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24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748  508.435.5534

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More Than Just Legacy Farms

690 units in one Ashland development alone

b y Robert Falcione

March 11, 2008 — Calling the Downtown already a "mess," Legacy Farms traffic consultant Robert Nagi (Above) presented traffic scenarios for now, for the future before any impact from Legacy Farms, and  for after Legacy Farms, at the Planning Board meeting at the Senior Center Monday evening.

      The picture he painted was one of already-to-capacity parking at the Southborough T commuter rail, and a planned 690 combined dwelling units just minutes away by the Ashland T commuter rail; and that is before taking Legacy Farms into consideration.

      Mr. Nagi presented a map, above, with the traffic routes studied in orange, and the intersections studied in teal. He said the Legacy projects would be developed in pods, the first of which would be on the south parcel, and would take five years. He said he expected the north-to-south spine road on the northern parcel to redirect some of the traffic headed for the Downtown, but not kill Downtown.

      He called the crossing of routes 85 and 135 "congested to the point of failure," and likened traffic signal equipment to computers, which are upgraded every 18 months. He said the equipment at that intersection was from 1985.

      Mr. Nagi said that an upgrade of the signaling equipment could reap a 15-20% increase in capacity, especially in the off-peak hours.

      Project abutter, Chris Barry (Photo) said, "The existing conditions and level of service are atrocious there, and you are talking about doubling traffic?"

       Mr. Nagi said that the group, he and FST, which is conducting a peer review for the town, had discussed solutions for the intersection outside of the new signals, but did not discuss any specifics last night. According to a memo from Town Planner Elaine Lazarus to the Board, that information should be available on April 7.

 

Parking Bylaw Changes

     The Planning Board voted, 5-3, to support a complicated bylaw that would allow cross-parking agreements between two property owners that would be based on use, and would be recorded in the deeds. It would force property owners to seek similar businesses if one moves out.

      Some argued that the agreement would be difficult to enforce, others, against the concept itself.

      Board of Appeals Vice-Chair Robert Foster said that the Special Permit should not go with the land. You control it by issuing a Special Permit to the user, not the land, he said.

      Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer said she supported being less land consumptive, but asked if there was a different way of going about the process.

     The Board wants to allow a property that has a use that is daytime intensive, to be able to count the parking as their own, for parking requirement purposes, of a business that is nighttime intensive.

     [For instance if a breakfast and lunch is permitted and fails, the owner would need to find another breakfast and lunch to take its place, or a business with similar hours and parking needs.]

      If the use changes, said Planner Elaine Lazarus. the owner would need to go before the Planning Board for a change in the permit.

      "It's not enforceable," said member Carol DeVeuve.

      The original proposal going into the meeting would have allowed new businesses to count as their own, 20% of their parking requirements from the municipal stock on the street. RJ Dourney moved to strike that part from the proposal after complaints from the public.      

On Your Mark, Get Set...

March 11, 2008 — Dante displays a textbook German shepherd trait, one rear leg behind the other and ready to spring, as Massachusetts State Police K-9 Division Trooper Chris Coscia readies him for a search of the red vehicle that Officer Matthew McNeil, right rear, pulled over on West Main Street late Monday evening.

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Please visit our discussion page

Town Talk Getting Very Busy

 

There has been a lot of discussion over an incident last weekend  on Town Talk. There is room for everyone's opinion, so give it a look, and give your 2 cents. Please be respectful.

Have Pizza with State Senator Karen Spilka!

Bill's Pizza
14 Main Street
Hopkinton
Friday, March 14, 2008, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m
.


Have a conversation with State Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), who is holding an informal office hour for the residents of Hopkinton to discuss issues of importance to them. All constituents are encouraged to stop by and meet the Senator in person, as well as raise any questions, concerns or ideas they may have.

Any resident unable to attend should feel free to contact the Senator's State House office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.

