Thursday, December 29, 2016

Annual Report 2016: Town Administrator

The Town Administration works with the Town Council together to make improvements to the quality of life of our residents. While we are diligent in continuing to balance the budget and practice fiscal prudence, we also keep an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its assets.

Accomplishments in FY 16 include:
• Requested the Town Council to transfer 17 acres of land behind the High School to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for the purpose of building new senior housing. The project will take approximately 5 years to complete.
• The Town began the legal process to bulk purchase electricity rates through a Municipal Electric Aggregation program, expected to be in place for winter 2016.
• Renovation and expansion projects for the Library and Senior Center were started and should be completed in 2017.
• The Library was temporarily moved to 25 Kenwood Circle during construction and is open regular hours. The Senior Center remains open during construction.
• The downtown revitalization project, after almost a decade, is complete. Two-way traffic is in effect in the downtown area on Emmons, Main and East Central Streets. The project has numerous public benefits including new sidewalks, new and better pedestrian friendly streets and many beautification elements. The parking meters have been removed to add free parking downtown. New parking regulations have also been established.
• We have also supported the creation of a downtown cultural district.
• Additional improvements were made to the DelCarte property by investing $100,000 to remove the invasive weeds from the pond, helping restore the ecosystem to its natural habitat.
• We added new holiday lights to the Town Common holiday display.

Personnel
Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian, retired in June 2016 after 39 years of dedicated service to the Franklin Police Department. The Town hired a new Chief of Police, Thomas J. Lynch who took over July 1. New Deputy Police Chief James Mill was also appointed.

The Town Administrator’s office restored a Deputy Town Administrator position by hiring Jamie Hellen to help begin succession planning for the wave of retirees facing the town government. Among other things, Jamie has developed a citizen engagement program, utilizing new technology, including Twitter, Facebook and You Tube to enhance the flow of public information to the citizens.

The Town Administrator’s Office continues to be busy as the Passport Acceptance facility. You can apply for your passport here with an appointment on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

We continually strive to provide high quality customer services at the lowest possible cost to the tax payer. With continued pressure on our budget, there will be challenges ahead. The strong leadership of the Town Council and the dedicated staff will respond to every challenge.

It is my pleasure to submit the annual report of the Town Administrator for your review, and please feel free to write, e-mail, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey Nutting,
Town Administrator

Town workers clearing brush along the connector between Chestnut and Pleasant Sts
Town workers clearing brush along the connector between Chestnut and Pleasant Sts


Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016

Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports



Franklin Art Association January Meeting - Jan 4, 2017


The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 6:30 to 9:00PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 followed by a short business meeting and a demonstration by Sallie Strand, a contemporary abstract artist living and working in Waltham

Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org.
Franklin Art Association
Franklin Art Association

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Broadway Series And More Highlight January Music Events AT THE BLACK BOX

Broadway’s Matthew Scott headlines a one-night-only show at THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s theater, music and event venue. The January 21 concert highlights a full month of music series entertainment to kick off the New Year. A suburban hub for great music, THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street.

The New England Percussion Ensemble launches the 2017 FPAC Family Concert Series on Sunday, January 8, at 1 p.m. Featuring talented, professional musicians in an engaging and entertaining format, Family Concert Series events are presented free to the community and are especially geared to children. Sponsored by Berry Insurance, the concerts provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The New England Percussion Ensemble specializes in presenting creative and energetic audience-interactive enrichment programs to youngsters.

BLACK BOX Jazz presents the John Funkhouser Trio at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 13. The ensemble delivers an energetic, accessible blend of modern jazz, funk, blues, 20th century classical, Indian classical, and European and American folk music, which creates a funky, groove-oriented, fresh and original sound. Fired by Berklee Professor John Funkhouser’s “explosive piano playing” (Boston Globe), the band stretches the limits of traditional jazz form.

Fresh off his Broadway run as Adam Hochberg in An American in Paris, Matthew Scott performs a solo cabaret show on Saturday, January 21, beginning at 8 p.m. The concert is the second presentation in THE BLACK BOX Broadway Series, new this season and sponsored by Childs Engineering. Broadway credits also include Jersey Boys, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Actors’ Fund), A Catered Affair with Harvey Fierstein, and Sondheim on Sondheim starring Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams. Television appearances include First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb for PBS, All My Children and the 2006 and 2009 Tony Awards.
THE BLACK BOX, 15 W Central St, Franklin, MA
THE BLACK BOX, 15 W Central St, Franklin, MA

Electric Youth 2017, the international touring ensemble of talented young singer-dancers, debuts at THE BLACK BOX on Saturday, January 28, with two shows at 6:30 and 8:30. Offering family entertainment for all ages, the group is backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians who have performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, The Temptations and more. EY presents fully choreographed, high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits.

THE BLACK BOX Classical Series presents “Captivating Artists Performing Romantic Music” on Sunday, January 29, at 4 p.m., featuring violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar. Selections will include Franck, Sarasate, Prokofiev, Khachaturian, de Falla and Schnittke. Tea service will be available in the lobby. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including jazz, Klezmer, and classic American tunes. Born in Ukraine, Irina Kotlyar received degrees from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. With Gregory Shifrin, the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo has won several international prizes and awards, and has performed throughout Israel, Europe and America.

