Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting June 17, 2026 at 6 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 17, 2026 = 6:00 PM

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: August 13 @ 6pm)

b. Economic Development Subcommittee (next meeting: July 23rd @ 6:00PM)

c. Communications Subcommittee (next meeting: TBD)

d. Town Charter Ad Hoc Committee (next meeting: June 24th @ 6pm)

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

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

6. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Fire Department

i. Swearing in of new Firefighter / Paramedic - Johnna Moitoso

b. Police Department

i. Swearing in of new Clinician - Danielle Machado

ii. Swearing in of new Officer - Caleb MacLean

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. April 15, 2026

b. May 13, 2026

c. May 20, 2026

d. May 21, 2026

8. APPOINTMENTS

a. Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members

i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for member names

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

11. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - None Scheduled

12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 26-36: General Funds Appropriations, Transfers and Adjustments FY26 (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-36 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9833/12a-Complete

b. Resolution 26-30: FY26 Snow and Ice Stabilization Account Transfer

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-30: ⅔ Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9835/12-b-Complete

c. Resolution 26-37: Acceptance of Gifts - Veterans Services Dept. ($750)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 26-X37 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9848/12c-Complete

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

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/_06172026-2368

Head's up: Anticipated to need 20 Volunteers across 8 boards/committees for July 1, 2026 and following

June 12, 2026

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE: Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committee Members

The Council will consider annual reappointments of board & committee members whose terms will expire at the end of June. There is also one new member, Jim Lane, being appointed to the Finance Committee with a term to expire in 2029, and two term expiration date amendments for Kyle Galvin (Design Review) and Gail Karner (Board of Assessors) to correct clerical errors made at the time of their respective appointments.

Of the forty-six (46) members with expiring terms, thirty-four (34) will be renewing, eleven (11) will not be renewing and one (1) is to be determined. Note, the appointments for the Community Preservation Committee members will be ratified at the Town Council’s July 22nd meeting.

As of July 1st we anticipate the following committees will have vacancies:

We will publish a vacancy announcement within the next couple of weeks and encourage all residents who are interested in getting more involved to submit a volunteer application!

Applications can be found here: https://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php.

Shared from June 17 Town Council agenda item - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9847/8a-Complete

Vacancy rates by state across the US In 2024

Vacancy rates by state across the US In 2024

*Checks Zillow*

In 2024, Maine, Vermont, and Alaska had the highest gross vacancy rates — 1 in 5 homes was vacant in Maine. The national rate dropped to 10.3% that same year (a 25-year low).

Since 2009 (post ‘08 housing crisis), gross vacancy rates were lower in every state in 2024. Where it dropped most:

Florida: -8.8 net change

Arizona: -7.8

Alaska: -7.4

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVtkP-HEqX1/?

More from USA Facts - https://www.instagram.com/usafacts

There is a Conservation Commission Vacancy - Apply Today!

Conservation Commission Vacancy - Apply Today!

Do you have an interest in conservation, wildlife, wetlands, and the environment? 

Do you see yourself as a leader in Franklin for green initiatives and open space planning? 

Would you like to a part of decision making processes for the growth and development around Town? 

Then what are you waiting for? 

Apply to the Franklin Conservation Commission today!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Land planning, environmental science, engineering, or construction experience a plus, but not required. Training and continued education provided upon appointment. 

Applications can be submitted online at https://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php. For more information about the vacancy, please contact Breeka Li Goodlander via email at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov or via phone at 508-520-4847.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/conservation-commission-vacancy-apply-today

Conservation Commission Vacancy - Apply Today!

Did you know that there is a Conservation Commission Vacancy - Time to Apply is Now!

Conservation Commission Vacancy - Apply Now!

Do you have an interest in conservation, wildlife, wetlands, and the environment? 

Do you see yourself as a leader in Franklin for green initiatives and open space planning? 

Would you like to a part of decision making processes for the growth and development around Town? 

Then what are you waiting for? Apply to the Franklin Conservation Commission today!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Land planning, environmental science, engineering, or construction experience a plus, but not required. 

Training and continued education provided upon appointment. Applications can be submitted online at https://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php. For more information about the vacancy, please contact Breeka Li Goodlander via email at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov or via phone at 508-520-4847.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/conservation-commission-vacancy-apply-now

Did you know that there is a Conservation Commission Vacancy - Time to Apply is Now!

One committee vacancy could be your opportunity

They say: "many hands make for light work."

There are a dozen open committee vacancies across the Town's organization.

For a complete listing, check out the Town website here. The Town web page includes a link to obtain the proper form to apply for the vacancy that you would be interested in.

Not sure if it would be good for you?
Contact one of the existing committee members to find out more information. The Town website has a listing of the Boards and Committees here.

Why not consider volunteering for one of the positions?
This could be just the opportunity you were looking for!

In the News - cookies, St Rocco's, vacant houses

The St Rocco's Festival cookie contest recap with winner Donna Copponi

Donna's winning recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies

Plenty of good food at St Rocco's

And on the vacant house front:

Pellegri, who has been Franklin's town clerk for 24 years, said she finds the number of vacancies listed - 778 - alarming.

That figure is down slightly from April, when the listing was 805, she said, but in past years, it is typically in the high 400s or low 500s, Pellegri said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - Dean renovation, empty homes

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:37 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Instead of lamenting the lack of library use on campus, Dean College President Paula M. Rooney is capitalizing on the Internet-driven trend.

By the time students return to classes Sept. 8, $8 million worth of construction will have converted the E. Ross Anderson Library to "The Library Learning Commons," home to more than 60 staff members, a new cafe, and a more efficient library, Rooney said.

"This is a big deal for us," said Rooney. "It's terrific for our students - it'll be the hub of activities in the center of campus. It is a very strategic decision on our part," bringing faculty, learning support, and knowledge together in one place, she said.

"It will pay off day 1, because both students and faculty will have a much better learning environment and (extra) space. When they need to come together, they will be able to," Rooney said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:42 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

In the 24 years Deborah Pellegri has served as town clerk, she has never seen as many vacant homes as this year: 805, she said.

On every street in Franklin, there are houses that are vacant or for sale, Pellegri said.

"A lot of people come in and say, 'We're moving down south.' The costs are less and they (don't) have the heating costs there," Pellegri said.

Pellegri doesn't necessarily view the record high number of vacant houses, apartments and condominiums as a problem for the town, per se, she said, but the statistic begs a few questions.

"You ask yourself, 'Why is this so high this year?' and I think the answer is, the way the economy is today," Pellegri said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here