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

David A Bernstein to appear in Art Show at Patriot Place

Franklin artist David A Bernstein will showcase his work in an art show at Patriot Place Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31.

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

Franklin Cultural Festival opens today at 5:00 PM

at the Franklin Town Common

Assorted art activities sponsored by the Franklin Art Association – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Sidewalk Chalk Drawing
• Face Painting
• Rich Guardabascio’s Block Printing
• Plein air Painting

Opening ceremony – 5:45 PM

Electric Youth concert – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

Electric Youth 2016

the stage is ready at the Town Common

at THE BLACK BOX

One Act Plays – 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM



****    ****    ****

Get the full Cultural Festival brochure to download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

* note the schedule is subject to change

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Schedule for the 2016-17 Season

Next show is September 10th featuring Garnet Rogers with Shawna Caspi View this email in your browser Our 2016-17 schedule is almost complete We have recently added Livingston Taylor and Catie Curtis to the schedule and look forward to seeing many of you this coming season. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.  Upcoming Shows Sep 10     Garnet Rogers with Shawna Caspi Sep 24     An Evening with Tom Rush Oct 15      Jim Henry and Abbie Gardner (Red Molly) Nov 5       Matt Nakoa, Rachael Kilgour, & Kirsten Maxwell Nov 19     The Kennedys Dec 3       Ellis Paul

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

FPAC Presents 9th Annual Whatever Theater Festival

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 2016 Whatever Theater Festival, running from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30. The 9th annual festival features a production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors and a presentation of One Acts, an eclectic series of one-act plays. 

One Acts will be performed on July 27 at 8:30 p.m. and again on July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Comedy of Errors will be staged on July 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common. All performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of William Shakespeare’s earliest plays, the Bard’s famously farcical Comedy of Errors entertains with a tale of two sets of twins accidentally separated at birth. When twin masters Antipholus of Ephasus and Antipholus of Syracuse, with their twin servants Dromio of Ephasus and Dromio of Syracuse, cross paths in the same town, double trouble and madcap mistaken identity ensue. FPAC’s 90-minute adaptation features the beloved slapstick comedy, funny antics, and witty word play that are hallmarks of this enduring classic.

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, FPAC’s Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience that showcases an exciting range of dramatic and comedic works. 

This year’s Whatever Theater Festival will be part of the 2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The visual, performing and culinary arts celebration will take place July 27-30 at various downtown Franklin locations within the proposed Cultural District. 

FPAC’s 2016 Whatever Theater Festival is sponsored in part by grants from the Franklin, North Attleborough and Wrentham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

THE BLACK BOX

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Computer Seminar - Sep 29

Press Release - Free Computer Seminar ~ September 29, 2016 ~ 4:30pm

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell  to Host Computer Seminar Thursday, September 29, 2016 ~ 4:30pm to 5:30pm Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell will host a free informational seminar on computer assisted land records research at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds at 649 High Street in Dedham from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Thursday, September 29, 2016.  The seminar is intended for both real estate professionals and the general public.   Register O'Donnell noted that the program will include a brief presentation complete with reference materials and hands-on exercises. There will also be opportunities to ask both basic and advanced questions. Computer assisted land records research is currently available both at the Registry and on the Internet at www.norfolkdeeds.org. "These services have proven to be invaluable tools for our customers. We hope that this seminar will be both helpful and informative," said Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell. There is no charge for the seminar, but anyone planning to attend is asked to register by calling Alicia Gardner at 781-461-6104 or by email to agardner@norfolkdeeds.org.  Please include your name, address, email and a daytime phone number when you register. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  It is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County, amassing approximately a half of million land records dating back to 1793. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. To learn more about this and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at Facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Norfolk County Register of Deeds Computer Seminar