Dear Editor,
I am writing as a private resident to express my support for Article 38—the acceptance of Auciello Drive at Town Meeting. While I serve on the Planning Board, I offer this perspective solely in my individual capacity and have recused myself from any official discussions on this matter.
This issue comes down to long-term stability for both the Town and its residents. Auciello Drive has functioned as part of Hopkinton’s roadway network for many years, and residents have historically received services such as snow plowing. The recent change has created uncertainty, and restoring plowing now requires formal acceptance of the road. This request is not without precedent. The Town has accepted private roads in the past, including some in comparable or worse condition. Auciello Drive appears consistent with those examples and with other roadway matters under consideration this year.
More broadly, roads that begin as private can, over time, function as part of the Town’s infrastructure. Formal acceptance in these cases provides clarity, consistency, and a predictable approach to maintenance and service delivery. Leaving roads in an uncertain status after years of partial Town support can create challenges for both residents and the Town, including increased risk and potentially higher costs over time.
For these reasons, I respectfully support Article 38 and the acceptance of Auciello Drive. Thank you for your consideration.
Vikasith Pratty
Why are we accepting what was supposed to be a private drive as a town road? As I recall, when the “road” was created it was just for a family to all live together and it had to have a special subdivision approval to allow that along with statements that this is not intended to be or evolve into a true subdivision and no further requirements would be made nor would be asked for the granting of this exceptional circumstance in the name of family harmony so some conditions were put in place. Now its been expanded into a subdivision (not sure how/when that happened) and now we are allowing more operational creep to have the road accepted by the town with it being brought up to requirements at tax payer expense? Why?