Studio Two is Back! Fund Raising Concert for HMEA - Feb 15

Don't miss this year's concert!

February 15, 2019 The Black Box 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA Doors open at 6:00 pm / Concert at 7:00 pm CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Sponsored by Lippolis Plumbing and Heating, Walpole All proceeds will benefit HMEA's programs that teach, support, and empower people with disabilities.

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Link for tickets  https://www.hmea.org/events/studiotwo/

In the News: Gov Baker to accept raise; Sen Spilka is Senate President; Rep DeLeo returns to lead House

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker plans to accept his $34,000 pay raise and a new $65,000 housing stipend. 

The housing allowance is a first for a Massachusetts governor after the Legislature, in its first act of the two-year session in 2017, voted through a package of pay raises for public officials, including the governor, that included a stipend for housing. 

The law states that a governor “shall receive $65,000 annually for expenses related to housing,” and the allowance was intended by lawmakers to make the office of governor a more attractive position and to eliminate any barriers to running, such as finances or geography."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190102/baker-will-pocket-raise-housing-stipend

For more about Governor Baker, visit his page 
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-governor

The Governor starts the MA Budget cycle by delivering his budget Jan 25

"Senate President Karen Spilka presented a “bold” and “urgent” agenda for her first full two-year term Wednesday, saying the Legislature keenly needs new ideas on how to tackle the state’s crumbling infrastructure, adequately fund education and expand affordable housing. 

“We need to be bold and look out of the box for ways to fix these problems. It’s been left unaddressed for too long,” said Spilka, D-Ashland, outside the chambers. “Massachusetts has a chance to be a leader in all these areas." 

Spilka, who turns 66 on Jan. 11, was formally re-elected as Senate president, as the historic body began its 191st session. On a roll call vote, Spilka received 33 votes to Gloucester Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr’s six. When voting was completed, Tarr moved that it be the “sense of the Senate” that Spilka’s election as Senate president be declared unanimous."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190102/spilka-sworn-in-for-first-full-term-as-senate-president

"For the sixth time, the Massachusetts House picked Winthrop Democrat Robert DeLeo, already the longest continuously serving speaker in state history, to lead the chamber for the new two-year session that began Wednesday. 

DeLeo, who was elected on a 119-31 party line vote with House Republicans instead backing Minority Leader Bradley Jones, said in his remarks to his colleagues that it’s important to have fresh voices in the House and new ideas will be welcomed as lawmakers get to work to address the needs facing the state. 

“No one’s rights will be infringed upon here in Massachusetts,” he said. 

Eight Democrats, including four new lawmakers who took their seats for the first time Wednesday, broke with their colleagues by voting “present” instead of supporting either DeLeo or Jones for speaker."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190102/secret-vote-for-speaker-squashed

2013 Master Plan - time to review

One of the items being carried on the Economic Development Subcommittee agenda and gradually moving its way up the topic listing is a discussion on the Master Plan. I would assume that the group would be looking to the current plan (see link below) to see what has been accomplished in the 5 years since the plan was approved, and what remains to be done. Of those items that remain to be done, there would likely be a discussion on what of those items to prioritize.

To help prepare for this discussion, an overview of the 2103 Master Plan is provided as well as links to the full document itself.

Happy reading!

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"What is a Master Plan?
According to Chapter 41 Section 81D of the General Laws of Massachusetts a Master Plan is:

“A statement through text, maps, illustrations or other forms of communication, that is designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the municipality…”

A Master Plan consists of the following elements as defined by the M.G.L. Chapter 41 Section 81D.

• Land Use
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Circulation
• Open Space and Recreation
• Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources
• Community Services and Facilities
• Goals and Policies
• Implementation

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The Planning and Community Development Master Plan page

https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

The 2013 Master Plan doc and sections

https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan-2013

The abridged version of the 2013 Master Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/abridged.pdf

In a document dated Dec 2016, Bryan Taberner provided an updated to the Town Council on recent accomplishments for the Master Plan for the Jan 4, 2017 meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/h2_master_plan.pdf

2013 Master Plan - time to review

Electric Youth Announces 2019 Debut at THE BLACK BOX - Jan 5

Electric Youth 2019 will debut at THE BLACK BOX on January 5 with two shows at 6:30 and 8:30 PM. The 2019 group of talented young singers and dancers includes Laney Dragsbaek, Hayley Driscoll, Tatiana McAlpine, Kelly McCormick, Emma Nicholson, Hannah Rezendes, Madison Rezendes, and Lindsey Wyner of Franklin, Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham, Griffin Wilkins and Caroline Wilkins of Walpole, and Cassidy Baratta and Kelsey Breslin of Hopkinton.

Electric Youth delivers high-energy, fully choreographed performances of classic rock, contemporary pop, Broadway, and country hits for audiences of all ages. The American touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers, ages 14-18, is backed by the eight-piece Boston Show Band — world class musicians who’ve worked with music legends Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Van Morrison and more. Electric Youth is trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. 

Electric Youth 2019

The group has toured Europe 15 times, performing in such renowned venues as Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace; Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre; England’s Arundel Festival; Disneyland Paris; and professional theatres in Bristol, London and Windsor. EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops 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, the Smithsonian Museum Theater, the United Nations and the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. Electric Youth has released six albums, including 2014’s Power Chord, available on iTunes. This summer, they will tour France, Italy, the U.K., and Switzerland.

Collectively, the members of Electric Youth 2019 have performed with Broadway stars, sung the National Anthem for Boston sports teams, been selected to perform at “Broadway Sessions” in NYC, won national gymnastics titles, worked with choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance, performed on televised dance specials, and more. Alumni of Electric Youth have gone on to appear on Broadway, in national and international tours, television, regional theater, feature film, professional dance companies, cruise ships, and more.

Tickets for the January 5 Debut shows are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370.

Conservation Commission - Meeting - Jan 3, 2018

Three new Notices of Intent (NOI) were filed recently in advance of Public Hearings scheduled for the Conservation Commission. Their next meeting is Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.

The full agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/jan_3_meet.pdf


The new Notice of Intent filings are as follows:

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Act) a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018, January 3, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on a Notice of Intent filed by Eversource Energy of Westwood, MA for a geotechnical boring program in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands. 

This project is located along the existing Right-of-Way.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/eversource_-_boring_program.pdf

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Act) a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 7:05 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on a Notice of Intent filed by Spring Street Renewables, LLC of Boston, MA for construction of a large scale ground mounted solar energy system in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands. 

This project is located on Spring Street.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/spring_street_renewables.pdf

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Act) a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 7:10 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on a Notice of Intent filed by PIDC Construction of Milford, MA for construction of a new parking area with 84+/- spaces on the westerly side of the existing building in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands. 

This project is located at 27 Forge Parkway.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/27_forge_parkway.pdf

Spruce Pond on a sunny day in November 2018

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, January 9

Trade all your holiday stress for laughter on Wednesday, January 9 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Come and enjoy this unique exercise of guided laughter exercises combined with gentle breathing that brings more oxygen to the body's cells. This oxygen boost gives enhanced vitality, energy and a feeling of real well-being. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! 

New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. 

LET'S LAUGH TODAY

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. www.letslaughtoday.com.  

If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. 

MA Senate Ends 2017-2018 Session

Senate passes initiatives to increase financial literacy, shore up pipeline safety, and provide increased funding for line of duty benefits

The Massachusetts State Senate closed out the 2017–2018 legislative session today with action on a number of bills, spanning issues such as public safety, education, and consumer data protection, among other things. The Senate also passed a supplemental budget designed to address time-sensitive funding needs.

"I am proud of the work the Senate has done this session, and its commitment to working on important issues up to very last day," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "I would like to thank each and everyone in the Senate for their insight, willingness to collaborate, and dedication to the people of the Commonwealth as we continue to move Massachusetts forward."

In response to public safety concerns raised by the Merrimack Valley gas fires, the Senate enacted legislation that requires all utilities to engage a professional engineer to review utility work plans. This follows a bill, signed by the Governor yesterday, that extends unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for workers locked out by National Grid for 26 weeks, or until the lockout ends, whichever comes first.

The Senate approved final passage of a consumer data protection bill, known as the 'Equifax' bill, that helps consumers protect their private information through free security freezes, free credit monitoring when a credit reporting agency is breached, and requiring prior consent from an agency to access a consumer's report, as well an explanation for the disclosure.

To better serve the needs of our students, the Senate passed a bill that allows for the establishment of standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12 on personal financial literacy. The bill also permits educational institutions to incorporate personal financial literacy standards into existing mathematics, social science, technology, business, or other curricula. The Senate also passed an initiative that improves governance and oversight of educational collaboratives and allows them to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities over the age of 22 in certain circumstances.

The Senate acted to end gender discrimination in disability insurance, bringing it into line with insurance provided by employers and subject to federal nondiscrimination law. It also passed a supplemental budget to provide sufficient funding to cover line of duty benefits for the year.

The end-of-session activity follows the recent passage of a new law designed to regulate and tax short-term rentals, while creating a framework in which this innovative industry segment can grow.

Bills passed by both the House and Senate will be sent to the Governor, who has ten days to sign them into law. The next legislative session begins tomorrow, January 2, 2018


The MA Senate End of Session Report
https://malegislature.gov/cc/Reports/senate-session-2017-2018.pdf

For more information on the MA Senate
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Senate

For more information on the MA House of Representatives
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/House

MA Senate Ends 2017-2018 Session