Natural & Cultural Resources

Preservation Strategies

Inventory community resources for preservation or protection in order to retain the Town's natural or cultural history or its New England town character; identify their locations, as well as threats and opportunities related to their preservation.

Utilizing the historical records of the Town, the Town Library, Dean College Library, and the Town Historical Society, create a full inventory and map of these structures, at a minimum:

  • Mills and Factories
  • Farms
  • Churches
  • Schools
  • Shops
  • Housing and Structures of Antiquity
  • Old Road Systems
  • Places Associated With Historical Figures

Preservation Districts

Amend the Zoning By-laws to authorize the designation of overlay preservation districts, including historic districts, to protect recognized community attributes and to preserve architectural integrity within a designated district.

Adopt a local, less restrictive version of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 40C, Historic Districts, for the minimal area starting at the Town Common and running from Union Street along Pleasant Street to Hillside and then south to School Street, west to Main Street, north to High Street, west to Union Street and again north to its originating point (the area to include properties on both sides of the boundary streets, as well as all properties on streets within the bounded area), to include these issues:

  • Architectural Style
  • Temporary Structures
  • Walls and Fences
  • Signs

Streetscapes & Scenic Views

Identify scenic vistas and streetscapes contributing to Franklin residents' sense of place; identify threats and opportunities related to their preservation and propose measures to effect preservation, including acquisition of easements and adoption of a scenic roads bylaw.

Identify, inventory and map certain streetscapes and scenic vistas based on view potential, access and likelihood of development, within these criteria:

  • Viewable from public access points
  • Scenic vistas with a minimum view range of 1/2 mile
  • Streetscapes having a minimum distance of 500' and an antiquity of at least 50 years.
  • Creates visibility sites at entry points and important intersections.

Adopt the provisions of MGL, Chapter 40 15C, Scenic Roads By-law, which require a public hearing before the removal of trees or stonewalls from designated roads.