Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Wine Tasting with a vision

Marissa Garofano is runing the Boston Marathon and fund raising for the MA Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Marissa had worked for the Hockomock Y before moving on to another position.

Peter Sagal, of the Public Radio's show "Wait Wait, Don't Tell me!" is also running and fund raising for the same cause.

Peter Sagal (left) and Erich Manser (right) at the 2014 Boston Marathon
Peter Sagal (left) and Erich Manser (right) at the 2014 Boston Marathon (Boston Marathon photo)

You can read Peter's story here

You can support Peter and Erich's effort here
https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamVisionBoston2015/fundraiser/erichmanser


You can help Marissa on Thursday by going to the Wine Tasting at Pour Richard's or help her effort online here
https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamVisionBoston2015/fundraiser/marissagarofano


Wine Tasting with a vision
Wine Tasting with a vision

Note: I recently started work at John Hancock but the happy coincidence of this posting could have occurred anyway.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Live reporting: FinCom (continued) - Capital Budget

Jeff Nutting providing an overview of the stabilization accounts

turf field is subject to a bounce test every year, wears out due to the sun rays
about $500,000 needed to replace the 'carpet' at the turf fields

Chief Semerjian
discussion the police capital request
car replacement, try to keep cars in a rotation and replace the vehicles that are high mileage and maintenance issues

looking for 3-4 cruisers each year, try to keep it even year to year
3 marked units, requested as SUV vehicle types
1 unmarked units as a sedan
fully loaded for the police technology
computer, lights, electrical components, locking brackets for firearms
piggy back up on the State bid

body armor to be replaced 13 units, this year and another 13 next year
attempting to get some grants to help offset the costs
units are targeted to last 5 years
policy in place to wear the body armor at all times

tasers, rotated among the shifts
some assigned to tactical units; would like to have enough for everyone to have one per shift
affords another level of protection, less lethal
the business can recycle units but under the program where we own it
after 5 years, it is time to go

computer technology, pretty basic - $17,000
all cleared through T Raposa, the Technical Director

study done previously on the maintenance of old vehicles didn't actually save any money
tend to buy good used vehicles as a better (cost effective) option

the police cars do take a beating, they are running 24 hours

DPW
Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi,  DPW Director

need a street sweeper, both units need to be on the streets now especially after the winter
both units are actually broken at the moment, the main one (to be replaced) needs a new hydraulic units

1 ton dump truck, haven't replaced one in some time
buying gas engine rather than diesel as the diesel don't get the mileage to make it worth while

hot box, approved by Town Council last week

9 foot mower, part of the replacement program

streets 

attempted override last year, it did not pass

Oak St in front of high school, needs to be done soon
was waiting for high school work to be done and now is the time
put some islands in, like on Lincoln St
worked very well on Lincoln this winter, won't be as many as Lincoln
just at the beginning and end of the 'longest' school zone in Franklin

Miller and Pleasant St
drainage issue as well as frequent accident site
getting multiple things done at one
drainage, safety and storm water treatment

Sidewalks

St Mary's down Pleasant St to Miller ($900,000)
Griffin ($15K) and Chestnut ($15K)

do some design work this year, put out to bid next year
could use the hotel money or short term borrowing to provide the funds for the work
called for in the Master Plan

would normally be covered during road rebuild but these streets are not part of the road plan immediately

granite curbing and bituminous surface

asking for $200K to do desing and the two smaller sections
once the design is complete, the total cost will be know and could be bid

the reason Beaver St is not on the list is due to the railroad and the bridge

Water

developer put the water line in, now the street piece needs to be replaced
Crocker and Hill Road, Lewis St

water treatment membrane

Dale St water main to be done 'in-house', needs to provide the pipe to be used

study on water facilities being done, numbers should be ready for next year


Sewer

from Cook's Farm to Shaw's the sewer pipe is almost blocked
need to burst the pipe and replace with a new layer
sewer is normally gravity fed, this section is pumped as it is a low spot

26 sewer lift stations around Franklin

Council has authorized $7.5M to bond
15 year rolling, every 5 years, 5 million bond authorizations

Northgate neighborhood being done this year

water master plan being updated

no water rate increase foreseen in the next 2-3 years
maybe 3-5 years a small increase to fix a maganese issue that the DEP has raised

65% of the Charles River is 'owned' by Franklin hence we owe that amount of the expenses
took 1 million gallons out of the sewer treatment, to save money via leakage

positive planning with DEP has paid off, with awards and recognition

Medway found their $1M leak

Fire Dept, Schools, Facilities, Technology for next time

one item is to replace wireless connections in the municipal buildings
if this is going to be changed every 5 years, maybe start another stabilzation fund to cover those recurring expenses
schools are expanding their chromebooks, cost of hardware and installation

overall budget


quick update on overall budget
health insurance meeting this Thursday, $8M line item
out to bid and should have decision this week

charter school number was wrong and through the cherry sheet number off, overdue in reply
fire fighters arbitation award for 4 years, awaiting deal
4 years of retroactive pay for 48 people is going to be a chunk
possible gap coming but hopeful to get it soon

otherwise will need to make some educated guesses and get started
if we get started and need to make some adjustments, we will

everything later this year due to new Governor and his first budget which came out in March instead of January

regional transportation, circuit breaker issues
what will it be? don't know

early May to start budgeting, first two weeks
possibly five meetings

all the department heads have their budgets ready, what they have submitted may not be what I (Nutting) recommend to go forward so they can at least talk about it

Dispatch Center

have design, architect, Norfolk is also looking to put their police station in same building, we'd be on first floor; still a year and half away
all the equipment and coordination together
did put money in budget to start in 4thQ, will know more in a month or so

during day, secretary and kiosk at night for fire dept
doing analysis for the police station to monitor the lock up
does it make sense to have a central lock up? where? how many cells would be needed?
all in the talk stage at this point


Streetscape meeting today

plan to do the whole project this year with the exception of Main st
do the drainage work that is left
put up the bases for the new lights
Emmons, West Central, East Central and do Main St in 2016
they want to start in 2 weeks
it is going to be painful, some trees at Dean will be taken down
High St to be done as part of the project (it needs it)

ripping up the road down by Brick School, the pavement failed


Old business, new business - nothing

motion to adjoin
next meeting Apr 22

Live reporting: Finance Commmittee - Apr 7, 2015

Present: Deswnap, Bertone, Conley, Fleming, Heumpher, Dowd,
Absent:  Smith, Dufour, Aparo

Nutting, Gagner, Dacey, Cantoreggi, Semerjian, Jette

Draft capital plan for review tonight
left about $100,000 on table just in case something comes up before the end of the year

old municipal building up for sale, Recreation Dept to be displaced and needs a new home

discussion on proposal to purchase building at 275 Beaver St
use of the funds from Emmons St to be used for purchase of the facility

can briefly offer more programs, slight fee increase in fees
to provide revenue for renovation and continue operaitng

5 -7,000 sq ft, not many buildings this size to fit the need.
it has office space already built out, has capabiity to build out interior space for other rooms, training, art, etc. Meeting rooms space is available and could also be rented out to generate more revenue

parking for 25-30 spaces available, should cover most of the need for parking, most of the programs that would be run that are drop offs.

rental fees for use of school gymnasiums, can be avoided by use of the new facility

a newer more modern building, easier to maintain

most large storage is kept in containers on or near the fields where they are used

front building, to renovate specific space, currently wide open and would be built out to meet needs
back building

planning to use Parmenter school during the summer time to provide space during the gap betweent he sale of the old and purchase/renovation of the new

still need to do 21E, pass papers in June, have the Council approve

State did release money for paving, road repairs

can cover the $500,000 from various accounts of 'cash'; for example, $100,000 from the sale of the land being used for Starbucks. The other $500,000 would be from the sale of Emmons St

by 2026 our debt is dropping

motion to recommend to purchase and renovated the building on Beaver St
seconded, passed 6-0


Ayla Brown - THE BLACK BOX - Apr 10

Nashville recording artist and Wrentham native Ayla Brown headlines a New England Artists Series concert at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin this Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Brendan Kelley opens the show, which will also feature a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Ayla. “I am very excited and honored to be back in Massachusetts to sing a show at THE BLACK BOX,” Ayla said.

Ayla Brown
Ayla Brown

The singer-songwriter, athlete, and TV personality experienced early recognition in 2006 as a Season 5 semi-finalist on the Fox-TV phenomenon, American Idol. The singing competition has launched the recording careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and many more. Reflecting on her high-profile Idol experience, Ayla noted, “The moment I sang with a band for the first time was the moment I knew I was supposed to do this for the rest of my life. American Idol gave me an opportunity that I will always respect and appreciate. I never take my time on the show for granted, but I also know that being on Idol at a young age forced me to mature quicker on stage than other performers my age. I was excited for the challenge.”

At the time, the Idol contestant was a student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where she studied voice with Hallie Wetzell, guitar and jazz dance. “FSPA was incredibly helpful in my developmental stages of being a singer, dancer, and performer,” Ayla said. “When I was getting ready for my American Idol tryouts there were many people at FSPA who took me under their wings and helped me give an audition of a lifetime.”

Since then, Ayla’s career has taken her to the legendary stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. She has opened for numerous country music stars, including Jason Aldean, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Tracy Lawrence, Loretta Lynn, Craig Morgan, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner and Chris Young. Ayla has also made multiple CMA Music Festival appearances and was a national news correspondent for The Early Show on CBS.

Of her 2013 Grand Ole Opry debut, the rising country artist says, ““Performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage was something I will never forget for the rest of my life. I was so nervous walking on that stage for the first time, but the minute I started singing I knew I was right at home.”

Ayla’s transition from her pop roots to the country music genre began while at Boston College, where the multi-talented student was an All-American Division I basketball player and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. Her performing sets increasingly featured more of others’ country songs than her own pop music. A visit to Nashville for weeks of writing led to an opportunity to sing with the Nashville Symphony for the orchestra’s July 4th celebration. “It was at the moment that I knew I had to move to Nashville,” Ayla recalled.

She recorded her self-titled country music album, Ayla Brown, at Ronnie’s Place, the Nashville studio of legendary country music star Ronnie Milsap. Ayla produced the album from her own record label, Ambient Entertainment, and wrote seven of the CD’s nine tracks. Her 2012 sophomore release, a patriotic-inspired album titled Heroes & Hometowns, peaked at #1 on Amazon MP3 and reached #51 on iTunes. Ayla performed two singles from the album, “Pride of America” and “Hero in her Hometown,” with the Boston Pops during the 2013 July 4th Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade. A portion of every CD sale of Heroes & Hometowns benefits Hugs for Heroes, Inc., a Massachusetts-based, military nonprofit, and Ayla has entertained American troops overseas in Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

“Since I never had the opportunity to put on a uniform and serve our country, giving back musically and financially is the closest thing I've found to connect with our troops,” Ayla said in describing her connection with military causes and how those initiatives resonate with her. “I feel very blessed that I've been able to help wonderful charities throughout the years and Hugs for Heroes is definitely one of them. For Let Love In, my album sponsor, Texas Roadhouse, and I will be making a donation to another great military non-profit, Homes for Our Troops, and I am really excited about that!”

Let Love In, Ayla’s latest album, debuts next month. “Music has always been the closest thing to my heart and I feel very lucky that my lyrics and sounds have developed with age and experience,” she noted. “I can confidently say my upcoming album, Let Love In, is my best album in the nine years I've been singing professionally. There are so many songs on this record that I am extremely proud of and, since this is a spring/summer release, I can't wait for people to roll down their windows and blast these songs!”

Tickets to Ayla Brown’s April 10 show at THE BLACK BOX, with opening act Brendan Kelley, are $24 for adults and $18 for students. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin.

Enchanted Memories Travel: Open House - May 2


Enchanted Memories Travel has been based in Franklin for the past 3 years and recently moved into a new office in Depot Plaza.  The owners, Vincent and Maria Dowling are longtime Franklin residents.  
Enchanted Memories Travel
Enchanted Memories Travel (Twitter photo)
We are having a free, family-friendly event in Depot Plaza on May 2.  It's a way to announce our new location and thank the town that has helped us grow and thrive mostly via word of mouth advertising over the past 3 years.  

Enchanted Memories Travel - Open House - May 2
Enchanted Memories Travel - Open House - May 2
Visit Enchanted Memories on the web http://www.enchantedmem.com/

Irish Dancers take 1st place


The 2015 World Irish Dance Championships, held in Montreal last week where many local dancers from Harney Academy of Irish Dance in Walpole competed. 

Of note, the Harney Sub Minor Girls Ceili under 11 team came back to town with the 1st place World Championship trophy.

The Harney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions
The Harrney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions

The Harney Academy under 11 Girls Ceili World Champions (back row left to right)
Emma Ferrara - Needham
Bridget Fessenden-Medfield
Liam Harney - Walpole (instructor/owner)
Kaitlin Skinner - Walpole
Erin Pomfret - Natick
And front row (left to right)
Madelyn Marshall - Walpole
Madison Gaughran - Franklin
Molly Geoghegan - Walpole
Fiona Hernan -Canton

For more about the Harney Academy, you can visit their webpage
http://www.harneyacademy.com/

"story prompts to help trigger memories"

Another app that can be used to capture your family history can be found at Legacy Stories. Thanks to Marjorie Turner Hollman for sharing this.

LegacyStories.org is a free living history library that provides life story learning, recording, archiving and sharing to families, professionals and groups.

Our intuitive technology offers a variety of options to compose and record legacy stories including multi-media story pages, oral history slideshows and the ability to record powerful Pict-Oral Memories with our Apple and Android mobile app.

Our members can also link stories to over five billion ancestor records in the official family tree of humankind. We'll show you how to discover your highest priority "legacy stories" and tell them in ways that will fascinate loved ones generations to come.

screen grab of Legacy Stories webpage
screen grab of Legacy Stories webpage




The recent post on StoryCorps
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/capture-that-family-history.html