Development and land use [Archive]

Unregistered

04-14-2007, 12:47 PM

We need a vision for this town.
I like Boynton’s idea about focusing on downtown and cleaning up route 1a.
I wish there where some folks who would step up and run against the selectmen who are now in office.
The same old, same old isn’t working at all.
If as much passion went into town politics as into the override we would in very good shape. We are letting the wrong people run our town.
We need fresh ideas from fresh viewpoints.
Come on young people, where are you?

(The moderator copied this post from another thread. - tg)

Unregistered

04-15-2007, 08:27 AM

Could not agree more ...we need full focus and prioritization on the inventory list stated below:

Walpole Woodworkers site

all 40B's large or small

powerplant in Walpole

So Walpole land ( Bird )

So Walpole land ( prison )

Budgets...all

Public Safety building

Library building

Trash fees

Water and sewer

Foxboro development

Sharon development

Rte 1A ..fix or nix

Downtown ( it is what it is )

Kendall building

senior center

Land use

redevelopment authority

The present board is wanting for the appropriate vision and energy to do this task....but...where are the folks who will challenge any of them ? Answer too involved with making a living and trying to support their families to take on a task that done properly can consume you.
The two that are seeking re-election have not contributed .

Unregistered

04-15-2007, 05:14 PM

the current owners of the liberty village mall (the old machine shop downtown) seem to be happy maintaining a slowly deteriorating building, akin to the other properties in town that they own.

That kind of property desperately needs a new owner, one with a vision for the future. Why couldn't a new condo/shop/office complex be built there? It is close to the rail station, near the center, and of great potential.

Instead of trying to maintain that structure (it was ugly from day one), why not think big, level it, and start anew?

Unregistered

04-24-2007, 07:31 PM

Went to an informational meeting last eve that has as its intention convincing Town Meeting to create a Redevelopment Authority ( akin to the infamous Boston BRA) ostensibly for the old asbestos site on South and Common....I came away totally unconvinced of its need and highly suspicious of its other project intents.
This one will take hours at TM...way too much to digest as well as fully understand...with all the ingredients for a BAD vote
Keep reading ..watching etc so you can be informed...this is not the panacea of life

Unregistered

04-24-2007, 08:58 PM

I went to the meeting and feel that it is a wonderful tool that the town can use. The people that would be on this board would be town residents, folks who actually live in the town. Folks who actually care about this town. They are not appointed, they would be elected and would have set terms. Just think, we could actually put some of these disgusting parcels of property to some good use!

Unregistered

04-27-2007, 01:30 PM

Am I missing something?
A property owner owes the town 1.2 million dollars in real estate bills and is threatening to put in a 40B?
Why can't the town just foreclose on the land and let it sit until we decide what to do with it? It seems like the town is getting zero taxes anyway on it, so what do we lose by owning it and letting it sit idle.

Unregistered

04-27-2007, 03:23 PM

I agree with the previous post. He hasn't paid taxes for years! If the town does not do anything if you don't pay taxes, why are any of us paying? Then, he has the nerve to confront us with either a power plant or 40B. Yet another example of the town powers-that-be being deficient.

Unregistered

04-27-2007, 11:03 PM

The Brightfield idea is a good idea. It is not a power plant but a series of solar panels than can generate emission free solar energy so it doesn't pollute, provides jobs, and can be nicely landscaped into a park type setting. Brockton has a Brightfield. These are brownfields (polluted) that have been converted to produce solar energy. It could provide electricity for the town and serve as a hedge against rising utilitiy rates.

Unregistered

04-28-2007, 02:26 PM

I also attended the meeting last Monday night and I strongly disagree with #6. The RDA will be a horrible thing for Walpole, plain and simple. Any body that has the power to use eminent domain to take hard working citizens' homes is not anything I want in my town. While many of the folks in Walpole are good honest people, there are also some who are not honest and think about how they can make money off of some deal whether it be good or bad for the people of Walpole. And, some of those people sit on different boards in the town right now. The RDA will have sweeping powers and no check on those powers.
I agree that the town should start forclosure proceeding on the Superfund property immediately. From the discussion last Monday night it appears that Walpole will never recoup the $1.2 million in back taxes because the owner of the property has put it in a trust that has zero assets. Thus, the Town should forclose on the property and once the EPA has cleaned up the site locate the new combined fire and police station there. It is very close to downtown and we will not have to spend any money to buy another piece of property.
Finally, if you vote for the RDA you are voting to put your neighbor's property at great risk. NO RDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unregistered

04-29-2007, 12:13 AM

Pay attention to which selectmen vote for the redevelopment authority and then exercise your authority at the ballot box by voting them out in June.

If they act in haste, they can repent in leisure when they lose their seat.

Unregistered

04-29-2007, 06:29 PM

Let's play a game. Who do you think that the Board of Selectmen will appoint to the Redevelopment Authority if Town Meeting gets duped into supporting it? Let's start with the developers first, their friends and relatives next, and maybe their business partners.

Yessirre Bob, hold onto your homes.They will be looking for anything because all the good land has been built out.

Unregistered

04-29-2007, 11:57 PM

The town has not taken the land for back taxes because of potential liablities associated with a Super Fund site.

Stop with the fear tactics of eminent domain and a rogue board. We already have independent agencies/boards, controlled by the voters such as the water & sewer commission, housing authority and planning board. Do you trust your fellow townspeople, if no then apply for a board seat, if you want to have input on the RDA. Rep. Ross is looking to pass a law limiting eminent domain and if the RDA proposes to use eminent domain inappropriately, vote the scoundrels out of office and shut it down.

From the meeting last Monday, it appears if town does not form an RDA before the end of the summer, then the town will have none or limited input on the cleanup standards for the South Street site. In fact an absentee owner who owes the town over a million dollars in back taxes will decide the cleanup standards for the Super Fund site. This is a much scarier scenario than the remote chance of a rogue RDA board.

It's ironic that same "do nothing crowd" demands that the town make sure the Baker Hughes site in S. Walpole be cleaned up to a pristine condition due to its proximity to the acquifier, but we should leave a Superfund site, that abuts the Neponset River and residential neighborhoods, alone or in control of rogue property owner.

The town needs to implement ways to grow the commercial tax base and the Redevelopment Authority could be a valuable tool that would benefit the entire town.

Unregistered

04-30-2007, 10:57 AM

For those of you who have a conspiracy theory of a rogue board taking homes at will by eminent domain, I suggest you read how the information on the town hall website about how an RDA works before you spout off.

The following is an paragraph copied from that information:

"A Redevelopment Authority is governed by a five member board. 4 of the members would be VOTED in during the town wide election (the Board of selectman can appoint the 4 members until that can happen in June 2008 but they would appoint these members like they make appointments for other town boards by requesting volunteers, by interviewing them at their meeting and then voting for them at their public meeting.) The last member of the RDA is appointed by the Dept of Housing and Community Development but they usually appoint a resident from that Town. Usually projects take a while to get off the ground because any Urban Renewal Plan the RDA works on needs to have citizen input including a public hearing, have a plan for financing the project, approval by the Planning Board and Selectmen and meet other criteria as well. In addition it would need approval from the State."

For those of you who wish to make an informed comment on an RDA, you can get the information you need in the full document at the following address:

http://th.walpole.ma.us/Redevelopment/RedevelopmentAuthorities.pdf

A RDA is just what Walpole needs so the town can control its own destiny. Without a RDA, the town is at the mercy of any outside developer who choose to do as they please in OUR town!!! Don't let this happen. Contact your selectmen and let them know they need to vote FOR the RDA NOW!!!

Unregistered

04-30-2007, 11:09 AM

The town can foreclose and it already has the power of eminent domain. If the town forecloses, it has NO (as in none) liability under federal statute and minimal liability under state statute. The state liability can be taken care of. The town doesn't need a redevelopment authority to tell the EPA what it wants done, the selectmen can do it now. The EPA has also said at more than one meeting, that with or without a redevelopment authority, the site will be cleaned up.

Maybe the town fathers should do something for a change instead of creating an authority to do it for them or letting the EDC run around to PAC meetings with half of a story. Maybe the selectmen should find the courage to do what's best, foreclose, handle the liability situation, and do a police/fire combo. They can work with the entire legislative delegation and the congressmen to get the ball rolling. They have not done that yet and they won't.

The terms on the authority will be five years. That is a long time when things go bad and there won't be anything anyone can do about it.

The EDC has done nothing either. Just because they call themselves a different name doesn't mean they are going to be anymore successful.

By the way, despite what is going around. the Redevelopment Authority CANNOT stop a 40B.

There's plenty that can be done now without an authority. Instead they want to hide behind an authority.

Unregistered

05-01-2007, 08:46 PM

If the Town takes the site now, It could face the clean-up costs. The EPA has told the Town it will not hold them liable but the State will NOT give the same guarantee. Both Town Counsel and various boards and department head ALL agree that it too risky a scenario. If we foreclose and take the site, even though we get the property and then get our $1.2 Million in back taxes by the sale of the site, the Town could be forced to foot the cleanup costs. That price tag will be well in excess of the $1.2 million in back taxes.

Contrary to the last post, the Selectmen CAN NOT tell the EPA how to clean up the site as the Town has no control over the site. That is why we need a RDA. The Town needs to control the site and tell the EPA how the Town it wants it used. The EPA will then force the PRP's to clean it to that standard.

So in Recap, the ONLY WAY THE TOWN CONTROLS THE CLEANUP is one of 2 ways:

1) The Town takes over the site for back taxes. All the experts, paid for or elected by the Town's people agree that that is way too risky. The Town could be held liable for the cleanup if the State decides so.

2) The Town forms an RDA, the RDA takes the site, the Town then controls the cleanup process. There is NO liability to the Town in this scenario. All potential liabitly goes to an RDA that is a seperate intity from the Town.

If not either of those two, then once again Walpole is controlled by an out of Town landowner. The way the law is set up now, the EPA will only cleanup the site to the intended use and current zoning standards.

So if it was cleaned to a standard for say a Solar power plant, not the cleanest standard, and then we came in and took the site for back taxes we could only put a similar use on the site. If we wanted to put a municipal building there then THE TOWN WOULD FOOT THE CLEANUP COSTS to get it to that level of use. Once again, not very smart thinking.

The last post could not be more wrong as far as 40B control. The RDA absolutely controls the restrictions of 40B use. If the RDA OWNS THE SITE they control what goes there. That is the WHOLE POINT.

Someone wrote a very good point a posts a few back. We already have numerous bodies that are elected and appointed that run independently of the Selectmen. The Water and Sewer Commission is one that comes to mind and they set and control rates. These boards are filled with great people who give LONG hours of volunteer time to make sure our Town works properly.

TRUST YOUR FELLOW TOWNS PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING ON AN RDA. AND TRUST YOUR FELLOW TOWNS PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE WHO WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR TOWN. If you cannot do that then you have lost your belief in what this country stands for.

Good Luck Walpole.

Unregistered

05-02-2007, 07:42 AM

I like the idea of a previous post that the eyesore at the corner of East Street and Elm Street be replaced. It's a blight from a byegone day. However, I don't subscribe to the idea of taking it by eminent domain. I would encourage the owners to explore reasonable reuse of that parcel, or to sell the parcel to a party that would responsibly reuse it. And I would encourage the Town to work to make a reasonable idea a reality, without public subsidies.

I believe there are many issues associated with that site: checking soil for contamination, and don't forget...."a river runs through it", which complicates permitting and operations. Yet it is one of the gateways to the downtown area. I would propose a mixed use to include first floor retail/commercial and apartments upstairs.

There are functioning businesses within that complex which should be respected throughout this process.

Unregistered

05-10-2007, 09:15 AM

I want to thank all the RTM's for not approving a redevelopment authority.
I really feel that was in the best instrest of the town as a whole and the citizens. We can do what needs to be done without such extreme measures. After reading about them , I am still for a solar panel fields. Which seem like a win-win solution.
Thank you all

Unregistered

05-11-2007, 10:50 AM

Is anyone concerned about the power plant on Industrial Road?

Unregistered

05-13-2007, 09:53 AM

Oh yes, I am aware.
What is most bothersome is Mr. Boynton’s flip-flopping.
He admits we do not has the water to support this latest assault but in the same paragraph he say's he has not 'closed to door'.
Does it EVER stop for this poor town?

Unregistered

05-15-2007, 09:16 AM

Attention residents of the Audubon area...
If you like looking at the clear cutting and destruction of the Viano initiated 40B ....wait till you see the 150 foot smoke stack and glow coming from the 500 megawatt power plant which will be in your line of site...WAKE UP AND GET INVOLVED !!
DEMAND A FULL ACCOUNTING FROM THE T.A. AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BOS WHO WANT TO GET EVEN FOR THE DEFEAT OF THE OVERRIDE

Unregistered

05-22-2007, 04:14 PM

Have people forgotten that this Town fought a proposal for a Boston Edison Peak Power Plant in the late l980's? It was proposed to be off South Street, not far from the latest proposal. Audubon residents were very concerned, as were many of the townspeople.
Edison also knew that this town would not have the water to run the plant but proposed to truck it in. If that were ever to happen with the latest proposal, can one imagine the huge number of truck trips carrying water back and forth over our roads?
According to what I read under "Walpole News",... "The plant would require a million gallons of water a day and there is no way Walpole could supply that, he (Town Administrator) said. But the company is considering other ways of getting the water, he said"... How else will it get here? It will not be flown in. I can't imagine it will be piped in. It no doubt would be trucked in.
Do you think that some town officials are encouraging such a proposal??
I hope everyone reads Walpole News. It is a great source to get the real scoop on what is going on in Walpole and is reported well.

Unregistered

05-22-2007, 07:18 PM

Here's part of the story on Walpole News and it tells who met with the power plant company:

Competitive Power Ventures approached the town in December to say that it is interested at a site for a 500-megawatt plant in the vicinity of the Walpole Industrial Park, near where a major natural gas transmission pipe crosses high-tension power lines. In January, Boynton continued, representatives of the company met with him, development officer Don Walsh and selectmen Al DeNapoli and Chris Timson.

Unregistered

05-26-2007, 07:44 AM

For those on Baker street who oppose the potential 40 B by Jim Brady...go to Oak street and take a picture ...show it to the state and thank them for their part in the systematic destruction of Walpole....then ask them to abandon the Baker street / Jim Brady request

Unregistered

05-26-2007, 04:00 PM

Pay attention to who you elect. The problems start at home.

Unregistered

06-05-2007, 07:25 PM

Wouldn't it be great if our town officials thought like Brockton mayoral candidate Stewart who doesn't support a gas fired power plant?

The Enterprise reported:

Mayoral candidate Stewart hinted that city leaders could have better spent their time focusing on business opportunities closer to home.

“I'm a big proponent of reaching out in business ... but it is also important that we reach out within the city and do all we can to grow the businesses that are here already, who want to stay and expand here,” he said.

The 36-year-old said in a statement that he opposes the plant plan and urged others in city government to join him.

“After hearing from the individuals proposing a power plant on Oak Hill Way in Brockton at both private and public meetings and after carefully considering the benefits and risks associated with the project, I cannot, in good conscience, support Brockton Power's proposal,” he said.

“It's time to augur a new era in Brockton where both economic growth and the quality of life of our neighbors can coexist in meaningful ways, and I invite all elected officials and candidates to join me in publicly opposing Brockton Power's proposal.”

Unregistered

06-08-2007, 08:06 AM

Westwood ........ Westwood Station.....retail, condos, business, hotel

Dedham ........... Legacy Place ........ retail, restaurants

Foxboro ........... Patriot Place ...... retail, hotel, medical, restaurants

Walpole ............ Any Place ....... Gas Fired Power Plant

PRICELESS

Unregistered

06-08-2007, 10:27 AM

Because our EDC and the majority of our Selectmen do not have any vision for this town, and they only think in $$$, without thinking about the ramifications of what is invited, into this town we are going to host a power plant.
I know this is not what I hope for; smokestacks over Walpole.
There are so many negatives to this type of business.
Just to name a few:
One million gallons of water a day to cool the turbine jet engines.
The noise from those engines will be considerable.
In a market where house values are shrinking to be identified with type of industry, well Walpole takes a step back to it ‘mill town’ image.
Like Pandora’s Box, once you accept something like this you open the door to all sorts of undesirable situations.

I feel sorry for those who are the abutters, but only to a degree, as they have a share of the responsibility by voting back in they very ones who are bent on bringing this type of industry to town, or by note paying attention and not voting at all.

I only feel that this is inevitable, this is Walpole’s future:
Smokestack industries, werehouses, trucking, rampant 40b’s and superfund sites.
Not a pretty picture.

Unregistered

06-08-2007, 11:07 AM

Thanks for highlighting these neighboring towns and how they pro-actively look to develop business in their town. We should learn from these towns and reach out to businesses that we want in Walpole. Instead we have a small but vocal group of obstructionists, who fight any business that wants to come in town. For example, the Baker Hughes site in S. Walpole where a there was a proposed hotel and office park. The town waffled and I would think the property owners will get fed up (as time is money) and develop it in a way we do not want or sell it to a less than desirable user. Do not beleive a 55+ community will ever go there as the market is becoming saturated in the area and do you really think that someone 55+ will pay $400-500K so they can hear Jimmy Buffet, Metalica from the stadium, freight trains that pass through the property and fight the traffic associated with the stadium. If a developer gets that property cleaned up to a residential standard, you will see a 40B project the size of Windsor Gardens at that site not age restricted housing.

God forbid we try to do plan smart growth along 1A with large potential tracts!

Unregistered

06-09-2007, 03:20 PM

There's power plants in Brockton, Everett, and Lynn. How much good did those power plants do for the schools?

Unregistered

06-11-2007, 11:48 PM

Power plants are the 40Bs of commercial development.

Unregistered

06-12-2007, 01:07 PM

There was NEVER a plan for an office park or hotel on the Baker Hughes site. Just because someone says they wanted a hotel does not mean there was ever a plan to have a hotel.

There was IN FACT a proposal for an age restricted community.

It is funny how those who know nothing about what is a happening in town are so full of opinions.

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 01:12 AM

Competitive Power Ventures approached the town in December to say that it is interested at a site for a 500-megawatt plant in the vicinity of the Walpole Industrial Park........

"In January, Boynton continued, representatives of the company met with him, development officer Don Walsh and selectmen Al DeNapoli and Chris Timson."

"We didn't shake hands and say come on in, Boynton said. But at the same time, the company was not shown the door, he added."

Makes you wonder....would they meet with a nuclear power plant operator? Where do they draw the line?

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 08:03 AM

"I say this with complete appreciation for people who come out and
>advocate
> > for their own self-interests," said Economic Development Officer Don
>Walsh.
> > "But the problem is that the minority in numbers can impede on what's
>good
> > for the community at large."

So all those residents in North Walpole who advocated for open space, instead of, say, a golf course or soccer fields, that is ok!!!! But it is not ok for South Walpole residents to advocate against a power plant or 40B. Are you kidding me sir? This town should be outraged, we paid over $8M for land that could have been generating money for this town. We had a chance for open space yet have it function to generate money. Now when the residents of South Walpole want to speak up, not for just open space, but against a POWER PLANT, we don't have the best interests of our town in mind. Are you for real sir? I can understand a company similiar to Bayer or office space, something that adds value to the town.

South Walpole has the Preserve and the prison. Enough sir, this is our chance to have an Adams Farm.

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 12:13 PM

#34 is right on. Excellent point. However, the flip side to that is, the land where the power plant would go is not exactly as picturesque as Adams Farm, though that doesn't mean it's only good for a power plant.

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 12:23 PM

Mr. Walsh and the EDC are sadly mistaken if they think it is only a few who do not want a gas power plant that uses one million gallons of water a day to cool twin jet turbine engines and has a tower that will loom over all of Walpole .
I also would like Mr. Walsh to find another job as he has not brought even ONE good idea to Walpole in the three years he has been getting paid by the town( us).
For him to insult the good people of Walpole because they don't want a power plant is ludicrous. It is time for him to go back to Dorchester!

Stand up Walpole!

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 01:32 PM

WAH,WAH, you mean we weren't going to get the Love Shack Motel and the next MicroSoft As A Grape Corporation????????

Unregistered

06-13-2007, 02:56 PM

Funny, I thought the prison was in West Walpole.

Unregistered

06-14-2007, 05:40 AM

Dear Post 34,
I can understand your desire for a piece of open land that the residents of South Walpole can hike on, perhaps picnic on. However such a piece of land already exist, it is the South Walpole Town Forest! Plenty of hiking and easily accesible from Washington St. Not a lot of parking but removing some trees would take care of that.

Or is it your desire to sell that piece of land and buy the Baker Hughes property?

Unregistered

06-14-2007, 09:08 AM

Don't you get it? The people making the decisions don't live in South Walpole or don't live in Walpole at all. Thye don't care. They don't know the area. And they don't want used car lots, power plants, 40Bs, and junkyards in their backyards. Yet they scream the loudest that the people of South Walpole are NIMBYs. You couldn't even put a soccer field at Adams Farm. A few words come to my mind - one of them is ELITIST.

Unregistered

06-14-2007, 03:44 PM

What is with this town?
I don’t hear people talking about north, south, east ,etc Westwood?
This effects all of Walpole.
All you people who think this is a good idea should try doing some research.
You know try, googling ‘gas-fired power plants’.
This is another pathetic idea. I see a pattern: sludge, huge propane farms and regional trash transfers stations. Gas fired power plants in the age of global warming. It doesn’t get anymore pitiable.

Unregistered

06-16-2007, 07:46 AM

With regards to my previous post#34 and in response to #39. I stated I could understand a company similiar to Bayer going there, a solar plant, an office park, I could even handle wharehouse space. But to put a power plant there is UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!!! My comparison to Adams Farm is that they could have used that land for something beautiful, functional and still had open space. We are not asking for open space, we understand the financial needs of the town and, I think, as South Walpole residents we understand that is a commericial area. Why can't we have a say on what that area holds?

With regards to the town forest, why wasn't that enough, why buy Adams Farm?

Unregistered

06-16-2007, 08:37 AM

I am in favor of businesses in Walpole but not a power plant. Our Selectman however need to get a clue. I will agree there are many vacant businesses in downtown but why is that. Several Gas Stations have left and has anything approached those businesses for leasing or owning? The Chinese Restaurant has been vacant since I moved to this town. Does Anyone want to put in a business there? Personally the building has been closed so long I cannot imagine what is growing in there. Downtown businesses need support from their town to survive. People need to spend money in the downtown shops and I am in favor in that. But how many people have shopped in every business there? When a new shop opens I am always thinking about it but I never seem to go. Take for instance the Mexican Restaurant never seems to be crowded or Paddocks pub. Our Town is so divided but personally I do not want to pay any more taxes. We need to generate money and focus on areas that could potentially be turned into 40B's. We need to expand the Walpole Mall and make it competitive. 1A needs help and badly. I do not blame the people who live on 1A regarding businesses look what has gone up in the past. Would you want to live near that Industrial Park? Or Goldies used cars and auto parts? Norfolk, in my opinion, has done a great job along 1A. Great businesses are going in and basically lost opportunity for Walpole. In the past our selectman should have zoned Route 1 and Route 1A commercial use only and left it vacant for real business opportunity. Our Selectman need to get together and come to a conclusion what will work for our towns best interest. We have too many Selectman constantly butting heads and we seem to have no leader. We are becoming reactive instead of proactive. We had consultants come in; we filled out surveys; for what? We should be reviewing the information filled out by the townspeople to see what the majority of people want. Too me this was a great idea but money wasted. I do not care if most of the money came from the state, it is tax dollars to me and they were wasted. The old Bird machine location, to me, is in trouble. If we do not attract something there I see another 40B going up. Please remember with the Walpole Woodworkers site, Walpole is still well below the 10% mandate by the state. The AQV now sounds really good. It is too bad that we basically let that go. Who were the selectman that opposed that?

Unregistered

06-19-2007, 06:42 AM

To #43,
Jalapeno's is a great restaurant, you should definitely try it. The Paddock Pub is a nice neighborhood pub; I wouldn't travel from another town to go there, but it's a decent place to meet up with some friends.

I've been to Subway once, it's not my thing. My kids love the dino dude's pizza place. Joe and Maura have been cutting my hair since before I moved to Walpole and they've been cutting my children's hair since they were ready for haircuts.

There are many viable businesses in the center of town. You raise a good point that we should take advantage of their proximity, however, you gain something else by patronizing the businesses... a sense of community.

Try out the center of town, you might be surprised. Walpole town center doesn't have the variety of Norwood center, but it has some very good places and friendly owners.

Unregistered

06-20-2007, 09:15 AM

Rather than offering my opinion on the Lack of vision with the BOS, I will simply say that if we patronized the local merchants in equal proportion to their collective charitable generosity back to the town , we would have real viability with no need for revitalization except cosmetics

Unregistered

07-05-2007, 12:13 PM

one of my greatest fears is that the same person(s) who conceived of the monstrosity of a building on glenwood ave (behind the bank of america) may in the future try that same "style" on other properties he/they own (which are numerous) in the town center.

we need to mobilize against these persons of poor taste. the cheapest building one can create is basically a box with holes in it...and that is what they did on glenwood ave. I call that "chernobyl-style" architecture, once used in the soviet union to create housing.

architecture is important.....lack of architectural sense when building such a large structure (quite possibly the worst building built in America) is nothing to be proud of

Unregistered

07-18-2007, 04:34 PM

I agree with post #4. Liberty Villiage is an eye sore. What can we do to motivate the building owners to make improvements?

Unregistered

07-26-2007, 10:33 AM

I'm surprised no one has started a thread on the proposed child care center on 109. Talk about taxing our resources? How much water do you think a place like that runs through daily? It's like a small school and the factor which would upset me if I was a neighbor is it will have a septic system - that's a lot of stuff being pumped back into the local environment.

Unregistered

07-27-2007, 01:32 PM

Geez I am getting tired of the NIMBY attitude in this town.

Industrial businesses are not good (i.e. BIRD site should be AQV)

New homes are not good (taxes the school resources)

40B's are not good (taxes the schools, police, etc).

Now a non-industrial business is not good enough either (i.e. the the childcare center)???

Guess what...unless we plow the whole town under and call it Adams Farm any land you use for any purpose is going to tax our resources in one form or another.

I believe the area you are referring to is currently zoned for up to 7 single-family homes (and BTW the zoning allows for a childcare center). If we do not want the childcare center then maybe we build 7 more homes. How much water do you think those 7 homes would use compared to a single business? This increases the burdens on the schools and BTW also lowers our 40B percentage. Then the next 'open space' becomes 40B, etc.

Unregistered

07-31-2007, 12:22 PM

Do the math! How many kids do you think will be moving in if the land was used for 7 seven new homes? The water usage by all 7 seven homes wouldn't come even close to the water usage by 388 kids plus 115 adults!

I'm not against a child care going in anywhere it's the magnitude that I find somewhat alarming. It's adding another 300-400 cars a day to Route 109 traffic - as one neighbor said - getting onto Route 109 at North Street, by Bubbling Brook is already a nightmare and trying to take a left - you take your life in your hands!

I just hope the various town boards do their homework to ensure that all concerns are looked at.

Unregistered

07-31-2007, 02:24 PM

I disagree with the water usage argument against the daycare center.

Daycare centers do not do laundry, they do not have showers, they do not fill a pool. At most you'll have children and staff using bathroom facilities and washing their hands and face.

I can see a situation where the water usage may include outdoor sprinklers for fun and for landscaping.

A daycare center is preferable to individual homes from a taxation point of view as they would require less resources and provide more of a tax benefit.

Unregistered

07-31-2007, 05:14 PM

a business on rt. 109, nearly in westwood/medfield/dover.

its the nimby people up at that corner that don't want it. Understandable, but maybe with increase in traffic, we all will finally get a traffic light at bubbling brook...wouldn't that be a positive?

this child care thing has some merit, however I don't have a clue as to what it would bring to the town in tax money.

Unregistered

08-04-2007, 12:41 AM

The daycare center will be taxed and assessed commercially. Much better use than 7 homes.
The daycare center is private and requires no town assistance. People pay money to go there.
I live right down the street and I may send my children there. I aready use 109 and so do most of the people who will bring their child there. The extra traffic on 109 is a ridculous argument. People will be dropping the child off somewhere at that same time and will be using 109 to get there anyhow.
The homes would have been cheap, no frills, vinyl sided, lower assessed, etc... anyhow.
We need more of the high-end developments which bring quality builders building 1.8M - $4M homes. Nice taxes with those homes. I'd rather see 4 children in a 2 million dollar home than 4 in a $500,000 home.
We need more homes like Millbrook Rd or that beautiful stone one on Crosswoods Path.

Say no to the power plant.

Who contaminatd the parcel that owes 1.2 in taxes? Was it a national corp? Where is the town attorney? They need to take the property and sue the trustees of the trust for negligence and go after all the people who ever owned the land or operated from there.
Why doesn't the selectman get with the state and work something out???

optimistic

08-05-2007, 01:55 PM

Why can we not follow the lead of the town center model that Needham as developed, and at some level Norwood has. Bring quality eating establishments and people will visit the area, incorporate mixed use living and commercial space with a pedestrian friendly layout. There is a lot of room behind these businesses in Walpole center, and it is currently utilized as a parking lot. Why not an open area mixed with business, retail,and restaurants? Or the area that Finnegan's wake currently occupies? The same idea should be incorporated in the village area of East Walpole, the demographics in the area would support more high quality eating establishments. Especially with folks spending 600K on condos and 800+K on homes in the Toll Development. I think the mall has recognized this potential and has smartly decided to upgrade its facility, why can't the town?

Unregistered

11-04-2007, 09:35 AM

S.M. Lorusso & Sons wants to sell some of its walpole land to a developer who will place a powerplant in your backyard. We do need new development! We don't need development that will present us with more risks and hazards than is reasonable. This powerplant presents grave threats to our water supply as it will not only house the plant itself but will store on the site 2,000,000 gallons of fuel oil, 16,000 gallons of aqueous ammonia, thousands of gallons of wasre water, and numerous other toxic chemicals. It will also spew tremendous amounts of airbourne pollutants from its smokestacks ( thats why they are called smokestacks). All of this for the potential of a few tax dollars! Don't allow this to happen to our town. We can attract better to the town. We can find better business to bring in. Speak out and let your officials and town mates how you feel.

Unregistered

11-13-2007, 04:34 PM

Anyone know what is being planned for this space across from the CVS on Main Street? Also, there is a sign on the space next to Verderber Real Estate that says, "coming soon". What's going there? Hopefully something good!

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 08:04 AM

It appears the Breadwinner Bakery is out of business too. Is this going to be another vacant building like the Kahana? I noticed the gas station gone too.

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 09:56 AM

So that makes about 7 empty buildings in Walpole Center alone! Pathetic! What is the town doing to promote business growth in this town? Another question, why won't anyone open a business in Walpole? We really need some useful stores in the center. How about a coffee shop like Perks in Norwood. I know we have Dunkin Donuts everywhere, but you can't meet a friend and sit in there and actually enjoy yourself. I'd really like to see a young women's boutique (not overly priced like the Children's store that was here).

Went to the Chamber of Commerce site. You would think that they would have on their website the properties that are available and what is "coming soon".

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 10:38 AM

So sad, our leaders are too busy chasing down dirty business and ignoring the obvious

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 10:55 AM

Maybe word has gotten out that there will be a mega power plant down the street. I really don't blame them. I will miss the bakery, tuscan bead was to die for.
The image of this is changing and not for the better.

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 03:17 PM

Regardless of what goes in the bakery space and it's ajacent gas station land, it will only be yards away from 240 rental units proposed for the Walpole woodworkers site.
The entire downtown area will become a hangout

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 03:35 PM

You should have seen it in about 1967-1969! The parking lot across from the 7-eleven was Hangout Central...every night, practically. You could easily run into about 50 of your peers, no problem.

I often wonder where kids hangout nowadays.

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 03:38 PM

It is our 'Master plan' at work

Unregistered

11-14-2007, 04:29 PM

Yessirree, in the survey for the Master Plan, people asked fo affordable housing.

Unregistered

11-15-2007, 01:05 PM

I read with interest in today's paper that an official from the Economic Development Commission was discussing the "anti-development and anti-business" people in town and how their voice often dominates issues because they attend meetings in large numbers. Is he implying that they are not representative of the town as a whole and should be disregarded? If so, then we should throw out the town master plan which his Commission so often refers to in justifying their existence. The true participation rate for that exercise barely registered with the general population. For that matter, should we also disregard all elections because the turnout has been embarrassingly low in recent years? Just wondering.

Unregistered

11-15-2007, 08:27 PM

same old, same old complaint from EDC. if they bought something decent to town maybe people would rally around it...maybe EDC needs new members and not same old dirty businessess

Unregistered

11-16-2007, 12:22 AM

I was one that recommended that we should increase affordable housing in Walpole. If you do not plan to try to reach the 10% goal this town will have about 3 large apartment complexes. These large complexes put a drain on towns. The Preserves was planned prior to the questioner coming out, basically too late. The Preserves was pushed on us and it contains not 10%, not 20% but yes 50% of the units are affordable and at the 60% of the median. The standard is 20% of units affordable at 80% median income. The developer received a better loan as a result of the 50/60. I recommended that all new Condo/Townhomes/Single home developements contain 40B. I did not mention anything about aparments. This recommendation is not new to the town since it was put in front of them by several consultants back 10+years. So who ever our selectman were 10+ years ago are to blame for the Preserves, no one else. What the builders would do is build a home. The outside of the home would look like all the others, but the inside of the home is made from less expensive materials. These homes would have been put up for lottery for people in this town, such as young families and the elderly. Again, young and old could have submitted for these homes and you could have been helping your own. You know if you showed you were building 60 40B's each year the town receives a lot more respect when fighting 40B's. I strongly believe that the Preserves would not have happened if we showed we did this. The Preserves lawyer basically pointed to Walpole and stated we were snobs and we have no 40B's because we planned it this way. We had only 1.7% of affordable housing at that time the Preserves wanted to come in.

Unregistered

11-17-2007, 08:21 PM

No one put together a housing production plan not ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four , three, two, and one year ago. Lots of people to blame in ten years.

Unregistered

11-29-2007, 07:08 PM

Walpole is a strange town whose managers welcome a power plant but treat existing businesses poorly. The reason for all of the empty buildings is Walpole's backward thinking that rewards polluters but punishes and discourages hardworking small business owners. the result is an exodus.

Unregistered

11-30-2007, 12:35 PM

Several of the earlier threads addressed the South Street property on which the real estate taxes have not been paid for three decades and Walpole is owed $1.2 million in unpaid taxes. Obviously, the site has its problems and is polluted, but anyone can see that Walpole is an expensive town and that property has some value. Walpole is too poorly run to do anything about that situatuation but anyone can see that Walpole should request RFPs from qualified developers and select the best proposal for redevelopment. Then, the town could either broker a deal or take the land and sell it for a token sum to the developer who would clean it up and deliver the lowest impact redevelopment. The back taxes problem has gone on so long that there is no hope for ever recovering anything. Walpole is vigilant about collecting taxes from responsible businesses but has a different set of rules for others. Any taxpayer can sue the town for discrimination as a result of the obvious favoritism of the South Street property owners who are not required to pay taxes.

Unregistered

01-04-2008, 04:47 PM

I see another long-time downtown business (Walpole Priintworks) has closed its doors in the Center only to move to High Plain St near Rt1. Another kudo for the EDC to try and maintain businesses in downtown Walpole. Pretty soon you won't need lights down there becuase it will be a ghost town. How many more businesses do we need to loose and why isn't the EDC Officer and the EDC not paying more attention to businesses leaving. Landlords probably charging too much rent, but yes we're "Business Friendly."

Unregistered

01-13-2008, 10:27 PM

You claim to have ideas that need to be heard and are not happy with the direction of the EDC. You have the option of joining the EDC to work to bring about the changes you desire. The town needs new ideas and people to implement them. The town website indicates there are two associate member positions open. Apply to selectmen, get appointed and you can point Walpole's economic direction in the way you believe you want it to go. Change can only come about when individuals are willing to work for it.

Unregistered

01-15-2008, 08:16 AM

I noticed the buildings next to the mall were torn down. Does anyone know if any stores have been approved to be built there?

