Framingham City Council, School Committee Candidates Take Part in Debates

FRAMINGHAM - Framingham City Council and School Committee candidates in contested races took part in a debate forum on Thursday, October 9, ahead of the 2025 municipal elections.

A total of 11 of the 12 candidates in contested City Council and School Committee races attended the event, which was held at Edwards Hall in Saxonville. District 8 City Councilor Leslie White Harvey was not in attendance.

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In District 3, Mary Kate Feeney and Ken Weiss will be running to replace Adam Steiner—who is not seeking re-election—on the City Council.

Feeney, the founder of the marketing and digital media consulting agency Dockside Media, believes that Framingham is a “city that still thinks it’s a town.” She told audience members that she thinks she can move the community forward proactively while acting as the district’s advocate.

“Change is coming to Framingham,” Feeney said on Thursday.

“The question is not is it, but how are we going to take that change? How are we going to make it our own?”

Weiss, who works as a Senior Engineering Manager, said he was motivated to run due to his “passion” for clean energy and environmental preservation. He previously proposed a few environmental-based pieces of legislation during Framingham’s town meetings in the 2010’s, including an article that called for the divestment from fossil fuels.

“(That article) passed, and it got me really excited about democracy and about the opportunities we have,” Weiss continued.

When asked about development, Feeney said it’s important for Framingham to consider making communities livable while wisely going about the review process for projects. She contended that there’s “no excuse” for previously proposed plans within Nobscot, adding that the voices of neighbors have to be heard.

Weiss agreed with that notion, saying that community input on these matters is vital. Weiss mentioned that he wants to work to “revitalize” downtown Framingham—“closer to 135,” as he put it—through eco-friendly developments. He is a proponent of mixed-use developments placed closer to public transit areas, such as Framingham’s Commuter Rail station.

Feeney and Weiss both highlighted their opposition to any plan to rezone Nobscot.

Feeney called actions being taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “disgusting;” she said all people within Framingham should feel safe.

“For me, as a councilor, I’m looking at ways of making sure that people know that the city does support them,” Feeney told attendees.

Feeney added that she’d ensure that local police officers do not work alongside ICE, as she encouraged residents to support downtown businesses and the immigrant community.

Weiss agreed with his opponent on immigration matters, saying that the state of fear is devastating for local immigrants. He wants to make sure that the city is helping those on the verge of citizenship as well.

“We just have to get the information out and try to help people as much as we can,” Weiss said.

“We can’t support ICE; we have to figure out how we can resist and make sure our local police officers are not supporting ICE.”

Feeney said she does not see a benefit of Framingham declaring itself as a sanctuary city, though she did add that Framingham should bolster public health and educational resources for the immigrant community. Weiss explained he “(leans) towards yes” on the question of Framingham becoming a sanctuary city, though he mentioned he wants to look more into the ramifications of doing so.

As for local budgeting manners, Feeney explained she’d look to bolster schools and support the creation of a south side elementary school, while also putting an emphasis on sustainability and affordability—especially for those who have “built this community.” Weiss told attendees that he’d also focus on climate projects, though he conceded that cuts will have to be made to facilitate those changes. He believes that Framingham should invest “everything we can” for those initiatives, while he also highlighted the investments he’d want to make into education.

Feeney supports the proposed changes to the Framingham Hole Rule Charter, which will also be on the local ballot this November. Weiss said he wants to do more research on the topic, explaining that he would provide an update on his stance on his campaign website.

In closing, Feeney said she is motivated to improve the Framingham that future generations will inherit.

“I think we have these moments now here in Framingham where a lot of questions are coming upon us that we need to make a decision on,” Feeney continued.

“We’ve got to take fate into our own hands and not let other, outside forces tell us what to do and who we are.”

Weiss finished by telling the audience that he will work with all stakeholders on behalf of District 3’s residents.

“I’m not taking any money from any developers or any special interests,” Weiss said.

