This is only my second time in over 20 years of living in Franklin coming to speak before the Town Council. I usually stick to education related matters, but I feel compelled to speak up once again on yet another potential environmental hazard that would negatively affect a large number of Franklin citizens, namely the recent proposal for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by the town of Bellingham and the Zero Point Development Corporation.
I am *extremely* concerned about the location selected for the Battery Energy Storage System (or BESS) being proposed by the town of Bellingham. This land—previously home to the old contaminated mill on Pearl Street—is an EPS Brownfields site. It is located directly next to highly populated Franklin neighborhoods, conservation land, and the Charles River. The proposed location is highly problematic as it poses significant health risks by disturbing this contaminated site, fire risks especially given our ongoing water drought status, noise and traffic concerns, and negative environmental impacts.
As you know Pearl street in Bellingham becomes Beech Street in Franklin when the road crosses over the Franklin town line. This is a densely packed residential neighborhood that includes all of Hawthorne Village and Dover Farms as well as Beech Street, Plain Street, Pond Street, Pine Street, and dozens of side streets that branch off of these major roads. I do not know exactly how many Franklin families live within a mile radius or even a half mile radius of this proposed site, but it is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. In fact, there is a yellow traffic sign posted right in front of the proposed site warning drivers that it is a “thickly populated area”. Another identical sign is also posted in the other side of the street.
As you may be aware the town of Bellingham only notified people living within 300 feet of the proposed battery system, so you can only imagine how challenging it has been to get the word out to everyone who will actually be affected if this comes to fruition.
These large batteries are going to start popping up everywhere. I understand that. However, a large densely packed residential neighborhood is NOT the place for this. It poses great disturbance and safety threats to residents of both towns, especially with regards to noise issues, traffic issues, health issues, environmental issues and potential fire hazard issues given our limited water supply. Please take a few minutes to drive by the location and see just how close this site is to many Franklin neighborhoods and the Charles River.
What are the concerns? First, there is the obvious noise issue for families living in the area. Franklin families already can hear noise and feel vibrations from the recently built power plant in Medway. This proposed site is even closer to Franklin families. I can only imagine how loud and unpleasant the noises and vibrations will be.
There are also significant fire risks—these Battery Energy Storage System fires are too dangerous for fire personnel to fight and are often left to burn out on their own destroying whatever is in the vicinity. A recent fire in California involved evacuating homes in a 2 mile radius. Once the fire finally extinguished, all of these homes were deemed uninhabitable because of the toxic particles and debris. Imagine this, and then also plus add in the toxicity inherent in a fire at a contaminated Brownfields site. In fact, a retired local fire department chief has already publicly spoken out against the proposal because of the significant fire and safety concerns of the location.
In addition to fire concerns, there are many other issue, not the least of which is this is an EPA Brownfields site of the highest level of contamination. In the past, Bellingham has proposed a variety of other potential uses for this contaminated land, including senior housing, a park with bike paths, etc. and determined the area was too contaminated to be safe for people to use. Why then would we want to disturb that land now and dig up who knows what kinds of toxicities to send into the environment and nearby neighborhoods?
Moreover, this site directly abuts a part of the Charles River. Any contamination from this site will directly leech into our water system.
This land also directly abuts Franklin’s conservation land located on Plain Street. This is a protected habitat of endangered species and delicate ecosystems that will surely be disrupted should this large battery be built directly adjacent.
And then there’s the increased traffic. How many extra trucks will now travel from (the former) exit 17 in Franklin, down Pond Street and Beech Street to access this battery facility? We just paved Pond and Beech streets, and this increased traffic will only add to the many traffic issues in the area.
So given the many concerns, how and why is this even being proposed in a residential neighborhood? Without going too far into the underlying politics involved, the town of Bellingham has legal and financial incentives to participate. There is a long history of legal issues, special permits, bylaw issues and more regarding this land.
In addition, the politicians who are supposed to look out for and advocate on behalf of the interests of the residents of these towns have received money in the form of donations from the company Zero Point Development Corp. I’ll let you look into which politicians have accepted their donations, but it certainly complicates the situation significantly and calls into question the underlying conflicts of interest as to their ability to advocate effectively on behalf of the well-being of the very citizens they are elected to represent. Further muddying the water, one or more of these politicians is also personally involved with the lobbyist who lobbies on behalf of these large Battery Energy Storage Facilities.
So what does Franklin gain from this? Nothing, except negative impacts, decreased property values, and significant risks to safety, health, fire, noise, traffic, and the environment.
What can you the Town Council of Franklin do to advocate on behalf of the hundreds? thousands? of residents who will be significantly impacted by this proposed Battery Energy Storage System?
- At the very least please write a letter signed by the entire Town Council expressing your concerns about this proposed location and how it will negatively affect the citizens of Franklin.
- Request that any such Battery Energy Storage System be built no closer than a half mile from the nearest Franklin residential homes and schools.
- Attend the MEETING on APRIL 2ND @ 7 PM at BELLINGHAM TOWN HALL to show your support of Franklin residents and express your concern.
- For our Town Administrator and chair of Town Council, PLEASE make the time to talk to the woman who has thoroughly researched the issues and hear about the many issues and political implications of this proposal. (Contact information shared separately.)
- And, finally, please take the time to talk with Franklin Fire and emergency response personnel about how this would play out in Franklin should a large Battery Energy Storage System Fire occur.
There is legislation pending that would require any BESS to be located NO CLOSER THAN 2000 FEET from the nearest residence. I am hopeful this will help in our particular situation, but also extremely concerned that some of the politicians who will be voting on this have already received money from, and/or have a serious personal conflict of interest with regards to this situation.
In closing, these large Battery Energy Storage System facilities are going to be popping up all over the commonwealth—they offer financial incentives that financially fledgling towns will have a hard time ignoring. Franklin has always led by example—let’s continue to lead by example by demanding these batteries be placed in appropriately industrial locations located a safe distance away from neighborhoods and schools.
Thank you for your consideration.
Selena Cousin
114 Beech Street
Note: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen added that the 300 ft abutter notification is MA General Law that communities do follow. He also noted that at a Town Meeting the Town of Bellingham voted to pursue a battery storage facility as a use for the site. The Town of Bellingham is actually the sponsor of this proposal.
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| Excerpts from Citizen Comment to Franklin Town Council, Weds, April 1, 2026 |
