framingham.com (*** TEST SITE ***)

Author: Deb Cleveland

  • New McAuliffe Branch Library Building Nixed by Town Meeting

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Article 2 on the March 15th Special Town Meeting Warrant, asking for Town Meeting to vote in favor of funds to build a new McAuliffe Library building in Pinefield Shopping Center failed to receive the two thirds majority required to approve such funding.

    Despite the support of most town committees, and the Board of Selectmen, a $ 1.6 million dollar grant, and funds spent on the plans and feasibility study, and public support, and an aging building in need of significant repair, there weren’t enough town meeting members convinced that the project was to be supported at this time. Unfortunately, the grant will expire May 15th and it is estimated that it will be another 8 years before Framingham might receive another one.

    During the discussion, moderator Ed Noonan collapsed, knocking over the podium. He quickly revived, but handed off the running of the meeting to Joel Winett, and was taken to the hospital by EMT’s. After a brief recess, discussion of the library article continued, but many would-be speakers were disappointed as the stand-in moderator allowed the vote to be called.

    Before the vote on the library funding, a motion by the Standing Committee on Public Works (SCPW) to refer the library article back to sponsor was voted down.

    The Town will be facing significant expenditures to make the current building accessible, as well as replacing the HVAC system and the roof and addressing plumbing problems.

    ###

  • Vote on Proposed New McAuliffe Library Building set for March 15

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – McAULIFFE LIBRARY NEWS: New Date set for a special Town Meeting to again vote on funding for proposed new McAuliffe Library Building: March 15th, 7:30 p.m. in Nevins Hall.  Asecond try by Library Trustees.

    On Wed., Jan. 12th, Framingham Town Meeting voted to buy the land on Water St. for the proposed new McAuliffe library, but voted down, by a small margin, to allocate funds to build it.

    If funds aren’t voted by mid-May, the town will lose the state grant money.

    How Town Meeting Members voted is available on the framinghamma.gov site. Many Town Meeting members reported that they voted in favor of the new library because so many of their constituants called them and urged them to do so.

    (For more info on the McAuliffe Branch Library, see www.framinghamlibrary.org/mcauliff.htm)

    ###

  • Retiring Esther Hopkins Honored

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Dr. Esther A. H. Hopkins, retiring member of the Board of Selectmen, was honored by the Human Relations Commission of the Town of Framingham and the Board of Selectmen for her long career of public service on Thurs. March 10 in Nevins Hall. In 1999 Dr. Hopkins made history as the first African-American to be elected to the Framingham Board.

    Guest speakers included Senator Karen Spilka, Reps Debbie Blumer and Thomas Sannicandro, and Town Manager George King.

    Yours for Humanity presented an enactment of the return to Framingham’s Harmony Grove of the 19th Century Abolitionist and Women’s Rights Activist, Abby Kelley Foster, portrayed by actress Abby Lynne McKenney Lydick.

    (Sponsored by the Worcester Women’s History Project and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities).

    ###

  • Friends of Saxonville Annual Meeting set for Tues. April 12th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Friends of Saxonville will hold their annual meeting on Tues., April 12th, at Stapleton Elementary School, Elm St. at 6:30 p.m.

    They will present updates on their initiatives, honor special volunteers, and elect officers. Every year they present a special feature. This year the Friends have arranged for a special Saxonville edition of the popular Framingham Trivia Cable Show with participation from the audience.

    Do you have a question about Saxonville’s history? If so, call Bill Dyan at 508-877-0289 and it may be covered on the show.

    Wish to nominate someone to the Board of Directors? Send your nomination to Friends of Saxonville, PO B ox 3236, Framingham, MA 01705.

    For additional information, call Charlene Frary, secretary, at 508-877-3556 or visit www.saxonville.org.

    ###

  • McAuliffe Library Question and Answer Session Canceled

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Board of Library Trustees question and answer session on the new branch library project that was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 (today) in the Public Hearing Room of the Memorial Building has been canceled due to bad weather.

    The Trustees apologize for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation and all Town Meeting members will be contacted if the session is rescheduled before the March 15 Special Town Meeting.

    If you have any questions about the branch project, please feel free to contact Tom Gilchrist by phone or email. E-mail: tgilchrist@minlib.net Phone: (508) 879-3570 ext. 301

    ###

  • Office Depot extends 5% Back to Schools Program

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Office Depot in Shoppers World is now offering their ‘5%% Back to Schools’ program, instead of beginning in May.

    All shoppers have to do is mention a school as they checkout, and 5% of their qualified purchases will be earmarked for that school.  Help your school as you shop!

    Schools will receive their 5% rewards quarterly. At the same time, teachers can receive 5% off their purchases when they sign up for the no-cost STAR Teachers program.

    Visit the Office Depot store in Shoppers World for details.

    ###

  • River’s Edge Garden Center Announces Opening Date

    FRAMINGHAM, MA -A perennial sign of spring is the opening of River’s Edge Garden Center.  Located off Edgell Rd. on Auburn St. Extension, the garden center staff has spent the winter ordering and gathering plants, flowers, and garden gifts and supplies to get you ready for Easter and spring planting.

    Since Easter is early this year, (Sunday, March 27th), and River’s Edge is gearing up for opening on Friday, March 11th.

    Watch for their sign at the corner of Edgell Rd. & Auburn St.

    ###

  • Framingham Heart Study Book Released

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Heart Study is famous the world over and is the subject of a new book, “A Change of Heart: How the People of Framingham, Massachusetts Helped Unravel the Mysteries of Cardiovascular Disease” by Heart Study Director Dr. Daniel Levy.

    The book, published by the Alfred A. Knopf company, is available at a discount from Amazon.com, or in local bookstores.

    (For more info, see the Framingham Heart Study section right here on framingham.com, they are among the most popular pages on the site and are visited by people throughout the world).

  • A Cheer for Alex

    Fundraiser for Cameron Middles School Student

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – A fundraiser is being held for Alex Gomes, a Cameron Middle School student fighting Cancer.

    The event will be held Sunday, April 3, Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

    Tickets are $10 each for a Pasta Dinner Buffet, DJ, Raffles and Silent Auction.

    Anyone interested in purchasing tickets or donating raffle items can contact Faith Guarino 508-788-6941.

    ###

  • Wallace Nutting Chest Sells for $18,700

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Decades before Martha Stewart, Wallace Nutting, whose home and office were in Framingham, held sway over popular home furnishings and taste.  Nutting’s Old America Company was located on Park St., in Downtown Framingham and produced prints, picture frames and reprodution furniture in the 1920’s-30’s.

    A leader of the Colonial Revival movement, he helped Americans rediscover and appreciate their local and historic treasures through his nostalgic photographs, travel books like “Massachusetts Beautiful” and quality reproduction colonial furniture.

    Today his works are sought after. There is a collectors society and an auctioneer, Michael Ivankovich, of Doylestown, PA, specializes in selling Nutting items.

    Ivankovich recently sold a Nutting mahogany Goddard block front chest at auction for $ 18,700. It was the third highest price ever paid for a piece of Nutting furniture. The others were a highboy for $33,000 and a Goddard desk secretary for $ 36,750.

    (For more information about Nutting, see our Wallace Nutting historic profile page).