🔨 The Tangled Mess of Parking
Parking Woes: Nobscot, New Regulations & What is Going on with the Traffic Commission? | Union Ave Repaving (No joke) | Community Event Reminders | What I’m Reading | The Civic Week Ahead
Will I see you in September, Framingham? If you didn’t see last week’s mega issue with different events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities, please check it out.
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Now onto the news…
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The Tangled Mess of Parking
As you drive around Framingham, it seems like traffic has gotten worse. (One morning it took a friend of mine 50 minutes to get from the Warren Road area to Nobscot!) Discussions about traffic are ongoing, but lately parking has become the top issue.
First up, let’s talk Nobscot: The new apartments loom over Water Street and appear to be much closer to the road than expected. Oh, and the neighborhood discovered the developer has plans for 7 parking spaces on Water Street for the retail on the first floor.
Parking on Water Street?: Why, yes. These spots were not in the original plan approved by the Planning Board. However, the spots appeared in the updated plan from April 2022. At the August 20 Council meeting, Mayor Sisitsky said he spoke to the Building Commissioner who showed him the plans with the parking spots, and that the plans show the spots will be indented into the sidewalk, and won’t block the flow of traffic.
The Mayor said he “believes if parking isn’t available for those retail stores they’re not going to be rented.”
Neighbors Not Happy: A petition against the spots started by Herb Chasen has been making the rounds. As of writing, 742 people have signed the petition (Full disclosure: including myself). Councilors Steiner and Long are outspoken about the parking, with Long saying at the August 20th meeting that the development is a “total disappointment” and “I just can’t wait to see what a nightmare this is going to be.”
Not only do neighbors not favor the 7 spots, but they have strong opinions on the buildings themselves, many pointing out how the first approved design doesn’t look like what it is today. Neighbors are frustrated little community input was requested as the design was changed.
On to the Traffic Commission: Council Long asked for this issue to be on the Traffic Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 27. The developer needs a permit to install the parking spots. Unfortunately, the Commission meeting was canceled that day due to quorum issues. No meetings have been scheduled at this time.
The Bicycle, Pedestrian and Sidewalk Committee voted at their meeting last week not to support the parking spots and to send a letter.
Next up, new traffic regulations: The Traffic Commission presented an update of the city’s Traffic Regulations at the April 2 Council meeting. The last time the regulations were updated was in 1988. The Traffic Commission spent the last two and half years reviewing and updating the code.
Biggest change: If you have a vehicle with a commercial license plate, you cannot park on city streets overnight and on Sundays. The fine is $100. The regulations went into effect on September 1. According to Mayor Sisitsky at the September 5 Council meeting, 400 tickets were issued and 18 vehicles were towed due to expired registration.
What caused the change?: Over the years frustration has grown among neighbors regarding these trucks or vans blocking sight-lines and driveways.
Approved: The Council voted to approve the new regulations on April 2, with an amendment saying the code would not go into effect until September 1, giving the city more time to educate residents about the changes.
Enforcement drama concerns: With the September 1 deadline quickly approaching, questions about enforcement sprung up. At the Mayor’s District 8 forum in August, he was asked about the new regulations and he commented that enforcement would be difficult due to staffing, since FPD only has two parking enforcement officers.
At the September 4 meeting, he stated the law will be enforced, even remarking a councilor called Chief Baker asking him not to follow the new law. It appears some of the Councilors are concerned there was no initial warning, instead of immediately getting ticketed, and that the fine was high.
Seeking ideas for possible changes, Councilor Cannon asked the Mayor if he had any insight as CEO of the City to what changes could be made. The Mayor responded that it was the Council’s responsibility.
“…let’s put it out there, it's the City Council that voted unanimously after having a public hearing to approve this ordinance. You own it and it's up to you and only you to make changes,” said Sisitsky, followed by “I’m good at problem solving, but I’m not a miracle worker.”
