Town Council Recap - Sep 5, 2018

The best short summary is what I tweeted out during the meeting: "Excitement tonight in Franklin. New fire truck outside, 4 retirees and 4 new hires for Police inside"

new fire truck

The fire truck was funded by saving money in a separate account for 6 years to accumulate the $700K purchase price. The truck is projected to be online for 10 years before moving to a back up role.

Officers Fiorio, Burchill, Kenney, and Chandler were recognized for their years of service

Officers Crosman, Peabody, Ayer, and Rosa were sworn in and welcomed to service

The official Town of Franklin "Actions Taken" document can be found online
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_september_5_2018.pdf


Live Reporting: Town Council Sep 5, 2018
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-town-council-sep-5-2018.html

Public Hearings
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-public-hearings.html

Subcommittee Reports
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-subcommittee-reports.html

Legislation for Action
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

To Closing via Executive Session
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/live-reporting-to-closing.html

FSPA Introduces New Faculty

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is excited to welcome three new faculty members this fall. 

Meghan Love joins FSPA’s ballet faculty. Love has taught ballet, tap and jazz to 3-14 year olds in after-school programs throughout New Mexico and was an Adjunct Professor at New Mexico State University teaching Jazz Technique I. She served on faculty at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre for the Children’s Division and at the Mason Gross Extension Division at Rutgers University. In 2012 she became full-time National Training Curriculum staff for ABT. 

Meghan Love joins
FSPA’s ballet faculty

In the spring of 2018, she was chosen to be part of a competitive professional development program, Boot Camp for Emerging Leaders in Arts Administration, offered through New York Foundation for the Arts. Most recently, Love was the Manager of the National Training Curriculum and the ABT/NYU Masters Program, instructing in both programs, and she is currently an ABT Affiliate Examiner.

Joining FSPA’s voice faculty this year is Sam Jones. Jones received both his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance as well as his Master of Music in Contemporary Improvisation (with Honors and a Music-in-Education Concentration) from New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston. 

Jones won the competitive “Spark” Grant Award to launch his album, as well as NEC’s Entrepreneurial Musician Grant to direct, produce, and star in a gender-blind production of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last 5 Years, benefiting the local Boston nonprofit BAGLY to support LGBTQ+ youth.

The music department also welcomes guitar instructor Andres Abenante. Abenante holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from New England Conservatory. Specializing in Jazz, Rock, Improvised, Classical and Latin styles, Andres has extensive performing experience throughout the east coast. He has recorded two albums and has served as served as Music Copyist and Transcriber for Eddie Palmieri. Andres currently teaches at the Warren-Prescott School in Cambridge as well as the North End Music and Performing Arts Center.

It is not too late to register for all programs at FSPA. Complimentary trial classes are encouraged and enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. An All-Access Pass is available for prospective students and includes tickets to an upcoming FSPA production, a tour of the school and trial group classes. FSPA, founded in 1985, is located in The Felix Cataldo Block in downtown Franklin. The facilities includes extensive studio space, Recital Hall, The Spotlight Shop and the new Intermission café. FSPA Academy, a full-time academic program, is housed next door at 32 Main Street.

For more information about all programs visit www.fspaonline.com, call 508-528-8668, or stop by the school at 38 Main Street in Franklin.

Interested in Volunteering in the Community? The Design Review Commission has an opening

Interested in Volunteering in the Community? The Design Review Commission is seeking an Associate Member!

Please visit http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php to fill out a volunteer application.

What is the Design Review Commission?

"The purpose of Design Review is to promote safe, functional and attractive development of business and commercial areas; to preserve and enhance the New England character of the Town’s commercial centers and thoroughfares as a valid general welfare concern; to unify commercial properties, both visually and physically, with surrounding land uses; to facilitate a more healthful urban atmosphere; to protect and preserve the unique and cultural features within the Town; and to protect commercial property values by enhancing the Town’s appearance. 

The Design Review Commission (DRC) is a committee of Citizen Volunteers that has approval authority on signage and recommendation input to the Planning Board on Site Plans as to landscaping and lighting and Building Plans as to exterior design, colors and materials."

