300 Fisher Street background for EPA work to gather community input on next steps

July 17, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: 300 Fisher Street

300 Fisher Street is an active superfund site (see attached map, zoning, wetlands and context).

Over the past ten years, the site has actually made substantial progress being remediated. First, there was a very dangerous structure on the property that has been removed. Second, prior to the pandemic, the site owner had actually removed a significant amount of contaminated soils. The pandemic truly stopped progress in its tracks and the EPA has done the best they can to get this site prioritized again for further cleanup. While there have been delays, the good news is the EPA is ready for a public comment period, which signals additional reinvestment in the parcel.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who administers superfund sites, will be present to give a short presentation and answer questions on the parcel at 300 Fisher Street. We have attached materials on the background of this parcel, which has an extensive history.

The main reason for this presentation is that the EPA intends to seek public comment in late 2026 regarding future uses on the site (which determines the level of required remediation at the site. Given the site history, it is important the community has as much opportunity to understand the history and limitations on the site.

In 2019, the Town Council attempted to change the zoning from Industrial to Mixed Use Innovation. The reason for the proposed change is the parcel is split between two zoning districts, Industrial and Rural Residential 1 (RR1). At the time the EPA and property owner began this process, the town thought having one zoning district was sound. Please note that accessing the RR1 portion is very challenging due to the wetlands. At second reading, it was voted down due to one public comment (the comment was to suggest housing).

The site is very limited for future growth. Due to the river crossing and wetlands, as well as access to the site are very challenging. If one drives down Fisher Street, it is mostly an industrial zone with some commercial sites, Public Works and Public Facilities buildings and a rail line making this site hard to access. Tech Review staff have discussed this parcel for many years and agree that the current uses and zoning presented are the best opportunities for future use. Recreation parking or light retail for the SNETT and possible commercial warehouses are likely the best opportunities. Housing uses will result in a much more substantial cleanup effort and will be challenging to permit.

However, this is the purpose of the public comment and community outreach. We hope the community will begin to focus on the site again.

Lastly, staff have requested grant funding in the Environmental Bond Bill for $1 million through our legislative delegation to help remediate the site in the next five years. The cost will be far more substantial, but it is something. We will continue to try for state grants if this effort is not successful.

We have included the materials from the EPA to help make the evening as efficient as possible. Please let us know if you have any questions.

On the Town Council agenda for July 22, 2026

b. 300 Fisher Street

i. Environmental Protection Agency Overview Presentation   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10232/EPA-Presentation

ii. Town Administrator Memo on history of 300 Fisher Street  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10234/11b-2---MEMO---300-Fisher-Street-History

iii. 300 Fisher Street Town site map  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10235/11b-iiii-Map

iv. 300 Fisher Street property card