Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspection

Replace your Nest Smoke Detectors when you move

Before moving out of a house in Massachusetts the current owner has to undergo a Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspection. This ensures that the house is up to standards on the fire codes.

Massachusetts Fire Alarm Rules

We recently put out house on the market. The house was built in 1954 but the last major renovation was in 2004. Our house needed to meet the Massachusetts requirements for a one-family residence after 1997.

Major renovation means a new addition was put on the house, it doesn't mean when new floors or electrical work is done on the house.

The 1997 rules are:

• One smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence.
• One smoke alarm at the base of each stairway.
• One smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area.
• One smoke alarm inside every bedroom.
• A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
• Must be hardwired and interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup.
• Battery-powered alarms must have 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries.
• If the smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke alarm is required to be a photoelectric alarm.

Nest Smoke Alarms Fail

Nest smoke alarms are a popular choice for many homeowners. However, Nest smoke alarms will fail the inspection if you use Nest smoke alarms as your primary smoke detection source. This is because the smoke detectors don't have a sealed 10-year battery, which is required by most municipalities.

While Nest does offer a 10-year battery pack that can be installed in the alarm, it's not a sealed unit and therefore won't pass an inspection. Additionally, even if you do install the 10-year battery pack, it's only good for one cycle - after that, you'll need to replace it again.

You will have to replace the alarms with a Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector that has a ten-year sealed battery.

It's easy to get the Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector as they are available in most hardware stores and online.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector should have a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.

This means to pass inspection, you may need to purchase a separate Carbon Monoxide Detector. If you are unsure, you may want to purchase it and have it available for inspection.

Failed Inspection

If you fail inspection, you will have to schedule another inspection and pay the inspection fee again.

In Framingham, the fee is $50 for a Smoke and CO Detector Certification.

Helpful Documents

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspection Requirements (PDF)
• A Guide to the Massachusetts Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Requirements (PDF)

Bulk Disposal

Pickup Request Form is down

If you are looking for a pickup for bulk goods in Framingham, be aware that the website to place curbside pick up orders is not working.

Apparently this is a known issue. Here's the Framingham Public Works reply when I addressed the issue:

Good Afternoon,
Unfortunately, we are experiencing a City-wide issue with online forms. You are welcome to come to DPW, 100 Western Ave., tomorrow, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pay in person for bulky items. Thank you, and apologies for the inconvenience.

— Framingham Public Works (@DPWFramingham) June 21, 2022

Apparently the form is throwing a CORS error when you put in your address.

Five Best Pizza Places

Some Places We Liked to Order Pizza

Framingham was a great place to live, but we have recently moved away and are now living in a town next door. We'll miss living in Framingham but we still get to enjoy some of the things that make Framingham great.

One of the best things about Framingham was its location. It's close to Boston, so it's easy to get into the city for work or fun. But it's also located in a quiet suburb, so it's not as noisy or busy as Boston can be. We're looking forward to being able to walk out our door and be at home instead of having to drive everywhere like we did in Framingham.

Another thing we loved about Framingham was all of the different activities and events that were always going on. There were always new restaurants and shops opening up, too - which is something we definitely don't have near us now! But even though we're no longer living there, we'll still visit often because there's just so much going on that you can't find anywhere else.

We're really going to miss all of that, but at least we can still enjoy it from our new home next door! So if you're looking for a great place to live, be sure to check out Framingham - you won't regret it!

Five Best Pizza Places

Over the years we have done takeout at various pizza places in Framingham. Here are five places that we visit on a frequent bases.

Liberty's Famous Pizza This is the best place we have found for pizza. Their sauce is really good and they have a lot of specialty pizza. They offer a gluten-free crust and my daughter says its the best she has gotten anyplace in Framingham.

The Sub-way Pizza - THis is our go-to place to get pizza or subs. They are close and their prices are cheaper than Liberty's Famous Pizza. We tend to go basic with plain cheese and hamburger and onion pizza.

Centre Pizza - We first stopped here when they were across the street from Framingham State. They moved in 2012 to Temple street - a bit further away from our location. The pizza is good and they introduced some Gluten-Free options. This isn't a place we visit frequently - but if we want to "try something different" this is where we go.

Framingham Bakery - If you've ever been to a kid's birthday party in Framingham chances are you had a tray from Framingham Bakery pizza. This square pizza is great to put in the freezer and enjoy it whenever you want. Each tray gives you 18 square slices. They don't have any gluten-free options - still a great treat if you're looking for regular pizza.

La Catina - They may be known for their fine Italian food - and their pizza is no exception. There's nothing like sitting at the bar with a beer and enjoying a pepperoni pizza (Note: You'll get more pepperoni at Liberty's than anyplace else.)

Juniper Farms Ice Cream

Ice Cream Trucks are Still Around

Framingham is a great city to live in because it still has that small-town feel. You can see an ice cream truck going down your street, and people are friendly and welcoming. The cost of living is reasonable, and there are plenty of things to do in the area. Whether you're into hiking, biking, or just taking walks around town, Framingham has something for everyone.

Ice Cream Trucks

On a hot summer day, listen carefully and you may hear an ice cream truck coming down your street. Just make sure to have some cash on hand. Your never too old to enjoy an ice cream from the ice cream truck.

It's nice to know that this little city still has the small-town feel.

Cushing Memorial Park

Wonderful Family Park in Framingham

Framingham Cushing Memorial Park is a beautiful spot for a walk, picnic, or just to relax. It's located on the edge of Framingham and Ashland, making it easy to get to either town. There are plenty of benches and tables throughout the park for visitors to use, as well as playground equipment and a large field perfect for games or Frisbee. The park also has several lovely gardens that change with the seasons.

In the summer there's nothing better than spending an afternoon at Cushing Memorial Park!

History Fun Facts

Property was once owned by R. H. Long Motors Company where they made Bay State model cars.

In 1926, The War Department purchased the property to build a hospital.

On Jan 25, 1944, the Cushing General Hospital was dedicated. The hospital specialized in neuro-surgery and general military needs. It was named in honor of the doctor who pioneered head wound treatment in World War I.

The hospital closed in 1953. The State of Massachusetts acquired the hospital as a geriatric hospital. The state closed the hospital in 1991 when tough economic conditions prevented the state from doing major upgrades.

In 1994, there was an article at the Town Hall Meeting to acquire the property from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for recreation purposes. The article passed and the town acquired the property.

March 2000 - During the town tercentennial the area was named Tercentennial Park.

In 2006, Linda Libby, a Parks, and Recreation employee led a petition drive to name the park after Dr. Harvey Cushing.

In 2007, The Recreation Commission officially renamed the park Cushing Memorial Park.

General Information Fun Facts

The 57-acres park has 1.5 miles of circular trail perfect for an afternoon walk or run.

The Cushing Chapel is the original chapel that the War Department built-in 1943. This chapel is a nonsectarian chapel. You can rent the chapel for weddings or other events.

There are seven GeoCache objects hidden in the park. This is a fun activity for the whole family, and it's a great way to get outdoors and explore nature. The caches are well-hidden, so you'll need to use your detective skills to track them down. Good luck!

The park is a great place to take fall family pictures - plenty of trees have bright colors in the early days of October. In addition, there is a gazebo that is decorated for the season.

The 9/11 memorial at Cushing Park is in remembrance of Framingham residents that died on September 11, 2001. Every September 11th there is a special memorial service and American Flags are planted all around the memorial.

The City of Framingham has long-term plans to put in an artificial pond and a small pavilion near the children's grove. The pavilion is to accommodate community events

There are plans - now in progress - to expand the park. The parking lot off of Dr. Harvey Cushing Way is currently closed - the parking lot pavement will be removed and grass will be placed.

The Blacksmith Minuteman Statue

Statue to Commemorate the Revolutionary War

At the intersection of Union Avenue and Main street is called Buckminster Square. At the oval island is a Minuteman statue. (June 2021 Note: The minuteman statue has been removed because of construction. The statue will return in 2024.)

Fun Facts About the Statue

Name of the statue is "Minute Man of '76"

In 1889, the town of Framingham granted an appropriation for a statue. Buckminster Square was selected as it was part of the old colonial period. (This was near the site of the Buckminster Tavern.)

Henry and Theo Alice Kitson were asked to make the statue - they are best known for the Lexington Revolutionary War statue, which was recently completed. Henry Kitson was ill during the construction of the statue and Theo Alice Kitson, his wife, completed the work.

Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson name is on the base of the statue.

Henry and Theo Alice Kitson separated shortly after the minuteman statue was completed. Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson moved to Framingham in 1926 - they originally lived in Sherborn.

The statue was dedicated on Memorial Day Tuesday, May 30th. 1905. A time capsule was placed in the base of the statue.

When the statue was placed in 1905 it was facing South. It was moved in 1941 to face Concord - the direction the Framingham Minuteman would be heading.

The statue was moved 45-degrees in August 2011 when a drunk driver's car crashed into the statue.

Natick Mall Time Capsule

Opening up this Fall!

The Natick Mall Time Capsule is a unique and interesting attraction located in the heart of the Natick Mall. The time capsule was created as part of the mall's 25th-anniversary celebration in 1992, and it has been a popular destination for visitors ever since.

The time capsule is a large, cylindrical metal container that is about six feet tall and three feet wide. It is filled with memorabilia from the mall's first 25 years, including newspaper articles, brochures, shopping bags, store receipts, and more. There is even a piece of the original flooring from when the mall opened in 1967!

Opening This Fall

Expect to see some announcement about the opening of the time capsule on October 11, 2022. Since it falls on a Wednesday, I wonder if they will have an opening on the weekend instead.

Finding the Time Capsule

The time capsule is located in the center court just in front of the former Lord and Taylor.

Latitude: 42?? 18??? 3.282??? N
Longitude: 71?? 23??? 0.822??? W

Google Maps Location

Shoppers World Sign

See the Historic Sign in Framingham

When Shoppers World first opened on October 4, 1951 it was a new concept in shopping. People could now go to one place to do their shopping.

People driving down Route 30 would see the large "Shoppers World" sign and know where to turn to start their shopping experience.

In the 1990s, Shoppers World became outdated. At the time, Shoppers World offered an open center court while newer Malls had enclosures to protect shoppers as they went store to store. New owners decided to tear down the infrastructure and rebuild.

In 1994, the Framingham Historical Society took ownership of the Shoppers World sign. You can see the sign on exhibit at the Framingham Historical Society as part of the Framingham Top 10 exhibit.

Four Things I Learned

The sign was made by University Brink, the same manufacturers of the famous Citgo Sign in Kenmore Square. (Can you see any resemblance?)

This sign was located at the north side of Shoppers World - near the entrance by Kohls and Chick Fil A.

When you visit the Historic Society they may have to turn the sign on when you arrive. They don't have the sign on all the time.

When the sign was first displayed at the Framingham Historical Society they had a special event where people could come and talk about their experiences working at Shoppers World.

Indian Head Road Plaque

Framingham remembers the Nipmuc Indians

The Nipmuc Indians were the original owners of the land that would become Framingham. In 2019, a plaque was placed on a hill where they once used as a lookout.

Sign at the top of Indian Hill Street:

Fun Facts about the Plaque

Elans Gelfand, Framingham High School student, lead the fight to put up a sign on Indian Head Heights honoring the tribe that once ruled the area.

Originally she wanted the street ( Indian Head Heights ) to be renamed but settled for a plaque commemorating the sight.

Elans had been planning on taking some action after reading a book about the Indians during the colonial days of America.

Larry Spotted Crow attended the small ceremony. Larry is a Native American Cultural Educator and a known member of the Nipmuc tribe.

The plaque was officially installed on June 12, 2019.

The plaque is located at the top of the hill which is 320 feet above sea level - one of the highest points in Framingham. Nabcott Hill is the highest point at 534-feet.

Framingham Historical Commission created and paid for the sign.

Finding The Plaque

The plaque is located at 14 Indian Head Road. There are no official parking spaces near the plaque, but it's a nice quiet street - so there should be a problem with street parking.

Note: The street is a steep uphill climb, icy weather is probably not a good time to go.

Setting Up Your Business and Life in Framingham, MA

Practical Tips on Growing Your Business in Framingham

Starting or moving a business as you are trying to juggle family responsibilities can be overwhelming. How do you know which city or town is the right place? How do you know where both your company and your family can thrive day in and day out?

While there are no shortcuts to choosing the best location for the next chapter in your life, considering factors like affordability, local business support, cost of living, and nearby colleges can help you make a sound decision and set your family up for a healthy, successful life. Below, cryan.com discusses these factors in more detail and explains why Framingham, MA could be the ideal city!

Affordability

No matter what kind of business you are starting or relocating to, the cost of living in your new city will make a major impact. When housing, groceries, fuel, and other family expenses are astronomical, it makes it hard to grow a company and flourish as a family.

Framingham is within a half-hour drive of Boston. While you will reap the benefits of living close to the iconic city with such a rich business and entrepreneurial community, you will not have to pay the high costs of living that come with living in Boston or other east coast cities like New York or Washington D.C. The average one-bedroom apartment in Framingham is $2,360, and the median home listing price is $510,900.

Entrepreneurial Support

Wherever you choose to move, you will want to research whether or not the community offers support for business owners and entrepreneurs. Framingham is a prime example of a city that loves its businesses. As you go through the challenges of starting or growing your venture, you will benefit from having access to many resources, including:

• Downtown Framingham, Inc.
• Small Business Development Center at Clark University
• MetroWest Chamber of Commerce
• Framingham Business Association
• MetroWest Economic Research Center
• Leadership MetroWest

Living in Framingham

Quality of life is also critical when it comes to choosing where to live. You, your family, and your future employees and customers all stand to benefit from diverse cultures, world-class food, top-notch community events, and kid-friendly parks. Framingham has much to offer in this area. Here are a few examples:

• Garden In the Woods: Native Plant Trust
• Amazing Things Art Center
• Callahan State Park
• Hanson???s Farm
• Framingham Public Library
• Action Athletics
• Chocolate Therapy Birthday Parties
• Plaster Fun Time
• American Heritage Museum

Colleges and Universities

Being surrounded by renowned educational institutions can do wonders for a new or growing business. Even if you have no plans of going back to school to earn a degree, you will benefit from having an excellent talent pool to choose from when there are good colleges and universities near your city. And it doesn???t get much better than the schools in the Framingham area! Here are a few of the many options:

• Framingham State University
• Wellesley College
• Babson College
• Boston College
• Harvard University
• Regis College
• Massachusetts Bay Community College

General Business Tips

If you are starting a company, you have many other things to think about in addition to the city to which you are moving. Get an early start on your business preparation responsibilities so that you can launch on a firm foundation. For example, choose a business structure that will work in your company???s favor. Consider forming an LLC so that you and your business are protected from liability. If you work with a service like Zen Business, you can rest assured that your LLC is established in compliance with state regulations.

You will also need to create a catchy business name that represents your mission, values, and offerings, and then you will need to register it with the state. And of course, you will need to research any licenses and permits you must obtain before opening up shop. If you would like additional tips on getting your business up and running, visit cryan.com to access informational blogs, multimedia, and other entrepreneurial and technology resources!

Choosing a city for your family???s next chapter can be challenging. But if you consider the information and advice above, you can make the process easier and less stressful for everyone in your household. Framingham is a beautiful business-friendly town that has plenty to offer for adults and kids alike!

Would you like to read more helpful content on business, software, and more? Visit cryan.com today!