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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Jennifer Thompson Promoted to Assistant Town Manager

Framingham's new Assistant Town Manager, announced to Selectmen Tuesday Night, starts Monday.

Current director of capital finance and procurement for the Framingham Department of Public Works Jennifer Thompson will become the town's new Assistant Town Manager, starting Monday. Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin unveiled his pick to replace David Williams, who left to become town administrator in Sherborn. Thompson, except for a couple of years working for the Barnstable County Sheriff, has worked for the Town of Framingham since 1999. She started her career in town working for the Framingham Fire Chief, said Halpin. Selectmen Chair Charlie Sisitsky said Thompson was "an excellent choice." Halpin told Selectmen he gave the finalist an assigned and Thompson "nailed" it. "She’s going to be a tremendous contribution to our team," he …

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$236 Million Proposed Budget Adds Police, Addresses School Security

The proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget would increase the average homeowner's tax bill by $148.

Seven new police officers, $250,000 for school security and funds to aid economic development efforts were among the highlights of a proposed $236 million budget presented to Selectmen Tuesday night.  Town Manager Bob Halpin said the spending plan for fiscal year 2014, his first budget since being hired in mid-2012, funds the majority of departments at a level service rate while allowing for "strategic investments" in key areas.  "We have the opportunity for the first time in many years to address some important areas," Halpin said.  The budget plan represents an increase of $8.4 million, or 3.7 percent above the current fiscal year. Though assessment figures are not finalized, Framingham Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley said the …

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Artery Severed in Saw Mishap

DPW co-workers used a belt as a tourniquet until first responders arrived on the scene; the water department employee was flown to a Boston Hospital for treatment Tuesday morning.

A Framingham Public Works employee was flown to a Boston hospital Tuesday morning, after he was injured by a 14-inch circular blade chop saw, said Framingham Police Lt. Ron Brandolini. The Framingham DPW water department employee, in his 20s, suffered a left shoulder injury, said Brandolini. He was conscious and talking at the scene. The employee "severly cut an artery in his arm" while in the trenches, said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin. While working on a sewer issue on Woodland Drive, a gas-powered saw the employee was using kicked back and cut him in the shoulder, explained Halpin. Halpin said the employee had to get himself out of the trench and that fellow DPW employees then treated him until first responders arrived. They used …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Feb. 8 Storm Edition

Schools closed, trash pick up today, Framingham Town offices closing early, Governor wants everyone off roads by noon and MBTA will stop operations at 3:30 p.m. and so much more you need to know as the Blizzard of 2013 approaches.

Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation. 1. Framingham Public Schools, Marian High, Keefe Tech, McAuliffe Charter, Framingham State University and Mass Bay Community College are all closed today. Basically, all schools are closed today. For further updates on closures and cancellations, including many school activities, visit and bookmark Framingham Patch's Blizzard of 2013 Storm Central article. For even further up-to-the-minute storm updates become a fan of Framingham Patch on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our breaking news alert. 2. Framingham will declare a snow emergency at 6 p.m. today. Framingham Town Manager Bob…

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Framingham Wants To Limit Where Marijuana Businesses Could Operate

A proposal, that will be presented to Framingham Selectmen Tuesday, would only allow a marijuana dispensary to operate along Route 9 between the Natick line and Dinsmore Avenue. Any proposal would need a vote of Town Meeting.

Tuesday night, Selectmen will hear about a plan to "limit the location of marijuana dispensaries" in town, according to Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin. In November, voters approved legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. That vote allows the Commonwealth to license for 35 not-for-profit marijuana dispensaries statewide, including at least one in each county (but no more than 5 per county). Hapin, in his report to Framingham Selectmen, indicated that the working group of town officials plan to propose to "designate a portion of the Route 9 corridor east of Dinsmore (Avenue) to the Natick line" as an area for a potential dispensary. Halpin, in his report, indicated that area would be the most suitable location, due to its high rent …

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Eastleigh Farm Re-Connects to Town Water; To Get First Bill in April

A private well at Eastleigh Farm was disconnected and DPW re-activated a connection to town water to the farm this week, said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin.

Last year, Eastleigh Farm was told to build a well or pay a water bill. The farm chose to build a private well and disconnect from the Town of Framingham water supply. But this week, the private well at Eastleigh Farm was disconnected and Framingham Department of Public Works re-activated a connection to the town's water to the farm, said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin. Halpin told Framingham Selectmen Tuesday night an account has been established in owner Doug Stephan's name and he will be receive his first water/sewer bill in April. Halpin told Selectmen Stephan indicated that he might want to supply a limited amount of the property with well water in the future. "Mr. Stephan understands that he is being metered and invoiced at the …

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Framingham Hires New Building Commissioner

Framingham Town Manager announced Tuesday he hired a new building inspector

For more than a year, Framingham's building commissioner was on paid leave pending an investigation. In November, embattled commissioner Michael Foley submitted his resignation. Michael Tusino was named acting building commissioner and the Town of Framingham became advertising for a new commissioner. Tuesday night, Framingham Town Manager announced he is taking away the "acting" title from Tusino naming him Framingham's new building commissioner and director of inspectional services. "In my interactions with residents and businesses of the Town and with clients and customers of the division, he has received high marks for professionalism, fairness and service," Halpin told Framingham Selectmen. "He has been an outstanding leader in …

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Framingham Drafting Zoning Bylaw for Marijuana Dispensaries

Proposed restrictions on where the shops can be located will be unveiled later this month.

Framingham officials hope to finish drafting language for a bylaw regulating medical marijuana dispensaries sometime this month, as the Town of Framingham races the calendar to get regulations in place before the businesses begin to establish themselves.   Town Manager Robert Halpin said a task force of planning, zoning and law enforcement officials has been working on language for several weeks and should have it ready to be presented to Selectmen this month and be placed on the warrant for the annual Town Meeting on April 30.  That date could be problematic, Halpin noted, because the medical marijuana law passed by voters in November gives state officials until April 1 to establish regulations for carrying out the law, including licenses…

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