Uncas Ave Extension - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board - Public Hearing - Oct 16

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for two Special Permit and Site Plan applications prepared by GLM Engineering Consultants, INC, Holliston, MA, and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community

Development on September 11, 2023, by J. Walsh Corporation, Walpole, MA.

The properties are located in the Single Family IV Zoning District, off of Uncas Avenue Extension (Parcel ID 285-078-008 and 285-078-009). The applicant is proposing to construct two triplex units, one on each lot. The applicant is applying for two (2) Special Permits under Chapter 185 Attachment 7, Part 6.1: Residential multifamily or apartment use in the Single Family Residential IV District.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, 

Chairman

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_uncas_ave.pdf

Uncas Ave Extension - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board - Public Hearing - Oct 16

Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-901 - King Street area Rezone from SFRIII to B

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, notice is hereby given that

the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street (also available to be attended remotely) to consider amending Chapter 185, Section 5 of the Code of the Town of Franklin.

ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 23-901

Zoning Map Amendment 23-901 would amend the Town’s existing Zoning Map (Chapter 185,

Section 5, of Franklin Town Code) by changing parcels 313-061-000 and 313-062-000 parcels

from the Single Family Residential III zoning district to the Business zoning district

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you

require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, 

Chairman 

Zoning Bylaw Amendment - 23-901 - King Street area Rezone from SFRIII to B

Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East  Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision application titled “Balsam Estates” prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Inc., Franklin, MA, and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on September 5, 2023, by Joel D’Errico, Franklin, MA.

The property is located in the Rural Residential II Zoning District (Assessors Map 242 Lot 27) at the end of Kimberlee Avenue. The applicant is proposing to construct a 4-lot subdivision.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning

Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning

Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, 

Chairman 

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_balsam_estates_subdivision.pdf

Preliminary Subdivision - Balsam Estates - Planning Board - Sep 25

What is the ONE question would you ask of each candidate for the Town of Franklin 2023 Election?

The candidates are in their final days to gather signatures for the November 2023 Biennial Town of Franklin Election. The nomination papers are due to the Town Clerk by September 6. 

It is now time for us (together) to prepare the set of interview questions. 

• Which one question would you ask of a Town Council candidate? School Committee candidate? etc...

Submit one question per elected position via the form below. 

Your email is required to avoid nefarious folks from interfering with this process. Your email will only be used (1) to verify the question if not completely understood, and (2) to ensure you get a copy of the final set of questions. 

Note: the question set would likely be similar to prior years. We would have 3-4 questions that would generally apply to all candidates and at least 1 (maybe 2) for specific positions. I want the question set short so we (the candidates and interviewers) can proceed efficiently, and concise to provide answers so Franklin voters can make an informed choice for each elected position.

Based upon feedback obtained after the last election, every effort will be made to provide interviews in all three formats (video, audio, and text transcript). The video interview would be recorded, audio extracted, and audio transcribed. This will require the coordination and willingness of the candidates to be available for this interview to be scheduled in time to turn it all around.

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The current listing of candidates as of Thursday, August 24 can be found here ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/nom_in_out_november_7_2023_11.pdf

The question set used for the candidates in 2021 -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GkFh21gYukaMheQL-P4C0T_EEaItvcAu/view

Franklin Election Collection - 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM. All four members were present for the brief discussion around the proposal to change the zoning of 2 lots on King St near Fire Station 2 from residential to business. 

A few questions to clarify the matter considering the process and kind of business operation to be allowed were asked. These more likely to be better understood/considered during the formal hearing process assuming the measure continues to get referred by the Town Council to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will review and make their recommendation back to the Council which in turn holds their own public hearings before voting on it.

One of the nuances on the timeline, by starting now, it could get completed (i.e. a final decision by the Council) before the November election, at which point if it was still in limbo, it would need to start all over.

The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).

map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St

You may access the agenda and links for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-meeting-august-23rd-2023 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVFLdGt46ZwOiBLGURB-X6aeax6QRdU3/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/oqw7ereD3uI

Public Hearing Notice: Upper Unions St Solar Project - Sep 11

Franklin Planning Board 

Public Hearing Notice

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Scenic Road application for the tearing down or destruction of stone walls off of Upper Union Street, prepared by VS Union Solar Smart, LLC, Dana Point CA.

The proposed road improvements will include the removal of 30 feet of a stone wall and the construction of an access drive to a ground mounted solar facility for vehicles and interconnection purposes.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman

Shared from - >  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-upper_union_street_solar-scenic_road_0.pdf

Possible resemblance to the stone walls in question (these are on Dacey Field)

Maplegate Solar South - Site Plan - Planning Board - Aug 21 at 7:05 PM

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan application titled “Proposed Site Plan Documents” prepared by Bohler Engineering, Southborough, MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on July 21, 2023, by Maple Street Solar, LLC, Boston, MA.

The property is located in the Industrial Zoning District and includes the southern lots on the Assessors Map 239, Lot 10. Map 254 Lot 009 and Map 255 Lot 001 with access through Bellingham. The applicant is proposing to construct a solar array.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, 

Chairman

Shared from ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-maplegate_solar_south.pdf

Maplegate Solar South - Site Plan - Planning Board - Aug 21 at 7:05 PM

Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 bylaw mods to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (audio)

FM #1019 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1019 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. 8All 9members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers. 

Brief recap:

• The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continue

• Downtown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended

• 3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted for

• A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records

• 2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning

•  new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July

The recording runs 1 and 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 21, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1019-town-council-mtg-06-21-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/157tLQi6nFbWEu9QOBPSiUBfdR_M6cyn5/view?usp=drive_link

The meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI 

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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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting

Town Council approves CPC appointments, closes out FY 2023, refers 2 measures to Planning Board, welcomes new Deputy Administrator (video)

The Franklin Town Council met on Wednesday, June 21 as scheduled. The recording is available via Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P6oDVqj_xqI

Brief recap:

• The appointments to the Community Preservation Committee were approved. 6 were reappointed to a new term. One new member representing the Planning Board was made. Two existing members terms did not expire this year and will continue
• Downtown parking bylaw was adjusted for anew start time to account for a change in the MBTA schedule as well as the overnight parking restriction changed for Fri-Sat nights to allow for the late hours of Teddie Gallagher's. Modified bylaw moved to 2nd reading as amended
• 3 resolutions closed out the accounting transactions for the FY 2023 fiscal year for this time. The MECC fund which was reallocated to be part of the school adjustment effectively regained what it 'lost' as there were excess funds that needed to accounted for
• A resolution to clean up some house keeping for the land swap with the State was approved. There was not material fund impact, the funds had already been approved in prior years, the text of the measure needed to be adjusted as requested by the State to better account for their process and records
• 2 bylaws were referred to the Planning Board, both had come forward from the recent Economic Development committee meeting; one to adjust the marijuana overlay district maps, two to allow for reduce impervious coverage in general residential 5 zoning
•  new Deputy Town Administrator Amy M. Frigulietti was introduced. She starts in July

The agenda doc and released supporting documents -> 

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_21_2023.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for June 21, 2023 Meeting

Public Hearing Notice: 5 Hemlock Lane - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board

5 Hemlock Lane - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Special Permit and Site Plan application titled “Plot Plan & Special Permit 5 Hemlock Lane Franklin, MA” prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Inc., Franklin, MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on June 21, 2023, by Gregory Galeaz, Franklin, MA.

The property is located in the Rural Residential II Zoning District (Assessors Map 226, Lot 98). The applicant is proposing to construct an 18’x 22’ pool cabana. The applicant is applying for one (1) Special Permit under Chapter 185-36: Impervious Surfaces.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning

Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning

Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, 

Chairman

Shared from - >   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_5_hemlock_lane.pdf

Public Hearing Notice:  5 Hemlock Lane - Site Plan and Special Permit Application - Planning Board

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also  e attended remotely) on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan application titled “Warehouse/Industrial Development” prepared by Douglas Hartnett, Highpoint Engineering, Boston,  MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on May 12, 2023, by Brendan Pellerin, Berkeley Partners, Oakland, CA.

The property is located in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 312 Lots 020 and 020-001) at 100 and 200 Financial Park. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing structure and construct a 220,000 square foot flex-warehouse building, as well as a 65,000 square foot flexwarehouse building. The applicant is also seeking a waiver to reduce the amount of required parking from 350 spaces down to 262.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_100-200_financial_park.pdf

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also  e attended remotely) on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan application titled “Warehouse/Industrial Development” prepared by Douglas Hartnett, Highpoint Engineering, Boston,  MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on May 12, 2023, by Brendan Pellerin, Berkeley Partners, Oakland, CA.

The property is located in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 312 Lots 020 and 020-001) at 100 and 200 Financial Park. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing structure and construct a 220,000 square foot flex-warehouse building, as well as a 65,000 square foot flexwarehouse building. The applicant is also seeking a waiver to reduce the amount of required parking from 350 spaces down to 262.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_100-200_financial_park.pdf

100-200 Financial Park - Site Plan Application - Planning Board

Maplegate Solar North / 160 Maple Street - Site Plan - Planning Board

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall (and can also be attended remotely) on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan application titled “Proposed Site Plan Documents” prepared by Bohler Engineering, Southborough, MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on April 13, 2023, by Nextgrid Mescalbean, LLC, San Francisco, CA.

The property is located in the Industrial Zoning District and includes the northern lots on the Assessors Map 239, Lot 10. Map 254 Lot 009 and Map 255 Lot 001 with access through Bellingham. The applicant is proposing to construct a solar array.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman

Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm under construction in 2013 - what will this proposal bring?

Town Council approves Curry House alcohol license change, hears about health alliance, moves Inclusionary Zoning along to 2nd reading (audio)

FM #973 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 973 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (D Pellegri absent & unable to participate).

Quick recap:

• License ownership changes for the alcohol license at The Curry House were approved

• Health Director Cathleen Liberty provides insights on the Metacomet Health Alliance and the benefits to Franklin  

• The inclusionary zoning proposal back from the Planning Board review was moved to a second reading, one step closer to approval

• The 3-part package of zoning changes for accessory dwelling units was moved forward from the EDC Plus recommendation with a contentious somewhat modification to refer to the Planning Board for their review. It will come back to the Town Council for their review and potential approval vote sometime in the near future

• FY 2024 budget should be ready for review by Friday, with the Finance Committee and Town Council hears set for May

The recording runs 2 and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on April 12, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-973-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-04-12-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_12_2023.pdf 

Metacomet Health Alliance presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_metacomet_2.pptx.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OcCY239kVmLdAiMS2FFZSMQyS7JWcCoZ/view?usp=share_link 

My quick notes and the meeting video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/town-council-moves-inclusionary-zoning.html 

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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!

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

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 approves Curry House alcohol license change, hears about health alliance, moves Inclusionary Zoning along to 2nd reading (audio)