Town of Franklin 2025 Master Plan: Key Issues and Opportunities - Part 4 of 8 - Natural, Cultural, Historic Resources

Natural, Cultural, Historic Resources

ISSUES

Water Supply

Franklin depends on groundwater for its public water supply. Protecting and managing both the

quality and quantity of this resource is critical for the town’s sustainability.

Environmental Concerns

The town faces challenges related to invasive species management, water quality, and flood control. Beaver populations and their dams contribute to flooding issues, while algae blooms in water bodies threaten wildlife and water quality and diminish the overall attractiveness of these areas to residents.

 

Development Limitations

Most easily developable land has been utilized, but remaining lands contain environmental constraints, such as wetlands. The permitting process for residential subdivisions on Chapter 61B land highlights the challenge of balancing development with environmental preservation.

Capacity Constraints

The town experiences limitations in staff, resources, and time, which can impede the effective management of environmental issues and the implementation of conservation initiatives. 

OPPORTUNITIES

Natural Resources Education

Continuing education about natural resources and environmental conservation presents an opportunity to raise awareness and foster community involvement in protecting the town’s resources.

Accessibility

Improving accessibility to open space areas and preserving them for recreational and educational purposes can enhance community well-being and environmental stewardship.

Indigenous History Integration

Increasing knowledge of indigenous history and incorporating it into open space areas promotes cultural enrichment and fosters a deeper connection to the land and its heritage.

Schmidt’s Farm

Developing amenities such as bike trails and sitting areas at Schmidt’s Farm can attract residents to enjoy open spaces while promoting sustainable recreational activities.

Wildlife Management

Exploring more ethical ways to manage wildlife populations, such as beavers and deer, presents an opportunity to address environmental challenges while respecting animal welfare. In 2022, there were eighteen incidents related to beavers, often requiring lethal removal or dam breaching in various locations across Franklin.

 

Natural Resource Protection

Protecting valuable natural resources such as forests, wetlands, and water bodies provides numerous benefits, including climate resiliency, habitat preservation, and water quality improvement.

Cultural and Historic Resources Preservation

Franklin has numerous historic sites and landmarks that contribute to its cultural identity. Opportunities exist to preserve and maintain these sites, through partnerships with the Cultural District Committee and Cultural Commission. Additionally, supporting art festivals, cultural celebrations, and performances could help showcase the diversity and vibrancy of Franklin’s art community and cultural resources.

Water Bodies Protection

Prioritizing protection efforts for water bodies including the Charles River, Mine Brook, and Uncas Pond, which serve as drinking water sources and support endangered species, is crucial for long-term environmental sustainability.

By addressing these issues and capitalizing on the opportunities, the town of Franklin can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future while preserving its natural heritage for future generations.

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Continue reading this Master Plan section in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtnxpyp39SnfKinQcUlp2U7M1Sas3cdB/view?usp=drive_link

Complete 2025 Master Plan report

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

Town of Franklin Master Plans (prior years)

https://www.franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan

Town of Franklin 2025 Master Plan: Scenic Roads & Historic Resource Maps

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Continue reading this Master Plan section in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CF0i8sjlLT5Duj5Pjnu6itnNQg2mPCYD/view?usp=drive_link

Complete 2025 Master Plan report

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

Town of Franklin Master Plans (prior years)

https://www.franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan

Town of Franklin 2025 Master Plan: Natural, Cultural & Historic Resources

Introduction

Franklin is a town that proudly intertwines its natural, historic, and cultural treasures to create a tapestry of unparalleled charm. Steeped in a rich historical background, many of Franklin’s significant buildings and areas have stood the test of time, narrating tales of the past. Franklin offers a rich diversity of landscapes including urban, suburban, small town and rural/agricultural areas. The Town has hills, farmlands, pastures, scenic roadways lined with large trees, stone walls, lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamps - all the unique features for a picturesque landscape that serves a variety of lifestyles and creates a pleasant environment for residents to live and work. As stewards of this New England gem, the community is committed to smart growth, protecting its natural resources, maintaining its historic appeal, and identifying and safeguarding lands and historic characteristics that make Franklin a treasured place to live, work, and play.

Existing Conditions and Trends

GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND SOILS

 

Franklin is characterized by low, rounded hills and open valleys formed by repeated advances of glacial ice. Elevations in the town range from 470 feet above sea level in the southern portion of the town, to less than 150 feet near Populatic Pond in the north. Some portions of northern Franklin also reach elevations over 400 feet above sea level.63 With a majority of the town sitting at 250-350 feet above sea level, Franklin is one of the highest elevated towns in Norfolk County.

Franklin’s bedrock is mainly composed of two types of granite: Dedham and Quincy granite. Dedham Granite runs through the lower half of Franklin, while Quincy Granite runs through the northern half. The Town has a small band of diorite (a dark, granite-textured rock) and diabase (dark, fine igneous rock, often used for crushed stone) dikes and sills along its eastern border with Norfolk and a strip of Wamsutta Formation (red to pink conglomerates of sandstone shale and rholite) along its southern border with Wrentham. The Bellingham-Franklin line is straddled with a strip of the Blackstone Group (quartzite, schist, phyllite, marble and metavolcanic rocks) on its northern half and a strip of Mattapan Volcanic Complex to the south of the Blackstone Group.

As the glacier retreated to the north, glacial till (unsorted glacial sediment) was deposited on hills, while meltwaters covered lower elevations with stratified glacial deposits of sand and gravel. In Map 7.1, tills appear as green, outwash areas of sand and gravel deposits are indicated by orange, bedrock outcrops are denoted by red, and brown indicates areas of artificial fill. Alluvium (mainly organic matter, fine sand, and silt) which underlies the flood plains of most streams and rivers, is represented by yellow areas.67 There are large swamp deposits in the western half of the town, as well as in some wetland pockets in other parts of Franklin. Comparing the surficial geology to flood hazard areas (shown in Map 7.2), clearly shows how the soils left behind by the glaciers are impacting the water flow at the surface today. Areas that would experience flooding during a 100-year flood overlap areas of floodplain alluvium and swamp deposits that are poorly draining and hold significant amounts of water and peat.

Franklin’s surficial geology consists primarily of deep, moderate to excessively drained fine, sandy loams. Knowledge of the soil types located within Franklin is a valuable tool for land use planning. Soil conditions can inform appropriate locations for farming, development and construction uses, flood management and other uses.

AGRICULTURAL LAND

Due to the high quality of its soil, Franklin has a rich agricultural history. Of Franklin’s 17,296 acres, 5,375 acres are classified as prime farmland or farmland of statewide significance.

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), prime farmland “has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for economically producing sustained high yields of food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods”.70 Farmland of statewide significance “is of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oil seed crops, as determined by the appropriate state agency or agencies. Generally, these include lands that are nearly prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods.”

While there were over 200 farms across Franklin in the late 1800s, that number has decreased dramatically today. As of 2023, the town reported only 14 operating farms (see Table 7.1 below).

Recently, the Town Council established the Franklin Agricultural Commission to promote the long-term economic and environmental viability of Franklin agriculture, provide agricultural resources, and preserve farmland in the town.

The Franklin Farmers’ Market is held on the Franklin Town Common on Fridays from June through October and a Winter Farmers’ Market is held at Fairmount Fruit Farm on selected Saturdays from November through April.

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Continue reading this Master Plan section in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CF0i8sjlLT5Duj5Pjnu6itnNQg2mPCYD/view?usp=drive_link

Complete 2025 Master Plan report

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report

Town of Franklin Master Plans (prior years)

https://www.franklinma.gov/295/Master-Plan

“Evening at the Museum: Cultural Connections – A Middle Eastern Experience” - April 15

“Evening at the Museum: Cultural Connections
– A Middle Eastern Experience” - April 15

“Evening at the Museum: Cultural Connections – A Middle Eastern Experience,” is a free, family-friendly program open to all ages. 

It will include a brief presentation along with interactive activities such as Islamic art coloring, a Palestinian Tatreez activity, and Middle Eastern BINGO. 

Snacks and refreshments will also be provided.

Event Details:
April 15, 2026 = 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Franklin Historical Museum
80 W Central St, Franklin, MA

Save the Date: BFCCPS multicultural night - March 26

Save the Date: BFCCPS multicultural
night - March 26

Save the date for Multicultural Night hosted by the ELPAC. 