Councilor George King chimed in stating that it is up to the Council to make changes, including looking at the fine. “I don’t think I was aware that it was going to be a $100 fine…”
“A Slippery Slope”: Councilor Leora Mallach, who’s district is greatly affected by these changes, brought up the issue of the residential parking pass, citing this situation calls for it. She also suggested local businesses may want to open their parking lots overnight.
The Mayor called a resident parking pass a “slippery slope” that is a “huge administrative undertaking.” Mallach pointed out this is exactly why the city needs a Transportation Department, which was recommended in the Charter and recommended again in the Charter Review Recommendations. The Mayor said a Traffic Department plan is expected out of the DPW in the next few months.
Speaking of the Traffic Commission…: Two members resigned in August. There are four seats open on the Traffic Commission, which presents quorum issues and they cannot meet. Without filling these seats, the Commission is at a standstill. Here are the details: The open seats are: 2 At-Large seats, one Business community seat, one Downtown resident seat (Downtown area is defined as a “one-mile radius of the intersection of Routes 126 and 135.”) Applications for the seats are open until September 30. Click here to apply.
Union Ave Repaving… No, I am not kidding.
The project that never ends: Due to a poor job done by the paving company, construction on Union Avenue continues. The company is due to correct their mistakes throughout the month. Paving is expected to occur on September 12 & 13.
Next steps: MassDOT says the project is 95% complete. Lines, signage and new lights on the bridge will be installed in the next few weeks.
Fingers crossed.
New Learning Space Open at Library
Beautiful new space: Literacy Unlimited has a new home at the Framingham Public Library. Elected officials, volunteers and community members attended the opening ceremony on August 28.
What is Literacy Unlimited?: A community of volunteers who work with adult English as a Second Language and Basic Literacy students to improve their English proficiency, reading and writing skills through one-to-one tutoring and conversation classes.
Check out the mural: The new space features a beautiful mural by Patrick St. Pierre and Samela St. Pierre. (MKF note: I know I cannot wait to see it in person!)
Community Events
September 11 Remembrance Ceremony: The City of Framingham will host a ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001. 17 people with ties to Framingham tragically lost their lives that day. The ceremony will be held at the September 11th Living Memorial located within Cushing Memorial Park at 5:30 p.m
Framingham Business Association Monthly Meeting: All business owners are welcome to join the FBA. Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 11 at noon at Jack’s Abby. Our monthly luncheons are a great opportunity to network, hear from special guests, and be a part of the Framingham business community. Email framinghambusinessassociation@gmail.com for more information.
Coburnville Tripoli Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting: September 16, Barbieri Elementary School from 6:30- 8pm. Special guest is Sarkis Sarkisian, Director of Planning and Community Development for a discussion about housing and the rezoning of Route 135.
What I’m Reading
'Humanizes our people.' Framingham schools chief hosts podcast on Spotify, YouTube
New program trains geothermal drillers to meet growing need in Massachusetts
Inside the ancient walls of the state's women's prison, a program for young inmates launches
Framingham human service provider to merge with two other agencies to form $211M firm
Bicycle use soars following installation of separated bike lanes, according to new study
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, September 9
6:00pm: Council Rules, Ordinances and Ethics Subcommittee Agenda
6:30pm: Bilingual Parent Advisory Council Agenda
7:00pm: Team Framingham Agenda
7:00pm: Women, Children, and Families Commission Agenda
7:00pm: Board of License Commissioners Agenda
7:00pm: Board of Library Trustees Agenda
7:00pm: Community Preservation Committee Agenda
Tuesday, September 10
Wednesday, September 11
In Closing…
Great to see so many people at the Framingham Business Trade Show on Saturday in Downtown. We have such a vibrant business community downtown. If you did not get a chance to attend on Saturday, I invite you to check out the beautiful boutiques, variety of restaurants, florists, shops and services Downtown.
See you next week,
Mary Kate
Vibrant publisher
The heartbeat of Framingham