FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/12/2024
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
Framingham Charter Review Committee Schedules May 23 Public Hearing
FRAMINGHAM - The Framingham Charter Review Committee is holding a public hearing on Thursday May 23 in the Blumer Room at 7 p.m. and will be on Zoom as well.
The goal of the hearing is to get public feedback on the Committee’s proposed changes to Framingham’s Charter, the document that sets up the basic structure and rules for our government.
The Framingham Charter Review Committee is wrapping up its work and will send a set of recommendations to Framingham City Council (legislative branch of City government) by the end of June.
The recommendations that City Council approves will eventually be sent to voters for approval.
You can see the full list of suggested changes in chart form here ( English, Spanish, Portuguese) and the actual draft Charter language can be found here. ( English, Spanish, Portuguese).
The documents are also available to view as PDFs at the Charter Review Committee website here.
Some of the most significant changes recommended include the following:
A more inclusive operating budget process: The Committee is recommending a meeting earlier in the year where community members can share their key priorities for the next budget before it is developed. It also recommends earlier submissions dates for some parts of the budget to give the council and public more time to digest the proposal. Lastly, it requires all budget information be immediately placed online and that the final, approved budget be online for the public to view throughout the year.
A more efficient capital budget process: The Committee is recommending that the capital budget plan be approved by February 1 rather than be included with the operating. This may allow work on projects to start sooner, something both school and municipal departments saw as an advantage.
Added access to information/transparency measures: The Committee is recommending new rules to require that all meetings be recorded by audio/video, that meeting information be placed in one centralized location that is easier to find, and there be more focus on reducing language and accessibility issues so that meetings and materials are truly open to all.
More clarity in the strategic planning process: The original charter required a strategic planning process that goes beyond State requirements. The Committee is recommending more specific language in terms of timing and process to help make this important work flow well.
A new position to coordinate Framingham’s climate resilience efforts: This would be a position that can work across departments to make sure that Framingham is planning for climate impacts doing work in a coordinated manner.
Small tweaks to elections rules and process for vacancies: The Committee is recommending that there be a new rule that bars someone from being on two Framingham elected boards at once; it is also recommending that vacancies for School Committee and District Council be filled by special elections rather than our existing processes to make sure that District residents have more voice in these decisions.
Moves the next Charter Review to 2030 instead of 2033: Framingham is still a young city, and the Committee wanted a future Committee to get a chance to revisit issues that come up just a bit sooner.
Please share your thoughts on these potential changes by attending the meeting on May 23, or feel free to email the Charter Review Committee at charterreview@framinghamma.gov
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