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Author: News Staff

  • Senate, House Approve Bill to Fund Transportation Infrastructure Projects

    Framingham, MA – The Senate and House have agreed to a final transportation bond bill authorizing $12.7 billion in capital spending over the next five years for improvements to the Commonwealth’s transportation system, Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced. The Senate and House each passed different versions of the spending bill in March and accepted the compromise report released by a conference committee this week. The bill will receive a final formal vote in both branches before heading to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

    “Reliable, well-maintained transportation infrastructure is key for quality of life and economic development across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Spilka. “This bill supports many important transportation projects in MetroWest and state-wide to address accessibility, safety and traffic issues. This is a significant step in our continuing efforts to improve our roads, bridges and public transportation.”

    The bill includes funding for repairs, improvements and construction of highways, roads, bridges and parks across the state, as well as rail and bus projects. The bill also includes a $300 million spending authorization in Fiscal Year 2015 for the Chapter 90 program to fund local road repairs.

    Senator Spilka has been working for many years to increase state support for a number of local transportation infrastructure projects that are funded in the bill, including:

    •  $7,000,000 for projects to mitigate impacts at the at-grade rail crossings in Ashland and Framingham
    • $2,000,000 for the planning, design and reconstruction of the Route 126/Pond Street corridor in Ashland
    • $5,000,000 for a parking garage in downtown Natick
    • $1,000,000 for improvements to Route 109 in Medway

    Senator Spilka is also pleased that projects addressing infrastructure needs throughout MetroWest are funded in this bill, including:

    • $3,000,000 for the Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick
    • $750,000 for the Upper Charles Rail Trail in Holliston
    • $750,000 for planning, design and infrastructure of Route 135, Route 85 and West Main Street in Hopkinton
    • $4,100,000 for improvements to the Route 27 and Route 9 intersection in Natick
    • $2,358,000 for the new Marion Street Bridge in Natick
    • $300,000 for safety study and improvements at the intersection of Route 140 and Panther Way in Franklin

    Senator Spilka’s initiative to fund in-state repair facilities for the state’s fleet of mass transit vehicles is also included in the bill. This proposal will support the construction of maintenance, manufacturing and assembly facilities within Massachusetts, in order to encourage the creation of new in-state jobs and cut down costs associated with shipping vehicles to out-of-state repair facilities.

    The Senate anticipates a final vote on the bill Thursday before sending it to the Governor for his signature.

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  • World YoYo Champion to Perform at Library April 27th

    World YoYo Champion to Perform at Library April 27th

    John Higby, World Yo-Yo Champion
    John Higby, World Yo-Yo Champion

    Framingham, MA – World YoYo Champion John Higby will presenting his YoYo Show at the Framingham Public Library on Sunday, April 27th, 2014 starting at 1:30pm.

    When John was 10 years old, his Grandfather gave him a yo-yo he found in the attic, showed John a few tricks — and the rest was history!

    John now holds 4 Guinness World Records and is a World YoYo Champion!  He regularly per performs at “Busker Festivals” in the U.S.A., Canada, Japan and other countries, has been seen on the David Letterman show, performed many times for U.S. troops stationed in Europe and the Mid-East — he even ran a National Yo-Yo contest in Malaysia.  John now performs with his wife Rebecca who at metin 2000 at a Yo-Yo event in his home town,  Denver, Colorado.

    Skilled precision, deft timing, swingin’ music and humor make the YoYo Guy a favorite for people of all ages as he performs old favorite yo-yo tricks and amazing new ones.

    Show will be held in the Costin Room of the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street,  Framingham, MA. There is no charge for admission. Refreshments will be served.

    For more info about John, Rebecca and the YoYo Show, visit:  http://www.yoyoshow.com/

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  • Summer Recreation Program Signup

    Summer Recreation Program Signup

    2014 Framingham Park and Rec programs
    Click image to download complete 2014 Spring & Summer programs listing, (in PDF format).

    Framingham, MA – The Town of Framingham Parks & Recreation Department has published its list of 2014 SPRING & SUMMER PROGRAMS.

    Registration for the popular Summer Recreation Centers, (for children Ages 5 – 13 yrs), begins Thursday, April 10th at the Academy Building in Cushing Memorial Park from 5:30-6:30pm, (then at the Parks & Recreation Office, during normal business hours, until all spots are filled).

    Recreation Centers for the 2014 Summer Sessions will be located at Wilson Elementary School and Walsh Middle School.  The program runs from 9:00am – 3:30pm and costs $240 per child per session, (Session I:  July 7th –  18th,  Session II: July 21st – Aug. 1st,  Session III: Aug. 4th – 15th). Parents are responsible for transportation to an from program

    For a complete list of all 2014 Spring &  Summer programs, click here, (download is a .PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print).

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  • Town of Framingham Hiring Summer Laborers

    Framingham, MA – The Town of Framingham is hiring summer laborers to maintain the Town’s fields, parks and recreational areas.

    The work involves operating park maintenance equipment to maintenance fields, recreation areas, and parks “including, but not limited to, painting, mowing, trimming, trash removal, ball field maintenance, raking, cleaning and general landscaping type activities.”

    Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old, have a MA Class C drivers license, and “have experience sufficient to indicate the aptitude to do the work safely and efficiently.”

    The seasonal position pays $9.85 to $11.03 per hour, and as (40) hours per week, (Sun-Sat),  with overtime as needed.

    Click here for complete details about this job, or, to see all Town of Framingham Jobs listings, or to download an Employment Application visit: www.framinghamma.gov/Jobs.aspx

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  • Senator Spilka District Office Hours for April 2014

    Senator Spilka District Office Hours for April 2014

    Senator Karen Spilka
    Sen. Karen Spilka

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Join Senator Karen Spilka and Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka’s District and Constituent Services Director, for district office hours on Friday, April 18th in Framingham and Natick and on Friday, April 25th in Franklin and Medway.

    Senator Spilka and/or staff members will be available to update constituents on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district. Constituents will also have the opportunity to discuss their concerns, questions and policy priorities.

    FRAMINGHAM OFFICE HOURS
    Friday, April 18th
    10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    Panache Coffee
    680 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA
     
    NATICK OFFICE HOURS (more…)
  • Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday April 12th

    Household Hazardous Waste Day, Saturday April 12th

    2014 Framingham Hazardous Waste Day
    Click image to Download 2014 Framingham Hazardous Waste Day flyer (PDF format)

    Framingham, MA – The Town of Framingham Solid Waste Division is holding a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, April 12th, 2014 at McCarthy Elementary, (8 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA). You MUST arrive between 9:00am and 1:00pm, (no late arrivals!).

    The recycling and disposal program is open to Framingham residents only, (who must show their Framingham license).  There is no cost for residents to participate.

    ACCEPTED ITEMS:

    From your house: Aerosol paint cans • Ammonia • Bleaches • Chemistry sets • Cleaners • Drain cleaners • Dry cleaning fluid • Floor cleaners • Metal polish • Oven cleaners • Mercury items (fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, button batteries)

    From your yard: Cesspool cleaners • Insecticides • Pesticides • Weed killer • Fertilizers • Pool chemicals • Rodent killer

    From your garage or shed: Adhesives / glues / resins • Brake and (more…)

  • FSU Baseball Takes a Pair of One Run Games from Fitchburg State

    FSU Baseball Takes a Pair of One Run Games from Fitchburg State

    Framingham State University RAMS
    Framingham State University RAMS

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham State University baseball team received strong pitching performances from senior Matt DiCato (Winthrop, Mass.) and freshman Mike Andrews (Stoneham, Mass.) as the Rams defeated Fitchburg State 2-1 in eight innings and 3-2 to sweep a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader this afternoon at Bowditch Field.

    With the pair of wins, the Rams improve to 10-8 on the year and are now 3-1 in the MASCAC, while the Falcons fall to 13-8 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

    DiCato and Fitchburg State freshman Kyle (more…)

  • FSU RAMs Baseball Downs Keene State 11-1 in Home Opener

    FSU RAMs Baseball Downs Keene State 11-1 in Home Opener

    Framingham State University RAMS
    Framingham State University RAMS

    Framingham, MA – Sophomore outfielder Jake Wardwell (Hudson, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with five RBI to lead the Framingham State University baseball team to an 11-1 non-conference victory over Keene State College in the Rams home opener this afternoon at Bowditch Field.

    With the win, the Rams even their record at 8-8 on the year, while the Owls slide to 4-8 overall.

    Wardwell led the Rams potent offense with his two hits, five RBI and a run scored, while freshman Manny Powers (Malden, Mass.) was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Powers also tossed an inning of scoreless relief to close the game for the Rams.

    Sophomore Dillon Corliss (Winterport, ME) earned (more…)

  • Bose Files Complaint to Keep Monsters Out of Your Ears!

    Bose Files Complaint to Keep Monsters Out of Your Ears!

    Bose Corporation, Framingham, MA
    Bose Corporation of Framingham, MA (USA) initiates trade complaint over in-ear devices.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Upon a complaint from Bose Corporation, (Framingham, MA), regarding “ear bud” type earphone devices, the U.S. International Trade Commission, (USITC), has instituted a “Section 337” investigation of Monster, Inc. (Brisbane, CA USA — a company best known as the maker of Monster® Cable), Monster, LLC (Las Vegas, NV USA), and Monster Technology International, Ltd., (Ennis, County Clare, Ireland).

    According to the USITC websites, a Section 337 investigation (more…)

  • FSU Women’s Lacrosse 7-5 Victory over Mass. Maritime in MASCAC Open

    FSU Women’s Lacrosse 7-5 Victory over Mass. Maritime in MASCAC Open

    Framingham State University RAMS
    Framingham State University RAMS

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham State University women’s lacrosse team tallied five second half goals en route to a 7-5 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both squads this afternoon at Maple Street Field.

    With the win, the Rams improve to 2-3 on the season and are now 1-0 in the conference, while the Buccaneers are still in search of their first victory at 0-3 overall and are now 0-1 in the MASCAC.

    The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead as they converted on a pair of free position opportunities. Freshman Jessica Graham (Woburn, Mass.) struck first just under (more…)