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Hopkinton Residents Start Chamberlain-Whalen Neighborhood Coalition

By Tom Nappi, News Director
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Over 50 Hopkinton households joined together in a neighborhood coalition. A letter sent out to numerous town officials including Town Manager, Norman Khumalo, the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Police Chief and Fire Chief. The letter from the Coalition stated that it was started to preserve the character of neighborhoods that would be affected by a proposal by developer, Paul Mastroianni which would add 34 new homes on a road that would connect Chamberlain Street and Whalen Road.

The letter stated concerns about traffic "the proposed number of new homes would cause traffic on our streets to increase by more than 50%" and also concerns that the traffic increase would produce safety issues. The letter also gave an alternative solution that would have the support of the Coalition; "We note that, in the developer’s materials, there is a design option that simply extends each of the cul-de-sacs up to the point where a major wetlands crossing would be needed. This option would preserve additional open space and eliminate the need for two wetlands crossings, while at the same time permitting Mr. Mastroianni to develop his property. This option would have the support of both the Chamberlain Street and Whalen Road neighborhoods."

View the full letter below.

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

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

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

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

We note that, in the developer’s materials, there is a design option that simply extends each of the cul-de-sacs up to the point where a major wetlands crossing would be needed. This option would preserve additional open space and eliminate the need for two wetlands crossings, while at the same time permitting Mr. Mastroianni to develop his property. This option would have the support of both the Chamberlain Street and Whalen Road neighborhoods.
Thank you for taking the time to read this brief introduction from us. We look forward to working with all appropriate parties to reach an accommodation that respects Mr. Mastroianni’s right to develop his property, while maintaining the essential character of our neighborhoods, avoiding unnecessary wetlands disturbances, and providing for public safety.

Sincerely,
Amanda Faucher and Don Keavany, Co-Chairmen, on behalf of our members:
Dave DeStefano 0 Chamberlain Street Glen & Erika Feldman 3 Chamberlain Street Timi Schonhorn 10 Chamberlain Street Mark Haggerty 16 Chamberlain Street Isabel Hart 17 Chamberlain Street Lisa & Anthony Huntington 18 Chamberlain Street Jo & Roy Bector 19 Chamberlain Street Ron Foisy 25 Chamberlain Street James Haskins & India Nolen 26 Chamberlain Street Chris & Anna Ciri 28 Chamberlain Street Tom & Jennifer Amabile 29 Chamberlain Street Jesse Racicot 30 Chamberlain Street Gary & Jennifer Trendel 31 Chamberlain Street Julie Segars 33 Chamberlain Street Ron & Marilyn Segars 35 Chamberlain Street Jaclyn Gattonini 37 Chamberlain Street Patrick & Amanda Faucher 39 Chamberlain Street Richard Craig & Malagro Galvez 41 Chamberlain Street Karen Barnes 44 Chamberlain Street Tim & Carly Panciera 45 Chamberlain Street John Fitzgerald 46 Chamberlain Street Carol Deveuve 47 Chamberlain Street Luke & Jen Tedstone 49 Chamberlain Street Carol Tedstone 49 Chamberlain Street Paul & Dorothy Chapelle 3 Whalen Road Carol Dowling 5 Whalen Road Doug & Kathleen Dustin 6 Whalen Road Abhishek Prasad & Reema Arke 7 Whalen Road Eleanor Robinson 8 Whalen Road Chandra Gudempati & Swetha Mulinti 9 Whalen Road Seth Neumuller & Jessica Cox 10 Whalen Road Bob & Liz Burke 11 Whalen Road Amit Pandey & Samridhi Misra 12 Whalen Road Bruce Jones & Lynn Aschenbrenner 13 Whalen Road Don & Katie Keavany 14 Whalen Road Elaine Kenney 14 Whalen Road Diane McGrew 15 Whalen Road Mike Kelley & Ann Marie Rocheleau 16 Whalen Road Phil & Claudia Totino 17 Whalen Road Brad & Danielle Pelletier 18 Whalen Road Dave & Peggy Walker 19 Whalen Road Ken & Karin Karey 21 Whalen Road Peter Mimmo 0 Sanctuary Lane Sandy & Bernie Garron 1 Sanctuary Lane Judy Gemma 3 Sanctuary Lane Roger & Nancy Proulx 29 Sanctuary Lane Mike Restighini 136 Hayden Rowe Street Bob & Mary Green 137 Hayden Rowe Street Rachel Holmes 138 Hayden Rowe Street Brittany Patten 140 Hayden Rowe Street Liz Leighton 2 Daniel Road Dave Heverling 4 Angelo Drive Jon Spinale 42 Alexander Road Donny Collins 45 Teresa Road Jeff & Amanda Marino 25 West Main Street"

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