Plastic bag bylaw put aside; recreational marijuana zoning proposal moves forward

I used Twitter to record some of my notes from the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday. I used Storify to summarize the meeting.

• Plastic Bag Bylaw

After some contentious discussion and nitpicking the plastic bag measure was declined to move forward by a unanimous vote. Additional work was acknowledged to be done. To the students credit, they took this in stride and are prepared to do the work and bring the measure back.

• Recreational marijuana zoning

The Committee also voted to bring forward a measure to allow Franklin to implement a 2% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and to adjust the zoning to use the existing adult and medical marijuana overlays to also include recreational marijuana. Both of these actions are in advance of the first sale sometime in 2018 with additional State level regulations to be announced before then. The Town Council should see this at one of their meetings in December.


I will post the audio recording of the meeting to share that for your listening pleasure.

FHS students leading the discussion on the proposal to ban plastic bags for retail

(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

New England Irish Harp Orchestra - Dec 4 - 7:00 PM

NEW ENGLAND IRISH HARP ORCHESTRA

Under the direction of Regina Delaney

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th ~ 7:00 pm

237 Pleasant Street, Franklin MA

There is nothing quite as magic as the sound of 6 or 12 harps playing together in harmony, with some fiddle, whistle and perhaps bodhran (Irish drums ) thrown in for good measure. 

New England Irish Harp Orchestra will share a wonderful medley of holiday music that will put you in the perfect mood for Advent !! 

This is a fundraiser for the church - tickets are $ 10 at the door and will be available in the office after November 1.

Free to Dean College students with student ID.

New England Irish Harp Orchestra - Dec 4

"This thing got to us as a council when it probably shouldn't have"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Economic Development Committee voted unanimously against a proposed plastic bag ban after it met with impassioned opposition at a meeting Wednesday. 

The committee held a session to seek feedback on the issue, which was first brought before the Town Council by a group of high school students at a meeting in September. 

Those students gave an abbreviated version of their presentation, citing environmental concerns as a primary driver for the measure."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161130/franklin-committee-opposes-bag-ban

For the Franklin Matters summary of the full meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/plastic-bag-bylaw-put-aside.html

FHS students presenting on the proposal to ban plastic bags for retail

Announcing the SAFE Support Line: (508)-488-8105

Do you or a loved one need assistance in treatment and support for Substance Use Disorder? 

Call the SAFE Support Line for free and confidential help.

The SAFE Support Line is a confidential supportive service which will provide callers with access to resources related to Substance Use Disorder including;

• Locating treatment for Substance Use Disorder including (but not limited to) Detox, Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation, Halfway Houses, Sober Homes
• Support with MassHealth Insurance
• Referrals to counselors for psychiatric assessments and therapeutic treatment
• Information and assistance with Section 35 and Section 12
• Knowledge of local supportive services for families and loved ones
• Information on obtaining Narcan
• Information on veterans substance use services

Hours of Operation: 

The SAFE Support phone line will be answered between the hours of 9am and 9pm. All calls beyond these hours will reach a voicemail with calls being returned within 24 hours.

This line is a for non-emergency calls. In the event of an emergency call 911 for Emergency Services

Announcing the SAFE Support Line: (508)-488-8105

Franklin Downtown Partnership Hosts Holiday Stroll December 1

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is hosting its annual holiday party on Thursday, December 1, from 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Franklin’s newly revitalized downtown.

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for this year’s Holiday Stroll, allowing easy walking between all the festivities on Main, West Central, East Central and Summer streets. Families will find decorated store fronts, entertainment and refreshments, visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Post Mark the North Pole Postman, crafts and gingerbread cookie decorating, and gift shopping.

“This event is always so much fun and really gets you in the mood for the holidays,” says Roberta Trahan, event co-organizer. “The Holiday Stroll showcases our businesses beautifully, and the downtown looks festive with the storefronts decorated. This year we have special guests and a new Holiday Stroll Passport that offers shoppers something extra.”

Holiday Stroll December 1

The Holiday Stroll begins at 4:15 p.m. with costumed carolers and refreshments on Dean College’s Dean Hall Common. The tree will be lit at sundown. Visitors don’t need to wait for the tree to be lit to begin their stroll through downtown; vendor booths and shops will be open for business by 4:30 p.m.

The Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Food Pantry kicks off that day, and red donation bin will be placed at the tree lighting. Bins will also be set up participating downtown businesses.

