Franklin Matters

Monday, July 28, 2014

Franklin Library: Tanglewood Marionettes - Aug 2 - 10:30 AM

The Franklin Public Library will host a show by the Tanglewood Marionettes:

Featuring over twenty beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, The Fairy Circus is a showcase for turn-of-the-century-style trick puppetry. The puppets will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease, all to the best-loved music of favorite composers. This title is perfect for younger children and family audiences.

The Fairy Circus is performed by a solo puppeteer. The presentation includes a lively puppetry demonstration prior to the show, and a Question and Answer session following the performance.

Running time: 40 minutes
Recommended grade levels: Appropriate for pre-K - 6; best for pre-K - 2

Tanglewood Marionettes

When: Saturday, August 2, 10:30 AM

This was shared from the Franklin Public Library website
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/07/tanglewood-marionettes.html

For more about the Tanglewood Marionettes, you can visit their website here
http://www.tanglewoodmarionettes.com/fairycircus.html

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Downtown Project - protecting the trees

The trees are being protected as discussed during the downtown improvement project construction meeting held on July 10 at Dean College

trees on the Town Common

tree at the Franklin Public Library

My notes from the July 10th meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-downtown-project-status.html

The map distributed that night can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/downtown-improvement-project-map-pdf.html

You can also listen to the full meeting with this audio recording
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/downtown-improvement-project-meeting.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - July 30, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 9, 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
Historical Commission - Minessa Konecky
Housing Authority - Peter Brunelli

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-49:Designation of Special Municipal Employee under State Ethics Law
2. Bylaw Amendment 14-738: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1: Water Map – 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 14-739: Amendment to Chapter 179- 9.1: Water Map – 2nd Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 14-740:Amendment to Chapter 139-14: Sewer Map –2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents as released with this agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/073014.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St

Rainbow Loom events to help Max Love Project

Learning Express Franklin

I am a local Franklin resident and I help Learning Express with their marketing. They are planning a community-Rainbow Loom event, called the MAX LOVE PROJECT.

This is a nation-wide event where we are trying to help this 7-yr old (Max) who is battling brain cancer reach his goal of building a 100-mile Rainbow Loom Chain!

The Franklin Learning Express store will be hosting 3 Max Love Looming events to contribute to this project. We would love if you could help us gain momentum in the community. Our flyer is attached below.

Max Love Project

When are the community rainbow loom events?

July 31 - 4:30 PM
Aug 9 - 4:30 PM
Aug 14 - 3:30 PM

For more about the Max Love Project, you can visit their website http://maxloveproject.org/

For more about Learning Express Franklin, you can visit their website http://www.learningexpress.com/store/franklin-ma/

Love lobster? Visit Boston today

The Mass Great Outdoors blog has an article on lobsters in advance of the Boston Seafood Festival being held today, July 27.

Did you know:

And while some lobsters might be as old as time (or close to it) they have not always been a delicacy. According to National Geographic, in the 17th and 18th centuries, lobsters were so abundant that they were used as food for the poor—and not even good food. Feeding your servant too much lobster was considered inhumane. There were laws forbidding people from giving servants lobster more than twice a week. Most surprising, lobsters were so cheap that they were even used as fertilizer!

Mass Great Outdoors blog

Read more about lobsters on the Mass Great Outdoors blog here
http://blog.mass.gov/greatoutdoors/environment/lobsters-boston-seafood-festival/

Boston Seafood Festival

More about the Boston Seafood Festival can be found on their webpage
http://bostonseafoodfestival.org/

In the News: housing trust lottery, new Indian market, Dean explores online degrees

The housing trust lottery winner was announced on Saturday

John Bertane of Franklin had a good reason to be happy. His family had just the won the lottery, but instead of cash, the prize was a home.

A small group, including Bertane, gathered Saturday in the Town Council Room of the Franklin Municipal Building to hear the results of the town's latest affordable housing lottery.

The lottery was for the first home purchased by the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, a two-bedroom home at 11 Landry St.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140726/NEWS/140727224/1994/NEWS

Related posts on the housing trust lottery can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/franklin-municipal-affordable-housing.html

There is a new Indian market in Bellingham

A new grocery store, aimed at serving the area's growing Indian population (and any resident with a taste for Indian cuisine), opened Saturday at 15 North Main St.

A grand opening celebration for Namaste Supermarket was held early in the afternoon, featuring face-painting, henna tattooing and food samples.

Arun Nagrath, the store owner, said the Indian population within a 10 to 15 mile radius around the store had increased substantially of late.

"There are almost 2,600 families here," he said. "Before, they would have to drive to Worcester or Norwood (for a similar selection). We are a supermarket, but we also have takeout because there are few restaurants (in the area)."

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140726/NEWS/140727228/1994/NEWS

Dean College is looking to expand its offering to include online degrees

Dean College is seeking approval from its accrediting agency to offer an online business degree program.

The private college in downtown Franklin has online courses, but in the fall of 2014, Dean hopes to begin accepting enrollment into an online bachelor’s degree program for business. Many of the same courses in the college's current business program will be offered in the online tract.

"Dean College continues to expand what we are able to offer to our students," said John Marcus, vice president of enrollment services and marketing, in a statement. "An online degree program is a great opportunity for adult learners to pursue their education and career goals while juggling their current work/life responsibilities."

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140726/NEWS/140727345/1994/NEWS

Dean College - 99 Main St, Franklin, MA

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Members of St. Mary’s Parish and Delete Blood Cancer Holds Bone Marrow Registration Drive

Beginning Friday, August 8th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, members of St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin will be partnering with Delete Blood Cancer to host a bone marrow registration drive during the Feast of Saint Rocco held at St. Mary’s church. During this event, volunteers will be registering new bone marrow donors to become potential life-saving matches for patients suffering from various forms of blood cancer and blood disease.

The registration booth will also be open on Saturday, August 9th from 11:00am to 10:00pm and Sunday, August 10th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.

The group of volunteers hosting this event will be led by Justin Graci, who lost his sister Kristin to leukemia in 2010, and other members of the Graci family. Though Kristin is no longer with us, Justin and other members of the St. Mary’s community who were touched by her illness and passing continue to give back by spreading awareness about blood disease and the need for bone marrow donors.

Every day thousands of patients like Kristin search for a bone marrow donor. However, only 4 out of 10 patients are lucky enough to receive a transplant. Members of the St. Mary’s Parish hope to change these odds by offering people the opportunity to register as a potential bone marrow donor and further Delete Blood Cancer’s mission of saving lives.

About Delete Blood Cancer

DeleteBloodCancer.org

Delete Blood Cancer DKMS started with one family’s search for a bone marrow donor and is today part of the world’s largest bone marrow donor center. We have helped register more than 4 million potential donors and facilitated close to 40,000 life-saving transplants around the world. But we’re not stopping there. Every day we lead the fight against blood cancer by working with families, communities and organizations to recruit more donors and provide more patients with second chances at life.

For more information or to register as a bone marrow donor, please visit DeleteBloodCancer.org.

DeleteBloodCancer.org

The St Rocco Festival schedule and additional information can be found here
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/93

FHS Last Tour: Corridors and Student Art Work - part 14 (photos)

Let's finish the walk through the corridors of Franklin High School on the 'last tour.' I'll share the last of the photos of student art work and other significant items of interest as we complete the walk through FHS.

Franklin's panther

bring down the house

student art 1

student art 2

student art 3

old text books

stairwell view

student art 4

Franklin athletes never quit

Elm Street Bridge Closure - extended through Monday, July 28

Hello. This is Gary Premo, with the Franklin Police Department, calling with an important traffic advisory.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Elm Street Bridge will remain closed through Monday 07/28.

Again, please seek alternate routes if you need to be in the area. Thank you; goodbye.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

Franklin Police station - Panther Way

Pam's Run - 5K for Neighbor Brigade - Oct 16

Dear Friends,

Our team is hard at work planning Neighbor Brigade's second annual Pam's Run, a road race and walk named to honor the legacy of our founder, Pam Washek. Please join us on Saturday, October 18, for the race and race day festivities, including live music, kids' activities and food trucks. Registration for the Run is open. Register today and consider forming a fundraising team—spirit-wear optional! All proceeds from the Run will support Neighbor Brigade's programs and expansion to meet the demand for our services. Please help us raise awareness for our organization and the event by passing along the information to your friends, colleagues,
family and neighbors!

Pam's Run

WHEN:

Saturday, October 18, at 10 am

WHERE:

The race will start and finish at the Claypit Hill School, 40 Adams Street, Wayland, MA

EVENT:

The race will offer both a 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Run. It will also feature age group awards and cash prizes for top finishers.

Register at www.pamsrun.com. Once you register, a personal fundraising page will be created for you automatically.
You are encouraged to raise additional funds to help keep Pam's dream alive!
There is no minimum fundraising commitment or team fee.

THANK YOU TO
OUR SPONSORS!

Joint Ventures Physical Therapy & Fitness

Washek Electric

KGI Properties, LLC

Sponsorships are available.
For more information contact:

Joanna Manikas at

info@pamsrun.com

Stephanie Lawrence at

stephanie@neighborbrigade.org

www.pamsrun.com | info@pamsrun.com

Friday, July 25, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 7/25/14 - THU 7/31/14

FRI 7/25 10:30am Ronald McDonald at Franklin Public Library
FRI 7/25 12-6pm Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 7/25 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 7/25 8pm Midsummer Night’s Dream by FSPA at Franklin Town Common

SAT 7/26 7pm One Acts by FPAC, 38 Main St., Franklin

SUN 7/27 8am Yoga on the beach - free event at Beaver Pond, Franklin

MON 7/28 3:30pm iStories at Franklin Public Library
MON 7/28 4-7pm Farmer’s Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham
MON 7/28 5pm to close Dining for a Cure at Milford 99 Restaurant
MON 7/28 6:30pm Family PJ Storytime at Franklin Public Library.

