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.