Tax Increase Supporters Continue Push

Above, members of the Franklin Town Council will meet Wednesday evening.

Nearly three months after the defeat of the One Franklin campaign to increase town tax rates, some of those who opposed that measure are now crying foul. Concerns center on transparency and fairness as Kenneth Ojukwu, the Treasurer of One Franklin, is now set to be appointed to the town's Finance Committee at Wednesday’s Town Council meeting. What’s more, the scheduled 9-11 meeting of the Joint Budget Subcommittee, an official committee set up by the town to sort through competing financial priorities and “promote communication and collaboration during the town’s annual operating budget process,” according to the committee’s “charging document,” has been promoted on Facebook as a “One Franklin” event that can help advance a second override vote to raise taxes. When appointed, Ojukwu will be eligible to serve on that Subcommittee.

Maneuverings

Following the defeat of the override on June 11, in which Franklin voters narrowly rejected a $6.8 million tax increase, VoteNO
representatives expressed concern regarding the amount and degree of support that had been given to the tax increase proposal by members of various official town committees. That led VoteNo to advocate for more balanced representation in town committees; specifically requesting that VoteNo Treasurer Michael Videira, a CPA, be considered for a post should one become vacant. Michael Videira had created the VoteNo online “calculator” that offered residents an illustration of the potential tax increase impact on their own households.

Meanwhile, pressure was growing on the Town Council from One Franklin and its supporters to schedule another override vote, something the Council was at that time wary of. Council Clerk Glenn Jones, at the July 17 meeting, stated, “I don't find it prudent to push the issue this quickly. I think there needs to be some thorough discussion... I'm asking anyone out there who's willing to step up to the plate and take a co-leadership role with the individuals who are both Yes and No's to come together."

With that implicit invitation for ‘balance,’ Dashe Videira, Chair of VoteNO, again contacted the Town Administrator and Town Council on August 14, advocating for the inclusion of her husband, Michael Videira, Treasurer of VoteNO, on the Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC). If that wasn’t possible, she proposed his addition to the Finance Committee. The Town Administrator responded, stating, "The committee [JBSC] does not include citizen appointments; it is composed of members of the three boards."

That evening, the appointment of Chris Diaz to the Finance Committee was noted in the Town Council. Diaz had submitted his volunteer form on July 12, 2023. Separately, Greg Conley was reappointed to the committee. According to Videira there was no mention of any vacant seats or any active search for candidates.

But Videira grew even more concerned on August 31, when it was disclosed in the Town Council agenda that Kenneth Ojukwu, Treasurer of One Franklin, is being considered for a Finance Committee position, despite no apparent public mention of a vacancy. The Finance Committee is made up of nine members with staggered three-year terms.

Concerns Over Influence and Representation

In addition to the potential appointment of Kenneth Ojukwu to the Finance Committee and, perhaps, the Joint Budget Subcommittee, Videira noted that Ruthann O'Sullivan, the Chair of One Franklin, is already a member of the JBSC, qualified for the role by her position on the School Committee. “With both the Treasurer and Chair of One Franklin positioned to play key roles in the town's financial decisions, we are very concerned that this group may dominate the narrative and decision-making process, excluding alternative perspectives,” Videira said.

The Town Council Chair and Hellen were contacted by email on Sunday and, as of Monday evening, had not responded regarding questions about this matter. The Town Council meets at 7 pm on Wednesday and the Ojukwu appointment is one of the first items on the agenda.

Story will be updated as information becomes available.