02038.com: "Home Prices Skyrocket In 2021"

"The median sale price of homes in Franklin, MA rose an extraordinary 27% in the first half of 2021, compared to 2020’s first-half median. That’s over a $120K increase in just one year!

At $585,000, the median sale price of single-family homes in Franklin, Massachusetts currently stands 19% above its prior all-time high of $489,900, set back in 2018.

It was a similar story for the overall real estate in Massachusetts: the median home sale price in the Bay State jumped 21% in the first half of the year."

Continue reading the update from Warren Reynolds
https://02038.com/2021/07/home-prices-skyrocket-in-2021/ 

02038.com: "Home Prices Skyrocket In 2021"

Amy Adams selected as Artist In Residence for Natick Center Cultural District

Amy Adams was part of a recent Franklin Matters Radio episode. She shares some good news:

"I was selected as the first Artist In Residence for Natick Center Cultural District in Massachusetts. It will be focused on social justice and four interrelated principals: equity, access, participation, and rights. I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy for the opportunity to include the community in using art as a tool to enhance how we share messages in our work. I am grateful and I cannot wait to share in this journey"

Shared from  https://paintingvenus1.wixsite.com/mysite/post/when-words-aren-t-enough

Recent Franklin Matters Radio episode:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/fm-525-amy-jamele-adams-041521-audio.html

 

https://paintingvenus1.wixsite.com/mysite/post/when-words-aren-t-enough

 

Boston will soon allow ‘retail residential kitchens’ - maybe something Franklin could consider?

"Boston food entrepreneurs will get a boost beginning on Friday, April 30, when a retail residential kitchens ordinance goes into effect. This allows home cooks to prepare shelf-stable foods in their homes for resale at farmers’ markets, online, and through the mail. They can make up to $25,000 per year.

Boston City Councilor at Large Julia Mejia introduced the ordinance after a conversation with Andree Entezari, who had relocated to Boston from Los Angeles, where he ran a fruit leather business from home. He wanted to do the same here.

“This is a way to test products that aren’t cost-prohibitive,” he said. “Working out of your home reduces start-up costs and engages you in your local community. It allows you to meet others in a special way, through food.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/27/lifestyle/boost-home-cooks-with-small-business-hopes-boston-will-soon-allow-retail-residential-kitchens/

Planning Board - Public Hearings scheduled for April 22

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Maple Hill"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:30 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision Plan application titled "Maple Hill" prepared by Bay Colony Group, Inc., dated January 15, 2019 and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on March 25, 2019, by Canoll Construction Corp., PO Box 395, Foxborough, MA. 

The site is located at 469 and 441 Maple Street Rural Residential H Zoning District (Assessor's Map 234, Lot 012, Map 235 Lot 142 & Map 242, Lot 027). The applicant is proposing to construct fifty-eight (58) single family residential building lots, with access from Bridle Path and Kimberlee Ave. A Conventional Subdivision and Open Space Development plans have been submitted."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_maple_hill.pdf


Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Highland Village"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision application. titled "Preliminary Subdivision Plan Highland Village, West Central Street" prepared by Gueniere & Halnon, Franklin, MA, dated March 8, 2019 and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on March 11, 2019, by Joel D'Errico, 72 Deer View Way, Franklin, MA 02038. 

The site is located on West Central Street consisting of three parcels of land in separate ownership in the General Residential V Zoning District (Assessor's Map 278, Lots 31, 32 & 35). The applicant is proposing to construct a four (4) lot subdivision with a roadway and sidewalks."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_west_central.pdf

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Highland Village"

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "79 Grove St"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:10 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Special Permit & Site Plan Modification application titled "Change of Use Plan and Special Permit for 79 Grove Street, Franklin Massachusetts" and submitted to the Franklin Department of Planning & Community Development on March 18, 2019 by Patrick Weidman, 79 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. 

The site is located at 79 Grove Street in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 289, Lot 001). The purpose of the Special Permit is to grant a change in use under Chapter 185 Attachment 3, Use Regulation Part II 2.7 (c) to allow the applicant to operate an auto and truck repair business with overnight storage of towed and damage vehicles within an Industrial Zone for the entire building (9,600 sq/ft)."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_79_grove_st.pdf

Public Hearings for (1) new hotel and (2) a 53 unit residential development

The Planning Board meeting scheduled for Nov 19, 2018 has two public hearings of note. One for a new hotel on Union St and one for a 53 unit residential development off of Prospect St. 

New hotel - 725 Union St:

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:20 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Special Permit and Site Plan application titled "Proposed Hotel, 725 Union Street" Franklin, MA prepared by JK Holmgren Engineering, Inc., Brockton, MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development on October 5, 2018, by 4 SQ Development LLC, 83 Hartwell Ave, Lexington, MA. 

The property is located in the Commercial Il Zoning District (Assessors Map 314 Lot 016) at 725 Union Street. The applicant is proposing to construct a 58,248 sq/ft building consisting of four (4) stories, 100 room hotel building. 

The applicant is requesting two (2) Special Permits, 

• one for Building height of up to fifty (50) feet under the Chapter 185 Attachment 9, Maximum Height of Building 
• and the second for Chapter 185 Attachment 3, Hotel Use.

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_26.pdf

 Residential Development - 215 Prospect St:

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:25 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision Plan application titled "Prospect Farms" prepared by Andrews Survey and Engineering, Uxbridge, MA., dated Octobei• 29, 2018 and submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development on October 29, 2018, by Maddi North Street Development LLC, Franklin, MA. 

The site is located at 215 Prospect Street and 4 Nicholas Drive in the Rural Residential I Zoning District (Assessor's Map 325, Lot 003 and Map 326, Lot 36). 

The applicant is proposing to construct fifty-three (53) single family residential building lots along with approximately 6,650 linear feet of new roadway.

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_27.pdf

Public Hearings for (1) new hotel and (2) a 53 unit residential development

In the News: Session on how government works scheduled; NationalGrid changing rate request

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

"A small group of dedicated residents is holding a community meeting they’re calling “Franklin Town Government 101.” 

The goal of the get-together is to field questions about how local government ticks, how residents can access more information, and how to have their voices heard. 

The first of what is expected to be multiple meetings will occur on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Franklin Public Library, with a snow date of Feb. 3. 

Co-organizer and father of newly-elected town council member Eamon Earls, Alan Earls, said he’s not looking to kick up dust with town officials, but rather hopes to further unite them with their residents. 

“We don’t want it to be an ‘us versus them’ thing at all,” he said. “I realize (town officials) also have a really big challenge in working with the town, because many of us don’t know a lot of what happens, and how it works.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180111/franklin-meeting-to-share-with-residents-how-local-government-works

"National Grid will seek a smaller rate hike in Massachusetts than it originally requested, the utility company said Thursday, citing the benefit of the recent federal tax reform bill. 

The company announced that it will reduce its proposed rate hike for Bay Staters by $36 million -- from a total increase of $87 million to $51 million --due to unexpected savings the company is now expecting to see as a result of the federal corporate tax rate dropping from 35 percent to 21 percent. 

“We are committed to ensuring that the tax savings of the legislation are fully realized and are used to help our customers in their energy bills,” Cordi O’Hara, president and COO of National Grid in Massachusetts, said in a statement. “We’ll continue to seek opportunities to provide this benefit to all of our customers.” 

National Grid said it does not yet know exactly how the changed proposed rates will affect customers’ bills, but did say the change will “result in smaller impacts than originally proposed and will vary across rate classes and customer usage.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180111/citing-tax-law-national-grid-reduces-rate-hike-request

Voices of Franklin: Sarah Mabardy on the proposal for Summer St rezoning

Dear Town Council,

As a Franklin resident, I am reaching out to express my opposition to the proposed zoning changes for the Summer Street property. While I appreciate a private land owner's desire to maximize personal gain from privately owned land, it is my opinion that the Franklin Town Council and Planning Board should not be complicit in making opportunistic changes that directly contradict the Franklin Master Plan and compromise Franklin's finite resources and infrastructure.

As outlined in Jeff Nutting's letter to council in October 2016 in response to this very subject, there are over 800+ units proposed in Franklin in the not so distant future. Administrator Nutting asks "Does the Town Council want to maintain the zoning plan adopted in the Master Plan or make changes to the plan?" I would amend this question to ask 'Does the Town Council represent the residents of Franklin in their desire to maintain the zoning plan adopted in the Master Plan or make changes to the plan?'

Please take this opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to serving the entire Franklin community in your role as an elected Town Councilor.

Thank you sincerely for your service and for your commitment to our city.

Sarah Mabardy
resident


The Jeff Nutting letter referred to:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/jeff-nuttings-letter-to-town-council.html

Sarah's letter was shared from Facebook with her permission
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/1864863610450323/


The recap of the Residential 7 zoning was covered in a 5 part Special Series published earlier this year

Part 1

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-1-residential-vii-area-on-summer.html

Part 2

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-2-residential-vii-proposal-for.html

Part 3
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-3-residential-vii-processing.html


Part 4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-4-following-residential-vii-bylaw.html

Part 5
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-5-full-residential-vii-timeline.html

Cook's Farm is being built  on RT 140 as the first Residential VII development in Franklin

Franklin Town Council to consider proposal for Rural 7 zoning expansion

The Town Council has a rather full agenda scheduled for the meeting on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016. The public hearing for the proposed "rural business zone" is scheduled. There are 6 separate bylaw amendments that need to be consider together to put this proposal in effect.

The documents for the rural business zone can be summarized here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/October%2019,%202016/Hearing.pdf

and found here http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024F90D5-000F8513


Also on the agenda for the meeting is a discussion on a proposal to rezone a parcel along Summer St from R 1 to R 7. The proposal would enable the property to be developed for four times the units allowed for R 1. The proposal would also require approval for a sewer extension.

The proposal documents outline the current buildings under construction and the 800+ units already approved to build.

• The associated documents for this Town Council discussion item

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/October%2019,%202016/R7%20HANDOUTS%201%20AND%202.pdf

• The 2013 Master Plan as referenced can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRVFxM1hsemUzb2c/view?usp=sharing

The Cook's Farm development which was approved as the initial R 7 development

The Cook's Farm development which was approved as the initial R 7 development. Located at the entrance to Franklin on RT 140 coming in from Norfolk near the Franklin Country Club.

• The full Town Council agenda can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-oct-19.html

Walking Franklin in the Snow

As many of you know I spend time on the weekends walking around Franklin, "Reporting by walking around." With 43" os snow deposited in such a short period of time, the range of my walks has been challenged. Yesterday, I did get to venture a good deal in and around downtown testing the sidewalk status. As shown in the sample photos here, the status of the sidewalks varies greatly.

Some sidewalks are cleared by the DPW, some by the residents or business owners, some not at all.

I'll need to do some research in the Town bylaws to find out what if anything is said about clearning sidewalks. I recall there is a policy against putting snow into the streets. For some of the businesses on Main St, they don't have much of an option for where to put the snow, other than to pile it further on the sidewalk. Doing so creates a narrow path way restricting handicap access, nevemind making it more challenging for people to walk together.

Main St in front of the Depot Building

Dean St on the side of Dean Bank

Main St in front of Dean College

Along the side of St Mary's on Daniel McCahill Way (leading to Oak St)

Oak St, along the side of the parking lot for the Oak St/Horace Mann school complex

Oak St, parking lot entrance to Oak St/Horace Mann and Franklin High School

RT 140 in front of Akin Bak

Should a nursing facility be located in a residential area?

From a reader:

I love your emails. I was wondering if you could help spread the word about the Athena Health proposed 138-bed nursing facility at 864 Lincoln St. 

The location is currently a residential rural zone 1, the faculty would need a zoning ordinance to proceed. 

Only those with property touching the proposed site were notified of the meeting.

agenda item - Athena Health

The Zoning Board of Appeals agendas can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202014/


The video of the meeting is not yet available for replay. If someone knows what occurred at the meeting, please let me know.

Update:

I did go to the meeting.
Many voiced opposing opinions.
The board continued until July 24 at 7:30.
They requested a full traffic study be done on Lincoln St.
The fire chief sent a memo but was not in attendance. The memo opposed the building permit as it would put addition strain on the Emergency Response which would affect all residence. He also cited poor response times for that area of Franklin would put home residents at at potential risk.

Regent Circle Petition

The petition as presented tonight by the residents of Regent Circle




They presented their petition during the Citizens Comments
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/live-reporting-town-council-apr-3-2013.html

and stuck around for the discussion during New Business
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/live-reporting-closing.html

The road condition report as referenced was published earlier this year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

In the New - author in residence, senior residence assistance

FRANKLIN -

Jed Horne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and former editor of the Times Picayune (New Orleans) will be the author in residence at Dean College.

Horne, author of the book "Breach of Faith," will read, present and sign copies of his book at a community event on Wednesday, Sept. 24, starting at 7 p.m., in the College’s Campus Center.
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by Dean College’s Student Government Association.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Sep 11, 2008 @ 10:01 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

For the past two years, resident Ron Higginbottom and Town Councilor Joseph McGann have been making life at home safer for more than 100 Franklin seniors.

Every time the Senior Center's nurse inspects an elderly resident's home to prevent falls and finds a lack of grab bars in the bathroom, Higginbottom and McGann volunteer to install one there, said Senior Center Director Karen Alves.

As part of the center's Safe and Secure at Home program, the nurse visits seniors' homes and conducts risk assessments for falls, she said.

"Statistics say that for a lot of seniors, when they take a fall, it's usually a hospital visit or death (that results). Typically, they'll break a hip, which leads to a nursing home," Alves said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

For a picture of Ron Higgenbottom's Town Council Proclamation, look here

Q & A 3 - responses continued by Doak, Cafasso (audio)

From the Franklin Override Information Forum coordinated by the Joint Parent Communication Councils and held on Wednesday, 5/28/08.

A - Doak, picking up on another comment to increase the revenues. We get get a good deal from the industrial and retail establishments. We have tried to foster commercial and industrial growth with smart policies. Council has encouraged good growth over the years and is looking to continue that so the residential taxpayers don't take the whole burden.

A - Cafasso, the school department has made cuts over the years to protect the classroom and to be as efficient as possible.

Time: 3 minutes, 15 seconds



MP3 File

For reference, the Franklin School Departments budget reductions over the years from 2002 to 2009 can be found here

Franklin School Committee Meeting Agenda 4/8/08

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments

• Review of Agenda

• Minutes:

I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting.

• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

• Payroll Ms. Armenio

• FHS Student Representatives

• Correspondence:

  1. Budget to Actual

  2. Letter from Representative James Vallee regarding Portable Classrooms

2. Guests/Presentations:

   1. Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoring Remington Middle School student

   2. Remington 6^th Grade Project Report

   3. Signing of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Contract

3. Discussion Only Items

• School Choice for 2008-2009 school year

• 2009-2010 School Calendar

• Second Reading of Policy JEA Entrance Age

• Second Reading of Policy JFAA-R Residency

• FY 2009 Budget – FinCom and Council presentations

• FHS Building Project & Building Committee

4. Action Items:

1. I recommend approval of the FY 2009 budget at the level service amount of (7.4%) $58,687,804.

2. I recommend approval of continuing the School Choice Program for the 2008-2009 school year.

3. I recommend approval of the 2009-2010 School Calendar

4. I recommend adoption of Policy JEA Entrance Age

5. I recommend adoption of Policy JFAA-R Residency

6. I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 for a portable washing station for the Davis Thayer art teachers from the Davis Thayer PCC

7. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.72 from Follett Educational Services for surplus books for the Parmenter gift account.

8. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2625.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC for the 7^th grade field trip to McAuliffe Center.

9. I recommend acceptance of a check for $154.83 from Target for 8^th grade field trip to YMCA in Hopkinton, MA.

10. I recommend acceptance of a check for $198.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for library books for DT.

11. I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Track Team to participate in the Penn Relays from 4/23 to 4/25/08 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Mt. Laurel New Jersey.

12. I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Football Team to participate in the Athletic Program & Retreat at Camp Cobbossee in Winthrop, ME from 8/21 to 8/24/08.

13. I recommend approval of the request of Keller Elementary School for the 5^th grade class trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI on 5/2/08.

5. Information Matters:

• Superintendent’s Report

  1. School Choice 2008-2009

  2. School Calendar for 2009-2010

  3. Enrollment Comparison for 3-30-07 and 3-28-08

  4. Consolidation

  5. Online Courses

• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

• School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:

• To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

• Contractual Negotiations – FEA side letters and early retirement

8. Adjourn

1st Reading: Residence Policy revision (audio)

The Franklin School Committee considers a revision to the current residence policy and moves the revision to a 2nd reading. A copy of the draft is available here.

Time: 9 minutes, 0 seconds



MP3 File