The 300 Fisher St segment of the Town Council meeting July 22, 2026 (audio)

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 members participated in Chambers. The Council voted to extend the meeting 1 hour and fortunately finished before that time.

The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mliO20lR8Cc 

The three key sections of presentation & discussion are shared via audio here:

1786 - The FY 25 Audit report presentation and discussion. The recording runs about 25 minutes.

1787 - The 300 Fisher St presentation by the EPA and resulting discussion. The recording runs about 54 minutes 

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  

1788 - Excess Sewer Capacity presentation from Charles River, including Medway & Millis representatives as well as the extended discussion to be continued Sept 2. The recording runs about 97 minutes.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1787-300-fisher-st-segment-of-the-town-council-mtg-07-22-26/

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The full agenda and documents released for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222026-2421 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This hour features the 300 Fisher St Discussion at the July 22, 2026 Town Council meeting   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-300-fisher-st-segment-of-town.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Episode 320 - Unveiling Perfection: Napa’s New Icon with Jayson Hu  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_0305566455.html
   

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

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  

The Economic Development Subcommittee met for the first time Thursday (video)

The Economic Development Committee met for the first time in this new Council term. Committee Chair LeBlanc, members Morrongiello, Griffith & Malloy present for this session.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Building Commissioner Gus Brown, and Planning and Community Development Director Morena Zelaya were also present

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/EStN4ZeBYow?&t=112

The agenda here - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223

My full set of notes taken during the meeting - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0qTNv-eqTy85Vqdu3aJvo59fGJzHAwu/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• 300 Fisher is scheduled to present at a July session, an EPA brownfield, does have economic value down the line
• NuStyle with grant is advancing and that can be a valuable property given it's location
• The no cap on restaurant alcohol licenses is an untapped advantage, we could do more on it.
• Morena talks of the 600 page doc for Somerville as too much, a recent conference talked of "form based lite" and might be more workable here
• The Town has done a lot downtown but what have the property owners done? How do we engage them to find out what their plans are? There is a gap there, they didn't do much in the Franklin For All project.  We need them to tell us what they are looking for.
• Possible student class with a college graduate level project could help develop a vision or model of what the downtown could be, could incorporate the networking with the owners as part of it, UMass Boston could meet sooner to set the class for the fall.
• LeBlanc economic development is an area where you spend money to make money

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for meeting April 30, 2025 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
April 30, 2025 = 7 PM

1.    ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a.    This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b.    Chair to identify members participating remotely.
c.    Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2.    CITIZEN COMMENTS

a.    Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a.    April 16, 2025

4.    PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a.    Police Department - Promotion

i.    Sergeant John Godino

b.    Police Department - Swearing in of New Court Prosecutor / Detective

i.    Tara Lagoa

c.    Proclamation: Franklin High School Theater Group
d.    Proclamation: Bryan Taberner, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development

5.    APPOINTMENTS

a.    Agricultural Commission

i.    Matthew Stoltz

b.    Disability Commission

i.    Kelly Quinlan

6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS
a.    Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager - Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central,
Located at 391 East Central Street, #5, Franklin, MA 02038
i.    License Transaction # 7a.

7.    LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a.    Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Dolores Costa as the Manager - Franklin Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a The Tavern on Central, Located at 391 East Central Street, #5, Franklin, MA 02038

8.    PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - None Scheduled.

9.    LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a.    Resolution 25-29: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Town-owned Property Containing the Building Known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for Municipal Purposes (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-29 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

b.    Resolution 25-30: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($40) & Recreation ($1,415)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-30 - Majority Vote)

Gerald M Parmenter Elementary School

10.    TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

a.    FY26 Town Administrator Budget
b.    Previous Requests:

i.    300 Fisher Street
ii.    Chestnut Street Apartments

 11.    SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a.    Capital Budget Subcommittee
b.    Economic Development Subcommittee
c.    Joint Budget Subcommittee
d.    Police Station Building Committee
e.    GATRA Advisory Board

12.    FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

 

13.    COUNCIL COMMENTS
 

14.    EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled
 

15.    ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

 

The full agenda doc includes remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709 

Next Steps to clean up BJAT, LLC on Fisher St

From the US EPA:

Site Description:
The BJAT, LLC (BJAT) Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, MA was historically used for industrial operations including the manufacture of rubber and plastic products. The property has not been active since 1985. Investigations have found contaminants in soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water. The Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL), often referred to as the EPA Superfund list, in September 2015, making it eligible for long-term cleanup action under the federal Superfund program.

