July 17, 2026
To: Town Council
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
RE: Millis and Medway Sewer Transfers
The Towns of Millis and Medway are each requesting a one-time, permanent transfer of 100,000 gallons per day (GPD) of sewer capacity. The Council may take action on both of the individual agreements. If either or both are approved, a third vote is required to authorize the Town Administrator to execute a districtwide amendment (which is just a technical formality to reflect the GPD changes).
If the Council wishes to approve these requests, staff recommend approving both transfers subject to the conditions and rates established in the draft agreements. Both Agreements are included in the agenda packet for the July 22nd Town Council meeting.
However, the Town Council maintains final authority over all decisions, including the per gallon rate, timeframe and can approve or deny the requests. It is worth noting that these discussions have been ongoing for several years and believe if the Town denies these requests, we should give these communities a final answer.
Franklin currently owns 3.642 Million Gallons per Day (MGD), representing a 63.89% share of the total 5.7 MGD permitted average day sewer treatment capacity at the Charles River Pollution Control District Treatment Facility. Staff have attached an overview presentation of the District.
Over the last 3 years (2023 - 2025), Franklin’s average flow is 2.43 MGD, which utilizes only 67% of our current treatment capacity (3.642 MGD).
If both transfers are approved, Franklin’s sewer treatment capacity will be reduced to 3.442 MGD. When compared against our three-year average flow (2.43 MGD), this adjustment would still leave Franklin with a comfortable cushion of 1.012 MGD in remaining unused sewer treatment capacity.
Attached is a report from Arcadis, the Town’s sewer consultant, which shows Franklin is in a highly favorable position with significant excess sewer capacity - a rarity across both Massachusetts and the United States. This is a direct result of the long-term commitments made by rate payers and elected officials, who have invested heavily in our sewer infrastructure (including the Beaver Street Interceptor, which carries 70% of all raw sewage to the District). The surplus capacity, combined with the Town’s robust infrastructure, has made Franklin a very attractive community for commercial development and future economic growth.
These transfers represent:
1. Being a good neighbor and regional partner to our adjacent communities. As detailed in the Arcadis report, both Medway and Millis are approaching full capacity for their systems (with Medway at 92% and Millis at 73%);
2. A strong financial return for Franklin’s sewer ratepayers, who have invested in building an excellent sewer system. This agreement will reduce the Town’s annual operating and capital costs assessments to the CRPCD while generating over $3,000,000 in one time revenue to the sewer enterprise fund, which can be reinvested into the system to try and prevent near term future rate hikes.
3. The Town will also save about $65,000 in its annual capital assessment from CRPCD and overtime, as Millis and Medway use their capacity, we would expect to see Franklin’s Annual O&M assessment from CRPCD decrease by more than $150,000, but that will be a long term, gradual change.
4. An opportunity to manage local expansion by reducing the likelihood of excessive additional development and commercial growth within Franklin.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
On the Town Council agenda for July 22, 2026
c. Charles River Pollution Control District
i. Charles River Pollution Control District Overview Presentation https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10236/11c-i---PRESENTATION-SLIDES---PDF--CRPCD-Town-Council-Meeting-July-22-2026pdf & Website https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/
ii. Town Administrator Memo on Sewer Transfers https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10237/11c-ii---MEMO---Millis-Sewer-Transfer
● See Legislation for Action #12b. (Millis)
● See Legislation for action #12c. (Medway)
● See Legislation for action #12d. (District Amendment)
Agenda doc also contains remote participation info
