Sean Silk stresses 'nuts and bolts' issues in bid for Framingham City Council seat

FRAMINGHAM — With a stated focus on "nuts and bolts" issues, Sean Silk is seeking his first elected position in Framingham as he vies for the District 2 City Council seat in Tuesday's city election.

"I have watched Framingham politics for a while, and Framingham government, and I want to make sure we are making good decisions for the future," Silk said in an interview. "I see a need for strategic planning, I see a need for more local voices involved in government decision-making, and I feel like I can represent the people in District 2 well and have their voices heard."

Silk is running against Brandon Ward, another first-time City Council candidate. The seat is open after incumbent Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term.

'Need younger voices': Cesar Stewart-Morales says he will not seek third term on City Council

A Navy veteran, Silk moved to Framingham in 2004. His professional background is in mechanical engineering and accounting.

In 2016, he launched a family business, Silk Veterinary Hospital in Wayland, alongside his wife Marion, who is a veterinarian.

Silk has never held an elected position in the city. But he has volunteered in several capacities, from serving as a flag football coach for his children to working with The Oaks Neighborhood Association.

Silk said his status as one who has never held an elected position would be a benefit to the council, as he would not be bogged down by old rivalries and disputes.

'I bring a new perspective': Leslie White Harvey challenges John Stefanini in District 8

"I think sometimes in Framingham, the old issues get in the way of progress," he said. "I don't want to see that happen. I want everyone to work together, to move us forward, as opposed to being stuck in the past on issues that have some deep roots. You hear it a lot, the old Town Meeting fights show up in new issues. It's really hard when you just want to solve something like the traffic problem outside and you are hearing about these old issues that keep getting brought up."

Platform focuses on strategic planning, traffic mitigation

If elected, Silk said his primary goal is encouraging better long-term, proactive planning that fits his district and Framingham in general.

"I think we are really behind in regards to economic development and strategic planning — those are the two really big things that I want the city to focus on," he said. "Our zoning needs to be improved. These aren't the sexy subjects but they are the things that need to get done."

Silk cited an example from 2010, when a concrete batching plant was proposed to be built on Old Connecticut Path. But Silk, along with some neighbors, worked on a campaign to oppose the plant, and it ended up not getting built.

More: Framingham's John Stefanini is seeking another term as District 8 city councilor

"We are in a manufacturing district, based on the old history that this area was used for," Silk said. "We were zoned for the batching plant, but we really shouldn't have that in a neighborhood that is primarily residential at this point. I think well-managed cities have a firm plan for how they want their neighborhoods to look."

Silk also said he's interested in solving traffic issues. He cited an example outside the Saxonville Mills, where Concord, Elm and Central streets all converge.

"Everybody who has driven that says it is dangerous," Silk said. "The cars stop and they have to cross multiple lanes (to go left from Central Street to Elm Street). There have been multiple accidents, and we shouldn't have to wait until someone gets seriously hurt before it is corrected."

Silk also said he wants to address Framingham's high cost of living, as well as trying to keep its residential tax rate manageable.

"I'm not opposed to higher taxes, as long as you are doing good things with the money and are spending efficiently," he said. "But if we are investing in things just to tear them up in three years, we are not really using our tax dollars wisely."

Election Day is Nov. 7. Polls will be open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m. Voters in District 2 will cast ballots at either the Walsh Middle School (Precincts 25-26), 301 Brook St. or the King Elementary School (Precinct 27), 454 Water St.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham City Council candidate Sean Silk touts long-term planning