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| What is happening in May at THE BLACK BOX? |
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| Electric Youth debut concert |
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| Electric Youth schedules Concert on the Common appearance - August 2 at 6:00 PM |
The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for a long session (approx. 4 hours). The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE&t=1s
Quick recap:
Electric Youth high point of session
Verizon cable contract renewal
Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery
Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal
Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote
Final approval requires 6 Yes votes
Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote
Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.
Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board
3 measures regarding MBTA compliance
Mixed use zoning definition
EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums
Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote
TA Emergency shelter update
No town funds spent for anything
Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs
The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf
My notes for this meeting captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/view?usp=drive_link
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| Electric Youth made their annual visit to perform an acapella song before their European trip |
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
a. April 10, 2024 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._april_10_2024_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review_-_google_docs.pdf
a. Proclamation & Performance: Electric Youth
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committeef. Police Station Building Committeeg. GATRA Advisory Board
THE BLACK BOX Cabaret presents a special cabaret revue spotlighting the talents of promising young singers! This annual Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate, nightclub atmosphere with professional accompaniment.
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| Rising Stars Cabaret |
Night of Rock & Pop from the 80s, 90s, and 2000sPresenting: Two Dudes and a GuyOpening: Three Day Weekend
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| EY "Funraiser" |
Friday, April 5 at 7 PM, the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will unite the culinary and performing arts for an inspired evening of fabulous food, drink, and entertainment. The all-inclusive ticket delivers a delicious and entertaining evening at THE BLACK BOX, Franklin’s premier entertainment venue.
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| Culinary Cabaret |
Featuring entertainment by Electric Youth and special guest artists of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, Culinary Cabaret supports Electric Youth’s 2024 European tour. Franklin Performing Arts Company is Franklin’s own professional theater company.
THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA. For tickets and more information on Culinary Cabaret, visit FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming.
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| Culinary Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX, Friday, April 5 raises funds to support Electric Youth 2024 |
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| Electric Youth 2024 Debut Concert - Jan 12 at 7:30 PM |
Wednesday, January 10
1:00pm Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)
Thursday, January 11
6:30pm Tricky Trivia (Franklin Public Library)
Friday, January 12
7:30pm Electric Youth Debut Concert (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)
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| Electric Youth |
Saturday, January 13
9:00am KoC Free Throw Tournament (Hockomock YMCA)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)
2:30pm FHS Best Buddies fund raiser basketball game (Franklin High School)
8:00pm Joe Jencks (live music) (ticketed event) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)
Sunday, January 14
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)
1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)
Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 16
7:30pm - Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV Studio)
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| Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here! |
FM #1058 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1058 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and Director of the Franklin School for Performing Arts, and special guest FSPA alum Susana Cordon. We recorded this in the Franklin Public Radio Studio on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Yes, this sat in the archives for a while due to some unforeseen events that held up the publication. Aside from the future view, now in the past, the pathways talked of still apply.
Susana tells her amazing story following her path through FSPA to Carnegie-Mellon and is looking forward to an exciting year with a performance in Violet (with FPAC), an alumni show with the Electric Youth European tour this summer, fall semester in Wales, followed by final semester and graduation in 2024. Definitely a commencement of whatever her future holds for her.
We cover a lot of ground in about 34 minutes with Raye Lynn and Susana.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1058-fspa-fun-pathways-06-01-23--------------
Tickets for Violet are available -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1597
Susana was quoted in a article about Carnegie-Mellon https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/carnegie-mellon-university-school-of-drama-star-factory-patrick-wilson-susan-tsu-john-wells-myhala-herrold-purnell-center/
FPSA post about Susan’s acceptance at Carnegie-Mellon
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fspa-senior-accepted-to-prestigious.html
Original conversation with Raye Lynn as we spend 38 minutes talking about 38 Main St and the evolution of FSPA to FPAC, THE BLACK BOX, et al …
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX |
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Recognition
Electric Youth 2023 were recognized with a proclamation and provided song for the Council (and audience). They have a pair of 'Bob Voyage' concerts June 16 & 17 at THE BLACK BOX and then leave on their European tour the week after
Appointments
The Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committees was approved, there are a few positions still open, some are in process of being filled, some are still looking for candidates
Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee recommendations by year end
Public hearings
License corporate formalities
Zoning Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling units
The set of zoning bylaws was moved to a second reading with modification to one of the three measures in the set of three. There are three as one covers the bylaw language, one covers the definition, and one covers the use table. The use table received the modification to revert the language to what originated from the EDC Plus committee.
The Town Council in their actions during the April 12, 2023 meeting modified the use table to expand coverage for 'by right' for additional residential zones. The Planning Board did not like the expansion and in turn recommended the 'original' language over the modified. The Town Council after some discussion agreed to the original language and moved that to second reading
Pair of resolutions to adjust the FY 2024 Budget to provide an additional $736K to the schools
Resolution 23-39: FY2024 Budget Adjustment
Resolution 23-40: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY24
Folks may recall that at the end of the Finance Committee budget hearings and repeated at the end of the Town Council budget hearings, Town Administrator laid out the plan for providing additional funding for the school budget. The MA Senate passed their version of the State FY 2024 which set into play this "plan b" earlier than Jamie had outlined. The two resolutions passed unanimously. The additional funds restore 8 of the 30 positions targeted to balance the budget. Of the 22 that remain to be cut, some number (I recall it was 16) were going to be cut anyway as the result of declining enrollment. Stay tuned for the School Committee meeting scheduled for June 13 where they will approve the 'final' budget and confirm the number affected
Interesting to note that while most if not all of the Town departments that gave up the funds to enable this transfer were present, only Dave McNeill, the School Committee Budget Subcmte Chair spoke to acknowledge the transfer to increase the school budget and express appreciation for this action. If other members of the School Committee were present virtually, they remained quiet. (They were not in the Council Chambers.)
The recording runs about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 7, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1009-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-06-07-23
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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share
Council agenda and documents released for the meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hc2egjV3zKOqJmIziMKApdR4z24gNMya/view?usp=drive_link
Photos from the meeting -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/KnXuTmSfcwAEXFxe6
The FY 2024 budget document folder ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials
The Franklin TV video replay for https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Town Council recognizes Electric Youth, approves annual appointments, authorizes additional funds for School budget (audio) |
