There are choices to make this weekend.
Breakfast with Santa
One seating Saturday at 9:30 AM - British Beer Co
The Nutcracker - Franklin School for Performing Arts
Saturday at 7:00 and Sunday at 2:00
The Nutcracker - Patti Eisenhauer Dance Company
Saturday 5:30 and Sunday 1:00
Nativity Set Festival
Saturday at 5:00, Church of Later Day Saints
A Christmas Concert at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Saturday 8:00 PM
Did I miss anything?
Friday, December 13, 2013
Schools - early dismissal Friday
The photo was taken on a warmer and snowless day. See how the weather changes quickly here in New England!
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| Parmenter sign |
With the forecast of a nasty but changeable storm coming our way Saturday evening, be safe!
Hockomock Hockey Season preview
From the HockomockSports.com preview of the hockey season:
What's the team to watch in the Hock this year and why?
Franklin is mentioned elsewhere in the article so you can read the full story here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/winter-preview-2013-2014-ice-hockey-q-a.html
What's the team to watch in the Hock this year and why?
Josh Perry: The most talented and deep roster in the league this season belongs to Franklin. With forward Troy Donahue and arguably the top defenseman in the league in Kyle Powers, plus top-three goalie Devon Maloof, the Panthers are stocked to make another charge at a league title. The biggest key for head coach Chris Spillane will be the continued development of the younger players like Alec Borkowski and Nick Downie who emerged as offensive threats last year in the playoffs. Borkowski, in particular, was one of Franklin’s best players in the final two weeks of last season and as a junior will be counted on to provide some of the scoring lost by the graduation of nearly two lines worth of forwards. It will also be interesting to see how Franklin reacts to a Division I schedule, as the Panthers (along with Mansfield and King Philip) jump out of D2, but this is a program with a history of success and it should continue this season.
Franklin is mentioned elsewhere in the article so you can read the full story here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/winter-preview-2013-2014-ice-hockey-q-a.html
In the News: Nutcracker here, Nutcracker there, breakfast with Santa, Nativity sets
Franklin: Growing up in 'The Nutcracker'
When Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents its annual production of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” this weekend, more than 100 area dancers will grace the stage.
Becoming Clara… PEDC dancers reflect on path to ‘Nutcracker’ lead role
It all began at the age of 6 when she was cast as the “lead mouse” and a “polichenelle” and the adventure of being in Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center’s, “The Nutcracker,” was upon her.
Holiday breakfast to benefit Santa Foundation in Franklin
A Breakfast with Santa to benefit the Santa Foundation will be held at the British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin on Saturday, Dec. 14. There will be one seating at 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Nativity Festival planned in Franklin, Dec. 14
On Saturday, Dec. 14 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Franklin is organizing a Nativity Festival. More than 100 nativity sets from church members and area residents will be on display during the open house.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Performance this evening - A Christmas Carol Times Two
"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.
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| Al LePage performs "A Christmas Carol" |
"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" portrayed by actor Al LePage, complete with English accent and Victorian-era clothing, will give his dramatic reading performance based on Dickens' very own historic script as a one-man show using only his voice, facial expressions and gestures to create some 18 characters.
Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave organ music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain. This is a special benefit performance hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.
Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated by both adults and children 7 years of age and older. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance through BrownPaperTickets.com/, either on-line or by calling their 24/7 toll-free number 1-800-838-3006, and if still available, at the door the day of event. Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.
Tickets are also available at the Franklin Food Pantry during open hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tues, Weds and Thursday.
Franklin - Fiscal Policy Draft Update
There is a fiscal policy that Franklin operates with. This year, the policy is being consider for revision and the revisions will include input from the Finance Committee, Town Council and School Committee.
The Finance Committee reviewed and discussed the update at their meeting on Tuesday. This was also mentioned during the Town Administrators update during the Council meeting on Weds. It is scheduled for further discussion within the budget subcommittee before the Council takes it up. It is also scheduled for review by the School Committee.
The Finance Committee reviewed and discussed the update at their meeting on Tuesday. This was also mentioned during the Town Administrators update during the Council meeting on Weds. It is scheduled for further discussion within the budget subcommittee before the Council takes it up. It is also scheduled for review by the School Committee.
Franklin Library: All In - Dec 16th
There will be a discussion and activities around the book "Divergent" lead by Horace Mann Middle School reading specialist Ms O'Leary. The discussion will focus on chapters 11-25.
