Wednesday, May 31, 2017

June 1, 2017, General Meeting Agenda

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting
Thursday, June 1, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Dean College Campus Center
Golder Room (second floor)


  1. Open Meeting

  1. Adoption of Agenda

  1. Member Introductions

  1. Town Update - Jeff Nutting

  1. FDP Updates - Lisa Piana
    1. Strawberry Stroll
    2. Membership Discounts

  1. FSPA - Raye Lynn Mercer

  1. Small Business Marketing Presentation
                        Michael Carroll, Senior VP, Dean Bank

  1. New Business

  1. Adjourn


2017 Strawberry Stroll Press Release

Downtown Franklin Strawberry Stroll to be Thursday, June 8

Celebrate summer in Franklin with ripe, juicy strawberries and fluffy shortcakes topped with sweet whipped cream while enjoying entertainment, shopping sidewalk sales and checking out classic cars.

Do it all at the 15th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Strawberry Stroll on Thursday, June 8. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m., rain or shine, in downtown Franklin.

People will find activities to enjoy on Main, East and West Central Streets. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the event, something organizers have wanted to make happen for years.


“We are very excited to close Main Street for the first time for the Strawberry Stroll, and we’re bringing in more booths, more music and entertainment, and making more room to enjoy the strawberry shortcakes. We’re planning a lot of great activities for families who can enjoy the Stroll and have easy access to our downtown shops and restaurants,” says Beth Wierling, event co-organizer.

Dean Bank’s staff is serving up the signature Strawberry Shortcakes under the tents in front of the bank, layering more than 800 shortcakes with nearly 200 quarts of berries, sliced and sugared by Dean College, and using dozens of cans of Garelick Farms whipped cream to top off the desserts.

“Dean Bank employees always enjoy serving the shortcakes and we look forward to this event every year,” says co-organizer Jennifer Hurst. “This Stroll is a fun way to meet our customers and their families while giving back to our community. Hopefully we’ll see some nice spring weather to bring out the crowds.”

Music and entertainment can be found in five locations this year.  Jamie Barrett will entertain the crowds at Jane’s Frames. DJ Dominic Cotoia of Music Odyssey Productions will play a mix of popular music in the Main Street lot, and dance pros and students from Fred Astaire Franklin will perform.

Kevin Wolfe and James McCue will play at Pisini Shoes, and Guitarist Andrew Barry, a Berklee College of Music alum, will perform at Dean Bank next to the shortcake booth.

Catch the dance students from Feet In Motion Dance Studio and other entertainers in front of the Post Office, and look for Franklin High School student musicians performing at various locations around town.

On West Central Street, don’t miss the Classic Car Show at the Franklin Historical Museum and THE BLACK BOX. The Museum is also opening its popular Bridal exhibit that night.

The 15th annual Strawberry Stroll is made possible by support from generous local sponsors.

Dean Bank is the Platinum sponsor and Dean College is the Gold sponsor of this event.
Bronze sponsors are Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Franklin Ford, Keefe Insurance and Middlesex Savings Bank.

Friends sponsors are Atria Franklin, Envoy Mortgage, Flynn/Wirkus/Young – Attorneys, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Franklin Historical Museum and Cultural District, Garelick Farms, Jane’s Frames, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, My FM Media, Rescom Exteriors, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & AC, Inc.

There are still openings for businesses or groups that want to participate. Contact Beth Wierling at strawberrystroll@gmail.com for information.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization made up of 240 residents, business owners and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and Holiday Stroll, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.



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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Strawberry Stroll registration deadlines, health permits


The deadline to participate without paying a late fee is this Thursday, May 25. After May 31 no more applications will be accepted. 

All participants need to fill out a participation form in order to reserve a space (even if you are a sponsor or have a store front). 

Send all forms and questions to Beth Wierling, Event Chair, at strawberrystroll@gmail.com.

If you plan to serve food that is not prepackaged and you are not a restaurant, you need to contact Town Hall to secure a health permit. There is a $50 fee for the permit, which you must send to Beth prior to event in order to serve your food product.



Monday, May 22, 2017

Strawberry Stroll Poster


Download your poster here



Monday, May 1, 2017

Downtown Beautification Day May 20 - Volunteers Wanted!

Volunteers Wanted for May 20 Downtown Beautification Day

A lot of April showers are sure to bring May flowers, which is perfect timing for the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club’s annual Beautification Day in downtown Franklin and the Town Common on Saturday, May 20.

Dozens of volunteers are needed this year to help plant the flowers and greenery on the downtown bridge and in barrels in front of businesses. The event will go on rain or shine.

Community service hours are available to high school sports teams, scout groups and students needing volunteer opportunities. Contact Beautification Day Chairperson Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to sign up.

Volunteers with trucks are also needed to help pick up a few trays of flowers at 7 a.m. at Fairmount Fruit Farm, 887 Lincoln St.

“Special thanks to Barry Madden of Franklin Ford for his generous donation of a pickup truck for the day’s activities,” says Mason. “I’d also like to thank Melanie Hamblen of Franklin Agway for volunteering her time and truck.”

Helpers can grab their garden gloves and meet Mason at 8 a.m. in the small commuter parking lot on West Central Street near Central Pizza and Hair Mania. Work is expected to wrap up by 11 a.m., or earlier if there are more volunteers.

“Our theme this year is patriotic red, white and blue, and all the plants are drought resistant,” says Mason. “The displays will give downtown Franklin a fresh and welcoming look and be a colorful finishing touch to the streetscape project.”

The Town is planning to incorporate additional plantings on the center island later this spring to add even more visual appeal.

Beautification Day is the result of a full year of planning, growing, maintaining and improving the summer and winter displays. Local businesses generously support the ongoing project without getting their hands dirty unless they want to.

D.G. Ranieri Real Estate and Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty are the Gold sponsors this year. Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp., Emma’s Quilt Cupboard & Sewing Center, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Charles F. Oteri & Son Funeral Home are Silver sponsors. Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLP, Flynn|Wirkus|Young - Attorneys, John S. Marini of Marini Construction, and Tom Fricker Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. are Bronze sponsors.


To inquire about sponsorship or learn more about the event, please contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.