FRAMINGHAM, MA – In the municipality that claims to be “The Largest Town in America“, rumblings, in the form of off-the-cuff remarks, hushed whispers and a few outright cries for reform are once again being heard in Framingham.
For those who weren’t around in the late 1990’s — or weren’t paying attention, the last Charter Commission was established, heard from, and its findings quietly tucked away along with the rest of the efforts to reform Framingham’s government from its historical Town Meeting form into a City, with a Mayor and City Council.
The commission’s Majority Report from 1996-1997 began with the following statement- (more…)
Help Framingham voters get to know who you are what your postions are.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Candidates for the upcoming 2011 Framingham Annual Town Election are invited to submit position papers including a brief bio and other info related to their candidacy which will be published in a special Election 2011 section of this website.
While many candidates could write a short novel about any single issue they are passionate about, we are asking that “positions” be simply stated, e.g.- “For city form of government“, “Against legalized hemp production“, “For removing dams and letting Sudbury River clean itself“, etc.
Info should be the equivalent of one 8 1/2” x 14, “legal size” typewritten page PLUS one (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – The following contains information about running for Town Office, running for Town Meeting, as well as voter info, general candidate and election info and key dates related to the 2011 Framingham Town Election.
Framingham's Annual Town Election will be held April 5th, 2011. Help decide who will serve in your town's government — vote!
Nomination papers for those planning to run for Town Offices in 2011 were available from the Town Clerk on November 29, 2010. To be nominated, candidates for Town Offices needed to return the nomination papers with the valid signatures of fifty registered Framingham voters. (These dates and requirements were for “Town Offices” only, not for Town Meeting Member candidates).
Candidates for Town Office who did complete the nomination process now have until (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – The town of Framingham will hold a Special Town Meeting, Wednesday January 12, 2011 for the purpose of voting on the following (4) Articles:
Article #1 asks Town Meeting to vote to allow the transfer of handicap parking receipts to the Disability Commission. The article is sponsored by Town’s Chief Financial Officer, (CFO).
Article #2 asks Town Meeting to vote to appropriate $1,020,000 for window and door replacement at the Mary E. Stapelton School. According the the materials provided, the Town would pay $431,562 and would obtain the $588,438 balance needed in a grant from MSBA for the balance. This article was sponsored by School Committee.
Article #3 asks Town Meeting to approve a preliminary design for a new McAuliffe Library. This article is related to the next, Article #4, which asks Town Meeting to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire 5 parcels of land next to and behind Nobscot Shopping Center on Water Street for a new library at a cost of $739,800. These two articles, (#3 and #4), are sponsored by the Framingham Library Trustees.
The Special Town Meeting will commence at 7:30PM, Wednesday, January 12, 2010 in Nevins Hall.
Prior to the Special Town Meeting, at 7:15PM the Town Clerk will hold precinct meetings to fill vacancies.
The January 12, 2011 Special Town Meeting Warrant and accompanying background information can be downloaded from the Town website at:
The Christa McAuliffe Branch of the Framingham Public Library is located on the corner of Water St. and Nicholas Rd. in Saxonville.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – I got my first library card at the Saxonville Branch Library when I was about 8 years old. That was in the late 1960’s.
In 1988 the library was rededicated as the Christa McAuliffe Branch, after Christa, who grew up in Framingham, graduated from Marian High School in 1966 and from Framingham State College in 1970 was killed in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle explosion and after beating out every other applicant for the honor of becoming the “First Teacher in Space”.
I’m probably prejudiced by the fact that I’ve been going to that library for over 40 years now — but I don’t think Framingham should move the McAuliffe Library to Nobscot.
For several years the Framingham Library Trustees have been trying to convince the Town to spend millions of dollars to build a new McAuliffe library.
The arguments for a new library have all been made; the current building was designed for 1/5 of the patrons it serves and books it holds; the building is not ADA compliant; the parking is across the street; and generally that it’s just too small.
The idea that the State and Federal Government keep offering millions of dollars in matching funds grants for the construction of libraries drives local bibliophiles crazy. “Matching funds” are the operative words.
In 2004, after years of being on a waiting list for construction money, the McAuliffe Branch was awarded $1.65 Million as a provisional Library Construction Grant
There was a hitch though — the community had to come up with the rest of the $5 Million to retain the grant and build the library.
In a Special Town Meeting, March 15th, 2005 , Article 2 on the Warrant asked Town Meeting Members to vote in favor of the funds, (to build a new library on the Pinefield Shopping Center property).
The article failed to get the required two-thirds of TMM votes. The grant expired in May of 2005, but the idea of building a new library didn’t.
Formerly called the Saxonville Branch, the building which currently houses the Christa McAuliffe Branch of the Framingham Public Library may close when and if a new library is built in Nobscot.
In December 2005, improvements were made to the McAuliffe Branch for handicapped accessibility.
Recently the sidewalks were redone, the front entrance was expanded and a raised, textured walkway connecting the library to the parking lot across the street was added.
Library Trustees are now asking for even more money to build a $6.5 Million dollars library in Nobscot.
The old arguments and new plans are being bolstered by the fact that a larger grant is now available, but with the caveat that the Town will need to spend more to get it.
The logic reminds me of shoppers who fall for advertising that claims; “The More You Spend The More You Save!“. The truth is, the more you spend — the more you spend.
With that said, it may seem strange that I am 100% in agreement with the plan to build a library in Nobscot. But, even if money was not an issue, (which it is), I just don’t like the idea of closing the Saxonville / McAuliffe Branch when Nobscot gets back its library, (Nobscot used to have a library — I’ll get to that in a minute).
The latest plan is to build a 17,000 square foot library in Nobscot to replace the 5000 sq. ft. one now in use in Saxonville.The new library is slated to be built on land next to the Nobscot Shopping Center.
In November 2010, the Library trustees put out an “RFP”, (Request for Proposals). Only two proposals came in. One from the owner of Pinefield Shopping Center offering to sell the Town 2 acres at double its current value, and a second much more generous offer from the Rousseau family.
The Rousseaus are offering to sell the Town five parcels of land located next to the Nobscot Shopping Center. The parcels total 3.7 acres of land, and in such a prime location, the deal is practically a give-away. The Rousseau’s are asking $739,800 — which is only the assessed value of the property.
Five parcels of land owned by the Rousseau family are the site of a proposed new Nobscot library. The properties, located along Water Street abut the Nobscot Shopping Center and railroad property.
Newcomers to Framingham may not recognize the Rousseau name. The family has been involved with business and development in Framingham for almost a century. The 1950’s Albie’s Oil truck with its distinctive brown paint — which is now only seen in parades and car shows — is probably the most recognizable icon of the Rousseau family’s Framingham legacy.
Albie’s Oil was established in 1932 and operated along with a gas station on the corner of School St. and Concord St. in Saxonville until the year 2000. The family trust also owns several other Framingham properties strategically purchased decades ago next to railroad lines and other major intersections of transportation and commerce.
This home located at 746 Water St., in Framingham sits on the proposed site for new Nobscot Library.
The main house sitting on the 746 Water Street (front) lot with it’s Mansard style roof could be renovated into a very suitable temporary library for far less than the millions now being proposed for a new building.
The Town should take to opportunity to buy the Nobscot land — personally, I think the site is an excellent location for a library — and so did earlier inhabitants of Framingham.
Back in the late 1990’s, Bill Dyan, a local history buff, discovered a small building that looked like an oversized chicken coop sitting near the railroad tracks about 50 feet back from Water Street on the Rousseau property.
Bill’s research uncovered facts that it was much more than a chicken coop — it was (and is) an irreplaceable piece of Framingham history.
Restored Nobscot Post Office (c.1878), which also served as a Library and Railroad Ticket Office.
The multi-use building had once served as Framingham’s oldest Post Office, and from 1905 to 1953, half of the building’s 12’x24′ space was used as a library, (called the “Nobscot Depository).
Aside from postal and library duty, the 300 square foot building also served as a railroad office, with a ticket window in back facing the railroad tracks.
In June of 2000, in time for the Town of Framingham Tercentennial, and thanks to Bill Dyan’s and other’s efforts and donations, the building was restored and moved across Water Street, where it sits opposite the proposed site for a new Nobscot Library.
Framingham’s north side has gotten by with a branch in just Saxonville for the past 50 years, and one in just Nobscot for 50 years before that — wouldn’t it be nice if both villages had their own libraries?
My proposal, one I believe which has a better chance passing a Town Meeting vote, is for the Town to buy the entire piece of Nobscot land, but build a smaller library — about 10,000 square feet, and leave the Saxonville Branch open. The old Nobscot Post Office / Library could be moved back across the street to its original location (next to the railroad tracks) as a historic feature on the new library grounds.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham Town Meeting Members, (TMM), voted to pass an article which will leave Framingham residents with recycling pick up every other week instead of weekly.
People opposed to new recycling plan offered many reasons why they did not want to see the article pass. Among the complaints; The new containers are too big and some people including elderly and disabled won’t be able to (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham will celebrate Town Meeting Day on Sunday, October 22nd through the efforts of Town Moderator Joel Winett, who spearheaded the idea.
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 6: Section 15PP. Town Meeting Day states:
“The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting a Town Meeting Day in commemoration of the holding of the first town meeting, recommending that said day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.”
Framingham Town Meeting Members, elected officials, and all town residents are invited to an event in appreciation of Town Meeting Members’ public service.
Town Meeting Day will be observed on Sunday, October 22, 2006 in the Costin room of the main library at 3:00 pm.
This event is co-sponsored by the Library Trustees, who will provide some light refreshments.
Fred Wallace, of the Framingham Historical Society and Museum will present a brief talk on the history of Framingham and Town Meeting.
Afterwards, Town Meeting Members can socialize with other Town Meeting Members, elected officials, and residents.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Supporters of a new building for the McAuliffe Branch Library have another chance to ask Town Meeting for funding.
Town Meeting may revisit project during capital budget debate
Prompted by the state’s extension of a $ 1.6 million grant towards the proposed project until June 30th, Town Meeting Member Audrey Hall says she intends to request funding during debates about the capital budget this week.
If her motion for funding the library doesn’t pass, it may be six years before Framingham receives another state library grant.
Framingham made history by being the first city or town to receive a grant for a branch library, a recognition that McAuliffe is one of the busiest libraries in the state.
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.
