Sunday, November 27, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 11/30/11


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
- This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS - Annual Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-65:Classification Tax Allocation– Residential Factor
2. Resolution 11-66:Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
3. Resolution 11-67:Classification Tax Allocation – Small Businesses Exemption
4. Resolution 11-68: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full set of documents published for this meeting can be viewed/downloaded here (PDF)

Ai3 Architects

Ai3 Architects has been selected for the design of the new Franklin High School because of their work on the 'model school' program that the MSBA invited Franklin to join.

What does Ai3 do?
Visit their website to find more information on the firm's profile
http://ai3architects.com/firm-profile/fp_about_us


They have a set of case studies on projects they did, including Whitman-Hanson High School
http://ai3architects.com/case-studies/cs_whitman_hanson_high_school


The Ai3 site also showcases their portfolio of 8 high schools, 8 middle schools and 7 elementary schools.
http://ai3architects.com/portfolio


Celebrate the Holidays with Dinner & A Show



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Celebrate the Holidays with  Dinner & a Show!
Presented by
3 and Franklin Performing Arts Company

Your ticket includes a full buffet dinner served in the Amber Room at 3 prior to the show and preferred seating for your choice of one of FPAC's two holiday shows,
The Nutcracker
or
Humbug!
  
A$75 value for only $50 (adults) $40 (children under ten)!
  

How to Purchase

Purchase Dinner & A Show tickets at the FPAC Box Office,
34 Main Street, Franklin or call

Your show tickets will be held at Will Call
the night of the performance at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium.  Or, you can  pick up your tickets at the FPAC Box Office. 
NUT-CRACKER-2011-design 2

Saturday, December 10th

The magical journey of Tchaikovsky's world famous ballet featuring a live orchestra, guest artists from The Boston Ballet, and local performers.

Saturday, December 17th

FPAC's own adaptation of the classic, A Christmas Carol.  Accompanied by a ten piece band, the cast of characters retell their story with musical hits of every genre!
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The Best Ticket in Town!

Buffet dinner includes salad, entree (chicken, pasta and beef or seafood), potato, vegetable and dessert, coffee and tea.

For best seats, call early!



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Franklin Performing Arts Company
38 Main Street
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
US

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"A Christmas Carol - The Musical" Opening Soon!

Hi Steve-
Here is something else you might be interested in.  This show is right at the Orpheum in Foxboro and is going to be awesome, complete with actual "snow" and people"flying!"  For those that can't afford to make the trip to the Wang for the Rockettes, it is another great option for a holiday show.  My daughter Heidi Gleichauf, 15 and a sophomore at Franklin High School is playing the part of Emily, Scrooge's fiance.  She is the only cast member from Franklin, but adults and children from Norfolk, Foxboro, Mansfield, Plainville etc. comprise the rest of the all-ages cast. 
Here is a description of the show: 
Charles Dickens' classic gets the full Broadway treatment by the Broadway team of Alan Menken ("Beauty and the Beast", "Little Mermaid"), Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime", "Seussical") and Mike Ockrent ("Crazy For You", "Me and My Girl."). A story we all know and love set to music overflowing with Holiday feelings to carry in our hearts all year long. 
Called by The New York Times "a tonic for adults, and for children a transfixing journey", this spectacular musical extravaganza is filled with the magic of the holiday season, exuberant dances, flying ghosts and the sights and sounds of Dickensian London. "A Christmas Carol" retains its emotional power and pure joy, thanks to the marvelously-told story by Ockrent and Ahrens, and the Menken/Ahrens score filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics.

Un-Common Logo
 The Un-Common Theatre Company
 & Bay Colony Productions
 present 
Christmas Carol




Opening Friday, December 2nd!
Playing at
The Orpheum Theatre, Foxboro

Weekends, December 2nd - 11th

Christmas Carol Scrooge 
  
 Bob Cratchit (Lou DiPietro), Tiny Tim
(Matthew Neary) and Scrooge (Fred Armstrong)




Tickets are going FAST so
Order Tickets On-Line Today!
  
Performances:
Friday, December 2nd and 9th, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 3rd and 10th, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 4th and 11th, 2:00pm

Advance Tickets:
Premium $22.00
Reserved $20.00
Balcony $16.00

 Week of the Production Tickets:
 
Premium $26.00
Reserved $24.00
Balcony $20.00

 Location:
 
Orpheum Theatre Foxboro
1 School Street, Foxboro, MA



  
Tickets available 24/7 by calling
  Brown Paper Ticket Logo
Or to order online now

 For information on handicapped and group tickets for this show, please call the Orpheum Foxboro box office at 508 543-2787


 
Christmas Wreath 


  
 
MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL!!
Become a Member and receive 4 tickets to
"A Christmas Carol" at the discounted price of $15 each.*

Enjoy preferred seating, ticket exchange privileges and much more.

