Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky has proposed to city councilors a fiscal 2026 budget of $383.2 million about $24 million (7%) higher than the current year's budget of $358.8 million Sisitsky presented his budget during a City Council meeting on Tuesday the School Committee worked to make additional cuts to its proposed budget "The FY2026 budget presented a significant challenge to prioritize resource allocation and meet essential needs within a limited revenue landscape," Sisitsky read from the budget memo during a City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting two nights later health care and public safety all face tough decisions." the budget would increase property taxes by about $195 for a Framingham home valued at $653,116 'A brighter future for all of us': Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, in State of the City, says Framingham is strong The fiscal 2026 budget is projected to be funded by about $230.4 million in property tax payments Other revenue streams include state aid (about $108 million); local receipts which includes motor vehicle excise taxes and money raised from permits ($25.4 million); free cash ($10 million); and about $3.1 million in excluded debt At-large City Councilor George King said during Thursday's City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting that he would liked to have seen more departmental consolidation. Conversely, District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon said he wanted to see senior services made into its own department rather than within the Parks and Recreation Department it's quite stunning to me that the person who runs Loring Arena earns more than all of elder services for the city of Framingham," Cannon said Sisitsky said that despite "significant challenges," his budget sets the city on a path forward "This year's budget represents a thoughtful and strategic approach to managing our city's resources in a way that reflects both fiscal prudence and a commitment to our residents' well-being," the mayor said we have worked hard to prioritize key investments in infrastructure This budget sets us on a strong path toward continued growth and community prosperity.” Framingham school administrators submitted plans to close a $2.5 million gap in their budget city officials have since offered an additional $2.5 million to the schools meaning the School Committee must now come up with $2.5 million in cuts 'We have to be judicious': Framingham Public Schools wants 8% budget increase for fiscal 2026 Tremblay and Lynch drew up a potential $2.4 million in cuts to various positions "All reductions included here aim to minimize any impact on student-facing positions," their memo reads "Any staff members who may be impacted by this draft proposal have been provided notice that conversations are occurring and that no final decisions have been made." During the April 29 School Committee meeting Tremblay said the School Department is in a "forced position" to make cuts due to the $2.5 million gap but I think it's important for everyone to know that this is not a budget proposal that we think is necessarily what's right for Framingham kids," Tremblay said School board member says it must stress how 'detrimental' cuts areDistrict 4 School Committee member Adam Freudberg called the cuts "detrimental" to students He specifically cited cuts to the district's Sage program which uses intervention services to support students in optimizing opportunities to access their school experience academically While acknowledging that the committee can't get everything it wants Freudberg said: "The rest of our city government doesn't yet know how detrimental this document is yet And I think that should be our goal going forward as School Committee members to advocate and explain and see what the tax impacts and what other trade-offs there are (It) will be a really good effort for us to go into now that budget season is in this new phase of a formal submission to the City Council." After proposing on April 29 to make $794,000 in reductions the School Committee's proposed budget now sits at $184.8 million — a budget gap of $1.7 million The proposed budget is about 7% higher than the current fiscal 2025 budget The City Council Finance Subcommittee was set to further discuss the fiscal 2026 budget on Saturday “Walker is currently the director of content and external strategy at the Progress & Poverty Institute (PPI) in Princeton and was formerly a program director of both Clean Water Action Massachusetts and the Communities Responding to Extreme Weather program in Cambridge Walker said climate change is not a single special interest issue and is instead a layered and complex problem which affects public health the effects of climate change start and stop with the polar bears Walker said climate change is connected to issues of racial justice as well ‘Those who are disproportionately harmed by the climate crisis are those who are also disproportionately harmed by educational injustice so these issues are inextricably linked,’ he said.” Read the full article View all posts We'll keep you updated on the latest news and events happening at STH Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit provider of mobile medical clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care seeks volunteers for a clinic this summer in Framingham The two-day clinic takes place Aug. 2-3 at Keefe Regional Technical School, 750 Winter St., and is being organized by the Framingham Department of Public Health dental and vision professionals to provide free services Volunteers are also needed to help set up on Aug Overnight parking volunteers will greet patients and interpreters are also welcome to assist during the clinic Registered nurse chosen: Ashland woman honored by Mass. Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Individuals do not need to have medical training to volunteer for general support roles 2-3 clinic will offer a variety of health-related servicesThe clinic will offer a variety of free services RAM aims to remove barriers to health care by providing these services at no cost and without requiring identification RAM has served more than 940,000 individuals through more than 1,400 clinics The organization focuses on reducing pain and suffering by delivering compassionate care to underserved communities Those interested in volunteering can visit RAM's website at www.ramusa.org/volunteer or call 865-579-1530 for more information The Summit Montessori School in Framingham has appointed Kira Donnelly as its new head of school Torrence said Summit is “an exceptional learning community that consistently offers a transformative experience for its students." "We have pursued and achieved excellence in all aspects of delivering high-fidelity Montessori education to our families and I am very confident that this trend will continue under Kira’s leadership,” Torrence added She holds Montessori credentials at the elementary and adolescent levels Donnelly's vision for Summit Montessori is rooted in the values of the Montessori method including respect for the individual child a focus on independence and self-direction and a dedication to creating an inclusive community “Summit Montessori’s mission and values spoke to me before I even arrived on campus and more importantly I felt them lived out in the actions and spirit of the Summit community while I was there," Donnelly said in a statement that is thinking critically about its place in the world and that supports the innate potential in each child." housed in a historic Victorian building on Pleasant Street recently expanded its campus to accommodate a growing beginners program and to add community space Summer Shaud, search committee chair and incoming chair of the board of trustees “We are thrilled to welcome Kira to the Summit community as our next head of school," Shaud said in a statement it was clear that she not only brings exceptional experience and leadership but also a genuine love for children and a deep respect for the Montessori approach We are confident that Kira’s leadership will nurture and inspire our students and we’re excited for this next chapter together.” The views expressed here are the author's own As part of Concord's 250th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution The Concord Players present Songs for a New World June 20-22 Jason Robert Brown's moving music depicts the most intense moment a person can go through: a moment of tremendous change Somewhere between a musical and a song-cycle this rousing score blends pop gospel and jazz as it transports the audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship bound for a new world to the ledge of a modern New York penthouse Performances: Friday June 20 at 7:30 pm/ Saturday June 21 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm/ Sunday June 22 at 2:00 pm info@ concordplayers.org  or call:978-369-2990 or visit: concordplayers.org Movers & Shakers: Costa named CEO at Association of Developmental Disabilities ProvidersSpecial to the Daily NewsStephanie Costa has been named president and CEO at the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers in Framingham She currently holds those same two titles at Pembroke-based human services agency New England Village and brings extensive experience in management roles on both the state and provider sides of the human services profession who is retiring on June 30 after serving for seven years as ADDP president and CEO She holds a master of public health degree from the UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth was recently inducted into the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America's Hall of Fame Fine started his financial services company more than 40 years ago in Framingham and is a recognized leader in the industry He has qualified for Guardian’s prestigious Leaders Club for 44 years and has consistently ranked among the top of Guardian financial professionals in the U.S Milford native John Frascotti has been elected executive chairman for the board of directors at Newman’s Own Inc. a provider of high-quality food and beverage products and which donates 100% of its profits to help kids who face adversity Frascotti is an experienced c-suite executive and board member including stints as president and chief operating officer at Hasbro Inc He brings a track record of success leading publicly held He also serves on the board of directors of Dephy Inc and is an operating adviser at Relentless Consumer Partners Magnolia "Maggie" Dow-Moore has been hired as associate director of real estate public relations and communications at Nickerson public relations and communications agency Her responsibilities include helping lead and manage the agency’s real estate accounts driving strategic communications and positioning for the companies’ diverse portfolios of properties Dow-Moore was previously director of communications at McDermott Ventures LLC where she developed communications strategies for senior leadership across multiple industries film and television studies from the University of Vermont Jeremy Toal has been hired at Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects in Hopkinton as integrated services project manager He will collaborate with the firm's architecture and interiors teams to lead quality assurance/quality control initiatives support project management and champion sustainable who got his start at GRLA more than 30 years ago sustainable design specialist and design equity advocate His experience includes multifamily residential Framingham resident: Why is Police Department so slow to use body-worn cameras?The MetroWest Daily NewsTo the Editor: This May 6 reminds me that it has been two years since I handed Chief Baker the eight-page grant application from the state to purchase body-worn cameras These grants have been available since 2020 and were discussed during various public meetings with Mayor Sisitsky and Chief Baker and ignored calls for transparency and accountability at the Framingham Police Department The mayor did nothing on the grant funding from the time he took office in 2022 The grant application was finally submitted to the state on July 27 the public learned in late 2023 from the mayor that Chief Baker did not want to require his department to wear the cameras During a district council meeting in late 2023 the current patrolmen’s contract would not prevent Framingham Police management from directing rank-and-file members to wear the body-cams without negotiations at no point did any city councilor or the mayor suggest recommend or even show much interest in police reform As of this writing the Framingham Police Department has deployed 27 body-worn cameras in a pilot program that was supposed to last until January 2024 with all sworn officers wearing them in July 2024 So much for sticking to the timeline set by the Framingham Police Department back in 2023 Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview MA – In a heartfelt and groundbreaking initiative Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi and Prashanth Palakurthi—parents of a 29-year-old daughter with autism—are organizing a first-of-its-kind exclusive music concert for special needs children and their families 2025 at Keefe Tech Auditorium in Framingham It is planned as an experience for families who often find themselves on the sidelines of traditional entertainment events and judgment-free afternoon filled with music I’ve always wanted to create a space where our children can enjoy music freely—without restrictions and without judgment,” said Anuradha Juju Palakurthi and letting our families be exactly who we are The show will feature Anuradha Juju Palakurthi with a live who carry joy and exhaustion in equal measure,” said Anuradha Palakurthi parents won’t have to explain behaviors or apologize From quiet lighting and sensory-sensitive sound design to the absence of food to avoid dietary or sensory issues every detail has been thoughtfully considered Licensed medical professionals will be present throughout the event to ensure safety and peace of mind no volunteers will be recruited from special needs families—instead volunteers and ushers from the wider community will manage logistics and provide assistance “We want caregivers to simply sit back and be guests,” Anuradha Palakurthi added Families interested in attending are encouraged to email jujugaana@gmail.com with the number of seats required and their favorite song requests (Hindi preferred) While attendance is free for special needs families Jaya Pandey are helping the Palakurthis in the planning & organization of the event Please reach out to them for further information and website in this browser for the next time I comment No prior writing experience is necessary—just a willingness to explore and be inspired As if by request, Cole McGovern came off the bench and promptly induced a crucial double play that snuffed out a Framingham rally The junior then took care of the rest of the Flyers and sported an oversized Nipmuc cap after the teams finished shaking hands The double play and the work of the two right-handers led the Warriors to a 1-0 non-league baseball victory on Friday afternoon Nipmuc’s second one-run win over Framingham in two years Varney explained that he and fellow captains Jackson Allcock and Josh Giancola came up with the idea The chain is for “the grinder; the dog of the game.” The huge hat goes to the MVP we wanted to bring some passion and joy – basically an incentive to work towards,” Varney said “It allows you to not only work harder but to appreciate others that work hard.”  in just his second appearance of the season after undergoing elbow surgery last year pitched into the fifth inning before the Flyers loaded the bases with one out Nipmuc coach Anthony Leonelli summoned McGovern who quickly got Franco Saglimbeni to hit a sharp grounder to shortstop Johnny Desmond who flipped to Giancola at second to start an inning-ending 6-4-3 “Johnny and Josh spun it good and got us out of the inning,” McGovern said “It’s hard for a junior in high school to be conditioned to come in as a short reliever; it’s a lot of pressure But he just jumped into the role with two feet and he’s been outstanding.”  “Cole’s been our short guy this entire year,” added Varney “Cole brings the energy – the juice; his nickname’s ‘the juice.’ I love having Cole on the team because he’s got our players’ back.”  Framingham junior Noah Sonnenberg was just as solid. He threw 60 pitches in six innings and received defensive help from his corner outfielders. Left fielder Jimmy Bortolotti made a running catch to end the third frame and right fielder Zach Deptula made the play of the game with a diving grab in the gap to rob Giancola of extra bases Framingham had little trouble putting runners on base “Just a lot of runners left on base,” said coach Matt Milano “Guys are still competing up there and putting the ball in play with guys on; just didn’t find any holes today.”  The Warriors (7-5) scored the only run in the second inning when Giancola hit a ground-rule double and was sacrificed to third by Grady O’Neil. Desmond’s sharp single to center plated Giancola for the lead Varney with his chain and McGovern with his juice took it from there “and to beat someone like that (Framingham is Div 1) is just incredible and gets us fired up for the rest of the season.”  (Look for a story on Varney's recovery from elbow surgery next week.) Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News He can be reached attdumas@wickedlocal.com Details: cache-fra-eddf8230099-FRA 1746540656 2412521676 The city Board of License Commissioners has given the green light for a popular fast-casual salad chain and an Indian bakery to open in Framingham Plans for the restaurant, which is known for serving salad-based bowls, first came to light in December after it was announced the restaurant planned to invest about $500,000 in improvements to the storefront that formerly housed Hot Table Panini told the board on Monday that the restaurant will have 18 seats inside and 12 outside Earlier: Salad chain Sweetgreen plans to open restaurant at Framingham's Shoppers World Sweetgreen was approved to be open from 10 a.m Meanwhile, Bombay Baking Company plans to open at 495 Worcester Road (Route 9) the former location of Street Kitchen Express told the licensing board that the business will offer Indian baked goods He said the baked goods would be made at a central bakery in Woburn and sold in Framingham pending its filing of a proper lease agreement with the city's licensing office Nothing surpasses the glee of a Unified track and field meet When Jack McLennan took the hand of Isabel Sicotte and they trotted enthusiastically toward the long jump pit the delight spilled from the Framingham High athletes like the sunrays that washed over Bowditch Field on Thursday afternoon Whether it was Johnny Lozada ― who introduced himself as Johnny “The Winner” Lozada ― competing hard or Mariana Martinez speeding down the track for the final leg of the 4x100 relay the high-fives were plentiful and the smiles wide once competed for the Framingham track and field team She wanted to enroll in the school’s Unified gym class during the school day She solved the dilemma by joining Unified track “All my friends talked about how it was the highlight of their day,” Sicotte said “Everybody is just so proud and supporting each other,” Sicotte continued “Even the smallest accomplishments are huge Harry Royer was one of the many Framingham athletes to bounce from one event to the other He started his meet with the shot put just outside of the track then headed back inside to throw the javelin was next before he competed in the 4x1 relay Royer was charged up about his run on the track “It’s making my legs stronger so we can win this track meet.”  His favorite part about track is “traveling,” and his favorite events are “running and walking.”  a special education teacher for Framingham schools is in her first year as Unified track head coach She has also coached the FHS girls ice hockey team for seven years and in the softball program in prior springs “It’s a lot of fun to come out and see them working hard and having fun and the experience of what it’s like being an athlete,” she said “The Unified athletes just love seeing the helper athletes and you hear them in the hallways yelling out their names It’s just awesome to see them mingle and interact with each other and get that high school athletics experience.”  Sicotte shares the same delight when asked if she is glad that she joined the Unified program FRAMINGHAM ― Through a new partnership, students at Fuller Middle School on Wednesday were in for a surprise that arrived on the back of a four-wheeler The middle school's soccer team was treated to new soccer uniforms, bags and other equipment. Funding for the gear came from Wellpoint a health benefits company known formerly in Massachusetts as UniCare and which also funded the creation of a new mascot uniform Wellpoint also partnered with Stoughton-based Franklin Sports to donate two $1,000 gift cards for equipment for after-school sports teams Students received the gear during a special event on the school's turf fields on Wednesday morning students then tested the new equipment by playing soccer on the field Wellpoint General Manager David Morales said the organization chose Fuller Middle School because of its exceptional educators and to promote wellness at the school “Initiatives like this are better for health,” Morales said “We’re a health benefits company and we want to keep our members healthy We’re dedicated to keeping our community healthy.”  