77-item agenda on tap at Franklin meeting

FRANKLIN – At the town’s annual meeting later this month, residents will discuss and vote on many of the same things they have been deciding for years, but Town Clerk Robert Fernald expects some fireworks just the same.

“We have three incumbents who are all facing challengers for positions within the town,” he said. “They all have been actively campaigning, too, so I think that will be the big interest.”

At stake are three-year terms one each for the board of selectmen, the school committee and the board of assessors.

Incumbent Douglas Hitchings is running against Wanda Havey for the third selectmen. For the school committee, current member Nancy Glista is being challenged by Jennifer Shorey. And Lee Berry is seeking the assessor seat currently held by Bruce Carter.

Voting for the town positions will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the town office.

The town meeting will be held noon Saturday, March 29, at the Franklin Community Center on Route 182.

With 77 articles on the agenda, Fernald said he expects a long day.

“People don’t seem to be as interested in the warrant articles,” Fernald said, referring to items within the town’s annual budget that will be approved or denied by voters. “They are the same year after year, just everything costs more.”

The total budget to be voted on has not been completed, according to town officials, but Fernald said he doesn’t expect an increase from last year.

Another item that may come up that is not on the agenda is the town’s pending property revaluation. Fernald said the town already voted to use about $75,000 from the town’s reserve account to hire an assessing firm. The process already has started.

“We haven’t had a revaluation is a very long time, but many of the other towns around us have, so I think we’re trying to keep up,” the clerk said.