🔨 Centre Common Menorah Vandalized
CFO Resigns | One Step Closer to a New School | Celebrate New Years Eve of the Cochituate Rail Trail | Civic Week Ahead
What a blustery day, Framingham.
Storms like this remind me of the classic “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” which was a big favorite of my sister’s when we were growing up.
The intense storm is how I feel about Framingham at the moment. While there are a number of really good things happening - new community center, southside school, trails, geothermal project, Seabra market moving Downtown - there is this underlying storm of uncertainty and discontent. Some of this, I think, is due to the lack of daily locally focused media to keep us all informed and people accountable.
However, I sense the increased friction between the tried and true “town government style practices” and the need to grow into the city government we are trying to create for the future. It is time for Framingham to shed its town mentality. It is holding us back in so many ways - from our finances to public transportation to public health to housing. And it prevents us from having the tough conversations we need to have. As a long time observer of Framingham, it is clear to me many believe it is uncouth to have these conversations. I would argue it is this attitude that has led us to where we are today.
We have so much talent, energy and ideas ready to burst. All of that needs to be empowered. By unleashing that talent, energy and ideas then we can truly grow into the city Framingham is destined.
I write to you every week with 3-5 issues/stories I’ve observed and want to share the facts with you. We have a great Ham’er community that continuously grows every week. Many of you have stopped me at events or in the store to tell me how much you enjoy reading this weekly dispatch. I am grateful for all of these interactions. As we go into 2024, I pledge to continue to write, research, observe and share the facts and my opinion on what is going on. But I need you, too, share this newsletter, email me with ideas or comments, and help me create a community around moving forward and always believing in Framingham.
It is all up to us. 2024 is going to be interesting on so many fronts. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Have a comment or question? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at mkfeeney@gmail.com
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Centre Common Menorah Vandalized
Centre Common Menorah was found knocked over and the sign in support of Israel placed in front of the menorah was missing, according to a release from the Framingham Police Department this morning.
The damage: The menorah was scratched and two light bulbs were damaged.
Suspect caught on camera: According to the FPD, video surveillance shows an individual knock the menorah over at 6:51pm on Saturday, December 16. Individual has not been identified. Investigators are actively working this case and treating it as a potential hate crime.
Do you have information? The FPD asks if anyone has any information please contact Detective Chris Teel at 508-532=6214. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 508-532-5900 or online https://www.framinghamma.gov/3345/Anonymopus-Crime-Tips .
My heart goes out to our Jewish community. There is zero tolerance for Anti-Semitism in Framingham. Hate has no home here. As a community we must do all we can to extend love, fight injustice, celebrate all religions, and, most of all, challenge ourselves to be better.
CFO Resigns
The end to a long saga: Louise Miller, Chief Financial Officer, is resigning effective Sunday, December 31.
A weird financial state of affairs: Miller’s resignation comes after a string of issues, including Councilor’s frustrations regarding lack of requested financial information, not having an accountant or assistant accountant, employees not knowing how to create reports in Munis, and concerns about the OpenGov software canceled by the Sisitsky Administration, and lastly the new temporary part time accountant discovering a $1.7 million shortfall in growth estimates, resulting in an additional $60 increase on tax bills.
How did this all begin?: If you haven’t been following along from the beginning, this all started back in the summer. On June 6, 2023 the Council voted 11-0 to include a provision in the annual appropriation order - part of the FY24 budget - requiring the Sisitsky Administration to report “any and all activity over the previous fiscal year” for all gift and special purpose accounts by October 1.
The Finance Committee, Councilors Cannon and Stefanini all asked numerous times since July, publicly and privately, for all activity of the checkbooks of the City, special accounts, ARPA funds, and quarterly reports of the City.
As of the December 5th meeting, Councilors received a FY24 Q1 report, and the end of the year budget. Throughout the day of December 5th, more documents were uploaded on a new document page that now includes EOY and Quarterly reports, and bizarrely 20 years of audit reports. The agenda for tomorrow night’s Council meeting outlines how to find what documents where on the website.
My comments: This was a completely unnecessary self induced wound for the CFO. Instead of waiting until November to state the accountant roles were vacant since July, it should’ve been announced in…July. Instead of waiting until November to say no one knows how to run reports in Munis, say it as soon as you are having difficulty running these reports. I always say “transparency” is the center square on the Framingham bingo card. People love to talk about it. They expect it. Yet, it seems to always be an issue regardless of person or administration. Being upfront and honest about the current situation will save a ton of grief.
I am glad information was finally posted online. However, I miss the days of the old program where I could search anything in the Framingham budget, from contracts to payroll and see exactly what was spent by who, the amount and to whom. This is what is missing. There are a lot of entries saying “Amazon Capital Services Inc” or “Mutual One Bank” and we have no idea for what.
It’ll be interesting to see how the new Council starting in January will handle these issues in the next session.
One Step Closer to a New School
And now onto happier news: Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) officially invites Framingham Public Schools into the eligibility period to explore funding for a new school south of 135.
Meeting held last Wednesday: Framingham was invited to present this project to the MSBA at their meeting last week. Senate President Karen Spilka spoke about the needed and her support for a new school. School Committee Chair Jessica Barnhill of District 8 also spoke, while Council Chair Phil Ottaviani, District 8 Councilor John Stefanini, School Committee members Adam Freudberg and Tiffanie Maskell, and State Representative Priscila Sousa were in attendance.
Why do we need a new southside school?: School officials believe this new school will help address inequalities in the system. Three of our nine elementary schools are in South Framingham, while 6,000 students out of 9,000 total in the district live there. In advocating for a new school, Barnhill says FPS spends $500,000 per year to drive kids in grades k-5 to and from school. And that is just her district.
School will replace current school: This project is technically a replacement for Hemenway Elementary School in Nobscot. Built in 1961, Hemenway is next on the list for renovation or replacement. Due to it being on a challenging small plot of land, building a contemporary school with a pre-school at its current location is not realistic.
Where will the new school be located?: The Council and the School Committee approved the site and purchase of property on Bethany Road. The Council gave the Mayor the okay to purchase the 32-acre site for $9 million.
Next steps: The Mayor, School Committee and Council are in the process of appointing people to the newly created 13 member Framingham School Building Committee.
Community Events
Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the Cochituate Rail Trail!
Join your neighbors for a walk along the trail, and enjoy hot cocoa, s’mores, music, and fun. Visit various tents with fire pits, games and activities.
Huge thank you to our first sponsor MutualOne Bank! They are always there for Framingham, and we are so grateful for their support.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, December 18
Tuesday, December 19
Wednesday, December 20
7:00pm: School Committee Agenda
Thursday, December 21
7:00pm: Planning Board Agenda
In Closing…
“For uncounted millions, Christmas expresses the deepest hopes for a world of peace where love rather than mistrust will flourish between neighbors.”
- John F. Kennedy
This is the last issue of 2023.
As we mark this holiday season, may we renew our commitment to one another - reach out to our neighbors, comfort those in need of solace, be stewards of our planet and celebrate our community. May the spirit and generosity of the season stay with us throughout the year.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!
Hope to see you on the Cochituate Rail Trail on NYE,
Mary Kate
How sad and disrespectful of the person or persons who did this. Such evil prevails. People forget to treat others as you would want them to treat you and respect others property and others beliefs as you would want them to respect yours. Shame on those that vandalized the Menorah. I pray they find and arrest whoever is responsible.
Have they made the video of the vandalism public or found the individual?