Country Gazette FRANKLIN — A decision by the Town Council to invest $4.59 million in open space near the town center is being lauded as an historic land buy for Franklin — one preserving forested land that otherwise would have been developed with more than four dozen homes. Voting unanimously, the nine-member Council has chosen to take advantage of the town's right of first refusal on two parcels of land — collectively known as Maple Hill — between Lincoln Street and Maple Street totaling about 69.6 acres. “The town has not, to our knowledge, ever exercised the right of first refusal,” Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said.