Candidates Night Part 4: Town Council

Above: Four of the 12 Town Council candidates preparing to exchange views last Thursday; L to R Jane  Callaway-Tripp, Deborah Pellegri, Tom Mercer, Glenn Jones.

Thursday evening, a town-sponsored event brought nearly all candidates for the Nov. 2 election to the Town Council chambers, with former Police Chief Lawrence Benedetto moderating. Due to the length of the event, reporting will be in multiple parts. [NB: Not a verbatim transcript but edited highlights of the first part of the event]

Part 4

Town Council

Introductions

Andrew Bissanti: Mentioned family story –immigrants who arrived in the area around 1900. “Some went off to war and industry, and excelled in their professions.” Received an architectural degree from Dean College and went on to the University of Denver, majored in political science and communications. Wrote for the Gazette and various news and TV stations. Joined father’s business in 1984 working in real estate and the appraisal industry. I now employing over eight Franklin residents. I was reelected to the Council in 2019. One of my skill sets is an understanding of zoning which is badly needed on this council. I am pro education, and my wife Christina and I currently are raising my two grandchildren Bella and Joey

Brian Chandler: I'm running for reelection to the Council. Married for 30 years, three kids, Laura, Sarah and Sam. Sam is an Army veteran. They all went through the Franklin Public School system. I'm a retired Franklin Police Officer, spent my whole career here in Franklin. In my time on the Council, I've been on three subcommittees, the Economic Development Committee, a Capital Budget Committee and as of now I just got appointed to the Budget Committee. So, with that I really hope to work with all the department heads, and the school committee to assure that the budget is fair and equitable.

Robert Dellorco: I'm seeking my sixth term as a Franklin Town Council. I originated from Hyde Park but my family has been here since the early 1900s. As you know Larry you've been friends with my cousin, for like 17 years. I've been a ten-year member of the recreational committee. I've been a founder of safe coalition. I've been past vice president of Franklin Pop Warner, former basketball coach at St Mary's CYO girl’s basketball, former Franklin youth baseball coach. I'm the Vice President of the St. Anthony society, active member of the Sons of Italy, a member of Teamster local 25, the Franklin Rod & Gun Club. You might see me delivering home heating oil for George's Oil you might see me down Franklin Tire giving you an inspection sticker. So, I'm kind of all over. So, I think we have to work close together with the School Committee and the Planning board in in moving forward and making a great team to make Franklin to keep Franklin the best it can be just like it is.

Cobi Frongillo: One year ago, I ran for Franklin town council to bring the energy, passion and commitment to public service. We need to build the future of Franklin. My passion for serving my community and decision to volunteer for the Town Council is rooted in a belief that Franklin, and our country works best when more constituents are actively engaged. The desire to give back and take action was instilled in me by my family who has served Franklin for three generations. Since 1961, Franklin has supported my family's businesses, educated our children.... [I]care deeply about the people, and character of Franklin, honoring our past and leaving a brighter town for the future. Throughout my life, I've been active in our community, from founding the Soccer for Smiles Tournament for local charities to conducting a graduate study on the sustainable economic development of downtown Franklin. Since completing my Master's in Public Policy, I pursued a career in state and local policy research currently with the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and continue to volunteer with numerous town organizations, including the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Frank-Bellingham Rail Trail, Neighbor Brigade, and many more. My time in the Town Council, I've worked to prioritize education, advocate for natural and historic resources, build community engagement and ensure sustainable economic development. I look forward to building on our progress in the coming years.

Melanie Hamblen: I'm running for my third term on the town council, because I believe in my abilities to build teams, listen to different opinions, to find consensus and digest information and help develop solutions that are necessary to move Franklin forward. My husband Neil and I moved to Franklin in 2010 from Westwood. After 30 years of research science, it was time for change and we bought the Franklin Agway. We wanted to actually be in Franklin, every day, to participate and volunteer to get to know people to become part of the community. I’ve joined the Franklin Downtown Partnership and volunteer for the Beautification Committee, help them during strolls and festivals. Recently, I worked on the Ladybug Trail Committee. They've also donated supplies and expertise to the food pantry. This last term, I was on the Budget Committee and also, I was the chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee, and very proud of what we had accomplished through this term, even through COVID. The visiting-listen, business-listening sessions, for one example, has led to a bylaw changes and projects focused on bolstering our businesses. I was also the chair of the ad hoc stormwater subcommitte [to provide] facts about the federally mandated stormwater permits to the public. I'm proud of how the committee along with the members of the DPW explained how a utility was the fair and equitable way...

Glenn Jones: My wife Nicole and I moved to Franklin in 1998. Live on School Street and have five children together. All of our children have or are currently benefiting from the high-quality education that they received. In my professional life my major role is as a teacher, mentor, and coach. I'm currently employed as a full-time electrical instructor at the joint apprenticeship training center in Dorchester, Massachusetts and its sole purpose is to train the next generation of electrical practitioners to try to meet the needs for our future. I'm also an active volunteer for two organizations that are very meaningful to me, one of which is...a missionary group I belong to that goes on mission trips to Haiti, as well as serve as Ensign in a volunteer capacity for the US Naval Sea Cadets. I have been an active Town Council member since first elected back in `09. I've served as chair of Economic Development Review Committee...

