Wednesday, March 26, 2025

BEN's Bulletin: Budget and Stobbart's

BEN's Bulletin (03/24/25)

Weather and agendas are heating up! With Franklin's budget constraints, it is increasingly important for the community to find smart opportunities for new tax revenue that doesn't place further strain on the Town's expenses.

Interested in what's happening at the state level? Join our partner organization Abundant Housing Massachusetts for their Statewide Policy Webinar next Thursday.

As always, please join our monthly meeting (every third Thursday at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org.

Key Agenda Items

This month, we're sharing expanded thoughts on the proposed housing development at 444 E Central Street ("Stobbart's") as well as providing the regular BEN's Take on upcoming meetings. Click HERE for live links to the agenda items.

Stobbart's Nursery (444 E Central Street)

On Thursday, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will have a public hearing on a proposed 264-unit "Friendly 40B" affordable housing development, across five buildings and a clubhouse, on the site of Stobbart's Nursery on E Central St. The project was endorsed by the Franklin Town Council and advances Master Plan goals. Here are a few quick reasons why BEN believes the project would make Franklin stronger:

Promotes affordability
- Increases the supply of smaller units, which are in high demand and offer more attainable housing options for young professionals, seniors, and working families.
- 25% of units are deed-restricted as affordable, ensuring more residents can live and work in Franklin without being priced out.
Supports neighborhood vibrancy and community connections
- Brings new residents to support businesses along East Central Street, strengthening the increasingly mixed-used commercial corridor.
- Location near other housing developments and the future bus route transforms the stretch into a connected and accessible neighborhood.
Strengthens Franklin's financial health
- Generates significantly more tax revenue than single-family homes without the added infrastructure costs (road maintenance, etc.).
- Provides much-needed revenue to help Franklin address budget challenges and maintain high-quality public services.
- MYTH-BUSTING: Many opposed to new homes cite the costs of education and emergency services. In fact, projects like these generate substantially more revenue than incremental additional service costs.
Ensures sustainable growth and preservation

Develops housing in an already built-up and serviced area, preventing further sprawl and preserving open spaces.
Transit- and commercial- accessible location reduces car traffic and promotes pedestrian activity.