Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Roy Seeks Funds for Horace Mann Statue, Park

In his April 2015 newsletter, State Representative Jeff Roy announced that included in the FY16 budget that the House passed this spring is $50,000 in state funding for the Horace Mann statue and park. The budget still has to pass the Senate. 

The statue and park will occupy 1,000 square feet at the corner of Emmons and West Central street in downtown Franklin. Last week the Town Council appointed a planning committee, which includes FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana, to oversee the project. Click here to read more about the committee. 

The corner of Emmons and West Central streets;
future site of the Horace Mann statue and park. 

Below is a Milford Daily News story from May 11 about the planning efforts so far:

Franklin: Rep Roy seeks funds for Horace Mann statue

FRANKLIN — State Rep. Jeffrey Roy hopes to secure $50,000 for the town to use toward building a sculpture and small gathering place dedicated to Horace Mann, the state’s first secretary of education and an influential reformer who laid the groundwork for the country’s public schools system. 
Roy, D-Franklin, pushed through an amendment to the state’s $38 billion budget - passed by the House last month - providing the funding for a “Horace Mann Park” on the corner of Emmons Street. Now the Senate must debate and pass the budget. 
Born on a small farm in Franklin in 1796, Horace Mann is often referred to as “The Father of American Education." In 1837, Mann was elected secretary of the state’s Board of Education, according to the Massachusetts Historical Society; he would later help establish the first normal public schools in the United States, in Bridgewater and Lexington. 
The tiny park was envisioned during the negotiations last year to sell the town-owned property at 150 Emmons St. 
When Franklin developer Roger Calarese finally purchased the parcel in January, he agreed to grant the town a roughly 1,000 square-foot easement for the sculpture and surrounding green space. 
Roy’s office had been in touch with Concord artist Bob Shure, who designed the Benjamin Franklin statue at the town's library, to determine what it might cost to build a Horace Mann sculpture. 
“He (Shure) provided us with several alternative designs and some cost information to assist with the budget amendment,” Roy explained. 
Roy has long supported the idea of a statue honoring Mann — similar to the one erected in 1865 that graces the Statehouse's south lawn. 
“It’s nice to see that this dream is getting closer to reality,” he said. 
According to an early history of Franklin published in 1878, townspeople regarded Mann as a famous native son. Written by Mortimer Black, “A History of the Town of Franklin Mass.” includes an excerpt from Mann’s personal journal, penned after he became secretary of education. 
“I now stand in a new relation to the world,” Mann wrote. “Hence-forth, as long as I hold this office, I devote myself to the supremest welfare of mankind upon earth." 
Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattTotaMDN.

Piana Appointed to Statue Committee

Lisa Piana, Executive Director of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, has been appointed to the committee tasked with design and construction of a park and Horace Mann statue at the corner of Emmons and West Central streets. 



Here is the story by Matt Tota of the Milford Daily News

Franklin committee to oversee statue work
FRANKLIN — The Town Council has named seven residents to serve on a committee to oversee the building of a sculpture and small park on the corner of Emmons Street. 
Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri, Charles Oteri, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Historical Commission member Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, council member Robert Dellorco and council member Tom Mercer will together draft the plans for a sculpture depicting Horace Mann, an education reformer born on a small farm in Franklin in 1796. 
The statue and humble park surrounding it were decided on during the negotiations last year to sell the town-owned property at 150 Emmons St. When Franklin developer Roger Calarese purchased the property in January, he agreed to grant the town a roughly 1,000 square-foot easement at the front of the parcel. 
Roy, D-Franklin, hopes to secure state funds for the project. He pushed forward an amendment to the House budget granting the town $50,000 for a “Horace Mann Park." 
The amendment will be among the items reviewed by a Legislature conference committee tasked with working out the differences between the Senate budget passed last week and the version passed by the House in April. 
Roy’s office has reached out to Concord artist Bob Shure - designer of the Benjamin Franklin statue at the town's library - to see how much a similar-size sculpture would cost. 
Mann is often revered as “The Father of American Education." In 1837, he was elected secretary of the state’s Board of Education, according to the Massachusetts Historical Society. He would later help establish the first normal public schools in the United States, in Bridgewater and Lexington. 
Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.

