FM #75 - Charter Changes - Vote Nov 2

Let's take a few minutes to prepare for the election, Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010. There are five ballot questions for Franklin voters, 3 are statewide questions and two unique to Franklin.


Time: 11 minutes, 55 seconds



MP3 File



Session Notes:


Let's take a few minutes to prepare for November 2, election day here in Franklin, across MA and the US.


The leadership positions of the commonwealth of MA are open, some are contested campaigns some are not. I won't spend any more time on reiterating who is running for what. By now, you have probably been inundated with campaign messages, phone calls, signs in public places, etc.


Amongst the five ballot questions Franklin voters will see on Tuesday are three for the commonwealth and two specifically and uniquely Franklin's.


These two questions are the end step in the process that began a few years ago with the Charter Committee co-chaired by Paul Cheli and Larry Benedetto . The proposed charter changes have been covered extensively here in the past year as the committee made their presentation to the Town Council in July of 2009, the Council formed a special subcommittee and their presentations and discussions lead to the vote in April where the changes were approved by a 6-2 vote. Zollo and Jones voted against, Vallee was absent for the vote.
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-64-week-ending-41110.html 


The changes went to the Legislature and received final approval with Gov Patrick's signature in September to put the question on the ballot for us to have our say this Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-approved-by-governor.html


There are two questions – the first basically cleans up some technical language. The second approves the change of the Treasurer/Collector from an elected position to an appointed position.


I won't spend time reviewing the arguments for an against. I will include the clip from the Town Council meeting Oct 20th when Cheli and Benedetto took a few minutes during the citizens comments to speak on the changes. You can listen to there comments here:


(inserted clip)


They were followed by Jim Dacey, the current Treasurer/Collector who spoke for the charter change and in his words answered some of the questions around the change. Jim summarizes it very well:


(inserted clip)


The posting with the ballot questions, candidates and positions to be filled is attached and will be re-posted on Tuesday.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-nov-2-franklin_22.html


I encourage everyone to get out and exercise your civic duty to cast an informed ballot. If there is a question that you think I might be able to answer, please feel free to reach out and ask me.


I will do what I can to help.




As I close this session this week, let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to the audio podcast.



Franklin, MA

Vote Nov 2 - 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, absentee ballots available

... Franklin Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri said her office has received more than 400 requests since she advertised the ballots were available.

"So many people have said they will be out of town and won't be able to make it back in time to vote," said Pellegri. "There has been a steady stream of people."

Town residents who are registered voters that plan to vote via absentee ballot have until noon on Monday to request a ballot from their local town clerk's office. In order to be counted, the ballot must be returned to the clerk's office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.

 Read the full article in the Milford Daily News:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1673647778/Many-have-taken-out-absentee-ballots


Note: the article says that the voting booths will be open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 2. That may be true for other communities but Franklin's voting hours are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

This can be checked by Debbie Pellegri's notice on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/2010%20absentee%20notice.pdf



Franklin, MA

Hanging With Franklin's Own Tom Brady Jr.

This month I interviewed Franklin’s one and only Tom Brady Jr. I have wanted to interview Tom Brady Jr.for some time. We all know how busy Tom is juggling his wife, two kids, and traveling for work, so I was thrilled when we finally sat down for this interview last night.

Hello Mr. Brady it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a big fan. May I call you Tom?

But of course.

 Can you state your full name on the record?

Thomas Andrew Brady Jr.

Hmm? I thought that your name was Tom Edward Patrick Brady, Jr.?

No

Well you do play football right?

Yes

Right, for the New England Patriots.

No

Oh Sorry. What team do you play for?

The Brady Family team?

Not like the NFL?

No, Like Tom and Pru. You know touch football.

I am beginning to think that I have the wrong Tom Brady Jr. here. Are you at least a big patriot’s fan?

Oh Yes.

More so or less so since the year 2000? 

The same.

So when Tom Brady became famous in the year 2000 it didn’t ruin your team loyalty?

No.

How did your life change?

I have a company called Tom Brady Carpentry and the year we went to the Super Bowl. I had “Tom Brady” signs in my truck that fans took. I also had magnetic “Tom Brady” signs on the sides of the truck that fans also took.  

Oh dear.

My voice mails were loaded with young girls looking for Tom Brady. I had a kitchen cabinet set being delivered and the delivery guys stole the delivery labels off them because they were made out to Tom Brady. That was just the first year.

Well lots of young girls?  That must have been a plus?

My wife didn’t think so.

Oh dear, Oh my, that’s terrible. Did you get any perks?

After the Super Bowl my best friend David the plumber would go out to bars and tell the bartender that Tom Brady was coming in for beers. The bartender never believed him so they’d make a bet. Then I’d show up, show the bartender my license and we’d drink for free.

I love free stuff! Any other perks?

Well after the first Super Bowl win John Henry called my parents house the day after to congratulate Tom Brady on the win. My mother with the thickest Irish brogue said that she thought that he had the wrong Tom Brady. He said “No I don’t believe I do?” She laughed and said “okay” and hung up.

And for idiots like me who is John Henry?

Do you know the Red Sox?

Obviously I don’t know as much about them as I should.

He’s one of the owners.

I am so ashamed…I know who Bob Kraft is….

Oh I met Bob Kraft when I did the signs for Bass Pro Shops, for Bob’s Signs.

Did he think it was funny that your name was Tom Brady?

He stopped me in the stair well because my picture was in the Boston Globe the day before.

Really?  For what?

There was a picture of me hanging the signs for the Bass Pro Shops. I was on the front page.

Really? You are a celebrity! What did Bob Say?

I asked him for his autograph and he said that you are my other Tom Brady. So I asked for more zeros in the end of my paycheck.

Any luck?

Oh God no.

Did he laugh?

Yes, hysterically.

I am assuming that you still got the autograph?

Yes.

Did you ever get to meet Tom Brady?

Of course, more than once, I’ve met him three times.

What! Really?

Yeah I met him at Gillette stadium and once at Patriot place.

What?  Just walking around?

He was jogging around Gillette field and I was working for Bob’s Signs again. We were putting up flags.

How did you meet him if he was jogging?

I stopped him.

How? Did you throw yourself in front of him?

Well, I stood in front of him.

Really? He’s 6’5” and you're short like me. He didn't run you down?

No.

 Was he annoyed?

No at first he was surprised, then very pleasant.

That’s just crazy. Did you talk long?

A little then he said that he had to keep going on his routine and he jogged off.

That’s too funny? What about the second time?

He was walking to his car after practice and I got his autograph. I told him that my name was Tom Brady and he signed it “To Tom Brady oh what a name, (then he signed it) Tom Brady #12”

Amazing, then you met him yet again?

I met him at Patriot Place in front of Circuit city. He was shopping, he was running out and said a quick hi.

I am so jealous. It must be nice to be Tom Brady.

Well, whenever I order food for takeout in Franklin, its ready 10 minutes earlier.

Do the people look all disappointed when you come in?

Yes, I disappoint people all of the time.

Well you have not disappointed me. You are a fascinating guy. Before I let you go, do you and Tommy #12 have anything else in common?

We both have a beautiful wife and two beautiful children.

Public Notice: Tree Removal of Public Shade Trees

TREE REMOVAL OF PUBLIC SHADE TREES

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010, 3:00 PM on the Franklin Town Common for the cutting and removal of thirteen hazard/dieing trees. The public shade trees to be removed are located at the Town Common. All interested people should meet at the gazebo at 3:00 PM. All trees to be removed will be marked with yellow caution tape.

Robert A. Cantoreggi
Tree Warden/Director of Public Works


Franklin, MA

In the News - Iron Chef at Dean

Dean College students enjoy Iron Chef competition

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Gallery 218: works of the summer

A crowd, behaving nicely with one another. The work came from the summer. When time was freer and easier than dictated by the school bells, the bus schedule or homework requirements.

Intent on observing a video or one of the paintings on the wall. Observation can lead in so many directions.

A self portrait. Is it close? What do you see when you look in the mirror?

What can you do with your hands, some paint, paper, or knitting needles and yarn? How handy are you?

These works are a small of what some of the Franklin teachers and students did this summer. Representing all the K-12 schools in the district, there are over 100 works on display at Gallery 218 in Franklin High School.

The Gallery is open immediately before and after school. Access off hours can be arranged by contacting Mike Caple, Director of the Art Program.


Art Bonus:
There is also a showing of some Franklin Teachers works at the Hunakai Studio in Foxboro. The show is called "Art of the Educator" and closes Nov 19th this weekend. Take a drive out this Saturday or Sunday to view it before it closes.

Hunakai School of Fine Arts
16 Chestnut Street Suite 410
Foxboro, MA 02035
(508) 543-5665


Updated 11/5/10 - after posting this about the show at Hunakai, I managed to catch up with Carla to find out more about the show and that it was extended until Nov 19th due to the great reception the show has received.


Franklin, MA

"The move to Franklin has been everything we had hoped"

"There is no other community that has put on such an effort," said Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce. "People here in Franklin get it, they really do."

The summit highlighted the town's ability to offer tax incentives to businesses that expand within six so-called economic opportunity areas designated over the last two years.

The areas include Forge Park, Franklin Industrial Park, North Grove Street, South Grove Street and Pond Street. There are about 100 parcels available, totaling more than 900 acres.

Read the full article about the economic summit held yesterday in Franklin:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x370072951/Franklins-focus-on-business-applauded


Franklin, MA