This is a great question and fosters the kind of transparency and interaction that many of the new candidates are interesting in developing.
My vision for development in Franklin is balanced and conservative. We need to be aware of all potential revenue streams that can benefit the town. There should be comprehensive studies that show how a potential project will affect the schools, traffic, roads, land, and other businesses. The meetings surrounding these decisions should be open to the public and all documents should be readily available online.
I drive by the Ponds Street parcel every day. Personally I would love it to stay as is. I don’t relish the thought of seeing the highway from Pond Street. However, from a more realistic position, the town will soon have an OPEB challenge and that revenue needs to come from someplace. It’s sometimes easy to just consider a tax override but the residents have shown that that is an unpopular option.
Some of the options being considered for Pond Street are housing, hotels and solar farms. I think a small housing development is the least intrusive to the neighborhood but sometimes that can cost the town money and put a strain on schools. A hotel is not a bad option as it offers multiple revenue streams such as hotel tax and property taxes. Also, most hotels are well maintained, well lit, and have nice landscaping. They can include meeting rooms (in short supply in town), restaurants, and attract business travelers to town that will support local business.
I'm not in favor of a solar farm for that property although it could be incorporated into some of the buildings that may be developed.
No matter what direction this project moves in, it should encompass the feedback from as many Franklin residents as possible to make sure the correct decision is made.
My vision for development in Franklin is balanced and conservative. We need to be aware of all potential revenue streams that can benefit the town. There should be comprehensive studies that show how a potential project will affect the schools, traffic, roads, land, and other businesses. The meetings surrounding these decisions should be open to the public and all documents should be readily available online.
I drive by the Ponds Street parcel every day. Personally I would love it to stay as is. I don’t relish the thought of seeing the highway from Pond Street. However, from a more realistic position, the town will soon have an OPEB challenge and that revenue needs to come from someplace. It’s sometimes easy to just consider a tax override but the residents have shown that that is an unpopular option.
Some of the options being considered for Pond Street are housing, hotels and solar farms. I think a small housing development is the least intrusive to the neighborhood but sometimes that can cost the town money and put a strain on schools. A hotel is not a bad option as it offers multiple revenue streams such as hotel tax and property taxes. Also, most hotels are well maintained, well lit, and have nice landscaping. They can include meeting rooms (in short supply in town), restaurants, and attract business travelers to town that will support local business.
I'm not in favor of a solar farm for that property although it could be incorporated into some of the buildings that may be developed.
No matter what direction this project moves in, it should encompass the feedback from as many Franklin residents as possible to make sure the correct decision is made.