Franklin Matters

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Downtown Partnership - Letter to Town Council

The following is the letter the Board of Directors sent to the Franklin Town Council last week.

Mr. Robert Vallee, Chair

Franklin Town Council

Office of the Town Administrator

355 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

March 18, 2014

Dear Mr. Vallee:

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has had thoughtful discussions with many of our members over the last few months regarding the town-owned Emmons Street property. We have listened to the concerns of important downtown stakeholders such as The Franklin Performing Arts Company, Simon’s Furniture, Artistry Kitchen and Dean College. These are businesses that have invested heavily in the downtown area and will continue to do so in the future. We have also spoken to residents, downtown business owners, building owners, members of the Downtown Partnership, the Historical Commission and the Franklin Art Association.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

There is a consensus among these stakeholders that the town of Franklin should not approach this very important matter hastily and rush into writing an RFP to sell the Emmons Street property, which will serve as an important "Gateway" to downtown Franklin. This was evident during the March 4th town workshop when community members developed several different concepts which did not involve selling the property.

In the opinion of the Partnership, the time required to offer due diligence to the many interesting proposed uses of the property and the immanent physical changes to the downtown infrastructure render the Emmons Street property a subject that requires more time to determine the most beneficial course of action.

Therefore, we are requesting that the Town Council suspend issuance of an RFP for one year until after the following facts are known:

1) What the new traffic patterns will be on Emmons Street and West Central after the Streetscape project and the two-way traffic pattern is implemented.

a. This information is vital before any new retail is established in this busy intersection and causes additional traffic issues.

b. The new traffic patterns that will result from the implemented streetscape project will provide the Town with more reliable data to help determine the best means of access to, and circulation within, the Emmons Street Property and to ensure that traffic does not back up to the Davis Thayer School.

2) What the parking needs will be during the next 12 months with the current and new businesses, especially during construction.

a. It is important to understand the growing parking needs of current businesses before losing the 50 parking spaces to new retail development.

b. It is critical that the downtown businesses have a place to park during the streetscape project construction.

3) What funding is available for non-commercial development such as greenspace/park, cultural arts center or a combination.

a. It is important to give the community a chance to develop ideas and research funding sources.

Moving ahead without knowing these facts is not only doing a disservice to the community, but may be devastating to the economic development of the downtown. We believe that the value of this property will increase after the streetscape project is completed so it would be prudent to wait.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has over 200 members, and our mission over the last 12 years has been to improve the downtown and encourage economic growth by working with residents, business owners, town and community leaders. We feel that this is one of the most important properties in our downtown and we have an opportunity for careful, long-term, creative thinking by the community and town officials. The Emmons Street property is a prominent "gateway" to downtown, and represents an opportunity to substantially impact the downtown's perception and character. The Town is in an advantageous position in that it controls this important piece of real estate. This parcel's development can have a positive impact on the downtown, and, by extension, the community at large.

The Downtown Partnership looks forward to working with the Town Council, the Planning Department and community leaders to find creative solutions and funding to develop a “Gateway Property” that everyone will be proud of. We encourage the Council to give the community a chance to support the vision of a vibrant downtown that has been outlined in the Master Plan.

Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this important decision. We believe that only through careful and thoughtful planning will our community determine the best direction for the downtown and this important “Gateway” property.

Sincerely yours,

Franklin Downtown Partnership Board of Directors

Nicole Fortier/Dean Bank, Joel Carrara/Printsmart,

Cyndi Rich/Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Roberta Trahan/Resident,

Del Arnold/Historical Commission, Pandora Carlucci/Franklin School Department,

Gregg Chalk/Dean College, Jane Curran/Jane’s Frames,

Gary Donelan /Middlesex Savings Bank, Dave Drucker/Dean College,

Mary Graff/Berry Insurance, Scott Martin/Hockomock YMCA,

Angie McMillan/The Cake Bar, Jim Schultz/Resident

Lisa Piana/Executitve Director-FDP

This was originally posted to the Franklin Downtown Partnership page here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/03/board-of-directors-letter-to-franklin.html

If you agree with this position and would like to add your name to the online petition you can do so here
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/open-letter-to-the-franklin-town-council-regarding

My reporting of the public meeting on March 4th can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html

The follow up post including the handouts from that meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/emmons-st-building-discussion-documents.html

Then and now: Crossway Church

I thought of a new series of photos that I can share here as the occasion arises. As I have been capturing Franklin scenes for some time, a 'this was then' and 'here it is now' comparison would make sense. Of course while walking Saturday, this is the idea that occurred to me!

Back in 2010 the building on Summer St was decrepit and an eyesore.

Crossway Church - 2010

Today, it is respectable place of worship

Crossway Church - 2014

Their sign on Summer St

Crossway Church - 282 Summer St

For more about Crossway Church, you can visit their webpage -> http://crosswayma.org/
There you can also find photos of the project as the church was renovated -> http://crosswayma.org/resources/building-project/

Saturday, March 22, 2014

The NSA Debate at TED

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” Benjamin Franklin

As we live in the first community named for Ben, we should be as concerned about liberty and security as much as how Franklin will find funds to pay for our roads and other services. Hence, there are two important TED Talks from this week I will share here. Pull up a comfy spot (if you're not in one already) and spend about an hour with Edward Snowden and then the response from the NSA.

Edward Snowden at TED "How we take back the Internet"

Richard Ledgett: "The NSA responds to Edward Snowden’s TED Talk"

"I would say the last year has been a reminder that democracy may die behind closed doors, but we as individuals are born behind those same closed doors, and we don't have to give up our privacy to have good government. We don't have to give up our liberty to have security. And I think by working together we can have both open government and private lives, and I look forward to working with everyone around the world to see that happen." Edward Snowden

Franklin High's weight coach is strong

Two year ago, shortly after she was introduced as Franklin High's new strength coach, Liane Blyn became a legend in the school's weight room.

It was a YouTube video, later posted on the school newspaper's website, showing Blyn dragging a yellow Hummer that had the students abuzz.

Read the full article here (subscription required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140322/NEWS/140328669/1994/NEWS

and the video of her pulling the Hummer from a dead stop

Hockomock Area YMCA kicks off the Reach Out for Youth and Families annual campaign

Brian Earley and Michael Patch return to lead the charge in the Hockomock Area YMCA’s 2014 Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign. Brian joined the Board of Directors of the Hockomock Area YMCA in 2011 and is currently vice chairman. He is General Manager of Patriot Place and active in the town of Franklin, where he resides with his wife and four children. North Attleboro native Michael Patch grew up as an avid YMCA member and is currently chairman of the YMCA’s North Attleboro Branch Board of Managers. Michael is President of CSM Group, Inc. and lives in North Attleboro with his wife and three sons.

Michael Patch [left] and Brian Earley [right]

"We are thrilled to have Brian and Michael lead our annual campaign," notes Jeff Dufficy, Chairman of the Y’s Board of Directors. "Brian and Mike are great champions of our mission and their passion to help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve is infectious and inspiring."

The Hockomock Area YMCA is recruiting more than 400 volunteers to help tell the story of the Y and its impact. The campaign will officially kick off on March 27th at the Hockomock Y’s annual breakfast beginning at 7:00 a.m. at Gillette Stadium, Putnam Club (East Side). Volunteers, community partners, and friends will come together to be inspired and to help friends and neighbors in need.

In 2013, the Hockomock Area YMCA invested $1,732,470 in confidential scholarship assistance and subsidized programs. Through the community’s support, people of all ages and from all walks of life are enjoying lives that are more healthy, confident, connected, and secure. This includes cancer survivors and their families enrolled in the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA initiative, over 600 children with special needs participating in inclusive YMCA programming through the Integration Initiative, and thousands of middle school students taking part in Adventures in Respect, the Hockomock Area YMCA’s bullying prevention initiative. The Hockomock Area YMCA is more than a place; it is a cause that is committed to strengthening communities.

According to Ed Hurley, President of the Hockomock Area YMCA, “We are grateful for the thoughtful generosity of our community. Last year, more than 15,000 local children and families benefited from a Y experience through the contributions of over 3,000 Reach Out for Youth and Families donors.” To RSVP for the annual breakfast, contact realimpact@hockymca.org. To learn how you can volunteer for this year’s campaign, please contact Peter Waisgerber at (508) 643-5251.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow. For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit www.hockymca.org.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/21/14 - THU 3/27/14

FRI 3/21 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center.
FRI 3/21 7pm Casino Night to benefit Franklin Youth Baseball

SAT 3/22 9am-12pm Patriot’s Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser to benefit BFCCS students, Elks Lodge Franklin.
SAT 3/22 8pm Concert: Lori McKEnna with Mark Erelli, First Universalist Society, Franklin. (sold out)

SUN 3/23 12:30pm Cupcake Decorating for Teens. The Cake Bar, Franklin.
SUN 3/23 1pm FPAC Free Concert Series: Opera for Kids - Franklin.

MON 3/24 7pm Planning Board Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building.

TUE 3/25 7pm School Committee Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building.

WED 3/26 6:30pm Cooking Matters - FREE class. Hockomock YMCA Franklin.
WED 3/26 7:00pm Finance Committee - Budget hearing #4 (may be last one of series)

THU 3/27 7am-9am Power of Voices - YMCA Annual Youth and Families Breakfast. Patriot Place - Foxborough.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com