Decision Time on $40 Million Police Station; Part 6: 150 Individual Survey Comments

Over the last several days, Observer has featured a series of articles looking at the current plans  to build a new $40 million dollar police station, the controversy over where to locate it, some information on station projects in other towns and then a survey of readers and the results.

Below, are links to the prior articles. In addition, of the 450+ rreaders who completed the survey, some 150 added additional comments , offering a more detailed view of citizens opinions and concerns, about the police station and other related town matters.

#1--Decision Time on $40 Million Police Station; Part 1 (an overview of work on the project so far)

#2-- Decision Time on $40 Million Police Station; Part 2 (A look at how other towns have handled police station projects)

#3 --Decision Time on $40 Million Police Station; Part 3 (A comparison of possible station locations)

#4 -- Decision Time on $40 Million Police Station; Part 4, the SURVEY (you can read it or add your responses)

#5 --Summary results from 461 Survey Responses

The FINAL question in the survey was  "Any other comments or suggestions on this topic?"

Answered: 150 Skipped: 306

1. leave Parmenter land for school / recreation use Davis Thayer for dual town hall / police facility sell existing outdated town hall

2. We were told when the current station was build it was made to be expanded. What happened? With only 115 arrests in 2023/2024 per Annual Report, maybe some internal remodel will help, I am not sure how many jail cells there are.

3. The Town should honor what the Parmenter Family did a donation for educational purposes and respect the gift as it was intended.

4. Skip the fancy facade. This is not a corporate headquarters!!!

5. Why don’t we do the fire station in the North first. They did the south then never finished that project by getting some fire protection up in the north.

6. I hope the police station decision will be postponed until the schools have more adequate funding. It feels wrong to spend more of the town’s money on this when our schools are struggling and programs are being cut at al every turn. I also think it seems wrong not to honor the Parmenter family’s intent for the property to be for the benefit and education of children.

7. Not a good time for any debt exclusion given the on going 2 1/2 override issue

8. Build the second floor is what the original premise and it was called the Taj Mahal due to over spending With recent gas and electric utility prices going up along with taxes for high school and Tri County, seems the Town needs to hear from voters

9. Just build a police station -- not a training facility. Let the county and/or state be responsible for required training on their site.

10. Wachusett st is the wrong place it’s purely residential Davis Thayer site is centrally located With N S E WEST Roadways for access --Joel D’Errico

11. Why can’t a second floor be added to the existing Police Station? The location of the current Police Station is a perfect location! No to the G M Parmenter School as a location for a new Police Station!  The land was donated by the Parmenter Family for a school, not to be used for other purposes!

12. Put $20mil (plus or minus) into the Davis Thayer complex. There’s plenty of space at that site. A police station does not belong in a residential neighborhood.

13. All the US is going thru financial hard times. I think we should wait for a new police station. I have had to tighten my money belt, I think the town needs to do the same. I am sure the town can come up with inventive ideas to hold us over till we are on a better financial footing.

14. Parmenter School should be used as originally intended by the family as an educational facility.

15. Parameter was intended to be used for educational purposes. The grantorr is probably turning over in his grave. The town should respect the intent and build a second story on the existing station which is at a fantastic location. If more parking is needed build a multistory garage.problem solved.

16. build behind the Parmenter Schoo, 20+ land there, make Parmenter senior apartmentsl

17. I feel that it would be disrespectful to build a new station on the Parmenter site. This land was donated to the town in memory of their son for a school. If it is used for another purpose, what will make future donations of land look like. People will think twice about donating their land if it’s not used as they wished. I pray that you reconsider not using this as one of the sites for the new police station and keep it as the family wished. It’s the only right thing to do.

18. Why do we need a new station now?

19. Thank you for keeping us informed

20. Town should not use the Parmenter location. Going against the wishes of the donors.

21. I think given the status of finances in the town and the hardships that people are facing I feel it’s the wrong time to add more financial pressure. If individuals have a tight budget and nothing extra they don’t build an addition on their home, that applies to the town and the financial problems it has at the moment

22. CAN WE STOP WASTING MONEY?! WHY DO WE NEED 50 MIL. OTHER TOWNS NEW PD STATIONS WERE 25-30 MIL. THIS TOWN IS DESTRUCTIVE AND RECKLESS AND NO ONE WANTS TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE DUE TO POOR MANAGEMENT.

23. DO NOT RAISE TAXES !!! Moreover, explain both WHY a new station is imperative and WHY it should be prioritized over and above other public requirements so much so that it's struggling citizens have to pay more in taxes. Explain and justify in financial and rationalized context, not just why the FPD would like a new station. How is this a "need" (now) versus a "want".

24. I think the parmenter location would be very dangerous so close to the housing authority. Some of the elderly do not hear well, but still drive and they may get in the way of emergency vehicles trying to exit the station.

25. There is too much building going on in Franklin. Losing the rural feel and destroying our beautiful forests. Utilize an already existing building.

26. What are the negative consequences the residents of Franklin will suffer if a new police station is not built?

27. Whatever you do, DO NOT RAISE TAXES ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Increase taxes on larger  businesses in town. ...DUH...!

28. Build the new police station where the hockey rink is today. This keeps the police station (valuable first responders) very close to the high school and soon-to-be-consolidated middle school. God-forbid something should happen at those locations, but having the station right there is beneficial. Rebuild the hockey rink on the Parmenter School lot. This would be in-keeping with the idea that the Parmenter lot is used for the benefit of children. The old police station lot could be used for additional High School parking, if needed.

29. There should be a question added to consider relocating the fire department as well. This would provide greater efficiency and improved access to 495. 40 million Seems excessive for a single police department.

30. To omit Horace Mann's name from a school is not only rude its disrespectful

31. Just a note - The Parmenter property WAS used for a school, and still is, but I don't think the conveyance was in perpetuity. Regardless, the property can and should keep the Parmenter name.

32. It is presumptuous to assume that people want a new facility. The following question should be included up with the ones with square check boxes: Should the town find a way to enlarge and modernize at the existing police station and/ot its site?

33. The Parmenter school location is at the far end of town and is likely to result in slow response times to incidents near the other end of town. A more central location seems preferable. I also believe it’s greater visibility would be good for police-citizen relations.

34. Town should definitely not use Parmenter school as it was specifically intended for an educational purpose.

35. We don't need a new police station, now isn't the right time

36. I really think a way should be found to expand, if needed, at the present location. I feel that we cannot afford a new one.

37. If a new police station is to be relocated, it should be closer to the center of town and not further out. It’s very important that the police station be centrally located and accessible for all residents.

38. The town has not been very transparent in this process

39. Not on Parmenter land!

40. Let's choose a site that maximizes efficient police operations for the town now and well into the future decades. The choice should be made by people intimately familiar with the hour by hour workings of a modern station.

41. Wish there had been 2 choices, I would have checked aquire private land and combined facility. Why not consider property next to King St.Fire Station ? Or, a second floor on existing Police Station. Is there room on the North(?) side for additional space or parking? Just a thought. :)

42. I would also like to have considered consolidated public safety site to understand pros/cons.

43. It’s bothersome to me that the override is being reconsidered. The people of Franklin said NO. Why bother voting if your vote doesn’t count. It is sad to me that schools are closing. I would like to hear about the reasons why we need a new police station. Taxes are going up and up. Living on a fixed income people like myself are feeling the pinch.

44. Terrible survey format. These buttons do not allow for “yes” , “no” No overrides, no special voting. NO -to a new police station,figure out how to update the existing structure.

45. Continuing to push the Parmenter property is unconscionable unless the Parmenter family legally releases the town from using the property for a school.

46. Parmenter should not be touched if the land was gifted to the town for purposes of building a school.

47. A new station is needed 100%. The old one is surrounded by wetlands. We have hundreds more apartments and more coming. How do we pay for a new station and all that this apartment boon has caused is the real question?! The town leaders and councils made horrible bets in the past that most are now coming to rue.

48. I feel we don’t need a new police station at this moment. The way the town council is talking is that even if they have an override it still isn’t going to get us out of our deficit for quite some time. A debt exclusion is also putting the citizens of Franklin to carry the burden again for something that isn’t really a need as it is a want. That is unfair to keep asking the citizens to carry so much financial burdens . I feel Davis Thayer is the perfect spot for a police station in the Town of Franklin. There is plenty of land there. knock the school down if they need To, to build a new building the way that they want. I get that police chief Lynch wants the property at Parmenterbecause he can put in a indoor shooting range for training purposes. Well, they don’t have this now and they never had this so why do we need it now? a shooting range in the building, the insurance is going to quadruple. This is an added cost again to the budget. We can’t handle it. There’s plenty of other property in this town that can be looked at for a police station when it is fiscally responsible to build it or get a very intelligent engineering firm to reconstruct the building that they are presently in where as we own a lot of that land we are presently is. Franklin has a habit of knocking down school selling schools and repurposing schools to later find out that we need to build a new school so keep Parmenter. Parmenter should stay a school. It should house the EC DC. EC DC students come from all over Franklin Parmenter is centrally located. Easy to get to. Kennedy is tucked away on an old street. Kennedy would be a perfect place for a substation for the fire department at some point. . Years ago when they closed Parmenter before for ““ under enrollment“ they used it for adult education in the evenings well, it makes sense to continue that practice if you are no longer gonna use it for in elementary school Use it for the EC DC on one side and use it for a adult education on the other side. This way you still have the property and a very decent building for a school if and when needed. Please don’t try and tell the people of Franklin that we are in desperate need of a police station when we are not in a desperate need of a police station with the Town of Franklin needs to do is learn how to take care of their property. The police chief I’m sorry will be retiring pretty soon so I feel he’s pushing this because he wants to be his legacy as the chief. But it is not in need for the Town of Franklin at this time. I strongly object to a new police station. If the Town of Franklin was truly looking out for the citizens of Franklin, they will not allow a new station o be built until Franklin is more soluble with there finances.

49. Before residents start their rants, we need the Police Station Bldg Comm to start meeting and give us basic factual information and a few options. That's their mandate. Then the residents can start their commentary and questions.

50. The TC should consider adding restrictions and/or covenants to the deeds of both the Davis Thayer and Parmenter properties. Then attempt to sell either or both properties and use the resulting funds to address the Police Station dilemma and the town budget issues.

51. You claim we are hurting financially for town money and schools but at the same time you want to take my money again for another purchase of a police station. Ya that’s what we all do when we lose our jobs we go the public for hand outs and then add in a new house

52. We absolutely need a new police station. Our police officers deserve our support and we should all encourage having a modern police station for a department that does so much for us all.

53. The same people who cry for fiscal responsibility in this town cry about wanting to keeping an old and outdated school open with declining enrollments. Why should the town even consider buying land when they already an available plot.

54. Very interested in what the public has to think. Thanks Alan. [A Police Department Employee, name withheld by the editor]

55. Parmenter school should stay with the family’s original intent.

56. Just don’t build it

57. There are 2 answers to the “other locations” question that I would find acceptable. I chose building a combined facility, preferably at the current fire stations rather than buying new property. Don’t know if it’s feasible,but using the W. Central site along with the the former police location on West St. could offer the fire dept a chance for updates. My other preferred location is Panther Way. If, as mentioned in early parts of of this report, the original plan was to add a second floor at a later time, I would like to see this pursued as it was done at the Senior Center. I don’t understand why the Davis Thayer site is so unpalatable option to the town administrator. Lastly, do we really want to get involved in a potentially expensive legal battle over the Parmenter site?

58. The close proximity of a Police Station at Davis Thayer school would be better than at the Fire Station on King St . Another consideration, is there enough property at the location of the DPW to have a police station there ?

59. No new police station. Fund the schools and community programs first.

60. The present Police Station is not that old

61. I would like to see the committee collect more info about putting an additional LEVEL on the present station. Having a multi police-fire station is NOT Practical, just a LUXURY Franklin can not afford or myself. Taxpayers already have TWO HS's on our debt exclusion tax bills. Maybe some rich people in town can donate to a building fund and get a room named after themselves. It's like the Police just want a new classy luxury building to call home, but how much time does the average officer spend there on their shift??? Not worth paying more taxes for their fancy new digs. They have more pressing things to do outside of the station, don't they??? If not, perhaps we need fewer officers???

62. If you have been keeping up with the Town, you would know that the existing Police station is outgrown, that we cannot enlarge it due to the surrounding land issues and that a debt exclusion will be needed. The Parmenter land is NOT restricted for use and thus would be an ideal site for a new Police station.

