The Ayes Have It, Tri-County Project a Go

Above, Peter J. Wiernicki, one of Franklin’s two Tri-County board representatives, holding a sign in support of the vote just before polls closed last night. Below, the polls at Franklin High saw a steady stream of voters all day, reportedly with dozens lined up before noon, waiting for a chance to cast a vote.

Months in the planning, the ‘election’ Tuesday, spanning 11 towns in the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School District, overwhelmingly favored the pricey project that will demolish the existing Franklin facility and build a replacement on the site.

With a final vote across the district of 5365-3229 in favor, three towns managed to resoundingly reject the measure, namely Millis (351-656), Seekonk (274-351), and Walpole (662-889). However, their objections do not alter their responsibility as members of the district to pay their share of the project, based on their proportion of student enrollment.

The most heavily favorable vote came in Wrentham (458-11). Franklin had an impressive 1329-316.

Jen D’Angelo, one of the town’s two representatives on the Tri-County board, said, “We are grateful and appreciative to our communities who came out to vote for this project. Under the leadership of Dr. Maguire, the New Building subcommittee, and the numerous volunteers who dedicated countless hours informing voters, we couldn’t be happier.”

Her colleague, also representing Franklin, Peter J. Wiernicki, said, “I'm incredibly proud of today's vote total from Franklin. Some 8% of registered voters came out to vote in tonight's special election, and our voters really made the difference in the overall vote total among the 11 member towns to approve Tri-County's building project. Franklin voters came out in large numbers to express their support for the future of vocational education in our area, and I look forward to reporting progress on the upcoming construction project when work begins in 2024.”

Tallies as computed by Town Clerks Tuesday Evening

                                                                                        Yes no

Franklin, Massachusetts                                      1329 316

Medfield, Massachusetts                                      188 29

Medway, Massachusetts                                      511 66

Millis, Massachusetts                                           351 656

Norfolk, Massachusetts                                       540 169

North Attleborough, Massachusetts             528 368

Plainville, Massachusetts                                    317 239

Seekonk, Massachusetts                                       274 351

Sherborn, Massachusetts                                     206 27

Walpole, Massachusetts                                        662 889

Wrentham, Massachusetts                                  458 11

TOTALS                                                                     5365 3229