WATCH: Did You Miss It? Spicer's First State Of The City Address

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Thirty-six days into her role as the first mayor of the City of Framingham, Yvonne Spicer presented the first "State of the City" address on Monday to a full Nevins Hall at the Memorial Building. Addressing specific concerns, touching on progress so far, and laying out priorities, Spicer focused on departments, boards, the schools and initiatives that thread the city.

"One of the things I've enjoyed in these first 36 days is getting to know the people of this community," Spicer said in the opening of the address. Members of the City Council, School Committee, division and department heads and legislative delegation were present.

"I firmly believe that with collaboration and focus, our efforts on tasks as outlined in the charter, we will set a tone for exemplary collaboration in government," she said. "We are making strides to refine our goals and to be results-driven and maximize community engagement and be fiscally responsible."

Referencing a busy Framingham Health Department, Spicer conveyed that it has been working with state regulators to work on the clean-up of contaminated sites in the city. Clean-up, she said, remains a priority for Framingham.

With a grant from MetroWest Health, the department is also working to transform the city an an age and dementia friendly place. "Our older adults are our community's treasure," she said. "We need to support and enhance their independence. We will continue to place older adults front and center."

And on the opposite end of the spectrum, Spicer acknowledged the challenges of today's youth. As an "investment in our future," she said for young people, stress remains the major concern that affects many adolescents—more than any other health issue." In a collaboration between the health department and the schools, Spicer said programs are being implemented to strengthen the emotional health of youths, and also a coalition is being built to develop strategies to battle the opioid crisis.

Since 2017, violent crime in Framingham has been reduced by 8 percent, and overall crime has dropped by 24 percent, said Spicer. With "safer communities as a priority," the police department has added ten new officers this past year, giving it the ability to deploy additional officers throughout the community.

"Every community member should feel safe," she said, adding that the fire department responded to 33 major building fires, 421 cooking fires, and 7,864 medical calls.

The planning board, she remarked, has been able to decrease permitting time that is essential to business development, while the DPW has been focusing on eliminating issues with sewer and water in the city.

"I think we are off to a great start," she said. "The charter provided great guidance. We received 17 applications for five seats on the licensing board; we should sustain and increase participation in our boards and commissions."

Spicer, as has been apparent since she took the helm, has been intent on becoming more visible, more transparent, than some communities.

"During the first year, it is essential that residents have opportunities to discuss issues with me," she said in her address. "I will host conservations with different topics, and they''ll begin this month you will have access to me to air your concerns and voice your opinions."

Citing economic development, Spicer said the first year will also focus on forging partnerships and relationships with business leaders to "critically think about our next steps and ideas they want to bring to the table."

The most frequent topic for calls to the mayor's office? Frustration about the roads. Whether it be traffic concerns, or potholes, Framingham residents are up in arms about cars and streets. To address it, Spicer is advertising for members of the Traffic Commission.

"Governing is not easy, but it is made possible when we come to the table in good faith and in good spirit and with hard work," she concludes. "Our people, our needs and city as a whole must always be a first priority. We may disagree about some things, but we must agree on our path to progress. I pledged to keep the residents of Framingham as a first priority, and i will."

Photo Credit: City of Framingham