BOSTON (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) May 24, 2000-- Standard&Poor's today assigned its double-'A'-minus rating to Franklin, Mass.' $4.27 million GO bonds due June 1, 2010. The outlook is stable. In addition, Standard&Poor's raised its rating on the town's $26.98 million GO bonds due Nov. 15, 2000-2005, to double-'A'-minus from single-'A'-plus. The rating upgrade is based on the following improving factors: -- An expanding tax base that benefits from its location along the high-technology Interstate 495 corridor and accessibility by commuter rail to Boston, Mass.; -- Above-average income levels and increasing median housing values; -- Easily manageable debt position; and -- Good financial performance. Franklin is located about 28 miles southwest of Boston. Equidistant from Boston, Worcester