Unregistered

01-28-2008, 01:27 PM

The EDC, in the years I've been here, has never wanted to focus on the Downtown. They appear only to be seeking the big hit in town. The problem is, those big hits over the past several years have been what we, as a Town, are trying to rid ourselves of. The image of Walpole is decaying while the EDC continues to support noxious businesses. If the EDC wants to restore its reputation, then stop supporting these dirty businesses.

Unregistered

01-30-2008, 08:33 AM

Going to Walmart from East Walpole the other night, I noticed they were clearing a piece of land on Route One almost across from the Grossman's outlet,near the car dealership.
Anyone one know what is going there? Did the town send KFC packing or was that approved to be built?

Unregistered

02-11-2008, 05:47 AM

kfc was approved.
the town has aproached the land owner MANY times to do something with the corner of 27/main but he lives in new york and wont let pot. renters do any updates so no one will rent. Its not the towns fault. its the owners, get in touch with him. The EDO and planner has had a few meetings with him asking what the town can do to help him with redevelopment.fact

Unregistered

02-15-2008, 11:22 AM

Anyone have any news of what's going on across from the Kahana, where the gas station was? What's being built? Also, any other plans for the many vacant spaces, including the Kahana? Walpole Center is starting to look a little pathetic! Someone needs to start bringing businesses into Walpole. Who has this job?

Unregistered

02-15-2008, 07:59 PM

The EDO officer is not working on the downtown area. He is working on contaminated properties that will require an expensive and time consuming cleanup and that companies won't be racing to buy.

Unregistered

03-07-2008, 09:28 AM

Is there any word on any new businesses approved to be built in Walpole?
I see they started digging up on the side of the Walpole Mall and a restaurant has been approved to be built on the other side of the parking lot. What's going on Route One near the car dealership? Are they putting another building near Starbucks?

Unregistered

03-07-2008, 05:43 PM

While we are on the subject, what is that large building going up behind Jimmy's Pizzeria in East Walpole? I don't think it's a 40B; maybe condos; maybe a commercial building - professional? office space?

Thanks for any input.

Unregistered

03-12-2008, 03:59 PM

Did you read that officials are finally going to focus on downtown? That is really good news.

Unregistered

03-13-2008, 07:47 PM

Did you read that officials are finally going to focus on downtown? That is really good news.

I hope it's not another bank. But what makes you think this is good news? What else was said in this source? Are we getting something useful or another business like the power plant?

Unregistered

03-14-2008, 08:15 AM

I also read in Walpole News.com that they were focusing on the Downtown. They will be trying to get grants from the State to help with Downtown improvement and as well as Elm Street. I am assuming it is the initial part of Elm Street. Our Downtown needs so much help it is not even funny. Everytime a business leaves that is less foot traffic going into our downtown. Norwood has done a fabulous job. When I lived there, trust me, there was nothing and quite a few vacant shops. Norwood has focused on the downtown area in the last 7 years and it has paid off. They are now trying to add more high end restaurants and as well as vallet parking. They had a vision and stayed true to it. I remember when I used to live in Norwood there was only 3 restaurants in the whole downtown area. Now there are several and more coming. I agree with our consultant we need to add a Perks coffee shop in the Downtown area. That would help greatly. Perks is constantly packed in Norwood, day or night. Our downtown during the day is a ghost town and at night even worse. At night, the only thing hoping is 7 eleven as a result of kids hanging around, which is not pleasant to see.

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 11:57 AM

The ghost of Xmas future:
The entire Kahana block is to be torn apart for a three story complex , under 40R .
The new complex will be a mix of stores below and about 50 appartments above.

The former gas station across from the Kahana block will house the new Chineese restaurant relocated from across the street " Blue Orchid"

Tony Lorusso will reconstruct his building on the corner of 1A and 27 into a three story building with several appartments above.

The so called Kendall block will be converted under 40R into about 100 condo units.

Walpole woodworkers and the town have reached an agreement on 190 rental units.

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!!

FOREVER AND EVER !!!!

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 12:02 PM

You have just described the Master Plan. This is what we want, mixed development with the concentrations of population in the downtown area to support stores, restaurants, use public transportation etc. What you described sounds pretty good!

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 12:05 PM

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 12:10 PM

40R is a 40B development with a one time payment of $3000. Is that what you really want?
The Master Plan had 22% of the population respond and a lot of duplicates were submitted because the forms were lying around everywhere. It is not a valid assessment.

Nobody wants more "affordable" housing. And anyone who keeps pointing to the master plan is being cute. When people said affordable, they were thinking small affordables houses not large apartment complexes.

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 12:19 PM

Where did 84 receive his information? 84 did forget to add the town is looking for a grant to revamp the much needed downtown area. Also, 190 units apartments, I hope and strongly hope, that it will not be more than 20 % affordable (basically the min) versus 50% like they did with Preserves. That was a huge mistake. Also, if they went to the state, knowing our track record, I could see 300 units going in. Also, I hope the town asked for the completion to be done in phases versus all at once. Again, this comment should probably be in the opinion section. Also, if all true it will put us very, very close to our 10% goal. One thing I do want to point out Canton is a mess due to all the affordable housing that went in at once. A big mess.

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 07:39 PM

Unregistered

03-28-2008, 08:09 PM

what you don't get: a lot of Walpole residents have a huge fear of people other than the white race. Walpole has become a haven for white-flighters. 40b projects mean the opposite.

In otherwords, in their minds, there goes the neighborhood....

Where are you getting your facts from? What study are you quoting? I live in Walpole with 2 sets of non-white neighbors and it's not the Preserve. What people are fearful of is Walpole allowing 40b's being built on any plot of land that the owners can convience the ZB to allow.

An example: the 40b proposed on Baker Street is one that is a bad idea. It has nothing to do with who's going to live there but with the fact that the street is designated a scenic and rural road. It's hardly wide enough to drive regular two cars in either direction where this 40b is to be built. The proposed layout would leave little room for a moving van to back in or out without hitting something.

As to 'White Flighters', what do you call those others who wanted to move from cities where the crime rate is driving them out? Or maybe they moved here because they could afford it, as my neighbors did. Would 'Other Flighters' fit a description of them?

Unregistered

03-29-2008, 09:09 AM

Think about how you interpet the message. I would have no objections if all 40B's/40R's were town homes/homes for families and elderly. I disagree with apartments. These apartments make quite a bit of money. People who live in apartments come and go monthly/yearly and this puts a burden on a school system. Canton is a mess because it happened too quickly for them, not race. I was an advocate way back that all NEW home/condo developements, which I live in one, have 10% affordable. Consultants even recommended this in the late 80's/90's and we ignored them. We still do not have this clause in any of our new home plans.

Unregistered

05-27-2008, 10:16 PM

Why was the East Walpole clocktower site not on the short list of areas in need of redevelopment? It has been over 10 years since the fire burned down Bird Hall. The site is already a mixed use ready site.

Unregistered

05-29-2008, 10:22 AM

The site is already in the development process. Hollingsworth & Vose presented a plan for mixed use (commercial & residential) over a year ago. I beleive there is a land/legal issue with an abutting property owner that has stalled the project, but hopefully it will move forward at some point. Not sure how long the land/legal issue will drag this out.

Unregistered

05-30-2008, 07:44 PM

The current group of selectman are all essentially newbies that the ever omniscient town body believed were needed to clear out the "same old" before. When do you stop and start looking at the actual integrity and quality of the candidate instead of voting based on length of residency?

An entire article about "the man" that owns the Kahana...no names. Not even once. You want action? Out him and make his name knwon to everyone who lives in this town. Shame is powerful.

Unregistered

06-02-2008, 03:07 PM

Well, who owns the Kahana? Can anyone let us in on the secret?

Unregistered

06-03-2008, 05:44 PM

According to the Walpole Assessors Data Base, 907-911 Main Street, which looks like it includes the empty bank building and the Kahana, is owned by an entity known as Walpole Realty LP. The parcels assessed value is $1,243,800.

According to the Secretary of State Corporations data base, Walpole Realty LP has as its registered agent one David Goldman, 89 Bellingham Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

A few more clicks, and we learn that:

The General Partner of Walpole Realty LP, as is often the case, is a corporation. In this case, it's First Management Corporation. The same David Goldman is the President (and all officers and the sole director) of First Management Corporation, and the address is also 89 Bellingham Road in Chestnut Hill.

There you go.

see for yourself:

http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch type in Walpole Realty Limited Partnership

Unregistered

06-18-2008, 11:38 AM

I see in today's Daily Transcript the owners of Sunny Rock Farm want to sell the land to developers. Just what North Walpole needs, more ugly McMansions.

GUSTAV

06-18-2008, 12:05 PM

Why not put up some 40R and 40B development like the rest of the town has.
Or, does the Norfolk County Riding Club need a new place to hold a fox hunt? I'll have to check to see what the zoning is for the farm. It is agricultural, but could it be LM also?

Unregistered

06-18-2008, 01:04 PM

If we had the Community Preservation Act already we could have purchased the land for open space, affordable housing or recreation space but we were not proactive.

