Mayor Spicer Announces Framingham Transition Team's Report

FRAMINGHAM, MA—New mayor Yvonne Spicer during her first week is not only heading up a major storm response, but released her Transition Team's report. This document is comprised of recommendations made by the 12-person Transition Team appointed by the Mayor in early December to create a guide for operationalizing her Vison Plan. The diverse group of citizen volunteers worked tirelessly through the holidays to produce this report, she said in a press release.

“I am so grateful to this talented Transition Team for the time and effort they invested in putting together this report which I feel is balanced, and offers insight and tangible suggestions on implementing my Vision Plan,” said Mayor Spicer in a statement. “There is a lot to be done as Framingham truly begins to function as a city; this report is a good first step in getting us there.”

According to the announcement, the Transition Team focused on the areas identified by Mayor Spicer in her Vision Plan: 1. Smooth Transition to City Form of Government; 2. Excellence in Education and Schools; 3. Invigorating Our Economy: Planned Growth, Balanced Development; 4. Preservation of Assets, Resources and Quality of Life; and 5. Investing in Our People – to come up with a plan for executing her vision. Their suggestions include identifying key operational recommendations specified in the Framingham Charter, and those they feel should be implemented immediately for the Mayor to have the utmost success in her new role.

The Team states in their report, “These are our recommendations. It will be at the Mayor’s sole discretion to determine which ones to implement.” The Transition Team will not be making, or recommending, appointments for the Mayor’s administration as that is outside of the parameters of their role.

Here's Framingham's Transition Team:

• Robert Berman, President, Boston Technology Advisors
• Virginia Betelli, Educator
• Adam Blumer, Former Charter Commissioner and School Committee Member
• Jessica DaSilva, Behavioral Health Care Coordinator, Advocates
• Isabel Martinez Famania, Senior Educational Specialist, Boston Scientific
• Michael Gatlin, Chair, Economic Development Industrial Company (EDIC)
• Dr. Adrian K. Haugabrook, Senior Vice President and University Chief of Staff, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
• Kristina Johnson, Assistant Director, Planning and Community Development, Town of Hudson
• Reverend J.A. Lloyd, Pastor, Greater Framingham Community Church
• Kenneth Miller, Assistant Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
• Susan Nicholl, Executive Director MetroWest Visitors Bureau
• Reverend Dr. Sarai Rivera, Worcester City Councilor

Mayor Spicer’s City-wide Proposed Conversations

12 – Month Calendar

January Small Business and economic development

February Community Communication

March Health and Public Safety – opiod crisis, safety and walkability, etc.

April Affordability and taxes

May Preserving open spaces

June The way ahead: dealing with blighted plazas and code enforcement

July Traffic and transportation

August Neighborhood Services

September Innovation Taskforce

October Partnerships with businesses and our educational institutions

November Social Justice: what does it mean to proactively care for those less advantaged?

December Greener Framingham

Note: Topics are tentative and subject to change

Click here to view the Transition Team Report

Photo via city of Framingham