63. I am not sure why we need a new police station when the town is already trying to enforce an override. None of what the town Administration does makes sense on any matter. We need to clean house and explore new options.

64. Surely we can build a police station with a cheaper price tag. $40milliion police station while our schools are navigating funding issues feels wasteful.

65. Everyone involved with the decision needs to keep an open mind and not just focus on the Parmenter site.

66. This land was donated to honor the fallen servicemember. It should remain as such per the wishes of the family. Anything else would be a disservice and would prevent future families from donating land.-Retired 24 year Veteran (USAF) in Franklin

67. It would be helpful for yes/no options to the "should" questions

68. A donation to the town for purpose of a school should NOT be changed at the towns discretion. Total disrespect to the family who donated it.

69. keep Parmenter a school as the family noted when they so generously gave the land to Franklin

70. No new taxes, no override, the waste in the system is systemic. Have a third party audit Jamie hellen and his numbers before we do anything. Remember when the fire dept audited them and found money hidden all over.

71. There is zero need to build a brand new complex on Gerald M Parmenter’s land. Redo the existing police station…

72. If this town is so “safe” why do we need a new police station? And if the people of this town agreed to an override to fund a new police station why couldn’t they do it for education?! Interesting priorities if that happens.

73. I believe a combined public safety complex would be best. Like what Plainville has.

74. Renovate the current station And respect the parameters wishes for the parmenter property to be used for childrens education

75. This land was donated to the residents in Franklin, and only the residents of Franklin should be alter the original deed in a town vote. I believe we should honor the original intent of this land as it was intended..

76. While the town may need a new police station we don't the the "taj" we need something simple like the Ashland Police/Fire Station, didn't the town learn from the new high school, just a simple brick building with windows, not this fancy stuff. I believe the tax payers would vote yes if the monies were not being used foolishly.

77. Being a resident on wachusett st with small children, the police station should NOT be put at Parmenter. A police station has no place in a residential neighborhood. Kids play outside all year round and we do not need to add extra cars flying up and down our street! The idea that this is even a thought for some is absurd. Keep the police station where it is and update it, instead of wasting tax payers dollars on a new one.

78. Fixing our budget deficit should be prioritized over the new police station

79. Still amazed that the override is being pushed.

80. The existing police station should be expanded on.

81. I believe Davis Thayer is to close to the street and major, dangerous intersection to be considered for a new facility. It may be a good idea to consider using the current space and improving, enlarging & modernizing the space.

82. I think the decision could be a town wide vote but it doesn't need to be done with an override vote. Perhaps during the November elections, not a spring special election as that seems like it will be rushed.

83. Expand at current location

84. You shouldn’t ask for a debt exclusion until the new voc is done and paid for.

85. A deal is a deal. Shameful for this town to even CONSIDER using this building. I personally would never donate anything to this town if they were to not keep their word on this. Disgraceful.

86. This should Never have been a question. With over 1000 new "units"to inhabit that will impact the school population. That being said if these schools are lost what happens? New schools need to be built..more overrides? There is NO common sense here. Infuriating

87. A new police station is wildly unnecessary much less one for 40million. Bunch of thieves

88. I think the Town needs to make absolute certain that the current location cannot be used to expand/improve the police station. The current location seems to be in a prime spot, with close proximity to the High School and what will be the massive, combined Middle School next year.

89. I would like to clearly hear from Parmenter descendants any input they have about the use of the land that was generously donated.

90. To not allow the police station to be built on Parmenter land. That land is only to be used for education due to the deed given by the family. Considering building there is disgraceful.

91. I believe the agreement with the Parmenter Family has been fulfilled. Future use of the land should be as deemed necessary. There should be every attempt made to honor the donors’ son with gratitude for his sacrifice.

92. Why don’t the police shift to a mobile/remote model where officers are purchased dedicated cruisers to work out of. Wouldn’t it be cheaper, help retain officers with a take-home cruiser, and solve the problem of officers not having a place to store their weapons equipment? Wouldn’t a new station just be a waste of money when the number of arrests and needs don’t align with the conclusion of needing a new station?

93. We don’t need a new police station.

94. The town should not move forward with a new police station until the school financial deficits have been figured out. Right now is not the time to put this financial stress on the people of Franklin.

