Franklin Matters

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Update to GoFUndMe for FHS Wrestling Coach Carmine Colace

"Hello, This is Coach C (Coach Colace) I want to thank everyone, some again and some who have recently donated. What you have done with your donations will enable us to save all that we have established at New England Gold. As all of you know how much I love the sport of wrestling and all of the wrestlers, along with our coaches and parents.

I don't know how long this Pandemic will last. Remember, there is no social distancing in wrestling. There may not be a New England Gold when all this is over. The money raised will help keep us going.

When are able to get back, we will be taking precautions. We have invested in thermometers so when we can take the temps of wrestlers as they come in. We have also invested in installing an Airphx Machine that will help keep our facility safe and virus free. Rent, insurance and utilities will be paid As you have figured out, the money raised will be going back to wrestling.

Thank You very much, Coach C"

Update to GoFUndMe for FHS Wrestling Coach Carmine Colace

This is Coach C (Coach Colace)

Contribute to the cause

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-legendary-franklin-coach-carmine-colace

"In a time of a tragic pandemic, small businesses are struggling to pay their bills. One of these businesses, New England Gold Wrestling Club, is owned by legendary Franklin High School wrestling coach, Carmine Colace. Carmine has transformed hundreds of lives not only in the town of Franklin but all over the New England region.

In these troubling times, we hope to help support Carmine pay for rent and prepare for when he re-opens. Carmine’s significant other Kathy has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Kathy has embraced the lifestyle of wrestling and has a smile on her face every time we see her.

Carmine has taught all of his wrestler’s life long lessons such as hard work, dedication and to just keep on wrestling. Carmine’s hard work and dedication has led to not only our success but his success as well. We know this time is difficult for everyone but please consider helping Carmine and New England Gold wrestling during a difficult financial time.

We want to see Carmine continue to change people’s lives. Just like Carmine supports us in following our dreams, we want to do the same."

GoFundMe link
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-legendary-franklin-coach-carmine-colace

Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1253349939465334784?s=09

GoFundMe for FHS wrestling coach: Carmine Colace

FSPA Broadway Faculty Brings Performing Arts Education to the Public

Over their observed April Vacation, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presented a series of Master Classes and Industry Q&As to students as well as the general public free of charge on Facebook Live. The week kicked off with a Jazz Dance Master Class with Broadway’s Christopher Rice (Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman) and Clay Thomson (WICKED, Newsies, Matilda, King Kong). The Broadway performers led students in a warmup and then taught a combination to “All That Jazz” from the musical Chicago.

On Tuesday, attendees enjoyed a live question and answer session with Broadway Digital Marketing Professional Ali Wondely. Wonderly has worked on many Broadway shows including Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, Be More Chill, and Escape to Margarittaville. She discussed with students the business of Broadway and many “off-stage” theatrical career options.

Wednesday continued with a Ballet Master Class with FSPA Ballet Conservatory Director Cheryl Madeux. Madeux received her training at the Nutmeg Conservatory For The Arts and has enjoyed a long professional career, dancing with such venerable companies as the Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, and as principal dancer with the Hartford Ballet. She is a summer faculty member for the ABT® Young Dancers Program in NY and an examiner for the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

The week continued with a Theater Dance Master Class with NYC actor, director, and choreographer Chaz Wolcott. Wolcott is known for his roles in the touring companies of Newsies and CATS as well as his stint on So You Think You Can Dance. He led the virtual class in a warmup and then taught his own choreography to “Dancin’ In the Street.”

Chaz Wolcott (Newsies, So You Think You Can Dance) teaching

Theater Dance for FSPA via Facebook Live

FSPA April Break finished on Friday with a live Q&A with Broadway’s Christopher Rice discussing Swings, Understudies, and Standbys. Rice informed the attendees on the different kinds of “coverage” roles that exist within the cast of a show and answered questions on how an actor prepares for that challenge.

The students at FSPA have long benefited from the school’s Broadway connection, as the school consistently brings in guest teachers from New York. Tony Award winner Beth Leavel comments, “I wish I had a Franklin School for the Performing Arts in my life when I was growing up. It’s invaluable.” FSPA students have even gone on to perform on the Great White Way themselves, noting the school as a major part of their success. Dan Gleason (‘06) of the Broadway cast of WICKED says, “I owe a lot of my consistent vocal health and technique to my years at FSPA. Healthy singing habits were ingrained in my body and it has become second nature.”

Fall registration is now open at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Call 508-528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information. Follow FSPA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Dean Foods Completes Sale of Assets to Dairy Farmers of America

Dean Foods Company (“Dean Foods” or the “Company”) today announced that it has completed the previously announced sales of substantially all of its assets, including the sale of the assets, rights, interests and properties relating to 44 of the Company’s fluid and frozen facilities to subsidiaries of Dairy Farmers of America (“DFA”).

Dean Foods also announced that it has completed the sale of the assets, rights, interests and properties relating to eight facilities, two distribution branches and certain other assets to Prairie Farms Dairy. The Company also completed the sale of its facility in Reno, Nevada and its “Berkeley Farms” trademark and related intellectual property to Producers Dairy Foods.

“We are pleased to complete these transactions, which maximize value for our stakeholders and will enable substantially all of our businesses to continue operating and serving customers across the country,” said Eric Beringause, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dean Foods. “Our team has put in considerable work over the last several months to find the right partners for our assets that would enable them to continue to succeed while preserving the most jobs possible and to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and partners. The completion of these sales is a testament to our employees’ efforts. I also want to thank our entire team for their commitment and dedication to Dean Foods not only over the last several months, but over the past several years. Their hard work has helped Dean Foods build and grow brands and products that customers love, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to work side by side with this extraordinary group.”

The Company also announced that as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) approval of Dean Foods’ transaction with DFA, DFA has entered into a Consent Decree with the DOJ under which DFA has committed to hold separate and ultimately divest the dairy processing plants located in DePere, WI, Franklin, MA and Harvard, IL together with certain assets related to the operations at each plant.

Upon closing of these sales, Mr. Beringause has stepped down from his role as President and CEO.

As previously announced on April 4, 2020, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Court”) also approved the sale of Dean Foods’ facility in Miami, Florida to Mana Saves McArthur, LLC for $16.5 million. The Company anticipates completing the transaction early next week.

As previously announced on April 30, 2020, Dean Foods completed the sales of the Company’s Uncle Matt’s business to Harmoni, Inc., and of its Hilo facility and related distribution branches on the Big Island, Kauai and Maui, as well as a license to the Meadow Gold Hawaii brand name and related intellectual property, to MGD Acquisition, LLC.

Additional information is available on the restructuring page of the Company’s website, DeanFoodsRestructuring.com. In addition, Court filings and other information related to the proceedings are available on a separate website administered by the Company’s claims agent, Epiq Bankruptcy Solutions LLC, at https://dm.epiq11.com/case/southernfoods/dockets, or by calling Epiq representatives toll-free at 1-833-935-1362 or 1-503-597-7660 for calls originating outside of the U.S.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright are serving as legal advisors to the Company, Evercore is serving as its investment banker and Alvarez & Marsal is serving as its financial advisor.

Above shared from:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200501005548/en/Dean-Foods-Completes-Sale-Assets-Dairy-Farmers

Related from Courthouse News Service
https://www.courthousenews.com/justice-department-approves-sale-of-bankrupt-dairy-producer/

a view of the facility at Garelick Farms

MassBudget: COVID-19 - Updates: Progressive Revenue Amid the Pandemic

"In this week's video update, our President, Marie-Frances Rivera, discusses shorter and longer-term policy solutions to ensure just recovery from the pandemic's impact on the Commonwealth, with Senior Policy Analysts, Phineas Baxandall and Kurt Wise, and Communications Director, Reggie Williams."

https://youtu.be/XNsogxfW0c4

For more from MassBudget: https://medium.com/massbudget

MBTA Notices: Franklin/Dean - Forge Park shuttle Sunday; face coverings required May 6

Beginning on Wednesday, May 6 all riders will be required to wear face coverings.

In line with our efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19, we’ve further postponed all subway diversions through Thursday, May 7. Subway, bus, and Commuter Rail will continue to run at reduced service levels.

This is an ongoing situation, and for the latest information, riders should check mbta.com/coronavirus

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Franklin – Forge Park/495 - Saturdays, May 2 and 9

Shuttle buses replace Franklin Line service between Franklin and Forge Park/495 to allow for track maintenance. https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line

Shuttle buses replace Franklin Line service between Franklin and Forge Park/495

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Franklin, MA: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - May 4

Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, Room 205 (Second Floor) Franklin, MA

May 4, 2020 - 4:30 PM

Link to access the meeting: Click here then click “Open Zoom”
Call-In Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 938 246 4834 then press “#”

Agenda

1. FY21 Budget Update Discussion

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DATE: April 22, 2020

TO: Town Council Budget Subcommittee

FROM: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: FY21 BUDGET UPDATE

Through Chairman Kelly, I am requesting a Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council on May 4th, 2020 at 4:30 PM, or at a time convenient for the members.

We must now refocus our attention to the FY21 Budget process and make some difficult decisions. The Finance Director and I have discussed our revenue assumptions. At this time, we are estimating at least a $3 million shortage in revenues than were assumed in the March 4th budget model discussed at the Town Council meeting.

The following are estimates and the data in a budget will be altered as new information becomes available. The following reductions in revenue estimates are as follows:

● The New Growth estimate will be reduced by $450,000;

● Local Receipts (excise tax, meals tax, licenses, permits, etc) will take approximately a 25% reduction, or $2.4 million; and

● At this point, State Aid is budgeted at $121,000 less than FY20. This is the Governor's Budget proposal released in late January. While the budget will be revised, it's the best data we have right now. We have no prospect for a FY21 budget to be completed by the state anytime earlier than Labor Day (is my best guess). The Town will likely need to come back again in the Fall or Winter to revise the budget based on state decisions.

There is still much work and discussion at the staff level that needs to happen over the next month. But, it would be a good time to gather the subcommittee to get on the same page as we continue to aim for a post-Memorial Day set of Finance Committee budget hearings on May 27, 28 and June 2, 4. I will provide a more in depth budget update memo and working budget model at your meeting for discussion.

The PDF of this doc can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-04_budget_subcommittee_1.pdf

Supporting Documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/05-04-2020_budget_subcommittee_meeting_supplemental_documents.pdf