102.9 FM - New Radio Station in Franklin

Congratulations to Franklin TV and Executive Director Pete Fasciano on the launch of the new public access radio station! 102.9 FM WFPR went live Thursday at exactly 10:29 a.m., broadcasting music to a Franklin-area audience. A mix of programming, including news and content from various Franklin TV shows, will also air later this year. 

The Milford Daily News ran the following news story Thursday night (subscription may be needed to read entire story):

New radio station launches in Franklin 

By Mike Gleason
Daily News Staff

FRANKLIN - At 10:29 exactly Thursday morning, a new sound hit the Franklin airwaves. 

Franklin TV Executive Director Peter Fasciano, sitting in a small shelter on Forge Hill, struck a few keys on a laptop, cueing a brief announcement about a new radio station and its mission. With that, the programming switched to music, and 102.9 FM WFPR - Franklin Public Radio - was born. 

This marked the culmination of a multi-year process, Fasciano said, with the first steps taken back in 2012. Efforts accelerated last summer, with the public access station working with federal agencies and local boards to approve the antenna's location and prepare for broadcasting. 

The town then had to erect the antenna - which sits near a number of cell towers on the hill - and the utility company had to run power to it. With those steps done, everything was in place.

Read the complete story here.

Milford Daily News' Story About 15th Anniversary Gala

In the news today -- the Milford Daily News had this article about our 15th Anniversary Fundraising celebration and successes.

Franklin partnership celebrating its 15th year

By Mike Gleason
Daily News Staff
FRANKLIN - The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, looking back on a period of immense change in the area.

The partnership will be officially noting the birthday this weekend, with a gala set to take place Saturday night at the Black Box.

Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana said the group began with a handful of business owners, who decided to work with the town to revitalize downtown. in 2001. Piana herself joined as director in 2005.

"In 2005, there were 15 members; now, there are more than 250," she said. "We've really grown as an organization, and we've worked hand-in-hand with the town."

Among the items the partnership has promoted, said Piana, is the idea that there should be meeting spaces for people in the area.

"The patio by the Cake Bar is something that the partnership was very vocal about," she said. The group was able to convince a developer to leave space for the patio between two commercial buildings, she said.

That idea will be reflected in the greenspace that will be set up at the intersection of Emmons and West Central streets, Piana said. That area, which will feature a statue of native son Horace Mann, will sit next to a new commercial building.

Piana said volunteers are tremendously important to what the partnership does, and that volunteers like Eileen Mason - who leads a group that plants flowers in downtown - and those who participate in the "Food Elves" food drive are integral to its mission.

The partnership's efforts, Piana said, are made possible by relationships it has developed with local groups.

"The thing I'm most proud of is the working relationship between the town and the partnership," she said. "We get calls asking about the secret to our success, and it has a lot to do with the positive thinking and attitudes of town officials and organizations like Dean College and Dean Bank."

After celebrating the area's past 15 years, the partnership will be meeting to consider its future.

"I think we'll be getting together in January to answer those questions," Piana said. "We want to support businesses more and encourage new businesses to move in. We also want to get residents more involved."

Piana said the partnership and the town's Planning Department had been working to determine how to best fill the area after the completion of the streetscape project.

"To me, personally, it's just a privilege to work with so many great people," she said. "So many people are dedicated to the goal of revitalizing downtown."

Future of Downtown Franklin Covered in Milford Daily News

Members were introduced to Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and new Town Planner Kristin Kaczmarek at the FDP General Meeting. Discussion topics moved from Streetscape project progress to future plans for downtown Franklin. For example, new light posts downtown will feature banners, a project that is in the planning stages now. 

Executive Director Lisa Piana asked members to identify which businesses they would like to see move to Franklin, resulting in several great ideas. 

Do you have ideas? If so, please email the office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com and tell us what they are! There is also a great on-going conversation on the #shopFranklin Facebook page.

The following is an excerpt from Mike Gleason's story in the Milford Daily News about this topic. To read the whole article Future of Downtown Franklin considered, please click here (subscription may be required). 

Pandora Carlucci, of the Franklin School Department, asked if there had been a study done of downtown needs. Partnership members said although there had been no comprehensive assessment, there has been some discussion of the types of businesses the downtown might welcome. They noted, for example, that there was no longer a place to get breakfast within that zone.

Partnership member Roberta Trahan said now is the time to promote economic development in the downtown.

"The streetscape project is going to be done - there will be no more excuses," she said.

The appearance of downtown will also be changing in a way beyond the street project, partnership members noted. The former municipal building on Emmons Street will likely be torn down in the next few weeks to make way for a new commercial building.

That property will also eventually contain a small park, with a statue of Franklin native Horace Mann in its center.

Downtown Streetscape Update in Milford Daily News

At the FDP General Meeting Thursday, Anthony Tavalone of the Department of Transportation updated members about the progress and timeline of the Town of Franklin's ongoing streetscape road construction project. 

Milford Daily News reporter Mike Gleason attended the meeting and wrote a story -- Franklin: Road project may resume in April.  The following is an excerpt from that story:

Partnership members asked when two-way traffic would start in the center of town. Tavalone said the traffic pattern would probably take effect in early summer, noting that there would be an effort made to inform drivers about the changes.

"Before we start the new pattern, we'll have the contractor bring in new message boards," he said. "We can also bring in extra detail officers."

Roberta Trahan, of the partnership, said those involved in the project had been great about communicating progress on the project.

"You've all been so reasonable about keeping people informed," she said.

This is the second year of the two-year project, which has been in the planning for some time. It is hoped to revitalize the downtown area by rebuilding the roads and changing the traffic flow there.

Signage By-Law Discussion at FDP General Meeting

Franklin Building Commissioner Gus Brown and Design Review Commission Chairman Mark Fitzgerald attended last Thursday's FDP general meeting, and Fitzgerald gave a presentation about By-Law 185-20, also known as the signage by-law. 

In the presentation, Fitzgerald outlined who the volunteer review commission members are, what the DRC's goals are, signs that work and those that don't, creativity, and the regulations themselves. He also took questions from meeting attendees. 

Fitzgerald made a point of saying the DRC is "pro business" and wants to work with business owners on the look and functionality of signage. The commission meets every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. in room 205 of the Municipal Building. More information about the DRC and the by-law is found at  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/design.

The Milford Daily News printed a story about that portion of the meeting:

Franklin:  Panel talks about attractive signs
By Mike Gleason/Daily News Staff

Posted Nov. 7, 2015 at 10:27 AM

Updated Nov 7, 2015 at 11:38 AM 

FRANKLIN - The Franklin Downtown Partnership had its designs on signs during its Thursday morning meeting with Design Review Commission members.

During a slideshow talk, Commission Chairman Mark Fitzgerald said he thinks his group's mission is to work with businesses to keep the town's look pleasant.

"We don't want to be the sign police," he said. "We are business-friendly - we want to see business in town."

Fitzgerald said the commission's role is to make recommendations and provide a forum to talk about aesthetics outside of the regulation-oriented Planning Board setting.

"You can come before us and talk about colors and palettes," he said. "What do we like to see? Signs that are compliant with the bylaw and are clear and concise."

You can read the full story here:  http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151107/NEWS/151106686/1994/NEWS

Parking Meter Story In Milford Daily News

The parking meters that were removed from one side of East Central Street last week made the Milford Daily News over the weekend. In this story, FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana discusses how Partnership members have been brainstorming about the parking issue and working on solutions over the past year. All members are welcome to join the discussion at a general meeting or by contacting the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.


Franklin:  Parking meters going, perhaps permanently

By Mike Gleason/Daily News Staff
Posted Sep. 25, 2015 at 9:22 PM 


FRANKLIN - The town has removed parking meters along downtown East 
Central Street, a move that could be made permanent.



Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the meters were being removed 
to accommodate ongoing roadwork taking place in the center of town. 
He said the status of the meters after the work is completed is in question.


"There's been a proposal to not (put the meters back), but it hasn't been 
approved," he said.


Nutting said the police department would be enforcing a two-hour parking 
limit where the meters once were. That regulation, he said, would remain 
in effect until the Town Council adopts more permanent rules.


According to Nutting, East Central Street meters will be the only ones 
taken out this year. The Main Street meters will be removed to coincide 
with roadwork there next year.


Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana said she 
believes businesses downtown would welcome the change.


"We've been meeting on the subject for over a year," she said. "I think 
most of the businesses are very excited - this allows customers to not have 
to worry about feeding the meters."


