[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Editor's Note: This enactment also repealed former Ch. 82, Fees, adopted 12-21-2016 by Bylaw Amendment 16-776, as amended.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.
[Amended 2-12-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-852; 10-16-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-914]
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 50% 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.
[Amended 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-877; 10-16-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-914]
Definitions: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANNUAL PRIVATE FIRE SERVICE LINE/SPRINKLER CONNECTION AND PRIVATE HYDRANT FEE
Annual fee charged for availability of water capacity to sprinkler systems, standpipes and private fire hydrants within commercial or industrial properties.
HYDRANT METER AND BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY RENTAL FEE
Fee charged to install a hydrant meter and backflow device for use by any persons who have received the approval of the Franklin Department of Public Works. A deposit will be required for the use of the hydrant meter and backflow device assembly and said deposit will be refunded upon return of the assembly in working condition. The user will also be charged for the water used billed at the Town's current water usage rates.
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 EXTENSION INSPECTION 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/REPAIR FEE
Fee charged to upgrade, repair, or replace an existing sewer 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 the permit.
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. All service connections serving more than one dwelling unit will be charged a fee per unit in addition to the base fee.
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.
WATER MAIN EXTENSION INSPECTION 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/REPAIR FEE
Fee charged to upgrade, repair, or replace an existing water 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 the permit.
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. All service connections serving more than one dwelling unit will be charged a fee per unit in addition to the base fee.
WATER TANKER FILL UP FEE
Fee charged to fill up a water tanker truck for the use of pool filling, landscaping, hydroseeding, or construction dust control. A one-time annual nonrefundable fee will be charged per customer to set up the account, bill the customer, and install the hydrant meter and backflow assembly at a Hydrant located in the area of 25 Public Works Way. All water used will be billed per thousand gallons with a minimum charge.
[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; 2-12-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-852; 12-2-2020 by Bylaw Amendment 20-863; 3-3-2021 by Bylaw Amendment 21-869; 9-15-2021 by Bylaw Amendment 21-875; 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-877; 4-6-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-878; 11-2-2022 by Bylaw Amendment 22-886; 3-1-2023 by Bylaw Amendment 23-892; 5-25-2023 by Bylaw Amendment 23-897; 12-20-2023 by Bylaw Amendment 23-903; 1-31-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-904; 6-26-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-910; 6-26-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-911; 6-26-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-912; 10-16-2024 by Bylaw Amendment 24-914; 2-26-2025 by Bylaw Amendment 25-924; 7-23-2025 by Bylaw Amendment 25-937; 10-22-2025 by Bylaw Amendment 25-940]
A. 
Administration.
Service Fee
Rate
Club - wine and malt
$750
Liqueurs and cordials
$900
Package - wine and malt
$1,500
Common victualler - wine and malt
$1,500
Club/all alcohol
$1,750
Package - all alcohol
$2,500
Common victualler - all alcohol
$2,500
Innholder - all alcohol
$3,500
One-Day (all alcohol or wine and malt)
$75
Alcohol innholder/rooms only
$1,300
Common victualler - restaurant only
$125
Innholders
$125
Farmer brewery, wine or distillery
$250
Alcohol license modification
$500
Entertainment
$125
Class I
$125
Class II
$125
Class III
$125
Boardinghouse
$125
Auctioneer
$85
Junk dealer
$85
Taxi/limousine/livery
$125
Transient vendor
$200
Fortune teller
$85
Passport photo
$12
Electric vehicle charging stations
$35 per kwh
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
$35
D. 
Conservation.
Service Fee
Rate
Permit request for determination (RFDA)
Existing single-family residence
$50
Other
$100
Minor buffer zone permit (MBZP)
Restoration projects
No charge
All other projects
$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
$100
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
$25 per structure
Commercial/industrial, resource area disturbance
$0.50 per square foot
All improvements (landscaping/maintenance)
$100
Permit, time extensions, all projects:
$50
Permit, certificate of compliance:
Residential
$50
Residential reinspection
$50
Commercial/industrial
$100
Commercial/industrial reinspection
$100
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
All programs, classes, services, events and Common Ground Cafe items
Town Administrator sets the rates for all programs, classes, services, events and Common Ground Cafe items and publishes rates at the beginning of each fiscal year
F. 
Fire.
Service Fee
Rate
Ambulance Fees:
ALS Base Rate 1
$2,583
ALS Base Rate 2
$3,684
BLS Rate
$1,769
Commercial care facility without transport
$935
Mileage
$41
False alarm fee
1 to 3 times within a 180-day period
No charge
Fourth time or more within a 180-day period
$400
Fire permits:
Blasting permits
$50
Bonfires and burning Christmas trees
$50
Cannon and mortar firing
$50
Cellulose nitrate film
$50
Combustible fibers
$50
Compressed natural gas (CNG)
$50
Cutting and welding
$50
Dust explosion prevention
$50
Explosives
$50
Fireworks displays
$50
Fireworks manufacture, storage and handling
$50
Flammable and combustible liquids
$50
Flammable and combustible gases
$50
Flammable solids
$50
Fuel transfer operations - service stations
$50
Fumigation and insecticidal fogging
$50
Hazardous substances left unattended:
Limited special effects
$50
LP Gas
$50
Model rockets
$50
Oil-burning equipment
$50
Open air fires
No charge
Ovens and furnaces
$50
Rubbish containers
$50
Salamanders
$50
Tank vehicles parked overnight
$50
Tank removal
$50
Tar kettles on roofs
$50
Torches and heat producing devices
$50
Plan review:
Site plan review
$100
Amended site plan review
$50
Structure plan review
$100
Amended structure plan review
$50
Vehicle accidents - fire apparatus response
$135
Oil line
$50
Oil tank installation
$50
Carbon monoxide protection
$50
Impairment or disconnect fire protection
$50
Unvented heaters
$50
Open flame devices and pyrotechnics
$50
High pile storage
$50
Use, storage or handling of hazardous materials
$50
The handling or storage of chemicals in laboratory buildings, laboratory units, and laboratory work areas whether located above or below grade
$50
Storage of mulch greater than 300 cubic yards
$50
Processing of extraction of cannabis involving hazardous materials
$50
Installation of construction of a motor vehicle fuel dispensing station
$50
Dispensing motor fuel from a tank vehicle
$50
On-demand mobile fueling
$50
Spraying, dipping and coating
$50
Install energy storage system
$50
Hazardous materials processing
$50
Storage of aerosol products greater than 500 lbs
$50
Storage of compressed gases and cryogen
$50
Installation, maintenance and storage of waste oil storage tanks
$50
Removal of tanks and underground piping
$50
Abandoned tanks
$50
Black powder
$50
All other permits
$50
Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide certificate
Single-family
$50
Two-family
$100
Three- to six-family
$150
More than 6 units
$500
G. 
Health.
Service Fee
Rate
Biotech application
$600
Biotech annual renewal
$100
Body art, establishment
$150
Body art, operator
$60
Body works
$300
Camps, day
$100
Camps, residential
$100
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
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
Residential commercial kitchen
$100
Retail food establishment
$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
$10 per $1,000 of value
Commercial building permits
$11 per $1,000 of value
Minimum fee for all permit inspections
$75
Minimum fee for all permit reinspections
$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:
Residential
$5 per $1,000 of installation cost
Commercial
$10 per $1,000 of installation cost
Balances and scales
10 lbs. or less
$25
More than 10 lbs., less than 100 lbs.
$25
101 to 1,000 lbs.
$50
1,001 to 5,000 lbs.
$75
5,001 to 10,000 lbs.
$100
Over 10,000 lbs.
$125
Weights
Avoirdupois (each)
$5
Metric (each)
$5
Apothecary (each)
$25
Troy (each)
$5
Capacity measures
Vehicle tanks
Each indicator
$120
Each 100 gallons or fraction thereof
$60
Liquid
1 gallon or less
$20
1 to 5 gallons
$25
Liquid measuring meters
Water (1g prover)
$20
Inlet more than 1/2 inch to 1 inch
Gasoline
$25
Inlet more than 1 inch
Vehicle tank pump
$75
Vehicle tank gravity
$75
Bulk storage
$75
Other devices
Taxi meters
$40
Odometer - Hubodometer
$40
Leather meas. (semi-annual)
$20
Fabric measuring
$20
Wire-rope cordage
$20
Scanners
1 to 3
$75
4 to 10
$150
11+
$250
Linear measure
Yard sticks
$5
Tapes
$15
Miscellaneous
Reverse vending machine
$25
Scale calibration
Cost of the device test
Fuel pump and liquids calibration
Cost of device test and retest charge
I. 
Library.
Service Fee
Rate
Overdue late fees:
Museum passes
$10 per day
Damaged and lost items
Full cost to replace damaged or lost item
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
Special permit modification
$200
K. 
Police.
Service Fee
Rate
False alarms:
1 to 3 times
No charge
Fourth or more
$100
FID permit
Subject to Massachusetts General Law
Fingerprints:
Franklin resident
$20
Non-Franklin resident
$50
Hackney license
$100
Pistol permit
Subject to Massachusetts General Law
Solicitor's permit:
One person
$100
More individuals
$20 per person
L. 
Public Works.
Service Fee
Rate
Beaver Street Recycling Center (annual sticker fee)
$35
ABC (asphalt, brick, concrete) per load
$15
Auto batteries
No charge
Freon-containing items
$15 per item
Grills
No charge
Hazardous waste
$5 per gallon, $5 per 10 pounds
Mattresses and box springs
$65
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
$49 per item
Non-Freon items
$43
Bulky items
$29
Televisions (less than 26 inches)
$44
Televisions (26 inches and greater)
$49
Curbside trash (annual)
Fee using 65-gallon trash and recycling carts
$336
Fee using 35-gallon trash and recycling carts
$245
Extra trash cart annual fee
$168
Extra recycling cart annual fee
$168
Extra recycling cart business annual fee
$168
Overflow bag
$3
Drain layer's license (new - 2 years)
$175
Drain layer's license (renewal - 2 years)
$85
Map sales
$5
Public way access permit
$100
Right-of-way excavations
$375
Stormwater utility fee
$20.12 per unit
Trench
$30
Water and sewer fees:
Water main extension inspection
$450
Water service renewal/repair
$350
Water/sewer permit extension
$30
Water connection inspection
$350
Water reconnection
$50
Final meter reading:
With at least 48 hours' notice
$100
With less than 48 hours' notice
$200
Sewer connection inspection
$350
Water turnoff — operating hours
$75
Water turnoff — after hours
$350
Water map amendment (Town Council approval)
$550
Fire service (sprinkler) connection inspection
$350
Hydrant flow test
$225
Backflow inspection or large meter testing
Subject to public procurement, with a 10% overhead added to the final amount
Sewer map amendment (Town Council approval)
$550
Sewer service renewal/repair
$350
Sewer main extension inspection
$450
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 per day (gpd) based on Title V flows
Annual private fire service line/sprinkler connection and private hydrant
$500
Water system entry
$3,000 plus $500 per separate dwelling unit after 1 unit
Sewer system entry
$3,000 plus $500 per separate dwelling unit after 1 unit
Hydrant meter and backflow assembly rental
$200 fee and $2,000 refundable deposit per assembly
Water tanker fill-up
$200 annual setup fee per customer, usage $20/1,000 gallons with a minimum charge of $20 per fill-up
Appendix A
List of Sewer Service Usage Rates
Effective for bills issued on or after July 1, 2023, Sewer Usage rates shall be as follows:
CCF
Sewer Usage
Sewer Usage
Sewer Usage
Sewer Usage
Rate 7-1-2022
Rate 7-1-2023
Rate 7-1-2024
Rate 7-1-2025
0 - 15
$6.05
7.22
8.31
9.42
16 - 40
$6.45
7.69
8.85
10.03
41+
$7.40
8.83
10.17
11.52
Quarterly Sewer Only
$183
218
260
310
Appendix B
List of Service Rates
Effective for bills issued on or after July 1, 2024, Water Usage rates shall be as follows:
CCF
Water Usage
Water Usage
Water Usage
Rate 7-1-2024
Rate 7-1-2025
Rate 7-1-2026
0 - 15
$7.52
$8.12
$8.77
16 - 40
$7.92
$8.55
$9.23
41+
$9.28
$10.02
$10.82
M. 
Recreation.
Service Fee
Rate
All recreation programs
$5 to $200 per participant
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
Attested copy
$10 per copy
Marriage intentions notice
$30
Marriage intentions notice (amendment)
$25
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 4 dogs
$75
5 to 10 dogs
$150
11 or more dogs
$250
Recording, filing, amending
$25
Pole location
$50, plus $5 per pole
Code supplement
$100
Zoning/subdivision books
$50
Digital copy
No charge
Street listings
$50
Digital copy
No charge
Business certificates (every four years)
$50
Underground storage tank license
$100
Hazardous materials
$100
O. 
Treasurer-Collector.
Service Fee
Rate
Municipal liens
$50
Demand notice
$10
Redemption
$165
Tax taking
$125
Electronic tax file fee
$250