Main Street Construction Continues

Drainage work continues this week. Main Street is closed between Emmons and School again today. 





Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day 2015

Remembering those who sacrificed 
everything for our freedoms.



Sunday, May 24, 2015

Franklin Memorial Day Parade Links

Many thanks to Franklin Matters for the Franklin Memorial Day Parade information. To see the entire route and schedule post click here.

The Parade will begin at the Franklin Fire Station at 10:45 a.m.


Parade Route:

The 2015 Memorial Day Parade route will begin at the Franklin Fire Station and proceed up Main St to Church St. The parade will no longer go down School St, Union St, or Beaver St. The parade will not stop at Union St or St Mary's Cemetery's (Ceremonies at both locations are scheduled to occur before the parade itself.)


Friday, May 22, 2015

2015 Strawberry Stroll Sign-up, Map

There is still time for businesses to participate in our 2015 Strawberry Stroll! Contact Nicole Fortier today at nfortier@deanbank.com to sign up no later than today.

Here's the Strawberry Stroll map, provided by Franklin Local Town Pages. The map will appear in the June 1 issue of the Local Town Pages (check your mailbox!) and at the Stroll on June 11. Click here to download a copy.





Networking Opportunity Next Thursday

A message from FDP member The Estate at Franklin:


Share this:    
Brookdale - Senior Living Solutions
For those who appreciate the finer things in life. Wine & Cheese Networking Reception.
Expand your palate and your network at our Wine & Cheese Networking Reception. Sample a variety of fine wines and cheeses, connect with professional colleagues and tour our community. It's a great way to unwind at the end of the day and to learn how we can help you serve your clients well.
Thursday, May 28  |  5:30 to 7 p.m.
Join us for wine sampling, mingling and fun.
Discover why Brookdale communities are such exceptional places to live.
For reservations, or to schedule your personal visit,
call (508) 520-1150 by May 27

The Estate at Franklin
Assisted Living  |  Alzheimer's & Dementia Care 
656 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038



Thursday, May 21, 2015

2015 Strawberry Stroll Flyer

We're less than a month away from the Franklin Strawberry Stroll!

Want to print this flyer? Click here to download



Wednesday, May 20, 2015

State House Update on Sick Time Law Penalties

The State House News Service put out this update today:



STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS - MORNING EDITION - WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
 
SENATE REJECTS DELAY IN EARNED SICK TIME PENALTIES

Senators on Tuesday voted 10-28 to rebuff an attempt to delay the implementation of penalties in the earned sick time law voters approved in November. 

Sen. Don Humason (R-Westfield) offered an amendment to the fiscal 2016 budget that delays penalties for violations of the law until January. Humason said his aim was to protect employers and give them a chance to comply with the law, while allowing people to still accumulate earned sick time. Sen. Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth), said many small companies do not have the resources or legal staff to process the law, which goes into effect on July 1

"The goal of the amendment is as long as they're not willfully skirting the law they will not be charged treble damages," deMacedo said. 

Attorney General Maura Healey's office has proposed regulations to accompany the law and on Monday proposed a provision that calls for a transition period for employers with existing earned sick time policies. Sen. Dan Wolf (D-Harwich) said he had spoken with Healey's office. Officials told him that they are on a "good path" with the regulations, and an amendment like Humason's would "cloud the water," he said. 

Four Democrats joined the six-member Republican caucus in supporting the amendment - Sens. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), Michael Moore (D-Millbury), Jennifer Flanagan (D-Leominster), and Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport). 

- Gintautas Dumcius/SHNS
 
-END-
5/20/2015
Serving the working press since 1910
http://www.statehousenews.com


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

A Patriotic Beautification Display

Volunteers helped the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club plant beautiful red, white and blue flowers and greenery on the downtown bridge, in planters in front of numerous businesses and in the memorial gardens on the Town Common Saturday morning.



