Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Franklin Ridge Senior Housing - Presentation with Q&A (video)
Friday, February 6, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, February 6, 2026 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Franklin Ridge Presentation scheduled for Friday, Feb 6
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| Franklin Ridge Presentation scheduled for Friday, Feb 6 |
- The construction timeline
- The application process
- What to expect moving forward
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Franklin Ridge Begins Construction
After 11 years of groundwork, the affordable senior housing project moves toward construction with an eye toward opening in late 2027
Through the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, the Town of Franklin is proud to announce that the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project has secured all necessary funding and construction-related approvals to commence the construction of this three-story, 60-unit affordable senior housing complex in November. 
Franklin Ridge Begins Construction
Over the past eleven years, the Town of Franklin and Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust have worked closely with JNJUHL & Associates, a local, affordable housing developer, to provide much needed affordable housing for Franklin’s senior community 62 years of age or older. Located adjacent to the Eaton Place senior housing complex, the Franklin Ridge housing development will consist of (54) One-Bedroom Units and (6) Two-Bedroom Units, in addition to community space that includes a community room with a kitchenette, library, a multi-purpose room and offices for management and social service staff.
"With the senior population in Franklin growing exponentially, the Town continues to be committed to providing high quality affordable senior housing which keeps our Franklin seniors within the community for the long-term” stated Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Seniors are an essential and valued component of this community, providing not only an important link to our past, but a viable element that continues to make a significant contribution through volunteering as well as supporting town activities and organizations. This project will allow income eligible seniors to right-size their living situation and stay in the community they love”.
With 70% local preference, which is the maximum percentage allowed under state regulation, the Town is focused on getting as many local eligible seniors as possible into the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project upon its completion in 2027.
Jon Juhl, President of JNJUHL & Associates, continues “this project was truly a community effort: the Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is providing the land, as well as a significant financial contribution of $500,000 toward the project. The Town is also using over $320,000 in Community Preservation Act funding to leverage millions of dollars in federal and state funding from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. "
"This affordable housing project could not have been accomplished without the hard work and support of many Town Departments and Committees including the Town Administrator’s Office, Department of Planning & Community Development, Building Department, Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals; all with one goal in mind: to meet the supportive housing needs of seniors while building a green and sustainable project. Franklin Ridge will be just that: housing which has adaptive, accessible apartments, is 100% electric, and has solar back-up. It is a project that will benefit Franklin seniors –and our community—for many years to come.”
Franklin Ridge Senior Housing Project has been designed for seniors, age 62 and older, who meet income eligibility requirements. Construction will start this winter and occupancy is expected by mid-late 2027. Rental applications will be managed by The Community Builders, a Boston-based non-profit housing development and management company, starting in early 2027. Outreach sessions to the senior center and broader community will begin in 2026.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Town Council hears the SNETT and Franklin Ridge transactions are complete, accepts Elks Riders donation in last session (video)
- Approximately the first 45 minutes of the meeting were taken up with multiple citizen comments, many on the 444 East Central development proposal which while one of their complaints is that the Council doesn't listen to them, also ironically indicates that they haven't listened or don't understand the meaning of due process
- One comment revealed the first annual Caregiver Appreciation day scheduled for Nov 7 at the Senior Center from 11 - 3 PM. (Note, on that the day the regular Senior Center activities are canceled)
- Appointments to the Agricultural Commission - Jennifer Sweeney (Associate Seat) and to the Council on Aging - Roberta Trahan were both approved by 9-0 votes
- The Public Hearing, originally scheduled for Oct 15, and continued to this date, was opened and eventually closed with no public or Council comments on the multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager... Doing business as Liquor World. The measure was approved by 9-0 vote
- The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery by a 9-0 vote
- Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department. Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check for $2000 from this year's rides
- Resolution 25-70: Adoption of Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-70 - Majority Vote) Moved, second. The proposal is modeled after that of Shrewsbury as they are the only 1 approved now, 100+ communities remain to develop one and get theirs approved. This is an example of additional revenue from cannabis, almost $.5m yearly total. NETA has done well here
- Resolution 25-67: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53 E½, as Amended (Electric Vehicle Charging Stations) approved by 9-0 vote, may need to adjusted upward as time goes and action on this revenue stream increases
- From the Town Administrator's Report
- Purchase of the SNETT extension is complete, now owned by the Town, Work remains to be funded and completed but the registry of deeds has the record of ownership
- Formally closed on Franklin Ridge, contracts going out to bid, info sessions in the spring on lottery process etc. Construction once begun is anticipated to go 18-24 months
- Approximately, the remaining 40 minutes of the meeting were Councilor Comments reflecting on accomplishments for this term, recognition of the 3 not running for re-election, etc.
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| Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department. Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check |
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Franklin Ridge & Veterans Mem. Dr. Extension FONSI & NOI-RROF
Friday, February 7, 2025
Town Council approves capital budget, new victualier license, gives final approval to sign bylaw changes & water/sewer connections for Franklin Ridge (video)
- Fire Department - Promotions, i.Captain Matthew Kelly & ii.Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward
- Hearings Opened and Closed with passage of the applicable legislation by same 7-0-2 (2 absent) votes
- Public hearing: 1 - Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements
- Public hearing: 2 - New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street
- Presentation on the ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye
- Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin
- By law, the Planning Board is the only approval required, given the amount of work required - 295 page document - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report
- The next legislative items were all approved by the same 7-0-2 (2 absent)
- Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan
- Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) - Second Reading
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) - Second Reading
- Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map - Second Reading (for Franklin Ridge)
- Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map - Second Reading (for Franklin Ridge)
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Town Council gets updates on Franklin Ridge, 40b status, & moved to 2nd reading ADU bylaw changes (audio)
FM #1352 This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1352 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All 9 of the 9 members participated in Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
2 public hearings on the accessory dwelling unit bylaw changes were opened and closed after discussion. Later the legislation for action approved by 9-0 vote to move both measures to second reading
2 public hearings on sign bylaw changes as proposed were opened and continued to the Jan 22 meeting without further discussion. Later in the legislation for action, those two measures were also rescheduled to the Jan 22 meeting by 9-0 votes
Presentation on Franklin Ridge, a senior affordable housing project update was provided that with the recent funding made available on 2 front for Town work and for the private development of the 60 units, given the current schedule, ground could break in June 2025. Bryan Taberner, Director Planning & Community Development provided the update.
Bryan continued with a second presentation on the sustainable housing inventory (SHI) or informally called the 40b requirement. Bottomline we are currently at 10.86% (above the critical 10% threshold) with approximately 1,000 units currently permitted or in the pipeline of approvals. If all of those units were indeed built (could be some # of years) we could increase to about 12-13%. Question then becomes, what should our goal be (besides remaining above 10%)?
2 items approved to enable the respective water and sewer connections for the Franklin Ridge project as mentioned earlier.
The last item in legislation was acceptance of additional fund for the Senior Center etc.
Interesting point in the Town Administrator's Report. The home rule charter request to exempt the town from paying for legal notices in print newspapers was signed by the Governor. We have an email alert process for any one with an email address to enable notification of such legal notices
Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1352-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-01-08-25/
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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208
The agenda and released documents for this meeting ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf
My full set of notes (in one PDF) can be found online
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link
Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9
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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.
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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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Friday, January 10, 2025
Town Council gets updates on Franklin Ridge, 40b status, & moved to 2nd reading ADU bylaw changes (video)
- 2 public hearings on the accessory dwelling unit bylaw changes were opened and closed after discussion. Later the legislation for action approved by 9-0 vote to move both measure to second reading
- 2 public hearings on sign bylaw changes as proposed were opened and continued to the Jan 22 meeting without further discussion. Later in the legislation for action, those two measures were also rescheduled to the Jan 22 meeting by 9-0 votes
- Presentation on Franklin Ridge, a senior affordable housing project update was provided that with the recent funding made available on 2 front for Town work and for the private development of the 60 units, given the current schedule, ground could break in June 2025. Bryan Taberner, Director Planning & Community Development provided the update.
- Bryan continued with a second presentation on the sustainable housing inventory (SHI) or informally called the 40b requirement. Bottomline we are currently at 10.86% (above the critical 10% threshold) with approximately 1,000 units currently permitted or in the pipeline of approvals. If all of those units were indeed built (could be some # of years) we could increase to about 12-13%. Question then becomes, what should our goal be (besides remaining above 10%)?
- 2 items approved to enable the respective water and sewer connections for the Franklin Ridge project as mentioned earlier.
- The last item in legislation was acceptance of additional fund for senior Center etc.
- Interesting point in the Town Administrator's Report. The homerule charter request to exempt the town from paying for legal notices in print newspapers was signed by the Governor. We have an email alert process for any one with an email address to enable notification of such legal notices
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| key summary from presentation on housing (40b) |
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council Meeting on January 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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.
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 et seq, 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.
a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-917: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Definitions, Accessory Dwelling Units.i. Legislation for Action #9cb. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-918: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185 Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part CVII: Accessory Usesi. Legislation for Action #9dc. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) To be continued. (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919 to January 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)i. Legislation for Action #9ed. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) To be continued. (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920 to January 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)i. Legislation for Action #9f
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committeef. Police Station Building Committeeg. GATRA Advisory Board
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station - Invitation for Bid
IFB - Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station
In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a company for the Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station Project in the Town of Franklin.
Additional Information: Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station Project
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-franklin-ridge-booster-pump-station
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| Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station - Invitation for Bid |
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Auchincloss Secures District Wins in Passage of Federal Minibus - Franklin Ridge gains $850K
Auchincloss Secures District Wins in Passage of Federal Minibus
"Minibus" Funding Bill Includes Auchincloss Community Project Funding Requests
Last weekend, Congress passed a partial government funding bill that was signed by President Biden and includes key wins for the Fourth District. The bill provides funding for 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests sponsored by Congressman Auchincloss.
"Clean drinking water & better bridges have been my priority for three funding cycles," said Auchincloss. "These projects take time – they're not quick & flashy – but the benefits will extend for a generation."
Auchincloss Projects Included in Passage:
- Pleasant Street Neighborhood Stabilization Plan Streetscapes Improvement Project, Fall River Amount Received: $1,666,279
- Danforth St. Bridge Reconstruction Project, Taunton Amount Received: $1,000,000
- Weir Bridge Reconstruction Project, Taunton Amount Received: $1,000,000
- Cleaning and Lining Large Water Main near Wading River Water Treatment Plan, Attleboro Amount Received: $959,752
- Ferry Street Sewer Pump Station Rehabilitation Project, Fall River Amount Received: $959,752
- PFAS Treatment Project, Bellingham Amount Received: $959,752
- Walnut Street Sewer Project, Foxborough Amount Received: $959,752
- Town Center Package Sewer Plant, Norfolk Amount Received: $959,752
- McKeon PFAS Treatment Facility, North Attleborough Amount Received: $959,752
- Construction of Route 6 Corridor Sewer Collection System, Swansea Amount Received: $959,752
- Water Quality Improvements, Wrentham Amount Received: $959,752
- Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club Stone House Renovation Project, Blackstone Amount Received: $850,000
- Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project, Franklin Amount Received: $850,000
- South Main Street Bridge, Freetown Amount Received: $500,000
- Pleasant Street Infrastructure Improvements, Medfield Amount Received: $500,000
To learn more about Congressman Jake Auchincloss, visit https://auchincloss.house.gov or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.
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| Auchincloss Secures District Wins in Passage of Federal Minibus |
Friday, March 8, 2024
Town of Franklin: Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station - Invitation to Bid
Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station
In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a company for the Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station Project in the Town of Franklin.
Additional Information: Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station Project
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/franklin-ridge-booster-pump-station
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| Town of Franklin: Franklin Ridge Booster Pump Station - Invitation to Bid |








