Category Archives: Franklin

Franklin, SNETT

Franklin Officials Celebrate Rail Trail Extension

Last month, the Town of Franklin announced that the acquisition of the abandoned CSX rail had been completed. Now work can begin on extending the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) from Grove Street to Union Street. On the morning of Wednesday, November 12, US Representative Jake Auchincloss and State Representative Jeff Roy gathered with town officials and other community members to survey what will eventually become the new eastern terminus of the SNETT on Union Street in Franklin. Both men were in instrumental in connecting Franklin town officials with CSX and providing guidance to make the deal happen.

“The rail trail extension is game changing in making Downtown Franklin a compelling destination both for locals and visitors to the area.  Franklin will be the ideal starting point for a family walk or bike ride combined with a visit to local businesses,” said Paul Stamp, the current Vice President of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC).

“This Rail Trail extension is a game-changer for Franklin—creating a welcoming trailhead and bringing new visitors into our downtown,” said Cobi Frongillo, the former President of the FBRTC and former Franklin Town Councilor.  “Our community has pushed for this connection for years, and it’s finally moving forward thanks to the persistence of town leaders and the leadership of Representative Roy and Congressman Auchincloss.”

There is extensive work that needs to be performed now that the financial transaction has been completed. First, CSX must remove the existing railroad infrastructure. Once that is completed, work on creating the multi-use trail can begin.

Find out more in Steve Sherlock’s Franklin Matters article.

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

FBRTC announces grant award for benches on SNETT

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a MassTrails Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The funding will be used to install additional seating along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT), enhancing comfort and accessibility for trail users.

MassTrails grants are awarded by DCR to support the development, maintenance, and improvement of recreational and shared-use trails across the Commonwealth.

This grant will provide the majority of funding needed to install four new benches along the 2.8-mile stretch of the SNETT between Grove Street in Franklin and Center Street in Bellingham. The remaining funds will be provided by FBRTC and its generous community sponsors and donors.

“These new benches will greatly improve comfort and accessibility for all trail users,” said Darren McNamara, FBRTC President. “The most common feedback we’ve received is that the lack of seating made it difficult for some—particularly those with mobility challenges—to fully enjoy the trail. This project demonstrates how local advocacy groups like FBRTC can work hand-in-hand with state agencies to improve quality of life in our communities.”

FBRTC is a volunteer-led advocacy organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. Earlier this year, the committee played a key role in advocating for the use of Community Preservation Act funds in Franklin to purchase disused freight rail land—extending the SNETT by 1.75 miles into downtown Franklin. The group’s ongoing priorities include improving the Franklin–Bellingham section of the trail and advancing connectivity toward Blackstone.

FBRTC extends its sincere thanks to the Massachusetts DCR, as well as to state and local officials, sponsors, and donors who supported this successful grant application. Those interested in getting involved with FBRTC’s trail improvement and advocacy efforts are encouraged to contact fbrtcommittee@gmail.com.

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

Department of Conservation & Recreation publishes plans for SNETT

Last year, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) had prepared draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for several locations inside the Blackstone Complex.   The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) was one of the properties targeted for improvements.

Earlier this year, DCR posted the finalized version of the RMP for the SNETT on their website here.

The RMP covers the entire trail, from Franklin to Douglas. With regards to the portion of the trail that runs through Franklin, Bellingham and Blackstone (identified as the East Section in the report), there were the following items of interest:

Page 17 –  An opportunity exists to increase engagement with user groups and local communities to continue improving the SNETT.

Page 19 – The various property owners that need to be engaged on the portions of the trail West of South Main Street in Bellingham.

Page 33 – Improve trail signage and mile markers.

Page 34 – Install bike repair stations in Franklin & Bellingham, similar to what is currently in Blackstone.

Page 35 – Improve the trail from downtown Blackstone to South Main Street in Bellingham.  Work with the town or Franklin to extend the SNETT eastward.

Bellingham, Franklin, Road Race, SNETT

The Rail Trail 5k is less than 2 weeks away!

Race signs are now up along the trail!

With less than two weeks until the race, you still have time to register.

FBRTC 5k Online Registration

Online registration closes on Thursday, May 15.

Once online registration closes, you can still register in person.

In person registration will be available at the following locations:

Friday, May 16 : 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Bib Pickup – Timeless Crossfit

90 Hayward Street, Franklin

Saturday, May 18 : 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM

Race Day – Grove Street Trailhead


We are also looking for a couple more volunteers to assist with the 5k.

If you are interested, sign up here.

Franklin, SNETT

Franklin Town Council approves funds to purchase SNETT extension

We here at the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee are excited to share the news that the Franklin Town Council passed Resolution 24-74 at the November 20th meeting in order to purchase land to extend the SNETT towards downtown Franklin. The town allocated $2,570,000 to purchase a total of 19.51 acres between Grove Street and Union Street. Full details can be found on the town’s website.

While this news is very exciting, there is still much work to do, and it will be a few years until the 1.7 mile SNETT extension is ready for use. It will take a while for this complicated financial transaction to be completed. Then the existing rail infrastructure needs to be removed before the final pedestrian surface can be installed. Stay tuned for future updates!

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

Department of Conservation & Recreation is seeking Public Comments on plans for SNETT

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has prepared draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for several locations inside the Blackstone Complex.   The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) is one of the properties targeted for improvements. Copies of the plan for the SNETT are available on the Blackstone RMPs web page.

A meeting was conducted on October 8 where DCR presented an initial draft of the RMPs for the Blackstone Complex.  A recording of the meeting and the slideshow from the meeting are available online.  DCR encourages the public to share additional feedback, with a deadline for receipt of comments by DCR of October 31st, 2024. Comments may be submitted via the DCR public comment portal.  Please be sure to select “Blackstone RMPs” from the “Topic Selection” drop down so that your comments are included with the correct project.  Please note that the content of comments you submit to DCR, along with your name, town, and zip code, will be posted on DCR’s website. Additional contact information required when commenting, notably email address, will only be used for outreach on future updates on the subject project or property.