In the News: real estate supply shortage; Food Elves succeed again

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

"Local real estate agents are optimistic an increased number of buyers will be looking for homes in the coming months, but there may not be enough houses on the market to meet demand. 

"Sales have been brisk," said Paul Yorkis of Patriot Real Estate in Medway. "The biggest problem I see for 2017 is the absolutely overwhelming shortage of housing everywhere in the Boston metropolitan area."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161228/regions-real-estate-agents-optimistic

"The Franklin Food Elves are celebrating the results of their 11th food drive, thanks to a change in strategy that bore fruit, said group members. 

Though this year's "12 Days of Donating" campaign garnered fewer food items than last year - about 4,000 pounds as compared to 2015's 8,000-pound total - that was the result of an intentional shift. Instead of asking the community for food, the elves asked for money: They were able to collect $13,273 - a sizable increase over last year's $1,943 sum. 

The switch from a strictly-food-drive to an appeal for both food and money will allow the Franklin Food Pantry - which receives the drive's donations - to provide better options to those it serves. With the additional funds, the pantry can buy fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meat - and do so when the need is greatest, not just in December."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161227/franklins-food-elves-rack-up-another-success

If you have the opportunity to make a donation to help your year end tax contributions

donation to the Franklin Food Pantry securely online

Jane's Frames: You don't want to miss this Once a Year Sale!

End of Year Inventory Clearance Sale!

Inventory Clearance Sale 30% OFF Custom Picture Framing  with our  In-stock Products * Thousands of In-Stock Frame moulding and mats to choose from *Museum Glass not included in sale You won't want to miss this sale! A great chance for Quality Custom Framing  with this Once a Year Sale Offer valid until January 7th 2017!       Share with a friend! Jane's Frames |  www.janesframes.com | 11. E. Central St. Franklin, MA 02038

Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janeframe@verizon.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Beatles for Sale – Live at THE BLACK BOX - Feb 24

Beatles for Sale – Live at THE BLACK BOX

15 W. Central St. (route 140) Franklin, MA

Friday, February 24th, 7 PM

presented by Lippolis Plumbing

$20 per person (Last years' concert sold out, so get your tickets early!)

Join us for a nostalgic night of Beatles music with Beatles for Sale! Come listen and dance to your favorite tunes from the early 1962 Beatles through the Beatles biggest hits of 1970.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, so get there early to enjoy some good food, take a chance in the raffle and get your cash door prize ticket!

All proceeds benefit HMEA and go directly to supporting children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

BEATLES FOR SALE is a New England-based Beatles tribute band from Massachusetts that is committed to recreating the sounds of the Beatles live in concert. They are past recipients of regional awards such as Best Tribute Band in New England and Best Live Act, and have received several other nominations.

This band delivers a fun and energetic performance complete with original instrumentation and vocal harmonies that are as accurate as possible to the original Beatles recordings. There are no offstage performers or pre-recorded tracks - everything is performed completely live.

Beatles for Sale – Live at THE BLACK BOX - Feb 24

• More information on the band can be found at www.beatlesforsale.net.

• View the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/240269559735417/

• Purchase your tickets at www.hmea.org/BeatlesConcert

Town Council Recap: Contentious public hearing on zoning map change

The Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2016 was contentious as it seemed like most of the existing residents along Summer St spoke against the proposal to change the map to add high density Residential Zoning 7 to a single parcel. The map change would enable the one parcel to be developed for 34 residences instead of the approx 7-8 that the current zoning required. 

A few councilors spoke raising questions about the proposal but the measure did move to a second reading with an 8-0 vote. (One Councilor recused himself - Bissanti). The crowd was upset with the vote as even the councilors speaking against the measure (or raising questions about it) voted to move the measure forward to a second reading in January.

After the crowd left the meeting, the Council meeting seemed disorganized as the repercussions of the zoning bylaw map change seemed to have had lingering effects.

The Council needed to redo one vote to record it via roll call. They had previously voted via voice vote. The discussion then got testy as there was disagreement on the bylaw numbering convention. Normally, the bylaws are numbered in two parts the first digits referring to the year of passage, the second set increasing sequentially. Some of the bylaw amendments were numbered as 16 (this year) and some as 17 (next year). Further adding confusion to this, some of the paperwork in the hands of the councilors also differed. Some councilors had a set with paperwork for 16, others for 17. 

