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Go Public soon
by Robert Falcione December 5, 2007 — Residents calling themselves Hopkinton Citizens Association, most likely abutters and residents near the proposed Legacy Farms project, have involved themselves in a group that raises ominous questions in a well designed color postcard that was left on this reporter's windshield during the Holiday Stroll on Saturday. Several people have admitted to being involved in the group, but each has refused to name anyone else in the group, or even the officers. At Monday's Planning Board meeting, abutter Jane Moran admitted to being a member but would give no more information to this reporter, or to Lyn Branscomb, a reporter for another organization. "You're making a mistake," Ms. Branscomb said to Mrs. Moran, addressing the anonymity of the group. "Wait a week," said Mrs. Moran, promising information then. "As a public relations professional, believe me, you are making a mistake," Ms. Branscomb repeated. A message sent to the listed email address was greeted with an auto reply promising a follow-up, but none has come. Abutter John Knowles, in a chance encounter at the bank Tuesday afternoon, admitted to being a member, but would not name one other member, or any officers. "Officers? We're just a group of people," he said. He said he had handed out postcards to people during Saturday's Downtown Stroll. A search of Internet Registry records shows the group's website listed to a proxy registrant company, which gives them anonymity. The PO Box does not have a person's name on the address. At the ZAC meeting Tuesday evening, ZAC member and Legacy Farms abutter Mavis O'Leary said, "I attend meetings," when she was asked if she was a member. When asked to say more, Mrs. O'Leary said, "There'll be a press release soon." She shook her head "no" after being asked to identify the leaders. Chris Barry, a Clinton Street abutter who is a professional printer, was reluctant to speak about his role in the group at the ZAC meeting he also attended. Mr. Barry organized a move for the town to exercise its 61a rights and purchase the land at Town Meeting, an announcement he made after Taurus Development pulled out of their deal for a conservation development last May, just two weeks before the June 11 vote. The knee-jerk effort came within about three votes shy of the 2/3 majority that was necessary to buy the land. "I'm involved totally with the [post] card," Mr. Barry admitted in a phone call to the HopNews office after the ZAC meeting. "No one is trying to stop it [Legacy Farms], but people would like to see more input," Mr. Barry said. He argued that the Town Meeting voted not to purchase the land last spring, but didn't vote for the Boulder proposal. ZAC is designing a zoning proposal to submit to the Planning Board that will then go to Town Meeting next year. Mr. Barry said he is not interested in getting people "all riled up" about it, but he feels there are people who are too wrapped up in their lives to become involved. He was asked how many members were in the group. "I can't go into that stuff with you," he said. He promised a press release soon. |
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ZAC Debates Affordable Housing and Open Space for Legacy Farms
December 5, 2007 — The Zoning Advisory Committee met Tuesday evening at the Firehouse Meeting Room and entertained suggestions from Boulder Capital for their OSMUD (Open Space Mixed Use Development Project) Affordable Housing component. The term "Affordable Housing" in the sense used by governmental planners and private developers is defined by an individual's income capped at 80% of the median income of the town, and a living unit priced lower than the full-priced units, whether for purchase or rental. This formula determines eligibility in a process often held by lottery. In a community with less than 10% of the housing stock deemed affordable, a developer can bypass local zoning and submit an application for a comprehensive permit from the Board of Appeals and build what is known as a 40B project, so named after the statute allowing it, a project that is usually denser, and what some planners call "unfriendly." Boulder has proposed building 60 affordable units in their 240-unit plan, but according to DHCD guidelines, all 240 units would count toward the goal of reaching 10% of the housing stock in Hopkinton. But now, developers and others have been pushing the legislature to eliminate the law, and have gathered, by one count , 60,000 signatures to enable a spot on the ballot, if enough signatures are validated. If the 40B law is repealed, Boulder has promised 94 affordable units, but have asked that 60 be allowed for rent and 34 for sale. This would comply with the town bylaw that demands 10% of a development be affordable. ZAC agreed on the change unanimously. Open Space was the next topic on the agenda and proved to become the most controversial. Boulder is proposing language that compares with the current Hopkinton