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To the Editor:
Wednesday night, I watched the Town Council meeting and heard our Town Administrator say that Franklin is at a crossroads. I have to say, I agree with him.
What he meant is that the Town of Franklin needs to decide what kind of community we want to be. Are we going to remain a town of primarily single-family homes, or are we going to become a city dominated by four-story apartment buildings?
As someone who moved to Franklin over 25 years ago, I came here to own my own home. Homeownership is crucial to the American middle class because it represents their largest investment and most significant asset. A home serves not only as shelter but also as collateral for borrowing. In retirement, homeowners who have paid off their mortgages can live rent-free or sell their homes to help fund their later years.
Last night, I watched our Town Planner present 21 projects, totaling over 800 rental units. Of those, 659 units come from three large 40B affordable housing projects, most of which have already been approved.
For many of us who purchased homes in Franklin, it feels as though our town is transforming into a city. As the state pushes for more housing—particularly in MBTA communities—our Town government has aligned with the state, allowing apartments and large 40B rental projects to move forward.
Some members of our Town government, including our representatives, seem enthusiastic about this type of development—they’ve said as much in Town Council chambers. However, they overlook the fact that Franklin is not equipped to become a city. We are not Framingham. We lack major roads like Routes 9 and 30 to manage increased traffic to shopping areas. We draw water from town wells, not reservoirs like other larger communities.
As we continue adding residents, the cost of services will rise. We will need to take on debt to build infrastructure like water treatment facilities and sewers. Without higher taxes, town services will inevitably degrade. Property owners will shoulder the burden of funding schools for residents who do not pay property taxes.
So, is this really what Franklin’s residents want? I know a few members of the Town Council do. They’ve expressed their belief that Franklin should exceed the state-mandated 10% affordable housing requirement. They think we should use as much available land as possible to build rental apartments to help lower housing costs across the state.
We could follow that vision, or we could use the remaining land to develop affordable housing options like condominiums or townhouses that people can afford to own. While this approach won’t solve the housing crisis, neither will packing the town with as many four-story apartment buildings as possible. One approach provides a sustainable path forward for Franklin; the other does not.
We’re headed down a path right now, but the only way to change it is for residents to speak up and let their representatives know what they want. Many people will likely become animated again when the Town Council proposes another tax override. But keep in mind that the need for overrides stems from decisions made in Master Plan, Planning Committee, and Town Council meetings.
-Gene Grella
[Image Courtesy Wayland Patch: "The 40B Monster: Tallest and Most Massive Building In Wayland"]
