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Friday, March 20, 2015
The latest from Mass Poetry
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Zoning Board of Appeals - March 19 - Agenda item on 280 unit apartment complex
via the network:
"Recently it was found out that a developer has gone before the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals to obtain a permit to build a 280 unit apartment building at 1330-1342 West Central Street. This enormous complex would be next to (and sort of in front of) where Pump It Up used to be. While it is inevitable that the parcels will be developed at some point, to build something of this scale will only make the existing - and significant - traffic issues worse.
In fact, Franklin's own report lists 1376 West Central Street as one of the top 20 locations for the highest number of vehicle crashes. (page 6, http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/docs/elements/C.pdf)
Here are photos of the proposed complex. The yellow highlighted area is what the complex will encompass. The photo has been edited, an orange arrow and the text "Garelick Farms" was added on the right side of the photo.
Help is needed to get this project scaled down to a reasonable size.
Please attend the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, March 19, and please pass this info on to others."
Note the agenda for the 2/26/15 ZBA meeting shows:
DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM – AGENDA HAS BEEN CONTINUED TO MARCH 19, 2015
2/26/15 agenda doc
3/19/15 agenda doc
"Recently it was found out that a developer has gone before the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals to obtain a permit to build a 280 unit apartment building at 1330-1342 West Central Street. This enormous complex would be next to (and sort of in front of) where Pump It Up used to be. While it is inevitable that the parcels will be developed at some point, to build something of this scale will only make the existing - and significant - traffic issues worse.
In fact, Franklin's own report lists 1376 West Central Street as one of the top 20 locations for the highest number of vehicle crashes. (page 6, http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/docs/elements/C.pdf)
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| West Central Development |
Help is needed to get this project scaled down to a reasonable size.
Please attend the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, March 19, and please pass this info on to others."
Note the agenda for the 2/26/15 ZBA meeting shows:
DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM – AGENDA HAS BEEN CONTINUED TO MARCH 19, 2015
2/26/15 agenda doc
3/19/15 agenda doc
FHS has three on the wrestling All Star Team
The Hockomock League coaches have announced their all stars for wrestling per the posting from Hockomock Sports. We can share the FHS representatives are
And for honorable mention -> Pat Glynn, Franklin (132)
All the Hockomock League wrestling All Stars can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/the-2015-hockomock-league-wrestling-all-stars
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| FHS Panthers |
| Mike Coppola | Franklin | 120 |
| Dan Pisani | Franklin | 126 |
And for honorable mention -> Pat Glynn, Franklin (132)
All the Hockomock League wrestling All Stars can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/the-2015-hockomock-league-wrestling-all-stars
The Music Man continues its run at THE BLACK BOX
The musical theater classic, The Music Man, continues its run at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin this weekend. Franklin Performing Arts Company’s production of the Broadway charmer opened on March 13 and concludes with three additional performances on March 21 and 22. Saturday’s shows will be staged at 2 and 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2. With small-town spirit, con-man-makes-good plot, and toe-tapping score, the six-time Tony Award winner woos audiences of all ages.
“It’s my favorite show!” said Director Raye Lynn Mercer. “The humor is so honest. It’s charming and so well written.”
With book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, The Music Man showcases an all-American score that captivates with gorgeous ballads, rousing marches, nostalgic barbershop harmonies, and such cherished standards as “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-six Trombones,” and “Till There Was You.”
“Those elements – the barbershop quartet, the marches – are real crowd pleasers,” noted Mercer.
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| The Music Man - at THE BLACK BOX Theater |
The musical theater classic follows fast-talking salesman Harold Hill as he attempts to bamboozle the townspeople of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a marching band. But Hill’s scheme begins to unravel when he falls for Marian the librarian and must choose between the promise of romance and a quick getaway.
Under Mercer’s direction, FPAC’s production makes creative use of THE BLACK BOX’s open floor plan, with staging that mixes a traditional proscenium format with the intimacy and flexibility of the venue’s space. The aisles lead into the center of River City, bringing the audience into this iconic small town. The theater’s 360-degree catwalk provides a dramatic platform to feature the production’s professional orchestra, conducted by Boston’s Peter Cokkinias.
The Music Man spotlights the talents of 50 lead, featured and ensemble cast members, with Franklin’s Nick Paone and Hallie Wetzell in the starring roles of Harold Hill and Marian Paroo. A prolific FPAC performer and director, the versatile Paone most recently appeared as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Scrooge in Humbug!, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker, and was creatively cast as Miss Hannigan in Annie. Nick is the founder and creative force behind FPAC’s annual summer Whatever Theater Festival. FPAC Vocal Director Hallie Wetzell is also Vocal Director at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where she oversees the Pro Voice program, teaches private vocal instruction, and music directs all ensembles, including the international touring group, Electric Youth. A classically trained soprano with master’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the New England Conservatory of Music, Hallie is a veteran FPAC performer as well.
The Music Man cast showcases well-known local talent, including Jamie Barrett, popular Franklin music teacher, singer-songwriter, and guitarist. Barrett is featured in the musical’s famed barbershop quartet, along with Ed Milham of Attleboro, Graham Hancock of Franklin and Brian Steiner of Millis.
From 10 area towns, cast members also include Madi Asgeirsson, Janene Asgeirsson Jason Barney, Lily Barney, Aidan Clark, Brooke Collins, Devin Curley, Christine DiMartino, Mia Fleischer, Aaron Frongillo, Brandon Hancock, Graham Hancock, Kelly Irwin, Ed Jones, Jocelyn Jones, Wendy Jones, Greg Leach, Sydney Leach, Shauna Martin, Tatiana McAlpine, Caroline Merten, Debra Packard, Shane Packard, Chuck Peters, Guy Rezendes, Hannah Rezendes, Kim Rezendes, Madison Rezendes, Katharine Waples, Michele Webster, Amanda Wylie, Melissa Wyner and Peter Wyner of Franklin; Colie Vancura of Medfield; Alan Mercer and Maddy Williams of Medway; Zoe Stewart of Mendon; Katie Gray of Milford; Bob Matson of Millis; Susauna Wickstrom of Plainville; Laine DiMartinis, Mairead Nee and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; Kellie Stamp of Westport; and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.
FPAC’s commitment to youth development in the arts is reflected by the casting of 30 children and teens in this production, working collaboratively with the musical’s adult professional and community performers. Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities, drawing performers and audiences from more than 100 communities throughout the region.
THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new home and performance venue, is located at 15 West Central Street. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is the Premier Sponsor for FPAC’s production of The Music Man. Tickets are $34. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.
HipHarp at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - April 25
HipHarp at The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse!
DATE/TIME:
Saturday, April 25 - 8:00pm-10:00pm |
| Deborah Hanson-Conant |
DESCRIPTION:
"HipHarpist" Deborah Henson-Conant (DHC) is returning to one of the best Coffeehouse in the country, 'Circle of Friends Coffeehouse' at the Universalist Society Meeting House in Franklin, MA.DHC is a Grammy-Nominated performer, composer and probably the world's most eclectic harp player. She performs as soloist with symphonies and in her one-women shows and concerts world wide - and has made her home in the Boston area for the past 30 years. She dragged her 6-foot concert harp into a Cambridge jazz club in the early 80's and started a career that includes a slew of awards, touring as a soloist with the Boston Pops, and as a band member with guitar legend Steve Vai, her own music special on PBS, and shows throughout the US and Europe.
Along the way, DHC invented the wearable 32-string electric harp she plays, that's now designed for her by the French CAMAC company, and is the top-selling electric harness harp in the world.
What is her show like? Stories, humor, and music from Blues to Flamenco with sounds you never thought could come from a harp.
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is known as the "finest church coffeehouse in the country." It's like a visit to a 60's coffeehouse, BUT, with a modern sound system. Intimate. Funky. Fun. Franklin, MA is equidistant from Boston, Providence and Worcester on 495, about 25 miles southwest of Boston.
LOCATION:
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse at the Universalist Society Meeting House262 Chestnut Street
Franklin, MA, 02038
508-528-2541
http://www.circlefolk.org/
COST/TICKETS/REGISTRATION:
$25.http://www.circlefolk.org/sched.html
MORE INFO:
Website: http://www.circlefolk.org/sched.htmlEmail: circlefolk@gmail.com
Calling All Runners: WGBH 5K
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Live reporting: Legislation through to closing
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-10-Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Lenox Drive, Berkshire Drive, and Symphony Drive and related Drainage Lot and Easementmotion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
2. Resolution 15-11-Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Windsor Circle and Related Drainage Lot and Easementmotion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
3. Resolution 15-12- Acceptance of Gift-Town of Franklin Police Departmentmotion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
4. Bylaw Amendment 15-746: Chapter 181, Wetlands Protection – 1st Readingmirrors bylaw with other sections, to ensure some cost recovery
motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
right now, about $500K over budget, also want to make sure the salt barns are full
thanks to Lacrosse and soccer leagues who donated money to help clear the fields (turf field)
high school turf field came in at $839,000
had been projected at about $1M to 1.1M
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Mr Lipit, title issue raised by DPW
town meeting notes authorized drainage work on the road but not much documented, lot built on private lot and probably shouldn;t have been
town employees stepped up at the time to help with a private matter
water would be taken from a pump station to elsewhere
property has had the benefit of the town maintaining it for 45 years
nothing, easement is only the right to do something for a public benefit
that doesn't resolve anything here; it is only the ground or surface water on the property
the first thing we do is look back to the developer for a remedy, why the town got involved I don't know
Kelly - we have established intent
pipe going through multiple properties to a town storm drain
Kelly - can't we work it out?
