[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6081115,"mediaKeyId","2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859","parentId",2943676,"title","Board discusses MetroWest nursery closure hearing, grants, staffing and mobile unit plans","audioSeconds",773,"startMs",1167000,"endMs",1940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859&start=1167&end=1940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859/thumbnail_1167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081115/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Board-discusses-MetroWest-nursery-closure-hearing-grants-staffing-and-mobile-unit-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081115-e329e240232fbda9df7797d5510ab0e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176035&Signature=EmNWeXvDuRUOme7Lt4gduOVYNi6NO-Kf0KFXtgXzq1dfjcEU8o9KDuXC~BZGqVSxcj3GLFVMF8BuGpPD3DrsVK7Aq4HZCxZ3DXoS4m4S1WIfbTXmuCkPR4nCsqFFtcbRfb0iX5K8Q-toOYq9huoaej-xWDiQbMRcKTj91FBbnU6IcPZnOyRqHHsFJM6dDRWdNx5-7MRzywosznsnQMxkkbYgx4e15ijxg3TCgB7AFfH4CMdvSwIVvsIUSYtf~5XFfAXcu2SkhtajjAxt3N9BxCOv8Q4VS8f07B6cqEqoPIQeAC1h6VaG5vwA-fI6jF3aWsIv5oYq6uWY~6CRAcO2Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Framingham City, MA","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Members of the Framingham City Board of Health spent the April 8 meeting discussing a state Department of Public Health hearing set for April 9 on MetroWest Medical Center’s proposed change to neonatal nursery services and updates on department grants, staffing and a planned mobile medical unit.

The board announced the DPH hearing at Nevins Hall on April 9 to review MetroWest’s plan to reduce the level of nursery services it currently provides. Staff described the city’s and union representatives’ concerns that reducing a Level 2b nursery to a lower level would require transfers of infants needing antibiotics or respiratory assistance to other hospitals. The board noted community concern and said the mayor, city legislators and Board member Dr. Alicia Valente planned to speak at the hearing.

On grants, Environmental Health Manager Robin (last name not provided in transcript) reported that the department had been awarded $18,500 from an FDA flexible funding model for training, seminars and a risk factor study of local food establishments to identify and address behaviors that can lead to foodborne illness. Staff also described larger, multi‑year substance‑use prevention grants (including an opioid prevention award) now in place that will support a coordinator position; the board said the department will determine whether to hire a full‑ or part‑time coordinator or use contractors.

Staff said they had applied for a potential Department of Public Health homelessness grant that would bring about $114,000 to distribute through community partners, and described a regional matching award through RISE Mosaic with Natick and Hudson to support transportation needs for people in recovery; the three towns put in about $90,000 that will be matched.

The department has signed a contract with Mobile Missions Medical and is planning fit‑out work for a mobile unit; staff said they have no dedicated operating funds yet and applied to the MetroWest Foundation for seed money to hire a part‑time coordinator to operate the unit. Board members were also told the department recently hired an office manager, Andrea Els, who will support Spanish and Portuguese language services.

Board members expressed concern about staffing levels at MetroWest and the implications of reduced local hospital services for Framingham residents. Staff emphasized existing outreach and immunization work and said the department hopes to strengthen partnerships with the hospital.

No formal board votes were recorded on the MetroWest hearing or grant updates during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Framingham City Board of Health 4-8-25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed a Department of Public Health hearing April 9 on MetroWest Medical Center’s proposed reduction of neonatal nursery services, updates on multiple grants including an $18,500 FDA food‑safety award and potential homelessness and opioid‑related funds, and staffing and mobile‑unit plans for outreach.","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},6081119,"Board names Aurelia Medina an agent to support school‑based vaccination efforts",167,280000,447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859&start=280&end=447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859/thumbnail_280000.jpg","/articles/6081119/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Board-names-Aurelia-Medina-an-agent-to-support-schoolbased-vaccination-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081119-91614abb68b3be5c92e900e97a16d2b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176035&Signature=b3ssVtchE~hAuyBacCrKBrhoXSF0EIyG9vzvVSMYQOq6ID7VfHRtefiUja5sfSkKW00bQJl7Rabt-lf39~tsdpLSd3PTiC17QX6F7YwoYhxY8oAjXsst~Eg82Xy73a5CmxwYGUXVCVOZV~n27rtYSCELzqF4QiKFhoHSRzccFtxmpHN8aLSOuSMalxSO3k2-MrmhQddU2w32UxpNGrVMER0~v5bLhIbUbf5mxlpKBw4seqkHRWvASOtc1v~H96HQVMEHlWOct2YlqahI~MRaotnwXcOP-OQbvsg1f8T6HNtSDPcWE7M57KtnTuQstVDIxADPSNuchexCdtdI~LZAaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham City Board of Health voted unanimously April 8 to appoint Aurelia Medina, the Framingham Public Schools district nurse leader, as an agent of the Board of Health.

Health department staff said Medina has worked with Chief Public Health Nurse Linda Phelan to administer large numbers of vaccines to students and that the appointment is a formality to enable Medina to support the department’s vaccination efforts and, if needed, operate under the Board’s direction during public‑health emergencies. The appointment will also make it easier for the school district to coordinate a new school welcome center’s vaccination activities with the public‑health department.

A motion to appoint Medina carried 3‑0 with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions.

Board members welcomed Medina at the meeting and noted the appointment is intended to formalize existing partnerships between the schools and the public health department rather than change operational roles.","Framingham City’s Board of Health voted 3-0 to appoint Aurelia Medina, the Framingham Public Schools district nurse leader, as an agent of the Board of Health to assist with vaccinations and public‑health efforts.",{"_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},6081124,"Board of Health grants septic variance for 93 Parmenter Road after hearing on failing system",684,479000,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859&start=479&end=1163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943676-c0d6c801fed12ff42020d6ceaee5a859/thumbnail_479000.jpg","/articles/6081124/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Board-of-Health-grants-septic-variance-for-93-Parmenter-Road-after-hearing-on-failing-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081124-67492e2beeb9eba651dfb1d7f2b4f4b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176035&Signature=lYEprcbbgFiIrqDwBl6Ou6HZqX7PY9LW81qhNUWuYUgS6BI3ujYsry0paTz2EuAdcR3seX8LtCCGy1G0MIHgBKsrFA~73Cppp7slx73kIXV3vIWM8h7bQ660t8j72hYs21pFF5EV2BYaJyDFBnle53KfW7hhCnJ6KoRYY2Tluv1g0~tV2dpaq8pSiBiWJ4emIxKmMr6k8SVhCfannWsNvH44k5qI~aqq5saqEOQelAoU59YXrFSwIaKVKIs6alnCOiMBI5RnSuS9Kovun2iCbi2l2g5ZPnqVA-UEdCRI2mIpM0KqkxMGRN4MAexAq05YJkK2z7E4TpkoZxDH8kk5FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham City Board of Health voted unanimously April 8 to grant a local well variance and a local upgrade approval for a failing septic system at 93 Parmenter Road.

The vote followed a public hearing during which Cornerstone Engineering representative Vito Colona and city staff described a failing on-site septic system and a replacement design constrained by ledge, wetlands buffers and existing wells. Colona said the existing tank showed “it was backing up and coming out the top of the septic tank,” and presented a replacement system sited to avoid neighboring wells while asking the board for relief from a strict local setback and a one‑foot reduction in required separation from seasonal high groundwater.

The proposal seeks two forms of relief. First, a local well variance to allow the new leach field to be closer than the city’s 150‑foot setback from the property’s on‑site well while maintaining the state Title 5 minimum of roughly 100 feet to neighboring wells. Second, a local upgrade approval to reduce the required separation from seasonal high groundwater from 4 feet (typical for new construction) to 3 feet for this repair, allowing the project to avoid installing a pump and to work with the home’s existing plumbing. Colona said the design uses an alternative treatment system that the state permits to operate with as little as 2 feet of separation, so the requested relief is a smaller reduction than state allowances.

Board members asked whether abutters had been notified and whether the project would increase wastewater flow or cross water lines. Colona said the required abutters had been notified by certified mail and that the proposal would not increase household flow because it is a repair, not an expansion. He also said the well supply lines would not cross the sewer lines for the new system. The engineer noted portions of the parcel are covered by a conservation restriction and that wetlands buffers constrained siting options.

After closing the hearing, a member moved to grant the requested variance and upgrade approval. The motion passed 3‑0 with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions; the board recorded the variance as granted.

The board’s decision documents the requested relief as specific to the parcel at 93 Parmenter Road and leaves in place state Title 5 requirements for neighboring wells. The applicant will proceed with permitting and construction consistent with the relief granted and any conditions the board’s permit imposes.

Clarifying details about the site provided at the hearing include that the lot totals about 5 acres with approximately 1.9 acres of usable area due to a conservation restriction, that the neighboring well on 95 Parmenter was sited to be at least the 100‑foot Title 5 arc away, and that the board was asked only for local relief (not a state waiver).

Votes at the hearing were recorded by show of hands; the board’s minutes will list any permit conditions and the formal motion language.","The Framingham City Board of Health voted 3-0 to grant a local well variance and a local upgrade approval for a failing septic system at 93 Parmenter Road, after hearing presentation from the applicant’s engineer and questions from board members about neighbors, wetlands and groundwater separation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses MetroWest nursery closure hearing, grants, staffing and mobile unit plans

Board names Aurelia Medina an agent to support school‑based vaccination efforts

Board of Health grants septic variance for 93 Parmenter Road after hearing on failing system