In the News: balancing the FY 2019 budget; Holliston rail trail; Meals on Wheels needs volunteers

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Town officials agree that balancing the budget will be the main topic of concern for the new year. 

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said town officials haven’t picked through the budget with a fine-tooth comb, but has an early prediction that there could be a more than $3 million shortfall. He said it’s too early to tell where cuts might have to be made. 

“We’re going to have a big struggle balancing the fiscal budget,” he said. “It’s the dominant issue that Franklin will face in the next six months.” 

Nutting said state aid will be set in stone in February. The budget will be voted on in May or June by the Town Council. They will be holding their annual goals workshop later this month."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180102/franklin-2018-brings-budget-trouble

Franklin Municipal Building

"Holliston Trails Committee Chairman Robert Weidknecht started dreaming of a completed Holliston rail trail 20 years ago. 

“Throughout the years, I’ve heard all the naysayers. ‘Oh, it’ll never get done, it’ll cost too much,’” said Weidknecht. “It’s a great thing for the town.” 

Holliston finished its 6.7-mile section of the multi-town Upper Charles Trail in the fall but 2018 will bring finishing touches and expansion. 

The entire Holliston stretch was open briefly until December, when a section over the Bogastow Brook closed to allow repairs to the 8 Arch Bridge. Trail users can detour to Woodland Street until the bridge reopens in the spring."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180102/2017-good-year-for-holliston-rail-trail

"The Medway Meals on Wheels program is hoping to find volunteers to bring food to and check in on local seniors. 

Tina Wright, who helps coordinate the program locally, said the Medway program had lost four drivers over the month of December. 

“We’re really scrambling,” she said. “We’re looking for three to four people who think they can deliver once a month - it’s an hour to an hour and a half commitment every month.” 

Wright said volunteering with the program might be a good way to help fulfill any community-service New Year’s resolutions. Though volunteerism can ebb and spike in certain times of year, she said, Meals on Wheels is seeking drivers who can consistently make monthly deliveries."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180102/meals-program-in-medway-seeks-volunteers

Friendly reminder: trash delayed one day this week

Trash and recycling WILL be delayed one day for the New Year's holiday. Your trash and recycling will be picked up one day later than your usually scheduled trash day.

If you are normally scheduled for Monday, your trash will be picked up on Tuesday; Tuesday on Wednesday, etc.

Christmas tree collection days are scheduled for the week of January 8, 2018.

Christmas tree collection days are scheduled for the week of January 8, 2018

The fall and winter recycling flyer can be found here

http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/files/20172018-solid-waste-mailer

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service to Continue

January 2, 2018

Dear Franklin Public School Families,

We plan to continue Emergency Bus Service for the remainder of the week due to the continued cold temperature predictions and windchills.

Our drivers will stop and pick up any student who may be walking to school in the cold along the bus route, providing the child with a ride to school. Our concern, first and foremost, is the safety of the students and the forecasted temperatures pose the danger of frostbite.

We are closely monitoring the forecast for the potential for a snowstorm on Thursday. As the forecast becomes more precise for our area and potential impacts become more clear, we will issue further notifications.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service to Continue

Noises Off Highlights January Events At THE BLACK BOX

The comedy hit Noises Off highlights a full lineup of music and theatrical entertainment at THE BLACK BOX to kick off the New Year this January. A suburban hub for great music and the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin.

Electric Youth 2018, the international touring ensemble of talented young singer-dancers, debuts at THE BLACK BOX on Friday, January 5, with two shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Offering family entertainment for all ages, the group is backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians who have performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, The Temptations and more. Electric Youth presents fully choreographed, high-energy music, including pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits. Tickets are $26. Reservations for tables of 6 or more are available. Call (508) 528-3370 for table reservations after the group’s tickets have been purchased.

FPAC launches the 2018 Family Concert Series on January 7, at 1 p.m. with a program of Sunday Afternoon Blues, featuring Mark Poniatowski on bass, Sonya Rae Taylor on guitar/vocals, Joe Bargar on keys/vocals, Ed Scheer on drums/vocals and Bobby Gus on guitar. Showcasing talented, professional musicians in an engaging and entertaining format, Family Concert Series events are presented free to the community and are especially geared to children. Sponsored by Berry Insurance, the concerts provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The 2018 Family Concert Series continues next month with the New England Percussion Ensemble on February 4.

BLACK BOX Jazz presents the Tim Ray Trio at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 13. The ensemble features pianist Tim Ray, drummer Mark Walker and bassist John Lockwood. Perhaps best known as long-time pianist for Lyle Lovett, Tim Ray has appeared on over 70 recordings to date and is currently on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music. He has performed with pop music icons including Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, and with leading jazz figures such as Gary Burton, Esperanza Spalding, Lewis Nash and Rufus Reid. 

BLACK BOX Jazz presents the Tim Ray Trio at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 13

Classical credits include concerts with Gunther Schuller, the Boston Pops, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Boston Classical Orchestra. The trio first played together backing alto great Greg Abate, including on Abate’s Kindred Spirits: Live at Chan’s album with the legendary Phil Woods. In 2016 Tim Ray released the jazz trio recording, Windows, featuring Lockwood and Walker. The CD showcases well-known songs penned by Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock and Horace Silver, as well as Lockwood’s composition “12 by 7,” Ray’s originals “DE-Train” and “Joy,” and his innovative arrangements of Ellington’s “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” Monk’s “Monk’s Dream” and Chick Corea’s “Windows.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the hysterical farce, Noises Off, on January 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on January 21 at 2 p.m. Michael Frayn’s Noises Off takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening show, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Frayne gives us a window into the inner workings of theatre behind the scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and – of course – flying sardines. Tickets are $26, with general seating.

