Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Feb 8 - THU Feb 14

Friday, February 8

10:00am

 Knitting Group

3:30pm

 MindStorm Mechie Mayhem

7:00pm

 FPS: Jazz Cafe

Saturday, February 9

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:00am

 Enrollment Open House

10:00am

 Franklin Library: Children’s and Teen’s programming

2:00pm

 FSPA Presents "Bring it On The Musical"

3:00pm

 Teen Board Game Cafe

7:00pm

 FSPA Presents "Bring it On The Musical"

Sunday, February 10

7:30am

 All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm

 2nd Sunday Speaker: Historical Memory

2:00pm

 FSPA Presents "Bring it On The Musical"

Monday, February 11

10:30am

 Move Along

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

3:00pm

 Monday Crafternoons

3:30pm

 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids

7:00pm

 Cultural District Partners Meeting

Tuesday, February 12

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

10:30am

 Get Ready for Kindergarten

3:30pm

 Play S.T.E.A.M.

6:30pm

 Doggie Tales

7:00pm

 School Committee

7:30pm

 Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting

Wednesday, February 13

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

2:30pm

 Preschool Play N' Learn

4:00pm

 Construction Junction

5:30pm

 Hamilton Throwdown

6:30pm

 Teen Advisory Board

7:00pm

 Parent/Guardian Sleep Education Forum

7:00pm

 Town Council Meeting

7:30pm

 LET'S LAUGH TODAY

Thursday, February 14

 Valentine's Day

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story & Craft

3:30pm

 Discovery Workshop

4:00pm

 Fandom Thursdays

5:30pm

 Single Pringles Mingle

6:00pm

 Volunteens

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Feb 8 - THU Feb 14

LiveARTS Concert - Three Centuries of Music for Cello - Feb 17

LiveARTS Concert - Three Centuries of  Music for Cello - Feb 17

Three Centuries of Music for Cello Aron Zelkowicz, cello Christina Wright-Ivanova, piano Music of Handel, Prokofiev, Cassado, Stutschewsky, and Piazzolla Sunday, February 17 3:00 PM First Universalist Society in Franklin 262 Chestnut Street Franklin, Massachusetts. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students 18 and under by donation Tickets available at the door or on our website – liveartsma.org The building is handicapped accessible. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Parking is free. For more information about LiveARTS, please call 774-571-7920 or visit our website. Copyright © 2019 LiveARTS, Franklin, Massachusetts, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: LiveARTS, Franklin, Massachusetts 283 Prospect Street Franklin, MA 02038

In the News: 34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival; "Bring it on the Musical"

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

34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival 

"A Massachusetts bluegrass legend will be honored when a long-running musical festival returns to the city over President’s Day Weekend. 

The 34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival will be back at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel next Friday until Feb. 17, featuring acts such as the Gibson Brothers, Seldom Scene, and Sister Sadie, as well as regional bands. There will also be opportunities for classes, lessons, and the Kids Academy where kids can learn about creating their own music. 

“Some people call it folk music on overdrive,” said Gerry Katz, of the Boston Bluegrass Union, on the genre. 

The festival’s namesake, the late Joe Val who was born in Everett, was recently inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame. Joe Val, a pioneering bluegrass musician, is credited with spreading the popularity of bluegrass in the Northeast. Throughout his career, he worked with big names in bluegrass, such as the Lilly Brothers, Joan Baez, the Charles River Valley Boys, and Bill Keith."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190207/bluegrass-festival-back-in-framingham

For more info about the Festival, schedule, tickets, etc.
https://www.bbu.org/events/joe-val-festival/schedule/

For more info about the Festival, schedule, tickets, etc.

“Bring it On The Musical”

1 The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) Musical Theater Department will present “Bring it On The Musical” with an all-student cast this weekend at The Black Box in downtown Franklin. 

2 FSPA student productions are directed, choreographed and music directed by FSPA’s faculty, but “Bring It On the Musical” also required some outside coaching for the cheerleading stunts central to the musical’s plot. FSPA brought in alumna Brooke Collins to work with the students and turn a group of musical theater students into convincing cheerleaders.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190206/bring-it-on-musical-to-be-staged-in-franklin/1

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, February, 13

You can bring more laughter into your life in 2019 by attending Let's Laugh Today on Wednesday, February 13 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Laughter Yoga is a body/mind practice for well-being that involves deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! There is a $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. 

Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. 

See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, February, 13

   
 

St. Mary Women's Faith Formation - Feb 16

Welcome women The St Mary Women's Faith Formation group invites all the women of St. Mary's and surrounding parishes to join us on a faith-filled journey as we seek to deepen our understanding and live our Catholic faith more fully.   As women, we often struggle to balance family responsibilities, work commitments and social obligations.  Where does our Catholic faith fit into the mix?  Has it somehow been set aside for future attention?  Have we gotten so busy that we've forgotten the grace and joy that come from living our faith as Catholic women today? On the third Saturday of each month we will meet from 9:00-10:00 am at newly renovated church HALL where we will join in lite refreshment, view selected segments of Bishop Robert Barron's Catholicism series, discuss our reflections, concerns and questions raised from the segment, and strengthen our common bond as women of faith.   Next Meeting is February 16 Please join us and give yourself the gift of taking a step back once a month from the busyness of your life to reconnect with the grace, joy and peace that is there waiting for you in the heart of your Catholic faith.

