đ¨ Getchell Trail Reopens
City Seeks New CFO | The Blazers Return | Senior Awards | Community Events | Civic Week Ahead
Just keep truckinâ along, Framingham.
A reminder for those with live Christmas Trees - DPW will be out this week collecting your tree from the curb. Theyâll pick it up on your regular trash day.
Donât forget to look for that last, hidden ornament! (There is always one.)
NEWS & UPDATES
1.| Carol Getchell Trail: Now Open to Everyone
The north and south sections of the Carol Getchell Nature Trail are officially complete, and honestly? Theyâre stunning.
Why it matters: These arenât just pretty pathways along the Sudbury River. Theyâre ADA-accessible trails that actually meet Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG). Translation: If you use a wheelchair, walker, or stroller, you can finally access this gorgeous riverside setting.
Whatâs new:
Smooth, stable surfaces suitable for wheelchairs and walkers
Two scenic viewing platforms (wonderful for watching the beauty of the Sudbury River)
Four replaced bridges
1,000-foot boardwalk with viewing platform on the south section
The middle piece: Design work is underway to connect the north and south sections with 1,833 feet of trail. Expected completion: 2026. Once finished, youâll have a continuous accessible pathway along the Sudbury River.
By the numbers:
$250,000: Phase 1 funding for universally accessible trail
$650,000: Phase 2 funding for southern boardwalk
$105,000: Middle section design work
1,467 feet: North section length
1,000 feet: South section boardwalk
Who made this happen: This is a great example of collaboration. Community Preservation Act funding, MassTrails grants, Solomon Foundation, Friends of Saxonville, and volunteer support all came together.
What theyâre saying: âThis project is a model for how thoughtful planning and collaboration can enhance quality of life,â said Planning Director Sarkis Sarkisian.
Conservation Administrator Rebecca Nau called it a âhidden gemâ (sheâs not wrong) and noted the challenge of protecting the trailâs natural character while making improvements.
Who was Carol Getchell? Carol Getchell was Principal of Stapleton Elementary for 27 years and a founding member of Friends of Saxonville. The trail behind Stapleton was named in her memory.
About the trail: The nature trail was created in 2000 and it follows the course of the federally designated Wild and Scenic Sudbury River.
The bigger picture: Ron Chick, Framinghamâs representative to the stateâs Trail Access Working Group and my fellow co-founder of Friends of Framingham Trails, sums this project up perfectly: âThese trail sections represent more than just pathwaysâtheyâre connections that ensure everyone in our community, regardless of physical ability, can experience the beauty and tranquility of the Sudbury River.â
Go visit: The trail is in Saxonville and there are two trailheads: at Danforth Street and the other at the end of Little Farms Road.
2.| City Seeking New CFO
Just as the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process is beginning, the Sisitsky Administration announces the city is seeking a new Chief Financial Officer.
What happened? Mayor Sisitsky announced then-CFO Jennifer Prattâs departure from the position at the budget meeting held on December 30 with the Council, School Committee and Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee. Her final day in the role was December 31.
The role: The administration posted the job description on January 5. The position will remain open until it is filled. Pratt is Sistiskyâs second CFO, having been appointed to the position in August 2024. Before that, she was interim after CFO Louise Miller left Framingham at the end of 2023.
Why it matters: The CFO oversees literally all the money stuff. Weâre talking a $380+ million budget, tax collections, payroll, and pension management.
The search begins: Mayor Sisitsky is looking for someone with serious credentials:
Bachelorâs degree in accounting, finance, business, or public administration (Masterâs preferred)
At least 10 years of progressively responsible municipal finance experience
5+ years in senior leadership
Deep knowledge of Massachusetts municipal finance law
Salary range: $175,000 - $200,000, depending on experience
Next steps: Applications go to the Mayorâs Office. Interested candidates should visit framinghamma.gov/jobs for the full job description and requirements.
3.| Framingham Blazers Band Returns
Strike up the band! Framingham Public Schools and Parks & Recreation are bringing back the Framingham Blazers Band - a community band that was the soundtrack to Framingham life for three decades.
Why it matters: Nostalgia aside, this reforming the band is a fun chance to rebuild something special that connected generations of Framingham musicians and gave kids a reason to keep playing after the school year ended.
Who can join: Anyone. All skill levels. All concert and marching instruments. If you can play (or want to learn again), youâre in. (Do you need a guitarist?)
A bit of history: The Blazers were founded in 1960 by Paul Bordeleau, a teacher at the former Lincoln Junior High School who later became Framingham North High Schoolâs first band director. His vision was simple: give Framingham kids somewhere to play their instruments during summer.
What started as a summer band became a full-blown family affair. Mothers and grandmothers sewed the iconic red and white striped blazers. Families volunteered. The organization grew to include a marching band, color guard, jazz band, stage band, and - wait for it - The Blazerettes, a baton-twirling troupe in matching red and white stripes.
Where they performed: Everywhere. Bowditch Field practices. Flag Day parades. Sporting events. Grand openings. Christmas shows at the old Shoppers World. You couldnât throw a baton in Framingham without hitting a Blazers event. (Iâm here all week, folksâŚ)
The glory days: By the mid-60s, they were a well-oiled machine traveling to the Seattle Worldâs Fair, New York Worldâs Fair, Expo â67 in Montreal, and Walt Disney World in the early 70s.
The end (and new beginning): The band disbanded sometime in the 1990s. (I actually donât remember the band at all.) Former members performed at the first Concerts on the Green in 1996, then... silence.
Until now.
How to join: Fill out the interest form at framinghamma.gov or email FraminghamBlazersBand@gmail.com
Rehearsals will be held locally in Framingham.
4.| Nominate a Senior Who Has Left Their Mark on Framingham
Nominations are open for the Framingham Senior Heroes Awards! These awards are given to four residents who are 60+ years old, who volunteer efforts reflect their value for diversity and show significant contributions to inclusivity in Framingham.
There are four categories:
⢠Culture/Arts: Performing arts, painting, poetry, playwriting, music, dance, video, and singing/vocal, etc. that celebrate 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 in this way with their volunteer service on our municipalityâs boards, councils or committees, Town Meetings or former elected officials.
Former public officials or residents of Framingham who are not currently employed by the city may be nominated for outstanding volunteer efforts that show they value diversity and inclusivity.
Nominations are open until February 9. To nominate someone, please fill out the form explaining why your person should be recognized. I look forward to celebrating this yearâs awardees!
Community Events
Youth Free Throw Contest
The Framingham Knights of Columbus Council is sponsoring their annual Youth Basketball Free Throw Content.
Open to all ages 9-14, the contest is held at St. Stephenâs gym on Saturday, February 7 from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Winners of the contest move onto the district, then regional and state championship.
Saxonville Mills to Host Community Q&A on Demolition of 1639 Concord Street
Saxonville Mills will host a Community Question & Answer session to provide information and address public questions regarding the demolition of 1639 Concord Street.
The informal session will offer neighbors, patrons, and interested community members an opportunity to learn more about the project and engage directly in discussion.
When: Thursday, January 15 5:00 p.m. â 5:30 p.m.
Location: Saxonville Mills CafĂŠ & Roastery
Community members are encouraged to stop by during the scheduled time to ask questions and share feedback.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, January 12
Tuesday, January 13
Wednesday, January 14
Thursday, January 15
In ClosingâŚ
A reminder I have a new newsletter for all of my Council activities - the D3 Dispatches. This monthly newsletter will contain updates on the Council, what Iâm working on, D3 events, volunteer opportunities, along with more commentary from me on the issues.
If you would like to subscribe to that list, you can by clicking here for the sign up form. (You do not have to live in D3 to receive it, btw.)
Believe in Framingham,
Great work
Framingham is fortunate to have you
You are using your God given talents.