Happy New Year

The Franklin Downtown Partnership wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015!

Rick's Restaurant Closing

Hi Everyone,

In case you have not heard yet, Rick's Restuarant in downtown Franklin will be closing this week.  We encourage you to stop in on Friday or Saturday and wish him and staff well.

We will miss them!

WCVB's Chronicle production team was in town in 2010 and featured Rick's.

Happy Holidays!

Best Wishes for a happy holiday season and sincere thanks for your goodwill and support throughout the year

Town Council to Discuss Emmons Street RFP on 1/7/15

As expected, the ED Committee voted for the Emmons Street proposal to go to Town Council for discussion on January 7, 2015.

The developer is no longer in discussion with any bank.  He is talking about a food drive-through at this location. There continues to be great public concern about the traffic at this intersection if a drive-through goes in at this busy location.

We have been advised to encourage the public to come to the Town Council meeting at 7:00 pm at Town Hall on Wednesday, January 7, if you have concerns about a drive-through at this location. 

This will be the last discussion meeting before the Town Council votes on the RFP. They will be deciding on whether or not to allow a food drive-through on 150 Emmons Street or to change the wording in the RFP.

'12 Days of Donating' Preliminary Totals Press Release

Food Elves Beat ’12 Days of Donating’ Goal

(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-Founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch 

The Franklin Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership are pleased to announce that the preliminary numbers are in and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than three tons (or 6,000 pounds) of goods and $8,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Some of the donations dropped off at the Food Pantry

More than 90 Food Elves collected from their Franklin neighbors, the most volunteers in the history of the Franklin Food Elves. They worked in conjunction with local businesses that set up collection bins at their locations around town.

Student volunteers weigh donations

“We’d like to thank all of residents of Franklin who donated to our campaign this year. We also would like to thank the elves that worked hard to bring the donations in, and the businesses that helped fill the donation bins at their locations. We are excited to see the totals because we still have more donations coming in,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

Local businesses were deeply involved in this year’s campaign. DCU gave a check for $5,000, and 15 other businesses pledged a $200 cash donation and donated time and bin space to the cause.

Those businesses included Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, Berry Insurance, British Beer Company, Dean Bank, Dean College, Drama Kids of Metro West, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Printsmart Office Products, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, RE/MAX Executive Realty, and Yellin & Hyman, P.C. 

For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.

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Update on 12/17 Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Milford Daily News ran the following story about the Economic Development Subcommittee's discussion on Wednesday about a proposal to develop the land at 150 Emmons Street. The discussion will be on the agenda of the January 7 Town Council meeting. 

Franklin: Developer unwilling to budge on Emmons Street proposal 

By Matt Tota, Daily News Staff 
Posted Dec. 18, 2014 @ 12:01 am 

FRANKLIN – A local developer eyeing the town property on the corner of Emmons Street has objected to the idea of limiting the kind of businesses that could set up shop there. 

Roger Calarese, the developer behind the Franklin Village Mall, submitted a proposal to raze the current building at 150 Emmons St. and replace it with a 5,300-square-foot commercial property with a drive-through.

But the Franklin Downtown Partnership, a consortium of local businesses, opposes the prospect of a restaurant and drive-through, such as a coffee shop.

Because of its location at the entrance to the downtown, the property has been the subject of debate. And most of the suggestions for how the town should develop the property have come from downtown business owners, who see it as a "gateway" to the area.

A request for proposals released in September did not restrict the kind of businesses that could open at the property, only that the front of the site be reserved for a statue and green space.

Calarese, who submitted a $500,000 bid by the Dec. 2 deadline, believes he has met the criteria and is unwilling to place further restrictions on potential tenants.

Calarese had been in talks with a bank about the property, but the negotiations fell through.

“It’s very difficult to get out into the marketplace and market a property when you don’t have control over it,” he said Wednesday. “I’ve been quietly talking to people, but it’s been difficult. “

The Town Council’s economic development subcommittee, which met Wednesday with Calarese, has forwarded the developer’s proposal to the full council.

“I think we’ve beaten this property to death,” said Joseph Halligan, a member of the subcommittee. “I say we accept the man’s offer. I think anything that goes there will be better than what’s there now.”

The council will decide at its Jan. 8 meeting whether to accept Calarese’s proposal as is, or add new restrictions on it.

Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141218/NEWS/141216723#sthash.d62f7TCr.dpuf

Economic Development Meeting This Wednesday

The Economic Development Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 17, at 5:30 at Town Hall in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

The Economic Development Committee will be discussing the proposal they received for the 150 Emmons Street property.

Franklin Matters posted the following item last week with the link to the Milford Daily News story: 

Franklin Matters: "One would assume I’d be moving forward with the p...: Town planning officials received just one response to the request for proposals to develop a town-owned property at the corner of Emmons S...

Food Elves Drop-Off Day Photos

The Franklin Food Pantry was a busy place Saturday morning with Franklin Food Elves bringing in the donated goods they collected. A few industrious elves improvised a slide system to make the drop-offs easier, while a few more elves helped to weigh, sort and store the donations.

Final totals will be announced later this week as more donations continue to pour in.

