Spilka, State Reps Attend City Council Meeting

FRAMINGHAM - Members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives representing Framingham attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 19 to provide updates from Beacon Hill and to hear about pressing local issues.

State Senate President Karen Spilka of the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District joined State Representatives Kate Donaghue, Danielle Gregoire, Jack Patrick Lewis, and Priscila Sousa at the Memorial Building.

During the meeting, Spilka explained to councilors that while there’s been a drop in state revenue collections, the 2025 fiscal year budget from Governor Maura Healey is still being reviewed by officials at the State House. She added that the local delegation will have a more clear picture of what Framingham can expect in terms of assistance from the state later in the spring.

“While being fiscally cautious at this time is wise, it’s early…We will have more numbers to base our final numbers on,” Spilka said.

Spilka mentioned that she is continuing work on a number of Framingham-based projects, including the creation of a regional justice center at the old Danforth Building—which would hold a district court along with other courts—as well as the development of a parking garage adjacent to the Memorial Building and the cleanup of the contaminated General Chemical property.

The group of representatives addressed a wide range of topics that they’ve focused on in Boston; transportation and recreation upgrades, promoting local commerce, along with advocating for additional drug treatment and prevention resources were just some of those efforts outlined to the City Council by Donaghue, Gregoire, Lewis, and Sousa.

Members of the City Council also shared their thoughts and asked questions regarding plenty of key issues in Framingham. Councilors sought insight and help on matters like the ongoing migrant crisis, violence at local schools, housing, zoning, and the status of both MCI-Framingham and healthcare facilities in the city.

Senator Spilka and the representatives were thanked by both the City Council and Mayor Charlie Sisitsky for taking time to address these issues.

“We know you care,” Sisitsky told the state officials.

“Even though two of you (Gregoire and Donoghue) only represent a small part of Framingham, you show up and you’re engaged, and that’s very important to all of us.”