Talk Franklin: Jamie Hellen and I talk the 5 year fiscal forecast and #1 complaint to the Town (speeding) (audio)

FM #836 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 836 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• EDC prioritized their ‘short list’ at Aug 10 meeting

• Green community & Cultural Council presentations at August 17 Town Council meeting

• Dean College President/Chancellor scheduled for the Sep 7 Council meeting

• 5 year fiscal outlook published 

• #1 complaint to the Town - speeding

The conversation runs about 33 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Franklins-Forecast-e1n7023

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Franklin for All webpage https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

Cultural Council presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._fcc_presentation.pdf 

Green Community presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._green_community_presentation_0.pdf 

Green Community story map https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community 

5 year fiscal outlook ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-08-15_fy23_to_fy27_town_administartor_fiscal_forecast_1.pdf 

Town budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Talk Franklin: Jamie Hellen and I talk the 5 year fiscal forecast and #1 complaint to the Town (speeding) (audio)

#1 complaint: speeding - "Slow down, you move too fast"

In a soon to be released Talk Franklin episode, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen reveals that the #1 complaint to the Municipal building is speeding. Not parking, not zoning, speeding.

With schools opening this week, more traffic will be on the roads, more people will be on the sidewalks, please take care and go slow.

The new paving along King St has new crosswalk markings for the Parmenter School. 

Time for us all to

"Slow down, you move too fast

You've got to make the morning last ..."

Video link -> https://youtu.be/TJBhdKrwTOc

 

Economic Development Subcmte Plus plans to select top recommendations for Aug 10 meeting (audio)

FM #814 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 814 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCmte Plus meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. 

• Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, B Wierling, G Rondeau, B Hunchard
• Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, L Rivera, B Taberner, A Love

Discussion on the process for selecting priorities among the recommendations (or in addition to) by the committee members as a way of prioritizing the Towns work overall. Not everything can be done, but if everyone uses 3 priorities, they can bubble up what should be worked first, etc.

Meeting scheduled for Aug 10, 6 PM to do the prioritization. This was selected in light of the MAPC report due at the end of June, time to digest, should also have the final requirements coming from the State on the MBTA community incentives by that time as well.

The recording runs just over an hour, so let’s listen to the Economic Development SubCmte Plus discussion on June 8, 2022.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-814-economic-development-subcmte-plus-mtg-06-08-22

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Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-8-22_edc_agenda.pdf 

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17vmuGIIl5reoMG_RsSn-_OjdWl8kdHYI/view?usp=sharing 

YouTube video link -> https://youtu.be/bDuv799Nkf4

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Economic Development Subcmte Plus plans to select top recommendations for Aug 10 meeting

Franklin Downtown Traffic Alert -> Dean Commencement Saturday, May 7 at 11 AM

The Class of 2022 Commencement Ceremony will be held in front of Dean Hall (rain or shine), along Awpie Way, on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM

For more about the Commencement visit   https://www.dean.edu/alumni/commencement/ 

Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn for major events

MassDOT Safety reminds us that "Pedestrian safety is everyone's responsibility!"

MassDOT Safety (@MassDOTSafety) tweeted on Mon, Oct 04, 2021:

"October is #PedestrianSafetyMonth and we want to remind everyone how travel speed impacts crash injury severity. Pedestrian safety is everyone's responsibility!

#EveryoneIsAPedestrian
#VisionZero https://t.co/WZ453dimIK"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassDOTSafety/status/1445019668557832196?s=03

MassDOT Safety reminds us that "Pedestrian safety is everyone's responsibility!"

MA News Briefs: traffic is back, legislature rebuffs Gov Baker, remote access should stay for meetings

“Traffic, for all intents and purposes, is back to about 2019 levels on most roadways in Massachusetts at this point,” Gulliver said in a presentation to the Department of Transportation’s board.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/21/metro/massachusetts-traffic-is-back-2019-levels-massdot-says/

"House lawmakers on Tuesday rejected Governor Charlie Baker’s proposal to spend $2.8 billion of federal funds provided to the state through the American Rescue Plan, opting instead to stow the majority of the $5.3 billion in aid into a separate account under the Legislature’s control.

