Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 23, 2013

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 7, 2012
approved 8-0 (Roy arrived right after the vote)

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Steve Sherlock - Franklin resident on Lawrence Dr, I am usually here reporting for Franklin Matters but for this evening I'd like to spend a couple of minutes wearing another hat.

I am the Chair for the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry and our 3rd annual phone-a-thon is approaching. We are getting the word out through the newspaper and other outlets and wanted to use this time as well.

This is an all volunteer effort. We are looking for volunteers to help on Sat Feb 9th and Sat Feb 16th. Looking for 2 hour time slots, if your schedule permits, we will welcome your help.

Additional information can be found on the Food Pantry webpage
You can send an email to Bob at Franklinfoodpantry.org or call the Pantry, option 5 for the Phone-a-thon

We are grateful to Dean College for letting us use their facilities for this effort and for providing for lunch for our volunteers on both days.

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/01/franklin-food-pantry-phone-thon.html

E. APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Historical Commission - Connie Lawson
approved 9-0

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

The Glass Harmonica

Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday on Sunday. His birthday actually is Jan 17th.

The standing room only crowd listened, made suggestions, and asked good questions about the glass harmonica.

The instrument is turned by hand or in this case with an electric motor. It is played by holding ones fingers along the edge of the glass. Both the glass and the fingers need to be wet to make good sounds.

When trying to play a piece with high notes, Vera remarked after that she usually brings her own water with her. The instrument plays better with hard water than soft water.

The instrument is more likely to play music with slower tempos like church hymns or waltzes. She did have a request for a polka and that type of music is too much uptempo to do well with this.

For Vera's prior visits to the Historical Museum for Ben's Birthday visit this link for 2012 and this for 2011

For additional info on Ben visit this wikipedia page

For additional information on the glass harmonica this page on wikipedia can get you started

And if you missed stopping by, but would like to hear what the glass harmonica sounds like, skip ahead in this recording to about the 9 minute mark to listen and enjoy (of course, if you want to step back in time to 2011, don't skip just listen).

Franklin Matters: FM #84 - Week Ending Jan 30, 2011Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

Franklin High School Construction

Lots of trucks have been in and out of the new high school construction site. As I walked by on Monday, there was a series of cement trucks making deliveries too!

Not much to see just yet. Once the foundation is all poured and set, the steel frame will start to rise and then it will begin to look like something more than an organized mess.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Voices of Franklin: What to do about the conditions on Ledge St?

Rob Crummet lives on Ledge St. Yes Ledge St, you might recognize it if you have seen the recently published road condition report. It is #2 on the list.

Scroll through his letter and view the pictures of the #2 road in Franklin.

When will Ledge St be fixed? Rob would like to know.

Franklin Senior Center: AARP Drivers Safety Class - Jan 26

Reporting by walking around Franklin, I found this and several other photos worth sharing.

For additional info visit the Senior Center webpage http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

To register, call the Senior Center 508-520-4945

Sam Adams Beer Dinner at 3

Good beer, good food, and likely to be a gathering of folks who like those things as well; sounds like a great combination!

An Exceptional Evening of

3's Great Food

Paired with Samuel Adams Beer

Please join 3 for an evening of delicious food and beer. We will be featuring a four course dinner specially prepared by Sous Chef Danielle Sargent - each course paired with a beer from the Samuel Adams Brewery.

Thursday, January 31, 7:00pm; $55/pp: includes four course dinner, four beer tastings, tax and gratuity. Plus, some great Samuel Adams Brewery giveaways!

Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 508.528.6333.