Letter to Town Officials

This is our letter to Hopkinton town officials stating our concerns with the proposed development AND our desire to work with everyone involved. How does a neighborhood fight back to preserve it's character, when it seems like we don't have a voice? Call the town officials, attend town meetings and talk about it with other Hopkinton residents AND write letters to town officials.

Our neighborhood letter Dated March 15, 2017

To: Hopkinton Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Norman Khumalo Hopkinton Planning Board and Principal Planner Jennifer Burke Hopkinton Conservation Commission and Conservation Administrator Don Mac Adam Hopkinton Chief of Police Ed Lee Hopkinton Fire Chief Steve Slaman Hopkinton Director of Public Works John Westerling

CC: Paul Mastroianni

From: Chamberlain-Whalen Neighborhood Coalition

Subject: Proposed Residential Subdivision – Chamberlain Street & Whalen Road

In response to the proposal by developer Paul Mastroianni to build thirty-four (34) new homes on a road that would connect Chamberlain Street and Whalen Road, neighbors on these streets have formed a group focused on preserving the character of our neighborhoods. Please accept this letter as our collective initial response to the proposed development. We look forward to working with the respective boards and Mr. Mastroianni throughout this process.

At the outset, it is important for you to understand that we acknowledge Mr. Mastroianni’s right to develop his property. Our intention is not to derail this project. Rather, our desire is to work with Mr. Mastroianni and with the appropriate town boards, committees, and departments to facilitate a successful project that takes into account the concerns of our neighborhoods.

It is our understanding that the proposed development will be the largest residential development in town since Legacy Farms. Our principal concern is the high volume of traffic that could result from creating a roadway connecting our streets.

There are many families with young children in our two neighborhoods, and our streets were not designed to handle thru traffic. As it is, the proposed number of new homes would cause traffic on our streets to increase by more than 50%, even without a connection between the streets. Adding considerably more traffic from vehicles passing through our neighborhoods would present a serious safety issue and place a tremendous burden on dozens of families.

We note that, in the developer’s materials, there is a design option that simply extends each of the cul-de-sacs with an emergency access road, allowing the neighborhoods to maintain their character and safety - this would be in keeping with the 2017 Master Plan that promotes preserving the character of existing neighborhoods, avoiding unnecessary wetlands disturbances, and providing for public safety. This option would also preserve additional open space and eliminate the need for extra wetlands crossings, while at the same time permitting Mr. Mastroianni to develop his property. This option would have the support of both the Chamberlain Street and Whalen Road neighborhoods.

Thank you for taking the time to read this brief introduction from us. We look forward to working with all appropriate parties to reach an accommodation that respects Mr. Mastroianni’s right to develop his property, while maintaining the essential character of our neighborhoods, avoiding unnecessary wetlands disturbances, and providing for public safety.

Sincerely,

Amanda Faucher and Don Keavany, Co-Chairmen, on behalf of our members of the Chamberlain-Whalen Neighborhood Coalition