“The State of the City is Strong”
State of the City Address Key Take Aways | Nobscot Village Meeting | The Week Ahead
On Tuesday was Mayor Charlie Sisitsky’s Second State of the City Address. It was nice to see people gathered in Nevins Hall to hear the speech and reconnect with people in person instead of over Zoom.
Let’s dive in…
The top 10 takeaways from the State of the City Address
No increase to water and sewer rates this year
Due to the mismanagement of the water and sewer budget, including major issues with the billing system, meters and the equipment used to read those meters, the rates dramatically increased last year to cover the budget gaps.
Quote: “As a result of the hard work that we have done to fix the problems that have persisted for many years in this department, I am confident that we will not need to raise rates in the next fiscal year.”
Congresswoman Katherine Clark is a key partner for Framingham
Secured $3 million in funding for the Chris Walsh Memorial Trail at Farm Pond.
Secured $1.7 million in funding for environmental cleanup of the Waushakum Beach neighborhood.
Federal funds will be used to upgrade storm drainage infrastructure to reduce pollution at Lake Waushakum. Additionally, the Disability Commission, Parks & Rec and the Mayor’s Office is collaborating on renovations for the beach, including a new accessible bath house and boat ramp, and a playground.
Major progress on Mary Dennison Park clean up
The Sisitsky Administration has reached a deal with Avery Dennison Company to finally clean up the environmental issues at Mary Dennison Park. Avery Dennison will absorb the majority of the expenses. After the cleanup, a new park can be built.
Danforth Building potential Regional Justice Center
Proposal for an 8 court Regional Justice Center at the site of the former Danforth Museum
Potential for more than an $100 million investment by the State.
Quote: “We expect that in the second half of this year, with the approval of the City Council we will reach an agreement with the State to transfer ownership of the Danforth Building.”
Regional Public Safety Joint Dispatch Center to be operated by the City of Framingham
Purchase of 188 Concord Street will provide space for the new Dispatch Center.
The Mayor's Office is working with area fire and police departments, and town officials to create a “state of the art facility” that will equip first responders with the latest technology to assist in response time.
Target opening: July 1, 2024
Sustainability efforts are a focus of the administration
Eversource selected a small neighborhood as a pilot project for a networked geothermal heating system.
Municipal aggregation program enabling residents to purchase green electricity from alternative sources other than Eversource will soon be ready for review by the Department of Public Utilities. Anticipate that this program will be available to residents in 2024.
Focused on expanding charging stations and solar panels throughout the city.
Quote: “Every day, every hour, every minute we delay corrective action, means we are jeopardizing our children’s future. That is an unacceptable injustice – we can and must do better and I have no doubt that our Sustainability Coordinator, Sustainability Committee, as well as the City Council’s Environmental Subcommittee, will bring these inequities to the forefront of our efforts on addressing the issues of climate change. I am committed to helping this process.”
Plans for a recreation center with an indoor pool
Sisitsky says he intends to work with community partners to secure a site and investigate opportunities for a public/private partnership for its construction.
Framingham Union a priority
Working with the legislative delegation and local representatives from Tenet to ensure the hospital remains operational and part of the community.
Quote: “My administration and I are committed to doing everything possible to rectify the staffing issues in order to maintain the services that this institution offers to many in the City who neither have the means nor resources to travel to other hospitals outside of the City.”
Summer internship program for college level students interested in municipal government launches this summer
Program has been designed and will be overseen by Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards.
Cherished celebrations return
Flag Day to be held in Cushing Park with a full schedule of events.
Fireworks are returning to Framingham at Farm Pond.
Lastly, I want to share this final quote from the Mayor:
“For those in the community who continue to act in a divisive and uncivil manner, to distract from the valuable work that many in our wonderful City remain focused on moving forward in a positive manner, I challenge you to channel that energy towards making a positive difference. Become involved. Find a board or commission and apply for an open position. Rather than just spewing negative rhetoric, and hiding behind your keyboard, join us, so that our collective voices can find a way to unify the community rather than contribute to the divide.”
As someone who serves as chair of a board (SIFOC) that has a few openings, I was glad to hear Mayor Sisitsky’s call to serve. It is easy to write things in Facebook groups; but real progress can be made when we come together and work towards a common cause.
I’ll have a list of open seats on boards and commissions in a future issue.
Additional thoughts: It is about time the City announces serious action on Mary Dennison Park! The clean up is overdue and Dennison should be paying for the majority of the costs. The families and children of this neighborhood deserve much better than this contaminated site. This is great progress. I am encouraged by the focus on environmental justice areas like Mary Dennison, along with the cleaning of Lake Waushakum.
While the state of the city is strong, I look forward to continuing the work needed to make Framingham a place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.
You can watch the Mayor’s State of the City Address here.
Nobscot Meeting Held
Tonight a community meeting sponsored by J&Co Inc., the developers of a proposed development in Nobscot, was held at Village Hall. It was a packed house filled with neighbors from Nobscot and surrounding neighborhoods.
What is proposed? There are no plans in front of the City of Framingham at this moment. The developers proposed rezoning of 27 acres along Edmands Road and Edgell Road, with a citizen petition back in the fall 2022. The petition was withdrawn. Tonight they shared renderings and their thoughts on a mixed-use development with a diversity of housing, retail and open space.
The reaction from the audience was cold. Many - including myself in full transparency - asked questions, shared concerns about traffic, neighborhood character, traffic, parking, traffic, number of school-aged children, and did I mention traffic? in their remarks to the development team. Several strongly expressed their disapproval of the plan.
A traffic study has yet to be performed; so there was no data on what that part of town could expect for traffic. There is question surrounding when this study would be performed; that the unknowns surrounding the apartments to be built in the old Nobscot Plaza would not be reflected in the study.
Others expressed concern that this project would ruin the character of the neighborhood. They like the quiet of Nobscot and this project threatens the reasons why they moved to the area.
Next steps: Any zoning change would have to be approved by 2/3 of the Council. It is unclear where the developers go next. Will they go back to the drawing board? Go full speed ahead? Submit a rezoning request to the City? Will there be another community meeting?
The Week Ahead
Includes links to meeting agendas
Tuesday, February 7
6:00 PM: Board of Library Trustees: Equity and Access Subcommittee
7:00 PM: City Council
7:00 PM: Board of Health
Wednesday, February 8
4:00 PM: Board of Assessors
7:00 PM: Sustainability Committee
7:00 PM: Historical Commission
7:00 PM: Zoning Board of Appeals
7:00 PM: Cultural Council
Thursday, February 9
7:00 PM: Human Relations Commission
Please share The Ham’er with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers! There is always something happening in Framingham - and its important for folks to stay informed.
Have a great week!
-Mary Kate