Tom Mercer: I'm the Senior Vice President of Sales at Fuller box company for the past 41 years. I'm a lifelong resident of Franklin, and I have successfully served you, the residents, for the last 10 years, in the last three years, as Chairman. I also served on the School Committee for 10 years, seven of those years, I served as chairman. I was chairman of the building committee for three of our largest and newest town structures. The Horace Mann, Oak Street ECDC complex, and the Senior Center. Finally, most recently I was the chairman of the building committee for the new state-of-the-art, Franklin High School. All three of these projects came in under budget. Having served in a local government for the last 30 plus years. I'm aware of the personal demands, as well as the political pressures, but I look forward to those challenges.

Deborah Pellegri: I'm a lifelong resident of Franklin and a candidate for reelection to the Town Council. Most of you have met me over my 31 years as your Town Clerk. I retired in 2015 but decided to continue my services to the town. I ran for a seat on the Town Council, and was top vote getter. What a wonderful feeling. I believe this was because the residents knew me to be honest, hardworking, trustworthy, and most importantly professional. Over my 37 years as an elected official. I've served on many committees. Budget Subcommittee, Chair of the Capital subcommittee Charter Review, Library Bicentennial, Chair of the Ben Franklin and Horace Mann statue committee, as Chair of the Historical Commission now serving as the treasurer of the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. I was also instrumental in moving the museum from Washington Street to our current location, making it more accessible for the residents to be able to visit. One of the major accomplishments that I completed while clerk was putting together the Code of Franklin. This book contains all of the rules and regulations at the time, and an easy glance and it's updated regularly by the town; a source of information all under one cover. This is also on the web under the Town of Franklin, and this was an accomplishment that I am very proud of, and it taught me so much about the town because I dealt with every single department at that time. I am seeking reelection because I feel I have the background to get things accomplished and keep Franklin moving forward. We have the best town in the Commonwealth!

Jane Calloway-Tripp. I am a wife and a mother and a grandmother. I was born and raised in Franklin. I've always loved this town. To me, growing up in this town. I've seen many changes. While I understand some growth is inevitable. I also feel residents should have more involvement in the changes that are going ahead. I have been in the shoes of many who are struggling so I understand. I feel that we need someone on council that can actually represent all residents. If you’ve never been in the shoes and can't truly understand the struggling. We once had a council that was made up of various backgrounds, education, and employment. What I see now is very similar, similar social and financial levels across the council. When everyone is in the same situation it is truly hard to see the other side. I want to bring a new outlook, a new set of eyes, a different perspective to the Town Council. I believe every person in this town matters, and it is time to have a council that represents every single person. Back in the late `80s My mother, Naomi Wehring, ran and sat on council. At the time I did not understand why it was so important for her to do so. Now, later on, I understand the importance of being involved in the town.

Ted Cormier-Leger: My family and I moved here back in 2017 and we're proud to call it home. I am a Massachusetts native however being raised in Medford, and I am half Italian so I do fit in all of the names that we see up here and throughout the town. I did attend a K through 12 public schools and I am a big advocate of public education, it's one of the reasons we came to Franklin. I have my bachelor of fine arts degree. So, a little bit about me. I exhibit paintings and at shows and galleries whenever possible. I'm thrilled to say that my works hang in private collections all over the country. I'm very proud of that. I'm a small business owner, working as a residential real estate agent for the last five years. Before that I worked in the nonprofit sector. That was for 20 years. It was during that time that I did extensive fundraising; I helped nonprofits in our communities raise millions of dollars to meet the needs that they put forth. I created and managed budgets, I manage multimillion dollar properties. I recruited, trained, and manage teams of volunteers, and I had to bring people together from all walks of life to solve some pretty challenging problems facing the city and our suburbs. I'm confident that I can bring these skills and experiences to the role of a Town Councilor here in Franklin. I currently serve on three boards. The Franklin Cultural Council, and Franklin Youth Football ...and as President of the Oakland Parkway neighborhood associations. Honestly, I just want to say hi to my boys Charlie and Jaden who are watching at home, and I will talk to you more about my priorities, later.

Alan Earls: Being up here so great to hear things about people -- I didn't know that Ted, I had no idea.  I've been in town about 30 years. Almost since the moment I arrived, I've been involved, not constantly but regularly in town affairs. Early on, I was involved in the Industrial Development Commission back when there was almost no development in town, the Forge Park was just being laid out and just trying to fill up. And then later on in the later `90s I was on the Open Space Committee when we were starting to fill up really fast and a lot of people were concerned about the quality of life, and subsequently I was on Historical Commission, and last year I ran for Town Council unsuccessfully. I try to pay attention to what's going on in the town, and in the boards, I’ve been on, I think I've been constructive because I listen a lot. I think through what I'm hearing and get evidence, and don't jump to conclusions. When people are sounding off and losing their temper, I often bring people back to the table to some kind of an agreement. So, I think that's a positive. My most recent contribution to the community was, I think it is about three months ago, I launched something called Franklin Observer. It comes out of my very early background as a reporter at the Milford Daily News. I love reporting locally and back then Milford Daily News told everybody, everything that was going on in Milford, we had truly informed citizens. I'm trying to fill that gap [in Franklin]. Steve [Sherlock] has made a huge contribution in that area with Franklin Matters. I'm trying to bring my own take to that.

Patrick Sheridan: My wife Kristen and I have lived in Franklin since 2008. We have three children in the Franklin Public Schools. I have been very active in the community. I volunteer in fundraisers to raise money for the St. Vincent DePaul society, and I have taught CCD. I have actively supported both override attempts for Franklin High School and the Community Preservation Act referendum. You both know that is why we've been able to buy that large parcel. I've been a teacher in the Brockton public schools for 21 years. I teach civics in school, it is a job we really enjoy.