Town Manager Robert Halpin gave a report to Framingham Selectmen concerning progress toward a Green Communities designation for Framingham.

Halpin indicated there was wide-spread support for the Green Communities designation from much of the community.

However, developers and builders are concerned about proposed state regulations that would alter the building codes and potentially add to their costs. Halpin said discussions with developer interests were on-going.

Selectmen also:
2) Listened to a presentation by an energy and power supplier, Global that offered ways the town could save on its electric charges.

The concept is called community choice aggregation and essentially pools town, residents and small businesses to get lower energy rates.

"We have more pressing issues that we need to deal with first," said Selectmen Chair Charles Sisitsky, an opinion that was backed by Selectmen Laurie Lee and Jason Smith.

The Selectmen suggested that the Global representative return in the spring when the Selectmen would have more time to look into the proposal.

3) Received an update from Halpin on the halt in painting the Nobscot Chapel. Work was stopped when it was determined that there might be lead-based paint present on the exterior of the Chapel. Painting will resume when the issue is resolved.

4) Selected Amy Finstein to fill an alternate position on the Historic District Commission. Finstein, a native of Framingham, is a college professor and her professional expertise lies in the area of 19th and 20th century urban architecture. She is a member of the Framingham Library Building Committee.

5) Approved the recommendation from the Framingham Union Grants Panel to reappoint Anna Romer to the panel.

6) Approved temporary construction easements to eight properties around the Central Street Bridge over the Sudbury River in Saxonville. The easements are necessary for Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to work on the bridge which is expected to begin in the fall of 2013 and continue into the spring of 2014. The work will require a closing of the bridge and a detour over a repaired Wickford Street bridge.

7) Agreed the town’s legal team, Petrini & Associates, represent it in a negotiation with the Town of Sherborn over street intersection engineering services in Sherborn. The legal firm also represents Sherborn and will request that Sherborn seek independent council for the issue.

8) Approved the appointment of Erik Ciniello as manager of the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Shopper’s World.