Friendly reminder via Franklin Police: "If you don’t want your stuff stolen, lock it"
Franklin PD has received numerous calls regarding car break-ins during the overnight hours.... here’s the key detail: www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/frie...
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sat, Mar 7, 2026
9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
10:00am Volunteer Income Tax Preparation with VITA (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
see more events for today - www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/what...
The thread for the Town Council meeting March 4, 2026 in one page.
@unroll.skywriter.blue
image of calendar dates and days of week
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, March 5, 2026 ???
www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/what...
Motion to approve 26-10 as revised tonight, March 4. See attached
Second,
Waive reading, second, passes 9-0
Vote on the motion passes 9-0
Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
That's all for tonight catch you next time!
Change "adopt" to "evaluate"
On the 40r...
Discussion on list or schedule vs policy
Or kill it completely?
What is the historical perspective?
Create a historical record of the Franklin planning reviews
Review the SHI, Actual affordable numbers rather than the 40b
It can do. The Municipal affordable housing trust should go to CPC with project or funding requests, funds can be applied that way but it is between the CPC and housing trust
Possible grant opportunity for a transportation planner to outline a route, stops, and
enable a fixed transit route along 140
Pursue to replace "Explore" and take initial steps towards sustainable green community
Remove the affordable housing trust item as the Council is limited in what ...
Explore options for a Franklin community art center
Local home rule change to increase hotel tax by 2%
Restaurant week suggestion
Remove Marketing/Branding phase 2, for now
EDC to review and prioritize the Master Plan goals
Discussion on road acceptance, the additions do enable an increase in Chap 90 funding as our mileage increases
Change "with special emphasis" to "include but not limited by"
Complete street grant opportunities
Police station Cmte to come to a future meeting
RFP for Beaver St recreation
FY 27 target for June 10
CPC public hearing May 18
Water rate increase possible FY 28
Change of 'approve' to 'review and discuss' and other strategies
Water rate is on a sliding scale. Use of federal govt numbers for poverty level
Adding FY 27, meeting talked of in Mar/Apr
"Objective allocation" term needs to be defined
As part of the Joint budget to review and consider a potential objective allocation policy for the FY 28
OPEB and Audit review at the May meeting discussion around tech terms or "kitchen English"
Finally:
Discussion: 2026-2027 Town Council-Town Administrator Goals
i. Town Administrator Memo
ii. Draft Town Council-Town Administrator Preliminary List of Goals
Q on expectations
Reading the list, acknowledge hold if needing further discussion
First meeting on joint budget FY 27-28-29 ...
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
So far, round of no's
Historical Commission provide an update on the district study
Public safety (Fire, Police, MECC) departments had done reform prior to provide to current Council
h. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-949: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot Area Requirements - Referral to the Planning Board
Motion to refer, second, discussion
Vote on the motion, passes 9-0
Some changes for the Council review and public hearing before the vote on the measures.
Vote to refer to planning board, passes 9-0
Morena walks thru the changes, mostly errors caught after, you can see on the Town online copy blanks where there shouldn't be and references added back to where they should have been. Will be going to the Planning Board for their hearings and come back to the Council with no changes or ...
Morena Zelaya, director of Planning presenting on the update before the Council. Mostly cleanup the documents for the Crossing Neighborhood zoning as well as the MBTA compliance zoning
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 26-948: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Use Regulation Schedule, Attachment 2, Attachment 3, Attachment 4, Attachment 7 & Attachment 8 - Referral to the Planning Board
Resolution 26-15: PEG Funding Approval (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-15 - Majority Vote)
So moved, second
Motion to waive reading, second, passes 9-0
Vote on the motion passes 9-0
Resolution 26-14: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,645) (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-14 - Majority Vote)
So moved, second, discussion
Thanks!
Passes 9-0
Resolution 26-13: Parking Meter Receipts Appropriation (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-13 - Majority Vote) so moved, second, discussion
Specific user based fee paid by the parking users for maintenance of the units and software only.
Vote on the motion, passes 9-0
Manufacturer admits a poorly built frame rail, (new ones are galvanized) our use (in salt without cleaning) they use as out for covering the warranty; there are class action suits but without much traction
Vote on the motion passes 9-0
A BAN requires interest only, a Bond would require principal and interest.
Floor model would be a basic model and fully function, it is a standard spec and this fits. It does have a galvanized frame with 25 year coverage, shouldn't have a longevity issue, 2025 but never been in service.
Resolution 26-12: Appropriating Funds by Borrowing to Pay Costs of Purchasing a Fire Truck for the Fire Department (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-12 - ⅔ Majority Vote)
So moved, second
Discussion
Jamie recaps the FinCom meeting
Ryan from FinCom speaks to summarize the discussion and resolution
Vote on the motion, passes 9-0
Discussion
Griffith questions the work required when other things are on the plate
Goal to produce a list of possible changes, rather than speculation
Once the list is defined, then we can have a better set of options on how to resolve
Skipping presentation to take legislation first
Resolution 26-11: Establishment of Ad Hoc Subcommittee to Review Town Charter (Motion to Approve Resolution 26-11 - Majority Vote)
Nonbinding preliminary review of the charter, conduct outreach, produce a final report, advisory only
So moved, second
Approve minutes for prior meeting, second, passes 9-0
Appointments, Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee - Courtney Shimer
Moved, second , passes 9-0
