In the News: police recognition, zoning bylaw changes

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"While most departments received hand-made drawings from kids or coffee from friendly visitors, law enforcement officials in Franklin were given some rather unique gifts, according to Deputy Chief James Mill. 

One resident dropped off a stained glass police badge with a blue line across it, Mill said, and another presented officers with a crucifix said to be blessed by a pope. 

“It was quite overwhelming. ... We’ve always had great support in the community,” Mill said. “We consider ourselves fortunate.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160711/communities-rally-behind-area-police-following-attack-in-dallas

"If all goes well, the town may implement new "limited site plan" rules by the end of summer. 

The change, which was first brought up to the Town Council in June, would allow additions, alterations and improvements to existing structures with less information than would be needed in a full site plan. 

Two local boards are scheduled to take up the matter this week. The Planning Board had the change up for a public hearing on its Monday night agenda, while the Town Council will discuss it at its Wednesday meeting."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160712/franklin-zoning-change-for-site-plans-in-works

While the new location for Aubuchon Hardware is used as an example of the benefit, the construction on the plaza across the street where Ficco's and the former Kegan auto dealership is located is waiting on this change according to word on the street.

Aubuchon Hardware relocated from two locations in Franklin to this one location in Horace Mann Plaza

2016 Whatever Theater Festival

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 2016 Whatever Theater Festival, running from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30. The 9th annual festival features a production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors and a presentation of One Acts, an eclectic series of one-act plays. 

One Acts will be performed on July 27 at 8:30 p.m. and again on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Comedy of Errors will be staged on July 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common. All performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of William Shakespeare’s earliest plays, the Bard’s famously farcical Comedy of Errors entertains with a tale of two sets of twins accidentally separated at birth. When twin masters Antipholus of Ephasus and Antipholus of Syracuse, with their twin servants Dromio of Ephasus and Dromio of Syracuse, cross paths in the same town, double trouble and madcap mistaken identity ensue. FPAC’s 90-minute adaptation features the beloved slapstick comedy, funny antics, and witty word play that are hallmarks of this enduring classic.

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, FPAC’s Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience that showcases an exciting range of dramatic and comedic works. This year’s Whatever Theater Festival will be part of the second annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. 

The visual, performing and culinary arts celebration will take place July 27-30 at various downtown Franklin locations within the proposed Cultural District. FPAC’s 2016 Whatever Theater Festival is sponsored in part by grants from the Franklin, North Attleborough and Wrentham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - July 27  to 30

Madalene Village - proposal revised

The proposal for Madalene Village has been modified and is scheduled for the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, July 14.

The updated diagram showing the revised proposal can be viewed here
(shared by members of the Facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/savesprucepondbrook/)

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting agenda for July 14
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202016/07-14-16%20ZBA%20Meeting.pdf

sign from one of the neighbors

In the News: March against the pipeline; most state candidates unopposed

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The effort is dubbed the “People over Pipelines” (POP) march, Anderson said, and is led by the Cambridge-based BFP, which works to advocate for renewable energy policies at the state level. 

“This is one of our top priorities,” Anderson said, “this pipeline.” 

The march kicks off in Medway at the middle school on Holliston Street on Thursday and continues until July 18 as protesters walk through and stop in several other towns on their way to the Statehouse in Boston, where they hope to catch the attention of Gov. Charlie Baker, Anderson said. 

As of Friday, there were 350 registered marchers for the entire route, Anderson said, including 100 registered in Medway."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160710/pipeline-opponents-gearing-up-for-march-through-medway

lawn sign in Franklin against the Spectra Pipeline

"Nearly two-thirds of candidates running for a seat in the state Legislature will face no competition this fall. 

The number of unopposed candidates, which is fairly typical in the state, points to the challenges political newcomers often face trying to break into the House or Senate, some political analysts say. 

“It’s very difficult to mount a challenge to an incumbent legislator,” said Peter Ubertaccio, director of the Joseph Martin Institute at Stonehill College. “They’re rarely defeated. It takes a lot of planning and time and recruitment. I also don’t think the two parties in the state are very good at all at recruiting candidates.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160710/most-candidates-in-massachusetts-are-unopposed

In the News: downtown parking on Town Council agenda

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The council is scheduled at its meeting Wednesday night to take up substantial revisions to its parking bylaws. The changes will, among other things, implement two-hour parking at certain times along several downtown streets. 

One amendment proposes using a color-coded map to delineate parking zones in the town's bylaws, instead of using wording like "from a point 25 feet north of East Central Street to East Central Street." 

It also calls for different limits for different zones. Much of the parking areas on East Central and Main Street, for example, are colored purple, indicating two-hour parking from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and no restriction at other times. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting had raised the matter at an earlier meeting, noting that there is a need for more permanent parking regulations as the two-year downtown streetscape project draws to a close."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160710/franklin-council-to-take-up-downtown-parking

the simple and decorative holiday decorations for 'free parking' won't be needed if the parking bylaws are approved as there would be parking enforcement but not via meters

Additional items on the Town Council agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/07/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-july-13.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - July 13, 2016

For the only scheduled meeting in the month of July, the Town Council agenda for Wednesday's meeting is chock full. Bylaw amendments on the site plan and design review process, facility preventive maintenance program, and a memo on the charter review process are among the many items on the agenda.

The liquor license application for the new Irish pub, Teddy Gallagher's is also on the agenda.

The full agenda is found below. The PDF document has live links to the supporting documents.

The agenda can also be found on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024507A7-000F8513

The liquor license application for the new Irish pub, Teddy Gallagher's is  on the Town Council agenda for approval

Franklin Public Library: Greg and Axel - dog and magic show

The Greg and Axel show is a totally unique entertainment experience that provides magic, comedy, audience participation and one hilarious dog. You will fall in love with Axel as he helps Greg the Magician amaze the audience...he might even cause a little bit of trouble! This performance is free and open to the public.

• At the Franklin Public Library Monday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.

the temporary location is open at 25 Kenwood Circle