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To the Editor:
Franklin, home to over 36,000 residents, has always been cherished
for its small-town feel despite being labeled a city. Downtown used
to be a bustling hub where adults shopped in local stores, enjoyed
meals at eateries, and kids had places to go—like the movies, a
penny candy store, or the bowling alley. Families had activities to
enjoy together. Walking downtown, you’d recognize familiar faces,
and storekeepers had personal relationships with the townspeople. It
was a true multi-generational community.
Now, downtown feels
disconnected. Aside from grabbing food, there’s little to attract
families or children. Walking down the street, we’re strangers to
one another. Stores no longer foster personal connections; they’ve
become specialty shops that residents visit only occasionally.
Traffic congestion has worsened, and navigating town takes longer
than ever. Despite this, the town claims we lack sufficient revenue.
Could this be due to how the current government approaches
development? They often argue that more foot traffic is needed for
downtown to thrive. Yet, with over 36,000 residents already here, the
issue isn’t the number of feet—it’s the downtown itself.
Families are seeking
entertainment outside Franklin—Urban Air for trampoline fun and
movies in Bellingham, and more. Our families are contributing to the
revenue of neighboring towns because Franklin offers little for them.
Development under
the guise of 40B compliance has led to high-rises that remain
half-empty due to unaffordable rents. While Boston residents might
pay such prices due to extensive public transportation and diverse
shops, Franklin lacks these amenities. Despite exceeding the 40B
requirement, this justification continues to be used. The town
government seems to dismiss residents’ voices, pushing an agenda
that conflicts with community needs. The ZBA had a legal opportunity
to invoke Safe Harbor for the East Central project because we already
meet mandated affordability levels but chose to let the time lapse
for that option by canceling meetings. They’ve ignored input from
residents, current and former council members, and past town
administrators. Yet, we’re expected to trust them and believe our
voices matter. In reality, it seems our voices only matter when they
align with the agenda being pushed.
These so-called
affordable apartments are anything but affordable. Residents can’t
afford the rents, and even if they could, there’s little nearby to
support daily living—no functional shops within walking distance,
no family-friendly activities beyond dining out. College students
aren’t staying downtown; they’re heading to Boston or Providence
for nightlife. Franklin’s future lies with the families who live
here, not transient students. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on the
town’s past success and return to being a family-oriented
community, rather than striving to become the next Boston or, the
latest fashion for planners, a 15-minute city.*
--Jane Callaway-Tripp
* a concept popularized by the 2020 election campaing of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
