Attention Residents: Building/Zoning/Planning/Conservation/Board of Health Departments will be closed Wednesday, May 16th at 4:30 PM until Monday May 21

The Building, Zoning, Planning, Conservation and Board of Health Departments will be closing Wednesday at 4:30 PM for renovations and will reopen Monday, May 21 at 8 AM.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Building/Zoning/Planning/Conservation/Board of Health Departments will be closed
Wednesday, May 16 at 4:30 PM until Monday May 21

Lifelong Community Learning: Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Don't miss out
For Adults Tuesday, May 8
Teen Edition Tuesday, May 15

6:30 - 8:30 PM

$35 per class
Franklin High School

One-Night Workshops

Plan With Me = Jessica Instasi

Let's find your perfect Planning system.During our class we will discuss and review planner options. Some styles that will be mentioned include: Bullet Journaling, memory keeping, school agendas, planning ahead, and so much more!

Plan With Me - Teen Edition = Jessica Instasi

We will discuss and review planner options designed to address your busy schedules including after school clubs and activities, practices and games, homework and more!

Whether a beginner or a pro, there's something in this class for you.

NOTE: Have a planner? Bring it with you.



Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute
Lifelong Community Learning
218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038
www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com
508-613-1480

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Introduction to Estate Planning - Mar 5

Attorney David Scott will be presenting an Introduction to Estate Planning on Monday, March 5th at 7 PM. He will be giving practical tips and advice on the importance of having a will. 

This event is open to the public and absolutely free. It will be hosted at Crossway Church's building, at 282 Summer Street, in Franklin, MA. 

If you have questions, please contact tina@crosswayma.org or call us directly at (508) 838-3953.

Introduction to Estate Planning - Mar 5

Exit Interview with Town Treasurer-Collector Jim Dacey (video)

"Jim Dacey served as the elected Town Treasurer-Collector for 18 years, as well as a member of the Finance Committee for 10 years. 

Upon his retirement, Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen sat down with Jim to discuss some old memories, how he became Treasurer-Collector and some of his fondest accomplishments over the past three decades being involved in town finance. 

Jamie and Jim also sat down with his successor, Kerri Bertone, about how she got involved in public service and come of the challenges moving forward. 

We hope you enjoy this special episode of "Our Franklin""

For more about the Treasurer/Collector visit the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector

Annual Report - 2017 (Page 133)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2017_tr-web_copy_0.pdf

From the 2015 Annual Report
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/annual-report-2015-treasurer-collector.html

Lessons from the Beloit Mindset List for the Class of 2021

An annual event is upon us again. As students (and educational professionals) return to school this September, thinking about how to approach this class and the opportunities they present will occupy some time for their reflection.

Three professors from Beloit College started this process 20 years ago by looking at what had happened during the life of the freshman class that they were faced with. Each August, the Mindset List is published. It is interesting to see what the world was for these college freshman as they grew up. The list is not meant to be the end all. It is meant to start the conversation.

"Teachers and counselors alike have used the Mindset List over the years, sometimes as the basis for one-on-one chats, and at other times for class discussions and even personal essays. This year’s List is no different. The annual Lists are wonderful icebreakers for counselors and professors and students. They stimulate intergenerational conversations."

What does the list look like? A sampling follows

• They are the last class to be born in the 1900s, the last of the Millennials -- enter next year, on cue, Generation Z!
• They are the first generation for whom a “phone” has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph, and research library.
• There have always been emojis to cheer us up.
• Donald Trump has always been a political figure, as a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican.
• Zappos has always meant shoes on the Internet.

As Franklinites prepare for the biennial town election this November. Let's think about 

• Where we are? 
• How did we get here? 
• Where do we want to go? 
• What do we need to do to move forward?

To help with the conversation, the election collection has thus far presented the background info on each of the elected bodies (Town Council, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Planning Board).

The offer to candidates to share their background and info has been made. Several candidates have taken up the offer and that information will be posted when complete.

Several key posts from the archive of Franklin Matters will be shared to remind us of the budget and other items that should be worthy of discussion as we prepare to cast our ballots on November 7.

If you have a suggestion (or two) on what you would like to see to help you prepare, please let me know. You can use any of the following methods:

• send me an email (shersteve @ gmail dot com)
• leave a comment here on the Franklin Matters webpage
• leave a comment on the Franklin Matters Facebook page
• reply to one of the @FranklinMatters tweets

I would also recommend that if you haven't already, please consider subscribing to the Franklin Matters daily newsletter. It is one email per day with all that is posted. You don't need to wait for Facebook to filter the newsfeed for you. The newsletter is delivered daily (approx 10:00 AM) and then you can keep informed.

Note the subscription is a two-step process. (1) Enter your email address (2) Reply to confirm your email address.

the Town Common in the rain Sunday morning

The full listing of the Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2021
https://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2021/

The Franklin Election Collection 2017 can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

Cultural District Meeting - 7:00 p.m. on May 18th at Franklin TV

Cultural District Planning Meeting at Franklin TV

All: Please mark your calendars for a very important and hopefully interesting meeting. The Town is making good progress in its efforts to create a cultural district in the Downtown area. 

On May 18th Franklin TV will host our next meeting at their studios at 23 Hutchinson Street. Franklin TV/Franklin Radio (Franklin Community Cable Access) has signed on as one of our Partners working to create, manage and enhance the cultural district. 

The main topic of discussion on May 18th is our Cultural District Marketing Plan, which is a cultural district application requirement. Steve Sherlock will provide an overview on the status of our Cultural District Web Site, Cultural Events Calendar, and Social Media. 

We'll also be discussing a possible Cultural Asset Catalog (or on-line listing), an on-line "Story Map" of the cultural district, collaborative marketing efforts, and Cultural District Branding and Signage. In addition to fairly short presentations, we'll all have opportunity to provide input. 

Please bring your ideas/suggestions. It is important for all of our partners to provide input into the required Marketing Plan and related issues. I hope we have a full house at Franklin TV.

Going forward. Please mark your calendars for our June meeting, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 15th at Dean College in the Campanella Board Room. We'll be discussing the cultural district application submittal and related required Town Council actions. As with the May meeting, it's extremely important that representatives from all our Partners attend.

Also, attached for your review is a map of the proposed Franklin Cultural District, which was recently submitted to the State for their review.

Thanks

Bryan

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklin.ma.us

Please note the Town of Franklin is converting to a new email system. Effective July 1, 2017 my e-mail address will be btaberner@franklinma.gov.

Franklin TV studio with the 'cloud' antennas up

Franklin Residents/Taxpayers, you'll be tested on this

Aside from the budget, this is the single most important document that every Franklin resident and taxpayer should be familiar with. After the only operational override passed in 2007, there was another attempt in 2008 that failed. One of the outcomes of the failure was the establishment of the Long Range Financial Planning Committee. 

The committee began with representatives from the Town Council (3), School Committee (2), and Finance Committee (2). In December 2010, it was reformed as a committee completely made up of 'citizens' - that is residents with no other direct board membership.

Vision The Long Range Finance Committee is a citizen advisory group tasked with helping citizens and Town officials better understand Franklin’s long-term financial outlook and the various courses of action available to secure Franklin’s financial future. 

Mission The Committee will achieve this vision by (i) evaluating and reporting on the Town’s five-year financial projection, (ii) assessing the nature and potential magnitude of the Town’s significant financial risks, particularly those that give rise to a structural deficit, and (iii) recommending steps to close the gap between future expected revenues and expenditures in an effort ultimately to achieve fiscal sustainability.

The Committee produced their final report in June 2012. Since that time, the Town Administrator has been updating the long range financial plan each year.

The current report was just posted to the Town of Franklin webpage and is copied here for your reading pleasure.

The introduction from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting:

"Each year we look into the crystal ball and try to project the long term fiscal health of the community. We look at trends over the last five years, adjust for one time issues or "bumps" in the road and then try to predict the fiscal future. Looking ahead a couple of years is not that difficult while projecting five years ahead is a "best guess' of what may affect local government beyond the "normal revenue and expenses" We do not know today how the economy, Federal and State budgets, changing demographics, growing population, unknown mandates, health care, etc. will affect our fiscal health in the future. 

We do know that: 

• Our population has increased from 29,738 in 2001 to over 34,000 in 2017 and it will continue to increase. Currently there are over 800 potential housing units under construction, in the "pipeline or proposed by developers with more to come. 

• Health care costs continue to be a concern. 