An all-new Holiday Stroll Passport will help visitors check items off their holiday gift shopping lists. The free passport can be picked up at participating businesses. Visitors will get their passport stamped at each location listed. When the passport is full of stamps it will be entered into a grand prize drawing, which is one $25 gift card from each business listed. Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, and Facebook event page for a list of passport business locations.

Several special guests will make appearances at this year’s Holiday Stroll. At Emma’s Quilt Cupboard on Main Street, Post Mark the North Pole Postman will mail letters to Santa and read from a Christmas book he’s written from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Families can follow Candy Cane Lane down East Central Street to Simon’s Furniture where Santa Claus and his elves will hear wish lists from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Franklin Historical Museum at 5 p.m. to treat kids to stories and snacks.

Great entertainers will put everyone into a jolly mood. Jamie Barrett will sing and play guitar at Jane’s Frames. The Saint Mary’s choir will perform holiday favorites on Main Street, and WMRC 1490-AM will broadcast live with giveaways and contests.

At Simon’s Furniture, talented Franklin High School musicians will perform inside while Feet In Motion Dance School students will put on holiday-themed dances and Eric the Wood Carver will create his artwork using a chainsaw and logs outside in the parking lot.

On West Central Street, performers at THE BLACK BOX will perform scenes from three FPAC December shows, including The Nutcracker, Humbug, and a holiday panto entitled A Glass Slipper Christmas.

Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or Facebook event page for entertainment times and location updates.

Kids will enjoy the Touch-A-Truck event at the Franklin Fire Station, and the Historical Museum will have delicious treats when kids come to see Mrs. Claus.

Downtown businesses will open their doors and tempt visitors with refreshments and shopping deals on holiday gifts, services and gift cards. Sponsors and merchants will have booths inside the Depot Plaza building next to Acapulco’s on Main Street, and also at Dean Bank and Simon’s Furniture.

“We’re turning downtown Franklin into ‘Holiday Central’ during our Stroll. Everyone can visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Postman, sing Christmas carols, shop for gifts, and meet friends for dinner, all right here in the center of town,” says Jennifer Hurst, event co-chair.

The Holiday Stroll is made possible by the generous sponsorship of local businesses. Dean Bank and Dean College are Gold sponsors of this event. Silver sponsors are DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rescom Exteriors.

Bronze sponsors are Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, BMW Gallery of Norwood, Boston Solar, Flynn/Wirkus/Young Attorneys at Law, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Driving School, Franklin Girl Scouts, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact event organizers Roberta Trahan, trahanroberta@gmail.com, and Jennifer Hurst, jhurst@deanbank.com.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th year as a 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. For more information about the FDP, please visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Boston may follow Franklin on plastic bags

The Boston City Council meets today to take up a measure to reduce plastic bags for retail use. This is similar to the efforts in Franklin and other communities in MA.

• Boston City Council full agenda

http://meetingrecords.cityofboston.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=344&doctype=AGENDA


The proposed ordinance regarding the reduction of plastic bags in Boston




Coincidentally, the Franklin proposed bylaw is up for discussion at the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 PM

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html

cover page of presentation to Town Council on reducing plastic bags for retail

The DelCarte playground will be covered up during the winter

Dear Residents

Please note, the DelCarte playground will be covered up this week for winter to help protect the playground after it was repaired this past Spring. 

We want to be on the safe side!

The playground will reopen in March.

the DelCarte playground will be covered up during the winter

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/delcarte-playground-closing-winter

"a stunning array of beautiful holiday music"

If you are looking for some new music to play this holiday season, we have exactly what you are looking for!

Released in 2015, this album features children ages 8 to 18 in a stunning array of beautiful holiday music. Included are some holiday classics, along with some beautiful arrangements of newer holiday favorites. To purchase, simply click on the link below. 

All proceeds from the sale of this album go directly to the Encore Music Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and subsidies to deserving students of music.

Thank you for your support, and have a wonderful holiday season!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/december/id1069500761?i=1069500783

if you have any trouble with the iTunes link, here is another good source for the CD  http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/encoremusicacademyandrec


Note: When I attempted to follow the link (on a non-Apple device) I was getting prompted to install iTunes (which was already installed). I was able to find the album by searching for "Emma Newton". She comes up with several entries and the album "December" fortunately is one of them.

