Town Council 09-02-26

The Franklin Town Council meeting held on September 2, 2026, included extensive discussions on several procurement and capital projects. Key procurement-related topics included the nomination and ratification of James West as the new Chief of Police following a competitive selection process. The council also approved multiple resolutions related to the sale and transfer of town-owned properties and excess sewer capacity, including agreements with neighboring towns Medway and Millis, which are expected to generate significant revenue and stabilize sewer rates. Additionally, the council reviewed a detailed GIS-based analysis of town-owned parcels to inform decisions on potential sales and redevelopment opportunities. A major focus was the ongoing deliberation over the siting and design of a new police station, with presentations from the police station building committee and consultants outlining options for the Parmeter and Davis Street sites. Discussions emphasized balancing community concerns, future growth needs, and budget constraints, with plans to issue RFPs for multiple properties and to model the financial impacts of various police station scenarios. The meeting also included acceptance of donations for town departments and updates on other town activities, but no final votes on the police station location were taken. Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's efforts to manage capital assets, infrastructure capacity, and public safety facilities while considering fiscal responsibility and community input.