Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Celtic Band "Burning Bridget Cleary" Nov 7th

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse 262 Chestnut St Franklin, MA  02038 Phone: 508 528 2541 > Map > Official Site > ReverbNation Profile Celtic Band Burning Bridget Cleary at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse November 7th, $20 Burning Bridget Cleary This band's bio explains that the real Bridget Cleary is best remembered as "the last witch burned in Ireland". But that Bridget Cleary, with all her spells and potions, couldn't play Celtic music the way this band does. http://www.burningbridgetcleary.com/ Burning Bridget Cleary has earned a reputation for presenting high-spirited Celtic music at festivals, concerts, and music series all over the world. If you're impressed by rock's lead guitar dynamics and pyrotechnics, the electrifying fiddle duo of Rose Baldino and the Scottish fiddle wiz Amy Beshara will leave you absolutely breathless. Their second release Everything Is Alright, was awarded "2009 Album of the Year" by CelticRadio.net. Their fourth CD, Pressed for Time, topped the Roots Music Folk and Roots Charts at #1 – and became one of the most played albums by folk disc jockeys. In December 2013, Burning Bridget Cleary was nominated "Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, or Concert" in the Irish Music Awards sponsored by the Irish Music Association. They were listed in Marc Gunn's "Top 20" International Celtic bands for 2014. Their fifth album Another Day, released a year ago, has received a great deal of critical acclaim. ". . . a highlight of this summer's Philadelphia Folk Festival" -Michael Kornfeld, acousticmusicscene.com The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $20. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. UPCOMING SHOWS Sat Nov 07 2015, 08:00 PM Burning Bridget Cleary Tickets: $20 An excellent Celtic band. Sat Dec 05 2015, 08:00 PM Anne Heaton, Winterbloom, Antje Duvekot, Natalia Zukerman, Meg Hutchinson Tickets: $25 Winterbloom featuring Anne Heaton, Natalia Zukerman, Antje Duvekot, and Meg Hutchinson Sat Dec 12 2015, 08:00 PM Ellis Paul, Laurie MacAllister Tickets: $25 CD release Sat Jan 09 2016, 08:00 PM John Gorka, Honor Finnegan Tickets: $25 Sat Feb 27 2016, 08:00 PM Seth Glier Tickets: $20 Sat Mar 12 2016, 08:00 PM Susan Werner Tickets: $27   Sat Apr 09 2016, 08:00 PM Billy Novick, Guy Van Duser Tickets: $20   Sat Apr 23 2016, 08:00 PM Forever Young Tickets: $20 A Tribute to the Music of Neil Young Sat May 07 2016, 08:00 PM Dala, the young novelists Tickets: $20 Sat May 14 2016, 08:00 PM Jim Kweskin Tickets: $25 > See More / Details

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Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, USA
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Voices of Franklin: Tara Gurge For Board of Health

Franklin’s Dr. Ronald Gurge says the candidate would work to improve health in Franklin. 

I am writing in support of candidate Tara Gurge for a position on the Franklin Board of Health. Mrs. Gurge is a creative problem-solver who is passionate about public health. She offers a wealth of experience on a variety of health-related issues and possesses the skills and abilities to facilitate health-related improvements in our community. 

Mrs. Gurge earned a Masters of Science degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has more than fifteen years’ experience working full-time as the public health agent for the Town of Needham and has a registered sanitarian license. She has been a resident of Franklin for 14 years, along with her family and three children. 

With a solid background in the field of public health, Tara has long had a very serious interest in local health issues. She endorses a proposal for more substance abuse prevention and education, would offer a unique perspective and help offer and share successful public health prevention measures/resources that have been proven successful in her current position. She would work to provide more smoking cessation and drug and alcohol rehabilitation center access to the Franklin community, and also strive to provide more childhood obesity prevention programs, and would use her resources to identify alternative sources of funding for health initiatives. 

Tara would bring a fresh perspective and creative solutions to the Board of Health and work to enhance the well-being of all Franklin residents. I highly recommend Mrs. Gurge for this position and I urge all Franklin voters to support her. 