Additional info can be found in this posting by the Library:
This was originally posted to the Franklin Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/12/all-in.html
Additional info can be found in this posting by the Library:
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| Divergent - discussion and activities |
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/12/all-in.html
In the News: Dean Bank, license penalties
Bellingham Police look into Dean Bank robbery
Authorities are probing a Monday robbery at the Dean Bank on Pulaski Boulevard and say they believe the suspect is the same man who robbed that bank in October.
Franklin council to review penalties for liquor license violators
Town Councilors tonight will discuss new guidelines for penalizing businesses caught selling liquor to minors.
Note: This item was posted to the MDN website at 6:08 AM on Wednesday morning. The timing of the post by MND caused it to miss my posting yesterday. Since there is not yet a post on the meeting last night, i suspect something similar is happening. Whether this timing of the posts MDN makes is deliberate or accidental, doesn't matter to me. My radar should pick it up eventually.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thanks to the Downtown Partnership and Dean for a wonderful Holiday Stroll
package provided to the Council as reviewed with the FinCom on Tuesday
reminder on snow event forecasted for this weekend
secondary roads have secondary priority for salting
thanks to the assessors for the recap and while it looks seemless
it is thousands of hours of work and we'll start on next year's tomorrow
estimate approx $270 for the average residence assessed at $364,000
except for market conditions, housing values rarely decrease
of the $270, approx 50 is the new high school
L. OLD BUSINESS
Padula - thanks to Mark Cerel to go over some of the questions I had at the last meeting
M. NEW BUSINESS
Jones - propose that the draft of license penalties as discussed be put on the agenda for formal adoption
Bissanti - Citizens committee to appoint Judy Pfeffer, add to next agenda
re- the flag situation,
Nutting - it is all fixed, we will work it out, we will get another set of flags for the Elks
contractually some days the DPW needs to do the flags
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Williams - happy and safe holiday's hug your kids
Jones - thanks Mass Development for hosting the event last week
Pfeffer - thanks for the holiday covers on the parking meters
Happy Birthday, Victor Pisani
Mercer - thanks for the Holiday Stroll, wish weather was a little better
we are building tight and roof tight for the winter
looking forward to either Jan or Feb to bring the Council up to date
Padula - happy holidays to all
Feldman - thanks for the good time at the ribbon cutting at the Abbey solar farm
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed
Live reporting - License renewals, Legislation
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Guidelines and Criteria for Penalizing Alcoholic Beverage License holder Violations
discussion on guidelines
there are two scenarios (1) police stings
ABC Board doesn't like these sting operations and doesn't feel that licensee should be penalized
(2) other operational violations - where an incident or accident occurs and underage drinking was found to have occurred. These are much more case by case. Could use compliance check and then at the mitigating factors to consider.
Williams - Nice work, I see nothing inconsistent with what we have done in prior Councils. Send them out to the renewals, then there is no excuse for someone saying I wasn't aware of that. Our hands aren't tied, these are the minimums and we can do more as required
Nutting - we could send them out with the renewals and then every year thereafter
Jones - I am happy to see that we have this in writing, it is good to have.
Bissanti - I want to applaud Mark Cerel for tackling this. I think the penalties are reasonable. I think attaching this to any license is a good idea.
Williams - as a rule, there is a notice out to the establishments that a sting is forthcoming.
Cerel - there is a set of guidelines on how to conduct
this will come up for a resolution and or as a bylaw for January meeting
Motion to approve the license renewals
seconded, approved 7-0-1 (abstain - Padula)
Padula - will abstain for the whole vote to avoid conflict of interest
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-85: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
residential factor set as 1
motion to approve, 8-0
2. Resolution 13-86: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
There will not be an exemption for open space
motion to approve, 8-0
by not having these exemptions, everyone is treated the same
3. Resolution 13-87: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
There will not be an exemption for small business
motion to approve, 8-0
4. Resolution 13-88: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
There will not be an exemption for residential property
motion to approve, 8-0
5. Resolution 13-89: 2014 Schedule of Town Council Meetings
motion, seconded, approved 8-0
6. Resolution 13-90: Legal Notices
designated the Milford Daily News as the legal source
motion, seconded, approved 8-0
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-726: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area,
Frontage Yard and Height Requirements – Referral to Planning Board
Mercer, Bissanti, Padula recused themselves from this discussion
Motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded
impervious coverage chart wasn't adjusted for the unit density calculations
looking to get the impervious change for Zone 7, not in any other zone
looking only to affect multi-family in Zone 7
Passed 5-0
live reporting - Tax Classification Hearing
F. HEARINGS
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM
The documents associated with the tax rate hearing can be found here
reference to the booklet shown by Ken Norman, the documents contained in the booklet are found in the link above.
