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IN THIS ISSUE

Vote on the City Charter Nov. 4!
Takeaways from the Candidates Climate Forum
Specialized Code: Mixed views, hearing continues Nov. 18
Kudos for Framingham and Shawn Luz 
Help lowering energy bills and adopting heat pumps and solar
Curbside composting gains 100+ new subscribers 
More funding for Carol Getchell accessible trail 
Phosphorus study at Waushakum Pond
Upcoming events | In the news

Vote on the Charter Nov. 4!

A revised city charter is on the ballot Nov. 4. The Frame produced an informative segment that’s well worth a watch. Adam Blumer, who served as the chair of the Charter Review Committee, clearly summarizes the changes to the charter and the thinking behind them.  

Starting at 15:10, Blumer discusses the creation of a Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer role — added at the suggestion of Energize Framingham. See also the Frame’s accompanying article and coverage in the MetroWest Daily News.

Takeaways from the Candidates Climate Forum

As State Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis pointed out in kicking off the fifth Energize Framingham Candidates Climate Forum, much of climate action is falling to the municipal level given cuts in federal funding. The candidates who win the upcoming elections on November 4 will (we hope) be at the forefront of that action.

Both Mayoral candidates and eight of the 13 City Council candidates attended the October 18 forum. Here’s some takeaways; you can also watch the full forum on Access Framingham.

Support for the Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer

The revised City Charter, on the ballot November 4, would create an executive-level Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer position. Both Mayoral candidates expressed their support. “I intend to put this position in the Mayor’s office, directly under the Mayor,” said current Mayor Charles Sisitsky. Challenger Geoffrey Epstein suggested that Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz step into this role and hire someone to fill his current position. “Definitely we need to have two people involved,” he said.

Solar differences

Epstein criticized the lack of progress on municipal solar, noted solar’s financial benefits, and said he would aim for 10 solar installations a year. Sisitsky said he doesn’t see solar on municipal buildings as “a true litmus test” of what Framingham is doing on climate change, but said that roofs being replaced will be ready for future solar installations. He noted that the School Committee’s budget requests have not asked for solar. Unprompted, Councilors Brandon Ward (District 2) and Noval Alexander (District 5) called for more solar on city buildings. District 2 candidate Carol Spack called for initiatives to promote solar on commercial buildings such as the solar canopy at REI.

Qualified support for city electric vehicles

All City Council candidates supported electrifying municipal vehicles, with some caveats. Spack said smaller vehicles, lighter trucks, and mixed fuel vehicles are also important to consider. Councilor Leora Mallach (District 7) agreed. District 3 candidate Mary Kate Feeney called for a plan and timelines to implement electric vehicles, and suggested a pooled fleet shared by multiple staff. District 8 candidate John Stefanini echoed these ideas. Ward, District 3 candidate Kenneth Weiss, and Councilor Leslie White Harvey (District 8) called for more charging infrastructure.

Clean energy and the Specialized Building Code

Addressing clean energy, Sisitsky spoke of doing mini geothermal projects around the city with the new Chief Climate Officer, while Epstein called for passage of the Specialized Building Code. Councilors Ward, Mallach, and White Harvey all said they would vote to pass the Specialized Code, as did challengers Spack, Feeney, and Weiss. “Developers are going to build apartment buildings, and we have to make those buildings as sustainable as possible,” said Ward. Stefanini and Councilor Alexander indicated support for the code but did not explicitly state that they would vote for it.  

Energy costs: Communication is key

Sisitsky noted that Framingham’s electricity aggregation plan offers options with lower rates than Eversource. Epstein and many Council candidates called for better informing residents about resources like Mass Save and no-interest loans through better communications and outreach. Ward suggested that the City Council partner with the proposed Chief Climate Officer to create a public engagement plan. White Harvey suggested programs targeting renters and small businesses, while Weiss suggested tax incentives for landlords and encouraging residents to sign up for community solar to save money. 

Ensuring equity in the clean energy transition

Sisitsky noted that the city produces flyers about energy programs in multiple languages to reach all residents. Epstein said he would also go out into the neighborhoods and knock on doors. White Harvey suggested attending events hosted by the schools, the Callahan Center, and others; Feeney suggested meeting with churches and neighborhood groups to learn people’s needs. Mallach noted a distinction between homeowners and renters and a tendency to distrust government. Ward urged the city to work with the state to get funding for energy efficiency measures. Spack suggested the schools as a place for parents to share their knowledge.

