News From Your State Representative

Sannicandro Files Bill To Prohibit Bottled Water To Be Purchased With State Funds

This bill does not affect Massachusetts residents’ ability to purchase bottled water.

The following is a press release from Rep. Tom Sannicandro's office: Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland), one of Framingham's three state representatives, filed a bill that would prohibit the use of public funds to purchase bottled water, a bill that would reduce waste, energy use, and costs. “There is no reason we should spend taxpayers’ money on a product that is unnecessary, expensive and harmful to the environment when there are clean and cheap alternatives,” Rep. Sannicandro said in a press release. “It is important that we lead by example and do our part to reduce bottle waste and save the Commonwealth money.” In December, the MetroWest Daily News ran a story about how the state had expended $300,000 in half the fiscal year on bottled …

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Take a Hike: Aqueduct Trail from Saxonville to Nobscot Opens

On a picture-perfect October morning, state and local officials joined neighbors to officially open a portion of the Weston Aqueduct trail and stroll along its path.

A mile-long section of the trail atop the Weston Aqueduct is no longer off limits to dog walkers, joggers, stroller pushers or children hunting for colorful autumn leaves. Nearly anyone can now access to the trail, which connects northern Saxonville with Nobscot and runs from Elm Street to Water Street. There remains a restriction on motorized vehicles along the aqueduct. The town and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority consummated an agreement that opened the trail to the public Monday, after decades of rusted no trespassing signs thwarted the ambitions of those who enjoy a stroll through the urban woods. “This idea, this opportunity just needed the right time and place to gel,” said Framingham State Rep. Chris Walsh, who was …

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MWRA to Lower Reservoir Levels

This procedure has been done before and will not harm the reservoir’s plants or wildlife.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) plans to temporarily lower levels of the Framingham Reservoir #1, located along Route 9, to allow a contractor working for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) to safely obtain concrete core samples from an existing bridge over the Foss Reservoir outlet.  This work is required as part of the final design plans for a future MassDOT bridge rehabilitation project. MWRA operations staff will work over the next week to slowly reduce the level in the reservoir by 5 feet.  This procedure has been done before and will not harm the reservoir’s plants or wildlife. Neighbors should be advised that reduced water levels will reveal some mud flats.   Once the MassDOT corings are …

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Jim Rizoli

11:47 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

How about taking the fluoride out of the water?It serves no useful purpose and has many deadly side effects. Jim@ccfiile.com   more ›

VIDEO: Trail Abutters Tired of Trash, Trespassers

More than 70 residents and abutters to the Weston Aqueduct Trail attended a hearing Wednesday night.

Framingham Patch will have more coverage from the public meeting later this week.

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Public Invited to Aqueduct Use Meeting

Residents invited to discuss the merits of lifting the current MWRA use restrictions along a short section of the Weston Aqueduct on July 25.

Framingham Park & Recreation Department will be holding a public informational meeting to hear from local residents on the merits of lifting the current MWRA use restrictions along a short section of the Weston Aqueduct on July 25 at 7 p.m. at Cameron Middle School. Representatives of Framingham's Open Space Committee will provide a brief overview of this property and how it relates to previous open space. Please consider attending the informational meeting and sharing your views and questions with Town officials. MWRA officials will be in attendance along with Town consultants.

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Chief Assessor’s Private Business is Not a Conflict

And 3 other things you missed from this week's Selectmen’s meeting.

Framingham Town Counsel ruled Chief Assessor Dan Dargon’s personal business, as a private property appraiser near his hometown of Belmont, does not violate Framingham’s ethics policies or the state’s conflict of interest law. Interim Town Manager Valerie Mulvey informed Selectmen of the legal decision at its weekly meeting Tuesday night. Some Framingham community members had questioned the appearance of conflict of interest, especially when Dargon’s private work involved a commercial property or entity that may have ties with Framingham. Residents also questioned whether Dargon brought his private work into Framingham and conducted his private business while working for the town. “I personally interviewed all the employees in the assessor’…

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Emergency Numbers for When Irene Arrives

Irene is expected to strike New England as a tropical storm, but she will still have strong winds and lots of rain, possibly 6-8 inches worth. Here are some numbers you may need.

Hurricane Irene is off the coast of the Carolinas, but is expected to strike Massachusetts sometime on Sunday. Forecasters have it reaching Massachusetts, including Framingham, likely as a tropical storm and not a hurricane. It is uncertain how severely the storm may impact Framingham, but meteorologists are talking about Irene dropping 4-8 inches of rain possibly. That could mean street flooding and flooded basements.The MWRA has been draining reservoirs in MetroWest in anticipation of the storm's anticipated heavy rainfall. Framingham Patch will give you the most up-to-date information, but to prepare, here are a few important phone numbers to save in case:

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Water and Sewer Rates Increasing

Residents will be getting their sewer and water bills this month and they will find rate increases. Selectmen approved the rate hike Tuesday night.

The sewer work that has torn up roads in Framingham will soon have residents and businesses digging deeper into their wallets to pay for their own sewer and water usage. Rates for water and sewer consumption were approved Tuesday night by the Board of Selectmen and a review of the rates indicated the average homeowner will be paying about $117 more for water and sewer this year then was paid last year. The increase is partly due to a 75 percent increase in the debt service for the town-wide sewer work and a modest 25 percent increase in debt service for improvements to the water infrastructure. The East Framingham Sewer Improvements Project cost in the neighborhood of $40 million. Funds to pay for the massive project have come from federal…

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