TUE 7/29 4pm Lego Club and Games, Franklin Public Library

WED 7/30 3pm Marvelous Marvin - Magic of Science at Franklin Public Library
WED 7/30 6pm Concerts on the Common - Electric Youth

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

Elm Street Bridge Closure - Friday, July 25

Hello. This is Gary Premo, with the Franklin Police Department, calling with an important traffic advisory for Friday July 25.

The Elm Street Bridge will be closed for an additional day.

Again, please seek alternate route if you need to be in the area. Thank you; goodbye.

Franklin Police headquarters - Panther Way

In the News: Lincoln St health facility, new wireless for commuter rail

In the Milford Daily News we find two articles of interest today:

The proposal for 138 bed nursing home on Lincoln St has drawn opposition from the neighbors as it is zoned for a residential area. Franklin's Fire Chief Gary McCarragher has also come out against the facility as the fire dept response time to that area would not be sufficient to ensure quality service. The MDN article can be found here

"Unfortunately, the department’s ability to respond in a timely manner to this area is not good, as the closest fire station to this property is our Headquarters facility on West Central Street," he said.

According to McCarraher, it generally takes the department nine to 11 minutes to respond to the area — "well outside the response parameter recommended by the American Heart Association for cardiac arrest emergencies."

You can read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140725/NEWS/140727817/1994/NEWS

The MBTA has announced a new deal to provide wireless on the boats and trains. There would be free wireless offered as well as a premium offer at $15/month. Would someone pay for higher band width to cover the commute time? Time will tell. The more interesting piece in this day and age of rapid change is that the deal is for 22 years.

Under a 22-year license agreement, inMOTION will install, operate, and maintain a neutral, private, and dedicated WiFi network on all MBTA passenger coaches and ferries.

Riders will have free access to the internet, as well as a live television feed. Premium WiFi service, which allows customers to stream data and video, will be available for $15 per month. The MBTA will receive 7.5 percent of net revenue received from the WiFi program.

You can read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140724/NEWS/140728235/1994/NEWS

Thursday, July 24, 2014

more art at the Sculpture Park

The Sculpture Park is getting ready to open officially in August. A new piece was installed this week with two more pieces scheduled to be installed before the opening. Separate but related construction is underway to put in the sidewalk along Panther Way. The sidewalk is being funded as part of the new high school but will also help those looking to visit the Sculpture Park.

The Sculpture Park sign also appeared this week

new Sculpture Park sign

There was a Police alert on Wednesday:

"The Franklin Police Department has an artist amongst the ranks!

Lieutenant Mark Manocchio recently completed this painted steel sculpture, which has been installed in the new Franklin Sculpture Park, off of Edward’s Street. (Panther Way)

Mrs. Rea’s third grade students, at the Keller-Sullivan School, helped out and painted each flower."

Mandy's Flower Garden

sidewalk construction on Panther Way

a rain garden to help with drainage

a 'pull out' section along Panther Way at the Sculpture Park

For those who bought a brick to help raise money for the Sculpture Park, the bricks are now laid out on the walkway to the park.

some of the bricks

some more of the bricks

Related posts on the development of the Sculpture Park

Sep 2013 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/sculpture-park-update.html

Nov 2013 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/sculpture-park-november-update-video.html

Mar 2014 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/sculpture-park-in-snow.html

FHS Last Tour: Corridors and Student Art Work - part 13 (photos)

Let's continue the walk through the corridors of Franklin High School on the 'last tour.' I'll share photos of student art work and other significant items of interest picking up from where we left off last time.

behind this door quote

good Bono quote

brass horn

peeking through to the Chorus room

corridor view

rest rooms near entrance

library partly in the dark

Local movie, ‘Right There’, filmed in North Attleboro, accepted by Massachusetts Independent Film Festival

Film Production Company IM Filmworks announces that its most recent film, RIGHT THERE, has been accepted by the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

IM filmworks

Producer/Director Nathan Suher says, “RIGHT THERE is a mash-up of several genres. It’s a silent film that on the surface is a light-hearted romantic comedy, but at its core it is also a portrait of unrequited love.” RIGHT THERE may lack dialogue, but it is not lacking sound. Musician/Composer Kevin Keough was brought on to write the score. “Kevin’s score really compliments the overall mood of the film; it’s beautiful, yet bittersweet”.

“It’s an honor to have my film as part of the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival. Being screened with so many other terrific movies gives me a sense of great satisfaction. Knowing that all of the hard work put into this film by our cast and crew is recognized in this important way inspires me to build upon this accomplishment and set loftier goals as a filmmaker,” says Producer/Director Nathan Suher.

RIGHT THERE will be screened at the historic Somerville Theater (55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA) on Wednesday, August 6th at 6:20pm as part of the Block 4 screening group.

For more information about IM Filmworks, Producer/Director Nathan Suher, the movie ‘RIGHT THERE’, and for tickets to the event visit www.imfilmworks.com or www.facebook.com/imfilmworks