Franklin's main governing body. Passes local bylaws, approves the budget, and makes key appointments.
98 items across 8 meetings.
June 17, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Recording notice, remote-participation details, and upcoming town events.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda matters.
• Status unclear
Open comment period for councilors.
• Status unclear
Updates from Joint Budget, Economic Development, Communications, Town Charter, and Police Station Building committees.
• Status unclear
Report from Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.
• Status unclear
New Firefighter/Paramedic Johnna Moitoso, Police Clinician Danielle Machado, and Officer Caleb MacLean to be sworn in.
📋 Proposed
Approval of April 15, May 13, May 20, and May 21 minutes.
📋 Proposed
Council to ratify annual reappointments and new members across town boards and committees.
📋 Proposed
Year-end FY26 budget appropriations, transfers, and adjustments up for a majority vote.
💰 FY26 fund transfers (amounts not specified in agenda)
📋 Proposed
Transfer into the FY26 snow and ice stabilization account, requiring a two-thirds (6-vote) majority.
💰 Snow and ice account transfer (amount not specified)
📋 Proposed
Acceptance of a $750 gift to the Veterans Services Department.
💰 $750 gift
• Status unclear
Councilors may raise items for upcoming meetings.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment.
June 10, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Recording notice, remote participants, and upcoming community events.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda matters.
📋 Proposed
Liquor license transfer, pledge, and new manager approval for DeVita's Market, with all departments signed off.
📍 198 East Central St.
📋 Proposed
Change of officers adding Paula Litscher as Secretary and removing John Nocera as member.
📍 466 King St.
📋 Proposed
Malt-beverage samples and sealed-container sales at the Friday Franklin Farmers Market, June 5–Oct 30.
📍 200 Main Street (Town Common)
📋 Proposed
Adopting the FY2027 budget with total appropriations of $169,687,307, of which $150,241,014 is raised through taxes; Finance Committee approved 9-0.
💰 $169,687,307 total; $150,241,014 raised and appropriated
📋 Proposed
Adds the $597,258 Council on Aging budget, raising the FY2027 total to $170,284,565.
💰 $597,258
📋 Proposed
Transfers $117,133 from the MECC Stabilization Fund into the FY2027 operating budget.
💰 $117,133
📋 Proposed
Raises the elected Town Clerk's salary from $114,150 to $117,004 effective July 1, 2026.
💰 $117,004 (up from $114,150)
📋 Proposed
Sets FY2027 spending caps for revolving funds including Senior Center ($225,000), Supportive Day ($150,000), facilities, fire training, community policing, and EV charging.
💰 Various caps up to $225,000
📋 Proposed
Appropriates $1,466,419 in free cash for a health insurance deficit ($1M), a DPW dump truck, school chillers, teacher laptops, and classroom repairs.
💰 $1,466,419 from free cash
📋 Proposed
Moves $62,500 of free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Finance Committee backed it on a 5-4 amendment instead of a building code review.
💰 $62,500
📋 Proposed
Appropriates $252,437 from the Group Insurance Trust Fund to cover town health insurance liabilities.
💰 $252,437
📋 Proposed
Appropriates $90,000 from Stormwater retained earnings for a Stormwater Asset Management Plan.
💰 $90,000
📋 Proposed
Appropriates $440,220 from Ambulance Receipts to buy a new Horton ambulance, trading in the 2014 unit.
💰 $440,220
📋 Proposed
Reserves $2,006,700 of CPA funds for historic preservation, community housing, open space, administration, and budgeted reserve.
💰 $2,006,700
📋 Proposed
Appropriates $2,989,140.58 in CPA funds for projects including Maple Hill and Schmidt's Farm, King St Memorial Park, Kennedy School playground, FHS track/tennis, and a Washington St basketball court.
💰 $2,989,140.58
📍 Various (Maple Hill, Schmidt's Farm, King St, Kennedy & Washington St schools)
📋 Proposed
Final vote raising various fees: trash carts now $336/$245, recycling center sticker $35→$50, overflow bags $3→$4, plus passport, abutter list, and ambulance rate increases.
💰 Recycling sticker $35→$50; overflow bag $3→$4; ambulance and other increases
📋 Proposed
Replaces the flat $25 fine with escalating penalties of $75 first offense, $150 second, and $300 for third and beyond.
💰 Fines $75 / $150 / $300
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
May 21, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine chair announcements including remote-participation IDs and upcoming community events.
📋 Proposed
Council to vote on a special license allowing La Cantina Winery (230 Cottage St) to sell bottled wine at the Franklin Farmers Market, Fridays June 5–Oct 30 at 200 Main St.
