May 30, 2007 —
Hopkinton Chief of Police Thomas Irvin helps Chief of the Day, Mitchell
Zammitti, age 4, a Sunshine pre-school student, to enjoy trying out the
department's motorcycle as his mom calls for him to look at her camera
today at Police Headquarters.
Walking
Space
May 30, 2007
— Mrs. Lynne Rufo leads her kindergarten class today as they return to
Center School today after an outing to the Police Station.
TPL/Taurus pack bags
Town's
"partner" bows out
by Robert
Falcione
May 30, 2007
— In an eleventh hour move that disappoints its supporters, but
surprises few pundits, TPL
(Trust for Public Land) and Taurus New England have withdrawn from
considering its proposed partnership with the Town of Hopkinton in the
purchase of the Weston Nurseries land.
Here is the letter of notification.
The group had put together an option that would have cost the town a
total of $6.7 million, less $1.5 million from an NStar conservation
restriction purchase. The group had also hoped the town could kick in
another $2 million from Community Preservation funds, which would have
brought the town's cost to only $3.2 million for 420 acres
of land, not much more than the price of only 20 acres of Woodville land purchased a
year ago by the town.
However, last week the CPC (Community Preservation Committee), in a
positive motion to fund the purchase by Henry Kunicki, who voted in the
negative against his own motion, voted in a tie, which brought a
negative result, defeating the approval. Mr. Kunicki claimed at that time
that only he could rewrite the motion
for a revote, and he said he would not do that.
Asked after the announcement today if that vote by the CPC was the final nail on the
coffin, Badge Blackett, Senior Project Manager for TPL replied, "That's
the truth."
"The focus on the fiscal impact stuff drowned out the community impact
stuff, and the town lost the choice between two options.
"The town's got a lot of good people who care about what the town looks
like. Although I have a lot of respect for the process, I'm not happy
with the outcome," Mr. Blackett said.
The big winner today was Boulder Capital, which has the court-approved
purchase and sale with Weston Nurseries. After the announcement today,
President of Boulder, Roy MacDowell said, "Working with Badge Blackett
and TPL — we've got a better plan. He's made our project a better
project."
Now, the only valid option for the town at the Special Town Meeting on
June 11 will be to purchase the entire property or not purchase it.
After the announcement today, Finley Perry (File photo), Chairman of the
LUSC (Land Use Study
Committee) said, "Taurus and TPL did the community a grand service
by offering an alternative to the deal we had; but the Boulder deal is
now better than the one we would have had.
"I think TPL was instrumental in getting that done for us," he said.
LUSC member Liisa Jackson (File photo) said after the announcement, "I'm
very disappointed that the voters don't have that option. But there are
people in the HOPE group interested in buying it all." Ms. Jackson has
has been the public face of the group HOPE (Hopkintonians Organized to
Preserve and Enhance), which has held meetings in an attempt to
have some influence over the sale since
its formation on 2005.
At last night's Selectmen's meeting, abutter Chris Barry said he would
lead an effort for the town to purchase the property in its entirety. He
could not be reached for comment this evening.
HOPKINTON
GRADS OF 1987 WHERE ARE YOU??
Local classmates for the Class of 1987 are
trying to put together a 20th High School Reunion and trying
to locate fellow classmates. If you are a classmate or are a
parent of a classmate who graduated from Hopkinton High
School in 1987, please contact Lisa Martin at 508-435-4874
with any information or email information to us at
hhs20threunion@yahoo.com.
See Boulder Capital's
Power Point presentation that they gave at the Selectmen's Tuesday
night now in Adobe Acrobat format.
Framingham Teen's
Services in Hopkinton
FRAMINGHAM -
Brian
D. Kerr, 16,
of Framingham, died Sunday, May 27,
2007, at Milford Regional Medical
Center.
Born in
Framingham, he was the son of James
M. and Donna J. (McNabb) Kerr of
Framingham.
He was a sophomore at Framingham
High School, where he was a member
of the football team. He also
competed in the town boxing league
in Framingham.
Besides his parents, he leaves his
sisters, Shannon and Michelle Kerr,
both of Framingham; his maternal
grandparents, Brent and Theresa
McNabb of Framingham; his aunts and
uncles, Danny Kerr of Framingham,
Billy Kerr of Arizona, Bob Kerr of
New Hampshire, Patricia Brady and
Danielle Bittle, both of New
Hampshire, David McNabb of
Framingham, Debbie Johnston of
Milford, Diane McNabb of Mendon,
Patty Gerber of Marlborough; and
many cousins.
He was the nephew of the late Brian
McNabb.
A memorial
service will take place Friday, June
1, at 1 p.m., at First
Congregational Church of Hopkinton,
146 E. Main St., Hopkinton.
Visiting
hours are Thursday, May 31, from 3
to 7 p.m., at First Congregational
Church in Hopkinton.
Instead of flowers, expressions of
sympathy in Brian's memory may be
made to Buddy Dog Humane Society
Inc., 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury,
MA 01776; or Framingham Youth
Football, P.O. Box 2571, Framingham,
MA 01703.
Funeral
arrangements are under the direction
of the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech
St. (corner of Union Avenue),
Framingham.
Taurus/TPL
a No-show at Selectmen's Meeting
Group
misses scheduled presentation
Abutter
wants town to purchase the land
by Robert
Falcione
May 30, 2007
— Boulder Capital, the group that has a Purchase and Sale for Weston
Nurseries' property, was the only one of two scheduled presenters that
showed up at the Board of Selectmen's meeting to offer their proposals.
TPL (Trust for Public Land) and Taurus New England, who the town asked
to partner with it, was also on the agenda, but reportedly called to
cancel ten minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting.
According to a letter sent to all boards and committees today by
Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer, the group was expected to present a
"restructured deal" to the town. However, the new proposal is expected
to be turned in today. Photo, Boulder President Roy MacDowell,
center, with two members of his team.
The LUSC (Land Use Study Committee) is scheduled to vote a
recommendation to the selectmen at a 5:00 pm June 4, 2007 meeting, and
has set today, May 30, as their deadline for information to be
considered for that vote.
At that June 4 meeting, the LUSC is expected to offer a side by side
presentation of the plan offered by the town's partner, TPL/Taurus, and
a proposal by Boulder Capital. Although it was reported today that TPL/Taurus
is coming back with a sweeter plan, Roy MacDowell of Boulder said that
theirs would remain the same. Boulder has set their cap at 940 units,
and has informed the town in writing of their intentions, although their
Purchase and Sale Agreement encourages escalating bonuses for the
sellers of up $8 million if Boulder can build up to 1,700 units. Here is
Boulder Capital's latest proposal in a
Power Point presentation.
In answer to a question regarding that agreement at last week's meeting,
Mr. MacDowell replied, “Since that agreement was signed, we’ve made
several changes,” He has since sent a letter promising to cap his
development at 940 units.
The voters at the June 11 Special Town Meeting will
have two main choices regarding Weston Nurseries, and one of them will
not be Boulder Capital's plan. If Town Meeting chooses notto exercise its 61a rights to purchase the property, and
the voters opt not to assign those rights and
partner with Taurus New England, then the consequence of those actions
will be that Boulder Capital will proceed with its planned purchase, and
the town's role will be over, until the planning and permitting
processes. There is no separate vote for
Boulder on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Mrs. Kramer made a point to
try to step up the information campaign for residents in the coming
days.
But even though Boulder has no formal action before the town, it is a
testament to their hard work and professional presentations and
marketing skills that all boards and committees weighing in to date to
the Selectmen have either said they did not have enough information, or
that they did not want the town to
exercise its 61a rights, the latter giving it to Boulder by default. Not
one has yet to choose the Taurus plan. The Planning Board even stated
specifically that they preferred Boulder. But if one resident gets his way, the town
will purchase the land.
Mr. Chris Barry (Photo), a resident of Clinton Street, said he is
literally surrounded by Weston Nurseries property and wants to get a
campaign going for the town to purchase the land in its entirety.
Referring to a scenic photo that is the cover of the Boulder
presentation, a photo of the former Busconi Farm on Clinton Street, he
told the Selectmen that he sees that every morning when he gets up.
"People have expressed an interest in the buy-it-all option," he said,
outside of the Selectmen's Hearing Room, "and they are looking for
a point person.
"I feel I need to do something. Abdicating our responsibility as
citizens is irresponsible. The traffic is going to be overwhelming.
"For a dollar a day the citizens of this town can take control of this
situation," he said.
No one has presented the buy-it-all option to the town.
KRAMER, MARJORIE M. (nee Laubacher) May
27, 2007, age 79, Beloved wife of Earl E Kramer; Loving mother of Kandis
L. (Walter) Meinel, Cynthia L. (John) Abdo and Randall S. (Muriel)
Kramer; Cherished grandmother of 9 grandchildren. The family will be
present to receive friends on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at
the (Tonawanda Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 2600 Sheridan Dr.,
where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:15 AM and from St.
Amelia Church, 2999 Eggert Rd. at 12 PM. Online guest registry at
www.Amigone.com
Looking Down
the Barrel
May 29, 2007
— Veterans Pete Macgregor and Dick Pockwinse traveled in Mr. Pockwinse's
WWII Jeep, complete with 30 caliber air-powered canon during the
Memorial Day celebrations on Monday.
May 30th - Library Closing for a Day
A
new circulation desk, funded by the Friends of the Library will be
delivered and installed on May 30th. Due to this major reconstruction
effort, the library will be closed on Wednesday, May
30th.
Red
Team Wins
Winning Pitchers Baseball Academy had its 3rd annual Memorial Day
Tournament this weekend. The red team won the championship in overtime!
They played 8 innings and they won after Jake Lehman hit a two run homer
in the bottom of the eighth to win 8-6!
Winning Pitchers
which is located in Framingham and coaches boys of all ages in pitching,
hitting and strength training.
Fun was had by all- the boys can't wait until next year!
Back row from
left to right: Grant Olson, Alec Mazursky, Craig Levergood, Brian Kirk,
Charlie Clements, Jake Lehman. Front row from left to right: Joshua
Ufland, Luke Serra, Zachary Gresham, Sean Hill, Matty Barnes and Andrew
Shatz.
Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton,
Massachusetts
Compiled
by Eric Montville for HopNews.com updated May 28, 2007
11:04 pm
There were several 911 calls for a disturbance on Lake
Maspenock. A woman was reported crying and a male was
yelling at another male, threatening to kill him...
1:38 am
Officer Timothy Brennan stopped a vehicle on Norcross Road and
subsequently arrested an 18 year old male from Hopkinton and
charge him with Person Under 21 Possession of Liquor and Keep
Noisy and Disorderly House...
4:00 pm There were several calls for
a head on collision on West Main Street.
Officers Gregg DeBoer and Matthew McNeil responded and advised
that it was a truck towing a boat and a pick up truck...
3:43 pm A caller reported nearly
hitting a dirt bike on Downey Street. The caller stated
that the dirt bike rides around the area all the time on the
roads...
Read More:Today,
May 28, 2007
In
Memory of...
May
28, 2007 — Selectman Mike Shepard accompanies a Boy Scout in
laying a wreath at the Veterans' Memorial at the Evergreen
Cemetery in Woodville during the Memorial Day ceremony today.
May
28, 2007 — Officer Linda Higgins shares a laugh with veteran
Pete MacGregor following the ceremony at Evergreen this morning.
Scavenger Hunt Canceled
In light of
the tragedy in Milford yesterday, we find it prudent to cancel
the scavenger hunt for the $10 bill.
Interest in
participation in the event by minors has put the event in a new
light. We'll give the $50 away some other way.
Teen
Dies in Milford Quarry
May 28,
2007 —According to public safety officials, a sixteen year-old
Framingham boy, Brian Kerr, was killed when he feel off of the
top of a quarry behind the Shadowbrook Condominiums in Milford.
The area is legendary with the under 30 crowd who come from a
large radius to take advantage of its daredevil jumps, such as
"Superman." The area is not public, is very dangerous, and is
not legal to swim or trespass.
Hopkinton firefighters also joined Milford in the rescue effort.
Milford Chief of Police Thomas O'Loughlin said that the boy had
slipped and lost his footing, tried unsuccessfully to grab a
limb, and fell thirty feet, hitting his head.
May 28,
2007 — In this 3-second exposure in the moonlit but black night,
the white spot near the opposite shore is actually an impression
from a moving motorboat, and the lit tree trunks on the opposite
shore are lit from the Firefighter's flashlight. The boat was
moving to quickly to make an impression on the camera's sensor.
Police responded to several calls for gunshots, an argument, and
a woman screaming on Lake Maspenock shortly before 11:00 pm. One
neighbor said it could have been the sound of an oar against the
side of an aluminum boat. It is believed that the boat missing
in this photo is the one that the complaints were made about.
Police and Firefighters were deployed in a rescue boat, and
several police were on the roads in the area responding to
sightings of the boat, while several firefighters stayed on
shore with a complement of trucks and equipment. The group
cleared 90 minutes after launching without finding the elusive
noise makers.
Out to Launch
May 28,
2007 —
Firefighters and police launch the rescue boat at Sandy Island
with the help of Fire Chief Gary Daugherty shortly after 11:00pm
on Sunday night.
Survivors
May
27, 2007 — Above, cancer survivors took a victory lap around the
HS track on Friday evening during the Relay For Life that raised
over $100,000. Photo by Connie Wright.
Memorial Day Ceremonies ~
Hopkinton , Massachusetts
Monday May 28, 2007
Master of Ceremonies:
Suzanne Whalen
Readings: Lauren Shultz
and Allie Panetta
9:45 AM Evergreen Cemetery, Woodville
10:30 AM King Memorial Flagpole, Mayhew St.
10:45 AM St. John's Cemetery
11:00 AM Soldiers' Mound. Mt. Auburn Cemetery
11:30 AM March to Memorial Gazebo at Town Common
Speakers at the Gazebo: Mike Shepard and Colonel
Malcolm S. Burr,II -Natick SRDEC
12:00 PM Singing of the National Anthem & Raising of the
Flag
Following the Program, please join us for light refreshments
at the St. John's Parish Center on Church Street. ~
Hopkinton Veterans' Committee.
Editor's Note:
Want to print the itinerary above and bring it with you? One
of the questions we hear repeated often is, "When I go to
print, it goes on forever, and I only want to print one
story from the front page." Please read on:
Want to print some or all of the
information in the
itinerary above?
PRINTING TIPS:
Step 1. Select the text you want to print by clicking the
left mouse button and dragging it across the text.
Step 2. Choose File/Print on the browser's menu bar to open
the Print Dialogue box.
Step 3. In the "Print Range" area of the dialogue box,
select the "Selection" radio button.
Step 4. Choose "Print." Just be sure you have a valid
printer as the default.
Ray
of the gods
May
27, 2007 — Patrolman Timothy Brennan uses the radar gun on
Saturday at an intersection that gives him a line of sight at
three different directions of oncoming traffic.
Many sources credit Vannevar Bush, one of the founders of
Raytheon ("Ray of the gods"), with the perfection of radar
technology. He is also credited with the concept of memex,
an inspiration for html, the language of world wide web
browsers.
Hopkinton Springs Hotel and Resort
by Gail
Clifford
Hopkinton Springs was one of
the earliest summer resorts in the Hopkinton area. In 1816, Mr.
Joel Norcross discovered several springs on his land on what is
now Spring Street. He had the water tested by a Boston doctor,
and found that the water was heavily mineralized with magnesium,
iron and sulfur. Soaking in such springs for health reasons was
a desirable and fashionable commodity in those days, and he
decided to capitalize. He built and opened a hotel near the
springs and advertised benefits for both health and pleasure.
Clients came from
Boston,
Worcester, and other areas around, at first by stage, then by
train when the Boston/Worcester Railroad opened in 1834. The
Westborough stop was only about 3 miles away.
Access by rail sharply
increased the number of clients, and, joined by his son Josiah,
Mr. Norcross enlarged the hotel and made many improvements. A 25
foot bathhouse was built near the most popular spring, and the
water was heated with a system of flues and conduits.
About 1836, a company of investors was formed for the purpose of
building a new and larger hotel on the property. This was to be
a four-story building with attic and basement. The first floor
would be the common rooms, parlor and dining area. The top three
floors would be the sleeping rooms and apartments. The kitchen,
laundry, and storerooms would be in the basement. The new hotel
would be 100 feet by 50 feet, with an ell of 90 feet by 48 feet.
The old hotel would be kept as an overflow, for invalids, and
others wanting the peace and quiet of a smaller area, as well as
those that just could not afford the new hotel’s rates. The
Hopkinton Springs Company was incorporated in April of 1837.
However, 1837 was a year of national financial panic leading to
about 5 years of economic depression. The company never got off
the ground, and the new hotel was never built.
Mr. Norcross continued receiving guests at the old hotel
until1859. He closed the resort that fall, and never reopened in
the spring. He was ill and his wife had passed away, so he sold
the business and moved to Westborough. The new owner did nothing
to the property, and shortly thereafter the hotel burned down.
The bathhouse and other out buildings were sold and moved
elsewhere. Nowadays, the site of the springs is easily reached
by a short trail from the cul-de-sac on Lyford Street off of
Spring Street. Some stonework remains, but the hydrology has
changed and although the area has wetlands, the springs are no
longer visible.
May 26,
2007 — Sorry, you must be 18 to win. There is a ten dollar bill
hidden in this area with some specific writing on it. The last
hint is this:
Third row, third stone.
That is the location of the bill. Call the office to arrange to
deliver it, and you'll get another $50. from HopNews. Where is
the location?
We'll continue to give hints until someone wins.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
May
26, 2007 — Some call it the Paupers' Cemetery, some call it the
Irish Cemetery, but it appears by the looks of the understated
signage that is called the Old Cemetery. Regardless, its
veterans have been remembered this Memorial Day, like the one in
the center horizon, where the flag can be seen. It is held by a
U. S. Veteran medallion.
ASHLAND -
Russell T. Brooke, 69, died
Thursday, May 24 at Metrowest Medical Center, Framingham. Born
in Boston, he was the son of the late Robert and Edna (Hunt)
Brooke. He was a 1955 graduate of Natick High School and served
as an airman in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the
Ashland American Legion and the Rochester NH Elks.
Arrangements complete
Relay for
Life Organizers
May
26, 2007 — Relay for Life organizers Luke Fraser and Carly Boyce
explain what their event is all about.
Relay For Life Triples Fundraising Goal
Above, Cadyn Boyce leads a group of her sisters and others hop
scotching around the luminarias that were set up to honor
survivors and victims of cancer.
May
26, 2007 — Groups of teams pooled their efforts Friday night at
the Relay For Life event at the Middle School field and the
varsity track to raise over $100,000 to help with cancer
research. The overnight event was attended by survivors,
families of survivors and victims, and other who used the event
to have a positive time and help others. HopNews will upload
a video of student organizers Luke Fraser and Carly Boyce Sat
am.
Chairman Clarifies
Dear
Editor:
In your article on the Weston Nurseries issue that appeared
today in HopNews, you write that
the Community Preservation Committee "was expected to vote
to kick in $1 million, triggering a $1 million match from
the State." Your wording seems to imply that a match from
the State would be forthcoming only if the CPC voted in
favor. CPC funding does not work this way. Each year the
State matches the Town's Community Preservation Act tax
contribution and the amount accumulates into the CPC funds.
So, your statement was inaccurate in implying that a vote of
the CPC would "trigger" State funding. We have not lost any
State funding by voting against the use of CPC funds for
acquiring the Weston Nurseries property.
Click here to make HopNews your default
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(Trust for Public Land) and Taurus New England have withdrawn from
considering its proposed partnership with the Town of Hopkinton in the
purchase of the Weston Nurseries land.
for a revote, and he said he would not do that.
Committee) said, "Taurus and TPL did the community a grand service
by offering an alternative to the deal we had; but the Boulder deal is
now better than the one we would have had.
exercise its 61a rights, the latter giving it to Boulder by default. Not
one has yet to choose the Taurus plan. The Planning Board even stated
specifically that they preferred Boulder. But if one resident gets his way, the town
will purchase the land.
Red
Team Wins
Scavenger Hunt Canceled
Boston,
Worcester, and other areas around, at first by stage, then by
train when the Boston/Worcester Railroad opened in 1834. The
Westborough stop was only about 3 miles away.
