Newcomers and Friends Club: JANUARY 8 Meeting features Stephanie McBride a Spiritual Medium

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, January 8 at 7:30. 

We're excited to host Stephanie McBride, a Spiritual Medium from Franklin. Stephanie will tell us about herself and how she communicates with those who have passed and want to send a message to their loved ones. She will share some stories of people she has helped and will have time to answer some of our questions. It will be an interesting and informative evening!

No need to be a newcomer to the area . . . and no need to RSVP. Come join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. We are a member driven organization and are always excited to welcome new faces and new ideas.

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). We run our meetings September through May. We meet at "3" Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. 

JANUARY 8 Meeting features Stephanie McBride a Spiritual Medium

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club. 

Franklin Cultural District: Cultural Partnership Meeting Agenda - Jan 8, 2020

Cultural Partnership Meeting Agenda

January 8, 2020

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Municipal Building, Room 205

1. Welcome and introductions (20 minutes)
2. Franklin Cultural Council and Priorities (10 minutes)
3. Downtown Partnership Updates and Priorities (10 minutes)
4. Cultural District Updates and Priorities (10 minutes)
5. Open discussion of opportunities to partner and share resources (30 minutes)


This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/partnership_agenda_january_8_2020.pdf 

For more about the Cultural District Committee
https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-district-committee


For more about the Cultural District   https://www.franklinculture.org/

Franklin Cultural District: Cultural Partnership Meeting Agenda - Jan 8, 2020

Franklin Art Association: Encaustic Demonstration - Jan 8

The Franklin Art Association board hopes you had a fun and restful holiday season and that you are ready to come back and join us for many exciting demonstrations during 2020 starting with our January meeting.

Wednesday, January 8, the Franklin Art Association is pleased to host an encaustic demonstration by Theresa Spadafora. 

Next month meeting, Feb. 5th we will host acrylic artist Lenny Moskowitz. Followed by a watercolor demonstration March 4th given by Carlie DeGaetano.

We hope to see you for these exciting and educational opportunities!

All the meetings are scheduled for 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by a short business meeting before the art demonstration.

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

 

Franklin Art Association: Encaustic Demonstration - Jan 8

What is encaustic painting?

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a surface—usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used. The simplest encaustic mixture can be made from adding pigments to beeswax, but there are several other recipes that can be used—some containing other types of waxes, damar resin, linseed oil, or other ingredients. Pure, powdered pigments can be used, though some mixtures use oil paints or other forms of pigment.^[1]

 From wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_painting

In the News: Earls presents at Newly Elected Councillor Training

From the Wicked Local/Franklin, article of interest for Franklin:

"Franklin Town Councillor Eamon McCarthy Earls was chosen to present at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association “Newly Elected Councillor Training” held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

The recent training boasted attendance by more than 70 newly elected councillor from across Massachusetts and is only the second of its kind.

“The newly elected councillor training is an outstanding opportunity for new public servants to learn key aspects of Massachusetts local government from setting budgets and working with municipal executives to upholding high ethical standards,” said Earls.

As the current MMCA District 4 representative, Earls helped develop the training’s format and agenda. Panels were designed to help councillors navigate their role, manage relationships, and offered guidance on working within the confines of the Open Meeting Law and help with understanding municipal budgeting and finance."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200106/franklin-town-councilor-chosen-to-speak-at-mmca-training

Franklin Issue on the 2020 'Watch List': Multiple Fiscal Challenges

I struggled with a short and quick way to state the obvious without going over the top to grab a headline. There are any number of fiscal challenges facing Franklin, and yes, I believe that this year IS different from the prior years. While I have heard any number of folks say every budget year is a challenge, in the dozen or so years I have been closely reporting on the Franklin budget, I have not seen as many issues come together as this year brings.