Nutting - we are stuck between a rock and a hard place
I have no problem taking a second look, I'll leave it at that
Lipit - I can't afford to maintain it, if it fails, and my neighbor sues me, I am not in a position to do it
Cerel - there is no liability from a permit, it is a flood plan, it is not buildable
how it got permitted for septic given the typography I don't know
Lipit - I am the second owner
Nutting - the town had no right spending money to support the private matter, is there a way to resolve it, I don't know
Bissanti - isn't this something we can find a way
Cerel - we are constrained, if we did something wrongfully 40+ years ago, doesn't mean we can
Pfeffer - we are city who calls itself a town, people who stepped in then and it was the right thing to do, everybody down there is going to be flooded unless we did something
Cerel - there may be other situations like this out there, what you do here may have repercussions
Pfeffer - can we get dsignated as a "purple heart' town
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Padula - thanks to the DPW for a response on a frozen water line for a rental property
Kelly - a quick comment on Gus and his staff, they are always with a smile and willing to help, you don't always get that from town halls, but here especially in the building dept.
Feldman - an update on the Franklin Solar Challenge, new logo by David Mann
Pfeffer - Dean College is sponsoring a series of lectures at the Senior Center in honor of Stella Jean
Open House Algonquin pipeline at Keller/Sullivan the other night, the most polished entity. It was the scariest thing I have ever been through, they made sure your answers
Nutting - reading at Davis Thayer, it is a great time
O EXECUTIVE SESSION
– To consider purchase of real property (unimproved land)
motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)
Live reporting: Presentations
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- FY 16 Budget
Awaiting the fire fighters arbitration award
Once the last numbers come in, will go through the process, beginning with the Finance Committee
- Gus Brown - Building Commissioner
3 years as building commissioner
review and process residential and commercial permit applications
interpret and enforce zoning
totals of permits on one slide (hopefully will be posted later)
140 unit at Chestnut Ridge under construction
Starbucks and 3 other businesses in the one building
picture of a fire inspection: due to the sheet rock in the garage, the fire stayed in the garage and did not enter the building
there are no unregistered cars allowed unless you are a registered dealer
State offering a program to help manage abandoned homes
the property can be repaired through a court ordered receiver process
136 Chestut St - part of the Affordable Housing Trust
15 Beaver Court - being constructed by students at Tri-County
the framing was done at the school, moved to the site and now the working to complete the house is being done inplace on site
housing zoning starts with Building Commissioner and gets routed through to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Q - on solar panels
A - recent surge, checking for the ability of the roof to support the solar panels especially with snow
Q - what is the outlook on permits
A - it has evened out, several projects on Grove St are coming along
a tenate will potentially use the section of the building wil use the rail connection
Q - Pfeffer - kudos to Gus for working with the Housing Trust
Q - Padula - are the students taking it through to the finish?
A - yes, Glenn Jones is working on the electrical and is doing a great job. If you get a chance to see the kids operating, it is a joy to watch
Q - Bissanti - as far as the vacant homes, are you getting this money?
A - yes, we are. You are not dealing with the home owner, you are dealing with the other entity and they sometimes think that you are trying to buy the home. we don't want to. We want to kept up to keep up the neighborhood.
Q - are you collecting the fees?
A - yes, we are. With out this being in place, they could fly under the radar, now that can't hide.
Q - Dellorco - are we going to have other projects for Tri-County?
A - yes, but we are inline, other towns are seeing what is being done by the students and they want some of that too!
Nutting - I get so many comments about the professional courtesy of he and his staff
Gus - you can't put a price tag on having Mark here to answer questions
Live reporting: License Transactions
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
»The Curry House- Transfer of License
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
»The Bamboo House-Transfer of License
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Live reporting: Public Hearing on street acceptance
F. HEARINGS
- Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Lenox Drive, Berkshire Drive, and Symphony Drive-7:10
- Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Windsor Circle-7:10
working on the process of getting streets that had been developed under the proper support model for the Town. The developer had gone under in this case but the paperwork is in good shape and therefore coming before the Council for approval.
The issue is not with recent subdivisions the issue is with older subdivisions, where the process wasn't followed and the bonds weren't released. The special legislation has allowed the acceptance plan for the road layout no matter where the individual owners property lines were, in the middle of the road or up to the curbs, etc.
Multiple questions around the older process and the process today; where the recent subdivisions came through the process the Planning Board has covered the process and those were taken. Some others had not been properly handled and those are still being worked, these are the easier ones left to do.
There are problems will all that remain. They are being worked.
There is a condition on acceptance of the bond dependent upon the delivery of the plans. Developers need to retain ownership of the road (rather than in some cases where the homeowners own to the middle of the road).
