Franklin Town, MA

Agricultural Commission

The Franklin Agricultural Commission will hold an online meeting via Zoom on August 31, 2026. The agenda includes approving the minutes from the July 27, 2026 meeting. The body will continue discussing future goals and actions, as well as the October 2, 2026 Pumpkin Festival at the Franklin Farmers Market.

• Approval of minutes from the July 27, 2026 meeting
• Discussion of future goals and actions
• Discussion of the October 2, 2026 Pumpkin Festival at the Franklin Farmers Market

Cultural Council

Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

Town Council

Board of Health

Police Station Building Subcommittee

The Franklin Town Council will hold a public discussion regarding the location of the new Police Station. Members of the Police Station Building Committee may attend and participate if questions arise. The agenda contains no other substantive items, contracts, or decisions.

• Discussion on the siting of the Police Station

Ad Hoc Town Charter Review Committee

Franklin Commission on Disability

The Franklin Commission on Disability will meet to discuss upcoming event participation, including Harvest Fest and the Senior Center Expo, and consider an advocacy letter regarding SNETT. The agenda also includes updates on compliance and the Accessibility Working Group, plus future items like accessible document creation and handicap parking fund ideas.

• Harvest Fest on September 26, 12-5pm
• Senior Center Expo on October 2, 10am-1pm
• Advocacy letter for SNETT
• Discussion of handicap parking funds
• Possible virtual meeting option for public

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on two denied building permits. The first is for an inground pool at 20 Longfellow Drive that exceeds the allowed impervious area. The second is a continued hearing for a 39-unit condominium development at 202 Washington Street, which requires a Comprehensive Permit. The board will also approve minutes from the previous meeting.

• 20 Longfellow Drive: 12' x 26' inground pool, impervious area to 19.58% (15% allowed)
• 202 Washington Street: 39-unit condominium development, Comprehensive Permit request
• Continued hearing for 202 Washington Street
• Approval of minutes from August 6, 2026

Cultural District Committee

The Cultural District Committee will review June 2026 minutes, discuss and vote on 2027 goals, and consider funding initiatives for 2027, including MCC and town funding. Updates will be provided on subcommittees and events like A Wreath of Franklin and Franklin 250. The meeting is at the Franklin Historical Museum.

• Vote on 2027 goals
• Discussion of 2027 funding initiatives (MCC and town funding)
• Updates on Fence Gallery, Artsy Boxes, Cultural Weekends, Downtown Gallery, PorchFest/Cultural Festival
• Discussion of A Wreath of Franklin (date, theme, budget)
• Franklin 250 update and Artsy Box(es) for event

Cultural District Committee

The Cultural District Committee will review 2026 goals and vote on 2027 objectives. The meeting includes discussions on 2027 funding initiatives from the MCC and the Town. Updates will be provided on subcommittee projects like the Fence Gallery and PorchFest, as well as the Franklin 250 anniversary events.

• Vote on 2027 goals and measurements
• Discussion of 2027 funding initiatives (MCC and Town)
• Updates on Fence Gallery, Artsy Boxes, and Cultural Weekends
• Presentation on 'A Wreath of Franklin' organization, budget, and outreach
• Franklin 250 update including Artsy Boxes for the event

Conservation

Conservation

Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee is meeting to discuss planning for the town's 250th anniversary. The agenda includes announcements about a FY26 earmark, approval of June minutes, public comment, and items on totes and spending, meeting locations, and FranklinTV. Subcommittee reports on communications, budget/fundraising, and events are also scheduled.

• Discussion of FY26 Earmark
• Approval of minutes from June 17, 2026
• Discussion of totes and spending
• Discussion of meeting locations
• Subcommittee reports: Communications, Budget/Fundraising, Events

Pole Petition Hearing

The Franklin Town Administrator is holding a public hearing on a pole petition from Massachusetts Electric Company (National Grid) and Verizon New England to install seven new joint-owned (JO) utility poles on Grove, East Central, Pleasant, Miller, Chestnut, and King Streets. The hearing will take comments from residents in person or via Zoom. The agenda is otherwise procedural, with only the pole petition and adjournment listed.

• 7 new JO poles proposed on Grove, East Central, Pleasant, Miller, Chestnut, and King Streets
• New 50ft H1 pole #97-75 on Grove St. for a recloser near Tobacco Rd.
• New 50ft H1 pole #556-50 on East Central St. for a recloser near Chestnut St.
• New 45ft H1 pole #19 on Chestnut St. for a recloser near Chestnut Ridge Circle
• New 50ft H1 pole #552-50 on King St. near East Central St.

Legal Notices

The Town Administrator will hold a public hearing on seven pole petitions from National Grid and Verizon to install new joint-owned utility poles on Grove, East Central, Pleasant, Miller, Chestnut, and King Streets. The poles are primarily for new reclosers to improve system reliability. Residents may attend in person or via Zoom.

• 7 new JO poles proposed by National Grid and Verizon
• Grove St: 50ft H1 pole #97-75 for new recloser
• East Central St: two poles (#556-50, #16-50) for reliability
• Pleasant St: 45ft class 2 mid-span pole #67-50
• Miller St: 45ft H1 pole #25-50 for recloser and bypass switch

Conservation

The Franklin Conservation Commission is meeting to hold public hearings on four Notices of Intent (NOIs) for projects at specific properties, including an emergency culvert replacement. They will also discuss general business items such as permit modifications, certificates of compliance, and a discussion of the Mass Ready Act. The meeting is open to the public in person and via Zoom.

• Public hearing: 110 Populatic Street – NOI
• Public hearing: Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street Emergency Culvert Replacement – NOI
• Public hearing: 23 Anchorage Road – NOI
• Public hearing: 78 Populatic Street – NOI
• Discussion of Mass Ready Act (s. 3050/h. 5518)

Legal Notices

The Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a hybrid public hearing on August 27, 2026, to consider a Notice of Intent filed by Tilton and Associates Inc. on behalf of Bright Ideas by JRP LLC for property at 78 Populatic Street. The applicant proposes to connect an existing single-family home to municipal water and sewer, relocate part of a driveway, remove/abandon a septic system, and remove three trees over 4 inches in diameter. Most work falls within buffer zones of Populatic Pond and associated wetlands. The hearing is open to the public, both in-person and via Zoom.

• Notice of Intent for 78 Populatic Street (Map 216 Lot 009)
• Connect existing dwelling to municipal water and sewer
• Relocate portion of existing pervious driveway
• Remove/abandon existing septic system
• Remove three trees greater than 4 inches in diameter

Council on Aging

The Franklin Council on Aging is meeting to discuss and potentially decide on several policy and rule changes, including cafe table capacity, class size caps, pool room issues, and new mobile food pantry rules. The board will also receive reports from various committees, including budget, bylaw, and expo committees, and will prepare for a vote on the Silver Spirit Award at the next meeting.

• Policy/Rules Change: Cafe Table Capacity (8)
• Cardio Strength and Balance class cap of 35; meeting with Wrentham Center
• Pool Room Issues
• Mobile Food Pantry new rules shared with Board
• Expo Committee event on October 2nd, 10AM-1PM; volunteers needed

School Committee

The Franklin School Committee will vote on approving the FPS School Handbooks and appointing Joe Corey and Pandora Carlucci to the Franklin TV board. They will also accept donations for FHS supplies and championship signage, and hear updates on new administrators, HR hiring, and summer facilities. The meeting includes routine business and an executive session for collective bargaining strategy.

• Approve FPS School Handbooks
• Appoint Joe Corey and Pandora Carlucci to Franklin TV board
• Accept $170.83 for FHS supplemental supplies (Ohiopyle $9.28, Jostens $161.55)
• Accept $1,500.00 for championship signage (FHS Girls Basketball $500, FHS Volleyball Boosters $1,000)
• Executive session for collective bargaining or litigation strategy

Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

Planning Board

The Franklin Planning Board will hold a remote meeting on August 24, 2026, continuing a public hearing for a special permit and site plan at 9 and 13-15 Main St. The board will also review a final Form H for the Adirondack Club parking at 800 Chestnut Street, consider a time extension for the 60 Earls Way site plan, and approve meeting minutes from July 13 and August 10, 2026.

• Continued public hearing: 9 & 13-15 Main St – Special Permit & Site Plan
• Final Form H: 800 Chestnut Street (Adirondack Club parking)
• Extension request: 60 Earls Way Site Plan
• Meeting minutes approval: July 13 & August 10, 2026

Legal Notices

The Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on August 24, 2026, to consider a Special Permit and Site Plan application for a four-story mixed-use building at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street. The applicant, Fourzol, LLC, is seeking two special permits under the town's zoning by-laws. The hearing will be held at Town Hall and remotely.

• Special Permit and Site Plan application for 'Franklin Plaza A Mixed Use Development'
• Four-story mixed-use building with parking, landscaping, and utilities
• Property located at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street (Assessors Map 279, Lots 172 and 173)
• Two special permits requested under Chapter 185 Attachments 9 and 7
• Public hearing at 7:00 PM in Town Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street

School Committee

The Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee of the Franklin School Committee is meeting at the Town Common Farmers Market. The agenda lists only the farmers market location and no specific discussion items, so this appears to be a procedural or informal gathering rather than a substantive decision-making session.

• Meeting held at Town Common Farmers Market

Franklin's 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Franklin 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee's Events Sub Committee is meeting to plan an October 16th donor lunch, including invitations, tasks, and updates. The agenda is mostly organizational, with no major decisions or public hearings scheduled.

• Donor launch event planned for October 16th, lunch
• Discussion of invitation list from Budget Sub Committee
• Evite invitation assigned to Courtney
• Assignment of tasks for donor lunch
• Next meeting September 17, 2026 with invited guest Tom Mercer

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will not hold its scheduled meeting on August 20, 2026. The next meeting is set for September 3, 2026. This agenda contains only a cancellation notice and no substantive items.

• Meeting cancelled for August 20, 2026
• Next meeting scheduled for September 3, 2026

Design Review Commission

The Franklin Design Review Commission will hold a virtual meeting on August 18, 2026, to review new business applications, including a withdrawal request for Franklin Plaza, and to approve meeting minutes from July 21, 2026. The agenda includes four items under new business, with one applicant requesting withdrawal.

• Franklin Plaza – 9, 13 and 15 Main Street – withdrawal request
• Fresh Monkee – 5 West Central Street
• Pretty In Pink (PIP) – 5 Main Street
• Derm Wellness PC – 835 West Central Street
• Approval of July 21, 2026 meeting minutes

Cultural Council

The Franklin Cultural Council is meeting to set priorities for FY27 grants, review member applications, and receive updates on Franklin culture. The agenda also includes approval of May 2026 minutes and a treasurer's report. This is a routine administrative and planning meeting.

• Setting FY27 priorities for FCC grants
• Reviewing FCC member applications
• Approval of May 2026 meeting minutes
• Treasurer's report

Joint Budget Subcommittee

The Joint Budget Subcommittee will discuss the FY27 budget update, FY28 projection, and five-year fiscal forecast, along with the FPS District Improvement Plan, 10-year infrastructure vision, and 2026 Capital Plan. They will also have a general discussion on draft committee goals. The meeting is a discussion session with no votes scheduled.

• FY27 Budget Update Memorandum & Local Receipts 6/30/26
• Five Year Forecast Model
• FPS District Improvement Plan (2025-2026)
• 10-Year Infrastructure vision
• 2026 Capital Plan (not updated for 2027)

Conservation

The Franklin Conservation Commission is meeting to conduct public hearings on three Notices of Intent (NOIs) for projects at 110 Populatic Street, Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street (emergency culvert replacement), and 23 Anchorage Road. The agenda also includes general business items such as permit modifications, certificates of compliance, and discussions on bylaws, the Town Forest, and a $637.79 expenditure for BeaverCON 2026 attendance.

• Public hearing: 110 Populatic Street – NOI
• Public hearing: Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street Emergency Culvert Replacement – NOI
• Public hearing: 23 Anchorage Road – NOI
• Discussion: Approval of $637.79 for BeaverCON 2026 Attendance
• Discussion: Bylaws and Regulations Memo

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is holding a hybrid meeting to discuss a finance update, approve meeting minutes, and handle new or old business. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific proposals or decisions listed.

• Finance update
• Meeting minutes approval
• New business/old business

Legal Notices

The Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a hybrid public hearing regarding a Notice of Intent for a project at 23 Anchorage Road. The commission will discuss a proposal to construct an accessory pool area.

• Public hearing for accessory pool area at 23 Anchorage Road (Map 207 Lot 7)
• Proposed work of approximately 1,300 square feet within the 50-100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands

Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD)

The Charles River Pollution Control District board will discuss and potentially vote on several items, including a rule change and related legal letter, employee handbook revisions, and elevator repair or modernization. They will also receive updates on selling capacity to Franklin, Millis, and Medway, and approve a warrant totaling $333,726.34 for operations and capital expenses.

• Discussion and potential vote on Rule 1.7 and G.L. c. 268A letter
• Discussion and potential vote on employee handbook revisions
• Update on sale of capacity from Franklin to Millis and Medway
• Discussion and potential vote on elevator repair or modernization
• Approval of Warrant 27-02: $311,291.34 O&M and $22,435.00 capital

Town Council

The Franklin Town Council is meeting to consider and vote on a contract for the Town Administrator. The council will first enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations with the non-union Town Administrator, then return to open session to vote on Resolution 26-48 approving the contract.

• Executive session for contract negotiations with Town Administrator
• Resolution 26-48: Approval of Town Administrator's Contract

Historical Commission

The Franklin Historical Commission is meeting to handle routine business including approval of minutes, subcommittee reports, and updates on various projects. They will discuss potential donations, exhibit planning, and the Franklin 250 celebration, among other items.

• Possible donation of an 'old' Springfield rifle from former Police Chief L. Benedetto
• Discussion of Algonquin Pipeline correspondence
• Planning for a one-day Cultural Saturday pilot program with downtown tours
• Update on Tri-County Bell Stand and possible date
• Request for official accident report for 1943 P-47 crash near Maple St.

Tri-County School Committee Nominating Committee

The Tri-County Regional Vocational School Committee Appointment Committee is meeting to consider appointing Sarah Mahoney to the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School Committee. The agenda contains only this appointment item and adjournment, so the meeting is focused solely on this decision.

• Appointment of Sarah Mahoney to the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School Committee

Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD)

The Charles River Pollution Control District board will discuss and potentially vote on revisions to the employee handbook, an elevator repair or modernization project, and an update on selling capacity to Franklin, Millis, and Medway. They will also consider approving Warrant 27-02 for operations and capital expenses, and receive the engineer's and executive director's reports.

• Discussion and potential vote on revisions to the Employee Handbook
• Update on sale of capacity from Franklin to Millis and Medway
• Discussion and potential vote on elevator repair or modernization
• Approval of Warrant 27-02: O&M $XXX,XXX and Capital $XXX,XXX
• Engineer's report on updating District-owned interceptor information in GIS

School Committee

The Franklin School Committee's Policy Subcommittee will review and discuss several policies, including the seclusion and timeout policy, adult meal fee changes, and multiple fiscal management policies. The meeting is open to the public in person and via Zoom.

• JKAA - Seclusion and Timeout Policy
• Adult Meal fee change
• Policy DA - Fiscal Management Goals
• Policy DB - Annual Budget
• Policy DBC - Budget Deadlines & Schedules

School Committee

The Franklin School Committee will vote on approving the 2025-26 annual report, adopting a policy on physical restraint and seclusion, and accepting donations. They will also review the final FY26 financial report and hear a summer learning program review.

• Approval of 2025-26 FPS Annual Report submission
• Adoption of Policy JKAA - Prevention and Criteria for Use of Physical Restraint, Seclusion and Time Out of Students
• Acceptance of $7,490 in championship signage donations from various boosters
• Acceptance of $250 from BJ's Wholesale Club for in-house enrichment
• Final FY26 Financial Report and Monthly Financial Report discussion

Planning Board

The Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing for a withdrawn special permit and site plan request at 9 and 13-15 Main St. General business includes an ANR plan for Symphony Drive, a final bond release for J Victor Lane, and a final Form H for 230 East Central Street. The agenda is mostly routine, with the Main St item withdrawn.

• Withdrawn special permit and site plan for 9 & 13-15 Main St
• ANR plan for Symphony Drive (Tanglewood Estates II)
• Final bond release for J Victor Lane
• Final Form H for 230 East Central Street

Legal Notices

The Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a Special Permit and Site Plan Application for a project titled “Franklin Plaza A Mixed Use Development”. The applicant, Fourzol, LLC, proposes constructing a four-story mixed-use building.

• Special Permit and Site Plan Application for 9, 13 and 15 Main Street
• Proposed four-story mixed-use building with parking, landscaping and utilities
• Application submitted by Fourzol, LLC