Franklin Cultural Council began 2014-2015 concluding the extremely successful Ladybug Project, which enabled over 50 local artists and businesses to participate in a publicly accessible and popular exhibit that was steered ably through the summer by previous FCC Chair Claire Griffin. The council saw the project through to its fruition in October 2014 when the FCC hosted a public event celebrating ‘Ladybug Spots’ and had all the ladybugs on display together in one place for the last time.
Mrs. Griffin’s chairmanship of the FCC was completed in October 2014, and was celebrated at the reception which was generously hosted by The Franklin Art Center. At a subsequent event held at the Franklin Municipal Building, State Representative Roy and Senators Ross and Spilka were in attendance to present one of the Ladybug sculptures to The Town of Franklin as an ongoing reminder to residents and public servants, of the power of petition to local, state and national government in defense local Heritage and the development of Arts, Sciences and Culture within the increasingly urbanized community.
The FCC would like to acknowledge the assistance into the fall of 2014, of Claire Griffin, Chair 2013/2014, Kathy Ginley 2011/2015 Secretary, Marybeth Fraser 2011/2014 Treasurer, Rev. Bob Johnnene 2013/2014, Janet Norman 2011/2014, Cat Colson 2013/2014 and Beth Simon. 2015 brought a change in leadership and new members to the FCC. The Town Franklin Cultural Council is currently represented by:- Kai Olsson Chair, Teresa Burr, Anne Knapp, Justin Haslett, Gia Podobinski, Ian Kabat, Madison Weber and Karen Wellerson-Juhl.
In October 2014 the council solicited local groups to submit grant applications for FCC funding. At its December meeting FCC Members reviewed 73 grants and voted to fund 38 programs. At our annual allocation meeting in Franklin, funding was approved at the same level as in the previous year. In total the sum of $7172.00 was distributed amongst thirty-eight applicants including The 4th of July Coalition, Concerts on the Common, Horace Mann Middle School, Live Arts, various Franklin Public School PCC’s and more. On June 24th, the Cultural Council honored the 2014-2015 award recipients, at a special reception hosted by The Franklin Art Center. Amongst others in attendance were Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri and State Representative Jeff Roy.
The FCC would like to note that on numerous occasions and at various similar events, its members have taken opportunity to inform our local and State Representatives of the widespread popular demand by individuals and cultural organizations for an increase in funding for community events in the area. We would like to also acknowledge that our local and State Representatives are aware of these community aspirations and work diligently to address public concerns.
The FCC is presently reviewing proposals for a sculpted structure to honor local schoolmistress Palma Johnson and her 1974 2nd Grade Kennedy Elementary School class, who instilled “Ladybug pride” from the classroom to the State House and back to the town of Franklin. The FCC will also continue to review various projects should unencumbered funds become available at the conclusion of the FY15 fiscal year. We will continue to report the results of upcoming cultural requirement surveys to the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Kai Olsson
FCC Chairman
 |
| Franklin Cultural Council banner |
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/cultural
The ceremony at the Municipal Building was recorded and photos can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/fm-109-delegate-ladybug-lands-in.html
Ladybugs on Parade at the Town Common August 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/ladybugs-on-parade.html
-----------
"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]
Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015
