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Today we continue postings 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 by the Oct.4 deadline: Jane Callaway-Tripp, Caroline Griffith, Stephen Malloy, Joe McGann, and Max Morongiello, were presented a few days ago. Over the weekend, we shared three additional candidate submissions, namely Ken Ojukwu, Tom Mercer, and Gene Grella. Today we hear from Town Council Clerk Glenn Jones.
Glenn Jones - Franklin Town Council Candidate -
A) Briefly discuss ‘who you are’ in no more than 150 words.
I am a father, husband, teacher, electrician, and missionary. My wife and I put down roots here in Franklin in 1998, and together we have five children. All of them have attended or are currently attending Franklin Public Schools. Over my 27 years in Franklin, I’ve served in several volunteer roles, including the Open Space, Economic Development, Master Plan Update, and Capital Improvement Committees, among others.
B) Briefly state why you are running for TC and why someone should vote for you (75 words max)
I want to keep working hard to make Franklin one of the safest and best places to live, work, and play in the whole country. I’m not just asking for your vote—I’m asking you to join me in tackling the challenges ahead and working together to make Franklin a town others look up to. I hope you’ll choose to keep me on the volunteer team that makes up our Franklin Town Council.
1. Personal Impact of Tax Increases
We’ve heard arguments for and against a tax override, including what’s needed to maintain current services and suggestions to ask for even more. My question is: How would a tax increase affect you personally and financially?
A tax increase would affect me like it would many Franklin residents, by increasing everyday costs and tightening my family’s budget. Like most people, I work hard to manage expenses responsibly, so even a small tax increase has an impact. That’s why I believe it’s important for the Town Council to carefully balance the community’s needs with the financial realities our residents face, making sure every tax dollar is spent wisely and delivers real value for our town.
Would the increase be manageable for you, a financial strain, or have no impact?
It’s a tough situation—no matter what, there are always trade-offs. Just like every family has to make hard choices about how to spend on essentials like food, heat, and home repairs, our town faces those same kinds of challenges. If we stop investing in our community, we could see slower trash collection, longer police and fire response times, and even a drop in our propertyvalues.
For me, it’s about protecting what makes Franklin such a great place to live—our safety, ourquality of life, and our sense of stability. I truly believe that every decision we make can have a real impact, which is why smart, long-term planning matters so much.
2. New Growth and Affordable Housing
A) What is your position on new growth in Franklin, in particular, about the town accepting of encouraging more so-called affordable housing?
I support responsible growth in Franklin that aligns with our current facility and long-term planning, such as the goals stated in the 2025 Master Plan. Affordable housing is key to keeping our town diverse and vibrant, helping young families, seniors, and essential workers stay here.
With careful planning and community input, we can add housing without overburdening schools,roads, or services, while preserving the character that makes Franklin special.
B) How do you view the role of affordable housing in our town’s future—both its benefits and its challenges?
We must consider how new housing affects Franklin’s neighborhoods, downtown, and traffic. Affordable housing should be part of a smart growth strategy, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds can continue to live and thrive in our community.
3. Senior Center and Revenue Shortfalls
The Town Administrator has projected potential closures—including the SeniorCenter—if revenue doesn’t increase. What is your position on closing the Senior Center?
As someone who learned how to play competitive cribbage from the Seniors back in 2008, I have a warm place in my heart for our elders. They are my friends. I believe the Senior Center is a vital resource for our community, offering social, educational, and health programs that support our older residents. Closing it would be a significant loss to Franklin. I support exploring all options to maintain funding—through careful budgeting, grant-writing, prioritizing essential services, and pursuing sustainable revenue sources. Preserving the Senior Center must remaina priority.
4. Rebuilding Trust and a Sense of Community
Franklin is divided. Many residents have expressed frustration with each other and mistrust in town leadership. If elected (or re-elected), how would you work to rebuildtrust and help mend the divide in our community?
I know Franklin feels divided right now, and I understand why; people care deeply about this town and sometimes disagree on how to make it better. If re-elected, I’ll continue to listen to everyone with respect, even when we don’t see eye-to-eye. I believe that open communication,honesty, and collaboration are the best ways to rebuild trust. By focusing on what unites us—our pride in Franklin and our hopes for its future, we can move forward together.
5. Budget Deficit and Future Overrides
We are facing a budget deficit, and two override attempts have failed. How would you approach this challenge going forward?
Would you support another override or special election—and under what conditions?
I understand that the failed overrides reflect real concerns about affordability and trust. Going forward, I’d focus on rebuilding confidence by improving communication—clearly explaining where funds are needed, how they’re used, and what the consequences of cuts truly are. At the same time, I’d advocate for thoughtful, balanced budgeting that prioritizes essential services like public safety, education, and senior support. Working together—with respect and transparency—we can find a responsible, long-term path toward financial stability
6. What other initiatives or directions do you believe the town should undertake to address its fiscal problems?
To address our fiscal challenges, Franklin needs a balanced approach that looks beyond short-term fixes. I believe we should focus on expanding our commercial tax base through smart, sustainable economic development—attracting businesses that align with our community values while reducing the burden on residential taxpayers. We should also invest in long-term financial planning, modernize our budgeting process for greater efficiency, and aggressively pursue state and federal grants. By combining responsible spending with thoughtful growth, we can st
rengthen Franklin’s financial foundation for the future.