Alleviating heat islands: Support for tree planting

Epstein called for planting 1,000 trees a year, including in Cushing Park. Sisitsky expressed doubt about that number but said he would expand the current Setback Tree Program. Stefanini and Mallach spoke of neighborhood tree planting efforts. Alexander and Feeney suggested rooftop gardens and involving children and youth. Ward called for community partnerships to protect outdoor space from development. Spack suggested having a landscape architecture firm analyze the entire city and select tree species. Weiss and Feeney wanted to use empty lots to plant fruit trees.

Interest in growing food in Framingham

Sisitsky cited his support for community gardens and a proposed community farm at the Bethany property. Epstein suggested raised garden beds in apartment building parking lots. Other suggested cooperative programs such as pairing children and senior citizens (Spack), measures to encourage purchase of locally grown food (Ward), and a comprehensive plan to preserve farms and provide food to local pantries (Feeney). Mallach cited cost as a barrier to buying into farm shares. Stefanini pointed to his work with Framingham’s Seed Libraries. White Harvey called for education and solutions for people who don’t have time to tend gardens.

The Forum was co-moderated by Aimee Powelka of Energize Framingham and Miriam Naguib of the Framingham High School Environmental Club. Co-sponsors were the Environmental Club, First Parish in Framingham, and the Plymouth Church in Framingham UCC-Green Team. Thanks to Access Framingham for streaming the Forum live and to all the volunteers who helped out!

Not in attendance were Councilors Christine Long (District 1), Phil Ottaviani (District 6), and Tracey Bryant (District 9), who are all running unopposed; at-large councilors George King and Janet Leombruno, whose terms are not yet up; and Councilor Michael Cannon and challenger Steven Belcher in District 4.

Specialized Code: Mixed views, hearing continues Nov. 18

On October 20, the City Council held a public hearing on the Specialized Code. With people still waiting to speak, the Council voted 8-2 to continue the hearing November 18.

This gives another chance for the public to weigh in. (Here’s how.) The hearing, beginning at 13:44 in this recording, is well worth a watch.

It began with presentations (starting at 14:26) from Lisa Cunningham of the nonprofit ZeroCarbonMA and Alexander Gard-Murray of the nonprofit Passive House Massachusetts. They made the case that the added costs of building under the Specialized Code are minimal and offset by state incentives, that the Specialized Code has not hurt homebuilding activity, and that affordable housing is increasingly built to the code’s Passive House standard under Mass Save incentives.

The Passive House standard, which applies to multi-family buildings over 12,000 square feet, is especially relevant to Framingham, which is going through a multifamily building boom. This ​​construction standard provides for tight, well-insulated homes with controlled flows of air, heat, and moisture. Gard-Murray noted that Passive Homes are healthier and more comfortable, with more fresh air and less chance for mold growth. They also cut energy use by 40 to 60 percent, reducing residents’ utility bills.

The presenters noted that for smaller houses, builders can choose between Passive House construction, all-electric construction, or “mixed fuel” construction. “Mixed fuel” means that houses can be built with fossil fuels, but would be pre-wired to enable cheaper and easier conversion to all-electric in the future. Homes larger than 4,000 square feet must also have a renewable energy source such as solar panels, which are also cheaper to install at the time of construction.

Of note, the Specialized Code applies only to new construction. It does not force homeowners to upgrade existing homes.

Opposition to the code

Councilor comments begin at 41:17 in the recording. Councilors Christine Long (District 1), who works in the construction industry, and Michael Cannon (District 4) voiced strong opposition to the code, claiming its costs and ramifications need to be studied more. 

Long claimed the code limits choices for homeowners and “is taking away local control.” She called for getting more information from the city Building Department and the building trades. “If you build your house well, you really don’t need the Specialized Code,” she said. “I have a lot of concerns about it as a contractor, as a construction manager.” 

Councilor Cannon (55:24) spoke in a similar vein. “I think for a complicated community like Framingham to make decisions like this we need to ensure that all parties and all opinions and all experts in so many of the nuanced areas have a meaningful seat at the table in the discussion,” he said. He suggested that the Council hear from other communities such as Cambridge, where he said “they’ve got some things they probably would do differently.” He suggested tabling the code for months to a year to go through a detailed process.

In keeping with these comments, Rick McKenna, executive director of Framingham’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) read a statement from the EDC that recommended deferring adoption to allow for additional study and evaluation. The EDC is a public entity governed by a board of directors appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

Long added that adoption of the Specialized Code, “leaves you open to every single other upgrade on the code — you will automatically be opted in unless you rescind it.” Cannon seized on this point, saying this would be a dealbreaker for him. 

[Fact check: While it’s true that the state can make periodic updates to the Specialized Code, this is also true for the Base Code and the Stretch Code already in effect in Framingham. According to the head of building codes at the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER), updates have been made to address concerns from building professionals and to make the code better and easier. For example, after the Specialized Code was put forward in December 2022, a change was made to lower solar requirements.]

Support for the code

Councilors Adam Steiner (District 3), Leora Mallach (District 7), and Tracey Bryant (District 9) spoke in support of passing the Specialized Code. 

Bryant said that if it’s not passed, “in the long run, we are only hurting ourselves.” She argued that the code will improve health and quality of life for apartment dwellers who often must deal with mold, asthma, moisture, and leaks from gas stoves, and said the Passive House design would fix a lot of those issues. Mallach said the code would aid renters by providing them with more efficient buildings and a lower cost for energy utilities. 

Cynthia Villanueva, representing the Framingham Democrats Committee, noted that Massachusetts is required to be net zero by 2050. She said the code would protect future homeowners by making it easier and cheaper to upgrade their homes to meet state standards.

To this point, District 3 City Council candidate Kenneth Weiss and resident Russell Donnelly spoke of struggles they’ve experienced doing energy retrofits on their own homes and urged passage of the code.

Erin Ellsworth, chair of the Framingham Sustainability Committee, called on the Council to pass the code without delay, arguing that not passing it would cause Framingham to miss out on $1M in state funding. 

“Adopting the Specialized Code is not a radical move, it’s a reasonable option that the city of Framingham has been exploring for some time, including the builder’s forum last fall,” she said. “Waiting longer will not tell us anything new.”

Regarding the EDC’s suggestion to delay adoption to study the impacts on affordability and development, Ellsworth noted that studies from the state DOER indicate no or minimal added costs. 

“That data is already in,” she said. “Every month we delay, we permit new buildings that lock in fossil fuel use for decades… To pause now, just as the state is rewarding climate leaders and funding is on the table, would not be a measured approach, it would be a missed opportunity.”

Aimee Powelka and Nanette Magnani displayed Energize Framingham’s petition for passage of the Specialized Code, which now has more than 350 signatures. Larry Stoodt noted that if the code is passed before this January, implementation would start in July 2026; if passed after January, implementation would need to wait until January 2027. 

Council Chair Phil Ottaviani (District 6) said that continuing the hearing on November 18 should give time for the Council’s Economic Development Subcommittee, chaired by Cannon, to meet. (Cannon said there might need to be more than one meeting.) Ottaviani said the Council “might” be able to vote on November 18, and that he himself has not yet decided how to vote. 

See our July op/ed and recent coverage in The Frame and the MetroWest Daily News. If you’d like to see the Specialized Code pass in Framingham, let your city councilors know!

To tune into the hearing on November 18, check the city Public Meeting Calendar for the agenda/Zoom link a few days beforehand.

BRIEFS

Luz named Sustainability Leader of the Year

Framingham’s Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz received well-deserved recognition on October 2, when the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition named him Sustainability Leader of the Year. 

“Under the coordination of Shawn Luz, Framingham has shown Massachusetts what sustainability leadership looks like,” said Kristin Rode, Executive Director of the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition, in a September statement.

Framingham named a Mass Save Climate Leader

Framingham was also one of four municipalities called out by Mass Save and its sponsors for its commitment to meeting the state’s net-zero goals by implementing energy efficiency upgrades. Mass Save is a collaborative of electric and gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers that helps residents, businesses, and communities make energy efficiency upgrades. The award was announced October 15 at the Massachusetts State House.

Want to lower your energy bills? A partner is here to help!

The nonprofit All In Energy is partnering with the City of Framingham to offer Energy Bill Check-Ups for residents. You may see their team at local events, around your neighborhood, or even knocking on your door. They can: 

1. review your energy bills

2. make sure you’re not getting scammed by your current supplier

3. ensure you have the lowest rate/best contract available

4. connect you with programs that can reduce your energy costs — sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year. 

To schedule a free Energy Bill Check-up, call 857-309-5080 or book it online at BillCheckUp.org 

PlugIn 3.0 offers help with heat pumps and solar

MassEnergize’s PlugIn for Resilience campaign is underway in Framingham, Acton, Ashland, Natick, Sudbury, and Wayland, thanks to a grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. PlugIn offers peer-led education and multilingual and culturally relevant outreach to homeowners, renters, and landlords to help them adopt heat pumps, home solar, and community solar as tools to increase energy security and stay safe during extreme heat.

See pluginmetrowest.org for comprehensive information.

100+ new Black Earth Compost subscribers

In August, the City of Framingham officially launched a curbside composting pilot with Black Earth Compost. Since then more than 100 people have signed up with Black Earth, bringing Framingham’s total to 525+. When we hit 900, the price comes down for all subscribers. 

The city is providing one free curbside bin and one roll of liner bags per household to new subscribers, as described on this city webpage. 

If you’re not signed up already, give it a look! As much as 40 percent of household waste is compostable. Help keep it out of the landfill to reduce carbon emissions, and turn your food scraps into garden gold!

Carol Getchell Trail receives $100,000 from the state

The state has awarded the City of Framingham a $100,000 MassTrails grant to construct the middle section of the Carol Getchell Nature Trail along the federally designated Wild and Scenic Sudbury River. The Solomon Foundation awarded an additional $30,000. “This grant is a major step in making the Carol Getchell Trail fully accessible,” said long-time accessible trail advocate Ron Chick in a City press release.

Construction on the south and north sections has already been funded. Framingham was awarded $100,000 from the state in 2024 to build a 1,000-foot-long ADA-accessible boardwalk and an ADA-accessible riverside viewing platform. The project received an earlier state grant of $50,000 in 2022. Other trail funders include SuAsCo, Saxonville Mills, Mass Trails, and Saxonville Realty Trust.

Conservation Department studies phosphorus at Waushakum Pond

A water quality study underway at Waushakum Pond aims to better understand and address phosphorus levels in the pond that contribute to poor water quality and algae growth.

The project is funded by the Community Preservation Committee and facilitated by the City’s Conservation Department. “Understanding the phosphorus sources in Waushakum Pond is a critical step toward improving water quality and protecting this valuable natural resource,” said Conservation Administrator Rebecca Nau in a City press release. 

Water samples collected in September revealed a notable level of phosphorus, especially in the bottom waters. The study will now collect sediment core samples to learn more. Work is expected to begin soon, before ice forms on the pond.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Stay updated about events by visiting www.energizeframingham.org/events. You can sign up for email notifications by creating a profile (“Sign In/Join” button on the top right corner on the page).

Tues., Nov. 4 - ELECTION DAY!
Polls are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

All month: Neaten Up November
Keep Framingham Beautiful is aiming to have 150+ folks pick up 600+ bags of litter before it’s covered by the winter snow! Do a small cleanup on your own or with family, friends, or neighbors. Post your bag total along with a photo to the Keep Framingham Beautiful Facebook group.

Sun., Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The great pumpkin smash at Codman
Codman Community Farms
58 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA
This family-friendly event is about having fun while making a positive impact on our planet. When Halloween pumpkins end up in landfills, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Give them a second life by recycling them into soil. 

Other pumpkin smash events:
Sponsored by Black Earth Compost. See Black Earth’s website for a full list.

• Sat., Nov. 1, 1-4 p.m. Newton: City Hall War Memorial Circle

• Fri., Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lexington: Lincoln Park, 100 Lincoln St.

• Sat. Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Acton: NARA Parking Lot, 25 Ledge Rock Way

• Sun. Nov. 9, 1-4 p.m. Holliston: Weston Pond Field, 2025 Washington St.

Sun., Nov. 9, 12-2 p.m. Plant-based harvest gathering
Acton, MA
This casual outdoor potluck will feature plant forward dishes. Bring a vegetarian/vegan appetizer or dessert. It will be held in a private home in Acton; address sent upon registration. Sponsored by Energize Acton. 

Wed., Nov. 19, 7-8 p.m. Heat Pump Water Heater Webinar: Stop heating your money away!
Don’t miss out on federal tax credits of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump water heaters, which expire at the end of 2025. Sponsored by Energize Wayland. Register 

Dec. 31, 2025: NYE on the CRT
Spend a magical evening on the Cochituate Rail Trail and stop by our table. Hosted by Friends of Framingham Trails.

IN THE NEWS

Framingham/Metrowest

Framingham MA city councilors split on merits of adopting stricter building code (MetroWest Daily News)

Framingham considers sustainable building code (The Frame / Access Framingham)

Framingham Mayoral, City Council Candidates Take Part in Climate Forum (The Frame / Access Framingham)

Framingham MA has ballot question as part of its Nov. 4 election. What it proposes (MetroWest Daily News)
A summary of changes to the proposed new city charter, including the addition of a chief climate and sustainability officer. A "yes" vote enacts all proposed changes; a "no" vote retains the existing charter. 

What to know about Framingham’s charter ballot question (The Frame / Access Framingham)

Unlikely alliance builds cleaner geothermal energy network in Massachusetts community (PBS NewsHour)
Featuring Framingham’s networked geothermal project and a large project on the Cornell University campus. Of note, Trump Administration Energy Secretary Chris Wright is supportive of geothermal energy.

Frame by Frame: Curbside Composting (The Frame / Access Framingham)
Nice coverage of Framingham’s composting program with Black Earth.

Massachusetts/Region

Boston’s Food Forests Take Root as a Climate Equity Strategy (Inside Climate News)
A decade of organizing has turned trash-strewn lots into edible parks. Now Boston is expanding food forests as part of its climate action plan. Also covered on WBZ-TV.

Boston public housing to install window heat pumps (Bloomberg via PoliticoPro)
A heat pump that can be installed in minutes is allowing the city of Boston to quickly decarbonize a public housing complex for the elderly. The small units fit in a window and can provide heating and cooling for a space of about 500 square feet.

Fed up with ‘deceptive’ advertising, Mass. threatens heavy fines on outside energy supplier (Boston Globe) 
The Department of Public Utilities proposes fining CleanChoice $5.1 million and revoking its license to sell electricity in the state – the latest in a years-long push to address predatory practices by third-party competitive energy suppliers.

Massachusetts among states impacted as US Dept. of Energy cancels $7.56B in project funding (WCVB)

Home-heating gas bills are set to hit peak-season rates. How expensive will it be? (Boston Globe) 
Eversource home-heating gas customers in Massachusetts can expect to pay about 13 percent more this winter.

Mass Save was redesigned to better reach low-income residents. But there’s a problem. (Boston Globe)
The budget for programs to encourage more low-income households and tenants to tap into Mass Save benefits for energy- and money-saving measures has decreased under pressure to minimize surcharges on electric bills, despite high customer demand for the programs. 

Mass. Auditor DiZoglio cries foul on Mass Save program: Here are the details (Worcester Telegram) 

Healey convenes solar leaders in search of energy answers
As the governor seeks to reduce energy costs and meet climate goals in the face of federal headwinds, solar industry officials urged her to make it easier to build solar. The region’s power demand is expected to rise 11 percent by 2034, according to grid operator ISO New England.

'It’s a scary proposal': Oakham residents ready to oppose battery storage project (Worcester Telegram)

Flatiron Energy secures $540 million for largest battery project in Massachusetts (PV Magazine)
Uxbridge, Mass., will be home to a grid-scale energy storage project that will store and dispatch enough energy to supply about 40,000 Massachusetts households for one month.

National/General Interest

Renewable Energy Is Booming Despite Trump’s Efforts to Slow It (New York Times)
Companies are racing to install solar panels, wind turbines and batteries the size of shipping containers before federal tax credits expire or become harder to claim. Analysts widely expect the United States to add record — or near-record — amounts of renewable energy and batteries through 2027. 

Natural gas prices are low, but your monthly gas bill is up. Here's why (NPR)
Customers are paying more for infrastructure, construction, utility costs and taxes than they are for the actual fuel.

Pope Leo XIV is pushing the Catholic Church to act on climate (NPR)
More than a thousand climate activists and church leaders gathered at the Vatican for a summit led by Pope Leo. The Vatican is moving forward with plans to become the first carbon-neutral state in the world.

Responding to the climate impact of generative AI (MIT News)
Explosive growth of AI data centers is expected to increase greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers are now seeking solutions to reduce these environmental harms. 

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