Framingham City Council Meeting: May 5, 2026

The City Council met on May 5, 2026, to discuss proclamations, public comments, the FY2027 budget, a report from the SciFoc committee, and several routine items. The meeting featured a major debate on the mayor's proposed $401.8 million budget, which was ultimately rejected by a vote of 9-1 and sent back to the administration for revision. Public testimony raised concerns about tax impacts on seniors, school funding, and the need for strategic planning.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from March 31 and April 7, 2026, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Kilcoin (District 1) urged the council to consider the impact of a 4.5% tax increase on seniors living on fixed incomes. She noted that 22% of Framingham's population is over 60, with 10% in poverty, and requested that the administration reach out to at-risk residents about available tax relief programs before they lose their homes.
• Herb Chasen was initially called to speak but told his topic (the budget) would be addressed later; he did not speak during public participation.
• Jerry Bloomfield spoke generally about the budget, urging the council to prioritize resident affordability. He called for a five-year plan, cutting expenses now, and finding new revenue (e.g., having city employees pay their own health insurance premium increases). He warned that raising taxes above 2.5% without analysis would hurt Framingham's reputation.
• Tiffany Maskell (District 7 resident, parent) expressed deep concern about the FY27 school budget, stating that the mayor's submitted budget fell nearly $2 million below the target given to the School Committee. She argued that this undermines trust and will lead to larger class sizes and fewer supports for students. She asked the council to reject any school budget below the $6.25 million commitment.
• John Quinn (District 7) urged the city to leverage its large national and international businesses to generate more revenue, comparing Framingham less favorably to peer communities.
• Steven Epstein implored the council not to reject the budget, arguing that a two-week turnaround was insufficient for solving structural problems and that the council should work through the process.
• Donna Kilcoin (District 1) returned to emphasize that consolidating city and school facilities (first discussed in 2018) could save money, and that free cash returned by departments should lead to lower budgets, not level funding. She supported putting a tax override to voters.

Proclamations

• Joint proclamation recognizing May 17, 2026 as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day – read and accepted.
• Joint proclamation recognizing May 17, 2026 as DIPG Awareness Day – read by the mayor; Christine Swall, mother of Devin Swall, spoke about the Why Not Devon Foundation's work (over $100,000 in family grants, nurse navigation program). Proclamation signed by all councilors and mayor.
• Proclamation declaring May 2026 as Bike Month in Framingham – presented by Councilor Feeney; a representative from the Bicycle Pedestrian Trails Committee noted upcoming events.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from March 31 and April 7, 2026 – voted unanimously.

Appointment and Recognition

• Team Framingham 2026 Marathon Runners recognized: Jeff Rose (steering committee chair) reported 23 of 25 selected runners finished the Boston Marathon, raising $107,425 for five charities, bringing the 13-year total to $1,255,385.40.
• Appointment to Framingham School Building Committee: The appointment subcommittee recommended Shreya Shah (Precinct 5) – approved unanimously (10-0).
• Youth Council Appointments: Councilor Ward appointed Sonica Agrawal (District 2) and Councilor Alexander appointed Lorraina Colmier (District 5) – no vote needed, filling remaining youth council seats.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Sisitsky provided updates:

• FY27 budget submitted; detailed discussion later in agenda.
• Groundbreaking for Framingham Firefighters Memorial on International Firefighters' Day.
• Successful Shredfest event; urban street sweeping began; DPW completed annual street sweeping and leaf/brush collection.
• Water meter modernization program started – new meters at no cost to residents, provided by contractor Hydro Utilities.
• Spring Household Hazardous Waste Day set for May 16.
• Cochituate Rail Trail closing May 7 for Arbor Day service.
• Groundbreaking for Framingham Regional Justice Center on May 8.
• Upcoming events: Kids Bike Rodeo, Art on the Rail Trail opening, Walnut Street flood mitigation project preview (received award from New England Streamwater Collaborative).
• Seeking volunteers for Memorial Day flag placement at Edge of Grove Cemetery on May 16.
• Councilor Cannon asked about transfer of properties to EDC – mayor said EDC is preparing a 1- and 5-year plan and will present to council before any property transfer.
• Councilor Cannon also asked about the 188 Concord Street building (joint dispatch center) – the building underwent extensive deconstruction; the parole board tenant moved out temporarily; rent ($7,000/month) is not being collected for two months; dispatch director and assistant director are designing policies and procedures but not yet embedded in Framingham's dispatch center. Councilor Cannon requested they spend time learning current operations. Mayor agreed to discuss at Thursday meeting.
• Councilor Aviani commented on missed opportunity to add two stories to 188 Concord building and suggested dispatch should have been located at the former Marion High School.
• Councilor Bryant defended the parole board's location and noted the building's proximity to police station.

Discussion Items

FY2027 Budget Presentation and Debate

Mayor Sisitsky presented the recommended FY27 budget of $401,771,328, a 4.9% increase ($18.7 million) over FY26. Key features:

• Uses $14 million in free cash (one-time funds).
• Proposes a 4.5% tax levy increase (utilizing excess levy capacity).
• School budget submitted at $188 million, below the School Committee's voted $100 million (stated in transcript as $100M but context indicates $188M is the mayor's figure; the transcript may have a discrepancy – the mayor said $188M for schools, while the School Committee had requested $100M? Actually the transcript says: "The school committee voted a budget of about 100 million dollars, and the recommendation that we're presenting to you is a budget of 188 million dollars approximately for the schools." This appears contradictory; likely a verbal error or missing context. The summary should note the discrepancy.)
• Includes a new sustainability coordinator position (half-year salary, $120,000 annualized).
• Mayor noted that final state budget numbers are not yet firm; possible adjustments later.

Councilors expressed widespread concern:

• Councilor Stefanini moved to reject the budget immediately and send it back to the administration, asking the six largest department heads and the finance committee to formulate a revised appropriations ordinance within two weeks. He posed four specific questions: 1) projected collective bargaining and other personnel expenses for FY27 and next three years by department; 2) whether repayment of $1 million in unreimbursed ARPA funds is included; 3) implications of a 2% reduction from the proposed 4.9% for each large department; 4) the administration's plan for a strategic plan and multi-year budget forecast.
• Councilor King seconded the motion. He argued that the budget uses excess levy capacity (40+ million) as a backdoor override, and that voters should be asked directly for a larger override (10–15 million) to truly solve the structural deficit instead of using band-aids. He supported rejecting the budget to restart the timeline.
• Councilor LeBruno agreed the 4.5% increase is unsustainable, especially with $14M in free cash. She noted the loss of 700+ schoolchildren and called for structural changes.
• Councilor Cannon concurred, calling the budget "breathtaking" and lacking innovation or brave decisions. He noted the city is spending $400 million to operate the same services more expensively, with no plan for economic development or efficiencies. He pointed out that the budget request was $400M+ but could have been presented at $399.9M for optics. He supported rejection.
• Councilor Aviani strongly supported sending the budget back and also favored a voter referendum on a larger override. He compared Framingham unfavorably to Marlborough in economic development investment (Framingham spends $2.10 per capita vs. Marlborough's $21.40; 0.0375% vs. 0.42% of budget) and called for better use of assets like the Pearl Street Garage. He also criticized water meter problems and urged a strategic plan.
• Councilor Bryant supported the rejection motion and the idea of a voter override. She noted that prior budgets had more money flowing freely, and that the city should be more transparent about the fiscal reality. She also questioned the need for new water meter replacements so soon after the previous installation.
• Councilor Long opposed the 4.5% increase, supported a voter override, and called for more economic development, particularly commercial base growth, and supported upcoming zoning initiatives.
• Councilor Malik voted against the rejection motion (the only no vote).

After debate, the council voted 9-1 to reject the budget (Councilor Malik opposed). The budget is returned to the mayor with the specific questions and the expectation that the finance subcommittee will work with the administration starting at its Thursday meeting.

SciFoc (Strategic Impact and Fiscal Oversight Committee) Report

Sean Silk (chair) presented findings after a year-long review:

• Key findings: inconsistent strategic planning across the city; no unified strategy; the 2020 long-range plan lacks vision, metrics, and reporting; city leadership has varying understanding of strategy.
• Recommendations: develop a unified strategic blueprint with community input, buy-in, and active use in budgeting and decision-making; use the process to set priorities.
• Councilor King (former SciFoc chair) noted the committee has had six chairs in seven years, underscoring the need for a strategic plan. She asked how the council can support getting the RFP for the blueprint started. Silk responded that councilors' input and priorities will be valuable, as will community outreach.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (Consent Calendar) – unanimous.
• Appointments: Shreya Shah to School Building Committee (10-0); two youth council members seated.
• FY27 Budget rejected (9-1). Motion carried to return to mayor with directive to work with finance subcommittee and six largest departments to produce a revised appropriations ordinance within two weeks; administration must answer four specific fiscal questions.
• Free cash appropriation for FY26 budget shortfall and energy budget – approved unanimously.
• Community Preservation Committee recommended projects – approved unanimously after minor changes.
• Referrals to finance subcommittee: DPW sanitation vehicle transfer ($10,000); treasurer's office budget transfer ($6,500); CPC 2027 community development funds reservation – all referred without objection.
• Reports: Councilor Cannon noted National Nurses Day and his 10 years of sobriety; Councilor Malik reported youth council elected leadership (Chair Lillian Martin, Vice Chair Patrick Coyne, Clerk Addie Bannon) and that MetroWest School will close after this year. Councilor Bryant thanked DPW/Parks for Beaver Park progress and the mayor for his clear budget presentation.