Former Town Clerk Passes

 

Mary B. “Bunnie” Nealon, 89

 

Mary B. “Bunnie” Nealon, 89, of Hopkinton passed away at St. Patrick’s Manor, in Framingham on Monday, March 10, 2008, surrounded by her loving family.
       She was the wife of the late Robert T. Nealon, former Hopkinton Town Counsel and Town Clerk, who died in 1971.
       A lifelong resident of Hopkinton, Mrs. Nealon was born in 1918, one of three children to the late Joseph F. and Anna Clinton Sullivan and the sister of the late Joseph Sullivan and the late Claire Sullivan.
       She was a 1936 graduate of Hopkinton High School and a 1940 graduate of Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. She enjoyed a rewarding and fulfilling career as a teacher and guidance counselor to many students in the Hopkinton school system for many years until her retirement in 1981.
Arrangements Complete

The Wearin' o' the Green

 

 

St. Patrick's Day

at Cornell's

229 Hayden Rowe

 

Join the tradition with Greg Brady playing your favorites on March 17 while enjoying a corned beef and cabbage dinner. OR, if you won't be available, come Sunday, March 16 and enjoy the dinner!

Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Compiled by Eric Montville for HopNews.com, March 10, 2008

Address

Buyer

Price

Date

Seller

9 Connelly Hill Road Andrew Martone & Carolyn Martone $1,099,900 Mar. 05, 2008 Connelly LLC
Previous update:        
337 Wood Street Michael F. McGuirk & Melissa M. Turner $515,000 Mar. 03, 2008 Wing Kuen  Wu, Wing Kit Kwan & May Lam Kwan
22 Granite Street Christopher Miller & Alexis Miller $416,000 Feb. 29, 2008 Countrywide Bank
4 Birchwood Lane Ronnie Beth Silver $285,000 Feb. 29, 2008 Kevin J. O'Connor & Kelley O. O'Connor
4 Lincoln Street Maxine F. Kingsbury $150,000 Feb. 29, 2008 Barry M. Kingsbury & Maxine F. Kingsbury
13 North Street Prabhakaran Makkathai & Vitya Rajasekaran $476,500 Feb. 26, 2008 U.S. Bank National Association
58 Pleasant Street Paul Elder $268,125 Feb. 26, 2008 Michelle L. Rothauser
64 Hayward Street Beneficial Massachusetts Inc. $274,180.29 Feb. 25, 2008 Phillis G. Supernor

See Full List back to February 1,  2007

Link above is renewed each week

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Police News UP-TO-DATE  Today, March 10, 2008

 

9:10 pm A caller from Apple Tree Hill reported a possible attempted breaking and entering...+

 

12:47 am A caller stated that she had a vehicle stopped in the middle of East Street when two males got out and asked her why she was following them...

 

11:09 pm An anonymous caller reported a teenage party going on at a residence on Bull Moose Run.  Sgt. John Porter and Officers Gregg DeBoer and Linda Higgins responded and subsequently arrested 17 teenagers...

 

7:30 am A caller reported that her son's bicycle was stolen while he was at a Main Street business...  Choose link above

I C U

March 9, 2008 — Fourteen year-old Samantha Dandrade shares her close up of a sheep on Pond Street this weekend, its eye like a marble.

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Two's Company

March 9, 2008 — These ducks, Buffleheads, were enjoying having Lake Whitehall to themselves until a photographer saw them pop up to the surface after a dive. Thanks to a reader for correcting a previous identification of the ducks. Several sources identify them as the smallest diving duck in North America. Their sound can be heard here.

DI First Place Winners

March 9, 2008 —These 3rd Grade boys from Elmwood School finished 1st place at Saturday's Destination Imagination Regional Tournament. They competed in the Elementary Level. There were 13 other teams in their category. Their challenge was "Obstacles of Course"! The next step is the State Tournament on April 12 at W.P.I.  Contributed Photo.

From left, Brian Giusti, Andrew Mace, Nick Temple, Mitch Karpe, Nick Mirabile.

Regional Champs

March 9, 2008 — L to R:  Will Griffin, Erin Webb, Heather Holly, Jessica Ruotolo, Madison Abbott.  Not pictured: Jake Glover.Contributed Photo.

Hit or Myth

This Fifth Grade team from Hopkins School came in 3rd place for the Hit or Myth challenge at the elementary level at the Regional Destination Imagination tournament held this weekend at the Middle School.  The team conducted an experiment to prove the existence of the Bermuda Triangle and presented their findings in a presentation that involved a skit, an explanation of their experiment as well as an original song.  The photo is of Brenda Ruotolo co-team manager, Chris Lallier, David Wang, Joseph Ruotolo, Daron Arakelian, Anirudh Kaishuk and Leda Arakelian co-team manager.

Boys 6th grade Rec League basketball champions.

 Front Row - left to right, Zachary Gresham, Mark Senecal, Kyle Bills. Back row, l to r: Bobby Ross, Chris Moberg, Robert Cusanelli, Jack Anastasi and Coach Bob Cusanelli. Missing when photo was taken: Chris Sellman.  Contributed Photo.

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Hopkinton Girl Scouts Donate 2,200 Boxes of Cookies

 

     This was the third year of offering 'Girl Scout Cookies for Our Troops'. It started here in Hopkinton with one troop and has quickly grown.  
     Through a relationship formed with the Hanscom Air Force Base, Hopkinton Girl Scouts have been helping citizens purchase Girl Scout cookies - a little piece of home - for donation to soldiers deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world. The first year of the effort, 80 boxes of cookies were delivered to Hanscom by one Hopkinton troop. Last year with more advertising to our community and interest from other town troops, 5 or 6 Hopkinton Girl Scout troops donated over 800 boxes. With news of the impending delivery, the base responded by having recently returned soldiers available for the scouts to speak with and the opportunity to meet the Colonel! That day was one of the greatest because the scouts  'heard' how much their small effort was appreciated by the soldiers and they really 'saw' what the Girl Scout Slogan 'Do a good turn daily' meant. 

      This year's effort culminated with a delivery of 10,000 boxes from towns all throughout the Southeastern Massachusetts Council. A total of 21 Hopkinton Girl Scout troops participated in the effort this year. Those Hopkinton troops delivered 2200 boxes of cookies (of the total 10,000) to Hanscom AFB on Saturday.  
Nancy Alvarez Burdick -  Junior Girl Scout Leader - Hopkinton Troop 3789

Only Half of the Story

March 9, 2008 — Barbara Kessler kicked off the once-monthly open mic at ESL on 30 Main Street. Only half of the audience can be seen in the photo. The other half was to the left of the camera.

Breach

March 9, 2008 — During the rains last evening water rushing down to West Elm Street couldn't wait to go through the culvert designed for that purpose and instead went over the road.

 

Highway of Water

March 8, 2008 — Water flowing rapidly over a fall north of the Lake Whitehall Dam (Gatehouse is visible in background) will soon find its way to Whitehall Brook, as seen in a previous photo, below.

Seventeen Hopkinton Teens Arrested

Nine HHS Seniors among group at underage party

March 8, 2008 — Late last night, at 11:09 p.m. police responded to 2 Bull Moose Run after a neighbor complained about noise coming from the residence.

      According to Sgt. Michael Sutton, someone inside the home answered the door when the police officer rang the bell, and yelled, "Cops" upon seeing them. Police observed teens scurrying, and saw at least one girl with a beer in her hand. That was more than enough to give the police the right to enter the home and take the teens into custody. According to police sources, a similar event occurred at the same home 15 months ago.

     It was not until three and a half hours later that the last person was processed at Police Headquarters after arrests by Officers Linda Higgins and Gregg DeBoer as well as Sgt. John Porter. Headquarters has a large holding cell about 8'x14' where most of the teens were held during processing.

     Besides the nine seniors who ranged in age from 17 to 18 years-old, five 17 year-olds whose scholastic status is unknown were  charged with Possession of Liquor by a Person Under 21.

      Additionally, 19 year-old Tegan Henderson of Frankland Road and 19 year-old Holly Reichhold-Caruso of 112 Spring Street were similarly charged

       A resident of the home, 17 year-old Kevin Patrick Young, was charged with Possession of Liquor by a Person Under 21, Keeping a Noisy and Disorderly House, and Possession of a Cass D Substance.

       Two juveniles will also be summoned to juvenile court.     