All members of the BFCCPS community are invited and welcome to come! Tour around the world learning about different cultures.

Join us March 26th from 6-8 PM

Shared from - https://www.bfccps.org/apps/events/event.jsp?eREC_ID=5205369&d=2026-03-26

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

FM #1396 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1396 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Art Pharmacy Community Conversation held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.

Panelists:

• Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council

• Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy

• Amy Friguiletti, Deputy Town Administrator

The Q&A session of this is not shared, the audio quality was not sufficient.

The presentation portion of the event runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to overview of Art Pharmacy and how the Town of Franklin will be the first community to use their Opioid Settlement funds to  use this Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1396-art-pharmacy-community-comversation-03-05-25/

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** Presentation by Michael Bobbitt -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_g76jrwROR3wWehzLD5mDxrWk3zhk8Uo/view?usp=drive_link

Mass Cultural Council press release on Art Pharmacy -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/introducing-the-first-statewide-social-prescribing-solution-in-the-u-s/ 

Mass Cultural Council -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/ 

Michael Bobbit -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/about/staff/michael-j-bobbitt-bio/ 

** Presentation by Emily Devlin -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFFjIH-x0lHx53F8MMwxatqg_JoDJ35F/view?usp=drive_link

Art Pharmacy ->  https://www.artpharmacy.co/ 

Emily Devlin -> https://www.artpharmacy.co/about 

** Town of Franklin ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Amy Friguilett -> https://www.franklinma.gov/159/Administrator 

Cory Shea -> https://www.franklinma.gov/916/Arts-Culture-and-the-Creative-Economy

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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"

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

Master Plan Subcommittees: Sustainability & OSR & NCHR Subcommittees meeting scheduled for Mon, Dec 30

Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting

Event Date:  Monday, December 30, 2024 - 5:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/sustainability_-agenda_2024-12-30_updated_20241226.pdf

OSR & NCHR Subcommittee Meeting

Event Date:  Monday, December 30, 2024 - 5:45pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/osrp_and_nchr_subcommittee_agenda_-_dec_30_2024.pdf

Master Plan Subcommittees: Sustainability & OSR & NCHR Subcommittees meeting scheduled for Mon, Dec 30

Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources - Sep 10, 2024

Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources

Master Plan Subcommittee

Agenda for September 10, 2024

Virtual session

1. Role Call

2. Meeting Minutes Approval

a. February 12, 2024

b. March 18, 2024

c. May 14, 2024

3. Review of Open Space and Recreation & Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources

Goals and Objectives

4. OSR & NCHR Implementation Plan

Agenda doc contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/osrp_and_nchr_subcommittee_agenda_-_sept_10_2024.pdf

Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources - Sep 10, 2024

Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients - Apr 4

The Franklin Cultural Council and Franklin Cultural District Committee would like to invite you to the Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients!

Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients

When:  Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM

Where:  Alumni Memorial Hall, Dean College

• Music and Dance Performances 
• Congratulatory Remarks
• Light Refreshments
• Networking Opportunities

Please RSVP by March 28, 2024, Franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com

Dean College, Alumni Memorial Hall is located at 105 Main Street. Please use the

School Street "Bulldog entrance" adjacent to Pieri Gymnasium at 60 School Street.

Shared from ->  https://t.co/Ix7AzPYS6k

Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients - Apr 4

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024

Friday, February 23

7:00pm Good Thomas (live music)

Saturday, February 24

9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: David Laughlan III - WWII (Veterans Memorial Walkway - Town Common)

10:00am Girl Scout cookies (Stop & Shop)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

6:00pm Cinema 80: "The Freshman"  (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Jamie Barrett (live music) 

Sunday, February 25

8:00am Girl Scout cookies (Dunkin, King St)

11:00am Girl Scout cookies (Learning Express)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, February 26

9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: Richard L. Desper - Vietnam (Veterans Memorial Walkway - Town Common)

Tuesday, February 27

2:30pm Rainbow Café (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Railery Public House)

Wednesday, February 28

7:30pm She Loves Me (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Thursday, February 29

7:30pm She Loves Me (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Why have multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 16, 2023 to February 22, 2024

Why have multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 16, 2023 to February 22, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 9, 2023 to February 15, 2024

Why have multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 9, 2023 to February 15, 2024