According to Eileen Mason, the Beautification Day chairperson, the patriotic theme to this year's flowers honors our American service men and women.

We would like to thank Eileen and all the volunteers for creating such a beautiful display!

We can't forget our sponsors, without whom we would not have been able to offer such a warm welcome to Franklin:  

Franklin Ford - Silver Sponsor
Middlesex Savings Bank - Silver Sponsor
Simon's Furniture - Bronze Sponsor

The watering system for the bridge was turned on Saturday.




Sponsorship helps us create welcoming displays year round. Would you like to contribute? Follow these links for more information.









Monday, May 18, 2015

Streetscape Construction This Week

Main Street is closed for most of this week.
Main Street is closed again between Emmons Street and School Street (in front of Dean College and the Franklin Public Library). 

According to a representative from Walsh Construction, the road probably will be closed for most of this week while crews install drainage pipes under the road. 

Please use caution while traveling through downtown and neighborhood streets.

We expect another Town of Franklin update on Tuesday, May 19, with more streetscape information.

Networking Committee Created, Luncheon Planned

Dear Members:

Dave Drucker of Dean College and Gary Donelan of Middlesex Savings Bank will be co-chairing the Downtown Partnership’s Networking Committee.  The charge of this committee will revolve around networking opportunities along with speakers and presentations at Franklin Downtown Partnership meetings.

Based upon feedback at previous meetings and the results of our recent survey, you have indicated that this would be beneficial for our members. We also know that there is wealth of knowledge and expertise among our members. We invite you to share your ideas on topics of interest and whether you would like to present on a specific area in an upcoming meeting.  Speakers and topics will be selected with special emphasis given to member suggestions as our goal is to provide insight and tools to help your respective businesses grow.

In addition, our next Networking Luncheon will be Friday, August 14th at 1:00 at Dean College's Smith Dining Center.  This is a terrific opportunity to articulate the benefits of your business and engage in a lively dialogue with area business representatives.

New committee members and ideas are always welcome, so if you are interested please feel free to contact either Dave, ddrucker@dean.edu, or Gary,  GARY.DONELAN@middlesexbank.com.  

The Committee looks forward to hearing from you in the near future regarding presentation topics and ideas.


Thursday, May 14, 2015

Franklin Food Pantry Donations Reach New Heights

Great work, Franklin! Impressive news from the Franklin Food Pantry:

Franklin Letter Carriers’ Food Drive a Record-breaking Success
Postal workers deliver 4.5 tons of food to the Franklin Food Pantry
FRANKLIN, Ma –The Franklin letter carriers collected more than 9,229 pounds of food from area residents and delivered it to the Franklin Food Pantry on May 9 in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The amount is more than double last year’s record of 4,585 pounds of food that was donated by residents and picked up by postal workers during normal mail rounds. 
Franklin letter carriers delivered more than 4 and a half tons of food collected from community members to the Franklin Food Pantry on May 9 in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The record 9,229 pounds of food was more than double last year’s tally of 4,585 pounds.
Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting almost 73 million pounds of food last year. 
“We were completely overwhelmed by the amount of food and household necessities we received this year,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “The generosity of this community and the outpouring of support are truly heartwarming. We are so thankful for the hard work of the postal carriers, the kindness of our neighbors, and the help of so many volunteers on that day. Many people in our community were engaged in making this effort such a success.”  
Part of the success of this year’s drive was due to yellow Stamp Out Hunger bags that were placed in residents’ mailboxes as a reminder to put out their food donations. The postal workers were thrilled to see the impact that resulted – double the amount of donations over last year.  
Postmaster Mike Catalano and wife Lauren came out to the event to show support and lend a hand in unloading the trucks. “We are really honored to be a part of such a worthwhile cause,” said Catalano. “I was so proud to see our trucks arrive overflowing with food donations. The letter carriers gladly worked twice as hard this year to help families in need in Franklin. What a great community to be a part of.” Catalano said that Franklin letter carrier and Stamp Out Hunger coordinator Rich Maloney was instrumental in organizing such a successful drive this year. 
Franklin letter carrier Rich Maloney organized this year’s record-breaking Stamp Out Hunger food drive, part of a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry executive director, and Mike Catalano, Franklin Postmaster, lend a hand in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive for the Franklin Food Pantry.
During Saturday’s food drive, the fleet of mail trucks was greeted by dozens of Pantry volunteers who unloaded the trucks, weighed the bags, sorted items and stacked them on shelves. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive helps replenish the Pantry’s inventory that has been depleted of its donations received during its busiest time of the year, the November/December holiday season. 
# # #


For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry go to www.franklinfoodpantry.org or find them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Strawberry Stroll: Sponsorship, Booth & Entertainment Info

Serving up scrumptious Shortcakes at the 2014 Strawberry Stroll 
Strawberry Stroll Reminders:

Sponsorship:
If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor for the June 11th Strawberry Stroll please e-mail us at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com this week if have not done so already.  We want to include you in all press materials and on the posters!

Booth:
If you are interested in participating in the stroll and would like a booth,  please make sure you have contacted Nicole Fortier, our event chairperson, and have sent in your participation form so she can reserve space for you.  Her e-mail is nfortier@deanbank.com.

Entertainment: 
If you will be having entertainment at your business location or know someone who would like to perform at the stroll please contact Nicole at nfortier@deanbank.com this week.

Here are links to the necessary forms:

 


Happy Spring.
Get ready for Summer!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Downtown Streetscape Project Update #3

This week's update from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting:

May 12, 2015

Downtown Project Update #3

The contractor is finishing up placing drainage structures in the Downtown this week.

They are also working in front of Dean College on drainage. Next week they will begin to bring on another crew and start reclaiming at the intersection of Pleasant and Main Street and work toward Dean College.

They are still planning to bring in a small crew to install street light bases in about 50 locations.

They anticipate they can install four or five light bases a day so it will take 2 to 3 weeks once they begin.

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or my office at 508-520-4949. 

Crews will begin reclamation work on Main at Pleasant Street next week

Crews will reclaim Main Street, working their way toward Dean College.


May 16 Beautification Day Reminder

We invite you to volunteer this Saturday to help make the downtown center look beautiful.  Please Contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net or just come to the center of town. 

We are still in need of sponsorships to offset the cost of the flowers.
Details below:

Franklin Beautification Day to be May 16
Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club and help add a colorful touch of spring to downtown and the Town Common on Saturday, May 16.
Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help with the 12th annual Beautification Day from 9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. This year’s color scheme honors American service men and women.
Residents interested in volunteering, especially students in need of community service hours, should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant.
Sponsors and donations are needed to help cover costs associated with the beautification committee’s year-round efforts. Tax-exempt donations help with planning, installation, and maintenance of the spring plantings and holiday decorations.

For as little as $150 businesses or residents can sponsor the group’s efforts. All sponsors will receive acknowledgement in the local papers and on the Partnership’s website and social media.

Here are our Sponsorship forms: 


Cultural Festival Kick-Off This Saturday

Our Friends at the Franklin Cultural District are holding a kick-off 
evening on Saturday, May 16, at the Black Box. 

The following is from their webpage: 

Come join us on May 16, as we kick-off the first annual Franklin 
Cultural Festival. Relax with friends of the arts and enjoy desserts 
well as a cash bar, and music from FPAC’s Acme Jazz Trio.

The night will highlight some snippets of several of the performances 
and demonstrations that will be featured during the festival in July.


Your $18 ticket will help offset the costs associated with the Cultural 
Festival and will give you a great evening. Your support of this effort 
is appreciated.














Where:     THE BLACK BOX, 15 Main St, Franklin, MA
When:      8:00 PM on May 16, 2015


The Franklin Cultural Festival has launched a Go Fund Me page to 
help offset costs of the event. You can donate on their webpage, 
www.franklinculturalfestival.org.
You can also follow the festival on Facebook, 
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival.