Franklin Town meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Franklin meeting roundup: ZBA hearings, conservation projects on deck; Town Council set for sewer, parking fine votes July 22

Franklin boards and committees held a busy stretch of public hearings and discussions from July 7 through July 16, but minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so no final decisions can be confirmed from the available record. Agendas show the Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and several town committees all had substantive items scheduled.

Zoning Board of Appeals — four hearings July 9

The ZBA scheduled public hearings on four applications, all involving previously denied building permits:

• **202 Washington Street** — Next Generation Custom Homes Corp. sought a comprehensive permit for a 39-unit condominium development.
• **9 Julie Dawn Drive** — Margaret Driscoll and Jonathan Carmine requested a variance for an attached garage (23'10" x 24'6") that would sit 25.4 feet from the left side yard setback, where 40 feet is required. The property is in the RR I Zoning District (Map 231, Lot 026).
• **2 Elizabeth Avenue** — Woodstock Building Associates LLC sought a special permit for an 11' x 12' addition that would increase impervious area to 19.6%, above the 15% limit (Map 236, Lot 040).
• **365 Prospect Street** — A special permit was sought for an inground pool increasing impervious area to 19.67%.

The board also planned to approve minutes from June 25, 2026.

Conservation Commission — three hearings, two expenditure votes July 16

The Conservation Commission scheduled hybrid public hearings on Notices of Intent for three sites:

• **110 Populatic Street** (NOI)
• **23 Anchorage Road** — Domenic Fruci proposed an accessory pool area with approximately 1,300 square feet of work within the 50–100 foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (Map 207, Lot 7).
• **Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street** — Emergency replacement of a stone headwall and culvert (12 Nicholas Drive, Map 326, Lot 84), involving work within wetlands buffer zones, Land Under Waterbodies, and a 200-foot Riverfront Area.

The commission also planned votes on two expenditures: rehabilitation of three crossings in the Franklin Town Forest, and Farmers Market table cloths.

Planning Board — Elena Estates hearing July 13

The Planning Board scheduled a public hearing on a preliminary subdivision plan for Elena Estates, a 4-lot subdivision with a separate drainage parcel at 266 and 0 Pleasant Street (Assessors Map 262 Lot 22, Map 267 Lot 4.1) in the Single Family III Zoning District. The applicant is Eric Marder of Lynnfield, MA, with a plan by D&L Design Group. The board also planned to consider an endorsement for Grillo Estates and review minutes from May 11, June 1, and June 22, 2026.

Other committees

• **Pole Petition Hearing (July 7):** The Town Council held a public hearing on a petition from Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for a Grant of Location to install a small cell wireless antenna and equipment on utility pole #63-84 at 606 Pond Street.
• **Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (July 9):** Officer elections, continued discussion of trust-held parcels, and a finance update covering the general fund and the Franklin Ridge project.
• **250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (July 7 and July 13):** Discussions covered merchandise orders, marketing collateral, website and social media strategy, a press release approval protocol, donor event invitations, grant research, and a book contract.
• **Historical Commission (July 8):** 2026 final expenses and 2027 budget discussion, reappointment of Phyllis Malcolm as representative on the Community Preservation Committee, and a proposed MOU for an Open Mic night.
• **Cultural District Committee (July 9):** Subcommittee reports on the Wind Phone, Fence Gallery, Artsy Boxes, Storefront Frames, and Cultural Weekends, plus a World Cup update from Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
• **Communications Subcommittee (July 15):** Draft social media engagement guidelines and email guidelines for elected and appointed officials, plus a debrief on Town Councilor attendance at early summer community events.

Coming up

• **July 21 — Design Review Commission:** Officer nominations, plus project reviews for Fresh Monkee at 5 West Central Street and Franklin Plaza at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street. 7:00 PM, Town Council Chambers and Zoom.
• **July 22 — Town Council:** The busiest upcoming session. The council is scheduled to vote on Resolution 26-139 (transfer of excess sewer capacity at the Charles River Treatment Plant to Millis), Resolution 26-140 (transfer to Medway), Resolution 26-138 (acceptance of J. Victor Lane Drainage Lot Parcel 1, requiring a two-thirds majority), and Bylaw Amendment 26-953 (second reading and final vote on winter-storm overnight parking ban fines, replacing the current $25 flat fine with tiered penalties of $100 first offense, $200 second, $300 third and subsequent). Three Section 15 alcoholic-beverage license transactions are also on the agenda: Georgio's Liquors at 60 Franklin Village Drive, Dacey's Market at 353 Lincoln Street, and Lincoln Street Market at 465 Lincoln Street. 6:00 PM, Municipal Building, 355 E. Central Street, and via Zoom.
• **July 22 — Charles River Pollution Control District:** Approval of Warrant 27-01 ($425,080.96 O&M and $117,075.00 capital) and Warrant 26-13 ($337,433.70 O&M and $3,632.50 capital), plus discussion on selling capacity from Franklin to Millis.
• **July 23 — Board of Assessors / Economic Development Subcommittee:** Joint meeting on "New Growth," including how apartment developments affect assessed value and tax revenue under Proposition 2½.
• **July 23 — Tri-County School Committee Nominating Committee:** Appointment of Peter Wiernicki to the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School Committee. 5:15 PM, Franklin Municipal Building.
• **July 27 — Planning Board:** This meeting was cancelled. The public hearing for the four-story mixed-use building at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street (applicant Fourzol, LLC) has been postponed to August 10, 2026.
• **July 23 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Cancelled. Next meeting August 6, 2026.

Franklin Meeting Roundup: Recent Outcomes Pending, Parking Fines and Downtown Development on Horizon

Official minutes have not yet been published for Franklin's recent board and committee meetings, so no decisions from the past two weeks can be confirmed. Agendas show that bodies were scheduled to act on a 39-unit condominium development, a school union contract, and several zoning variances. Residents now face a busy upcoming schedule, including a final vote on winter parking fines and a hearing on a downtown mixed-use building.

School Committee and Charter School

The Franklin School Committee was scheduled to meet virtually on June 29 to consider ratifying the Educational Support Professionals Union Contract. Minutes are not yet published, so the outcome is not confirmed. Separately, the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School board met July 1 to discuss charter school replication and vote on a faculty representative for AY26-27.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals had a full agenda for July 9, with four public hearings scheduled. The largest item was a comprehensive permit application by Next Generation Custom Homes Corp. for a 39-unit condominium development at 202 Washington Street. Other hearings included a variance for an attached garage at 9 Julie Dawn Drive (proposed 25.4 feet from the side setback where 40 feet is required) and special permits for additions at 2 Elizabeth Avenue and 365 Prospect Street that would increase impervious area beyond the 15% limit. Outcomes are pending publication of minutes.

Health, Conservation, and Housing

The Board of Health met July 1 to discuss withdrawing from the METACOMET Shared Service Agreement and a variance request for 324 Pleasant Street. The Conservation Commission met July 2 to consider a continuance for a Notice of Intent at 110 Populatic Street and discuss a Friendly 40B affordable housing proposal. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust met July 9 for officer elections and a finance update on the Franklin Ridge project.

Other Committees

The 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee and its subcommittees met June 29 and July 7 to plan commemorative projects, including a video, oral history initiative, and booklet. The Historical Commission met July 8 to discuss its 2027 budget and consider reappointing Phyllis Malcolm to the Community Preservation Committee. A July 7 Pole Petition Hearing was scheduled for Verizon Wireless to install a small cell antenna at 606 Pond Street.

Coming up

• **July 13:** The Planning Board holds a public hearing on Elena Estates, a proposed 4-lot subdivision at 266 and 0 Pleasant Street, and considers an endorsement for Grillo Estates.
• **July 16:** The Conservation Commission holds public hearings on projects at 110 Populatic Street, 23 Anchorage Road, and the Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street emergency culvert replacement. The board will also vote on expenditures for Franklin Town Forest crossing rehabilitation and Farmers Market table cloths.
• **July 22:** The Town Council holds a second reading and final vote on Bylaw Amendment 26-953, which would replace the current $25 flat fine for winter storm parking ban violations with a tiered structure of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $300 for third and subsequent offenses. The council also holds public hearings on three liquor license transfers and a request to accept J Victor Lane as a public way.
• **July 23:** The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is cancelled. The next meeting is August 6.
• **July 27:** The Planning Board holds a public hearing on a special permit and site plan application for a four-story mixed-use building at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street, submitted by Fourzol, LLC.