Downtown Project Update #38

Paving Main Street between the bridge and Emmons Street will be Thursday during the day. One lane will remain open for traffic. 

They will continue to work on crosswalks over the next three weeks.
They plan to paint the lines on the streets next week. 

The plan is still to transition to two way traffic on July 20th. There are several areas that still need repairs and changes that they will continue to work on over the summer. 

Please contact the Town Administrator's Office at 520-4949 with any questions. We will continue to keep the public informed through our website, Twitter and Facebook.

the new polymer 'brick' crosswalk in front of Dean College

In the News: Eagle Scout project, Red Cross blood drives

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

"Joseph O’Leary, a Life Scout from Boy Scout Troop 126 in Franklin and sophomore at Franklin High School, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. The project, part of the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout, involved clearing new trails in Franklin’s Indian Rock Conservation Area. 

O’Leary planned the project over the winter and led a crew of 40 volunteers in the woods on May 14. The new trails lead from historic Indian Rock, the site of an attack by settlers on Wampanoag during King Philip’s War, winding through conservation land to meet up with existing trails. They provide a new view of the ledge and the rocky terrain below. Scouts and adults removed brush, cleared leaves and pruned trees and bushes to make the trails."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/franklin-resident-completes-eagle-scout-project

"The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and throughout the summer. 

Blood donations often decline in the summer months, especially around summer holidays when donors are less available to give. The need for blood doesn’t decrease, though — every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires blood or platelets. In fact, a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showed that nearly half knew someone who needed blood or they needed blood themselves. 

Blood donation opportunities will take place at the following locations: 

• 2-7 p.m. July 7, Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond St., Franklin
• 1-6:30 p.m., July 8, Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham
• 2-7 p.m. July 11, King Philip Middle School, 18 King St., Norfolk

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/red-cross-blood-donation-opportunities-announced

screen grab of Red Cross Blood drives in Franklin area

Downtown Project Update - #36

Paving has begun in downtown. The contractor will be in the reminder of this week beginning the tree and shrub plantings in downtown. The contractors will also be onsite to mill the section of Beaver Street and Union Street.

Paving is planning to resume next week, tentatively for Tuesday and Wednesday of the week of June 27, including East Central St and the rest of main.

Please be aware as you enter these intersections there may be detours throughout downtown.

Signals making downtown a two-way intersection should be tentatively taking effect mid-July.

Please contact the Town Administrator's Office at 520-4949 with any questions. We will continue to keep the public informed through our website, Twitter and Facebook.

new 'brick' polymer crosswalk

Downtown Project Update - #33 - 2 way traffic likely after the 4th of July

It is now anticipated that the Two-Way Traffic system in downtown will take effect after the Fourth of July and the annual parade and festival. The Town will continue to keep residents and downtown businesses informed when a specific date has been identified. The Town will have five electronic boards and plenty of signage when the actual date takes effect. 

The construction crews plan to begin paving late this week (at night after 8:00 PM) and anticipate two days next week, the week of June 13th. 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) and early Thursday of this week should have the brick sidewalks completed on the Century 21 side of the downtown sidewalks. 

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

new brick walkways downtown

Downtown Project Update #31 - Paving to begin on Main St Thursday night

Paving to begin: construction will begin paving the binder course on Main Street (between Emmons St and the bridge) on Thursday night this week. 

Crews will be working from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am. This area includes a small section of Emmons St, Dean Ave and Depot St. 

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

Main St at Emmons which is scheduled for paving Thursday night

Downtown Project Update #30 - May 26, 2016

Sidewalks throughout the downtown triangle will be complete by Memorial Day weekend. Milling of the streets will begin this week and starting at Ruggles St moving north toward Emmons St. Authorities will be in town the week after Memorial Day to begin programming the new traffic signals. 

Paving of the new asphalt on the streets will begin the week of June 13th. This is a tentative date, weather permitting. 

