I have been reminded that it has been quite some time since my last message to STEPPS letting you know of our progress. For that, I apologize! Since being elected to Town Meeting (which is still going on!) my limited free time has virtually disappeared. But that doesn't mean we haven't been busy.
What we're fighting for |
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SMOC wants to turn this property into a drug rehab shelter and flood our quiet neighborhood of single family homes with transients, many addicted to heroin. |
Don't worry, STEPPS is still alive and kicking -- in fact, this is our second anniversary!
Our long terms goals remain to reform the Dover Amendment and the state contract system so that Framingham is no longer unfairly burdened by an over concentration of social services. Most of our energy, though, is going to fighting SMOC's proposed use of 517 Winter Street as a drug rehab shelter. Here's where we stand right now and where we think things are heading.
Many of you have seen trucks and vans at 517 Winter Street and wondered what is going on. When SMOC's site plan was approved by the Planning Board, there were various conditions/benchmarks for SMOC to meet before they could apply for their occupancy permit/change of use -- electrical work, landscaping, etc. SMOC is working on this and has not yet filed any paperwork, so the town does not yet have anything to approve or deny. We are currently attempting to pressure the town's Building Commissioner, Mike Foley, to deny this change. While we feel we have an excellent case, the law is somewhat vague in many areas, and he may feel he has insufficient grounds to deny. If he approves it, we will appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Along these lines, we are running a petition drive, asking concerned citizens to sign a petition asking for the occupancy permit to be denied. If you would be willing to volunteer to collect signatures, that would be a big help! If you can't volunteer but would like to sign, let me know your address and when you will be available, and I'll try to get someone to your house for your signature.
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If the town approves SMOC's change of use and occupancy permits, we will appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals. It will cost money just to file the appeals, possibly up to $1,000 if we file separate appeals on different issues relating to the decision. We have already consulted noted land use attorney Arthur Kreiger and may be able to use him to represent us at the hearing. This depends, of course, on our fundraising efforts. If we cannot afford to retain a lawyer, we will go through the appeal process without legal representation, but our chances of winning will be less.
We are still raising money for our legal defense fund. Since we suspect many folks do not use email, we are planning a door to door campaign. If you or someone you know can help, let me know. If you'd like to make a donation, mail a check to:
Judy B. Leerer
395 Winter Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Remember, a contribution now could mean protecting your property value tomorrow!
Also check out our line of STEPPS merchandise -- T-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc. -- every purchase helps STEPPS!
http://www.cafepress.com/stepps
We anticipate SMOC filing their paperwork sometime in June or July and the Building Commissioner to make his decision shortly thereafter (he has 30 days from the date of filing). if he approves the permit, we have 30 days to appeal, meaning our case could reach the Zoning Board of Appeals as soon as August. The ZBA has 100 days to reach a decision, so we could know anywhere between September and December whether SMOC will be able to move in. If we lose at the ZBA, we will need to decide whether go to court to overturn the decision. This will cost serious money (the Sucker Pond Neighborhood Association spent over $30,000 fighting Wayside!) but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Thanks to all of you for your continued interest and support. Although this process is far from complete, it's getting down to the wire. We've accomplished an incredible amount the last two years -- look for our flyers in the next week or two if you're not sure what we've done! -- and we couldn't have done it without the support of hundreds of citizens who are angry at the way the state and its contractors are taking advantage of Framingham. No matter what happens in the next few months with 517 Winter Street, there's a lot more to be done and I hope we can count on your continued support.
Peter C.S. Adams
Communications Director
STEPPS (Stop Tax Exempt Private Property Sprawl)
http://www.stepps.info
"Enough is enough"
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