'Not going to be easy': Framingham Public Schools seeks 8% budget increase for fiscal 2026 Wellpoint has made other donations to Fuller Middle School The Woburn-based company supports the school's annual Fall Fun Run through T-shirt donations and purchased a new falcon costume to serve as the school's mascot Morales said that through targeted investments he hopes people see beyond the uniforms and soccer gear as these are things that will keep the students physically healthy sports equipment to boost school spirit and prideMorales said the new uniforms will boost school spirit and pride Principal Kerry Wood said the new uniforms and sports equipment will have a positive effect "It'll give them an opportunity to show school pride and boost pride with themselves 'Brings you down Memory Lane': For Framingham South, Fuller alums, one last chance to visit their old haunt a Fuller social studies teacher who also serves as the soccer coach said students previously wore "pinnie" jerseys He said the new uniforms will make a difference as students will "look the part" when playing other schools "It makes a big difference with their confidence and pride in themselves and pride in the school it felt like we were at a disadvantage because you don't have uniforms This will promote more of a sense of community The partnerships are important and vital for us." Framingham's long-awaited Raising Cane's has an opening date Raising Cane's will open in Framingham on Tuesday, May 20, according to the company's website. A representative previously told the Daily News that the chicken chain would open in late April or early May The Framingham restaurant will be at 253 Cochituate Road (Route 30) Raising Cane's is known for its chicken fingers — the only entrée on its menu and come with sides such as crinkle-cut fries The signature dipping sauce is the chain's "Cane Sauce," which is known for its sweet and tangy flavor The arrival of Raising Cane's in Framingham was announced in 2023, after the chain filed planning documents with the city. The restaurant was constructed in the parking lot of the former Aegean Restaurant representatives from Raising Cane's said the restaurant would open in early 2025 The 3,500-square-foot location features a double drive-through and outdoor seating Earlier: Raising Cane's says it will open in Framingham in late April or early May There are seven existing Raising Cane's locations in Massachusetts Another is expected to soon open in Saugus McDonald's and Burger King A South Shore staple in coffee to-go will soon make its MetroWest debut as its signs have popped up at the construction site of a coming convenience store Marylou's Coffee, which touts itself as "the best coffee in town," will be part of a new Seasons Corner Market and refurbished Shell gas station at 601 Old Connecticut Path in Framingham Marylou's Coffee began in 1986 by opening in Hanover. The chain has now blossomed into more than 40 locations, mostly on Massachusetts' South Shore and in Rhode Island. The closest one to Framingham is on Waverley Oaks Road in Waltham Taste of MetroWest: Chamber-sponsored event returns for its 12th edition on April 28 Marylou's will be built into a new Seasons Corner Market convenient store which will also include the Shell gas station Those plans were unanimously approved by the city Planning Board last fall 543 Old Connecticut Path is owned by Colbea Enterprises LLC which owns Shell gas stations and convenience stores throughout New England It has owned the parcel since buying it for $483,000 in 2010 Seasons Corner Market was founded in the 1950s with its first location opening on the Brown University campus in Providence It has expanded to more than 40 locations throughout Massachusetts It's unclear when the new Marylou's will open Representatives with the coffee chain could not be reached for comment An Ashland man who is accused of shooting another man in Framingham last month is set to return to Framingham District Court on April 17 for a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to the public Framingham Police arrested Samuel Delaney Jr. on April 11 after an investigation into a shooting on March 16 Deputy Chief Sean Riley said Monday that the shooting occurred about 9:30 p.m on March 16 on Waverly Street (Route 135) near Second Street A man who was shot was transported to an area hospital to be treated Riley said detectives began an investigation believing the shooting was part of a dispute over a woman 'Two parts to the hearing': Here's what happens in court during a dangerousness hearing “They (everyone involved) were all known to each other,” the deputy chief said Our detective bureau fully investigated and developed enough probable cause to get a warrant.” Police charged Delaney with armed assault with the intent to murder; assault and battery by discharging a firearm; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm); carrying a loaded firearm; unlawful possession of a firearm; discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling; and unlawful possession of ammunition Judge Michael Callahan ordered Delaney held without bail pending the April 17 dangerousness hearing Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime FRAMINGHAM — A Clinton man who police accuse of having more than 5 pounds of cocaine and another 9 pounds of an undetermined drug has been declared a danger to the public According to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office police served search warrants at an auto body shop in Framingham and at Rivera’s home in Clinton The release did not identify the auto body shop but its address in the Framingham Police log is 243 Howard St. which is an auto body shop with several listed names Faces federal charges: FBI says Marlborough man had nearly 9 pounds of cocaine when arrested police say they seized 2,355 grams (5.19 pounds) of cocaine; 60 grams (2.1 ounces) of crack cocaine; 85 grams (3 ounces) of fentanyl; a mechanical press; $160,000 in cash; and two vehicles — including a McLaren MP412C Police alleged they also found a handgun and ammunition DA says seizures are product of alleged drug operationPolice said they also seized 4,500 grams (9.92 pounds) of an undetermined substance that will be tested to determine what it is “In this case, investigators seized, among other things, a large quantity of dangerous narcotics, a press for packaging, a substantial amount of cash, a gun and a luxury car,” District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement “These are alleged to all be the product and proceeds of a drug operation It is alleged that the defendant was using the shop as a cover for the drug business The success of that ‘business’ is reflected in the amount of cash and the McLaren We are committed to working collaboratively to disrupt these enterprises which put deadly substances on the street and because of the efforts to protect the proceeds with firearms Police charged Rivera with trafficking in cocaine of more than 200 grams; trafficking in fentanyl of more than 36 grams; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; improper storage of a firearm; and leaving ammunition unattended could not be reached for comment on Monday Rivera is due back in court on May 29 for a pretrial conference MA-A Boston developer has reduced the scale of a proposed apartment complex near the Framingham Commuter Rail station following community feedback and planning board concerns according to a report by the Worcester Business Journal which acquired the one-acre site at 1 Howard St originally proposed more than 130 residential units for the downtown property presented to the Framingham Planning Board on April 17 The revised proposal includes a six-story building featuring a ground-floor parking garage with residential units above and a pedestrian path providing direct access to the adjacent MBTA Commuter Rail station The development site currently serves as a parking lot next to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators the design adjustments were made in response to concerns from Planning Board member Mitchell Matorin who raised issues about the building’s potential impact on the downtown area’s visual character Located within Framingham’s Central Business District the project aligns with local zoning efforts to encourage transit-oriented It also supports the goals of the MBTA Communities Act a 2021 state law designed to promote housing growth near transit infrastructure Framingham is currently listed as conditionally compliant with the legislation according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities The Planning Board voted 5-0 to close the public hearing and will continue deliberations on the project on May 1 (This article is based on reporting by the Worcester Business Journal. To read WBJ article, please clcik here.) Jack Seta was at a Walmart in San Diego when he saw a large number of posters of missing girls hung on a bulletin board That moment, in 2020, sparked something inside the 2019 Framingham High School graduate, leading him to found Tharros One a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that trains people to recognize human trafficking and how to combat it on a personal level “Everything we do is free,” said Seta, a 24-year-old Framingham firefighter Boston brothel bust: What conditions might trafficked workers get in that environment? while doing an immersive SEAL program in Florida he suffered a major leg injury that required surgery and physical therapy he still joined the Navy and entered the SEAL training program those previous injuries derailed his dream “I was quickly realizing the injuries I was previously obtained were gradually getting worse,” Seta said I would lose feeling in my leg during underwater training.” A routine trip to Walmart became an inspirationBecause of that he was put on administrative duty until he could leave the Navy It was then that he and another injured Navy SEAL trainee went to Walmart and saw the posters for missing girls “The seed of Tharros One was planted,” Seta said told him a story about a rescue he was involved in of a 24-year-old woman who had been trafficked repeatedly from the time she was 4 Seta said that made him research human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking. When he got out of the Navy and returned to Massachusetts in 2021, he officially registered Tharros One as a nonprofit while also joining the Framingham Fire Department “It’s important for us to take this mission one piece at a time Seta said he and other Tharros One team members began looking at how they could help combat human trafficking and realized there was a lack of education on what human trafficking was and how to recognize it 'It's about power, violence': Human trafficking survivors discuss their stories at MassBay forum The team came up with training modules to help show people what human trafficking is, how to recognize it and what to do. He said he or other team members will teach a course — typically for staff at colleges such as Suffolk University and Northeastern University in Boston and smaller colleges in New England and California The goal is to expand it to high schools and other schools showing what it looks like in Massachusetts how it looks on the street and how to react to it,” Seta said He said people do not realize how big an issue trafficking is in Massachusetts The National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified more than 1,000 cases affecting more than 2,000 victims in Massachusetts But Seta said most people don't realize it's happening “We want to give people a toolbox of resources “We want to show people what everyday people can do.” Seta said Tharros One hopes to create programs for paramedics to help teach them how to respond and understand human trafficking in such a way as to make their response more of a way to help rather than simply an opportunity to make an arrest Seta said he hopes to grow Tharros One large enough to spread around the country to help as many people as possible The organization raises money through fundraisers and donations “I’d love to get to the point that this is my full-time job to continue working against this horrible crime,” he said Anyone who sees or suspects human trafficking or is a victim of human trafficking can call the Human Traffic Hotline at 888-373-7888 FRAMINGHAM — Residents on Wednesday evening pleaded with the state Department of Public Health to prevent MetroWest Medical Center from going through with a plan to reduce its level of maternity services At Mayor Charlie Sisitsky's request, the DPH hosted a public hearing at Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building after Tenet Healthcare Corp., the Dallas-based publicly traded company that owns MetroWest Medical Center announced in February its plans to shift the status of the hospital's maternity services from a Level IIB Special Care Nursery to a Level I Well Baby Nursery Residents who spoke up on Wednesday did so overwhelmingly in opposition of the plan Earlier: DPH will hold public hearing in Framingham to address hospital's maternity plans said a Level I nursery is an "incredible blessing." "We recognize that being able to keep services in the community is critically important and so we're grateful for the opportunity to continue to focus on the growth opportunities that we have," Park said He added that the hospital is investing in recruiting a new obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and that potential service reduction does not mean the hospital will leave the community Level II nurseries treat babies born greater than 32 weeks or those that are full term and require close monitoring of problems that are expected to soon be resolved The "IIB" designation means the hospital can provide some respiratory assistance for short periods of time Level I nurseries provide care only for healthy full-term babies or babies born close to their due date Nearly 40 people spoke during Wednesday' evening's hearing And while Park called the potential Level I nursery a blessing Reaction to Tenet's plans was negative as soon as it broke shared why they think maternity services should remain as they are Sisitsky said that while he understood the hospital may not see enough births to justify a Level IIB nursery A Level IB nursery provides specialized care for newborns including those born late pre-term (35 weeks and beyond) or with minor health issues A Level IIA nursery would enable the hospital to provide advanced care for moderately ill newborns and premature infants but does not provide respiratory assistance Framingham Union Hospital would not only limit the care it provides but could also compromise the health of our most vulnerable infants," the mayor said We need to ensure that every baby born in Framingham More: What to know about the upcoming hearing on MetroWest Medical Center cancer service closures district liaison for state Senate President Karen Spilka read a letter from Spilka opposing the service reduction said the move would likely result in worse outcomes for Latina and immigrant mothers who already face troubling health care outcomes "Three years ago, when Tenet threatened to close the cancer center at MetroWest Medical Center and we are here to do this again," Sousa said "Our administration came through three years ago It's unconscionable to go without a reasonable solution." said the hospital owes full maternity services to the city "And you owe them (nursing staff) a contract while you're at it," Ottaviani added along with medical staff at Framingham Union Hospital and elsewhere shared their stories of the hospital to say why they think maternity services should remain at their cuurent level said that if it wasn't for the critical care unit at Framingham Union Hospital “So for you guys making a decision on cutting funds to save money the guys should just give the money to the nurses because they deserve it,” she said More: Framingham Union nurses say they're seeking 'reset' with management. What that means Nurses also spoke out against the service reduction, saying the cuts would affect the community's most vulnerable patients. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents about 300 nurses at Framingham Union with representatives saying it would lead to nearby hospitals becoming more crowded the DPH is expected to decide within 15 days whether the current level of maternity services is necessary for preserving health status and access within MetroWest Medical Center's service area Should the state deem the services necessary the hospital will be required to submit a plan assuring access BOSTON — Framingham officials took to the State House on Friday to celebrate progress on a regional justice center and to raise a new flag that recognizes Framingham's status as a city Mayor Charlie Sisitsky signed over the former Danforth Art Museum building on Union Avenue to the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance in order to make way for construction of a regional justice center The plan has been a key project for state Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland It calls for the closing of the existing Framingham courthouse at 600 Concord St with those operations moving to a new regional justice center to be constructed at the former Danforth Museum site at 123 Union Ave 'Total overhaul': Former Framingham museum building eyed for as many as eight courts “It will house not only the district court the juvenile court and specialty courts all under one roof "The Framingham Housing Court will be in Framingham Both Spilka and Sisitsky described the Danforth building as being in rough shape and aging. Besides housing the Danforth Museum (which merged with Framingham State University in 2018) the building has been used as a public school and had several other tenants before it was closed in 2016 due to a failing heating system Spilka and Sisitsky also noted that the Danforth building's downtown location can be an economic driver for the city given its proximity to both MWRTA bus service and a Commuter Rail station “It was a no-brainer to think what that could mean to the economic vitality of downtown Framingham and the city of Framingham altogether,” Sisitsky said “(It’s) no longer a responsibility of ours and guarantee that the new justice center is going to be in downtown Framingham which will give Framingham a real shot in the arm.”   seven years laterBefore signing off on the Danforth deal Framingham officials oversaw the raising of a new flag that depicts it as a city to be governed by a mayor and city council 'Good to have closure': Recount confirms that Framingham will transition to a city but a representation of our values and heritage," Sisitsky said "It is a time to reflect on our past achievements and envision the path forward." Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll discussed how rare it is for a mayor to take part in such a ceremony while praising the work of local state reps “Not every mayor gets to celebrate and be part of a new flag for their city really special to be joined by the outstanding delegation that represents Framingham — the Senate President places that are special that have contributed to making Massachusetts the best place to raise a family to be able to age in place with dignity and respect An official website of the United States government The Framingham VA Clinic provides primary care and specialty services The primary care team at the clinic manages most health issues and provides Veterans with access to a wide range of inpatient and outpatient specialty care through the VA Boston Healthcare System the clinic provides an attractive option for area Veterans who don't want to travel to one of the three main campuses in Boston and Brockton for primary care Select a service on this page to check the hours Wheelchair availability:  Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building ask your Primary Care team for a consult or call the Nutrition scheduler at Our registered dietitians can help you maintain or improve your health with good nutrition tailored to your needs we provide nutrition education and counseling in areas such as: ask your Primary Care team for a consult or call the Nutrition Scheduler at Learn more about VA Boston's Nutrition and Food Service Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you Your primary care team also coordinates many other care and services you may receive primary care is provided only through scheduled appointments Emergency Services are provided only by the Emergency Department on the West Roxbury campus for urgent conditions that are appropriate to be treated on an outpatient basis in a primary care clinical setting same-day or next-day appointments in primary care are available The Patient Call Center is a very important part of primary care providing ready access to the primary care team Patients may use this system to communicate with the team receive clinical advice or answers to questions and to make or change a clinic appointment All patients enrolled in primary care have access to this service dial 1- -- available 24 hours per day Call our Veterans Crisis Line at and press 1 for help anytime Our local suicide prevention coordinators can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis Mental health services at VA Boston offer same-day access to mental health care for Veterans who need it Our emergency department on the West Roxbury campus is also open 24/7 for Veterans with urgent mental health care needs outside of regular business hours Additionally, VA offers mobile apps that support many aspects of mental health and wellness. Visit https://mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health to learn more.  Veterans and their loved ones can always call VA’s Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net Learn more and connect with a care coordinator Contact your primary care provider for a telehealth referral Telehealth is just one of the virtual care technologies we offer. Click here  to learn more about Connected Care resources which offer greater convenience and empower you to take charge of your health care from the comfort of your home.  We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities We offer telehealth visits with providers in specialties such as: Partner with your healthcare team to explore what matters most to you and develop a personalized health plan based on your values Explore the services offered by the Whole Health Team: Learn more about whole health at VA Boston HCS VA Boston Whole Health Flyer Additional resources about Whole Health Ask your healthcare team for a referral or call 857-203-4876 We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings maternity care and female-specific medical equipment Our women's health program offers complete health care for women Veterans of all ages Our primary care providers specialize in women’s health and work closely with specialists in gynecology Learn more and connect with the Women Veterans Program Manager.  The Women Veterans Call Center provides women Veterans information about VA services and resources, benefits and eligibility. The toll-free line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time and on Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Please see the Women Veterans Call Center website or call 855-VA-WOMEN -- coupled with Andina Cafe employee Gina Fonseca’s beaming smile invited a welcome warmth to individuals seeking to counter a cold But Andina Cafe, at 197 Concord St., is among many downtown businesses where owners and employees have expressed concern over the impact of a recent reported Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) raid they have noted a significant decrease in Latino and Spanish-speaking customers my boss said that things were better back then," Fonseca told the Daily News "Many of the customers who come in here are mostly Latin or Spanish-speaking people Hispanic or Latinos make up 18.7% of Framingham's population, according to 2023 U.S. Census statistics making them the largest immigrant demographic Related: Anxiety ramps up among Framingham immigrants over reports of ICE raids “A lot of us come from the same cities and states in Brazil so everyone’s really open and enjoys talking to each other,” said Gabriel Viana Viana said they became the only topic of discussion as arrests sent shockwaves through the community Two Guatemalan men arrested Feb. 2 by ICE in FraminghamICE released two separate statements regarding the Feb. 2 arrests in Framingham of two Guatemalan men who were in the U.S There have been no other announced apprehensions in the city But Fonseca said she witnessed firsthand an arrest happening near the cafe last week the flow of non-American customers into the cafe has dropped as the aftermath of the raids left the streets empty with immigrants afraid to leave their homes or go to work "I think it was like a solid three or four weeks where things were incredibly slow and quiet; you wouldn’t even see anybody walking around," he said The food industry is not the only business affected, said Adre Luis Barbosa Da Silva, co-owner and operations director of Urbano’s Furniture, at 34 Union Ave. not a single walk-in customer has entered the store Urbano’s relies on walk-ins because sales cannot be completed online February was the Framingham store's worst month in terms of sales who expressed concern over the slump possibly extending into March “This scenario can change suddenly — suddenly because the customer can go away,” he said after acknowledging that sales have been better during the first few days of this month Similar concerns were raised by Vania Maria In a text message she said: “I haven’t had any clients for about four weeks I’m thinking about looking for another job because my husband is handling the bills.” 