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

street milled of the top layer of asphalt in preparation for laying down the final coat

• Shared from the Town of Franklin news page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/

Downtown Project Update #28

As many residents have probably noticed, the downtown revitalization project has hit its stride. For the upcoming two weeks, continue to expect frequent, short detours around downtown, while the contractors finalize installation of new sidewalks up East Central to the center and up Main Street. This section of work should conclude within the next two weeks, weather permitting. The contractors are also going to begin milling the street and getting the roadway network ready for paving.

This update will be the first in many to educate the public of when the downtown will become two-way traffic pattern. Please share with your friends and family that downtown will have two-way traffic. The Town will be placing electronic boards around the area to alert drivers of the new two-way traffic pattern. We expect this could occur as early as the end of June, weather permitting. Everything is weather permitting in New England, right?

Given the progress being made to date, the project looks to be on schedule for completion toward early August.

new curbing in advance of the new sidewalks being installed downtown

This was shared from the Official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023DDC0C-000F8513

Downtown Project Update #27 - April 28, 2016

The curb and sidewalk installations will continue for the next two weeks on Main Street and in the center of town. 

Please be aware of any detours. 

We thank all residents and visitors for their patience.

pile of curbing to be used along Main St

Downtown Project Update #26 - April 15, 2016

"There will be no work on site (downtown) Monday, April 18. 

Tuesday traffic will be detoured off West Central St down West St as curbing will be installed in front of 711 plaza."

Anthony Tavalone

CE III MA DOT

new curbing being put in place, to be followed with new sidewalks

This was shared from the Town of Franklin

Downtown Project - Update #25 - April 12, 2016

This week, expect the curbing construction to continue. Please be aware of any detours the construction crew may have up as you approach downtown. 

The week of April 18th, expect new sidewalk construction to begin. 

The following week (week of Apr 25), please expect Main Street sidewalk and curb construction to get started. 

There will not be any construction crews on Monday, April 18th in observance of Patriots Day. 

The project remains on schedule to be fully completed by Labor Day at the end of the summer. 

Follow the Town on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent updates.

new curbing for the downtown construction project

Shared from the Town of Franklin
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0239D2FB-000F8513

Downtown Project Update #22

Released January 21, 2016

Verizon ground crew will be on site Tuesday (the 26th) or Wednesday (the 27th) to transfer the line on Main St. They are there now doing overheard work in preparation for that.

Jersey barriers on the railroad bridge

This update was shared from the official Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022FBC5B-000F8513

Downtown Project Update #21 - updated again on 1/20/16

January 20, 2016 Update

The barrier for the island will be installed today (Wednesday). There will be closures at the bridge while this work is completed. 

Walsh will be paving sections of the excavated island. During this time, traffic traveling down East Central St on to Main St will be detoured left down Cottage St.

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT

Main St triangle under construction

Downtown Project Update #20

"Walsh plans to continue working on site as long at the weather cooperates. Today they will be paving all excavated trenches. 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) they will cut down the trees on the Franklin News side of the street. 

the triangle downtown is shrinking to get ready for 2-way traffic in 2016

There will be no work on site Thursday. 

Monday they will return and continue electrical conduit work."


Thank You, 

Anthony Tavalone 
CE III MA DOT
(617) 233-0795



This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022C95D5-000F8513

Downtown Project Update #19

Given the great weather, the contractor now wishes to continue work for a few more weeks. The plan is as follows, so initially there is minor disturbance with the sidewalk on Main St.

First, Walsh will set light pole foundations. This will involve removing a small section of sidewalk to excavate and set the foundation. There are (6) foundations on the Acapulco's side of roadway and (5) on the opposite side of the roadway. 

We will begin on the Acapulco's side of the roadway. Once those 11 are set, Walsh will do the electrical conduit crossings. There is a crossing on Main St at approx. sta 120+75, and a crossing at Dean Ave and Depot St. They will be saw cutting panels on both sides of Main St initially.

sign on the railroad bridge

If weather and time permit, Walsh will begin to excavate sidewalk to install electrical conduit for the street lighting beginning on the side of Acapulcos. This work will be last as it is the most intrusive. Again, time and weather pending, the conduit running underneath the sidewalk may not begin until the spring. We will know more as the next 1-2 weeks pass and I will keep everyone updated.

