Fire Destroys Abandoned Building

A fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. today in the vacant Masonic temple and dance studio at 25 Dean Street, directly behind the Post Office and the Bank of America branch. As of this writing there were no injuries reported and the cause of the blaze is under investigation, according to the Milford Daily News and WCVB-TV Channel 5.

Firefighters from nine surrounding towns aided the Franklin Fire Department with the 5-alarm blaze, which was largely under control by 4:30. The fire, near the intersection of Main Street and Dean Avenue, closed most of the roads downtown and forced the fire department to evacuate nearby houses. Students at Dean College were put on lockdown.

Here is the Milford Daily News/WCVB-TV Channel 5 story: www.milforddailynews.com/breaking/x1274024194/Abandoned-Masonic-Temple-fire-evacuates-neighbors-in-Franklin

Networking

Join us for our next Partnership Networking Luncheon!

Friday, April 29th at 1:00 p.m.

Dean College Campus Center Dining Hall

Cost:  $5.50

Please RSVP to Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com


Enjoy great food while introducing yourself to other Partnership members!

Please Consider Sponsorship

We at the Partnership hope that you will consider sponsoring one of our many community events this year!

Beautification Day -- May 21st

Strawberry Stroll -- June 16th

In order to be listed in the newspaper and on posters please send in your sponsorship by April 30th.


Click here for a 2011 Sponsorship Registration Form, and here for a listing of 2011 Sponsorship Opportunities. More information can also be found by opening the Sponsorship tab above.


Thanks to all of those businesses and residents who have supported these events in the past!


Remember, if you want to participate in the Strawberry Stroll you need to contact our event chairs: Nicole Fortier at nfortier@deanbank.com or Diane Glass at dianeglasslaw@gmail.com so they can include you on the flyer.


Don't miss out -- Spring is here!

Social media for business

Still not sure about getting into this 'social media' thing?

Still not sure if it is worth it all?

How can Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn really help me?

Spend a couple of minutes with Jeffrey Gitomer (and then get his book) to start the journey.




Renew your membership with the Partnership, add your company link to this website, read the book and or start the conversation on how to use social media for your business. Other members around you are exploring this. This is your journey, your choice! The opportunity awaits those who take the step forward.

Downtown Commercial Zoning Workshop - presentation documents

The following was originally posted on Franklin Matters today (Friday, March 25, 2011).

These two presentations were used during the workshop held on Monday, March 21, 2011. The first presentation outlines the discussion format for the workshop and then steps through the components of the proposed changes to the zoning (minimum lot dimensions, setbacks, coverage, etc.)  

The summary of items agreed to during the discussion can be found in the notes of the meeting

Downtown Proposed DC Zoning 3/21/11 The second presentation document was referenced to show design features from other community's downtown area. DC Presentation Examples 3/21/11 Thanks to Beth Dahlstrom for providing the documents. These can also be found on the Planning and Community Development web page here and here.

Sponsorship Opportunities

2011-Sponsorship Opportunities

2011 Sponsorship Registration Form

For your convenience, here is the sponsorship registration form. Simply print this form, fill it out and mail it in today!
2011-Sponsor Registration Form

Agenda

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 am

Golder Room

I. Open Meeting

II. Adoption of Agenda

III. Introductions

IV. Report: Town Updates, Jeff Nutting

V. Report: Streetscape and Zoning District Update, Bryan Taberner

VI. Report from Executive Director

a. Donation Letter

b. 2011 Event Updates

c. Website Additions

VII. Report: Strawberry Stroll, Diane Glass

VIII. Report: Harvest Festival, Angie Grant/Lisa Piana

IX. New Business: Updates from our members

X. Other Business

XI. Adjourn

Join Us!

Join members of the Franklin Downtown Partnership for an evening out at the Dean College Theater Department production of the Broadway hit "The Producers" on Wednesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person.

A group is also going out to dinner prior to the show.
Interested in purchasing a ticket? Contact Cindy Kozil at ckozil@dean.edu.
Interested in joining the group for dinner? Contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or call (774)571-3109.