Joint City Council Sustainability Subcommittee and Sustainability Committee Meeting - March 11, 2026

The Framingham City Council Environmental and Sustainability Subcommittee and the Framingham Sustainability Committee held a joint meeting on March 11, 2026, starting at 7:03 PM. The meeting included introductions, an update from the Sustainability Coordinator, a detailed presentation of the Sustainability Committee's 13 goals, and discussions on future priorities such as a tree preservation ordinance, artificial turf ban, and solar energy expansion. Votes were taken on minutes and a library display collaboration.

Consent Calendar

• N/A

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public participated in person or via Zoom.

Discussion Items

• Introductions and Icebreaker: Councilors and committee members introduced themselves and shared favorite local sustainability features, including municipal electrical aggregation, Callahan State Park, sugaring season, water bottle fillers, ground source heat pumps, herb gardens, solar panels, and energy efficiency.
• Sustainability Coordinator Update (Sean Billode):
  • Home Modernization Navigator program: Letter sent to all Framingham households; workshops held – 15 in-person attendees, 40–50 on English webinar. Residents calling to verify the program often discover high third-party supply rates (e.g., 25 cents/kWh, $1,500 bill). Goal: connect to energy bill checkups and home improvements.
  • Public art project "A Home for Future Generations": Community shingle-painting events at Danforth Art Museum and Callahan Center; walls expected in April.
  • Geothermal pilot expansion (Phase 2): Extending system westward to Flag Drive, Warren Road, Rose Kennedy Lane, and Farley Administration building. Construction estimated from end of 2026 to October 2027. Community canvassing for letters of interest forthcoming.
  • On-street EV charging: Two sites (Butterworth Park, Lincoln Street) under legal review; Lincoln Street site pending Traffic Commission approval.
  • Municipal fleet: 10 EVs added (up from 2 in prior fiscal years); larger fleet study with Eversource underway; school bus electrification planning through MassEECT program.
  • Climate Leaders Designation: Progress noted – specialized code adopted; decarbonization roadmap (data collection phase) required by June 30 goal. Councilor Mary Kate Feeney asked about timeline and scope; Billode clarified the plan covers up to 25 years and will eventually need Council approval. Councilor Brandon Ward suggested coordinating the climate action plan release with the roadmap presentation to Council.
  • Municipal aggregation: One-year update pending; current contract through March 2027; second contract preparation beginning.
• Sustainability Committee Goals Presentation (led by Aaron Ellsworth):
  1. Climate Leaders Designation – last hurdle is decarbonization roadmap; Council approval likely needed.
  2. Climate Action Plan Support – online dashboard targeting Earth Day release; committee to assist with public education.
  3. Green+ Education – promote municipal aggregation via library sessions, Earth Day, Cooler Communities Fair; statistics on opt-outs and tiers requested.
  4. Promote Integrated Design Strategies for municipal projects (Don Gross) – lifecycle assessment; school design focus.
  5. Net Zero School Buildings (Amy Bolica) – engage school building committee early; architect already chosen for Biden school.
  6. Community Engagement – Earth Day Festival, Cooler Communities Fair, library series.
  7. Increase Presence & Collaboration with other city departments/committees – joint meetings like this one.
  8. Plastic Reduction Research – including polystyrene (styrofoam) bans; research phase.
  9. Artificial Turf Ban Ordinance – Larry Suit reported 136°F surface temperature on artificial turf, PFAS concerns, recycling difficulties. Councilor Feeney suggested engaging local soccer leagues to understand their stance.
  10. Tree Preservation Ordinance – Aaron Ellsworth noted no current ordinance; DOER template exists; research on Newton's model. Councilor Feeney emphasized the need for a clear focus (private property, replanting, size thresholds). Councilor Ward expressed interest in seeing language from other communities and a "menu of options." Consensus to move forward collaboratively.
  11. Yard Waste Facility – state mandate to alter yard waste management due to leaching from uncapped landfill; uncertainty on timeline. Councilor Ward asked for a 2-minute summary; broader landfill capping and solid waste issues noted.
  12. Composting Program Growth – promote at Earth Day; bin distribution coordination.
  13. Chief Climate Officer Appointment – new position per charter; first budget year consideration; Amy Bolica emphasized this is a strategic role (in mayor's office) versus Sean Billode's operational role. Larry Suit noted original ordinance envisioned a collaborative body that was never implemented.
• Discussion on Solar Energy:
  • Councilor Ward asked why solar wasn't a goal. Committee members noted financial constraints and uncertainty from IRA incentives; current federal changes remove municipal ownership incentives. Sean Billode explained challenges with roof readiness (structural costs, stormwater upgrades) and that Farley building is 75% through design for solar+battery. Donna Craver Merritt noted annual reports have urged solar-ready roofs and parking lots. The committee agreed solar should be considered in goal updates.
• Microforest/Miyawaki Project: Larry Suit mentioned a proposed partnership with CREW (Better Future Project) for a Miyawaki forest on city property, similar to Somerville projects. Councilor Feeney expressed interest in proactive initiatives. Billode offered to contact Somerville contacts.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to collaborate on library environmental display: Passed unanimously by roll call vote (Erin, Amy, Larry, Sam, Sean, Rachel, Deb, Don, Donna all yes). The display will be in the library's glass case mid-to-late April and include a QR code linking to environmental organizations.
• Approval of February 25, 2026 Sustainability Committee minutes: Passed unanimously (Erin, Amy, Larry, Sam, Sean, Rachel, Don, Donna yes).
• Motion to post minutes from June 23, 2025 (or similar) as draft minutes: Passed with Council subcommittee members voting yes (Mary Kate Feeney, Brandon Ward, Liora Malik). (Note: Transcript indicates some confusion about which minutes, but the motion passed.)
• Motion to adjourn City Council subcommittee meeting: Passed by roll call (yes from all councilors present).
• Motion to adjourn Sustainability Committee meeting: Passed by roll call (yes from all committee members).
• Next steps: Councilor Feeney and Sean Billode to partner on tree preservation ordinance. Committee to add solar energy to goal list. Billode to gather municipal aggregation statistics for next meeting. CREW partnership to be discussed at April 8 Sustainability Committee meeting.