Franklin's downtown: before and after

"It took over two years and $7 million, but Downtown Franklin, MA’s road and streetscape remodeling project was worth the effort and inconvenience.  For many long months in 2015 and 2016, construction equipment and road workers disrupted the downtown area.  But now the “facelift” has Downtown Franklin looking great!  The quickest way to show you the striking success of the enhancements to the downtown district of Franklin, Massachusetts is by this series of “before and after” photos:"

“before and after” photo from 02038.com

“before and after” photo from 02038.com

Continue reading Warren Reynolds' summary of the changes including the before and after photos http://02038.com/2017/05/downtown-franklin-facelift/

Note: it was indeed more than two years for the second phase of the downtown improvement project. The first phase addressed Emmons, Depot, and Dean Sts and was funded separately from the separate phase, the combined total of the two phases was $7M.

Confirmation of this can be found on the Planning and Community Development page

http://www.franklinma.gov/downtown-revitalization

Electric Youth Presents Bon Voyage Show In Advance Of 14th European Concert Tour

Electric Youth (EY) 2017, the international touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), presents a Bon Voyage concert at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. The performance comes just days before the ensemble departs on June 28 for a 2 ½-week concert tour of England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth delivers a fun, high-energy evening of family entertainment with an extensive range of contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country music for audiences all ages. 
 

Electric Youth Presents Bon Voyage Show In 

Advance Of 14^th European Concert Tour

The group’s 14th European tour features several concerts along the coast of Normandy, including shows in Barfleur, Cherbourg and the historic D-Day site of Sainte-Mère-Église. The itinerary also marks the group’s debut in Switzerland with a concert in Zermatt. Venues in England include Wimbourne’s Tivoli Theatre, along with performances in Arundel, Chichester and Hastings, where Electric Youth will collaborate with students from the Hastings Stage Studio. EY also returns to Lake Como, following performances there last summer, to deliver two lakeside shows at the Hotel Britannia. 

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 15-18, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice, and acting at FSPA. Electric Youth 2017 includes Julia Buccella, Brooke Collins, Aaron Frongillo, Sydney Leach, Caitlin Woodcock and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Katie Gray of Milford; Naomi Fitzgerald, Mairead Nee and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham. 

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with music legends Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Van Morrison and many others. Raye Lynn Mercer and Hallie Wetzell are Electric Youth’s Director and Vocal Director, respectively. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

Electric Youth has released six professional albums and toured Europe 13 times, with performances at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. 

EY also has headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby and Aviano Air Force Base. The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater, the United Nations and the American Embassy in Rome. EY’s music, including the 2014 album Power Chord, is available at amazon.com and iTunes. 

Tickets for Electric Youth in Concert at THE BLACK BOX are $26. To purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com, stop by the box office at 34 Main Street in Franklin, or call (508) 528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. For more information about Electric Youth, visit www.electricyouth.com.

Franklin Federated Church Mystery Dinner Theater - June 10

Franklin Federated Church presents a Mystery Dinner Theater performance, New York Dreams, on Saturday, June 10, at 6:30 PM at the church at 171 Main Street.

The church's dining hall will be transformed into the luxurious Diamond Café of the Hotel Gem in the heart of New York City. When the power suddenly goes out, the restaurant's customers are trapped on the 35th floor. As anxious patrons await their rescue, they experience the amazing revelations of one guest's new invention. Just as freedom arrives, thievery is discovered. Now they're trapped again because everyone is a suspect.

Come help solve this mystery and join the NYC themed fun!

Tickets are $35 each ($20 for children), and include a dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu, rice pilaf, green beans, Caesar salad, and desert.

The play is being directed by Pastor Charley Eastman and Produced by Deborah Bergstrom. The cast includes: Michelle Doucette, Lyn Pickhover, Moe Goulet, Margo Ball, Steve Kinson, Karen and Doug Leenhouts, Carrie Flynn and Larry Childs.