I feel this is the best way to move forward initially with minor disturbance to the roadway and sidewalk and still enable them to continue getting work done. Please let me know if you have any questions.


Thank You,

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT
(617) 233-0795

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.

Downtown Project Update #17 - major construction downtown is finished for this year

The major construction of the downtown is finished for this construction year. They anticipate coming back in the spring (April?) and being finished by the end of July. The construction next year will include finishing up the curbing and paving East Central Street from the RR Bridge to Ruggles Street, redoing the RR Bridge to accommodate two-way traffic and full depth reconstruction on Main Street from the RR Bridge to Emmons Street. The traffic island on the bridge will be much smaller once the project is complete. 

Over the next few weeks, there will be general clean-up of the area, temporary hot top in areas that are gravel, removal of all the equipment at 150 Emmons Street and elsewhere, temporary striping and crosswalks, and installation of the period lighting, etc. Please be reminded that there is a two-hour parking limit on East Central Street where the parking meters were removed. 

new STOP sign at the corner of Emmons and West Central Sts

Attention: The crosswalk on West Central Street that is used by Dean College has been relocated closer to the intersection on Emmons and West Central Street. When the new lights are activated next year, there will be a push to walk light but in the meanwhile, there are temporary stop signs at the intersection of Emmons and West Central. Please stop and look to make sure there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk prior to turning right from Emmons to West Central.  

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

Downtown Project Update #13

The curbing will be placed on East Central Street from Cottage Street to Summer Street and Sidewalks completed by the end of next week (weather permitting). 

Paving will take place on Emmons Street, West Central Street and Summer Street at night later this week but most likely next week. The project should begin to wind down in November. 

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

West Central St Sunday morning in the rain

Student's Capstone project to help Medway Food Pantry

This is a flier my son John made for his Capstone project:

In Support of the Medway Village Church food pantry, a donation drive is being held here from September 1 to November 1. 

My name is John Demartinis and I am in 8th grade attending the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. 

This is my Capstone project, I must complete this project to pass the 8th grade. I am a Medway resident.

Items needed for drive:

• Shampoo
• Napkins
• Soap
• Napkins
• Paper Towels
• Toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Caned goods
• Boxed goods.
• Jelly
• Tomato sauce, chicken soup, boxed milk.

And anything else that you can donate would be greatly appreciated

If you live in the Medway area please help by bringing donations to Starbucks, Medway yoga, medway cleaners, curves, Anne Market, medway karakate,little gym,the muffin house and to any of the shops at the plaza where ocean state store is. 

If you cannot donate, You can also make a donation by check to the
MEDWAY VILLAGE CHURCH FOOD PANTRY.

Sincerely
John DeMartinis
Medway resident
Anything you want to do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Kelly (John's mom)

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

In the News: Pipeline opposition group to meet, good communication helps with roadway work

"Spectra Access Northeast Opposition Group will hold its second meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. at the First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin. 

The group opposes a 48-mile natural gas pipeline proposed for the Milford area due to environmental and property value concerns. The pipeline is slated to run through Milford, Medway, Bellingham, Franklin, Upton, Millis, Norfolk and Walpole."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150902/NEWS/150909101/1994/NEWS

"Good communication has helped businesses deal with the extensive roadwork taking place in the downtown area, a local business official said. 

Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana said it has been "so far, so good." 

"We've set up a good communications system," she said. "As executive director, I've attended meetings about it every two weeks, so I've been getting direct updates."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150903/NEWS/150908715/1994/NEWS

Downtown Project Update #9

The proposed work for the week ending 9/5/15 and 9/12/15 will be as follows:

• Mill transitions on side streets and continue to raise castings and preparation for paving.
• Paving from School Street to Pleasant Street.
• Installation of Ballards and finish sidewalk at Dean College pedestrian crosswalk.
• Complete Boxcut and Binder at Emmons Street and West Central Street.
• Work on underground (site lighting and signals) at West Central Street and Emmons Street.
• Begin Curb Installation on West Central Street approximately on 9/10/15.
• Begin landscaping and seeding on Lincoln Street and Main Street.

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 Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949. 

sidewalks on West Central at Dean College

This was shared from the Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021E3044-000F8513