Escape into Fiction to open an indoor market space on weekends beginning March 11

"We are announcing the Second Phase of Escape so to Fiction #bookstore is ready to start scheduling!! Escape Into Fiction Indoor Market

We will be scheduling 3 vender booths for weekend placement with the first day March 11. You can request 1, 2 or 3 days. Please go to our website www.escapeintofiction.com for all of the details and how to reach out.

We are very excited about this phase of the store!! It will bring new product and people into the #Franklin downtown, and best of all it’s inside!"

Shared from :https://www.facebook.com/100063476202969/posts/375139797945224/

indoor market space for 3 vendors

Main St sign for "Escape Into Fiction"

Escape Into Fiction announces lease agreement for Main St space

Escape Into Fiction (@EscapeIntoFictn) tweeted Tue, Dec 14, 2021:

We want to spread the word! With all of the support from #franklin and success of the #popupshop in #franklinma, We have secured a lease for our new permanent #bookstore!! 

More news to come as we close out the year!! 

#shoplocal #shopsmallbusiness #franklinmassachusetts #OnMainSt https://t.co/AWIHG4HsB0

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/EscapeIntoFictn/status/1470828305142235141

Escape Into Fiction announces lease agreement for Main St space

Franklin Downtown Partnership Prepares for Harvest Festival - October 2, 2021

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is making plans for its 18th annual Harvest Festival, a family-fun community event, scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021.

The Harvest Festival will be held in downtown Franklin from noon to 5 PM on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, and Depot Street, as well as the large parking area behind Rockland Bank. The event’s rain date is Sunday, October 3. 

During the event, visitors will be treated to exciting local entertainment, delicious fall flavors from local restaurants, fun kid crafts and activities, shop specials, artwork and crafts by area artisans and helpful information from community groups and vendors. There will also be an Oktoberfest featuring local breweries and wineries.

"We’re thrilled to be able to bring back the Harvest Festival this year after last year’s COVID-imposed break,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival chairperson. “The Harvest Festival is a great opportunity to invite people to gather downtown, learn more about local businesses and organizations, and catch up with their neighbors.”

Registration for vendor booth spaces will open on Aug 10, 2021, and organizers expect booth space to sell out. Partnership members receive a booth for free; non-members pay $125. Downtown businesses must register to ensure store-front space. Booths are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Please add a $35 late fee if you register after September 15. Registration will close on September 20. Email Chris Peterson, Harvest Festival vendor relations coordinator, at fdpevent@gmail.com with questions about the event.

The Partnership also welcomes businesses to help support the Harvest Festival. Sponsor forms are posted on the website, or business owners can contact the office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. Harvest Festival sponsors can promote and advertise their business while supporting the Harvest Festival. Sponsors get prominent booth locations and publicity prior, during and after the event.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 300 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Learn more about the Partnership at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. 

 

Planning underway for Franklin Harvest Festival - Oct 2

Franklin Residents: Road construction alert for work on 140/Main St in Norfolk

"The Town of Norfolk will begin roadwork on Main Street (beginning at the Franklin town line), which will impact traffic for Franklin. This work is projected to begin Monday, August 10th. Please see the attached map for detour information."

Franklin Residents: Road construction alert for work on 140/Main St in Norfolk

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1287827718621614081?s=09

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Strawberry Stroll - June 14, 2019

The Franklin Downtown Partnership’s annual Strawberry Stroll is scheduled in downtown Franklin on Friday, June 14 and is expected to be the largest Stroll in its 17-year history. Come to the family-fun event and enjoy live bands, sidewalk sales and activities from 4 PM to 8 PM Main Street and Dean Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic during the Strawberry Stroll. The rain date is Saturday, June 15.

Franklin Downtown Partnership:
Strawberry Stroll - June 14, 2019

“The Strawberry Stroll is our opportunity to invite people to come together downtown and have fun experiencing the local businesses throughout our community that are unique to this area,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and event chairperson. “The mix of activities, crafters and entertainment we have for this year’s festival will make this community event special for all ages, while showcasing what shopping and dining downtown offers.”

For the first time, the FDP is inviting residents to wear straw hats to the Stroll to honor Franklin’s straw hat manufacturing history!

For the second year in a row, Dean Bank has organized Dancing on Dean, a fun dance party featuring two local bands: Matt Zajac and The Northeast Groove.

Read all the details of the Strawberry Stroll here 
https://files.constantcontact.com/ceff47be401/1ca5267a-4ba9-42a6-a728-39b90f317aef.pdf

and view the performance schedule here
https://files.constantcontact.com/ceff47be401/214b2b97-14b6-4358-8f35-1395c2d71e85.pdf

On this date: Mar 8, 2013: Downtown Project finally getting to bid

Stepping back into the archives for March 8, 2013 we find that the Downtown Project is about to go to bid in the fall. Yes, hard to believe is has already re-routed traffic for a couple of years now. It took a while to prepare for and really didn't take that long to complete once it started.