JOIN TODAY!
by calling
or email
uncommontheatre@

Click Here
 for more information.

*A maximum of four tickets for the run of the show are available to purchase for $15 and are valid for any level of seating.  Additional tickets are available at regular prices.  Discounted tickets must be purchased prior to the week of the show.
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List 



The Un-Common Theatre Co | P.O. Box 161 | Mansfield | MA | 02048

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Franklin High School Winter Concert and Silent Auction December 7th


The Franklin High School Winter Concert promises to be a warm and festive evening for music students, their families and the community this year. The concert begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday December 7th and is being held at the Thomas D. Mercer auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School, 214 Oak Street. Performances by the Franklin High School Orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Leighanne Rudsit will be featured, as well as the Chorus and Select Chorus directed by Michael Sansoni. Concert goers will enjoy a selection of classic and contemporary pieces with a holiday spirit, and the winners of the Franklin Music Boosters 2011-2012 music scholarships will be recognized.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. will be hosting a silent auction and reception beginning at 6:30 and during intermission, when refreshments will also be served. Many generous area businesses as well as music students and their families have donated items for the auction and refreshments. Donations are still being accepted. Area businesses and individuals who wish to donate please contact Cindy Gleichauf, 508-397-5204 or cindygleichauf@gmail.com.

Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.

DLS reports on average single-family property taxes and values in FY11

In preparation for the tax rate hearing being held Wednesday, Nov 30th at the Town Council meeting, this is some good background reading.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 11/18/11

The Division of Local Services in its publication City and Town yesterday reported on average single-family tax bills and property values for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011.
Given the fiscal confines of the state's property tax limitation law, Proposition 2 1/2, it was not surprising to see that the average property tax bill increased a modest 3.35 percent in FY11.
Proposition 2 1/2 allows for annual tax levy growth of 2 1/2 percent, plus additional property tax revenue coming on line from new growth and/or Proposition 2 1/2 overrides. The rate of increase in average property tax bills in FY10 was 3.3 percent.
And given the relative stability in property values -- Massachusetts has not experienced anything like the steep drop in property valuation seen in states such as Florida  or California -- it was not surprising to see a decline in single family property valuation in Massachusetts of 3.23 percent.
As the City and Town story reports, Massachusetts has indeed seen a decline in average single family home valuation since the housing bubble burst in 2008, but the tumble downward has been quite gentle compared with other locales.
The story includes a chart with comparison data for tax bills, valuations, and rankings for the state's cities and towns.
More historic information is available in DLS' Municipal Data Bank in the event readers want to explore trends going back to 1981.
The DLS story makes the point that as property valuations increase, tax rates go down, but when those same valuations go down, as they have in recent years, tax rates go up. There are still many homeowners in Massachusetts who assume that when home valuations go down, property taxes go down as well. However, under Proposition 2 1/2, tax levies are allowed to increase regardless of the direction of property valuations.

Things you can do from here:

Help my kids school - PLEASE. It just takes a second to help


PLEASE!!  I need more help!! We are #11 in the Pepsi Challenge and need to be in the TOP 10 to win.

As many of you may already know, my children's school is trying to raise money for a new Inclusive Playground. Our current one is deteriorating quickly despite the efforts of our DPW to keep it maintained. In deciding to rebuild we have designed a new Inclusive one, where all children of all abilities can play together.

I am asking for your help - it only takes a few seconds and cost you nothing. I am just asking that you vote for our project in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. We are in the running for $50,000 and just need to reach the TOP 10 to win. We are currently at #17. We started at 43, moved quickly to 22, then 19, 17 and now we are at 11!! We need more votes and support!!!

Go to the Pepsi Website - If you click on this link it should take you directly to us - www.refresheverything.com/kennedyplayground - There is a wonderful video that the KennedyKids are in!
ALSO you can vote a 2nd way by Texting in a vote - TEXT 109738 to 73774

Vote EVERYDAY until Nov 30th to help us!

Any and all help would be appreciated. If you could ask friends and family to help too, we would really appreciate it! Anyone 13 and older can vote! Please help my kids school!!! Our website is www.kennedyplayground.com if you would like to learn more about this project.

Thank you
Sandy Brown
Kennedy Playground Committee

Second Annual Giving Tree to benefit The Santa Foundation



The United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO), a group of young professionals having an interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development; is proud to announce their second annual Giving Tree collection efforts for The Santa Foundation.

With the holidays quickly approaching and the giving season upon us, the YPO has created a Giving Tree collection drive to benefit The Santa Foundation. The tree has been set up at the Hampton Inn in Franklin, MA where patrons can collect an ornament to donate new hats, mittens or scarves for all ages. Can’t get to the Hampton Inn? Don’t worry; picking up an ornament isn’t required to donate.

Patrons can drop off all unwrapped donations to the Hampton Inn, 735 Union Street, Franklin, MA or to the United Regional Chamber of Commerce office at 42 Union Street, Attleboro, MA. Donations must be returned by December 9, 2011. Members of the YPO will deliver all of the items collected to The Santa Foundation after this date.

The Santa Foundation in Franklin, MA was established over 25 years ago to fulfill one goal - to provide gifts for families in need at Christmas time. 100% of all contributions, cash and gifts received go directly to local families in need. In 2010 alone, The Santa Foundation assisted over 700 families.




Back row, Left to right: Lori Suher, Phil Hickey, Chris Pintarich, Victoria Faunce
Front Row, Left to Right: Ron Groves, Amanda Culhane, Santa, Jen Osojnicki and Kaitlyn Pintarich

Friday, November 25, 2011

Real Food Tips: 5 Uses for Leftover Turkey

Yes, there is some left over turkey today. I plan on making a soup.

There is also some pie leftover.

Apple pie


What are you doing with your leftovers?

If you needs some ideas, Lisa Leake has a nice website with lots of good ideas on healthy food:

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via 100 Days of Real Food by 100 Days of Real Food on 11/24/11

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and time with family today. Before we know it we will be on to those tasty leftovers! I am sure I'm not the only one who tries to be creative with all that turkey we couldn't finish so here are some ideas to consider:
Make "Turkey Noodle Soup" instead . . . → Read More: Real Food Tips: 5 Uses for Leftover Turkey

Things you can do from here:

In the News - Franklin Art Center



Holiday Workshops for Kids at the Franklin Art Center

Mendon-Upton school board members allowed to vote remotely

With the recent advances in technology this is a good logical step. Technology can be very useful to conduct meetings with participants not all in the same room. The meeting can be conducted as long as the technology works well.

 
 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 
 

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Morgan Rousseau/Daily News staff on 11/24/11

School board members in the Mendon-Upton Regional School District now have the option of participating in meetings while not being physically present.


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


As we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner today, let's pause a moment or two to give thanks for what we do have.

Thanksgiving: the turkey

Enjoy!

In the News - winners announced, anniversary celebrated



Winners in this year's Run for Bob 5K announced




First Universalist Society in Franklin marks 10th year in meetinghouse



“It’s all about vigilance"


Natick, Newton, Weston, and Wellesley are among several communities that have seen a significant jump in reports of residential break-ins, police said. The crimes do not appear to be related, police say, with the methods of gaining access and the types of valuables stolen varying with each incident. But detectives throughout the area are working closely to share information.
“We do have officers out there and are actively pursuing all the breaks,’’ said a Newton police spokesman, Lieutenant Bruce Apotheker. “One of the main components is we do work well with other cities and towns.’’
Newton has logged 155 house breaks this year, compared with 99 during the same period last year, he said. Just since Oct. 1, he said, there have been 35.
Law enforcement officials said they don’t know why there has been a sudden increase, but they said it’s not uncommon to have periods of ups and downs. Some officials, though, said many of the break-ins appear to be drug-related.
 Read the remainder of the story in the Boston Globe West article here


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

High School Project - Part 7 (audio)


Part 7 of 8 recorded at the School Building Committee informational forum held Nov 17, 2011.

Time: 17 minutes, 41 seconds



MP3 File

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 99 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the seventh of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This seventh segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects), Sean Fennell (Project Manager) and School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski provide answers to the questions.

The questions covered during this segment

  • What is the life expectancy of this school?
  • How much does the building handle school population growth?
  • What is the projected peak population?
  • How does the classroom handle the average class size?
  • What happens if the debt exclusion doesn't pass?
  • Is accreditation at risk?
  • Why doesn't this building include an indoor track?


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process
Part 5 – Q and A; cost of designing a green building and debt exclusion timing
Part 6 – Q and A; alternate fields and communication campaign

Part 8 – Q and A and closing



---- ---- ----

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!