Framingham May Reform 'Blue Ribbon' Panel On City Buildings

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham City Council on Tuesday will look at a proposal to reconvene a "blue ribbon" commission to review buildings owned by the city. The commission would produce a report on its findings by October.

District 6 Councilor Philip Ottaviani suggested forming the blue ribbon commission during a debate over the city's bid to buy the Perini building earlier this month. Mayor Yvonne Spicer is in negotiations to buy the Mt. Wayte Avenue building for close to $13 million to free up space in the cramped Memorial Building.

According to Ottaviani's resolution, the blue ribbon commission would include 15 members — a mix of officials, from the mayor and Councilors to members of the MWRTA board and disability commission — who would study city properties.

"The Commission shall survey the needs of public officials and municipal workers, identify opportunities to utilize innovate structures, techniques and technologies to achieve operational efficiencies, and solicit input from the public in developing a comprehensive plan for Framingham’s capital assets," the proposed ordinance says.

The comprehensive plan would be due by Oct. 1. The blue ribbon commission would be a new version of one that was formed before Framingham became a city.

The resolution will be up for discussion at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting.