Affordable housing - What can Franklin do?

Yes, Franklin is sitting above the 40B line at 11.89% per Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. The percent has been known to vary. With additional residential building underway, the number can and will change. 

At the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday (coincidentally), a proposal for 100+ apartments was discussed for the former Keigan auto dealership with no affordable housing as part of the proposal.

Affordable housing should be part of the "What will Franklin look like in 2028?" discussion. Will today's children growing up here, be able to come back after college (assuming they choose that one of many routes), and afford to live here?

Franklin is not alone in this situation, a report in the Milford Daily News today shows the median home price across MA is now approaching $440,000.

"Massachusetts home sale agreements shot up 9% in July, compared to a year ago, and the median price of a single-family home put under agreement last month rose to almost $440,000."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190814/median-mass-home-price-is-nearly-440k

 Maybe Franklin can begin like Salem has.

"The city of Salem has released a four-part video series to help residents better understand the housing shortage and the importance of creating affordable housing policies for the culturally and economically diverse city.

“Homes for Salem,” produced by the city with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, is a part of a larger community conversation about housing challenges and possible solutions, said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll.

“It’s making people stop and think about what is happening in the community, especially those who may not be directly impacted,” Driscoll said. “It puts a face on the housing challenge by having those affected tell their story.”

https://www.mma.org/salem-video-series-raises-housing-challenges/

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/5ikt11DXzCw
Part 2 - https://youtu.be/BH7cHgUogv8
Part 3 - https://youtu.be/KEBgh6BUleM
Part 4 -  https://youtu.be/0417u4hhqLY

FSPA Celebrates 35th Anniversary

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will celebrate its 35th Anniversary Season beginning in September. Since 1985, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA provides a nurturing environment where students grow skills for the stage – and for life. 

Children develop a sense of independence and accomplishment at an early age, while gaining confidence, poise, and self-esteem. The performing arts impart life skills, expanding students’ ability to communicate effectively, whether in the secondary school classroom or other public speaking opportunities. The arts also enhance creativity and imagination, developing improvisatory skills to navigate a rapidly changing world.

With a distinguished faculty of Boston-area artists, expansive roster of classes and extensive calendar of wide-ranging performance opportunities, FSPA serves students of all ages and levels of ability, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.

FSPA’s Music Department offers private voice lessons and instruction on all instruments, along with group voice classes, music theory and chamber music, jazz, and percussion ensembles. Performing opportunities for singers include the FSPA Glee Club, studio voice recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, and musical theater showcases. FSPA’s innovative Little Music School program teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano and offers creative and engaging general music classes for children ages 1-5.

The Dance Department provides programs for all ages and levels in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, commercial dance, dance for musical theater, and contemporary, and also features classes for boys, adults and beginner teens. Performance opportunities include Spring Concert, Ballet Conservatory performances, Next Step and CenterStage ensembles, and FSPA Dance Company. Many dancers are also cast, by audition, in Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, featuring professional orchestra and special guest artists.

For drama students, beginning in kindergarten, FSPA offers an extensive range of acting and musical theater classes that build performance skills and explore theater games, improvisation, character development, and scene work. Musical theater troupes for students in grades 5-12 are cast each year, with annual performance trips to Walt Disney World for select ensembles. FSPA students also perform, through audition, in Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows alongside FSPA alumni, professional performers, and Broadway guests.

FSPA Celebrates 35th Anniversary

Alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts have gone on to Broadway, national tours, extensive regional theater, professional opera, TV and feature film, professional dance companies, and more.

For more information, visit www.FSPAonline.com or call 508-528-8668. Follow FSPA on Facebook, Instagram (@fspaonline), Twitter (@fspaonline), and YouTube.

Quick Summary: Economic Development Meeting - Aug 14, 2019

I chose to use Twitter to capture the highlights of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Assuming the audio recording works out, I'll share that later. In the meantime, the two main topics were discussed in the approx hour and 20 minute session.

I managed to grab a photo of both the draft site plan drawing and a rendition of a proposed building for the former Keigan location. Understand that both are 'draft' and may change during the life of the proposal.  

Economic development committee meeting starting #edc0814 pic.twitter.com/5NhgDeFExb

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019

Full EDC membership for meeting with 20 plus others in attendance this evening to discuss plastic bag ban proposal. Idea of a subcommittee to look at overall solid waste issue in lieu of this proposal brought forward #edc0814

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019

Draft proposal for former Keigan lot is a mixed use development with restaurants and apartments. Issue is with the 100+ units and it not including affordable housing puts us on the path of jeopardizing the 40B percentage we achieved #EDC0814

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019

from the back of the Training Room, almost a full house with 20+ folks

camera snapshot of the draft plans for the former Keigan location

camera snapshot of the photo rendition shared at the meeting, the rendition may change as the proposal works its way through the process

MassBudget: Statement on Federal Public Charge Ruling

From Marie-Frances Rivera, MassBudget President

August 13, 2019 Statement on Federal Public Charge Ruling  Statement by Marie-Frances Rivera, President of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), in response to the Department of Homeland Security's release of the finalized rule on public charge:  "President Trump's Department of Homeland Security yesterday released a rule that makes deeply troubling changes in our nation's immigration policies. The rule will make it very difficult for people who are not wealthy to receive a visa to immigrate to the U.S., become permanent residents (get a "green card"), or gain citizenship.  https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-17142.pdf This rule makes family income and the current and possible future use of benefits such as MassHealth (Medicaid), food stamps, or certain forms of subsidized housing grounds for being denied legal access to enter or stay in the U.S. This will push people into an impossible choice: forgoing critical supports for their families or risking the chance to remain in the U.S.  This ruling puts the health and wellbeing of our communities in jeopardy. Many immigrants who are legally in the United States may fear accessing medical care and other basic supports that they need and are eligible for under federal law.  People not directly subject to the rule may also fear that they should drop or avoid receiving those benefits. Our research indicates that such a rule change could cause as many as a half a million Massachusetts residents - including 160,000 children - to withdraw from needed benefits for fear of having an impact on a family member's immigration status. Public benefits are tightly woven into the fabric and economy of our state. If we want our communities to thrive, everyone must be able to live without fear and get the care and support they need to remain healthy and productive. To deem a person unworthy to stay in this country due to their economic status puts a price tag on who is allowed to participate and thrive in our society - it obstructs racial and economic equity in our Commonwealth. MassBudget is proud to stand with our recently emigrated neighbors, friends, colleagues, and family members who enrich our communities in countless ways. This rule, along with other harsh executive orders and actions by the Trump Administration, is part of a continued effort to provide opportunity for some, but not for all. It should be reversed as swiftly as possible." Interested in learning more about public charge? Read our report on the "chilling effect" of this rule and its impact on Massachusetts here  http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=A-Chilly-Reception-Proposed-Immigration-Rule.html The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by rwilliams@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines - Aug 22

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines

August 22 , 7 - 9 PM

Host: Ciro Pirone

A Franklin Wine Club sit down wine tasting event held in the Franklin Liquors Wine Room.

$5 per person RSVP required

The name itself Campania felix, coined by the Romans implied the importance that this fertile land has had throughout history. Since the times of Julius Caesar the highly esteemed wines of Campania were consumed and exported to faraway lands, the Romans had already created a mapping of the most important sites for wine production and above all was the Falernum. 

After centuries of fame and success, Falernum disappears from existence due to phylloxera and it isn't till the early 1960's and the incredible dedication of the Avallone family to recover such an important piece of history, and finally Falernum (aka Falerno del Massico) relieves.

Today the Villa Matilde properties extend beyond the area of Massico, also representing the territories of Benevento where Falanghina and Aglianico thrive as well as the major appellations of Irpinia, such as Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi.

Come explore 7 wines with us!

https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/263371469/

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines - Aug 22

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?

It was interesting to do the research on what a constable does. I know of them. There is no reference in the 2018 Annual Report. The initial search on the Town of Franklin web page turned up some weird results, but a second search did better.

From the Town of Franklin Constable page
https://www.franklinma.gov/constables

"Constables help assist various law enforcement agencies serve notices. Constables are all bonded and may serve, within the Cities or Towns in which they are appointed or elected, the following:

• All Summons and Complaints with maximum Ad Damnum allowed by law
• Writs and Trustee Process
• Real Estate Attachments
• Land Court Process
• Executions
• Supplementary Process in any Amount
• Small Claims Notices and Notices To Show Cause
• All Process under G.L. Chapter 239
• Summary Process, Ejectments, etc.
• Notices of all kinds and Demands
• Capias
• Probate Court Process, Domestic Relations
• Subpoenas, Criminal, Civil, and Federal,and other certain Writs and Papers from the District Courts, the Superior, Supreme Judicial, and the United States District Courts

Constables may be appointed to serve all process under Rule 4-c of the Federal and Mass. Rules of Civil Procedure and the appropriate motion for use in obtaining this appointment may be found at http://www.constables-mbca.org/special-process-server-appt.php"

There are three positions of Constable and all three are up for election in November

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

Franklin HS Baseball Boosters are hosting it's 2nd Annual Golf Tourney-Fund Raiser on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the New England County Club (NECC) in Bellingham.

All Information is on their site at www.franklinpanthersbaseball.com where you can register on-line as an individual or foursome.

All proceeds go back to the FHS Baseball Program. Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances with one State Championship and one Hockomock League Title. Please visit the site for more information. 

Looking for all Alumni and Franklin Residents to come out and join in on the fun!

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

 

Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances