21 February, 2012
To the Editor:
According to Webster’s dictionary the definition of DEMOCRACY is: a government in which supreme power is held by the people. Once again this will be so true in the town of Hopkinton when the residents will be asked to vote on the changes to our Downtown Area. This is a generational plan to change the Downtown. This plan was created by the Beta group and presented by the DOWNTOWN INITIATIVE STEERING COMMITTEE. The plan makes major changes to the road way from Wood Street to Ash Street and also includes undergrounding of the utilities from Wood Street to Ash Sreet.
The conceptual redesign of the WOOD St and West Main St has major changes to the intersection near my family's home. This conceptual redesign of the intersection will create major safety issues for my home, family, and business. If these changes come to fruition, it will create an additional lane heading east bound on Wood St. This will ultimately create a situation of us having to cross three lanes of traffic to get to West Main St. My Business is not the only business being affected by these changes. In fact several businesses along the redesign plan will be affected and many businesses have voiced many concerns.
As for my business, I have operated a salon for 11 years in my home. I have many wonderful customers (I want to publicly thank all of you for your support through this difficult time) and the proposed changes to the Wood St Intersection will create a dangerous situation for them as well.
As for the revitalization of our Downtown area, how is it revitalization when many businesses along the way are being asked to make sacrifices for the supposed "good of the town?" I personally feel downtown residents and business owners should not have make these sacrifices and then have to pay for the undergrounding of the wires, Furthermore; all downtown residents will be required to personally pay to get their homes up to current electrical codes before they will be allowed to hook back up to the undergrounding of the utilities. With so many beautiful historic homes in our town, I am sure this will be a major expense for many homeowners. This plan calls for such major changes to the town it has my family walking the streets of Hopkinton alerting residents of the meeting dates.
I urge every generation of Hopkinton residents to attend the upcoming DISC meeting. See the plan .See the generational changes to the Downtown of Hopkinton. Please take the time to attend this meeting. Make an informed vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT
THE FEBRUARY 21st DISC MEETING
RE-SCHEDULED TO
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29th @ 7PM IN THE TOWN HALL.*
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
DOWNTOWN INITIATIVE STEERING COMMITTEE
Sincerely,
Jackie Potenzone
