Thursday, September 3, 2026

Town Council approve West as Police Chief, approves excess sewer capacity deal, & goes past 10 PM on Police Station and Town properties discussion (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday Sep 2 in Council Chambers. All 9 members participated, 7 in Chambers, 2 remotely so all votes were via roll call.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uMeOjqTdAEw?si=qSIBaHW_AgOh6RCn&t=57

Town Council, Town Administrator pose with James  West, appointed Police Chief

The modified agenda for this session (modified to remove the Executive Session)

Quick recap
  • comments on Chestnut St buildings not completed, what can be done
  • multiple citizens comments on Flock cameras, being addressed by the Council
  • Results of the State Primary are now official as announced by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
  • Appointment of James West as Police Chief was approved
  • Excess sewer capacity deal with Millis and Medway approved
  • Presentation on Town of Franklin properties resulted in a long dicussion ultimately around site of the Police Station. While the Police Station Building Committee was also participating, they did not make a formal presentation, did answer multiple questions. Concensus among COuncil was to review the proposed building to reduce size of building to better fit on the Davis Thayer site. Parmenter would be retained as recreation and potential other Town use. RFP for 275 Beaver St possible
  • As the discussion on this Town property topic completed about 10:25 PM, the Council voted to adjourn, they did not need to vote to extend the meeting past their 10 PM self-imposed deadline. Had they attempted another topic, that would have been required
My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF