Cast of FPAC’s Something Rotten! Includes New Dean President - Kenneth Elmore

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is set to open the hilarious musical comedy Something Rotten! with a cast that includes a roster of New York City guest artists, many FPAC favorites, and Kenneth Elmore, the new President of Dean College.  

The show runs March 10-19 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin.  According to Director Raye Lynn Mercer, “We are thrilled to welcome President Elmore to the FPAC theater family and very happy to feature him in this fantastically funny musical!  He will appear in two roles as arts patron Lord Clapham and as The Master of the Justice with the fate of story’s lead characters in his hands.”  Mercer adds, “The cast we have assembled for this show is off the charts and our audiences will be thoroughly entertained by great music, a lot of laughs, and wonderful dancing with choreography by Broadway’s Tyler Hanes.”

Kenneth Elmore

Elmore has made appearances in John Brown’s Body, Black Nativity, and Anything Goes.  He has a keen interest in ensuring that Dean College contributes to building a creative community of artists in Franklin.  “There is nothing like live theatre, especially this show – it’s a hoot!” said Elmore.  We’re proud to be part of the show as a sponsor and as actors.  I hope this an exciting and joyful step towards Dean College’s integration with the Franklin Performing Arts Company.”

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

FPAC’s production stars NYC/LA’s Robbie Rescigno and Paul Rescigno as the Bottom Brothers, Christopher Rice-Thomson (Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman) as Shakespeare, Katie Gray as Bea, Ali Funkhouser as Portia, and Michael Barra (The Greatest Showman, A Bronx Tale) as Nostradamus. 

The production directed by FPAC Artistic/Executive Director Raye Lynn Mercer features choreography by Broadway legend Tyler Hanes. Hanes was only 17 when he was discovered by Ann Reinking while attending Broadway Theater Project in Tampa, Florida. She cast him in the first national tour of the Tony Award winning musical, Fosse. Following the tour, he attended Carnegie Mellon University, leaving after a year to make his Broadway debut in the 2002 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! Soon after, he appeared in the original Broadway companies of Urban Cowboy, The Boy From Oz, The Frogs, the 2005 revival of Sweet Charity, and as Larry in the original revival company of A Chorus Line. Hanes also appeared in the Broadway companies of Hairspray and the 2014 revival of On The Town. He starred as Rum Tum Tugger in the highly anticipated Broadway revival of CATS, for which he was nominated for a Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway show.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company at THE BLACK BOX is a professional Equity theater producing musicals, plays, and more, featuring Broadway stars, professional and regional performers, and emerging artists. 

For tickets and more information, visit THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370

Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (video)

The Joint Budget Subcommittee met for almost 2 hours on Wednesday and has the task now of resolving the  $5.7M deficit between projected revenues and projected expenses for the FY 2024 budget. 

The recognition of the issue and some of the school budget cost drivers was where most of the time was spent. The next steps and strategy to resolve the deficit were not mentioned. 

Chair Mercer urged all present for this and future discussions to refrain from talking about 'sides'. We are one Franklin, we are all in this together. We can talk about the 'town part' or the 'school part' but it is our budget and needs to be worked collaboratively.

Councilor Frongillo did reference his rationale for increasing density with smart growth as one way to increase revenue without further burdening the expenses. The 'standard' option mentioned was reducing expenses (meaning reducing services) and since 70% of the budget is people would mean reductions somewhere.  There was also mention of 'finding other sources of revenue.' 

For those listening who have been through this before, there is no 'other source' of revenue to resolve such a deficit. There can be increases within the existing revenue streams and the key question is whether anyone is ready to have that discussion.

There was no 'next meeting' mentioned during the session to develop the strategy that is need for the Town to have a sustainable budget.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen highlights the expected revenue and expense items and summarizes them in the budget narrative. The budget narrative can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/fy-2024-budget-narrative-for-discussion.html

The full agenda document and supporting docs can be found here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/joint-budget-subcommittee-meeting.html

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/5RqRcDQCNuI?feature=share

My notes captured via Twitter are combined in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1buX_DBa5Jz6m9osdAhNjxIAM5yY5tk7T/view?usp=share_link

The audio and my full recap will be ready in a couple of days.

Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (video)

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for DPW, Facilities, Inspections, & Town administration

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Local Building Inspector - Building and Inspections Department

Deputy Town Administrator - Office of Town Administrator

Staff Engineer - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 03/07/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for DPW, Facilities, Inspections, & Town administration

Community Preservation Committee March 7, 2023 meeting video available (video)

The Community Preservation Committee met on Tuesday, March 7. The meeting video is available from Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/live/CzckKCFq074?feature=share

The agenda doc has additional supporting info on the CPC budgeting proposal ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_march_7_2023.pdf

Community Preservation Committee Meeting - March 7 at 7 PM

You're invited: SAFE Open House! March 23 from 3 to 8 PM

You're invited: SAFE Open House! March 23 from 3 to 8 PM Hey there!   The time has come and we are thrilled to invite you to the grand opening of our new Franklin location!   You are invited to join us in celebrating our open house! Our SAFE Staff are excited to share all about the work they do and the groundbreaking programs they have curated.    The evening will include: Live music by guitarist Jon Bonner Warm conversation by those SAFE has supported  Display of programs provided to all our community partners Floral décor provided by Only Prettier Designs Delicious appetizers provided by the Eagle Brook Saloon Hot and Iced coffee and tea provided by Starbucks   We look forward to seeing all of you!   Warmly,   Jennifer Knight-Levine CEO, co-founder SAFE Coalition Our Contact Information SAFE Coalition 31 Hayward St., Unit 2c Franklin, MA 02038-0434 774 847 9474 http://www.safecoalitionma.org    Donate Here!

Franklin Police celebrate International Women's Day

"Today we celebrate International Women's Day and recognize the female employees of the Franklin Police Department past and present. 

https://t.co/ULbpFsLzXo

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1633577227232108546

Franklin Police celebrate International Women's Day

Jazz Café scheduled for Mar 24 at FHS Cafeteria

Jazz Café scheduled for March 24 at the FHS Cafeteria. FHS and middle school jazz bands will perform.

Tickets available online -> https://givebutter.com/FranklinJazz

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CpWGOM6O3UH/

Jazz Café scheduled for Mar 24 at FHS Cafeteria

La Cantina Winery hosts Cousins Maine Lobster food truck - Saturday, Mar 11

What’s better than Lobster and Wine? 

Join us this Saturday 3/11 at 12:00 - 7:00 PM  

#cousinsmainelobster #lacantinawinery #wine #lobter #saturdayvibes

shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CpgYAwZrX2m/ 

La Cantina Winery hosts Cousins Maine Lobster food truck - Saturday, Mar 11

One Path, Many Experiences: A Labyrinth Workshop scheduled for Mar 26, 2023 - 12:30 PM

One Path, Many Experiences: A Labyrinth Workshop

Sunday, March 26, 2023: 12:30 PM -3:00 PM

First Universalist Society in Franklin

262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Walking a labyrinth quiets the mind and reduces stress. Some labyrinths are walked with your feet while others are “walked” with your finger. Please join us for a labyrinth workshop where we’ll hear a brief history of the labyrinth, learn the difference between a labyrinth and a maze, experience the labyrinth firsthand, and share our experiences on the labyrinth. Workshop participants can choose to either walk an indoor canvas labyrinth with their feet or “walk” a handheld labyrinth with their finger. 

Please wear or bring socks to protect the canvas labyrinth. Booties that cover footwear will be provided for those who need shoes to walk. 

This workshop is FREE of charge. Please pre-register by emailing Bobbi Tayne Gerlits: bobbigerlits@icloud.com; 508-446-5131.  Contact her with any questions.  

One Path, Many Experiences: A Labyrinth Workshop - Mar 26, 2023 - 12:30 PM

Find out if you or someone you know qualifies for discounted internet service

Eligible households can get discounted high-speed internet service.

Find out if you can get help with your internet service costs If you or someone you know needs help paying for internet service, you may qualify for a monthly discount on a new or existing internet service plan through a government program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). You may also qualify for a one-time device discount of up to $100, to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Do I Qualify? To apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575 to request an application. Once your application is approved, you can contact a participating internet service provider to start receiving your monthly discount. Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Research suggests increased broadband Internet access is associated with improved health outcomes. Broadband makes it easier for people to take advantage of information on Medicare.gov, like comparing the quality of nursing homes and hospitals, or finding the health plan that's best for you. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.