Unregistered

06-18-2008, 06:15 PM

If all the school people are so hysterical about the need for $$$ and corporate tax base, then those in Precinct 8 and 7 should be happy to do their fair share. Sunny Rock should be converted to business use. That will be just fine with all those folks I am sure. Otherwies they would be nothing but a bunch of NIMBYs....

Unregistered

06-18-2008, 11:05 PM

If we had the Community Preservation Act already we could have purchased the land for open space, affordable housing or recreation space but we were not proactive.

Not proactive?! All I hear everyone saying is that we need more business. People are trying to create a panic over the need for more business. Why should we spend more money for more open space in North Walpole? How about generating some tax revenue.

Unregistered

06-19-2008, 10:00 AM

The town has already spent big bucks for Adams Farm, North Walpole does not need any more open space.

Unregistered

06-19-2008, 11:18 AM

I do not see any large businesses jumping into Walpole except for the power plant. If anything I see a need to improve what we have (downtown) and preserve what we have. If it becomes a developement that is fine with me. No one is buying right now so I do not see anything selling real soon. As for a developement yes taxes will be about $10,000 per home but if they have on average 1.5 children, we will loose money in this developement. Yes we will recoop all the back taxes but where will that money go? I am for the CPA and please get with the program. We already pay into it and other towns are benefiting from it especially the rich towns. The rich towns understand that they have well educated people who hate developement and want to preserve open space, historic preservation and affordable housing. If anything the state should do away with the program because only the wealthy, as usual, are making out. Unfortunately, that does not look like it will happen any time soon. If we invest $1 we receive back from the state .65 cents, no brainer. I hate paying more taxes but it will be a 2% increase, basically $65 on average for the year. The 1st $100,000 is waived on the tax bill. In the past the dollar was matched 100% now more towns are understanding the law that is why the percentage is lower.

Unregistered

06-19-2008, 06:52 PM

Unregistered

06-19-2008, 08:42 PM

Unregistered

06-20-2008, 07:17 AM

No more luxuries for North Walpole while friends and neighbors in South Walpole are being sacrificed. I don't have any problem with a few homes when the South side of town is fighting for it's very life against a power plant! ARE YOU KIDDING!!!! The only way I would go for the CPA is if it first buys as many acres in South Walpole, as Adams Farm and Sunny Rock would add up to in North Walpole. No one group of citizen's is entitled to a better quality of life than another. We all pay taxes to the same town and it is about time we start representing everyone as such.

I agree with this wholeheartedly! Any discussion about spending the town's money to protect the open space of Sunny Rock Farm should get in line behind the discussion about how to protect our entire town from CPV's obnoxious power plant project.

The land at 33 Industrial Road is assessed at about $850,000. For the protection of the aquifer, the town should acquire this land by eminent domain and restore it to its original condition as wetlands. This would provide very real benefits to the entire town while also protecting the beauty and serenity of the Town Forest.

Any discussion about adopting the CPA or purchasing more open farmland in North Walpole should come AFTER the town has fully addressed this serious threat to the safety and character of our community.

Unregistered

06-22-2008, 12:57 PM

There is no need to buy the Sunnyrock land. Nine houses on 16 acres is very desirable. There is already enough unused "open space" in town. The tax money these homes would bring in would be much more beneficial to the town. We should NOT buy this land, at any cost.

The tax money these houses bring in? How about the services they cost. Walpole approved/wanted all of these 3-5 BR homes over the last 15 years. People built and sold them (And alot of Walpole Residents made a fortune). Everyone saw their property values sky rocket, and most were happy. Then the people that bought those houses started putting their 2-4 (or more) kids into the school system, and the tax revenue from their house wasn't even close to the services used. I have no problem with that, but alot of people on this board seem to. They snear at the people who want to increase school funding, and keep saying .."Schools were good enough for me 30 years ago." and the like.

Building the houses is fine, but remember that for the most part unless there is an AQV built, the tax revenue won't be there until the kids a grown in 25 years!

Unregistered

06-22-2008, 03:34 PM

Is someone forgetting about the town forest on Washington Street. Yes, where I see at least 2 cars parked there. How about the preserves that was a farm a while back. Why didn't the town buy that piece of property. That would have been a great investment for the town. The property is Right on route 1 and it went for a total of $2 million dollars. I think that property is costing us quite a bit more than what the taxes they are paying us. I am aware the CPA was not around at the time but why didn't we agree to buy this property or ask to buy it. The CPA is a great tool. It can be used to preserve Historic sites as well as creat/update recreation space and create affordable housing. It will definitely benefit the town and our town money already goes into the fund whether we like it or not. We put more money into this fund then Norwell who has received about $2.2 million since joining and has only put in $363,000. Norfolk is also in the CPA and has put in $325,000 and has received $1.5 million since 2001. I could go on but you really need to check the article out for yourself. We cannot blame the rich towns on this one. They are taking our money and we cannot do anything about it unless we vote yes.

http://www.hks.harvard.edu/rappaport/downloads/cpa/cpa_final.pdf

Unregistered

06-22-2008, 06:04 PM

The tax money these houses bring in? How about the services they cost. Walpole approved/wanted all of these 3-5 BR homes over the last 15 years. People built and sold them (And alot of Walpole Residents made a fortune). Everyone saw their property values sky rocket, and most were happy. Then the people that bought those houses started putting their 2-4 (or more) kids into the school system, and the tax revenue from their house wasn't even close to the services used. I have no problem with that, but alot of people on this board seem to. They snear at the people who want to increase school funding, and keep saying .."Schools were good enough for me 30 years ago." and the like.

Building the houses is fine, but remember that for the most part unless there is an AQV built, the tax revenue won't be there until the kids a grown in 25 years!

I have not "sneared" at school funding. I voted for the school over-rides, even though my kids are older. I also voted for Adams Farm, even though I never set foot on it. I live in South Walpole. My reward has been a threatenned power plant. ...and the failure to remove the "anything goes" zoning language. Apparently because I live in South Walpole I should put up with anything. I wish those in other areas of town would give me the support that I have given them.

Unregistered

06-22-2008, 09:18 PM

You have no idea who is posting so you don't who is sneering.

Unregistered

06-23-2008, 05:46 PM

Unregistered

06-24-2008, 10:47 AM

I think that was a big mistake by the town not looking to buy the Preserves. We had the option to buy Adams Farm why not give us the option to buy the preserves, especially since it was Farm Land. I would have to say that quite a few people would have been against purchasing another piece of land after Adams Farm but we wouldn't be complaining if we had a vote. The homes that will be built in North Walpole will be huge and will not be apartments. Crime will be low but our schools and other town resourses will be. If you have 1.5 children per home children in this developement it will cost our town $135,000 and if some of the children are autistic/handicapped, oh well. Also, one needs to plow, maintain street lights and trash removal not including future road repairs. When you drive through North Walpole, I love seeing all the farmland. I would hate to see all of it in the future disappear. I live near the Industrial Park not in North Walpole and yes I would love to see the town clean up 1A. I would have loved to have seen a 9 hole golf course come in that would have been great. If we had built the golf course and redone the Industrial park I bet we would have attracted more businesses to this area. I would also love to see our town focus on our downtown. Am I asking for too much?

Unregistered

06-24-2008, 03:18 PM

There is a drill rig drilling right next to the Kahana building. Could something actually be happening with that sight?... one can only hope... What a day it will be be when you can take an out of town visitor to your town center for a coffee and a stroll...

Unregistered

06-24-2008, 05:05 PM

That would be incredible. Our downtown needs so much help it is amazing. The Kahana has been vacant so long can you imagine the condition inside that building. I would think the building would need to be torn down.

Unregistered

06-27-2008, 12:26 PM

Dear Post 111,

There is indeed a town forest in South Walpole. It is a nice hike.
The land goes from Washington St up to Route 1. It is one of the town's
hidden gems.

Unregistered

06-27-2008, 05:24 PM

Some improvements on the corner of 1a and 27 across from T-T's. I think its a Lorusso owned property. Bravo Mr. Lorusso!

Other owners seem to be content with being near slum-lords.

Unregistered

06-28-2008, 02:49 AM

Dear Post 111,

There is indeed a town forest in South Walpole. It is a nice hike.
The land goes from Washington St up to Route 1. It is one of the town's
hidden gems.

Not South Walpole, but thanks for trying! It is really "central" Walpole. The town forest is behind the High School. Last time I checked, the high school is no where near South Walpole. Good try!

Unregistered

06-28-2008, 09:59 AM

111: sorry, but you are wrong - the town forest is indeed behind the high school AND ALSO off South Street! The other poster is correct - it is South Walpole and it is the town forest and it is truly a hidden gem. If you were to go down Washington Street, take a LEFT onto South Street there is a well marked, but small, parking area about 500 feet on your left. Happy trails!

Unregistered

06-29-2008, 07:30 PM

Unregistered

07-08-2008, 09:25 AM

why are we reelecting the people who did a bad job before one of many examples instead of fixing the police station back then we have a station thats falling apart. instead of pro active planning. Do we want to listen to community "leaders" who back in the day had NO foresight to
1 take care of our seniors with a real senior center
2 knowing the growth/builing happeing in the 80s plan/build
a police station
a fire station
3 why did you sell bird school/washington green
4 plan for the library
5 embrace route 1 development and make it look nice
6 plan community friendly affordable housing during the building boom -like other towns did!
7 adequetly preserve our historical sites you claim to love
old town hall
bird clock tower
train station
Come On Everyone
we are listening to people with enough information to sway you but they got us here!
WE are all thankful that you fought sludge but please stop the in fighting and platform/grandstanding
Lets become proactive and make Walpole a leader not a dumping ground
Everyone is NOT involved in a conspiracy against Walpole

Unregistered

07-08-2008, 11:24 AM

Unregistered

07-08-2008, 05:14 PM

comments and attitudes like yours about the senior vs school divide a town and promote infighting instead of + change and growth

Unregistered

07-08-2008, 09:57 PM

Your point #120? The election is over. Once again, there was a dismal apathetic turnout. Once again, a new selectman with no clear plans on how to enhance town revenues is at the controls. There is no clear mandate on what the town "needs." Some say a new police/fire station. Others want a new library. Both seem like reasonable requests that will add to the quality of life and stature of the town. Other "needs" seem like small minority land grabs. A new senior center? Don't we already have one? If seniors balk at school budget overrides, should we not balk at their "needs"?

Being a senior citizen I have to ask "Why do we need a senior center?" Why not a civic center where all would have their space? A civic center would be better utilized by all the town's residents. This civic center would be the hub of the Walpole, bringing us together instead of dividing us. It could be reserved for special occasions not to mention the town of Walpole itself.

The proposed senior center doesn't appeal to me. I rather be around all age groups, it keeps life interesting.

Unregistered

07-09-2008, 12:00 AM

Why don't you go look up who was on the board of selectmen and who was involved when the Bird school was sold or who was on the affordable housing committe in the 80s before you go blaming the people who fought sludge

Unregistered

07-09-2008, 10:30 AM

Bravo #123! I agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion. I am not up-to-date on the new library plans, but could this not fill the bill? It seems more meeting space and less stacks in this electronic age would be the proper direction. By the way, maybe just because yesterday was a scorcher and the library has AC, but it was jam-packed with people from 9 months to 90.

Unregistered

07-27-2008, 11:36 PM

Patriot Place in Foxboro, Legacy Place in Dedham, Westwood Station, Sharon Commons, Mansfield Crossing, Chestnut Green in Foxboro....a lot to come in 2009. What is the effect on Walpole? Are we the beneficiaries of this growth without having to do any of the work, or will we be left behind while our neighboring communities flourish?

Unregistered

07-29-2008, 03:16 PM

the latter!

Unregistered

07-29-2008, 04:39 PM

Frankly all this retail development could not come at a worst time.
Oh people will look, but lets see how much buying goes on.
I really just how much shopping is enough?

Unregistered

07-29-2008, 05:28 PM

Unregistered

07-29-2008, 06:58 PM

i don't think that the area can sustain all this development and westwood station will never be totally built out

Unregistered

07-30-2008, 10:50 AM

Neither will Sharon Commons if it is built at all. The developer hasn't attracted a single tenant- not one.

Unregistered

07-30-2008, 11:42 AM

i don't think that the area can sustain all this development and westwood station will never be totally built out

Out of the other options, I believe Westwood Station has the best chance of succeeding. WS isn't solely a retail location, but will also support commercial and residential space. WS is being built alongside a commuter rail station that supports both local and long distance rail transportation, and is also very close to freight rail. WS is also located at the junction of 128 and 95.

Also consider that the town of Westwood and the developers, though not always seeing eye-to-eye, are working together towards a common goal.

Unregistered

07-30-2008, 12:42 PM

Legacy Place is 95% full. Patriots place is taking Old Navy from the Walpole Mall that should add a vacancy. Westwood Station is getting Wegmans and Target as there 2 anchor stores which will add quite a bit of attraction. The only one I see having a difficult time will be Sharon Commons since there is absolutely nothing there.

Unregistered

07-30-2008, 03:27 PM

Unregistered

07-30-2008, 11:18 PM

I noticed this morning that yet another gym is coming into Walpole. So we have Planet Fitness, National Fitness on Rte 1, the new one coming to Rocky's Plaza, LA Fitness coming to the Walpole Mall. Why would they allow another gym to go into Walpole Center!! Walpole Center needs alot more than another gym. Please, development people, do something!!

This should be good... who do you think THEY are, exactly?

By "THEY", do you mean... the people who DO "things"? Do you mean, the people who "make the schools run"? Do you mean, the people how do "the work"?

Who are "THEY"???

I get the feeling that YOU are the people who "COMPLAIN", but not the people who DO things.

Unregistered

08-04-2008, 02:46 PM

I mean the people that review and approve/reject the business proposals that are presented to the town. Are you one of those people, as it seems you're taking offense to my observation. Please tell the citizens of Walpole how we can get some other businesses into the town.

Unregistered

08-04-2008, 03:52 PM

I agree there are quite a few Gyms in this town opening up along with Nail Salons but this is better than no business. What do you recommend? There are plenty of vacancies in the downtown area that need a business that thrives. Our town has the most vacancies I have ever seen in any downtown I drive through. We need people to go to these businesses to help them succeed. I know I do not visit these businesses as much as I should.

Unregistered

08-07-2008, 08:21 PM

#134: you can't stop a business from opening as long as it is allowed. There is no way the town could stop another nail salon, gym or the like in the Ashmont plaza. The fact that we have too many of those types of businesses is not the town's problem - it will be up to the shop or gym owners to either make their business work or not. Remember this is America and free enterprise is allowed.

Unregistered

08-11-2008, 01:40 PM

A propane facility blew up in Canada. Residents within 1.6 kilometers (about one mile) were evacuated. This place stored about 220,000 litres and that is about 58,000 gallons. Homeowners are angry that this company was allowed in a residential area. Years back, the town was considering a 1 million gallon propane plant. Think about the evacuation radius for an explosion with one million gallons.

http://www.cfrb.com/news/14/768850/trk=b39bb0c2bde42ad8727574c347087868

Unregistered

08-12-2008, 01:19 PM

Looks like Redevelopment Authorities aren't such a great idea all the time. So glad the EDC didn't get their way in Walpole. What's happening in Attlebore would probably happen here too.

Mayor plans bailout of Attleboro Redevelopment Authority

ATTLEBORO - Mayor Kevin Dumas jumped into the controversy swirling around the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority with a three-point plan he hopes will quell questions and solve financial problems plaguing the authority and the industrial business park it's building for the city. The plan, which Dumas unveiled Monday night to The Sun Chronicle, aims to get a handle on the park's finances, save the ARA cash and improve relations with the city.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/08/12/news/3514976.txt

Unregistered

08-14-2008, 07:25 PM

Why dont we let the consultants redo the use table? Its their job and havent they done them for other towns? When this is done will we redo downtown next? or will the use table do that? is the new economic developer helping? how is she going to get shops to come to walpole? and when or if the do will the same people fight them? all I hear is what we dont want. the response is good clean business.yes? then why have I read people didnt like a daycare on 109, KFC on route 1 or the mall to expand on route one, or the bank to get bigger down town? Next everyone claims TRAFFIC! Really, you do not want anything new to come to town! BUT Ill BET YOU are the SAME people who vote down overrides. Has anyone else noticed this or feel the same way?

Unregistered

08-14-2008, 11:28 PM

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 08:09 AM

I see in today's Daily Transcript, the city of Walpole has big plans to build a "municipal complex". I didn't see where they were going to get the money for such an ambitious endeavor. (override) How do other towns i.e Foxboro, Norwood, erect safety buildings and have nice seniors center without overrides?

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 09:28 AM

What goes around, comes around. Maguire dissed school overrides so those voters will return the favor. They will not support her Taj Mahal project. Let's see how brave the selectmen will be about saying the big NO word or if they will let the voters decide and say NO for them.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/news/business/x1246330670

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 09:33 AM

The people that didn't want the day care are the same people that want Adam's Farm to be for their exclusive use. That was the folks in North Walpole that have an eletist and privelidged attitude. They don't mind dumping on the rest of the time. Now please tell me who these people are that didn't want KFC and the mall expansion. Could they be the abutters to these properties? The downtown revitalization projects will bring multiple uses of retail, office and resdential buildings. This will give the downtown a vibrancy that it doesn't have and hasn't had. The CVS plaza will have a dramatic change. New buildings along the side walk with parking in the rear of the buildings. This will make the town center a place to shop and walk and to be social. As far as voting no on overides, we wouldn't have overides if the town was fiscally responsible. It seems when the voters say no, all of a sudden they find cash in the coffers that they didn't know they had. I wish that I could find cash in my checking account that I didn't know that I had. My advice is for you and many others to do a little research and look at Walpole's web site and maybe, just maybe you would be better informed. So my question is, "would you like some cheese with that whine?"

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 09:41 AM

The answer to your question about funding is CPV. Some starry eyed officials think that CPV will fund the library, the schools, the senior center, fileds, police and fire stations, the fireworks, road repairs, fuel costs, and a chicken in every pot. They think that Big Daddy CPV will be throwing around bucks to make their job easier. They won't have to prioritize and they can keep hope alive for every project so no one will vote against them.

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 10:51 AM

goes to show you that when Hoover promised the chicken in every pot, the country was hoodwinked...the great depression followed next year....