Want to know more about the Design Review Commission please visit their page here http://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission

The Design Review Commission has an opening

FTC Consumer Alerts: Free credit freezes are here

Free credit freezes are here by Andrew Smith, Federal Trade Commission, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection Gail Hillebrand, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, Associate Director, Division of Consumer Education and Engagement Free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts are here, starting September 21, thanks to a new federal law.  Here's what you should know: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/free-credit-freezes-are-here?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Public Schools 2018-2019 Music Department Calendar

The Music Program Schedule for the Franklin Public Schools is integrated into the Community Calendar. The Schedule is also available in one place in the doc shown here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TgPnN_aRpt7FH9MlOXr7f7HNMDvz4Q8b/view?usp=sharing

The "Classic Stones" Benefit Concert is scheduled for Nov 2

Classic Stones Concert Franklin High - Nov 2

Tickets are available for the concert online here and at Shaw's
https://www.purplepass.com/#172959/Music_Department-Classic_Stones_Live_Featuring_The_Glimmer_Twins-Franklin_High_School_Auditorium-November-02-2018.html

Massachusetts Cultural Council Conducts Site Visit For Proposed Franklin Cultural District

The Town of Franklin hosted the Massachusetts Cultural Council for a site visit of the proposed Franklin Cultural District on September 20, 2018, the last step in the process to establishing an official, State-designated Cultural District in Franklin. 

The Franklin Cultural District (FCD) will be a demarcated region within the town that encompasses the cultural facilities, activities, and assets that lie in a compact, walkable area. Franklin’s vibrant cultural atmosphere is already home to the nation’s first public library, the Franklin Historical Museum, Dean College School of the Arts, over 25 other performing, visual arts and dance studios and associations, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Establishment of the FCD will likely attract additional arts and cultural organizations in the future, driving economic development.

Cultural District status will make the FCD eligible for a variety of state grant programs, state economic development opportunities and monies, strategic planning and historic preservation assistance, and marketing through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

This effort has been years in the planning, beginning with the Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee, who were tasked with gauging interest in the project and starting the organizational efforts necessary to begin the application process. The Steering Committee met with potential partners, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and Town of Franklin administrators to determine the needs, geographic area and types of businesses to be included, and the roles and responsibilities of the District itself. A preliminary site visit with the MCC and the Town resulted in a decision to move forward with the formal cultural district application.

On June 28, 2017, the Franklin Town Council passed Resolution 17-45, which endorsed the FCD’s cultural district goals, namely to “attract artists and cultural enterprises; encourage business and job development; establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic buildings; enhance property values; and foster local cultural development.” The FCD will be managed by a Town-appointed Franklin Cultural District Committee, made up of seven Franklin residents, established in November 2017.

The FCD Committee filed a formal application for Cultural District status with the State in June of this year. After the application was reviewed, the MCC scheduled a final, more detailed, site visit, the last step in the process. The site visit, held on September 20, began with a meeting between Anita Walker, Executive Director of the MCC, and the complete MCC Communities staff, Franklin Town administrators, and members of the FCD Committee to discuss the District's potential impact on arts and economic development in the area. Then followed a walking tour of key District partners' facilities, led by MA State Rep. Roy.

Anita Walker, Executive Director,
Mass Cultural Council and Rep Jeff Roy

"It is inspiring to see that the idea for a Cultural District has blossomed, and know that this tour will be the capstone presentation for the State approval process," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "Arts and culture are essential, as they help us better understand and interpret the world around us, they improve our ability to think critically and act creatively, and they offer the opportunity to see and communicate better. Having designated space for cultural enrichment will also be an economic boost for our community and spread the message that Franklin is a place where culture is thriving. I applaud the committee for its hard work over the past five years, and thank them for their commitment and dedication to the District."

The walking tour began at the Franklin Public Library, and included stops at the Franklin Historical Museum, Franklin Downtown Partnership offices, The Black Box and Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Franklin Senior Center, Franklin High School, Teddy Gallagher's, Emma's Quilt Cupboard, The Little Shop of Olive Oils, and Dean College.

Says Dr. Paula Rooney, President of Dean, "Dean College is proud of our long history in the town of Franklin and excited about the Franklin Cultural District. Dean’s impact is significant in Franklin from both an educational and cultural perspective, and our geographic location serves as a meaningful footprint within the district. We look forward to doing whatever we can to make this endeavor a continued success."

Franklin Cultural District logo

The site visit ended with a Q and A session and meeting of many of the FCD partners with the State MCC representatives. Now that the MCC has reviewed the application and conducted a site visit, the State can render a verdict on the application. A decision should be announced early in 2019.

"The site visit went very well," says FCD Committee Chair Philip Regan, "We are pleased by the State's response to our application, and are excited by what the advent of a Cultural District could do for the Town of Franklin."

To learn more about the Franklin Cultural District, their partners, and upcoming activities and events, visit their website at www.franklinculturaldistrict.org, or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCultureMA), Twitter (@FranklinCulture), and Instagram (@franklinculture).

FHS boys soccer, girls soccer, and golf teams posts wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Sep 21.

Football = Franklin, 6 @ Mansfield, 24 – Final 
1st Quarter: (M) Aidan Sacco 14-yard rush, Michael DeBolt XP good.
2nd Quarter: (M) M. DeBolt 35-yard field goal; (M) Vinnie Holmes 2-yard rush, M. DeBolt XP good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (M) Cincere Gill 46-yard rush, M. DeBolt XP good; (F) Nick Gordon 56-yard pass to Ryan Driscoll, 2-point conversion failed.

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap 
https://hockomocksports.com/mansfield-football-ride-defense-ground-game-to-beat-franklin/

Photo Gallery for this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Fall-2018/Mansfield-Franklin-Football-9-21-18/

FHS football gets ready on the line (HockomockSports.com photo)

Boys Soccer = Stoughton, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin built a 3-0 lead but had to hold off a furious Stoughton rally to beat the Knights. Stoughton used an own goal and a tally from John Neves (from Fabi Ponce de Leon) to get within a goal. The visitors nearly found the equalizer but Franklin’s defense was able to fend the Knights to get the win.

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 9 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final
– Emily Landry had two goals and an assist to lead the Panthers in a big win. Sydney St. Marie and Carly Alston each had a brace, Stella Regan added a goal and two assists, Anna Balkus had a goal and an assist, and Erin Quaile had a goal for Franklin. Sam Powderly, Kaylee DeSimone, and Calen Frongillo all had assists in the win. Nicole Weir had a strong game for the Black Knights.

Field Hockey = Franklin, 1 vs. Needham, 7 – Final
– Franklin’s Victoria Quinn scored in the first half on an assist from Cassi Ronan but the Panthers fell at home to Needham. Quinn’s goal had Franklin tied 1-1 at half with the Rockets but Needham’s offense exploded in the second half. Anna Jardine made four saves while Neilee Hess had one stop.

Golf = Franklin, 249 @ Medway, 291 – Final
– Franklin earned a win over Medway, who uses six cards for final scoring. Quinten Fero was the medalist, leading the way with a low-round of 38 for the Panthers. Jake Blaney, Matt D’Errico, and Jack Paterson each shot a 40 for Franklin.

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-21-18/

Shared Living Provider Informational Session - Oct 29

Shared Living Provider Informational Session

Hosted by HMEA, Inc

Monday, October 29, 2018 

at 5:30 PM – 7 PM

Franklin Public Library Community room

Shared Living Provider Informational Session - Oct 29

“They’ll have access to more branches, more ATMs, more services”

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

"Before the end of the year, longtime community mainstay Milford National Bank is expected to close, reopening as Rockland Trust. 

The two banks announced a merger earlier this year, with Rockland Trust acquiring the 169-year-old Milford institution this fall. A final date awaits regulatory approval, but Rockland Trust Company Public Relations Marketing Manager Ellen Molle said she expects action in the fourth quarter of 2018. 

Milford National Bank, in a notice on its website, has told customers its branches will reopen as Rockland Trust branches on Nov. 19. 

