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Westborough Uses Strong Language Regarding Wastewater No new connections?
December 13, 2007
— After not receiving a reply from Hopkinton for nine months, John H.
Goodhall, Jr. of the Westborough "The primary subjects intended to be discussed at this meeting are the Hopkinton wastewater flows, the limits established in our agreement dated May 1, 1986, the occasions that the flows from Hopkinton have exceeded those limits, and how Hopkinton is planning to achieve compliance," Mr. Goodhall wrote. "The issue is serious," Mr. Goodhall wrote in bold print. Mr. Goodhall is specifically concerned that the wastewater flow to Westborough "was not to be exceeded under any condition." The average monthly flow, he states, has been exceeded at least nine times in a six-year period, he wrote. Hopkinton Board of Public Works Chair Dan McIntyre (File photo) and Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer have locked horns over the authority on the issue of Input and Infiltration of groundwater into the sewer system, and vowed to work on the issue. I&I is believed to be about 100,000 gpd extra during a rain event. "The Town of Hopkinton has violated the terms of the Agreement nine (9) times on this criteria alone," Mr. Goodhall wrote. The Cedar Swamp Conservation Trust and the Fruit Street 10 Citizens Group appealed the Groundwater Discharge Permit for the planned Wastewater Treatment Facility on Fruit Street in Hopkinton, claiming that if the I&I problem were solved, the town would gain over 100,000 gpd in capacity, that the need for a plant would be obsolete. An excerpt from the appeal: Records for July and August 2007 (copies
enclosed) show an average daily volume of
"The [Hopkinton] Board of Selectmen and the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners signed the agreement and/or its amendments, so I assume they both have a stake in this matter before it proceeds to Counsel," Mr. Goodhall wrote. The agreement referred to states in part, "In the event that the discharge of wastewater originating in HOPKINTON exceeds the rates or loadings established in section 3.1 (b) for any calendar month, HOPKINTON shall immediately cease further or additional connection of properties or buildings to its sewerage system." |
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TOWN HALL CLOSED ~ TOWN PARTY POSTPONED The Town Hall is now closed due to the snow emergency. The building was scheduled to be closed at 2:00 pm in preparation of the Town Employee's Holiday Party later this afternoon, but Town Manager Anthony Troiano moved it forward due to traffic concerns. In addition, the Town's party has been rescheduled to December 19 at 5:00 pm at the Dynasty due to the inclement weather. |
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Traffic Advisory – Department of Conservation and Recreation Declares Snow Emergency
Today, at approximately 2:00 p.m. the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) declared a “Snow Emergency”. As a result of that declaration any vehicles that are parked on or remain standing on any DCR roadways may, and will, be towed at owner’s expense. The Massachusetts State Police asks all citizens of the Commonwealth to ensure DCR roadways remain clear ensuring the most efficient snow removal possible. |
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Winter Wonderland?
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We received several emails guessing the location of the hornet's nest pictured. Some said Elmwood School, Route 85, Westborough, etc. Marty Aaron drew a belly laugh when he suggested that the hornet's nest was in Room 211 last night, referring to the cell tower story. But the one and only person to guess the correct location was Brad Fenn, who guessed Fruit Street, in front of Pratt's Farm. |
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Residents Pack Board of Appeals Hearing Opposed to cell tower in residential neighborhood
December 13,
2007 — About 85 residents and those associated with them packed and
overflowed Room 211 (Selectmen's Hearing Room) at a Public Hearing
to oppose the application by Omnipoint/T-Mobile for a Special Permit and
Variances to locate a 100' cell tower in a residential yard at 72 North
Mill Street, a property that one neighbor described as a "junkyard." A
home on the property is currently rented from absentee landlord, Cindy
Lou Jordan. Ms. Jordan's brother expected to represent his sister, but
was denied that privilege after telling the Board that he was not an
attorney. In addition, Ms. Jordan did not sign the application, a
condition Attorney Jennifer Lewis, representing Omnipoint/T-Mobile, presented the applicant's case for a Special Permit. The engineer who accompanied her claimed that no other tower existed within two miles, a criteria in Hopkinton for locating a cell tower and related equipment. "After evaluating customer feedback," said T-Mobile contractor, RF engineer Sameer Parakavetty, "T-Mobile decides where to construct a site." He said the purpose was to fill some gaps in coverage. Mr. Parakavetty showed drawings that detailed the locations of surrounding cell towers to prove his point, but one speaker presented documents from Holliston proceedings that pointed out that the company just received a permit from a Holliston board that allowed it to build an antenna in that town presumably within the two-mile radius. Ms. Lewis was asked why tower had been omitted from the plan presented. "Because it has not been built," said Ms. Lewis to spontaneous laughter from the group. "In terms of a residential area, it is ideal," said Ms. Lewis during her presentation. However, the group of residents and abutters would later disagree unanimously. "We would have to determine that you cannot collocate on another tower," said Mr. Davies. An applicant for a tower must first determine that there is no other existing tower it can locate on in order to provide coverage for the area in question before it can build a new tower. "There is no tower in the coverage area," said Ms. Lewis.
"Are you within two miles of another tower?" asked Mr. Davies. Someone
pointed out that a tower exists at Cornell's. "By your scale, you are less than two miles," said member Rory Warren. |
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Concert Band a Labor of Love Holiday concert on Sunday at St. John's by Demian David Tebaldi
December 13, 2007
—
The pews of the
“The church [of
Mr. Carr, who has been with the SMCCB since 1988, in the past serving as Treasurer of the organization, also plays the euphonium for the band.
“It’s the cello of the wind instruments,” explains Mr. Carr, with a twinkle in his eye. “Picture a tuba, only smaller and easier to carry.”
“As for the band
itself, it is ‘community’ in the truest sense. Our conductor, Bruce
Houston, is a consummate professional – thirty years experience teaching
in the public schools of
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Nest of Inactivity
December 12, 2007 — This hornets' nest has been ravaged by some unknown force, but is still a remarkable creation. Be the first to email the exact location and win $25.00. |
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Falmouth, MA Police Seek Public's Assistance in Locating Missing / Endangered Child
Christopher T. Seychew is a 6 year old white male with brown hair.
Richard T. Warren is a 44 year old white male, 6' tall, 195 lbs. with brown hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact
the (508) 457-2526.
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ZAC Looks at More Legacy Farms Issues No Roche Brothers for Hopkinton
by Robert
Falcione December 12, 2007 — Boulder Capital's President Roy MacDowell, Jr. shared a vision Tuesday evening with the Zoning Advisory Committee of the type of retail environment he believes would work in the commercial Subdistricts of his 720 acre Legacy Farms OSMUD (Open Space Mixed Use Development). In the drawing of one of the pods, right, Route 135 is shown on the bottom, colored in grey. Above it, behind a buffer of landscaping, is a retail area that is projected at no more than 150,000 square feet. To put that into perspective, ZAC Chairman Ken Weismantel said, the three-story 77 Main Street (ReMax) is 57,000 square feet. Mr. MacDowell would later point out that his buildings would be on a 20 acre site. Mr. MacDowell (Photo) said they were looking at siting a restaurant and a grocery store. He said that Roche Brothers was not interested, because they had just opened a store in another location. "We met with Colella's and understand their concerns," he said, offering later that Colella's did not want to relocate from their downtown location. Colella's, a family-owned supermarket, has been at the same location for over 50 years. "We are looking at perhaps a green grocer," he said.
"We believe with appropriate landscaping, we could provide an adequate
buffer," he said, answering concerns about visuals from the street. Mr.