We can make repairs under the statute. We can't do a full depth rebuild. In some cases, where there are unaccepted but the water line has been replaced so they have been repaired.
It is more of an equity issue when tied to Chapter 90 funding.
move to close the hearings, passed 9-0
Live reporting: Town Council - March 18, 2015
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Resident from Beth Dr with a story over 45 years of water problems that the Town had maintained a pump to control. THe pump has recently failed and the DPW is now disavowing responsibility for maintaining such pump mitigations.
to be addressed during new business
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Finance Committee = Kerri Anne Bertone
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 30 2014 Budget Hearing Pt. 1motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
May 1, 2014 Budget Hearing Pt. 2
January 7, 2015 – Executive Session
March 4, 2015 – Executive Session
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Resident from Beth Dr with a story over 45 years of water problems that the Town had maintained a pump to control. THe pump has recently failed and the DPW is now disavowing responsibility for maintaining such pump mitigations.
to be addressed during new business
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Finance Committee = Kerri Anne Bertone
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
Teams still needed for the 18th Annual Trivia Bee - Apr 8th
The Franklin Education Foundation will hold its 18th Annual Trivia Bee on Wednesday, April 8th, 2015. There will be live music by the Franklin High School Jazz Band, a raffle table, and refreshments.
The Bee is the FEF’s largest fundraiser and has enabled the organization to donate over $300,000 to the Franklin Public Schools since 1997 for innovative education programs that would not otherwise be possible.
NEW THIS YEAR: MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIVIA BEE PRIOR TO THE REGULAR BEE!
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| Trivia Bee - Apr 8th |
The regular Bee will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the theme will be movie trivia. For the regular Bee, teams consist of three people sponsored by local businesses, civic groups and individuals. Organizations may send their own team or may sponsor a team of Franklin High School students.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a team, donating an item to the raffle table, or bidding on naming rights for the final championship round should contact Kit Brady at cbbrady1@comcast.net. All entries must be received by March 25th.
For more information about the Franklin Education Foundation, please visit our website at www.franklined.org or visit us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org)
Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common
Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common
Friday, April 3- 12:00-1:00 pm
St Mary's teen ministry is organizing a 'Cross Walk' procession on the Franklin Town Common beginning at Noon on Good Friday.
Christians of all denominations and ages are welcome. Participants will gather on the Church Square end of the common. Together, they will walk through and around the Franklin town common and back to St Mary's lawn, pausing along the way to reflect on Jesus' great love for us.
Anyone who wishes to may help share the burden of carrying the heavy cross during the procession. Teens from The Rock Youth Ministry of St Mary's parish will read reflections and prayers at each stop.
All area residents and our families and friends from surrounding communities are encouraged to take part in this meaningful procession on Good Friday to remember Christ's Passion.
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| remember how much snow we had? it is already disappearing! |
Softball Players Clinic to be held on Saturday March 21
Could you please help us spread the word regarding the upcoming Softball Players Clinic to be held on Saturday March 21st 9am to 12:00pm at the FHS Gym. The Flyer attached has the sign up information, more details of the event are below.
Saturday March 21st 2015 (Rain or Shine)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Franklin High School Gymnasium
$30.00 per player
FHS Lady Panthers
Grades 1-6
Players will learn the fundamentals of Fastpitch Softball. Specific skills will be covered using a series of stations which the players will rotate between to insure age groups and skill levels are being maintained.
Stations include:
• Proper throwing and catching mechanics
• Proper hitting mechanics
• Overall fielding and base running
The lead instructor will be KATE FALLON, Franklin High School Softball Program Director and Head Coach of Franklin High Lady Panthers Varsity Softball. Coach Fallon was a four year starter at Curry College in both pitching and catching and was team captain her senior year. After coaching JV softball at Cardinal Spellman High School, she went on to be Varsity Coach of SE Regional Vocational High School. Assistant coach Matt Connelly, along with the Varsity players will be on hand to assist in what should truly be an exciting three hours
Thanks
Blanca Di Giacomo
FHS Softball Boosters
The Flyer mentioned can be downloaded from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRXNVbHowSVMybUE4Wk1IdjVCVzBEMTcxTmw0/view?usp=sharingFHS members of the boys basketball all stars
The boys basketball all stars have been annnounced after a vote by the coaches. Hockomock Sports shows Franklin's representatives on the team are as follows:
and for honorable mention -> Markus Bohmiller, Franklin
For the complete listing of Hockomock League basketball all stars
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/the-2015-hockomock-league-boys-basketball-all-stars
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| FHS Panthers |
| Dylan Reno | Franklin |
| Marcus Giese | Franklin |
| Tim Prunier | Franklin |
and for honorable mention -> Markus Bohmiller, Franklin
For the complete listing of Hockomock League basketball all stars
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/the-2015-hockomock-league-boys-basketball-all-stars
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