Framingham D1 Councilor Christine Long On 2021 Reelection

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham District 1 Councilor Christine Long is one of a handful of incumbents running in 2021 without opposition, which means her reelection on Nov. 2 is assured.

Long was first elected in 2019, but was well known in local government already. She served as Town Meeting member before Framingham became a city and on both the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board. Long has become the Council's planning-and-zoning sage and shepherded the new multifamily moratorium through her Planning and Zoning Subcommittee.

Even though her reelections is a given, Patch wanted to ask Long (and other unchallenged Councilors) why she chose to run this year and what's coming in the next term — and how to get more citizens to participate in local politics. Here's what Long said:

Why did you choose to run for reelection in 2021?

I chose to run for re-election this year to continue my work in the areas of planning, zoning and economic development which are my fields of interest and expertise. I am concerned about the impact that the pandemic has had on our business community and tax revenues and I am vested in continuing to find ways to assist with recovery in these areas. In addition, I enjoy representing constituents not only in District 1 but all over the city of Framingham since I have represented the city for many years in different capacities including as a former member of Town Meeting and many subcommittees, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and more recently, the Planning Board. As a City Councilor, I am able to continue working with municipal departments to address concerns of constituents relative to tax issues, essential service and development concerns. I feel my depth of institutional knowledge is valuable in assisting the City Council to continue moving forward in addressing critical areas of concern.

You're running unopposed this year. Does that concern you? What's one way the city could get more citizens involved in local politics?

Politics is not for everyone and running for elected office requires personal commitment, time, financial support, and a group of people committed to assisting with an organized campaign to be successful. Running unopposed obviously has its benefits. To run for an elected position requires a large personal and time commitment on the part of a candidate. However, I am not concerned that many elected positions are running unopposed this year since I believe over time the many new appointments that the City Council has made over the past few years will result in some of those appointed running for future elected positions.

What's your top priority for your next term?

My top priority in the upcoming term is to continue my focus on the areas of zoning that may need possible amendments. As most are aware, the city is currently in the process of performing the Economic Development Study/Plan Phase II to review and make recommendations regarding possible revisions to our zoning ordinance. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our business community. Municipal government relies heavily upon the revenues that our businesses bring in to support our essential services. This impact needs to be evaluated to accurately understand the overall trends in the economy regarding market conditions to be able to strengthen, assist and promote business development. Framingham will benefit from greater economic growth and an increase in commercial and industrial tax revenues which will, in turn, enable city government to spend more on public services and education.

Question from resident Bill Sell: What is the most pressing issue in YOUR district and how will you go about addressing it?

The most pressing issue in District 1 is the concern regarding possible over development and preservation of open space. The Master Land Use Plan that was last revised in December 2019 provides a listing of parcels that are areas of critical planning concern that include Eastleigh Farm, Hanson Farm and Garden in the Woods to name a few. An important area in planning a healthy, thriving community is not only economic development of commercial, industrial, and manufacturing space, but the need to address ways to promote healthy living and provide amenities for those living here as well as those visiting. Open space provides the required natural environment for our wildlife, flora and fauna and the opportunity for our few remaining agricultural sites to continue to operate and thrive. Open space provides areas where residents are able to enjoy an environment for walking, biking, and engaging in other active activities that provide both physical exercise while improving mental health, particularly after a long period of isolation that resulted from the pandemic.