December 3, 2014 — A Hopkinton social networking members-only facebook group for women only, which is going on 1,000 members at last count,  held a fundraiser last night at the Golden Pond Assisted Living Facility at 50 West Main Street. Above, some of the executive staff of the facility pause for a pose as the evening winds down. The benefit, which was made up of small women-owned businesses, was held for Project Just Because, a Hopkinton-based charity working out of a facility on South Street.

        According to a communication from the group, Real Housewives of Hopkinton, "Married or unmarried, kids or not, moms-to-be or empty-nesters, RHOH are the female Heads of their Household who enjoy this Facebook page for information, conversation and camaraderie. "

         The facebook group is administered by Connie Wright, Patricia Duarte and Darlene Hayes, who is a public relations professional.

        According to Golden Pond's Shelley Ryan, the facility hosted hundreds last night in a turnover of women all night long.

        Below, the upscale dining area was turned into a sort of mini-mall of gift-shopping. 

       

Continuing a tradition that began when she was first elected, Representative Dykema will be holding her quarterly office hours in each of the four towns of the 8th Middlesex District next week.

“Being accessible to constituents was a pledge I made when I was first elected,” said Dykema. “I’ve learned so much from all those who have come to meet with me and I appreciate hearing their thoughts and ideas.”

Residents are encouraged to stop in to the office hours to share concerns, questions and opinions on state issues or simply to chat over a cup of coffee.

As always, if the scheduled office hours are not convenient for you, please call the office at (617) 722-2210 or email her aide at andrea.pessolano@mahouse.gov  to set up a personal appointment either in the district or at the State House.

In Hopkinton:

Monday, December 8, 10:00 – 11:00 am, Hopkinton Public Library, 13 Main St.,

December 12,  2014 — A frenzy preceded the weeks leading up to the 100th running of the BAA Boston Marathon in 1996; people came from all over to visit the Start Line and walk the Downtown.  Above, during the day of the race people were vying for the best view. It is interesting to note that both small businesses pictured above are gone. Anyone who would like to share a photo or video from the last thirty years, please email Editor@HopNews.com.

December 2, 2014 — The Golden Spoon,  long a Hopkinton landmark, will go the way, not of the wrecking ball that is reserved for urban redevelopment, but likely an excavator, which is the preferred method for demolishing two story buildings in the suburbs. A plan to redevelop the property and construct two new buildings was approved by the Planning Board Monday evening. But the hearing was not without its moments.

        The developers have agreed to give to the town enough land for a future right-turn lane onto Lumber Street on the eastbound side of West Main Street, even though theirs is not the lion's share of the projected increase in traffic through that intersection.

         Selectman John Coutinho was in the visitors' gallery and suggested that the developers pay to build a new lane "while the equipment is there," that is to say, during the site development of the property.

        Board member Francis DeYoung, who would cast the lone dissenting vote, insisted that the lane be built on this developer's dime as part of the approval process, but Director of Land use and Planning Elaine Lazarus explained that an intersection needed extensive design work, which had not even begun, and that it involved more than simple grading.

         Paul Mastroianni, owner of 77 West Main Street strip mall and adjacent property was in attendance and locked horns briefly with Planning Board Chairman Ken Weismantel. He spoke up when someone suggested the 280-unit housing development on his property, Hopkinton Mews, would be adding the most traffic to the intersection. Mr. Mastroianni is also building several commercial or retail lots on Lumber Street. He said there was a year-long traffic study of the intersection.

         "It [need for a turning lane] never came up. There is a $1 million mitigation," he said, referring part of the Host Community Agreement between Hopkinton Mews and the town.

          "If the town wants to use the money for it, that's fine," he said.

            Mr. Weismantel disagreed.

           "We've heard from four traffic engineers," he said. "The right-turn lane is needed."

          "They never said it was needed," countered Mr. Mastroianni. 

           Mr. Weismantel concluded, "The person who breaks it, pays for it." 

          Before anything is built, a demolition permit must be issued to tear down the existing structure. The Hopkinton Historical Commission has the authority to impose a 6-month demolition delay if they determine that a building over 75 years-old has some intrinsic value worth saving. That gives interested parties enough time to move a building. However, the building is a series of additions that would not travel well.

            Owner of the property and the Golden Spoon Restaurant, Bill Morgan, said he will relocate his restaurant.

             Please mouse-over the image above to see an overhead drawing of the new plans.        

      Annual Fundraising  Holiday  Performances for  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

November 30, 2014 — This 1973 Cessna out of Wilmington, Delaware cruised over the soccer fields at Fruit Street this afternoon during the soccer Tournament.
     The camera could not zoom close enough to see details of the pilot, but he could be waving to the crowd below. Although it is very difficult to obtain the owner of a car's registration number from the Registry or police, the Federal Aviation Administration is very generous, with an N-Number lookup at www.FAA.gov .

November 30, 2014 — The Fruit Street Fields were packed this afternoon for a soccer tournament that took place despite the snow.
       "The field is [artificial] turf, and so it can be plowed," said one parent. Motor vehicle plates from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine competed with those from Massachusetts for the GPS Tournament.

November 29, 2014 — The former Hopkinton Train Depot, relocated and refurbished a few short years ago, will be open Sunday, stocked with Hopkinton memorabilia to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the 1715 founding of the town. Mouse-over the image above to see the sign, and therefore the hours, more closely. Located by the pond for the Golden Pond Assisted Living Facility, 50 West Main Street.