Next Steps:
In June, with oversight from EPA’s On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), BJAT is expected to begin a Removal Action which will address hazardous substances present in soil and drum waste for the purpose of reducing risk to human health and the environment. Concurrently, EPA’s Remedial Project Manager will begin a study known as a Remedial Investigation (RI). The RI will identify the nature and extent of Site contamination and the potential human health and environmental risks that the Site may pose. 

The results of this study will be used to develop a Feasibility Study (FS) which will identify what long-term cleanup measures may be appropriate to address human health and ecological risk at the Site. The RI/FS is expected to be completed in three or more years and the findings of the RI will be presented in the Proposed Plan for cleanup. In addition, EPA will determine if any additional immediate response actions need to be conducted to address any imminent hazards that are identified by sample collection efforts.

The short-term work that will be conducted during the Removal Action includes: excavation, sampling, staging and covering of drums and other containers, waste and approximately 2,114 tons of contaminated soil; treatment of excavated soil on-site if appropriate; excavation of a limited number of test pits; air monitoring; and off-site shipment of waste, excavated soil, and other contaminated items that may be encountered for disposal, treatment, re-use or recycling.

BJAT will generally work during daylight hours. The Removal Action is expected to take 3 to 6 months. Throughout the work day, BJAT will be monitoring air at the Site for the safety of site workers and the surrounding community. One may expect to see heavy equipment, workers in white suits, and trucks occasionally which may have a slight effect on traffic. Vehicle and truck traffic to and from the site will be limited to Fisher Street and the primary road, West Central Street (i.e., Route 140). Some hazardous materials will be secured on site temporarily while awaiting shipment offsite to an EPA-approved facility.



You can download the full copy from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/bjat_final_pdf_removal_fact_sheet_june_2018.pdf





Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

In the News: EPA details plan for cleanup; SEC reveals it was hacked in 2016

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The cleanup for ground pollution at a Superfund site could take up to 20 years, according to a fully drafted Community Action Plan. 

The draft highlights the planning and progress the Environmental Protection Agency has made regarding the cleanup and Superfund status at 300 Fisher St. 

In 2015, the EPA added the 18-acre property to the Superfund list, which makes the property eligible for state-funded cleanup. The Superfund law provides the EPA with the funds to clean up the sites and gives it authority to force the polluters to lead the efforts or reimburse the government for the work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170921/franklin-fisher-street-cleanup-could-take-20-years

The Community Involvement Plan (CIP) can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/updated-community-involvement-plan-for.html

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

"The federal agency responsible for ensuring that markets function as they should and for protecting investors was hacked last year and the intruders may have used the nonpublic information they obtained to profit illegally. 

The disclosure arrived two months after a government watchdog said deficiencies in the computer systems of the Securities and Exchange Commission put the system, and the information it contains, at risk. 

In July, the Government Accountability Office issued a critical report about the security measures employed by the SEC, citing a number of deficiencies in “the effectiveness of SEC’s controls for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information systems.” It issued 26 recommendations that it said would make SEC systems more secure. 

According to the SEC, the breach was discovered last year, but the possibility of illicit trading was uncovered only last month. It did not explain why the hack itself was not revealed sooner, or which individuals or companies may have been impacted."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20170921/fed-agency-urging-corporate-cybersecurity-upgrades-is-hacked

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

An updated Community Involvement Plan (CIP) from the EPA on the BJAT, LLC. property, 300 Fisher St.


