Farm livin’ is the life for me…
“Agrihood” Proposed for Grove Street | Fuller School Project Under Budget | DFI Hires Director | CPO Joins Administration | Sisitsky to Give State of City Address | Around the City | The Week Ahead
The roads were tough this afternoon as the snow was coming down faster than I think anyone expected! Stay safe out there as you drive around.
While this is a slow time of the year, there is plenty for us to catch up on - new projects, new hires, and events. Let’s dig in…
“Agrihood” Proposed for Grove Street
Forget Hooterville, you can channel your inner Oliver Wendell Douglas with your own piece of green acres at the newly proposed Baiting Brook Farm on Grove Street.
What is an “agrihood”? Proposed by project lead Doug Stephan of Eastleigh Farm and partner Greg Cohen, an agrihood is a neighborhood that combines housing with farming. Their proposal is 60 units of housing, including single family and duplexes, built on farm property. 65% of the land is preserved for open space, growing crops, raising animals and other agricultural activities.
Where is it located? On 51 acres of farm land at 1060 Grove Street, more commonly known as the Fafard property. Developer Howard Fafard attempted for years to turn his property into a housing development; the latest proposal was for a “Florida-style gated community”. His proposals met with displeasure from neighbors, and faced many rounds of review with the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. Fafard died in January 2021. The property was sold in 2022.
So…do I have to farm to live here? Nope. Farming is not a requirement for the over 55 housing complex. The property includes an existing full stable and indoor riding ring. Stalls are for rent to keep your horse. And the houses will be built around the existing trees. The current house will turn into “The Nest” , a club house of sorts for gatherings and parties. Starting price for a house… $1.25 million.
What’s next? A pre-application hearing was held in front of the Planning Board on Thursday. January 5. No applications have been submitted to the City at that time. Click here to view the presentation in the Planning Board directory.
Unclear if a pig named Arnold will also be in residence.
… okay that is enough 1960’s tv jokes for this issue…
Fuller School Project Under Budget
The Fuller Middle School School Building Committee wrapped up its work this month.
Savings for taxpayers: With the work complete, including the new synthetic multi-purpose fields installed last fall, the School Building Committee announced the project came under budget.
By the numbers:
The project appropriation was $98.3 million
The Massachusetts School Building Authority provided $39.4 million for the project
Project came in under $4.3 million, which no longer needs to be bonded
Saving taxpayers an average of $7 a year, from $101 to $94
What they are saying: “The new Fuller Middle School continues to be a hallmark of our district and has reimagined the ways in which teaching and learning happens in a space that allows for visible modeling and hands-on experiences to make learning tangible for our students. On behalf of our students, their families and caregivers, and our staff, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude to the taxpayers of the City of Framingham for their support of this project.” said Dr. Robert Tremblay, Superintendent of Framingham Public Schools.
The newest school in Framingham: The new Fuller Middle School opened in the fall of 2021. The voters approved the new school in an election in December 2018.
DFI Hires Director
Downtown Framingham, Inc, hired Reyad Shah as its next executive director.
What is DFI? Its mission is to support Downtown businesses and neighborhoods. DFI sponsors Oktoberfest, Yoga on the Common and other events throughout the year. Shah is the third director of DFI since 2021. While DFI is a non-profit, the salary for the DFI Executive Director is funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Framingham.
Who is Shah? A son of Framingham, Shah attended Framingham Public Schools, and most recently worked there as the manager of the Secondary Out of School Time Program, which provides after school activities for FPS students. He joined the DFI Board in March 2020.
Good luck with the new role, Reyad!
CPO Joins Administration
More hiring news… Heather Gutierrez is our newest Citizen Participation Officer.
Third time's a charm: Gutierrez, a resident of Ashland, received the stamp of approval from the Council last Tuesday. Gutierrez is the third CPO nominee in a year. Keziah Franca, hired last February, returned to her job with FPS. Pamela Nichols got the thumbs up for the job back in November, but ended up withdrawing due to family concerns.
Who is Gutierrez? Gutierrez currently works for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services. She has previously worked for the City Solicitor's Office in Marlborough. She starts on Monday, January 30.
One of the only positions created in the Charter, the CPO is tasked with engaging residents and encouraging their active participation in our city government.
Welcome to Framingham, Heather!
Sisitsky to Give State of City Address
Mayor Charlie Sisitsky gives his second State of the City Address on Tuesday, January 31 at 7pm. The speech will be given in Nevins Hall of the Memorial Building.
All are welcome to attend. The address will also be streamed on the City of Framingham’s Facebook page and the Government Channel.
I’ll be breaking down the Mayor’s address is an upcoming issue of The Ham’er.
Around the City
There is always something going on in Framingham. Here are some upcoming events to share:
Educator Release + Hoops & Homework Fundraiser at Exhibit 'A' Brewing
What: Come raise money for Hoops & Homework and enjoy some Educator dark lager at the same time!
Live music by Colt & The Coyotes
Food for purchase from The Chubby Chickpea
When: Saturday, January 28, 6-9pm
Winter Indoor Market at Eastleigh Farm
When: Sunday, January 29 from 11am - 4pm
League of Women Voters Annual Meeting
Join the LWV to get involved in promoting civic life and awareness in Framingham! Interested? Contact framinghamlwv@gmail.com
Meeting Sunday, January 29 via Zoom. Members will receive link.
Coburnville Tripoli Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting
When: Monday, January 30 at 7:00 PM at the Columbus Club
The Week Ahead
Note: Due to weather, all Monday meetings were canceled.
Tuesday, January 24
10:00 AM: Retirement Board
7:00 PM: Council: Finance Subcommittee
Agenda includes: salary adjustment for the City Clerk Position; a change in class and compensation for positions within the Water and Sewer Department; consideration for the addition of 3 positions for the Community Development and Planning Department; and capital budget discussion for DPW and Water & Sewer Enterprise.
Wednesday, January 25
5:30 PM: Veterans Council
Agenda includes: Update on the research on the cleaning of the Veteran’s Headstones at Edgell Grove Cemetery and Update on the Vietnam Memorial plaque in the Memorial Building with the missing Veteran names.
7:00 PM: Sustainability Committee
Agenda includes: Sustainability Coordinator's Update
7:00 PM: Disability Commission
Agenda includes: ADA Transition Plan – Open Space and Recreation Plan and updates on curb cuts, including upcoming DPW meeting
That’s a wrap! Thank you for reading The Ham’er. As always, I welcome and appreciate every email with comments and suggestions. If there is something you think I should include, let me know.
See you around the ‘ham!
-Mary Kate