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IN THIS ISSUE

No Chief Climate Officer – yet
Adding Framingham to a regional bikeway
Opinion: Let’s protect the Nobscot woodlands
Cool ideas, real impact: Student sustainability projects
ICYMI: 2026 Community Preservation Act projects
How much would an EV save you?
Study finds elevated methane in homes with gas
How to avoid brush fires
Crush the spotted lanternfly
Upcoming events | In the news

A new sustainability officer (not a Chief Climate Officer) goes forward in the FY27 budget

At the request of the City Council, the Mayor’s office has twice revised Framingham’s proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which begins July 1. The second sustainability officer position remains in the latest version. 

Unfortunately, this is not the executive-level Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer position called for in the new City Charter. At our Candidates Climate Forum last October, Mayor Charles Sisitsky said he intended “to put this position in the Mayor’s office, directly under the Mayor.” 

Instead, the second position is a Sustainability Coordinator within the Capital Projects & Facilities Management department, alongside Shawn Luz, the current Sustainability Coordinator. Moreover, the budget provides just a half year’s salary, indicating a delay in hiring for the position.

The City Council is expected to vote on the budget June 16 (agenda and Zoom link). 

We’ve kept out of the budget discussions since April in deference to widespread public concern over cuts to the school budget. But when budgeting begins for FY2028, we’ll be back to urge that the new position be given more authority as intended by the Charter:

Energy costs to be discussed

One area the next budget should address is energy costs. A coordinated, long-range plan could help lower these costs with efficiency measures and renewable energy installations.

As we reported in our May newsletter, year-over-year budget increases for energy total more than $530,000. That figure doesn’t include the schools, which account for 73 percent of building energy costs according to the 2025 Municipal Energy report (accessible here, under action item 1.)  With several schools slated for new roofs and/or parking lots, it makes no financial sense to not include solar panels where appropriate.

At the June 2 Finance Subcommittee meeting, Councilor Leora Mallach called on the subcommittee to look at energy costs, noting 20 to 40 percent increases across departments. She proposed inviting Shawn Luz and Lincoln Lynch, Executive Director of Finance and Operations for the Framingham Public Schools to a future meeting, together with the Chief Financial Officer. We’ll keep an eye out.

Adding Framingham to a regional bikeway

Framingham has been asked to be part of a regional bikeway, designating a portion of its streets as part of the 125-mile Massachusetts section of U.S. Bike Route 1 (USBR1). This would also connect Framingham to the East Coast Greenway – itself part of a 23,000-mile national bikeway network in 35 states. 

The proposed route in Framingham would enter from Woodside Road in Sudbury, continuing south to Eaton Road, Mary Agnes Road, Sloane Drive, Gregory Road, Whittemore Road, Hemenway Road, Water Street, Edgell Road, Franklin Street, Howard Street, Concord Street, and Irving Street before proceeding onto Loring Drive in Sherborn. Framingham would have the ability to alter the route as needed. No signage or special bike lanes are required.

To officially join USBR1, Framingham would need to provide a support letter or resolution to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT). To date, 20 of 34 jurisdictions along the Massachusetts route have signed on. 

The City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Subcommittee unanimously supported the proposal on June 3. Sarkis Sarkisian, director of Planning and Community Development, has drafted a memo to the Mayor and City Council, including draft text that could be sent to Mass DOT. The matter is on the full City Council agenda for June 16.

Opinion: Let’s protect the Nobscot woodlands

by Carol McGarry, Energize Framingham

There has been much community discussion about woodlands and farms disappearing in Framingham. Today only about 12 percent of the city is open land. Development threatens Framingham’s few remaining intact woodlands, as well as farms and other open spaces.

A largely wooded 30-acre parcel in Nobscot Village, at the intersection of Edmands and Edgell Roads, has been proposed for a very dense residential development that would require rezoning by the City Council. The parcel includes nearly 14 wooded acres with trails winding below mature white pines. These would disappear under the developer’s bulldozer if the plan is approved.

Preserving the Nobscot woodlands would provide several benefits to the city. The land abuts the city’s four-acre Nobscot Park. Adding 14 wooded acres to the existing park would extend Framingham’s trail system, connecting the park to the Weston aqueduct trail and, in the future, the Bruce Freeman rail trail. More than 500 residents in nearby apartment buildings would be able to simply walk across the road to enter the trail system for hiking, dog walking or birdwatching.

