Chamber CEO: Becoming a city makes “perfect sense” for Framingham
Edd Cote
MetroWest Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Joseph said pursuing a city charter is a "logical next step" for Framingham, which is among the nation's largest towns.
MetroWest Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Joseph said he agrees with Gov. Charlie Baker, who in an interview Wednesday said that it’s a “no-brainer” for Framingham to become a city.
Baker’s comment was reported by the MetroWest Daily News, and no doubt added fuel to the Framingham First campaign, organized by local officials and stakeholders who believe that Framingham would function better as a city, rather than its current town meeting form of government.
Baker was asked about a ballot question that voters will take up on March 29, asking whether a charter commission should be formed to evaluate a town government reorganization next year, potentially making Framingham a city. Baker said towns smaller than Framingham have adopted a city form of government, which has been a “huge step forward” for them, the MetroWest Daily News reported.
Town manager mum
While Town Manager Robert Halpin declined to comment Thursday, Joseph was frank in his support for Framingham pursuing a city form of government. A former member of the Natick Board of Selectmen and chairman of the Natick Economic Development Committee, Joseph said a community that is as large and complex as Framingham would benefit from a mayoral form of government, particularly when it comes to leadership on economic development strategy.
“I think a city form of government makes perfect sense for Framingham,” said Joseph, noting that a mayor is tasked with executing an economic development strategy for a city. “That person has a bullseye on the back.”
With a population of around 70,000, Framingham is known as one of America’s largest towns and has even been called the biggest town in the U.S., though there is some debate about that. However, it’s still larger than other local cities, such as Marlborough, which Joseph noted has benefitted considerably from having a city government led by a strong mayor. On the business front, Mayor Arthur Vigeant has been able to make economic development decisions, such as supporting tax increment financing deals for large corporate tenants, without having to go through much red tape.
The professional staff in Framingham Town Hall is already strong, Joseph said. Halpin has been able to strengthen the connection between local government and corporate tenants, and has worked to make key zoning changes a reality. Before his time, Framingham had a reputation for being somewhat difficult for businesses to work with, and the relatively high, dual-tax rate is an obstacle. Halpin has sought to narrow the gap between the rates residents and businesses pay as well.
“I think this is a logical next step,” Joseph said.
This isn’t the first time that Framingham stakeholders have galvanized to pursue becoming a city. Jason Smith, a member of the Board of Selectmen and chairman of the Framingham First campaign, said it was put to a vote in the early 1990s but was defeated. A few years ago, the campaign was unable to generate the signatures needed to put the matter on the ballot, but after reforming last year, Smith said it was much easier to get residents to sign on. He thinks that’s a sign that Framingham is ready for a change.
“The bottom line is, 6,000 people signed a petition to take a look at it,” Joseph said.
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