Sunday, November 12, 2023

FPAC to Present Hilarious Comedy Buyer & Cellar Starring Paul Rescigno - Nov 17-19

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will continue their 2023-24 season with the hilarious comedy Buyer & Cellar starring Paul Rescigno November 17-19 at THE BLACK BOX. Directed by Nick Paone.  

Alex Moore has a story to tell. A struggling actor in L.A., he takes a job working in the Malibu basement of a beloved megastar. One day, the Lady Herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs? Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs. Winner of the 2014–2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show.
Paul Rescigno
Paul Rescigno


Paul Rescigno is a Los Angeles based actor who has previously performed on the FPAC stage in Something Rotten! (Nigel), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster 2), and Sweeney Todd (Pirelli). He has written for The Late Show with David Letterman and appeared on TV in The Resident (FOX), The Other Two (HBO Max), Odd Mom Out (Bravo), Late Show with David Letterman (CBS), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon), Black Box (ABC). His theater credits include Boats And…, The Boys From Syracuse, and The Comedy of Errors. Rescigno studied at Shakespeare's Globe in London and holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University. Along with his twin brother Robbie, he writes and performs their award-winning comedy show The Rescignos.

FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local artists, and students of the arts. Later this season, FPAC will present Bright Star, an immersive Tarzan starring Broadway’s original Tarzan Josh Strickland, and August: Osage County. 

Content Warning: Buyer & Cellar contains some strong language. Buyer & Cellar runs November 17-19 at THE BLACK BOX. For tickets and more information, visit FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370.

Franklin TV: Programs? Of Course.

Where Do Program Ideas Come From?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/12/2023

Yesterday began much like any other extraordinary day at the office. I arrived and found Citizen Frank (Falvey). “Hey, Frank. How’s it goin’?”

I sat. Two guys – talking shop. A collective meandering muse.

We talked about past programs and guests; some of the interviews that Frank has done; our mission as a public access TV channel and radio station. (Which Citizen Frank has contributed to mightily for decades). ‘Citizen Frank’ is my nod to his dedication to the cause as a volunteer, and that honorific embodies what we are about – Frank is citizen TV, writ large.

Our shared musing moved from interview techniques to our larger role as a public access channel – for everyone. Regular program producers and hosts like Frank provide a public service; a supportive platform that makes it possible for other citizens to tell their stories as guests engaged in easy conversation.

Frank and I; just relaxing in the lobby; having our own easy conversation that segued (like a lateral arabesque?) from ‘interviews’ to ‘newsworthy’; expanding to ‘press passes’; to that unwritten tension between first responders and the media.

Then – “We should discuss that topic on ‘More Perfect Union’.” Frank said it. I heard it. A knee-jerk ‘Yes’ clicked in my head.
Of course.

Then, Frank’s guests arrived. Bo and Ken are local musicians. Frank and I gave them a tour of the studio while we discussed what we do; how we do it; how their program can come together.

Then, back in the lobby – more conversation – more musing, and I offered to Bo & Ken that I was planning musical programs for 2024. We could record an album – a CD – as a one-hour TV program in our larger studio.

Of course.

Have an idea for your own program? Of course. Call us. 508-541-4118. 

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   

FHS field hockey wins to advance to D1 Final 4

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports playoff competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, Nov 11, 2023.

