Laurie Lee Candidate for Framingham Selectman Position on Economic and Community Development:

I currently serve as a member of the Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) whose focus is on business retention and development and the Community Development Block Grant Committee (CDBG) which is an advisory committee to the Board of Selectman in the administration of our federal grant funds designated for Community Development.

Finding and acting on solutions for the issues facing Framingham was what motivated me to apply to both of these committees, whose purposes are inextricably linked.

I view Economic Development as a solution to some of our financial and community problems. The approach of EDIC has been to develop lines of communication and trust with property and business owners, as well as potential developers. This is a long term solution that is right for Framingham.

I have been appointed to represent EDIC on both the Nobscot Village Revitalization and to work with Framingham State College officials in their commitment to grow in Framingham.

I am working with the Planning Department and the Planning Board to develop a transparent and more efficient permitting process for those who develop and re-develop in Framingham. In addition, I am continuing my work with the Planning Board to ensure that neighborhood representation is in our Master Plan, as it is in our Housing Plan. This is essential to keep our neighborhoods and schools strong and thriving.

EDIC recently discussed a PR campaign that I drew up, that features our neighborhoods and schools and promotes Framingham as “The 21^st Century place to Work, Live, Learn and Play”. www.leesix.com One of my goals is to work with local corporations encouraging their employees to choose Framingham as a place to live and educate their children.

I could not support any plan for Economic Development that is based on taking private property by Eminent Domain. This will destroy the trust and relationships of the Town with the business community on which we depend in order to flourish. In addition, the financial implications of Eminent Domain are huge and, since many of the blighted properties in Town are contaminated, could be a liability to the Town for years to come.

Addressing the issue of blight and the financial housing crisis that has hit many Framingham homeowners is a crucial part of Community Development. At the April 2007 Town Meeting I highlighted the HUD awarded Best Practice use of CDBG funds while defending the Board of Selectman’s request for a code enforcement grant. I would continue to focus on nationally accepted Best Practice use of CDBG and HOME funds to: eliminate blight; support homeowners in danger of losing their homes; and support the efforts of the Framingham Housing Authority. I would propose adopting Worcester’s award winning Neighborhood Program, which focuses on issues of blight.

Many communities across the state have addressed the issue of economic development and community development. I would continue to study the models already used and proven successful, such as Waltham, Somerville and Natick and bring their ideas and experiences to our efforts to enrich, enliven and re-develop Framingham.