Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/149333
This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA
You can find the full RFP here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/cad_rfp_final_11-26-17.pdf
![]() |
Facebook photo for MECC |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
![]() |
Facebook photo for MECC |
![]() |
map showing the zoning change for the Union/Cottage street area |
![]() |
map showing the location of the NuStyle brown fields property on Grove St being put up via RFP for sale |
![]() |
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes |
EDC meeting about to begin #edc0809— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 9, 2017
Inconsistencies in accessories setback, one place says 10, another says 15. Deciding to get this resolved to say 10 in all places #edc0809— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 9, 2017
Proposal to offer the land for minimal sale with caveat that buyer recovers the brown land per revs #edc0809 lot 22 on map pic.twitter.com/98KldicPn6— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 9, 2017
Advantages to private owner over gov't owner could be a compelling item for the right buyer at the right price #edc0809— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 9, 2017
Proposal to bring Nu-style property RFP to Town Council, passed. #edc0809— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 9, 2017
![]() |
photo of the map handed out at the meeting showing the Nu-Style property as Lot 22 |
![]() |
Franklin Municipal Building site of most of the Board and Committee meetings, Rm 205 is the site of the EDC meeting Aug 9 |
![]() |
The Thompson Press building - proposed to be rezoned from commercial to residential |
At 5:00 Monday evening, Franklin’s Economic Development Committee had a meeting during which three companies presented their proposals for development of the town owned land on Pond Street. Two of the proposals were from solar companies proposing solar farms, one proposal was from a real estate developer proposing an 85+ unit condominium development.
The members did not like the proposals, so this will most likely go out for another RFP (Request for Proposal) for hotel and commercial space. The concerns raised about increased traffic congestion were dismissed, the reason given was that “A traffic study will be conducted by interested developers”. In relation to the existing and available 246,000 square feet of commercial/office space for rent in Franklin (a quick calculation/approximation made by adding up what is currently on loopnet.com), according to some members of the sub-committee, that inventory has no impact. The reason given was that if the land is sold to a developer, commercial space is built and then remains empty, the owner is still responsible for the taxes.
The overall take-away that I got from this evenings EDC meeting was that the low community attendance (two) is perceived by a good amount of the elected board members as low community interest. (This was mentioned in relation to the meeting this evening as well as other town meetings.)
They will ultimately make their decision based on what they personally view what would be best for Franklin overall, not taking into consideration the potential negative impacts the proposed projects may have on the immediate surrounding area.
The only way to ensure that concerns are heard is better attendance by the community (significant, if at all possible), as well as communicating with the elected members via emails or phone calls stating the concerns about proposed projects.
The fewer people that attend, the more they are seen as "squeaky wheels" who do not represent the community as a whole.The Town Council is scheduled to meet on August 7th. Their agenda will be published later this week.
Pond St aerial view - Town of Franklin photo |
"We have set up the next EDC meeting for Monday the 27th.
Here is the schedule:
Each company will have 10 to 15 minutes to present their proposed projects, and then Town Officials will ask questions".
- 5:00 p.m. Kearsarge Energy, Lease for Solar Proposal
- 5:45 p.m. Solect Energy Development, Lease for Solar Proposal
- 6:30 p.m. Baystone Development. Purchase and Develop Proposal
Franklin aerial photo of the Pond St Property |
Town of Franklin photo of Pond St property |
The EDC meeting tonight introduced the three proposals for the parcel:
- A sale/development proposal from Baystone Development, proposing 85 townhouse condos and 14,000 square feet of "Office/Retail". (Unofficially, the developer indicated that they'd rather go full office space on that 14,000, but that's not in the proposal.)
- A land-lease proposal for solar by Kearsarge Energy.
- A land-lease proposal for solar by Solect Energy.
The three proposals were presented at the meeting, with little if any prereading done by anyone. (Chairman Bissanti basically claimed a cursory reading; nobody else sounded familiar with any of it.) There was a three-page memo from the town summarizing them.
Highlights from the meeting:
- Interestingly, Bissanti opened the meeting by stressing rules of procedure and an unwillingness to permit personal or professional attacks. Not sure what THAT was about.
- Vallee is disappointed in the response to the RFPs, referring to it as an "ideal parcel" to have only 3 proposals. He seemed to take 'the process' to task for not getting the word out enough, and suggested that he wanted to try to get more proposals.
- Bissanti, again, brought up the specter of the anaerobic digester, which he, again, pointed out he had opposed. This was to warn us that these proposals were pretty good.
- The Planning Board rep spent most of the meeting critiquing the solar proposals and insinuating that, if anything, the Baystone bid was waysuperawesomer than anything else. (I'm sorry, but I can't un-type that now.)
- Bissanti, again, insinuated that everyone "but these seven people in the audience" were basically seen as in favor of whatever the council decides.
Town of Franklin photo of the Pond St property |
After applying jointly for Community Development Block Grants from the state Department of Housing and Economic Development, the towns of Bellingham, Franklin and Hopedale were awarded a total of $894,082 for housing rehabilitation and a fuel assistance program.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced 33 grants totaling $26 million to 65 communities Wednesday.
The federally-funded grants will help cities and towns provide housing, infrastructure improvements, childcare vouchers and other services, a press release said.Continue to read the article here
The town is vetting three potential developments proposed for more than 30 acres of land on Pond Street that officials have been trying to sell for at least a decade.
Two developers proposed solar farms for the property near Interstate 495, and the third submitted a commercial project with 85 condominiums and 14,000 square feet of office and retail space.
The town’s Department of Planning and Community Development received the proposals July 9.Continue reading the article here
![]() |
Franklin Municipal Building |
![]() |
National Small Business Week |
Massachusetts will be celebrating bicycling next week, as Bay State Bike Week will be held from May 9 to 17.
Bicycling organizations, neighborhood groups and local governments are encouraged to host a local event or participate in an existing activity. The events "encourage bicycling as a fun, healthy, safe, and sustainable travel choice," according to a press release from the state Department of Transportation.
“Our administration is pleased to support Bay State Bike Week and encourages our citizens to participate in local events as a fun and healthy activity for the whole family,” Governor Charlie Baker said in the release.
Bay State Bike Week is now in its seventh year.
![]() |
screen grab of Bay State Bike Week webpage |
The town has begun soliciting proposals to develop 33 acres off Pond Street after spending more than a month collecting feedback from nearby residents.
On Wednesday, the Town Council voted unanimously to issue two separate requests for proposals for the town-owned parcels, which are bordered to the west by Interstate 495, to the east by Pond Street, to the south by commercial properties, and to the north by wetlands owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a residential subdivision.
Previous attempts to sell the land for economic development have proved unsuccessful.
The first request seeks developers interested in leasing the land for a solar farm. Already benefiting from a solar array near the Wrentham line, officials expect the developer to have an energy agreement in place with another community or business.
a. Limit on residential componentb. Why are we trying to sell?5. Mr. Kelly called for a vote to table the discussion until the next ECD meeting. Meeting date TBD.c. Can we put in buffers?
- Answer given: Economic reason only.
d. Idea of solar panels was brought up again.
- 40 vs. 200 ft buffers
- Fuss and O’Neill report recommend 200-foot “no cut” buffer
e. Can we include incentives for developers to build an attractive area that includes sustainable buildings, roof top gardens, open space for greater community.
- Mr. Kelly suggested this be included as a possible use in the RFP
![]() |
Franklin Municipal Building |
A wild, wooded property on Pond Street is bare, save for remnants of a wastewater plant.
Some town councilors hope years from now, the scene changes, perhaps to a bustling development with a hotel and an office. They also want the revenue that would follow.
Members of the council's Economic Development Committee on Tuesday discussed details of a request for proposals (RFP) for the 33-acre parcel. The committee is considering placing stipulations in the RFP that would limit the kind of developments allowed there.Continue reading the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150204/NEWS/150208919/1994/NEWS#sthash.CQAlqzxP.dpuf
![]() |
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes |