More housing headed to Franklin

FRANKLIN — A large swath of new housing could be headed to Franklin in the near future.
At Tuesday night's meeting, members of the Borough Council revealed they are expecting a significant housing project to come before the Planning Board in the coming weeks.
The plan for the complex includes about 300 apartment units on Route 517 in the borough. Councilman Stephen Skellenger said the developer is looking to construct 10 buildings that would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Each building would consist of 6 three-bedroom units, 7 two-bedroom units and 17 one-bedroom apartments, for a total of 30 dwellings per building, Skellenger said.
The speculative height of the buildings is currently four stories, but that is subject to change, Skellenger said.
Mayor Nicholas Giordano said the plans outline a “very nice development.”
To supply service to the new development, Councilman Robert Dabinett said the investors behind the project indicated they “fully intend” to construct a new well for the complex, as well as a sewer pumping station.
Dabinett said the investors are expected to bring the project before the Planning Board for approval sometime this month.
At Tuesday's meeting, the council also approved the purchase of a new 2017 Ford Police Interceptor SUV to replace one of the Police Department's recently damaged vehicles. The cost of that cruiser was noted as $37,296.50.
While the council gave the expenditure a green light, Councilwoman Dawn Fantasia observed the actual purchase of the vehicle is on hold pending the state's acceptance of the Borough's 2017 budget and approval from the Borough chief financial officer.