🔨 The future of the Marian High School building
Coming Soon: The Ham’er Podcast! | Beverly Hugo Resigns from School Committee | Nomination Papers Still Available | Fireworks Over Farm Pond | The Civic Week Ahead
It’s Tuesday, Framingham, and summer is finally here.
Today I have very exciting news to share: I am launching a podcast!
Every week you’ll receive The Ham’er newsletter on Monday, and The Ham’er podcast on Wednesday. The podcast features local individuals making an impact and the big topics facing our city.
The podcast kicks off this week with Judy Grove, a community activist and member of the Community Preservation Committee. We discuss the Community Preservation Act, what it is, the projects recently approved, and how residents can submit their projects for funding.
Special thanks to Jason Daniels and his team at Access Framingham for assisting me with the recording and for having an awesome podcasting studio onsite.
You can find The Ham’er podcast on Substack (the platform I use to send The Ham’er), and all podcasting apps like Apple Music, Spotify and Stitcher or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
I have a great line-up ahead for the podcast. Would love to hear thoughts and suggestions - it will only get better!
Okay, let’s get to this week’s issue…
Have a comment or question? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at mkfeeney@gmail.com
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The Future of Two Catholic-Associated Properties Hangs in the Balance in Framingham
Tonight the Council meets in Executive Session to discuss “the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property” at 77-97 Bethany Road, and 272 Union Avenue, the former site of Marian High School.
The Bethany Road property is widely considered to be the location for a new southside elementary school and early education center. The property is owned by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who used to teach at Marian High School and Saint Bridget School in Framingham.
Why do we need a new southside school?: School officials believe this new school will help address inequalities in the system. Three of our nine elementary schools are in South Framingham, while ⅔ of the student population live there. In advocating for a new school, School Committee Vice Chair Jessica Barnhill of District 8, where Bethany is located, says FPS spends $500,000 per year to drive kids in grades k-5 to and from school. And that is just her district.
The Council’s role: The Council in March 2022 gave the okay for Mayor Sisitsky to start the process to acquire the property. The Council would have to approve the money for him to purchase the land.
Marian High School has been vacant since the school closed in June 2018.
Didn’t someone purchase the property? Why, yes. Invictus Forever, a Weston-based educational nonprofit, purchased the school and the convent for $2.6 million from the Archdiocese of Boston in December 2020. According to reports from the time, the nonprofit was to establish a new school for children and adults with disabilities on the property. Only the sign out front was changed, but since then there has been zero movement on site.
What is happening tonight? Due to the nature of Executive Session, the public cannot attend that part of the meeting so we won’t know what was discussed. Since Bethany is an ongoing discussion, it could be an update on negotiations and next steps. As for Marian, time will tell. The posting isn’t clear what the city is considering for the property.
Beverly Hugo Resigns from School Committee
Beverly Hugo, District 1 School Committee, announced her resignation effective July 1 at the last School Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 21.
Why: The seven-term member cited her landlord unexpectedly selling their house and the opportunity to move onto her school’s new campus where she is the English Department Head. The school is located outside of Framingham. She said it was “a tough decision, but an incredible opportunity.”
What’s next: Hugo is not running for an eighth term, and no one at the time of publication has pulled papers to run for her seat. District 1 (and District 2) is without any candidates for School Committee. Those interested in running for office can pull nomination papers at the Clerk’s Office in the Memorial Building.
In the meantime: The School Committee will make an announcement on filling the remainder of Mrs. Hugo’s term in the following weeks.
….Run for office! Nomination Papers Still Available.
2023 is an election year in Framingham: All council seats - including district and at-large - School Committee, Edgell Grove Cemetery Trustee and Library Trustee seats are up for election.
Nomination papers to run for office are available at the Clerk’s Office in the Memorial Building. Deadline to file nomination papers in the Clerk’s Office is Friday, July 14, 2023 at 12:30pm
Terms of office: District Councilors serve two year terms, while at-large councilors serve for four year terms. School Committee members serve two year terms. Cemetery and Library trustees serve for four year terms.
Fireworks Over Farm Pond
A grand return of tradition: Fireworks return to Farm Pond on Friday, June 30 to celebrate Independence Day. The event goes from 5:00 pm-10:00 pm at Farm Pond Park.
Entertainment line-up: Stars & Stripes Over Framingham not only features a fireworks show, but food trucks and musical performances by First Larry Bee & The Buzz and then a performance by the U.S. Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band and Rhode Island Sound ensembles.
The food truck menu:
Kona Ice (Shaved Ice)
Boston Nut Roasters (Lemonade, Pretzels)
Refreshin’ Concessions (ice cream, snacks, drinks, gluten & dairy free options)
Thee Taco Dude (TexMex)
Sabor Latino (Latin American, gluten free & vegan options)
Jackson Effie Coffee Cabin (hot & cold coffee & drinks)
Velma’s Kettle Corn (popcorn)
When does the show begin: Fireworks start at 9:00pm. You can view the show from Farm Pond Park, Cushing Park, Long Field Complex, and other areas around the pond.
Where to park: Public lots open at 3 p.m. Free public parking at Cushing Park and Keefe Tech.
Road closures: Dudley Road will be closed from Dr. Harvey Cushing Way to Fountain Street for all vehicles from 2 p.m. to midnight.
No parking: Cushing Way, Fountain Street or Winter Street.
Handicap accessible parking: There are 2 lots: at the intersection of Dudley Road & Cushing Way and Loring Arena.
For more information, visit the city’s website.
The Civic Week Ahead
Tuesday, June 27
Wednesday, June 28
10:00 AM: Housing Authority Agenda
2:00 PM: Edgell Grove Cemetery Trustees Agenda
2:00 PM: Traffic Commission - Traffic Regulation Subcommittee Agenda
4:00 PM: Board of Assessors Agenda
6:00 PM: Council Public Health, Safety & Transportation Subcommittee Agenda
7:00 PM: Disability Commission Agenda
7:00 PM: Sustainability Committee Agenda
That’s a wrap! I’ll be taking some time off starting on Thursday through the next week. But The Ham’er will drop on Monday sharing a piece of Framingham’s history surrounding July 4th. Have wonderful rest of the week!
-Mary Kate
mkfeeney@gmail.com
Thanks for keeping me up to date on what's happening in "The Ham!"
Always interesting and informative, MK!