THE BLACK BOX features Cabaret, Jamie Barrett and Electric Youth

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret debuts the inaugural performance of Rising Stars Cabaret. Presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company, this special cabaret revue spotlights the vocal talents of promising young area performers. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere with professional accompaniment. 

Jamie Barrett

THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series kicks off its second season at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21. Franklin’s Jamie Barrett, singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher, is back by popular demand with an engaging mix of family-favorite songs. The afternoon delivers a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages. THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series concert is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

On Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m., Electric Youth members past and present rock THE BLACK BOX for the venue’s first-ever EY reunion show. Relive the group’s hits from the last decade and more. Enjoy performances by popular Electric Youth alumni and hear fan-favorite songs from EY’s extensive repertoire of high-energy contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Electric Youth posed before their trip to Europe in the Summer of 2015

Sparky's Puppets at the Franklin Library - 3:00 PM

"Enter the magical world of children's stories, brought to life by colorful puppets and lively humor! A perfect choice for children ages 3 to 10, every performance includes several tales ... and lots of laughs!"

Harvest Tales

"Meet a prize-winning pumpkin. See a hard-working farmer harvest his vegetables. And watch the grasshopper and the ant prepare for winter."

Sparky's Puppets at the Franklin Library - 3:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/11/sparkys-puppets-sunday-nov-15th-at-3-pm.html

"EPA Misses Congressional Deadline For Artificial Turf Safety Response"

"the letter also says, “Regarding the Town of Medway Board of Health’s reference to a review study of crumb rubber, in 2013, CPSC staff informed PEER that our Office of Compliance wold undertake a review and determine whether any enforcement action was appropriate regarding the issue. Upon further exploration, Compliance staff concluded, at that time, specific product enforcement was unlikely to be the best option, based upon the need for individual health assessments.”

So what the agency said in 2008 doesn’t mean artificial turf is safe. But the CPSC also won’t say that turf is not safe. And they don’t have, nor are they likely to ever have, enough information to rule on the safety of artificial turf.

The House and Senate need answers."

new crumb rubber artificial turf field at Franklin High School

Duh, shouldn't parents also be getting answers?

Read the full article on this aspect of the crumb rubber issue here
http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2015/11/09/epa-misses-congressional-deadline-for-artificial-turf-safety/

The new Town Council packet to study

At the beginning of each new term for the Town Council, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting provides the councilors with a packet of information. You can read along too!

Town Council getting sworn in by Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri

1 - Town of Franklin - Home Rule Charter

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_TownCharter/revised%202013.pdf

The preamble to the Charter:

"We, the people of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, in order to form a more perfect community, reaffirm the customary and traditional liberties of the people with respect to the conduct of our local government and take fullest advantage of the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, do ordain and adopt this Home Rule Charter for our Town."

2 - Role of the Town Council

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/role.pdf

The first section reads as follows:

1. A member of the Council, in relation to his/her community should:
A. Realize that his/her basic function is to make policy, with administration delegated to the Administrator.
B. Realize that he/she is one of a team and should abide by, and carry out, all Council decisions once they are made.
C. Be well-informed concerning the duties of a Council member on both local and state levels.
D. Remember that he/she represents the entire community at all times.
E. Accept the office as a means of unselfish service, not benefit personally or politically from his/her Council activities.
F. In all appointments, avoid political patronage by judging all candidates on merit, experience, and qualifications only.
G. Abide by the ethics established by the State and not use the position to obtain inside information on matters which may benefit someone personally.

3 - Fiscal Policies

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/fiscal.pdf

Note: the fiscal policy document handed out on Wednesday is a proposed update to the document currently approved by the Town Council and linked to above.

4 - Fiscal 2016 Budget

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/budgets/FY%2016%20Budget/

The Fiscal budget is really a set of documents with the Budget Letter by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting summarizing the revenue and expense driving factors.


Additional information on the Town Council can be found on the Franklin website here  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/index

nationalgrid: Take control of your energy bills

Help With Winter Bills. Massachusetts residents have suffered through some of the coldest winters in recent memory. And with winter on the way, this is the time of year when we use more energy as we stay inside and keep warm.

