🔨 What is happening with the community center?
City Ponders Selling Goodnow Property | EDC Relaunched | Library Director Gig Down to 2 Finalists | Get Involved | Charter Commission to Hold Hearing | Finance Subcommittee Hearing Tuesday
Did you see the aurora borealis, Framingham?
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, but never in a million years did I think I’d see them over Framingham. I grabbed my camera and went down to the Stearns Reservoir to see if I could capture the lights over the dam.
Let’s dive into this week’s issue…
Have a question about the goings on in Framingham? Drop me an email and I’ll answer it in the next Ham’er Mailbag.
The best way to help The Ham’er and, dare I be so bold, build community in Framingham is to forward The Ham’er to your neighbors.
If you are that neighbor, subscribe here.
What is the latest with the community center?
Seven months after Framingham purchased the former Marian High School Building on Union Avenue, several new developments have emerged in the last week.
Federal funds: Congresswoman Katherine Clark informed Mayor Sisitsky she put in $5 million for the renovation of the former Marian High School Building on Union Avenue into Framingham’s first community center. The request is part of the federal government’s annual Community Projects budget.
First meeting of committee: Back in January, Mayor Sisitsky appointed a 25 member Community Center Advisory Committee. The Chair is Chief Operating Officer Michael Tusino and Vice Chair is Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards. The committee toured the Marian property in March. Their first official meeting takes place Tuesday, May 14 at 5pm in the Ablondi Room in the Memorial Building.
According to the Mayor at last week’s Council meeting, the committee will meet with the architect and discuss how to move forward with the space to “start to begin to think how we’re going to run a program so all of the different agencies that want to make use of that space will have the opportunity to do so.”
Bid for demolition: Meanwhile, on May 6 the City issued a bid request stating “The City of Framingham, Massachusetts invites sealed bids for the Framingham Community Center abatement and demolition (former Marian High School) located at 372 Union Avenue in Framingham, MA.” Applications are due May 30.
Background: Framingham purchased the property in October 2023 for $3.35 million, using ARPA funding. The plan is to convert the former school into a community center, with a gym, and a 750 seat auditorium.
City Ponders Selling Goodnow Property
As previewed in last week’s issue, the Council discussed the Mayor’s proposal to sell 9.38 acres of landlocked land along the MassPike at the end of Goodnow Lane.
Why is the city considering selling? Great question. COO Michael Tusino said the city was “approached by a party” interested in the property. Tusino said the property is zoned for residential use. The property can only be accessed via Oregon Road in Ashland. Tusino said the city checked with the fire department and police regarding coverage since it is so close to the town line. FPS said due to the decrease in student enrollment, they had no issues with more housing there.
Tusino brought the issue to the Council to see if there was an appetite for selling before he took further steps.
Why does Framingham own it? The City took the property in 2006 due to non-payment of taxes.
What the Councilors said: While Tusino guested the buyer would build 2 houses in Framingham and 2 in Ashland, Councilor Christine Long pointed out that the zoning there would allow for cluster zoning meaning 15 units per acre could be built there. Long continued by saying no one is going to buy it if they cannot develop it.
Councilor George King asked what happened to the potential billboard plan that would remove billboards from downtown in exchange for a board on the MassPike. Councilor Michael Cannon chimed in stating that is a possibility, but the city should really look at possibilities for that land before selling.
The Council did not ask or discuss potential sale price.
What happened next: Councilor Leslie White Harvey moved to table the issue. The motion passed 11-0. We’ll see if this comes up again.
EDC Starting Up
Amidst the news Framingham’s economic growth has slowed, the reconstituted Economic Development Corporation is finally getting a kick start after being signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker in December 2022.
What is the Economic Development Corporation?: Basically, it is a public-private partnership dedicated to creating and supporting economic development, job growth, and revitalization throughout the city. Part of its mission is developing or redeveloping, in some cases, unused or underused properties.
The Corporation has the power to:
Determine what areas within its jurisdiction constitute underutilized, underperforming, substandard, or open blighted areas
Manage or lease any development project, whether owned or leased by the Corporation
Prepare urban renewal plans, master plans, and community development programs mandated by state or federal law.
Apply for housing or economic assistance grants from the Commonwealth or federal government
Engage in urban renewal or community development projects
Employ engineers, managers, consultants, and other employees as necessary and to fix their compensation
Finance community development projects, including functioning as a conduit or broker for private capital
Acquire, demolish, construct, reconstruct, alter, maintain, sell, convey, transfer, mortgage or pledge or otherwise dispose of commercial, industrial, residential, or business establishment or other property as the objects and purposes of the Corporation may require
Receive stocks, bonds, donations, and gifts and to otherwise raise money for projects.
Background: Framingham’s first Economic Development & Industrial Corporation was created in 1995. This new EDC eliminates the old EDIC. The last time the EDIC met was in June 2022.
Spearheaded by the Council Economic Development Subcommittee Chair Michael Cannon, the EDC was updated and a Home Rule Petition for the change was submitted to the Legislature in December 2021.
Seeking new members: The EDC is made up of seven members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council.
The makeup of the board is one member experienced in finance, one experienced in real estate, one experienced in municipal government, two members experienced in industrial development, and two members at large.
Interested? Applications are due by Friday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. You can apply on the city website here.
Library Director Gig Down to 2 Finalists
Framingham is one step closer to a new Director of Libraries. This week the FPL Search Committee announced two finalists for the gig: Dawn Dellasanta and Manual Leite
Who are they? Dellasanta is the current Interim Director. Before this role, Dellasanta was the Head of Library Technology and Head of Branch Experience. Dellasanta has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in English from Framingham State University and a Masters in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Technology from Simmons University. Dellasanta is a former member of the United States Marine Corps.
Leite is the Director of the Blount County Public Library in Maryville, TN. Leite has been the Director of the Boyden Library in Foxborough, Director of the East Bridgewater Public Library and Assistant Director of the Tiverton Public Library in Rhode Island.
Leite has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth and a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island.
Next steps in the process: Both finalists will meet with the Library Trustees and make a public presentation. Dellasanta meets with the Library Trustees on Tuesday, May 21 at 7pm. Her public presentation is at 3:30 pm in the Costin Room in the Main Library on Wednesday, May 22.
Leite meets with the trustees on Monday, May 20 at 7pm. His presentation is at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 21 in the Costin Room.
The public can attend all meetings and presentations.
Get Involved - Board Appointments Open
Serving on one of Framingham’s boards and commissions is a wonderful way not only to give back, but to have your voice heard in our city government.
There are a number of openings right now. As I wrote above, the EDC is seeking 7 members. Here is the latest list of boards seeking members:
Board of Public Health
2 members needed for 5 member board
The mission of the Board of Health is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all residents of the City of Framingham.
Deadline to apply: Sunday, May 19, at 11:59 pm.
Zoning Board of Appeals
2 full member seats and 4 associate member seats
The ZBA is a quasi-judicial board whose role is to interpret the Framingham Zoning Bylaw in appeals of denied building permits or other determinations of the Building Commissioner and hear petitions for Special Permits and Variances subject to the requirements of Mass. General Laws Chapter 40A.
ZBA also is the Sign Appeals Board, deciding appeals variances for signs that do not comply with the city’s sign by-law. Finally, the Board has jurisdiction over affordable housing projects proposed under M.G.L. Chapter 40B.
A background in law or regulatory compliance, land use planning, real estate, and/or urban development policy is encouraged.
Deadline to apply: Monday, May 20, at 11:59 p.m.
Community Preservation Committee
2 at-large members needed for 9 member board
Appointed by the Council
Duties include: studying the needs, community resources and possible uses of CPA funds by creating a local CPA plan that prioritizes uses and allows for making informed decisions on CPA proposals; conduct thorough review of CPA applications and make recommendations to the Council for appropriation and action.
According to the announcement “Applicants shall demonstrate competence and or/interest in serving as a Community Preservation Committee member with particular expertise, education, previous and/or ongoing experience focused on land use matters concerned with affordable housing, agriculture, historic preservation, recreational and open space, planning, and/or land use project management. Municipal finance or fiscal accounting experience is desirable.”