Kevin Doyle, Director of Assessors
Ken Norman, Chairman - Board of Directors
Chris Feeley, John Neas
discussion on single vs. split tax rate, most communities inside the 128 beltway
the single rate is the fairest given the disproportionate groups residential vs. commercial industrial
Bissanti - a dual tax rate is burdensome upon the businesses, businesses have left communities for that
the high school building raised the taxes about $48 dollars on the average
My personal notes: this simpler quicker presentation was not very informative. If folks have seen this before, it is a minor rate change. If people have not seen this before, then they don't get much info in this forum.
Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 11, 2013
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: Kelly
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by Franklin Matters.
No meeting Dec 18th, next meeting Jan 15th
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mark Ellis - Franklin Elks
regarding flags on Main St for veterans funerals
offering to keep tradition of putting the flags up
will take down and store, coordinate with the funeral homes
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
(three minute recess)
Absent: Kelly
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by Franklin Matters.
No meeting Dec 18th, next meeting Jan 15th
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mark Ellis - Franklin Elks
regarding flags on Main St for veterans funerals
offering to keep tradition of putting the flags up
will take down and store, coordinate with the funeral homes
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
(three minute recess)
Senior Center: parking lot expansion making progress
The plans for expanding the Senior Center by finishing the second floor are underway. There is money being set aside in a Senior Center Stabilization Fund to help with the cost of the completion. The additional space would bring more people so the parking at the Senior Center would need to expand. Franklin jumped on the chance to purchase the property next door to provide space to do so.
The property purchase was authorized earlier this year and the house was just recently demolished. The before and after photos are below.
From October - the 'before' picture
From this past weekend - the 'after' picture
Some time in the future, the Town Council will need to approve the plans and funds for the parking lot expansion work.
The property purchase was authorized earlier this year and the house was just recently demolished. The before and after photos are below.
From October - the 'before' picture
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| Beaver St house purchased by Franklin |
From this past weekend - the 'after' picture
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| Now an empty lot on Beaver St |
Some time in the future, the Town Council will need to approve the plans and funds for the parking lot expansion work.
For Lifelong Learning Spring is coming soon
An update from Lifelong Learning:
Lifelong Learning constantly works in the future, as well as the present. By that I mean that we are always working on learning initiatives for the upcoming semester and year, as we implement other programs/courses on a daily basis.
Yesterday we finished editing the Adult Education and Community Learning spring brochure. The brochure will be mailed to residents of Franklin, Bellingham and Wrentham. It includes a number of traditional offerings: Volleyball, Basketball, Yoga, Zumba, Language, Photography, Writing, Dance and more. Additionally, it features new courses offered in collaboration with businesses from Franklin and the surrounding communities: Kettlebells for Women with f.i.t. of Bellingham, Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Franklin Liquors and Green Mountain Chocolates, IPAs -- Hoppy Ales with Pour Richards, and Ladies Snowshoe/Trek and Ladies Light Hike with Nanci Cahalane and held in Foxboro.
We are in the process of receiving course proposals for the Summer Programs. Faculty and staff are proposing courses for students from kindergarten through grade 12. Their creativity and dedication make the Summer Program an enriching experience for all involved. Watch the Franklin Public Schools website in mid-January for registration information.
Lifelong Learning is a department within the Franklin Public Schools. The leadership provided by the Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Sabolinski, is critical to the success of this department. Her leadership reinforces and supports the mission and purpose of Lifelong Learning.
As always, please contact us with any questions: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us.
This was posted to the Lifelong Learning website here
http://lifelonglearningfps.blogspot.com/2013/12/tuesday-december-10-2013.html
Voices of Franklin: NDAA - What Would Nelson Mandela Do?
Rich Aucoin included me on this email:
Question: Are your elected officials doing what Nelson Mandela would do on NDAA's indefinite detentions?
Are they honoring their constitutional Oaths of Office by standing up for equal justice and due process under the law? Or are they violating the sacred trust we placed in them to protect our most basic civil rights?
Please take two minutes to read PANDA Massachusetts' latest news letter below.
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