[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6301627,"mediaKeyId","2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360","parentId",2486878,"title","Mayor says Tenant Health will close level‑2 special care nursery in June; city requests local hearing","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",879000,"endMs",1020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360&start=879&end=1020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360/thumbnail_879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301627/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Mayor-says-Tenant-Health-will-close-level2-special-care-nursery-in-June-city-requests-local-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301627-2851cacbaf28c9935de2f12b56088fe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139737&Signature=B3K~BVb0taWtKOg5CZCvad7P~iWzHywCU7rT1linU10dlGXB7Fmo0yC7vETFaemnzQmpU8Knjh~mRVPPjwvxpmO-xfp8Z1VDmWJ5dpk8EIVRAgYzUoWSeaxUT5eCWipn7AljQcpsfuEu5Ee26TfAgBrIu2ULnfZwbprfrCveTV3BHavgUxBi8Q6E6DM7OZOeR40zVDTayr8brQm9niBFhFQ1FBvjVZMREibti0DHcpUxe9Gh0wucMq7FTMRqnruHstPc9gFp7Y20QgHQcQD7sf~wk28Utcql9JPXkAEIkpZzpudtxr4urKn4R-i0ddCcW0keqoE-PIumCb1I3pG-Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Framingham City, MA","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Framingham Mayor reported at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting that Tenant Health has notified MetroWest Medical Center it will close its level‑2b special care nursery in June, leaving the hospital with a level‑1 well‑baby nursery for low‑risk deliveries. The mayor said MetroWest performs about 500 deliveries a year and that roughly 50 of those births require level‑2 neonatal care, which would now require families to travel to Worcester or Boston for higher‑level services.

The mayor said he sent a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health asking that the required state hearing on the closure be held in Framingham so residents can attend locally. Under the procedure he described, Tenet/tenant notified the Commonwealth of the planned change on Feb. 12 and a public hearing must be scheduled within 60 days of that notice.

City councilors pressed for active outreach to the legislative delegation and for the administration to press state officials for oversight. Councilor Long described the situation as “disturbing” and urged legislative oversight. Councilor Cannon and others said the change could create a cascading reduction in maternity services if parents shift deliveries to other hospitals. Councilors requested updates at future meetings and thanked the mayor for contacting the state.

The mayor also reported that Tenet will not renew the lease for the wellness center on Route 9, with services (except the pool) relocating either to the hospital or to 61 Lincoln St. The mayor said he and staff have been in contact with the Mass Nurses Association and the city’s legislative delegation.

No council vote or formal order was recorded about the hospital at the Feb. 25 meeting; the mayor described the letter to the Department of Public Health as an administrative step. Councilors repeatedly urged the administration and the delegation to seek state action and to provide updates to the council.

The council will hear further updates as the state schedules its hearing and as MetroWest and Tenet finalize operational decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Framingham City Council 2-25-25","oneSentenceSummary","Framingham Mayor reported at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting that Tenant Health plans to close its level‑2b special care nursery in June, leaving families to travel to Worcester or Boston for higher‑level neonatal care.","taxTitle","Framingham City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",12558,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301612,"Votes at a glance: Framingham City Council actions on Feb. 25 — ordinances, committee appointments, appropriations and MOA funding",288,2752000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360&start=2752&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","/articles/6301612/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Framingham-City-Council-actions-on-Feb-25-ordinances-committee-appointments-appropriations-and-MOA-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301612-b10b9003a1c7c35e738112b563d0a13d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139737&Signature=BaozwblPAmhkjZTFNPKY48T-nJKIyx5-pZ6Vtt4Ix9GgqB~1K9HTWJDCVUkIjx~29gs21qfRDFrADzlSod-xzVA52UBtqGSo7b~Ti8fkaumrWtBJefOwsZw9KE3p8JkME6bZyj9lqfOs3VZT3eeplbgvqKGD68V6EEPyWlJH85w6aitXtLp1-pjphdxO38sSmFslh-v0vz-ok8nmrS1QVTXv2ayhcyzRhQVenlZQgarVhQb~S6xK3QwY02KYgLd4EYKCkO50ldK8I3tW0djMT~imXbIinqbx6vb~VNrntMzHaz4Gf1cMFxJq6bmDqKHiLo80ztNPqdYyUfZt8-Rhlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Framingham City Council approved a series of orders, appointments and appropriations. The items below list each formal action taken by the council that night with the motion source and recorded outcome.

Votes at a glance

- Boats and personal watercraft ordinance (second reading). Motion to approve amendment to Chapter 215 (motor boats and personal watercraft) as presented in the city solicitor’s final draft; motion made by Councilor Bridal, second by Councilor Cannon. Vote: approved (unanimous).

- Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Committee composition change. Motion to amend the committee composition to include a community member from the Framingham Traffic Commission (friendly amendment accepted); motion made by Councilor Bryant, second by Councilor White Hobby. Vote: approved 10–0 (per transcript vote count at that item).

- HEROES Act (tax exemption acceptance). Finance subcommittee recommended acceptance of HEROES Act provision for veterans’ exemptions (COLA adjustments beginning FY2026); motion by Councilor King. Vote: approved (unanimous).

- Dispatchers union MOA funding (union: dispatchers Local 489). Motion to authorize Year 1 FY2025 funding of $24,511 to cover the dispatchers’ MOA to be paid from the police department budget; motion presented by finance subcommittee/Councilor King. Vote: approved 11–0.

- Free cash appropriations. Motion to appropriate $178,840 from free cash — $171,340 for consulting engineering and environmental services for the recycling center site assignment and $7,500 for Veterans Council activities (see separate article for details); motion by Councilor King. Vote: approved 11–0.

- Numerous appointments to boards and committees. The council approved multiple nominations and reappointments on the evening’s appointment calendar (examples recorded in the transcript):
• Denise Verdidi (Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Committee) — through 06/30/2027; motion approved unanimously.
• John Van Alston (Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Committee) — through 06/30/2025; motion approved unanimously.
• John Randell (Agriculture Committee) — through 06/30/2027; motion approved unanimously.
• Multiple other board and commission appointments and reappointments were approved by voice vote; several recorded as unanimous or 10–0 depending on the item.

Motions and votes recorded in the meeting transcript were primarily voice votes with several explicit unanimous tallies (11–0) or 10–0 where noted. Where the transcript recorded a specific numeric tally it is shown above; items recorded as “voted unanimously” reflect the full council unless an explicit alternate count was recorded.","The City Council approved a range of routine and substantive items on Feb. 25, including a revised boats and personal watercraft ordinance, committee appointments, a change to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Committee composition, adoption of HERO Act exemptions, a dispatchers MOA funding authorization, and free cash appropriations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301617,"Council votes to advertise public hearing to shrink Central Business District for MBTA compliance amid map confusion",854,3386000,4240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360&start=3386&end=4240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360/thumbnail_3386000.jpg","/articles/6301617/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-votes-to-advertise-public-hearing-to-shrink-Central-Business-District-for-MBTA-compliance-amid-map-confusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301617-3f25f1bd26fcb1fff568bd3732b5efba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139737&Signature=QqYYgrEXs2PAPzl9Xl4KKB1MUWtZLhxWIACXm~FX9MnvobdRPc6B4mrJr6tHDVw4iA7rcJ3ubZz33Q31NKNoi8hA3GvQquDDvkpYsvjsjQ6qRQwpntOsK8wD70~HQBpD6Wopj2xLGdfactTvJ8BDA3K3fXHb7vF~vdxxlD4DAjiARXySN63XsEYkEmlqvvoQqUgnq1H9CQ0lAmK9-2e~0JKOPHM9iub2CkGsXOZVbhBdwByJQ306HyL6-L0lRsxIfIShXauVQea5O6rY04PVE1Ws3NKqloqY5Mg2mZ~msU9jGox3~bZ1mgBp2sZK--bldr6XlSZdpOjlTXCFVJQRTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham City Council on Feb. 25 voted to advertise a public hearing to amend the Central Business (CB) zoning district map, a step toward complying with MBTA‑adjacent zoning requirements. Councilor Long moved the recommendation from the planning and zoning subcommittee and Liam Bruno seconded; the motion to advertise the proposed amendments passed.

Council debate was substantive and focused on three issues: the exact parcels to be removed from the CB district (councilors repeatedly requested a clearer, single map for public review), how a transition zone should be handled for areas between the downtown CB district and lower‑scale neighborhoods, and the timeline for the city’s submission to the state. Planning staff and councilors reported that a compliance model produced roughly 4,375 units — closer to the 4,355 figure discussed during the meeting and far below the roughly 6,000 units in an earlier submission — and that the reduced district could be resubmitted to state reviewers.

Councilor Malek urged that any reset of the CB map include a transition zone along the northern edge (from Franklin/Union toward Lincoln) to avoid abrupt spot‑zoning results where recent mid‑rise projects abut two‑story residential areas. Councilor Steiner asked whether transition zoning could be developed after advertising; planning staff and Councilor Long confirmed that advertising the map change and associated dimensional table amendments allows the council to consider footnote/dimensional changes (including transition language) in the public hearing process.

Several councilors and at least one resident speaker urged the council to coordinate the local zoning amendments with the state MBTA‑compliance timeline so the city does not submit an interim plan that would require later revision. Donna (public commenter) reminded the council of statutory reporting windows and urged the council to “start the clock now” to assemble a complete package for the state.

The motion to advertise the public hearing passed; councilors asked staff to correct and repost maps in the meeting portal so the public and the council are reviewing the same materials in advance of the hearing. No final zoning changes were adopted at the Feb. 25 meeting; the vote only authorized advertising the hearing and further public process.","Framingham City Council voted to advertise a public hearing to amend the Central Business (CB) zoning map to a smaller footprint as part of MBTA zoning compliance. Council discussion centered on an updated compliance model, map clarity, transition zones and timing for state submissions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301622,"Council approves $171,340 from free cash for recycling center design after DEP noncompliance notice",348,2950000,3298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360&start=2950&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2486878-d71e252ebf201a04faec1683b2dbd360/thumbnail_2950000.jpg","/articles/6301622/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-171340-from-free-cash-for-recycling-center-design-after-DEP-noncompliance-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301622-8a837c720f7399d5868bad1af9852b23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139737&Signature=N-zi5JOHX3gbF7W0SMr5VbXL3FPkljAjaM7zAuATpueAq5GYfCMd46Um1h2ZDwcduTqvV-gFu3YTh-lPNXmUHaGYfVSAbSJ9m7Zq~dtXrt7aiDGRpeBU8Euuahc2~a-l0GnHQ6cx-J1zEEO~BgM-I0oR5qeTTRLF~fZaG0OrSuRaSo7VFYrHC2YvRNXdLvo4I7s~C~qo06SzS~MCE8hqXH6SV9Peh1I3XnWg-bDLQxCPqbW8hRqBgoLtNEOeNs0YUMga4uEJqgpcamcVP8AG-ef~UcnFKVJyvKemBK6rBwtqXFNILZSZgLF9OJ4rgETM920mC9vn~b3g23-7c31hYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham City Council on Feb. 25 approved an appropriation from free cash to fund design and consulting work related to the city recycling center after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice of noncompliance.

Councilor King presented the finance committee recommendation to appropriate a total of $178,840: $171,340 for a consulting engineer and environmental services related to the site assessment and permit work for the recycling center, and $7,500 for Veterans Council activities. The motion to appropriate the funds from free cash passed unanimously.

Mayor and staff briefed the council on the DEP action. The mayor recounted the site’s operational history: the city moved away from an incinerator in the 1980s and for decades allowed residents to bring trash to the recycling center and deposit it into rubbish packers. DEP visited the site last summer and determined that the practice constituted an unpermitted transfer station; DEP issued a notice of noncompliance and gave the city a deadline (June 30) to submit a plan and obtain appropriate permitting.

The city will use the consultant work to design a compliant transfer station and prepare permit applications. The mayor said preliminary capital cost estimates for required upgrades are not yet final but suggested they would likely be on the order of “maybe around” $100,000; the city will return to council for any capital appropriation once the study and DEP review identify required work and costs.

Council discussion noted the public‑health and environmental compliance rationale for the work. Councilor White Harvey and others said they had met with the sanitation director and reviewed draft plans to better understand design needs and sanitary requirements.","Framingham City Council voted to appropriate $178,840 from free cash—$171,340 for engineering and environmental consulting on the recycling/transfer station and $7,500 for the Veterans Council—after the Department of Environmental Protection found the site operating as an unpermitted transfer station.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor says Tenant Health will close level‑2 special care nursery in June; city requests local hearing

Votes at a glance: Framingham City Council actions on Feb. 25 — ordinances, committee appointments, appropriations and MOA funding

Council votes to advertise public hearing to shrink Central Business District for MBTA compliance amid map confusion

Council approves $171,340 from free cash for recycling center design after DEP noncompliance notice