"Implementation of MBTA Communities Law Continues with Nearly 70 Communities Approved"

"Permanent regulations for the MBTA Communities Law have been published and nearly 70 communities are now compliant or conditionally compliant.  

The MBTA Communities Law is working."

Shared from -> https://x.com/MA_EOHLC/status/1912119967509827710?

Read the full press release ->

https://www.mass.gov/news/implementation-of-mbta-communities-law-continues-with-nearly-70-communities-approved

The Town of Franklin is in the "Zoning has been adopted and/or submitted for review" category.

"Implementation of MBTA Communities Law Continues with Nearly 70 Communities Approved"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 10, 2025 ???

Thursday, April 10

 

* Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Open Mic Night (Birchwood Bakery)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

April 10, 2025, 3:00 PM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04102025-1664 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

April 10, 2025, 2:00 PM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5145/April-10-2025---Agenda?bidId= 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

April 10, 2025, 7:30 PM = No meeting, next meeting is April 24

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Franklin Ridge & Veterans Mem. Dr. Extension FONSI & NOI-RROF

All: As mentioned in the March 13th email below*, the Town has received a $850,000 grant for the Veterans Memorial Drive Extension project. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has requested the Town repost the attached notice, which is a combined Notice that satisfies two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Franklin: a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) notice; and a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI-RROF).  

As required the Town completed an environment assessment (EA) of the project's potential impacts, and has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Anyone disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit directly to HUD or to the Town of Franklin's Department of Planning & Community Development. All comments received by April 12, 2025 will be considered by the Town of Franklin prior to submission of a request for release of funds.  

On or about April 13, 2025 the Town plans to submit a Request for Release of Funds and Certification to HUD for the release of the $850,000 in CPF HUD funding.

Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP

Director of Planning and Community Development

355 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038-1352

Phone: 508-520-4907

Email: btaberner@franklinma.gov

* March 13 email as referenced was posted here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/comment-period-open-until-march-25-2025.html

 

 

Comment period open until April 12, 2025 on Environmental Assessment for Veterans Memorial Drive Extension

Speaker Announcement: State Reps. to Join Policy Webinar

Join us April 3rd at 6 pm via zoom!

Dear Neighbor, I am excited to announce that State Representatives Andy Vargas, Meghan Kilcoyne, and Manny Cruz will join our Statewide Policy Agenda Webinar next Thursday, April 3rd at 6:00 PM on Zoom. As primary sponsors of our priority bills, we are thrilled join our policy webinar and share why they decided to champion these important pieces of legislation.  In addition to hearing remarks from our bill sponsors, we will take a detailed look at our priority bills, discuss AHMA's strategy for getting them passed, and end with a Q&A session.  I hope to see you there and share our exciting legislative priorities! Register Today Sincerely, Mike Kriesberg Policy and Advocacy Manager at Abundant Housing MA Become an AHMA member today! AHMA is a membership organization that is open to everyone. We stand up for abundant housing for all in communities across Massachusetts. We drive policy at the state and local level by identifying pro-housing changemakers, building the power of local organizers, and connecting a statewide network. Become a member today and join our statewide coalition. Together, we can make Massachusetts for everyone. Join our network!   Abundant Housing Massachusetts 50 Milk Street 16th floor Boston, MA 02109 United States

BEN's Bulletin: Budget and Stobbart's

Seeking opportunities for smart new growth!

BEN's Bulletin (03/24/25)   Weather and agendas are heating up! With Franklin's budget constraints, it is increasingly important for the community to find smart opportunities for new tax revenue that doesn't place further strain on the Town's expenses.  Interested in what's happening at the state level? Join our partner organization Abundant Housing Massachusetts for their Statewide Policy Webinar next Thursday. As always, please join our monthly meeting (every third Thursday at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org. Key Agenda Items This month, we're sharing expanded thoughts on the proposed housing development at 444 E Central Street ("Stobbart's") as well as providing the regular BEN's Take on upcoming meetings. Click HERE for live links to the agenda items.   Stobbart's Nursery (444 E Central Street) On Thursday, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will have a public hearing on a proposed 264-unit "Friendly 40B" affordable housing development, across five buildings and a clubhouse, on the site of Stobbart's Nursery on E Central St. The project was endorsed by the Franklin Town Council and advances Master Plan goals. Here are a few quick reasons why BEN believes the project would make Franklin stronger: Promotes affordability Increases the supply of smaller units, which are in high demand and offer more attainable housing options for young professionals, seniors, and working families. 25% of units are deed-restricted as affordable, ensuring more residents can live and work in Franklin without being priced out. Supports neighborhood vibrancy and community connections Brings new residents to support businesses along East Central Street, strengthening the increasingly mixed-used commercial corridor. Location near other housing developments and the future bus route transforms the stretch into a connected and accessible neighborhood. Strengthens Franklin's financial health Generates significantly more tax revenue than single-family homes without the added infrastructure costs (road maintenance, etc.). Provides much-needed revenue to help Franklin address budget challenges and maintain high-quality public services.  MYTH-BUSTING: Many opposed to new homes cite the costs of education and emergency services. In fact, projects like these generate substantially more revenue than incremental additional service costs. Ensures sustainable growth and preservation Develops housing in an already built-up and serviced area, preventing further sprawl and preserving open spaces. Transit- and commercial- accessible location reduces car traffic and promotes pedestrian activity. What We're Consuming How Mass. can streamline homebuilding (Boston Globe) State commission on housing production targets single-family zoning, other sweeping reforms (Boston Globe) Finding the Fit: How Parking Policies Shape Our Neighborhoods and Determine Housing Outcomes (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) Recovery Playbook: Back to Downtown & Main Street (Jonathan Berk) Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks! The BEN Brigade Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share! Newsletter Sign Up Ben 4 Franklin, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA Send free email today

CommonWealth Beacon: Codcast episode features Ed Augustus on housing (audio)

CommonWealth Beacon: Codcast episode

CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith sits down with Ed Augustus, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, to discuss how federal policy changes threaten state housing goals, the Commonwealth’s response, the tools it is using to meet those goals, and much more.

Listen to the Codcast ->   https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SplnsmLh9d1tictwrK45x?

Shared from -> https://commonwealthbeacon.org/the-codcast/sec-augustus-on-housing-policy-base-hits/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, March 13, 2025 ???

Thursday, March 13

• "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Open Mic & Spoken Word (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

7:00pm Franklin Cultural Council Grant Awards (Dean College Guidry Center)

For additional details on Senior Center & Library events ->    

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Bi-County Collaborative Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, March 13, 2025 9:00 AM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1631

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

Thursday, March 13th Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/318?fileID=4197

Charles River Pollution Control District

Thursday, March 13th 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1623

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Thursday, March 13th  Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1626

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, March 13th Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_03132025-1615

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, 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:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

SAFE Coalition provides housing support

via SAFE Coalition:

SAFE Coalition provides housing support

Our multilingual and trauma-informed staff works passionately to help Franklin residents navigate housing challenges. 💚 From benefits planning and emergency shelter coordination, to rental assistance and housing court advocacy, we’re here to help!

Learn more and request support here: https://www.safecoalitionma.org/franklin-housing-support

SAFE housing support is made possible with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Shared from ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/DGvVomQtF4O/

You can also listen to Stephenie Heath and I as we talk about the housing support provided by SAFE (audio) ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/stephanie-talks-with-me-about-housing.html