Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) Yard Sale - May 15

THE BLACK BOX hosts the first ever Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) Yard Sale on Sunday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Item donations may be dropped off at THE BLACK BOX on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yard Sale proceeds will support the non-profit Franklin Performing Arts Company. 
Contributions to FPAC are tax-deductible and written receipts will be available at drop-off. Pack it up for FPAC with donations of home decor, knick-knacks, collectibles, kitchenware, small working appliances and electronics, carpets, tools, toys and games, artwork, books, music, movies, costumes, clothing (gently worn), baby items, electronic games, sports equipment (no treadmills), and furniture (no couches, recliners or larger items). No bedding, car seats or broken items will be accepted. 
THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 
Celebrating a milestone 25th season, FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts with a special focus on youth development and a commitment to live music. 
For more information about FPAC or the community yard sale fundraiser, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.
THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central St
THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central St

In the News: school calendar, rail trail road race, lawsuit dismissed, Exelon PILOT approved

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The School Committee will soon decide whether to abridge February vacations in coming years.
 
The committee is scheduled to meet tonight and scheduled to take action on the school calendar. The changes, if enacted, would not take effect until the 2017-2018 school year; next year's calendar has already been set. 
Two proposals - put forward by a calendar subgroup - will be considered, though the committee can change the calendar however it sees fit. 
The first option would retain current practices. School would begin on Aug. 30, 2017 and the district would reach the required 180 days on June 13, 2018. Both February and April vacations would remain intact under the proposal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160509/franklin-school-calendar-decision-expected-tonight

The current two calendar options can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/fy-2017-2018-school-calendar-options.html

Parmenter School early in the morning
Parmenter School early in the morning


"The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will host a race this weekend, in an attempt to raise money and develop the trail within the towns.
 
Those taking part in the event - scheduled to take place on Saturday morning at the Remington Middle School - have several options; a 5K race, a five-mile run or a 1.5-mile walk."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160509/franklin-rail-trail-race-set-for-saturday


"A U.S. District Court judge has again decided not to reconsider dismissing a local family's lawsuit against the town of Franklin and local police officers. 
In the decision announced Monday, Judge Richard Stearns affirmed his decision that ended, without prejudice, a suit filed by plaintiffs Amy and Jeffrey DeLucia against the town, Police Chief Stephan Semerjian and five police officers. 
The family had claimed several acts of police misconduct, including a physical attack in which Jeffrey DeLucia suffered broken bones."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160509/franklin-lawsuit-dismissal-against-town-officers-upheld


"Without much discussion regarding a hotly-debated topic among residents and town officials for the better part of a year, residents at Annual Town Meeting passed a $75.2 million tax agreement for Exelon’s proposed power plant expansion. 
The agreement, a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT), has Exelon, which is proposing a 200-megawatt, two-turbine expansion at its Summer Street power plant, paying the town that amount over a 20-year period. 
Annual payments begin at just more than $3.8 million and drop to just under $3.5 million by year 20 of the agreement, according to the PILOT."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160509/exelon-pilot-breezes-by-medway-town-meeting

Monday, May 9, 2016

Memorial Day Parade - schedule and route

Parade Information:

Date: Monday, May 30, 2016

10:30 am: Parade Starts

12:00 pm: Ceremony at the Franklin Town Common


Parade Route:

The 2016 Parade route will begin at Depot Street and Dean Bank and proceed up Main St to Church St., take a left onto School, to W Central Street, then to Beaver St until we reach the Town Common / Church Square. 
The parade will once again stop at the Dean Memorial, Union St and St Mary's Cemetery's. 




BFCCPS marching in the 2015 Memorial Day parade
BFCCPS marching in the 2015 Memorial Day parade

FHS boys lacrosse top Newtown North 14-5 on Sunday

Boys Lacrosse

  • Franklin, 14 @ Newton North, 5 – Final 
– Sophomore goalie Connor O’Rourke made 22 saves and head coach Lou Verrochi said it was the most complete game the Panthers have played all season. Verrochi also praised the close defense in front of O’Rourke. Sophomore Eric Civetti netted four goals and had two assists and senior Austin Kent scored a team-best five goals. Freshman Nitin Chaudhury and sophomore Chase Tanner each scored once and had an assist for Franklin.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

The only result from Sunday's action across the Hockomock League
http://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-050816/

FSPA All Access Pass For Prospective Students To Feature Complimentary Spring Concert Tickets

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is pleased to provide prospective students with complimentary tickets to FSPA Spring Concert performances as part of the school’s All Access Pass program. Families are invited to learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance and drama. 
The Spring Concert shows provide a dynamic way to experience what the school has to offer across many dance disciplines, music and musical theater programming. Spring Concert performances will be presented on Saturday, May 21 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 22 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Franklin High School Auditorium, located at 218 Oak Street. 
Featuring FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Glee Club, musical theater troupes, dance companies and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth, Spring Concert is presented in an audience-friendly, 90-minute format.

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. The school offers classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.
 
FSPA is also home to the Little Music School, an innovative program that teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features musicals, plays, ballets, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater and dance company showcases, and more. Many FSPA students also participate, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows. 
Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA)
Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA)
Prospective students and families should call FSPA at 508-528-8668 to reserve their complimentary tickets and schedule a trial class or tour of the facilities. Classes continue at FSPA through June 27 and registration for summer and fall sessions is ongoing. Visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Consumer Alert on Solar Panels



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Issues Consumer Alert on Solar Panels

With many Massachusetts homeowners looking to go green by installing solar roof panels on their homes, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell has put up the yellow caution flag. O'Donnell is advising those who are interested in having solar panels installed on their roofs to make sure that there are no legal or financial entanglements when it comes to selling or borrowing against their homes once they sign a contract with the solar panel company.

"Consumer advocates are becoming increasingly aware," noted O'Donnell, "that some people are having difficulty obtaining equity loans or reverse mortgages if they have leased solar panels and equipment. Furthermore, Federal Housing Administration regulations may prohibit the FHA from approving a homeowner's loan."

Register O'Donnell further stated, "While we all support clean energy and the reduced usage of fossil fuels, consumers need to understand the potential title and financial risks of installing solar panels on their homes. Because the solar panels and equipment are being leased, and the contract signed is a multi-year one, homeowners are finding they cannot sell their home unless the solar company approves the new buyer. If the buyer is not approved by the solar company, the owner is faced with purchasing the solar panels and equipment before they can sell their home. This could cost consumers up to $20,000.

"Like other Registries, we are seeing a surge in the filing of UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements when it comes to solar panel and equipment contracts. This is a legal form that a creditor files with the Registry of Deeds to give notice that it has or may have an interest in the personal property of the debtor.

"My office recommends that a homeowner check out the Massachusetts Attorney General's website by clicking on Advise to Homeowners Considering Solar Panel Installations at http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2016/advice-to-homeowners-considering-solar-panels.html. If the homeowner, after reviewing the site, wants to pursue the lease (some go as long as 20 years), I urge them to have a licensed attorney review the contract to ensure that they understand all the implications of installing solar panels."

Norfolk County homeowners who have already had solar panels installed on their homes should contact the Registry's Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 to find out if a UCC Financing Statement has been filed by a solar company against their home. Please note UCC Financing Statements do not require the signature of the homeowners for the document to be recorded.

Concluding his remarks, Register O'Donnell stated, "I want to first express my appreciation for the groundbreaking work done on this subject by my colleague Essex County South Register of Deeds John O'Brien and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. My goal in issuing this consumer alert is not to alarm Norfolk County homeowners, but to inform them. After all, your home is your most important asset."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact
AG consumer tips on solar panels
AG consumer tips on solar panels


Sunday, May 8, 2016

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 10, 2016

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which
may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed
and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent
permitted by law."

FPS - "the key to learning"
FPS - "the key to learning"

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 26, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. MASS Academic Excellence Award

  1. Domenic Narducci
  2. Emily Waite

b. FHS Update
c. SWAC Update (School Wellness Advisory Council)

3. Discussion Items

  • Calendar Committee Decision


4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the request of Nancy Schoen to take Middle School Music students to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH on Friday, June 10, 2016 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,290.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $190.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for district wide in-house enrichment.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $3,295.00 for the Paul Castelline Memorial Scholarship.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $435.60 from General Mills-Box Tops for Davis Thayer.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • Policy Sub Committee

School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Motion to Adjourn

  • Dr. O’Malley