🔨 The $3 Million Mistake
Plus a full list of holiday events and activities.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Framingham!
As we are nearing the end of the calendar year and the current Council session, Framingham is not quiet. A year ago we found ourselves in the middle of the MBTA Communities Act debate. This time we’re having budget issues.
After the news, please check out all of the community events and volunteer opportunities. There is a lot to do this month.
Special note about the Friends of Framingham Trails New Year's Eve event - we’re back for a 3rd year! We’re seeking volunteers to help out the day of with setting up, breaking down, and helping our fire pit hosts. If you are interested, please sign up using the form linked below.
NEWS & UPDATES
1.| The $3 Million Mistake
Councilors are faced with two emergency meetings over the next week to correct an error in the FY26 budget.
What happened: Right before Thanksgiving, the Finance Committee was informed of a $3 million error that was discovered after the tax rate went to the state for approval. The Council approved the tax rate a month ago. According to the Mayor, there was a miscalculation in the presentation.
The submitted budget calculated city expenses higher than its revenues. Based on these calculations, Framingham is $3 million short in revenue to cover the budget, said Councilor George King. The calculation error occurred in the spring during the budget process.
The tax rate, which the Council understood was set at 2.5%, actually was 3.15%.
What is the solution?: The Sisitsky Administration has been in discussion with the Division of Local Services, in the Department of Revenue. The solution includes increasing revenue projections, and apparently, there is $1.6 million available to make up for the difference. By changing the revenue projection, residential taxpayers will save $50 on the average bill, said Mayor Sisitsky.
Special meetings: In an unusual move for the end of a Council session, two emergency meetings have been called. The Finance Committee will meet this Thursday, December 4 to learn more about the problem and how to course correct.
A special Council meeting will occur next Tuesday, December 9 to hold a new public hearing on the tax rate and discuss the recommendation from the Finance Subcommittee.
There is a regular Council meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2. This issue is on the agenda, but at the time of writing, there were no background materials attached to the agenda regarding the issue.
Not the first time: Councilor King brought up this calculation error also occurred a year ago in the FY25 budget. It was not discovered at the time because it did not make an impact on the tax rate.
Concerns: Councilors at the Finance Committee questioned how this happened, especially with how many people see the budget before it gets sent to the Division of Local Services, the lack of background material or memo, and expressed concern with the seemingly lack of understanding there is surrounding the budget.
You can watch the Finance Committee meeting on the Government Channel website. More information should come out this week. I’ll keep you updated.
2.| Framingham Firefighters Honored at State Ceremony
The big picture: Five Framingham firefighters received the Commonwealth’s prestigious 2025 Firefighters of the Year Award at Mechanics Hall in Worcester for their heroic actions during a December 2024 fire.
Why it matters: These firefighters risked their lives to protect our community during the Nicholas Road fire on December 30, 2024, demonstrating exceptional courage and professionalism.
The Heroes Honored: Members of Station 2, Group 4 received recognition from Governor Maura Healey:
Deputy Fire Chief Jose Lopez De Victoria
Captain Robert Jones (Ret.)
Firefighter Alberto Martins
Firefighter Peter Mathieu
Firefighter Matthew Whalen
What they’re saying: “The City of Framingham extends its gratitude and pride to these firefighters for their outstanding service and unwavering commitment to protecting our community.”
Congratulations and thank you for keeping our city safe!
Community Events
Holiday Markets & Fairs
Framingham High School Holiday Marketplace
Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: 115 A Street, Framingham
Details: Gifts, crafts, food & more. $5 entrance fee (kids & students free)
Rotary Holiday Craft Fair
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Keefe Tech
Details: 115+ quality vendors, Santa mid-day for pictures, $5 admission (12+), free parking
Framingham Garden Club Holiday Greens Sale
Date: Friday, December 5 (9am-5pm) & Saturday, December 6 (10am-noon)
Location: Cushing Park Maintenance Building (enter at Keefe Tech Driveway on Winter Street)
Details: Holiday wreaths, swags, outdoor baskets, centerpieces, gifts. Proceeds benefit scholarship program
German Christmas Market at Jack’s Abby
Dates: Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7; Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14
Location: Jack’s Abby Beer Garden
Details: 12 unique vendors each weekend, mulled wine, hot hard cider, hot chocolate, Santa visits Sundays 1-3pm
Community Volunteering
NYE on CRT Needs Volunteers
Friends of Framingham Trails is hosting the 3rd annual NYE Celebration on the Cochituate Rail Trail. The celebration will be from 4:30 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, December 31, featuring fire pits and lighting along the trail.
FoFT is looking for volunteers to help with tasks like setting up trail lighting, marking and supplying fire pit stations, helping hosts with transport and setup, and break down. Interested? Sign up to help.
Toys for Tots - 22nd Annual Drive
Organizers: Framingham Baseball & Framingham Fire Department
Event: December 9 at 6pm at Samba
Details: Bring unwrapped toys for Timothy’s Toy Box and local kids in need
Holiday Activities
34th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Block Party
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 5:00-7:30pm
Location: Memorial Building Plaza & Union Avenue
Details: Free event featuring sing-along with Scouts, story walk, Santa, hot chocolate, cookies, live entertainment, bookmobile, free books for children
Caroling on the Common
Date: Sunday, December 7
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Location: Village Hall on the Common, 2 Oak Street
Details: FREE event with Voices of MetroWest, holiday carols, crafts inspired by winter traditions from around the world
Friends of Saxonville Holiday Community Mixer
Date: Thursday, December 4
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Saxonville Mills, 2 Central St (Building 1)
Hosts: Allie Keast Jewelry & CRL Promotions
Details: FREE event with light refreshments, raffles, giveaways (Snow date: December 11)
Callahan Center Presents: Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Date: Thursday, December 4
Times: Matinee 2pm ($18), Evening 7pm ($20). Tickets bought at the door.
Location: Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue
Details: The Callahan Center is thrilled to announce its first-ever theatrical production, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, written by Nora and Delia Ephron and based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman.
Made possible with support from the Friends of Callahan, this production marks an exciting milestone as the Center debuts performances created by seniors, for seniors, showcasing the creativity and talent within the community.
Winter Concert - Flutes de Lux Ensemble
Date: December 20, 2025
Time: 7:30pm
Location: First Parish UU, Scott Hall
Details: Holiday favorites for flute ensemble, FREE admission, light reception follows
Turkey Trot parkrun at Farm Pond
Date: Every Saturday (special Turkey Trot theme)
Time: 8:45am First Timer’s Briefing, 9:00am start
Location: Farm Pond Park
Details: FREE weekly 5k walk/jog/run, register online at parkrun.us/farmpond, wear turkey attire!
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, December 1
Tuesday, December 2
Wednesday, December 3
In Closing…
One of Framingham’s big traditions returns this week - the Toy Soldiers around the city! Enjoy looking for them all!
Believe in Framingham,
Really excellent reporting on a genuinely concerning governance issue. The fact that Councilor King flagged a similar calculation error in FY25 that went undetected raises fundamental questions about internal controls and budget review processes.What's particularly troubling isn't just the $3 million miscalculation itself, but the implication that the city's financial oversight mechanisms are failing to catch errors before they reach the Division of Local Services. If this represents a pattern rather than an isolated incident, Framingham needs to seriously examine who reviews budget submissions and at what checkpoints verification occurs. The emergency meetings are appropriate, but the structural question of how these errors keep happening deserves equal attention.