Selectmen Candidates Discuss Mass Bay Campus and Possible Sale of the Memorial Building

Selectman Jason Smith and Town Meeting member James (Jim) Pillsbury are the two names on the ballot for a 3-year term on the Framingham Board of Selectmen. Smith is seeking his fourth term as a Selectman.

The town election is Tuesday, April 7.

Framingham Patch asked the two candidates a series of questions. The answers to each question will be published this week, as the candidates submitted them, this week from Monday through Friday.

Monday’s question: What are 3 biggest issues facing the Town of Framingham? What can you do as a Selectmen to fix the problems? Click here to read the candidates’ answers.

Tuesday’s question: What can you do as a Selectman to economically revitalize neighborhoods in Framingham (ie Nobscot, downtown, Saxonville, etc)? Click here to read the answers.

Today’s question focuses on the proposed Mass Bay College campus in downtown Framingham and the Memorial Building.

Framingham Patch asked the candidates: Do you support selling the Memorial Building for a possible Mass Bay College campus? Why or Why not?

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Pillsbury: ”I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not privy to all the back room negotiations that have gone on to even suggest that we sell the Memorial building to Mass Bay. But for those who have lived and grew up here, selling the Memorial building is tantamount to selling one’s soul to the devil.

Granted, all of our Town owned buildings are getting older and by far are much less efficient, both for space and utility costs. It was suggested that the Memorial building needs 20 plus million to be rehabilitated. One major concern for those who have family that served in past wars is the front foyer. Steeped in history, that room was designed to pay our collective respect to those who have served and are serving now in the Armed Services.

Selling the Memorial would make another problem, where does the Town business get conducted? Somehow I think they have already thought of building or acquiring space in another location. I’d only be in favor of the selling of the Memorial building if whoever goes there, agrees to retain the front foyer as part of the deal. Since the property creates no tax revenue now, a school would not pay anything as well, so it may be a wash. But we would need to get full assessed price for the building if we sell it at all.

Personally, I’d prefer a new campus be located on the south side of Rte 135 at the train station, but again, as an outsider looking in, the glass is hard to see through with all the hot air on the other side.”

Smith: ”The Memorial Building is a true Jewel to the Town of Framingham and something that needs to preserved for generations to come.

The memorial building was built for town government including when the Merriam Library stood strong inside it.
It is a place of memory for our veterans, their families and all residents and friends that needs to be cherished. It’s a building full of heroes on the wall that I salute.

It’s a building that all folks when passing should stop and think about the sacrifices men and women have given to make this world a safer place for others.

This building is an acoustical gem, an amazing concert hall and a place that has memories that can never be forgotten.

From the town artifacts we store to the emotions that run through the building, the memorial building is a standard of excellence for the community and especially with our veterans.

We need to continue to invest in the upkeep and restoration of this building to maintain it amazing identity. I look forward to working with all elected officials to finish the upkeep needed for the building.

I support Mass Bay coming to downtown Framingham and will pledge to work with all officials, land owners and all Framingham neighbors and neighborhoods to bring this once in a life time opportunity to down town. I believe the foot traffic, consumers and strong educational opportunity would be a part of how Mass Bay will provide some additional shining light for the community downtown.”