Piana said she had seen the town remove the meters from the Artistry 
Kitchen restaurant side of the street, and that the remainder of the East 
Central Street meters would be taken out over the next week.


"It's my understanding that the meter person will still come around to 
make sure vehicles don't park for more than two hours," she said. "The 
reason for that is to ensure people don't park there for the train station."


Piana said it was her belief that the two-hour limit would ultimately be 
refined based on the location of the spaces.


Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or 
mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him 
on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.

Milford Daily News Covered FDP General Meeting

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and reps from Walsh Construction and the Town of Franklin DPW updated the group on the streetscape improvement progress last Thursday.

The Milford Daily News joined us for our General Meeting last Thursday morning. We had a packed house and delivered a lot of good information. Here's the story:

Franklin Officials look to promote business

• By Mike Gleason/Daily News Staff

  Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM 
  
  

  FRANKLIN - Business officials discussed ways to encourage Dean College

  students to buy locally at a Franklin Downtown Partnership meeting last 
  week.
  
  

  Partnership members, speaking at the organization's Thursday morning

  session, said they had been in touch with the college about creating a 
  formal program - to be called something along the lines of "Dean 
  Discounts" - to attract students. The college will resume classes on 
  Tuesday.
  
  

  "Our members can offer a discount to students," partnership Executive

  Director Lisa Piana said, noting that, while the original plan was a 
  blanket discount, it had been loosened somewhat. "(The business 
  owners) come up with the discount - 10 percent off, buy one get one 
  or something else."
  
  

  Piana said the plan would be to have a visual marker - possibly a paw

  print sticker - at the business to indicate that it participates in the 
  program.
  
  

  "We really want to make sure the students know about it at all the

  different places they see it," she said.
  
  

  A Dean College official present at the meeting noted that many students

  opt not to get in their cars to shop or get food, instead preferring to 
  frequent downtown establishments. This program, he said, would be a 
  good way to build off that.
  
  

  Brian Taberner, the town planning director, also noted that there is a

  project underway to "brand" the downtown area, and that some Dean 
  marketing students were taking part in it.
  
  

  "The idea is to develop a brand, logo and message (for downtown),"

  he said. "This brand and logo will relate directly to what downtown is."
  
  

  Some partnership members asked that efforts focus not only on

  downtown businesses, but also establishments elsewhere in town.
  
  

  Taberner noted that the process would be public, and there would

  be opportunities for community members to provide input.
  
  

  "I think I see a lot of great things in the near future," he said.

  Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or

  mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow 
  him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.
  
  
  

Franklin Again Ranked One of 'Safest Cities'

The Milford Daily News posted this story Wednesday night, citing a ValuePenguin report that ranks Franklin as one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts. 

Franklin tops in another safety ranking

By Matt Tota/Daily News Staff
Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 6:36 PM 

FRANKLIN — Local officials are touting a report from a consumer research company that ranks Franklin as one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts.

Franklin tops the list of safest cities and towns with a population of 20,000 or more people, according to ValuePenguin, which used the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s crime statistics from 2013 to compile its report.

The New York-based research firm looked at property crimes and violent crimes that the town reported to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program for that year. 

"We are pleased to make the top of list for places to live in Massachusetts," Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said in a statement. "This is a testament to the hard work of our police department, fire department and dedicated community officials, as well as our residents, visitors, and business owners."

ValuePenguin broke off the safest cities into three categories based on population. Franklin, with nearly 33,000 residents, fell into the largest category.

The report ranks 237 cities and towns. Shrewsbury is second in the category of safest towns with a population of 20,000 or more.

Click here to read the entire story.

Streetscape Information Meeting Recap

Last night's Public Meeting about the Downtown Improvement Project drew approximately 50 business owners and residents interested in learning more about the construction schedule and scope.

According to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and representatives from Walsh Contracting and the Commonwealth, work will begin this month on Lincoln Street to Main Street in front of Dean College and last through the fall. 

Major construction on Main, East Central and West Central streets, the train bridge and part of Summer Street will begin next April and last through the 2015 construction season. Project managers hope to wrap up all construction and paving by the end of 2015 but the official end date is July 2016. 

A handout from Thursday's meeting shows streets color coded to indicate the type of work to be done over the next 18-24 months. The green lines indicate Full Depth Reclamation work to be done on Lincoln and Main streets and work on Summer St. (includes a Town project) beginning this month. This and more detailed maps are available through the Town. 

The Town of Franklin will hold weekly meetings to keep the public informed of the schedule, road closures and detours, parking issues and any other issues. The town will also regularly post updates on its website, franklin.ma.us, and through Twitter on @TOFranklinMA. 

The Partnership will endeavor to share those posts and tweets as construction progresses on this website and on Twitter via @FranklinDowntwn. 

Click here for Live Reporting on Franklin Matters.

Click here to read Matt Tota's Milford Daily News story Downtown Franklin improvements begin this month.


Tweet

FDP Businesses Among Wicked Local's Winners

Congratulations to the many Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses who were chosen for top honors in the 2014 Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards. 

Thousands voted for businesses in 75 categories. Click here to see the entire list of Readers Choice winners.

 Well done -- you're all winners in our eyes!

Acorn Animal Hospital

Artistry Kitchen & AK Bistro

Bamboo House

Berry Insurance

Chestnut Dental Associates

CVS Pharmacy, Franklin

Dean Bank

Digital Credit Union (DCU)

Dr. Jeffrey Morrill and Associates

Elizabeth's Bagels

Ferguson Enterprises

Ficco's Bowl-A-Drome

Franklin Historical Museum

Franklin Pizza & Deli

Franklin School for the Performing Arts

Franklin Yoga & Wellness

Hampton Inn Franklin

Hang Tai Chinese Cuisine

Hockomock Area YMCA/Bernon Family Branch

Jane's Frames

Keefe Insurance

Making Whoopie...

Pisini Shoe Store

Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits

Pretty Is Pink

Rick's Restaurant

Rockland Trust Bank

The Rome Restaurant

SELF Aesthetics Medical Spa

Simon's Furniture

The Adirondack Club

the cake bar

Vallee's Jewelers

Van Roon Chiropractic

Vicario Studio

Tweet

Milford Daily News Story About Emmons Street

The Milford Daily News published a story today about the Emmons Street property discussion. 

The Partnership's position is included about two thirds of the way into the story. To read the full story please click here (you may be asked to subscribe). The story reads in part: 

Franklin:  Decision nearing on Emmons Street property 

by Matt Tota, Daily News Staff

FRANKLIN - A majority of Town Council members consider the idea of cultural or green space at 150 Emmons Street unrealistic, and the consensus has always been to lease or sell the property for new revenue. 

Chairman Robert Vallee said on Tuesday that the council -- apart from a few members -- has all but decided to issue a request for proposals to develop the property, the former home of the Town Hall.

"We want to see what's out there," Vallee said. 

For more than a year, the question of what to do with the corner parcel has bedeviled town officials. But an answer may emerge as early as next week.

On April 2, the council will take up the matter again, but not for a vote, according to vice chairman Matt Kelly.

To read the full text of the Partnership Board's letter to the Town Council, please click here.

The Emmons Street discussion is on the agenda for the April 2 Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the Economic Development meeting at 5:30 p.m. We encourage our members to attend and voice their opinions. If you are unable to attend, please send us your thoughts and ideas and we would be happy to present them to the council. 

Please email us at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or call us at (774) 571-3109 if you have any additional questions. 

Large Turnout for Emmons Street Meeting

More than 50 people attended the public meeting at Town Hall last night to discuss the future of 150 Emmons Street, the former Town Hall and current home of the Recreation Department.

The Milford Daily News filed this report:


Franklin:  Emmons Street property up for debate

By Matt Tota
Daily News Staff 
Posted Mar. 5, 2014 @ 2:00 am 

FRANKLIN — Residents on Tuesday saw several conceptual designs for the redevelopment of the former town hall, including detailed proposals with parks, cafés, offices, retail shops and performance spaces.

More than 50 people attended the workshop on what exactly should happen to the less than 1-acre piece of land at 150 Emmons St., considered by town officials to be an "important gateway" to the downtown.

Hoping to come away with ideas that will drive their decisions for the space, Town Councilors also sat in on the nearly two-hour meeting.

To read the rest of the Milford Daily News story please click here.

Steve Sherlock also covered the meeting via a live report on Franklin Matters.