Please support Tara Gurge when you vote in our town elections on November 3 — she will be a great asset to our community.

Franklin Matters

Dr. Ronald Gurge

you can reach Dr Ronald Gurge via email at Gurgefmly@gmail.com



Guidelines for submitting a "Voices of Franklin" entry can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

In the News: Medway opposition, Library approval, Council candidate, Smile gala, Sugar Shoppe

“That’s not reality,” he said. “The reality is that we recognize that there are folks that are going to leave here tonight that are still going to be frustrated and are not going to want to jump on board.” 

The approval process, he said, is “not within the boundaries of the town of Medway,” and instead lies with the state Facilities Energy Siting Board. 

“We do not have the ability to give a thumbs up, or a thumbs down,” Boynton said, pointing to the provisions negotiated in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and Host Community Agreement that he said were “more one-sided in the town’s favor than … anything Exelon may want.”

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151021/NEWS/151028433/1994/NEWS

The Town Council voted unanimously in favor of a one-year $10.5 million renovation and addition to the Franklin Public Library. 

The audience in the council chambers applauded after the roll call vote approved the project, which would require library services to move to a temporary location during construction. 

Judith Pfeffer, the chairwoman of the library building committee and member of the council, gave a presentation on the matter, along with project architect Drayton Fair.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151021/NEWS/151028465/1994/NEWS

Newcomer candidate Sean Slater said he's running for Town Council to make sure the Franklin of tomorrow is as safe and affordable as it is today. 

A seven-year Franklin resident, Slater is one of 14 candidates seeking nine seats on the council in the town's Nov. 3 election.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151021/NEWS/151028488/1994/NEWS

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be the special guest speaker at Project Smile’s gala fundraiser - the Project Smile 12th Anniversary Celebration Friday, Oct. 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Doubletree Hotel, 11 Beaver St. 

Founded by Catherine Pisacane in 2003, the Hopedale-based, non-profit organization partners with police and fire departments, the Dept. of Children & Families and homeless shelters and donates stuffed animals, books, coloring books and crayons to help children who are victims of traumatic events. 

Many of the children receiving stuffed animals have been involved in car accidents, are victims of child abuse or other crimes, sick/injured, witnesses to domestic violence, entering foster care or living in a homeless shelter. Since October 2003, Project Smile has donated more than 36,000 stuffed animals and works with 195 police and fire departments both locally and throughout New England.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151021/NEWS/151028659/1994/NEWS

The grand opening of the Sugar Shoppe - a non-profit candy store - is set for Monday at 334 Union St., with a soft opening Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The store will then be open for regular business hours as of Monday. 

Sugar Shoppe is a local candy/confection boutique with a two-fold mission: Reintroducing the nostalgic candy store concept (touched with a modern flair) and bringing the community together to raise money for a good cause. The mission is providing gift baskets to homeless moms and assorted gift baskets for homeless kids at special times during the year when they may not receive anything at all. 

The goal is to be able to lift spirits and provide hope when there may be none. Patrons can shop to their hearts content with fine candies, confections and celebrity truffles (official gift basket truffle of the Oscars) and all net proceeds will go towards helping someone in need. Sugar Shoppe will also work with other local non-profit causes holding events to help raise money in joint community efforts.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151021/NEWS/151028722/1994/NEWS

Live reporting: Closing

2 minute recess for crowd to return to Town Clerk party

resume meeting


Recognition of Steve Williams as last meeting for Town Council
by Rep Jeff Roy, Sen Karen Spilka



K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Jeff recognition for Debbie and all her work her
and thanks for the flower bed

condolences to the Brown family

did get DEP grant for storm water management
thanks to Brutus and staff for writing the application

on Oct 30, pumpkins in the Sculpture Park
trick or treat while things last
the Friday before Halloween

ground breaking of the YMCA splash park being donated by Rockland Charitable Trust

Vote yes on the tax vote

awarded another 'safe community' recognition
thanks to the police fire and dispatchers for making this a safe place

thanks to Williams for his work

down at DelCarte on Sunday and it was busy


L. OLD BUSINESS
solar array at Parmenter is working again
leak resolved during the summer

power plant in Bellingham
proposal for Medway power plant expansion
concern about the proximity to Franklin
I would be remiss if I did not seek more information



