Long New Planning Board Chair

Planning Board has a busy agenda Thursday with hearings and discussion on Danforth Green, Clark's Hill development and Ford's Hill Estate.

The Framingham Planning Board has a busy agenda Thursday with hearings and discussion on Danforth Green, Clark's Hill development and Ford's Hill Estate. Last Tuesday, voters elected two new members to the Framingham Planning Board - Lew Colten and  Victor Ortiz. And on last Thursday, the Framingham Planning Board re-organized. The new chair of the Planning Board is Christine Long. The new vice chair is Stephanie Mercandetti, who was elected in 2012. Colten was elected clerk. On Thursday, April 18, the Planning Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Ablondi Room in the Memorial Building. On the agenda: 7:30 p.m. - Informal Discussion Regarding Clark's Hill Development in Precinct 14 7:45 p.m. — Continued Public Hearing for Definitive Plan …

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Take Time to Vote in the Town Election Today

Framingham Voters can vote between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. today; the only town-wide contested race is for Planning Board where four individuals are vying for two seats.

Today is election day in Framingham. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town's 18 precincts. If you are not sure where to vote, click here. Framingham has about 37,000 registered voters. In last year's Town Election, only 10% of registered voters voted. Officials are predicted about a 10% turnout today, too. Probably because there is only one town-wide contested race. Four candidates are running for two 3-year seats on the planning board. They are incumbents Susan Bernstein and Andrea Carr-Evans, and challengers Lew Colten and Victor Ortiz. Framingham will have a new selectman Tuesday night, as incumbent Ginger Esty withdrew from the race, citing health reasons. Incumbent Selectmen Chair Charlie Sisitsky and current School…

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Ramuel M. Raagas

11:34 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I voted for Lorant and three incumbents, besides Robert Adamson for the two-year race in our same three precinct.   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Chasan Endorses Colten and Ortiz for Planning Board

Chasan: "Send a message that Framingham values the jobs and tax revenue that businesses provide to our community. "

To properly fund our schools, public safety, etc., Framingham needs responsible growth and the tax revenue that comes with it.   Framingham’s current leadership talks a good game but the votes and policies of the town have driven long time businesses out of town and prevented new businesses from investing in our town.   Neighboring communities have departments and staff that welcome, attract, recruit, and work diligently to retain companies, while here companies leave town due to overburdening regulations.   There are 2 seats in the April 9th election, where we have an opportunity to elect new members to the Planning Board that will help to encourage businesses to invest in and remain in Framingham.   We all live here and want Framingham …

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Sierra Club Hosts Candidates Night at Library

Submit questions in advance to Bob Zimmerman at robert.rzimmer@gmail.com.

The Framingham Sierra Club is hosting a Candidates Night, as a means to get to know the candidates for Planning Board and Selectmen, two of the most powerful boards in Framingham Town Government, tonight at 6:15 in the main Framingham Library. The town election is Tuesday, April 9. The Candidates Night will begin with refreshments and an informal time to meet the candidates starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by formal panels starting at 6:30 p.m. After the candidates opening statements there will be a Q/A session where the audience will be encouraged to submit written questions to the candidates. Submit questions in advance to Bob Zimmerman at robert.rzimmer@gmail.com. There are two open seats for the Framingham Planning Board and challengers…

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Framingham Abandons Marijuana Zone; Moves Ahead with Temporary Ban on Dispensaries

Massachusetts Attorney General's Office rules communities can place temporary moratoriums on medical marijuana dispensaries but it can not ban them within its borders.

The Town of Framingham has decided to put on hold a zoning district to allow medical marijuana dispensaries along Route 9, next to Natick. Tuesday night, Framingham Selectmen removed the proposed medical marijuana dispensary zoned district from the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. But Framingham Town Meeting will still have a say on medical marijuana as Framingham Selectmen Tuesday placed on the warrant a proposed article to establish a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries until July 1, 2014. “We’ve developed a bylaw but we’re waiting to see if it will fit with the state’s direction,” Planning Board Chair Tom Mahoney said last week at a public hearing on the proposed moratorium article. “This moratorium gives us time to wait …

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Marijuana Moratorium Sent to Town Meeting Vote

The Framingham Planning Board recommended a bylaw that would restrict dispensaries in town until 2014.

Medical marijuana is coming to Massachusetts and Framingham Planning Board members said they don’t want to stand in the way of businesses that are interested in the town. They also said that they want to wait for guidance from the state before approving new zoning regulations. “We’ve developed a bylaw but we’re waiting to see if it will fit with the state’s direction,” Chairman of the Planning Board Tom Mahoney said. “This moratorium gives us time to wait for the state’s guidance.” While no residents chose to comment on the moratorium, when the Planning Board took up the original zoning bylaw after several residents commented about the need for medical marijuana in town. “This is a place where people will need a card to get in and to get …

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Variances, Trees, Rentals Focus of Danforth Green Development Discussion

Baystone Development appeared before two Framingham boards within three days trying to get final approval for its Danforth Green project to build 360 housing units in Saxonville.

Baystone Development appeared before two Framingham boards, within three days, trying to get the final approval for its Danforth Green project to build 360 housing units in Saxonville on 35 acres, on a total owned 170-acre piece of land in Framingham on the Wayland line. Thursday night, Roy MacDowell II and Baystone Development reviewed its landscaping plans with the Framingham Planning Board. The developers also requested a waiver on setback rules and received it unanimously from the Planning Board before the public even had a chance to speak during the 2-hour public hearing. The chair later apologized for the vote. Earlier in the week, MacDowell and Baystone appeared before the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals seeking approval on three…

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Bernstein To Focus on Zoning, Design, Re-Development If Re-Elected

Bernstein: "While I believe it is extremely important to create new jobs and tax revenue, it is essential we do so in a way that always balances the needs of the developer with the concerns of both residential and commercial abutters."

Editor's Note: As per the Framingham Patch election guide, each candidate for town-wide office was allowed to submit a political announcement on their candidacy. The town election is Tuesday, April. 9. Below is the announcement for Planning Board member Sue Bernstein. She is running for re-election. There are presently, four candidates for two seats on the board. Bernstein was the only Planning Board candidate to submit an election announcement by patch's deadline. *** The Planning Board plays a key role in Framingham’s identity. Through the development process each new project impacts the look and fabric of our town. Good design is extremely important in revitalizing and reinforcing strong communities. It results in higher property values…

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Voters Will have Choice for Selectmen, Planning Board

Tuesday was the deadline for those running for town-wide office to submit nomination papers.

When Framingham voters go to the polls on Tuesday, April 9, they will find contested races for Selectmen and Planning Board. Tuesday, Jan. 22 was the deadline for those running for town-wide office to submit nomination papers. There are two 3-year seats on the Board of Selectmen available. Running for Selectmen are incumbents Charlie Sistisky and Ginger Esty and Framingham School Committee member Michael Bower. There are two 3-year seats on the Planning Board on the ballot. Running for Planning Board are incumbents Andrea Carr-Evans and Sue Bernstein, Town Meeting member Victor Ortiz and former building commissioner Lewis Colton. There are two 3-year seats on the Framingham School Committee. Incumbent Adam Blumer opted not to seek re-…

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To Encourage Economic Growth, Framingham To Adopt Expedited Permitting

Framingham Planning Board and Board of Selectmen will jointly advance a plan to adopt the state's expedited permitting regulations for three areas of town where the town wants to encourage economic development.

Framingham Planning Board and Board of Selectmen will jointly advance a plan to adopt the state's expedited permitting regulations for three areas of town where the town wants to encourage economic development.   The state's Chapter 43D regulation requires that communities make permitting decisions in designated areas within 180 days and make other changes, including establishing a single point of contact for permitting information. In Framingham, that person would be Planning Board Director John W. Grande.   In exchange, Framingham would get a competitive boost for some state grant programs as well as assistance in marketing properties for development. Officials said the adoption will also send an important message to businesses that the …

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