(But see http://hoover.archives.gov/info/faq.html#chicken -- tg)

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 01:17 PM

It's about perception.
The voters believed the "chicken" promise of prosperity just like voters believe that CPV will the be the "Cash Cow." The CPV spring series ads with happy people mowing the lawn promise all kinds of revenue. Will the winter series ads promise that CPV Will Keep You Warm? Snowflakes outside and a cozy gas fire place inside. A few chestnuts and happy snowmen maybe.

Here's what advertising did:

"Chicken in Every Pot" is a quotation that is perhaps one of the most misassigned in American political history. Variously attributed to each of four presidents serving between 1920 and 1936, it is most often associated with Herbert Hoover. In fact, the phrase has its origins in seventeenth century France; Henry IV reputedly wished that each of his peasants would enjoy "a chicken in his pot every Sunday." Although Hoover never uttered the phrase, the Republican Party did use it in a 1928 campaign advertisement touting a period of "Republican prosperity" that had provided a "chicken in every pot. And a car in every backyard, to boot."

http://www.answers.com/topic/chicken-in-every-pot

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 01:37 PM

Still unknown about the senior center is how much money the Friends of the Council on Aging have raised. How much is it? Since public land is going to be used, then people have the right to know.

Unregistered

08-15-2008, 05:30 PM

"Board Chairman Cathy Winston went a step further, saying she wanted to rescind the designation of the Blackburn/Stone Field location for the [senior] center."

Smartest thing she's done as a member of the BOS. She and Susan Maguire used to be such good friends. I wonder what happened? Oh yeah, CPV.

Unregistered

08-16-2008, 12:23 PM

Unregistered

08-17-2008, 09:30 PM

How is it that someone can use public land to put up a building with private funds? Voters should have a say because they are going to wind up paying for this project. Supporters will never raise enough money. The fields group had a great website and let everyone know who donated and how much. Why the secrecy with the senior center?

I want to know where there money is coming from! This is public land, and I do not want donations to become a payment of sorts to move ahead the political agenda of a power plant.

Unregistered

08-18-2008, 08:05 PM

another building that we won't be able to staff, operate, and maintain

Unregistered

08-19-2008, 11:56 AM

who is going to dare to ask the question of the senior center advocates about the amount and the source of funding

Unregistered

08-19-2008, 07:23 PM

It would be very unwise for this town to donate public land without accountability.
Ms. McGuire would do well to be upfront with her donor list.
The selectmen and the public should be privy to this list before allocating any land for donation.
I do remember reading in the Walpole Times on Nov 39, 2007 that CPV would put the senior cemter on the 'cherry list'.
It is all a bit distasteful.
Quoting Bob Dylan:
‘You don’t need a weathervane to know which way the wind blows’

Unregistered

08-20-2008, 12:58 PM

Unregistered

08-21-2008, 10:53 PM

I am not a Senior but I just want to know how every other town can build a senior center with town funds? How can they put it on Public Land? The seniors pay taxes too but what benefits do they have? They live on a fixed income with prescriptions constantly rising. I think every town should have a senior center and a complex is a great idea. The only dislike I have is for the Senior Center is the request to take parking away from the proposed Library which could effect the grant. Too me, they would have to come up with the money first prior to even building the center since they think they can fund it 100%. I see no issue with giving them public land. The current senior center is now located in the Town Hall, public space, I see no issue with that as well.

What benefit do you get from your taxes? I am not a senior, have NO kids, and I am not asking that. You get roads, pools, public buildings, plowing, street lights, parks, forests, and open space, health department, town government, trash collection, public safety, fire and ambulance service.... need I go on? Seniors also received an education when they were children. Paying taxes and supporting the town you live in is called being a part of a community. I assure you that my medicare and social security taxes are going to those seniors. I certainly don't mind, but you seem to imply that somehow the seniors are getting robbed. Beleive me, they are taking more out of social security and medicare than they ever put in. It is just the way it is. No one with children in the schools is complaining about that. We are all part of a community, and to be a part, you need to support everyone at some point along the way.

Unregistered

08-22-2008, 10:15 AM

The question is how much money has been raised. It shouldn't be a secret. Other towns have used grants to build their senior centers. Maguire insists on just using private donations for the senior center although she didn't mind getting a grant for East Walpole revitilization.

Unregistered

08-22-2008, 07:59 PM

What benefit do you get from your taxes? I am not a senior, have NO kids, and I am not asking that. You get roads, pools, public buildings, plowing, street lights, parks, forests, and open space, health department, town government, trash collection, public safety, fire and ambulance service.... need I go on? Seniors also received an education when they were children. Paying taxes and supporting the town you live in is called being a part of a community. I assure you that my medicare and social security taxes are going to those seniors. I certainly don't mind, but you seem to imply that somehow the seniors are getting robbed. Beleive me, they are taking more out of social security and medicare than they ever put in. It is just the way it is. No one with children in the schools is complaining about that. We are all part of a community, and to be a part, you need to support everyone at some point along the way.

Having posted on this topic before, I must again state I'm a senior citizen and I oppose a senior center. I would prefer a town center. One that had space for seniors, for kids after school activities, for rooms to allow small meetings or club activities (seniors included), maybe even space for the town to allow some employees to help town residents looking for services (local, state or federal).

Why should a single a group be given something and not another group? Walpole needs to come together not be driven apart by those who have another agenda.

A Town Center over a Senior Center will go a long way in achieving this.

Unregistered

08-22-2008, 11:21 PM

Having posted on this topic before, I must again state I'm a senior citizen and I oppose a senior center. I would prefer a town center. One that had space for seniors, for kids after school activities, for rooms to allow small meetings or club activities (seniors included), maybe even space for the town to allow some employees to help town residents looking for services (local, state or federal).

Why should a single a group be given something and not another group? Walpole needs to come together not be driven apart by those who have another agenda.

A Town Center over a Senior Center will go a long way in achieving this.

Hooray!!! Want to run for office?

dvorak

08-23-2008, 01:03 AM

They live on a fixed income ...

Have you heard of Colas? Will you get as big an increase this year as Senior's do, I doubt it.

Unregistered

08-23-2008, 11:04 PM

The idea of a town center sounds a lot like what the library could/should be. I believe there are rooms in the plans that are for the community. Why build a new big new building when we can use what we already (might) have. A new library could double as the community center, which I think it already is, and a senior center. Brilliant!

Unregistered

08-24-2008, 11:18 PM

For all of the name calling and intimidation tactics that have been aimed at power plant opponents, they really are a quite rational and appropriate group. By comparison the people of Wrentham are protesting a CVS. Our developers and their attourneys should run dwn to Wrentham and start calling everyone a NIMBY. Truthfully, be honest, who WOULDN'T oppose a power plant. It really is just a gross and disgusting idea.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wrentham/news/x1020256238/CVS-eyes-Wrentham

Unregistered

08-25-2008, 10:50 AM

How about a multi purpose building? The library is a community center of sorts. Why not redesign the building to include a senior center and lose the 150 person auditorium.

Unregistered

08-25-2008, 12:03 PM

But don't seniors already use the library? I am sure they would all be welcome, and could use the auditorium for any meetings or lectures, etc they might wish to hold. My daughter's Girl Scout troop can't use the senior center for a meeting, however.

Unregistered

08-25-2008, 03:01 PM

Unregistered

08-25-2008, 04:32 PM

Unregistered

08-30-2008, 09:28 PM

The recent revelations regarding Allied Recyclings "alarming growth" are an alarming indication of the lack of enforcement and compliance in this town. Residents are forced to police the businesses. It is a shame that residents are put in this position by our loose zoning. We do not have the funding to keep up with the outrageous land uses we are saddled with from years past. Why would anyone even consider allowing the "any lawful use" provision to continue to put this community at risk, and force residents to play zoning enforcement. Lucky for the neighboors around Allied Recycling that the owners are not part of the "local fabric". Complaints against longstanding "perceived to be upstanding" members of the business community are often ignored, unresolved, and leave the residents holding the bag. Wonder why that is....

Unregistered

09-19-2008, 11:37 AM

I don't know if it's really just about money. More and more people feel that they don't want to spend anymore money to preserve farmland in North Walpole.

Community Preservation Act on hold in Walpole
http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x859557746/Community-Preservation-Act-on-hold-in-Walpole

Unregistered

09-19-2008, 01:01 PM

And we certainly don't need to spend ANOTHER 50,000 dollars on ANOTHER study for the public safety facility. We've already spent enough (50K).

Unregistered

09-25-2008, 04:06 PM

Isn't it amazing how so many industrial businesses in this town have left a legacy of contaminiation. Take for example Walpole Woodworkers. What are they discussing? Contamination. Next, look at Bird Machine. How many millions of dollars have they spent to clean-up this contaminated waste site. Another beauty! Next, South Street site off Common St. This one goes down as a Superfund site. Another gem! Existing sites; Allied Recycling, Goldies, Zion's (no longer in business, but probably lots of contamination). The former Metal
Bellow company on Rt1 (Don' t know the new name now), but they are still monitoring the Washington St wells.

Let's do this, let's play a game and see how many more we can come up with. I'm sure their are a lot more contaminated waste sites left by our industrial development. The winner will be allowed to take a nice FAll tour of these waste sites and yes, we'll provide you with your own personal Hazmat suit. Good Luck!