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2. Community Survey #1: Updated as of  9/20 by Communications Subcommittee 

   
   

   Framingham Charter Review Committee Community Survey

   
   

   Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this survey is to see what changes in the City of Framingham Charter, if any, might have a broad, city-wide consensus. This survey data will become a public record.

   Note: All questions are optional.

   
   

   Part 1:  Below is a summary of the structure of Framingham’s government set up by our Charter

   
   

   • The Mayor is the elected leader of the City– elected for a 4-year term.

   • The Mayor oversees and is responsible for all the City’s departments except for the school system. 

   • The Mayor proposes the budget for the City, including the school budget. 

   • The Superintendent of Schools oversees the day-to-day operations of the school system. The Superintendent is hired by and supervised by the school committee. 

   • The city is split into 9 districts that all have approximately the same number of residents.

   • The City Council has 11 members. 

     • 9 City Council members are elected from their district and serve 2-year terms

     • 2 City Members are “At-large” members, meaning the whole city elects them

   • The City Council can approve the Mayor’s budget or reduce it. 

   • The City Council passes rules for the city called ordinances. 

   • There is a 9-member school committee that hires and works with the Supt. of Schools to oversee the school system. The Mayor is a member of the school committee, but can only vote if there is a tie on an issue. 

   • There are a number of volunteer committees. Members are appointed by the Mayor, but the City Council must also approve of the choices. 

4. Part Two: General Impressions of our New Form of Government

   
   

   Framingham is a new city, having transitioned to being a city form of government in 2017. 

   
   

   On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being 'strongly disagree' and 10 being 'strongly agree', please rate your agreement with the following statements:

6. 1. Since Framingham became a city, it has gained more influence with Beacon Hill leaders.

   1. 10 (strongly agree)
   2. 9
   3. 8
   4. 7
   5. 6
   6. 5
   7. 4
   8. 3
   9. 2
   10. 1 (strongly disagree)
   11. Don’t know
8. Why? (optional)
10. 2. The government has operated more effectively since Framingham transitioned to city status

    1. 10 (strongly agree)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (strongly disagree)
    11. Don’t know
12. Why? (optional)
14. 3. The city of Framingham has been responsive to the concerns or needs of residents or businesses.

    1. 10 (strongly agree)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (strongly disagree)
    11. Don’t know
16. Why? (optional)
18. 4. I have been more likely to vote in municipal elections since Framingham became a city.

    1. 10 (strongly agree)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (strongly disagree)
    11. Don’t know
20. Why? (optional)
22. 5. The frequency of elections for Mayor, City Council, and School Committee in Framingham is sufficient.

    1. 10 (strongly agree)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (strongly disagree)
    11. Don’t know
24. Why? (optional)
26. 6. What do you like the most about becoming a city? (open-ended)
28. 7. What do you like the least about becoming a city? (open-ended)

30. Part Three:  Reviewing the Goals set out by the initial Charter Commission in 2017

    
    

    Below are the initial goals set out by the original Charter Commission. For the following question, please rate your satisfaction on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being 'very dissatisfied and 10 being 'very satisfied':

32. 1. Ensuring that residents across Framingham have equal representation through the use of district elections for the School Committee and City Council.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
34. Why? (optional)
36. 2. Creating more choices and opportunities for voters via competitive election processes for positions like Mayor, City Council, and School Committee.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
38. Why? (optional)
40. 3. Establishing a system of government with shared power and responsibilities (as well as checks and balances) between the Mayor, the Council, the School Committee, and other boards/commissions.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
42. Why? (optional)
44. 4. Requiring our elected and appointed officials to act ethically and transparently via specific campaign finance disclosure rules in the Charter.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
46. Why? (optional)
48. 5. Making sure that the public has timely access to all information, decisions, and services.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
50. Why? (optional)
52. 6. Developing long-range plans for Framingham’s land use, resources, facilities, etc. with the input of a range of stakeholders across the community.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
54. Why? (optional)
56. 7. Fostering collaborative relationships between municipal and school departments to help ensure high-quality education for all our students and families.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
58. Why? (optional)
60. 8. Establishing a system that maximizes citizen participation and brings new, diverse perspectives into our boards, committees, and initiatives.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
62. Why? (optional)
64. 9. Using fiscal resources wisely

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
66. Why? (optional)
68. 10. Promoting equity and being welcoming as well as respectful.

    1. 10 (very satisfied)
    2. 9
    3. 8
    4. 7
    5. 6
    6. 5
    7. 4
    8. 3
    9. 2
    10. 1 (Very unsatisfied)
    11. Don’t know
70. Why? (optional)

72. Part Four: Suggestions for possible changes

74. What comments, questions, suggestions, and opinions do you have about the way the city government is structured by the Charter and/or how the City government works? (open response)
76. Part Four: Demographics

    We'd like to understand more about the diverse set of community members participating in this survey. We’d appreciate it if you are willing to answer the following demographic questions; however, please remember the answers are optional. 

78. 1. Name
80. 2. Are you (check all that apply)

    1. Framingham resident
    2. Student
    3. Framingham business/nonprofit member
    4. City of Framingham/ Framingham Public School Employee
    5. Have children enrolled in Framingham Public Schools
    6. Have children enrolled in a private school in Framingham
    7. Homeowner
    8. Tenant
82. 3. District or Street Name (open response)
83. 4. How long have you been a resident of Framingham?

    1. Less than a year
    2. 1-5 years
    3. 6-10 years
    4. 11-20 years
    5. More than 20 years
85. 5. Age:

    1. Under 18
    2. 18-24
    3. 25-34
    4. 35-44
    5. 45-54
    6. 55-64
    7. 65+
86. 6. Gender:

    1. Male
    2. Female
    3. Transgender
    4. Non-binary
    5. Prefer not to say
87. 6. Gender / Prefer to self-describe:
89. 7. Race/Ethnicity (check all that apply):

    1. White
    2. Black or African American
    3. Hispanic or Latino
    4. Brazilian
    5. Asian
    6. Native American or Alaskan Native
    7. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
    8. Prefer not to say
90. 7. Race/Ethnicity / Other:
92. 8. Highest Educational Level:

    1. No high school diploma
    2. High school graduate or equivalent (e.g., GED)
    3. Some college, no degree
    4. Associate degree (e.g., AA, AS)
    5. Bachelor's degree (e.g., BA, BS)
    6. Master's degree (e.g., MA, MS, MBA)
    7. Professional degree (e.g., MD, JD)
    8. Doctorate (e.g., PhD, EdD)
    9. Prefer not to say
93. 9. Disability Status:

    1. Yes, I have a disability (or previously had a disability)
    2. No, I do not have a disability
    3. Prefer not to say

95. Part Five: Other

97. 1. In what ways are you or might you be involved with our government? (check all that apply)

    1. Attending or viewing meetings
    2. Contacting your district City Councilor or School Committee to share views/concerns
    3. Contacting at- large City Councilors to share views/concerns
    4. Contacting members of other boards to share views
    5. Contacting the Mayor’s office or municipal departments
    6. Contacting the School Dept
    7. Volunteering on a city board, committee, or commission?
    8. Vote in Framingham elections
    9. None of the above
    10. Other (if you choose this option please write your answer below)
99. Other:
101. How would you like to be kept informed about the progress of the charter review committee?

     1. Mail
     2. Email
     3. Phone
     4. Social Media
     5. Other (if you choose this option please write your answer below)
103. Other:
105. Please share your email if you would like to subscribe to the bulletin board for charter review progress updates (open response)
Leave This Blank:


107. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
108. Email address

     This field is not part of the form submission.

109. Submit

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