A Note to Franklin Residents on the Bellingham Battery Storage Proposal from Councilor Maxwell Morrongiello

Councilor Maxwell Morrongiello

Over the past two weeks, I've heard from a number of Franklin residents with concerns about a proposed Battery Energy Storage System at 26 Pearl Street in Bellingham, just across the town line. I want to respond publicly because these questions deserve a thorough and honest answer.

What the project is:

The site is a 20-acre town-owned parcel that Bellingham put out to bid in 2020 and authorized through its own town meeting. Zero-Point Development was awarded the contract, and a ground lease has been in place since 2021. The developer filed a Special Permit application with the Bellingham Zoning Board in February 2026, which is the first step in a multi-stage process that will also include Bellingham's Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and MassDEP before anything can be built.

On the safety questions:

These are questions worth understanding, and I've looked into them carefully. The data on these facilities has improved significantly in recent years. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, the global failure rate for battery storage systems dropped 98% between 2018 and 2024, even as deployment grew dramatically. In 2024, roughly 0.3% of facilities experienced an incident with any safety concern, comparable to the annual rate of residential house fires. A 2025 review of 35 large-scale U.S. battery fires between 2012 and 2024 found no air, soil, or water contamination requiring remediation at any of them.

That said, the proximity to the Charles River is something I've noted. The developer's own site plan shows the facility sits within the state-mandated 200-foot Riverfront Area buffer zone, which triggers specific MassDEP oversight. The developer's design includes an automated containment system for fire water runoff, as MassDEP requires, but the adequacy of that system given the river's proximity is exactly the kind of question the Conservation Commission and MassDEP review stages are designed to scrutinize carefully. On noise, battery storage facilities do produce continuous fan noise, and Bellingham's Planning Board can and should require the developer to address this through noise barriers and overnight operational restrictions.

Franklin's role:

I want to be direct: this is a Bellingham decision about Bellingham-owned land, authorized by Bellingham's own voters. Franklin's Town Council does not have authority over another municipality's permitting process, and it would not be appropriate for us to insert ourselves formally. What I can tell you is that the Planning Board and Conservation Commission hearings ahead are exactly where community voices belong and where they can make a real difference. If you have concerns, I encourage you to attend those hearings and put them on the record.

I'll continue to stay informed as this develops, and I'm always available to hear from residents at mmorrongiello@franklinma.gov.

---

**Sources**

1. **Project site, ownership, RFP history, ground lease date, ZBA application date, acreage:** Bellingham Zoning Board of Appeals, Special Permit Application, ZPB 2020-030 LLC, received February 11, 2026.

2. **200-foot Riverfront Area buffer zone:** Site Layout Plan CS-101, ZPB-2020-030 LLC, 26 Pearl Street, Bellingham, MA, prepared by Fuss & O'Neill, dated June 18, 2025.

3. **98% failure rate reduction, 2018-2024:** Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), cited in Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, *Battery Energy Storage Systems: Frequently Asked Questions on Fire Safety and Public Health*, mass.gov, February 2026.

4. **0.3% annual incident rate, comparison to residential house fire rate:** Camelot Energy Group, "Putting BESS Fires in Everyday Context," July 2024, cited in John Pepi, Alliance for Climate Transition, joinact.org, July 2025.

5. **35 fires (2012-2024), no remediation required:** Fire & Risk Alliance LLC and American Clean Power Association, *Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities*, March 28, 2025.

6. **MassDEP containment requirements, automated shutoff valve:** ZPB 2020-030 LLC / Zero-Point Development, Project Narrative, 26 Pearl Street, Bellingham, MA (submitted to Bellingham ZBA, February 2026).

7. **Noise mitigation standards:** Massachusetts DOER/EFSB, *Guidance on Electric Battery Storage and Electric Vehicle Chargers*, August 2025, mass.gov.

Miss the No Kings Rally on the Town Common? Listen in (audio)

FM #1701 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1701 in the series. 

This session shares the audio of the No Kings Rally on the Town Common in Franklin, MA on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

 

The audio lets you be there to hear the multiple speakers and the two musical performances by Sioo and Toby.

Rachel Plukas welcomed the group

Michael Walker-Jones took over as master of ceremonies introducing the bands and the remaining speakers:

• Town Councilor Max Morrongiello

• Senator Becca Rausch

• Veronica

• State Rep Jeff Roy

The recording runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1701-no-kings-rally-in-franklin-ma-03-28-26/

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Shared album of photos of the event  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xYCz8suYGpaiYmaU7

Miss the No Kings Rally on the Town Common? Listen in (audio)

-------------

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 it!

------------------

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

Councilor Morrongiello provides some quarterbacking insights to the March 4, 2026 meeting (audio)

FM #1689 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1689 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Councilor Max Morrongiello. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Snow and Ice total at $2.1M which doesn't include the $65K from last night's double coat of salt to counter the ice. This amount will eat into the operations budget as it has already wiped out the snow/Ice stabilization amount

• Ad-hoc subcommittee with 3 Council members will report back with community input on potential charter changes was approved by 9-0 vote

• Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing a Fire Truck for the Fire Department was approved by 9-0 vote.

• $20,000 from special fund for paid parking fees was authorized to pay for the system (2 years worth) and some repairs to one of the kiosks by a 9-0 vote

• 2 zoning bylaws (Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948 & Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949) were approved to refer to the Planning Board. They will conduct their public hearing and send them back as is, or with comments for adjustments. The Council will then hold their public hearing (possibly in April) before voting on the measures. The new Planning Director Morena Zelaya made the presentation for her first appearance before the Council

• Then they got to the goals discussion. After a lengthy discussion with some tweaks, some cuts, but mostly approval of the goals as presented the Council was able to move to accept the goals as revised at approx. 9:58, approved to waive the reading, voted to approved, and then with seconds to spare, voted to adjourn before 10:00 PM

• Max shared his goals tracking to provide details on the survey and feedback received vs. how that played into the set of goals agreed to by the full Council 

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen in

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1689-town-council-quarterbacking-with-councilor-morrongiello-03-11-26/

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Add link to goals survey tracking

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/town-councilor-morrongiello-resident.html

The Franklin TV video is available for replay  https://youtu.be/3jkYtB5_Y3g?&t=136 

The agenda (and released documents) can be found  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2166 

The thread of my notes captured via Blusky can be found in PDF format - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ONzSiMKofgqw1riOlBPJyqB-Hopo3bcs/view?usp=drive_link

--------------

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!

------------------

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

Next round of Master Plan priority setting via poll opened by Town Councilor Morrongiello

The full Master Plan is available
at franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan.

Town Councilor Maxwell Morrongiello announced today (1/20/26) that establishing a minimum annual allocation to the school district operating budget received the most nominations in the first phase of his Master Plan priority survey.

The goal, identified as CSF6.1a in the Master Plan, received nine nominations in a survey that closed Jan. 19. Overall, residents submitted 35 valid nominations across 24 different Master Plan goals.

"I'm listening to Franklin residents," Morrongiello said. "So far, education funding has generated the most interest, but the poll will determine which goals the community wants prioritized."

Morrongiello has now opened a web poll asking residents to select which goals the Town Council should prioritize during his first term. The poll includes the 24 goals nominated by residents as well as several additional goals Morrongiello added based on his campaign platform and initial council priorities. The poll closes Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

The Town Council will hold its goal setting meeting Wednesday, Feb. 4. Morrongiello encourages residents to fill out the poll and attend the meeting to advocate for goals important to them.

"This is your opportunity to make your voice heard before the council establishes its priorities for the term," Morrongiello said.

The poll is available at https://forms.gle/G5sckZhnPSHoNMiq8

The poll is non-binding but will inform Morrongiello's decision making as the council develops its legislative priorities for the 2025-2027 term.

Residents with suggestions or concerns beyond the Master Plan are encouraged to contact Morrongiello directly at mmorrongiello@franklinma.gov.

The Town of Franklin adopted its 2025 Master Plan last year after extensive public input. The plan identifies more than 300 goals to accomplish over the next decade across six key areas: Housing Diversity, Complete Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Connectivity, Vibrant Downtown, Natural and Historic Conservation and Resource Efficiency.

The full Master Plan is available at franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan.

Councilor Morrongiello Seeks Public Input on Master Plan Priority Goals

Town Councilor Maxwell Morrongiello is inviting residents to help identify which goals from the recently adopted Master Plan the Town Council should prioritize during his first term.

The Town of Franklin adopted its 2025 Master Plan last year after extensive public input. The plan identifies more than 300 goals to accomplish over the next decade across six key areas: Housing Diversity, Complete Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Connectivity, Vibrant Downtown, Natural and Historic Conservation, and Resource Efficiency.

"I campaigned on a platform of transparency. Now I want to hear from you," Morrongiello said. "The Town Council will soon be deciding what goals to tackle during the current term."

The survey asks residents to nominate one goal from the Master Plan. Due to the expected volume of responses, participants are asked to submit only their top priority. Morrongiello will follow up with a web poll after the nomination period closes.

Nominations close Jan. 19, 2026.

The Town Council will hold its goal setting meeting Feb. 4. Morrongiello encourages community members to make their voices heard before the council establishes its priorities for the term.

The survey is available at https://forms.gle/f9xHt8wjaNDEFKHB8

The survey is non-binding but will help Morrongiello determine which goals to support as the council develops its legislative priorities for the 2025-2027 term.

Only goals from the adopted Master Plan will be considered for the survey. Residents with suggestions or concerns beyond the Master Plan are encouraged to contact Morrongiello directly at mmorrongiello@franklinma.gov.

The full Master Plan is available at https://www.franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan

Councilor Morrongiello Seeks Public
Input on Master Plan Priority Goals

About the Franklin Master Plan

The Franklin Master Plan 2025 was adopted after a comprehensive public engagement process and provides a framework for municipal development and decision-making over the next 10 years. The plan includes recommendations for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, natural resources and community facilities.