M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Dellorco - 7:00 PM at Franklin TV with recovery addicts and FHS students to do a program

Williams - thanks for the opportunity to serve you for the past two years
for your knowledge, understanding and guidance
I thought I knew quite a bit, I was surprised at how dumb I was

Kelly - need to do something at the next council meeting, no matter who is here sitting on the Council

Downtown construction, can not complain enough about the MassDOT
promising to do something on one day and not getting done until later
it was a nice project but we have been sold a bill of goods

thanks to the new council candidates, there is a lot of meetings at all hours
when you leave here, you go on Facebook and find out folks don't like what was just done

Thank you Mr Williams for you help, you have been nothing but a gentleman
thank you for putting me here the last two years
I would be nothing but honored to sit with you next time

Bissanti - follow up with Matt's comments
this is the closest I've been to a police chief on an amicable basis
let's have a robust outcome in voting


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0 (Mercer had disconnected)

Live reporting: recognition of Town Clerk, Debbie Pellegri

There is a delay in the meeting as the listing of recognitions is coordinated with some presenters to cover for those not present



C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- Town Clerk, Debbie Pellegri

Franklin Town Council recognition - Bob Vallee

Recognition by former Chief Larry Benedetto - Pfeffer

From Governor of MA, Charles Baker - Vallee

Secretary of State William F Galvin - Rep Jeff Roy

Congressman Joe Kennedy III - Matt Kelly

MA State - Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross

MA House of Representatives - Rep Jeff Roy

District Attorney Mike Morrissey - Bob Dellorco

Sheriff Michael Billotti - Peter Padula

Andrew Dowd, MA Town Clerks Association

"town clerks don't run the town, they make the town run"

Tri-County Clerks Education Committee

Franklin School Committee - John Jewell

Debbie Pellegri

31 years has changed my life

family members present were recognized

especially her husband Ron

Clerks are the best people in the world

"I knew what I was doing from that first day forward, this is what I wanted to do"

31 years have been wonderful

the planter down stairs is a gift from the Pellegri's

Live reporting: remaining legislation for action

5 minute recess to allow the Library folks to leave

Resolution 15-67: Appropriation of Police Salaries

motion to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0

discussion on Franklin people being checked first for the listing

we like Franklin folks, but at the end of the day we get the most qualified folks

Resolution 15-68: Appropriation of Fire Salaries

motion to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0

looking to add someone in the FY 2017 budget

Resolution 15-69: Amendment to the Town Administrators Contract

motion to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0

original contract was funded for an increase for the first two years but not for the last three years of his 5 year contract

• 3% increase for 2015
• 2% increase for 2016
• 2% increase for 2017

30 items on the listing of accomplishment for the past couple of years with this Council

There is always room for improvement

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-752:Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, and Uses – 2nd Reading-2/3 vote

motion to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0

corrects a deficiency in the current zoning bylaw, and still subject to review

Bissanti - this is a significant change as small as the wording might be, especially for buildings downtown, another great feather in our cap to make happen

Live reporting: Town Council - October 21, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco, Mercer (via phone)
Absent: none


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 be recorded by others.

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

Legislation for Action

• Resolution 15-70: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing, Cole Chain Technologies, Inc. And Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. XLIII

EDC Chair -Bissanti, the committee recommends this as a win-win

Nutting - the TIF financing has been used a couple of times, they are looking to expand to Forge Park moving 180 jobs and expand. The TIF allows for collection of the base taxes, some of the increase in taxes based upon the improvements is collected some is a tax advantage for the company to maintain the manufacturing in MA

Larry Gordon, CEO Cole Chain, 47 years in business

small insulated shipping company for seafood, now thermal packaging for health products, shipping at proper temperature is a requirement. Located elsewhere. 140 employees and 40 contractors, 135 Constitution Blvd would fit the company.