Purchase tickets by calling the church at 508-528-3803. Proceeds will benefit the mission and ministry of the church.

Franklin Federated Church Mystery Dinner Theater - June 10

“We’re really excited to get going"

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

"The Town Council has given its approval to a measure that would give local farmers a voice and promote efforts to “buy local” produce. 

At its March 24 meeting, the council unanimously agreed to establish an agricultural commission. The council would now petition the Legislature to allow for such a group. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the idea came from a citizen. He said the hope was that the commission would encourage “buy local” efforts, educate residents about farms and provide a perspective on conflicts between farmers and neighbors. 

“There are some wonderful resources we have here,” he said. “(Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting) and I have met with proponents several times.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170528/franklin-council-oks-farming-group

Find out more about the Franklin Agriculture Commission on their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FrAgComMa/?fref=nf

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Town Offices will be closed on Monday, May 29

Town Offices will be closed on Monday, May 29th in Observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on Tuesday, May 30th at 8 AM.

Town Offices will be closed on Monday, May 29

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/125673

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminds consumers if they have a Registry question, the answer is just a phone call away by dialing the Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. "The Customer Service Center is a one-stop shop for Norfolk County homeowners and institutional users who have land related document questions," said O'Donnell. "These questions can vary such as confirming the current ownership of a particular property, or verifying if a discharge of a property's mortgage has been filed after the loan has been paid off. We are glad to help with any inquiry, whether you come through our doors or call us by phone." Register O'Donnell further noted, "The department can also inform customers about the various cost for filing and receiving land documents. Upon a customer's request - whether by visiting us here at the Registry or by direct mail request - we can provide copies of documents for a fee of $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 per document to cover postage cost." The Registry only accepts cash or check payments. In addition, Customer Service Center staff is happy to answer questions about the Homestead Act, a law which provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. O'Donnell went on to say, "For many, trying to ascertain information on land documents can be a very frustrating and intimidating experience. Please know our trained customer service staff is well versed in all areas of land document research. By utilizing our state-of-the-art land document research system, which is also available via www.norfolkdeeds.org, people can get answers to their property questions." Notary services are also offered by the Customer Service Center. "All staff members are notary publics. We are more than glad to notarize any land document provided the person requesting the service appears before us and presents satisfactory proof of identification by showing either their driver's license or passport," said O'Donnell. In conclusion, Register O'Donnell stated, "Providing first-class customer service is a core objective of the Registry's mission to serve the public. We strive to ensure our customers have a positive experience when interacting with us. The bottom line is: We are glad to be of service to you." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

52% of students do not get any music education after grade 5

For me, the key stat to take away from the School Committee meeting Tuesday, May 23 was that 52% of students do not get any music education after grade 5. Only 21% participate in elementary music nationally, while 48% do in Franklin.

Why do we do this? A good question for discussion.

School funding overall is an issue. It accounts for almost half of the total Franklin budget but is still not enough when the social emotional needs are lacking proper guidance, when music education stops in elementary and countless other short comings could be highlighted.

School funding was addressed by the School Committee when they unanimously voted and signed on a letter to the Legislature calling for a commitment to fully funding schools as the bill of 1993 laid out.

It may be a pipe dream, but a small step towards better funding for the school is a necessary step.

My notes from the School Committee meeting are found in the links below.

I would encourage you to watch the two music performances (Jefferson ukuleles and then the FHS trio).

I would encourage you to review the two presentation documents. 

K-12 Art and Franklin Arts Academy Update from Franklin Matters

Franklin Music Department Update from Franklin Matters

• Live reporting: Information Matters to Closing, wi...
• Live reporting: Action Items
• Live Reporting: Discussion Only Items
• Live Reporting: K12 Art Program and Franklin Arts ...
• Live Reporting: Franklin Music Department Update
• Live reporting: School Committee - May 23, 2017
• Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 23, ...