Boys Soccer - Division 1 = #10 Franklin, 0 @ #2 Needham, 3 – Final

The MIAA bracket for D1 boys soccer


Girls Soccer - Division 1 = #6 Franklin, 0 @ #3 Hopkinton, 1 – Final 
– Johanna Dupont’s deflected strike against the run of play turned out to be enough for the unbeaten Hillers to secure a place in the Final Four. Franklin had the slight edge in possession in the opening half but struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances. Kelly O’Connor and Morgan Lovell each had shots from distance that were saved but nothing inside the box. After half an hour, Dupont picked up a pocket of space about 25 yards from goal and her shot took a heavy deflection before sliding just inside the post. In the second half, Franklin went searching for an equalizer. O’Connor ran onto a through ball from Lovell, getting a toe on it to knock it by the keeper but also just wide of the post. Selene Hammad had a shot from 20 yards saved and Anya Zub’s strike from the edge of the box went narrowly over. In the 56th minute, Hammad met Cassidy Carmignani’s corner with a powerful header that Aila Chase managed to stop on the line. The Franklin players insisted that the ball had crossed the goal line, but the official waved away their protests. Olivia Costa would also get a chance with five minutes to go, but again the shot stayed the wrong side of the post and the Hillers were able to see out the win.


The MIAA bracket for D1 girls soccer

Field Hockey - Division 1 = #5 Acton-Boxboro, 0 @ #4 Franklin, 3 – Final


The MIAA bracket for D1 field hockey

For other results around the league (subscription required)

FHS Panther sports results shared via subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS Cross Country results from MIAA Division 1 Meet - Nov 11, 2023

MIAA Division 1 Cross Country Tournament

Gardner Municipal Golf Course, Eaton Street, Gardner, MA, USA

Shared from the overall results -> https://firsttimeout.anet.live/meets/28865 



FHS Cross Country Team Scores

14 Boys 5k Run Division 1A 421 46 88 93 95 99 113 123

12 Girls 5k Run Division 1A 341 29 66 69 84 93 98 100


Boys 5k (Division 1A)

46 Jonathan Pink +46pts • Yr: 11 17:25.74

88 Jason Huff +88pts • Yr: 12 18:16.63

93 Tucker Morin +93pts • Yr: 10 18:26.92

95 Jack Halter +95pts • Yr: 11 18:27.75

99 Joshua Diehl +99pts • Yr: 12 18:37.87

113 Tyler Anderson +113pts • Yr: 10 19:01.39

124 Andrew Scotland +123pts • Yr: 10 19:30.84


Girls 5k (Division 1A)

29 Alexandra Batla +29pts • Yr: 12 20:25.05

67 Fiona Morrison +66pts • Yr: 11 21:45.69

70 Abigail Baker +69pts • Yr: 11 21:53.50

85 Emma Pruitt +84pts • Yr: 11 22:29.93

94 Carli Walbert +93pts • Yr: 11 22:58.13

99 Katie Sweeney +98pts • Yr: 12 23:12.33

101 Emily Matteson +100pts • Yr: 12 23:15.35



Meet result link shared from Coach Bailey's Twitter  account ->   https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1723351366280544475

Picture from the start of today’s race. Congrats again to all the athletes that competed at divisionals today
Picture from the start of today’s race. Congrats again to all the athletes that competed at divisionals today

Franklin Downtown Partnership coordinates the "Count on me" Challenge

visit the butterfly mural
visit the butterfly mural
"The Franklin Downtown Partnership, in collaboration with @escape_into_fiction and @birchwoodbakeryandkitchen and local artist Amy Adams (@paintingvenus_ ) bring to you a fun, interactive contest!! 
Simply visit the butterfly mural across from Birchwood Bakery, count the butterflies and submit your answer as to how many you see for your chance to win a warm drink and a book!  
The perfect cozy combo for the cooler days to come!  
Entries due by 11/22!"
Shared from -> 

Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 15, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. SWEARING IN OF TOWN COUNCIL

2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

3. ADOPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL PROCEDURES MANUAL
a. Resolution 23-60: Adoption of the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-60 - Majority Vote)

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three 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.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. October 18, 2023

7. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission
i. Cynthia Garboski

8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
 
a. Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038
i. License Transaction #9a

9. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

10. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department
i. Legislation for Action #9f
b. Discussion: Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Ethics and Conducting a Public Meeting - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

11. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION -
a. Resolution 23-58: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY24 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-58 - Majority Vote)
b. Resolution 23-59: Stormwater Enterprise Fund Appropriation Reduction FY24
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-59 - Majority Vote)
c. Bylaw Amendment 23-903: A Bylaw to Amend the code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading
(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-903 to a Second Reading)
d. Bylaw Amendment 23-902: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by Inserting Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - First Reading
(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-902 to a Second Reading - ⅔ Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 23-61: 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-61 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 23-62: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,000)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-62 - Majority Vote)
g. Resolution 23-63: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,975)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-63 - Majority Vote)
h. Resolution 23-64: Establishment by Town Council of Subcommittee for Town Administrator Evaluation (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-64 - Majority Vote)
i. Resolution 23-65: Establishment by Town Council of Subcommittee for Review of Rules of Procedure of the Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-65 - Majority Vote)

12. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

13. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. Master Plan Committee
e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
f. Police Station Building Committee
g. GATRA Advisory Board
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

15. COUNCIL COMMENTS

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

17. ADJOURN

Agenda doc and additional docs released for this meeting ->


Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting
Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting

121 Grove Street - ZBA schedules public hearing on Comprehensive Permit - Nov 30

FRANKLIN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public/remote hearing on November 30, 2023 at 7:30pm via Zoom Platform. Please go to Franklinma.gov to view meeting access under ZBA Agenda.

Time: 7:30pm
Applicant: Fairfield Grove Street LLC
Address of Subject Property: 121 Grove Street (Map 294, Lot 007 and Map 295, Lot 001)
Zoning District: Industrial
Petition Type: Comprehensive Permit
Zoning By-Law Sections: N/A

Reason for Denial: Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 330 unit multi-family development. The building permit is denied without a Comprehensive Permit from the ZBA. An Appeal from the decision of the Board of Appeals may be made by any person aggrieved pursuant to MGL Chap. 40A, Section 17 as amended, within twenty (20) days after the date of the filing of the notice of decision with the City Clerk. 

All records and files for this project can be viewed in the Building Department on the 1st floor of the Franklin Municipal Building during regular business hours. Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals: (508) 520-4926. Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded the opportunity to be heard. The hearing is accessible to persons with physical disabilities.


Note: This development proposal should bring in some "affordable" housing and the Town Council earlier this year turned down the opportunity to work with this as a "friendly 40b". The meeting summary can be found here ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/town-council-ratifies-master-plan.html


121 Grove Street - ZBA schedules public hearing on Comprehensive Permit - Nov 30
121 Grove Street - ZBA schedules public hearing on Comprehensive Permit - Nov 30

Boston Globe: "At a Worcester workshop, designers improvise with fabric, plastic, and metal to ease life for people with disabilities"

"Walkers and wheelchairs with missing parts or improvised upgrades crowd the floor of the workshop on the outskirts of Worcester.

At the facility, one of four Assistive Technology Centers run by the state, designers and technicians customize and adapt equipment, from shower chairs to iPads, to make them safer, more comfortable, or easier to use for people with developmental disabilities. The solutions can be as complicated as rebuilding a motorized chair, or as basic as laminating a cardboard box, as one of the adaptive equipment designers, Gabrielle Reis, discovered during weeks of trial and error as she attempted to build a tray for a wheelchair.

“Some of the hardest situations have some of the easiest solutions,” said Reis, 30, of Boston.

Massachusetts is among the few states with facilities dedicated to devising creative solutions to accommodate the unique needs of people with developmental disabilities, according to officials with the state’s Department of Developmental Services, or DDS. About $2 million is budgeted annually for the program, though it has other funding sources, including insurance payments and donations."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
Worcester is home to one of four “innovation centers” run by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where technicians can build and invent adaptive equipment to help people with disabilities. Technician Joey Watt works on a donated wheelchair, which will be rehabbed with parts from another wheelchair that allow the seat to be angled backward and forward. JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF
Worcester is home to one of four “innovation centers” run by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where technicians can build and invent adaptive equipment to help people with disabilities. Technician Joey Watt works on a donated wheelchair, which will be rehabbed with parts from another wheelchair that allow the seat to be angled backward and forward. JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAF