Live reporting: Town Council - Aug 21, 2019

Present: Hamblen, Casey, Dellorco, Kelly, Mercer, Jones, Padula, Pellegri, Earls
Absent: none

Agenda Item	Summary
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS	a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda.  The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	a. July 24, 2019 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	None Scheduled
5. APPOINTMENTS	a. Fire Chief Pinning Ceremony
6. HEARINGS	None Scheduled

Town Clerk Teresa Burr swearing in new Franklin Fire Chief James G. McLaughlin

Franklin Fire Chief James G. McLaughlin gets pinned by his son while his father observes

Hockomock Area YMCA Celebrates "Livestrong at the YMCA" Program

The Hockomock Area YMCA held its seventh annual LIVESTRONG at the YMCA celebration event on June 19 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. The event celebrated the impact of the program and raised critical funding for the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program at the Hockomock Area YMCA. The event raised $36,710. The inspirational evening featured remarks from LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program alumni and the presentation of two awards, the Community Champion Award, given to Dr. Natalie Sinclair, and the Charlie Shannon Volunteer Award, given to John White.

The Community Champion Award recognizes individuals or groups whose engagement and leadership positively impact individuals, and their families in the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. This year, the Hockomock YMCA honored Dr. Natalie Sinclair with the award. Dr. Sinclair and her team at Dana Faber Brigham and Women’s in Milford have been instrumental in the growth of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program by referring her patients to the program and supporting them throughout the entire program. 

Ed Kelly, President & CEO of Milford Regional Medical Center; Mary Clermont, Chair of the Hockomock Area YMCA Board of Directors;  John White, recipient of the Charlie Shannon Volunteer Award; Therese Shannon, wife of the late Charlie Shannon and program alumna and mentor; and Ed Hurley, President & CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA

YMCA program instructor and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program alumna Judy Ammidown presented the award to Dr. Sinclair and said, “Dr. Sinclair I want to thank you for all that you do for us on the cancer journey. For recognizing the value that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA can have for your patients as we work through that chaos that follows the cancer diagnosis.” Dr. Sinclair was not able to attend the event. 

Milford Regional Medical Center President & CEO Ed Kelly accepted the award on her behalf and shared prepared remarks from Dr. Sinclair, “This award is for all of my patients. Cancer cannot take your hope, your courage, or your strength away. I salute you.”

The Charlie Shannon Volunteer Award recognizes a LIVESTRONG at the YMCA volunteer whose commitment, dedication, passion, and leadership helps the participant’s progress through the program and reach their goals. This year’s award was given to John White. John worked in the biotechnology field for many years and worked on cancer research and potential treatments during this time. He is also a cancer survivor himself. John provides his valuable life experiences to the program participants and gives them a relatable figure because he has gone through the same things they have. 

Jackie Robison, YMCA staff member and LIVESTRONG program coordinator, presented the award to John, a North Attleboro resident, and said, “John made deep connections. He encouraged his fellow participants, gave them an ear when they needed to be heard, and at times made them laugh. John is an optimist who brought his inspiration, compassion, and, most importantly, hope to the participants.” John spoke on how his experience in the field helped him be a mentor and said, “I was offered an opportunity to mentor others and provide valuable resources and support from my years in biotechnology and connections in the pipeline to some of the most advanced research being done in targeted therapies.”

Golf Fights Cancer presents a check to the Hockomock Area YMCA. Pictured L-R: Cheryl McGuire, Executive Director of Golf Fights Cancer; Jackie Robison, Hockomock Area YMCA LIVESTRONG Program Coordinator; and Brian Oates, Co-Founder of Golf Fights Cancer.

Following the presentation of the awards, Marsea McGonagle gave a testimonial on the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program and what it has meant to her and her family. Marsea is the sister of Stephanie Whooten, an alumna of the program and a Franklin resident who passed away in September 2018 after an 18 month battle with colon cancer. Marsea spoke on what the program meant to her sister and how much it impacted her and her family. She said, “As Steph’s family, we are so proud that Steph left her mark on the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program, but it also left its mark on her. 

In just those 12 weeks, something magical happened between those four walls. Steph felt the power of the program so much that when she entered hospice this past July and she wrote her will, she designated a percentage of her estate to go to the Franklin Y’s LIVESTRONG program. Approaching death at just 27 years old, it was the next cancer fighter in her neighborhood that she was thinking about.”

The evening also included a check presentation from Golf Fights Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting cancer, to the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. Golf Fights Cancer sponsored Jackie Robison, the Y’s LIVESTRONG Program Coordinator, in the Boston Marathon. Jackie raised over $10,000 for the race and Golf Fights Cancer donated the money back to the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. Cheryl McGuire, Executive Director of Golf Fights Cancer, spoke about Jackie’s fundraising efforts and said, “Golf Fights Cancer is honored to have you as part of our 2019 team and we are thrilled to be able to empower you to raise the funds to give right back to the LIVESTRONG program.”

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA classes will enroll this Fall beginning in early September at Hockomock Area YMCA branches in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro. This is a free 12-week program designed for cancer survivors and their families seeking to regain health, build strength, and connect with other cancer survivors.For more information, visit www.hockymca.org/new-livestrong-classes or contact Jackie Robison at 508-772-1310.

