Thursday, July 30, 2015

New Member: Rail Good Coffee, LLC

Welcome new Downtown Partnership member Rail Good Coffee, LLC!


Rail Good Coffee, located in the Dean College/Franklin train station, 75 Depot Street. It is open Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Owner Randall Wilhite sells train tickets, grab-and-go food items such as muffins, fresh fruit, snacks, tea, and, of course, coffee. A big seller lately has been the freshly made iced coffee.

 

Besides coffee and food items, Rail Good Coffee stocks the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the Wall Street Journal. Wilhite also keeps a bookshelf filled with a selection of titles train riders can swap or borrow.

As an extra touch of convenience, Wilhite plans to offer fresh flower bouquets on holidays so commuters never miss a holiday such as Executive Assistants Day or Valentine’s Day.

Wilhite is currently hiring. Interested? Contact him at (508) 643-1000, or stop into the depot during regular business hours.

Rail Good Coffee, LLC is on Facebook! Wilhite is currently developing a website.


Traffic Alert: Utility Work Causes Delays on Rt. 140



From the Franklin Police Department:

TRAFFIC ALERT. Due to emergency utility work, expect heavy delays on Rt 140 from Union to Fire HQ. Seek alternate routes for next 24-36 hours.


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Franklin Cultural Festival Kicks Off Wednesday!

Get out and enjoy summertime in Franklin! 

The first annual Franklin Cultural Festival begins Wednesday with The Pumpernickel Puppets at the library at 1 p.m., and Opening Ceremonies on the Town Common at 6 p.m. followed by a performance by Electric Youth. You can also take a Zentangle class at Jane's Frames and catch some one-act plays at The Black Box. 

That's just the beginning! There are too many events planned over the 5-day festival to name each one here. Instead, the Franklin Cultural Festival volunteers have their schedules posted in multiple places so you don't miss a minute of the fun:

The Franklin Cultural Festival website
Screen shot of Festival's website.


The Cultural Festival's Facebook page
Screen shot of Festival's Facebook page. Like it and follow! 


The Cultural Festival's Twitter, @artshappenhere 
Screen shot of Festival's Twitter page


Festival organizers have also produced a brochure









Monday, July 27, 2015

Mark Your Calendar For These Upcoming Events

Franklin Downtown Partnership 
Networking Luncheon
t 1 1:00 p.m.
Dean College Dining Center


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General Meeting
ber8:30 a.m.
Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room

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Franklin Downtown Partnership
Fundraiser Dinner
Tuesday, November 10
More details to come!



Sunday, July 26, 2015

Davis Thayer Modules

Did you see this story in Franklin Matters

Removal of the modular classrooms at Davis Thayer School is a good thing for Downtown Franklin.

Davis Thayer modular units to be removed

The Davis Thayer modular units are supposed to be removed this summer. 
Walking by on Wednesday I saw equipment was being positioned to start 
the work. As this is posted, they may already be gone.

equipment positioned to remove the modular units
equipment positioned to remove the modular units

I went to the recent archive of photos from walking around to capture the 
'old' look. Once they are removed and the ground re-seeded, I'll share some 
photos so we can see the before and after comparison,

Davis Thayer modular units - 1
Davis Thayer modular units - 1

Davis Thayer modular units - 2
Davis Thayer modular units - 2

Davis Thayer modular units - 3
Davis Thayer modular units - 3

Davis Thayer modular units - 4
Davis Thayer modular units - 4
There were 2 classrooms within the modular units as I recall from a tour 
of the school in 2012. I'll go further into the archive to find and share 
photos of the inside.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Franklin Cultural Festival Brochure

The Franklin Cultural Festival organizing committee has created this handy brochure that puts all of the performances, venues and times in one place. Pick one up at the festival July 29 to August 2, or download and print one here

You can also check the master Schedule of Events on the Franklin Cultural Festival's website, and find more information on the group's Facebook page and on Twitter





Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Downtown Streetscape Project Update #7

The latest update from the Town Administrator's office:


July 21, 2015

DownTown Project Update #7 

Work will continue on Main Street replacing the sidewalks near the Town Common as well as finishing Emmons Street and Summer Street sidewalks. They plan to start working on West Central between Emmons and Union Street after that. Work will continue on light poles and traffic light bases.

