Ford Hall Forum - Fall 2014 programs are here!

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Ford Hall Forum's Fall 2014 season of programs is here! Listen, learn, and engage in Eve Ensler's new show, Dick Lehr's new book, casinos, anti-racism blogging and more...   All forums are FREE and open to the public.  Seating is first come, first served. If you register to attend on our website, you do not have to register at the forum. Jay Smooth The Revolution Will Be Online Jay Smooth (blogger, The Ill Doctrine), Spectra Speaks (blogger, Spectra Speaks), Andrew Ti (blogger, Yo, Is This Racist?)  Moderated by Callie Crossley (broadcast journalist & radio host, WGBH's Under the Radar with Callie Crossley)  Thurs., 10/2/2014, 6:30 p.m. African Meeting House, Museum of African American History                                   Click here for more... Cara Crabb-Burnham Going to Pot Eric Steenstra (Executive Director, Hemp Industries Association), Cara Crabb-Burnham (Board President, Mass NORML), Michael Head (Researcher, Beacon Hill Institute)       Thurs., 10/9/2013, 6:30 p.m. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University                                   Click here for more... Mayor Carlo DeMaria  Place Your Bets Scott Harshbarger (former Attorney General, State of Massachusetts),Carlo DeMaria (Mayor, City of Everett), Charlie Stefanini (Labor Outreach Director, Coalition to Protect Mass Jobs), John Ribeiro  (Director, Repeal the Deal campaign) Moderated by Fr. Richard McGowan (Economics Professor, Boston College)   Thurs., 10/23/2013, 6:30 p.m. Main Function Room, Suffolk law School   Click here for more... Eve Ensler O.P.C. (Obsessive Political Correctness) Eve Ensler (playwright, The Vagina Monologues and O.P.C. [Obsessive Political Correctness]) Moderated by Joyce Kulhawik (Emmy Award-winning arts & entertainment critic, JoycesChoices.com)                                      Mon., 11/3/2014, 7:00 p.m. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University Click here for more... Azhar Majeed Free to Hate Azhar Majeed (Program Director, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education [F.I.R.E.]) and Jeremy Waldron (author, The Harm in Hate Speech) Moderated by Jeff Jacoby (columnist, Boston Globe)                                       Thurs., 11/6/2014, 6:30 p.m. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University  Click here for more... Dick Lehr The Birth of a Nation Dick Lehr (author, Black Mass and The Birth of a Nation)                                       Thurs., 11/20/2014, 6:30 p.m. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University  Click here for more... Special Features    Take a look at the program enrichments that only Ford Hall Forum offers: Flash Forums   Social Media VJs   Take It Further tools     Connect with us               Ford Hall Forum   at Suffolk University 41 Temple Street Boston, Massachusetts 02114 P: (617) 305-6316 jbonardi@fordhallforum.org

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Big Y: Learn How To Prevent and Treat High Cholesterol

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RFP goes with a drive through option

The Town Council meeting Wednesday was a relatively quiet affair. The agenda was changed to move the action items before the appointments. This was mentioned here earlier.

The resolution to add membership to the Franklin Advisory Committee needed to be voted on before the actual membership additions could be approved. Normally, the appointments are to standing committees where one or two people are replacing folks who have left.

In my seven years reporting on the Council, this circumstance had only come up a couple of times. The resolution was approved and the appointments were confirmed.

The change in agenda may have surprised some of the residents who could have spoke on the Emmons St property as only Lisa Piana, Executive Director of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, came forward to make two points on the RFP.

The Council acknowledged the two items but effectively dismissed them as something that could be handled later and proceeded to approve the RFP as written by a 7-0 vote. Councilor Padula was absent from the meeting and Councilor Kelly recused himself for the first time from this discussion item.

Franklin Municipal Building, site of the Town Council meetings

In a PR move, Ron Roux, the Cook's Farm developer spoke briefly about his intention to use local resources on the construction project. He could not commit to specific skills that would be open or keep for his standard group. He will be scheduling a meeting to present details of the project and needs to let those interested get more information and consider their involvement.

David McKearney, presented an overview of the operations of the Board of Health. The Health Dept is quite busy and their duties vary from beaver permits to food inspections of the more than 100 restaurants and food service operations twice a year in Franklin.

His presentation doc is supposed to be posted to the Franklin website. The outline used seems to be similar to their section in the Annual Report. The numbers would have been updated to reflect current activities (versus prior years).


My detailed notes reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live Reporting: Presentations
• Live reporting: Town Council - Sep 17, 2014

The Annual Report section for the Board of Health in 2012 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/annual-report-2012-health-department.html

The Health Dept page can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/index

Whole Foods Market Bellingham's Annual Harvest Fest

We are excited to announce 

the date for our annual Harvest Fest!

Please join us on Saturday, 

October 11^th from 12noon – 6pm

We would love to invite you to participate in this epic event!

We are planning our activities now which include camel rides, a petting zoo, bounce house, Farmers' Market, concessions, pumpkin patch and decorating, carnival games and so much more! In the past years, we have welcomed 1500 – 2000 folks on the day of this event. All activities are FREE for families and this encourages a huge crowd! This is an amazing opportunity for you to introduce your product to new customers and solidify your presence as a community supporter to your loyal customers.

Here are some of our favorite pictures from prior years…

Please let me know if you will be able to attend this outdoor event as I am planning the layout as folks respond. I am hoping to have a finalized list of vendors by Monday, September 22^nd.

Many thanks,

Chelsey Barton-Karnes

Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market

Bellingham, MA

p.508-966-3331

m. 401-808-1354

Nutcracker Auditions - Sep 20th

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Nutcracker Auditions are being held this SATURDAY, September 20th. 

