Candidate-for-Franklin-Town-Council-1335811916548363/

For reference - prior year interviews

2015 - Town Council - Glenn Jones
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_16.html

2011 - Glenn Jones answers 3 questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/glenn-jones-answers-3-questions.html

Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html 

Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Matt Kelly

Matt Kelly (MK) and I (FM) conducted this interview via an email exchange as our calendars could not align.

FM: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

(MK): My name is Matt Kelly and I am asking for your support as one of your Franklin Town Councilors. I relocated to Franklin in 1993 with my parents and brother where I attended Franklin High School and married my high school sweetheart Lesley Douglas. My wife Lesley and I never thought twice about where to raise our family, Lesley is a 4th generation Franklin resident and I am a Franklin Real Estate agent who owns a small business here in town. We live at the family homestead on Crescent St with our 2 daughters Madison and Abigail.

I have been a member of the Franklin School Committee, on the Long Range Financial Planning Committee and Master Plan Committee as well as a Franklin Rotarian. I feel privileged to live in and give back to a community that offers so much to their citizens.

FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

(MK): I will have many decisions to make along with my fellow councilors when elected; however none will be more important than insuring that you, the community is kept safe, our children are well educated, and our seniors are able to stay in their homes during these economic times. My time on Town Council, volunteering with the Franklin Rotary Club, Downtown Partnership and the relationships I have made over the past 10 years on Town Committees has allowed me to prepare for these challenging years ahead. I have spoken with other town’s managers who have faced tough times before and have worked with leaders in our community to formulate plans for the challenges that may lie ahead in the future.

FM: The Franklin Cultural Council submitted this question for Town Council candidates:

"As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin, and what is your plan to advance that agenda?

(MK): Arts and Cultural play a vital role in our community. As a member of the Town Council I have continuously advocated for a cultural district and speak to many citizens regarding a potential cultural and arts building located close to Main St.
As a Town Council, we must continue to keep an open mind about what we can do to encourage Arts and Culture in Franklin and work quickly when opportunities are brought before us. 

Franklin offers an amazing opportunity with some of the businesses in our community to attract exceptional talent and artists to our community. We (the Town Council) need to continue to support and push to make Franklin a location for all people to visit, live, and work within our great community.


For additional info you can check out Matt's campaign Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/MattKellyCouncilor/

From the archives

2015 Town Council - Matt Kelly
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/franklin-candidate-for-town-council_29.html

Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html 

Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Candidate for Town Council: Andrew (Andy) Bissanti

Andy Bissanti (AB) and I conducted this exchange via email as our calendars could not align and there are only so many hours in the day.


FM: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

(AB): My grandfather came from Italy to Franklin in the early 1900’s. The community welcomed him and helped him get established. He opened a barbershop, which still operates to this day as Elite Barber shop, raised, a large family of 9 Boys 4 girls, The family prospered, the kids all worked hard, brought home their weekly pay for the household and pulled together and even helped other families. My grandparents provided for their family well even through the toughest times. Growing up as a child it was great going over my grandparent’s house on Dean Ave on Sundays for dinner. Seeing all my cousins and family... I think of those days everytime I drive by the property. I now have 3 daughters and we still try to continue the tradition of Sunday gatherings of friends and family at my home.

When I first graduated From University of Denver in 1981..I spent some time in publishing, Wrote and edited for Radio and TV and for a couple of News Stations, I also Wrote for new young paper now known as the Gazette and was an editor and contributing editor for local business and automotive trade journals. The pay wasn’t great, but I learned a lot about business and people. 

Since a lot of family had military background, I was also getting ready to enter the Air Force Under their Officer Candidacy Program, However,my Dad's business really took off as the recessionary times lifted and Bank interest rates came down from 19-20 percent. I made some good investments, I was barely 24 years old but saw what I was good at and stayed with the family business to this day.

FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

(AB): We need to address outdated, Zoning vs. Smart growth, vs., the schools vs., the towns infrastructure. In college I studied methods of development that we could be implementing Using Smart Growth Engineering that will better control growth and ease impacts on schools. I remember my professors discussing the “Aging Baby Boomers” of the post WWII and Korea of the 40’s and 50’s We knew their impact would be felt as they sought housing and places to raise their families. 

Now they are emptynesters, and we also have the millennials who have their own set of nontraditional housing and career and living choices. We will need to address these two huge emerging markets as well as strengthen our Industrial and commercial sectors as Franklin goes forward into the 21st century.

The Opiod Crisis continues to take lives in and around Franklin and causes collateral damage to the families, mine included. When your child is an addict you hope and pray it will end or go away. But that doesn’t happen. You seek help from Doctors and counselors... Like any cancer, it’s a disease, it often gets worse and it can kill. People are dying, in the streets, in restaurants public restrooms, and in their cars and trucks. 

In order to stop the disease from spreading you need to find and stop the source and cause of it. I was glad to see our state lawmakers discussing and passing a Bill on October 27, which could make a drug deal that resulting in a death punishable as a homicide, Manslaughter, voluntary or involuntary Manslaughter charge. 

Right now when a death results from a drug distribution, the dealers brag about it and use it for marketing their products. I will continue to support the SAFE Coalition, and Franklin Fire Rescue and Franklin Public Safety in any efforts the council can assist battling this War quietly taking place in our town. I have already discussed a more widespread Narcan program in Franklin. It’s not the answer but it will save lives in the short term.

FM: What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

(AB):  Again, I’m no stranger to zoning, planning and development. Before I sat on the council, I saw most of them depending solely on what the administration dictated. I ran the gauntlet of the various departments many times and I think I have helped resolve and streamline what was once an archaic and draconian permitting and planning process, fix many outdated zoning issues and correct some zoning and use inconsistencies throughout the town.

I do my homework; I don’t cave in to a vocal crowd. I do what I think is best for Franklin. The Economic Development Committee, which I chair, has brought in many businesses and business opportunities to our town. Most notably Cold Chain technologies, over 200 more jobs to Franklin.


FM: The Franklin Cultural Council submitted this question for Town Council candidates:

"As you know, Franklin has applied to the state for an official Cultural District designation in town. What do you feel is the role of arts and culture in Franklin and what is your plan to advance that agenda?"

(AB):  I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Cultural Council. As I have said that at council on many occasions. It will be my hope to find them a real Brick and glass home, a building in a central location. In an Age obsessed with Technology, the Arts and Culture are now more important than ever. They benefit a town and remind us of a “Human Talent” and factor in the success of any dynamic town like Franklin, The downtown Landscape continues to evolve. Opportunities will arise and I feel with my support from council it can and will happen.

You can follow up directly with Andy via email at businessbissanti@gmail.com

Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html 

Election Collection - 2017

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Cindy Douglas

Cindy Douglas (CD) and I (FM) conducted this interview via an email exchange as our calendars could not align.

FM: Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

(CD): I am running for Re-election to the School Committee. Franklin is where I was raised and educated as were our two children and now two of our grandchildren. I worked at the Ray Memorial Library thru high school and college. During this time, we started the Summer Reading Program for Children.  
I was on the Building Committee for the Keller-Sullivan School and volunteered at the 4th of July Festivities on the Common for 25 years. I had the privilege of teaching here in Franklin for 36 years, BEST job ever! I continue to take classes and hold a current MA Teacher License. 

This educational background and experience helps and enables me to understand and realize the complexity and needs of our school system. I am here for the townspeople which also includes children, parents and teachers.

FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

(CD): As a SC member, I am here to support the Superintendent, administrators, staff and children as a listener, doer, supporting what is in the best interest of children and families. The Franklin Public Schools have a lot to be proud of: its Teachers, Staff, Administration, Parents and Townspeople who continue to make this school system one that supports children. 

Budget is key and this is where the Town Council and SC must work collaboratively and with patience and understanding. I leave you with this quote, "Leaning Never Ends" taken from the Education First Day Issue US Postal Stamp issued here in Franklin in 1980.

Personally, the Cultural Council has done so much for Franklin and continues to do so. Franklin has a special place in my heart!

To follow up with Cindy directly you can reach her via email cjd1948@aol.com

Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html 

Election Collection - 2017

FHS field hockey falls to King Philip in double OT

Ryan Lanigan. founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com. provides the game recap for the field hockey playoff thriller between FHS and KP:

"You couldn’t ask for much more out of a field hockey game between two rivals, and two of the top teams in the Hockomock League. 

King Philip junior Dana Truini scored the game-winning goal just over halfway through double overtime to help the second-seeded Warriors edge #18 Franklin, 3-2, at Macktaz Field. 

“It’s really tough [to play a team three times], that’s why I was worried about this,” said KP head coach Liz Hathaway. “I thought we had them when we scored in the first couple of minutes and I thought we were on a roll. Then they executed a great game plan. They force us to play a big ball game. Instead of working on possession and transfers, we kept trying to go big and they stepped up to intercept and go on the counter-attack. We did better with that in the second half."

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/king-philip-field-hockey-edges-franklin-in-double-ot-thriller/

HockomockSports provides a photo gallery from the game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Fall-2017/King-Philip-Franklin-Field-Hockey-11-04-17/

King Philip’s Liz Furfari tries to get around Franklin’s Regan Paterson in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)