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

Category: Politics

  • PUBLIC FORUM ON OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

    FRAMINGHAM,MA — Our Health Care System: Diagnosis & Treatment Options: Why can’t we have a health care system that works for the patient?

    Announcing: A Public Forum on the Health Care Crisis at the Framingham Public Library,49 Lexington St.,Framingham Mass on Thursday October 15, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm.

    Dr. Gordon Schiff, M.D., a physician and past president of Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP), will speak at a public forum to be held at the Framingham public library. Dr. Schiff will address the facts and fantasies surrounding a National Health Plan. Everyone is invited. There will be an hour for questions and answers.

    This forum is for people to ask questions about the proposed health care plan and learn how it will affect them. Our intention is for people to come away with a better understanding about the facts and what they can do to make their voices heard and their representatives to listen.

    This forum is sponsored by MetroWest Mass-Care, and the Nightingales.

    For further information send an email to: nightingales@meganet.net


  • $43 Million Birch Road Well Project Discussed on Local Cable TV

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — If you’d like to hear an in-depth discussion about Framingham’s $43M Birch Road Well Project to reduce the town’s dependence on MWRA water by 50%, tune in to hear the experts discuss the overall project on public access t.v. on:

    The Audrey Hall Show:

    • Monday 9/28/09, 7:00 p.m.
    • Tuesday 9/29/09, 9:00 a.m.
    • Wednesday 9/30/09 9:00 a.m.

    The well site has been referred to as the “highest yielding” aquifer in eastern Massachusetts and after years of discussing the potential of the well the town started to seriously consider the project in 2003, with aquifer testing beginning in spring 2006.

    In May, Town Meeting approved a $40.3 million water treatment facility project that would tap into the Birch Road Wells. The site is located in Saxonville adjacent to the PUD site (formerly NE Sand and Gravel) just off of Old Conn Path near the Wayland line. The aquifer tapped by the wells and treated by the facility could supply more than 4 million gallons daily, nearly half of the town’s water supply. This has the potential to save the town tens of millions of dollars in years to come.

    The town has to pay a fee to the MWRA annually and the rates keep escalating. In 2008 MWRA water cost Framingham $6.3 million. Projected 2014 costs for the town are estimated to be $9.3 million.

    In 2013, the Birch Road Wells water could potentially cost about 40 percent less than MWRA water. In addition to the savings on MWRA water, Framingham can benefit from some federal stimulus funding, which could amount to 14 percent of the project’s cost, or about $5.6 million.

    There are some concerns, including magnesium levels and the impact of a plume of PCE from a spill decades ago during experiments on the property to develop a quick means of patching damaged air fields.

    Wayland officials are concerned about the impact on their water supply. Richard Miller of the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee has raised concerns about the impact to Lake Cochituate.

  • Suburban Coalition presents the Survival of Our Communites

    FRAMINGHAM, MA -The Suburban Coalition is holding a meeting about the fiscal survival of our communities on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at 7:15-9:00PM in the King Building, Desmarias Meeting Room (Lower level), 454 Water Street, Framingham.

    The event, with the title: THE SURVIVAL OF OUR COMMUNITIES will feature as a speaker Michael Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Mr. Widmer is well respected for his thorough and accurate analyses of state fiscal conditions and outlooks.

    Senator Jamie Eldridge, Chair of the Municipalities and Regional Government Committee and additional legislators from the metro-west area have also been invited.

    This is an opportunity for interested community members to hear about the state’s fiscal status and outlook.

    Take advantage of this early opportunity to hear what is in store for the remainder of FY10 and FY11 and to speak with legislators about the challenges and needs in your community.

    Please feel free to share this information to others who may be interested in attending.

    Please RSVP to dorothypresser@suburbancoalition.org

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  • Planning Board Accepting Associate Member Applications

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Planning Board and Board of Selectmen are accepting letters of interest and qualifications from residents who would like to be considered for appointment as the Planning Board’s Associate Member. The term for this appointment is from the date of the appointment until July 1, 2010. This is a volunteer position.

    The Associate Member of the Planning Board serves in cases where the Planning Board acts as the Special Permit Granting Authority under the Framingham Zoning By-Law. These Public Hearings are generally held twice per month in the evening from 7:30 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m.

    The Chairperson of the Planning Board may require such Associate Member to be in attendance at special permit hearings, and may designate such Associate Member to sit on the Board for the purpose of acting on a special permit application in the case of absence, inability to act, or conflict of interest, on the part of any member of the Planning Board, or in the event of a vacancy on the Board.

    Desirable qualifications include, but are not limited to, an understanding, awareness and/or experience with the Framingham Zoning By-Law and the variety of development proposals that come before the Framingham Planning Board as well as insight into the land use issues that are of concern to town residents.

    Application forms are available online at www.framinghamma.gov

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  • Route 126 Corridor Transportation Improvement Study Approved

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – On May 20, 2009 the Metrowest Legislators announced that the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has approved a Route 126 Corridor Transportation Improvement Study that will encompass the towns of Bellingham, Medway, Holliston, Ashland and Framingham. Work is set to begin immediately.

    The objectives of the study are to identify mobility, access, safety, and other transportation-related problems at selected locations along Route 126 and to identify and evaluate multimodal transportation solutions to the problems, with the goal of improving accessibility to the towns’ shopping, commercial, educational, and service centers.

    “Route 126 is extremely important to the towns included in this study, as well as the greater MetroWest region, connecting as it does to 1-495, Route 16, Route 109, Route 135, and Route 140,” stated Senator Karen Spilka. “This study is great news for these towns and the region as a whole, as we continue our efforts to grow smart and grow strong.”

    The first step in the project will be the formation of an advisory task force that includes town officials, affected residents, members of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the Massachusetts Highway Department, and the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works, as well as local Senators and Representatives. This task force, which is scheduled to meet once in mid-June and once again within twelve months, will participate in the study by offering advice and input on data, study location selections, and recommendations.

    “The Route 126 corridor is a main thoroughfare in the Town of Framingham,” stated Representative Pam Richardson. “It is a crucial component in the economic development and revitalization of our downtown. I am looking forward to working on the task force, the outcome of the study and the subsequent improvements to this important corridor.”

    The end result of the study will be recommendations for geometric, traffic control, and other changes for improved traffic operations, with special emphasis on the effective and safe accomodation of pedestrians and bicyclists. Bus service improvement recommendations may also be developed. A long-term vision for the Route 126 corridor compatible with the land use and economic development in the area is also expected.

    “The development of Route 126 is a quality of life issue for the people of my district” stated Representative Tom Sannicandro. “The jobs and economic development that will come from these proposed transportation improvements will not only transform much of Ashland and Framingham, but all of Metro West.”

    All results will be presented for discussion and input at the second meeting of the advisory task force. A final report documenting all of the project’s tasks and products, including its recommendations, will be submitted to the Transportation Planning and Programming Committee of the MPO for final approval.

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  • Legislative Delegation Announces Framingham Receives $500K for Bowditch

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Tom Sannicandro and Representative Pam Richardson announced Friday, November 7, 2008 that Framingham has received a $500,000 grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) for renovations to Bowditch Field.

    The grant was awarded under EEA’s Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Program.

    “This is a great opportunity for Framingham to revitalize an existing asset and give a whole new (more…)

  • Ballot Question Night sponsored by Framingham League of Women Voters

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham League of Women Voters will present Ballot Questions 2008 on Monday, October 20, 2008. The forum will be in The Blumer Room of The Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Framingham and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

    Both proponents and opponents of Ballot Questions 1, 2 and 3 will present information on each Ballot Question and there will be opportunity for questions and comments from the audience.

    The forum is part of the League’s mission of citizen education and all residents are welcome and encouraged to attend and learn about these important issues upon which we will be voting on November 4.

    Directions can be found at the LWV of Framingham website: http://www.framingham.ma.lwvnet.org

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  • Voter Registration Deadline for Presidential Election

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Presidential/State Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. The polls are open from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

    Voter Registration Deadline for the election is Wednesday, October 15, 2008. The Framingham Town Clerk’s Office in the Memorial Building, 150 Concord St., Framingham, will be open on Wednesday from 8:30am – 8:00pm.

    Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 51,26, to be eligible to vote in the Presidential/State Election, your mail-in voter registration form MUST be POSTMARKED on or before October 15, 2008.

    To confirm your voter registration and polling location, please call the office at (508) 532-5521.

    For a voter registration form, go here: http://www.eac.gov/files/voter/nvra_update.pdf

    For an absentee ballot application, go here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm

    To view a sample of your Presidential/State Election ballot (including questions), go here: http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

    Note: You can view your ballot as soon as the Secretary of the Commonwealth posts it on this site.

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  • Candidates’ Forum at Temple Beth Sholom

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Temple Beth Sholom Brotherhood is pleased to announce a Candidates Forum as part of our Brotherhood Breakfast Series this Sunday, 9/14, at 9:30 am.

    We have secured attendance of the three Democratic candidates running for the 6th Middlesex District Seat.

    This will be one of the last chances to meet and learn about the candidates and their views on the issues affecting Framingham and the Commonwealth.

    The election is two days later on 9/16.

    The TBS Brotherhood Breakfast is open to the public at a cost of $8/person which includes breakfast. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Fern at 508-877-2540 x 105 (You may leave a message in voice mail). We must have your RSVP by Thursday 12pm (9/11), so we may properly prepare our room and the breakfast food. Walk-ins will not be allowed.

    If you have any further questions, please email Hesh Shorey at hkshorey@rcn.com or Rich Shapiro at rshapiro@assetmortgage.net.

    Temple Beth Sholom is located at 50 Pamela Road, off of Water Street, and on the web atย www.beth-sholom.org.

    Temple Beth Sholom is an egalitarian conservative congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Founded in 1885, our congregation has a rich, vibrant tradition cultivated for more than 100 years by dedicated spiritual leaders, caring support staff and active congregants. Our spiritual leader is Rabbi Laurence Bazer.

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  • 2008 State Rep Debate on Cable

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Those that may have missed the Framingham Democratic Town Committee sponsored debate of candidates for the Framingham St. Rep seat that was held on Monday at Town Hall can still view it on cable TV.

    The entire debate was captured by the Framingham Public Access Channel. The following is a list of the times that the program will air:

    Friday 6/27 @ 12:00pm

    Friday 6/27 @ 7:00pm

    Saturday 6/28 @ 12:00pm

    Saturday 6/28 @ 6:00pm

    Sunday 6/29 @ 12:00pm

    FPAC-TV can be found on RCN channel 3, Comcast Channel 9 & Verizon Channel 43.

    For additional times and dates of air times – visit: www.fpac-tv.org

    Related Link: <http://www.fpac-tv.org>

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