Framingham Development News

Framingham City Council Approves FY27 Budget, Addresses School Funding and Liquor License Hours

The Framingham City Council voted to approve the FY27 city budget with a total appropriation of \'$398,170,206.\' The budget includes a tax levy increase of 3.5% and the use of \'$10 million in free cash.\' Several amendments were proposed and voted on, including one to increase the school budget, which did not pass. The council also approved prior year bills totaling \'$42,121.29\'. A donation account for the Blazers band was established, and funding for adaptive PE equipment for Framingham Public Schools was approved.\nIn a separate discussion, Councilor Adaviani disclosed a potential conflict of interest related to his family's ownership of properties with restaurant tenants, as the council discussed extending liquor license hours. The council ultimately voted to recommend to the mayor and licensing commission that they take advantage of the state's one-time opportunity to extend hours for World Cup soccer games. A motion to fund three park department positions for Mary Dennison Park was also approved as a recommendation to the mayor.\nThere was significant public participation regarding the school budget, with many residents advocating for restoring proposed cuts to positions such as ESL teachers, restoration staff, and SAGE program staff. Concerns were raised about the financial sustainability of the budget, particularly the use of free cash and projected future shortfalls.