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

Updated fee schedule - dog license renewals coming via online transaction in January 2017

"Effective January 1, 2017, the Town of Franklin will update its fee schedule for all service fees. Please see the attached fee schedule for details. If you have any questions, please call the Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949.

The Town of Franklin had not done a comprehensive analysis of the fee schedule in almost twenty years. Based off customer and staff feedback, the Town has streamlined the fee system and accurately capture the cost of doing business. Overall, we have eliminated 116 fee's or fee categories that were outdated, unnecessary, duplicative or just simply needed to be updated to reflect current day laws and town operations.

The Town is also investing in new software and technology to assist in better customer service. Beginning on January 1, 2017, a pilot program will begin in the Town Clerk's Office for dog licensing. The Town has invested in a cloud based company, Viewpoint, to allow residents to establish an online account with the Town to register their dogs, submit rabies certificates, veterinary information and receive email notifications for renewal dates and deadlines. We hope this new software is a better convenience to our residents. 

Please visit www.franklinma.gov in January to license your dog. You will receive your dog tags in the mail. No trips to Town Hall are necessary. If this software is successful, we will begin expanding the services to other town departments in the coming years for building permits, conservation permits, liquor licenses, tax payments and much more. Our goal is to allow residents to establish an online account, like and Amazon.com, to be able to conduct your business with town government 24-7-365 at your convenience, during your busy schedules. We welcome any feedback!

We have also updated and modernized the Community Assistance Program to assist qualifying residents of certain incomes to apply for discounts on their water, sewer, and trash bills. Discounts are also available for Recreation Department programs. Please contact the DPW or Recreation Department for specific details on their programs and offerings. We hope these programs can offer modest assistance to allow everyone to thrive in Franklin and participate in our vast Recreation programs."

The new listing of Municipal Service fees can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/municipal_service_fees_list_2016.pdf
  The current link to forms will be replaced in January with an online transaction for dog license renewals
The current link to forms will be replaced in January with an online transaction for dog license renewals

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage:
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/updated-law-chapter-82town-service-fee-schedule




FHS sports results for Tuesday on the winter break

From HockomockSports we share the results from Tuesday's action around the Hockomock League


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 64 vs. Malden Catholic, 70 – Final

Wrestling = Lowell Holiday Tournament (Canton, Foxboro, Franklin, Stoughton)
– After the first day, Foxboro is in eighth place with 79 points and Franklin is in 11th with 69.5 points. Wrestlers that made the quarterfinals include Foxboro’s Adam Lactot (106), Canton’s Justin Dickie (113), Franklin’s TJ Remillard and Foxboro’s Phil Dure (126) and Foxboro’s Matt Kelley (132).

Gymnastics = Franklin @ Mansfield, 1:00

image from Twitter


For the remainder of the around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-122816/


Wrestling











Boys Basketball







Gymnastics




Help! Looking for Middle School Science Teachers

Sharing this for the middle school science teachers among our readers! Geoff is one of my extended network of social media network buddies. He does great work and if he can help science teachers, that is worthy of sharing!

Legends of Learning screen grab
Legends of Learning screen grab


Help! Looking for Science Teachers

I need your help. My company – Legends of Learning (legendsoflearning.com) – is looking for science teachers to demo our alpha games. This is the very first batch of what will soon become an offering of hundreds of games for Earth and Space, Life, and Physical Sciences.  If you know any science teachers, particularly those in grade 5-9, please refer them via this form or email me.

Our games are grounded in curriculum standards, the very learning objectives that teachers use to create their lessons. These games help teachers make their classrooms fun, engaging, and productive learning environments.

By the way, I began the Legends of Learning journey four month ago with 10 other entrepreneurs in Washington, DC. We are committed to helping teachers serve America's children with new engaging methods of teaching their curriculum through our ed games.

So you can see these games are exciting for us!  Your help in referring teachers will make a big difference!

I would love to hear what's new with you. How is work and life?  Any big plans for the New Year?

Thanks again, and Happy Holidays.

Geoff Livingston
CMO and Co-founder
Legends of Learning
 
Copyright © 2016 Geoff Livingston, All rights reserved.
I am sending you this email because we're LinkedIn friends!

Our mailing address is:
Geoff Livingston
1405 Wake Forest Drive
Alexandria, VA 22307

Add us to your address book


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Franklin Library: Magician Bryson Lang - Dec 29

"At Bryson’s show you’ll see an entertaining mix of comedy and juggling! You won’t forget a guy who spins balls on a set of antlers on his head, juggles huge beach balls above your head, keeps five mini basketballs in the air, or manipulates a ball on a mouth-stick while juggling sharp sickles and standing on a shaky balance board! This program is free and open to the public."

Magician Bryson Lang, Thursday, December 29, 10:30 AM.

Magician Bryson Lang, Thursday, December 29, 10:30 AM.
Magician Bryson Lang, Thursday, December 29, 10:30 AM.
This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/12/magician-bryson-lang-thursday-december.html


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
donation to the Franklin Food Pantry securely online


Jane's Frames: You don't want to miss this Once a Year 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
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Try it free today


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

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




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.



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.
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

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
FHS Panthers

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


Confirmation via the Twitterverse







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
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



Facing Addiction

Ivana Grahovac
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.
Donate
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


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.
Facing Addiction