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Whitehall Pond

March 8, 2008 — The sign may say Whitehall Brook, but it looked more like Whitehall Pond earlier today as streams and rivers swelled all over the area.

Islands in the Fog

March 8, 2008 — What looks like an island in a northern lake is actually in the middle of Hopkinton Reservoir during a rainy foggy day today.

Hundreds of Imaginations

March 8, 2008 — Seven year-old Will Abbott purchases a carry-sack at the Middle School this afternoon. Will was one of hundreds of young people taking part in Destination Imagination.

10,000 Boxes of Cookies Donated by Girl Scouts

March 8, 2008 — Today, Girl Scouts donated Cookies donation to the Country's Troops at Hanscom Air Force Base. Over 10,000  boxes of cookies were donated to our men women fighting for the United States of America.  Troop 2995, a 3rd year  Brownie Troop, donated over 600 boxes of cookies themselves. Contributed Photo.

OPEN MIC TONIGHT AT ESL

30 Main Street

 

March 8 Open Mic featuring Barbara Kessler 8:00 pm @ ESL Studio. Tickets are $5.00. Open to the public. Barbara is an award-winning singer-songwriter and recording artist whose songs have been included on numerous song collections such as Rounder's "Big Times in a Small Town," Putamayo's "Women's Work," as well as Sony Playstation's game "Rogue Galaxy." On hiatus from touring since the birth of her second child, her new and old songs are regularly featured on national television.  Students from the school will be performing!  We invite other singer/songwriters to come by!

NOTE: Please check our Calendar each day!

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Thinking of a move to Hopkinton? Want to see more of what the town looks like? Check out our Community Page for links to town organizations, public and private. See our Flash presentation of 136 photos of Hopkinton roll by as you also watch our 9 minute movie of the town. — and much more. If you like what you see, and who wouldn't, call one of our advertisers above for purchase, design, construction, or Title V needs. Live here but have a friend thinking of a home in the area? Please forward this information. Thank you.

HopNess Monster "Sighting"

March 8, 2008 — The photo above of what has been dubbed by a reader as the "HopNess Monster" was sighted today. The first person to email a photo of the "Monster" to HopNews wins $25.00.

"All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"
One more show, Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. HHS Auditorium

March 8, 2008 — Amy Bettina shows off her talents at the High School on Friday night. The group has one more performance scheduled for Saturday, March 8. Photo by Ben Lewis.

Dance the Night Away

March 8, 2008 — These Middle School student took a break from their festivities at the Middle School dance on Friday evening to mug for the HopNews camera. Photo by Ben Lewis.

Current Senior Newsletter Now Online

Choose an icon anytime to read the Full Newsletter

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY


On Monday, Mar. 17 at noon, we will hold our annual St. Pat’s bash with corned beef and cabbage, non-alcoholic beer and Irish entertainment being planned and MCed by Betty Wyckoff. This was a very successful event last year so be sure to sign up early. The cost is $5. (we will have baked
ham for those who don’t care for corned beef)
 

PODIATRY CLINIC


Dr. Cooper will hold the Podiatry Clinic at the Senior Center on Monday, March 24. The cost is $25.00. Please contact the Senior Center to make your appointment. Transportation is available.

ANNUAL TEA


The National Honor Society will present the annual senior citizens’ tea at the High School on Wednesday, March 26 from 3:00 - 4:30. The students put a lot of hard work, effort and love into this very special event. There will be greeters in the school lobby to escort you. Let’s get out there and show them how much it is appreciated. Transportation will be available. Please contact the Senior Center to sign up.
 

LEGACY FARMS


Please join with us at the Senior Center, Wednesday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m., for a presentation of Legacy Farms by project manager Steven Zieff. We all have a lot of questions about the effect on the Town

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Anytown, USA

March 7, 2008 — A familiar scene was repeated early Thursday evening looking northwesterly at the sunset behind the Mobil station from the Golden Spoon, as the red sky and warm lights combined to present a piece of America that weaves corporate and social themes together on a palette of sailors' folk lore.

Brownfield Reclaimed

Hopkinton Firm Designs

 

March 7, 2008 — Gorman Richardson Architects (GRA) has completed Bay State Commons -- 11-buildings, 350,000 square feet of high-end retail and restaurants integrated within the historic downtown of Westborough. The project was planned and built to transform the vacant 56-acre Baystate Abrasives industrial complex into an opportunity to “reinvigorate the town’s center,” said Town Planner Jim Robbins.
     The buildings were designed to recall an old New England mill, with brick and clapboard, and give the impression of buildings built over time. “We wanted a contemporary project in the heart of downtown that mirrors Westborough’s architecture and history,” said Lou Petra, project manager for the owners, Westborough CC LLC. In addition to bringing an estimated 700 full- and part-time jobs to the town and $300,000 in annual tax revenue, the project provides a new 2 ½ acre park, Forbes Memorial Park as well as 42 units of luxury housing, to create a true “lifestyle” center for Westborough.

      Only one block from Westborough’s stunning historic district, Bay State Commons continues that sense of history and community with its distinctive architecture, landscaped boulevards, pedestrian walkways, benches, and information kiosks. Truly a village within a village, the development is also able to offer a unique combination of stores and restaurants.
       A sustainable project, Bay State Commons was built on top of a completely capped Brownfield site, Bricks from the original abrasives factory smokestack were reused in walkways. The project is a return to a semi-urban lifestyle, providing housing and amenities all within walking distance.

Moratorium Petition "De-Certified"

One of ten signatures deemed not proper

Investigation spurred by Town Talk poster

 

March 7, 2008 — Yesterday, the last day to put a citizen's petition on the Town Warrant for the May Town Meeting, Jane Moran submitted a Citizen's Petition to place a building moratorium Article before the Town Meeting voters that sought to freeze building on the proposed Legacy Farms project.

     Mrs. Moran submitted a petition with ten signatures and addresses, the minimum required by law, and no more.

     The petition signature page was rubber-stamped at the Office of the Town Clerk as certified by the Board of Registrars yesterday. However, after several challenges today, many spawned as a result of a posting on the HopNews Town Talk discussion board, the Town Clerk's Office has reversed itself, although as recently as this morning, their position was that the contested voter didn't have to live at his stated address.

    Assistant Town Clerk Maxine Adams writes in a letter to Selectmen, "After checking with Elections Division, I am not able to certify his signature [Shawn M. McDonald] because he listed his address as 27 Downey Street and on our voting list we have him listed at 5 Keeby Road."

     Reached by phone, President of Boulder Capital Roy MacDowell, Jr. said, "That's good news for the town.

     "But if Jane and the group want to get together with us to allay any fears they may have, we'd be happy to accommodate them," he said.

     "They have rights as citizens, and we want to be cooperative and let there be an understanding of what we want to do."

      When informed of the reversal this afternoon, Mrs. Moran said, "Everyone makes mistakes," referring to the incorrect address. The address is a family home, and the Clerk's office said that upon questioning, his mother said he intended to be moved into it.

      When asked if she would pursue a Special Town Meeting Article, one that would require 100 signatures, Mrs. Moran said, "We'll have to see how it goes."

      "That's nice of him," said Mrs. Moran, regarding Mr. MacDowell's olive branch to meet with the group she is a part of, the Hopkinton Citizen's Association. "I look forward to seeing the process through the various boards and committees for the best possible result for Boulder and the town" she said.

NOTE: The contested address was written by the signer as 22 Downey, but it was meant to be 27.

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Thinking of a move to Hopkinton? Want to see more of what the town looks like? Check out our Community Page for links to town organizations, public and private. See our Flash presentation of 136 photos of Hopkinton roll by as you also watch our 9 minute movie of the town. — and much more. If you like what you see, and who wouldn't, call one of our advertisers above for purchase, design, construction, or Title V needs. Live here but have a friend thinking of a home in the area? Please forward this information. Thank you.

RJ Dourney* Featured Guest on The Money Show

with Host Rick Schaffer

 

Topic: Franchising

WTKK 96.9 FM

March 8, 3:00 p.m.

Access Live at 96.9 or streaming archived

 

* RJ Dourney, a Planning Board Vice--Chair and Republican candidate for Selectman, is the owner of Let's Dish and Cosi franchises.

 

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