🔨 Water Troubles at Windsor Green
Charter Recommendations Submitted | Preview of This Week’s Council Meeting | MBTA Zoning Hearings Continue | Friday Fireworks | The Civic Week Ahead
Happy last week in June, Framingham! We’re in for another hot week. So, please, be well.
Lots going on before we dive into July 4th week.
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Water Troubles at Windsor Green
Residents at Windsor Green, a condominium complex in Nobscot, must pay a supplemental condo fee of more than $1500 a unit by August 1 to cover the unexpected increase in their water bills.
Board must repay reserves: In May the Board informed the residents that they “reluctantly” voted to approve the overall fee of $400,000 to repay the Reserve Fund for borrowed funds used to pay insurance, but mostly for the ongoing water billing issue with the City of Framingham that has led to higher water rates for Windsor Green.
Background: The City installed a new water meter in January 2023. With the new meter, the Framingham began billing the property for total water use, which is the significantly higher industrial rate. The Board was not notified of these changes.
Water rates went from $19/unit (combined) to an approximate average of $43/unit. The Supplemental fee per unit ranges from $1500 to $2500.
1970 agreement: According to the letter, Windsor Green made an agreement with the former Town of Framingham in 1970 that set the water rates at Tier 1 / 2. Under the agreement, water rates were calculated by dividing the total water use by the 194 units on the main meter, resulting in the lower residential rate. This is called a factor.
“Error in billing”: Former Framingham CFO Louise Miller and the Water Department admitted to an error in billing. Miller told the HOA to file an abatement to refund the over payments - more than $200,000 - which still has not been approved.
According to the letter, in “early January 2024, after eight months of no response or progress, the Board engaged an attorney to take the lead and resolve the issue. Despite contacting the City every two weeks for the past three months, the City refuses to provide the HOA with the promised refund.”
Troubled waters: Framingham has been facing water and sewer rate issues for several years. Last year a litany of disasters were discovered: broken meters that haven’t been replaced in years, broken or incorrectly programmed meter reading devices, and issues with the then-supplier of meters and meter reading devices. All of this impacted our bills.
To make matters worse, Miller wrote in her outgoing report at the end of last year, roughly 1500 of 3000 multifamily units are being incorrectly billed for water and sewer rates.
As I wrote in the May 7th issue, it is unclear who has the factor, and who doesn’t. There was a spreadsheet that made its way to the Finance Subcommittee without any addresses and it was hard to decipher. A Freedom of Information Act request for more information was filed, and the city came back with “no response document found.”
What is next?: The Sisitsky Administration hired a consultant to review water and sewer rates, with an anticipated completion date of August 2024. By then, Windsor Green residents will have to pay the extra $1000+ fee to cover their water bills.
Charter Recommendations Submitted
After meeting for ten months, the Charter Review Committee submitted their recommendations to the Council.
The process: The Charter Review Committee held twenty-two formal meetings including a public hearing, five community meetings around the city, and two surveys. They received feedback from citizens, departments, elected officials and members of boards and commissions (MKF note: I provided suggestions and comments as part of my role as Chair of the Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee.)
The group also had assistance from the Collins Center at UMass Boston, who helped the Charter Commission in 2016.
Summary of Recommendations:
A more inclusive operating budget process: Our suggested changes allow the community more chances to give feedback during the development and discussion of the budget. It also includes changes to make the final budget and supporting materials more transparent.
A more efficient capital budget process: We suggest approving the capital budget plan by February 1 rather than having the capital budget included with the operating. This may allow work on projects to start sooner, something both school and municipal departments saw as an advantage.
Added access to information/transparency measures: We suggest new rules that require that all meetings to be recorded by audio/video, that meeting information be placed in one centralized location that is easier to find, and there be more focus on reducing langage and accessibility issues so that meetings and materials are truly open to all.
More clarity in the strategic planning process: The original charter required a strategic planning process that goes beyond State requirements. The committee is recommending more specific language in terms of timing and process to help make this important work flow better and provide a clear vision for Framingham.
A new position to coordinate Framigham’s climate resilience efforts: This would be a position that can work across departments to make sure that Framingham is planning for climate impacts doing work in a coordinated manner.
Small tweaks to elections rules and process for vacancies: We are recommending a new rule that bars someone from holding two elected positions at once to open more opportunities to others; we are also recommending that vacancies for school committee and district council be filled by special elections rather than our existing processes to make sure that district residents have more voice in these decisions.
Moves the next Charter Review to 2030 instead of 2033: We suggest a small change to Charter review timing so that the next one is a few years earlier. Framingham is still a young city, and the committee wanted a future committee to get a chance to revisit issues that come up just a bit sooner.
Next steps: The recommendations are on the Council agenda for a referral to the Rules, Ordinances and Ethics Subcommittee. Councilor Tracey Bryant is the Chair of that committee, along with members Christine Long and Phil Ottaviani.
You can read the Charter Review Committee’s report here.
Preview of This Week’s Council Meeting
Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25, the Council meets at 7:00pm in the Blumer Room in the Memorial Building. Here are some highlights on the agenda:
Citations and proclamations:
A citation recognizing Giving the Glam non-profit for their support of students in Framingham.
A joint proclamation honoring the service of Dr. David W. Moore to the Board of Health
Public Hearings:
Second reading of the Mayor’s proposed FY2025-FY2030 Capital Improvement Plan.
Here is a breakdown of the projects funded in this current plan:
Action Items/Discussions/Votes:
Two items to bring to your attention about critical issues in the city…
An update with Police Chief Baker
There is no background material to this item. However, as recently pointed out by Chair Ottaviani, there are 5 unsolved murders right now in Framingham, including the two most recent on Fenwick and at Shoppers World. Hopefully, we will get some clarity on what is going on with those investigations.
A request by the Council Chair that Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay provide an update pertaining to the most recent violence on a middle school bus.
Dr. Tremblay last visited the Council in February to discuss recent school violence. He spent an hour and 28 minutes discussing Councilor questions and concerns.
At the Tuesday, June 4 Council Meeting, it was suggested Tremblay come again to a Council meeting to address more concerns. He was invited by the Council to attend this week’s meeting.
In an email to the Secretary of the Council, Tremblay stated he would be away on vacation this week, and could not attend. Further, he said: “...my formal engagement with the City Council last winter seems to have created confusion in the community as to where matters of education policy, budget, and my responsibilities as Superintendent of Schools lie in terms of elected official oversight. I feel it is best to make that course correction now so that we don't perpetuate confusion.”
Tremblay recommends a joint meeting between the Council and the School Committee, moving forward, to “discuss educational matters that would otherwise fall under the purview of the Framingham School Committee.”
MBTA Zoning Hearings Continue
Ongoing meetings: The new MBTA Communities Act continues to be a topic of discussion in Framingham, with the Planning Board holding another meeting about it this Thursday at 7pm.
What is the MBTA Communities Act: To address Massachusetts’ housing crisis, the state is mandating each of the 177 communities surrounding the MBTA to create zoning that allows multi-family housing by right. There is no requirement to build the units.
Community input needed: The Planning Board is in the middle of holding a series of meetings about this topic as they review Framingham zoning. Community input is needed - what do we want Framingham to look like in the future? How can we use this act and zoning to shape Framingham?
Meeting information and Zoom login are found in their agenda posted online.
Community Preservation Committee Hearing
Your Ideas for Community Preservation Funds: Monday, June 24 at 7:00pm, Blumer Room in the Memorial Building. The Community Preservation Committee wants your ideas on projects for CPA funding. Projects must fall under the one of the following categories: community housing, open space and open recreation, and historical preservation.
July 4th Fireworks Return
For the second year in a row, fireworks are back over Farm Pond on Friday, June 28. The show begins at 5pm, with fireworks starting at 9pm. The fireworks will last 20 minutes.
Here are some FAQs. Visit Framingham’s website for more details.
When & Where Can I Park?
Public lots will open at 4 p.m. Do not arrive early, as you may be turned away. There will be public parking at Cushing Memorial Park.
The entrance to these 2,500-plus parking spaces will be off Dr. Harvey Cushing Way. Spaces are free and first come, first served.
There will also be parking at Keefe Technical High School. These spaces are free. The only entrance for that parking will be on Fountain Street. You cannot access Keefe or Cushing parking lots from Winter Street.
See the maps in English, Spanish, & Portuguese for parking locations and how to access them.
Is there handicap-accessible parking available?
Yes. There is a parking lot at the intersection of Dudley Road and Dr. Harvey Cushing Road with about 140 spaces, plus there are scores of additional spaces at Loring Arena.
These parking spaces are first come, first served.
There are viewing areas for those with disabilities near the stage, tennis/basketball courts near Loring Arena, and Cushing Memorial Chapel. Please bring chairs.
Are there any restrictions on what I can bring?
This is a no-alcohol event.
Bags are permitted but are subject to search.
Please feel free to bring chairs, blankets, and picnics.
No tents, pop-up tents, canopies, or umbrellas.
Leave hard coolers at home, but soft coolers are permitted.
No glass containers.
No fire pits or grilling will be allowed, per the fire department's order.
No sparklers.
No drones. The use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) anywhere in the area of the event is prohibited unless authorized by the Framingham Police Department.
There will be additional trash barrels, but please consider taking home what you bring. Please don’t litter.
6 - Will there be food?
Yes. Food trucks will be at Barbieri Elementary School. Vendors start serving around 5 p.m. until the fireworks begin.
List of Food trucks:
Roadhouse Grille (gluten and nut-free options)
BerrySweets
Trolley Dogs(gluten-free options)
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Velma’s Kettle Corn
Boston Events/Kayem BBQ Trailer
Boston Events/Fried Goodness
Kona Ice
Papi’s Stuffed Sopapillas
Eastleigh Farm Ice Cream (dairy-free options)
Big T’s
Birds Nest Italian Street Food
Grub Guru
Atrevete a probar
Sabrosa Venezuela Inc
Moo-Licious/The Mooving Cookie Bakery
Mr. Gourmet
The Cod Squad
Chick-Fil-A
Will there be entertainment?
Decades by Dezyne will start the evening on stage around 5:00 p.m. with Motown and family favorites.
Followed by the 215th Army Band with their musical performance teams: Fife and Drum, New Orleans Brass, Popular Music, and Concert Band playing patriotic music.
Where can I view the fireworks?
Viewing areas include Farm Pond Park, Cushing Memorial Park, Long Field Complex, and other areas along the pond.
The baseball complex fields, Farm Pond Park, and portions of Cushing Memorial Park will be open for chairs and blankets.
Individuals will be prohibited from being on the train tracks or the aqueduct path.
Important note about litter: Don’t do it! Please carry out all trash or place it in a barrel on site. If you generate trash, please place it in a barrel or carry it. If you want to help Keep Framingham Beautiful with a post-fireworks litter cleanup on Saturday, 6/29 at 9:00 am, please fill out this Google form.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, June 24
Tuesday, June 25
Wednesday, June 26
Thursday, June 27
7:00pm: Planning Board Agenda
In Closing…
See you at fireworks on Friday!
-Mary Kate