bylaw that allows both active and passive recreation as well as forestry, agriculture, trails, conservation and a host of other uses. Boulder promised that there would be 500 acres of open space in the OSMUD (Photo above shows dark green areas as open space). Project Manager Steven Zieff showed a swath of land that could be traversed from Rafferty Road to East Main Street without interruption. Many present at the meeting agreed that the perception of some of the townspeople may not coincide with the way the law is written, and cautioned that a problem may develop. Many people only see the conservation component as open space instead of the other components such as fields; and they lobby for their cause, as demonstrated by the town's purchase of 20 acres of land in Woodville for $2.65 million last Town Meeting. A cemetery was one of the uses added to the open space proposal, and suggested by members of the Cemetery Commission. At the meeting, Mr. Weismantel suggested that the word "municipal" be added to the language, and the group agreed. Weston Nurseries will lease some 77 acres of the open space for 100 years for agricultural purposes related to their business. Some members objected to the use, but a read of the bylaw by Planner Elaine Lazarus proved that the use is allowed in open space. |
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Department Heads Look Ahead to Budget Struggles $2 million deficit currently projected By Demian David Tebaldi
Mr. Troiano then gave
a brief executive summary of the Town’s budget for fiscal year 2009. As
of this writing, the Town of |
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Hopkinton Builder Named First Vice President of BAGB "Membership a worthwhile investment"
December 5, 2007 —
“Builders nowadays face a great number of issues, like the repeal efforts of 40b, the movement toward green building and developing criteria and standards, local zoning restrictions and a tight housing market,” continued Meyer. “As part of BAGB’s leadership team, I want to make sure that we’re at the forefront of addressing and maybe even solving a few of these issues while making a membership to our association a more than worthwhile investment.” |
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First night of Hanukkah
December 4, 2007 — Hopkinton Jewish residents as well as friends and observers gathered at the Hopkinton Common tonight for the lighting of the first of eight Hanukkah candles. The new Menorah was built by David Auslander, his children and friends |
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MetroWest YMCA Hopkinton Holiday Vacation Club December 26-28th
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Manual Orthopedics Donates Exercise Bicycle
December 4, 2007 — Senior Center Volunteer Lois Kamishlian gets instructions on use of the Senior Center's newly donated exercise bicycle from Janet Nolen of Manual Orthopedics, the company that donated it. "We saw a need for our senior clients to be able to follow up therapy with home exercise, and this is an ideal, accessible, safe and free location," Ms. Nolen said. "A gym can be pretty intimidating for a 70 year-old," she said. The exercise bike is available for use after seeing an attendant at the Senior Center. |
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WEE DELIVER POST OFFICE Open at Elmwood School All employees sworn in for their new jobs! Mail is processed by the student employees under the direction of the Postmaster two days a week. The school has their own stamps which are free and a directory of all the addresses in the school (Principal Ilene Silver’s address is 48 Office Square, Silverville MA 01748). If you want to send a note to any of the students or staff at Elmwood check out their website for the directory and pick up some stamps at the office. The first session runs through January 24th and the second session starts in February and runs through the end of March. Brighten a child’s day. ~Cathy LaFlash |
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Planning Board Mulls Legacy Farms Procedure Downtown likely to lose more parking spaces
Legacy Farms
December 4, 2007 — The Planning Board discussed the approach to take in dealing with the approval of a Master Plan or development agreement for Boulder Capital's Legacy Farms, a 700+ acre development with 940 residential units and 500 acres of open space. Most Board members agreed that an appeals process was part of the package. Member Claire Wright said, "This town has been going nowhere because of incessant appeals." "I think we should go with a Special Permit with a Master Plan," said Member Ken Weismantel. "The downside is our legal system that allows appeals. Unfortunately, that's our system," he said. "I'm not afraid of appeals. We haven't lost one yet," said member John Coolidge. Legacy abutter Jane Moran (Photo) lobbied for mitigation.
"In other towns the Planning Board forces a 6% mitigation. This would
help with a lot of the traffic problems coming into the town," she said.
Rockwood Estates, a project slated for development in Upton, recently
promised the Planning Board $25,000 toward a new traffic signal at the
intersection of West Main and School Streets is projected to cost up to
a half million dollars at an intersection that has already been
Planner Elaine Lazarus explained that any mitigation would have to be tied to an effect on traffic caused by a new development. "It cannot be a tax," she said. Member Carol DeVeuve said, "We were wishy-washy with Rockwood. Other towns must have a method." One member stated at a previous meeting that a development in Westwood was giving about $15 million to the town for mitigation. Abutter Chris Barry said, "The community has to buy into the whole program. I don't see any push-back to Boulder Capital," suggesting that Boulder Capital was getting its way in the zoning process. Toward the end of the meeting, Chairman Mark Abate argued against that point of view. "Roy [MacDowell, Boulder President] has started this process in the driver's seat, but we have yanked him out of it," he said. READ MORE |
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on December 15 at 8:00 p.m.
He will perform at 8:00 p.m. at ESL’s intimate studio setting at 30 Main Street in Hopkinton. Tickets are $10.00. |
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The Hilltopper Now Online Check the Senior News button, always above, for more news...
VETERANS’ BREAKFAST What were you doing on Pearl Harbor Day? We bet you remember it very clearly. On Friday, Dec.7 at 9am, Jim Cozzens of HCam TV will be at the Veterans’ Breakfast to record your comments. Your choice of chipped beef or Spam will be served along with a rerun of the slide show of Hopkinton veterans. We hope that the monthly get together will become a much anticipated part of the schedules of those who served. These breakfasts are held the first Friday of every month at 9. Your fellow veterans hope to see YOU there.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS The annual Christmas Party for Hopkinton senior citizens, provided and hosted by the Hopkinton Police Association, will be held at the Senior Center on Saturday, December 15 at 4 pm. Always a spectacular event, there is delicious food, plenty of prizes and a visit from Santa. The Friends of Seniors will hold their annual raffle, too. Transportation is available. Please contact the Senior Center to make your reservation.
CHRISTMAS TEA The Friends of Seniors will host a Christmas Tea, Tuesday, December 18th at 1 for our Hopkinton seniors. The Great Room will be decorated, party sandwiches, pastries, and treats will be served. Our Hopkinton Senior chorus will provide entertainment for us. Come, join with others and celebrate the holidays. Please make your reservation by contacting the Senior Center. Lunch will not be available that day. |
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Every Day, 24 hours a day |
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Middlesex County Crime and Justice
Two Ayer Juveniles To Be Charged With Causing Ayer Fire
CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office, Ayer Police, and the Office of the State Fire Marshall informed the public today that two Ayer juveniles will be charged in connection with setting the fire that occurred at Moore’s Lumber Co. in Ayer on November 12. The two juveniles - ages 15 and 12 – will each be charged with counts of burning a building. They will be arraigned on those charges in Lowell Juvenile Court in the coming days. Their names will be withheld due to the confidentiality requirements of Juvenile Court proceedings. According to police, on November 12 at approximately 6:57 p.m., the Ayer fire and police departments were dispatched to 22 West Main Street (Moore’s Lumber), for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the fire was in a block of storage buildings located on the southeast side of Mill Street. The fire spread quickly and intensely, and eventually consumed most of the Moore structures on that side of Mill Street. Fire apparatus from eight communities responded to the fire. A thorough investigation was conducted by Ayer Police Detective Brian Gill, Ayer Fire Captain Paul Fillebrown, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and agents from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. That investigation encompassed site excavation, witness interviews, and surveillance video review. As a result of the investigation, it is alleged that the two juveniles were on the roof of the Moore building and dropped objects that were lit on fire down a vent hole and into a storage building on the property. Those acts ultimately caused the fire and resulting damage that occurred on the property. |
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Today, December 3, 2007
12:57 pm A caller reported that a man parked his motorcycle on the side of Teresa Road and then walked down the street into the woods...
4:51 am The Ashland Police Department requested assistance with searching for two males on foot who were suspects
8:40 pm A Meadow Land Drive resident reported that a suspicious older model tan vehicle was driving...
Click on the title above to see the entire police news. |
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Let It Snow
December 3, 2007 — This group of friends seen on Hayden Rowe Street apparently believes that snow flurries are as good a time as any to take a jog around town. |
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Hooray!
December 3, 2007 — The crowd cheers as the Christmas tree is lit on the Common on Saturday. Many people had left prior to the delayed lighting, due to the frigid temperatures. |
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Project Just Because NEEDS YOUR HELP
Second program running is Holiday Wish program for local children please consider donating 1 item of warm clothing any size boy or girl, gift card from any clothing store, hat, mittens , gloves, warm throw blanket, or 1 fun item new toy or new book any age to help us make these children's wishes come true. This year we took in 5,000 families and we have many children that still need our help! All Donations are tax Deductible and Tax Receipts are at 45 South Street Unit G year round. Thank you We wish you all a Happy Holiday Season CherylAnn Lambert
Walsh, President |
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Carpetbaggers vs. Townies
by Robert
Falcione December 2, 2007 — Linda Freeman (Wright), a Townie who sent an email filled with fond memories of Hopkinton to this writer, as well as others on Sunday, apparently inspired a Town Talk poster to reply in a negative way, especially to her use of the word "carpetbagger," after I had put the email on the front of HopNews (Below) earlier in the day. He did not get the joke. After moving to Hopkinton, it doesn't take most people long to discover the gap between many of the Townies, those who were born in Hopkinton, and everyone else. Before the mad rush to Hopkinton, the town of around 7,000 people was largely made up of working class people and home entrepreneurs, as well as small business people prominent in the community. Many of the entrepreneurs went on to be successful in real estate, retail, building and commerce. The newer residents are largely professionals with young familes. One of the moments I consider as definitive of the Townie vs. Carpetbagger argument was an exchange between the late Francis and Jean McIntyre, whom I had met for the first time long after they had divorced, but apparently still loved each other. It was at the North Pond House on South Street, the predecessor to O'Toole's, soon to be the new Maria's Caffe Italiano. May I digress for a moment? I found Hopkinton through a "position" at Weston Nurseries, while I was living in Wellesley with the love of my life. To a young person, the fields seemed endless, and the town, ideal. The nursery had its specialists in every area of flowers, plants, shrubs, trees and landscaping, and just as many subcultures; for instance, the group of Puerto Rican workers transported every spring and housed in a barracks environment on the grounds of the nursery. Occasionally, they joined some of us at the Central House — or The Tap as it was known — which was located where the empty lot is downtown. Back then it had high-backed booths, presumably so that it would take more than a passing glance for a wife to see if her husband was inside. |
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Keefe tech Alumni Group Forming Meting on Thursday, December 6 The Keefe Tech Alumni Association is are a newly formed group at the school that has formed to try to collect a database of names of as many alumni as we can. We hope to use this database for informational purposes, such as mailing lists for class reunions and such. Often, as many people know, addresses change, names change and it is almost impossible for people to stay in touch. We are just starting out in this process and are looking for as many Keefe Tech alumni as we can find. Alumni can go to this link, http://keefetech.org/page.asp?page=alumniupdates and fill out the form there to be adde | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"The
News Starts Here!"
Shadowy Group Promises to 
December
4, 2007 — The 
As
president of Meyer Homes, Craig Meyer builds upscale homes and
communities that maintain the integrity of the environment. As the newly
elected First Vice President of the Builders Association of Greater
Boston (BAGB), Craig Meyer hopes to continue to have a similar effect,
helping to build the value of a BAGB membership and positively impacting
what’s currently a difficult market for builders.
The
MetroWest YMCA Hopkinton will be holding a Holiday Vacation
Club for children in grades K-6
labeled
as "failed," long before the developer has turned a spade on the earth.
Tony
Giuliano at ESL Coffeehouse 
Toys
For Tots drop-off at Hopkinton Police Headquarters 
It
is that time of year when Project Just Because NEEDS YOUR HELP. We Need
Items To Bring 1501 New Gifts, 1 More gift then last year to meet our goal
for local Hospitals! This is our 9th year bringing in gifts to those
local children who can not come home for the Holidays, for some it is there
last Holiday with us. Please consider donating a New toy or Stuffed
animals and dropping it off at any drop off location around town, all
drop off information locations can be found at 
