Hopkinton had an extraordinary week and for the most part handled a stressful and emotional time very civilly while voting on the potential purchase of the Weston Nurseries Sale Property. It is fitting that the final decision on the property came down to a vote of the people at the ballot. We can all be grateful that such a large percentage of the voters got to the polls and in the end delivered an irrefutable vote. While it may be hard for some to accept the result, it should not be impossible to do so. It is good news for Hopkinton that the poll results were so decisive.
A great many people put their intellects and energies into crafting an approach that could be beneficial to Hopkinton; as a resident and as a Selectman, I am very indebted to everyone involved. The essential question about whether to buy the property even in part through a partnership with TPL never got the support of any Boards, Committees or Commissions. The truth is Hopkinton is not positioned financially to take on ownership nor forego the potential financial gain that a well crafted and executed development may yet deliver.
However, “the bottom line” is not the only measure, and a committed group of residents delivered an opportunity to test the “Boulder” approach and potentially take ownership ourselves; this approach was attractive on many levels but breathtakingly gutsy (perhaps speaking to the depth of our collective commitment to this town).
One thing we all can count on is that the recommendation of the Town Boards and Committees was tested, and their recommended approach held up under fire. It is my hope that no one looks back and worries that any reasonable stone was left unturned. At substantial expense, the residents’ right to determine their own destiny on this question was protected. I sincerely hope that the full exercise of this process that allowed for competitive challenge and delivered a certain result at the polls will be enough to bring all sides together to work cooperatively to an end that benefits everyone.
The value to the process as it unfolded is two fold: first, the TPL partnership option did drive a better proposal from Mr. MacDowell despite the conservation project partnership option itself not working out. Second, the competitive challenge from a group of passionate residents ensured that all interested voters had their shot at the decision at the polls, and it likely drove the large turnout.
Now we need to look forward to the future and the best way to maximize the benefits of the sale and future development for Hopkinton and Boulder; as the give and take of master planning and permitting goes forward, we will all be best served if we look out for each other in the process—a true partnership will be advantageous to both parties. Give and take is difficult, but we are up to the challenge. This community can and must rise above the political fray to focus on ways to make this development work for Hopkinton and for
Muriel Kramer