The Wrentham Times

Two Letters on Madison Street Rezoning

Two new opinion pieces have been posted regarding the upcoming Town Meeting vote on the proposed Madison Street rezoning. One is in support of the rezoning from Joanna McFarlane, vice-chair, Wrentham Economic Committee and the other is against the rezoning from Wrentham resident Janice Battikkha.

Here are the opening paragraphs of both pieces along with a link to read each in their entirety. 

Letter in Support of Rezoning Madison Street

(Submitted by Joanna McFarlane, vice-chair, Wrentham Economic Development Committee)

You may have already received the request for your attendance at Wrentham's Annual Town Meeting (Monday, June 10th at 7:30pm at KP High), but please bear with me. This Monday's town meeting may be by far the most important when it comes to future development in the Route 1 area of our town.

Wrentham needs YOUR YES vote on Article 9.

To read the full letter click Letter in Support of Rezoning Madison Street.

Letter to the Editor: Why You Should Vote NO on Rezoning

(Submitted by Janice Battikha)

Once again the question of rezoning a large parcel of land on Madison St. will be addressed at a Town Meeting, to be held tonight, Monday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the King Phillips High School Auditorium. A letter from Joanna McFarlane, Vice-Chair of the Wrentham Economic Development Committee (EDC), urging a yes vote is being widely circulated via email. After a very partisan presentation of the issue, Ms. McFarlane concludes with the suggestion that readers listen to both sides of the story, become informed, and vote on Monday night. I couldn’t agree with her concluding statement more. It is only with the body of her letter and the accompanying report from the EDCthat I take exception.

To read the full letter click Letter to the Ed: Why You Should Vote NO on Rezoning.

Police Form Marathon Challenge Team

The Wrentham Police have put together a team for the Boston Strong First Responders Marathon Workout fundraiser. The 26-hour event will be held at Gillette Stadium starting June 22nd and running into June 23rd. The Wrentham team is raising money and proceeds will benefit the One Fund. Donations can be written out to the MetroSWAT Officer 's Association and mailed to or dropped off at the Wrentham Police Department in c/o Officer Jon Coliflores.

Town Meeting Preview Show on Cable Access

Wrentham Cable Access is running a show on the upcoming Town Meeting. The show features resident Jim O'Brien, former selectman John Zizza and current selectman Michael Carroll. The three go over the articles on the warrant and provide their thoughts on the merits of the different proposals. To watch the show online, click here and and then click "launch application".

EDC Publishes Q&A on Madison St. Zoning Proposal

The Wrentham Economic Development Committee has released a Q&A on the proposal to change nearly 50 acres of land off Madison St. that is mostly zoned residential to commercial C-2 zoning. Highlights from the Q&A state that the the developer -- Madison Properties (name not related to the street) -- has a letter of intent from a national hotel interested in building on the property, that revenue for the town could reach $700,000, and that a developer's agreement has been drafted.

The assumptions for the revenue are based on an anchor retail store occupying 20 acres of the land with a total assessed value of $19 million and a hotel on 5 acres of land with an assessed value of $5.6 million. Together, the two buildings could generate an estimated $439,848.00 in property tax revenue according to the developer's projections using the town's commercial rate of $17.88. The EDC's Q&A also includes an estimate for a hotel occupancy tax of $262,800 that the town would be eligible in receiving. The assumptions used in that calculation included an 80 % occupancy rate of a 125 room hotel with an average charge of $125/night.

The projected occupancy rate of 80 % is high for the area in comparison to numbers provided by PKF Consulting USA, a firm that tracks hotel performance data. Wrentham falls into the Route 495 South submarket according to the firm's vice president Andrea Foster, and in 2012 this area averaged a 61.7 % rate. The potential occupancy revenue drops by $60,000 to $202,685 when the average rate is used in the calculation.

David Wluka, realtor for the property, believes the revenue numbers for the town will be even greater than $700,000 if the development moves forward. In an email to The Wrentham Times, Wluka wrote, "Also please note that these numbers are just for the hotel and retail box. There will be further development down the line that will generate additional revenue."

The town has also drafted a Development Agreement with the developer if the zoning passes that includes restrictions such as a no left turn onto Madison St. from the property, limited uses (no industrial, no junkyards, no light manufacturing, no warehouse), no restaurant or building in front of the town houses on Madison, as well as planting buffer trees and fencing.

If the article fails at Town Meeting and the property remains zoned as it is currently, members of the EDC believe development of the property will go forward under its current zoning.

Click to read the entire 3-page document, and view a map of the property.

The zoning change will be put to a vote Monday night at Town Meeting. The meeting is at King Philip Regional High School and starts at 7:30 p.m.

