Friday, March 8, 2019

Horace Mann statue - May 7. 2017

The unveiling of the Horace Mann statue in Franklin, MA on May 7. 2017

Horace Mann Statue

or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157683435652096/


Local fifth grader to appear in FPAC’s Seussical

Franklin’s Julian DiChiara is set to appear as JoJo in the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) production of Seussical running March 9,10, 15, 16, and 17 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. DiChiara is a fifth grader at Oak Street Elementary and studies singing, acting, and dancing at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Even at his young age, DiChiara is no stranger to the stage. Earlier this season, he played Les in FPAC’s sold out run of Disney’s Newsies where he appeared with Broadway’s Christopher Rice (The Book of Mormon) and was choreographed by Chaz Wolcott (Newsies, So You Think You Can Dance, Cats). 
Julian DiChiara
Julian DiChiara

He was also seen in the children’s choir of FPAC’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (10 DASH Award nominations) and in their original holiday panto Alice in a Winter Wonderland as Tweedle Dee. At the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, DiChiara has had roles in The Wizard of Oz, Bring It, and The Government Inspector. He also performs locally with the ensemble “Future Shock.”

Seussical is a perfect musical for the whole family. Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life Dr. Seuss favorites including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo (played by DiChiara). The colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkus, to the invisible world of the Whos.

Tickets for Seussical are available at www.fpaconline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin.

On this date: Mar 8, 2013: Downtown Project finally getting to bid

Stepping back into the archives for March 8, 2013 we find that the Downtown Project is about to go to bid in the fall. Yes, hard to believe is has already re-routed traffic for a couple of years now. It took a while to prepare for and really didn't take that long to complete once it started.

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The Downtown Project is making some planning progress as reported in the Milford Daily News:

"Almost ten years in the making, the project aims to bring business back to the heart of town, in part through several cosmetic and safety improvements. 
Construction — slated to begin next fall after the project goes out to bid in August — will include: converting one-way traffic on Main Street and West Central Street to two-way; fixing roadways and sidewalks; upgrading lighting; and installing interconnected traffic signals and calming devices. 
With a total length of more than a mile, the work, the bulk of which should wrap up in the spring of 2014, will encompass a large swath of the downtown."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433793532/Franklin-plans-for-downtown-improvement-project#ixzz2MwW3XNm8

Additional information on the project can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/downtown-project.html

The post from March 8, 2013
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/how-construction-would-affect-businesses.html

updated lane markings were part of the Downtown Project finish work
updated lane markings were part of the Downtown Project finish work

Community Coffee - March 9 - 10 AM - School Starts Times

The next School Committee Community Coffee is scheduled for Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 AM at the Franklin Public Library.

The theme for this discussion is the work of the School Starts Times Advisory Committee. Feedback is being gathered to prepare for the presentation to the School Committee at the March 26 meeting.

More about the School Start Times Advisory Committee can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-start-times-advisory-committee

Community Coffee - March 9 - 10 AM - School Starts Times




Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Greg Greenway - March 9




Greg Greenway March 9                          
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Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Greg Greenway - March 9
Greg Greenway
Mar 9 -  8 PM $25
Greg Greenway has been described as "one of the strongest, and finest voices in folk music." The Boston Globe wrote, "Confessional one moment, rambunctiously disarming the next, few modern folk singers can own a coffeehouse stage as completely as Greenway."

From the end of 2010 to the present, Greenway has been one third of one of the most successful Folk trios in North America, Brother Sun.

Greenway is also involved in a new project with long time friend, Reggie Harris, "Deeper Than the Skin".

Greg will be performing with Fabio Pirozzolo on percussion and Stephanie Corby on backing vocals.

https://c9tuning.wordpress.com/  Greg Greenway
The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.
Upcoming Shows
Mar 23       Patty Larkin
Mar 30       Celtic Band RUNA
Apr 13       Tracy Grammer
May 11       Ordinary Elephant


Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA                                         

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Franklin Library: Teen Board Game Cafe - Sat - Mar 9 - 3:00 PM

For teens in grades 6 through 12, the Franklin Public Library will hold a Board Game Cafe on Saturday, March 9 FROM 3:00 - 4:30 PM.


Franklin Library: Teen Board Game Cafe - Sat - Mar 9 - 3:00 PM
Franklin Library: Teen Board Game Cafe - Sat - Mar 9 - 3:00 PM
Shared from the Franklin Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/teen-board-game-cafe-1

and Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/events/2083765881645821/


Thursday, March 7, 2019

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council

The Town Council is the holder of all general, corporate, legislative, and appropriations powers of the Town of Franklin. On behalf of the Town Council I submit our annual report for the FY18.

Economic Development
The Town Council adopted GL Chapter 64N Section 3 authorizing the imposition of a local sales tax on the sale or transfer of marijuana or marijuana products by a marijuana retailer and establishes the tax rate at the max of 3%. The Town council approved a Zoning Bylaw amendment the poultry set back to a minimum of 25 feet.

Facilities
The New construction and renovation of the Franklin Public Library was completed and a Ribbon Cutting was held in Fall of 2017. New Turf Fields were installed at the High School and Beaver Street Field along with a new track around the High School field. A proposal for a new bathroom facility and storage and concession building at Pisini Field near the High school was submitted and approved.

Recreation and Open Space
We are continuing to clean up the weed and fish issues at the DelCarte as part of the restoration and preservation of this recreation area. The Town recorded and deeded two unimproved vacant parcels on Grove Street from the land of low value auction that the Town Treasurer/Collector held.

Downtown
The Downtown Revitalization project is still underway with continued efforts to improve the roadways in the Alpine Place neighborhood.

Other
Approved a balanced budget and worked with the Town Administration on obtaining a five year capital plan for all departments including the Water and Sewer Enterprise funds.

The Town Council voted to transfer two town owned parcels of vacant land (244-040-000-000 .182 acres on Brook Street and 266-073-000-000 7.582 acres off Mill Street) to the care, custody, control and management of the Conservation Commission.

The Council appropriated:
● $160,000 for a new snow plow for the Public Works.
● $550,000 for Roadway Improvements for the Public Works.
● $18,000 for Police Radio Improvements.
● $20,000 for a Town Wide Operational Risk Assessment of all Town and School operations from a fiscal management perspective to outline any weaknesses to be addressed

The Town Council approved a Bylaw Amendment to raise the Water and Sewer Usage Rates. The expansion and construction of the existing Veterans War Memorial on the Town Common was approved.

Franklin was designated as a Green Community. With a new Fuel Efficient policy and Energy Reduction plan in place. More than 90% of electricity used by the town is generated through solar energy.

The Town receives a donation of a parcel of land on Grove street that abuts two of the town owned wells and the future Treatment Plan Site.

It is a pleasure to serve my fellow citizens and to submit this annual report on behalf of the Franklin Town Council for your review.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew T. Kelly 
Chairman, Franklin Town Council


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports


Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council
Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council