Cultural District Committee

Franklin Cultural District Committee Minutes of Meeting July 13, 2023 Held as a Virtual Meeting via Remote Access Zoom Platform As stated on the agenda, due to the continued concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, this meeting was conducted as a Remote/Virtual Cultural District Committee meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens were able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number or participate by using the Zoom link provided on the agenda. Members present: Dr. Pandora Carlucci, Vice Chair John LoPresti, Clerk Katherine Botelho, Amy Adams Members not present: Co-Chair Roberta Trahan Also in attendance: Bryan Taberner, Planning and Community Development Director; Stephen Sherlock, Franklin Matters, Marc Arentsen, Dean College School of Dance & School of the Arts Upon achieving quorum with the required minimum of members present, Dr. Carlucci opened the meeting at 7:08 PM Update on MCC CDI Grant Mr. Taberner updated to the Committee on the MCC CDI Grant to say that all invoices have been given to him and have also been paid. He also asked Committee members if they could provide him with photos of things that have happened in the Cultural District this year that he can share. Mr. Taberner added that the Committee had received their $1000 annual funding, and suggested that Committee members start thinking about projects they want to start in the next fiscal year as well as where they want to focus their funds on. Committee Membership Update Vice Chair LoPresti explained how two names have been discussed with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, who has expressed approval of having them be appointed. The two new appointees, Sue Cass and Patrick Conlan, are on the July 19 Town Council agenda to be appointed to the Cultural District Committee. The Committee will then be at full staff once they are appointed. Election of CDC Officers Dr. Carlucci briefed the Committee on the election procedures and then opened up the meeting to nominations for Chair. Vice Chair LoPresti nominated himself for Chair. Seconded by Ms. Adams. Ms. Adams voted Yes. Ms. Botelho voted yes. Vice Chair LoPresti voted Yes. Dr. Carlucci voted Yes. Motion to elect Vice Chair LoPresti to Chair passed 4-0-0. Dr. Carlucci passed the position of Co-Chair/Chair to John LoPresti. Chair LoPresti thanked Dr. Carlucci and Ms. Trahan for their work and leadership as Co-Chairs, and then opened up the meeting to nominations for Vice Chair. 1 Ms. Adams nominated herself for Vice Chair. Seconded by Chair LoPresti. Dr. Carlucci voted Yes. Ms. Adams voted Yes. Ms. Botelho voted Yes. Chair LoPresti voted Yes. Motion to elect Ms. Adams to Vice Chair passed 4-0-0. Chair LoPresti opened up the meeting to nominations for Clerk, and asked Ms. Botelho if she was interested in still being Clerk. Ms. Botelho nominated herself for Clerk. Seconded by Chair LoPresti. Vice Chair Adams voted Yes. Dr. Carlucci voted Yes. Chair LoPresti voted Yes. Motion to elect Ms. Botelho to Clerk passed 3-0-0. Chair LoPresti congratulated Vice Chair Adams and Ms. Botelho for their elections. He then mentioned that he and Dr. Carlucci have been discussing cancelling the Committee’s August meeting and having its next meeting be the Thursday of the third week in September, but said that it would be finalized at the end of the meeting. Franklin Food Pantry Dr. Carlucci told the Committee she had been contacted by Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, inviting them to a tour of the new Food Pantry facility. Alternatively, Tina could come to a Committee meeting and give a presentation. Dr. Carlucci said that she wanted to know what the Committee’s thought were, including whether they would prefer to visit the Food Pantry or have Tina present at a meeting. Chair LoPresti said he believes it is a great idea and would like to tour the facility. There was discussion on how a tour with the whole Committee would constitute a meeting and have to be made available to the public. Dr. Carlucci added that the Food Pantry has a level of confidentiality for people who enter and use the facility that the Committee would have to be mindful of. Chair LoPresti asked that Dr. Carlucci reply back to Tina and see if she would be available to attend the September Committee meeting. Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival Dr. Carlucci told the Committee that the 2023 Harvest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 30 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, with a rain date being Sunday October 1. Registration will open around August 15. The Committee would need to register a booth and have people staff it. Dr. Carlucci added how the Cultural Council has been sharing a booth with the Committee at past festivals, and if the Committee would like to do so again then someone should contact Sarah Cronin. Dr. Carlucci remarked that booth spaces can all be reserved pretty quickly after becoming available, so the Committee should be on top of that since they are planning to cancel their August meeting. Chair LoPresti asked Vice Chair Adams if she would be available to help the booth for a bit, as her painting at her booth last year was a big hit. Vice Chair Adams said she could try, but added that talking with visitors and painting can be difficult to multi-task. She added that she might not be available for the rain date due to other plans. Dr. Carlucci said she would reach out to register the Committee for the Harvest Festival, but added that she would not be available to attend the day of. Next Cultural District Meeting Dates September 21, 2023 7:00 PM 2 Additional Comments Marc Arentsen from Pippin at Dean College announced to the Committee that they are about to release their Performance Season, and there will be promotion of it at the harvest Festival, which may include some possible live performances. They are currently trying to expand their offerings of theatre and musical theatre, and there will be add-ons throughout the academic years. Chair LoPresti remarked that the new Dean President Kenneth Elmore seemed interested in the Cultural District, and suggested that he could come to a Committee meeting to get his perspective on continuing to partner with Dean College going forward. Chair LoPresti mentioned incentives to get Dan students to visit the Cultural District and its Partners, which Marc responded that Dean was in agreement with the idea of forming a stronger connection with the Town of Franklin and blurring the lines between the physical Town and the Dean Campus. Mr. Taberner weighed in to say that joint efforts on marketing the Downtown with Dean were something he hoped the Committee would work towards. The Town currently does not really have the Cultural District as a focus of its marketing efforts right now, but it would be a good thing to do. Dr. Carlucci asked if it is possible to place and ad or note in one of the playbills/programs that would show the Cultural District’s recognition of Dean College’s programs. Marc responded that Dean does not currently do external advertising, but because they are Partners, they could consider something like that. Chair LoPresti also suggested that it could be in the form of a line of support at the beginning or ending of performances at Dean College. Also proposed was the idea of posting a copy of the Newsletter onto Dean’s online communication platform. Adjourn Dr. Carlucci motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Chair LoPresti. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM Respectfully submitted, _________ Tyler Paslaski Administrative Assistant 3