It is a part of the Mansfield Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships: Part of the city of Mansfield, the county seat of Richland County, is located in southern Franklin Township.[5] When Ashland County was formed, Franklin Township gained the two westernmost columns of Milton Township that remained in Richmond County.Weller Township was formed from the Milton sections plus two additional columns of sections from eastern Franklin, leaving the township in its present six mile long by four mile wide extent.The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.