OPINION: City of Framingham Needs You Input On How To Spend $1.6 Million

By Judy Grove

***

[broadstreet zone=”59982″]

FRAMINGHAM – What do Bowditch Field Athletic Complex, the Civil War Monument, the Muster Field at
Concord Place, and the Sudbury River have in common?

Answer – they are examples of the four areas in which Community Preservation Act (CPA)
funding can be spent: Outdoor Recreation, Historic, Housing, and Open Space.

The CPA (Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44B) is a smart growth tool which will maintain and expand Framingham’s treasury of Open Space, Outdoor Recreation and Historic buildings, documents, artifacts, and monuments. The CPA also helps strengthen our economy by be expanding workforce, low income and elderly housing opportunities and construction jobs.

The value of open space and recreation becomes more apparent as undeveloped land in Framingham rapidly dwindles, as numerous apartments are built and as environmental challenges present increasing risks to our community. Framingham’s open space and recreations goals include sustainability and access & inclusion for all who wish to use then.

[broadstreet zone=”59983″]

Through preservation of Framingham’s historic and natural resources, CPA projects will also support our tourism industry. We already draw visitors from surrounding communities to the Danforth Art Museum, the Framingham History Center, Bowditch Athletic Field, Cushing Memorial Park, the Farm Pond Skatepark as well as to our city beaches, numerous trails and bike paths, and the newest addition on Farm Pond – the Dog Park. How about swan boats joining the swans on Farm Pond?

On June 22 at 7 p.m. the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will hold a Public Forum as required by the Community Preservation Act. Members of the CPC will explain the Community Preservation Plan and seek input from the public. This hybrid Zoom meeting will be held in the Blumer Room of City Hall.

The Framingham CPA Account already has $1.6 million.

Please attend.

Here is the Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83714172051?pwd=ajl4cENYV0VPTUFSWjgyQ3R1bkk2UT09

We need your opinion on what you value in the Community Preservation Plan, what is missing from it and your suggestions on potential projects to be considered for funding.

Judith Grove is the Vice Chair of the Framingham Community Preservation Committee.

[broadstreet zone=”59984″]