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IN THIS ISSUE

Mayor to redo budget; chief climate officer job uncertain
Framingham’s geothermal network fuels state and national interest
Depaving and reforesting: CREW project eyes sites in South Framingham
Deadline extended: Enter our photo contest!
Want to serve on a city board or committee related to sustainability?
Spotlight: Framingham Grows Food
Upcoming events | In the news

City Council asks Mayor to redo budget; chief climate officer job uncertain

Mayor Charles Sisitsky finally revealed his draft budget documents, which are now online. Disappointingly, the budget does not include a cabinet-level Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer, as we requested and as the new City Charter intended. Instead, the budget adds a half-year salary for another Sustainability Coordinator within Capital Projects and Facilities Management, alongside the existing position held by Shawn Luz. 

How the Mayor envisions the new position is unclear. Its title is the same as Luz’s, "for lack of a better name,” the Mayor told the City Council on May 5. He added that Human Resources has prepared a job description with a salary of $120,000 per year, which is higher than Luz’s budgeted compensation.

But the main news is that the City Council rejected the entire budget in a 9-1 vote and asked the Mayor to produce a new one. Councilors called for structural changes in the budget, citing objections to the 4.5 percent tax rate, the reliance on free cash, insufficient funding for economic development, and the lack of creativity in solving Framingham's fiscal problems. The Mayor has promised to produce a new budget and share his progress at the next meeting of the Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday, May 13.

Strategic energy planning needed as costs rise

Meanwhile, the Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee (SIFOC) released a report stating that Framingham has had no consistent strategic planning process, and recommended hiring an outside vendor to help develop a strategic blueprint. 

Councilor Mary Kate Feeney (District 3), a former SIFOC member, agreed. “Strategic planning is critical,” she said. “I don’t know how we can have a budget without some sort of plan. Not having a strategic plan is setting us up to fail.”

One area where strategic, long-range planning is sorely needed is energy. Framingham’s rising energy costs could be greatly reduced through an intentional rollout of solar and other renewable energy installations. 

The proposed FY27 budget includes a $530,211 increase for energy across departments compared with last year’s budget. The figures in the chart below come from the administration’s budget summary sheet. As shown in the right column, the Mayor’s office asked the City Council in April to put $272,607 in free cash toward energy expenses in the General Fund, plus $84,262 for the Water Enterprise.

Notably, the figures above don’t include energy costs at the schools. According to the 2025 Municipal Energy report, schools accounted for 73 percent of building energy costs in Framingham. (You can access the report here, under agenda item one).

Any strategic blueprint for Framingham should address energy. While measures like weatherization, LED lighting, more efficient HVAC systems, and heat pump installations have cut building energy consumption by as much as 16 percent, we can do much more through planned investments.

Areas for potential savings

A Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer would be instrumental in leading long-range planning for:

• solar installations: Massachusetts has some of the most generous solar incentives in the country – as well as some of the highest electricity costs. Costs of solar panels have gone down, and the state has moved to streamline the interconnection and permitting process. Now is the time to map out cost-saving investments in solar! 

• cost savings from less gasoline and diesel purchasing by converting our municipal fleet vehicles and school buses to electric over time 

• evaluating new technologies such as microgrids to help minimize the city’s electric demand 

• managing the city’s waste: According to Department of Public Works budget figures, Framingham now pays $131.50/ton to dispose of its trash, up from $124/ton. The city’s trash includes about 1,170 tons/year of food scraps; diverting this to composting would save an estimated $153,855 per year. 

• lowering energy costs for homeowners, renters, and businesses through group procurements and by working with Mass Save to get the best incentives.

Bottom line, we hope the final budget will not only retain the second sustainability position, but also elevate the job and empower the officer to lead.

Contact your city officials!

According to the City Charter, the Finance Subcommittee has 28 days to make its recommendation to the full council, bringing us to early June. The full Council then has 21 days to adopt the budget before the current fiscal year ends June 30. That’s our window to contact city officials and ask them to fund an executive-level Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer!

1) Mayor’s office: 
[email protected] or call 508-532-5401

2) City Councilor:
Councilor contact information. Don’t know your district? Look it up here.
**In addition to your district councilor, you can contact Framingham’s two at-large City Councilors, Janet Leombruno and George King.

Framingham’s geothermal network fuels state and national interest

Framingham’s geothermal network performed well during our harsh winter and is now set to double in size! On May 18, Eversource will file its expansion proposal with the Department of Public Utilities. If the DPU approves, the expansion would run along Prindiville Drive, Warren Road, and Flagg Drive, connecting 37 homes and buildings and one school building (Farley).

The nonprofit HEET will work with customers to retrofit their homes to connect to the network, while Eversource builds the network infrastructure, including about 0.6 miles of utility pipes, additional boreholes (which house the pipes that bring underground heat to buildings). Construction and building conversions are likely to start at the end of this year and continue until October 2027, according to Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz.

Framingham is at the forefront of a growing trend as geothermal energy draws statewide and nationwide attention. Governor Maura Healy recently issued an executive order to build more geothermal in Massachusetts (along with solar, battery storage, wind turbines, and nuclear power) and invest in the clean energy workforce.

The first phase of Framingham’s project pointed to a need for more workers skilled in drilling geothermal boreholes, and training programs have been launched. Even Trump’s Department of Energy is embracing geothermal, including for military housing.

Read this case study about Framingham’s Phase 1 geothermal network.

Depaving and reforesting: CREW project eyes sites in South Framingham

Energize Framingham met recently with the nonprofit Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) to hear more about their plans to launch a depaving project in South Framingham. Their goal is to remove an expanse of pavement and plant a mini-forest in its place. Funding comes from a settlement with Framingham Salvage Company, which allegedly discharged industrial stormwater into Beaver Dam Brook. (More background in our April issue.)

Multiple sites are under consideration, including:

• Beaver Street, which runs perpendicular to Beaver Dam Brook.

• The Greater Framingham Community Church at 44 Franklin Street in Downtown Framingham

• Mary Dennison Park, which runs alongside Beaver Street and Beaver Dam Brook. (It is now under construction to remediate previous toxic pollution.)

• Daniel’s Table, which is building a mixed-use building and has expressed interest

• South Framingham Fraternal Order of Eagles and Bronzetti's Pizza are looking to depave and transform their lot.

Also discussed was the need to check in with other organizations and determine the best time to engage with residents, who would volunteer for depaving and planting the chosen site. We’ll keep you updated!

Watch this webinar recording to learn how trees help fight climate change.

BRIEFS

Deadline extended to June 15: Enter your sustainability photos!

Show us your sustainability in pictures. Snap a photo (selfies welcome) to share your eco-friendly habits – e.g. solar panels at your home, backyard or curbside composting, planting a pollinator garden, running an errand by a bicycle, and more!  Post it to our Facebook group or email it ([email protected] with a short description by June 15. Selected entries will be featured on Facebook and Instagram, and the winner gets a $50 gift card.

Want to serve on a city board or committee related to sustainability?

There are vacancies on the Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Committee, the Community Preservation Committee, the Conservation Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Board, the Sustainability Committee, and more. Get information on these volunteer opportunities and apply – deadline May 15.

Spotlight: Framingham Grows Food

Transition Framingham and its Framingham Community Gardens Working Group have rebranded themselves as “Framingham Grows Food.” The organization's aims are to strengthen the community’s resilience by supporting community gardens, promoting the development of new growing spaces, supporting home food gardeners, and increasing access to fresh, locally grown food. 

Want to learn more? Visit Framingham Grows Food’s first open house on Sunday, June 7th, 4-5:30 p.m. Details below under Upcoming Events.

Kudos

Judith Grove, a former District 8 City Councilor and current member of the Community Preservation Committee, was among 10 women honored by the Framingham 325th Celebration Committee during Women’s History Month in March. A strong environmental advocate, Judy was active in the cleanup of the former General Chemical site in southeast Framingham, forced the shutdown of the contaminated Mary Dennison playground, and was active in accomplishing the park’s redesign. She was instrumental in obtaining a ruling in the Massachusetts Land Court to halt the installation of a tow yard across from Harmony Grove elementary school.

Rebecca Maynard, who teaches AP Environmental Science and Honors Biology at Framingham High School, was among six teachers nationwide to be selected for the Robert E. Yager Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award by the National Science Teaching Association. More in the MetroWest Daily News.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri. May 15, 9:00 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sat. May 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun. May 17, 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
Farmer Scott’s Heirloom Tomato Plant Sale
Farm at Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA (enter at 249 Waltham Street)
Choose from many varieties of hard-to-find heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, as well as peppers, eggplants, and herbs. Farmer Scott, who has been growing vegetables for almost 50 years, is onsite and ready to share his knowledge. Free admission.

Sat. May 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Household Hazardous Waste Day (Framingham residents only)
DPW Operations Center, 100 Western Avenue, Framingham
See here for a list of what they will and won’t accept.

Sat. May 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bike Drive
Wayland Town Center (behind Ace Hardware)
70 Andrew Avenue, Wayland
Bring your old or unneeded bike. The bikes will be delivered to the Lowell Bike Connector, fixed up, and distributed to kids and adults in need of low-cost, local transportation. (Severely rusted bikes should go to your local metal recycling bins.) Sponsored by Metrowest Climate Solutions with CFREE Lincoln and Green Newton. Register (optional but encouraged)

Sat. May 16 and Sun. May 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Stearns Farm seedling sale
862 Edmands Road, Framingham.
Stop by to purchase a variety of vegetable, flower, and herb seedlings. Cash, card, check, and Venmo accepted. 

Sun. May 17, 1-4 p.m. TheBuzz Pollinator Festival & Variety Show
Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton
A series of short, engaging, and creative performances about the need for pollinator gardens. Interactive booths will distribute seed packets, sell decorative pots for plants, offer honey tastings and treats, and enable connections to local gardens and beekeepers. Buy tickets for Variety Shows at 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.($10 general admission, $5 for students and seniors)

Sun. May 17, 3-5:30 p.m. The Plastic Detox: Documentary and panel discussion
Ashland Community Center, 162 W Union Street, Ashland
Join Energize Ashland and partnering organizations for a free screening of “The Plastic Detox,” a documentary that reveals the effects plastics and toxic chemicals are having on our bodies and health and how to protect yourself. Register

Mon. May 18, 7-8:30 p.m. Housing and climate with Dan Ruben (online)
How does housing affect climate change, particularly as we seek to build new units? How can changes to zoning laws affect greenhouse gas emissions and save trees? Dan Ruben, chair of Green Newton, teaches Sustainable Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism at Boston University and the University of Southern Maine. Organized by the Jewish Climate Action Network. Register for link.

Wed. May 27, 7 p.m.  Heat Pumps for Renters, Landlords, and Homeowners (online)
This webinar will cover what heat pumps are, how they work, costs and benefits, special considerations for landlords and tenants, and the latest information on state rebates, including dedicated funds for low/moderate income residents. Sponsored by Green Energy Consumers Alliance. RSVP for link.

Sat. May 30, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Cooler Communities Fair 
Walsh Middle School, 301 Brook Street, Framingham
Students present their chosen climate projects to the public — becoming educators and change agents in their communities. After viewing their projects, stop by Energize Framingham’s table!

Mon. June 1, 12-1:30 p.m. How to Organize Your Local Peer-to-Peer Decarbonizers Program with Fred Davis (online)
Join the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) for a virtual training on community organizing using peer influence to increase clean energy adoption! Led by MCAN’s Board President, Fred Davis. Q & A followed by open discussion. Register for link.

Sun. June 7, 4-5:30 p.m. Open House: Framingham Grows Food
Open Spirit, 39 Edwards St., Framingham
Learn more about the organization, find out how you can get involved, and share your ideas for how Framingham can grow more food.

Now through September 1st: Art on the Cochituate Rail Trail
Take a stroll through this 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

'Structurally deficient.' Framingham MA council rejects $401M budget (MetroWest Daily News)
Framingham city councilors voted 9-1 on May 5 to reject Mayor Sisitsky’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal of $401,771,328, citing concerns about rising taxes, increased reliance on free cash, and what councilors described as a lack of long-term financial planning.

Update on General Chemical Cleanup Process (The Frame)
Crews are expected to begin thermal remediation treatment of the former General Chemical site in Framingham within the coming months. Work is expected to continue through spring 2027.

Framingham Today #73 - Unsung Heroes of City Government (The Government Channel)
Conservation Administrator and Tree Warden Rebecca Nau, Grants Manager Meghan Todd, and Public Health Inspector Matt LeFort describe their jobs and the challenges they face in this hour-long segment.

A climate activist and a gas executive walk into a bar (New Hampshire Public Radio)
Podcast on how Framingham's networked geothermal pilot brought together unlikely alliances that might be key to our clean energy future.

Bridges & Blooms exhibit opens in Framingham at The Village Hall (MetroWest Daily News)
Opening night photos of the exhibit, a collaboration between the Framingham High School Fine Arts Department and Environmental Awareness Club and members of the Framingham Garden Club. 

Massachusetts/Region

Governor Healey Takes Action to Bring in 10 GW Of New Energy, Save $10 Billion and Promote Energy Independence (press release)
Governor Maura Healey is setting strong targets for bringing more energy into Massachusetts and lowering energy bills. 

No time for timidity on clean energy [opinion] CommonWealth Beacon
The path to affordability is by leading on efficiency, not cutting the Mass Save program that is helping Massachusetts households use less energy, the writer argues.

Worcester changes course, says it won't pause building electrification rule (Worcester Telegram)
Stretch Code Debate Continues in Worcester (Radio Worcester)
An attempt in Worcester to put a 20-month pause on the Specialized Code was averted by a state law requiring municipalities that adopted the code to wait three years before pausing or repealing. In a radio interview, Lisa Cunningham, director of ZeroCarbonMA, highlights the Specialized Code’s benefits. Debunking the claim that the code hindered housing development, she cites state data indicating a 44% increase in permitted housing units since the code’s adoption.

Massachusetts speeds up clean energy transition with new siting and permitting reforms (Fox25 News) 
The reforms reduce the time it takes for project approval while building in opportunities for public engagement and strengthening protections for the environment, according to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Massachusetts weather station shows the science behind our climate (AP video)
At the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, staff and volunteers have been using many of the same tools to monitor the weather since it opened in 1885. It’s an important reference for the study of climate change.

In New England, Catching Climate Data Along With Fish (New York Times) [gift link]
Commercial vessels are deploying high-tech sensors to map a shifting sea, providing critical data for scientists and some help for the fishing industry.   

‘It’s like Russian roulette’: A Bellingham man’s plan to add solar and battery storage to his home meets a nearly $12K utility price tag (CommonWealth Beacon)
The process to connect residential solar projects to the grid sticks some people with dramatic costs. In Massachusetts, as in most states, utilities are allowed to charge the customer whose project triggers the need for a grid upgrade — in this case, the full cost — even if the upgrade serves multiple homes and businesses.

Big grid batteries are finally on a roll in New England (Canary Media)
The region’s largest battery yet recently came online in Massachusetts, where state climate policies aimed at cleaning up the grid are boosting the tech. 

Plug-in solar is coming to Maine with Janet Mills’ approval (Portland Press Herald)
The bill, now signed into law, allows renters and other residents to install compact plug-in solar panels in their home or apartment with the help of a qualified electrician. Also covered by the Maine Morning Star.

Here comes the sun: New bill would let New Yorkers hang solar panels from windows (Gothamist)
The Sunny Act, a bill before the New York state legislature, would allow apartment dwellers to use easy-to-install plug-in solar. The panels can potentially offset power usage by 10% to 25%. Con Edison, the city’s biggest utility, supports the bill, and the state Senate recently passed it unanimously.

Rolling back NY's climate law, Gov. Hochul says she's living in 'reality' (Gothamist)
Hochul’s budget deal scales back New York’s climate mandates, which required the state to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and 85% in 2050. 

National/General Interest

The Global Oil Crisis Seems to Be Helping One Industry: Renewable Energy (New York Times) [gift link]
Sources like wind and solar can now deliver continuous power, according to a new report. And, they’re often a bargain compared with fossil fuels.

Will more Americans embrace renewables after the latest oil surge? (PBS News)
With long time environmentalist Bill McKibben and climate tech advisor Jigar Shah. Worth a watch!

For the First Time in the U.S., Renewables Generate More Power Than Natural Gas (Yale Environment 360)
Renewables — including solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy — were the biggest source of U.S. electricity in March, according to data from the think tank Ember. Along with nuclear power, renewables supplied more than half of U.S. power.

Climate Change Is Already Showing Up in the Cost of Living (Bloomberg) [subscription may be required]
Economists and central bankers are getting better at linking temperatures to price increases.

How China's superfast charging cars are leaving American EV’s in the dust (WBUR On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti)
An electric vehicle battery that charges almost as fast as it takes to fill a tank of gas might soon be available almost everywhere except the U.S.

Trump ‘Extrajudicially’ Blocks All New US Wind Projects—Which Could Power 15M Homes Amid Energy Crisis (Common Dreams)
As oil, gas, and electricity prices soar, the Trump administration is blocking new wind energy projects through the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration. Earlier, a U.S. judge in Boston had halted the administration blockade on new wind and solar projects.

Trump administration to close three-quarters of Forest Service research stations (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists)
U.S. Forest Service researchers monitor soil, air, and water quality; study how wildfire, invasive species, plant diseases, and climate change are impacting forest and grassland ecosystems; and conduct experiments to ensure that public lands remain healthy and productive for years to come. At the end of March, the Forest Service announced a reorganization that includes closing at least 57 of its 77 research stations across the nation.  

EPA flags microplastics, pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water (NPR)
Responding to public health concerns about microplastics and pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water, the Trump administration for the first time has placed them on a draft list of contaminants maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. This could set the stage for more research and regulatory action — but doesn't actually guarantee that will happen. Also covered by NBC News and multiple other outlets.

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