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Girl Scouts Help Other Girls
June 14, 2007 — Members of Girl Scout 2232 spent the profits form cookie sales to purchase books to donate to the library. The series of books from American Girl that they did not have. "It is really good practical advice for girls," said leader, Ann Stauss. |
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WESTON NURSERIES PRIMER
by Muriel Kramer, Chair, Board of Selectmen When land that has been granted
tax relief by the town under the provisions of MGL Ch 61A is being sold,
the town receives notice from the seller and then the town has the right
of first refusal to purchase the property. The town has 120 days to make
their decision; the decision is made by the Board of Selectmen after a
Public Hearing on the question. The Public Hearing on the
Weston Nurseries Property is Thursday night, June 14th, at 7PM in the
Field House; it will NOT close that evening. The Public Hearing will be
reconvened on June 19th, Tuesday night at 7PM in the
Middle School Auditorium.
The Board of Selectmen will take their formal vote on whether to waive
or exercise the town’s right of first refusal on the 19th. It is
necessary to have a majority of the BOS members present at the Hearing
vote favorably on a motion to exercise the town’s rights under the
statute to trigger that action. The Timeline was put in place
to insure the public’s access to the process and the details as much as
possible. The timeline of events included four opportunities for the
public’s (in person or televised) access to the options; at the time the
timeline was put in place those options were Boulder’s Purchase and
development option or The Trust for Public Land’s partnership option. At
the time the public meetings were held and televised, no one had stepped
forward with a buy it all option, By the time Town Meeting was held, TPL
had backed out and a ‘buy it all” option was in the works. In this case, there is an
additional layer of complexity due to the bankruptcy proceeding and
subsequent ruling. Because of a carefully crafted and detailed Purchase
and Sale agreement between Boulder Capital and Weston Nurseries, the
Board of Selectmen planned the Public Hearing to open after the STM and
reconvene to conclude after the ballot; the intention was to insure that
the funding votes were settled prior to the Board considering the
question on behalf of the town to exercise, waive, or (at the time)
transfer to TPL the rights under Ch. 61A. The BOS could have chosen to
hold the Public Hearing, make the decision and then go to STM and the
ballot if necessary. This would have been an unnecessarily risky
approach if the Board’s vote was to exercise the rights especially given
the large borrowing involved and the complex legal decision from the
Bankruptcy proceeding. The Board intentionally planned for the
appropriating votes to take place prior to the BOS vote. Input from the Boards (typical
in a Ch 61A decision process) indicate that no Board or Committee
recommends exercising the rights and buying the property; this includes
the vote of the LUSC, a committee formed to deal with this question
specifically. |
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James D. (Jim) Cooprider, 72
Oklahoma City, OK - James D. (Jim) Cooprider, 72,
died at home June 10, 2007, after a courageous struggle with post-polio
syndrome. |
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Unbiased Advice for Voters
I would encourage all who vote on Monday to read this report Revised Fiscal Impacts. The Town hired Community Opportunities Group as an independent consultant to conduct this analysis. This is a completely unbiased view of the fiscal impacts of the development of this land, and it lays out all the assumptions that were made. Please note that the facts and figures represented in this report are only estimates based on assumptions. As I indicated at TM, actual impacts cannot be determined until a Definitive Plan is submitted and approved by the Town Boards.
Mark Abate Chairman, Planning Board |
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Thursday, June 14, 2007 • Selectmen Public Hearing • 7:00 pm High School Field House Following are links to the presentation that Boulder Capital gave to the omnibus meeting of town boards and committees, and the report by Judi Barrett of Community Opportunities Group for the town. Advocate of the Buy-all, H.O.P.E. has not made its presentation available. Boulder Capital Presentation • Fiscal Impacts of Land Use Change • (NEW! PowerPoint) Buy-it-all presentations • Boulder Fiscal Analysis (NEW!Movie) • Revised Fiscal Impacts •
Monday, June 18, 2007 • Election at Middle School polling place The following question deals with the Weston Nurseries land purchase: QUESTION 1
Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the
provisions of Proposition Two and One-Half, so-called, the amounts
required to pay for the bond issued for the purpose of acquiring for
general municipal purposes all or a portion of the land or an interest
in land with the buildings thereon in the Town of Hopkinton,
Massachusetts in fee simple or in such manner as the Town deems
appropriate, owned by various parties in interest believed to be Mezitt
Agricultural Corporation, Weston Nurseries, Inc., Roger N. Mezitt,
Merylyn J. Mezitt, R. Wayne Mezitt, Elizabeth Mezitt, Peter Mezitt and
Karen Mezitt (“Sellers”) and containing approximately 705 acres, more or
less and described in Notice Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 61A, Section 14 of Intention to Sell Land Taxed as Agricultural
Land for Residential and Other Non-Agricultural Uses, dated February 23,
2007 which land is subject to the Town’s first refusal option as
described in G.L.c. 61A, as amended (“the “61A Property”). The 61A
Property is shown on a plan identified as “Exhibit Plan,
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 • Selectmen Public Hearing Continued • Selectmen will vote to purchase or not to purchase • 7:00 pm High School Field House |
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Mark J. Flaherty Jr., 66, died at his home Monday, June 11, 2007. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Mark J. and Thelma (Strong) Flaherty Sr. He was the husband of Nancy Flaherty for 45 years. A resident of Hopkinton for 34 years, he was formerly of Dorchester. He was a 1958 graduate of Cathedral High School, Boston and a 1960 and 1973 graduate of Bentley College, Waltham where he received a BS in accounting. Arrangements Complete |
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Updated
Fatal Rollover Crash on Route 24
North in Driver not wearing safety belt ejected and killed
Preliminary
investigation by Trooper Jeff Whitehead indicates
35-year-old Ayanna N. Ruffin of
The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (C.A.R.S.) and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Bridgewater Fire Department and personnel from MassHighways assisted troopers at the scene.
During the investigation and vehicle removal, the left and middle travel lanes of Route 24 North, the ramps from Route 495 North and South to Route 24 North, and the ramps from Route 104 North and South to Route 24 North were closed for approximately 2 hours. |
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Board of Appeals Meeting Exxon Gets Okay for Propane Heating oil and cell tower in residential neighborhoods pondered
by Robert Falcione June 14, 2007 — Jerry Lazzaro of Hopkinton Exxon was granted a variance by the Board of Appeals last night, after which Board member Wayne Davies half-jokingly asked Mr. Lazzaro if this meant he would drop his lawsuit against the town. The lawsuit had to do with the cease and desist that was issued to the Exxon against the sale of propane, something that had been specifically prohibited in its special permit, but which the company had done for about eleven years after being granted a license to do so by the Board of Selectmen. A zoning bylaw was recently enacted, inspired by this case, that allows the sale of propane as an accessory use. Photo, Jerry Lazzaro with brother Neil on his right, and Attorney Thomas Nealon on his left. Heating Oil Partners (The Alliance Express), which had a cease and desist order issued in March, apparently after complaints by neighbors, did not fare as well. The property, which had been used for decades as an oil storage facility and loading platform by Terry Oil and Coan Oil, appeared to have become a truck terminal in recent years, with many diesel trucks garaged overnight, and idling to warm up very early each morning. Although the spokesman for the company said that the issues with the neighbors had been resolved, the Board felt other matters were important as well. "I am waiting for a clear understanding of the grandfathering," said Mr. Davies. Grandfathering is a term generally used to describe a condition that existed before a zoning law was enacted. The company is claiming that their uses of the property pre-existed the enactment of zoning laws in the 1950's in Hopkinton. But at a previous meeting, neighbors complained that the property and its use had been expanded to include the storage of trucks overnight. The company was purchased from Terry Oil, which used to store their trucks overnight at their Main Street property, which apparently is not owned by the new company.
Mr. Davies, in asking the company to produce all of its permits said,
"We don't know if you are lawfully in existence in the Water Resource
Overlay Protection District." The appeal was continued. Omnipoint Communications/T-Mobile met stiff opposition from neighbors to its plan to locate a wireless communications tower that could hold up to five co-located antennas at 75 West Elm Street in a residential neighborhood that is zoned agricultural. The representative from that company claimed that the commercial tower would be a replacement of the one that exists today. However, the existing tower is an amateur ham radio tower, and would need to come down before the new one, which would be a commercial tower, is erected, a point that was not lost on the residents who packed the hearing room, or the Board of Appeals. The company was asked to come back another time, and in the meantime, investigate another site for their tower. |
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First Day
June 14, 2007 — Fire Chief Gary Daugherty looked the part yesterday, his first day on the job as Acting Town Manager after being appointed by the Selectmen the evening before. |
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Mrs. Porter Retires
June 14, 2007 — Mrs. Ellie Porter made her final official trip to the Senior Housing with her fifth grade class yesterday after 25 years of doing so. Mrs. Porter, who is retiring from teaching after 34 years in the profession, brought sand dollars back from Marco Island and had her students decoupage them and present them as gifts to the seniors. When asked her favorite moment, she said, "When you finally see that they have it, that they've gotten it. "And it's great when they come back to visit, or they stop you in the store, or some foreign country to say hello," she said. |
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Suffolk
Construction Hires Jim Stukel of Hopkinton as
“These important sectors are experiencing significant growth right now, so it is critical that we have the industry’s most knowledgeable construction professionals in place to service clients in these markets,” said John Fish, CEO, Suffolk Construction. “Jim’s strong relationships and wealth of experience will make him an ideal fit to manage our new group. We’re very excited to welcome him to the Suffolk team.”
Mr. Stukel is responsible for setting the business direction and strategy for Suffolk’s new group. He also provides leadership in the areas of fiscal performance, client development, people development, subcontractor relationship management, client service and client satisfaction.
Mr. Stukel joins
Suffolk from Shawmut Design & Construction where he worked for nine
years, most recently serving as Vice President of the Corporate Group.
Prior to his career at Shawmut, Mr. Stukel worked for Turner
Construction Company from 1984 through 1998. During his tenure at
Turner, he progressed through many assignments including project
superintendent, project management, purchasing, estimating and business
development. As a Project Executive, Mr. Stukel played a leadership
role in the company’s New York City office and the Chicago office. |
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PAPERWORK NIGHT JUNE 26th.
For more information, please visit www.raiderfootball.org |
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Marguerite M. Moran, 87, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at St.Patrick's Manor, Framingham. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Agnes (O'Toole) Merchant. She was a 1936 graduate of Framingham High School and served in WWII in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist's Mate Third Class and an Apprentice Seaman. She was employed for many years as a secretary in the Hopkinton school system. Arrangements Complete. |
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FAMILY SWIM CLUB OPEN HOUSE
Facilities Include: 2 outdoor pools, playground, tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, hiking trails and playing fields. View the brochure and pricing online, click on Hopkinton Programs. For more info call the MetroWest YMCA Hopkinton, at 508-435-9345 www.metrowestycmca.org MetroWest YMCA, 45 East Street Hopkinton, MA |
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Want to Purchase Weston Nurseries? Buy it Yourself Editor:
Concerning your reporting that the Selectman are considering another Special Town Meeting for the Weston Nurseries property, I find it disconcerting that I just spent 4 hours waiting to vote against this purchase, most of this time listening to the proponents of the purchase, and may need to do it all over again. Town meeting votes are never perfect, but this is our system and we should abide by the result. If there is another meeting to vote, I urge what I believe to be the silent majority to come and vote against this unwise purchase. FULL LETTER |
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The Lions Club is recycling . . . again
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HOPKINTON’S ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE New Location
There is a need for baby and children’s clothing and items for the
rummage sale to be held at the
Donations of baby, children’s and adult clothes, furniture, small
appliances and household items are needed. We are not able to take
couches, beds, computers, televisions or anything with Freon. If in
doubt about a donation, please contact the
Donations may be dropped off at the Hopkinton residents have a history of being generous and helping good causes. Thank you for any support for this project. ~ Cindy Chesmore |
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Rocky Woods Road (Off Rte 135 - Hopkinton) |
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Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts Most recent first, updated June 13, 2007 Compiled by Eric Montville for HopNews.com
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Winning Foursome
June 13, 2007 -- Winners of the Third Annual Hopkinton Little League Golf Tournament are (left to right): Gary Haroian, Rob Gemma, John Francis and Lou Papadellis. Money raised from the tournament as well as the league's "$10,000 Draw" fundraiser is used to help pay a number of costs including field user fees, equipment and uniform purchases, as well as field maintenance expenses and ongoing updates to facilities. More than 1,300 boys and girls participate in the Hopkinton Little League -- one of the largest in the MetroWest area -- and a great deal of planning goes on year-round to support a program of this size. Thanks to everyone who came out to play in the tournament as well as the many sponsors who together helped make this event a success. ~ Joy Donahue |
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Rudy Giuliani Visits Hopkinton
June 13, 2007 — Republican Presidential candidate and former Mayor of New York Rudi Giuliani stopped by the Hopkinton home of former Ambassador to Ireland and EMC founder, Richard Egan for a fundraiser yesterday. Hopkinton Republicans came out in force to see the candidate, as well as former Massachusetts Governor and former Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci. From left, Richard Egan, ,Rudy Giuliani, and Paul Celucci. Photo contributed by Lil Holden. |
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Fat Lady Did Not Sing Group vows appeal of Special Town Meeting vote Fire Chief chosen as Acting Town Manager
by Robert Falcione June 13, 2007 — The choice of Fire Chief Gary Daugherty as Acting Town Manager would have been the big news this evening had it not been for a group of citizens on hand to inform the Selectmen that they plan an appeal of Monday's Town Meeting vote that appeared to hand over the sale of the Weston Nurseries land to Boulder Capital. Chief Daugherty told the Selectmen that he was not interested in the job full time, but would be happy to take it on an interim basis. "I spoke with Ken [Deputy Chief Ken Clark] and he's certainly willing to take on more responsibility," Chief Daugherty said, assuring the Selectmen that his department would be run well. Chief of Police Thomas Irvin was also considered, but yielded to Chief Daugherty (Pho | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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homepage! <---works with Internet Explorer.
June
14, 2007 — Today, at approximately 7:36 a.m., State Police assigned to
the Middleborough Barracks responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 24
North prior to Route 104 in 
June
14, 2007 - Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. announced the hiring of
James Stukel of Hopkinton, MA as its new Executive Vice President and
General Manager. Mr. Stukel has over 23 years of construction experience
in project management, estimating, field operations, sales and marketing
and will be responsible for building and managing Suffolk’s new division
focused on tenant interiors and high-end retail, residential and
restaurant work. 
The countdown has started for the Lions Club’s June recycling of bottles
and cans. The next collection will be on June 30th from 9 am to 2 pm at
Colella’s Market. Funds collected each month from this drive go to
scholarships for graduating seniors. A few weeks ago, five $1,000
scholarships were granted to deserving Hopkinton students. And now the
club looks ahead to 2008. Could you help?
The 