House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano and Senate President Karen E. Spilka said in a statement Tuesday that by placing the money in a separate fund, it will allow lawmakers to decide how best to use the money with input from the public."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/22/metro/legislature-rejects-bakers-spending-plan-federal-covid-funds-governor-concerned-with-delay-disbursements/

"As we look back on the hellish year gone by, it’s also time to sort through those changes worth keeping, those things that actually made improvements in our lives.

And those changes don’t begin and end with to-go cocktails — as much fun as they were. One of the best things to come out of the pandemic lockdown was the way most government bodies from Beacon Hill committees to municipal boards and commissions adapted, allowing their own members and members of the public to attend meetings remotely — from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Computer screens became that critical window on the political world that allowed the public to tune in to legislative committee hearings on crucial issues, city council hearings, town meetings. And not merely to tune in, in many of those cases, but also to offer remote testimony. Distance or disability was no longer a factor. Nor was the inability to get a babysitter or reluctance to make the hours-long trek from Pittsfield to Boston."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/22/opinion/remote-access-public-meetings-post-pandemic-must/

Baker-Polito Administration Files New Legislation to Improve Road Safety

@MassGovernor tweeted

"Today (Monday, Apr 26, 2021) we filed road safety legislation that includes several provisions we previously filed in 2019 and several new proposals like increasing penalties for individuals who cause personal injury while driving on a non-administratively suspended license."

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1386696555797876739

The press release with details

https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-files-new-legislation-to-improve-road-safety

CommonWealth Magazine coverage:  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/criminal-justice/baker-proposes-new-seatbelt-traffic-camera-law/

Press release video link = https://youtu.be/Wm5jlK4PzGE

Can you identify signs of labor trafficking?

Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted on Tue, Jan 19, 2021:

.@MassAGO @maura_healey's office launches new training video & digital toolkit to help people identify signs of labor trafficking & generate referrals to her office for potential investigation & prosecution.

MMA article to provide context for the new awareness campaign https://t.co/dMFDXPzpZx

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/massmunicipal/status/1351536119083528196
Video link = https://youtu.be/jKXNa824N9I

"None of the three scenarios developed by MassDOT expect full crowds to return to public transit for at least several years"

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

"The morning rush hour on Massachusetts highways is unlikely to return to pre-COVID crowds until at least 2024, and even more drivers may not return to the fray if economic recovery drags or if working from home remains common, according to new Department of Transportation projections.

That might come as good news to commuters who are enjoying this pandemic-inflicted stretch with fewer cars on the road, but it’s bad news for the MBTA, which attracts a significant chunk of its riders by offering an alternative to grinding congestion.

The new multi-year traffic and ridership models MassDOT developed and presented Monday prompted the MBTA to downgrade its already-strained financial outlook, placing even more pressure on decision-makers as they prepare to implement a package of service cuts almost guaranteed to be unpopular.

The new models, built using Moody’s Analytics economic forecasts, Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys and travel data, outline three potential scenarios for transportation trends in Massachusetts: one in which public behaviors gradually return to pre-COVID conditions, another in which telecommuting remains common even as more businesses resume physical operations, and a third in which the pandemic’s economic damage lingers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201020/morning-rush-hour-wont-return-to-pre-covid-levels-until-at-least-2024-that-is-bad-news-for-mbta?rssfeed=true

 

The three scenarios presentation doc

https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/2020-10-19-fmcb-14-economic-scenario-planning-accessible.pdf

"None of the three scenarios developed by MassDOT expect full crowds to return to public transit for at least several years"

Traffic Advisory for Union Street - Jun 6-7

Traffic Advisory for Union Street

June 6th Traffic Advisory for Union Street

The MBTA/Keolis will be performing maintenance at the track crossing on Union Street over the June 6th weekend. The work will involve closing the roadway with a detour in place. 

Work is expected to begin on Saturday June 6th and the road closure may extend into Sunday, June 7th.

Traffic Advisory for Union Street - Jun 6-7

In the News: Franklin dancers take lead in dropping gendered titles; AAA traffic outlook for the 4th of July

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

"Kathy Brophy has always been a leader, not a follower.

