Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Live reporting: FinCom (continued) - Capital Budget

Jeff Nutting providing an overview of the stabilization accounts

turf field is subject to a bounce test every year, wears out due to the sun rays
about $500,000 needed to replace the 'carpet' at the turf fields

Chief Semerjian
discussion the police capital request
car replacement, try to keep cars in a rotation and replace the vehicles that are high mileage and maintenance issues

looking for 3-4 cruisers each year, try to keep it even year to year
3 marked units, requested as SUV vehicle types
1 unmarked units as a sedan
fully loaded for the police technology
computer, lights, electrical components, locking brackets for firearms
piggy back up on the State bid

body armor to be replaced 13 units, this year and another 13 next year
attempting to get some grants to help offset the costs
units are targeted to last 5 years
policy in place to wear the body armor at all times

tasers, rotated among the shifts
some assigned to tactical units; would like to have enough for everyone to have one per shift
affords another level of protection, less lethal
the business can recycle units but under the program where we own it
after 5 years, it is time to go

computer technology, pretty basic - $17,000
all cleared through T Raposa, the Technical Director

study done previously on the maintenance of old vehicles didn't actually save any money
tend to buy good used vehicles as a better (cost effective) option

the police cars do take a beating, they are running 24 hours

DPW
Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi,  DPW Director

need a street sweeper, both units need to be on the streets now especially after the winter
both units are actually broken at the moment, the main one (to be replaced) needs a new hydraulic units

1 ton dump truck, haven't replaced one in some time
buying gas engine rather than diesel as the diesel don't get the mileage to make it worth while

hot box, approved by Town Council last week

9 foot mower, part of the replacement program

streets 

attempted override last year, it did not pass

Oak St in front of high school, needs to be done soon
was waiting for high school work to be done and now is the time
put some islands in, like on Lincoln St
worked very well on Lincoln this winter, won't be as many as Lincoln
just at the beginning and end of the 'longest' school zone in Franklin

Miller and Pleasant St
drainage issue as well as frequent accident site
getting multiple things done at one
drainage, safety and storm water treatment

Sidewalks

St Mary's down Pleasant St to Miller ($900,000)
Griffin ($15K) and Chestnut ($15K)

do some design work this year, put out to bid next year
could use the hotel money or short term borrowing to provide the funds for the work
called for in the Master Plan

would normally be covered during road rebuild but these streets are not part of the road plan immediately

granite curbing and bituminous surface

asking for $200K to do desing and the two smaller sections
once the design is complete, the total cost will be know and could be bid

the reason Beaver St is not on the list is due to the railroad and the bridge

Water

developer put the water line in, now the street piece needs to be replaced
Crocker and Hill Road, Lewis St

water treatment membrane

Dale St water main to be done 'in-house', needs to provide the pipe to be used

study on water facilities being done, numbers should be ready for next year


Sewer

from Cook's Farm to Shaw's the sewer pipe is almost blocked
need to burst the pipe and replace with a new layer
sewer is normally gravity fed, this section is pumped as it is a low spot

26 sewer lift stations around Franklin

Council has authorized $7.5M to bond
15 year rolling, every 5 years, 5 million bond authorizations

Northgate neighborhood being done this year

water master plan being updated

no water rate increase foreseen in the next 2-3 years
maybe 3-5 years a small increase to fix a maganese issue that the DEP has raised

65% of the Charles River is 'owned' by Franklin hence we owe that amount of the expenses
took 1 million gallons out of the sewer treatment, to save money via leakage

positive planning with DEP has paid off, with awards and recognition

Medway found their $1M leak

Fire Dept, Schools, Facilities, Technology for next time

one item is to replace wireless connections in the municipal buildings
if this is going to be changed every 5 years, maybe start another stabilzation fund to cover those recurring expenses
schools are expanding their chromebooks, cost of hardware and installation

overall budget


quick update on overall budget
health insurance meeting this Thursday, $8M line item
out to bid and should have decision this week

charter school number was wrong and through the cherry sheet number off, overdue in reply
fire fighters arbitation award for 4 years, awaiting deal
4 years of retroactive pay for 48 people is going to be a chunk
possible gap coming but hopeful to get it soon

otherwise will need to make some educated guesses and get started
if we get started and need to make some adjustments, we will

everything later this year due to new Governor and his first budget which came out in March instead of January

regional transportation, circuit breaker issues
what will it be? don't know

early May to start budgeting, first two weeks
possibly five meetings

all the department heads have their budgets ready, what they have submitted may not be what I (Nutting) recommend to go forward so they can at least talk about it