------

The Downtown Project is making some planning progress as reported in the Milford Daily News:

"Almost ten years in the making, the project aims to bring business back to the heart of town, in part through several cosmetic and safety improvements. 

Construction — slated to begin next fall after the project goes out to bid in August — will include: converting one-way traffic on Main Street and West Central Street to two-way; fixing roadways and sidewalks; upgrading lighting; and installing interconnected traffic signals and calming devices. 

With a total length of more than a mile, the work, the bulk of which should wrap up in the spring of 2014, will encompass a large swath of the downtown."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433793532/Franklin-plans-for-downtown-improvement-project#ixzz2MwW3XNm8

Additional information on the project can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/downtown-project.html

The post from March 8, 2013
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/how-construction-would-affect-businesses.html

updated lane markings were part of the Downtown Project finish work

In the News: table games make a return; state revenue collection declines in Dec

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Table games make a return

"In a garage dubbed “The Ice House,” NewsMan the gnome was attempting to prove his worth as part of the guild. To prove his worthiness, NewsMan started a brawl in the guild’s courtyard. 

He managed to knock out Buckland Rogers, the human fighter, but soon met his match against a mysterious cloaked figure. Meanwhile Faelar the Unwanted, a half-giant, cast a few spells that fell weak in comparison to Morduso, warlock of the Raven Queen’s attacks from above. 

In other words, Dungeons & Dragons - aka, “D & D” - along with countless other table games, are back and more popular than ever, drawing people old and young away from the game consoles and into their own imaginations. 

According to David Gallagher, senior director of communications at online startup Kickstarter, board games are definitely back in style. Independent companies have found Kickstarter to be a prized outlet to release their unique games and help fund the manufacturing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190106/table-games-make-grand-return

Pete’s Nerds Emporium has opened on Main St in Franklin

More signs of a downturn appear

"Add plunging state tax collections to a list of concerns that has recently grown to include a volatile stock market, rising interest rates and increasing talk about when the next recession may hit. 

Tax receipts for December alone missed the monthly benchmark by more than half a billion dollars, erasing months of above-benchmark collections and leaving collections $108 million behind their targets midway through fiscal 2019, according to data released late Friday by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 

Income tax estimated payments totaled just $121 million for December, $542 million or 81.7 percent below benchmark and $575 million or 82.6 percent below December 2017. 

“We underestimated the shift of estimated payments from December into January. Early indications are that other states may be having a similar experience,” Revenue Commissioner Christopher Harding said in a statement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190106/states-tax-haul-plunges-in-december

Franklin Residents: Traffic & Parking Alert for Strawberry Festival - Jun 8

Downtown Franklin Street Closures June 8

Please note that on Friday, June 8, Main Street, Dean Avenue, and Depot Street in downtown Franklin will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Strawberry Stroll from 3 PM to 9 PM.

Parking on Main Street will be closed from 2 PM to 9 PM 


Note: For those coming out of Boston on the MBTA trains, getting out of the parking lot will not be easy on Friday evening.

Franklin Residents: Traffic & Parking Alert for Strawberry Festival - Jun 8

Franklin Residents: Traffic & Parking Alert for Strawberry Festival - Jun 8

Paving Main St Franklin

Thanks to a loyal reader for submitting these photos of the paving operation on Main St. As notified earlier in the day, the contractor had received the certification for the asphalt mix being used and was planning on paving.

paving Main St #1

paving Main St #2

paving Main St #3

paving Main St #4

paving Main St #5

paving Main St #6

paving Main St #7

Downtown Project Update #18 - traffic flow map for 2016

The Downtown Project Update #18. Page 2 shows the detail on the traffic flow that will change some time in 2016.  When will the date/time for the switch from one-way to 2-way traffic be? Stay tuned. No one knows today.

There are detail sections for the corner of Emmons and West Central as well as at the railroad bridge (triangle).

patched spot on West Central St

Note: when traveling east to get to Main St from West Central, you'll need to turn at Emmons. Once you get to the bridge, there is no left turn to Main St.

Reporting by walking around - Saturday, Aug 29 (photo essay)

Reporting by walking around on Saturday morning, Aug 29.

The DPW is replacing the sewer line on Dale St.

sidewalk work along West Central in front of the Historical Museum

sidewalk work in front of Dean on West Central

sidewalk work on the other side of West Central at Dean

sidewalk in front of Davis Thayer

new sidewalk on Davis Thayer where the modulars were located

the FHS boys cross country team out for their workout

the FHS girls cross country team out for their workout

Sculpture Park, Franklin Art Center ladybug

fish painted during the Cultural Festival now hung along the railing

fish painted during the Cultural Festival now hung along the railing

In the News: section of Main St closed, Nov election drawing interest

Those who use Main Street to get to work may wish to alter their commute for the next two days. 

The portion of Main Street between School Street and Emmons Street will close Monday morning at 7, and will remain so until at least noon on Tuesday. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the closure will allow for a "raised table" across Main Street for Dean College students to use. 