In the world of ballroom dancing, those titles are traditionally gendered – male dancers lead while female dancers follow. But once Brophy took the hand of Maria Melchionda during a dance lesson to prepare for the “first dance” at their 2002 wedding reception, she knew she would take the lead.

Fifteen years later, Brophy, a Millis resident, continues to lead as a competitive pro/am smooth and rhythm-style dancer, practicing at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Franklin. But for the past decade, she’s been limited to same-sex dance competitions and barred from dancing in mainstream competitive dance contests - unless she were to follow and dance with a man.

Traditionally, and according to the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) rule book, a couple is defined as “one man and one woman.” Competitors can only compete in NDCA sanctioned events as a follower if they are a woman and as a leader if they are a man."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190701/franklin-dancers-take-lead-in-dropping-gendered-titles-from-fred-astaire-ballroom-competitions

https://www.fredastaire.com/franklin/

"Hitting the road to the beach, campground or a family barbecue during the July 4 holiday? You won’t be alone.

AAA predicts a record-breaking 48.9 million Americans will travel during the holiday, up nearly 2 million – or 4.1 percent – from last year. A projected 1.3 million Massachusetts residents will be among those traveling, with about 1.1 million by car, according to the motor club.

A strong economy, record low unemployment and significantly lower gas prices are driving forces behind the increase, said Mary Maguire, AAA director of public and legislative affairs. The average gas price in Massachusetts is $2.64 a gallon, $.23 lower than this time last year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190701/aaa-expects-record-breaking-travel-numbers-during-july-4-holiday

https://twitter.com/aaanortheast

In the News: Boston area among worst traffic; Inside the 40B rules

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

When the MBTA has trouble, it doesn't help to know traffic is worse

"If you spend a lot of time in bumper-to-bumper traffic you’re not alone. A new report says Boston has the worst rush-hour traffic in the country. 

The study from transportation data firm Inrix said gridlock during morning and evening commutes around Boston was worse than any other U.S. metro area in 2018. INRIX, Inc., the world leader in mobility analytics and connected car services. 

Boston was the only U.S. city included in the top 10 most congested cities worldwide. It ranked eighth, behind Moscow, Istanbul, Bogota, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, London and Rio De Janerio. Washington, D.C., which ranked second in the United States, come in 19th in the world, according to the report."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190212/boston-area-drivers-have-worst-commutes-in-united-states


Inside the 40B rules

"Want to ruffle some feathers? Bring up the subject of 40B in Massachusetts. 

The affordable-housing program, known technically as Chapter 40B, has existed for five decades and is the subject of endless debate across the Bay State. 

The subject, however, is often clouded with confusion surrounding the program, how it exists and why it creates so much friction in a state where affordable housing is so tough to find."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190212/breakdown-of-40b-affordable-housing

280 units coming to West Central St via 40b

Franklin currently sits above the critical 40B threshold

In the News: speed a factor in traffic deaths; molasses wasn't slow in 1919

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

"Speed remains a factor in nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in the U.S., with Massachusetts ranking 23rd among the states in speed-related deaths, according to a new report. 

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit organization that studies traffic safety around the country, released the report, “Speeding Away from Zero: Rethinking a Forgotten Traffic Challenge,” on Tuesday and found that in Massachusetts, 28 percent of motor vehicle deaths in 2017 were speed-related. 

The report said speeding “remains a publicly-accepted driving behavior that is reinforced among motorists, policymakers and transportation stakeholders” and concluded that “overall progress on the issue of speeding has been limited at best.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190115/in-massachusetts-speed-kills

The Great Molasses Flood

"Slow as molasses? This treacle didn’t trickle. It was a sticky, deadly tsunami that flattened an entire Boston neighborhood within seconds. 

On Tuesday, the city marks the 100th anniversary of its most peculiar disaster — the Great Molasses Flood. 

It struck without warning at midday on Jan. 15, 1919, when a giant storage tank containing more than 2.3 million gallons (8.7 million liters) of molasses suddenly ruptured, sending a giant wave of goop crashing through the cobblestone streets of the bustling North End. 