'Safest major city': Michelle Wu defends Boston's immigration policies in Congress Maria remained hopeful that with warmer weather coming more customers will need alterations for such events as graduations and weddings Tatiana Vasconcellos, engagement coordinator for Downtown Framingham Inc. which acts as a liaison between businesses expressed hope that business conditions would slowly improve although there's still lots of uncertainty people kind of understand that they have to continue with their lives," she said BOSTON – Four undocumented Brazilian nationals currently residing in Framingham have been arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to import pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances and other misbranded drugs from Brazil and distribute them throughout the greater Framingham area 34; and Wandiscleia Ferreira de Souza Guimaraes have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances The defendants were arrested yesterday morning and following initial appearances in federal court in Boston were detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 13 these defendants allegedly exploited a community’s trust to peddle black-market prescription drugs under the guide of legitimacy They entered our country illegally and put countless individuals’ health and safety in danger all for profit,” said United States Attorney Leah B “If you or someone you know was impacted by this scheme we urge you to come forward and report it to law enforcement Our office and our law enforcement partners will not allow reckless exploitative criminals to operate in the shadows.” “The DEA is committed to ensuring that anyone prescribing and selling prescription medication is a registrant and they are in compliance with the required regulations which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act said Stephen Belleau Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes the public health and public safety of our communities DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.” “Prescription drugs play a vital role allowing individuals to control symptoms The illegal and improper dispensing of prescription drugs to vulnerable individuals without the concurrence from a medical professional or a licensed pharmacist is a deadly combination The actions of the defendants arrested undermine that trust and endanger the community as they facilitated the distribution of dangerous narcotics to individuals for personal financial gain Postal Inspection Service will continue the mission of eradicating illegal drugs from the U.S Mail and protecting all those who use it,” said Ketty Larco-Ward Reis de Souza held himself out to be a legitimate pharmacist to the Portuguese-speaking community in the greater Framingham area doing business as “Droga Reis” (Portuguese for “Drug King”) Reis de Souza allegedly distributed the following business card which has been translated from Portuguese: Pharmacist[REDACTED PHONE NUMBER]Remedies from BrazilService 24 HCall me on Whats[App] and I can help youDon’t miss your work dayPharmacist with over 22 years of experienceIndication of medicines for adult and pediatric useContraceptive pills and injectablesInjectable cocktail to treat muscular and orthopedic problemsPerforation of ear cells Reis de Souza allegedly imported pharmaceutical-grade drugs including controlled substances from various locations in Brazil and then re-sold them to customers It is alleged that at least 24 packages sent from Brazil to Reis de Souza’s drug trafficking organization were seized during the investigation which began in October 2023 – all of which were found to contain illegally imported pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances It is alleged that Reis de Souza employed Carvaleho Reis Dekmara de Carvalho Reis and Wandiscleia Ferreira de Souza Guimaraes to process fill and deliver orders for controlled substances and other prescription drugs that customers paid Reis de Souza for Reis de Souza’s drug trafficking organization allegedly distributed 154 tablets of Codeine; 60 tablets of Tramadol; 280 tablets of Clonazepam; and 450 tablets of Morphine via controlled purchases or the mail search warrants were executed at an apartment allegedly used by Reis de Souza and his co-conspirators as a black-market doctor’s office law enforcement allegedly observed an examination/consultation area used syringes ostensibly used to inject “patients,” as well as large quantities of controlled substances and non-controlled prescription and/or misbranded drugs: At no time did Reis de Souza possess any license authorizing him to dispense these drugs It is alleged that Reis de Souza collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits as a result of the drug trafficking scheme The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million The defendants are subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case If you were a customer of Reis De Souza, or his d/b/a “Droga Reis,” and you suffered any adverse events, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov DEA Acting SAC Belleau and USPIS INC Larco-Ward made the announcement Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations; Customs and Border Protection; and the Food and Drug Administration Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was indicted in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. BOSTON – An Ecuadorian national residing in Lawrence, Mass. has been charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. BOSTON – A Revere man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds for drug suppliers based in Central and/or... District of MassachusettsBoston Office:1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200Boston, MA 02210 Boston: 617-748-3100Springfield: 413-785-0235Worcester: 508-368-0100 Multilingual Resources-->Have a question about Government Services FRAMINGHAM — For years, John Skinnion was a mentor for young Framingham police officers always lending a kind ear to those who needed to get something off their chest “I’ve been at this place (Framingham Police Department) for 31 years and there have been other deaths but I have never seen it as it is today,” said Dave DelPrete who in addition to being a Framingham police officer is also Skinnion's brother-in-law “Normally you can’t find someone everyone likes I can’t think of anyone who didn’t like him.” Skinnion, 62, died Tuesday after a battling cancer for several months. He retired from the Framingham Police Department just two months ago, after serving for 32 years. He was a Sudbury police officer for five years before that A father of four — daughters Alexandra and Nicole Skinnion and twin sons Dominic and Michael — he grew up in Sudbury and attended Marian High School 'Immense bravery': Framingham police officer is Hanna Medal of Valor winner but about 20 years ago they got a small place on Falmouth,” Alexandra Skinnion said “He loved going to the beach and being in the water Although her father didn’t talk much about his work, she described him as a “nurturing-protective” person who enjoyed working details at MetroWest Medical Center at night “He got to know the nurses and he loved them,” Alexandra Skinnion said “He liked to protect them from unruly people there at night.” John Skinnion spent a lot of time with his children “He loved taking us to Red Sox games and we would go to four or five a year,” said Nicole Skinnion He just loved it and we all really loved going with him.” Nicole Skinnion attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and said her father became a big fan of the school “He brought that party whenever he visited me and friends in Michigan,” she said 'My greatest privilege': Sean Riley named Framingham's newest deputy police chief Alexandra Skinnion said her father was strict while his children were young “He went from being incredibly strict in high school to loving being able to have fun with us as adults in our 20s,” she said “Him walking me down the aisle at my wedding was a great memory He was an absolute party animal the entire wedding weekend Seeing him have so much fun with my friends was great.” 'Calming force': Skinnion praised for his mentorshipState Rep. Priscila Sousa, D-Framingham praised Skinnion’s work as a police officer “John was more than just a dedicated officer — he was a friend to many a protector of our community and a kind soul who always put others before himself,” Sousa said “His commitment to keeping us safe never wavered and his presence brought comfort to those who knew him.” Deputy Chief Sean Riley joined the Framingham Police Department in 2001 working the midnight shift with Skinnion and learning a lot from the senior officer “John was just that much older than me — about 10 years — that he was sort of a mentor for me,” Riley said “He was an unofficial supervisor — if you went on a hot call worked overtime and many details to give his children the best lives he could and to put them through any college they chose “I think John would want to be remembered for what he did for his family first,” Riley said a great father,” who worked tirelessly to support his family Keep your mouth shut and eyes and ears open for first year you’ll know who you can talk to,’" DelPrete said DelPrete’s relationship with Skinnion went beyond work They were friends and brothers-in-law who spent a lot of time with one another “We have a very large family — Christmas Eve was always at my house,” DelPrete said “There would always be about 35 of us there and he would always wear the same damn green sweater We would do shots of Rumple mintz at the end of the night and we would have a fire pit Firefighters found human remains on April 10 while fighting a brush fire near the Massachusetts Turnpike An emailed statement from the DA's Office did not indicate whether the fire was on the east- or westbound side of the highway Upon arrival, firefighters discovered what appeared to be human skeletal remains, authorities said. Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office then responded “The preliminary information indicates that the remains may have been there for several months,” the District Attorney’s Office said in an email “Information gathered at the scene does not indicate foul play.” The remains have been sent to a forensic anthropologist at the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner WOBURN — A man accused of raping two women more than 35 years ago inside a Framingham retail store has been brought back to the state to answer for his alleged crimes, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Monday Gale pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated rape; two counts of kidnapping; and one count of armed robbery Gale's arraignment is the latest in a saga that began on Dec two women working at the Hit-and-Miss store were inside the store before its scheduled opening preparing for the day prosecutor Tom Brandt said during the arraignment Gale broke into the store and forced both women into separate rooms in the store at gunpoint threatening to kill them if they didn’t comply 'Long and painful wait': Man charged in 1989 Framingham retail store rapes is arrested in Los Angeles “He told them to lay down face down on the floor not to move for at least 15 minutes,” Brandt said “Those two very frightened women complied with the command.” jumped a fence to get to a home and called 911 Police investigated but no arrest was immediately made Suspect was identified through genetic DNA testingLast year Gale was identified through genetic DNA testing as he had several aliases and was wanted by courts in several states for fraud-related charges Ryan described Gale as having a “skill” to meet and earn the trust of those with money building up a lifestyle of a high life that included living on a $1 million yacht right outside Los Angeles “He was very skilled at making connections with people being put in positions where he had access to lots of money and being able to use that to maintain the life that he was living essentially undercover,” Ryan said Held on $2M bail: Suspect in two 1989 Framingham rapes is arraigned in Los Angeles he got into his car and led police on an 82-minute That included running red lights and having an acquaintance throw a bag into Gale’s car After Gale was stopped due to spike strips authorities found the bag contained cash and alternate IDs for yet another alias a woman called Framingham police because she knew Gale but as "Paul Costa." The woman said he had been hired by her family members to oversee a trust including payroll and financial obligations "That trust had paid the defendant’s company over a million and a half dollars in the preceding 18 months up until August 2024," Ryan said Defense attorney says client 'vehemently denies' allegationsDuring Gale’s arraignment on Monday said her client is in poor health — she said he has had three heart surgeries in the past 60 days Gale appeared in court in a wheelchair and was noticeably slimmer than photos taken at the time of his August arrest 'Could fight based on health': Framingham rape suspect isn't medically cleared to appear in LA court DeWitt said Gale had no idea about the allegations and reacted with “shock and awe,” when read to him what he is alleged to have done “He vehemently denies the allegations,” she said Brandt asked Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan to hold Gale without bail Brandt said Gale's history of multiple aliases and the amount of money he may have on hand would make him a flight risk DeWitt asked for the bail argument to be delayed Sullivan ordered Gale held without bail without prejudice which means it can be argued at another date Gale is due back in court on March 18 for a status hearing regarding the hiring of a lawyer Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker gave thanks to law enforcement across the country who assisted in the investigation and credited Framingham police detectives past and present who "never gave up on this case." Ryan said she hopes Gale’s arrest will show victims that investigators will never stop trying to hold people responsible for their crimes “It is our commitment that we do not forget and we do not give up,” she said during the press conference “We spend an enormous amount of time working FRAMINGHAM — The School Committee has voted to send to Mayor Charlie Sisitsky its fiscal 2026 budget proposal which at $185.6 million represents about an 8% increase from the current year's budget Last week's School Committee vote to send the proposal to the mayor, who will in turn present it to the City Council But it came after $5 million in cuts were made to administrators' initially proposed budget The School Committee proposal is still higher than the city's proposal of $181.6 million Sisitsky said during the April 2 School Committee meeting that while the schools are priority in the city's budget the city must also address other priorities including public safety departments and public works "We have to be very judicious in how we spend the money and how we allocate it," Sisitsky told School Committee members during the meeting Tremblay says a budget of less than $185.6M will require cutsSuperintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay said in an interview with the Daily News that $185.6 million is the minimum amount the School Department can propose before looking at cuts He said he does not want to alarm the community and that cuts to the teaching staff is the last thing school administrators want the number is as low as we can get before we look at cuts to staffing and programs," Tremblay said cuts to programing may not mean a position is gone Lawsuit filed: Former Framingham Public Schools employee alleges discrimination, citing race, disability The School Department's initial budget proposal for fiscal 2026, which begins July 1, was about $190 million. According to Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch IV we're still going to look at the expense side the additional salary side to see if we can reduce more but we've reduced a lot from our initial request back a couple months ago," Lynch said Tremblay said the budget is driven mainly by personnel costs According to a presentation shown at the School Committee meeting personnel costs represent nearly 80% of the budget Costs include salaries as well as 3% salary increases for bargaining units Other budget drivers include $30.8 million in special education tuition and transportation; about $8.7 million in bus and homeless transportation; and $3.2 million in utilities Contract extension: Framingham superintendent of schools gets new four-year pact "Our goal is to improve outcomes and improve academic achievement and the emotional social needs of our students," Tremblay said "Cutting staff is not the recipe for success." Sisitsky must present his citywide budget proposal to the City Council in May ahead of the council approving the budget in time for July 1 Issued on January 15, the Warning Letter followed a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection at the facility – located 30 km west of Boston Massachusetts – in June and July last year and highlighted numerous deviations from current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) for drug substance production “FDA documented that approximately 20 percent of bioreactor runs attempted between January 2022 and July 2024 were rejected for contamination or other quality failures,” the Agency wrote “This rate is excessive and calls into question the state of control of your process.” Accusing Sanofi of failing to conduct adequate investigations into these critical deviations including multiple microbiological contamination events the letter cited inadequate investigations of particle presence within several lots of an undisclosed drug substance as an example Inadequately investigating product leakage was also noted during the audit Other deviations mentioned in the letter include Sanofi’s failure to demonstrate that the manufacturing process can reproduce an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with its predetermined quality attributes and a failure in using appropriate equipment for the manufacture of specific drug substance: “Mobile carts used in the setup of [undisclosed] units required operators to get down to the floor and manually lock and unlock the cart brakes despite previously determining equipment proximity to the floor as a contributing root cause in microbiological contamination events.” the Agency wrote: “[Undisclosed equipment] used to establish temporary sterile boundaries for tubing continue to be used despite being identified in a June 2023 microbial contamination event investigation as possessing a ‘design flaw’ that may allow microbial ingress.” The FDA also cited failures within the facility’s quality unit Sanofi responded last year by identifying four contributing root causes – “excessive personnel attrition of trained investigators process knowledge gaps amongst newer investigators prioritization of investigations associated with lots pending release and inconsistent communication of ‘deviation performance metrics’” – but was pulled up further by the Agency due to insufficient detail as to how these causes are to be corrected The FDA has requested Sanofi to respond to it with corrective action plans within 15 days a Sanofi spokesperson told us: "Patient safety and the quality of our products are our highest priorities We take all inspections extremely seriously and we are fully committed to working with the FDA to resolve all findings holistically robustly and promptly to meet the agency’s requirements and expectations." They added there has been "no interruption to manufacturing or to the continued supply of medicines from the Framingham site as a result of these findings." The Framingham site, commissioned by Sanofi acquisition Genzyme won approval from both the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2012 for the production of Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta) At the time, there had been a shortage of the enzyme replacement therapy – first approved in 2003 to treat the inherited disorder Fabry Disease, a deficiency of the enzyme alpha galactosidase A – due to a series of contamination issues at another Genzyme’ facility: Allston Landing The transfer to Framingham allowed Sanofi to rectify shortages of both Fabrazyme and Cerezyme (imiglucerase for injection) – the latter by freeing space up at Allston Landing "Its end-to-end platform uses millions of points of data captured by sensors to continuously optimize for excellence."  As for the Allston Landing facility, Sanofi sold the plant to contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Resilience in 2021 Journalist covering the international biopharmaceutical manufacturing and processing industries.Founder and editor of Bioprocess Insider a daily news offshoot of publication Bioprocess International with expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors regulatory affairs and business development.From London UK originally but currently based in Montpellier France through a round-a-bout adventure that has seen me live and work in Leeds (UK) Matica Bio partners with Texas A&M to support CGT development CSL Seqirus signs pandemic preparedness plan with European Commission Ins & Outs: Biopharma players shuffle c-suite ranks American made: Companies continue to emphasize US manufacturing Registered in England & Wales with number 01835199 FRAMINGHAM — The City Council has voted to table further discussion and voting on the MBTA Communities Law until February effectively ensuring Framingham will be out of compliance once the Dec Councilors voted 6-4-1 on Tuesday in favor of tabling the ongoing public hearing and any vote on a MBTA Communities plan until February The decision comes after months of discussion about how — and even if — the city should comply with the law councilors expressed concern about what they say is a lack of information about the impacts that further development would have on the city Phil Ottaviani and Brandon Ward voted in favor of tabling the discussion Adam Steiner and Leslie White Harvey voted against the motion said he’s fine with going over the deadline if it means getting the best plan for the city “The most important thing is to get this done right,” he told the Daily News Wednesday in a phone interview “There needs to be a detailed look at every area of land with concrete impact on infrastructure finances of the city and the area around the neighborhoods.”   He also stressed that there needs to be a collaboration between the City Council and Mayor Charlie Sisitsky’s administration Framingham's current plan called for zoning for an additional 4,932 units across the city The plan was intentionally made larger so that councilors could reduce the number of units to meet the required 4,355 units But councilors on Tuesday noted their concerns about the impact that the developments residents from the city's Nobscot neighborhood have raised concerns about potential additional development City councilors also previously proposed zoning already-built apartment complexes as a way to earn "credit" toward the number of apartments for which the city is required to zone The MBTA Communities Act requires 177 communities in eastern Massachusetts to designate at least one zoning district that allows for multifamily housing "by right," meaning certain conditions like special permits or variances aren’t required It applies to cities and towns served by the T or those that border municipalities with such access The zoning overlay districts must allow for projects suitable for families and have a minimum density of 15 units per acre districts must be within a half-mile of public transportation and are encouraged to be near existing commercial districts This type of zoning would allow multifamily housing in addition to the land’s existing zoning The law does not require that anything be built — only that it be zoned for multifamily residences Most MetroWest communities have come up with plans that comply with the law Weston's Town Meeting recently voted against a plan to comply What happens now?It's unclear what happens next Because Framingham is expected to not comply by the state's Dec the city could face a potential lawsuit from Attorney General Andrea Campbell who has already sued the town of Milton after voters there repealed a plan earlier this year to comply with the law because of the Mattapan Line running through the town “I don’t know what the state will do but these decisions have lasting results and so it’s a penalty that’s to be paid We hope the state understands we’re trying to do the right thing.” Framingham city councilors on Tuesday originally voted on waiting until after the Milton case was resolved before voting on their own plan Campbell's office issued an emailed statement in response to Framingham's actions Tuesday night "One hundred and ten communities have adopted zoning to comply understanding that more housing is needed to reduce costs and allow people to stay in Massachusetts," the AG's Office stated "Communities must comply with the law or they risk consequences like the loss of certain state funding and potential enforcement action and my office remains available to assist communities with compliance no matter their deadline." Milton's rebellion: How will state's highest court rule on town's resistance to zoning law? Framingham could also lose out on state grant money — the state has already revoked a grant worth more than $140,000 for a seawall project in Milton. Framingham Planning Board Chair Kristina Johnson previously said that the city could forfeit a $2 million MassWorks grant awarded for the Dudley and Fountain streets intersection A Framingham City Council meeting that was scheduled for Thursday when councilors were expected to vote on a plan FRAMINGHAM — Given its proximity to Lexington and Concord it's no wonder Framingham has connections to the American Revolution Next month marks the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first major military campaign of the American Revolution. At the Framingham History Center historians are gearing up to share the stories of local residents who served in the war Executive Director Anna Tucker showed the Daily News various artifacts the center has from the Revolution. Among them is a Minuteman militia roster from Framingham, naming Peter Salem as a Minuteman in the battle a formerly enslaved man born in Framingham (volunteer researcher Kevin Swope notes that Salem lived east of Hartford Street fought in both the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill "Salem is credited as firing the shot that killed (British) Major (John) Pitcairn which marked a monumental shift in the war," Tucker said She said Salem was bought by Major Lawson Buckminster who immediately freed Salem to fight in the battle 'Fascinated by the connections': Framingham History Center's new leader aims to bring subject to its people Swope explained that in the leadup to the Battles of Lexington and Concord British General Thomas Gage sent two spies to survey the route to Worcester The spies stopped at Buckminster Tavern in Framingham where they observed militias mustering nearby Tucker and staff members showed objects that relate not only to Framingham history but also to how some of Framingham's earliest residents played a part in the American Revolution Among the rarer objects in the collection is a tune book belonging to Col. Thomas Nixon Jr. a Framingham boy who joined the Continental Army at 13 years old as a fifer He saw action at Lexington and Concord before going on to serve under General George Washington in New York Nixon was the nephew of John Nixon, who settled north of Nobscot Mountain in Framingham. The Nixon family is the namesake of Nixon Road in Framingham and the John Nixon Elementary School in Sudbury 1775 was a big year: Mass. plans events to mark 250th anniversary of Revolutionary War The history center also has a recorder and scarf belonging to Thomas Nixon Jr Another Framingham connection is Crispus Attucks a Framingham man of African and Native American descent who is said to have been the first man killed in the 1770 Boston Massacre a "powder keg" moment ahead of the American Revolution the Framingham History Center is hosting events this spring in recognition of the American Revolution On Thursday, April 3, Swope will discuss how the Gage spy plot led to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On May 8, Framingham State University history professor Joseph Adelman will host "Revolutionary Networks: Printers "Stitching Revolution in Massachusetts: Quilting and Cotillions." The event will allow participants to design and sew quilt squares for a collaborative project inspired by Revolution themes while learning about the era’s textile history from guest lecturers FRAMINGHAM — The state Department of Public Health will hold a public hearing April 9 at the Memorial Building in response to MetroWest Medical Center's plans to reduce the level of its maternity services at Framingham Union Hospital Tenet Healthcare Corp., the Dallas-based publicly traded company that owns Framingham Union recently announced plans to shift the status of the hospital's maternity services from a Level IIB Special Care Nursery to a Level I Well Baby Nursery Maternity cuts loom: Framingham Union nurses say they're seeking "reset" with management The plan has been criticized by city officials and nurses at Framingham Union Hospital The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents about 300 nurses at Framingham Union The Daily News spoke with nursing staff about the move during a gathering outside of the hospital on March 11 Ginnie Ford, a nurse in the unit since 1978, explained that mothers with more needs will have to be transferred to either UMass Memorial Health in Worcester or to a hospital in Boston Most of our patients are low income," she said during the March 11 gathering "Our mammas are really high risk." She explained that while Tenet said the unit won't lose any staff "Tenet could hire more OBs (obstetricians); when I started there were 32 OBs Mayor Charlie Sisitsky who requested the hearing be held in Framingham expressed concern about the discontinuing of more specialized maternity services in a letter to the DPH He wrote that he was told by the CEO of Tenet that about 50 out of 500 deliveries each year require an advanced level of maternity services "We are further concerned that discontinuing the specialized maternity services may deter women from seeking maternity care at all from MWMC," he wrote "This could have a cascading effect on overall maternity services and would eventually lead to lower delivery numbers that MWMC could then claim that any maternity services could no longer be justified." 'Our community deserves better': Cancer care deal not enough to sway MetroWest Med critics In a statement to the Daily News about the closure a Tenet spokesperson wrote that the hospital will still be able to create "a memorable and patient-centric" birthing experience for lower-risk deliveries while having the ability to transfer higher acuity patients to a facility that offers more specialized care In a Facebook post about the hearing Sisitsky wrote: "We are thrilled that the DPH has agreed to hold the hearing here in Framingham." "This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring that local voices are heard," the mayor continued "We encourage all residents to attend and engage in this important conversation about the future of maternity care in our community." The DPH's public hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building, 150 Concord St Nevins Hall can hold more than 1,100 people and is equipped with technology for presentations and live broadcasts the city posted on Facebook that a time would be added later this week Four people were injured late in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 15, after heavy winds knocked down a wall under construction on Pearl Street in Framingham, authorities said The four people suffered “mostly minor injuries,” in the 5:25 p.m. incident, Fire Chief Michael Dutcher told the Daily News a former Registry of Motor Vehicles office mixed-use building is under construction and workers were putting up a wall “It looked like the construction workers were trying to put up a wall when we had extreme weather and the wind pushed the wall over,” Dutcher explained Earlier: Daniel's Table moves to temporary digs as new building is planned One man on the roof had to be lowered to the ground by firefighters after he suffered a back injury. All four were transported to MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham to be treated Because the incident qualifies as workplace-related, the Fire Department has contacted the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to investigate FRAMINGHAM — A week after Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announced his bid for reelection a former School Committee member has confirmed he will challenge the incumbent Geoffrey Epstein, 77, filed a mayor election committee with the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Thursday This marks an early step in running for a municipal office months before candidates are even able to pull papers Epstein confirmed his intent to run in a phone call with the Daily News on Thursday evening who lives on Stalker Lane (off Salem End Road) said he decided to run because he thinks "things are going downhill." He said his top three priorities are education climate change action and infrastructure improvements He said early education will help the city's immigrant population which he believes is not being treated well Earlier: Framingham's Charlie Sisitsky confirms he will seek second four-year term as mayor Epstein proposes the installation of solar roofs and canopies which have been deemed a "ticking time bomb" by city officials "The most painful thing for me is that Framingham has huge unrealized potential — we have two colleges we have the northside and the challenge of the southside," he said Epstein served two terms on Framingham School CommitteeEpstein has been living in Framingham since 2014. He previously served on the Newton School Committee from 2008 to 2013, and served two terms on the Framingham School Committee from 2018-21 Epstein said that he would bring arithmetic skills to city government He also runs a Substack newsletter called The Framingham Observer and writes opinion pieces about the city on Patch Sisitsky said earlier this month that he would run for a second four-year term. His and Epstein's announcements come more than four months ahead of when nomination papers become available — May 30 — for all candidates for city office in November's election FRAMINGHAM — Everyone has a story at Bella Costa Ristorante After nearly 40 years in business, Paul and Yanna Katsarikas have sold their Italian restaurant on Cochituate Road and are looking forward to some relaxation The couple, both born in Greece, had owned Bella Costa since October 1986. Paul Katsarikas previously owned a breakfast place in Boston's Allston-Brighton area and another restaurant in Humarock, a seaside village of Scituate Yanna said they chose Framingham to open Bella Costa because they wanted something smaller and to be in a place where they can raise a family while having the restaurant The Katsarikas have lived in Framingham ever since sold their business to Pattaraphon Wongkham and Mirlind Hoxhaj although they're still waiting for the final steps to occur in the transfer process The new owners couldn't be reached for comment Opening their doors: Ten new restaurants to try in MetroWest, Greater Milford in 2025 “Nothing will change,” Yanna Katsarikas said “The name will stay the same and the menu will stay the same Her husband added that the response to news of their retirement has been met with people calling the couple to share their stories about the restaurant we’re keeping the same menu and the same help,” Paul said Paul told the Daily News that many people have called the restaurant and the couple to talk about the stories and memories made at Bella Costa “There’s lots of memories and lots of friendships," he said We have so many people that we’ve known all our lives Everybody has a story and they still call to tell their stories.”   'Makes us both better': For owners of Newton's Thistle & Leek, love blossomed in a kitchen Framingham residents Barbara Luciani and Sandy Merloni recently had lunch at Bella Costa “We took my mother here for her 80th birthday and we had a big family reunion with everyone coming here,” Merloni said “My daughter and my granddaughter brought me here for my birthday,” Luciani added She said the restaurant has the best Italian food She announced her retirement a week before the Katserikases “I’m good about it because we’re going to hang out,” Mullin said (This story has been updated to correct inaccurate information.) FRAMINGHAM — The city's biennial election is this year with multiple offices up for grabs in November The city election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Residents will take to the polls that day and cast votes to decide who will lead the city In the spring of 2017, Framingham residents voted to finally give up their title as the largest town in New England a change they had resisted numerous times previously Framingham officially became a city on Jan While this year's city election is still months away what follows is a look at what offices will be on the ballot: Framingham residents will make their picks for mayor 'I'm so elated': Leslie White Harvey defeats incumbent for City Council seat Nine city councilors represent the district in which they live and serve two-year terms The mayor and two at-large city councilors represent the entire city and serve four-year terms Mayor Charlie Sisitsky was elected in 2021 so that position is on the ballot this fall Six of the 12 library trustee seats are up for grabs this year Whoever wins them will serve four-year terms Three of the five cemetery seats are also on the ballot How do you run for office in Framingham?For all offices, candidates start by picking up nomination papers from the City Clerk's Office They must then receive certified signatures on the papers in order to appear on the ballot candidates must obtain at least 500 signatures across Framingham's nine districts To be nominated for a seat on the City Council or School Committee candidates must obtain a total of 50 signatures from within their district 'Much to be done': Framingham mayor sees progress in yearly address For the library trustees and cemetery trustees Nomination papers will be available starting on Friday The deadline to turn papers in to the City Clerk's Office is 5 p.m a preliminary election will take place on Tuesday The deadline to register to vote in the November election is 5 p.m Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here FRAMINGHAM — It's official: Mayor Charlie Sisitsky will seek a second term Sisitsky, 79, confirmed in an email Wednesday to the Daily News that he would seek a second four-year term. He first alluded to making a reelection bid on Friday, Jan. 3, during an event at the State House to sign over the Danforth Building to the state In his email, Sisitsky, Framingham's second mayor since it became a city on Jan. 1, 2018 highlighted his accomplishments over his term "My administration has acquired land to extend the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail into Framingham and is currently developing designs for both the Bruce Freeman and Chris Walsh Memorial Trails," Sisitsky wrote "We have also initiated the cleanup and redesign of Mary Dennison Park and are working on plans for a splash pad at Cushing Memorial Park." 'Let's get to work together': Charlie Sisitsky is sworn in as Framingham's second mayor in November 2021 and was sworn in the following January He has also worked as a city planner in Medford and as planning director in Natick Sisitsky was also director of public works in Natick for 20 years He currently sits on the MBTA Board of Directors "All these projects will significantly enhance the lives of residents and I look forward to continuing to serve as Mayor to oversee the successful completion of these projects," Sisitsky wrote "My administration has had successes and made progress which is why I am seeking re-election as Mayor." Sisitsky's announcement comes more than four months ahead of when nomination papers become available — May 30 — for all candidates for city office in November's election Nobody else has yet formally announced a run for mayor Framingham's biennial city election is scheduled for Tuesday If there are more than two candidates for mayor a preliminary election will be held Tuesday FRAMINGHAM — Focusing on his "why," Mayor Charlie Sisitsky touted his accomplishments over the the past three years and provided a preview of projects to come during his fourth State of the City address on Monday Sisitsky delivered his remarks in Nevins Hall, shortly after attending the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Connect 351 conference Sisitsky said his "why" comes from a belief that Framingham can be made better for the future through togetherness "My 'why" comes from the belief that we can make Framingham the best it can possibly be our seniors and everyone in between," he said "I relish the challenge of solving problems which go along with building a city that understands the value of coming together." He later added that another aspect of his why is about his hope that future generations will have a Framingham in which they can succeed he's working toward a city of progress not for recognition but because he believes in the power of community 'I like the job': Framingham mayor says he's running for second four-year term "If we come together and believe in the strength and diversity of Framingham I am confident that we can accomplish what I have set out for our future," said Sisitsky we can create a brighter future for all of us businesses can grow and every resident feels valued." Framingham mayor boasts achievements for city last three yearsSisitsky he noted during his address that the city has acquired many properties and begun new programs Those include the establishment of a city-run farmers market; bringing back a fireworks celebration; acquiring land for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail; and resident-friendly events such as free skating at Loring Arena Friday concerts on the common and the annual "Spooktacular" Halloween event at City Hall Sisitsky also provided an update on a few key capital projects the city has been working on which is being converted into a community center has had its heating system and hazardous materials removed and is slated to get a new roof and windows Last year's address: Sisitsky sees progress in yearly address; what he highlighted, what could improve In addition, Sisitsky said his administration is "making progress" on building a new school on the city's south side The city was accepted into the state's funding program for the new school He also mentioned the regional justice center Sisitsky praised the city's receiving conditional approval on its MBTA Communities Act compliance plan "Difficult decision-making encapsulates the burden of choice that often comes with effective leadership," he said "It requires the ability to make tough choices and prioritize the greater good even if it means facing resistance or displeasure." Challenges of the city, upcoming projects discussedDespite the achievements and progress made, Sisitsky discussed the challenges that he and the city have had to deal with. Among them are climate change and a school bus driver shortage "With the growing impacts of climate change we recognize the critical role in advancing sustainability initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the mayor said Sisitsky said he and his administration are pursuing the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings; installing electric vehicle charging stations; and purchasing electric city vehicles He also mentioned the Eversource geothermal project As for the city's ongoing bus shortage "I continue to work with the school administration and School Committee on the challenge to implement an alternative plan that will improve the school busing problem for the next school year," he said Earlier: Framingham Public Schools ready to move to in-house busing; councilors express concern June 25 marks 325 years since Framinghamwas incorporated as a town (it became a city in 2018) This year will mark the first "Framingham Day," on Oct Sisitsky established a celebration committee for the event State of the city is 'strong,' according to the mayorOverall Sisitsky said the state of the city is "strong." "All of these accomplishments took bold vision and leadership and they will significantly enhance the lives of residents," he said I am proud to report that the state of our city remains strong." Sisitsky said he's encouraged by the progress the city has made while acknowledging that there is still work to do the challenges the city faces are not insurmountable if people work together "Let’s continue to move forward in a spirit of cooperation and respect so we can grow stronger together."