April 2025 (corrected)

April 18, 2025

Apologies, this went out earlier with a chunk of text missing. This is the complete version!

Your latest local news on sustainability and climate change action
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IN THIS ISSUE

Frustrated with U.S. climate news? Act locally!
Visit us on Earth Day!
Trees for heat islands: Laying out a vision
Food waste pickup set to expand; Potter Road to be next participating school
Trails, splash play area: Proposed new recreation projects
A floating boardwalk for Farm Pond?
Briefs: Energy incentives; Solar Para Todos hits the road; Farley solar update;
FSU’s new solar canopy; EV charging in Natick; Job opportunities
Upcoming events | In the news

Frustrated with U.S. climate news? Act locally!

There’s no avoiding the national news threatening our progress on climate change. The good news is that we can take action locally and have a big impact.

  1. Visit us at the Earth Day Festival (Apr. 26)!

Our table this year will feature "Building a Cleaner Greener Framingham" family activity. Bring your kids to create a vision for Framingham’s future by adding to our cardboard city. And while you’re there:

  • Chat with us and learn about our tree-planting initiative, community solar opportunities, heat pumps, the Climate Leaders Program, and more.

  • Sign up to volunteer! There are many ways to help, big and small.

  • Sign our Climate Leaders petition: Tell your City Councilor that you want Framingham to be designated a Climate Leader Community ASAP to make the city eligible for a host of state grants. We’re almost there, but the last big step is for the city to adopt the Specialized Building Code, which calls for new buildings and homes to have solar energy and heat pumps or be pre-wired for them. (Details on the code in our February 2024 newsletter).

  1. Join our trees group which is seeking to cool down heat islands in Framingham. (See article below)

  1. Vote yes on the revised City Charter November 4 to make sustainability part of city planning and budgeting with a new Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer. Energize Framingham was able to get this position added to the revised charter, voted on by the City Council last fall. (More in our June, July/August and September 2024 newsletters).

  1. Write your state rep and senator to advocate for state legislation. There are proposed bills on subjects ranging from preventing the expansion of natural gas to municipal reforestation. See the full list with descriptions from the Massachusetts Sierra Club. 

  2. Check out this “50 states, 50 fixes” series in The New York Times for inspiration. This series will spotlight climate solutions happening in all 50 states throughout the year.

Trees for heat islands: Laying out a vision

We had an inspiring and productive meeting on March 22, brainstorming how to increase tree cover in heat islands – “concrete jungles” where temperatures are noticeably higher in warm weather due to a lack of shade and greenery. About 30 people attended, including State Rep. Priscila Sousa and City Councilor Leslie White Harvey.

Energize Framingham Community Lead Aimee Powelka kicked off with a quick review of existing and previous programs: the Setback Tree Planting program, the Tree-Plenish program through Framingham High School, the Grant Street tree planting program, and a program through Eversource and the Arbor Day Foundation. 

Aimee then reviewed several models, from plantings at individual homes to Miyawaki forests, which have been planted in Cambridge, Worcester, and Watertown. (These dense, fast-growing plantings on small plots of public land were spotlighted in our March 2025 issue.)

Some ideas we brainstormed

  • Involve local arborists who could do walk-throughs in the areas we target and recommend tree species likely to thrive.

  • Seek donations from businesses

  • Consider not just saplings but also bigger trees so they will be noticed.

  • Give property owners a discount on municipal water bills if they agree to plant and maintain the trees. 

  • Offer an educational program for children to accompany a Miyawaki forest.

Potential locations:

  • Downtown Framingham (Union Ave., Franklin St., Concord Ave/Rt.126, and around the intersection of Rts. 126 and 135), around the train station, along the Boston Marathon route on Rt. 135 (to the Natick Line)

  • Public housing projects and apartment buildings, as in the Beaver Street area

  • Second Street, which currently has an ongoing utility replacement project. 

  • Mary Dennison Park, where there are ongoing improvements. 

  • Irving Street

  • The land behind Barbieri Elementary School

  • Shopper’s World

  • St. Tarcisius Cemetery

Potential partners:

  • Mass. Horticultural Society/Garden in the Woods

  • Downtown Framingham, Inc.

  • Framingham’s tree warden (Rebecca Nau)

  • Rotary Club

  • The Pelham Learning Center and community garden

  • Neighborhood groups like the Coburnville/Tripoli Neighborhood Association

  • Students: the Framingham High School Environmental Club; students from Harmony Grove and Barbieri elementary schools

  • The Framingham Public Library

  • City Councilors representing areas with heat islands

  • Nurseries that could donate trees (nice publicity for them) or even solicit customer donations for the project, and provide expertise

Some questions and issues raised:

  • Who else needs to be included in this conversation?