The woodlands offer other important ecological benefits:

Carbon sequestration

One acre of East Coast woodland can store about 33 tons of sequestered carbon, which increases each year as the mature trees grow. According to the state’s Clean Energy and Climate plan, conservation is the most important strategy for sequestering carbon in Massachusetts. The state’s Forest Action Plan calls for “keeping forests as forests,” and the state offers grant programs for municipalities for the acquisition of woodlands. These are grants Framingham could pursue.

Biodiversity support

Thousands of resident and migratory animals live and interact within Massachusetts ecosystems, depending on natural lands for food and water, reproduction, shelter, and migratory pathways. To thrive and maintain genetic diversity, ecosystems need to stay connected to thriving, intact habitats.

The Nobscot woodlands are a short distance from hundreds of acres of conservation lands, starting at the Nobscot Scout Reservation and stretching nearly to Edmands Road, which are protected by the state, the City of Framingham, and Sudbury Valley Trustees. These lands include BioMap2 habitat, a state designation for areas “that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and other native species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities, and a diversity of ecosystems.”

Wildlife isn’t limited to protected landscapes, but uses all available habitat nearby. Nobscot residents report seeing and hearing a wide variety of wild animals in their neighborhoods, including bobcat, mink, beaver, fisher cats, several species of hawks, various woodpeckers, bats, snakes, toads, frogs, and turtles.  By preserving the Nobscot woodlands, the city will support wildlife migration, biodiversity, and habitat resilience in the face of climate change.

Groundwater protection 

While Framingham is fortunate to receive excellent drinking water from the Quabbin Reservoir, the city should strive to preserve the purity of its lakes, streams, and aquifers for future use. A medium-yield aquifer east of Edgell Road is only 750 feet from the city park that abuts the proposed development. Another 250 feet further east is a high-yield aquifer that borders wetlands.

Previous efforts to develop the Nobscot parcel have required breaking rock mechanically. If chemicals are used in the future, they could enter the groundwater and migrate into the aquifer. Limiting development would reduce this risk.

Let’s preserve our woodlands now before they disappear

Now is the time for Framingham to acquire the Nobscot woodlands for the public good, or require that any future development preserve the remaining intact woodlands. While housing is also needed, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and leading organizations like Mass Audubon have made it clear that forest preservation needs to be a priority. Mature woodlands and wild lands are precious resources that, once lost, cannot be replaced.

Ed. note: Energize Framingham favors meeting the city’s need for housing through redevelopment of existing structures rather than clear-cutting.The City Council Planning and Zoning Subcommittee continues to discuss the rezoning of the parcel, including the woodlands. The developer’s new plan (attached to the June 10 meeting agenda) calls for 357 units.

Cool ideas, real impact: Student sustainability projects

by Samantha Tsekrekas

Framingham is one cool community! Over 100 residents packed into Walsh Middle School on May 30 for the city’s fifth annual Cooler Communities Fair. The event, supported by Energize Framingham, showcases student projects designed to protect the environment. Kids from Framingham elementary and middle schools created beautiful displays on a wide variety of topics such as tree planting, solar energy, and reducing plastic pollution – pointing the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future. 

Visiting families were encouraged to make positive changes in their own lives. Some took home seed balls, a mixture of soil, clay, and seeds, to grow pollinator-friendly native plants. Others picked up anti-collision window decals to prevent birds from crashing into the clear glass.

Below are some examples of the students’ many ideas. Check out our Facebook and Instagram feeds this week for more!

Samantha Tzekrekas, a rising senior at Framingham High School, is an intern with Energize Framingham.

BRIEFS

ICYMI: Approved Community Preservation projects; new granting season begins

Six open space and/or community recreation projects were approved by the City Council this spring to receive funding through the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Clockwise from top left:

• Construction of the middle section of the Carol Getchell Nature Trail, allotted $157,000. (See background in The Ham’er)

• Preservation of open space 43-45 Nixon Road: The CPC allocated $250,000 to acquire a conservation restriction that would enable creation of trails connected to the Bay Circuit Trail. 

• Preservation of open space at Eastleigh Farm: After much discussion, the Community Preservation Committee allotted $500,000, with the requirement of additional funding from other sources. (See our April issue for details.)

• Design of public access improvements at Simpson Park ($250,000; details in our April issue)

Plus:

• An ADA-accessible water fountain and bottle filler for Anna Murphy Park.

• Engineering and design work for improvements at Waushakum Beach.

The FY 2027 granting season is starting! It kicks off with a public meeting June 15, 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building, Blumer Room. Agenda and Zoom link

How much would an EV save you?

A Framingham family that drives an electric vehicle 15,000 miles/year, and is signed up for the Framingham Community Electricity Standard Green option, would save $1,415 per year in fuel and maintenance. That savings would increase to $1,844 per year with home charging. These estimates assume gasoline is $4.36/gallon. Thanks to Energize Wayland for sharing the EV Savings Calculator!

The savings go further. Because EVs eliminate oil changes, spark plugs, and complex exhaust systems, they cost 30 to 50 percent less to maintain over their lifespan than gas-powered cars. 

Lots of EVs are coming off leases, with good deals available. See this EV Deal Explorer, compare models, and learn more at the EV webinar on June 17 (see Upcoming Events).

Another reason to give up gas heating, cooking: Study finds elevated methane

New England residents in homes with natural gas are more likely to have elevated indoor levels of methane compared to homes without gas, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One in May. Elevated home methane levels can pose health risks, as methane gas contains a number of pollutants including benzene, a carcinogen.

In the study, researchers from Boston University and Gas Safety, Inc. (Southborough, MA) tested indoor methane levels in 195 homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. They found that 93 percent of homes with gas service had higher methane concentrations than all-electric homes, which had the same level of methane as outdoor air. Methane levels in homes with gas were consistently above outdoor levels – sometimes more than four times outdoor levels.

While methane gas levels were highest in basements, elevated levels were also found on other floors. In 91 percent of the homes with elevated methane, researchers identified the source of the leaks to gas pipes or equipment. 

Homeowners may not be able to smell small gas leaks, which the researchers detected even when gas stoves and water heaters were turned off. More in this press release from ZeroCarbonMA and the Boston Globe.

Preventing brush fires

As of June 11, Framingham is experiencing severe drought conditions, which are expected to continue through the month and increase the risk of brush fires.

During dry and windy conditions, brush fires can spread rapidly. These tips from the Framingham Fire Department will help reduce the risk:

• Never discard cigarettes, matches, or smoking materials on the ground or from a vehicle.

• Keep grills away from dry vegetation. Dispose of ashes from grills, fire pits, and fireplaces only when they are fully cooled.

• Yard brush is only allowed to be burned between January 15 and May 1 and then only with a permit.

• Keep campfires small, attend them at all times, and fully extinguish them before leaving the area.

• Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass. Hot exhaust systems and catalytic converters can ignite vegetation.

• Clear dry leaves, brush, pine needles, and other combustible materials from around homes, garages, sheds, decks, and propane tanks. Store firewood, fuel, and combustible materials away from structures and wooded areas.

• Properly maintain lawn mowers, chainsaws, and other outdoor power equipment that may create sparks.

Unless the brush fire is very small and you can do so safely, do not attempt to fight it. Report it immediately by calling 911 with the location, size, and direction of the fire.

Crush the spotted lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly nymphs are hatching and active in parts of Massachusetts, including Framingham. These invasive pests attack a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, including fruit-bearing trees. The nymphs are a quarter or half the size of the inch-long mature spotted lanternfly (pictured here) and are predominantly red or black – but still spotted. If you see them, at any stage of maturity, crush them! Take a picture and report your sighting at https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx. 

Questions? Contact Tree Warden Rebecca Nau at [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mon., June 15, 5:30 pm. Climate Conversations: Visual Notes on a Changing Planet
West Roxbury Branch, Boston Public Library 1961 Centre St, West Roxbury
Join local artist Lisa Link for the opening celebration of this exhibition, which uses interviews, photography, and visual storytelling to explore how people respond to environmental challenges in their communities, daily lives, and public work. Sponsored by the Jewish Climate Action Network.
Info and signup

Mon., June 15, 7 p.m. Community Preservation Committee public meeting
Memorial Hall, Blumer Community Room
This hearing kicks off the CPC’s next granting season. Bring your ideas and learn how to apply for funding in three categories: Open Space and Outdoor Recreation, Community Housing, and Historic Preservation. 
Agenda and Zoom link

Tues., June 16, 7 p.m. City Council Meeting
The Council will vote on the City’s FY2027 budget at this meeting, among many other agenda items.
Agenda and Zoom link

Tues., June 16, 7 p.m. From Canopy to Ground Layer: Creating Drought-Tolerant Landscapes 
Learn how to implement “Soft Landings,” a gardening and landscaping strategy that focuses on creating mini ecosystems beneath native trees to support pollinators throughout their life cycles. Learn what defines a pollen specialist, discover examples of these fascinating bee-plant relationships, and understand how keystone plants function as foundational species in our ecosystems. Sponsored by MetroWest Climate Solutions. Register

Wed., June 17, 7 p.m. From Gas Pumps to Charging Stations: EV Basics for Everyday Drivers (webinar)
With local gas prices climbing toward $4.50 a gallon, the financial case for making the switch to an electric vehicle has never been stronger, whether you're looking to purchase or lease. Register to hear from EV drivers and get your questions answered. Sponsored by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

Thurs., June 18, 3-7 p.m. Framingham Farmer’s Market opening day
The market will take place every Thursday through early October 2026 at the Framingham Centre Common, located at Edgell Road and Oak Street.

Sat., June 20, 9-11 a.m. Saxonville Litter Cleanup Day
Meet at Stapleton Elementary School (25 Elm St, Framingham) and team up to clean six to eight different locations, including some trails. Sponsored by Friends of Framingham Trails, Friends of Saxonville, and Keep Framingham Beautiful. Info and signup

Thurs., June 25, 6:30-8 p.m. Second community meeting of the SuAsCo Climate Collaborative
Ashland Public Library, Schiesske Large Meeting Room
66 Front Street, Ashland (park in the municipal parking lot across from the library)
Share your thoughts and experiences related to climate change in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord River (SuAsCo) watershed – which includes Framingham – and learn more about the regional climate resilience planning effort currently underway. Register

Mon., June 29, 12 p.m. Smart Thermostats & ConnectedSolutions (online)
Did you know you can earn money by enrolling your smart thermostat in ConnectedSolutions? Learn how Eversource rewards participants for helping reduce electricity use during the hottest days when the electric grid is under the most strain. Don’t have a smart thermostat? Learn what they are, how they work, available incentives, and how to choose, install, and enroll one in the ConnectedSolutions program. Sponsored by Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

July 1, 2026, 7 p.m. Battery Storage & ConnectedSolutions (online)
Did you know you can earn money by enrolling your battery system in ConnectedSolutions? Learn how Eversource rewards participants for using their battery systems to help reduce electricity demand. Participants earn an average of $1,200 each summer. Don’t already have a battery system? Learn what battery storage systems are, how they work, available incentives, and what to consider if you’re thinking about installing one. Sponsored by Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

Tues., July 7, 7 p.m. Smart Thermostats & Connected Solutions
(see description for June 29)

Fri., July 10, 12 p.m. Battery Storage & Connected Solutions
(see description for July 1)

Now through September 1: Art on the Cochituate Rail Trail
An open-air gallery featuring eight unique installations by talented local artists. 

SAVE THE DATE

Sat. Aug. 29, time TBD: 15th Annual Framingham Vegetable Gardens Tour
The tour will showcase several home and community gardens.
Visit FraminghamGrowsFood.org for more information. If you have a vegetable garden you’d like to show off, or know of one, email [email protected].

IN THE NEWS

Framingham/Metrowest

As geothermal networks grow, so does the call for a new utility model (Canary Media)
Framingham’s geothermal pilot has inspired a Massachusetts bill that would create a framework for a geothermal utility. Today, 13 states have laws promoting thermal networks, and 11 utility companies nationwide are developing about 30 projects.

Framingham announces projects that will share $3.53M in CPA funding (Metrowest Daily News)

Framingham identifies 5 key areas in city for new development, zoning (Metrowest Daily News)
The Framingham Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has identified: Pearl and Franklin Streets downtown, the Waverley Street corridor along Route 135, the area around Speen Street and Old Connecticut Path, Saxonville at Concord Street, and the 9/90 Corporate Center. The EDC’s full report is linked in the City Council meeting agenda for May 19 (see #5 under Action Items).

Framingham Today #75 - Farmer’s Market 2026
This episode on Framingham’s Government Channel interviews Farmer’s Market manager Bill Sell about the market’s expansion. The market opens on June 18.

Massachusetts/Region

Why this year's pollen season feels so intense (Worcester Telegram)
Experts see a connection with climate change.

Beneath our feet: Geothermal energy could soon have a moment in Mass. (Editorial, Boston Globe)
When President Trump essentially declared war on renewable energy, geothermal was largely spared. Currently, about 20 state-owned buildings have converted or are converting to geothermal heating and cooling, as well as two dozen K-12 schools.

In Massachusetts, parked EVs will start feeding the grid this summer (Canary Media)
After the school year ends in Acton and Boxborough, three electric school buses will charge their batteries overnight, when power is at its cleanest and cheapest, then send energy back to the grid during the day when the grid is strained. The school district will earn revenue for the power it shares, possibly enough to cover the costs of charging their batteries during the school year. The buses are the first to plug into a Massachusetts program that is exploring the potential of ​“vehicle-to-everything” (V2X) technologies.

The gas threat may go beyond your kitchen stove: Study finds small home leaks could be ubiquitous (Boston Globe)
A Boston University study of 195 homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island found that low levels of natural gas may be seeping into homes with gas heat. The gas contains pollutants including benzene, a known carcinogen, raising concerns that residents are breathing in small quantities of toxins around the clock. Levels in all-electric homes were not elevated. (See our story in the Briefs section above.)

How an energy efficiency program in Mass. became so politicized (WBUR)
Mass Save has saved people a lot of money — including residents who haven't used its services. But social media and the recent rhetoric of some politicians make it clear that many now see Mass Save as a cost driver, not a cost saver. Lawmakers in the House passed a bill earlier this year to cut $1 billion, or two-thirds, of Mass Save's budget next year. The Senate seems likely to propose a different path when it releases its version of an affordability bill this summer.

How to cut energy bills? Massachusetts Senate, House disagree (Associated Press)
One Senate approach would phase out the Gas System Enhancement Program, or GSEP, which encourages utilities to replace leak-prone natural gas pipelines by allowing them to recover replacement costs more quickly. Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) believes this program has gone too far and has led to overspending.

5 energy affordability policies to watch right now in Mass. (WBUR)
The proposed policies would open the door to nuclear power, cut Mass Save’s budget, issue securitized bonds for utility projects, rein in third-party electricity suppliers, and cut costs of gas line repairs by revising or phasing out the Gas System Enhancement Program.

Despite earlier promises, Beacon Hill moves to cut funding for environmental programs (Boston Globe)
Advocates say the loss of funds could threaten the state’s mandate to ensure its most vulnerable residents are protected from environmental pollution and the harms of global warming.  

Energy company proposes big natural gas pipeline expansion in New England (WBUR)
The Algonquin Gas Transmission line carries fracked natural gas from northern New Jersey through parts of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and into Massachusetts. 

Meet Somerville’s ‘Tree Amigos,’ who care for city trees (Boston Globe) 

National/General Interest

Most dangerous World Cup ever? Climate change poses growing risks for players (Los Angeles Times)
FIFA is well aware that extreme heat and humidity could affect the 2026 World Cup, and that’s why this might be the final World Cup to be played in the summer.

Broken speaker? Finicky zipper? Anticonsumerist Repair Cafes urge you to fix it instead of pitch it (Associated Press)
Repair Cafes — free events where volunteers with technical know-how help neighbors fix myriad household items — offer an alternative to buying new goods. These are hosted in Framingham twice a year in the spring and fall – the next one is Sunday, Oct. 18 from 2-5 p.m..

In the United States, Solar Energy is Outpacing Coal for the First Time Ever (Mother Jones)
Solar now provides more than twice the share of electricity that it did five years ago.

Clean Energy Is Outspending Fossil Fuels Nearly Two To One (Forbes)
For every dollar the world invests in fossil fuels today, it invests nearly two in clean energy, according to the International Energy Agency’s 2026 investment report, even factoring in subsidies to fossil fuel companies.

A Start-Up Aiming to Make Geothermal Energy Mainstream Goes Public (New York Times)
A new wave of start-ups is aiming to expand geothermal into a workhorse of the global energy system. In contrast with Framingham’s networked geothermal system, these plans call for very deep drilling, thousands of feet below the earth’s surface where it is much hotter.

Why are so many Democrats going quiet on climate change? (Grist)
Democratic politicians who once talked about climate change as the defining crisis of our time now barely mention it at all. The phrase has begun disappearing from their speeches, social media posts, and podcast appearances. The main exception is Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

As the US starves it of oil, Cuba is pulling off one of the fastest solar revolutions on the planet — with China’s help (CNN)
Cuba's imports of solar and batteries from China have soared since mid 2024. A big part of the country’s clean energy push is an agreement with China to open 92 solar parks across the country by 2028, enough to power more than 1.5 million homes.

Long-Haul Electric Trucking Is Almost Here (Heatmap News)
Before that can happen, though, we need megawatt chargers.

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