Jeff Malachowski Metrowest News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

FRAMINGHAM — Officials at a Maple Street church are proposing to install solar panels on a canopy over the parish’s parking lot. Officials with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, DiPrete Engineering and Plankton Energy submitted plans to the city’s Planning Board to construct a canopy over the church parking lot and to install solar panels. The project area is 16,000 square feet and there are no proposed changes to the existing building. The church — at 3 Maple St. — is housed in a neighborhood and some residents are concerned about the project and its effect on the surrounding home...

FRAMINGHAM — There’s a new way to learn about upcoming community events and happenings throughout Framingham. Two solar-powered smart Soofas — dynamic bulletin boards — have been installed at the intersection of Concord, Irving (Rte. 126) and Waverly (Rte. 135) streets and in front of the downtown common, off Concord Street. The two-sided Soofas have a map of the area highlighting cultural and governmental institutions and a digital side that provides real-time commuter rail updates, information on city happenings, emergency and health updates and more. Downtown Framingham Inc. recei...

FRAMINGHAM — The city’s Highway Division has received a $200,000 Shared Streets and Spaces grant to improve pedestrian accessibility on a section of School Street. “Our Public Works team is very appreciative of the Baker-Polito administration and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for this grant opportunity,” Public Works Director Blake Lukis said in a statement. “It is vital to keep investing and improving Framingham’s public infrastructure. Construction is slated to begin later this year. The Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program provides cities and towns with gran...

FRAMINGHAM — Solar panels are coming to two city schools. Solar panels will be installed on the roof of the new Fuller Middle School and on a canopy above the eastern parking lot at the school. Panels will also be installed on a canopy over the main parking lot at Brophy Elementary School. City leaders worked with Solect Energy through the Power Options Program, an energy-buying consortium that operates a solar program available to municipalities, to pursue both solar energy initiatives. Solect Energy estimates the middle school project will result in more than $530,000 in savings over the ...

City councilors Tuesday shot down Mayor Yvonne Spicer's pick of Monifa Charles to become Framingham's next health director.