  • How do we split our efforts between short-term projects and long-term projects?

  • Who wants to help us in this effort?

  • How do we raise money?

  • Do we focus on residential areas, or businesses?

  • The need to engage landlords to plant trees on rental property

  • Education is needed on which trees to choose, where to plant them, and how to care for them, if given to individual residents

2019 study to inform efforts

A 2019 study by a city consultant, funded by the U.S. Forest Service, gathered data on the more than 3,500 trees then in South Framingham. The trees’ economic benefits were valued at more than $400,000 per year from lower heating and cooling costs, higher property values, better air quality, reduced stormwater and flood damage, and carbon storage. 

The interactive map that was created is a great starting point in pinpointing areas most in need of trees (see the full, interactive version).

Join us

  • Talk to us at the Earth Day Festival!

  • Join our next tree meeting in June (date TBA). 

  • Email [email protected] if you’d like to stay informed.

Food waste pickup set to expand

The Mayor’s Composting Task Force has won a grant from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection to provide 1,000 wheeled, 13-gallon food waste collection carts to Framingham households as an incentive to sign up for curbside collection by Black Earth Compost, the city’s chosen vendor. An announcement from the city is expected soon with more details.

Black Earth Compost, which currently services some 400 customers in Framingham, says that about 330 tons of Framingham’s food waste have been composted since 2019. Averaging about 1.5 tons per week, this has diverted the equivalent of 36 to 37 garbage trucks from the landfill! Energize Framingham helped drive Black Earth membership from 220 to more than 300 subscribers, reducing the cost for everyone by 30 percent.

Potter Road set as the next participating school

Potter Road Elementary School is poised to begin cafeteria food waste separation with $3,000 in state Recycling Dividend Funds awarded to Framingham. The funds will pay for pickups by Black Earth Compost through the 2025-26 school year. Led by Principal Alana Cyr, the school’s composting team began planning meetings last September. Potter Road follows in the footsteps of Dunning Elementary’s successful program (recap in our July/August 2024 issue).

Trails, splash park: Outdoor recreation projects under review

Conceptual illustration of the Cushing Park splash pad

The City Council Finance Subcommittee reviewed several outdoor recreation projects at its April 8 meeting and gave the nod to all of them. The full City Council was scheduled to do a first reading April 15.

Splash play area in Cushing

The Parks and Recreation Department submitted a budget request for a splash play area in Cushing Park. Its $1,500,000 request includes $500,000 from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to cover the construction cost. The project is backed by the Mayor’s Office and has broad community support. At a January community meeting, requests included a nature-based theme, fencing, and bathrooms nearby. More background on this project.

Trails upgrades

The CPC submitted two proposals related to trails:

  • Upgrades to the middle section of the Carol Getchell Nature Trail: $105,000 to cover design services, site engineering, permitting and related documents. The work will connect the North and South sections of the trail (also under construction with CPA funds).

  • Improving trail recreational opportunities: $315,000 to include upgrades to:

Funding for CPC projects come from local property tax surcharges (averaging $50 per residence per year) with a match from the state.

A floating boardwalk for Farm Pond?

Courtesy Ron Chick

Another outdoor recreation project proposed to the CPC was a ~4,700-foot floating boardwalk on Farm Pond (shown in yellow above). Modeled after a floating boardwalk on Lake Williams in Marlborough, it would complete a roughly two-mile loop around the pond. 

After much discussion, the CPC declined to move that proposal forward, citing late and incomplete application materials and questions about jurisdiction (Parks and Recreation vs. the Conservation Commission vs. the state). Ron Chick, a private citizen who submitted the original proposal, plans to re-apply in September.

At the Finance Subcommittee meeting April 8, Councilors George King, Michael Cannon, and Leora Mallach spoke in support of the boardwalk. King asked Parks Department director Jim Snyder why the department’s representative in the CPC voted against moving the project forward even though the Parks Department was sponsoring it. Snyder said the department felt the boardwalk should be folded into plans for the Chris Walsh Memorial Trail, a more complex, multi-phase project.

Cannon expressed disappointment that Chick, as a private resident, did not get more support in assembling his application. King said he felt bureaucracy was getting in the way. Both councilors expressed concern that folding the boardwalk into the Chris Walsh trail project could greatly delay its progress. Chick agreed and said that’s why he’s advocating moving forward with the boardwalk separately. More about the proposed project in these documents submitted to the CPC.

