🔨 School Budget Limbo
ICE in Framingham | Strahan Cleared of Charges | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Good evening, Framingham.
Last Thursday was another wonderful celebration of community.
The Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Clean Community Awards was at Village Hall. Litter busters from all over Massachusetts came to Framingham for some trash talk. (Ha ha..I’m here all week, folks) And that really is a testament to the team behind Keep Framingham Beautiful.
It was also cool to hear activities and projects from other towns. So much positive work happening every day. Imagine that?!
If you are looking for a way to give back to Framingham, check out KFB - you’ll find some of the most dedicated and friendly folks in our city!
1.| School Budget Limbo
Questions over what’s on the School Committee’s chopping block for the school budget linger as the full Council discusses the Sisitsky Administration’s FY26 budget.
Why it matters: The Council tabled the start of their FY2026 budget debate last night, due a $1.4 million gap between the school department's request and the mayor's recommendation — potentially forcing Framingham's first override of the 2.5% tax levy limit.
Additional time: The Council's Finance Subcommittee - who has spent the last few weeks reviewing the entire proposed budget - has requested additional time beyond the charter-mandated schedule to resolve the school budget challenges before making their recommendation to the full council.
By the numbers:
$1.4 million: Gap between school department's request and Mayor’s recommendation
6%: Increase in school department's proposed budget over FY25
$10.5+ million: Total dollar increase requested by schools over FY25
Ongoing cuts: The School Committee originally voted to approve a $185.6 million budget back in April. The Mayor’s proposal was for $181.6 million, resulting in a $5 million gap. In the weeks following the vote, the city came up with $2.5 million to cut the gap to $2.5 million.
At the May 7 School Committee meeting, they voted to make an additional $315, 305 in further reductions, bringing their budget to $184,506,361. This left the $1.4 million gap.
What can be cut?: Below is a chart from the School Committee packet regarding what can be cut to close the gap.
Standstill: The gap caused the Finance Subcommittee meeting on Thursday, May 15 to come to a standstill. Councilors stated the School Committee’s lingering decision is “disrespectful to our process”, leaving the Finance Subcommittee unable to make a recommendation to the full Council without knowing the full picture of the budget, including the school budget.
Raising the levy: Unlike other department line-items in the budget, the Council can add money to the school budget with a two-thirds vote if tax levy capacity exists. Framingham has not taxed at the full 2.5% in a number of years, leaving the capacity to go above the 2.5% rate.
Mayor Sisitsky’s proposed budget does include taxing at the full 2.5%, raising the average single-family home tax bill from $7,761 to $7,956, a $195 increase for homes valued at $653,116.
What's next:
School Committee scheduled to meet and potentially revise their budget request tonight
Finance Subcommittee will review the School Committee's decision at their meeting next week
Full Council will hold special meetings on June 3 and June 10 to finalize the budget
Without action by June 10th, the budget would be automatically approved
2.| ICE Operations Trigger Protests and Economic Impact in Framingham
Like around the country, intensified ICE enforcement in Framingham since February has created ripple effects across the community, from daily protests to significant economic impacts on downtown businesses as immigrant residents avoid public spaces out of fear.
Daily occurrence: Social media is filled with photos and videos of ICE SUVs and arrests on Framingham streets. In response, protests have been held in front of the Memorial Building Downtown with a daily standout on the overpass on Route 9.
By the numbers
18.7%: Percentage of Framingham's population that is Hispanic or Latino, making them the largest immigrant demographic
40%: Percentage of business decline for Downtown Framingham businesses
4 weeks: Period during which one downtown business owner reported having no customers
7-9 p.m., May 22: Time and date of upcoming "Immigrant Rights & Resources Night" virtual event
2 events canceled: Downtown Framingham Inc., Springfest for this weekend was cancelled today, and earlier this week it was announced Festa Junina at St. Tarcisius Church happening in June was also cancelled.
The response
People rallied at Framingham's Memorial Building after ICE detained Daniel Orellana, who reportedly has no criminal record. Organized by 50501 Massachusetts, protesters condemned ICE for allegedly using incorrect identification photos and failing to notify Orellana's family for hours. The "Hands Off ICE Protest" highlighted broader concerns about immigration enforcement's community impact.
Daily standouts continue on the Route 9 overpass
Human Relations Commission organizing virtual information session with resources in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
Upcoming info session: The Framingham Human Relations Commission's upcoming "Immigrant Rights & Resources Night" will feature:
MetroWest Legal Services on immediate legal rights
School superintendents discussing student safety
BRACE and Massachusetts Immigrant Resource Association offering support services
Anonymous participation options for concerned community members
For more information and how to attend, click here to read the full press release.
Between the lines: The situation has polarized the community, with social media filled with both support for ICE operations and outrage over the impacts.
The bottom line: As Commissioner Matt Brown stated: "At a time when immigrant communities face unprecedented challenges, it's crucial that we come together to provide education, resources and advocacy."
3.| Former Framingham Pastor Cleared of Abuse Allegations
Rev. Msgr. Francis Strahan, who spent nearly five years on administrative leave following allegations of sexual abuse, has been cleared by both civil and canonical investigations and can now return to public ministry.
The big picture: After thorough investigations by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and the Archdiocese of Boston, allegations against Msgr. Strahan from 2019 regarding an incident allegedly occurring in 2006 were found to be unsubstantiated.
By the numbers
October 25, 2019: Date Msgr. Strahan was placed on administrative leave
2023: Year the Middlesex District Attorney's Office declined to pursue the case
2025: Year of full reinstatement following completion of canonical investigation
Behind the decision
The Archdiocese's canonical investigation determined the allegations "did not have a semblance of truth"
This finding aligned with the earlier decision by civil authorities not to pursue charges
The Archdiocese acknowledged the significant impact on Msgr. Strahan, his loved ones, parishioners, and fellow priests
What's next: The Archdiocese has committed to assisting Msgr. Strahan, described as "at an advanced age and currently a senior priest," with his return to ministry.
The bottom line: The Archdiocese continues to prioritize child safety through its Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach (617-746-5985), which provides counseling and services to survivors, their families, and parishes affected by clergy sexual abuse allegations.
Community Events
Buy Tickets Today for FHS Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Induction
The Framingham Flyers Hall of Fame is proud to announce our 2025 Class These 6 Flyers dazzled on stage and made big plays on the field while in high school. They went on to serve our country, cover some of the biggest names in the entertainment/music industry, dedicate their lives to the youth of Framingham, and so much more. We are proud to call them Flyers.
Please join us in celebrating these fantastic Flyer alumni on Friday, June 13th at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham. Tickets are on sale, now through June 2nd at this link: https://ticketstripe.com/2025FraminghamFlyerHOF
Keep Route 9 Beautiful This Memorial Day
Group Cleanup Monday 5/26 - 8:30am to 10am - Route 9 near the Southborough line
A Memorial Day holiday cleanup - safer lighter Route 9 traffic
Just past Wendy’s Route 9 westbound - park at 1881 Worcester Road
Please bring your grabber and gloves. We will have a few to borrow.
Sunscreen and bug spray are encouraged
The Civic Week Ahead
Wednesday, May 21
Thursday, May 22
7:00pm: Human Relations Commission Framingham Immigrant Rights & Resources Night Agenda
Friday, May 23
12:00pm: 325th Anniversary Celebration Committee Arts & Culture Subcommittee Agenda
In Closing…
Wishing you a happy and fun Memorial Day Weekend!
Let us not forget the men and women who gave their lives in service of our country, and the Gold Star Families who they left behind.
Believe in Framingham,
ICE should not be stopped from doing a job that was created by the Biden administration who deliberately opened our borders at the beginning of Covid. Illegal immigrants wore no masks and were NOT mandated to get the shot yet American citizens were. Why? This country was built on Legal Immigration not illegal entry! No one takes the time to question the motivation of Biden administration to let gangs and rapist enter our country. Illegal immigrants now receive entitlements such as housing thru the "Home Base Program", DTA, and free health care that belong to MA families and Veterans BUT are now going to Illegal Immigrants. They also get a drivers license. Is everyone deaf and blind? Support ICE to make this country safe again. Thank. you.