City Council Subcommittees

APPOINTMENTS

The Appointments Subcommittee shall be comprised of five Council members and may review if assigned to it by the full Council or Council Chair, all suggested appointments by the Mayor that are subject to Council oversight. After review, the subcommittee shall present its recommendations to the full Council for approval or rejection.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and HOUSING

The Economic Development Subcommittee shall be comprised of three council members and shall assume tasks assigned to it by the full council or the council chair. After taking action on a measure, the subcommittee shall present its recommendations to the full Council for approval, rejection or general informational purposes.

The goals and mission of the subcommittee are to further and foster all forms of economic development as well as initiatives that will lead to better conditions for businesses and residents in the City of Framingham. These initiatives can pertain to recommendations regarding general business climate in the City, processes and procedures, permit fees, land use, commercial development and redevelopment, and the promotion of Framingham as a great place to do business.

EDUCATION, LIBRARY, ARTS and CULTURE, ELDER and VETERAN SERVICES

The Education, Library, Arts and Culture Subcommittee shall be comprised of three council members and may review and address matters directed to it by the full Council or the Council Chair. Areas of potential responsibility include the following:

• Collaboration with the Framingham School Committee and Superintendent on matters of significance to the broader Framingham community.
• Engagement with educational institutions beyond the Framingham Public Schools including private preschools and elementary and secondary schools, Christa McAuliffe Charter School, Keefe Regional Technical School, Mass Bay Community College, Framingham State University, and other educational programming in the City of Framingham.
• Examination of educational matters with significance for racial, geographic, and economic equity. Guiding community engagement on educational issues of importance to Framingham residents without a direct connection to the public school system.
• Supporting the long-range capital planning process including potential school construction as needed.

ENVIRONMENT and SUSTAINABILITY

The Environment and Sustainability Subcommittee shall be comprised of three Council members and may consider any or all questions directed to it by the full Council or the Council Chair related to environmental issues and sustainability. The subcommittee will focus on: air, land and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste disposal and land reclamation, recycling and sustainability, energy savings and efficiency and other matters related to the physical environment of Framingham. It will also monitor the impact of industry and development on the quality of life of our residents.

FINANCE

The Finance Subcommittee shall be comprised of five Council members and may consider any or all questions appropriate for the purpose of considering the budget including the creation of new positions to the payroll, changes to the employee classification plan or any matters pertaining to increasing City of Framingham employee headcount.

PLANNING AND ZONING

The Planning and Zoning Subcommittee shall be comprised of five Council members and may consider any or all proposed amendments to the zoning ordinances, zoning map, land use and planning, and special permits and any other such matters as may be referred to it by the full Council or the Council Chair.

ORDINANCE AND RULES

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee shall be comprised of three Council members and may consider matters relating to ordinances of the city, City Council rules and orders and any other such matters as may be referred to it by the full Council or the Council Chair.

PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION

The Public Health, Safety and Transportation Subcommittee shall be comprised of three Council members and may consider and report on all matters relating to the Police Department, Fire Department, the Police and Fire Auxiliary, the Emergency Management Department, the local Emergency Planning Committee, Public Health Department, Licensing Commission, and any other matters referred to it by the Council or Council Chair.