Framingham’s State Delegation Discusses Local Issues with City Council

FRAMINGHAM - During their meeting on Tuesday, April 15, the Framingham City Council was joined by the delegation of elected state leaders for the community for a discussion on local matters.

State Representatives Jack Patrick Lewis, Priscila Sousa, Danielle Gregoire, and Kate Donaghue were on hand at the Memorial Building to go over developments at the State House and to hear about additional matters within Framingham. State Senate President Karen Spilka joined the session virtually.

The major topic of the evening revolved around the city and state’s financial status, as both Framingham and Massachusetts as a whole are in the middle of their budget creation process ahead of the new fiscal year. Lewis told City Council members that amid fiscal uncertainty from the federal level and with tough decisions looming, state legislators are committing to being responsible. He added that about a quarter of the state budget—or around $16 billion—comes from the federal level.

“I don’t think any of us can tell you what tomorrow is exactly going to look like,” Lewis said on Tuesday, “other than we are going to have to continue to be prepared, hold the line on our values, but also make sure that we are the fiscally responsible adults in the room.”

Spilka told Framingham leaders that state revenue collections have increased year-to-year and are currently above their initial projections, though she expects that the fallout from federal decisions will impact the upcoming state budget.

“To be clear: if state funding is pulled, only Congress can fully protect Massachusetts,” Spilka continued.

“We do not have enough money to fill the federal gaps.”

Among other topics review during the meeting, Lewis told local legislators that cameras to monitor traffic speed violations have not been brought to the table at this point, though lawmakers on Beacon Hill have talked about the option of letting municipalities have cameras aboard school buses that monitor drivers who do not obey rules on stopping.

The state delegation said that they are mulling legislation that would provide the state with more power to prevent the closure of medical services that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health deems essential, as the proposed reduction of nursery services at Framingham Union Hospital is looming. The state representatives added that they’re committed to passing bills that improve access to care for those with substance use disorder, while Spilka said that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s plan to cleanup the General Chemical site in Framingham will begin in the late spring or early summer next year.

Mental health care, climate initiatives, accessible housing, and improved education are additional goals that Spilka and the state representatives explained they will continue to focus on.

The City Council inquired on a number of other topics on Tuesday as well.

When asked about updates for the plan to develop a new regional justice center at the Thomas Danforth Building, Spilka told the body that the project is expected to break ground in 2026.

Local immigration matters were also mentioned, as state legislators explained that they are looking to ensure protection for all residents in spite of the fact that many initiatives are undertaken by federal agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As for the development of a new school on Framingham’s south side—as well as the possibility of a new building for Keefe Regional Technical School—Spilka said that officials at the State House will continue to monitor the situation, considering that the overall budget picture remains murky and that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has to provide resources for school districts statewide.

“Right now, with all budgets being upended and possible sources of revenue, we need to be a little cautious,” Spilka said.

“But, we will continue to look at alternatives and options for the School Building Authority.”

Lewis did take time to thank District 3 City Councilor Adam Steiner for his time served in the role, as it was recently reported by the MetroWest Daily News that he will not be seeking re-election in the fall.