On Wednesday, August 12, the Franklin Town Council voted 5-4 to approve a new employment contract for Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. Hellen’s contract is extended through June 30, 2030.
As required by law, the contract negotiations were conducted in executive session before the Council voted on the resolution to approve in open session.
“I believe Jamie has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the Town of Franklin,” said Town Council Chair Robert Dellorco. “He has helped keep the Town focused on the important work in front of us and has developed an exceptional staff culture. I’m pleased to support his contract and look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together over the next four years.”
Town Council Vice Chair Gene Grella, who voted against the contract, said his vote was not a reflection of his assessment of Hellen's work as Town Administrator or the work of the Town staff.
“We all have respect for Jamie and the work he has done over the past 11 years,” said Vice Chair Grella. “The four Councilors who voted against the contract had concerns with the process, timing and approach taken with the contract extension and modification.”
Town Council Clerk Ted Cormier-Leger, a veteran of the Council, also added his support for extending his contract.
“Having served on the Town Council and worked with Jamie over the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand his leadership and commitment to Franklin,” said Clerk Cormier-Leger. “He has built strong relationships with our departments, employees, community stakeholders and the Council. I believe that extending his contract is in the best interest of our organization.”
In 2026, Hellen is completing his 11th year as an employee in Franklin. He served as the Town’s first ever Deputy Town Administrator between Jan. 2016 to May of 2019 when he officially took the reins from previous Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting. Together, Nutting and Hellen have provided stable executive leadership for 25 years in Franklin.
“I’m grateful and honored for the opportunity to continue serving the Town of Franklin and for the confidence placed in me by the Town Council,” said Town Administrator Hellen. “I’m proud of the work our staff and volunteers accomplish every day. I look forward to continuing to work within the community to build on the progress we’ve made and focus on the priorities ahead.”
Hellen’s contact extension and modification highlighted only a handful of changes:
● The contract term was extended through June 30, 2026;
● He received no additional compensation, nor did Hellen request any increase in pay, as the salary is within the market. The compensation has already been approved in the FY27 budget;
● The vehicle allowance for work travel was increased to $5,000 annually from
$3,500 annually, which is to reflect the inflation related cost increases of travel since 2019;
● Removal of required language for the Deputy Town Administrator; and
● Notification of resignation was increased from 30 days to 90 days notice.
For more information, visit the Town Administrator webpage on the Town of Franklin’s website. https://www.franklinma.gov/159/Administrator
Read the approved Town Administrator’s contract for additional details.
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7471/Town-Administrator-Employment-Contract---August-12-2026?bidId=Prior Contract - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMWZzUI0T84tNYwAI0nfH4Pmwo5dsMOL/view?usp=drive_link