"lawmakers are taking a “cautiously optimistic approach” to Massachusetts’s fiscal picture"

"HAPPY DAYS are here again. That may not be the case for most Massachusetts residents, still in the grip of the COVID pandemic, but it appears to be the case for state budget writers – at least for now.

The House Ways and Means Committee budget proposal released Wednesday would spend $47.649 billion in fiscal 2022 – or $1.8 billion more than what Gov. Charlie Baker proposed, and a 2.6 percent increase over this year’s budget.

The House budget includes no new revenue initiatives and no significant spending cuts – and doesn’t rely on the enormous influx of federal dollars that are expected to flow into Massachusetts from the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden signed in March. "

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-budget-boosts-spending-keeps-fed-funds-in-reserve/

 

The House Ways and Means budget  https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseWaysMeansBudget

House Ways and Means Committee budget

James Montgomery Returns to THE BLACK BOX Outdoors Under the Tent - Apr 23

THE BLACK BOX will welcome back The James Montgomery Band on April 23rd at 7:30 pm as part of THE BLACK BOX Spring Arts Awakening for an outdoor, socially distanced evening of live music.  Tickets are available for the live show Under the Tent at the BLACK BOX and also to watch the live-stream from home. Masks and social distancing are required. 

In 1970, while attending Boston University, Montgomery formed The James Montgomery Band. His inimitable harmonica playing combined with his incredibly energetic live shows led to the band's quick ascension on the New England music scene. Within two years, The James Montgomery band was among the hottest acts in Boston along with J. Geils and Aerosmith, and they were quickly signed to a multi-album deal with Capricorn Records.

Since that time, James has recorded six albums. His first, "First Time Out" has been remastered and re-released by MRG/Capricorn. Other include "James Montgomery Band" on Island Records which was number nine on Billboard's national playlist, "Duck Fever" with members of the David Letterman Band, "Live Trax," with the Uptown Horns (the Rolling Stones' horn section), and his release on Tone-Cool, "The Oven Is On."

Montgomery has toured with many major artists, including Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller, and others. He has jammed on stage with B.B.King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Charlie Daniels, Bonnie Raitt, Greg Allman, Laverne Baker, Patti LaBelle, and Peter Wolf among others, including an impromptu session with Mick Jagger at New York's "Trax."

Over the years, Montgomery's band has been a springboard for many musicians. Members of his band have included Billy Squire, Wayne Kramer (MC-5), Jeff Golub (Rod Stewart), Jim McCarty (Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), Nunzio Signore (Bo Diddley), Jeff Pevar (Ray Charles Orchestra, Crosby, Stills & Nash), Bobby Chouinard (drummer with Ted Nugent, Squire and Robert Gordon), Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker), Aerosmith's Tom Gambel, and many others.

In-person and virtual tickets are available at  www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow THE BLACK BOX on social media to stay updated on the venue’s offerings. 

 

James Montgomery Returns to THE BLACK BOX Outdoors Under the Tent - Apr 23

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Franklin for veterans - April 17

VA Boston will be conducting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics to Veterans, spouses, caregivers, CHAMPVA recipients and Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA Healthcare System this Saturday, April 17^th, at the Franklin Senior Center.

Please help us spread the word.  

Pre-register at bit.ly/vaccineva

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Franklin for veterans - April 17

Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - April 2021 newsletter

From State Representative Jeff Roy's newsletter:

The Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill, which overhauls the state’s climate laws, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, advances the clean energy industry, and prioritizes and protects environmental justice communities was signed into law on March 26, 2021.

You can learn more about this landmark legislation by clicking here. You can view Rep. Roy’s floor remarks on the bill by clicking on the video below.

YouTube video link = https://youtu.be/ATUwnGlO-Sw

State Rep Roy's legislature page:  https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JNR1

 

For the full newsletter content follow this link:

https://mailchi.mp/5ef524677216/march-2021-newsletter-4934330?e=6ead984465

Board of Health, Economic Development Subcommittee meetings scheduled before the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Apr 14

Another busy Town of Franklin meeting night.

 
The Board of Health normally scheduled monthly meeting was canceled last week and is scheduled for today at 5:00 PM

• The agenda doc and connection info can be found here

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-4-14-21.pdf

The Economic Development Subcommittee met last week and ran out of time to cover its full agenda, the remaining items are scheduled for tonight at 5:45 PM

• The agenda doc and connection info can be found here

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-14_edc_agenda_.pdf

The Town Council met last week and will meet for the second time in their normal monthly pattern tonight to avoid the school break week next week when they would have met.

• The agenda doc and connection info can be found here

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda

Board of Health, Economic Development Subcommittee meetings scheduled before the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Apr 14

Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts - meeting Apr 15

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, April 15, at 7:00 PM.  

Here is the Zoom link:  Join on Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/544734092?pwd=N3hwYzZBazRYZG9ycHRsbmliVkMxZz09
Meeting ID: 544 734 092
Password: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923 

Residents of Franklin and nearby cities and towns are welcome to attend.

Meeting Agenda: While we are seeing positive developments at both the State House and the White House, we need to keep up the pressure on our legislators to sponsor and support key bills; we'll discuss related 350 Mass efforts. We are also planning statewide and local activities to implement our 2021/2022 campaigns to achieve the Green New Deal in housing and construction, transportation, and green energy (particularly solar). We want to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute.   

350 Massachusetts for a Better Future (https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/) is building a powerful statewide social movement to confront the climate crisis, hold our politicians accountable and undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry. Our name comes from 350 parts per million, the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

350 Mass is made up of several local volunteer-led chapters we call “nodes” around the state that carry out both municipal-level and statewide campaigns, coordinated by a Statewide Steering Team (SST). The Greater Franklin Node includes Franklin and close to twenty nearby communities. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 7:00 pm.

For questions and information, contact the node co-coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.
 
Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c) 

Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node - Apr 15 = 7:00 PM

Recap - Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - Apr 12, 2021

Quick Recap:

• This meeting was asked for as a result of the Town Council budget subcommittee (Mar 17, 2021) seeing a preview of the School Committee budget and yet not having anyone to ask questions about it. So this meeting is scheduled and a couple of 'little' questions are asked but they don’t ask the 'real' questions.
• The Schools do not include Davis Thayer in their budget; students will leave in June, items will be moved from it to Keller (and potentially elsewhere in the district) as it gets emptied and cleaned prior to getting declared surplus. Superintendent Ahern is hesitant to declare a date that may be premature as much work on the transition to Keller remains to be done. The School Committee is planned to vote to declare the building surplus during the transition process.
• Minimal maintenance amounts for the Davis Thayer building are in the town side of the budget and the Town would be happy if the School District took care of the other remaining materials in the school to handle that final disposition (or surplus for desk, books, etc.) before the Town takes over.
• We do find out that the Town budget will be released on Friday, April 16 with plenty of supporting material. It will reflect a slight increase in new growth revenue and in local receipts over the amounts previewed at the aforementioned budget meeting. There is no use of the debt stabilization funds to balance. There is a possibility of a proposed fiscal policy to set aside a percent of free cash for debt stabilization to help avoid future budget issues.

 
----
 
Unlike most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes when listening to the audio recording of the meeting that I missed. 