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

Franklin Cultural Festival - A Few Performances to Look Forward To


The first annual Franklin Cultural Festival will take place the week of July 29 to August 2 at venues all over Franklin, including The Black Box, the Sculpture Garden, the Town Common, and at participating business locations. Here are just a few of the musical performers who will appear at the festival: 



Be sure to visit the Franklin Cultural Festival website, franklincuturalfestival.org, or their Facebook page for a full schedule of performances, events and locations. 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Member Announcements: MA Wellness Tax Credit, Open Mic Night, Luau at The Estate

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce included this in their most recent newsletter: 
Massachusetts Wellness Credits
The Massachusetts Wellness Tax Credit gives small businesses in Massachusetts a state tax credit for having an employee wellness program. Massachusetts businesses that employ 200 or fewer workers may qualify for the tax credit for up to 25% of the cost of implementing a certified wellness program.

To receive certification, businesses must:
  1. Certify the wellness plan by filling out an online application form by December 31, 2015 http://webapps.ehs.state.ma.us/wellnessTaxCredit/Default.aspx
  2. Apply for the tax credit when filing taxes.
 Find more information at www.mass.gov/wellnesstaxcredit 


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The Cake Bar - Open Mic Night this Thursday!
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The Estate at Franklin 


Monday, July 13, 2015

Small Shop Co-Op Meets Thursday, Plans Movie Night


The Small Shop Co-Op is planning a movie night at Beaver Pond on Friday, August 14. Sponsoring businesses will display and sell products before the movie. 

The next Small Shop Co-Op will meet to continue planning for this event this Thursday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the cake bar, 17 E. Central St. Questions? Email Tracie at tracievolunteer@gmail.com.


Thursday, July 9, 2015

Member Announcements: From The Estate at Franklin

Our friends at The Estate at Franklin invite you to two upcoming information sessions:

Friday, July 10























Third Wednesday of the Month






Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Downtown Streetscape Project Update #6

This week's update from the Town Administrator's office.


July 7, 2015

Downtown Project Update #6

Work will continue with sidewalks and curbing from School to Pleasant Street over the next few weeks. 

They anticipate repaving the roadway from the Church to Moore Avenue starting in a few weeks. 

Following that they will mill and overlaying [sic] portions on Emmons street. Following that work will begin on West Central Street. More information will be available for the next update. 

In the meanwhile they will be installing the mast arms for the traffic control at Emmons and West Central and at the Bridge. Further they will continue to install the bases of the street lights. 

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.



Friday, July 3, 2015

Happy Independence Day!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!


Thursday, July 2, 2015

Franklin Again Ranked One of 'Safest Cities'

The Milford Daily News posted this story Wednesday night, citing a ValuePenguin report that ranks Franklin as one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts. 


Franklin tops in another safety ranking

By Matt Tota/Daily News Staff
Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 6:36 PM 
FRANKLIN — Local officials are touting a report from a consumer research company that ranks Franklin as one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts.
Franklin tops the list of safest cities and towns with a population of 20,000 or more people, according to ValuePenguin, which used the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s crime statistics from 2013 to compile its report.
The New York-based research firm looked at property crimes and violent crimes that the town reported to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program for that year. 
"We are pleased to make the top of list for places to live in Massachusetts," Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said in a statement. "This is a testament to the hard work of our police department, fire department and dedicated community officials, as well as our residents, visitors, and business owners."
ValuePenguin broke off the safest cities into three categories based on population. Franklin, with nearly 33,000 residents, fell into the largest category.
The report ranks 237 cities and towns. Shrewsbury is second in the category of safest towns with a population of 20,000 or more.


Click here to read the entire story.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

FDP Members Tops in Readers Choice Awards


The public has voted and the 2015 Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards results are in. Topping many of the categories are Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses! Click here to see the entire list of winners


Congratulations, winners!



Acapulco's Mexican Restaurant

Acorn Animal Hospital

Bamboo House

Big Y World Class Market

Berry Insurance 

Chestnut Dental Associates

CVS Pharmacy

Dean Bank

Digital Federal Credit Union

Elizabeth's Bagels

Ficco's Bowl-a-drome

Fitness Together

Franklin Children's School

Franklin Historical Museum

Franklin Liquors

Franklin Pizza & Deli

Franklin School for the Performing Arts

Hampton Inn, Franklin

Hang Thai

Hockomock Area YMCA

Jane's Frames

Keefe Insurance Agency

Maguro House

Making Whoopie...

Middlesex Savings Bank

Pisini Shoe Store

Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits

Pretty Is Pink

Rick's Restaurant

Rockland Trust

Simon's Furniture

The Adirondack Club

The Cake Bar

The Curry House

The Estate at Franklin

The Rome Restaurant

Tranquil Souls Yoga

Vallee's Jewelers

Van Roon Chiropractic

Vet Med Pet Supplies

Vicario Studio