Endorsements

Dear Mayor Sisitsky and the Visionary Leaders of Framingham,

There are days when you witness something so extraordinary that it fundamentally changes how you see what’s possible. Our tour of your city was that day for us. What we experienced in Framingham wasn’t just a tour of municipal projects, it was a front row seat to the future of local government, delivered with such precision, passion, and purpose that we left knowing we had just witnessed something historic.

Mayor Sisitsky, your leadership has created something remarkable here, and perhaps nothing demonstrates this more powerfully than witnessing you spend your 80th birthday leading us through your city with the energy and passion of someone half your age. The way your team interacted with you at every stop revealed everything we needed to know about your leadership. This was a team that genuinely loves working for a leader they respect deeply, a leader who has earned their devotion through decades of principled service. From the moment we walked into Memorial Building to our final stop, it became clear that you’ve assembled not just a team, but a movement of public servants who genuinely believe they can change the world and more importantly, they’re proving it every single day.

What strikes us most profoundly is how you’ve created a culture where environmental leadership, fiscal responsibility, and community service aren’t separate goals, they’re integrated into everything you do. You’ve proven that the false choice between economic prosperity and environmental stewardship is indeed false. Framingham thrives because of your environmental leadership, not despite it.

As you know Framingham has earned nominations in three categories during Massachusetts Clean Energy Week, Mayor of the Year for Mayor Sisitsky’s exceptional leadership, Sustainability Director of the Year for Shawn Luz’s remarkable coordination and vision, and Green Community of the Year for the collective excellence your entire team has achieved.

More than that, we have selected Framingham as one of our spotlight cities during Massachusetts Clean Energy Week. Your story deserves to be told not just across Massachusetts, but across the nation as an example of what happens when local government operates at the highest level.

To every member of the Framingham team, we recognize that the projects you champion, the initiatives you drive, the transformations you orchestrate, these represent battles fought on multiple fronts simultaneously. You navigate budget constraints while pursuing innovation. You work within regulatory frameworks while pushing boundaries. You balance community needs while advancing environmental goals. When funding sources disappear overnight, when political winds shift, when obstacles seem insurmountable, you find ways forward. Your mastery of complex systems, your ability to build coalitions, your unwavering commitment to excellence in the face of adversity, this represents public service at its absolute pinnacle. We see the sleepless nights, the difficult conversations, the weight of expectation you carry. What you have accomplished here isn’t just remarkable, it’s revolutionary, and the ripple effects of your work will be felt for generations.

You have given us a gift that will stay with us long after Massachusetts Clean Energy Week ends. You have shown us what excellence looks like, what dedication accomplishes, and what happens when talented people refuse to settle for good enough. We leave Framingham changed by what we witnessed, energized by your example, and determined to share your story with every city leader who will listen.

With deepest respect and genuine appreciation,

Kristin Rode
Executive Director
Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition