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Franklin Conservation Commission approves permits, adopts e‑signature policy and reappoints representative
Summary
At its June 4 meeting the commission continued two NOIs to June 18, approved an MBZA at 10 Symphony Drive, approved a permit modification for 555 King Street, issued a COC for 37 Hancock Road, extended an enforcement deadline at 8 Brook Lane by 90 days, adopted an electronic-signature policy under MGL Chapter 110G, reappointed Richard Johnson to the Community Preservation Commission and approved $850 for a forestry demonstration.
The Franklin Conservation Commission met on June 4 and approved a series of routine permit and administrative items.
Continuances and permits: The commission voted to continue two Notices of Intent — for the Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street culvert repair and for 110 Populatic Street — to the next scheduled meeting on June 18, 2026, at the request of applicants. The meeting record shows the continuances were carried by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the transcript.
The commission approved the MBZA application for 10 Symphony Drive. Applicant Matt Pitcher told the commission his plan moves an on-site shed to the rear corner, installs a fenced grassy play area for children and uses existing soil with loam topping rather than bringing in fill; commissioners asked for native plantings to screen an adjoining property and required the owner to coordinate with the conservation director on species recommendations. The MBZA passed by a voice vote.
A permit modification for 555 King Street was approved after representative Josh Berman said the project reduces the approved building area (from approximately 255,000 sq ft to about 234,800 sq ft) and slightly reduces impervious surface by converting some building area to parking; staff stated the changes are outside the wetland buffer and stormwater measures remain in place. The applicant was told that a separate filing is required if he seeks an extension of the permit term.
A Certificate of Compliance for 37 Hancock Road was issued after property owner Michael Wright explained the pool had been installed about 20 years earlier and had been discovered during a pending sale; staff recommended approval and the commission voted to issue the COC.
Enforcement, minutes and funding: The commission extended the enforcement deadline for an ongoing violation at 8 Brook Lane by 90 days to allow remediation. The commission also approved the minutes from May 21, 2026. Separately, the commission approved $850 to hire Tom Ashton for a forestry demonstration at Riverbend tied to the town’s forest stewardship and riparian buffer work.
Administration and appointments: The commission adopted a policy recognizing electronic signatures under MGL Chapter 110G; the motion language was read into the record and the policy was adopted. The commission also voted to reappoint Richard Johnson as its representative to the Community Preservation Commission.
Votes and records: Most approvals were recorded by voice vote with commissioners saying "approve" or "continue" on the record; the transcript does not list individual yea/nay tallies for these items. Where the transcript lacked named roll-call tallies, outcomes are recorded here as "approved" or "continued" with a note that counts were not specified.
The meeting adjourned following the scheduled agenda items.