95. Having worked in public safety, I have no doubt that a new police station is needed. Wherever it is built, the Town must act responsibility to ensure an efficient and cost conscious project with the least possible impact to the taxpayers. The Massachusetts taxpayers are getting hit hard in recent years and there is no end in sight. The Town may want to consider developing a plan but deferring it until Franklin gets beyond it’s current fiscal challenges, i.e., debt exclusion on top of potential override - won’t be good.

96. The school is outdated and under-utilized and currently the costs outweigh the benefits to the town. I’m sure the residents of the town would prefer a nice new police station go there rather than apartments. Like Davis Thayer this building would just sit and cost money to maintain. The faster it’s put to use the better.

97. The town should buy St Mary’s school, move town hall there, and use the current tow hall location to build a police station. There are also commercial properties available on Union and East Central that would be decent locations if the plot of land is big enough.

98. Respect gift as intended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

99. NO PARMENTER!! We are a town of integrity, honor the original deed.

100. Would like to read the original gift document. Have any Parmenter family members been contacted.on how they feel? Lots of teachers in that family.

101. An explanation of why a new police station is needed/wanted would be very helpful. With Franklin being ranked among the safest cities in the US many times, why does the police station need to be expanded?

102. Discussions about a police station should not be had unless they include additional funding for the schools

103. Parmenter makes better sense from a central location standpoint. The location on king street is relatively far from the side of Franklin closer to Medway.

104. I hope when I clicked on the circle, that implied a “yes”

105. Stop foolish spending. Franklin needs better leadership (preferably more conservative)!

106. Lets be real here>BUDGET BOYS BUDGETS NO OVERRIDES NO NEW NOTHING. MAKE DO OTHER COMMUNITIES DO. WE LOVE OUR TOWN! KEEP IT A TOWN WE AREN"T SHERBORN/DOVER>

107. The town needs to learn to work with what they have. Maintain the properties they have. Use properties for which they were intended/donated.

108. Yes let’s get serious this is a town not a city, I’ve been in Cambridge police station and was no bigger than Franklin. Has the budget committee received a windfall of money or expecting to tax the people who are having a hard time as it is just to get by week to week.

109. I do not favor a new police station.

110. The decision to close 2 elementary schools was made due to declining enrollment. With all of the approved building in progress but not yet completed for hundreds of new apartments, this seems not to have been well thought out.

111. We should honor the legal wishes of the Parmenter family. We should also remain fiscal responsiblewith tax payer dollars.

112. Given the current economy with prices going up why does the community want to build a new police station? I have not seen why we need a new police station. The community has tried to pass an override which failed last June. I have been living in Franklin since 1997. It is clear this community as grown and is no longer a town. In 2012 Franklin became a city but decided to continue to govern as a town. It is clear town style government no longer works.

113. I have been to the police station and do not see the need to have a new police station built. It is clear and well maintained

114. Police station should be kept by the high school.

115. The present Police station was built with the understanding that in the future a second story would be added.

116. At this point, I do not see any valid reason to even entertain the thought of building a new police station.

117. When comparing what other communities are doing it would be important to note number of officers and crime related statistics as well as, the city/town being compared budget situation including age/quality of schools since we have been told that is the largest budget item.

118. If you ask Kevin Harn, Deputy Director of Facilities to share the plans for the current Police Station and that they said it could be enlarged with more floors if more space was needed, I think that Franklin Residents need to hear that. We do not need another location. If they want to be on the other side of town, maybe they can share the space of the Fire Department off of King St.

119. NOOOOO. JUST NOOOOO

120. The town is cutting teachers, Latin in the high school and advanced math in the middle school, but wants to spend $40million on a new police station??? That’s insane!!

121. I feel strongly that as a town we need to fully fund the schools before contemplating the building of any new town buildings. I would support additions or changes to the current police station to meet needs as best as possible in the meantime and addressing this issue in the future once the school budget is balanced.

122. Davis Thayer centrally located Wachusett St is purely residential The Parmenter Family wishes are for school only The school population will rise in future years

123. Why is Davis-Thayer not acceptable?

124. Building a new Police station when our schools and the school budget need the money. Who is setting the priorities in this town?

125. Fund the schools fully please. We do not need a new police station at this point. Our schools need to be the priority.

126. How old is the current station? And whenever I walk in there it’s empty. The town should focus on managing the money that they have right now better instead of going into more debt on things we don’t need or that could have been prevented. Instead of using private land or parmenter, the town should give some land back to the people.

127. This is a slanted survey.,

128. No but if you’re reading you should really think about installing speed bumps on some streets. I know the DPW wants no part. But it would stop excessive speed in neighborhoods that filled with children

129. Davis Thayer Site is the best Plenty of room

130. I think Ms. Pfeffer's letter to the editor idea of a school , senior housing and a police station be given serious consideration. This appears to be the most ethical and cost effective approach to several outstanding issues. A common sense cost effective idea deserves to be heard.

131. Revisit override for schools first - and keep it separate from police station

132. Seems wildly inappropriate to plague an otherwise reasonably quiet neighborhood with a new police station. Current location situated nearby the high school with the current goings on in the country seems like a perfect match.

133. Parmenter was gifted solely for the purpose of education..if it is a deed restriction then it must be accepted. Building a police annex at a fire station location makes sense ( King Street) cost wise. Doubt if debt exclusion would pass, Time to consider split tax rate and have commercial/ industrial businesses pay more. On the State level , exempt properties ( churches, colleges) need to start paying property taxes.. no more free rides ( PILOT program is a joke). Revoke Chapter land status for golf courses and tell country clubs . They have ridden on the backs of homeowners too long

134. Any time I have been at the police station I have never seen more than 2 people. I’m assuming everyone is out on patrol. I thought this structure was built with the anticipation of adding on at a later date. Where are those plans?

135. The town already fulfilled the requirement to build a school on the property, and now that school is outdated and no longer needed. The town has the legal right to use the property however it's needed

136. Due to the town’s accepting the gift of the Parmenter land agreeing to the family’s wishes, I strongly believe that the Parmenter land should NOT be used for a new police station.

137. Franklin is losing its small town feel and it's just trying to play "Keeping up with the Jones "

138. An override should not and will not be considered regardless of the Parmenter station decision

139. The land for the Parmenter School was donated for the VERY specific reason of going towards the education of children, in honor of the son they lost DOING HIS DUTY for his country. This should NOT be gone against now, regardless of how 'convenient' of a option it is for the town!! The intent of the donation should remain honored & the town needs to come up with another solution.

140. I want to select an opposite option to most of these questions. Why do I not have the option to say “no Davis Thayer shouldn’t be reconsidered.” Or “no a walkthrough would not be helpful.”

141. Absolutely not on that land!

142. Find the schools!! Save the teachers!

143. Both my kids went to parmenter I think it should stay a elementary school and use the land for what it was meant for.

144. Raise taxes so fire , two fire and schools are properly funded! School Committee should had asked parents about the middle school consolidation. There should be something put in place so this never happens again. It was a huge decision and tax payers weren't involved. This was too big for 9 people to make the decison!

145. The combined service option (police ,fire , other admin) should be absolutely considered. This would enable not only shared physical space but combining administrative functions as well. The town should explore the Providence RI model of Public Safety to develop efficiencies. Residents will be more accepting of the plan if the town looked at the entire operation differently

146. Parmenter and its land should be preserved for the use of children in Franklin. That probably does not mean a school, but could this be used as additional recreational facilities for town sports? Removing the building and adding bathroom facilities and turf similar to Beaver? Just a thought

147. There’s plenty of cops in Franklin. And there’s a fiscal crisis for everyone except town governments. Spending like this is beyond irresponsible.

148. Parameter should be maintained for the purpose it was intended, should not need a vote of the people to keep what was already promised.

149. Whatever we decided - town buildings not being used should be sold and placed back on the tax rolls. Towns should not be in the real estate business. Not a good use of taxpayers money

150. The town should utalize whatever land it currently owns if the existing station cannot be added to, why can't they use the old town pool land to expand. This town makes poor decisions, like the current new high school, stop bleeding the tax payers and also we NEED A NEW TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN ADMINISTRATORS AND DPW, WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE AND GET HONEST REILABLE PEOPLE IN OUR TOWN OFFICES AND GOVERNMEN