• Our unfunded retiree health insurance obligation is $93,000,000 (2015). 

• Our unfunded pension liability is $41,346,000 (2016). 

• The FY 18 School budgets will use one time revenues to balance the budget and beyond that they will have few reserves left. 

Franklin is in generally good financial shape today but we will continue to struggle to maintain high quality school and municipal services given the fiscal constraints that we operate under.

I believe we can continue a "level service" budget in fiscal year FY 18. The trend suggests that in FY 19 we will need to use school and town reserves to maintain services. 

Starting in FY 20 the forecast strongly suggests we will face service cuts and/or a tax increase. 

While many departments would like to add employees to better serve the citizens the available revenues leave very few options for expanding the work force with recurring revenues. 

In order to have trne fiscal stability there would need to be a great deal of change in Federal and Sate laws and regulations that drive up the cost of doing business. I do not see any political will to make major changes for the foreseeable future. 

We will continue to do are very best on behalf of all the citizens of Franklin to maintain a high quality of life while trying to control costs to the taxpayers."

Long Range Financial Planning Committee Meeting notes for their 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 sessions can be found in the meeting archive
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

The 5 year financial plan published in 2012
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/report.pdf

Information provided to candiates for the Town election in Nov 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/franklin-ma-long-range-financial.html

road sign on Pleasant St is rather appropriate for this posting, the financial plan contains many hazards

Live reporting: Land Use Planning Workshop - April 13

I took notes via Twitter for the workshop conducted by Town Council with participation by Town Administration, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and members of the community. Lots of discussions and viewpoints shared, some consensus seemed to have been reached on "inclusionary zoning". Work would be required to draft the bylaw language for further review and discussion through the Planning Board before the Town Council would make a decision.



(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

The poster boards referenced during the meeting

Franklin map with MultiFamily dwellings highlighted

Franklin map  where the area is 5 acres or more (parcels in purple)

Franklin map  showing the different zoning districts

view from the back of the Council Chamber

“Franklin is now at a crossroad again concerning proposed dwelling units”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town will be seeking opinions this week from various board members and feedback from the public about the best uses of land. 

Town officials announced this month that there will be a land use workshop Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the municipal building. 

“We’re interested in getting feedback on a number of land use initiatives,” said Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. 

According to Hellen, the meeting’s agenda includes an array of topics, including the proper use of land in the town’s various zones. He noted, by way of example, that some had suggested changing building height restrictions - adding another floor by right - in certain areas in order to maximize space."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170411/land-use-workshop-thursday-in-franklin

The agenda and associated documents for the workshop can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/land-use-workshop-thursday-april-13.html

Thompson Press building on Dean Ave - future site of 200+ condos

Land Use Workshop - Thursday, April 13

Land Use Workshop 

April 13, 2017 at 6:30 PM

355 East Central Street 

Council Chambers

Topics for Workshop

• COMMUNITY APPROACH TO HOUSING and Economic Development
1. Current Growth spurt? - see attached Memo
2. Residential VII ?
3. Commercial I
4. Commercial II
5. Height of issues in Cl, C2, Downtown and RS
6. Affordable housing

• lnclusionary Zoning - for affordable/or open space?

7. Open Space Acquisition Plan?


History
Master Plan Adopted by the Town Council in 2013 

Changes as a result of the Master Plan
• Change Industrial to R 5 at the end of Dean Ave (Thompson Press)
• Allow surface parking lots as primary use in Downtown
• Clean up zone lines in the Downtown
• Rural business (was Neighborhood Commercial) - Washington Street and Spring Street
• Change R4 to RS on West Central near Beaver Street

Zoning in Master Plan not addressed to date
• C-1 issues/options/location

Recent proposed changes not included in the Master Plan
1. Residential VII East Central Street - Citizen/Developer petition
2. Storage Facility moved from CII to industrial - In process
3. Medical Marijuana - State law passed - adopted
4. Recreation Marijuana - State law passed - adopted

Thompson Press building on Dean Ave - future site of 200+ condos

The original agenda document for the Land Use Workshop




The Master Plan can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

The 5 part Special Report on the development of the Residential VII zoning proposal can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-5-full-residential-vii-timeline.html

Charles River Meadowlands Meeting - Feb 7, 2017

Greetings to All:

Please mark your calendar for Feb 7 – our next meeting. 