Deadline to apply: Monday, May 27 at 11:59 pm.
How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and fill out the online form.
Charter Review Committee to Hold Public Hearing
After months of discussion and review, the Charter Review Committee wants to hear public feedback on their proposed changes. The Charter is Framingham’s guiding document outline the structure and rules for our city government.
When is the hearing: The public is welcome to attend the hearing on Thursday, May 23 in the Blumer Room at 7:00 p.m. and will be on Zoom as well.
The process: After the hearing, the Charter Review Committee will wrap up their work and send their recommendations to the Council by the end of June. Once the Council approves the recommendations, it will be on a ballot for approval by the voters.
What are the proposed recommendations?:
According to the press release, here are the highlights:
A more inclusive operating budget process: The Committee is recommending a meeting earlier in the year where community members can share their key priorities for the next budget before it is developed. It also recommends earlier submissions dates for some parts of the budget to give the council and public more time to digest the proposal. Lastly, it requires all budget information be immediately placed online and that the final, approved budget be online for the public to view throughout the year.
A more efficient capital budget process: The Committee is recommending that the capital budget plan be approved by February 1 rather than be 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: The Committee is recommending new rules to require that all meetings 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 language 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 well.
A new position to coordinate Framingham’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: The Committee is recommending that there be a new rule that bars someone from being on two Framingham elected boards at once; it is 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: 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.
You can see the full list of suggested changes in chart form here ( English, Spanish, Portuguese) and the actual draft Charter language can be found here. ( English, Spanish, Portuguese). The documents are also available to view as PDFs at the Charter Review Committee website here.
If you cannot attend the hearing: Feel free to email the Charter Review Committee at charterreview@framinghamma.gov
Finance Subcommittee Holds Public Hearing on Mayor’s Budget
Process takes next step: As the Finance Subcommittee continues their review of Mayor Sisitsky’s proposed FY25 budget, tomorrow they will hold a public hearing.
When and where: Tuesday, May 16 at 6pm in the Blumer Room in the Memorial Building. Check the meeting agenda for the Zoom link for remote participation.
4.4% spending increase: The recommended budget is $359,040,477, an increase of $15 million, 4.4% over FY2024.
Property tax increased by 2.5%: This budget is based on the property tax levy at 2.5%, providing a revenue increase of $5.3 million over the previous year. Property taxes make up 60.9% of the city’s revenue.
After the hearing: The Finance Subcommittee will make their recommendations to the full Council for their action in June.
Community Events
Flag Placing at Edgell Grove Cemetery: Saturday, May 18 at 9:00am, volunteers are needed to replace more than 5,000 flags on veterans graves at Edgell Grove.
Veterans Administration Open House: Wednesday, May 15 from 4pm-7pm, with a Veterans Town Hall at 5pm, at the Framingham VA Clinic at 61 Lincoln Street. Open house open to veterans, family and friends. Learn about federal and state benefits, PACT Act, Disability Claims and employment info. For more information email VABostonVets@va.gov.
Coburnville-Tripoli Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting: The CTNA welcomes guest State Representative Priscila Sousa to their monthly meeting on Monday, May 20 at 6:30pm at Barbieri Elementary School (100 Dudley Road).
District 4 Forum: Mayor Sisitsky continues his tour of all the districts on May 22 at 7pm at the BLOCKS Preschool. District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon and District 4 School Committee member Adam Freudberg, and members of the FPS and DPW will be in attendance.
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, May 13
Tuesday, May 14
Wednesday, May 15
Thursday, May 16
In Closing…
This week’s issue is dedicated to one of my first subscribers, my Aunt Liz, who recently passed away. Even though she didn’t live in Framingham, she never missed an issue. If I skipped a week, I’d hear about it. She dedicated her life serving and caring for others throughout her 60 year nursing career.
In one of our last conversations, she told me to keep writing this little newsletter but most of all “never stop doing good”.
May we all heed her advice to do good for others.
See you next week,
Mary Kate