Lt. Governor Polito Describes Framingham's Practices as 'Phenomenal'

Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito described efforts by the Town of Framingham as “phenomenal” and ”terrific,” as she introduced Governor Charlie Baker’s first executive order that “highlights the relationship and the partnership that needs to exist between the state and our cities and towns,” at a press conference at the Memorial Building in Framingham Thursday morning.

The Community Compact Cabinet - Baker’s first executive order - “elevates the relationship between our cities and towns and state government” explained Polito, a former Selectman in Shrewsbury.

“We want to highlight the best practices, and reward communities like Framingham for the good decisions they are making,” said Polito.

Polito described the expedited permitting process in Framingham as “terrific.

She called the use of social media by Framingham Police to reduce crime as “phenomenal.”

Polito also praised Framingham for joining the Group Insurance Commission to lower health insurance costs.

Framingham has a “very strong leadership team” said Polito, who met with the Framingham Town Manager, Selectman Laurie Lee, State Rep. Chris Walsh, State Rep. Tom Sannicandro and other municipal employees before the press conference.

She said the Baker-Polito administration will recognize and reward communities that do good things, when it comes time to award state grants.

Polito, at the press conference, said Wednesday was a big day for the administration as it filed its Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

“We believe in our cities and towns. These are the leaders on the front lines, dong the work to help people to have a good quality of life, to help businesses grow with jobs, and to have a vibrant downtown,” said Polito. “But they can’t do it alone. They need to do it with state resources to back them up.”

The Lt. Governor said the FY16 budget does that.

“It commits additional resources to school aid and to local aid,” she said.

She specifically said these increases will help Framingham. The FY16 proposed budget increased Framingham’s Chapter 70 funds from $35.9 million to $37.5 million.

Looking at state representatives Walsh and Sannicandro, standing with her at the press conference, Polito said the administration hopes to work with “our legislature to make sure these numbers hold up through the budget process.”

Halpin said the numbers were encouraging and will keep the Town of Framingham on its plan to not raises taxes for the average taxpayers more than $100.

During yesterday’s press conference, Polito said the ”state needs to bring its A game” too.

She said the Baker-Polito administration would work to reduce “unfunded mandates” and deal with ”compliance requirements” that complicate how cities and towns operate.

She also said state agencies need to “react more responsibly to the needs of communities.”

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Framingham Patch talked to Polito at the press conference about the MBTA and specifically the issues with the Framingham-Worcester commuter rail and will have a followup report on that this weekend.