(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Head Elf Cameron Piana and Executive Director Erin Lynch

The improvised slide helped make the job easier

 

Day 12 of the '12 Days of Donating' Campaign

The Franklin Food Elves are prepping their "sleighs" and getting ready to bring in neighborhood donations in force this weekend. If you haven't already donated goods to the Elves and the Franklin Food Pantry, please consider a donation in your neighborhood or at a local participating business. 

We know there are a lot of organizations doing good work and asking for help this year. Your donation of non-perishable food, health and hygiene goods and pet items help the Franklin Food Pantry support our community well into the winter months.

For more information about what the Food Pantry's needs are this year please visit their website: www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

For more information about drop off locations, please click here: http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/12/what-these-students-accomplish-is-vital.html

The Franklin Food Elves have a Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292?fref=ts

Still have questions? Contact the Food Elves via email, franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com.

'What These Students Accomplish is Vital'

Food Elves and FDP ‘12 Days of Donating’

 

Remember to drop off your donations at one of these participating local businesses.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 90 hard-working middle school and high school students. For the past three years they have partnered with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Last year the “12 Days of Donating” campaign brought in more than $6,700 and 7,300 pounds of goods.

Let's help them meet their goal again this year!

 

Donation Bins can be found at these participating locations:

• Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
• British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
• Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

Also donating to the Food Elves campaign are Berry Insurance and Printsmart Office Solutions.

“Families who are already struggling will be hit once again when electric rates skyrocket,” says Erin Lynch. “What these students accomplish is vital. The spirit of the Food Elves has captured the hearts of this community. We are so grateful for the amazing support that keeps multiplying through the hard work of these young leaders.”

 

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.

 

12 Days of Donating - Please Donate!

The Franklin Food Elves are canvassing neighborhoods and red bins are filling up at local businesses. Have you donated to the campaign yet? 

Non-perishable food items and personal care goods are great donations and go far to help the Franklin Food Pantry fill needs throughout the winter. 

Please donate in your neighborhood or at one of these participating member businesses:

• Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
• British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
• Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

Thank you for supporting the Elves and the Franklin Food Pantry!

Member Announcements

Murphy Business invites you to a holiday gathering

Knock Off Early - Party at Murphy Business! Please join us at our office for some holiday fun  next Thursday, December 11th!  We're wrapping up  two weeks of collecting for the Franklin Food Pantry  that day and will be serving up whoopie pies from 3 - 6pm  (made by our friend Kerri at Making Whoopie).  Not into dessert?   Then come have a drink.  Just please make sure you bring along  a can of tuna, or better yet a couple of bottles of shampoo,  which is the pantry's #1 need.  No regrets necessary; just please advise if you're coming so  we get enough Cheez Doodles (crunchy - duh).  Thanks!     Chris    PS: Please visit Making Whoopie on Facebook to see why so  many people like what they do...    Chris Bond Murphy Business 15 East Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 D: (508) 440-5670 C: (508) 380-7997

Festive Fun at the Holiday Stroll

Thursday evening was the FDP's sixth annual Holiday Stroll. The tree lighting on the Dean College campus kicked off the event, and then visitors took to the streets to discover crafts, activities, musical entertainment, sales, gifts and treats. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there, as was Frosty!

Thanks to our event coordinators Gregg Chalk and Roberta Trahan for organizing this fun event, and to the Franklin Police Department for traffic detail.

And a big thank you goes to our sponsors, whose support helped to make this event sparkle and shine!

Carolers on the Dean College campus.

Dean College's Dr. Rooney, co-chair Gregg Chalk, and Dave Drucker.

Dr. Rooney and Boomer lead the countdown

Co-chair Roberta Trahan enjoyed the tree lighting with her family.

Platinum Sponsor Big Y World Class Market

Gold Sponsors DCU, Dean Bank and Dean College

The DCU mobile bank outside Simon's Furniture. 

Gingerbread man decorating at Dean Bank.

Silver Sponsors D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, localtownpages Franklin and Middlesex Savings Bank.

Franklin Ford displayed a new car outside Simon's Furniture. 

Bronze Sponsors Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C., Drama Kids of Metro West, Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern MA, H&R Block, The Law Office of Timothy J. Teehan, Leaf Filter, NEWPRO, Simon’s Furniture, and Vet Med Pet Supplies.

Drama Kids of Metro West set up in the Depot Plaza.

Crafts courtesy of the Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern MA set up shop in the lobby of Rockland Trust.

NEWPRO products displayed at Depot Plaza.

Leaf Filter in the Depot Plaza.

Raising funds for Children's Hospital at Jane's Frames.

Jamie Barrett performed to a captive audience at Jane's Frames.

Santa heard wishes at Simon's Furniture and Mrs. Claus greeted kids at the Historical Museum.

More fun was had throughout town. Check out the slideshow (above, right) for more photos from the event. Also find us on Facebook to see more photos, including photos of the many entertainers who appeared.

2014 Holiday Stroll Happenings

Pick up a Holiday Stroll Happenings sheet at this evening's tree lighting ceremony or participating businesses, or download and print a copy here.