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Today’s entire posting is dedicated to the Franklin Town Council election. We contacted all 15 candidates by email and asked each of them the same questions and also asked for a response on our proposed “pledge.” [Could you also include whether you would support/agree to the Pledge we have proposed? (see: https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/335372/editoria… ). Five candidates responded: Jane Callaway-Tripp, Caroline Griffith, Stephen Malloy, Joe McGann, and Max Morongiello, presented in alphabetical order, with the caveat that the platform does not always post in the order requested. Some submitted photos, other did not. A sixth candidate, Debbie Pellegri, responded only to the Pledge question, stating, “I will not accept money from any group.”We wish all candidates well and thank them for their willingness to serve the Town of Franklin.
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MAXWELL MORONGIELLO
A) Briefly discuss 'who you are' in no more than 150 words.
I know what it's like to be overlooked. Growing up with anxiety and Asperger's taught me to turn challenges into action. I've spent 16 years in Franklin's civic life. I’m proud to have been the only regular citizen in the past decade to show up at finance committee meetings challenging potential waste. I organized a 10,000-member LGBTQ meetup group.
I earned my bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration; I earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and learned how to dig into budgets and understand local government. But I don't just study this stuff. I've already delivered results: lower fees for low-income residents and expanded senior tax relief, both now implemented.
As your councilor, I'll bring this same approach: show up, ask tough questions, and fight for policies that work for Franklin families. My priorities are fair taxation, transparent government, and making sure neighbors can work together despite our differences.
B) Briefly state why you are running for TC and why someone should vote for you (75 words max)
I'm running because Franklin needs more than single-issue candidates. While I support more selective growth, I also focus on fiscal responsibility, essential services, and helping families who are struggling. I've already delivered results: lower fees for low-income residents and expanded senior tax relief. I support our police, fire department, and schools. I bring 16 years of civic experience and analytical problem-solving. While others only know what they're against, I know how to get things done.
1. Personal Impact of Tax Increases
First, I'd like to acknowledge there are two sides to this question: the cost of taxes to me personally, as well as the benefits I receive from the services they provide. As a renter, a property tax increase would have no impact on me. Likewise, I don't have any kids in the school system and wouldn't see direct benefits from increased school spending. I would benefit from public safety, library, and DPW funding from a revenue increase. We can’t just look at the negatives of taxation without the positives they bring in terms of essential community services. That said, I have stood up for and won tax cuts for low-income seniors, even though I don't benefit personally from those cuts.
2. New Growth and Affordable Housing
I don't believe having zero new growth is reasonable, but I'm also listening to residents who believe we are growing too fast. I support more stringent requirements for Friendly 40Bs to advance through the consideration process. By doing so, we would slow the approval of Friendly 40Bs by half to ensure a more sustainable rate of growth while maintaining eligibility for grants for projects like traffic improvements through the Massachusetts Housing Choice Initiative. I support balancing development with the preservation of Franklin's historic character and open spaces and ensuring traffic considerations are fully accounted for in the decision-making process for any new Friendly 40B development. At the end of the day, people need a place to call home. I believe we can help provide that without negatively impacting the rest of the community.
3. Senior Center and Revenue Shortfalls
When it comes to reducing staffing, I would start by using FY 2013 staffing levels as a first step before considering more drastic cuts. FY 2013 was when staffing was at its leanest in the last 25 years. I would not support cutting the Senior Center below FY 2013 staffing levels or completely eliminating the Senior Center.
4. Rebuilding Trust and a Sense of Community
I've actually done this before. At Bridgewater State University, I served on college governance with students, faculty, and administrators. When the pandemic hit, everyone had strong opinions about pass/fail grading. I helped broker a compromise that moved us forward, even though not everyone got exactly what they wanted. That's how governing works when you actually listen.
On a personal level, I think a lot about my grandfather. He was pretty conservative and watched Fox News every day. I'm a Democrat and we disagreed on plenty. But we still got along and loved each other because we saw each other as people first. That's what Franklin needs right now. We can have different views on development or taxes and still be neighbors who care about this town. I'll work to bring that spirit to the Council.
5. Budget Deficit and Future Overrides
I don't see another override being on the table until 2028. I would support allowing the people to vote on a menu override so they know exactly where their money will go. The Franklin budget situation is being driven by inflation that is higher than what they are allowed to raise in revenue. Just as inflation affects consumer spending, it also affects government purchases.
6. What other initiatives or directions do you believe the town should undertake to address its fiscal problems?
In addition to seeking additional state, federal, and grant funding, if inflation continues to rise, I would start by reducing staffing toward FY 2013 levels as a first step. As with the Senior Center, FY 2013 was when staffing was at its leanest in the last 25 years. I support maintaining level service funding for the library (which could lose its accreditation) and the fire department, and maintaining budget parity for the schools. I support negotiations between the town and police union to allow for civilian flagging and leveraging technology to make town employees more efficient. I support the municipal empowerment act at the state level, which if enacted will allow us to do things like regionalize our Board of Assessors.
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{In response to Observer additional question on the "Pledge"]:
As currently construed, I would be unable to accept donations or volunteer time from family and friends who live outside of Franklin under this pledge. I'm very fortunate to have friends and family outside Franklin willing to support my endeavors because they know me and support me as a person. I feel this pledge does them a disservice, by prohibiting their ability to contribute to my campaign.
