Police Station location & Town Properties "multi-month dialogue and discussion" begins with Council meeting Sep 2, 2026

August 28, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: Town Owned Properties, including Davis-Thayer, Parmenter & 275 Beaver St.

The Town Council and community will see a comprehensive presentation on town owned property. We have included a presentation and cover memo from the Director of GIS.

This presentation will serve as a spring board into a community dialogue about the future use of Parmenter, Davis-Thayer and 275 Beaver Street. There are no final decisions or legislation for action this evening.

Staff have included memorandums for the current conditions at Parmenter, a draft of an Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Davis-Thayer School (including a cover memo with the policy decisions needed to be made by the Town Council) and two RFP drafts related to 275 Beaver St: one to sell, and one to lease 275 Beaver Street.

These drafts are being provided based on decisions by the Town Council in Executive Session in February 2026, as well as the recommended site for the future of the Police Station by the Building Committee.

Members of the Police Station Building Committee will be present this evening, as well as representatives from CHA Consulting, Inc. who is acting as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) as required by state law.

Tonight begins a multi-month dialogue and discussion from the Town Council on formal decisions on where to site a new Police Station, whether to sell the Davis-Thayer property, the Parmenter property, where to permanently locate the Recreation Department and whether to sell or lease 275 Beaver Street.

In working with Chair Dellorco, we are anticipating Council discussions on this issue will occur on a monthly basis through, at least, the end of the year, or as long as the Council desires.

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11.        PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

b.        Discussion/Presentation: Town Owned Properties & siting of a new Police Station

i.   Town Administrator Memorandum

ii.     Town Owned Properties - Director of GIS, Kate Hinckley

1. Director memorandum

2.  GIS presentation

iii.   Director of Public Facilities Memorandum re: Parmenter

iv.   Police Station Building Committee website

v.   Director of Planning & Community Development Memorandum

vi.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Davis-Thayer property

vii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (sell)

viii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (lease)

The full agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee seems to reach consensus on land lease, keeping building (audio)

FM #1235 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1235 in the series. 

This session shares the audio for the Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Subcmte meeting held on Monday, June 10, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. 

They had not met this year awaiting the receipt of Expression of Interests in the building/property. Five were confirmed received by the due date, May 31. 

After much discussion including hearing briefly from 3 of the 5 who happened to be present, the committee reached consensus on keeping the building intact, exploring a lease arrangement for the land, liking the mixed use proposals that may include housing.

 

The recording runs about 1 hour and 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1235-davis-thayer-bldg-reuse-subcmte-mtg-06-10-24

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV5S5rdihD0

The agenda and links to the proposals and appraisal:

1. Property Appraisal Review

a. Real Property Appraisal Report, Shepherd Associates, LLC - May 1, 2024   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/1a._2024_davis-thayer_real_property_appraisal_report.pdf

2. Expressions of Interest

a. Matthew Zajac  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/matthew_zajac_davis_thayer_music_mecca_proposal_1.pdf

b. Dean College  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/rei_davis_thayer_letter_of_interest_proposal_narrative_and_project_description_-_dean_college.pdf

c. Pennrose, LLC  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/pennrose.pdf

d. HFA and TMC Properties  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/tmc_hfa_davis_thayer_submission_email.pdf

e. Camford Property Group, Inc.  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/camford_property_group.pdf

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/18sdxZAwZejdks44Wd9QcQCw5HhQ7IErC/view?usp=drive_link

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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

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"

Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee has 5 Expressions of Interest to consider - June 10 at 7 PM

Franklin Housing Authority preparing to offer to lease 813 Summer as an "Affordable" unit

The Franklin Housing Authority has acquired the ‘long-time vacant’ property located at 813 Summer Street, Franklin. The beautiful three-bedroom home will be leased to an income eligible family and the property will remain in the Town’s affordable housing stock through perpetuity. As we approach completion of the home renovations and prepare to enter the leasing process, we wanted to announce our intentions locally as many neighbors have stopped to inquire.

The entirely renovated home has 3 bedrooms, 1 & ½ bathrooms, kitchen with new cabinets and granite counters, dining room and a large living room. We have replaced and updated the flooring, heating system, electrical system and landscaping. 

We will lease this property based on 80% of the current area Fair Market Rents and income will be limited to the current area Low-Income Limits as published by HUD. For a family of between 3 to 6 persons, the income limits are currently $106,650 to $137,450 respectively. This means that the household income must be below the limit to qualify. The rent will be listed at $2550 monthly excluding utilities. Interested persons may email office@franklinhousing.org to obtain an application.

The process of obtaining the property took many years and has involved much assistance from several local officials, agencies and advocates. The unwavering assistance of all of our supporters was monumental in the success of the acquisition.

Supporters included: State Representative Jeffrey Roy, Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator, Lisa Mosczynski, President, Metacomet Land Trust (MLT) and all of MLT’s Board of Directors including Treasurer Susan Speers, Attorney Michael Doherty, Attorney Richard Cornetta, Chairman Christopher Vericker, Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT) and all MAHT’s Trust Members including Christopher Feeley, Bank of America, Dean Bank, George Danello, Chairman of the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA) and all FHA Board Members.

Franklin Housing Authority preparing to offer to lease 813 Summer as an "Affordable" unit

Request for Expressions of Interest for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House of 762 Washington Street.

Request for Expressions of Interest (REI)
for the purchase, or lease and redevelopment 

of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House 
of 762 Washington Street

In an effort to ensure productive reuse of the building and remaining land, the Town of Franklin has released a Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) for the purchase, or lease and redevelopment of the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House of 762 Washington Street. 

Expressions of Interest are due to the Town Administrator's Office by April 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

Open House/Site Tours - The Town offers you the opportunity to learn more about the site through participation in one of two Open House and Site Tours scheduled for the following dates/times:

• Monday, March 14, 2022 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
• Monday, April 11, 2022 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Those interested in submitting a proposal can access the full REI here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2022_request_for_eoi_-_762_washington_street_-_03072022.pdf

South Franklin Congregational Meeting House

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/request-expressions-interest-purchase-or-lease-and-redevelopment-south-franklin