THE BLACK BOX Classical Series presents violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar on Sunday, January 28, at 4 p.m. The program will include Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 and selections by Tchaikovsky, Chausson and Piazolla. Tea service will be available in the lobby. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including jazz, Klezmer and classic American tunes. Born in Ukraine, Irina Kotlyar received degrees from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. With Gregory Shifrin, the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo has won several international prizes and awards and has performed throughout Israel, Europe and America. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, with an additional $5 for the optional tea service.

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

Annual Report 2017: Finance Committee

The Annual Report is compiled and published each year to be ready for voters to obtain at the November election. A PDF copy is also posted online and available for viewing our downloading. I'll highlight some key sections from the current report over the next week or so.

The following is a text representation of the printed page 83 (actually 90 of 264 in the PDF version)


"ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Year in Review - 2017

Our fiscal year, which started July 1, 2016, began with a proposal to raise and appropriate $162,350 to continue full day kindergarten given state grant money was not received as expected. The committee approved unanimously a motion to recommend passage to the Town Council. We also were informed by the Town Treasurer the “Municipal Modernization Bill” was passed and will have a positive impact on various operations within the town.

During the year the committee met 8 times. Three of those meetings were focused on the Fiscal 2018 budget process, with the end result being the approval of a projected $120.5 million operating budget for the town. The budget allows for the town to provide services at the same level as FY 2017.

The long term financial plan projected continues to project financial challenges over the next 5 years. While our town continues to provide excellent services with little increase in resources, our reserve levels continue to be challenging. A concerning indicator is shown in the Franklin Public Schools need to draw on their reserves at an unsustainable pace. Housing units are projected to grow and the impact on the school budget is currently unknown and will need to be monitored on a regular basis.

The town continued our prudent practice of reserving funds to our OPEB Trust Fund, Fire Truck and Recreational Fields Stabilization funds.

Our town continues to invest in our public spaces, appropriating $0.5 million for general road and sidewalk maintenance. Additionally, snow removal exceeded the budget by $85K and the committee voted unanimously to fund the deficit from Free Cash.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank my fellow committee members for their ongoing dedication to continued improvements and the financial well being of our town.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Dufour
Chairman, Franklin Finance Committee"

Annual Report 2017: Finance Committee

For more about the Finance Committee, visit their webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee

You can find the online copy at the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

and specifically for 2017
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-annual-report-2017-revised

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

January 1, 2018

Dear Franklin Public School Families,

Due to the cold overnight temperature predictions and forecast for windchills well below zero, we will be running our buses tomorrow morning (Tuesday, January 2, 2018) on "Emergency Bus Service". Our drivers have been instructed to stop and pick up any student who may be walking to school in the cold along the bus route, providing the child with a ride to school. Our concern, first and foremost, is the safety of the students and the forecasted temperatures pose the danger of frostbite.

We will continue to keep you informed about the forecasted temperatures to determine if we should continue this process on subsequent days.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Danielle Miraglia - Jan 6

Danielle Miraglia sings the blues - don't miss her.

View this email in your browser DANIELLE MIRAGLIA Jan 6 - 8 PM $20 with Open Book Danielle Miraglia sings the blues! She comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson, an infectious stomp-box rhythm and harmonica with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest "All My Heroes Are Ghosts," released with her band Danielle M and The Glory Junkies, touches on a lot of what might be on your mind these days – the loss of so many musical heroes on the title track, the chaos of "fake news" on "Monster," the general sense that the world is on fire on "All On Fire," the more personal with the death of a complicated loved one on "Guilt Trip" and more.   The music itself blends influences of some of Miraglia's own musical heroes - The Rolling Stones, Prince, Janis Joplin along with Danielle's lyrical ability to explore human nature at its best and worst.   Danielle was nominated for a 2015 Boston Music Award for Singer-Songwriter of the Year. "Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that's backdrop percussion in itself." - Lauren Daley - The Boston Globe "Danielle Miraglia is a treasure! She captivated her audience from the first few notes she played until the end of her second encore. She is charming, talented, a total professional, and completely down to earth. I can't wait to bring her back next year! She is always welcome on our stage." -   Barron Chandler, Director, Narberth Summer Concert Series "With hints of Bonnie Raitt and Rory Block, Danielle Miraglia is carving out a new place all her own in the music world. Simply put, she is stunning…with a voice that just comes out of nowhere. She animates a stage and commands the rapt attention of all within earshot. This is one artist to watch, she is going to be huge." -   Jamey Reilly, The PSALM Salon New York's Open Book duo starts the show. Rick and Michele Gedney, known as the duo Open Book have been writing, recording, and performing together since 2000. Their original music features melody invention and vocal harmonies backed by a tapestry of interweaving guitars.  Open Book has released  three albums which have received national airplay and critical acclaim. They are the winners of the 2017 Connecticut Folk Festival 'Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition'. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Tickets for this shows are $20.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. SCHEDULE CHANGES Please note that Gretchen Peters will now be appearing on April 7th and The Lonely Heartstring Band is unable to be here on March 17th. Upcoming Shows Jan 27       Seth Glier with guest Rachael Kilgour Feb 10       Chelsea Berry with Billy Keane Mar 3         Patty Larkin Mar 17       TBA Apr 7          Gretchen Peters Apr 28        Pat Donohue May 12       TBA

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA