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Town of Franklin, MA
Norfolk County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Franklin 12-19-2018 by Bylaw Amendment 18-828, effective 1-1-2019.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also repealed former Ch. 82, Fees, adopted 12-21-2016 by Bylaw Amendment 16-776, as amended.
It shall be the policy of the Town of Franklin to provide service fee rates that best estimate and reflect the cost to the Town of providing service.
All fees must be paid within 30 days of receipt. Late payments will be charged 14% interest per annum from the due date and the license or permit will be held in abeyance until fee and penalties are paid in full.
Service fees shall be charged triple the permit or license fee rate for activity begun before first obtaining a permit or license within the time required by the applicable code. Service fees are not a substitute for any other enforcement remedy available to the Town and in no way limit or preclude the Town from pursuing such other available remedies.
Under the Community Assistance Program, qualifying residents are eligible to receive discounted rates for certain Town services. Participating Town departments shall establish application and eligibility verification processes using tax returns as verification of income, dependents or other information to verify eligibility. The program is available to residential households for the following Town services:
A. 
Water, sewer and trash discount credits. Residential water, sewer and trash customers are eligible to receive a 20% credit, per quarter, on their water, sewer and trash bills. Where a bill has been issued prior to an eligibility determination, no abatement will be made unless the amount to be abated amounts to $10 or more. Discounts are not eligible on penalties for late payment.
B. 
Beaver Street Recycling Center annual sticker waiver. Residents may receive a waiver of the annual sticker for the Beaver Street Recycling Center. Waivers are not granted for individual items being recycled within the Recycling Center.
C. 
Recreation Department program discount. Residents of Franklin are eligible for up to a 100% discount on registration or program fees for qualifying residents who meet certain income eligibility guidelines.
D. 
Ambulance billing hardship. Residents of Franklin who meet eligibility guidelines as promulgated by the Fire Chief to demonstrate economic hardship may receive a discount or waiver on an ambulance service fee.
[Added 2-12-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-852]
Definitions: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SEWER INFLOW/INFILTRATION REMOVAL FEE
Fee charged to allow continuation of new sewer connections or increases in existing connections to the sewer system. Funds raised through this fee shall be dedicated to the sewer fund, to be used to assist in the removal of inflow and infiltration from the sewer system. Said fee shall be in addition to any applicable sewer entry, connection or main tap fees. Existing single-family residential structures or existing sewer system users, for which building permits were issued prior to October 24, 2001, shall be exempt from this sewer inflow/infiltration removal fee. Fees for users proposing to increase their flow, whether through increased discharge from the existing use or a change in use shall be calculated on the basis of the increased discharge amount, provided the existing use had not been inactive for more than two years prior to the date of the sewer permit application. Said fee shall be based on average daily flow capacity used, as calculated in accordance with Title V of the State Sanitary Code guidelines.
SEWER MAIN TAP FEE
Fee charged to extend the sewer main from the Town sewer distribution system. The fee is designed to recover the Town's cost of labor to inspect sewer line installations, engineering review and the application process. The fee shall not cover materials or labor to tap the sewer main, which shall be the cost and responsibility of the owner to arrange with a private contractor; the Town will not provide such services. This fee is in addition to the required sewer service connection fee for individual services. Such a fee shall be payable prior to the time of issuance of a building permit or application for services, if a building permit is not required.
SEWER SERVICE RENEWAL FEE
Fee charged to upgrade or replace an existing service. The fee is designed to recover the expenses for the Town to process the application, perform the engineering reviews, and inspect the sewer service installation. This fee is in addition to the cost of materials or labor to install sewer lines and tap the sewer main, which shall be the cost and responsibility of the owner to arrange with a private contractor; the Town will not provide such services. The fee shall be payable at the time of issuance of renewal.
SEWER SYSTEM ENTRY FEE
Fee charged to recover the Town's share of the costs of building replacement capacity at the sewage treatment plant, as well as the lines and pump stations leading to the plant which are necessitated by the new user's connection to the system. The fee shall be placed in the Town's sewer enterprise fund for construction, operating and equipment costs to improve, maintain and develop the municipal wastewater system capacity. Such fee shall be payable for each new service at time of issuance of a building permit. Any person who is legally responsible for paying a betterment assessment for the extension of sewer to their property shall be credited the amount of the paid or to be paid assessment towards the sewer system entry fee, up to but not exceeding the full amount of this fee.
SPRINKLER/HYDRANT FEE
Fee charged for availability of water capacity to sprinkler systems, standpipes and private fire hydrants within commercial or industrial properties.
STORMWATER UTILITY FEE
Shall have the definition provided in the Code of the Town of Franklin Chapter 153, Stormwater Management, Article V, Stormwater Utility, § 153-31, Definitions.
[Added 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-877]
WATER MAIN TAP FEE
Fee charged to extend the water main from the Town water distribution system. The fee is designed to recover the Town's cost of labor to inspect waterline installations, engineering review and the application process. The fee shall not cover materials or labor to tap the main, which shall be the cost and responsibility of the owner to arrange with a private contractor; the Town will not provide such services. This fee is in addition to the required water service connection fee for individual services. Such a fee shall be payable prior to the time of issuance of a building permit or application for services, if a permit is not required.
WATER RECONNECTION FEE
Fee charged to reconnect after service has been disconnected for nonpayment of bill within 60 days of issue.
WATER SERVICE RENEWAL FEE
Fee charged to upgrade or replace an existing service. The fee is designed to recover the expenses for the Town to process the application, perform the engineering reviews, and inspect the waterline and water meter installation. This fee is in addition to the cost of materials or labor to install waterlines and tap the water main, which shall be the cost and responsibility of the owner to arrange with a private contractor; the Town will not provide such services. The fee shall be payable at the time of issuance of renewal.
WATER SYSTEM ENTRY FEE
Fee charged for capital improvements necessitated by connecting a new user to the water system. The fee shall be deposited in the Town's water enterprise fund for construction, operating and equipment costs to make improvements to the municipal water supply system including water mains. Such fee shall be payable for each new service at time of issuance of a building permit.
A. 
Administration.
[Amended 12-2-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-863; 4-7-2021 by Bylaw Amendment 21-871; 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-878]
Service Fee
Rate
Club - wine and malt
$750
Liqueurs and cordials
$900
Package - wine and malt
$1,500
Common victualler - wine and malt
$1,125
Club/all alcohol
$1,750
Package - all alcohol
$2,500
Common victualler - all alcohol
$1,875
Innholder - all alcohol
$3,500
One-Day (all alcohol or wine and malt)
$75
Alcohol innholder/rooms only
$1,300
Common victualler
$125
Innholders
$125
Farmer brewery, wine or distillery
$250
Alcohol license modification
$500
Automatic amusement
$125
Weekday amusement
$125
Entertainment
$125
Billiard/bowling
$125
Class I
$125
Class II
$125
Class III
$125
Boardinghouse
$125
Auctioneer
$85
One-day auctioneer
$85
Junk dealer
$85
Taxi/limousine
$85
Transient vendor or temporary special event food truck license
$100
Temporary food truck event on private property
$25
Fortune teller
$85
Public way access permit
$150
Passport photo
$10
B. 
Animal Control.
Service Fee
Rate
Kennel - boarding
$25 per day after the first 24 hours
Pickup
$50
C. 
Assessors.
Service Fee
Rate
Certified list of abutters
$25
Rollbacks
$100
D. 
Conservation.
Service Fee
Rate
Permit request for determination (RFDA)
$100
Minor buffer zone permit (MBZP)
$50
Abbreviated notice of resource area determination (ANRAD)
$0.50 per linear foot, per resource area
Notice of intent (NOI) permit:
Single-family home (SFH), base fee
$200
Single-family home (SFH), all accessory projects
$50
Subdivisions, base fee
$600
Subdivisions, roads
$2 per foot
Subdivisions, drainage
$10 per structure
Subdivisions, resource area disturbance
$0.50 per square foot
Multiple dwellings, base fee
$100 per unit within jurisdiction
Multiple dwellings, resource area disturbance
$0.50 per square foot
Commercial/industrial, base fee:
$600
Commercial/industrial, roads
$2 per foot
Commercial/industrial, drainage
$10 per structure
Commercial/industrial, resource area disturbance
$0.50 per square foot
All improvements (landscaping/maintenance)
$100
Permit, time extensions:
Single-family home or accessory project
$50
Other projects
$50
Permit, certificate of compliance:
Residential
$50
Commercial/industrial
$50
Re-inspection
$50
Permit, control of nuisance vegetation
$100
Permit, permit status letter for financial institutions
$100
Permit, project amendment
$100
E. 
Council on Aging.
Service Fee
Rate
Recreational trips
$2 each way for towns bordering Franklin and Medway; $5 each way to other
Computer classes
$15 registration fee
Social events
$6 per person
Supportive day programs
$35 per day
F. 
Fire.
[Amended 2-12-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-852; 3-3-2021 by Bylaw Amendment 21-869]
Service Fee
Rate
Ambulance Fees:
ALS Base Rate 1
$2,420
ALS Base Rate 2
$3,571
BLS Rate
$1,553
Commercial care facility without transport
$935
Mileage
$37.31
Building Plan Review:
Commercial/Industrial
$150
Residential - Multifamily
$100
Residential - one and two single family
$65
Residential - single family
$35
Storage uses
$50
Utility, miscellaneous
$50
False alarm fee
$300
Fire alarm connection/programming
$130
Fire alarm inspections:
Less than 3,000 square feet
$45
3,001 to 10,000 square feet
$60
10,001 to 20,000 square feet
$95
20,001 to 30,000 square feet
$175
30,001 or more square feet
$175
Fire permits:
Blasting permits
$45
Bonfires and burning Christmas trees
$10
Bowling pin and lane refurnishing
$10
Cannon and mortar firing
$45
Cellulose nitrate film
$110
Combustible fibers
$110
Compressed natural gas (CNG)
$110
Covered mall buildings
$45
Crop ripening or color processing
$110
Cutting and welding
$45
Dust explosion prevention
$110
Explosives
$45
Fire protection equipment - modification
$60
Fire protection systems - new installation
See fire alarm inspections
Fireworks displays
$110
Fireworks manufacture, storage and handling
$210
Flammable and combustible liquids:
11 to 20 gallons
No charge
21 to 100 gallons
$75
101 to 500 gallons
$150
500 to 1,000 gallons
$300
1,001 to 5,000 gallons
$450
5,001 to 10,000 gallons
$600
10,000 gallons or more
$750
Flammable and combustible gases:
Less than 3,000 cubic feet
No charge
3,001 to 6,000 cubic feet
$75
6,001 to 9,000 cubic feet
$150
9,001 to 12,000 cubic feet
$300
12,001 to 15,000 cubic feet
$450
Greater than 15,000 cubic feet
$600
Flammable solids:
0 to 20 pounds
No charge
21 to 100 pounds
$75
101 to 500 pounds
$150
501 to 1,000 pounds
$300
1,001 to 5,000 pounds
$450
5,001 to 10,000 pounds
$600
10,000 gallons or more
$750
Fuel transfer operations - service stations
$75
Fumigation and insecticidal fogging
$10
Hazardous substances left unattended:
Limited special effects
$110
LP Gas
$45
Lumberyards
$110
Matches
$45
Model rockets
$45
Oil-burning equipment
$45
Open air fires
No charge
Ovens and furnaces
$45
Rubbish containers
$45
Salamanders
$55
Special seasonal decorations
$60
Storage, combustible materials
See storage of flammable and combustible liquids
Tank vehicles parked overnight
$55
Tanks and containers
See storage of flammable and combustible liquids and gases
Tank removal
$75
Tar kettles on roofs
$45
Tire recapping and rebuilding plants
$210
Tire storage
$75
Torches and heat producing devices
$45
Transportation of combustible liquids (tank truck)
$75
Fire protection equipment testing
$35
Fire reports
$10
Quarterly or annual inspections
$65
Site plan review:
Site plan review
$50
Amended site plan review
$25
Vehicle accidents - fire apparatus response
$135
G. 
Health.
Service Fee
Rate
Biotech application
$600
Biotech annual renewal
$100
Body art, establishment
$150
Body art, operator
$60
Bottling
$75
Camps, day
$100
Camps, residential
$100
Chapter 21E site assessment
$100
Cleaners/laundromat
$30
Disposal of garbage, offal
$65
Food service establishment:
1 to 49 seats
$200
50 plus seats
$250
Frozen desserts
$60
Funeral director
$25
Grocery store, greater than 10,000 square feet
$300
Infectious waste disposal
$50
Keeping of animals permit
$35
Manicure establishment
$150
Mobile food vehicle
$100
Outdoor wood burnings boiler
$100
Perc testing/soil testing
$250
Septic plan review/inspections:
Repair
$275
New
$375
Pump system, additional
$100
Innovative/alternative system:
Repair
$125
New
$200
Retaining wall, additional
$50
Design plan revision, first, subsequent revision:
Repair
$75
New
$125
Septic system inspections (N/C first 3):
Repair
$50
New
$100
Commercial
$400 base fee, plus $25 per 1,000 gallons plus an additional $150 for pump system, 1/A system
Private well
$125
Retail food establishment
$100
Recycling permit
$100
Septic hauler
$65
Septic minor repair
$75
Septic system installer
$150
Splash pad
$50
Stable permit
$50
Swimming pool/spa
$50
Tanning parlor
$150
Temporary food event
$50
Tobacco products sale permit
$150
Trench
$25
H. 