We have now posted our 2017 Planning Document at the home page (www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org). 

The document looks at achievable activities for the year ahead including signage, trail mapping, etc. as well as meeting with relevant officials. 

At our meeting (6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA) we will discuss these goals and we will be looking for help, for example, identifying access points and existing trails and planning meetings with officials. Please try to attend.

​For further information, contact Alan Earls (alan.r.earls@gmail.com, 508 528 6930)​

image from Charles River Meadowlands webpage

For easy reference, the 2017 Planing document can also be found here

FUN One-Night Workshops In January

Your Winter Adventure

Franklin Public Schools ~ Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning presents Your Winter Adventure Fun One-Night Workshops  Don't miss these ...... Easy Indian Cooking: Hands-on class Register Now Cooking authentic Indian food has never been so easy. In this 2-hour hands-on class, you will get the confidence to recreate your favorite Indian food, while also learning about the health benefits of various spices AND tasting some delicious dishes. Thursday, January 26 7:00 to 9:00 pm  Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street  Cost: $70 Keep the Memories Not the Stuff   Register Now  Learn how to downsize successfully by focusing on the memories not the stuff. During this class we'll discuss the difference between valid and invalid reasons for holding onto things. We will define what it means to keep the memories not the stuff, and we will discuss 10 different ways to hold onto the memories.     Thursday, January 26 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm   Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street Cost: $25       Investing for Retirement  Register Now Learn what it takes to create a successful retirement for you and your family.  If you are just starting out, midway through your career or closing in on retirement, this 2 hour seminar will give you the tools and information you need to lay the foundation to accomplish your long term goals.Tuesday, January 31   6:30 to 8:30 pm Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street Cost:  $40 adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today

Important Cultural District Planning Meeting - Jan 19 - 7:00 PM

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development invites you to attend a meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 19, 2017 to hear an update on plans for a Cultural District in Downtown Franklin.

The Cultural District Steering Committee has worked hard for more than two years to draw attention to Franklin’s great cultural resources, advocate for creation of the Franklin Cultural District, and organize the annual Franklin Cultural Festival.

The Committee and Town staff are looking for your input regarding the creation of a state designated Cultural District and related management issues, as well as support for ongoing and potential cultural activities.

Input and ongoing involvement of all Franklin organizations and individuals is desired to develop a strong partnership consisting of cultural organizations, historical and community organizations, non-profits, private businesses, government agencies, educational and faith based institutions, and individual artists. All are encouraged to participate in this partnership.

Anyone in need of additional information should contact the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP

Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklin.ma.us


When: 
Thursday January 19, 2017, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: 
Franklin Municipal Building
355 East Central Street, Town Council Chambers

Arts Happen Here in Franklin, MA!

Note: I am volunteering my time and effort as part of the Cultural District Steering Committee to make this happen for Franklin.

Master Plan Update

An update to the Master Plan is on the agenda for the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Jan 4,2017.

You can find the update document embedded here:






You can also find the document on the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/h2_master_plan.pdf

The full 2013 Master Plan can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan-2013

The Master Plan webpage can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

new sidewalks on Pleasant St provide access to DelCarte

The full agenda for Jan 4, 2017
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda

Public Hearing: EPA Brownfields Grant - Dec 6 - 5:00 PM

The Department of Planning and Community Development will be a holding Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 6th at 5:00PM for an EPA Brownfields Grant in regards to the former Nu-Style site at 87 Grove Street. 

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall.

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

Related posts on the NuStyle property

• A similar hearing was held almost one year ago

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/public-hearing-notice-for-87-grove-st.html

• From the 2015 Annual Report:

"Also during 2015 DPCD continued to work with other Town staff, consultants, and the EPA to move forward redevelopment of the Town’s “Nu-Style” Property. The Nu-Style Property at 87 Grove Street consists of two parcels totaling 1.2 acres. The property is contaminated with a variety of hazardous materials. Demolition of the main NuStyle building was completed within FY13; demolition was required in order to access and analyze soil and water under the building to assure that the full extent of soil and water contamination is known.  

Preparing the site for redevelopment is expensive, and DPCD has sought funding and technical assistance from a variety of sources in recent years. DPCD secured EPA technical assistance to assess the quality of ground water at the Nu-Style site; several monitoring wells were drilled and two rounds of water samples were analyzed. In addition, the EPA performed indoor air quality assessment activities in an adjacent privately held building to assure contaminated soil and ground water on the Nu-Style property is not negatively impacting adjacent properties. Building II, a smaller dilapidated mill building on the back of the Nu-Style property became the focus of DPCD efforts during the second half of FY15."

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/annual-report-2015-department-of.html

Annual Report - 2015: Department of Planning & Community Development

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) maintains a professional staff that provides the Town of Franklin with a wide array of planning services. DPCD’s mission is to plan and implement comprehensive policies and initiatives that work to fulfill the land userelated goals of the people of Franklin. We make every effort to maintain the character of the community while enhancing its economic vitality.

DPCD’s activities and services include, but are not limited to, comprehensive planning economic development, subdivision plan, site plan and conservation plan review, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, zoning bylaw and subdivision regulation development, brownfields redevelopment, affordable housing, open space and wetlands preservation, public transportation, transit oriented development, and sustainable development including use of smart growth and low impact development concepts. The Department regularly identifies and sources funding for various community development projects and activities. DPCD balances its approach to these initiatives through long-term planning and public participation.

Department Personnel

The DPCD’s staffing reflects the diverse skills needed to complete the many activities and roles the Department participates. DPCD’s staff consists of the following:

• Bryan Taberner, Director
• Beth Wierling, Town Planner
• George Russell, Conservation Agent
• John Allen, Program Coordinator
• Kathy Celorier, Conservation Secretary and Administrative Assistant

The DPCD manages an Intern Program to assist DPCD staff and other Town departments with administrative and technical assistance. The work performed by DPCD interns is extremely important to the Department’s productivity. Interns work on a wide range of community development and economic development issues.

Support of Town Boards, Commissions and Committees

DPCD personnel provide staff support to several boards, commissions and committees, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Design Review Commission, Technical Review Committee, and the Town Council’s Economic Development Sub-committee. Approximately 60 to 65 percent of the Department’s total staff hours are utilized on Planning Board and Conservation Commission related issues. In addition, DPCD staff occasionally provide professional technical assistance to other public entities including Town Council, Zoning Board of Appeals, and various ad hoc committees including the Town’s Master Plan Committee.

Site Permitting and Guidance

DPCD is not a permit granting authority; its function during the permitting process is to integrate laws, regulations and plans with the Town’s goals to ensure that the best interests of the Town and its residents are served. DPCD personnel organize and attend meetings, provide technical assistance, offer professional opinions, and guide developers, businesses and residents through the Town’s various permitting processes.

Conservation

DPCD provides support to the Conservation Commission, as provided by MGL Chapter 131, Section 40. Conservation Staff, specifically the Town’s Conservation Agent, is responsible for speaking for the Conservation Commission when they are not present (see separate Conservation Commission Report). Although not a permit authority, the Conservation Agent does have limited police powers to regulate already approved Conservation Commission activities, stop unauthorized activities and to promote and develop the natural resources of Franklin and its wetlands, streams, brooks, ponds, lakes and watersheds. In addition, Conservation staff provides administrative support and reviews applications being presented to the Conservation Commission, as well as provides professional support to other Town Boards, Commissions and Departments.

Comprehensive Planning and Zoning

DPCD is responsible for traditional land-use related activities including updating the Town’s plans, and amending and creating zoning bylaws. A description of zoning and land use issues worked on by DPCD during the 2015 fiscal year is summarized below. During the 2015 fiscal year DPCD worked on amendment of several sections of Franklin’s Zoning Bylaw. This included Zoning Amendments 14-42, 14-743 and 14-744, which were needed to correct references and inconsistencies in the Town’s Zoning Bylaw. As a result of public meetings and a response to a Request for Proposals for sale and development of the Pond Street property, DPCD developed and submitted to Town Council Zoning Amendment 14-745, which added multi-family housing by special permit to the Office Zoning District. Since Town Council adopted the Town’s updated Master Plan in 2013, DPCD staff has worked towards implementation. During FY15 DPCD provided Town Council with an update summarizing the status of the Master Plan’s implementation.

The Town held a Zoning Workshop in March 2015 to review potential zoning changes, including Actions proposed within the 2013 Master Plan; issues discussed included the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District; Senior Village Overlay District; Commercial I Zoning District; Multi-family Zoning; and Accessory Dwelling Units. DPCD was tasked with developing a zoning map amendment, which would allow multi-family housing in an
industrially zoned area along Dean Ave. A map amendment has been drafted and will be before Town Council for consideration during July 2015.

Planning and Implementation of Community Development and Economic Development Projects

Each year the DPCD works on many community and economic development initiatives. The Department develops strategies, proposes policies, bylaw changes and Town Council resolutions, manages projects, and seeks grants in efforts to balance Franklin’s community livability and its economic viability. DPCD encourages responsible community development that meets the goals and objectives of the Town’s various planning documents, and the State’s Sustainable Development and Smart Growth Principles. Some of DPCD’s more important recently completed or ongoing projects and initiatives are summarized below. Regional Planning. DPCD attends meetings and works on various regional planning issues with a variety of regional organizations, including Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Southwest Area Planning Committee, I-495/ MetroWest Corridor Partnership, and the I-95/495 South Regional Technology Economic Target Area’s Coordinating Council. In addition, the DPCD occasionally supports the initiatives of other regional organizations including the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, Friends of the SNETT, the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau, and a workforce development advisory committee established by Employment and Training Resources in Framingham.

Downtown Revitalization

For several years the Town of Franklin has made revitalization of Downtown Franklin a major focus and has worked to improve the Downtown in a variety of ways. The revitalization of Downtown Franklin must be carefully planned to ensure that improvements positively impact the entire community. During the 2015 fiscal year DPCD worked on several projects related to implementation of the Franklin Center Plan, which was developed in 2002 and 2003 to provide Town officials with a vision and basic strategy for revitalization of Downtown Franklin.

One component of the Franklin Center Plan is Cultural Uses. The issue of cultural economic development has been a focus for DPCD in recent years. During FY14 DPCD worked with the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau and Franklin Downtown Partnership to develop a brochure map of Downtown Franklin; the map was printed and distributed in the first quarter of FY15. 

During FY15 DPCD continued to work with the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau on a variety of cultural economic development marketing activities. In addition, DPCD provided limited assistance to the Franklin Cultural District Committee, which is a group of individuals and organizations that are attempting to create a State designated Downtown Franklin Cultural District. 

A cultural district is a specific geographical area that has a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. It needs to be walkable, easily accessible, easily identifiable to visitors and residents, and serve as a center for cultural, artistic and economic activity. The goals of a Cultural District are to encourage business and job development, attract artists and cultural enterprises, establish the district as a tourist destination, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values, and foster local cultural development.

The Town of Franklin’s Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project is an integral part of the Town’s strategy for Downtown revitalization. The improvement project includes improvements to the traffic pattern of Route 140 in the Downtown Franklin area,
installation of interconnected traffic signals with emergency preemption system, period lighting, traffic calming devices, resetting curbs where needed, ADA compliant sidewalks, resurfacing of streets, and landscape improvements and street furniture. The Project represents a substantial public investment in the Downtown’s future and economic viability, and is expected to spur on private investment. Construction of this important multi-year project began in 2014.

early on a December morning along West Central St

During the first half of FY15, DPCD provided substantial technical assistance towards implementation the Town’s Franklin Solar Challenge. The initiative is similar to the state’s Solarize Mass program, which provides discounts to encourage residents and small business owners to install solar panels. Public meetings were held in the first quarter of FY15 to inform and educate the public. 

During the second quarter of FY15 DPCD worked with a group of residents to obtain the services of a solar panel installation contractor, SolarFlair, who began installing solar panels late in the 2014 calendar year; the more people ordering a solar panel installation the better the unit pricing. As of June 2015 SolarFlair had already signed solar panel installation contracts for well over 100 kW of capacity.

Tax Title Properties 

As in past years, DPCD again worked with other Departments assessing the Town’s Tax Title Properties. Each year recommendations are developed for a number of these properties, and DPCD submits the work to the Town Administrator and Town Council for consideration.

DPCD works regularly on a wide range of economic development projects and programs, and is one of DPCD’s top priorities, second only to providing excellent administrative and technical assistance to the Town’s boards, commissions and committees. Potential benefits to the Town from successful implementation of DPCD’s Business Retainage and Attraction Initiatives are significant. These efforts focus on increasing the value of Franklin’s commercial and industrial tax base, filling the Town’s empty and underutilized industrially zoned buildings, and attracting the right mix of companies to the community.

As part of DPCD’s efforts to market the Town of Franklin, DPCD staff develops press releases, economic development marketing brochures, and various economic development advertisements for industry periodicals. During FY15 DPCD focused much of its efforts on the life sciences/biotechnology industry. Towards the end of the fiscal year DPCD staff began working with professors and students from Dean College and the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director on development of a marketing program for Downtown Franklin. The project includes developing a distinct Downtown Franklin "brand", marketing and graphic materials, and a related implementation strategy, in attempts to attract customers and visitors to ensure the Downtown's economic viability during the construction of the Downtown Improvement Project.

In partnership with MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), DPCD developed and manages the MassDevelopment - MOBD - Town of Franklin Business Visitation Program, which is intended to make local research and development and manufacturing companies in Franklin aware of State technical assistance programs and financial resources that can be made available to further their development, and to raise awareness of DPCD as a resource for local businesses. In addition, DPCD works regularly with MOBD, MassDevelopment, and other agencies in efforts to attract the right mix of companies to Franklin’s industrial and commercial areas.

Franklin is part of the I-495/95 South Regional Technology Economic Target Area, and as such can offer businesses looking to start up or expand in Franklin one of the most attractive incentives a Massachusetts community can offer a business, a Tax Increment Finance Agreement. 

The Town of Franklin supports the use of this local tax credit for a wide range of development projects, including projects that create a significant number of livable wage jobs for Franklin residents, support innovative technology, and result in redevelopment of empty or underutilized industrially zoned properties, or development of new facilities. Once a business negotiates a tax increment finance agreement with the Town of Franklin it may qualify for a state investment tax credit for qualifying tangible/depreciable assets, as well as other significant tax incentives.

Working towards redevelopment of town-owned properties is a regular DPCD activity, and continues to be a high priority. During FY2014 DPCD developed a Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) for future redevelopment of 150 Emmons Street, site of the former Municipal Building. The Town’s goals for this important parcel are “Redevelopment of the site into a key gateway into Downtown Franklin, which will maximize short-term and long-term benefits to the Town and its residents. 

Expressions of Interest were due during the first quarter of FY15, which influenced the development and distribution of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for sale and reuse of the property, which included demolition of the former municipal building. Proposals in response to the RFP were due during December 2014. One Proposal was received, and the Proposer/Developer began performing due diligence activities; a final Purchase and Sale agreement will likely be executed in FY16.

Also during 2015 DPCD continued to work with other Town staff, consultants, and the EPA to move forward redevelopment of the Town’s “Nu-Style” Property. The Nu-Style Property at 87 Grove Street consists of two parcels totaling 1.2 acres. The property is contaminated with a variety of hazardous materials. Demolition of the main NuStyle building was completed within FY13; demolition was required in order to access and analyze soil and water under the building to assure that the full extent of soil and water contamination is known. 

Preparing the site for redevelopment is expensive, and DPCD has sought funding and technical assistance from a variety of sources in recent years. DPCD secured EPA technical assistance to assess the quality of ground water at the Nu-Style site; several monitoring wells were drilled and two rounds of water samples were analyzed. In addition, the EPA performed indoor air quality assessment activities in an adjacent privately held building to assure contaminated soil and ground water on the Nu-Style property is not negatively impacting adjacent properties. Building II, a smaller dilapidated mill building on the back of the Nu-Style property became the focus of DPCD efforts during the second half of FY15.

DPCD will continue to undertake a wide range of community and economic development projects, programs, and planning initiatives that will keep the Town’s goals and objectives current and representative of Franklin’s needs and desires. DPCD is proud of its accomplishments and welcomes public input on all of its efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents of Franklin.

Respectfully submitted,
Department of Planning and Community Development Staff.

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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

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Additional info on the Dept of Planning and Community Development can be found on their webpages

• Open Space and Recreation plan is being updated

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/openspaceplan

• Pond St will likely see another RFP (and oddly not mentioned in the summary above)

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/pondrfp

• The Downtown Improvement Project is scheduled to completed in 2016

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement

• What do you find the Master Plan? the current and prior one can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Masterplan