PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 20 | No. 22 | October 30, 2019
Alliance forms against downtown project By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
J
PHOTO/FRED PARSONS
ackie Potenzone has a warning for fellow Hopkinton residents. Potenzone, who has lived on Wood Street for two decades and run a hair salon there for the past 18 years, said the Main Street Corridor Project should scare everyone in Hopkinton, due to the town forcing some property owners to temporarily or permanently relinquish rights to slices of land (albeit while receiving compensation). “If it can happen with this project — because nobody’s been more vigilant with this project and following it than I have — it can happen anywhere in town,” Potenzone said. “It can happen to anybody who owns a house. If the town can do this to me and the corridor residents, it can happen anywhere.” Potenzone is one of the key figures in the Main Street Alliance, which is collecting signatures for a petition the group plans to bring before the Select
TREE-MENDOUS
While much of Weston Nurseries’ land has been converted into modern homes at Legacy Farms, this property across the street from the company’s retail building remains a throwback to a quieter time in town.
Downtown | 10
INSIDE OPKINTO •H
E
ohn Coutinho has spent a lifetime trying to emulate his parents’ spirit of volunteering. Coutinho, who serves as the vice chair of the Hopkinton Select Board, was taught at an early age by his parents, Mannie and Frances, that success in life shouldn’t be measured by personal gains. “For me growing up, seeing my father always volunteering, he always said, ‘John, you’re never truly successful until you give back,’ ” Coutinho recalled. “He said, ‘That’s when you can sit back and say you did enough.’ ” Coutinho prides himself on being a servant with a familiar face around Hopkinton. In addition to his six years on the Select Board, Coutinho has spent more than a decade on the Zoning Advisory Com-
MassDOT to discuss I-495/I-90 interchange
6
SCHOOLS
District warns about major expenses ahead
13
SPORTS
H - FI V
PHOTO/CHRISTINE STRICKLAND
Coutinho | 7
H IG
J
NEWS
E OPKINTO
Editor’s note: This is a new feature in the Independent called “Hopkinton High-Five” where we salute a resident who has made contributions to the community.
H - FI V
N
N
H IG
•H
By Gethin Coolbaugh Contributing Writer
John Coutinho volunteers with numerous organizations in town, and he serves as vice chair of the Select Board.
Support strong at HHS for unified basketball
15
Call Kim for a complimentary market analysis of your home.
Kim Foemmel (508) 808-1149 FommelFineHomes.com 1 Lumber Street Hopkinton
6 Wescott Drive $1,799,900
9 Overlook Road $1,200,000
11 John Matthew Road $1,250,000
16 McNeil Circle $375,000