Roger Nelson, consultant to the company

started discussion a couple of weeks ago, the team has done well in making us feel welcome

Nutting - our ability to move quickly and be proactive is needed in this competitive environment

Gordon - we have anticipation of hiring and would look to hire local where possible

passed 9-0 via roll call

F. HEARINGS
15-52: Whether public safety, necessity and convenience requires laying out and acceptance of a portion of Lewis Street currently private, as a public way. 7:10 PM- 2nd Reading

opened as public hearing, no public comments
property owners have signed the paperwork

this is the end of Lewis St which had not been previously accepted as a public way, about 8 from Crocker to the end of Lewis

roll call to close hearing - 9-0

• Resolution 15-52:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of a Portion of Lewis Street, Currently a Private Way -2/3 vote

motion to approve waive of reading, passed via 9-0

motion to approve, passed 9-0 via roll call

Other legislation

• Resolution 15-66: Reconstructing, Adding to, Equipping and Furnishing the Franklin Public Library-2/3 vote

access for handicap

meeting room with movable wall

more computer space

reading hall returned to its glory

constrained with technology and storage

collections up 68%

programs up 117%

sprinkler system upgrade, plumbing, heating upgraded

tween space, teen space

Library Board of Directors, Friends of the Library

Library will be closed for 1 year, if not the construction would be 18-24 months

old paper records needs to be digitized

Drayton, with LLB Architects

children's are more than doubles in to the new area

rest rooms on first floor

main entrance for access to meeting rooms, can be shut off from the rest of the building

original building will have the interior utilities updated and other interior areas will be restored

additional staffing will be required, we are understaffed now

likely an additional 2-3 part-timers

staffing costs would likely be part of the FY 2018 or so budget

the building can only be the building and infrastructure work

attempted to make use of maximum space by minimal staff with proper positioning of the service stations

about 14 years ago, adopted a fiscal policy of 3.5% of the budget as debt

the debt schedule as old debt gets paid off, the new debt will be used to other infrastructure

we worked with the Treasurer to set out a plan and we have a plan to use the capacity within the plan

the tax bill doesn't go up as a result of this, it will go up anyway for other reasons

either modulars or rental spaces could be utilized for temporary space to provide some operation while the construction is underway

vote to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Debbie Pellegri

Our schedules did not align to meet in person so Debbie Pellegri and I conducted our discussion via email. The results are shared here.

What is your Franklin Story?

Debbie Pellegri - I am a lifelong resident of Franklin. I’ve been married to my husband, Ron for 48 years. We have two children, Rona and Michael, four grandchildren, Maggie and Madi, twins age 13, Mason, age 10 and Grace age 9. My parents, Gemma and Dan Crosta, lived in Franklin all their married life. 

My dad was a police officer in Franklin for 30 years while my mother was always involved in committees when I was younger. 

They both showed me the importance of giving back to your community and perhaps that is why I have been involved in town affairs for many years.

What do you see as the challenge for the position that you are campaigning for?

Debbie Pellegri - The main challenge is to keep all 33,000 residents happy! While I know that no one person can do this, I will work hard to be opened and available to the residents. I have good listening skills and I believe that is what the residents want….a person they can talk with. 

So many times, residents believe they are kept out of the loop and no one listens to them. Residents need to remember that a councilor represents the whole Town and therefore, residents must understand that while we listen the outcome will be made in the best interest of the whole Town. 

We must all work together to continue to mover Franklin into a productive, safe and strong community. I want to keep Franklin a community that people look up to and are proud of the direction that we are moving towards.

What do you bring to the position that would set you apart from the other candidates?

Debbie Pellegri -  I have been your Town Clerk for the past 31 years working with all departments, committees, boards and commissions. My background will bring knowledge of these departments to the conversations regarding Town affairs. 

I am editor for the Town of Franklin Code Book working with General Code Publishers. This book contains all the bylaws and is available to the residents both in hard copy and on line. My job has been to update this book on an annual basis and by doing this, I am aware of what is being changed, deleted and updated. I will be able to answer questions for the residents and if not, I will be able to set them in the right direction. 

I will bring with me, an honest, hard working and professional attitude always looking out for the best interest of the Town of Franklin and all the residents.

