FPAC - Open Auditions for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Jan 9

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Monday, January 9 at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 

Auditions begin at 

• 6 p.m. for ages 7-9 and continue at 
• 6:30 for ages 10-13, 
• 7:00 for teens ages 14 and older, and 
• 7:45 for adults. (There are limited roles available for ages 7-13.) 

Please prepare 16 measures of a musical theater song in the style of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Callbacks will take place on January 11, as needed. For more information, including a character breakdown, visit www.FPAConline.com.

North American theatrical teaser poster for the film, designed by John Alvin

FPAC will present the enchanting classic on March 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at THE BLACK BOX. Based on the Academy-Award-winning animated feature film, the smash hit stage version includes the movie’s memorable songs, written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. 

The magical story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will be broken and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This “tale as old as time” is family theater at its best.

FPAC presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as part of the company’s 26th season. For more information, call (508) 528-3370.

Economic Development Committee - Agenda - Jan 4 - 6:30 PM

The Economic Development Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan 4 at 6:30 PM. 

Note: the agenda is brief and apparently can be covered before the Town Council meeting opens at 7:00 PM.

1. "Review and recommendation on changing Storage Use from CII to industrial zone"
2. "Future agendas"

The agenda doc can be viewed in this embedded PDF



or found on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/edc_meeting1-4-17.pdf

night view downtown Franklin

"a single joint hearing is legally permissible"

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

"The Town Council this week is scheduled to take up a measure that could streamline the way the town handles zoning changes. 

The council is set to discuss, at its meeting tonight, whether it can hold joint public hearings with the Planning Board. 

The matter has been raised in the past by Councilor Deborah Pellegri as a way to make the process move more smoothly. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said that, as things stand now, zoning changes require public hearings by both the council and the Planning Board. Pellegri has suggested that the two hold a joint session, fulfilling both public hearing requirements simultaneously."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170103/franklin-council-will-weigh-joint-public-hearings


Additional details, including the letter from Attorney Mark Cerel on this matter
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/h1_town_council_planning_board.pdf

construction on the Library renovation continues

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 4, 2017

(Note the links should take you to the Town of Franklin page with the associated documents)

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Discussion on Joint Town Council/Planning Board meetings
2. Master Plan Update
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 16-778: Chapter 160, Taxpayers, Delinquent- 2nd Reading (majority vote)
2. Bylaw Amendment 17-784: Repeal Sign Restrictions Bylaw- 1st Reading (majority vote)
3. Bylaw Amendment 17-785: Repeal of Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Bylaw -1st Reading (majority vote)
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw (Referral to the Planning Board)
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
O. ADJOURN
O. Adjourn

You can also view the single PDF with all the supporting documents here

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/tc_agenda_1-4-17.pdf

expanded parking lot at the Senior Center

Franklin Police: Training Exercise Advisory

Training Exercise Advisory: 

The Franklin Police Department, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council and Dean College will participate in a law enforcement related training exercise throughout the campus of Dean College on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 8am - 2pm. 

There will be several law enforcement vehicles participating in the scenario to include mobile command posts, armored personnel carriers, etc. 

The entirety of the exercise will occur on the Dean College campus and we do not expect any road closures or other issues that will affect the downtown district.

Dean College, Main St, Franklin, MA

Franklin Police: Training Exercise Advisory

"He’s the heart and soul of our team"

By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"Some may think that Franklin High basketball coach CJ Neely is overly effusive in describing junior captain Paul Mahon. 

The Panthers’ coach, who directed his squad to the Sectional finals last year and a co-championship in the Kelly-Rex Division of the Hockomock League, is extremely bullish on his off-guard, calling him “a coach’s dream, one of the best defensive players in the league, the ultimate competitor and a good person, on and off the court.’’ 

Mahon, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound off-guard, is indeed special. He’s humble in his role as Franklin’s only captain, and he’s willing to learn what he doesn’t know. He’s also encouraging when teammates need an emotional lift, and he’s quick to offer assistance and friendship to the less fortunate. 

Consider this situation — his best friend since early childhood is a Down syndrome youth, and Mahon often shoots jump shots with him in their back yards or in Franklin High’s gym. The 17-year-old Mahon also attends his friend’s Special Olympics events. “I always try to encourage him,’’ Mahon said."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/mahon-classy-captain-franklin-hoop-squad

FHS Boys Basketball Captain Paul Mahon

"I just wanted to make Franklin competitive"

By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"On April 29, in a ceremony taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, the Franklin Wrestling Program, under the guidance of Coach Carmine Colace, will be inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the Team of the Decade for the 1990’s. 

Throughout the 90’s the Panther grapplers were able to win seven state championships (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999 and 2000), finished second twice; won eight Hockomock League Titles (including six in a row from 1990-95) had two undefeated seasons and averaged 20 wins per season with Colace at the helm. What’s even more impressive is throughout his coaching career, Colace’s teams have collected 10 State Titles, finished second five times and during his 25 year run have never finished lower than fifth once they reached the Sectionals. 

“Wrestling in the state of Massachusetts had some dominant teams in the 60’s, but nothing like the team we had here at Franklin,” Colace said. “The 1999 team was probably the best team that we have ever had here, and we actually lost a game that year. During the State Tournament, we had already wrapped up the title after the first day of competition and really didn’t need to wrestle on day two. That’s how impressive they were.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/franklin-wrestling-makes-history-thanks-coach-colace

Franklin Wrestling Makes History Thanks to Coach Colace