History Historical Documents

1700 - Framingham's Act of Incorporation Text of the original document which established the Town of Framingham, Massachusetts on June 25, 1700.  With 350 founding residents, the town was governed by an open town meeting. 1949 - Act Establishing Representative Town Meeting The form of government changed in 1951 with enactment of Chapter 143 of the Acts of 1949.   The town accepted this change to representative town meeting by voting on ballot question #9, November 7, 1950.   The first town meeting was elected on March 5, 1951, and consisted of 8 precincts with 25 representatives from each.   The number of precincts first increased from 8 to 10 in 1953, with each precinct represented by 20 elected Town Meeting Members.   In 1977 the number of precincts rose to 17, with 12 representatives each. 1994 - Remarks of Senator Edward M. Kennedy At signing of the Improving America's School Act October 20, 1994.  (Remarks made at Framingham High School). 1996 - Board of Selectmen - Town Manager Act This act expanded the Board of Selectmen from 3 to 5 members, and added a professional Town Manager.   The Town Manager is chief administrator of the town, acting as agent for the board of selectmen.   This position is filled by a candidate who is recommended by the personnel board, and appointed by the Board of Selectmen.   The manager may reorganize, consolidate or abolish, any town department, office, agency or function under his or her jurisdiction, with concurrence of town meeting.   The board of public works, the board of health and the parks and recreation commission ceased to be elective offices with the passage of this act, and are instead appointed positions. 1997 - Proposed City Charter (defeated by voters) Framingham Online collected and prepared extensive information for the 1997 Town Election Ballot Question asking voters if Framingham should do away with Town Meeting and elect a Mayor and City Councilors.   The following pages are related to the issue: Charter Commission Charter Ballot Question and Summary Majority Report of the Charter Commision Minority Report of the Charter Commision "City or Town?" - Related Tax Facts 'Vote City' Information 'Vote No on City' Campaign Begins (press release) 1997 - Town Election Results with Charter vote results Results of election April 8th, 1997 Copyright ©1995-2004 framingham.com, all rights reserved.