"working diligently to have the show ready"

"The Great Gatsby" is scheduled to be performed by Franklin High School students on Wed and Thu this week. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults. Both performances start at 7:00 PM

In addition to the cast, the Franklin Arts Academy junior class has been involved in constructing, designing, and painting the sets, composing original music for the entire production, and recording sound effects. 

In order to utilize space in a small area with many different scenes, periaktos were constructed by the students with help from Dean College. These periaktos, when set up, change almost effortlessly, causing the audience to be instantly transported into the heart of New York and Long Island. 

Join the cast as they travel back to the heart of the Prohibition era, when parties were extravagant, money was abundant and life was easy. Gaze into the heart of Mr. Jay Gatsby as his mysterious intentions are revealed. Watch as Nick comes to realize all the people who surround him, with their secrets masked by money, are not what they appear to be.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915453337/-Gatsby-on-stage-at-Franklin-High-School#ixzz2ndLC4Z6R

The wikipedia entry for periaktos

Snow and the bells of St Mary's (video)

Stopped by the Town Common 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon as the snow was beginning to fall. Captured the video of the snow fall and was about to end with the bells of St Mary's started to ring. Good timing!




Enjoy!

Free holiday parking downtown Franklin (video)

The practice instituted last year with free parking for the holiday season in downtown Franklin has returned this year.

Last year, the parking meter covers were not quite as festive as this years.

This year, the meter covers fit the season nicely!

parking meter cover

And if you haven't seen the sign with the scrolling message, you can view it here:

In the News: holiday challenges, utility scam

Holidays can bring added challenges for elders

It's the hap-happiest time of the year, at least for many people.

Utility company warns of ongoing scam

NStar is again warning the public of a scam targeting the utility's  customers.

Hockomock Area YMCA Welcomes New Gymnastics & Dance Director

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin has hired Jodie Bedard as Gymnastics and Dance Director. Bedard brings more than 20 years of experience coaching both recreational and competitive gymnasts, and has personal experience competing up through USA Gymnastics level 10. She will be responsible for the management of the gymnastics and dance programs including program development, staff hiring and supervision, and building strong relationships with participants and their parents. In addition, Jodie will be managing summer gymnastics camp programs, as well as coaching the Hockomock Area YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team based out of the Y’s North Attleboro branch.

Bedard first began coaching gymnastics as a teen, at the New York YMCA’s National Gymnastics Training Camp in Huguenot, NY. Her career includes serving as the assistant women’s gymnastics coach for Rhode Island College, where she was involved with all phases of the RIC women’s gymnastics program, including recruiting, scouting, administering practice and meet coaching. Bedard has served as a coach at Ocean State School of Gymnastics in Lincoln, RI for the past seven years.

“I’ve been involved in some way with the YMCA since I was 12 years old,” said Bedard, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be here and be able to give back some of what my Y experiences have given me. I am here to bring the Bernon Family branch’s gymnastics program to a whole new level. I am also happy to be able to bring all my years of choreography to the dance program here. Every young person should have the chance to have a Y experience. I am beyond proud to be part of that!”

Jodie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she competed in their Division 1 Competitive Gymnastics program. She currently resides in Rhode Island with her daughter Madeline.


About Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. With over 33,000 members, half under the age of 18, their promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. Their programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

Representative Roy: Franklin Seniors Tour State House

Franklin Seniors tour State House

             Boston, MA -- Representative Jeffrey Roy (D. Franklin) was honored to host a group from the Franklin Senior Center in the State House. The seniors took a tour of the People's House and were joined by Senators Karen Spilka (Ashland – D) and Richard Ross (Wrentham – R) for an inside tour of the State Senate Chamber and Reading Room. The tour also featured a visit with House Clerk Steven James who provided insight on the history of the House Chamber.

"It was a fun and engaging visit with a great group from Franklin," said Representative Roy (Franklin-D), "Many of them were visiting the State House for the first time and were engaging with the State House employees they met along the way."

The timing of the visit and tour coincided with events surrounding the anniversary of President Kennedy's Assassination. The seniors had an opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts with WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben on the events of 50 years ago and the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination.

"It was wonderful to welcome such a terrific group to the State House," Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) said. "Learning about the political process and getting involved in government is very important at any age. I'm so glad we were able to offer this opportunity for seniors in our community to visit and learn how to continue to be active and engaged citizens."

"It's always a great opportunity to show constituents around the historic Massachusetts State House, with the Commonwealth having played such a critical role in our nation's history. It was my pleasure to aid in taking Franklin Seniors on a tour and I hope I was able to add to their learning experience. " said Senator Ross.

FPAC Holiday Shows

Celebrate the Holidays with a Show! Enjoy a festive double-bill of FPAC holiday entertainment with back-to-back productions of Tchaikovsky's classic The Nutcracker on December 14 & 15 and the original holiday musical Carol's Christmas on December 21 & 22! A highly anticipated FPAC tradition for more than 20 years, The Nutcracker brings Boston Ballet stars, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers to one suburban stage! FPAC's magical journey of The Nutcracker features special guest artists from Boston Ballet as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and a professional 27-piece orchestra under the direction of maestro Peter Cokkinias. With luminous costuming and sparkling set design, the timeless fairytale ballet is a family favorite that enchants audiences of all ages. FPAC premieres Carol's Christmas this season, a new contemporary musical comedy written by Nick Paone, who penned FPAC's popular Humbug! Ring in the holidays with a large ensemble cast of 160 talented area performers as they sing and dance their way through this joyous, uplifting and hilarious story! Carol's Christmas features an entertaining score with music of many genres and live musical accompaniment by members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band. Click below to Buy your Nutcracker and Carol's Christmas tickets online http://www.fpaconline.com/box-office.php

Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.

Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668
Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173

View as a web page.

In the News: nativity festival, foundation awards, Celtic Christmas, tax rate

Nativity festival set for today at Franklin church

Nativity sets serve as the focal point in many homes during the holiday season with some families passing these heirlooms down from one generation to another.

Foundation awards $228K to groups throughout MetroWest

Foundation for MetroWest announced on today that it has awarded grants totaling $228,000 to organizations throughout  MetroWest as part of their 2013 Competitive Grant Program. The announcement was part of an event held this week at The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN).

To do this weekend: Celtic Christmas Celebration

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents a Celtic Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Franklin.

Franklin Town Council stays with single tax rate

Considering Franklin's small commercial tax base, the Town Council on Wednesday chose to stick with a single tax rate.

Weekend events in Franklin

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?

Schools - early dismissal Friday

The photo was taken on a warmer and snowless day. See how the weather changes quickly here in New England!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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:

Divergent - discussion and activities

This was originally posted to the Franklin Library webpage here
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.

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

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/1231113.pdf

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)