Homes Considered Near Parklands

HOPEDALE — Selectmen are considering a move that could eventually add 10 homes

along the border of Parklands conservation land.

“It’s been used de facto as Parklands for 100 years, and all of a sudden we’re talking

about all kinds of development in this area,” said Rob Fahey, who commented this week

on behalf of his Hopedale family. “It is a sensitive area. It is the crown jewel of Hopedale.”

The Parklands has been referred to "the crown jewel of Hopedale.”

The land in question lies between Overdale Parkway and the 280-acre Parklands, which

is on Hopedale Pond at 162 Dutcher St. and has 4 miles of walking trails.

Resident Ricardo Lima, who owns 7 acres and four lots of it, asked selectmen this week

to authorize a 1985 Town Meeting article that would allow the use of an existing road as

access to any new development.

“Whether people have been traipsing all over these 10 lots for 100 years and thinking it’s

Parklands, it’s not,” selectmen Chairman Brian Keyes said Monday. “These 10 parcels

are not Parklands.”

The swath of land, which extends into Mendon, covers at least 63 acres.

Attorneys for the owners said Monday that, according to an agreement with the town, no

more than 10 lots can be developed. The intention, one of the attorneys said, is for 10

single-family homes.

Attorney Stephan Rodolakis, of Worcester-based Fletcher Tilton PC, represents

Hopkinton’s Black Brook Realty, which owns the other six lots on the developable

property. Rodolakis said his client is willing to either deed much of the remaining

Hopedale acreage to Hopedale’s Parklands or otherwise restrict it as conservation land.

“There are two parties here that own 10 lots that want to develop it,” Keyes said, adding

that he expects the homes to bring in new tax revenue, “and if there’s an opportunity to

be able to do that, then I think that’s a great thing.”

The road is currently gravel and gated off, attorneys said. The developers would pave a

703-foot section beyond the gate and open it for travel to the proposed new homes.

Residents said Monday the road is used to access the Parklands.

Upon direct questioning by Keyes, Lima’s attorney Thomas McLaughlin, of Milford’s

Thomas McLaughlin PC, confirmed that the land and his client’s request has nothing to

do with the nearby railroad. Selectman Louis Arcudi III noted that building the homes may

even create a protective buffer for the Parklands.

A plan for development has not yet been submitted to the town and would need to be

approved by several local boards.

It's not immediately clear why the road was not accepted by the town or developed over

the 36 years since the referenced Town Meeting.

Parks Commissioner Don Howes urged more research Monday, and wondered whether

the road itself is part of the Parklands.

“My biggest thing is I think this needs more time,” he said.

Selectmen voted Monday to put off making a decision until a title report, outlining who

owns what, is obtained. A tentative timeline of 30 days was proposed.

Alison Bosma can be reached at 508-634-7582 or [email protected]. Find her

on Twitter at @AlisonBosma.