🔨 Council Throws a Wrench in Bus Plan
Average Tax Bill Set to Go Up | Celebrating 325th Anniversary | Hearing Next Week on MBTA | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Good evening, Framingham.
A community has a number of legendary people - folks we know by name, or by actions, or by habits, or how they treat others. Zhang Xingquin, better known as “The Can Lady”, who pushed her massive shopping cart with bags filled with cans is one of Framingham’s legends. Sadly, we lost her in an accident on Edgell Road last Monday.
As I read stories about her interactions with people, it was clear she was kind hearted and reciprocated the generosity so many showed her. The Frost Street sign near the accident is now covered with flowers and notes. She may never have known it, but she left a mark on Framingham. She will be missed.
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Council Throws a Wrench in Bus Plan
FPS is bringing school buses in-house in response to the nightmare known as getting to school in the morning, lack of confidence in NRT, and the chronic absenteeism and tardiness of students.
Taking steps: The School Committee took the vote last March bringing bus transportation in-house, effective July 1, 2025. Drivers will be city employees with competitive wages and benefits. This is part of the multi-pronged process to bring back local control of buses.
Leasing buses: FPS will enter a five year lease-to-own agreement with Anderson Motors out of Rhode Island for 72 buses. Framingham would own the buses after the five years with no further fee or buyout costs, excluding ongoing preventative maintenance and related vehicle operating expenses.
Lease cost: Just under $2.5 million a year. Cost includes the lease, maintenance, inspections and documentation.
This contract was approved 9-0 by the School Committee last Wednesday, December 4.
Enter the Council: Since the contract is longer than three years, the Council must approve it. Several Councilors expressed their uncertainty and concerns about the contract at their meeting last Tuesday.
At-Large Councilor George King stated he doesn’t agree with the in-house plan, and isn’t convinced this plan hasn’t seen the “daylight it should”. The Council did meet in Executive Session about the contract with the city solicitor and School Committee members present.
“This is a major change in process and policy at the school department to bring this in-house. And it hasn’t been vetted in any serious way on a broad basis. I’m not saying the School Committee hasn’t talked about it. Certainly, we as approvers of the budget haven’t talked about it in any way.”
Others echoed concerns about future costs and questioned if NRT cannot hire drivers, why does FPS think it’ll have a better chance.
Council did not take a vote, but instead scheduled a separate meeting for further discussion and vote.
School Committee Irked: Meeting the following night, School Committee members aired their frustrations with the Council.
“Our parents and our constituents should be upset at the City Council and the way they behaved last night. They are not the ones watching their kids not getting to school. They don’t understand that 100 of our students have not stepped foot in a building this year because they don’t have rides to school. Over 100 kids have not been educated one day this year. And they don’t seem to understand that. ” - Tiffanie Maskell, District 7.
District 4 Member Adam Freudberg, who originally presented this idea, remarked that while change is hard, what FPS is proposing is exactly what was done pre-2011 when FPS started to contract out the buses.
Why go in-house?: Besides getting students to school and on time, FPS believes local control will allow for increased safety and compliance with inhouse vetting of drivers and setting of FPS safety standards, resources can be allocated where they are needed, and improved accountability. The proposed pay for drivers is $35 per hour and monitors is $22 per hour.
What’s next?: The Council meets tomorrow in both Executive Session and regular session tomorrow, Tuesday, December 10. FPS has provided additional information. A vote tomorrow is critical for FPS to meet their internal deadline of December 15 to secure businesses for a July 1 start.
“Moving in this direction now will secure new buses for the foreseeable future and eliminate uncertainty for the coming school years,” wrote Jessica Barnhill, Chair of the School Committee, in a memo to the Council.
Average Tax Bill Set to Go Up
Setting the rate: Last Tuesday the Council met with the Assessor to decide the tax rates for next year.
Residential Values increased thanks to new units: Residential values increased 9% in part of new housing projects like Baiting Brook Farm, and a strong rental market with more apartment projects in the pipeline. Commercial values increased by 8.5%, but office building values are still mixed.
New growth increased to $130,829,865 - which translates to tax levy growth of $2,394,855 for Fiscal Year 2025. This is an increase from the FY2024 tax levy, which was $2,294,859.
Split tax rate: Framingham has a split tax rate, so residential and commercial pay different percentages. For example, if you lessen the rate for residential, then commercial pays more. Framingham’s split tax rate is higher than communities around us, like Marlborough.
Deciding the shift: For the last few years, the Council has shifted by a point to decrease the commercial property tax in hope to attract new businesses and provide relief to small business owners. But this year, the mood in the room was different.
Long spoke as a former business owner saying businesses have tax write-offs, and residents cannot do that. King and Long agreed that the property tax and doing a “symbolic” shift by a point to commercial makes little impact on attracting businesses to Framingham.
“Symbolism hurts the homeowner more than it helps the business. It's a lot of money now to pay taxes on your house in Framingham,” said King, also saying the FY26 budget is already looking at a full 2.5% increase.
“I want to support the business community because I want to create value for residents down the road. I want to see new growth that lowers our residential tax rate. I want to see new growth that makes Framingham a desirable and desired place to live,” said D2 Councilor Brandon Ward.
Looking at our neighbor: Marlborough’s commercial rate in 2014 was $26, today it is $17. Residential tax rate was $17 in 2014 and now a decade later it is $10 . These changes are due to the city’s commercial expansion.
Looking at 2025: The Council voted to set the rate at 1.69. What does this mean for you? The average home is valued at $653,100 and the average tax bill will be $7798, an increase of $312 over last year.
Celebrating 325th Anniversary
2025 is shaping up to be a busy year in Framingham. Not only is it an election year, but Mayor Sisitsky announced Framingham will celebrate its 325th Anniversary. It is also the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutions, which the Commonwealth is celebrating in a major way.
Year long party: Yet to be named planned events will highlight historical, cultural, artistic, educational themes, “ensuring they reflect the rich diversity, history and achievements of the City of Framingham.”
Seeking ideas: The Sisitsky Administration is seeking ideas for events from organizations, residents and other boards and commissions. According to the press release, “Potential event ideas might include historical events, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, music concerts, or lectures and workshops.”
To submit a 325th idea or if you want to co-brand your event with the City 325th Committee click here to fill out the form.
Celebration Committee: 21 people were named to the 325 Celebration Committee, which was established by an executive order by the Mayor. Mayor Sisitsky named Framingham History Center Executive Director Anna Tucker and Framingham Public Information Officer Susan Petroni co-chairs of the committee.
Reminder: MBTA Communities Act Public Hearing Next Week
Public hearing: The Council and Planning Board are scheduled for a joint meeting and public hearing about the MBTA Communities Act on Tuesday, December 17.
The hearing starts at 7:00pm in the Blumer Room in the Memorial Building (150 Concord Street).
Need more info?: I’ll have a recap and some thoughts in next Monday’s letter. But if you need a refresher on what’s going on or you haven’t been following, please check out the MBTA Communities page I set up with everything I’ve written on the topic.
Community Events
Framingham Baseball & Framingham Fire Department 21st Annual Toys for Tots: Tuesday, December 10 at 6pm at Samba Steak and Sushi. Join us for our annual event, bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl. The toys will benefit Timothy’s Toy Box and area kids in need. Appetizers served, and a cash bar.
Yard Waste Facility Last Day: Sunday, December 15. The Yard Waste Facility is located on Dudley Road. Permitted residents may bring yard waste such as brush, leaves, grass, and plant waste. Hours of operation for the season: Friday & Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm, Sunday 11:00 am-3:00pm. Residents will need an up-to-date Recycling Center Permit to utilize the facility. Stickers are for fiscal years so July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Final Brush Collection: Final curbside collection occurs the week of December 8. Collection is on your trash/recycling day.
Culvert Replacement on Route 126 (Hollis Street) over Waushakum Pond Brook Virtual Design Public Hearing: Thursday, December 12 at 6:30pm, Virtual. The purpose of this Virtual Design Public Hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the culvert replacement project located on Route 126 (Hollis Street) over Waushakum Pond Brook in Framingham. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. To attend: www.mass.gov/orgs/highway-division/events
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, December 9
Tuesday, December 10
Wednesday, December 11
Thursday, December 12
6:00pm: Keefe Technical High School Committee Budget Subcommittee Agenda
In Closing…
Have a great week!
