Framingham City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026: Budget, Zoning, and Proclamations
Framingham City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026
The Framingham City Council held its regular meeting on June 16, 2026, addressing a range of items including proclamations, zoning amendments, the FY27 city budget, and a discussion on liquor license extensions for World Cup games. The meeting lasted several hours and included public participation, committee reports, and multiple votes.
Proclamations
- Caribbean American Heritage Month: The mayor read a joint proclamation recognizing June 2026 as Caribbean American Heritage Month, highlighting contributions from Caribbean nations and territories. The proclamation was adopted.
- Juneteenth: A joint proclamation recognized Juneteenth (June 19), noting Framingham's historical role in the abolitionist movement. The proclamation was adopted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Bloomfield (3 minutes, non-budget items): Expressed concern about rising health insurance premiums and lack of action from state delegation. Also questioned the zoning process for the Nobscott development and criticized the citywide reorganization as "unvetted."
- Mr. Bloomfield (later on budget): Criticized the council for not listening, said residents are sacrificing while employees are not, and called the reorganization and handling of schools and Callahan Center poor.
- Matthew Corcoran (Library Trustees): Supported the library budget and urged careful consideration of restructuring impacts.
- Ms. Maskell: Urged the council to fight harder for schools, noting 81 positions already cut and 31 more at risk; emphasized the value of arts programs.
- Ann Krasinski: Asked for additional $2 million for schools, arguing cuts are due to past financial mismanagement and that families need investment.
- Zana Kais: Highlighted that SAGE cuts would reduce quality of service; urged prioritizing schools.
- Robert Bowles: Supported honoring the superintendent's budget and returning to neighborhood schools.
- Jennifer Weedelini: Urged preserving social work and restorative positions, arguing they provide preventative value.
- Rebecca Lawrence (Zoom): Reported that Fuller School would lose 18% of staff, impacting ESL and restorative programs; warned of setbacks for struggling students.
- Patrick Dunn (Zoom): Represented Council on Aging board; said they were never consulted on reorg, urged preserving dedicated director of elder services.
- Gregory Hayes (Zoom): Asked for a transition plan before budget approval; noted that rolling seniors under the library diminishes their value.
- Garrett Cologne (Zoom): Supported raising taxes to fund services and agreed a new director for seniors is needed.
- Sarah Polichanic: Urged 4% tax increase to restore school programs; warned of ripple effects from cuts.
- Amy Finstein: Praised exceptional programs (Mandarin, music, theater) and urged against false equivalencies between enrollment loss and needs.
- Jeff Epstein: Urged vote on school funding, noting past citizen support for tax increases and that the cuts go beyond enrollment.
- Grace O'Donnell: Supported using state formula grant for director of elder services; noted senior population is growing.
- Sarah McKeown: Teacher at Dunning; said remaining students still need support; asked to stop looking only at numbers.
- Adam Freudberg (School Committee): Said school committee's motion requested flexibility to preserve positions; argued a majority vote is sufficient and urged council to collaborate.
- Brenda Diaz: Spoke about the importance of a dedicated leader at the Callahan Center; praised current director's engagement.
Discussion Items
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Zoning Amendments to G Zone (Second Reading): Proposed changes to floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.30 per dwelling unit and height restriction of 35 feet (amended from 40). Councilor Stefanini explained the aim to prevent oversized houses. Councilor Ward expressed concern about incentivizing duplexes over single-family homes. An amendment to reduce height to 35 feet was accepted. The measure passed on a roll call vote of 9-1-1 (Councilor Bryant abstained).
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Clarks Hill Zoning Amendments (Second Reading): Proposed rezoning of parcels to PRD and related dimensional regulations. An MOU with the developer was reviewed. Councilor Bryant questioned late document delivery; the city solicitor said it was not an open meeting violation. The measure passed unanimously (11-0).
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Mayor's Report: Upcoming events: Framingham Farmers Market (Thursdays), Juneteenth flag raising (June 19, noon), Bay State Motor Festival (June 21), Winter Street roadway project meeting (June 25), library touch-a-truck (June 27). Discussion of CSX trash train stench: Mayor will convene a meeting with federal delegation. Councilor Stefanini noted a state bond amendment to require encapsulation.
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FY27 City Budget (Second Reading): Total budget of $398,170,206, with $10 million from free cash and a 3.5% tax levy increase. Several amendments were offered:
- Councilor Ward's Motion: Increase school budget by $957,082 to restore SAGE, three middle school restoration interventionist positions, and half the ESL teacher cuts (to $188,175,530). Debate over legality; city solicitor said two-thirds vote needed under special act. Passed? Failed 5-6 (5 yes: Alexander, Malik, Bryant, Ward, Feeney; 6 no: Cannon, Ataviani, Stefanini, King, Leon Bruno, Long). Amendment failed.
- Councilor Feeney's Motion: Direct mayor to work with Council on Aging to use state formula grant to reinstate the director of aging services position. Passed 9-2 (King and Leon Bruno opposed).
- Councilor Stefanini's Motion: Request mayor fund three park positions for Mary Denison Park (opens August after $40 million investment). Passed unanimously.
- Main Budget Motion: Passed 6-5 (yes: Malik, Stefanini, Bryant, King, Leon Bruno, Ataviani; no: Long, Ward, Feeney, Cannon, Alexander).
