Looking Back at 2022
The Top Stories of 2022 in Framingham | What I am Reading
Happy New Year!
After a holiday hiatus, The Ham’er is back for series 2. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy. May 2023 be filled with happiness, health and peace.
2022 saw change with the inauguration of our second Mayor, the election of our first Latina State Representative, new faces leading departments and non-profits, and progress on long time projects. But the number one story in 2022 continues to make headlines into 2023.
Let’s look back at the top stories of 2022 in Framingham.
MetroWest Medical Center Announces Closure of Oncology Center
Background: MetroWest Medical Center announced plans in April to close its oncology and radiation oncology departments in 2022. Current patients would have to transfer to Tenet owned St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester or a non-Tenet hospital, like Dana Faber, upon the center’s closing in the fall of 2022.
MWMC includes Framingham Union and is owned by The Tenet Healthcare based out of Texas.
Also announced was the discontinuation of in-person interpretation services.
What happened next: Elected leaders, medical staff, patients and community leaders expressed their frustration and why Framingham Union and the oncology center is so critical to Framingham.
MWMC and Tufts Medical Center announced plans to transition operation of the cancer center to Tufts. This transition will keep the oncology center open and operating in the community. The transition is expected to be completed by 2023.
Problems not over… over Christmas weekend, it was announced MWMC emailed local fire departments requesting ambulances to it labor and delivery units be diverted to other hospitals due to staffing issues. The same diversion was requested for New Year’s Even weekend.
Charlie Sisitsky is Inaugurated as Framingham’s 2nd Mayor
Background: Framingham ushered in a new mayor on January 1, 2022. Charlie Sisitsky, longtime selectman and former Councilor, was elected in November 2021, defeating then-Mayor Yvonne Spicer.
In his inaugural speech, Sisitsky outlined his goals: expanding trails throughout the city; cleaning up Mary Dennison Park; building an early childhood center and elementary school in South Framingham; adding more downtown parking; and building a new courthouse and art center at the Memorial Building.
“I promise you, that starting right now, my administration will be open, accessible and transparent," Sisitsky said. "I intend to bring a spirit of cooperation, respect and civility back to City Hall."
Framingham Elects its First Latina to the State House
Background: Priscila Sousa, chair of the School Committee, was elected State Representative for the 6th Middlesex District in November. She is Framingham’s first Latina elected to state representative.
The 6th Middlesex District is the new minority-majority district created through the redistricting process by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2021.
“I’m very excited to hit the ground running," Sousa said. "I’ve lived (nearly) my entire life in the district. I'm excited to look for resources for our downtown area, cleaning up our contaminated sites, issues like food security and what can be done."
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Land Purchased
Background: The Sisitsky Administration announced the city had negotiated to purchase an old CSX rail line for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
The Mayor signed the purchase agreement for $5 million for 3.5 miles of land in December.
The city has 180 days from the day of signing to do its due diligence before the project enters its next stage of design.
Revitalized Farmers Market is a Success
Background: The Framingham Farmers Market returned this summer with new hours, expanded number of vendors, food trucks, and a marketing manager. Previously the market was volunteer run with afternoon hours. The changed hours of 3:00pm - 7:00pm gave people the opportunity to shop at the market after work.
New Faces in Framingham
Background: Framingham’s long awaited first dog park opened on Farm Pond in July. The dog park is located near the skate park and across the baseball complex on Dudley Road.
FramBARK formed several years ago.. to advocate for a dog park in Framingham. After years of trying to get the project off the ground, a citizens petition and involvement from Councilors Cannon and Stefanini got the project moving.
The park was paid by a $225,000 grant for design and construction from the Stanton Foundation.
Cleaning of Lake Waushakum Underway
Background: Lake Waushakum, located in District 8 along the Ashland line, has been the focus to clean the lake of contaminants and stormwater issues.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark secured $1.7 million for design, permitting, and construction to retrofit the 11 existing concrete stormwater outfall pipes and headwalls at Waushakum Beach with green infrastructure and stormwater treatment. “The retrofit will be designed with consideration of recreational amenities and ADA compliance at the City beach, with the ultimate goal of addressing environmental injustice.”
Earlier in the year, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $249,980 to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff discharging into Lake Waushakum, which will improve water quality.
School Committee & Council Give Green Light to Purchase Bethany Property for New School
Background: A pre-feasibility study commissioned by Framingham Public Schools identified 77 Bethany Road, owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph, as the best option for a new proposed preK-5 school south of Route 9. The School Committee requested the authorization to purchase; the Council approved, giving Mayor Sisitsky the green light to negotiate.
Why the need for another school…three of our nine elementary schools are in South Framingham, even though two-thirds of our 9,000+ student body live there.
The Mayor has begun negotiations and gave an update to the Council at their meeting on Tuesday. This will continue to be an issue in 2023.
Citizen Petition Requests Rezoning of Parcels in Nobscot
Background: 15 Framingham residents submitted a citizen’s petition, along with a letter from a Boston law firm, requesting an expansion of he Village B-4 zoning into a residential area of 26 acres between Edmands Road and Edgell Road, allowing mixed-use development aka retail with residential.
What is this zoning? Village B-4 zoning was created for the old Nobscot Plaza area to give it a more walkable “village” feel with mixed-use development.
Letter continues… the petitioners requested the Council to refer this to the Planning Board for their review and recommendation to the Council to rezone the property.
Several hearings from the Council and the Planning Board have been held. This is not the last we will hear about Nobscot rezoning.
What I’m Reading
The MetroWest Daily News 25 Most Interesting People of 2022: Congratulations to those from Framingham honored!
2022 Was A Huge Year For Local Trails: Look Back: Good to see mentions of BFRT and the Chris Walsh Trail
Senate President Spilka: Calls To Make ‘Community College Free For All Students’: Sen. Spilka mentions MassBay Community College’s new Framingham campus, the Center for Health Science, Early Childhood, and Human Services, due to open soon.
Jim McGovern brings fight to end hunger to the halls of Congress: Congressman McGovern recently toured Daniel’s Table to learn more about their operations.
Workbar Coworking Space To Open In Framingham: I’ve been looking for possible office space/coworking spot, so I am curious to check this out when it opens.
2023 is going to be an interesting year. With municipal election, Charter review, the ongoing situation with Framingham Union, new building developments proposed - there will be a lot to talk about this year. Stay tuned!
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