To view this email as a web page, click here.

Help With Winter Bills Massachusetts residents have suffered through some of the coldest winters in recent memory. And with winter on the way, this is the time of year when we use more energy as we stay inside and keep warm. Winter prices for electricity supply became effective on November 1. These supply prices are determined by the market and reflect our cost to purchase electricity on your behalf. We are concerned about what these changes in electricity costs mean for you. That's why we offer a variety of programs and services that can help you manage your energy costs, including: Energy Efficiency – From simple no-cost tips to more comprehensive programs, we have the energy saving solution to match your needs. Payment Options – We have a variety of options, including our Budget Plan which lets you spread out the impact of those high winter bills over the course of the year, creating stability. Payment Assistance – We offer consumer advocacy programs to help low-income eligible customers pay their bills. Energy Suppliers – You can choose who supplies the electricity we deliver to your house. We encourage you to consider all available energy supply options and determine which one will best meet your needs. To learn more about these solutions and options please visit ngrid.com/billhelp. It is also important for you to know that National Grid recently submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to update our electricity distribution rates for the first time since 2009. This is different from the supply portion of your bill, These distribution charges cover the cost of operating and maintaining the poles and wires that bring electricity to your home or business. Please note that this proposal will be reviewed thoroughly by the DPU and, if approved, will not take effect until October 1, 2016. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.   Connect Now Visit us online at nationalgrid.com

This email was sent by: National Grid 40 Sylvan Road Waltham, MA, 02451, U.S.A.

Say NO to snow and YES to art!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Make art therapy a regular activity for people at HMEA this winter Earlier this Fall, a group of individuals from our HMEA Day Program spent a morning making seasonal crafts.  For many people we work with at HMEA, who have developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, art can be an extremely therapeutic activity. We've seen firsthand how effective it is to a person's over all well-being. So, that's why we're asking for your help to fund #artforhmea for people to enjoy arts and crafts all winter long. The individuals supported by HMEA are eagerly awaiting more art projects to get them through what could be another long winter ahead - donate $10, $25, $50, or more today to support HMEA's art therapy program this holiday season. $25 would give one person the enjoyment of doing arts and crafts until Spring. *WMRC First Class Radio has partnered with HMEA as media sponsor for this initiative and has offered to match funds raised for #artforhmea with an in-kind advertising donation of up to $2,000 to be used for future events benefiting individuals supported by HMEA. Thanks, Margaret Salaki Program Manager Join the movement and give back December 1st, 2015 HMEA will be joining #GivingTuesday for its second year in a row, hoping to channel the generous spirit of the holiday season. #GivingTuesday is an international movement that inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support.  This #GivingTuesday, HMEA challenges you to help raise money to fund arts and crafts therapy over the winter through HMEA's Day Program Locations. Make a contribution today online or mail to address below.  please note: "Giving Tuesday" or #artforhmea on your check [DONATE NOW] HMEA, INC. | 8 FORGE PARK, FRANKLIN MA 02038 | 508-298-1100

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Pan-Mass scavenger hunt, gas pipeline concerns, Tri-County solar

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"A scavenger hunt, hosted by The Pan-Mass Challenge Franklin Kids Ride, raised $4,000 to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund for cancer research. 

Participants stopped at local businesses and to complete a task in order to gain points to win the scavenger hunt."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151113/NEWS/151117344/1994/NEWS

Members of the Town Council said they would schedule a hearing on a proposed Spectra Energy natural-gas pipeline after many residents complained that the project would undercut safety and hurt property values. 

The matter came up Thursday, when several people spoke during the public comment portion of the council's meeting.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151113/NEWS/151117240/1994/NEWS

A Friday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School celebrated a solar installation that speakers said would bring save money and provide a learning tool for students. 

The event - held at the field which is home to the 1.3-megawatt array of solar panels - was attended by students, Tri-County officials, solar-company employees, state lawmakers and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151113/NEWS/151117203/1994/NEWS