Economic Development Subcmte gets updates on MBTA Community status and Nu-Style brownfield (audio)

FM #1343 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1343 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in the Council Chambers. 

All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).

Quick recap

• The Nu-Style project history is laid out in the presentation doc, progress is being made but complicated by the split of ownership of the properties involved. Especially as the building on the Town property that needs to come down is adjoining to the neighboring property building which has structural issues. Grant money is primarily being used for remediation work, additional grants are being sought to complete the work required.

• After all the zoning bylaw changes made for the Franklin For All project and specifically to meet the MBTA Community requirements,  we may finally be there. The last paperwork was submitted to the State and an answer is expected hopefully to confirm we do meet (actually exceed) the requirements. The timeline on the changes including the critical zoning changes is included in the presentation doc (shared below)

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0 

The recording of the meeting runs about 55 minutes.   Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1343-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-12-18-24/

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Franklin TV broadcast is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/AcTwbyEEB9s?&t=91

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-12-18_edc_agenda.pdf 

Presentation doc ->   https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JJz3RhlTZXN7gA8Ux2O8wSqFxhUDFYnC/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101938843903614700481&rtpof=true&sd=true

My full set of notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DqhtXZdJneqbD0nDshW3iqBbgB9R1PRX/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. 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"

Nu-Style property photo

MBTA Community status summary

Economic Development Subcmte gets updates on MBTA Community status and Nu-Style brownfield (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee got updates on 2 continuing items; the MBTA Community status and the Nu-Style brownfield site on Grove St. All four members of the committee were present in Chambers.

Bryan Taberner, Director of Community Planning along with Town Planner Amy Love provided the historical update on both items starting with Nu-Style.

Franklin TV broadcast is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/AcTwbyEEB9s?&t=91

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-12-18_edc_agenda.pdf 

Quick recap

• The Nu-Style project history is laid out in the presentation doc, progress is being made but complicated by the split of ownership of the properties involved. Especially as the building on the Town property that needs to come down is adjoining to the neighboring property building which has structural issues. Grant money is primarily being used for remediation work, additional grants are being sought to complete the work required.
• After all the zoning bylaw changes made for the Franklin For All project and specifically to meet the MBTA Community requirements,  we may finally be there. The last paperwork was submitted to the State and an answer is expected hopefully to confirm we do meet (actually exceed) the requirements. The timeline on the changes including the critical zoning changes is included in the presentation doc (shared below)

Presentation doc ->   https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JJz3RhlTZXN7gA8Ux2O8wSqFxhUDFYnC/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101938843903614700481&rtpof=true&sd=true

Nu-Style property photo

MBTA Community status summary

My full set of notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DqhtXZdJneqbD0nDshW3iqBbgB9R1PRX/view?usp=drive_link

Economic Development Subcommittee - agenda for meeting Dec 18 at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

December 18, 2024 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor 

355 East Central Street 

Agenda: 

1. MBTA Communities Update  

2. Nu-Style Project Update

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-12-18_edc_agenda.pdf 

Economic Development Subcommittee - agenda for meeting Dec 18 at 5:45 PM

Town of Franklin Awarded $500,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant

Continued Environmental Assessment and Remediation Work at the Nu-Style Property to Unlock Opportunities for Redevelopment with $100,000 Contribution from the Town of Franklin.

The Town of Franklin has been awarded $500,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grant Program. The funds will be used to complete remediation of soil and groundwater contamination at the town-owned former "Nu-Style Property" at 21 Grove St.; a critical step towards continued investment of the Grove St. corridor. 

The "Nu-Style Property" is one of several properties in a small mill complex that has a long manufacturing history (at least 90 years). Environmental contamination from previous owners, especially Nu-Style Company & Image Jewelry, was significant. Similar to other communities with brownfields sites, Franklin has struggled to obtain the resources needed to fully clean up the property to unlock redevelopment, as Federal and State grant funding programs are very competitive, and the cost of brownfields cleanup is costly.

Due to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nationally, 262 communities were selected to receive over $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program. This represents the highest funding level ever announced in the history of the Brownfields Program. Even with this unprecedented level of funding, the Town of Franklin was one of only six Massachusetts communities awarded EPA Brownfields Cleanup funding in 2023.

"Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, Congress put politics aside to invest in our future. Children in Franklin will inherit cleaner water & cleaner soil as a result of this grant, and everyone will benefit from unlocking more economic development." said U.S. Congressman Auchincloss.

According to Bryan Taberner, the Town of Franklin's Director of Planning and Community Development, "The Town has worked for well over 15 years to assess the environmental contamination at the former industrial site, and clean it up for redevelopment."

The Town has committed $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the project. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen notes, "By investing $600,000 in total funding towards remediation of the Nu-Style property, the town will enhance a more valuable asset, which will pave the way for additional economic development opportunities in town."

For more information on the EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-awarded-500000-epa-brownfields-cleanup-grant

Franklin Awarded $500,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023 Meeting at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 7, 2023 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street

Agenda:

1. NuStyle property update

2. GRV Zoning amendment proposal

a. Staff Memo & Draft Zoning amendment

3. Marijuana Overlay District Housecleaning

a. Staff Memo & Draft Map

Agenda doc includes remote participation info ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023  Meeting at 5:45 PM

Request for Determination - 21 Grove Street NuStyle - Conservation

Request for Determination - 21 Grove Street NuStyle - Conservation

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (Wetlands Protection Act), the Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 7:09 PM on a Request for Determination filed by Paul McManus of EcoTec Inc., Worcester, MA, on behalf of the Town of Franklin, for proposed environmental investigations including limited vegetation clearing, with work proposed within the 200-foot Riverfront Area; and the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) and inland Bank.

The Project is located at 21 Grove Street, Map 276, Lot 022, within the Industrial Zone.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building. Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher

Chairman

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/21_grove_street-nustyle_rda_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Request for Determination - 21 Grove Street NuStyle - Conservation

Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee hears about the complicated Nu-Style property

Quick Recap:

• The neighboring residents and business property owners are not interested in remediation of the contaminated site 
• Without additional EPA/DEP grants funds to facilitate the clean up, the Town is lacking in funds to clean it properly although it recognized  the need and obligation to do so
• For now, the Town will continue to work the grant applications for funds, and may consider re-issuing the property for sale

My full set of notes via Twitter from the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lFlASF1LGnnwHICeRFDvRHKVNTsYKyY3/view?usp=sharing

The Franklin TV recording of the meeting ->  https://youtu.be/dVAkkt0Ckfs

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Jul 20, 2022 - 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

July 20, 2022 - 5:45 PM

 

Agenda:

1. Urban Land Institute - North Grove PDA, Nu-Style Property: Clean up and redevelopment follow up and discussion  

Agenda doc and remote connection info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-07-20_edc_agenda_packet.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Jul 20, 2022 - 5:45 PM

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - a recap of the June 8, 2022 meeting (audio)

FM #816 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 816 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer on Thursday morning, June 9, 2022.  The Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, June 8.

·        ok, what just happened? 

·        What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Team

b. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company

License Transactions

a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038 

b. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504 

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept - Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk

b. Resolution 22-30: FY22 Capital Plan Round 2 

e. Resolution 22-39: Authorizing the Additional Borrowing of Money to Pay Additional Costs of the Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project 

The conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-816-town-council-quarterbacking-w-tom-mercer-06-09-22

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Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_6-8-22_0.pdf 

Presentation on the Nu-Style property -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_presentation.pdf 

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c3eKOj6mOCpr1fos7dvk_N4zcoh-DyO3/view?usp=sharing 

My photos taken during the meeting are in one album   https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Rkh1UGK3MJ5Yz6S7 

YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/xQgdpRxgGOU

Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community Calendar

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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

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

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"

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer 

Town Council hears of way to proceed with Nu-Style property, approves Town Clerk salary, authorized updated cost for Beaver St interceptor (audio)

FM #815 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 815 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. 

• Chair: T Mercer, M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones (remote), P Sheridan, D Pellegri (clerk for meeting with Jones remote), R Dellorco, T Cormier-Leger, B Chandler
• Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, M Cerel, et al

The recording runs two hours and twenty minutes (excluding the recess), so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 8, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-815-town-council-mtg-06-08-22

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Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_6-8-22_0.pdf 

Presentation on the Nu-Style property -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_presentation.pdf 

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c3eKOj6mOCpr1fos7dvk_N4zcoh-DyO3/view?usp=sharing 

My photos taken during the meeting are in one album 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Rkh1UGK3MJ5Yz6S7 

YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/xQgdpRxgGOU

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

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

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"

Franklin Flyer youth hockey team with Town Council

FHS theatre group with Town Council

Back to back Wednesday: EDC hears recommendations; Town Council gets an update on Nu-Style property

The Economic Development Subcommittee is scheduled to meet at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, June 8. The agenda is shown here. 

1. Update: MAPC “Franklin For All” zoning reform project for Franklin Center, including the Downtown Commercial District and surrounding neighborhoods 

a. Draft set of Recommendations - Slideshow from 5/16/22 Presentation  

https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Public-Forum-2-Presentation_updated-5-16.pdf   

b. Updated Memo & Timeline 

Agenda doc with remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-8-22_edc_agenda.pdf

The Town Council has a varied and pretty full agenda. One item not heard of recently is a scheduled update on the former Nu-Style property (a brown field) located on Grove St. 

Per the memo in the agenda packet, a team will visit the town and site on Wednesday and present their update to the Council at the meeting Wednesday evening.

"ULI’s TAP will be in Town on June 8, 2022 to perform a day long assessment of a new development concept developed by DPCD ‐ North Grove PDA Revitalization and Access Roadway Project. The Technical Assistance Panel consists of professionals in the fields of development, planning, real estate, economic development and environmental science.  

In general the TAP will work to answer the following questions:

1. Is the Town’s North Grove PDA/EOA Revitalization and Access Roadway Project actually feasible  given existing constraints, or are there better options to clean up and redevelop the Town’s Nu‐Style property and stimulate private investment in the North Grove PDA? 

2. Can the Town create a public/private development partnership to implement the Proposed Project (or other project conceived during the TAP) where all parties gain in the end?  

3. What specific process should the Town (and/or public private partnership) take to implement the chosen revitalization project?   

The TAP professional will present their findings at your meeting on June 8, 2022. I look forward to seeing the results of their work. "

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept -

Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._memo_town_council_letter_-_north_grove_pda_-_uli_tap_-_06022022.pdf

The full agenda doc and remote participation information ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-08-2022_town_council_agenda_packet.pdf 

Back to back Wednesday: EDC hears recommendations; Town Council gets an update on Nu-Style property