If you have any follow up questions, you can contact Debbie at 508-528-5422.  


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 3rd. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Emmons St closed today for paving

We will have to close Emmons St at 7:00 am tomorrow. 

I told Mike to order extra details so we will have one at Emmons/Main, Emmons/School, School/Union and Union/140 to properly direct traffic. 

Detour signs will be properly placed. Traffic coming 140 SB will be placed in the NB lane first. That way we can get people in and out of Davis Thayer better. 

We should be completed, or at least out of their entrance way by 2:00 pm

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT

sign with notice on Emmons St closing

PMC Franklin Kids Ride Scavenger Hunt - Nov 7th

Come join us for the 1st annual PMC Franklin Kids Ride Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, November 7th from 4-10 pm. 

PMC Kids Ride Scavenger Hunt

Teams of 3-7 (or as big as your car can hold), will compete in the 3 hour hunt through Franklin and surrounding towns. 

Party, music, raffles and awards ceremony will follow at the conclusion of the hunt at The Crystal Room in Milford, MA. 

Special prizes will be awarded for the best team name, best team outfits and 1st , 2nd and 3rd place finishers.

Cost per person is $25 and all entry fees are tax deductible. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. 

The PMC Franklin Kids Ride is a bike ride held in June for kids 3-14 to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 

Sign up now at www.kids.pmc.org/franklin or for more information, contact Lisa at lisabxyz@verizon.net. Adults 21 and older please.

FHS volleyball and field hockey lose close games, girls cross country appears in a new MSTCA poll

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results from Tuesday's fall sports action where FHS lost both close games. 1-0 to Mansfield in field hockey and by 3-2 to Bishop Feehan in volleyball

FHS Panthers

Field hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final 

– Mansfield broke open the deadlock with just six minutes remaining to hand the Panthers their first league loss this season. Franklin’s Samantha Jones made six saves while freshman Cassi Ronan led a Franklin offense that registered 15 shots on goal.

Volleyball

Franklin, 2 vs. Bishop Feehan, 3 – Final 

– Alyssa Shea had 10 kills and three digs, Aubrie Kutil had 13 kills and Hannah Chace added eight kills for the Panthers. Dayna McCue had a whopping 45 serve receives, 25 digs and a pair of aces for Franklin.

Continue reading for the remaining results around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-102015/

New MSTCA poll lists Franklin girls cross country

On the girls side, two Hockomock teams made their debuts in the MSTCA Poll. The Franklin girls team (5-0), who won the Kelley-Rex title this season in a thrilling 22-34 win over previously unbeaten North Attleboro, debuts at 14. That’s the highest spot any Hockomock girls team has been ranked this season. At the CM Invitational this past weekend, the Panthers finished 5th as a team and Nicole Clermont was second overall.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/franklin-oliver-ames-girls-debut-in-latest-mstca-poll/

In the News: Pfeffer, Clement, O'Malley candidate profiles

Judith Pfeffer

Longtime Town Council member Judith Pond Pfeffer, seeking re-election this fall, said the town must pursue economic development and work to overcome the opioid crisis. 

Pfeffer is one of 14 candidates seeking nine council seats. A lifelong resident of Franklin, she said she is serving her eighth term as a councilor.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151020/NEWS/151029177/1994/NEWS

Trevor Clement

Moving back the start times of the town's high and middle schools is one initiative School Committee member Trevor Clement would like to pursue if re-elected. 

Clement, running for his second term on the committee, is one of eight candidates seeking seven seats in Franklin's Nov. 3 election. He is an attorney who has lived in town for the past three and a half years.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151019/NEWS/151016079/1994/NEWS

Kevin O'Malley

It is critical that the Franklin School District receives additional support from the community, said School Committee member Kevin O'Malley, who is seeking re-election to the board next month. 

O'Malley, who is running for a second term, is one of eight candidates seeking seven seats on the committee in Franklin's Nov. 3 election. He is a former teacher, principal and superintendent.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151019/NEWS/151016080/1994/NEWS

In the News: EPA grant for Franklin, downtown holiday decorations, PMC Kids scavenger hunt

The Baker-Polito Administration has announced that Milford and Franklin are among nine projects to receive more than $1.28 million in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), targeting water pollution from storm water runoff and erosion. 

“It is vitally important that we address the effects of polluted storm runoff on Massachusetts waterways to protect both our environment and public health,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Through the administration of this grant program, we are able to work with the federal government to provide our local and regional partners the resources needed to improve water quality.” 

“To keep our communities healthy, we must help them maintain a clean and safe system of water resources,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “These water protection grants will help local officials identify storm water issues and address them promptly.”

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151020/NEWS/151029317/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will team up with the Franklin Garden Club to decorate downtown Franklin on Sunday, Nov. 22. Volunteers and helpers are welcome to help install wreaths, bows and greenery. 

Interested volunteers will meet Beautification Chairman Eileen Mason at 9 a.m. on the center island. Community service hours are available for students; groups and teams are encouraged to participate. Help is also needed on Saturday, November 21, at Hillside Nurseries to sort greens.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151019/NEWS/151015985/1994/NEWS

PMC Franklin Kids Ride is holding its 1st annual Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 4-10 p.m. 

Get friends, spouses, and coworkers together to form a team, all to benefit a good cause. Teams will compete in this 3-hour hunt throughout the Franklin area. A party will follow at the Crystal Room in Milford, which will include a silent auction, raffle and awards ceremony. 

The cost per person is $25 and all proceeds will go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. Sign up now by contacting Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net. Adults 21 and older, please.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151019/NEWS/151016010/1994/NEWS

First Universalist Society in Franklin's Halloween Party - Oct. 24

The First Universalist Society in Franklin is holding its annual all-ages Halloween party at 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. 

FUSF image

There will be games, crafts, music, dancing, musical chairs, refreshments, and Spooky Walks for children as well as teens and adults. 

Events geared toward children will be from 5:30-7:00 p.m., and events for teens and adults will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. 

All are welcome; kids and adults are invited to come in costume. For more information, go to http://www.fusf.org.

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Jim Schultz

Jim Schultz and I met recently at Panera to talk about his campaign for Town Council. This is the summary of our discussion.

FM - What is your Franklin story?

Jim Schultz - Growing up in NJ, I was the first person in my family to attend Rutgers and not clean it as a maintenance worker. As a Political Science major in college, I had a deep commitment to lobby at the state level for affordable and accessible higher education. As a result, I have a good sense about community and working class people. You know, the realistic things and challenges that people and their families struggle with in their local communities as they raise a family. 

My wife and I met at Rutgers University and after I graduated I worked for Borders Books for many years. I had an opportunity to transfer up and open up the flagship location in Boston’s Downtown Crossing. I was there when it wasn’t the safest place to be at night, and after the Boston 5 bank had moved out, I moved up just before they put the new rug in for the store. That's what brought me to New England. 

My wife and I looked at it as a great opportunity to break away from our comfort zone and make a new life for us here. I found myself at ground zero for the redevelopment of the Downtown Boston. I was a member of the retail community for Downtown Boston Business Improvement District. I sat in on many of the Downtown Crossing meetings associated with what is now known as successful redevelopment. 

While I was there, I uncovered a great marketing opportunity and I wrote up a business plan, convincing the CEO of Borders to create a new position for me. Now when you look at a billion-dollar company, it says something that I was able to successfully navigate the system and write a business plan and convinced the CEO who had four hundred other stories that they were looking at, to give me the opportunity to build a field marketing division based on things that I learned. 

It shows that I have the knowledge and tenacity to persevere. It shows ingenuity about how to build an infrastructure, manage a multi million-dollar budget, and execute with precision in order to get things done. My team ended up creating a twenty-million-dollar line item to the budget where we were revenue generator. From zero to twenty million, and it was all through co-op marketing, working with arts, communities, and events. 

My wife and I were living in Canton. When we were looking for a place to buy a house, we realized very rapidly we couldn't afford anything inside the 128 beltway. When we started to look south, Franklin at the time when we were looking 1998 had several things that we were tracking. The commuter rail line into Boston. Franklin had a very rural feel to it at that time. So we moved in the house that we live in now on Macintosh St. We raised two kids in the school system. Our daughter is currently at Oak St and my son is currently in the Engineering program at Tri-County. Franklin has given us a real opportunity for us to raise a family in a very cost effective way. 

So back to my foundations of service, I got involved in the Franklin Downtown Partnership. I have been on the board now for three years. I have been a part of the Boy Scouts organization since my son joined the cub scouts (11 years ago). Currently, I'm a Treasurer of Troop 99, with our charter organization being the Franklin Rod and Gun Club. So for me community service and community commitment is a big thing. 

One of the things that I really have learned with the downtown partnership and I continued to draw from my experience is that arts and culture drive traffic. One of the things that I really will use as a differentiating point of contrast from some of the others is that traffic is not necessarily a bad thing. There is this debate that we constantly have in this town about traffic. But we don't differentiate between vehicular and pedestrian. 

There is a sentiment that our town can’t be a Wellesley, that it can't be a center for activity and I disagree. I believe that when communities utilize cultural events, nurture strong retail, and create event opportunities, that you can drive people downtown. And they'll come downtown and stay downtown and enjoy everything it has to offer.

FM - What do you see as a challenge for the position of Town Council?

Jim Schultz - I think the biggest challenge for the Town Council for me is really what I see in our budget and our revenue cycle as a community. I think that our payouts for infrastructure from past-uncontrolled growth and liabilities are currently out pacing our revenue. Roughly 60 plus percent of our revenues in town are coming from our property taxes. Now that's an area where the town has been very outspoken and very adamant that general overrides are not the answer. So where do we get the money that we need? 

Naturally a portion will be in fighting to keep the 30 plus percent we receive in state aid, but I think that's the biggest opportunity we have is going to be in business, industrial, biotechnology, and technology companies to invest. I think that as a town our biggest challenge is going to be how do we incentivize and drive those companies to come into Franklin. We need to identify them and work to welcome them into our town. 

We had a very big commitment within the 2013 master plan about getting companies to come to Franklin. We have identified multiple areas of development along Grove Street, but we haven’t yet scratched the surface to get those companies into Franklin. I think we really need to take a look at the model that Marlboro has. Marlboro has an economic development corporation where they have an executive director whose sole job is to identify and work with corporations and to bring them into Marlboro. 

One of the things that I'm beginning to realize is that there are organizations out there that represent MetroWest area and the 495 beltway. Marlboro all the way down past Plainville. We can work more work and collaborate with these people. It doesn't matter where the business ultimately ends up because if it’s in that 495 strip between 95 and 90, Franklin ends up being an option where those folks buy homes and do their shopping. 

Another challenge I think also just as an individual is just really getting into the budget, really getting down into the numbers. Fortunately, I have a degree in accounting. I have dealt with P&L’s before. I understand how to read an income statement. I understand that there's tough choices that are going to be made. But those choices have to be made. I think that the one thing we really need to is not to pit certain communities against others. We have access to credit, we have access to money. The question is do we as a community want to do the right thing?

FM - What do you bring to the position that would set you apart from the other candidates?

Jim Schultz - Let me put it into the four points that I am running on. It really comes down to vision, culture, transparency and trust. I have a vision of what this community needs. This is where my retail experiences, my work with the downtown partnerships in Boston and Franklin, my work with the cultural committee, festivals, and cultural organizations around the globe come into play. At the heart of a thriving economic community are culture and events. All of those pieces are going to be critical to driving business, driving traffic, driving industry into the community. I have some decent connections with folks in the technology industry. I'd like to be part of the process in trying to get people to come and do business within the town. 

I truly believe that we need to invest in a position whose sole role is to drive revenue through business. We have all of these section on the Master Plan, there's five separate districts on Union Street that we've identified that offer business and industrial growth and development. They have been there for how a long time and we don't have people banging on our doors. So long as we work with abutters and facilitate this with a planned growth plan, it’s good for Franklin. 