Dispatch Center

have design, architect, Norfolk is also looking to put their police station in same building, we'd be on first floor; still a year and half away
all the equipment and coordination together
did put money in budget to start in 4thQ, will know more in a month or so

during day, secretary and kiosk at night for fire dept
doing analysis for the police station to monitor the lock up
does it make sense to have a central lock up? where? how many cells would be needed?
all in the talk stage at this point


Streetscape meeting today

plan to do the whole project this year with the exception of Main st
do the drainage work that is left
put up the bases for the new lights
Emmons, West Central, East Central and do Main St in 2016
they want to start in 2 weeks
it is going to be painful, some trees at Dean will be taken down
High St to be done as part of the project (it needs it)

ripping up the road down by Brick School, the pavement failed


Old business, new business - nothing

motion to adjoin
next meeting Apr 22

Live reporting: Finance Commmittee - Apr 7, 2015

Present: Deswnap, Bertone, Conley, Fleming, Heumpher, Dowd,
Absent:  Smith, Dufour, Aparo

Nutting, Gagner, Dacey, Cantoreggi, Semerjian, Jette

Draft capital plan for review tonight
left about $100,000 on table just in case something comes up before the end of the year

old municipal building up for sale, Recreation Dept to be displaced and needs a new home

discussion on proposal to purchase building at 275 Beaver St
use of the funds from Emmons St to be used for purchase of the facility

can briefly offer more programs, slight fee increase in fees
to provide revenue for renovation and continue operaitng

5 -7,000 sq ft, not many buildings this size to fit the need.
it has office space already built out, has capabiity to build out interior space for other rooms, training, art, etc. Meeting rooms space is available and could also be rented out to generate more revenue

parking for 25-30 spaces available, should cover most of the need for parking, most of the programs that would be run that are drop offs.

rental fees for use of school gymnasiums, can be avoided by use of the new facility

a newer more modern building, easier to maintain

most large storage is kept in containers on or near the fields where they are used

front building, to renovate specific space, currently wide open and would be built out to meet needs
back building

planning to use Parmenter school during the summer time to provide space during the gap betweent he sale of the old and purchase/renovation of the new

still need to do 21E, pass papers in June, have the Council approve

State did release money for paving, road repairs

can cover the $500,000 from various accounts of 'cash'; for example, $100,000 from the sale of the land being used for Starbucks. The other $500,000 would be from the sale of Emmons St

by 2026 our debt is dropping

motion to recommend to purchase and renovated the building on Beaver St
seconded, passed 6-0


Ayla Brown - THE BLACK BOX - Apr 10

Nashville recording artist and Wrentham native Ayla Brown headlines a New England Artists Series concert at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin this Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Brendan Kelley opens the show, which will also feature a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Ayla. “I am very excited and honored to be back in Massachusetts to sing a show at THE BLACK BOX,” Ayla said.

Ayla Brown
Ayla Brown

The singer-songwriter, athlete, and TV personality experienced early recognition in 2006 as a Season 5 semi-finalist on the Fox-TV phenomenon, American Idol. The singing competition has launched the recording careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and many more. Reflecting on her high-profile Idol experience, Ayla noted, “The moment I sang with a band for the first time was the moment I knew I was supposed to do this for the rest of my life. American Idol gave me an opportunity that I will always respect and appreciate. I never take my time on the show for granted, but I also know that being on Idol at a young age forced me to mature quicker on stage than other performers my age. I was excited for the challenge.”

At the time, the Idol contestant was a student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where she studied voice with Hallie Wetzell, guitar and jazz dance. “FSPA was incredibly helpful in my developmental stages of being a singer, dancer, and performer,” Ayla said. “When I was getting ready for my American Idol tryouts there were many people at FSPA who took me under their wings and helped me give an audition of a lifetime.”

Since then, Ayla’s career has taken her to the legendary stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. She has opened for numerous country music stars, including Jason Aldean, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Tracy Lawrence, Loretta Lynn, Craig Morgan, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner and Chris Young. Ayla has also made multiple CMA Music Festival appearances and was a national news correspondent for The Early Show on CBS.

Of her 2013 Grand Ole Opry debut, the rising country artist says, ““Performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage was something I will never forget for the rest of my life. I was so nervous walking on that stage for the first time, but the minute I started singing I knew I was right at home.”

Ayla’s transition from her pop roots to the country music genre began while at Boston College, where the multi-talented student was an All-American Division I basketball player and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. Her performing sets increasingly featured more of others’ country songs than her own pop music. A visit to Nashville for weeks of writing led to an opportunity to sing with the Nashville Symphony for the orchestra’s July 4th celebration. “It was at the moment that I knew I had to move to Nashville,” Ayla recalled.

She recorded her self-titled country music album, Ayla Brown, at Ronnie’s Place, the Nashville studio of legendary country music star Ronnie Milsap. Ayla produced the album from her own record label, Ambient Entertainment, and wrote seven of the CD’s nine tracks. Her 2012 sophomore release, a patriotic-inspired album titled Heroes & Hometowns, peaked at #1 on Amazon MP3 and reached #51 on iTunes. Ayla performed two singles from the album, “Pride of America” and “Hero in her Hometown,” with the Boston Pops during the 2013 July 4th Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade. A portion of every CD sale of Heroes & Hometowns benefits Hugs for Heroes, Inc., a Massachusetts-based, military nonprofit, and Ayla has entertained American troops overseas in Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

“Since I never had the opportunity to put on a uniform and serve our country, giving back musically and financially is the closest thing I've found to connect with our troops,” Ayla said in describing her connection with military causes and how those initiatives resonate with her. “I feel very blessed that I've been able to help wonderful charities throughout the years and Hugs for Heroes is definitely one of them. For Let Love In, my album sponsor, Texas Roadhouse, and I will be making a donation to another great military non-profit, Homes for Our Troops, and I am really excited about that!”

Let Love In, Ayla’s latest album, debuts next month. “Music has always been the closest thing to my heart and I feel very lucky that my lyrics and sounds have developed with age and experience,” she noted. “I can confidently say my upcoming album, Let Love In, is my best album in the nine years I've been singing professionally. There are so many songs on this record that I am extremely proud of and, since this is a spring/summer release, I can't wait for people to roll down their windows and blast these songs!”

Tickets to Ayla Brown’s April 10 show at THE BLACK BOX, with opening act Brendan Kelley, are $24 for adults and $18 for students. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin.

Enchanted Memories Travel: Open House - May 2


Enchanted Memories Travel has been based in Franklin for the past 3 years and recently moved into a new office in Depot Plaza.  The owners, Vincent and Maria Dowling are longtime Franklin residents.  
Enchanted Memories Travel
Enchanted Memories Travel (Twitter photo)
We are having a free, family-friendly event in Depot Plaza on May 2.  It's a way to announce our new location and thank the town that has helped us grow and thrive mostly via word of mouth advertising over the past 3 years.  

Enchanted Memories Travel - Open House - May 2
Enchanted Memories Travel - Open House - May 2
Visit Enchanted Memories on the web http://www.enchantedmem.com/

Irish Dancers take 1st place


The 2015 World Irish Dance Championships, held in Montreal last week where many local dancers from Harney Academy of Irish Dance in Walpole competed. 

Of note, the Harney Sub Minor Girls Ceili under 11 team came back to town with the 1st place World Championship trophy.

The Harney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions
The Harrney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions

The Harney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions (back row left to right)
Emma Ferrara - Needham
Bridget Fessenden-Medfield
Liam Harney - Walpole (instructor/owner)
Kaitlin Skinner - Walpole
Erin Pomfret - Natick
And front row (left to right)
Madelyn Marshall - Walpole
Madison Gaughran - Franklin
Molly Geoghegan - Walpole
Fiona Hernan -Canton

For more about the Harney Academy, you can visit their webpage
http://www.harneyacademy.com/

"story prompts to help trigger memories"

Another app that can be used to capture your family history can be found at Legacy Stories. Thanks to Marjorie Turner Hollman for sharing this.

LegacyStories.org is a free living history library that provides life story learning, recording, archiving and sharing to families, professionals and groups.

Our intuitive technology offers a variety of options to compose and record legacy stories including multi-media story pages, oral history slideshows and the ability to record powerful Pict-Oral Memories with our Apple and Android mobile app.

Our members can also link stories to over five billion ancestor records in the official family tree of humankind. We'll show you how to discover your highest priority "legacy stories" and tell them in ways that will fascinate loved ones generations to come.

screen grab of Legacy Stories webpage
screen grab of Legacy Stories webpage




The recent post on StoryCorps
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/capture-that-family-history.html

"among the smallest public libraries in the area"


Preliminary planning and design work for the library’s expansion is underway now that the town has selected an architect and project manager. 
The 10-member Library Building Committee recently chose Boston-based Daedalus Projects Inc. to manage the project — the firm also oversaw the construction of Franklin’s new high school — and pegged LLB Architects to handle the architectural work. 
LLB Architects, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has designed several library expansions, including for the towns of Foxborough, Maynard, Scituate and Walpole. 
Approved last April, the Franklin Public Library project includes a 6,000-square-foot, two-story addition that will provide space for a new community room, coffee shop and young adult section. The cost has been estimated at $6.6 million, but may change as the project becomes more defined.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150407/NEWS/150407468/1994/NEWS

Franklin Public Library - new sign back in place after an accident took it down in Oct 2014
Franklin Public Library - new sign back in place after an accident took it down in Oct 2014


The Library Building Committee as appointed in Dec 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/12/live-reporting-library-building.html


7. Resolution 14-89: Creation of a Library Building Committee
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0

E. APPOINTMENTS 
Library Building Committee – Vote Resolution 14-89 First (voted above)

Matthew T. Kelley - 75 Crescent Street
Judith Pond Pfeffer - 37 Arlington Street
Thomas D. Mercer - 14 Mercer Lane
Christopher K. Feeley - 5 Taft Drive
Felicia Oti - Library Director
Monique Doyle - 3 Greenfield Road
Sandra Brandfonbrener - 8 Beech Street
James M. Roche - 152 Daniels Street
Nancy J. Rappa - 25 Queen Street
Joseph Mullen (added during clerk reading of motion) 

Monday, April 6, 2015

FHS Softball: appliance recycling - Apr 11

The FHS girls softball team will be holding a fund raiser on Sat April 11. They will accept appliances to be recycled at the Franklin Elks parking lot on Pond St. They open at 8:00 AM and will close at noon.


FHS softball appliance recycling
FHS softball appliance recycling

The pricing for appliances is outlined in this flyer





Franklin Voices Weigh in on Question in the Globe West edition

Should the state adopt a single-payer health care system?

Yes


John May of Franklin, a member of Progressive Massachusetts

Did you know that we have lower-cost easily accessible single-payer health care here in Massachusetts? It’s true! It’s called Medicare. Why not expand what we already have in place? 
I am 60 years old and wonder: “If Medicare is good for me in five years, why is it not good for me now?”


No


David G. Tuerck of Franklin, is executive director of the Beacon Hill Institute and Professor of Economics at Suffolk University.

The continued unpopularity of Obamacare has led to renewed interest in the idea of a single-payer health care system, under which government would both finance and dispense health care and do so without charge and without regard to ability to pay. Advocates claim that, by eliminating the health insurance companies, single payer would lower health care costs. 
However, no one believes that we could reduce the cost of car repair by eliminating the automobile insurance companies. That’s because those companies keep down costs by requiring deductibles and by adjusting rates according to the risks of providing insurance.

Continue reading their full arguments here (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2015/04/04/should-state-adopt-single-payer-health-care-system/vKzuNNcqla3yRjLENITE1I/story.html 


If you would like ot have your say on a Franklin topic you can do so. There is a series called "Voices of Franklin" that runs when needed. Details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Reminder: Antique Appraisal Day - Apr 12

Antique Appraisal Day

Sunday, April 12, 2015

1:00PM-4:00PM


The Franklin Historical Commission invites you to have your collectables and antiques appraised by certified appraiser Nancy Wyman of Coyle’s Auction Gallery of Bellingham. 1 to 3 items per person will be appraised at a rate of $5.00 per item.

Items to be appraised include Decorative Stoneware and Pottery; Vintage Clothing and Costume Jewelry; Fine China, glass and art glass; Oriental Rugs; Paintings and Prints; Lamps, Clocks, Decorative Accessories; Hummels and Music Boxes; Sterling Silver, Pewter and Brass; American, Victorian and Country Furniture and Accessories.

NO fine jewelry, no coins, no stamps and no weapons.

All proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum


Franklin Historical Museum - maybe most of the snow will be gone by Appraisal Day?
Franklin Historical Museum - maybe most of the snow will be gone by Appraisal Day?

"10 miles of pipeline through towns like Franklin"

Fox25 does a piece on the recent efforts to mobilize against the Spectra Energy project to expand the gas pipeline through Franklin.

"The pipeline is still in a preliminary phase and if everything goes as planned, construction wouldn't be complete until 2017. Spectra Energy is looking for federal permission to add 10 miles of pipeline through towns like Franklin and Millis. Residents say they want to know what's in store for them before construction begins."

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston


a sign truck parked outside the Keller School at the information session here on March
a sign truck parked outside the Keller School at the information session here on March

Related posts

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/concerns-with-spectra-atlantic-bridge.html

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 7, 2015

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools: the key to learning
Franklin Public Schools: the key to learning

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

a. ASMS Update – Beth Wittcoff, Rebecca Motte

Note: The documents for the ASMS update and the BICO report can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-school-committee-documents-for.html

3. Discussion Only Item

BiCounty Collaborative Quarterly Report
Twitter / FPS News
Safety Communications
Kindergarten Registration

4. Action Items

a. I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Fortin for HMMS students to travel to Providence, RI for Save the Bay Programs as detailed on May 26, 27 & 28, 2015.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6.86 from Schoola for in-house enrichment at JF Kennedy Elementary School.
c. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $4,115.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for district wide in-house enrichment.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,695.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field trips and busing.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Steven Mollo for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from Scholarship America for Supplemental Curriculum Materials at FHS.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,815.25 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips.
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 25 copies of the book “Finding the Worm” for 6th grade reading at Horace Mann Middle School.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School
Committee.

7. Executive Session

Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Franklin School Committee: documents for agenda



Annie Sullivan Middle School presentation document:





BICO Quarterly Information for Superintendents





The School Committee agenda can be found here
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/V20142015/SCAgenda%204-7-15.pdf

“It’s definitely a big statement win"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor, Hockomock Sports writes about the FHS boys lacrosse win over Wellesley on Saturday.
Franklin coach Lou Verrochi created the boys’ lacrosse program, so he would be the expert on just how important Saturday afternoon’s 13-3 victory over perennial state power Wellesley was for the Panthers. 
In a quick postgame speech, after all there is not much to say after a win that dominating, Verrochi told his team that this was one of the best performances that the program had put together and called it a “signature win.” 
Speaking to the media afterwards, Verrochi admitted, “Totally unexpected…I think they had an off-day and we just clicked on everything we did. I’m just so impressed with how the kids played today.”
Austin Kent (4), Mike Sullivan (30), and Eric Civetti (1) celebrate a Franklin goal at Sprague Field as the Panthers dominated Wellesley for a marquee win for the program. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Austin Kent (4), Mike Sullivan (30), and Eric Civetti (1) celebrate a Franklin goal at Sprague Field as the Panthers dominated Wellesley for a marquee win for the program. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)


Continue reading the article by Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/franklin-lax-rolls-to-signature-win-at-wellesley

"you can start with culture and get people kind of reinvested in their place"

Spend a few minutes with this TED Talk by Theaster Gates. Listen as he talks about rebuilding his neighborhood by starting with what he knows about his art, making clay pots.

There were several points during this 17 minute video that caught my attention. I could use these to help enhance the Franklin community whether through my efforts here, at the Food Pantry, the grass roots efforts for #shopFranklin, the Shop Small Co-op or with the Franklin Cultural Festival (coming this summer!) 

I will let you view the video and see what you come up with. Let me know via email or comment what you find and together we'll see if if we have come up with the same points or something different. As they say, two heads are better than one!

Enjoy!


Theaster Gates, a potter by training and a social activist by calling, wanted to do something about the sorry state of his neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. So he did, transforming abandoned buildings to create community hubs that connect and inspire those who still live there (and draw in those who don't). In this passionate talk, Gates describes his efforts to build a "miniature Versailles" in Chicago, and he shares his fervent belief that culture can be a catalyst for social transformation in any city, anywhere.
For more about Theaster Gates, you can visit his profile page






Additional links to explore

Feel free to explore for more informative TED Talks here   http://www.ted.com/


For more info on the Cultural Festival check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html


For more about #shopFranklin you can join the conversation in their Facebook group #shopFranklin - Facebook group


You can consider joining the Franklin Downtown Partnership - individual community membership is only $25  http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin Needs You!


The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: 

http://www.galzacs.com/page/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/We_Need_You1.jpeg

Conservation    Conservation Commission 
Design Review Commission 
Disabilities Commission 
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 
Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member      ZBA


If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete this form and return it the Town Administrator's Office.



Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Cheryl Wheeler April 11th


Email not displaying correctly? View in browser    
circlefolk.org
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA 02038

Phone: 508 528 2541

Map       Official Site       ReverbNation Profile

Cheryl Wheeler

Saturday, April 11th $30

We expect these tickets to be gone soon.


Cheryl Wheeler
Cheryl Wheeler
Cheryl Wheeler returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, April 11th at 8PM. Cheryl is known for her brilliant, often hysterical, performances and beautifully crafted songs. She'll have you rolling in the aisles one minute, then she'll take off her glasses, close her eyes, and sing a heart-breakingly lovely song that may bring you to tears. Her entire concert is an emotional roller coaster.

"Rare artist...strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit." -SingOut!

Cheryl's songs are often emotional portraits of people, leaving you with the impression that you know the characters. You find yourself being dragged into the song rather than standing outside and observing. Other songs by Cheryl are hilarious situation comedies. This is always a sold-out show, so order your tickets soon. http://www.cherylwheeler.com/

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission for this concert is $30. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.


UPCOMING SHOWS
PLAY Sat Apr 11 2015, 08:00 PM
Cheryl Wheeler
Tickets: $30
Tickets
  Sat Apr 25 2015, 08:00 PM
Deborah Henson-Conant
Tickets: $25
Tickets
PLAY Sat May 09 2015, 08:00 PM
Rebecca Loebe, Jesse Terry
Tickets: $20
Split bill
Tickets
> See More / Details
View As Webpage      Privacy  

Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, US
If our email is in your Spam/Junk Folder, please add circlefolk@gmail.com to your address book.

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Capture that family history

I was fortunate to capture some of my father's story and record it for the extended family to listen to. I did not get to hear all the stories before he passed away but we do have a good archive of the stories in his voice to listen to when we want.

Whether you celebrate Easter or Passover, the holiday weekend should bring families together. To help foster a good conversation between the generations and to capture the history that the elder generations still remember is made easier with the new StoryCorps app and smart phones.

Settle in, enjoy the 21 min video and download the app for your Apple or Android device and set up to record.





You can find out more about StoryCorps on their website  http://storycorps.org/


You can find more excellent videos on the TED site here  http://www.ted.com/


A sample of  my father's story can be found here. In this segment, he talks of his service in the Marines as part of the "Joint Assault Signal Company" made famous in the movie "The Whisperers"
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/09/jerry-story-joint-assault-signal.html


screen grab of StoryCorps.me webpage
screen grab of StoryCorps.me webpage


Fire Dept Presentation doc and video clip

The presentation document used by Chief McCarragher during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here




On page 4. it seems to be blank but this was when the following video clip was shared. 





screen grab of the MEMA page touting Ping4Alerts
screen grab of the MEMA page touting Ping4Alerts

My notes from the live reporting for this section of the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-ping4alert.html


The summary of the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/this-purple-heart-community-received.html

Franklin Library: Gmail account hands on workshop

Do you have a Google account? 

If you do, you know all the applications that the one account can provide for free. 

If you don't have one, there is a class at the Franklin Library on Wednesday, Apr 8th that will walk through setting up a Gmail account (with Google).

Space is limited for this session, please call the Library to register. 
Create and manage a Gmail account
Create and manage a Gmail account

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/create-and-manage-gmail-account.html


While Wordpress tends to get a lot of notice for its blog service, the Blogger service (part of Google) is competitive. The Library page linked to above is done with Blogger as is Franklin Matters, the Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin Downtown Partnership

"The future poses some thorny issues"

The "recent' audit is actually an annual event for Franklin. This year was an achievement in that the audit results were the best of the past several years.
A recent audit of the town has found its finances “solid and well-managed,” while drawing attention to a multimillion-dollar post-employment benefits liability still looming over every budget. 
Melanson & Heath, a New Hampshire-based accounting and tax firm, presented information from its audit to the Town Council this week. The firm gave Franklin an unqualified opinion, meaning it believes the town’s financial statements are sound and free from any material misstatements. 
Karen Snow, an accountant with Melanson & Heath, highlighted the town’s upgraded bond rating, which improved last year from AA to AA+. 
“Part of the reason (Standard & Poor’s) upgraded that is because they feel you have a nice solid fund balance and you don’t have any plans to spend that fund balance down,” Snow explained.
Continue reading the MDN article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150403/NEWS/150408041/1994/NEWS

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


My reporting on the audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/this-purple-heart-community-received.html

The 2014 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/what-is-public-need.html

The 2013 audit results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/town-council-020613.html


Spring Cleanup - Apr 11th - Parmenter School

The 5th Grade at Parmenter School will be doing a Spring Cleanup on Saturday, Apr 11th. 

Get your car washed, drop off those bottles/cans, any used books or clothing - they'll take 'em!. 


Spring Cleaning 5th Grade Fund raiser - Parmenter School - Apr 11 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Spring Cleaning 5th Grade Fund raiser - Parmenter School - Apr 11 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Register Today, Save $5 and Receive an Official Race Shirt!

This race is located in Andover and for a good cause. If you don't know Colleen's story you can find out about it here.


#StepUp4Colleen - May 3, 2015
30 days from today thousands will participate in the second annual Step Up for Colleen 5k Walk/Run. Are you ready to Step Up for Colleen?

If yStepping Up for Colleenou have not yet registered, please sign up today to take advantage of pre-race registration savings. Also, the first 3,000 registrants will receive a Badger C2 performance T-shirt.

This year's course is pending certification by USA Track and Field and will follow the pulse start model. Whether you are an experienced runner, a walker, or just a family gathering together for a good cause, everyone is welcome. All participants will wear a bib number with an electronically-readable chip and prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers.

Stepping Up for Colleen

Register today and save $5! Registration is $30 through Sunday, April 19th and will increase to $35 after the 19th.  
Register today and share why you are stepping up. See some of the hundreds of reasons on the right hand side of this email.

If you have already registered, thank you! We look forward to seeing you amongst the sea of pink on Sunday, May 3rd. Please remember to share on Facebook and Twitter the graphic (below) you received in your thank you e-mail and encourage friends and family to join you in Stepping Up for Colleen.

We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd and again, thank you for Stepping Up for Colleen!

Sincerely,
The Ritzer Family and Step Up for Colleen Race Committee


Stepping Up for Colleen


Proceeds from the event will support the Step Up for Colleen Fund at the Essex County Community Foundation which benefits the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund provides college scholarships to high school graduates who pursue education as a college major and reflect Colleen's values.

We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd and thank you for Stepping Up for Colleen!






Some Reasons Why People are Stepping Up for Colleen



I want to Step Up For Colleen because I want to honor my teacher who not only helped me love math but who taught me what being good and kind to people is all about.

I'm stepping up for Ms. Ritzer because I've learned that teachers don't just teach they change lives. She changed all of our lives and it's time to give back to her.

Ms. Ritzer was an engaging and dynamic teacher!  She made every student feel special.  Her memory should be remembered and celebrated!

I am very grateful for Colleen's impact as my child's teacher.

Step Up for Colleen | www.stepupforcolleen.com

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Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship | P.O. Box 1269 | Andover | MA | 01810