🔨 10 Takeaways from the State of the City
New MassBay Campus Opens | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Happy end of January, Framingham!
This week Framingham was visited by Governor Maura Healey for the MassBay ribbon cutting and tonight Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll is in town for the 20th Anniversary Celebration for Downtown Framingham, Inc. Both are exciting occasions and it is great our state leaders will be on hand to shine a light on some of the good things happening here.
Have a comment or question? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at mkfeeney@gmail.com
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10 Takeaways from the State of the City
Mayor Sisitsky gave his third State of the City address Monday night in Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building. Stating the state of the city is “strong”, he also called it a “year of achievements and change.”
Here are my 10 takeaways from the speech:
2024 is the Year of Trails: With two major projects underway, Framingham is quickly becoming the Hub of Trails. The city purchased the right of way for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. The Mayor announced last night that MassDOT awarded Framingham $7.5 million for the construction of the trail. Additionally, phase 1 of the Chris Walsh Trail around Farm Pond is almost complete. This is great news. Trails were the big winner of the night.
Foreshadowing of the tough financial year ahead: News of slowing state revenues sent shockwaves through government a few weeks ago, as Governor Healey attempted to set expectations. The Mayor said Framingham has “to be vigilant and monitor the governor's proposed FY25 state budget and its impact on local aid. There is much to be done." If I had a crystal ball, it appears Framingham is in for a tough budget season.
FYI: Governor Healey’s FY25 budget allotted $85,939,763 in Chapter 70 funding (for schools), roughly a $1m more over FY24. Unrestricted funding is allotted $12,250,410, about $357,000 more over FY24.
Major goal of the year = Finish what we started: The Sisitsky Administration made a number of large real estate purchases over the last year. The Mayor says his goal for the year is to continue working on current projects: southside elementary school, community center, 180 Concord Street with a regional dispatch center, regional justice center, Mary Dennison Park, Arlington Street Park, and upgrades to other parks around the city. He also added new projects of a public-private collaboration for a community pool, and using Nevins Hall as a performing arts center.
Community events the pillar of success: Sisitsky touted the Farmers Market, fireworks for the July 4, Flag Day parade, the Purple Heart Community celebration, among other events, as a huge success in bringing the community together. He also shared that fireworks are back this year and to mark your calendar for June 28.
Housing, major developments, economic development overlooked: It was surprising to me there was no mention of any of the major housing developments in front of the city or any discussion about rezoning, and the ongoing housing crisis. Besides the mention of Seabra Market moving into the old Salvation Army building (which is exciting!), there was little vision shared about attracting new businesses to the area. Considering Framingham’s growth was $1.7 million short of what was projected last year, I am concerned there were no plans on how to increase our growth. Economic growth = more $$ for services and keeps the city affordable.
Hope for Framingham Union: The Mayor cited he has met with the leadership of MetroWest Medical Center, and the public hearing held two weeks ago. “Efforts are ongoing… we all hope that these efforts will help rectify these issues and return the hospital to the vital resources our community needs and deserves.”
More people are volunteering: There were 311 applicants, representing every district, for open seats on boards and commissions. This is a 124% increase from 2022. 62% of the applicants have indicated that they have never served on a board before. Love seeing more civic engagement!
Traffic, traffic, traffic: Besides apartments, traffic is the number one issue in Framingham. Sisitsky cited new calming measures on Grove Street and in Coburnville, and announced improvements are scheduled for the intersection at Arthur & Bishop Streets, finishing up design for reconstruction of McGrath Square in Saxonville, and the state will begin work on a new signalized intersection at Central Street & Edgell Road in the spring. A Traffic Division will be established “to make it easier for residents in neighborhoods to obtain quicker results to their requests for solving traffic issues throughout the City.”
Internship program returning: Another really exciting program in the city: the summer internship program. Last year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards created and implemented the program for college students. 8 interns worked in the Memorial Building, Police and Fire Departments. Thanks to the program, one of the interns received a job offer from the FPD. The program returns this summer. Students, apply!
What Oprah says…: Sisitsky quoted The Queen of All Media for everyone to keep in mind - “Oprah Winfrey reflected on the gift of gratitude. “In order to feel it, your ego has to take a backseat. What shows up in its place is greater compassion and understanding. Instead of being frustrated, you choose appreciation. And the more grateful you become, the more you have to be grateful for.””
To read the Mayor’s speech, visit his website or watch it on the Government Channel.
MassBay Opens New Campus
Exciting day for Framingham: MassBay Community College’s Center for Health Sciences, Early Childhood, and Human Services opened at the corner of Mt. Wayte and Franklin Streets.
First MassBay Building Since 1961: This 68,500-square-foot, four-story facility is a net zero energy-ready building with state-of-the-art equipment and labs designed to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. This Center marks the first building constructed for the College since its establishment in 1961.
Moving on up: MassBay was in the Farley Building for 33 years until they moved to this new building.
What programs are offered: The program offerings will produce skilled professionals to address urgent regional workforce needs in healthcare, elementary education, behavioral health, social work, and more.
Programs available at the Center:
Health Sciences
Associate in Science Degree Programs
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
General Studies: Health Sciences
Nursing
Paramedicine
Radiologic Technology (Day and Flex)
Surgical Technology
Certificate Programs
Behavioral Health Technician
Central Processing Technology
Computed Tomography
Certified Nursing Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Medical Coding
Medical Office Administrative Assistant
Paramedicine (Day and Evening)
Phlebotomy
Practical Nursing (including night class)
Sonography
Education & Human Services
Associate in Arts Degree Programs
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Human Services
Associate in Science Degree Program
Behavioral Health
Early Childhood Education
Certificate Programs
Direct Support
Early Childhood Education
Human Services
Infant-Toddler Teacher
Substance Abuse
Non-Credit Programs
Behavioral Health Technician
Interactive, top of the line classrooms: 12 classrooms, 10 active-learning labs, student support, and faculty and staff offices. The active-learning labs include the following:
Accredited Simulation Center with human simulators, four patient rooms and areas: hospital, apartment, labor and delivery and pediatric room, two computerized control rooms, and two debriefing rooms
Immersive Lab (where learners experience fully immersive training environments as they interact through sights, sounds, smells, and touch with the healthcare environment)
Energized and non-energized x-ray lab and full body imaging phantom, PIXY, an anatomical and radiological phantom that is a repeatable, convenient substitution for patients
Central Processing Technology Lab
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) Lab
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Lab with simulated back of the ambulance
Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Labs
Paramedicine Lab with a Simulated Mobile Unit
Surgical Technology operating room lab with two operating room bays
Opens new possibilities: "This spring, MassBay is welcoming 25% more students than we did last spring; that's 661 more students," said MassBay President David Podell. According to Podell, the new evening nursing program will double the number of nurses graduating from MassBay. This program will go to help the nursing shortage around the state.
Green construction and design: Every part of the building was designed and built with sustainability in mind. There are solar panels on the roof and a canopy, stormwater garden and EV charging stations. Under the parking lot is a geothermal heating and cooling system. Crazy fact: 95% of the steel frame is made of recycled materials.
Ribbon cutting: The ribbon cutting ceremony took place Tuesday morning featuring remarks by Governor Maura Healey, Senate President Karen Spilka, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, State Representative Priscila Sousa, MassBay President David Podell.
Community Events
Repair Cafe is back! Bring your items to be repaired to Scott Hall (24 Vernon Street) on Saturday, February 24.
Also organizers are looking for additional volunteers who can sharpen knives (or want to learn how!) and fix sewing machines; sign up at: tinyurl.com/FramFixVolunteer if you can help!
The volunteers can work on items such as clean mendable clothing, knitted and crocheted items, lamps, small appliances, electronic devices that need button batteries, computers and other electronics, bikes, toys, jewelry, wheelchairs, and sewing machines. They can also sharpen straight knives, scissors, and garden tools. You pay for needed parts. If you know what parts are needed, please get them ahead of time and bring them to the Repair Café to save time.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Free event, but donate what you feel is fair so they can continue to host the Repair Cafe.
For more information, see their website.
To volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/FramFixVolunteer
The Repair Cafe is an all-volunteer project, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Framingham with support from Transition Framingham.
The Civic Week Ahead
Wednesday, January 31
Thursday, February 1
In Closing…
Reminder tomorrow, February 1, property taxes are due. If you haven’t paid already, you can do so online.
See you on Monday,
Mary Kate
Excellent detailed information about the happenings in Framingham presently and a glimpse of what's to come in the future. Thank you, Good Job