Charles River Meadowlands & #GivingTuesday

Season's Greetings to All,

We have some great news to report. I recently had a follow-up meeting with the Board of Metacomet Land Trust. They have been supportive of the Meadowlands initiative from the start, particularly Susan Speers and Larry Rettman, who have attended all of our meetings and provided much valuable advice. Since we are not a registered 501 (c) 3 it is not really appropriate for us to raise funds to help with the Charles River Meadowlands initiative. 

However, Metacomet has indicated a willingness to continue to work with us. So, if anyone is willing or able to put a few dollars behind their commitment to the Charles River Meadowlands vision, the best way to support us is by either joining Metacomet or by sending along a donation and indicating that your gift should be applied to the Charles River Meadowlands project.

Today, "Giving Tuesday," is an especially appropriate day for taking action. Metacomet Land Trust joins with charities around the country to encourage giving through the #GivingTuesday campaign. Metacomet will be able to set up an earmarked account to support the endeavor. At the very least you will be helping the most active, independent voice for land protection in our area. Please go to metacometlandtrust.org for more information or simply donate here.

In other news, we had a very useful "workshop" in September at the First Universalist Society in Franklin. This meeting brought together town officials, planners, and others and generated useful input for a "vision" document. In early November I also met with the board of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee to apprise them of our efforts and to open the door to coordinating our efforts in the future.

Last but not least, our legislators, Jeff Roy and Kevin Kuros are continuing to monitor the funds earmarked for this project in the state budget in an effort to get them moved toward the right people.

We will resume meeting monthly in the new year, at 6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA.

The dates we have lined up are:

• Tues. Jan 10
• Tues. Feb 7
• Tues Mar 7
• Tues Apr 4
• Tues May 2

In the event of inclement weather, feel free to call my cell phone – 508 560 3786.

Sincerely,

Alan Earls
Charles River Meadowlands initiative
www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org

Charles River Meadowlands

The Metacomet Land Trust website can be found  http://metacometlandtrust.org/

Affordable Housing - 5 Mark's Way

5 Mark's Way - Completely updated

Building Description:

• Style: Colonial
• Year Built: 1994
• Building Grade: Good
• Finished Area: 1300 sf
• Number of Rooms: 6
• Foundation Type: Concrete
• Number of Bedrooms: 3
• Number of 1/2 baths: 1 Full Baths: 1
• Flooring Type: Hardwood
• Basement Floor: Concrete
• Heating Type: Forced Hot Water
• Heating Fuel: Gas

House completely updated with granite counters, new appliances, gas stove, new cabinets, hard wood floors, fire place and mantle, 1.5 bathrooms updated

This property contains 0.120 acres of land mainly classified as one family with a colonial style building, built about 1994, having vinyl exterior and asphalt shingle roof cover, with u unit, 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 half bath

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

You Must Be a 1st Time Home Buyer

• Applications available in Town Administrator’s Office at 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
• Applications available at: Municipal Affordable Housing Trust 
• Contact Maxine at 508-520-4949 or mkinhart@franklin.ma.us

In the News: Japanese students visit FHS; O'Connell and Clancey scheduled for Circle of Friends

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A group of 38 students from Japan came to Franklin High School Tuesday morning to interact with local students, view American classrooms and even eat lunch. 

The students, visiting from the city of Fuji, came to the school as part of a tour of the Boston area. Laura Evans, the director of world languages for Franklin schools, said they were partnered with FHS students - members of the Spanish National Honor Society - and spent the morning shadowing their American counterparts. 

"They wanted to see a day in the life of a high school student in the U.S.," she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161129/a-day-in-life-at-franklin-high

Franklin High School

"The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will present "A Celtic Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 10, featuring Robbie O’Connell and Rose Clancy. 

The music of O’Connell and Clancy has a distinct Celtic flavor and extends from the little known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage. They explore both the Christian and pagan traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice in a mixture of songs and instrumental pieces that create a delightful musical tapestry to celebrate the season. 

O’Connell was born in Waterford, Ireland and grew up in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. A nephew of the Clancy Brothers, he began touring with his uncles in 1977 and recorded 3 albums with them. In 1979 he moved to Franklin, where he lived many years until moving to Rhode Island. He has also toured with Mick Moloney and Jimmy Keane, and with Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan in the Green Fields of America"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161129/circle-of-friends-to-present-celtic-christmas

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

#shopFranklin: Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store (video)

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. 

We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!

If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, Dec 3

The Cub Scouts Pack 126 will hold their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec 3 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Franklin Elks Lodge.  

$7 per person, Scouts in uniform and children under 3 are free.

Cub Scouts Pack 126 will hold their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec 3

You Saved the Best for Last

November 29, 2016   You Saved the Best for Last    Dear Friends, Our wish is that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones, and that you enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday in good cheer and with a festive spirit.  With all of the gifts checked off on your list, you saved the best for last. Today, Giving Tuesday, you can give a gift to help a neighbor you may never have met. We ask that you consider making a donation for one of the 322 children right here in your community who wouldn't have enough to eat without the Franklin Food Pantry. We ask that you share this email with your friends and family so that we can meet our goal of 322 gifts today. For the donations already made and for those still to come, THANK YOU!  Donate to Food Pantry       Additional leadership gift and corporate sponsor opportunities available, for details please email Erin Lynch erin@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org  Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station.

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today

A Ballet for The Ages: Growing Up With The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a holiday season tradition for countless young dancers whose annual turn in the Christmas fantasy marks a celebrated rite of passage. The chance to take part in the enchanting production, full of pageantry and splendor, engages the starry-eyed child dancer, while more advanced ballerinas relish opportunities to be cast in progressively more challenging roles.

Franklin’s Shaina McGillis, 18, made her Nutcracker debut with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) in 2004 at the age of six. A polichinelle coming out from Mother Ginger’s giant hoop skirt, it was her first time performing on stage. Now a senior at Franklin High School and a veteran of 12 FPAC Nutcrackers, Shaina dances her 13th consecutive year in FPAC’s production this season. She has played most of the ballet’s roles, including little mouse, party girl, little Chinese, marzipan, Clara, Chinese demi-soloist, Chinese soloist, kissy doll, soldier doll, Spanish and Arabian corp, Russian, rose flower, Mouse Queen, candy cane soloist, Nutcracker, Spanish soloist, and Dew Drop. 

Franklin's Shaina McGillis is pictured, center, in this 2015 production photo, dancing the role of Dew Drop

“Particularly for students who start dancing The Nutcracker at younger ages, the ballet becomes tradition, a treasured part of their holiday season,” says Director/Choreographer Cheryl Madeux, who formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet and American Ballet Theatre companies. “As dancers continue to train year after year, they develop the maturity, physically and emotionally, to take on more demanding and age-appropriate roles.”

Shaina’s parts in the ballet’s magical snow scene reflect her progression, dancing first as a snow maiden, then as a snowflake and snow princess, and this year as Snow Queen. “The snow scene is exciting,” she says, “and very cool with the live orchestra. There’s a lot going on, and there are many dancers on stage. The snow can be slippery under point shoes. It’s well rehearsed, but you have to be very aware.”

Cast in multiple roles, Shaina will also dance the parts of Spanish soloist and Dew Drop this season. “It’s great to have the opportunity to grow into it,” she says of Dew Drop and the chance to reprise the coveted role. “It’s more artistically challenging, and it’s tiring physically. The stamina is hard.”

Shaina will be joined on stage by her dad, Jim McGillis, who will perform the role of Clara’s father, Herr Silberhaus. This is Jim’s sixth consecutive year as Party Parent in the festive Christmas Eve scene that opens the ballet’s first act. Jim, who used to coach Shaina in soccer, stepped into his Nutcracker role to share a different experience with his daughter when she stopped playing soccer to focus on her ballet training.

“It’s a real team effort,” says Shaina’s mom, Anne McGillis, noting how the sport and ballet production share a spirit of collaboration. “Jim appreciates the athleticism, too, and the way in which the dancers make what is so physically challenging look so effortless.”

“Everyone has to work together,” she continues, “and Ms. Madeux promotes such a positive attitude among the dancers. They really support each other.”

Shaina adds, “Ms. Madeux expects a lot from us, and that makes us work harder.”

A student in the Ballet Conservatory program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where Ms. Madeux is Ballet Director, Shaina also studies jazz, tap and contemporary dance at FSPA. Her training has included summer intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet in San Francisco, Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City, and Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City. Shaina plans to continue dancing in college and aspires to dance professionally.

Reflecting on her last season in FPAC’s The Nutcracker, she says, “It will be bittersweet. It went by so fast.”

FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak Street. With special guest artists, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers, the fairytale ballet features Festival Ballet Providence company dancers Vilia Putrius and Mindaugas Bauzys in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and a professional orchestra under the direction of maestro Peter Cokkinias.

“There’s so much excitement around it – the music, the costumes, the choreography – as it all comes together,” Shaina says of the production.

For tickets ($30-$34) and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s 2016 Holiday Sponsor.