Happy Three Year Anniversary to The Tavern

Letter to the Editor: Vote "NO" on Madison Street Rezoning

Once again there is a proposal before Wrentham Town Meeting to rezone approximately 47 acres of residential property on Madison St. to commercial C-2 zoning, the town’s least restrictive commercial zoning. The last time this proposal was brought to town meeting in 2010 it was resoundingly defeated by a vote of 245-5.

With all due respect to the property owner, he knew the property was zoned residential when he bought it and he has had every proposal to rezone it over the last 20 years or so defeated. Enough is enough. When does wrong become right? It was wrong before and it is wrong now to rezone the property on Madison St., yes Madison St., not Route 1 from residential to commercial. If the property owner wants to do something worthwhile with his property, try working with the residents of the area in good faith instead of dictating proposals with a take it or leave it attitude.

My wife and I move to Wrentham 13 years ago because of its country charm and at the time its commitment to preserving that country charm. Over that time the amount of traffic using Madison St. as a cut through has increased significantly and that is without any commercial development at the end of the street. My biggest fear is the dramatically increased traffic, car and truck, that would result from the rezoning and the speed at which it travels on Madison St. is going to result in someone being killed.

Read the entire Letter to the Editor submitted by Madison St. resident Charles Smith by clicking here.

Thank You from KP Parents' Network

The King Philip Parents' Network would like to acknowledge and thank the many community organizations, businesses, and individuals that sponsored this year's All Night Party. Without their generous financial support, the party would not be possible. The All Night Party is a 24-year-old tradition that keeps KP seniors safe on graduation night. Over 100 volunteers plan, decorate, and chaperone the party, and at least 80% of the senior class attends. A list of this year’s sponsors is available on our website.

via www.wrenthamtimes.com

WPD Receives Grant for Crosswalk Enforcement

The Wrentham Police Department was awarded a $3,000 Pedestrian/Bicycle Grant by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) for 2013. This traffic enforcement grant will focus on Wrentham Center, particularly crosswalk enforcement, as well as bicycle safety along the Pan-Mass Challenge route.

The Pan Mass Challenge is a 192 mile bicycle ride to raise money for cancer research and travels through Wrentham. Officers will stage in areas of concern and cite motorists who violate traffic laws, such as passing at a safe distance, failing to yield to oncoming bicyclist, waiting for safe opportunity to overtake bicycle, etc.

There are nineteen crosswalks in the center area, eight of which cross South Street. South Street’s speed limit reduces from 40mph to 25 mph northbound and 40mph to 20 mph southbound. Due to this sharp speed zone reduction, vehicles rarely slow to appropriate speeds making it difficult, if not impossible, for vehicles to stop for pedestrians in time.

The Wrentham Police intend to conduct targeted enforcement of speed and pedestrian crossings violations primarily in the center of Town. Crosswalk law enforcement decoys will also be used and serve as a more focused tactic to the pedestrian crosswalk problem.

This enforcement will occur throughout the spring and summer, mainly during the months of June, July, and August. The goal of this enforcement is to see more compliance with motorists stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks and better bicycle/motor vehicle safety.

Locals Ready to Get Buzzed

On Sunday, a dozen Wrentham residents will be heading to Gillette Stadium to shave their heads. It's part of the One Mission Kid's Cancer Buzz-Off, an event where participants shave their heads in honor and support of kids with cancer. Participants raise money by asking family and friends to make a donation in exchange for their promise to shave their heads. Proceeds from the Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off benefit Boston Children's Hospital.

Among the 12 Wrentham participants are Tyler Woloski, Timmy McNamara, and Anthony Lutfy. Woloski is returning for his second year and the three got together and formed a team called KP Kids for the Cause. Selectman Joe Botaish, who is a longtime supporter of cancer charities has signed up and Wrentham 12-year-old Jake Maguire (pictured), who was twice treated for leukemia at Boston Children’s Hospital over the course of five years has formed a team called Jake's Warriors. The team includes Jake, his dad Mark, Michael Curtin, and Mitchell Cormier all from Wrentham. Also on the team are Braeden Flaherty from Millis and Trevor Ivatts from Walpole. "Truly a worthy foundation that goes right to helping what is needed for families,"says Jake's Mom Kim.

This year’s Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off reached its goal of recruiting 800 “buzzees” and is very close to reaching its target of $1 million raised.

One Mission funds over 60% of the programs and services offered in the resource room of the hospital’s pediatric oncology floor including activities such as yoga, arts & crafts therapy, spa days and game nights for its patients. One Mission also provides financial assistance to families who have a child battling cancer.

The fourth annual Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off will take place on Sunday, June 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Putnam Club level of Gillette Stadium. For more information, to register, to sponsor a “buzzee” or team, or to make a donation, please visit: www.buzzforkids.org.

Please consider submitting your post-buzz pictures by emailing pat@wrenthamtimes.com.

Clerk's Office Closed Thursday and Friday

The Wrentham Town Clerk’s office will be closed on Thursday, June 6th and Friday, June 7th, due to attendance at a training conference.