Deacon Guy St.Sauveur | 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org in collaboration with Try it free today

"When we fix these water lines, we also get a brand-new road out of it"

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

"Several streets will be torn up and repaved over the next five years after Town Council approved the latest installment of the town’s water main maintenance plan. 

Director of Public Works Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi on Jan. 30 gave a presentation to councilors on the new five-year plan, which starts in 2020. Water mains and certain streets and sidewalks will be repaired simultaneously, a repeat of a schedule the town’s has used for 20 years of performing work in five-year installments. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jaime Hellen said that by shifting the work area every five years, the town has been able to keep up with leaks in the mains and potholes on the streets. 

“The Town Council has authorized a new $7.5 million (payment) to replace these water mains that have leaks,” said Hellen. “And we’re just at the end of this cycle at the end of 2019.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190207/franklin-oks-new-water-main-project


Note: the MA DEP water permit is based upon the average of 65 gallons of water per day (Page 4). Franklin through conservation efforts uses less than that per DPW Director Cantoreggi, we have been as low as 45 gal per day. 

Page 17 of the presentation outlines the street plan and current year for rework.

The presentation used in the Town Council meeting Jan 30 can be found here

• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-dpw-water-presentation.html

My notes from the meeting can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/town-council-jan-30-2019-recap.html

DPW Director Cantoreggi and Water Superintendent Laurie Ruszala
presenting to the Town Council Jan 30

Zoning Board of Appeals: Public Hearing Notices - Feb 21

Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Franklin
Public Hearings - Posting
For Hearing on: February 21, 2019
Printed 0n: Thursday, February 7, 2019 and Thursday, February 14, 2019
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Franklin Board of Appeals will hold a Public hearing on February 21, 2019 in the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA At: 7:35 PM

Applicant: Michele Ellertson – The Dog’s Pace
Address of Subject Property: 25 Kenwood Circle – Unit J (Map 295, Lot 011)
Petition Type: Special Permit
From Section (or Schedule): Article 185, Section 2.21 (Attachment 3)
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to site an animal training center. The use is denied without a Special Permit from the ZBA

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/02-21-19_meeting_newspaper_page_2_0.pdf

------------

Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Franklin
Public Hearings - Posting
For Hearing on: February 21, 2019
Printed 0n: Thursday, February 7, 2019 and Thursday, February 14, 2019
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Franklin Board of Appeals will hold a
Public hearing on February 21, 2019 in the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA At: 7:30 PM

Applicant: Milford Regional Physician’s Group
Address of Subject Property: 1262-1288 West Central Street (Map 274-002-000-000 and 274-003-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
From Section (or Schedule): 185-20, 185 Attachment 10
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to install a total of 275.25 sq. ft. of signage where 60 sq. ft. is allowed. Signs on the upper floors facing the street are not allowed and that equates to 226.75 sq. ft. of the total signage. The building permit for the signs is denied without a variance from ZBA.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/02-21-19_meeting_newspaper_page_2.pdf

ZBA: Public Hearing Notices - Feb 21

Notes from the Legislative Forum - Feb 5, 2019

The Legislative Forum hosted by the Franklin School Committee on Tuesday, Feb 5 was an informative evening. My notes taken via Twitter can be read here. I'll share the audio of the 90 minute session later this week.

Updated: Unfortunately, the technical quality of the audio was not worthy of sharing and won't be published.

Dr Anne Bergen opening the School Committee's Legislative Forum tonight at Horace Mann #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/PmrHpHS8bU

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Next up Supt Sara Ahern presents the proposed school budget for FY 2020 pic.twitter.com/pI9tdOEzC9

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

The class of 2032 will be registering for school next week. What will the world look like when they reach Senior year in high school? #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Presentation copy will be on schools web site on Weds. $2.6M increase req'd for level service, $3.8M for some critical needs #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/XMf3mKaTFW

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

FY 2020 Superintendent's Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

Or from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/fy20_superintendents_recommended_budget.pdf

Superintendent Sara Ahern's prepared remarks can be found on this page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_opening_remarks_legislative_forum_2-5-19.pdf

Sch Com Denise Schultz up next to introduce the panel of speakers. #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/qcfQvs0SGM

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher all at one time had School Committee experience, not usual #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/TALw3MFVzT

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"My best memory of elementary school is recess" Senator Karen Spilka #schcom0205 in context of needing to approach the student education holistically

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"There is a commitment to provide funding for quality education here in MA" #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/VYQkl2Pct3

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Are there conversations about schools having to solve all the community issues that walk in the door? Resounding yes. Not easy to do #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"You don't appreciate the problems that you don't have" with the MA health care coverage, that one item helps in so many ways #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

DESE not receptive to reducing time on learning to provide recess or unstructured time. #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Great question on how to address the inequity of education between district and charter school students. #schcom0205 all Franklin needs to respectfully have the discussion, many of the charter school students will end up at FHS

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

More tools in the toolbox for local community to resolve budgeting other than the property tax would be good to do so you don't have to do it all at the state level #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Parent reporting Franklin has worst recess/lunch policy among the 15 neighboring communities. Only 20 mins scheduled for each #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Rep Roy encouraging participation at the local Senate Ways and Means sessions, schedule to be posted #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

School Committee Chair, Anne Bergen

FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern

School Committee member Denise Schultz

Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher