Framingham Morning Brief, Nov. 3: Council tables garage deal after rival bid

From Framingham News

• Council tables Pearl Street Garage transfer vote Framingham's City Council tabled a vote to transfer the Pearl Street Garage to the Economic Development Corporation after a councilor invoked a procedural rule blocking same-night action, following a late $3 million competing offer from VTT Management against the FEDC's roughly $2.5 million non-binding deal.Framingham News
• Health Board approves first fee hike since 2011 Framingham's Board of Health took up its first public health fee increase since 2011, effective November 30, after the city's chief financial officer warned fiscal 2028 "is going to be immeasurably more difficult" amid a $10 million budget gap.Framingham News
• License board caps new restaurant's hours at 2 a.m Framingham's Board of License Commissioners capped a new restaurant's closing time at 2 a.m. instead of a requested 3 a.m., after a commissioner noted a neighboring chicken restaurant's license, as the owners cited Ramadan dining needs and may seek a temporary exemption next year.Framingham News
• Disability panel votes to seek two state access officers Framingham's Disability Commission voted to ask the state to hire two compliance officers for the Architectural Access Board, which members said now has none, after a commissioner called a recent access variance granted to a Union Avenue law office "shocking."Framingham News
• Traffic Commission votes to hold parking hearing Framingham's Traffic Commission voted to hold a public hearing on changing resident-only parking rules near the commuter rail station, covering Avon, Cedar, Charles, Claflin, Hayes, Highland and Pine streets, after police said the current 24-hour, year-round restriction creates an "unintended consequence" for residents' guests.Framingham News
• Planning Board approves Mill Street lot split Framingham's Planning Board took up an Approval Not Required plan at 186-187 Mill Street while continuing a larger five-parcel Concord and Kendall streets redevelopment proposal from VTT Framingham Renaissance LLC to November 5 after the applicant's attorney sought more time to update materials.Framingham News
• CPC votes to hold $1M reserve for FY27 Framingham's Community Preservation Committee voted to hold $1 million in reserve for fiscal 2027, leaving roughly $1.4 million available for new applications, as members disagreed over the size of the reserve and set aside a councilor's request to reconsider a senior center project's eligibility.Framingham News
• ZBA grants second continuance in Hollis Street case Framingham's Zoning Board of Appeals granted a second continuance in two Hollis Street zoning appeals brought by CSX Transportation and BP Trucking, pushing the dispute over a building commissioner's determination at 480 Hollis Street to November 18.Framingham News

Happening Tue, Nov 3

• 10 a.m.: McAuliffe Branch offers Baby Storytime Tuesday Framingham Public Library's McAuliffe Branch hosts Baby Storytime at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, for infants and their parents.Framingham Public Library
• 10 a.m.: Library hosts early childhood play and learn session Framingham Public Library hosts the Early Childhood Alliance's "Let's Play, Learn, and Grow Together" session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 3.Framingham Public Library
• 3 p.m.: Library's Book Bedazzling craft program returns Tuesday Framingham Public Library hosts its Book Bedazzling craft program at 3 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, for residents to decorate book covers.Framingham Public Library
• 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Election Day polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m Framingham voters cast ballots in statewide races and nine ballot questions Tuesday as polls run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Framingham Patch and the MetroWest Daily News reported.Framingham Patch

Yesterday in Framingham (Mon, Nov 2)

• School building committee formally selects Bethany Road site Framingham's School Building Committee formally selected the Bethany Road property as the site for the new elementary school, confirming the pick after weeks of review by the panel.Town of Framingham
• Early voting draws thousands across MetroWest Thousands of MetroWest voters cast ballots early ahead of Tuesday's election, with Natick reporting 29.3 percent turnout as mail-in ballots continue processing, according to the MetroWest Daily News.MetroWest Daily News

Coming up

• Thu, Nov 5, 3:30 p.m.: Library's Swiacki festival features author Lois Lowry Framingham Public Library hosts the Swiacki Children's Literature Festival featuring author Lois Lowry from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 5, at 100 State Street.Town of Framingham
• Thu, Nov 5, 7 p.m.: Library offers Job Search Prep Program Thursday evening Framingham Public Library hosts a Job Search Prep Program at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 5, at 49 Lexington Street for residents seeking employment help.Town of Framingham
• Sat, Nov 7, 10 a.m.: Library hosts Woodcarving 101 jam spreader class Framingham Public Library offers a Woodcarving 101 class on making jam spreaders from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 7, at 14 Vernon Street.Town of Framingham
• Sun, Nov 8, 2:30 p.m.: Forum examines spiritual foundations of political resistance A forum on the Spiritual Foundations of Political Resistance meets from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 8, at 841 Edmands Road.Town of Framingham
• Thu, Nov 19: Library's Literacy Unlimited marks 40th anniversary Nov. 19 Framingham Public Library's Literacy Unlimited program celebrates 40 years with an event at Historic Nevins Hall in the Memorial Building on November 19; ticket requests are due by November 6.Framingham Public Library

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Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.