Town Council approve West as Police Chief, approves excess sewer capacity deal, & goes past 10 PM on Police Station and Town properties discussion (video)

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday Sep 2 in Council Chambers. All 9 members participated, 7 in Chambers, 2 remotely so all votes were via roll call.

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uMeOjqTdAEw?si=qSIBaHW_AgOh6RCn&t=57

The modified agenda for this session (modified to remove the Executive Session)

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Quick recap

• comments on Chestnut St buildings not completed, what can be done
• multiple citizens comments on Flock cameras, being addressed by the Council
• Results of the State Primary are now official as announced by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
• Appointment of James West as Police Chief was approved
• Excess sewer capacity deal with Millis and Medway approved
• Presentation on Town of Franklin properties resulted in a long dicussion ultimately around site of the Police Station. While the Police Station Building Committee was also participating, they did not make a formal presentation, did answer multiple questions. Concensus among COuncil was to review the proposed building to reduce size of building to better fit on the Davis Thayer site. Parmenter would be retained as recreation and potential other Town use. RFP for 275 Beaver St possible
• As the discussion on this Town property topic completed about 10:25 PM, the Council voted to adjourn, they did not need to vote to extend the meeting past their 10 PM self-imposed deadline. Had they attempted another topic, that would have been required

My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5-_8ZH8wT7D-xz8WH0fdzhWQCW2jIg9/view?usp=drive_link

Police Station location & Town Properties "multi-month dialogue and discussion" begins with Council meeting Sep 2, 2026

August 28, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: Town Owned Properties, including Davis-Thayer, Parmenter & 275 Beaver St.

The Town Council and community will see a comprehensive presentation on town owned property. We have included a presentation and cover memo from the Director of GIS.

This presentation will serve as a spring board into a community dialogue about the future use of Parmenter, Davis-Thayer and 275 Beaver Street. There are no final decisions or legislation for action this evening.

Staff have included memorandums for the current conditions at Parmenter, a draft of an Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Davis-Thayer School (including a cover memo with the policy decisions needed to be made by the Town Council) and two RFP drafts related to 275 Beaver St: one to sell, and one to lease 275 Beaver Street.

These drafts are being provided based on decisions by the Town Council in Executive Session in February 2026, as well as the recommended site for the future of the Police Station by the Building Committee.

Members of the Police Station Building Committee will be present this evening, as well as representatives from CHA Consulting, Inc. who is acting as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) as required by state law.

Tonight begins a multi-month dialogue and discussion from the Town Council on formal decisions on where to site a new Police Station, whether to sell the Davis-Thayer property, the Parmenter property, where to permanently locate the Recreation Department and whether to sell or lease 275 Beaver Street.

In working with Chair Dellorco, we are anticipating Council discussions on this issue will occur on a monthly basis through, at least, the end of the year, or as long as the Council desires.

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11.        PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

b.        Discussion/Presentation: Town Owned Properties & siting of a new Police Station

i.   Town Administrator Memorandum

ii.     Town Owned Properties - Director of GIS, Kate Hinckley

1. Director memorandum

2.  GIS presentation

iii.   Director of Public Facilities Memorandum re: Parmenter

iv.   Police Station Building Committee website

v.   Director of Planning & Community Development Memorandum

vi.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Davis-Thayer property

vii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (sell)

viii.   Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (lease)

The full agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Town Council to consider Medway & Millis Sewer Capacity Transfer Proposal - 09/02/26

On the Town Council agenda for the Wednesday, Sep 2 session is return of the excess sewer capacity item from earlier this year.

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August 28, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: Medway & Millis Sewer

After a meeting between representatives from Millis and Medway the Franklin Town Councilors Dellorco and LeBlanc, and Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, communities agree to the following proposed rate and number of gallons being transferred, as follows:

● 150,000 gallon transfer to each community;

● At a rate of $10.50 per gallon;

● All other language from the previous draft agreements remains unchanged (except some tweaks by the lawyers highlighted in yellow).

Staff have attached 3 tables of data that were requested:

● Table 1 - Projected sewer flow versus usage.

● Table 2 - Outstanding development in the pipeline (Title V projected capacity versus expected). Please note, with all permitted or pipelined development, the Town expects 100,339 Gallons Per Day (GPD) of sewer flow, which represents nearly

800-1,000 units of housing and more commercial development.

● Table 3 - Historic flows for the past 20 years.

If approved, some of the benefits to Franklin include:

● $3,150,000 million in combined revenue to stabilize sewer rates and provide for capital investments into the system to make it better;

 

● Reduces the sewer operating budget by about $98,000 in Franklin’s annual capital assessment from the Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD), further stabilizing the need for a rate increase due for the operating budget;

● Over time, as Millis and Medway use their capacity, we expect Franklin’s Annual O&M assessment from CRPCD to decrease by more than $225,000. This will be a long term, gradual change.

● Enables the town to further control development, while still having a surplus amount for decades to come.

Letter shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10799/11a-i---MEMO---Medway-and-Millis-Sewer-Transfers-1

11.        PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

a.                Update on the Sewer Capacity Transfer to Medway & Millis

i. Town Administrator Memo on Sewer Transfers

●     Data Request: Table 1 - Current Residential & Commercial Flows

●     Data Request: Table 2 - Ongoing, Approved, Anticipated Development

●     Data Request: Table 3 - 20-year historic sewer flows

●     See Legislation for Action #12a. (Millis)

●     See Legislation for action #12b. (Medway)

●     See Legislation for action #12c. (District Amendment)

You can find the full agenda - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482

Agenda for the Franklin Town Council meeting Wednesday, Sep 2, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 2, 2026, 6:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building: 

Council Chambers 355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

4. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Joint Budget Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

b. Economic Development Subcommittee (next meeting: September 17 @ 6pm)

c. Communications Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

d. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: September 3rd @ 6pm)

e. Police Station Building Committee (next meeting: TBD)

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Deputy Town Administrator and Administrative Assistant Introductions

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

 

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. July 22, 2026

b. August 15, 2026 (Office Hours)

8. APPOINTMENTS

a. Chief of Police - James West

b. New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members

i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for list of names

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:00 PM - None Scheduled

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

a. Update on the Sewer Capacity Transfer to Medway & Millis

i. Town Administrator Memo on Sewer Transfers

● Data Request: Table 1 - Current Residential & Commercial Flows

● Data Request: Table 2 - Ongoing, Approved, Anticipated Development

● Data Request: Table 3 - 20-year historic sewer flows

● See Legislation for Action #12a. (Millis)

● See Legislation for action #12b. (Medway)

● See Legislation for action #12c. (District Amendment)

b. Discussion/Presentation: Town Owned Properties & siting of a new Police Station

i. Town Administrator Memorandum

ii. Town Owned Properties - Director of GIS, Kate Hinckley

1. Director memorandum

2. GIS presentation

iii. Director of Public Facilities Memorandum re: Parmenter

iv. Police Station Building Committee website

v. Director of Planning & Community Development Memorandum

vi. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Davis-Thayer property

vii. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (sell)

viii. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for 275 Beaver Street (lease)

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-39: Authorization to Transfer (Sell) a Portion of Franklin’s Excess Sewer Capacity at Charles River Treatment Plant to Town of Millis

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-39 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 26-40: Authorization to Transfer (Sell) a Portion of Franklin’s Excess Sewer Capacity at Charles River Treatment Plant to Town of Medway

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-40 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 26-41: Authorization to Execute Third Amendment to Agreement Between Charles River Pollution Control District and Town of Franklin

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-41 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 26-50: Authorization for the Town of Franklin to Enter into Intermunicipal Agreement Between the Town of Walpole and Various Municipalities for Joint Legal Services for Solid Waste Contract Negotiations

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-50 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 26-51: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant (Grillo Estates)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-51 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 26-49: Gift Acceptances - Veterans Services, Senior Center, Franklin Fire Department (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-49 - Majority Vote)

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION -

a. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body:

i. “Other Property” potentially available for Town purchase/acquisition

b. Exemption: To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09022026-2482 

In this Talk Franklin episode TA Jamie Hellen let's us in on what's happening beginning in September (audio)

FM #1800 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1800 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We recorded our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 17, 2026.  

Key topics

• Mid-summer status

• Town Council & contract extension

• A validated budget for FY 2027

• Joint Budget working on a strategy

• More topics coming

• Sept 2

• Town available land and facilities

• Sept 16

• Legislative update with Senator Rausch & Rep Roy

• Presentations by Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, 250th Celebration

• Sept 3

• Police station building committee

• Economic Development 

• Split tax workshops

• UMass students study on downtown

The recording runs about 37 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Audio link - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---August-17--2026-e3nih1r/a-acr33iq

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Town of Franklin page -  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Notify Me - sign up for notification on meetings and agendas  https://www.franklinma.gov/list.aspx 

Subscribe to Franklin First newsletter  https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

Town Administrator contract press release https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/franklin-town-council-approves-town.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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 15, 2026 ???

Saturday, August 15

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

9:00am Blood Drive (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Jules Perret & Robert R. Pirelli (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

9:00am Library Book sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Revolutionaries in White: A Look Across Three Centuries of Bridal Fashion

10:00am Maloney Farm & Forest (visit, pop up shop) (90 Daniels St)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:00am Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Messtival! (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library books by the bag sale (Franklin Public Library)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House) 

8:00pm A Starry Night (live music - ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

***  Town Meetings today ***

Town Council Open Office Hours

Saturday, August 15 Time: 10:00 AM

No agenda for this open discussion session

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Franklin Town Council Approves Town Administrator Contract

On Wednesday, August 12, the Franklin Town Council voted 5-4 to approve a new employment contract for Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. Hellen’s contract is extended through June 30, 2030.

As required by law, the contract negotiations were conducted in executive session before the Council voted on the resolution to approve in open session.

“I believe Jamie has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the Town of Franklin,” said Town Council Chair Robert Dellorco. “He has helped keep the Town focused on the important work in front of us and has developed an exceptional staff culture. I’m pleased to support his contract and look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together over the next four years.”

Town Council Vice Chair Gene Grella, who voted against the contract, said his vote was not a reflection of his assessment of Hellen's work as Town Administrator or the work of the Town staff.

“We all have respect for Jamie and the work he has done over the past 11 years,” said Vice Chair Grella. “The four Councilors who voted against the contract had concerns with the process, timing and approach taken with the contract extension and modification.”

Town Council Clerk Ted Cormier-Leger, a veteran of the Council, also added his support for extending his contract.

“Having served on the Town Council and worked with Jamie over the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand his leadership and commitment to Franklin,” said Clerk Cormier-Leger. “He has built strong relationships with our departments, employees, community stakeholders and the Council. I believe that extending his contract is in the best interest of our organization.”

In 2026, Hellen is completing his 11th year as an employee in Franklin. He served as the Town’s first ever Deputy Town Administrator between Jan. 2016 to May of 2019 when he officially took the reins from previous Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting. Together, Nutting and Hellen have provided stable executive leadership for 25 years in Franklin.

“I’m grateful and honored for the opportunity to continue serving the Town of Franklin and for the confidence placed in me by the Town Council,” said Town Administrator Hellen. “I’m proud of the work our staff and volunteers accomplish every day. I look forward to continuing to work within the community to build on the progress we’ve made and focus on the priorities ahead.”

Hellen’s contact extension and modification highlighted only a handful of changes:

● The contract term was extended through June 30, 2026;

● He received no additional compensation, nor did Hellen request any increase in pay, as the salary is within the market. The compensation has already been approved in the FY27 budget;

● The vehicle allowance for work travel was increased to $5,000 annually from

$3,500 annually, which is to reflect the inflation related cost increases of travel since 2019;

● Removal of required language for the Deputy Town Administrator; and

● Notification of resignation was increased from 30 days to 90 days notice.

For more information, visit the Town Administrator webpage on the Town of Franklin’s website. https://www.franklinma.gov/159/Administrator

Read the approved Town Administrator’s contract for additional details.

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7471/Town-Administrator-Employment-Contract---August-12-2026?bidId=

Prior Contract - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMWZzUI0T84tNYwAI0nfH4Pmwo5dsMOL/view?usp=drive_link

Town Council votes to approve Town Administrator's contract by 5-4 vote (audio)

FM #1797 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1797 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 members participated in Chambers.

The Council voted to enter Executive Session immediately and about 4 hours later returned to open session, voting to return to open session before the recording was enabled. 

This post Executive Session portion was successfully broadcast to cable subscribers and to YouTube but unavailable for Zoom.

Recap:

There was only one action item on the agenda, to negotiate the TOwn Administrator contract in Executive Session, and then to vote on it in the public portion of the meeting.

• Motion to approve contract, second, passes 5-4
• (5 = yes, LeBlanc, Morrongiello, Dellorco, Cormier-Ledger, Ojukwo and 4 = no, Callaway-Tripp, Grella, Griffith & Molloy) (Note: The TV video did not capture the hands raised.) (Note, it would also have been good for the Council to inform the community of what was in the contract that they wrestled so long with.)

Franklin TV YouTube video - 

 - Part 2 return from Executive Session   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8O3CvNhHI

 - Part 1 - open meeting enters Executive Session   https://www.youtube.com/live/KVGmbhOOM_A?&t=132

Agenda doc for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122026-2444 

The audio link (leaving out the trouble with re-opening the Zoom session)

Audio - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1797-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-08-12-26/

Read the approved Town Administrator’s contract for additional details.

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7471/Town-Administrator-Employment-Contract---August-12-2026?bidId=

Prior Contract - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMWZzUI0T84tNYwAI0nfH4Pmwo5dsMOL/view?usp=drive_link

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"