• Chair Matt Kelly opens meeting, reads protocol statement
• FY 2022 budget discussion opens with TA Hellen providing an overview
• An outcome from the previous TC budget subcommittee meeting to ensure all three groups are aligned
• town administrator’s recommended budget being released on Friday April1 16, historical and supporting data being released with it to provide something to read over the school break
• Participating: Supt Sara Ahern, School Comm Chair Anne Bergen, Vice Chair Denise Spencer, also Tim Keenan, Jen D’Angelo school committee members
• Participating in Chambers: FinCom George Conley, Councilors Mercer and Pellegri.
• Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen on remote, FinCom member Nicole Corbosiero and Susan Dewsnap on remote
•  Q  - FinCom member George Conley - from the American Rescue Plan as released by the MMA site, has that been allocated and included in this budget?
• A - Hellen - no, guidance coming from Treasury in May, the funds themselves possibly will be available in a similar time frame. Apparently, we’ll have 3 years to spend then but there has not yet been a discussion on how and where we would. The money  can be used for infrastructure and broadband, water, sewer, roads, etc. It can not be used to set aside for a rainy day, or to fund pension obligations. There will be an appendix in the budget to show and account for the CARES Act funds received during the pandemic last year.
• Q - councilor Melanie Hamblen - some folks complain about the training provided. Could we have a list of how many, what kind of training provided.
• Kelly - good idea
• Q - FinCom Susan Dewsnap - since we saw your preview of the budget has there been any significant changes on the revenue forecast?
• A - Jamie Hellen - yes, a couple - one we did use the 10 year average as a guide for new growth which will come in at about $1.1M (which is up over the preview) and we also added about $200K to the expected local receipts (over the preview). The Governor’s revenue number is still in the budget, while the House and Senate did agree to an increase in local aid last week, we don't yet know how that will play out. So that potential increase is not in our budget being released this week.
• Q - FinCom Susan Dewsnap - we did have a small amount of budget stabilization funds, does the budget include any of that?
• A - Jamie Hellen - no, it does not.
• Q - Council Chair Tom Mercer - how are you carrying Davis Thayer in your budget? While you have indicated closing it, you java not yet declared it surplus so something must be keeping it active.
• A - Supt Sara Ahern - yes, the school committee did vote to close Dave Thayer, there is a transition plan underway to account for the transition of the students to Keller. Most of the budget is for personnel and we have realized a savings of about $770K which is being reinvested within the district. As the school is still being used right now, she has not yet asked the School Committee to vote on it being declared surplus but anticipates that would be as part of the transition process.
• A - Jamie adds, the town facilities budget will show minimal amounts for water and utilities in anticipation of it not being used. Also several of the buildings, Senior Center, Library, etc. which had been closed or mostly so will also reflect an increase in the facilities budget as those building return to use under the reopening process.
• Q - Councilor Pellegri - why would we wait until the end of the year?
• A - Supt Ahern - I don’t want to put out too premature a date when the facility is still being used. Once school is out the materials etc. will need to be moved to Keller or elsewhere within the district. We’ll also have some clean up to do as not everything will be going. We will move as quickly as we can, so it may be sooner than the end of the year.
• Q - Councilor Pellegri - Jamie, any idea of the cost from June through the end of the year?
• A - Jamie - specifically in the detail Mike D’Angelo has in the budget, don’t have that at finger tips but can share. It is accounted for in the budget. He would like for Miriam to handle most of the school furniture surplus process as she is more familiar with those items than the Town would. Kids get out June 22. It will take some weeks or months to move and clean out.  
• Motion to adjourn

note, others may have participated but were either not acknowledged during the audio or spoke during the audio recording and hence missed in these notes.

"a rare opportunity—and a responsibility—to reimagine the path towards what I call “back to better”"

An excerpt from Senate President Karen Spilka's remarks to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 13, 2021: 

"I have been particularly struck by the statistics on the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on women in the workplace. Before the pandemic, women in Massachusetts were participating in the workforce at increasing rates, surpassing the national rate by 2019 – but the pandemic has brought women back to where they were after the 2009 recession. In fact, the percentage of women participating in the U.S. labor market in October 2020 was the lowest since 1988.

It is clear to me that if we wish to have a full and equitable recovery, we must take a close look at the factors that affect women’s employment, at every level and in every sector, and one clear factor that we must address is caregiving. In the same way that we learned to diversify our sectors after the last recession, we are now learning that we must support and strengthen the caregiving sector in Massachusetts so that we can support working families across the Commonwealth.

Almost exactly one year ago today, I appeared before this Chamber, in what was your first ever virtual forum, if you can believe it, and declared that childcare was as important to our infrastructure as roads and bridges in getting people back to work. The struggles of the past year have borne this out, which is why I have pushed the Legislature to begin to address the need for childcare, including providing for emergency childcare for essential workers, increasing rates for early education providers, and dedicating $40 million for a new reserve to cover parent fees for those receiving subsidized childcare. We also established the Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission to review childcare funding and make recommendations on policy changes to expand access.

With the promise of over $500 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan, we are well-poised to make more strides in making childcare more accessible and affordable, and I look forward to working with all of you to dedicate our best thinking towards tackling this problem, both in the public and private sectors.

But childcare is just one piece of what many are calling a “caregiving crisis”–a storm that has been brewing on our horizon for a few years, but which COVID-19 has turned into a full-blown tsunami. Many people, mostly women, who work in non-caregiving professions, but are sandwiched between aging parents and growing children, have dropped out of the workforce in alarming numbers to care for those who rely on them, while too many Black and brown women who work in caregiving professions have been crushed by the job losses of the economic downturn, with devastating results for their families and communities. As we all feel the squeeze of this caregiving crisis, is it any surprise that we are facing a mental health crisis as well?

But this is Massachusetts, my friends, and I know we can do better. "

Continue reading the full text of Senate President Spilka's remarks
https://karenspilka.com/updates/2021/4/13/sd2diqeu9ul39l05kvjwx6zu4lulna 

"a rare opportunity—and a responsibility—to reimagine the path towards what I call “back to better”"

Karl E. Backlund Sr. - obituary

You may recall the request last week to connect relatives of Karl Backlund with Ed Beksha. The community responded quickly to make the connection. Karl's obituary is now posted and shared here.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Karl E. Backlund Sr, who left this world for his next big adventure on April third at the age of 78.

Karl E. Backlund Sr

A native of West Wrentham, Karl led a storied life with strong connections to his local community. He was many things, a member of the American Legion, a Boy scout leader, a talented woodworker, a collector, a fisherman, but most importantly a husband, father, grandfather, and good friend. After graduating from King Philip High School, he served his country proudly as a member of the United States Army before marrying his wife Sandra and raising their three kids: Karl, Kirk and Kim.
 
Karl was a wealth of knowledge and was never afraid to speak his mind. He lived his life on his own terms, always stubbornly committed to making sure things were done the "right" way. Although his approach could be intense, those who worked with him and for him gained from the experience. A generous man, Karl welcomed all who came to his door and was always willing to help both friends and strangers."

Continue reading the obituary online

https://www.rjrossfuneralhomeinc.com/obituaries/Karl-E.-Backlund-Sr.?obId=20763342#/celebrationWall

Last week's post

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/hey-franklin-you-can-help-with-this.html

MA Vehicle inspection extended again

"Massachusetts drivers with expired inspection stickers from March and April will now have until the end of May to get a new one, as the state’s inspection system remains down due to a malware attack on its software contractor.

The Tuesday announcement marks both an expansion and an extension of the grace period that officials instituted due to the ongoing technical issues, which previously allowed motorists whose annual inspections expired in March an extra month to renew. Now, drivers with expired March or April stickers will get until May 31.

The state has said it expects the system, provided by Wisconsin-based Applus Technologies, to be back online by this weekend. But the extension would still likely be a help to motorists, as there is sure to be huge backlog of vehicles in need of new stickers. Thousands of inspections happen across the state on a typical day, and the system has now been down for more than two weeks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/13/metro/rmv-extends-grace-period-inspections-through-may-due-system-outage/

JOANNE RATHE/GLOBE STAFF/FILE

Franklin, MA: School budget changes for FY 2022

The school budget changes scheduled for vote tonight at the School Committee meeting, Apr 13, 2021.

The full agenda can be found here

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-13-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

The preview of this budget can be heard here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-498-school-committee-meeting-032321.html

 

FPS - School Budget Changes - 04/13/21 from Franklin Matters

FM #511 - Talk Franklin - 04/09/21 (audio)

FM #511 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 511 in the series.

 
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 
Grants received
        Housing, Fire dept, Popup marketing
 
Community Preservation Committee got an update on open space 
 
Economic Development SubComm
Business guide released
Ladybug trail by Franklin Downtown Partnership
 
Town Council meeting
long list of legislation items
Capital budget, street acceptances, food truck permit fee
 
Joint Budget SubComm – Apr 12
School Committee budget – Apr 13
Town Council outlook for Apr 14
 
Storm water art contest
 
ArtWalk by Cultural District
Hybrid events at THE BLACK BOX

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e4623420-f835-4f4b-baa9-692308c55b0f

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

Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data 

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 
Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

Town Council agenda for Apr 14, 2021
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda

Town Council agenda for Apr 7, 2021
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda 

DPW overview presentation doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/dpw_town_council_presentation_4_7_2021.pdf 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #511 - Talk Franklin - 04/09/21 (audio)

MRN Diagnostics offering free EUA approved rapid COVID antigen and PCR testing

MRN Diagnostics is now offering free EUA approved rapid COVID antigen and PCR testing to anyone in our community with any types of respiratory symptoms over the last 7 days.  This includes employees of all businesses, town offices and others in Franklin and the surrounding towns.  This is only for people with current Respiratory Symptoms.

We will interview the individual for basic information about their symptoms and onset (5 min) and then collect 2 swabs for our FDA studies and their free test.  These are simple swabs in the front of the nose and antigen results will be provided within an hour of testing and confirmatory PCR testing within 48 hours. 

This sample collection is Investigational Review Board Approved for safety and patient consent will also be required at the time of collection. To schedule a free test please contact Janet at 508 384-0033 and she will book your reservation.

MRN Diagnostics is a Franklin based company located in at 101 Constitution Blvd. For more info about MRN, you can visit them on the internet at https://mrndx.com/

MRN Diagnostics offering free EUA approved rapid COVID antigen and PCR testing

FHS volleyball post win over North Attleboro to advance in Hockomock Cup

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:  

** Volleyball - Hockomock Cup
D4 North Attleboro, 0 @ KR1 Franklin, 3 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-04-12-21/

FHS is scheduled to play Mansfield on Wednesday per the bracket shown here

https://twitter.com/Franklin_VBall/status/1381406881827201025

FHS volleyball post win over North Attleboro to advance in Hockomock Cup

Return to in person school highlights

1 - 

"Thank you @HMMSLightning Kindness Club for the inspirational posters on our first day of school (again)". @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters https://t.co/pMYQ247KD3

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDonahue48/status/1381608000813686791

@HMMSLightning Kindness Club for the inspirational posters

2 - 

"Case High principal welcomes students back to buildings with 'Hamilton' parody" https://t.co/w93YCQS18a

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1381574963635838978

Video link = https://youtu.be/xLTOjQ_r1JA

Franklin TV: When? (Oh, I do hope it’s soon.)

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/11/2021

When?

Members of our writer’s group were popping into our Zoom meeting, and that was the first question – right after the HiHowarya.

In the pecking order of that whowhatwhenwherewhy key info, ‘when’ tends to float somewhere in the middle of the pack. But, as the word came down that the Senior Center was starting to set plans in place to reopen, that was the first question on everyone’s lips. When?

Now ‘When’ is the kind of question that can telegraph the questioner’s state of mind. 

State ‘A’:  Enthusiastic anticipation. (I can’t wait!)
State ‘B’:  Nervous apprehension.  (uhh…  I can wait.)

Clearly, they were all about state ‘A’. When?  How soon?  Now?  (Oh, please let it be so.)

Well – we don’t quite know yet.  But, soon. (Fingers crossed.)

It speaks to the notion that getting together – socially engaging IRL (in real life) or ITF (in the flesh) is something that we all deeply dearly miss.

The Senior Center’s reopening raised another question for me. How do we help those who can’t physically attend? I believe that Zoom meetings are not just a service, but a societal game-changer – a social phenomenon wrought by technology.

I foresee Zoom engagement as part of many Senior Center gatherings ongoing, and we at Franklin●TV are researching how best to assist and achieve that end. We have been investigating the best video systems and tools to make this possible and ensure that Senior Center gatherings and events are more easily accessible to all.

Our Senior Center Writer’s Group convenes every week on Wednesdays at 1pm. If you  would  like  to  participate  in  our weekly  gatherings  and scribblings  (and  we would be thrilled to have you), just let us know at: info@franklin.tv

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h2jbEfpjV14TvwC_mqdMQlcASaCn2fcu/view?usp=sharing
 

Franklin TV: When? (Oh, I do hope it’s soon.)

Memory Cafe - Tuesday, April 13 at 2 PM

Hopkinton's  Our Time Memory Cafe' invites you to join their virtual event.

The event features Jim Perry with voice on keyboard and John Moriconi with voice on horn. Join us for toe-tapping music and a sing-along to many of your favorite and familiar selections.

Time: Apr 13, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86348947165?pwd=YndoSEFVRFgxTWVRRzVLcXB1OWV5dz09

Meeting ID: 863 4894 7165

Passcode: 516863

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Memory Cafe - Tuesday, April 13 at 2 PM

Disney Stars to Perform Under the Tent at THE BLACK BOX - April 16, 2021

THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premiere concert, theater, and event venue, will present three Disney Stars of Broadway: Broadway’s original “Mary Poppins” Ashley Brown, current “Genie” Michael James Scott, and original “Tarzan” Josh Strickland on April 16 to kick off Spring Arts Awakening- nine weeks of entertainment, outdoors under a tent in the venue’s parking lot. The trio will perform an evening of Disney favorites. There will be limited seating for this special evening out in Franklin as well as virtual live-stream tickets available. 

Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress.  Ms. Brown’s other Broadway credits include star turns as Belle in Beauty and The Beast, The Sound Of Music, and Disney's On The Record. Ms. Brown has also performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America, including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and more. Ms. Brown’s PBS special called “Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible” received a PBS Telly Award. Ms. Brown is the voice of Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebrations, singing the newly-penned Richard Sherman song, “A Kiss Goodnight.” Both Ms. Brown’s album of Broadway and American Songbook standards “Speak Low” and her newly recorded Christmas EP “The Secret of Christmas” are available on Ghostlight/Warner Brothers. 

Michael James Scott has played the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin internationally including Broadway, London, the North American Tour and originating the role in the Australian Production for which he won the prestigious Helpmann Award. He’s also known for originating the role of the Minstrel on Broadway in Something Rotten and originating Dr. Gotswana (aka The Maggots Guy) in the Tony winning phenomenon The Book of Mormon. Other Broadway credits include Mamma Mia, Tarzan, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Elf and Hair. On the West End he was the associate choreographer and performed in the Broadway revival transfer of Hair. Scott was the standby for the legendary Ben Vereen in the Int. tour of Fosse, taking over the role in Paris, France at the Théâtre du Châtelet. 

In 2006, Josh Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney’s musical Tarzan on Broadway. In 2009, he made his starring Las Vegas debut in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort while concurrently co-starring in the hit E! reality show Holly's World. Strickland debuted his first single "Report to the Floor," which skyrocketed to the top-five on the iTunes Dance Charts the first week of its release, followed by “Last Dance.” In 2013, Strickland joined the cast of Vegas! The Show at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas in a starring role. Strickland has also appeared internationally with the all-star cast of Disney’s Broadway Hits, including the Emmy®-winning concert at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. He most recently reprised his role as Tarzan in Disney’s Tarzan in Oberhausen, Germany at the Stage Metronom Theatre.

According to director of THE BLACK BOX Raye Lynn Mercer, “The Disney Stars of Broadway show is a fantastic way to kick off our Spring Arts Awakening and we look forward to welcoming audiences back to the theater.” The Spring Arts Awakening celebrates a comeback for arts and entertainment and offers an opportunity to support THE BLACK BOX in its recovery from the pandemic. To purchase tickets for this special concert, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370.

Disney Stars to Perform Under the Tent at THE BLACK BOX - April 16, 2021

FM #508-509-510 - Town Council Mtg - 04/07/21 - (3 part audio)

FM #508-509-510 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 508-509-510 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost three hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the public hearing on the street acceptances (49 minutes)
• Second - covers the DPW presentation and subsequent discussion with the Council members  (37 mins)
• Third - covers the long list of Legislation for Action through the close of the meeting (1 hour 20 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Apr 7, 2021  

Part 1 audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3176f458-c2e0-4abd-b83b-a49daf4e9be8

Part 2 audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dff0bf8b-d306-4edf-83c9-7c93444af52d

Part 3 audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3176f458-c2e0-4abd-b83b-a49daf4e9be8

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.html  

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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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FM #508-509-510 - Town Council Mtg - 04/07/21 - (3 part audio)

Pantherbook: Student profiles - Ndoye, Rudolph

 

"In 2018, Ndoumbe Ndoye and several other students created the Diversity Awareness Club to address the negative experiences they had as students of color in Franklin.

Since then, the club has become a prominent one at FHS, meeting on Tuesdays from 3-4 and welcoming all students to become educated on racial issues in the community.

When asked why she felt the need to start the club, Ndoumbe explained, “I experienced many microaggressions and implicit biases growing up, to the point I was never comfortable in my skin and had such low esteem. When the club had started, I could not bare seeing others feel that way about themselves like I did.”

Continue reading the article online

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/04/01/student-spotlight-ndoumbe-ndoye/

"Kate Rudolph, a junior gymnast at Franklin High School, was recently named a Hockomock League All-Star for a second consecutive year. This season, Kate earned top scores of 9.1 on bars, 9.4 on vault, 9.4 on floor, and 9.6 on beam, giving her a high All-Around score of 37.2. One could say she is a huge asset to the high school’s gymnastics team, helping them achieve a 9-0 winning record this year.

Kate began participating in gymnastics when she was just 18 months old after her older sister’s gym opened a Mommy & Me class.  Once she started, she reflects, “I never went back [to my life before gymnastics].”

Continue reading the article online

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/04/08/student-spotlight-kate-rudolph/