THE BLACK BOX Presents Live Music Series Events

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s new theater, music, and event venue, presents two special evenings of live music, featuring the April Hall Quartet on Valentine’s Day and Celtic singer-songwriter Robbie O’Connell on February 20.

On Saturday, February 14, renowned vocalist April Hall takes audiences on a special Valentine's Day journey through The Great American Songbook, showcasing the most enduring and influential Golden Age standards of the Broadway stage and Hollywood screen. With her swinging all-star band, Hall interprets our most treasured classics by legendary masters of song to deliver a deeply moving

April Hall

evening of sentiment, humor, heartbreak and romance. Her voice described as "glorious" by The Boston Globe, Hall combines her deep roots in southern gospel and blues with an urban soulfulness and jazz sophistication. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, where she received the prestigious Louis Armstrong Performance Award, Hall has done projects for Atlantic Records under the direction of Arif Mardin for the legendary Chaka Kahn, Melissa Manchester and Bette Midler and has performed with artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Al Jarreau, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius and Dinah Shore. Hall’s "Room for Two" was named one of Jazz Times top 50 Jazz Records of 2012. Hall will be joined for the BLACK BOX Jazz series event by pianist Tim Ray, bassist Mark Poniatowski and drummer Kenny Hadley.

On Friday, February 20, THE BLACK BOX New England Artists Series presents a memorable sojourn with acclaimed singer/songwriter Robbie O'Connell, called "a national treasure" in Ireland and "a master of Irish music" in the United States. A native of Waterford, Ireland, O’Connell emerged as an artist of major stature with his 1982 debut recording, “Close to the Bone,” and subsequently toured with Mick Moloney and Jimmy Keane and with Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan in the Green Fields of America. His extensive collaboration with the Clancy Brothers, his uncles,

Robbie O'Connell

includes several CDs and a 1992 appearance at Carnegie Hall. O’Connell also headlined a 1994 celebration of Irish music at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and was seen by an estimated 500 million people worldwide on the telecast of a live tribute to Bob Dylan at Madison Square Garden, a performance that Rolling Stone magazine described as “breathtaking.”
O’Connell’s recordings are critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic and have received top honors and recognition, including Boston's WUMB Top Acoustic Album of the Year and a prestigious Boston Music Award as Outstanding Celtic Act.

Both music series concerts begin at 8:00. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street. Tickets are $20 for the April Hall Valentine’s Day concert, Love Songs from The Great American Songbook. Tickets for the evening with Celtic musician Robbie O’Connell are $26 for adults and $18 for students. For ticket purchase or more information, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Radio Shack files for bankruptcy

Local businesses (Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace, Artistry Kitchen, Best Deli, Rick's, etc.) are not the only ones having trouble in this new set of economic circumstances, Radio Shack is in the news now with their bankruptcy filing. 

As part of their restructuring plan many stores will close. The closest one currently listed for closing is at the Emerald Sq Mall. The Franklin store is not on the listing for closure.


From the Boston Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2015/02/radio-shack-files-for-bankruptcy-lists.html

Franklin Wine Club events

If you are interested in trying new wines or Sake, these might be the events for you. You can sign up for one or both events via the Meetup links provided.


Friday February 13th 7-9PM

Franklin Wine Club

Gay Callon from Chatom Vineyards

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/220117182/




Saturday February 21st   5-7PM
SAKE 101

Join us as we welcome Sake Sommelier Nancy Cushman for a Sake 101 event.

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/220276704/

FHS boys hockey win; double header basketball vs. KP on tap for Friday night

From Hockomock Sports we find the result of the boys hockey game (they won) and that the FHS basketball teams play a double header tonight at KP.

FHS Panthers

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 3 vs. St. John’s (Shrewsbury), 1 - Final - Alec Borkowski scored the game-winner in the third period and Matt Daly and DJ Shea also scored for the Panthers.

For other results from Thursday's action in the Hockomock League, check this link http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-020515

Basketball vs. KP

There is a basketball double header at King Phillip tonight. The FHS girls tip off at 6:00 followed by the boys game at 7:30 PM

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-020615

Beaver St connector, recycling and snow removal updates provided

It was a quieter and shorter meeting than the past two for the Town Council. The Emmons St building has been sold, the RFP for Pond St is being re-worked so the large public participation was not in attendence.

DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi assisted by Recycling Coordinator Chris White provides updates on three major topics.

This document was used last night.

Franklin (MA) Town Council: DPW Update 20150204 from Franklin Matters

Pictures of the Beaver St connector and the repairs performed at great savings in December were impressive. The repairs had been estimated to cost $400,000 and came in at $122,000.

The DEP is working with the trash and recycling vendors to start implementing an enforcement of the restrictions around mixing trash with recycling and recycling with trash.