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Prior Year Bills: Authorized payment of $42,121.29 in unpaid bills from prior fiscal years. Passed unanimously.
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Blazers Band Donation Account: Established a donation account. Passed unanimously.
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Adaptive PE Equipment: Funded equipment for Framingham Public Schools as requested by the Disability Commission. Passed unanimously.
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U.S. Bike Route 1: Motion to recommend mayor send support letter for designation. Councilor Long expressed safety concerns about Edge Road. Passed unanimously.
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Liquor License Extension for World Cup: Discussion on allowing businesses to extend hours for World Cup soccer games. Councilor Ataviani and Stefanini urged support; noted state legislation. Motion to recommend mayor and licensing commission act expeditiously. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Proclamations adopted for Caribbean American Heritage Month and Juneteenth.
- Zoning amendments for G zone (FAR 0.30 per dwelling unit, 35-foot height) passed 9-1-1.
- Clarks Hill PRD zoning and MOU passed unanimously.
- FY27 Budget approved on second reading, 6-5, with a total appropriation of $398,170,206 and a 3.5% tax levy increase.
- School budget increase amendment failed (5-6).
- Director of aging services motion passed (9-2), non-binding.
- Park positions motion passed unanimously, non-binding.
- Prior year bills, Blazers band account, adaptive PE equipment, and U.S. Bike Route 1 recommendation all passed unanimously.
- Liquor license extension for World Cup games recommended to mayor and licensing commission, passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned after roll call.
Meeting Transcript
The City Council is the sole legislative body of the city of Framingham and is therefore responsible for passing city ordinances. The city council is made up of eleven members who exercise the legislative powers of Framingham. Two of these members are known as counselors at large, and nine members are known as district counselors. The city council serves as a link between the citizens of Framingham and their municipal government. Counselors help constituents by connecting them to resources, services, and city departments. And also serve as advocates for all Framingham residents. The following city council coverage is brought to you by the government channel, a service of the city of Framingham. We're using version three of our agenda, which is posted in the public meeting portal online. And any backup material for this meeting is all available online under our agenda, hyperlinked to each item. This evening, uh councillors Bryant and Cannon, I believe, are going to be remote. I see Council Cannon here. I do not see Council Bryant yet. There are no minutes to be considered this evening, so the first item tonight would be a proclamation, which is in this instance a joint proclamation by the Council of Mayor recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month. And who Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a joint proclamation to recognize and recognize Caribbean Caribbean American Heritage Month. Whereas for over two centuries, the peoples of the Caribbean region, the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and formerly the town, present presently the city of Framingham, have developed enduring bonds based on mutual interest. Whereas, similar to the United States, the inhabitants of the Caribbean region are a melting pot. They are of indigenous African, European and Asian descent and speak various languages. Either through the bondage of slavery or emigrating in search of a better life for themselves, their families and their loved ones, as they left behind the world they knew. These courageous and tenacious people have been immigrating from around the region from locations such as, but not limited to the independent island nations of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Granada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts, and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. And the following territories belonging to the United Kingdom. And you're doing very good. I'm actually impressed. The Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks, and Caicos, as well as the following territories belonging to the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the following territories belonging to France, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saba, St. Barthes, Saint Eustaceus, and Saint Martin. And the following semi-autonomous territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curso, and Saint, I should say Saint Martin. And finally, due to their strong cultural connections, immigrants from the mainland mainland continents of North, Central, and South America, to include Guyana, Belize, Honduras, Suriname, Costa Rica, and Panama have joined the family of Caribbean countries. And whereas amongst the millions of Caribbean immigrants are talented craftspeople, poets, doctors, scientists, athletes, and entertainers. Many known and unknown have reached the pinnacle of their careers here in the United States, which has undoubtedly enriched our national character and strengthened the fabric of our culture, and we are proud they are part of the American family. And whereas the following are a small list of renowned individuals that have made indelible contributions in their vocations into the United States, founding father and first Secretary Secretary of State, Al Alexander Hamilton was born in St. Kitts. Former Vice President of the United States and former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris is of Jamaican parentage. Grammy Award winner, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, Robin Rihanna Fenty was born and raised in Barbados. Grammy and Tony Award-winning actor, singer, songwriter, and playwright, Lynn Manuel Miranda is Puerto Rican, retired designated hitter for the Boston Boston Red Sox, two-time World Series World Series champion and future Hall of Baseball Hall of Famer David Big Poppy Ortiz, hails from the Dominican Republic. And whereas in February 2005, the United States House of Representatives unanimously adopted Resolution 71 recognizing the significance of the Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14th, 2006, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year bipartisan and bicameral effort. And whereas, since the passage of the resolution in 2006, the President of the United States has issued an annual proclamation officially recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month, and whereas during Caribbean American Heritage Month, it is also important that we acknowledge and celebrate the indispensable relationship, the United States and the dozens of island nations and territories in the Caribbean region. We should all strive to build upon these long-standing partnerships to assist the people of the Caribbean, to provide aid and assistance whenever feasible, to approve health care and educational opportunities, to promote mutual and sound economic development between our countries and support shared desires for democratic governance and support climate change mitigation efforts throughout the islands. Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Framingham City Council and Mayor recognize June 2026 as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Framingham and encourage residents to recognize the importance of Caribbean influence on our community and partake in this celebration, and it's signed by the mayor and the members of the City Council. Thank you. Phew. Very good in geography and some history.
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