LETTER: Time for Change in Franklin

To the Editor:

Everyone has their own ideas about progress. For some, progress in
the Town of Franklin means growing the community by building more
apartments and encouraging a process called “Friendly 40B,” where
the town invites developers to propose affordable housing projects
within our community.

I don’t dispute
that affordable housing is needed. However, what is being proposed
for East Central Street—at the current site of Stobbart’s
Nurseries—is far from affordable. A simple review of the proposal
for 444 East Central Street (available on the ZBA’s website)
shows the listed “affordable” rents:

• 1
  Bedroom: $1,939
• 2
  Bedroom: $2,684
• 3
  Bedroom: $2,918

Not only are
these rents not affordable, but this project also does nothing to
benefit Franklin’s current residents. As I’ve pointed out
multiple times to both the Town Council and the ZBA, there are
serious problems with this development. These include the
overcrowding of apartment units in this area, worsening traffic
congestion along Route 140, destruction of wetlands, and potential
harm to the nearby town well. Despite these concerns, the project
continues to advance through both Conservation and ZBA hearings.

Let’s remember
what our current Town Council has done:

1. Approved the
   Friendly 40B process that made this project possible.
2. Failed to
   act when the opportunity arose to declare Safe Harbor, which
   could have ended the project with no negative consequences to the
   town. The administration, and town attorney later claimed the
   process was mishandled due to an incorrect notice.
3. Declined to
   limit 40B projects to those that promote home ownership
   rather than rental developments.
4. Ignored
   residents’ calls and emails asking the Council to rescind its
   support—never bringing the matter back for a vote.

The only action
the Town Council has taken was to send a letter unanimously
supporting a return to the project’s “original concept,” which
slightly reduced the total units by ten, cut some parking, and
lowered two buildings from four stories to three.

Even though four
of the nine current councilors did not vote for this project, none
have used their positions to help terminate it—despite our State
Representative, Jeff Roy, confirming in a letter that this matter is
entirely under local control, not the state’s.

I continue to
write to the Town Administrator and the ZBA seeking answers on how to
stop this project, yet I never receive a clear response. Are we
simply expected to leave this decision in the hands of three ZBA
members and hope that two vote against it?

Like many of my
neighbors, I am deeply frustrated with this process. If members of
the current Town Council truly oppose this project, why aren’t they
doing anything to help residents understand how to end it?

The only
advantage we have now is that the project has not yet been
approved by the ZBA—and that there’s an election
approaching. The people of Franklin finally have an opportunity
to make their voices heard.

This election
represents a chance to change the direction of our town—not just to
halt overdevelopment, but to restore accountability and rebuild trust
in Franklin’s leadership.
If you agree, please do your
research, identify the candidates who share your values, and vote for
those individuals.

That is the only way we can bring
meaningful change to Franklin.

-- Gene Grella

Franklin Resident