There are cameras on the truck to record what comes out of the totters as they are picked up. If you do put something you are not supposed to in either the trash or recycling, it is recorded and could result in a warning. Multiple infractions could result in individual fines.

There was talk of someone trying to 'recycle' a small TV in with their recycling. This is not permitted.

WasteManagement will be implementing spot studies where for a week, all the recycling will be held until the collection is complete. It will be weighed, processed and that which shouldn't be part weighed to provide a net 'good' weight. Franklin will then pay based upon the amount of 'clean' recycling on a scale where the poorer the amount of 'clean' the more we'd need to pay.

This program is effective July 1, 2015. There will be adidtional communications and information to the community between now and then to help prepare for this.

King St at Wachusett St

On the snow front, Franklin has spent almost $800,000 with snow removal so far. Approximately $268,000 of that total is for the salt. The remainder is for labor and contract resources. 

The 43 inches of snow cleared in the last week is about what the DPW normally clears in a full season.

For the complete set of notes taken live during the meeting you can review these links:

Live reporting: Legislation through to closing
Live reporting: DPW update
Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 4, 2015

Delegate Ladybug about to Land in New Home

After a summer of touring and festivals, the ladybug sponsored by Franklin's State Legislative delegation has found a new home. And where better than the home of Franklin's government. 

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) and Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) will be hosting a ceremony delivering the delegation's ladybug to town officials. They will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the class project that successfully traversed the legislative process and made the Ladybug the official bug of the Commonwealth. 

The "Proclamation Bug" as shown on the Town Common lawn in Aug 2014

In 1974 Ms. Pamela Johnson's second grade class from the Kennedy School in Franklin was learning about the Legislative process when they decided that they would like to make a difference and try their hand at legislating. Since Massachusetts already had an official state bird, tree and fish, they decided that the State needed an official bug. Ms. Johnson's class pooled its resources and with the direction of their State Representative worked through the committee process, visited legislators, lobbied on the bill's behalf and ultimately passed the bill that made the Ladybug the official Bug of the Commonwealth. 

"Forty years ago, that second grade class got the ultimate civics lesson and had a direct hand in legislating," said Representative Jeffrey Roy. "For one of the students in the class -- former Rep James Vallee -- it sowed the seeds for a 19 year run on Beacon Hill. I am thrilled to honor and recognize that class today, and hope that this ladybug will be a reminder to everyone who visits Town Hall that they can play a direct role in their government." 

"The ladybug story is a shining example of how an idea can be translated into law," said Senator Spilka. "I hope that the Franklin delegation's ladybug will be a constant symbol of the power of civic engagement, encouraging more people in our community to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard." 

"We truly live in a remarkable state when citizens, no matter what age, have the ability to impact the legislative process," said Senator Ross. "Forty years later, this testament remains true, and it is a privilege to recognize the success of the Kennedy School with this ladybug that will reside in Franklin Town Hall for generations to come."

The brief ceremony will take place on February 10 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Municipal Building. 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038. Any questions can be directed to Christopher Yancich at 617-722-2400 or by email at Christopher.Yancich@MAhouse.gov

The collection of Ladybugs shown on the Town Common lawn in August 2014 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828

Economic Development Committee - meeting notes - Feb 3, 2015

Committee Present: Mr. Bissanti, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Vallee,
Committee Absent: Mr Padula

Town Representatives participating in meeting:  Mr. Nutting, Mr. Taberner, Mrs. Wierling

Also in attendance: Mr. Mercer, Mrs. Pfeffer

Notably missing: Anyone from the Planning Board

1. Mr. Nutting put together a package with information on the Pond Street background which was distributed to attendees

2. General protocol of EDC meeting was included in the packet

3. Mr. Nutting presented financial estimates based on 2014 proposal (same as presented at the Dec. 17th EDC meeting.) Estimates a hotel, business building and 50 condominiums would generate approximately $613,250 in tax revenue for the Town of Franklin

4. Comments were accepted in regards to the RFP. Comments or requests to include in RFP:

a. Limit on residential componentb. Why are we trying to sell?

•  Answer given: Economic reason only.

c. Can we put in buffers?

• 40 vs. 200 ft buffers
• Fuss and O’Neill report recommend 200-foot “no cut” buffer

d. Idea of solar panels was brought up again.

• Mr. Kelly suggested this be included as a possible use in the RFP

e. Can we include incentives for developers to build an attractive area that includes sustainable buildings, roof top gardens, open space for greater community.

5. Mr. Kelly called for a vote to table the discussion until the next ECD meeting. Meeting date TBD.


Thanks to Sandra Verhaegen for preparing these notes to share

Franklin Municipal Building