Detour Here, There & Everywhere
Delays with Union Ave | One Step Closer to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail | Splish Splash | Progress on Bethany and Danforth Projects | The Week Ahead
Huge congratulations to the Framingham High Marching Band & Color Guard upon winning first place and earning a platinum medal at the New England Scholastic Band Association championship. This is FHS’ first win.
Wonderful news to start the week!
Delays With Union Ave
Getting around Framingham always had its challenges. Lately driving feels like there is a detour on every road. Whether it is construction on Edgell Road or a train derailment on Waverly Street, something is always causing backups, delays and headaches. The biggest source of frustration is Union Avenue.
Per Councilor At Large George King’s request, Department of Public Works Director Robert Lewis came to the Council meeting to give an update on the Union Avenue construction. King stated that when the project was announced no one really saw what it was going to look like, and as he travels down Union Ave, he is left with more questions than answers.
The current status: The project is slightly delayed. MassDOT, who is overseeing this project and declined to attend the Council meeting, stated in written answers to Lewis that issues with the utilities and telephone poles have caused the delay.
Phase 2 is scheduled to begin next season in April. Final paving is scheduled to begin in fall 2023.
Bridge work should continue throughout the winter. If, for some reason it does not, this potentially pushes the completion of the project to 2024.
What about the curbing? There are many complaints about mixing the old and new materials for curbs. According to Lewis, this is industry standard to use good current material, and replace anything unusable. This is to keep the cost of the project manageable, considering the cost of granite.
What’s next? The Minuteman statue is back in the new rotary at Buckminster Square. Detours will continue through this winter. Any sidewalks not filled in will be finished before the season ends.
Fingers crossed this project is on time and we only have a year left of detours.
One Step Closer to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
As a cyclist, I am eagerly awaiting for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) to come to Framingham. Year after year the BFRT is the topic of discussion with very little movement from the city to acquire the land from CSX for the rail trail.
Until last week… Mayor Sisitsky and COO Michael Tusino announced the city has negotiated a purchase price of $5 million dollars with CSX. “This is a huge achievement for the city. We should all celebrate,” said Mayor Sisitsky. The Sisitsky Administration asked the Council to approve $6 million for the purchase of the land several months ago. Since then the Administration negotiated down the price and other conditions with CSX.
What is the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail?: The BFRT follows the old New Haven Railroad Framingham & Lowell line. It is a 25 mile route that travels through Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury and Framingham. Sudbury is currently working on their phase of the project.
Next steps: Mayor Sisitsky said the BFRT was one of his top priorities when he was sworn in as Mayor in January. The Mayor said he is committed to bringing a “first class” rail trail to Framingham. The Sisitsky Administration is in the process of drafting the purchase and sale agreement. That agreement goes to the Council for approval. Then the Administration will begin the process of survey and design.
Splish Splash…
With the closing of the Keefe Tech pool, Framingham is without a pool for its swim teams and left a void in community swimming opportunities. The Keefe Tech pool needs $5 million in repairs.
Since the announcement of the closure in February of this year, community members have lobbied our elected officials for a new community pool. Mayor Sisitsky told the Council last week that he has had meetings with athletic directors, parents, coaches about a pool. He says the city is looking for sites for a community pool and working out ways to pay for its construction. Stay tuned.
But wait, there is more! Splash pads are at the top of many parents’ lists for years. With surrounding communities building pads for kids, parents want that same option here. There is even a Facebook group advocating for splash pads in Framingham.
So, are we getting a splash pad? Splash pads are included in the Capital Budget which will be released tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1. The splash pads are planned for locations throughout the city.
The Mayor is due to discuss the Capital Budget at a special Council meeting on Tuesday, November 29.
Progress on Bethany and Danforth Projects
There are two infrastructure projects in various stages of process happening in South Framingham: 1.) the revitalization of the old Danforth Building and 2.) the purchase of land on the Bethany property for a new school/education center.
The latest news on Danforth: The state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance is in the second phase of their “due diligence” to take over the property for a regional justice center.
Danforth Background: The Danforth Building, once home to the Danforth Museum and the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest, has been vacant since 2016. Since then several movies have been filmed in the building. In April 2021 it was announced the building was on the Commonwealth’s list for a new South Middlesex Courthouse. The new regional justice center would include the district court, the juvenile court, veterans court and housing court. The courthouse on Concord Street would be closed upon the opening of this new center.
The latest news on Bethany: The city and the Sisters of Saint Joseph have come to an agreement on parcel size and shape. Both groups are waiting for their respected appraisers to finish their work so they can enter negotiations.
Bethany Background: Framingham is in need of another elementary school south of Route 9. A study commissioned by Framingham Public Schools stated the property at 77 Bethany Road is the best option for the new 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 ⅔ of the student population live there. In advocating for a new school, School Committee Vice Chair Jessica Barnhill of District 8, where Bethany is located, says FPS spends $500,000 per year to drive kids in grades k-5 to and from school. And that is just her district.
The Council in March 2022 gave the okay for Mayor Sisitsky to start the process to acquire the property. The Council would have to approve the money for him to purchase the land.
The Week Ahead
Here are this week’s government meetings with some agenda items:
Tuesday, November 1:
Welcoming Ordinance Commission - 6:00 pm
Working on draft ordinance
Council: Appointments Subcommittee - 6:00pm
Reviewing and voting on candidates for Citizen Participation Officer, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, and Keefe Technical School Committee.
Council - 7:00pm
Presentation by the Assessor pertaining to proposed FY24 tax rates, and review and regulation of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) advertising practices
Wednesday, November 2:
Cultural Council - 7:00pm
Review of FY23 grant
Conservation Commission - 7:00pm
Thursday, November 3:
Planning Board - 7:00pm
Public hearing regarding site plan review for 1154 Worcester Road & 29 Mayhew Street. The applicant proposes to construct a 3500 SF cannabis dispensary.
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