LETTER: Should The Framingham Planning Board Meet on a Jewish Holiday?

Today the Framingham Planning Board agenda for Thursday, Sept. 5. was posted on the Town of Framingham's website.

The agenda includes among other topics, discussion of the building lots at 505 Pleasant St. (the Marist land on the north side of Pleasant St recently sold for house lots), a public hearing on the proposed Marijuana Bylaw for the fall town meeting, and discussion of the Ford's Hill Estates subdivision on Nixon Road.


I would like to point out that the Sept. 5h meeting is on Rosh Hashanah, a major religious holiday. Schools are closed both Thursday and Friday.

Historically, town boards and committees have not met on religious holidays out of respect for those residents who celebrate those particular holidays.

There are no other town committee meetings posted for that day.  

To me, it is extremely disrespectful to hold a meeting that evening and especially since the topics for discussion are of significant interest to both town meeting members and the public at large.

In addition, while an updated version of the proposed Marijuana bylaw is posted on the Planning Board website, there is no Article posted regarding those areas of Framingham that are to be rezoned to allow the sale or production of the marijuana.  

Considering this is a very important, sensitive topic impacting the future development of Framingham, I believe holding a public hearing on an such an important religious holiday is extremely inappropriate.

A link to the whole agenda can be found at http://www.framinghamma.gov/weblink8/0/doc/47442/Page1.aspx.

The link to the proposed bylaw can be found at http://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13120

Sue Bernstein