🔨 Fed $$ No Go for Community Center
Remembering John Stasik | Framingham Union NICU Hearing Scheduled | CPA Public Hearing Tonight | Mayor’s D4 Forum Tonight | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Good afternoon, Framingham.
Framingham lost one of its longtime champions a few weeks ago.
John Stasik was a former State Representative, Selectman, and Planning Board member. He loved his neighborhood of Saxonville, and was one of the founders of the Friends of Saxonville.
“John was Framingham’s own Jimmy Carter. He was devoted to God, served his community, and dedicated to his family. He was a wonderful man and a dear friend,” wrote former State Representative John Stefanini, who served with Stasik at the State House.
Stasik was passionate about the environment and public transportation. An avid cyclist, John rode his bike every day to Weston Middle and High School where he taught science. Sometimes, he’d ride into the State House.
“I really believe more people would cycle or commute to work if they really felt it would be safe,” he told the Boston Globe in May 1994.
He was an early supporter of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, then known as the LIFT in Framingham. He was the Chair of the Transportation Task Force of the MetroWest Growth Management Committee, which was involved with traffic patterns and safe roadways in the redesign of the Golden Triangle. He advocated for sound barriers protecting the neighborhoods along the MassPike.
Former State Senator David Magnani shared with me, “He was a champion for his district as a whole, but also for each person individually. He was a very smart guy who had an easy-going sense of humor and took the job seriously without taking himself too seriously.
John was a very good man and a very competent and committed legislator. He had the respect of all his colleagues at the State House, including those on the other side of the aisle. Framingham has lost one of its best. May he rest in peace.”
When the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, charged with distributing federal highway funds, Stasik encouraged Stefanini to run for a seat on the board. To this day, Framingham remains represented.
I will always remember him as the guy who rode his bike throughout Framingham. He saw a Framingham interconnected with safe bike routes, light rail, and buses. Certainly a vision I embrace.
Rest in peace, Rep. Stasik. Thank you for your service.
Rep. Stasik’s obituary with funeral arrangements is online by clicking here.
1.| Fed $$ No Go for Community Center
Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announced that anticipated federal funding for the city's planned community center was excluded from the recent spending bill.
The project aimed to transform the former Marian High School property, purchased for $3.35 million in 2023, into a community center with a gym, pool, and 750-seat theater.
Earmarks requested by Senators Markey, Warren, and Rep. Katherine Clark for fiscal year 2025 were not included in the stopgap funding bill signed by President Trump on March 15.
Why it matters: The timeline for the community center's development is pushed back, as the city was depending on federal money to continue work.
What they said: “We’re exploring other avenues for funding with a public-private partnership, but we’re still going to be working on applying for federal grants and hope that some of them will slip through and we’ll be successful in getting some more money.” - Mayor Sisitsky
How much are construction costs?: When asked how much the entire project will cost, the Mayor said he would not know until his Advisory Committee works with his administration in developing a plan for the building.
By the numbers:
Rep. Clark had requested $5 million for renovations
Senators Markey and Warren had requested $11,000 for ADA compliance and green energy resources
What's next: The day after the Mayor announced the federal funds issue, the city installed a new “coming soon” sign in front of Marian High School. The city is using existing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for new windows and roofing.
Share your thoughts: The Advisory Committee has put together a survey asking residents for input on how the community center should be used. You can take the survey online by clicking here.
2.| Framingham Union NICU Hearing Scheduled
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s public hearing on the closure of Framingham Union’s NICU is set for Wednesday, April 9.
Why it matters: Dallas-based Tenet Health plans closing the Level IIB Special Care Nursery this June.
The CEO of the MetroWest Medical Center John Whitlock shared the news with Mayor Sisitsky and DPH earlier in February.
Next steps: DPH is required by state law to hold a public hearing that “shall take place in the hospital’s service area.” This occurred when Tenet attempted to close the cancer center a few years ago.
Hearing information: The hearing is scheduled to be held in Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building. According to the Sisitsky Administration release, no time has been announced.
3.| CPA Public Hearing Tonight
Framingham's Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing to finalize project recommendations for fiscal year 2025 funding.
The meeting takes place March 24 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building's Blumer Room.
Public can attend in person or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85810428638
Why it matters: These projects impact community housing, recreation, and historic preservation initiatives throughout Framingham.
Projects under consideration:
JFS MetroWest Rental Subsidies Initiative 2025
Carlson Crossing East - Accessible Units
Splash Pad at Cushing Park
Carol Getchell Nature Trail Middle Section
Framingham History Center - Edgell Memorial Library Woodwork Restoration
Framingham History Center - Academy Building Fire Alarm
Creating and Improving Recreational Opportunities on Framingham Trails
What's next: After the final review and vote, recommendations will go to the Framingham City Council for approval.
Go deeper: Application documents are available in Room 205 of the Memorial Building or on the Community Preservation webpage.
The bottom line: Public input is encouraged on these projects that support "continued growth and improvement of our community."
5.| Sisitsky District 4 Meeting Tonight
Mayor Sisitsky continues his one hour district tour on Monday, March 24 with District 4. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria at Juniper Hill School/BLOCKs at 6:30pm.
The Mayor brings several of his department heads, like public works and recreation, to answer various questions about traffic and safety, etc. Councilor Mike Cannon and School Committee Member Adam Freudberg also are invited.
Community Events
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, March 24
Tuesday, March 25
Wednesday, March 26
Thursday, March 27
In Closing…
See you next week!
Believe in Framingham,
Just a heads up - the link for the survey is broken.
I feel like the cancer center is different from the NICU issues - the cancer center was able to be purchased by a different medical center because of what it does and how it's housed separately from the hospital.
I was fortunate enough not to need the NICU at Framingham Union when my kids were born there, but I think of all the women who live near by who may have to be separated from their babies if the NICU is gone and their baby needs one but they also continue to need postpartum care. People will go elsewhere and then we'll lose maternity services altogether. Which is probably Tenet's goal because they're horrible.