"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Community Involvement Plan (CIP) based predominantly upon input gathered through interviews with Town of Franklin (Franklin) officials and residents, along with other stakeholders interested in the BJAT, LLC. Superfund1 Site (Site). EPA’s goals for community involvement at the Site are:

• To provide the public with accurate, timely, accessible, and understandable information about the project as it moves forward;
• To provide opportunities for the public to become actively involved, especially when decisions about the cleanup are being made;
• To enlist the support and involvement of local officials and community leaders; and
• To encourage, respect and fully consider community input as the project moves forward.

EPA will achieve these goals through various means, including published documents, meetings, presentations, and community conversations. These activities will be based on the community’s needs, as informed by those with whom EPA met while preparing this plan, as well as all legal requirements.

The CIP is a living document and, as necessary and appropriate, it will be updated with community input. If you are interested in suggesting changes to this plan or have questions about it, please contact:

Kimberly White, P.E.
Remedial Project Manager
(617) 918-1752
white.kimberly@epa.gov

ZaNetta Purnell, MPH
Community Involvement Coordinator
(617) 918-1306
Purnell.zanetta@epa.gov

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

In the News: 300 Fisher plan drafted; summer meals gap

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward in its efforts to clean up a Superfund site on Fisher Street. 

The agency has drafted a “Community Involvement Plan” and is beginning its preliminary investigation of the BJAT, LLC property. 

Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator with the EPA, said the agency wants to learn more about the town, as a way to better inform the community as the process advances. 

“It’s about providing access to accurate and timely information, and provide opportunities for the public to be actively involved,” she said. “We did the Community Involvement Plan early on in the process - we usually do it a bit later."

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/franklin-epa-progresses-on-superfund-property

More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

A copy of the draft Community Involvement Plan can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOFpiTURCd2hBNjFudm5tUDYzeXRtcVY5eVU4/view?usp=sharing

Low-income children face summer meals gap

"While nearly 300,000 Massachusetts students get free or reduced-price lunches at school, it’s often a challenge to reach them during the summer. 

“Low-income children are really at risk for hunger and malnutrition during the summer months,” said Jordan Smith, community relations coordinator for Project Bread’s Child Nutrition Outreach Team. 

Last year, federally funded free summer meals programs provided an average of 53,000 lunches per day to children statewide. That represents about 18 percent of students who received free or reduced-price lunch during the school year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides reimbursements to organizations that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks through the federal Summer Food Service Program. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education oversees the programs in Massachusetts, and receives technical assistance from Project Bread, the nonprofit that organizes the annual Boston Walk for Hunger."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/low-income-children-face-summer-meals-gap

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street) Community Involvement Plan.- Comments due today

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street, Franklin, MA) Community Involvement Plan.

The Community Involvement Plan is a dynamic document that can be updated, when necessary, throughout the cleanup process. Attached, please find a draft copy of the plan. Please review and send me any comments you have by Friday, June 9, 2017. Comments we receive will be carefully considered prior to the plan being made publicly available.

Marilyn St. Fleur, MPH
Public Affairs Specialist
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of the Regional Administrator

US EPA, Region 1
5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100
Mail Code ORA01-3
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Telephone: 617-918-1617
Fax: 617-918-0617
Email: stfleur.marilyn@epa.gov

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/126593





More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

EPA "Community Involvement Plan" draft copy for 300 Fisher St is open for review and comment

"The Community Involvement Plan is a dynamic document that can be updated, when necessary, throughout the cleanup process. Attached, please find a draft copy of the plan. 

Please review and send me any comments you have by Friday, June 9, 2017. Comments we receive will be carefully considered prior to the plan being made publicly available."

Marilyn St. Fleur, MPH

Public Affairs Specialist

Community Involvement Coordinator

Office of the Regional Administrator

US EPA, Region 1

5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100
Mail Code ORA01-3
Boston, MA 02109-3912

Email: stfleur.marilyn@epa.gov 




More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

A new Facebook page on the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

A new Facebook page has been set up to provide Franklin residents with a way of accessing information pertaining to the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin. 

BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

Visit the page on Facebook  https://www.prod.facebook.com/groups/280715245661894/

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• EPA visited recently to start building community awareness of the Superfund site

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/the-land-could-help-expand-towns.html

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html