Following some final tweaks to free cash usage during their meeting on Tuesday, Framingham officials voted in a favor of the city’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Framingham’s legislative body had their first reading regarding the upcoming municipal budget, which is set to total about $383 million, as concerns regarding free cash usage were raised.
Following a few modifications to Mayor Charlie Sisitsky’s initial proposal, the budget—totaling just over $383M—will be passed along to local legislators for final approval.
Following multiple rounds of reductions to their initial request—including layoffs—the Framingham School Committee has gotten their budget ask down to what Mayor Charlie Sisitsky proposed within his budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
As Framingham looks to fully comply with the MBTA Communities Act, local leaders have considered reductions to the boundaries of the downtown district’s boundaries along with height restrictions to new buildings in the area.
Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky’s proposed budget is for about $383.2M. City Council members heard reviews from various department heads over the past week.
Framingham officials are contemplating potential changes to the downtown Central Business district’s borders as a way to reach full compliance with the statewide MBTA Communities Act.
The ruling from the Department of Public Health means that Tenet Healthcare must address a plethora of community concerns regarding their planned reduction of advanced nursery services at the local healthcare center.
The mayor unveiled the bottom line of his municipal budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday. That same night, the Framingham School Committee continued to discuss how they can bridge the gap between their budget pitch and Sisitsky’s.
The Framingham Traffic Commission recommended the creation of the group, which would be a part of the Department of Public Works, during their meeting on Tuesday.
With the public hearing regarding the proposed six-story apartment building in downtown Framingham now closed, a draft decision will be created before a final vote from the board.
Tenet Healthcare is planning on reducing the maternity ward at MetroWest Medical Center. Local politicians, nurses, and residents raised a plethora of concerns during a public hearing at the Memorial Building.
During their most recent meeting, Finance Subcommittee members approved of all seven projects presented by the Framingham Community Preservation Committee. The plans aim to boost community housing, outdoor spaces, and historical preservation.
The most recent $186.6M school budget pitch is about $5M more than what city officials are seeking. School leaders will continue to analyze their budget before submitting a proposal to Mayor Charlie Sisitsky.
The Framingham Community Preservation Committee’s recommendations feature about $1.7 million in total to boost community housing, historic preservation, and outdoor space and recreation. The City Council will have the final say on what projects are approved for assistance through the act.
Mayor Charlie Sisitsky told City Councilors that about $5 million initially earmarked for the project this fiscal year were not included in a bill passed by Congress to fund the government through September.
A developer had proposed creating a three-story, two-family residential building on Miller Avenue. Residents spoke out against the application, citing factors like community character.
Leaders with Framingham Public Schools provided an outline of their initial $190.4M budget proposal, which accounts for all requests made for the upcoming fiscal year. City Council members expect the final school budget number to be lower.
Framingham’s mayor told City Councilors that Tenet Healthcare is also not planning on renewing its lease at the MetroWest Wellness Center along Route 9 when it expires in July.
The U.S. Senator’s Memorial Building discussion featured criticism of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, along with pleas for public involvement in the civic process.
Amid ongoing residential zoning discussions, the Framingham City Council’s Planning and Zoning Subcommittee voted to move forward with potentially reducing the district’s parameters.
In December, Mayor Sisitsky submitted the downtown Central Business district to Massachusetts officials for consideration to satisfy the zoning law's requirements.
Mayor Sisitsky and Senate President Spilka were on hand for a ceremony at the State House, as control of the building along Union Avenue was transferred.
With state guidelines pointing to a December 31 deadline for compliance, Framingham legislators voted to readdress the zoning act in the new year as the law’s details are reviewed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
As Framingham continues to deal with a bus driver shortage, the City Council and School Committee have been asked to green light a five-year, lease-to-own agreement for 72 vehicles.