Framingham Mayoral, City Council Candidates Take Part in Climate Forum

FRAMINGHAM - A climate forum for candidates on the ballot for Framingham’s municipal election was held at First Parish Church on Saturday, October 18.

The event was hosted by the local environmental advocacy group Energize Framingham. It featured Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and Geoff Epstein—the two mayoral candidates in the running this year—along with candidates in both contested and uncontested City Council races. The questions focused on questions related to environmental, climate, and sustainability matters.

The City Council candidates in attendance were:

-District 2 candidates Brandon Ward (incumbent) and Carol Spack

-District 3 candidates Mary Kate Feeney and Ken Weiss

-District 5 City Councilor Noval Alexander, who is running unopposed

-District 7 City Councilor Leora Mallach, who is running unopposed

-District 8 candidates Leslie White Harvey (incumbent) and John Stefanini

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Proposed changes to the Framingham Home Rule Charter would result in the creation of a Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer position within the local government. If the charter changes are approved during Framingham’s election this fall, that role would be required by the charter. The executive-level job was proposed as a way to oversee environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts across the municipal government.

Sisitsky and Epstein both support the position’s inclusion within the charter. Sisitsky said he wants the officer within the mayor’s office, while Epstein endorsed the current Sustainability Coordinator for the city Shawn Luz for the job.

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City Council candidates were asked about what type of climate action they would undertake if they were to be victorious this fall.

Spack advocated for additional solar canopies across Framingham, similar to the array of panels at REI’s retail location along Cochituate Road. She said the promotion of those canopies at various local spots could be achieved through strategies such as tax incentives. Ward noted his support for initiatives like the Framingham Community Electricity program and the creation of electric vehicle charging stations within the city, while he agreed with his opponent that more solar panels should be installed.

Feeney said she wants to be a “leader” on environmental projects while acting as a representative for those within the community who want to promote those efforts. Weiss—who proposed multiple pieces of environmental legislation during Framingham’s town meetings in the 2010’s—told attendees that he endorses the passing of the Massachusetts Municipal Opt-In Specialized Building Code, an optional mandate that would require new buildings in Framingham to feature eco-friendly utilities.

All other City Council candidates in attendance expressed support for that opt-in code, for reference.

Alexander said his time spent on the City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Subcommittee has been rewarding. Moving forward, he wants to keep promoting solar canopies while also looking into how local beaches can remain open with sufficient water quality.

Mallach told attendees that the community has to consider facets outside of just energy when discussing sustainability; she said there is “value” in maintaining denser parts of Framingham to ensure that other sections do not face disruption through development.

Stefanini believes any climate-related actions should begin with the hiring of that Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer and the development of an action plan, as he’s looking to focus on efforts such as cleaning Lake Waushakum and planting more tree canopies. White Harvey sees environmental stewardship as a “moral and civic responsibility;” if re-elected, she said she wants to continue advocacy for things such as cleaner transit and renewable energy.

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Sisitsky believes that Framingham has made good progress with solar installations at municipal buildings.

“We are re-doing school roofs so they can accommodate solar panels in the future,” Sisitsky continued at the forum.

“We can support the School Committee’s capital budget request if they ask for solar panels—they haven’t asked for solar panels, they have higher priorities that need to be addressed first.”

The mayor eventually expressed support for a plan to install solar panels at Framingham Public Schools’ Farley Building along Flagg Drive. That approval in May 2024 came after the project was deferred a few months prior, a decision that resulted in Energize Framingham compiling a petition with more than 400 signatures asking city officials to reconsider the deferment.

Sisitsky mentioned that his administration has worked on other environmental stewardship efforts outside of solar, including electric vehicle (EV) purchases across the municipal government and contamination cleanup work.

Epstein—a vocal proponent of increased solar installations—told attendees that those canopies not only have the potential to help the local environment, but they can also eventually make a profit for the city’s bottom line. He contended that due to decisions made at the federal level regarding utility and commercial-sized solar panels, Framingham must act quickly to take advantage of federal tax credits.

“Now is the time to go gangbusters,” Epstein continued, “because we have until the end of 2027 and then all of the federal credits go and we don’t make any money…Every single city building and parking lot has to have solar on my watch.”

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City Council candidates were asked about Framingham’s future regarding the presence of electric vehicles and their required infrastructure.

Spack said she would encourage EV and energy-efficient vehicles if she is elected, but she would also want to put the best overall vehicles out on jobs. She added that the city should be adaptable with vehicle types and fueling sources. Ward agreed with his opponent, telling audience members that he wants as many all-electric vehicles within the city government’s fleet as an “end goal.” If he wins in November, he said he’d want to ensure that the city has the proper infrastructure to support EVs.

In a similar vein, Feeney wants to implement timelines and a plan to promote electric vehicles locally. Weiss, an EV driver himself, thinks Framingham also has to expand its charging network for those vehicles.

Alexander said an expansion to the local EV network and infrastructure is a “no-brainer;” Mallach agreed, adding that training for first responders with a growing electric fleet will be an important step in the future.

Stefanini expressed support for added EV support as well, though he emphasized that larger electric vehicles are not always available. With that, he believes local officials also have to consider alternative ways to remain sustainable. White Harvey is in favor of expanding the EV infrastructure, but she noted that it’s important for taxpayers to be aware of how much doing so could cost the city.

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Sisitsky mentioned that Framingham is still on board for an expansion of its geothermal utility program, the first of its kind system that was launched alongside Eversource to provide heating and cooling for just over 30 residential homes and five commercial buildings just south of Route 9. The mayor explained that the second phase of the pilot program will include all of the Farley Middle School along with additional units from the Framingham Housing Authority. Sisitsky hopes to install additional “mini geothermal projects” at sites such as the Memorial Building if he wins another term.

Epstein calls himself a “cheerleader” for the Eversource geothermal program, though he wants to see what the city itself can do. One of those strategies, he said during the forum, would be Framingham opting into the specialized building code.

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As for energy costs across Framingham, Sisitsky pointed to the city’s work in securing the municipal electricity program as a way for residents to choose energy rates that are lower than Eversource’s basic service price.

Epstein mentioned that communication with the community is key for cost-saving measures—a sentiment that was echoed by multiple City Council candidates.

Spack said she would work with legislators to change how electricity charges are billed to customers while educating residents about the importance of proper insulation and windows in order to cut down on energy costs. Ward believes that Framingham’s new Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer would be able to assist with outreach initiatives on these fronts.

Feeney agreed with Ward, adding that she wants to shine a light on opportunities for citizens to save money. Weiss noted that solar projects can help with those cost reductions, adding that municipal leaders should also focus on how those costs for renters can be brought down.

Alexander and Mallach agreed that these communication and coordination efforts are vital.

Stefanini emphasized communication as well; he thinks that state officials can also step in to work with local leaders to get the community informed by meeting them where they are. White Harvey agreed, adding that community events and nonprofit partnerships are solutions to get people educated.

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Epstein said Framingham should aim to plant 1,000 trees a year; he said he’d be in favor of allocating $1 million in the municipal budget to plant trees if he is elected.

“The south side is 10 degrees hotter than the north side,” Epstein continued.

“It’s just inequitable; we need, by environmental justice, 8,500 trees on the south side.”

Sisitsky pointed to the city’s tree setback program, which results in trees being planted on private properties along the public right-of-way, as a strategy he and his administration have advocated for as a way to get more trees placed across the city.

“We expect to expand it more,” Sisitsky told attendees.

“We’re going to put money in the (fiscal year 2027) budget to plant more trees. It’s easy to say, ‘We’re going to plant 1,000 trees a year,’ but think about the effort that takes, the manpower, the maintenance, and the money to do that. We’re going to do it.”

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White Harvey and Stefanini are also in favor of additional tree planting. However, Stefanini told audience members he does not believe that trees are the sole answer to the heat islands question; he thinks other strategies are required locally.

Mallach pointed to the importance of maintaining trees through these programs as well. Alexander, like other candidates at the forum, believes education on methods to reduce heat islands is important—especially for younger residents and students.

Weiss and Feeney both think that protecting green spaces from development, specifically within District 3, is vital.

Ward supports Framingham’s tree planting program as well as efforts to protect local green spaces alongside community organizations. Spack would like a landscape architecture firm to complete an analysis across the community to figure out where local leaders should be focused on for these practices.

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Sisitsky said the city’s Community Preservation Committee has funded local garden projects in the past, adding that the local group Keep Framingham Beautiful has plans to create a community farm at the property slated to hold a future south side elementary school.

Epstein endorsed additional community gardens as a way to increase eco-friendly spaces and promote healthy food. He suggested putting gardens within parking spaces at some apartment complexes.

Spack and Ward agree that promoting multiple avenues for public farms and gardens is a good practice to build community through sustainable practices.

Feeney wants to ensure that Framingham has a fleshed out plan in place to protect local farms; Weiss agreed with that idea.

Alexander expressed support for the promotion of community farms and gardens, while Mallach—a member worker at Stearns Farm—believes that sustainable food systems locally can be built through these community-based establishments.

Stefanini said more local food has to be produced, and that community gardens are an avenue to do that. White Harvey believes providing education on community gardening would be a worthwhile endeavor.

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The citywide election will be held on Tuesday, November 4.

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