Second part is culture. We tremendous assets of cultural diversity in town: performing arts, multi disciplinary arts, visual arts, and culinary arts. We could really drive to celebrate the culture of what we have in Franklin. That shows in my efforts with the cultural district. Part of what my vision is that events drive traffic, events drive business. The more we can tout what we have here in Franklin, the more you’ll find reasons why you could come. 

Transparency is one of the things that I think is the biggest problem. There is just is not enough of it. We have by and large run on a very tight back door closed meeting need to know basis. My pledge is I will have office hours. I will publicly tell you where I'm going to be. I will make myself available for one who wants to come and talk to me outside of the town council meeting. 

Arguably, the town council meeting is not the best place to get you the best service. Let's be honest. We've been to the town council meetings and when you come there with an opinion and the opinion is not popular, you run the risk of being ridiculed by select council members. It’s not acceptable. Further, if you can’t come to meetings, you should easily be able to find video of the meetings, or minutes of the meetings. 

The transparency issue for me is very important. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. I will do everything I can to bring conversation and the dialogue about what we need into the 21srt century. 

The last piece is trust. I will always tell people what I am thinking. I have lived here going on seventeen years. Two kids in the school system. I have no interest to facilitate personal business in this town above and beyond my commitment to be of service to the community. What you’ll get is my view as a citizen.

If you have any follow up questions for Jim, you can contact him via
jamesdschultzjr@gmail.com

You can also visit his Facebook/webpage: https://www.facebook.com/SchultzForFranklin


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 3rd. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion.

The Addams Family, October 24, 25, 30, and 31

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the hit musical comedy, The Addams Family, on October 24 at 7:30 p.m., October 25 at 2:00 p.m., and October 30 at 7:30 p.m., with two shows on October 31 at 2:00 and 8:30. Celebrate a bewitching holiday with a performance before or after Trick or Treating on Halloween; audiences are invited to come dressed in costume, and prizes will be awarded.

Part of FPAC’s 25th anniversary season, The Addams Family will be staged at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s new home and performance venue, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin.

The devilishly delightful musical serves up an original story based on the iconic characters of legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. Inspiring a TV sitcom, TV cartoon series and two feature films, Addams’ illustrations for The New Yorker spawned a pop culture phenomenon. His famously motley group – Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandma and Lurch – has a taste for everything macabre.

Yet there’s a sweetness, charm and humor at the heart of their twisted and dark world. With book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family musical tests that world when outsiders – the respectable Ohio family of Wednesday’s “normal” fiancé – come to dinner, setting in motion a chain of riotous events on one memorable night!

Area performers featured in lead roles include Nick Paone (Gomez) of Franklin; Casey Andrade (Morticia) of Lincoln, RI; Katie Gray (Wednesday) of Milford; Andrew Falanga (Pugsley) of Franklin; Alan Mercer (Fester) of Medway; Aaron Frongillo (Lurch) of Franklin; Michael Fajardo (Lucas Beineke) of Hopkinton; Kellie Stamp (Mrs. Beineke) of Westport; and Guy Rezendes (Mr. Beineke) of Franklin.

Ensemble cast members include Janene Asgeirsson, Madison Asgeirsson, Lily Barney, Jason Barney, Christine DiMartino, Greg Leach, Sydney Leach, Michele Webster, Melissa Wyner and Peter Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Colie Vancura of Medfield; Maddy Williams of Medway; Anna Makova of Norfolk; Susauna Wickstrom of Plainville; Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.

The production’s creative team includes Casey Andrade, Raye Lynn Mercer, Nick Paone, Kellie Stamp and Hallie Wetzell.

Pictured in this FPAC Addams Family portrait are, L-R, Katie Gray (Wednesday) of Milford, Alan Mercer (Fester) of Medway, Andrew Falanga (Pugsley) of Franklin, Casey Andrade (Morticia) of Lincoln, RI, Aaron Frongillo (Lurch) of Franklin, Nick Paone (Gomez) of Franklin, and Raye Lynn Mercer (Grandma) of Franklin

Middlesex Savings Bank is the Production Sponsor.

Tickets are $34.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.