📍 200 Main Street, Franklin (Farmers Market / Town Common)
💬 Discussed
Public hearing on the proposed FY2027 total budget of $171.6M (up from $163.7M); education spending drops ~$5.9M to $75.5M while employee benefits surge ~$10.3M to $26.8M, and sewer enterprise rises from $5.5M to $7.1M.
💰 Total budget $171,574,811 (FY26: $163,737,405); Sewer Enterprise up to $7,082,795; Education down to $75,476,988
📍 355 East Central Street, Council Chambers
📋 Proposed
Proposed fee increases effective July 1, 2026 include Beaver Street Recycling sticker $35→$50, overflow trash bag $3→$4, ambulance ALS base rate $2,583→$2,701, and passport photo $12→$15; first reading only, second reading required to adopt.
💰 Recycling sticker +$15/yr; overflow bag +$1; ALS ambulance base +$118; BLS base +$116; mileage $41→$43
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
May 20, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening: chair announcements, remote-participation notes, and updates from budget, economic development, communications, charter, and police-station committees.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda topics; councilors may comment.
• Status unclear
Update from the Town Administrator.
📋 Proposed
Coming up May 20: hearing and vote on transferring management, ownership, and license pledge for Franklin Shed restaurant; all departments have signed off.
📍 340 East Central St.
📋 Proposed
Coming up May 20-21: hearings on the proposed $171,574,811 FY27 budget, up from $163,737,405; general fund rises to $152.5M with big jumps in employee benefits and public safety, while education drops.
💰 Total all budgets $171,574,811 (up from $163,737,405); General Fund $152.5M
📋 Proposed
Sewer enterprise jumps to $7,082,795 (from $5,547,868) and solid waste and stormwater also rise, while water drops to $7,454,340 — signaling likely utility-fee changes.
💰 Sewer $7.08M (was $5.55M); Water $7.45M; Solid Waste $3.36M; Stormwater $1.19M
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment.
May 13, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Recording notice, remote participants, and upcoming town events.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda matters.
• Status unclear
Open comment period for councilors.
• Status unclear
Updates from budget, economic development, communications, charter, and police-station committees.
• Status unclear
Routine report from the Town Administrator.
📋 Proposed
Ratifying three new Commission on Disability members—John Lynch, Steve Papsis, and Julie McCann—with terms expiring 2027–2028.
💬 Discussed
Actuary report shows Franklin's retiree benefit (OPEB) liability jumped to $110 million with $93.75 million unfunded, only about 15% funded.
💰 $110M total liability; $93.75M net unfunded; $16.27M in trust
📋 Proposed
Strikes the rule requiring multi-family lots be 25% larger than single-family lots in GRV and CI districts, part of MBTA-law (state affordable-housing) compliance.
📍 GRV and CI districts
📋 Proposed
Revises multi-family definition and sets a 50-foot minimum frontage for mixed-use and multifamily developments, for MBTA-law compliance.
📋 Proposed
Cleanup correcting errors in prior bylaws affecting the Crossing Neighborhood district and use schedules; mostly restores intended zoning.
📍 Crossing Neighborhood and other districts
📋 Proposed
Adds the Crossing Neighborhood district to lot-area requirements omitted in error, completing MBTA-law compliance corrections.
📍 Crossing Neighborhood district
📋 Proposed
Amends the official sewer system map (Chapter 139).
📋 Proposed
Amends the official water system map (Chapter 179).
📋 Proposed
Amends the Town Council's 2026 meeting schedule.
📋 Proposed
Accepting a $500 gift to the Veterans Services Department.
💰 $500 gift
• Status unclear
Routine closing items; no executive session scheduled.
April 15, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Recording notice, remote-participant identification, and upcoming community events.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda matters.
• Status unclear
Updates from Joint Budget, Economic Development, Communications, Charter, and Police Station Building committees.
📋 Proposed
National Grid representatives Bob Moran and Ted Lombardi presenting to the Council on April 15.
📋 Proposed
Fire Chief Chuck Allen presenting an operations overview coming up April 15.
📋 Proposed
Police Chief TJ Lynch presenting an operations overview coming up April 15.
📋 Proposed
Accepting donated gifts to the Senior Center ($321) and Veterans Services Department ($637.78), up for a majority vote April 15.
💰 $321 to Senior Center; $637.78 to Veterans Services
📋 Proposed
Recognition for the Sons and Daughters of Italy Quattro Eroi Lodge, marking its 100th anniversary.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
✅ Approved
Council unanimously passed first readings of state-mandated multifamily zoning amendments requiring Franklin to zone for at least 1,883 units; second vote set for May 13.
💰 $7.9 million in state funding received since 2020 is at risk if non-compliant
📍 MBTA Communities districts incl. downtown Commercial, General Residential V
💬 Discussed
Cleanup amendments correcting the Crossing Neighborhood District record, including barring poultry on parcels under 5 acres.
📍 Crossing Neighborhood District
💬 Discussed
State DESE officials explained Franklin's FY27 Chapter 70 aid of $30.8 million, warning hold harmless protection saves Franklin roughly $14-17 million that a formula revision could eliminate.
💰 $30.8M FY27 aid; $58M required local contribution; $14-17M at risk if hold harmless ends
✅ Approved
Council approved issuing a request for statements of interest for a joint Town Council/School Committee strategic plan, capped at $40,000 from existing marketing funds.
💰 Capped at $40,000 from existing marketing/branding account
✅ Approved
Council approved requesting special legislation to increase the local hotel excise tax.
💰 Would increase local hotel excise tax
💬 Discussed
Residents raised health, fire, noise, and traffic concerns over a Bellingham-sponsored battery storage facility near Beech Street and the Charles River; Council agreed to draft a letter of concern.
📍 Beech/Pearl Street area near Charles River (Bellingham side)
💬 Discussed
Town Administrator filed the FY27 budget; Finance Committee hearings scheduled April 6-9 covering general government, schools, public safety and DPW.
💬 Discussed
Town awarded a $250,000 DEP grant (plus prior $500,000 EPA grant) for cleanup of the polluted town-owned Nu-Style site off Grove Street; $30,000 in town matching funds needed.
💰 $250,000 DEP grant, ~$1M total cleanup funds, $30,000 town match
📍 Former Nu-Style site off Grove Street
📋 Proposed
Resolution opposing changes to hold harmless proposed for next joint School Committee meeting.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
April 1, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Recording notice, remote-participant identification, and upcoming town events.
• Status unclear
Residents may speak up to three minutes on non-agenda matters.
• Status unclear
Open comment period for councilors.
• Status unclear
Updates from Joint Budget (meets April 16), Economic Development (April 2), Communications, Charter, and Police Station Building committees.
💬 Discussed
The FY27 budget will be released and added to the town budget archive, a precursor to spring budget deliberations.
• Status unclear
Recognition of Chloe Bowser.
💬 Discussed
Coming up April 1: hearings on four zoning amendments tied to MBTA Communities (state multifamily-zoning law) compliance, then first readings under Legislation for Action.
📋 Proposed
Strikes the rule requiring multifamily lots be 25% larger than single-family lots in General Residential V and Commercial I, freeing more parcels for multifamily; Planning Board unanimously recommended.
📍 GRV and CI districts
📋 Proposed
Revises multifamily definition and sets a 50-foot minimum frontage for mixed-use and multifamily buildings; Planning Board unanimously recommended.
📍 Schedule of Lot/Area requirements
📋 Proposed
Cleanup corrections to use schedules fixing errors from the Crossing Neighborhood District and residential-kitchen bylaws; restores intended zoning, no substantive density change.
📍 Crossing Neighborhood and other districts
📋 Proposed
Adds the Crossing Neighborhood District to the lot-area schedule and a new lot-width note, correcting an omission; primarily a cleanup.
📍 Crossing Neighborhood District
📋 Proposed
First reading to extend the sewer main roughly 500 feet of new 8-inch PVC to serve a proposed five-lot subdivision at 543 Union Street (parcel 304-016-000).
💰 ~500 ft new 8-inch sewer main; costs per owner-DPW agreement
📍 543 Union Street (parcel 304-016-000)
📋 Proposed
First reading to extend the water main roughly 550 feet of new 8-inch ductile iron pipe to serve the same five-lot Union Street subdivision.
💰 ~550 ft new 8-inch water main; costs per owner-DPW agreement
📍 543 Union Street (parcel 304-016-000)
• Status unclear
Placeholder for items to be scheduled.
• Status unclear
Closed session to discuss police patrol union bargaining strategy.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment.
Date unknown · agenda
💬 Discussed
Council and School Committee will hear pitches from three firms (Raftelis, Capital Strategic Solutions, BME Strategies) and pick finalists for a town/school strategic plan capped at $40,000, prompted by structural budget deficits, declining enrollment, and two narrowly failed overrides (2024, 2025).
💰 Project estimated at no more than $40,000; contract awarded to lowest overall cost bidder
📍 355 East Central Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment.