LETTER: Government of the Few, By the Few, For the Few

To the Editor:

In America’s early history, we fought two pivotal wars — one to gain our independence and the right to self-govern, and another, the Civil War, to preserve the Union and the principles it was founded on. At Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln reminded us that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

To me, those words mean something profound: we the people are the government. The officials we elect are not rulers — they are representatives, entrusted to carry out the will of the community that put them in office.

But here in Franklin, it increasingly feels like our local government is no longer serving the people. Instead, a small group of decision-makers seems more focused on advancing their own vision — one that often contradicts the desires of the broader community.

I’ve heard Town Councilors speak passionately about a Franklin filled with affordable housing and bike paths. But in practice, that vision translates into wave after wave of four-story, high-density apartment complexes — developments that are neither affordable nor aligned with the character of our town.

Time and again, residents have shown up — in large numbers — to express concerns and opposition to these projects. Yet their voices are ignored. When public meetings require police presence to maintain order, the problem isn’t the people. The problem is that the people aren’t being heard.

Take the proposed 40B project at 444 East Central St. (where Stobbart's is located) as an example. Hundreds of residents oppose it — not because they’re anti-development, but because they see the problems with adding 264 apartments to an already congested section of Route 140, and placing a large rental complex just a few hundred feet from a quiet, single-family neighborhood.

No one I’ve spoken with is saying the land shouldn’t be developed. What we’re asking for is a balanced solution — one that works for both the property owner and the residents. Unfortunately, our town leadership seems stuck in a win/lose mindset. Too often, the Town Administrator and Town Council are on the “win” side, and the residents are left with the consequences.

So what does a win/win look like? Maybe it’s affordable townhouses — no more than two stories tall — that people can actually own, not just rent. People who own their own home become invested in their neighborhoods and contribute to the town as taxpayers.

This isn’t about disparaging renters; it’s about acknowledging that Franklin already has an abundance of rental properties, and the current development trajectory is out of balance.

That’s just one idea — there are many more. But they’ll only be heard if our leaders start listening.

The government of Franklin must move away from its dictatorial, central planning mentality and begin partnering with the people it serves. That is the essence of government for the people: collaboration, respect, and shared success — not enrichment for a few at the expense of the many.

Gene Grella

Franklin resident