The purpose of the neighborhood advisory groups (groups) is to provide an avenue to strengthen neighborhood bonds, define its unique identity, and to build a sense of community by harnessing neighborhood expertise, experience, and energy. Our neighborhoods are the foundation of the City: homes, small businesses, schools, recreational facilities, and places of worship all connect neighbors together to build a community. These groups intend to expand self-government and provide neighborhoods with a voice in preserving and promoting a healthy, vibrant, and thriving community.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Framingham 5-18-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-015-002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Establishment. The Council may, upon petition of area residents, establish one or more neighborhood areas to represent or provide services that the neighborhood advisory group (group) is authorized to undertake as follows:
(1)
A petition may be submitted to the Council requesting the establishment of a neighborhood advisory group. The petition must be signed by 5% of the registered voters residing in the area, but not fewer than 150 such residents. The petition shall describe the general territorial boundaries of the proposed service area and the group's name.
(2)
The Council shall submit the petition for verification of signatures to the City Clerk upon receipt of the petition. Within 30 days following verification, the Council shall hold a public hearing on the question of whether or not the requested neighborhood area shall be established. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time but shall be completed within 60 days of the date of commencement.
(3)
Within 30 days following the public hearing, the Council shall approve or disapprove the establishment of the requested neighborhood area.
(4)
Approval of a neighborhood advisory group may contain amendments or modifications of the area's boundaries, functions, or the size of the neighborhood advisory group as set forth in the petition.
(5)
A petition may include a request to the Council to waive any, some, or all of the requirements of a neighborhood advisory group enumerated below with the written reasons for each said request.
B.
Boundary changes. The Council may, on the initiative of the Council or pursuant to a request from a neighborhood advisory group accompanied by a petition signed by at least 5% of the registered voters residing in the area to be added or deleted, enlarge, modify, diminish or otherwise alter the boundaries of any existing neighborhood area following the procedures set forth in Subsection A(2) to (4) above.
C.
Considerations in setting boundaries. In establishing neighborhood boundaries and services thereof, the Council shall study and take into consideration the following:
(1)
The extent to which the area constitutes a neighborhood with common concerns and a capacity for local neighborhood initiative, leadership and decisionmaking with respect to City government;
(2)
City agency authority and resources which may appropriately be needed;
(3)
Population density, distribution and growth potential within a neighborhood area to assure that its boundaries reflect the most effective territory for local participation and control; and
(4)
Citizen access to, control of and participation in neighborhood area activities and functions.
D.
Dissolution of a neighborhood area.
(1)
The Council may, after legal notice has been provided to the group considered to be dissolved, and after a public hearing, dissolve a group pursuant to a petition signed by at least 5% of the registered voters living within the neighborhood area; and
(2)
The Council shall give notice, in a newspaper of general circulation covering the neighborhood area, of its intention to hold a public hearing on a proposed dissolution. The notice shall be given not less than 14 days before the date of the public hearing.
A.
Election.
(1)
A neighborhood advisory group (group) shall be duly organized as a nonprofit entity with membership open to all residents of and local businesses in the neighborhood area as set out in the group's bylaws. While the group may collect dues from its members, dues shall not be required to participate in meetings or to vote. The group's membership shall be open to all Framingham residents, property owners, and businesses within the neighborhood area.
(2)
The group's executive committee shall be elected at large by registered voters residing in the neighborhood area at an annual meeting each year as stated in the group's bylaws.
B.
Powers and functions. A neighborhood advisory group may exercise any powers and perform any functions within the neighborhood area expressly authorized by the Council, which may include but not be limited to the following:
(1)
Represent neighborhood interests with the Mayor, Council, School Committee, and multiple-member bodies;
(2)
Initiate self-help projects, such as supplemental refuse collection, beautification, minor street and sidewalk repair, establishment and maintenance of neighborhood community centers, street fairs, block parties and festivals, community gardens, cultural activities, recreation and housing rehabilitation;
(3)
Accept funds from public and private sources;
(4)
Advisory or delegated substantive authority, or both, with respect to such programs as a community action program, urban renewal and other physical development programs, crime prevention, health services, and recreation;
(5)
Evaluate municipal services and submit recommendations to the appropriate municipal department;
(6)
Disseminate information through City lists and website;
(7)
Propose traffic or parking improvements, including a resident parking sticker; and
(8)
Expenditure of monies to support neighborhood area projects.
C.
Bylaws. A group shall adopt bylaws providing for the conduct of its business and the selection of a chair, vice chair, treasurer, and clerk. Copies of the group's bylaws shall be posted on the municipal bulletin board and made available to the public upon request. A majority of the group's executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but business should be transacted at a regular meeting whenever possible where all area residents are invited and have an equal vote. Each member entitled to vote shall have one vote. The group shall keep a notification list and notify area residents of all meetings and decisions of the group.
D.
Annual report. Each group shall make an annual report of its activities to the Mayor and Council which shall be posted on the municipal bulletin board. The Council shall annually convene all groups.
E.
Meetings. The group shall meet as necessary to carry out its duties, but in any year shall hold no fewer than four meetings, including an annual meeting.