“I really believe in this, and I really believe in preserving our District 3: the beautiful farms, the beautiful fields…Get out there any enjoy our beautiful district, and help me preserve it.”

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Incumbent District 4 City Councilor and business owner Michael Cannon is facing a challenge from U.S. Army veteran and local nurse Steven Belcher.

Cannon believes that his track record in the role is something worth considering leading up to Election Day.

“If you know me, you know that I bring an independent, open-minded voice to the council,” Cannon told those watching Thursday’s debate.

“I certainly don’t shy away from asking difficult questions or having uncomfortable conversations.”

Belcher said he was inspired to get involved following experiences of watching his daughter move through the local school system.

“I’m running for City Council because I believe our community deserves strong and practical leadership, and leadership that listens and delivers,” Belcher continued.

Cannon said that when considering new development plans, the city has to weigh housing needs with neighborhood preservation through open conversations. He mentioned he does not want to “acquiesce” to developers, especially with proposals related to sites such as Shoppers World coming in the future.

Belcher concurred, adding his belief that housing is one of Framingham’s biggest challenges. If elected, Belcher would want to prioritize “luxury apartments” less while putting a focus on more spaces for residents, veterans, and the elderly. He also wants to promote green spaces, specially Simpson Park off of the Mass Pike. He thinks water in that area should be dredged in order to turn it into a “viable part” of the community.

Furthermore on Shoppers World: Cannon thinks the city should learn from prior development mistakes and cater to the residents by learning about what they want to see. Belcher agreed, adding that the development process should be transparent and responsible.

Cannon believes the issues regarding immigration locally are “nuanced;” he said that all levels of government have to collaborate to balance the needs required to protect all community members. Belcher said he has first-hand experience of the fears some people have based off of his work within local nursing homes. He said he wants to protect those who “serve our community,” including members of the immigrant community who abide by the law.

Both Cannon and Belcher agree that Framingham should not be a sanctuary city due to what they see as the associated risks.

When it comes to the city’s budgets, Cannon thinks Framingham officials have not done a sufficient job of analyzing how the municipal government spends money and conducts business. He pointed to multiple finance and IT departments throughout the city, adding that the local operating budget will likely continue to increase down the line as more demands come in.

“We’ve got a lot of redundancy throughout the enterprise…If we’re not looking for every opportunity to be more efficient and serve the public more effectively, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble,” Cannon told the audience.

Cannon said he believes that changes can be made without impacting public services.

Belcher thinks that the municipal government “needs to live within its means.” He mentioned that part of that process relates to transparency with residents, as he suggested developing an online portal for residents to submit ideas for where their money should be spent as one idea to empower citizens.

“You need to know where your tax dollars are going,” Belcher said.

“There’s ways to do that: we can have residents vote on capital spending…Why don’t we do that once a year?”

Cannon supports the proposed Home Rule Charter changes on the ballot, while Belcher would want to ensure that the position of Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer—which would be added into the charter if approved—goes through the proper budgeting process before giving full approval to the proposals.

At the end of their debate, Cannon explained he sees this fall’s election as an opportunity to facilitate a broader community discussion about pressing topics. With that, he said he’s running to give all constituents a voice.

“We need to have more of these conversations—not just when there’s an election happening but throughout the course of the year, because something is always happening in Framingham,” Cannon told attendees.

Belcher used his closing statement to shine a light on the dozens of at-risk veterans and elderly residents in the area; if elected, he said he would want to protect them and ensure that they have places to live without being priced out.

“We’re stopping the buck, we’re helping them, and we are absolutely making sure that we can stay in our homes. We can be here for Framingham,” Belcher said.

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In District 2, incumbent City Councilor Brandon Ward will be on the ballot against challenger Carol Spack, an attorney who formerly served as the chair of the local Planning Board back when Framingham was still a town.

Spack told attendees that her campaign is one based on transparency for the community. She explained what she believes this municipal election is all about.

“It’s not about parties; it’s about values,” Spack said on Thursday, “and my values are that I am accountable, I am fact-based, and I am fair.”

Ward who professionally works at the affordable housing nonprofit organization Family Promise Metrowest, said he’s running to continue the work he’s done during his first term in office—including efforts to provide more support for schools and to continue the renovation of McGrath Square.

“I show up every meeting with a thoughtful, nuanced perspective,” Ward told attendees.

“I’m someone who’s collaborative, I’m someone who’s inclusive and equitable, and I’m someone who wants to bring fresh and new ideas to our city.”

When asked about local growth and development, Spack countered that Framingham’s population and school enrollment has actually dropped annually. The 2020 U.S. Census reported that about 72,350 people resided in Framingham. From there, public data compiled by Data USA indicates that Framingham’s population grew from just over 71,800 in 2022 to about 72,000 in 2023. Framingham Public Schools (FPS) did see a slight dip in enrollment in the 2024-25 school year compared to the year prior; 10 fewer students were within the school system during the previous school year.

Regarding development, Spack believes that projects have to be “good for the community” while following the local master plan and zoning guidelines. She said she supports citywide zoning by the law, not zoning for individual plans.

“When I was chair of the Planning Board, we approved 99% of our projects, but we approved them because we took the time to make sure they were consistent with community values,” Spack continued.

Ward said that community input—the process of confirming that any developments fall within the character of a neighborhood—is paramount for any project within Framingham. He touted his efforts of reducing the downtown Central Business district and his stance of opposing Nobscot rezoning, though he mentioned that he does not want to be “naive” to the prospect of future development.

“That’s what’s most important: that what comes into our community is what our residents want,” Ward said.

“Ultimately, it’s about holding developers accountable.”

Spack pointed to the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which she reads as proof that every person—not just U.S. citizens—has a right to due process in this country. With that, she said, all of Framingham’s immigration policies have to reflect that status. Ward said his values and the values he wants Framingham to promote are “directly at odds” with ICE operations and decisions made by the federal government. The current City Council member explained he wants to support social service programs and advocates for the local immigrant community.

Both Spack and Ward said that Framingham should not declare itself as a sanctuary city.

Spack told guests on Thursday that she would want to focus on the income side of the overall budget equation. She believes that the city has to investigate its tax base and assessment practices; she mentioned Framingham’s residential tax rate ($11.94 per $1,000 in fiscal year 2025), and asked why that’s the case considering the city’s commercial tax base.

Ward sees the budget process as one that identifies where Framingham’s “values lie.” In turn, he wants to focus on promoting education. He agreed with Spack about the importance of growth; he endorsed the nurturing of partnerships with large corporate presences within Framingham, such as Bose and TJX.

Both District 2 City Council candidates support the proposed charter changes.

Spack closed by stating that she not only wants to represent District 2 in her decision-making as a legislator, but all of Framingham. She said she can work with a wide spectrum of people within Framingham.

“My role as a District 2 City Councilor will be to bring my specific knowledge of having lived here a long time, and knowing people here perhaps better,” Spack told those in attendance.

“But, my responsibility is to the entire city of Framingham.”

Ward said he is a responsive leader for District 2. He told guests that, if re-elected, he’s excited to continue his work on behalf of his constituents.

“There are so many projects in District 2 that need to get over the finish line, including McGrath Square,” Ward continued.

“But there are so many successes that we’ve had in the last two years…There’s so much more that I continue—and hope to continue—to advocate for.”

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Incumbent District 8 City Councilor Leslie White Harvey will be up against former City Council member and former State Representative John Stefanini this November. It’s a rematch of the 2023 race in District 8, when the then-incumbent Stefanini was defeated by White Harvey.

White Harvey was not in attendance for the debate forum in Saxonville. Stefanini took part by answering the same questions that all other City Council candidates did that evening.

Stefanini, a lawyer by trade, opened by detailing his past experiences within the community. He explained that he’s running to give a voice to South Framingham.

“I believe that every single person in our community needs to have a voice in the process,” Stefanini said.

“That means we need to be more transparent, more open, more participatory.”

On the topic of development, Stefanini echoed sentiments made by other City Council candidates earlier in the evening, saying that any development plans have to go through a rigorous process of collecting community input.

The former City Council member pointed to the diversity within the city—he called Framingham a “community of immigrants”—before saying that local institutions have to be safe and accessible for all residents. He explained that working with those institutions to ensure that people know their rights is vital at this point in time.

“What’s happening to our immigrant community is just outrageous, and I think often: if my immigrant grandparents went through something similar, I probably would not be here today,” Stefanini continued.

Stefanini does not think that Framingham should declare itself as a sanctuary city.

Stefanini concurred with the notion that the city’s annual operating budget is a “blueprint” of Framingham’s values. With that, he said that analyzing additional sources of revenue and areas where the municipal government can “consolidate” are important steps to take in the future. If elected, he explained he would put an emphasis on schools, public safety, and quality of life improvements—such as green spaces and the arts. He would also want to promote new growth through relationships with local businesses and corporate partners in order to boost the local tax base.

Stefanini expressed support for the proposed Home Rule Charter changes.

Stefanini closed by issuing his belief that the state of federal politics has trickled its way down to the local level. With that in mind, he said that collaboration is a key tenet of his campaign.

“We need to look at our neighbors that we agree with and disagree with,” Stefanini told attendees, “and work together so that we can govern our community and prioritize our dollars as best we can with our limited resources.”

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Incumbent District 2 School Committee member David Gordon will be on the ballot against challenger Lorena Tovar. The two candidates progressed to the general election following September’s preliminary election in the district. Tovar gained 146 votes during that preliminary election, while Gordon received 81.

Tovar, who works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, opened by saying that she’s running for this School Committee seat to make sure that each student in Framingham “(feels) that the city believes in them.” She’s looking to prioritize student achievement, educator retention and support, accountability, and elevating voices within the community.

“I believe our district deserves more inquiry,” Tovar said on Thursday, “and I’m prepared to ask the tough questions.”

Gordon pointed to his experience within multiple different school district over nearly 20 years, adding that his focus on transparency and fiscal responsibility has been a cornerstone of his tenure. He said that his work on the School Committee is personal to him given his background of attending local schools and sending his children through Framingham’s public school district.

“I’m also proud of the progress we’ve made; however, more works needs to be done,” Gordon stated.

“If re-elected, I’ll continue to focus on the issues that matter most.”

Tovar said that providing teachers and students with the resources they need to thrive is a pressing matter; she believes that includes professional development and improved communication with families and caretakers. She contended that educator support is a root problem behind students leaving the district.

Gordon agreed with his opponent on the matter of focusing on resources for educators, as he said he wants to provide “wrap-around” resources for students of all ages. He added that the School Committee has to hold district leaders accountable for any insufficient test scores within Framingham; he thinks those scores have driven declining enrollment within FPS.

Tovar explained that she is not sure whether or not the new in-house school bus system can curb transportation issues for local students. She said she wants to promote increased communication and assistance for parents and guardians to get their children registered for the new model if she is elected.

“I think that the (school district) definitely is trying to make things work and trying to secure more drivers and to train them,” Tovar continued.

“However, families’ experiences do not really resonate well with the communication from the district about how well things are going.”

Gordon does believe that the in-house busing system will be the solution to lingering problems. He agrees that communication on that front should be better, but he still expressed pride in the School Committee’s process of investigating and implementing the system.

“We are up to 66 bus drivers currently; last year, I think we were no higher than 53,” Gordon told attendees.

“So while progress is being made—and it is early—I do think that this is the right direction for families.”

Tovar thinks that quelling student behavior concerns is another benefit or providing educators with more resources, as she is looking to help teachers and children through a “holistic” approach at all levels of Framingham Public Schools. Tovar wants to continue that conversation among the School Committee and the community as a whole. She believes cell phone and cyberbullying issues in the classroom in particular are areas of focus that education leaders have to hone in on.

Gordon believes that the Committee can hold education officials accountable for student safety and behavior concerns, including the school superintendent. Listening to families and offering avenues to solutions both within and outside of classrooms, he said, is key. The current School Committee member added that preventing cyberbullying and device-related problems starts at home.

To close, Tovar said her bid for office stems from her desire to increase the pride the community has for their local school system; she told viewers that she wants to be the bridge between school administrators and community members.

“I’m not really doing this for myself; I don’t have any plans to use this as a stepping-stone into public service or public office...I’m doing this because I really care about making our schools better,” Tovar explained.

Gordon said his service on the Framingham School Committee has been an “honor,” as he wants to continue that work in “student-centric” stewardship by improving resources and transparency.

“I’m not running on promises,” Gordon said on Thursday.

“I’m running on a proven record of results; conviction that experience matters, especially when our challenges are complex and our priorities must remain clear.”

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Brent Lewis and Eddie Rodriguez are in an open race for the District 6 School Committee seat, as Valerie Ottaviani is not seeking re-election.

Lewis serves as the Executive Assistant to the President at the Unitarian Universalist Association as well as one of the board members at Access Framingham; for transparency, The Frame is an initiative of Access Framingham. He said he’s running to bolster a school system that he’s had his children go through.

“That experience, I think, will help me be an informed candidate and help me to be able to help push our School Committee forward to improving our schools,” Lewis said on Thursday.

Rodriguez, a commercial finance advisor, is a Framingham native who graduated from Marian High School. He believes his skillset and mindset can elevate student achievement, as he told audience members that he’d also look to expand pre-K services and provide more transparency and communication.

“I’m very passionate about education and how it can open doors for all families,” Rodriguez explained, “but I’m especially passionate about how education can open doors for families with similar backgrounds as mine and help them move forward socioeconomically.”

Lewis wants local education leaders to gain more of an understanding as to why students and teachers are leaving FPS. He believes the student aspect could, in part, relate to the presence of ICE.

“We need, as a community and as a School Committee, to be communicating to our parents the safety measures that we’ve put in place,” Lewis continued.

Rodriguez pointed to chronic absenteeism as a massive issue within FPS; he believes it is a root cause of many of the challenges that the public school system faces. He said he wants to identify the obstacles that lead to absenteeism.

“We have to come together and coalesce as a community, even outside of the (mayoral) administration and the School Committee, to resolve chronic absenteeism,” Rodriguez told attendees.

“Everything will follow that.”

Both Lewis and Rodriguez support the decision to bring school bus transportation in-house; they believe that the transition to that system will give FPS more control.

Lewis said that safety is the top concern for all schools in the city. He thinks that FPS has to continue to support emotional and social learning, though he wanted to highlight the hard work that staff members have already put into those efforts. Lewis believes that FPS should create “healthy ways” to utilize technology in and out of the classroom.

Rodriguez agreed on the efforts needed to support staff members, though he contended that more engaged students—children who are consistently attending classes—are more likely to behave better. Rodriguez is in support of limiting device time within classrooms.

Lewis closed by recognizing the positives that are happening within FPS, adding that he’s eager to learn and be a part of the solution for local students if he is eventually voted into office.

“I am so grateful for the teachers and administrative staff and for all the work that they are doing with the support of our School Committee,” Lewis said.

Rodriguez told attendees that he wants to collaborate with constituents and bring stakeholders together in support of a better school district for all.

“The Framingham Public School district is the heart of our community…Our students comprise a rich diversity of backgrounds, but we’re all unified in that we’re all Framinghamers,” Rodriguez told guests.

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The citywide election will be held on Tuesday, November 4. The deadline to register to vote in Framingham is Saturday, October 25.

For more local voting information, visit the city’s official website by clicking here.