United Regional Young Professionals Organization Holds Summer Social Event at Patriot Place

In the shadow of Gillette Stadium, the United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) invites our members, their guests, as well as an open public invite to professionals in our local community to gather for our last networking event of the season. The event is a summer social to be held on June 18, 2014 at 6 PM at Twenty8, inside (and outside) the Renaissance Boston at Patriot Place Hotel and Spa. 

Young Professionals Organization

Instead of catching a pass from Tom Brady, or lining up next to Vince Wilfork, guests can play games with a bit less contact, such as the kanjam, beanbag toss or ladder ball. And instead of waiting in line for refreshments from the concession stands, attendees will enjoy light appetizers with a cash bar featuring craft beers, cocktails, and other refreshments.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll bring the fun indoors. There, attendees can play entertaining games like UNO, Skip-Bo, Yahtzee, and more, while enjoying food and drink.

The YPO is pleased to provide this unique opportunity to have fun, relax, and get to know each other, but we do so with a purpose. Money raised from ticket sales, raffle, and donations will benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA located in North Attleboro, Mass.

21+ event. Registration is $5.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door. 

For more information, visit http://www.unitedregionalypo.org/events/summersocial/, call 508-488-YPO1 (9761), or e-mail UnitedRegionalYPO@ymail.com.



The United Regional Chamber of Commerce launched the United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) in spring 2010 in direct response to the challenges facing the 16 communities in our region (Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Medway, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Wrentham, Massachusetts) in attracting and retaining diverse young professionals and to develop the next generation of leadership. The mission of YPO is to engage, connect and empower career-minded young professionals to evolve professionally. Representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and professions, we are united by our energy, drive and passion within our careers and communities

Kinder Care: Yard Sale - Jun 7

Kinder Care on Pond Street in Franklin is having their annual YARD SALE!! 

Yard Sale

It will be from 9-2 this Saturday June 7th! We will be selling a variety of things!! 

Hope to see you all there!!

Live reporting - Dedicated Override for roads

Notes from the first part of the Finance Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-finance-committee-060314.html



Roads – DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi
Mike Meglio, Town Engineer


*** From Mar 2014, the updated listing of road projects already being planned
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-road-projects.html

Apparently, tonight is an abbreviated presentation from the March meeting

When road ratings are above 70, the maintenance will work
when below 70, you need to do more
want to get overall average of roads above 80

keeping just above water with repairs at this point
with the override, we could make some headway into the road repairs

some of the work would continue to be coordinated with water main projects
others would be taken care of purely with road repairs

also would be looking to expand the sidewalk network
would still require annual approval by the Council for the plan of work

the Panther Way sidewalk bid came in at $200,000

We have already planned out the water program for the next five year, can tie this with the water and come up with the master plan

what existing capacity do we have that requires design and coordination with in house staff?

a lot of administrative staff work required but the actual work is contracted out

Q - is there an option to put a term on this override?
A - not the way the legislation has been structured. Now the Council could not vote any money for the roads and that would kill the program.

Q - is this amount enough?
A - the facts are, we could use more money? What can the citizens afford? How much can we work with in capacity? Time down the road, the citizens could come back for more.

This is based upon today's dollars for hot top and chip seal. This could cost more as it goes, it is based upon the oil pricing

The sidewalk needs to go down to Miller St... Pleasant St; Washington St, Beaver St have been identified as needing sidewalks but none of them are cheap... do you need to curb and handle drainage? It depends upon the conditions and area

You might not educate your kids, go to the library, or call the police/fire but you do drive down the roads
The good thing about November is you'll get a good turnout as it is a State election


The text of the override question can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/resolution-14-45-dedicated-override-to.html

VOTE: Proposition 2 ½ Override
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


Related posts

From Aug 2013, the initial proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/live-reporting-dpw-proposal-on-road.html

The presentation document from the Aug meeting
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2013%20Roadway%20Presentation.pdf

-------------

Closing
DelCarte ribbon cutting at 5:00 PM on Weds Jun 4th
program is short, so should be held unless there is a real down pour

FinCom done until the Fall time frame...

