Santa Claus arrives in Franklin

If the rain kept you away from the Town Common Sunday afternoon, this brief video will take you there to see Santa arrive.




Thanks to the "Concerts on the Common" for putting this together. Everyone who was there had a smile on their face!

Screening of Dalai Lama interview Dec. 11 at Franklin Federated

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7 PM the public is invited to a special screening of an exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama that was conducted by theologian Lloyd Geering. The recording will be shown at the Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street. 

The up-close and personal interview by the two spiritual scholars was the only interview given by the Dalai Lama during a 2013 visit to New Zealand. 

The showing is being cosponsored by Franklin Federated Church and the Franklin Interfaith Council. There is no charge for admission but there will be a free will offering to benefit the Interfaith Council's fuel assistance fund.

Franklin Federated Church

Tiffany Vail Miller
Communication Director
Franklin Federated Church

Hockomock Sports recognizes Irvine, McCue

Lauren Irvine represents Franklin High School on the Hock 5 Volleyball All Star First Team. Dayna McCue received Honorable Mention.

You can find the full listing of the HockomockSports.Com 2103 Volleyball awards here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/hockomocksportscom-2013-volleyball-awards.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda, Dec 4, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 16, 2013

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Town Council Schedule

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-82 : Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual
2. Resolution 13-83: 505 West Central Street – A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
3. Resolution 13-84: Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land at 37 Beaver Street
4. Bylaw Amendment 13-725: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-724: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates- 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Real Property, Fire Negotiations

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of documents for this meeting as released can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/120413.pdf

FY 2014 Proposed New Assessed Values

The Board of Assessors has posted the following notice on the assessed values for Fiscal year (FY) 2014. The property values are increasing which is good on two counts: 1 - a sign of the economic conditions improving (2) this should also mean that the property tax rate will go down when it is set in December.

Note as reported here annually, the rate goes up when property values go down, and the rate goes down when the property values go up. In either case, the amount of tax levy usually increases. How much we will be asked to pay individually will vary on a number of factors.






FY 2013 property tax rate info
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/tax-rate-info-for-fy-2013-updated.html

FY 2012 property tax rate info
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/fm-101-tax-rate-info.html

Affordable housing for sale

As posted on the Franklin webpage, there is affordable housing for sale. There are strict income requirements for this condominium in Benjamin's Landing. You also need to be a first time buyer.




Where is Benjamin's Landing Lane?

A Christmas Carol, Times Two!

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" portrayed by actor Al LePage, complete with English accent and Victorian-era clothing, will give his dramatic reading performance based on Dickens' very own historic script as a one-man show using only his voice, facial expressions and gestures to create some 18 characters.

Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave organ music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain. This is a special benefit performance hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated by both adults and children 7 years of age and older.






Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance through BrownPaperTickets.com/, either on-line or by calling their 24/7 toll-free number 1-800-838-3006, and if still available, at the door the day of event. 

Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.