🔨 Hospital Hearing this Wednesday
Coming Soon to Framingham | School Committee Extends Tremblay’s Contract | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Good evening, Framingham.
Among the major issues facing Framingham today, the future of Framingham Union hospital is at the top of the list.
Closing the NICU, I believe, is the next step in closing the maternity ward, and most likely the eventual closing of the hospital. Framingham Union is critical - absolutely critical - to our community. People may brush this off because they can go to Newton or Boston. But there are many people from all backgrounds and all parts of this city who cannot get to those places - Framingham is their closest hospital, their only hope.
This is why I asked State Rep. Priscila Sousa, who has been working on this issue, to share her thoughts on why Framingham Union is important. Please give it a read. And join us at the public hearing this Wednesday to fight for our community hospital.
OPINION
What proper medical access means to us
By State Representative Priscila Sousa
On Wednesday at 6pm, the state's Department of Public Health (DPH) will hold a hearing at Nevins Hall to discuss Tenet Healthcare's decision to eliminate some of the maternity services at MetroWest Medical Center.
Make no mistake, this is the first step towards closing every maternity service for Framingham. We have seen it happen in other parts of Massachusetts.
It is the canary in the coal mine - a warning that one of our major hospital departments is in danger and a precursor to other departments, like our ER, also eventually being on the chopping block.
In this particular instance, without labor, delivery and maternity services in Framingham, our most vulnerable neighbors are the most at risk because many of our families do not have the ability to go to other hospitals. While the state average for women with proper prenatal care is over 75%, Framingham's is 68.2%. Women without proper prenatal care are significantly more likely to need the NICU services Tenet Healthcare is trying to eliminate. It could very well result in new mothers being in Framingham separated from their babies, who would be taken to Brockton or Boston (where the hospitals have Level IIA & IIB NICU) to receive the care they need.
And again, the elimination of these services signals an eventual elimination of all labor and delivery care in Framingham where so many of us were born and have grown our families near home.
Many among us will have to decide between proper labor and delivery care and the productive running of their households including childcare for existing, maintaining proper income, and other obligations.
Our local economy DEPENDS on a workforce that has proper access to healthcare. We need to be LOUD and tell them what this hospital - what proper medical access - means to us. A community of this size NEEDS a good, fully functioning hospital. In 2024, a total of 10,781 patients were transferred to Framingham Union Hospital via ambulance. Of those, 6,736 patients originated from Framingham.
And it goes without saying, our hardworking doctors and nurses need a good hospital. Our nurses work in Framingham for love and their dedication is being tested at every shift when they’re expected to deliver their best level of care in unsafe conditions.
Three years ago when Tenet threatened to close the Cancer Center at MetroWest Medical Center, this community spoke up. We have to do this again. DPH is going to allow each one of us to get up on the microphone and share why this is important.
If you can, please join us and share why we need a good hospital with a high quality labor and delivery department.
State Representative Priscila Sousa has served the 6th Middlesex District since 2023. She currently sits on the Ways & Means, Public Health, and Education committees, advocating for her constituents' priorities in these crucial areas of policy. Rep. Sousa can be reached directly at Priscila.Sousa@mahouse.gov.
Public Hearing Information: Wednesday, April 9 at 6:00pm in Nevins Hall at the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street.
NEWS
1.| Coming Soon…
Time for a round up of what’s new and coming soon. And yes, there will be mentions of fried chicken.
What’s New
Coreanos: 1255 Worcester Road (Temple Street & Route 9) - First opened in Allston, the restaurant offers a fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisine. Framingham is their second location.
Coming Soon:
Raising Cane’s: 253 Cochituate Road (Rt. 30) - The long awaited, newest edition to Framingham’s own Fried Chicken Mile is projected to open May 20.
Cluck & Crispy Chicken: 75 Concord Street - No clucking way! There is another fried chicken place on the horizon. This time it is in Downtown Framingham. Cluck & Crispy features Korean fried chicken, which is smaller with a thinner crispy skin. To open sometime this spring.
Sweetgreen: Shopper’s World - After all that grease, it is time for a salad. Sweetgreen is taking over the Hot Panini site next to Chipotle. No date of opening announced as of publishing.
Dubom Supermarket: Trolley Square - Taking over the space from BazaAr Supermarket (which moved to 345 Cochituate Road) this market includes produce, bakery, butcher, & buffet. I can see it from my office window, and it looks like the opening is coming soon.
Anna’s Taqueria (Rt. 9 Natick) - Boloco has closed, and Anna’s is moving in right next to Ben & Jerry’s.
L.L. Bean: Route 9, next to Fresh Market - in the nonfood world, work has begun on a new retail location for the Maine legend.
Up in the air:
Amazon Fresh at Shoppers World: Appears to still be stalled.
Former Staples location on Route 9: Supposed to be an pet urgent care facility, but there is no sign of opening.
2.| Tremblay secures new four-year contract as Framingham superintendent
The School Committee unanimously approved a new contract for Superintendent Robert Tremblay that shifts to performance-based salary increases.
The contract runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030.
Major difference in this contract: The new compensation structure links Tremblay's salary directly to student outcomes and district performance, not inflation.
The big shift: Instead of automatic cost-of-living adjustments (currently capped at 3%), raises will be determined by MCAS results, chronic absenteeism rates, English language learning participation, and AP class enrollment at Framingham High School.
By the numbers:
$225,000: Tremblay's base salary at the start of his current contract
$6,000: Annual travel allowance
$3,000: Professional conference reimbursement allowance
25: Paid vacation days per year (can carry over 5)
The timeline: Tremblay was hired in 2017, and his current six-year contract expires June 30, 2026. Moving forward in his new contract, performance reviews and raises shift from July 1 to November 1. The move by the School Committee to approve Tremblay before his current contract is up keeps him here for another four years.
The bottom line: This unanimous vote signals continued confidence in Tremblay's leadership while creating stronger accountability measures.
Community Events
Keep Framingham Beautiful Great Framingham Cleanup 5.0
Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest volunteers from Friday 4/11 to Sun 4/27 for the Keep Framingham Beautiful 5th Anniversary City-wide cleanup bonanza!
You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of KFB's 3 group cleanups.
Let's help our city earn a 5-star litter-free rating for our 5th annual event.
Details & Sign Up: If you can pitch in please register on this form: https://forms.gle/p7HmnAu1S3a15nyB6
Mayor to Hold D3 Meeting
Mayor Sisitsky returns to District 3 this month for his tour of neighborhoods. The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts an hour. The forum takes place at Brophy School.
D3 is my district - so if you’re in the district and you’re at the meeting, say hi!
The Taste of MetroWest
Join us this year for the 12th Annual Taste of MetroWest; where you can try foods, drinks and desserts from local, new and fan favorites all in one place!
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, April 7
Tuesday, April 8
Wednesday, April 9
10:00am: Economic Development Corporation Agenda
4:30pm: Brophy Elementary School Council Agenda
6:00pm: Composting Task Force Agenda
6:00pm: Stapleton School Council Agenda
7:00pm: Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda
7:00pm: Historical Commission Agenda
7:00pm: Cultural Council Agenda
7:00pm: Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda
7:00pm: Sustainability Committee Agenda
Thursday, April 10
7:00pm: Police Advisory Committee Agenda
In Closing…
Big thank you to those who bought shirts on the The Ham’er store!
Every quarter I’ll donate 10% of profits to a local non-profit. This quarter, I’ll be sending a check to Daniel’s Table.
This is very much a work in progress. New designs will drop throughout the year, and I'd love your ideas for future collections.
Check it out here: https://framinghammerch.com/
Believe in Framingham,