Final walk through of FHS Jun 21
Grand Opening in Sep
demolition of the old building during the summer

start Capital Plan again in Sep, fiscal forecast due in Jan
Sculpture Park opening June/July

Panther Way sidewalk should be starting in couple of week
Waiting on State for when the downtown will start

Lincoln St will start when school is out

Summer (East Central to King) late summer timeline

Senior Center 2nd floor possibly in the Fall

Live reporting: Finance Committee - 06/03/14

Present: Dowd, Conley, Smith, Aparo, Dewsnap, Dufour, Heumpher,
Absent:  Fleming, Quinn

Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes
motion to approval minutes of May 5th, seconded approved 7-0

Zoning Board of Appeals Transfer
motion to approve, seconded, approved 7-0

Street Light Account Transfer
motion to approve transfer of $10,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Legal Expenses Transfer
motion to approve transfer $10,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Snow and Ice Budget Transfer
motion to approve transfer $280,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Comptroller Expenses Transfer
motion to approve transfer $1,000; seconded, approved 7-0


Presentations:
Library Addition – Felicia Oti, Library Director
VOTE: Bond Authorization



The presentation copy can also be viewed here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/libpre.pdf

doing increased business with half the staff (see early slide with numbers)
funding this doesn't require an increase in tax rate, can be funded with the debt capacity available
would still be a smaller building than comparable area communities
made $14,000+ to date from books sales year to date, likely to be 20,000 annually

Q - Aparo - what other projects would have been considered?
A - Nutting - we are at 2.9 and unaware of other building structure needs; Senior Center being funded, if 5-6 years down the road we need a school it would not happen for 6M. We do 11 work orders a day on 20 plus buildings. Our buildings are in great shape, roofs will wear out, HVAC will wear out. Money to make big repairs to existing facilities like roofs, and HVAC...  would be the most likely expenses
We still have excess debt capacity when we do this project.

Q - Dewsnap - what about Davis Thayer?
A - Nutting - recap of architect review on the options for the renovation, we have removed the portables because the school population has been declining. Maybe cheaper to buy new portables and add them to the schools rather than building a new school.

Q - Dewsnap - do we really add enough space?
A - Nutting - with the building we have, we really don't have much of an option to do a new building given the existing beautiful facility we have... we are going with the expansion because otherwise we are loosing space. It would still be another year before we have real numbers to look at. The OPM and architect will take time, design the facility, cost it, etc... bringing it back before FinCom and Town Council with the real numbers.

Q - Dowd - consideration for additional staffing as required by this?
A - Nutting - we would certainly like more staff but the additional space (bathrooms, public meetings space, and stacks for books) don't require additional staffing by nature. Some minimal increase in maintenance hours for the larger space but not much more than that. We would like to gradually add staff as we have to annually ask for a waiver as we meet the hours and the staffing but not the funding.

Q - Heumpher - question on the renovation and impact on operations?
A - Nutting/Oti - would have parking issues, could work within the space to adjust and continue to operate while the construction is underway. We are fortunate in that we have 3 entrances to the Library so the back one could be shut and we can still operate.

Q - Dufour - any rental opportunity?
A - Nutting- not really, the space rentals are for cost recovery not to make money. The space being added is not really a great amount to add to the overall demand

Resolution for authorization of $1M
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


Notes from the second part of the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-dedicated-override-for.html

Cultural District being proposed for Franklin

On the Town Council agenda Wednesday for discussion before getting to the Library and the dedicated override for the road repairs, Alan Mercer is scheduled for a presentation on the Cultural District proposal being put together for Franklin.

From the Mass Cultural Council homepage:

The evidence is clear: A thriving creative sector is one of our Commonwealth's most powerful economic development assets. In support of this, the MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010, and launched in April 2011.

Mass Cultural Council

The legislation referenced:

SECTION 3. Said chapter 10 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 58 the following section: 

M.G.L. Chapter 10, Section 58A. (a) The council shall establish criteria and guidelines for state-designated cultural districts. A cultural district shall be a geographical area of a city or town with a concentration of cultural facilities located within it. Cultural districts shall attract artists and cultural enterprises to a community, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development. The council shall assist a city or town if the city or town wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. The council shall develop an application process, with specific guidelines and criteria, for a city or town that wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. 

Executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies shall identify programs and services that support and enhance the development of cultural districts and ensure that those programs and services are accessible to such districts. The council shall consult with the Massachusetts historical commission in developing and establishing criteria and guidelines regarding preservation and reuse of historic buildings. 

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the council and historic preservation programs, shall review and revise regulations and other economic development tools, including the evaluative criteria of such historic preservation programs, in order to support and encourage the development and success of state-designated cultural districts. 

Acts of 2010 Chapter 188, Section 70. The Massachusetts cultural council, in cooperation with the executive branch, constitutional offices, quasi-governmental agencies and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development, shall identify state incentives and resources to enhance cultural districts pursuant to section 52A of chapter 10 of the General Laws and shall report its findings and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and house of representatives not later than January 1, 2011.

You can find more about the proposal in the agenda document beginning on page 20
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

You can find more about the Mass Cultural Council on their page http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/

FHS Boys lose, Girls win in playoffs

Baseball
#8 Franklin, 3 @ #1 Wellesley, 6 - Final

- Senior Drew Inglesi went 3-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base and classmate Pat O'Reilly went 1-3 with a run scored, walk, stolen base and an RBI.

Softball
#18 Franklin, 4 @ #10 Weymouth, 3 - Final

- Maddie Connelly (1-2, RBI, stolen base) knocked in Sammy Rondeau (1-3, run) in the top of the seventh for the go-ahead run. Erin Hanley went 1-3 with a stolen base and a run scored and Sabrina LoMonaco scored a run and had a sacrifice fly RBI. Lilly Criscione picked up the win, tossing a complete game, striking out four.

FHS Softball

Franklin advances to the D1 South Semifinals to play #6 North Attleboro on a date and time to be announced. The game will be at Taunton High School.

For all the Hockomock League results from the Spring playoffs, you can visit this page
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060214

Attention Red Sox fans! World Series Trophy coming to the Library

Yes, the 2013 World Series trophy will be at the Franklin Public Library on Monday Jun 9 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Bring your cameras!

2013 World Series Trophy

This was re-shared from the Franklin Public Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/06/red-sox-world-series-trophy.html

Real Time Reporting: Planning Board - June 2, 2014

Two hearings on the agenda were continued to June 16th
1 - 648-652 West Central St (Starbucks)
2 - Village at Cook's Farm

Updated:
23 Hutchinson St - limited site plan modification accepted

656 King St - Emeritus Assisted Living, signed off on form H


Updated:
323 West Central St, Forever French - discussion on conformance to site plan, disagreement over letter from prior Building Inspector, looking for waiver on nine items, actually only three items are needed, the other six were taken care of. To be continued on June 16th meeting

Bogan Estates
discussion on subdivision plans, appear to have met all the prior requirements, dispute around apparent approval of 24 foot road versus 26 which is the minimum currently in the bylaws. Planning Board voted to approve all the items, except the street width which remains at 26 feet

Mount View Farms requested a continuation to next meeting, approved for Jun 16th

15 minute recess

(end of my reporting for this evening)
The key pieces I wanted to see (Cook's Farm and Starbucks) were both continued to the meeting on Jun 16.








Note: "Live" reporting is used when I am in the room. "Real time" is when I report via the live cable or internet feed. http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/07/note-of-distinction.html

Blood Drive for Noah Smith - Jun 7th

Please join us for a Blood Drive 

blood drive

Saturday, June 7, 2014

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Franklin United Methodist Church

82 West Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

positive id required

This Blood Drive is in honor of Oak Street Elementary Student Noah Smith
To make an appointment please log onto halfpints.childrenshospital.org
Sponsor code for this drive is FRMETHCH or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914

Planning Board - Agenda - June 2

The Planning Board is scheduled to meet Monday night at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The agenda for this meeting can be seen here or found on the Franklin website at the link provided below.

Franklin Municipal Building

The Planning Board agenda can also be found on the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PlanningAgendas/2014%20Agendas/June%202,%202014.pdf

Parmenter 5K and Franklin 5K Race Results

The Parmenter 5K drew 194 finishers on Sunday, June 1. The full listing of results can be found on Cool Running here  http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/ma/Jun1_6thAnn_set1.shtml

The 10th Annual Franklin 5K drew 308 finishers on Sunday, June 1. The full listing of results can be found here  http://www.fasttrackcoaching.net/timing/Results/2014-THE-FRANKLIN-5K-RUN-RESULTS-RR360.html#/

Parmenter race starting line in 2012

Networking Event - Jun 12

Charles Tashjian, Publisher of Local Town Pages, would like to invite you to his Free Networking event.
Up to 100 attendees are expected. Refreshments and coffee will be served.

When:  June 12th 9:00am –12:00pm

Where: This Free Networking event to be held at The Thayer House, 2B Oak Street, Rt 109 Medway, MA 02053. Thayer House is located next to Choate Park.

Action: You can RSVP by June 6th with your information to be included in the Network booklet that will be handed out at the event. To register e-mail publisher@localtownpages.com

networking

Local Town Pages publishes the monthly Franklin newspaper delivered via the US Postal service.
http://www.franklintownnews.com/

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation - Ribbon Cutting - Jun 4th, 5;00 PM

The DelCarte Playground Committee invites you to join us at the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area. The Town of Franklin recognizes Nick Alfieri for his endless commitment to the preservation of the environment which was instrumental to the creation of the trail system here for you all to utilize. 

Please join us at the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area

Wednesday, June 4, 2014   5:00 PM

Pleasant St

Franklin, MA

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation

Seasonal Video clips
Winter - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html
Fall - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
Dec 2012 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 4, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– March 19, 2014

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
– Super HK, LLC d/b/a Maguro House

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Allan Mercer – Cultural District

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 14-37: Authorization for Planning and Design Costs for Library Reconstruction/Addition
2. Resolution 14-38: Appropriation – Town Administration: Zoning Board of Appeals
3. Resolution 14-39: Appropriation – Town Administration: Street Lights
4. Resolution 14-40: Appropriation – Town Administration: Legal Expenses
5. Resolution 14-41: Appropriation – Snow and Ice
6. Resolution 14-42: Appropriation – Town Administration: Comptroller
7. Resolution 14-44: Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
8. Resolution 14-45: Dedicated Proposition 2-1/2 Override Ballot Question for Stabilization Fund for Roadway, Sidewalk, and Related Drainage (text for override can be found here)
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III - 2nd Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements - 2nd Reading
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row - 2nd Reading
12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street - 2nd Reading
13. Bylaw Amendment 14-737: Amendment to Sewer System Map – 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

Resolution 14-45: Dedicated Override to fund Road Repair - $1.5 million

RESOLUTION 14-45

DEDICATED PROPOSITION 2-1/2 OVERRIDE BALLOT QUESTION
FOR STABILIZATION FUND FOR ROADWAY, SIDEWALK AND
RELATED DRAINAGE WORK

WHEREAS, Subsection g of GL Chapter 59 Section 21C (Proposition 2 ½)authorizes a municipality to assess taxes in excess of the amount otherwise allowed, to fund a stabilization fund for a stated purpose, and

WHEREAS, The Town of Franklin (Town) has a significant backlog of roadways, sidewalks, and related drainage which require work, the cost for which exceeds forty-eight million dollars, and

WHEREAS, The Town desires to undertake said work,

NOW THEREFORE, The Franklin Town Council, as the appropriating authority for Town, hereby seeks voter approval as authorized by GL Chapter 59 Section 21C (g) to assess taxes in excess of the amount otherwise allowed, for the purpose of funding a stabilization fund for roadway, sidewalk, and related drainage work, and hereby directs the Town Clerk to place the following question on the ballot to be decided by voters at the general election to be held on Tuesday November 4, 2014;

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $1,500,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding a stabilization fund as provided in GL Chapter 40 Section 5 B, said funds to be expended solely for roadway, sidewalk and related drainage work for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and sixteen?

This resolution shall become effective according to the provisions of the Franklin Home Rule Charter.



The full set of documents for the Town Council agenda for June 4, 2014 can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

one of the road repair steps is crack seal

Related posts:

From Aug 2013, the initial proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/live-reporting-dpw-proposal-on-road.html

The presentation document from the Aug meeting
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2013%20Roadway%20Presentation.pdf

From Mar 2014, the updated listing of road projects already being planned
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-road-projects.html

Franklin beats Barnstable to advance in baseball playoffs

Hockomock Sports provides the news that the FHS baseball team won on Saturday and advances in the playoffs


Baseball
#8 Franklin, 7 vs. #9 Barnstable, 2 - Final

Sophomore Nick Santucci went 2-3 with three RBI, a double and a run scored, Nick Burgos was 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored and a stolen base. Zane Byrne tossed a complete game, giving up two unearned runs and just two hits with three strikeouts. The Panthers scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by a squeeze play by Andrew Parent that scored Nick Gallo. 

Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals to play at #1 Wellesley (17-5) on Monday, 6/2 at 4:00.

For all the results of Hockomock League action in the playoffs visit
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-053114

Join us for the 2014 Ranger Walkabouts

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NPS Rangers Peter Coffin and Terri Teller presented a program  on Sargeant's Trench and fish ladders at Slater Mill. National Park Service Walking Adventures: Blackstone River Valley Ranger Walkabouts Feature History, Culture, Scenery and Exercise The National Park Service (NPS) park rangers and volunteers of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor will once again be offering Thursday Night Walkabouts this summer. The Walkabouts are free public programs, offered on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm June through August. Each week, you will have a chance to explore a new community. Spend an evening heading down an unknown trail and discover some of the people, places and stories that make the Blackstone Valley such a fascinating place. Last year about 400 participated during our 12-week program. We're hoping to have even more this year! Please join us!  This year, the schedule kicks off on June 5, at the 1770 Quaker Meeting House in Uxbridge, MA as we hear about some of the Fiery Females and Freedom Seekers who made the Blackstone River Valley their home, at least for a short time.  We're excited about this year's new programs which include: tours of the villages of Rockdale and Manville, an exploration of H. P. Lovecraft's Providence, and a look at the construction of a rain garden.  Read more about the Walkabouts, including the detailed schedule "We really enjoy doing these Walkabouts because it gives us a chance to take people to some of the often overlooked jewels of the Blackstone River Valley. Some of these tours are old favorites, but doing the Walkabouts also gives us a reason to do some more research to either create an entirely new program or to add fresh twists to stories we have told in the past."  - Kevin Klyberg, National Park Service Ranger STAY CONNECTED:

Forward this email  Privacy Policy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

Easy Walks in Franklin: Collection

This is the collection of "Easy Walks in Franklin"

Franklin Town Common

From Marjorie Turner Hollman's book - "Easy Walks in Massachusetts"


Dacey Fields
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-dacey-fields.html

Chilson Beach - Beaver Pond
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-beaver-pond.html

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - June 3, 2014

Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes

Presentations:

Library Addition – Felicia Oti, Library Director
VOTE: Bond Authorization

Roads – DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi
VOTE: Proposition 2 ½ Override

Items for Action: FY 14 Budget adjustments

Street Light Account Transfer
Comptroller Expenses Transfer
Zoning Board of Appeals Transfer
Legal Expenses Transfer

Old Business
New Business
Adjournment



The agenda was posted to the Franklin website
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202014-06-03

Franklin Municipal Building

Electric Youth To Perform At Showcase Live - Bon Voyage Concert for European Tour

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will perform at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Friday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. The event is a Bon Voyage Concert for Electric Youth, coming just days before the ensemble departs on June 19th for a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy. The group’s 11th European tour will include a return Fourth of July engagement at Aviano Air Force Base to entertain U.S. Troops and families stationed abroad. 

Electric Youth is backed by an eight-piece band of Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison. EY’s show offers high-energy family entertainment, delivering fully choreographed performances of classic rock, contemporary pop and Broadway hits for audiences of all ages. Audiences at Showcase Live will hear two full sets featuring the best of Aerosmith, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood and more. 

The 10 singer-dancers of Electric Youth 2014 are trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts

The 12-concert tour will feature shows in Vienna, Melk and Steiermark, Austria, including a performance at Ehrenhausen Castle, benefit concert at Vienna’s historic 19th century Odeon Theater and workshop with students at the Amadeus International School. Performances in Italy will include multiple shows in Lignano and Bibione along the Adriatic Coast, concerts in Todi and Montecatini within the Tuscany-Umbria region, and at Lake Como. 

Prior to departure, Electric Youth will wrap up the group’s 6th professional album. The ensemble and musicians have already laid tracks at Mansfield’s MockingBird Recording Studio. As with EY shows, the studio album will include unique renditions of timeless hits.
“Several of the band members also write arrangements for EY that allow the group to take classic songs and make them their own,” says Director Raye Lynn Mercer. 

Electric Youth has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to help cover costs associated with the album’s mixing, mastering and distribution. Visit www.kickstarter.com and search the group’s project to learn more. 

Electric Youth 2014 debuted at Showcase Live on February 28. Selected by audition annually, EY members are chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence and triple threat accomplishments in voice, dance and acting. This season EY features 10 performers, including Madison Asgeirsson, 15, Kendra Dombroski, 15, Ali Funkhouser, 17, Graham Hancock, 17, Jocelyn Jones, 15, and Shaina McGillis, 15, from Franklin; Michael Fajardo, 15, from Hopkinton; Sam Evans, 14, from Medfield; Maddy Williams, 15, from Medway; and Jenna McDermott, 15, from Wrentham. 

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Bill Miele on bass, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Choreographers include Mercer, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp. 

Tickets for the Showcase Live concert are $18 for Loge Sets and $28 for Premium Seating. To purchase tickets, visit www.electricyouth.com. Please call FSPA at 508-528-8668 for table reservations for larger parties. Doors open at 6 p.m. for best seat selection and dinner, featuring Showcase Live’s menu of distinctive cuisine and kid-friendly fare. Prospective FSPA students are encouraged to contact FSPA for information about complimentary tickets, available through the school’s All Access Pass program.

FHS Softball team advances, Boys Tennis season ends

From Hockomock Sports, the spring playoff results from Friday show that the softball team wins to advance and the Boys tennis team lost to end their season.


Softball
D1 South Playoffs
#18 Franklin, 2 @ #2 Silver Lake, 0 - Final -

In the sixth inning, lead off hitter Erin Hanley reached on an error and was pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt. With the shift on in the outfield, Maddie Connelly ripped a double into right center field to score Hanley. Sabrina LoMonaco singled up the middle to score Connelly. Lilly Criscione pitched a complete game shutout for the Panthers. 

Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals and will play at the winner of #7 King Philip/#10 Weymouth on Monday, 6/2 at a time to be announced.

Boys Tennis
D1 South Playoffs
#14 Franklin, 1 @ #3 Dartmouth, 4 - Final - Franklin's Rahul Herur was the lone winner, winning 6-3, 6-1 at second singles.

the new Franklin High School under construction

The full set of results from Friday's playoffs can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-053014

MA DUA - Unemployment Assistance

The MA.gov blog has a good posting on unemployment assistance.

Making ends meet after losing a job can be a difficult experience. That’s why the Commonwealth provides unemployment aid to eligible residents who have been laid-off through no fault of their own and are actively looking for work. 

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) offers many programs to help residents get back on their feet during a period of unemployment:

unemployment assistance

Click through to the MA.gov site to continue reading about the services offered.

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/employment/help-is-on-the-way-unemployment-assistance-resources/

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/30/14 - THU 6/5/14

FRI 5/30   6:30pm-8:30pm   Painting and Pizza Night for Teens at Franklin Art Center

SAT 5/31   9am-1pm   Franklin DPW Annual Open House (Hayward St.), Touch a Truck, Hay Ride, Free Hot Dogs and Popcorn
SAT 5/31   9am-2pm   Electronic Recycling Day at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School
SAT 5/31   2pm-4pm   Franklin Cub Scouts Registration Drive, Franklin Town Common

SUN 6/1   10am   The Franklin 5K - YMCA event, 431 Washington St., Franklin, Touch a Truck, Kids Fun Run, Games, Music, Silent Auction and Raffles
SUN 6/1   10am   6th Annual Parmenter School 5K Run at Parmenter School in Franklin.

MON 6/2   Franklin - Mandatory Water Conservation Begins!

TUE 6/3   6pm-8pm   Franklin Downtown Partnership Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s

THU 6/5   7pm   Author Laura Spinella at Franklin Public Library, free event.

For more details on above events click HERE.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

The Boys of Beaver - the video story of FHS boys lacrosse 2014

Via Pantherbook, I find that the Boys Lacrosse season had been captured via video. Now you can follow the team from the first practice...


Franklin Lacrosse 24/7: The Boys of Beaver (Ep.1)





Franklin Lacrosse 24/7: The Boys of Beaver (Ep.2)





Franklin Lacrosse 24/7: The Boys of Beaver (Ep. 3)

MassBudget Conference Preview: Comparing the FY 2015 House and Senate Budgets

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. FY 2015 Conference Preview: Comparing the House and Senate Budgets  While there are differences in the FY 2015 House and Senate budget proposals, in many respects they are very similar. MassBudget's Conference Preview Budget Monitor details these differences. Both budgets make modest, well targeted, investments in important initiatives: Supporting substance abuse treatment and prevention;    Improving the capacity of the Department of Children and Families to protect vulnerable children and support families; Investing in higher education.   There are differences in emphasis: the Senate more comprehensively addresses substance abuse issues and the House provides greater funding for higher education. But much is the same: in a budget of about $39.5 billion, the proposals agree on $39.2 billion - more than 99%.   This overlap reflects broad agreement about what we want to achieve together through our government: high quality education for all of our young people; safe, vibrant communities; the transportation infrastructure our economy needs; the security of a safety net for when we fall on hard times; keeping of air and water clean; and doing those other things that we know need to get done that we can do more effectively together than alone. The House and Senate are also operating in the same context: a weak national economy and the ongoing effects of $3 billion in tax cuts from 15 years ago. Even with the modest funding increases proposed for FY 2015, higher education spending would be roughly 22 percent below where it was in FY 2001 (adjusted for inflation). Local aid would be 45 percent below 2001 levels. Public health would be down 19 percent. And early education and care would be down 24 percent. While the House and Senate budget proposals contain no significant tax reforms, ultimately, it would require additional revenue to make the investments that could support sustainable and broadly shared prosperity. To read MassBudget's Conference Preview Budget Monitor click HERE. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

FHS Girls Softball, Lacrosse and Tennis advance

Softball
D1 South

#18 Franklin, 5 @ #15 Milford, 4 - Final

Lilly Criscione pitched a complete game with three strikeouts and hit a three-run home run at the plate to guide the Panthers. Franklin advances to the D1 South First Round to play at #2 Silver Lake on Friday, 5/30 at 3:30.

Girls Lacrosse
D1 East Playoffs
#3 Franklin, 18 vs. #6 Natick, 7 - Final

Tara Doherty scored two goals and had three assists, Julia Jette and Julianne Pisani each had two goals and an assist and Sheelagh Walsh had four goals and an assist. Nicole Ellin played well on defensively and stepped in to take draws for the Panthers. Alex Mitchell had 11 saves in net. Franklin advances to the D1 East Semifinals to play the winner of #2 Lincoln-Sudbury/#7 Framingham. The game is tenatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 3rd.

Girls Tennis
D1 South Playoffs
#14 Franklin, 3 @ #3 Framingham, 2 - Final

Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals to play the winner of #6 Needham/#11 Braintree on a date and time to be announced.

the new Franklin High School - under construction

Additional info on the results across the Hockomock League for Thursday can be found here