MacDowell, who also owns a premier landscaping company, said
"We've spoken with Trader Joe's, Roche Brothers, Stop & Shop. We'll be talking traffic at another time, but the retailers are not seeing enough," Mr. MacDowell said. He spoke of Route 135 not having enough traffic to support a lot of retail, because the bulk of the traffic on the roadway is during the rush hours, when people do not traditionally shop. "We need some type of anchor to make this work," he said. Mr. MacDowell and the Committee discussed buffer zones and heights of buildings, which were set for four story apartment buildings abutting Curtis Road. ZAC member Sandy Altamura (Photo) objected to the height. "Four stories is a huge structure. It's like Cambridge," she said. "I am not comfortable with four stories among those Cape Cod homes," she said. "If we have to cede the issue for the community, we will do so," Mr. MacDowell said. ZAC and Boulder Capital will meet again on December 18, 2007. |
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 Click here to make HopNews your default
homepage! <---works with Internet Explorer. |
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December 11, 2007 — Omnipoint Communications/T-Mobile is scheduled for a 7:30 pm Public Hearing in front of the Hopkinton Board of Appeals on Wednesday, December 12 to present their application for a Special Permit or Variance to construct a 100' tall communications tower behind a home at 72 North Mill Street in a residentially zoned neighborhood. The entire plan is here.
Public Hearings are held in the case of uses applied for but not allowed by right in a particular zoning area. This gives the Board of Appeals the chance to hear expert testimony, order more studies, and hear testimony of abutters and neighbors as well as the general public, on the proposed use.
A similar request was not granted in the West Elm Street area earlier this year.
* Puns supplied by Karen O'Neil in her Letter to the Editor |
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Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee will be at 7:30PM on Wednesday,
December 19th at the Fire Station (rear entrance, 2nd floor). |
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Four's Company
December 11, 2007 — This group of wild turkeys out of a rafter of nearly a dozen, found perfect grazing on the lawns of Fruit Street, rather than the woods, where the gunshots and fleeing deer are found. According to some experts, the only bird to fly toward gunshots is the raven. |
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Middlesex County Crime and Justice
Former Abuse And Burning Of 23-Month-Old Child
Keith Winfield, age 33, of Melrose, was found guilty on November 15 by a Middlesex Superior Court jury of rape of a child by force (2 counts), indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Superior Court Judge Patrick Riley today sentenced Winfield to life in State Prison. “There is no more vulnerable group that we are responsible for protecting than our children,” District Attorney Leone said. “For a child, who hadn’t even reached her second birthday, to have been abused and injured in such a heinous manner is truly unconscionable. Unfortunately, the effects of these kinds of abuses can sometimes last a lifetime.” READ MORE... |
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Senior Citizen Party Provided by the Hopkinton Police Association ID not required
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Anti-drunk Driving Mobilization Starts Tomorrow “Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest.”
The Massachusetts State Police and local police are determined to reduce the number of impaired driving related crashes on the roadways of the Commonwealth. Each impaired operator arrested is one less impaired operator whose actions could potentially harm innocent travelers. During the month of November State Police Sobriety Checkpoints resulted in the arrest of forty-six individuals.
It is important to note that in addition to the enforcement efforts, the State Police are also trying to further educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving. One important reminder is that the best defense against a drunk driver is to always wear a safety belt.
Always remember: · Choose a sober, designated driver; · Use mass transit, call a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home; · Always wear your safety belt.
If you are traveling on the roadways and observe someone you believe is impaired or operating dangerously, contact the State Police by dialing 911 on your cell phone. |
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WINTER NOTICE
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Photo submitted by Susan Costanza |
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HPTA Perfect Dress Hopkinton High School
Photo: Rebecca Albanese and Alex Brown of the Hopkinton Leo Club preview some of the dresses donated for the upcoming HPTA Perfect Dress event. |
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House of Lights
December 10, 2007 — The lights in the neighborhood may have dimmed when they flipped the switch for this display on Walcott Street. If you see a special display, please send it by email and share it with HopNews readers. The above photo is just a small part of the display. Editor@HopNews.com |
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Winter Water Tips
First locate your main water shut off valve and meter. You need to check your valve and make sure it works in case of an emergency. It is usually located in your basement on the side facing the street. Insure that the area immediately surrounding the valve and meter is warm enough to prevent freezing. In older homes with fieldstone and rock foundations make sure there are no direct drafts from the holes in the walls or gaps in the windows and doors. If these areas remain cold constantly you should insulate your pipes or wrap them in heating tape. Both of these items can be found in any home improvement store. Remember, even if the room temperature is warm, a direct cold draft on your water pipes, can cause them to freeze!
In the event that your pipes do become frozen, locate the faucet closest to your main valve and meter. Usually there is one just after the meter. Turn it on to determine if the pipes are frozen in your home or if they are frozen on the street side of the meter. If you have water flow at the point, then the problem is further along the pipe in your home. Try to locate the frozen area by checking subsequent faucets along the way. If there are none, then feel your way across the pipe to find the coldest spot. Once you find the area inspect the pipe to make sure it is not split. Locate the nearest shut off in case you need it. Open the nearest faucet and try thawing the pipe with a hair dryer making sure you slide it from side to side and do not leave it concentrated on one spot. This could cause the pipe to burst. In most cases this should solve the problem. If you are unable to thaw the pipe, you should then contact a plumber. If the problem is on the street side of your meter, you should then contact the Water department.
To help conserve water during the winter, insulate your hot water pipes. This will help to retain the heat and prevent you from having to run the water in order to get it hot. Have a great |
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Fast Response
December 10, 2007 — Firefighters and Police responded to a Walcott Street home to a report of a house fire while the sirens wailed and the Fire Station horn blew. There was no smoke or fire showing, and the engines, three of them, cleared shortly afterward. |
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Downtown Revitalization Organizer Thanks Stroll Participants To the Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those who made the second annual Holiday Stroll such a success. Despite freezing temperatures, Mr. Hay, Mr. Purdy and dedicated members of the Middle School Band (and their very supportive families) came out and played a wonderful concert on the lawn of the Police Station to kick things off. Thanks also to Chief Irvin for graciously allowing the use of the lawn, and Officer Phil Powers who ably assisted with everything. Kelly Grill and Mary Scarlata-Rowe at Enter Stage Left organized the Victorian carolers who braved the cold to add a wonderful touch to the festivities, as did Colella's, Hopkinton Gourmet, Sauce on Main and Ciao Time with their delicious food. Thanks also to Terry Murphy, Rownak Hussain director of the Library, Judy Coffey, Sue O'Dell, Robert Falcione, Foster-Carroll Printing, Sarah Duckett, Gorman-Richardson Architects, Susie Johnson, and all the merchants and businesses who participated. Kudos to all the entertainers at the Library and Hopkinton Drug, along with the Girl Scouts and the folks from Park and Recreation for the Tree Lighting on the Common. And finally, great appreciation for all those folks who came out to support all the events! See you next year. Anne Mattina, Chair, Downtown Revitalization Committee | |||||||||
Treatment Plant Board, sent a strongly worded letter to Hopkinton
officials inviting them to their meeting on January 9, 2008 in
Westborough.
Hornet's Nest Location
that Board of Appeals Chairman Wayne Davies said was "not
fatal" but needed to be addressed.
December
12, 2007 — The 
that
the trees would be twice the size normally planted in this type of
development.
"Towering Inferno" Expected to Get "Bad Reception" at
Board of Appeals*
Hopkinton
Democratic Town Committee Meeting
the public today that a former 
From
December 12, 2007 through January 2, 2008, the Massachusetts State
Police and hundreds of local police departments will participate in the
national mobilization 
I
would like to remind the town residents who are coming into the DPW yard
to pick up resident sand to use
caution when entering and exiting the property. Over the last few years
we have noticed an increase in the number of residents taking advantage
of this service. People are driving too fast and there have been several
close calls between our equipment and residents vehicles.
home. There are several measures that homeowners can take to prevent
their water pipes from freezing. The water department would like to
offer the following tips. 