“We are excited about this combination and the opportunity to provide you with outstanding banking products and services to help meet your financial goals,” the notice states."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180921/milford-national-bank-to-become-rockland-trust

Rockland Trust sign on a winter day

FTC Consumer Alerts: Hang up on Medicare card scams

Hang up on Medicare card scams by Ari Lazarus Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Scammers follow the news – and the money. A few months ago, we shared the news that Medicare is sending new cards to everyone who gets Medicare benefits, replacing your Social Security number with another number. As expected, scammers have been trying to cash in on this change. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/hang-medicare-card-scams?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI 9/21/18 - THU 9/27/18

Friday, September 21

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:30am

 ArtWeek Mass NonProfit Network Panel call

12:00pm

 Franklin Garden Club - Flower Arrangement Sale

12:00pm

 Franklin Farmers Market

1:00pm

 Rep Roy - Office Hours at Farmers Market

7:30pm

 FPAC: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Saturday, September 22

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

7:00pm

 OCC Concert: The Kingston Trio

7:30pm

 FPAC: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

8:00pm

 Circle of Friends: John Gorka with special guest Amilia K Spicer

Sunday, September 23

9:00am

 Car Wash to benefit FHS Gymnastics Team

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm

 FPAC: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Monday, September 24

9:00am

 Rep Roy - Office Hours in Medway

10:30am

 Move Along

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

3:00pm

 Monday Crafternoons

7:00pm

 Library Board Meeting

7:00pm

 Ted Reinstein - Book Talk

Tuesday, September 25

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

10:30am

 Get Ready for Kindergarten

Wednesday, September 26

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

4:00pm

 Construction Junction

6:00pm

 Family Game Night!

7:00pm

 Town Council meeting

Thursday, September 27

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story & Craft

5:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

6:30pm

 Genealogy Club Meeting

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI 9/21/18 - THU 9/27/18

Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios presents Piano Lab!

New class offered THIS TRIMESTER!

Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios presents a new and exciting class ... Piano Lab!

Learn how to play piano in a group setting! Progress at your own tempo! Our skilled piano lab instructors will help you achieve your piano goals!

Classes will include 3 to 6 students. With the use of headphones in class, along with our piano lab textbook, students will learn and practice with the guidance and individual attention from our piano lab instructors. Students will also participate in group piano pieces as part of a piano lab ensemble within the class setting.

Piano lab is a great class for beginners over the age of ten, and for students of all ages with previous musical experience on any instrument, for students who study voice, and for those who are interested in learning keyboard skills to augment their study of music. Vocal students can even learn to accompany themselves!

To register, please call reception at (508) 533-7700 or e-mail: encoremusicacademy1@gmail.com

Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios presents Piano Lab!

FHS field hockey, volleyball and golf teams post wins on Thursday

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Thursday, Sep 20.


Field Hockey = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 8 – Final
– Amanda Lewandowski led the way for the Panthers with two goals and two assists to help Franklin pull away in the second half. Regan Paterson had a hat trick and Victoria Quinn and Cassi Ronan each had a goal and an assist for the win. Ashley Reutlinger scored once and Emma DiPhillipo had an assist, while Anna Jardine had five saves in the win. Kayla Laboy made 11 saves for the Black Knights.

Volleyball = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– The Panthers stayed unbeaten with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-13 victory. Ellie Wisnieswki had seven kills and nine digs for the Panthers. Maggie Doyle had five kills and five solo blocks and was a force at the net for Franklin. Hailey Sanders and Peyton Arone each added five kills, libero Riley Marino had 10 digs and a pair of aces, and setter Lauren McGrath had 30 assists and five aces for a very balanced Franklin attack.

Golf = Franklin, 174 @ Taunton, 206 – Final
– Matt D’Errico shot the low round of the day for Franklin, carding a 39 in the win.


For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-20-18/

FHS field hockey, volleyball and
golf teams post wins on Thursday

YMCA Teen Leaders Help Rebuild Houston

One year ago the city of Houston and southeastern Texas were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Locally, the tragedy spurred youth to action, becoming a rallying cause for the YMCA's Teen Leaders Club.

YMCA Leaders Clubs combine leadership, volunteering, and community service opportunities with fun and fellowship and are available to all kids in middle and high school, with syndicates in Foxborough, Franklin and North Attleboro. The Hockomock Area YMCA's Teen Director Alyssa Boutin of the Invensys Foxboro Branch wanted to get the kids involved right away to address the Houston situation. "We talked about how it would feel to have to return to school amidst turmoil left from the natural disaster. Many of their peers in Houston were without basic necessities that we tend to take for granted."