Thank you to everyone who attended and voiced opinions about this important development issue. The matter will be discussed Thursday morning as part of the General Meeting agenda. The public is welcome to the meeting, which will take place at 8:30 a.m., March 6, at the Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room.

Fire at Guru Restaurant Saturday

From the Milford Daily News:

FRANKLIN —

Firefighters were called to a Franklin restaurant Saturday afternoon after grease in a deep fryer ignited, causing some smoke damage to the building.

At almost 3 p.m., the automatic fire alarm at Guru Restaurant, located at 30 Main St., alerted firefighters to the scene, said Fire Chief Gary McCarraher in a statement.

The fire had extended from the deep fryer into the ceiling and roof of the kitchen, gutting the kitchen and causing “moderate” smoke damage to both the dining area on the first floor and the businesses located on the second floor.

The restaurant was not open at the time of the fire, but employees who were present were able to get out of the building safely, said McCarraher.

No injuries were reported, and the fire appears to be accidental, he said.

The two-alarm fire took about 45 minutes to extinguish and mutual aid on scene came from Norfolk, Bellingham, Milford and Wrentham; Medway units covered Franklin’s stations during the fire. 

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x407166381/Grease-fire-guts-kitchen-in-Franklin-restaurant#ixzz2pit0TvTo
Follow us: @CountryGazette on Twitter | WickedLocalFranklin on Facebook

Franklin Food Elves Coming Soon

The Franklin Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership will soon kick off the '12 Days of Donating' campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry!

More than 60 Food Elves will be collecting goods in neighborhoods around Franklin. If you don't have an Elf in your neighborhood, you can still participate in our food drive! Look for the red collection bins at these participating FDP member businesses:

• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St. 
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.

Last year the Franklin community donated more than 4,200 pounds of goods and more than $5,700 for the Food Pantry. Thank you for your generosity and we hope we can count on you again this year!

The Milford Daily News ran a story about the Food Elves and the '12 Days of Donating' campaign this past weekend. To read the full text of Matt Tota's story click  http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x825431789/Franklin-Food-Elves-return-this-holiday-season#ixzz2koMdF0Gz

Click here to read the 2013 Franklin Food Elves Press Release. 

Downtown Projects Coverage in Milford Daily News

Two stories concerning downtown Franklin appeared in the November 14, 2013, issue of the Milford Daily News. 

The first covered the streetscape construction project due to begin this spring. To read Matt Tota's full story go to Downtown Franklin work to start in spring.

The second story deals with the Town Council's plan to hold a public hearing in January to discuss the future use of the former Town Hall on Emmon's Street. To read Matt's full story go to Franklin officials to decide former Town Hall's fate in January.

Ice Cream for Kids "Caught" Wearing Helmets

Since July 1 the Franklin Police Department and Rick's Restaurant have joined forces to reward area kids who wear helmets while biking in downtown Franklin. During regular patrols, police officers are handing out tickets for a free small ice cream cone at Rick's to helmet wearers.

The program is a way to reinforce helmet use, which is required by state law for anyone under 16 years old but is often ignored. According to a recent Milford Daily News article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a helmet can reduce the risk of death by 37 percent and the risk of head injury by 69 percent for children and adults.

Thank you Rick Moore and the Franklin Police Department for helping keep our downtown safe!

To read the recent Milford Daily News article by Matt Tota click here: Franklin kids wearing helmets to get sweet reward.

Depot Street Train Station Improvements

From the Milford Daily News:

FRANKLIN —

The MBTA confirmed Tuesday that it will begin planned improvements on the Depot Street commuter rail station this spring.

Mark Boyle, the T’s assistant general manager of development, said the town had asked for cosmetic upgrades in and around the building, but he determined that a porous roof has to be replaced first.

"This (project) relates to a request from the town and a conversation I had with the town administrator," Boyle said. "The council is seeking the MBTA’s support and action on making improvements to the building. "We have to stop the leaks," he added.

That portion of the project will go out to bid in February. And when the weather breaks — ideally sometime in April — work will commence.

The stop, located at 75 Depot St., will remain active through construction, Boyle said.

"The station will never close," he said. "But we will make every effort not to have to close the building."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1146193100/Franklins-Depot-Street-station-to-see-improvements#ixzz2IF5OV4sF