Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The City officially known as the “Town of Franklin” has a rich and storied history, having been incorporated on March 2, 1778. We are proud to be the first municipality in the country named after Statesman and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Our town is home to significant landmarks, such as the birthplace of Horace Mann, the father of public education, the historic Red Brick School, and the first public library in the United States. Today, Franklin continues to stand out, having been recognized as the second safest place to live in the USA and the safest place in Massachusetts in 2019 by Neighborhood Scout.
In order to maintain Franklin's status as “one of the best places to live and raise a family,” as noted by Family Circle magazine in 2007, and in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, § 81D, the Town Council has taken proactive steps to guide our future. In line with this, resolution 23-37 was approved by the Franklin Town Council to establish a thirteen-person Master Plan Update Committee. This committee is made up of representatives from various town boards and commissions as well as citizen members, all working together to ensure our town’s growth is both thoughtful and strategic.
The Master Plan Update Committee has been tasked with reviewing the current Master Plan, analyzing data and community feedback, and identifying key challenges and opportunities Franklin will face over the next decade. By focusing on areas such as housing, transportation, economic development, sustainability, public services, and recreation, our committee is crafting a visionary roadmap that will guide the town’s future growth and development.
To support this effort, we have established five subcommittees that address specific aspects of the Master Plan: Land Use and Zoning; Housing and Economic Development; Community Services, Facilities, and Circulation; Open Space, Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources; and Sustainability. Each subcommittee has been actively engaging with the community and town stakeholders to gather feedback and revise goals and objectives that align with the town’s long-term vision. I wish to thank all of the members of the Master Plan Committee for the countless hours they devoted to making this process run efficiently and successfully.
At every step of this process, we have prioritized the core values that define Franklin: our commitment to education, preservation of natural resources, and a forward-thinking approach to growth and development. At the same time, we remain mindful of the challenges ahead—balancing growth with the preservation of our town’s unique character, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and ensuring we address the evolving needs of our residents.
Your participation has been essential in shaping this plan. Your ideas, concerns, and vision for Franklin’s future have played a pivotal role in ensuring this Master Plan reflects the collective aspirations of our community.
On behalf of the Master Plan Update Committee, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your engagement and continued support. Together, we are shaping the future of our town, and I am confident that Franklin will continue to grow in ways that reflect our shared values, priorities, and hopes for the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Councilor Glenn F. Jones
Master Plan Committee Chair
This Master Plan section in PDF format
Complete 2025 Master Plan report
Town of Franklin Master Plans (prior years)