Boutin arranged for the Greater Houston YMCA's Leaders Club to skype with club members at the Hockomock Area YMCA. "We learned they were going to school despite a lot of damage and loss of electricity and were in need of some of the most basic items, like tooth brushes and tooth paste or shampoo, soap, and clothing," said Boutin.

Resultant of that conversation, local teens orchestrated a relief drive that generated nine boxes of essentials weighing over 200 pounds. The teens gathered donations from drop bins at each of the Hockomock Area YMCA facilities and sent them off to the YMCA in Houston. Bags of hygiene-related donations had come in to bins where members check-in at their local YMCAs.

"Membership at the YMCA is about building spirit, mind, and body," said Executive Director Patrick Murphy of the Foxboro Y. "It was not surprising to see the generous response from our members. They are great examples to our teens as they learn about social responsibility and how they are called to make a positive difference."

Houston teens were grateful recipients of the supplies. In turn, they offered up an invitation for the Massachusetts teens to join Teen Escape: a program designed for teens across the country to make real impact on a community in need. The 2018 destination was Houston and transportation would be covered by Southwest Airlines.

On July 22, seven teens from the Hockomock Area YMCA left for Houston and spent five days working on rebuilding homes.

The youth that traveled had been chosen based on their essays during an application process conducted at the Y. They joined YMCAs from Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, North Carolina, and Houston—all told over 75 people contributed to the rebuilding of Houston through Teen Escape.

"We worked on seven houses to get families back in their homes," says Boutin who accompanied the Leaders. In addition to cleaning up debris remaining from Hurricane Harvey, the teens painted, removed walls and installed new drywall, and replaced tile and floorboards.

The crew met a woman whose family left their home when water reached the four foot mark. The morning after Harvey hit, they waded through the water until they arrived at a high point in the neighborhood where a relative was waiting to help.

They also worked on a house for a retired nurse whom they enjoyed speaking to. She shared that she had lived in her house for 50 years. She'd stayed through Hurricane Harvey and had no intentions of ever leaving, so repairs to the house to keep it standing were critical.

"When we met her in her home and heard her story, I think that's when the teens truly understood the impact they were making," said Boutin. “It was an experience we all learned from and are determined to bring back here, encouraging others to make a difference."

The group photo includes the following individuals and town of residence (L-R):

BACK ROW:Bobby Saba, Mansfield

Michelle Mattson, North Attleboro

AJ Jaber, Wrentham

Dan Brennock, North Attleboro - He is the executive branch director of the North Attleboro YMCA

Alyssa Boutin, Providence - She is the teen director of the Foxboro YMCA
FRONT ROW:

Valentina Ipatova, Attleboro

Maddy Jankowski, North Attleboro

Megan Flaherty, North Attleboro

Corinne McMorrow, Franklin

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

Get a First Look at FPAC’s Virginia Woolf?

Get a first look at the cast of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company September 21-23 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. The cast features Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, Craig Hanson, and Amanda Dubois.

Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell,
Craig Hanson, and Amanda Dubois.

The play examines the complexities of the marriage of a middle-aged couple, Martha and George. Late one evening, after a university faculty party, they receive an unwitting younger couple, Nick and Honey, as guests, and draw them into their bitter and frustrated relationship. 

Get a First Look at
FPAC’s Virginia Woolf?

Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play. The Broadway production of this play was a shattering and memorable experience and proclaimed the author as a major American playwright.

Tickets can be purchased at www.theblackboxonline.com, by calling the box office at 508-528-3370, or at the door (as long they remain available). You can follow FPAC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

45th Annual Craft Fair - Nov 10

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends 45th Annual Craft Fair is coming up. Come get a start on your Holiday Shopping . . . or find the perfect birthday, anniversary, housewarming, etc ... gift. 

The Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, November 10 from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Tri-County High School, 147 Pond Street, in Franklin, MA. All proceeds go to local charities. 

In addition to the Artisans we will have a Bake Sale Table, Raffles and we are accepting donations for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Interested Crafters of handmade items are welcome to request an application by sending an email to franklincraftfair@gmail.com.

45th Annual Craft Fair - Nov 10