Highlights of the Framingham City Council Meeting on September 29, 2026

On the fifth Tuesday of the month, the Mayor sets the Council agenda. This one ran nearly to 11 PM. Here's what stood out.

🛑 Stop sign on hold. The state recommended a four-way stop at Grant and Howard Streets after repeated crashes. The Council voted 6–5 to try new pavement markings and parking limits first, then revisit the stop sign.

🚗 A change made before it was approved. DPW had already re-striped a lane on Cochituate Road at Beacon Street as left-turn-only, citing safety, before anyone voted on it. The Council approved it 9–2. Some councilors objected that the public never got a say.

👷 New DPW Director nominated. City Engineer Eric Johnson, a 20-year DPW veteran, is the Mayor's pick. Some councilors objected that the Council was never told about the interim director and that no salary was disclosed. The Mayor called it an oversight and said HR will now announce new hires regularly. The Council votes October 6.

🏫 The Community Center project paused. About $12 million has been spent on the former Marian High School, with another $3 million in federal money possibly adding to that, but work has stopped until more funding is found. There is no total cost estimate yet. There is no plan. Some councilors asked whether the City should keep the building at all.

🏊 Community pool is a long shot for now. It would cost $20–25 million or more, and there is no site and no funding. The Mayor won't borrow for it and hopes for a public-private partnership.

📞 Regional 911 center back on track. A state funding letter arrived that afternoon, keeping the planned July 2027 opening in reach.

🏢 TJX wants to grow. The City is drafting a new zoning district so TJX can expand its headquarters campus near Speen Street.

🏠 Backyard apartments raise concerns. Only 2 accessory dwelling units have been approved under Framingham's own rules, compared with 22 under the new state law. Councilors raised concerns about ADUs in front yards and ADUs being sold separately as condos.

💰 Tough budget ahead. The CFO warned next year may be harder than this one, with about $10 million in one-time money to wean the budget off.

♿ Accessibility review nearly done. A $220,000 study inspected every City and school building for accessibility. Councilor Leombruno noted her late sister Karen had put this on her to-do list back in 2005.

🤖 City prepares AI rules. Staff will get Microsoft Copilot, with a policy to follow. A councilor flagged that some boards already use AI to write their minutes, with no rules in place.

🚨 ICE at the Pearl Street Garage. Councilors reported federal immigration vehicles using the City-owned garage as a staging area on September 24. The Mayor said he can't restrict that without Council action. One councilor urged the Council to act.

Coming up: DPW Director vote (Oct. 6), Pearl Street Garage transfer to the EDC, a Saxonville intersection public hearing around New Year's, and the capital plan (due Nov. 1).