The initial wave rose at least 25 feet high (7.6 meters high) — nearly as tall as an NFL goalpost — and it obliterated everything in its path, killing 21 people and injuring 150 others. Rivets popped like machine-gun fire. Elevated railway tracks buckled. Warehouses and firehouses were pushed around like game pieces on a Monopoly board. Tenements were reduced to kindling."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190115/100-years-ago-in-boston-day-molasses-was-deadly-fast

Dark Tide, Stephen Puleo's book on the Molasses Flood

Have you read Dark Tide, Stephen Puleo's book on the Molasses Flood? The library has a number of copies available as part of the program this year (2008) "On the Same Page".

The Senior Center is offering a talk by Dr. Gary Hylander on "The 100th Anniversary of Boston's Great Molasses Flood." This is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 23 at 10:00 AM. Please call the Senior Center to sign up.
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/events/191104

Reminder: Lane Reductions & Ramp Closures on I-90 in Boston this Weekend (June 1-3)

Beginning at 9:00 PM on Friday, June 1, MassDOT will reduce I-90 (Mass Pike) between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass in Boston to two lanes in each direction. I-90 will reopen to four lanes in each direction by 5:00 AM on Sunday, June 3. This will allow MassDOT and its contractor to conduct necessary preparation activities and a "dry run" to test the I-90 traffic logistics for the 2018 Construction Shutdown (July 26 – August 11), with the goal of making sure it will run as smoothly as possible.

The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldier's Field Road will be closed during the dry run. The I-90 Westbound Exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently. See the I-90 (Mass Pike) Ramp Closures Detour Map and directions on the Traffic Management page (http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx).

During the dry run, a "crossover" on I-90 will direct all vehicles to either the eastbound or westbound roadways at different periods of time. There will be no impacts to the MBTA Green Line, Commuter Rail, or local vehicular traffic during the dry run.

I-90 Impacts during the 2018 Construction Shutdown

From 9:00 PM on July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 6, MassDOT will implement lane reductions and ramp closures on I-90 in Boston (between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass), as follows:

• Two lanes in each direction during peak hours (additional lane closures during weekends and off-peak hours).
• The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed this entire period.
• The I-90 Westbound Exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently.
• The lane reductions will be necessary during the shutdown for the contractor to access the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge for demolition and replacement (see the video simulation of the project on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGoPf8-3-Q).

For a full list of traffic impacts during the 2018 Construction Shutdown, see the Traffic Management page of the project website (http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement/TrafficManagement.aspx).

Please share this advisory with anyone you think may be interested in the project, and encourage them to sign up for email alerts for traffic updates and meeting announcements: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MADOT/subscriber/new?topic_id=MADOT_77%27.

For more information on the Commonwealth Ave Bridge Replacement Project, please visit the project website: www.mass.gov/massdot/commavebridge.

For any questions or comments, please contact Jim Kersten, MassDOT Legislative Liaison, at 857-368-9041 or by email at CommAveBridge@dot.state.ma.us.

Sincerely,

Commonwealth Ave Bridge Replacement Project Team

Reminder: Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Project This Week; I-90 Lane Reductions

Reminder: Report problems via the DPW Work Order form

The app and service provided by SeeClickFix was discontinued by the Town of Franklin over a year ago yet, some folks still report problems via the service. The service will accept them but the Town of Franklin does not monitor them.

If you do have an issue (pothole, broken street light, malfunctioning traffic lights, etc.), you should report the problem with the DPW Work Order form
http://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/webforms/dpw-service-request-form

Reminder: Report problems via the DPW Work Order form

“A lot of these issues have to do with congestion”

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

"MetroWest in recent years has become an economic hub home to numerous global corporations and businesses. 

The large corporations bring increased tax revenue for local communities and much-needed jobs, but also more commuters and traffic congestion to the area’s main thoroughfare – Interstate 495. 

“The congestion has increased dramatically the past 15 years,” said Stephanie Hirshon, executive director of the MetroWest/495 Transportation Management Association. 

With more congestion comes more car crashes, said Hirson and Milford Fire Chief William Touhey."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170826/officials-hope-to-reduce-crashes-on-i-495

All electronic tolling is here and the tool booth demolitions begins (video)

MassDOT has prepared a slick video (embedded below) showing the steps in removing the toll booths now that all electronic tolling is in place as of Oct 28, 10:00 PM.

• Do you have your transponder yet?

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/EZPassMAProgram.aspx





Additional info 

• on the demolition project

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/TollPlazaDemolitionProject.aspx

• on all electronic tolling (AET)

https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TollInformation/AllElectronicTolling

• The information alert on the MA.gov site

http://www.mass.gov/alert/alertlanding.html#2232432

Downtown Changes - Revitalize Downtown

From Eileen Mason, Franklin Realtor and community advocate:

I was at the Franklin Downtown Partnership meetings years ago when the decision was made to improve the economic environment and bring our downtown back to life. This was no small task but a major plan for improvements requested, was funded by a State Grant written by our Director of Town Planning at the time, Carol Harper.

The major concern for businesses was that 75% or more of the traffic on the one way setup went down main street just to continue onto Rte 140. It has been a high volume, high speed and weaving raceway. So now all that traffic stays on Rte 140, reducing the volume and speed of traffic on Main St. Making it safer for all.

The fire station was another major consideration. The ability to take a left out of the station takes critical minutes off of response times. We should all be happy about no more unnecessary delays to emergencies.

The third major concern was to improve the safety of walking on Main St, where weaving through lanes and not paying attention to pedestrians is significantly reduced or eliminated.

Lastly, but most importantly was to improve the economic climate in downtown by attracting development and reinvestment in our community.

Get to know who is owning/operating these businesses.

It's a big change and controversy was expected, but now the streets work like all the other streets in the community and surrounding towns. Out of towners won't have an issue with the changes because now the traffic flow is normal.

There are many that will have comments and opinions which is fine.

For me, I drove down Main St from the Town Common and parked right in front of the business that I wanted to go to. No triangle and lights to go around. That was so easy and took much less time.

I'm very proud of all the hard work this team has done over the years to make this vital economic and logistics change for our town. There are some very dedicated town administration people who have been on this project for years and yes, it was a successful start to the change. GOOD JOB! Improving the timing of the lights is in process. Be patient. 

If we all just follow the rules of the road, all will be well in Franklin. Stay on your side of the road, stop at stop signs and lights. The finish work is still going on, so please keep an open mind.

New construction is in process to bring even more businesses to downtown. Let's all help to support them and have a thriving downtown area.

So we didn't set out to change to two way traffic. We set out to revitalize our downtown. This change was needed to accomplish several goals and hopefully will be a lasting improvement for all.

This was shared from her Facebook posting to the "All About Franklin" group

new traffic flow in downtown Franklin

In the News: neighbors concerned about development, 2-way traffic arrives

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

"Neighbors have expressed their concerns about a potential affordable housing development off Peck and Cottage streets. 

At issue is a multi-unit townhouse-style development - called "Madalene Village" - that is now before the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Angela Woislaw, one of those opposed to the project, said neighbors are worried about the housing's effect on the environment and flooding. 

"The residents believe that this is a very poorly designed development," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160727/franklin-residents-concerned-about-housing-development

sign in neighborhood around proposed development

"At 5 a.m. Tuesday, the proverbial switch was flipped on traffic in downtown Franklin, going from a one-way, counter clockwise motion around the center business block to moving both ways. 

Digital advisories and signs were placed around downtown, along with orange traffic cones, and police officers were posted at key spots, to help direct drivers through the new flow. 

While there were some small hitches, overall, the switch "went very well," Police Chief Thomas Lynch said. 

"The contractor, Walsh Construction and the Mass Department of Transportation/Mass Highway authorized a number of details, so we had plenty of help up there," he said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160727/two-way-traffic-begins-in-downtown-franklin-first-day-went-well

Downtown Project: Update #40 - July 26, 2016

Today (Tuesday, July 26, 2016) the traffic has opened to two-way in Downtown Franklin. Thank you to everyone for their patience and working to provide a safe flow of traffic in downtown.

However, there is still work to be done. The project will continue through the next couple months with odds and ends to complete, including installation of benches, bike racks, trash barrels, decorations, banners, American flags, finishing the crosswalks, planters, trees and much more.

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.

working on the entrance to the fire station on West Central St

This update can also be found on the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02472532-000F8513