The set of bylaws to enable recreational marijuana in the industrial zones as well as implement a 2% sale tax moved to the Planning Board for their action. The measures will return to the Town Council for 2 readings before the final vote and enactment in 2017.

Not to be overshadowed by the contentious zoning hearing, the new Lieutenant for the Fire Dept. Keith Darling was sworn in to open the meeting.

Lt Keith Darling being sworn in tonight at Town Council meeting. Fm-TC1221 pic.twitter.com/tXtQFp9t78

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 22, 2016

Attorney Cornetta and representative of Grandise Homes the developer of the proposal for Summer St #fm-tc1221 pic.twitter.com/AHXW5gw6dH

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 22, 2016

PDF for the zoning map change
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/rr7_16-775_rr7_public_hearing.pdf


GIS Map entry for 496 Summer St
http://franklin.patriotproperties.com/Summary.asp?AccountNumber=1637

On Summer St, at the entrance to the Town Forest. Some of the land where the
trees are would be were the development in question would be positioned.

My full set of notes taking during the meeting remotely can be found here. Note: I did catch up to the portion of the meeting that I missed due to work and added/updated the notes accordingly.

The video replay of the Town Council meeting is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=419

• Real time Reporting: Closing
• Real time reporting: Legislation
• Real-time Reporting: Public Hearing on Zoning Map ...
• Real time Reporting: Town Council Meeting - Dec 21...
• 
  

FHS girls hockey tie Auburn 1-1

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 vs. Auburn, 1, – Final

– Junior Bella Trask netted the game-tying goal in the third period for the Panthers. Juniors Caroline Hedvig and Jillian McGlaughlin each had an assist on the goal. Katelyn Pokorny made 14 saves in the game for Franklin.

FHS Panthers

For other results around the Hockomock League on Monday
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-122616/

Confirmation via the Twitterverse

Happy Holidays everyone! We're mins away from puck drop here @ the Vet w/ @fhsvgockey vs. Auburn @HockomockSports pic.twitter.com/o2tpGJ8NXm

— CoachMac (@CoachMacCreery) December 26, 2016

Final 1-1 vs Auburn.. Goal by Trask!!!

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) December 26, 2016

Franklin Library: Chanukah Story Time - Dec 28 - 10:30 AM

Come to the Franklin Public Library for a "Chanukah Story Time" on Wednesday morning, Dec 28 at 10:30 AM.

"Come join us for a fun filled hour featuring "If the candles could speak" by Dassie Pruss. We will hear some Chanukah stories, sing some songs, as well as make a Chanukah craft. We will also provide a snack and juice."

Franklin Library: Chanukah Story Time - Dec 28 - 10:30 AM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/12/chanukah-story-time-wednesday-december.html

From Hopelessness to Recovery

Ivana Grahovac speaking at the UNITE To Face Addiction Rally My name is Ivana Grahovac, and I am a woman in long-term recovery. I was addicted to heroin while I was in college, and thought my life was over. I didn't know it was possible to survive. I didn't know I could recover from the compulsion and thought society abandoned me. Give hope, and help others survive and find recovery, like I did. Please support Facing Addiction. IF there had been a #UNITEtoFaceAddiction rally in DC back in college, IF I heard the Surgeon General say: "Addiction is a chronic brain disease, not a moral failing", IF I had seen the "Concert to Face Addiction" while I was struggling . . . the compassion and understanding would have empowered me to reach out for help.  All these "IFs" are opportunities for education. You can help us educate families and communities with your year-end, tax-deductible donation. I know how fortunate I am to have survived. I want to do everything I can to shift our nation's response from hopelessness to the PROMISE of prevention and recovery, especially for young people. That is why I am so thankful to serve as Facing Addiction's Director of Advancement. Facing Addiction has been able to achieve so much in such a short amount of time, thanks to YOU! With love and gratitude, Ivana P.S. Your donation will be matched by a generous benefactor up to $250,000!  ALL gifts count! Facing Addiction Inc. Facing Addiction Inc.is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis, as well as an independent coalition of national, state, and local non-profit organizations.