Exhibit one: the Town Council's proposed 'goals and objectives' doc fortunately captures most of these in the first Fiscal section:

Fiscal

● Approval of Annual Capital Improvement Plan -- FY20 and FY21
● Approval of a balanced Operating Budget -- FY21 and FY22

o Closely monitor expected budget shortfalls in both FY21 and FY22

● Establish Ad Hoc Subcommittee to evaluate storm water fee analysis

o Present analysis to the full Council

● Determine Water rate increase for FY20/FY21, notably for the water treatment plant and wells loan package
● Determine Sewer rate increase, if needed, for FY20/FY21
● Seek new borrowing capacity for municipal and school building capital improvements and sidewalks
● Discussion on the Community Preservation Act
● Discussion on Trash & Recycling account
● Continue to ask for OPEB solutions with state officials
● Explore new revenue options, generally

The Town always passes a 'balanced budget', by law it has to, so the real issue is how do you bring the revenue and expense sides to 'balance' especially with "expected budget shortfalls in both FY21 and FY22"?

There is a new storm water fee coming and we are already facing increases in the water/sewer and trash/recycling fees. That is a whole lot of money coming from Franklin residents in one year. So I rest my case that it will be a challenge and ask your participation in the resolution.

The adage goes: you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution! I recommend getting involved in the discussion (aside from Facebook!) to be part of the solution. 

Action:

• Get to a meeting. 
• Talk with our Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, School Administration (including Superintendent Sara Ahern) as well as Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.
• Have a civil conversation about one or more of these issues, together we can, and must, find a solution.

The full goals and objectives doc can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._town_council_2020-2021_goals_memo.pdf

 

Franklin Issue on the 2020 'Watch List': Multiple Fiscal Challenges

Second Sunday Speaker Series - President Taft’s visit to Franklin - Jan 12

Massachusetts is the birthplace of four US presidents (George H.W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, John Quincy Adams, and John Adams) but a fourth, Ohio-native William Howard Taft, made the Bay State his second home. 
 

President Taft’s visit to Franklin

Serving from 1909 to 1913, he is the only president known to have visited the town of Franklin, and he was accompanied that day by a future US president!

Learn more about the complex legacy of our 27th president, his local roots in Mendon and Uxbridge, his contribution to the prestige and glamor of the Massachusetts “gold coast,” and when and why he came to our town. 

On Jan. 12 at 1:10 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, presenter, Alan Earls, returns with a slide show and anecdotes about the man known, among other things, for his girth, his custom-built bathtub, and his later service on the Supreme Court.

Doors open at 1:00 PM. Museum located at 80 West Central Street. ADA Accessible

 

Second Sunday Speaker Series - President Taft’s visit to Franklin - Jan 12

Franklin Cultural Council To Offer ArtWeek Festival Grants

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) announced today that it is again the community collaborator for ArtWeek, a statewide festival happening May 1st – May 10, 2020. Applications for the festival are now available at artweekma.org. 

The early bird deadline to submit an ArtWeek event is January 10th, 2020 and the final deadline is February 21, 2020. 

The FCC will also be offering ArtWeek grants to events that are free and open to the public in Franklin.Grant applications open January 6th, 2020, and close February 7th, 2020.

ArtWeek is an award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to arts, culture, and the creative process. Now an annual statewide festival, ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and recently expanded its footprint across the Commonwealth.

"Franklin has one of the most vibrant arts scenes in MetroWest," says FCC Co-Chair Kaye Kelly. "Our role as a collaborator is to help artists, performers and venues partner together to create a truly memorable ArtWeek festival. Last year, there were 50 Franklin ArtWeek events, which was 10% of all the events in the state. We hope to offer as many again this year."

The Franklin Cultural Council ArtWeek grants are for up to $250 each for programs that are offered free of charge to the public, at a Franklin venue. Grant applications can be filed online at https://goo.gl/PMQPGj

If you are an interested artist, educator, performer or venue that would like help creating an ArtWeek event, or for information on ArtWeek grants, please email FCC Co-Chair Kaye Kelly at franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com.

Franklin Cultural Council To Offer ArtWeek Festival Grants

About the Franklin Cultural Council — The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About ArtWeek – Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek has become an annual award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences. Statewide partners include: Mass Cultural Council, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism as well as Mass Center for the Book, MASSCreative, MassHumanities, MassPoetry, New England Foundation for the Arts, New England Museum Association, Young Audiences of Massachusetts and VSA Massachusetts. To learn more about ArtWeek, visit www.artweekma.org.