"A raised table is a crosswalk - it's like a speed bump that's about 30 feet wide," he said. "It slows traffic and provides for the public safety."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150823/NEWS/150828418/1994/NEWS

About 40 candidates have taken out nomination papers to run in the town's November election. 

The majority of the Town Council has taken out papers to seek re-election, and a total of 14 candidates are seeking election to the council. All nine of the body's seats are up for election. 

Eight council incumbents have taken out papers: Brett Feldman, Judith Pond Pfeffer, Peter Padula, Thomas Mercer, Robert Dellorco, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Bissanti and Robert Vallee. Six newcomers are seeking seats on the council, including current Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, Richard Power Sr., Glenn Jones, James Schultz Jr., Sean Slater and James Gianotti Jr.. Of the 14 candidates, only Power and Pellegri have returned papers so far.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150823/NEWS/150828411/1994/NEWS

Downtown Project Update: Main St closed in front of Dean College

As announced with the recent Downtown Project Update, Main St in front of Dean College will be closed to allow the contractor to put in the raised crosswalk.

Main Street between School Street and Emmons Street will be closed beginning at 7:00 AM this Monday August 24, 2015 and be completed with work by 12:00 PM on Tuesday August 25, 2015. 

Walsh (the contractor) will plate the raised area overnight in Case any Emergency personnel need access. 

Otherwise, it will be closed.

Main St in front of Dean College will be closed Monday into Tuesday

This was shared from the Official Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021C761A-000F8513

Reporting by walking around: Main St construction update (photo essay)

My walk Saturday got me around to Main St to see the milled roadway and work on the sidewalks. The photos I captured are shown here

the corner of Main and Pleasant - across from St Mary's

Main St along the Town Common

Main St along the Town Common -1

Main St along the Town Common -2

High St

corner of Main and School

Main St by the Library

Main St paving today - from Pleasant St to High St

• Mass DOT will be paving Main Street Tuesday, June 30th

• Starting from in front of the Charter School to just past High Street 

• They will also be paving High Street itself

Main St approaching High St

"hopefully transform downtown Franklin into a better, safer place for shoppers and pedestrians"

Realtor Warren Reynolds writes:

A $7+ million road and streetscape improvement project in Franklin, MA will transform the downtown area later this year once warmer weather allows work to get underway.  The upgrades will include new sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals on several downtown streets.  The biggest change will undoubtedly be the conversion of downtown sections of Main, West Central and Emmons Streets from one-way to two-way vehicular traffic.

Warren Reynold's photo of Main St

Continue reading Warren's summary of the Downtown Improvement project here:
http://www.02038.com/2015/01/2-way-traffic-downtown-franklin/

Warren's write up is rich with links and photos.

Downtown Improvement Project Meeting - audio

Here is the audio recording of the Downtown Improvement Project public meeting on Thursday, July 10th at Dean College. As the recording starts, Brian Kelly, the Facilities Director for Dean covers the safety logistics for the room and then turns the meeting over to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.

Jeff proceeds to introduce the team from the State managing the project, the representatives from Walsh (the contractor), Representative Jeff Roy, DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, and Town engineer Mike Maglio.

You can follow along with my notes that I captured as the meeting happened.

FM #105 - The audio from the Downtown Improvement Project meeting held at Dean College on July 10, 2014.

My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-downtown-project-status.html




MP3 File

map of Downtown Improvement Project

The video of the meeting is not yet on the broadcast listing for the local cable channel -> http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

---- ---- ----

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.

How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know.

As always - 

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark &Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Downtown triangle signs

On the triangle, if you have driven by this week maybe you saw one side of the sign.

If you didn't go back the same way, maybe you did not see the other side of the sign

With the eventual reconfiguration of this intersection to allow two way traffic on Main St, I expect these signs will go away. I recall from one of the preparation meetings, there is a plan for the historical water trough. It wasn't always here and can be re-located.

I hope it finds a good place. It is one of the connections to where I grew up, down the road a piece in Pawtucket, RI.

Reminder: Public Hearing - Thursday, Jun 28, 7:00 PM

The MassDOT will hold a public hearing on the RT 140 and Downtown Project on Thursday, Jun 28 at 7:00 PM. The hearing will be conducted at the Municipal Bldg in the 3rd Floor Training Room. (Note due to this choice of location in the Municipal Bldg, the hearing is not likely scheduled for broadcast via cable.)

Additional info on the public hearing can be found in this official notification



Why a public hearing?
The project is funded by the State of MA and hence MassDOT has controlling interest. The project delays are primarily due to the State schedules. Franklin was granted the funds at $1 M per year and waited for the $5 million total was accumulated before beginning the detail planning on this project.

Franklin shop recovering after car crashed into it

What's wrong with the drivers on Main St? This is the second store front this year to get driven into. And this is all before the traffic returns to 2-way.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin shop recovering after car crashed into it

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 4/30/12

A downtown quilt store which was heavily damaged by a car early Sunday morning is expected to reopen today, the shop's owner says.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites