Wrentham Selectmen Conditionally Support Franklin St. Housing Project

The Wrentham Board of Selectmen voted, at its meeting Tuesday night, to conditionally support a controversial housing project.

The effort would add three apartments to a Franklin Street property.

Selectman Michael Carroll said he had examined the issue since the board's last meeting, and said the property owner, John Desmond, was requesting more than a letter of support.

"The developer is looking for the Board of Selectmen, as the chief executive of the town, to submit the application," he said. "Should the Board of Selectmen submit the application, it wouldn't just be lip service — it means we support it, we're behind it."

Carroll, though, said the option has benefits over Desmond submitting such an application to the state himself.

"He's going to submit one," he said. "If we do it, we may be able to include provisions that would not otherwise be on it."

Selectmen Joseph Botaish noted that Desmond, even if he got the board's approval, would still have to go to the Zoning Board to repeal a deed restriction.

"By us supporting it, we're guiding you through the process," he said. "We're not giving you carte blanche — this doesn't mean tomorrow you can start breaking ground."

The board placed a number of provisions on its support, including meeting with neighboring residents, limiting the number of apartments on the property and requiring a plant buffer by the new apartments.

Desmond indicated his willingness to meet with abutters.

"I would like another community meeting," he said. "We'll be doing as much legwork as you deem appropriate."

The board voted unanimously to approve the measure.