AUDITION TIMES: Ages 5-7 audition from 1-1:40; Ages 8-10 audition from 1:45-2:25: Ages 11-12 audition from 2:30-3:10 and Ages 13 and up from 3:15-4:15. 

If you cannot make the audition, but would like to be cast in a part, please let the office know. Dancers trying out for Pointe parts MUST have Pointe shoes for audition. 

There is a $10 audition fee. Proper ballet attire and hair must be pulled back in a bun. Auditions are open to the public and we invite all local dance studios to join us!

Nutcracker Auditions

For additional information on the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center and their programs, you can find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patti-Eisenhauer-Dance-Center/

or on the web here http://www.pedancecenter.com/Home.html

Franklin Library: Book and Bag Sale 9/20-21

The monthly book and bag sale will be held this Saturday and Sunday. The Book sale will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday. The Bag Sale will open from 9:00 AM to noon on Sunday.

Music by Betty Kushner will be provided from 9-10 and 2-3 on Saturday

Franklin Public Library - Book Sale

This information was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/09/library-book-sale.html

Senator Spilka Announces Fall Office Hours

Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) or representatives from her staff will be available for district office hours this fall. Constituents are invited to share their concerns, questions and policy priorities and hear updates on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district.

Tuesday, October 21^st: Medway and Franklin Office Hours

8:00-9:00 AM

Muffin House

116 Main St., Medway

......

Elizabeth's Bagels and More

9:30-10:30 AM

Elizabeth's Bagels and More

456 W Central St., Franklin

...... 

Friday, October 31^st: Hopkinton, Holliston and Ashland Office Hours

8:00-9:00 AM
Golden Spoon

85 W Main St., Hopkinton

9:30-10:30 AM

Jasper Hill Café & Bistro

770 Washington St., Holliston

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Sunnyside Café

24 Front St., Ashland

Thursday, November 6^th: Framingham and Natick Office Hours

11:30 AM- 12:30 PM

Panera Bread

400 Cochituate Rd., Framingham

1:00-2:00 PM

Nick's Pizza

179 W Central St. Natick

Residents who are unable to attend or are interested in scheduling an appointment should feel free to contact Senator Spilka's office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.

MassBudget: New Census data on health coverage, income, and poverty

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. MA Again Leads in Health Coverage, but US incomes stagnant and poverty declining slowly    The economic security of working families depends on reliable access to affordable health care, as well as opportunities to earn good incomes and to share in the benefits of economic growth. New information released by the Census Bureau today shows that, in 2013, Massachusetts continued to lead the nation in the share of its state population covered by health insurance. With 96.3 percent of people in Massachusetts covered, the Commonwealth far exceeds the national average of 86.6 percent. Massachusetts has led the nation in health care coverage for its population since the implementation of the state's health reform in 2006. [For more on health insurance coverage rates, see MassBudget's new factsheet on this part of today's Census release, available HERE.]                                    Today's Census data also reveal that four years into an economic recovery, low and moderate income U.S. households are seeing limited benefits from the nation's economic growth - median household income is lower and the poverty rate is still higher than in 2007, just before the start of the Great Recession. Modest reductions in the overall and child poverty rates, however, did occur between 2012 and 2013. Specifically, the data show the following:     There was no statistically significant change in real U.S. median household income between 2012 and 2013. U.S median household income in 2013 stood at $51,939, an amount 8.0 percent (or $4,497) below pre-recession, 2007 levels (adjusted for inflation).   The U.S. poverty rate fell to 14.5 percent in 2013, which is lower than the 15.0 percent rate in 2012 and is the first statistically significant decline since 2006. The 2013 rate remains significantly higher than the pre-recession (2007) rate of 12.5 percent. The U.S. poverty rate for children dropped to 19.9 percent in 2013, a decline from 21.8 percent in 2012. This is the first statistically significant decline in the child poverty rate since 2000. Across the country, however, 1 in every 5 children still lived below the poverty line in 2013. Both short and long term factors have added to the challenges faced by low and moderate income households. In the near term, budget cuts due to sequestration as well as other austerity measures at the federal level during 2013 significantly reduced overall economic growth, likely impacting job and income growth. Over the long term, in a decades old trend, the well-being of working families has become increasingly disconnected from growth of the national economy. While workers' wages rose in lock-step with productivity gains throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, since the late 1970s, wage growth for most U.S. workers has fallen far short of growth in productivity. [See MassBudget's Labor Day release on workers' wages and incomes.]     The data in today's release provide a useful overview of poverty, income, and health coverage on the national level (using Current Population Survey data), as well as health coverage data at the state level (using American Community Survey data). On Thursday (9/18), the Census Bureau will release additional state-level data from the American Community Survey. When that data is released, MassBudget will provide analysis of changes in income, poverty and child poverty levels in Massachusetts. The full Census Bureau report is available on their website. Complete analysis of the national trends can be found at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 
water conservation still in place

Lincoln and Daniels have a base coat
additional contract signed for Summer St
and other streets where water mains were repaired last year

L. OLD BUSINESS
Union Cemetery

Facility maintenance plan still needed

M. NEW BUSINESS
train whistles, this comes up every several years

Nutting - strict Federal regulations
engineering study required, we have four intersections
couple hundred thousands of dollars
long complicated and expensive process

Cerel - to reinforce what the administrator mentioned
the Town was dragged into the litigation when the constructor got stuck on the tracks


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Feldman - Franklin Solar Challenge underway
SolarFlare starting to meet with those interested
volunteers looked for to help spread the word

Mercer - FHS dedication Sunday at 1:00
tours from 1:30 to 3:00
technology will be working as the students conduct the tours
a good opportunity to see what the tax dollars have brought
Saturday - tours from 10:00 to 2:00

Pfeffer - Housing Trust has a second house for lottery which should be held soon


P. ADJOURN