BRIEFS

Shoutouts

  • Larry Stoodt, a founding member of Energize Framingham, is a recipient of the 2025 Senior Heroes Awards from the Framingham Council on Aging, recognizing his years of service in environmental justice and sustainability initiatives. Congratulations Larry!

  • Framingham Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz was part of a panel on municipal climate action at the Boston Globe Sustainability Summit April 15. He shared information about Framingham’s geothermal project and other topics.

Find all home energy incentives in one place!

The Massachusetts Energy Savings Finder is a free search tool to help homeowners and renters find rebates, incentives and tax credits. Type in your zip code and other household information on their form, and it will identify savings programs and how to apply. Check it out!

Solar Para Todos hits the road

Solar ambassador Ligia Puma speaking with a local resident (courtesy Fabiane Goncalves)

Have you met a Solar Ambassador? They’re out and about in Framingham, visiting local businesses and churches and connecting with residents at laundromats, food pantries, bus stops, and more to promote Solar Para Todos. Funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Solar Para Todos helps income-eligible Framingham residents — especially Portuguese and Spanish speakers — lower their energy bills by signing up for community solar. 

Interested? Visit the Mass Energize website or email Program Coordinator Fabiane Goncalves. See this Instagram post and this one for more photos of their Solar Ambassadors at work!

Farley solar update

The new study for rooftop solar panels on the Farley Administration Building is well underway. Unlike the 2023 feasibility study (jump to page 17), this study is meant to supply detailed specifications including engineering design, materials, and cost estimates so the project can be put out to bid. 

Beyond this one solar installation, we are hoping to see a long-term solar plan for municipal and school buildings, especially those scheduled to have roofs replaced. Background in our October 2024 issue.

New solar canopy at FSU

Framingham State University has a new solar panel installation at its Salem End Parking Lot (23 Salem End Rd.), its fourth solar array. At an event April 4, Solect Energy and PowerOptions discussed the logistics of the project. FSU’s Campus Sustainability Coordinator, Dr. Megan Mayer, helped make the project happen. 

FSU received a $436,000 state grant and partnered with the Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’s “Leading by Example” program and the PowerOptions Consortium to have the solar canopy installed. The canopy increases FSU’s total solar capacity to more than 1 megawatt (enough to power about 170 Massachusetts homes). The project also includes charging for six electric vehicles and pre-wiring for an additional 10 parking spaces for future EV charging. 

According to FSU, its combined solar installations will offset roughly 9 percent of total electricity use, the equivalent of reducing more than 12,000 tons of CO2 emissions or taking 172 gas-powered cars off the road each year. Officials estimate $300,000 in savings.

EV charging expands in Natick

Natick recently received a grant from the MassEVIP, part of the Department of Environmental Protection, to install 20 new public EV charging stations throughout the community, expected this spring. User fees will help cover the cost of electricity and maintaining the stations moving forward. Natick is also working to add stations at the high school and rail trail parking lots. 

Sustainable job opportunities

Land Management Seasonal Crew Members

The City of Framingham is hiring two full-time seasonal Land Management Team Members for this summer ($15.25-$17.56 per hour). Team members maintain and enhance the city’s conservation lands by performing tasks such as mowing and planting, managing invasive plant species, restoring plant and wildlife habitat, clearing trails, maintaining parking lots, and engaging with the public on environmental education. Learn more.

Recycling Coordinator

This position aids in developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating solid waste and recycling programs; conduct outreach and education around recycling; and more. $27.61-$35.44/hour. Learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Now through Sun., Apr. 27 Great Framingham Cleanup 5.0!
Keep Framingham Beautiful is hosting its fifth annual citywide cleanup bonanza. Do cleanups on your own, organize a small group, or join one of several group cleanups.

Sat., 19, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Volunteer service days at Pratt Street Community Garden
The Pratt Street Community Garden, 48 Pratt Street, needs enthusiastic volunteers to complete improvements to Framingham’s original community garden, funded by the Community Preservation Act. Improvements include a new fence and new garden layout.  

Wed., Apr. 23, 7 p.m. Community Solar Webinar
If you pay an electric bill, you’re eligible for community solar! What’s that, you ask? Learn more at this online event co-sponsored by plugIN Metrowest.

Sat., Apr. 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Framingham Earth Day Festival!
Stop by to visit Energize Framingham and other excellent exhibitors!

Sat., Apr. 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  Science on State Street
Christa McAuliffe Center, O’Connor Parking Lot, Framingham State University.

Sun., Apr. 27, 1-4 p.m. Hopkinton Electric Vehicle Expo
Hopkinton High School
90 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton, MA

Wed., Apr. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mass Energize Annual Conference
Bentley University, Waltham 
This conference is for anyone working to educate and motivate others to take climate action and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities. Note: Registration is now closed, but you can join the waitlist. 

SAVE THE DATES

Tues., May 20: Heat pump webinar. Co-sponsored by plugIN Metrowest

Sat., May 31, 10 a.m.-noon: Tour Geothermal, Solar, EV Charging at the Cooler Communities Fair
Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham
See inspiring climate projects by Framingham elementary- and middle-school students at the Fair, then tour the solar panels, EV charging stations, and first-in-the-nation networked geothermal program. Energize Framingham and Framingham's Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz will share more about these projects and how they work. Questions welcome!

This fall (date and location TBD): Climate forum for elected officials 
More to come; read our recap of the October 2023 Candidates Climate Forum.

Nov. 4: City Elections
Vote in favor of the change to Framingham’s charter, which adds a Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer to city government.

IN THE NEWS

Framingham

Massachusetts/Region

Trump administration fired staff of program that helps low-income Americans pay for heat. What does it mean for Mass.? (Boston Globe) 
Families brace for fallout from Trump’s heating aid cuts. (Boston Globe)
The Trump administration has laid off the entire staff running the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that helps low-income households pay their heating and cooling bills. The Boston office, which administers fuel assistance for New England families, was one of five regional offices shuttered. LIHEAP has helped some 110,000 Massachusetts residents so far this year. (Fortunately, the state has already received the majority of its LIHEAP funds for this year, so there will be no immediate disruption.)

Mass. has strong climate laws. A new Trump action aims to undo them (WBUR)
An executive action, “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach,” takes direct aim at state and local efforts to address climate change, environmental justice, and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Stay the course? As Trump embraces fossil fuels, will Mass. stick to net zero emissions goal? (Worcester Telegram) 
Some experts believe Massachusetts won’t stop its work to combat climate change.

Massachusetts’ Energy Bills Are About to Change. Let’s Prepare the Public Now. (Medium)
As the Commonwealth pursues ambitious climate goals, the way we generate, regulate, and pay for energy must change, and the public needs to be prepared, argues Natalie Reeder of All In Energy.

These Activists Are Right: The World Doesn’t Need Any More Private Jets (The Nation)
A statewide coalition of more than 100 Massachusetts organizations and over a dozen cities and towns have passed resolutions to reject the proposed expansion opposes the expansion of private jet hangars at Hanscom Field, arguing that they will lead to dramatic increases in greenhouse gas emissions. And they might just win.

Massachusetts to deploy 100 bidirectional EV chargers in first-of-its-kind ‘ pilot (Utility Dive)
In a two-year demonstration project, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will deploy 100 free bidirectional electric vehicle chargers at to residential, commercial, municipal and school customers. Bidirectional chargers enable EVs to both receive energy and send energy to the local utility grid, a building, etc. 

In New England, Canadian hydropower has slowed to an ominous trickle (Grist)
Here’s where New England’s electricity comes from, and how much is imported (Boston Globe) 
Whether due to drought, prices, or politics, the weeks-long disappearance of Canadian hydropower from New England’s grid exposes risks for the region. In all, Hydro-Quebec imports represented about 5 percent of New England’s net electricity use last year. 

National/General interest

Is planting trees 'DEI'? Trump administration cuts nationwide tree-planting effort (NPR)
The urban forestry initiative, administered by the Arbor Day Foundation, was supposed to distribute $75 million in grant funding to about 100 cities, nonprofit organizations and tribes to plant shade trees in neighborhoods that need them the most. The U.S. Forest Service stated the program "no longer aligns with agency priorities regarding diversity, equity and inclusion." The Arbor Day Foundation has funded tree planting in Framingham in the past.

Solar accounted for 84% of new US power added in 2024, report says (Reuters)
2024 was the largest single year of growth by any energy technology in over two decades. But the report warned that changes to federal tax credits, supply chain availability, and permitting policy will slow solar deployment. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says solar will account for just over half of new power generation that will get built in the U.S. this year.

The Hottest Thing in Clean Energy (The Atlantic)
Little of America’s energy comes from geothermal sources, but that could change quickly. Trump’s “Drill, baby, drill” administration is embracing geothermal energy. For now, most of the efforts to debut next-generation geothermal technology are still in the American West, where drilling is relatively cheap.

ABOUT US

Energize Framingham provides climate education, outreach, and advocacy to promote a healthy, equitable, and resilient community.

Have a tip for us? Email [email protected].
In case you missed it… Back issues!

Editors: Nancy Fliesler and Aimee Powelka