Inspections.
Service Fee
Rate
Residential building permits
$9 per $1,000 of value
Commercial building permits
$10 per $1,000 of value
Minimum fee for all permit inspections
$75
Minimum fee for all permit re-inspections
$75
Electrical permits (new, remodeling, pools)
$100 up to five fixtures; $10 per fixture thereafter: $250 cap on all residential electrical, per residential unit, per application
Gas permits (new, remodeling, pools)
$100 up to five fixtures; $10 per fixture thereafter
Plumbing permits (new, remodeling, pools)
$100 up to five fixtures; $10 per fixture thereafter
Sheet metal permit (new, remodeling)
$100 up to five fixtures; $10 per fixture thereafter
Underground electrical, gas, plumbing only (new, remodeling, pools)
$75 per fixture
Replacement of existing gas hot water heater combo (plumbing and gas)
$100
Traffic and street lighting poles
$75 per pole
Temporary service
$75 per pole
Security, burglar alarms and low voltage wiring (new or remodeling)
$75 up to 5 devices, $10 each additional device
Yearly maintenance service for electrical
$200
Carnivals
$200
After-hours inspection for electrical or plumbing
$200
Photovoltaic solar panel systems:
1 to 100
$2 per panel
101 to 5,000
$1.50 per panel
5,001 +
$1 per panel
Scales:
Weights (all types)
$1.10
Under 10 pounds
$16.50
10 to 100 pounds
$22
1,000 to 5,000 pounds
$33
5,000 to 10,000 pounds
$66
Over 10,000 pounds
$110
Measuring devices:
Linear measures
$11
Cordage measures
$22
Fabric measures
$22
Taxi meters
$27.50
Bulk storage
$82.50
Vehicle tank
$55
Gasoline meters (per meter)
$22
Other devices:
Reverse vending
$11
Automatic retail checkout systems (2 years)
Less than 4 units
$82.50
4 units to 11 units
$165
I. 
Library.
Service Fee
Rate
Item
Late Fee
Maximum Late Fee
Overdue late fees
Books, audio CDs, audio books
$0.10/per day
$5
Speed readers
$0.10/per day
$5
DVDs
$1/per day
$5
New DVDs
$1/per day
$5
J. 
Planning.
Service Fee
Rate
Approval not required (81 P)
$150
Approval not required (81 P) with new buildable lots proposed
$350
Preliminary plan:
1 to 5 lots
$700
Each lot after 5 lots
$100 per lot
Definitive plan
$2 per linear foot of roadway; $800 minimum
Planning Board special permit
$750
Bond release (estimate)
$500
Bond release (reduction)
$500
Site plan:
Up to 9,999 square feet of impervious coverage
$1,500
10,000 to 24,999 square feet of impervious coverage
$2,500
25,000 to 50,000 square feet of impervious coverage
$4,000
Over 50,000 square feet
$4,000, plus $100 per each 10,000 square feet of impervious coverage over 50,000 square feet
Limited site plan
$500
Subdivision modification application
$750
Independent consultant review fees (subdivision and site plan)
Determined by inspection consultant; due before issuance of decision by Planning Board
Construction and administration inspection fee (subdivision and site plan)
Determined by inspection consultant; due before issuance of decision by Planning Board
K. 
Police.
[Amended 11-2-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-886]
Service Fee
Rate
False alarms:
1 to 3 times
No charge
Fourth
$25
Fifth or more
$50 per alarm
FID permit
Subject to Massachusetts General Law
Fingerprints:
Franklin resident
$20
Non-Franklin resident
$50
Hackney license
$25
Pistol permit
Subject to Massachusetts General Law
Solicitor's permit:
One person
$100
More individuals
$20 per person
L. 
Public Works.
[Amended 4-10-2019 by Bylaw Amendment 19-839; 4-10-2019 by Bylaw Amendment 19-840; 5-8-2019 by Bylaw Amendment 19-841; 5-6-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-857; 9-15-2021 by Bylaw Amendment 21-875; 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-877]
Service Fee
Rate
Beaver Street Recycling Center (annual sticker fee)
$35
Beaver Street Recycling Center (Beaver Street recycling sticker required)
ABC (asphalt, brick, concrete) per load
$15
Auto batteries
No charge
Carpeting - 4-foot rolls, 24-inch diameter
$10
Freon-containing items
$15 per item
Grills
No charge
Hazardous waste
$5 per gallon, $5 per 10 pounds
Mattresses and box springs
$10
Propane tanks
$5 each
Sinks
$10
Sticker fee (10 consecutive days)
$25
Televisions (less than 25 inches)
$15
Televisions (25 inches and greater)
$25
Tires (all sizes)
$5 each
Toilets
$15
Tubs/showers
$50
Yard waste (per registered vehicle or trailer):
Car, pickup truck, van or trailer under 4 x 8 without sides
No charge
Pickup truck with extended sides
$25 per load
Trailer (over 4 x 8) or enclosed cargo trailer
$25 per load
Curbside collection (home pickup by vendor, no recycling sticker required):
Freon-containing items
$33 per item
Mattresses and box springs
$18
Televisions (less than 25 inches)
$28
Televisions (25 inches and greater)
$38
Curbside trash (annual)
Fee using 65-gallon trash and recycling carts
$286
Fee using 35-gallon trash and recycling carts
$212
Extra trash cart annual fee
$150
Extra recycling cart annual fee
$75
Extra recycling cart business annual fee
$100
Overflow bag
$3
Drain layer's license (new - 2 years)
$125
Drain layer's license (renewal - 2 years)
$65
Map sales
$15
Public way access permit
$100
Street excavations
$310
Stormwater utility fee
$18.66 per billing unit per property
Trench
$25
Water and sewer fees:
Water main tap
$475
Water service renewal
$225
Water/sewer extension permit
$20
Water connection
$300
Water reconnection
$50
Final meter reading
$75
Sewer connection
$400
Water turnoff — operating hours
$60
Water turnoff — after hours
$300
Water map amendment
$325
Fire service (sprinkler) connection
$275
Hydrant flow test
$125
Backflow inspection
Subject to public procurement, with a 10% overhead added to the final amount
Sewer map amendment
$325
Sewer service renewal
$250
Sewer main tap
$275
Sewer inflow/infiltration (to be removed, less a credit up to the amount of the sewer entry fee, if any, paid at the time of application)
$6 per gallon
Sprinkler/hydrant
$500
Water system entry
$2,440
Sewer system entry
$2,440
Appendix B
List of Service Rates
Effective for bills issues September 30, 2020 Water Usage rates shall be as follows:
CCF
Water Usage
Water Usage
Water Usage
Rate 06-30-18
Rate 9-30-20
Rate 06-30-21
0 - 15
$5.75
$6.33
$6.96
16 - 40
$6.05
$6.66
$7.33
41+
$7.10
$7.81
$8.59
This bylaw shall become effective according to the provisions outlined in the Franklin Home Rule Charter.
M. 
Recreation.
Service Fee
Rate
All recreation programs
$5 to $200 per participant
Chilson Beach passes:
Day fee
$10 per day/per car
Season pass
$75; half price for senior citizens
Swimming lessons
$100 to $200
Field rental fee (for profits)
Town Administrator sets the rate for all field rentals
Facilities permit fee (nonprofits)
$50 per hour; electrical fees apply to groups using the lights
N. 
Town Clerk.
Service Fee
Rate
Certified copy (first copy)
$10
Certified copy (additional copies)
$5 per copy
Marriage intentions notice
$25
Marriage intentions notice (amendment)
$10
Dog licensing registration:
Before April 1st (spayed/neutered)
$20
Before April 1st (not spayed/neutered)
$30
After April 1st (Late dog registration fee, spayed/neutered)
$50
After April 1st (Late dog registration fee, not spayed/neutered)
$60
Kennel license:
Up to four dogs
$75
Five to 10 dogs
$150
11 or more dogs
$250
Recording, filing, amending
$15
Pole location
$50, plus $5 per pole
Code supplement
$75
Zoning/subdivision books
$30
Street listings
$25
Business certificates (every four years)
$40
Underground storage tank license
$100
Hazardous materials
$100
Research/genealogical
$20 per hour
O. 
Treasurer-Collector.
Service Fee
Rate
Municipal liens
$50
Demand notice
$10
Redemption
$165
Duplicate bill fee
$2
Tax taking
$125
Electronic tax file fee
$250