General Purpose
The purpose of the Conservation Department is to improve the natural environment of Franklin by preserving its water and land resources. Central to this mission is the protection and restoration of natural habitats and ecosystems.
The operations of the Conservation Department are complex and diverse, with two primary branches of function:
● Acting as a permitting agency and enforcing authority, and
● Serving as a natural resource management department
The authority for the Conservation Department to function as a permitting agency and enforcing authority is granted by the Conservation Commission under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act and local Wetlands Protection Bylaw and associated Regulations. The Conservation Commission is the main permitting authority and approves and oversees proposed and ongoing projects near or within Resource Areas, including wetlands, vernal pools, floodplains, habitats, and surrounding landscapes.
The Conservation Department, led by the "Conservation Director", serves as the Town liaison for the Conservation Commission and vice-versa. The Conservation Director role has the responsibility of guiding residents, developers, and the Commission through permitting processes; enforcing remediation for environmental violations; and providing expertise on wetland regulations, science and functions, as necessary. The Conservation Department and Commission also works closely with other community groups, such as Scouts, to facilitate project feasibility and approval at open space and conservation areas. The momentum of projects submitted to the Conservation Department is generally increasing.
In addition to its regulatory role, the Conservation Department also manages all of the open space and conservation areas throughout Town; engages in grant writing to support conservation initiatives and land acquisition; advises other Town boards and staff on environmental issues; manages forestry in conservation areas; designs and restores habitats; and provides conservation programs for Franklin residents. The combination of environmental permitting responsibilities and land management expertise has enabled the Conservation Department to emerge as a comprehensive resource for environmental permitting and project implementation. This has also positioned the Department as a leading authority on land protection, management, and restoration.
Core Functions
● Environmental permitting and regulatory oversight
○ Administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act.
○ Administer and enforce the Town’s Wetlands Protection Bylaw and associated Regulations.
○ Review applications and issue permits for projects within or near Resource Areas.
○ Monitor approved projects for compliance.
○ Investigate and enforce remediation of environmental violations.
○ Serve as liaison and staff support to the Conservation Commission.
● Natural resource management and land stewardship
○ Manage 1,076 acres of open space and conservation land.
○ Oversee Forest Stewardship Plans.
○ Manage designated biodiversity areas and wildlife habitats.
○ Maintain and monitor beaver flow devices.
○ Implement aquatic management planning.
○ Conduct forestry management activities.
○ Design and restore ecological habitats.
● Environmental planning and technical expertise
○ Provide scientific and regulatory guidance on wetland functions and ecological systems.
○ Advise Town boards and staff on environmental matters.
○ Support long-term land protection and restoration planning.
○ Revitalize and update Bylaws and Regulations.
● Project development and implementation
○ Develop and advance strategic land initiatives (e.g., Schmidt’s Farm, Maple Hill, Franklin Greenway).
○ Evaluate feasibility of conservation and open space projects.
○ Oversee implementation of approved environmental projects.
○ Facilitate project coordination between residents, developers, and the Commission.
● Grant writing and funding development
○ Prepare and manage grant applications.
○ Secure funding for conservation initiatives.
○ Administer awarded grants.
● Community engagement and education
○ Provide conservation programming for residents.
○ Collaborate with community groups (e.g., Scouts) on conservation projects.
○ Promote public awareness of environmental protection and stewardship.
● Regional and statewide environment collaboration
○ Represent Franklin in regional environmental initiatives.
○ Participate in the Charles River Climate Compact.
○ Engage in regional rail trail planning efforts.
○ Advocate for wetland science and climate resilience planning.
Staffing
● One (1) part-time Conservation Director
● One (1) part-time Administrative Assistant
Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments
● Bylaw modernization
○ Revitalize and strengthen local Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations (ongoing).
○ Enhance enforcement consistency and compliance monitoring.
○ Streamline permitting guidance for residents and developers, lowering permitting costs for Franklin residents and increasing for industrial/commercial
○ Maintain strong administration of the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act
● Open space and land management
○ Strategically developed Schmidt’s Farm and Maple Hill
○ Expand biodiversity protection and habitat restoration initiatives
○ Implement long-term forestry and stewardship planning
● Climate resilience and environmental leadership
○ Participate in regional climate collaboration through the Charles River Climate Compact
○ Support climate adaptation and wetland resilience initiatives
○ Lead wetland science advocacy efforts
○ Integrate climate consideration into permitting and land management decisions
● Habitat restoration and ecological enhancement
○ Restore and enhance critical habitats, including designated turtle habitat areas
○ Manage beaver flow devices to balance ecological function and flood migration
○ Implement aquatic management planning
○ Advance biodiversity area protections
● Community engagement and interdepartmental collaboration
○ Collaborate with the community groups (e.g., Scouts) on conservation projects
○ Provide conservation education and programming
○ Advise Town boards and staff on environmental impacts and sustainability planning
FY27 Requested Budget Highlights
● The Conservation Department was staffed by one full-time Director in FY26. In January 2026, the Director reduced her schedule to part-time and is now only working 19 hours per week.
● The Department will supplement the Director’s schedule by adding a part-time administrative assistant position, which should be on board in late April or May.
● The Director will focus on strategic initiatives and projects while the administrative assistant provides behind the scenes support. This staffing change will save approximately $5,000. Both positions are part-time and not eligible for benefits, so there will also be some savings in the Benefits Budget.
● Outside of the staff reorganization and the 2.5% COLA for the existing employee, this is a level-funded budget.
FY27 Requested Budget Summary
While the Conservation Department is not requesting any additional departmental funds, in light of the current financial climate of the Franklin community, the funds spent on this Department are worthwhile in their expenditures.
The Conservation Departmental budget requested should be approved because failing to adequately fund the Conservation Department increases the Town’s risk of environmental damage, procedural errors, delayed permits, infrastructure failures, litigation expenses, environmental remediation costs, and loss of grant eligibility. Additionally, the Conservation Department is responsible for stewardship of significant public land holdings. These lands protect water quality, provide recreational opportunities, preserve property values, and enhance community character. Proper management prevents far more expensive remediation in the future. Conservation land is a Town asset. Like an asset, it requires professional management to retain its value. The prevention of risks and the protection of assets are fiscally responsible governance.
