🔨 FORE! New Golf Course?!
Sisitsky Says He Is Running Again | School Committee Translates Meetings | New Energy Program | What’s Up with the Lights on Edgell/Central? | Logan Express Update | Community Events | The Civic Week
Good evening, Framingham. Big welcome to new folks who joined in the last few weeks!
While it is cold with snow on the ground, let’s think of spring with our first segment in this week’s letter.
1.| Fore! Golf Course Proposed for 9/90
Nine years after Town Meeting passed on purchasing the Millwood Farms Golf Course (which is now a housing development), a new golf course is proposed for Framingham.
The plans: Wedgelinks LLC of Sherborn is proposing a 9 hole executive golf course on 10.1 acres at 225 Crossing Boulevard. Once the site of a town landfill, it is located at 9/90, also home to Staples HQ.
Future plans for the course include a clubhouse, with a restaurant and bar, and a pro shop. It will have 39 parking spaces, along with using the current available parking. The facility will be accessed through the current driveway through 9/90.
Location: The proposed site neighbors the Southborough Golf Center and is across the MassPike from the Framingham Country Club. It is also near the Technology Park, Sanofi and Bose. According to the application submitted to the Planning Board, a traffic study was conducted “which determined there would only be minor increases in traffic volumes and no need for additional capacity improvements.”
Why 9 holes?: A 9 hole course is designed to be played relatively quickly. It is also a course that lends itself to more socializing (or business deals), than training the next Tiger Woods. The golf course will be open to the public, as will the future restaurant on site. It is anticipated to be open year round, “welcoming golfers and non-golfers to dine and relax.”
What’s next: The project is on the docket for Thursday’s Planning Board meeting.
2.| Sisitsky Says He Is Running Again
Election year kicked off early with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky telling the MetroWest Daily News that, yes, he is running for re-election.
Not the first time: Mayor Sisitsky has not hidden his plans for running for a second term. He first announced his intention at the September 2023 Framingham Business Association meeting, not even two years into his first term. Since then he has stated in public meetings and events that certain projects, like splash pads or more recently the Regional Justice Center, will be completed in his second term.
What he said: In his email response to the MWDN, Sisitsky wrote: "All these projects will significantly enhance the lives of residents, and I look forward to continuind [sic] to serve as Mayor to oversee the successful completion of these projects," Sisitsky wrote. "My administration has had successes and made progress, yet there remains work to be done, which is why I am seeking re-election as Mayor."
Four months before the official start of election season: Nomination papers will be available on May 30 for Mayor, Council, School Committee, Library Trustees and Cemetery Trustees. No one has announced their intention to challenge Mayor Sisitsky at the time of this publishing.
Also recently announced, the Mayor is scheduled to give his yearly State of the City address on Monday, January 27 at 7:00pm in Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building.
Should be an interesting year. Stay tuned.
3.| School Committee Translates Meetings
Beginning this month, School Committee meetings will offer live interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese and ASL.
Accessible meetings: The new translation offerings will start on the Wednesday, January 22, 2025 meeting. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be in dedicated Zoom channels, while ASL is available on-screen during the meetings.
What they said: “We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the diverse voices of our community. These interpretations are an important step in making our meetings accessible and engaging for all families,” said School Committee Chair Jessica Barnhill in a recent letter to the school community.
To access the meeting in your preferred language:
Join the Zoom Meeting using the link provided in the meeting agenda. That link will bring you to a screen to register for the meeting. Once you have registered, you will be emailed information to join the meeting.
Once the Chair and interpreters have read the announcement for interpretation, in your meeting/webinar controls, click Interpretation (with a world symbol)
Click the language that you would like to hear.
(Optional) To hear the interpreted language only, click Mute Original Audio.
4.| New Energy Program
Framingham Community Electricity is coming this spring.
What is it?: It is a group electricity buying program for residents and businesses. Eversource remains our electricity delivery utility. But Framingham will buy cleaner electricity from First Point Power.
How does this affect my power bill?: The program has three supply choices with three different price points. These prices are fixed until March 2027. Eversource will continue to send your bill, you will continue to pay them and it is the only bill you will receive. Bills will not come from the Framingham Community Electricity.
What about service?: Eversource will still be your primary electricity provider. If your power goes out, call Eversource.
How do I participate?: All Framingham customers on Eversource’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled in March 2025. Participation is not required, and you can opt out before being enrolled or at any time in the future with no penalty or fee.
Keep your eyes open for a mailer from the Framingham Community Electricity arriving in your mailbox in the next few weeks.
Opt-Out Period begins from January 24 to February 26, 2025.
Where do I learn more?: Shawn Luz, Sustainability Coordinator, gives a presentation on the new program at Tuesday’s Council meeting. You can view his Powerpoint presentation by clicking here. You can also visit the Framingham Community Electricity website by clicking here.
5. | What’s Up with the Lights on Edgell/Central?
If you are like me and drive through the Edgell and Central intersection on a daily basis, you may be wondering to yourself “When are the lights being turned on?”
The signals were supposed to be activated by MassDOT last month. Now the new date is Friday, January 17.
Line drawing should be completed today, Monday. Signal and camera programming is scheduled for Friday. However, this is all weather dependent. If it is too cold or snowing, this may delay it further. We’re looking at 37 degrees and mostly sunny that day. So, we’ll see what happens!
6.| Logan Express Update
Construction on the Logan Express terminal in Shopper’s World has begun. Massport is increasing the facility to seven floors providing 2100 parking spaces.
If you need to park for the Logan Express, park at the Natick Mall Garage F.
Community Events
Christmas Tree Collection
Christmas is officially over, I guess! This week the DPW is collecting trees.
Please put out your real/live/organic tree on your regular trash curbside collection day.
Don’t forget to play my family’s game of “find the forgotten ornament” before putting your tree to the curb!
Do You Know an Outstanding Senior?
Nominations are open for the 5th Annual Senior Heroes Awards. Do you know someone who gives and gives to our community?
There are four categories for the awards:
Culture/Arts: Performing arts, painting, poetry, playwriting, music, dance, video, singing/vocal, etc., celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
Social Development: Programs that improve or promote positive interactions among people from different ethnic groups, abilities, gender identities, and ages, such as sports, after-school programs, special events, or other activities.
Health or HealthCare: Efforts that focus on the populations whose access has been limited due to race, gender, gender identity, language, disability, immigration status, etc.
Public Service: Contributed this way with their volunteer service on our municipality's boards, councils or committees, Town Meetings, or former elected officials
Guidelines: Nominees must be 60+ years old, not employed by the city, or currently elected or candidates for political office. Current Council on Aging Board members are also ineligible.
Deadline: February 3, 2025 Submit your application online by clicking here.
Framingham Night at the Railers
Hey all you hockey fans! Framingham is taking over the Worcester Railers on January 19.
The Railers take on the Wheeling Nailers at 3:05pm at the DCU Center in Worcester. Doors open at 2pm. $4 for every ticket sold will go to Framingham Youth Hockey.
Framingham will feature throughout the game with players enjoying some ice time before the game, while community members will sing, with other shout outs.
Tickets are $26 and $29 plus fees. Purchase your tickets here.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, January 13
4:30pm: School Committee Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Agenda
6:00pm: Council Rules, Ordinances and Ethics Subcommittee Agenda
6:00pm: Keefe Technical High School Committee Agenda
6:00pm: 325th Anniversary Celebration Committee Agenda
7:00pm: Board of License Commissioners Agenda
7:00pm: Team Framingham Agenda
7:00pm: Board of Library Trustees Agenda
7:00pm: Community Preservation Committee Agenda
7:15pm: SIFOC Agenda
Tuesday, January 14
Wednesday, January 15
Thursday, January 16
7:00pm: Planning Board Agenda
In Closing…
Podcast is returning for season 2. Who is/are doing interesting work making an impact on Framingham? Who would you like to hear from? Open to suggestions!
Believe in Framingham,
Thank you for all your effort to democratize this information and keep us informed. Honestly, your newsletter has become one of the best sources I've ever found for keeping up with things in our fair city!