About the LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA program at the Hockomock Area YMCA:

This program fulfills the important need of the increasing number of cancer survivors who find themselves in the transitional period between completing their cancer treatment and the shift to feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to attempt to return to their normal life. The fact that the program is outside a medical facility and integrated into the community serves to emphasize that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is about health, not about disease.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

FPAC Announces Auditions for Matilda choreographed by Broadway’s Clay Thomson

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) has announced an open call for their upcoming production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical choreographed by original Broadway cast member Clay Thomson. The initial vocal audition will be held on Thursday, September 5 at THE BLACK BOX. Ages 9-11 at 5:00 PM, ages 12-13 at 6:00 PM, ages 14-18 at 7:00 PM, and adults at 8:00 PM. 

Those auditioning are asked to prepare 16 bars of a selection in the style of the show. It is requested that auditioners do not sing music from Matilda. Some may be invited from the September 5 audition to attend a callback or invited dance call on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 PM.

Broadway’s Clay Thomson

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.

Currently appearing in KING KONG on Broadway, Clay Thomson started out as a competitive gymnast at the age of four, which eventually led him into the performing arts. At age twelve, Clay joined the Cameron Mackintosh/NETworks tour of Oliver!. After completing his freshman year at Pennsylvania State University studying Musical Theatre, Clay toured the U.S, Canada, and Japan with the Broadway First National Tour of West Side Story as A-rab. 

Soon after returning from tour, he made his Broadway debut in Disney's Newsies, playing Spot Conlon. After that, he was cast in the Original Broadway cast of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. In 2014, Clay left Matilda to perform in New York City Center Encores' productions of Little Me and The Most Happy Fella. He is featured in the viral YouTube video #CupsTapDance as well as his most recent appearance in The Happy Tap Dance #TAPPY.

FPAC’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical will run October 19, 20, and 25-27 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. 

For more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call 508-528-3370. Follow FPAC on Facebook, Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co), and Twitter (@fpac_online)

Save the Date! - 9th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 28

9th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk

Sponsored by St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society

September 28, 2019

8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

With September comes the end of Summer, the first day of school and the SVdP Friends of the Poor Walk. The Walk, 1 ½ or 3 miles, is our only fund raiser. SVdP members offer help to all Franklin residents in their time of need. Your support enables us to provide this assistance. Last year we were able to help 186 families.

Registration will begin between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM in the St. Mary’s Center parking lot on Pleasant Street and then the walk will begin there at 9:00 AM rain or shine. Please walk with us in fellowship and contribute to our drive with generosity. To make this Walk better than ever, go to www.fopwalk.org where you can either join the Walk or make a donation.

Join together, with family and friends

to make our Walk better than ever!

9th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

Attention: Registration open for the Franklin Police Exam - Nov 2, 2019

Franklin Police Dept Exam: November 2, 2019

* * * Registration Now Open * * *

The Franklin Police Dept is holding their next police officer entrance exam on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Please click the link below or go to
https://www.policeapp.com/Entry-Level-Franklin-MA-Police-Officer-Jobs/1946/

Attention: Franklin Police Exam - Nov 2, 2019

Art Auction - Sep 28, 2019

Art Auction

Sponsored by

Franklin Federated Church

on

Saturday Evening, September 28, 2019

at

Franklin Federated Church

171 Main Street

Franklin, Ma 02038

Preview: 7:00 p.m. Auction: 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $15.00 per person

Door Prizes
Hors D’oeuvres ~ Wine ~ Cheese

For Tickets or Information Call:
Franklin Federated Church (508) 528-3803

Send check payable to: 
Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street Franklin, Ma 02038
Major credit cards accepted for art purchases
Featuring Art in All Media and Price Ranges


Get your copy of the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYUhfd0t5WUUwUEprcTJUNklZdUpnQkJueU1B/view?usp=sharing

Art Auction - Sep 28, 2019

FM #169 - Economic Development Subcommittee - Aug 14, 2019 (audio)

FM #169

This internet radio show or podcast is number 169 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on August 14, 2019.

The notes from the meeting along with the agenda and reference documents are linked in these show notes.

A large (approx 25) group was gathered for this meeting. The first portion covered the continuation of the discussion with the Franklin High School students bringing the proposal to ban plastic bags back to the process and other community members on both sides.

The second portion of the meeting was a review and discussion of the revised proposal for the former Keigan auto dealer location. Folks may recall, there was an approved project for the combined Keigan and Ficco’s land. The approved project ran into delays and then stopped. The former Ficco’s property was separated from the deal and sold off to become the future home of New England Chapel.

The revised proposal would combine retail and residential in a mixed use development. Approx 100+ apartments are proposed. Entrance to the development would be via the existing Big Y entrance using the traffic signal already in place.

Joseph Halligan, the property owner/developer was looking for an endorsement of the project. The EDC is not in a position to do that.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording (approx 1 hour and 18 minutes).




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Additional Reference Links:

The agenda document for this session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/reminder-economic-development.html

The 122 communities with plastic bag bans (as of the time of the meeting)
http://www.massgreen.org/plastic-bag-legislation.html

Plastic bags can be recycled (but not via the single stream process Franklin uses)  https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/

MA Chapter of Sierra Club
https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts/plastic-bags-0

National Conference of State Legislatures
http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/plastic-bag-legislation.aspx

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If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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