Self driving vehicles and automated traffic management

This kind of thing just fascinates me from every direction: big data, computing, lean sigma, human change management, disruptive technology, transportation, traffic efficiency, and public policy. Wall Street Journal Special Report on "Innovations in Transportation, September 2012."

Hopkinton Economic Development Progress Update

In January 2012, the 20/20 Economic Development team, a public private partnership on which I serve, provided a quarterly update to Town Selectmen.

Two areas of interest are opportunities to advance economic growth by building upon

• existing life sciences industry presence in Hopkinton
• Hopkinton's reputation as a hub for health, fitness and the marathon starting line.

Here's an article and video from HCAM, the local cable access channel, providing more coverage of 20/20 and economic development in Hopkinton.

Business Community Partners with Town to Drive Economic Development

Hopkinton Selectmen formalized an arrangement with the Chamber of Commerce to drive Economic Development in Hopkinton. Metrowest Daily News covered the story here.

Wrenching Budget Choices as municipal revenues decline

This NY Times article spotlights the difficult service cuts facing towns and cities across America.

• "Nationwide, the decline in municipal revenues has accelerated in each of the last four years, draining billions from direct services like police protection and garbage pickup. Local governments have shed nearly half a million jobs, and are expected to lag well behind any recovery in other sectors."

Center School maintenance, repairs and upgrades

Center School repairs are needed now. Over the past 10 years, the School administration has invested minimally in maintenance and upgrades at Center, in hopes that the town would be approving a new $40M school this year. The $40M new school proposal resoundingly failed to pass, and our students will continue to use Center School for the foreseeable future if not longer.

Repairs such as connecting the new boiler to the heating ventilation system have been postponed because they are "difficult to complete in the 8-10 weeks available over a summer." But the alternative (having a new boiler but not having heat in some rooms) is not acceptable to many. Likewise, drafty windows can be repaired and replaced, with grant money available for energy efficient upgrades. Now that we know we will be in Center School for the foreseeable future if not longer, we have work to do to catch up on repairs, maintenance and upgrades that have been postponed over the past 10 years.

MetroWest Daily News article: Residents raise concerns, press for fixes at Hopkinton's Center School

Goal: Pedestrian Transportation Plan for Hopkinton

The MAPC Pedestrian Transportation Plan provides useful information for communities like Hopkinton interested in improving pedestrian connectivity.

Planning board closes public hearing on Golden Pond site plan review

Link to news coverage from MetroWest Daily News.

Golden Pond on agenda Monday night

Amongst other topics on the Hopkinton Planning Board agenda for Monday, September 13, is Golden Pond site plan public hearing.

Parking key factor in Library expansion

As the Hopkinton Public Library looks to expand, parking has emerged as a key factor in identifying a new site. To qualify for state funding, any proposed site must meet the state mandated number of parking spaces.

Which location would you choose for the library expansion?

Current location? - Work with the town to provide a multi-level parking garage across the streetbehind Town Hall to meet library parking requirements, and expand the existing building onto library owned property on Church Street.

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  • Center School? - If the town votes to fund a new multi-million dollar school and Center School closes, and is no longer used as a school, convert Center School into a community center that includes a new library. Convert the playground and field behind Center School into a parking lot for a new library.

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• Wherever it fits? - Buy any lot of suitable size to accommodate building, in the downtown, or anywhere in town.

Want what you got?- Some say we should learn to like what we have, a historic space in the center of town that is small but works for those who use it.

The mansions at 25 and 35 Main Street? - Work with current owners of these historic properties to explore purchasng the buildings for the library, and use the space behind the

mansions (the site of the once proposed Hopkinton Village Center) to accommodate the parking.

What ideas do you have for the library? Whatever your thoughts, mark your calendar for next Tuesday, September 9th, to learn more.

Public Forum on Library Expansion, Tuesday September 9th, 2010:

What are the library plans? What are your thoughts? Find out at a public forum next Tuesday, September 7th, 2010, at the Hopkinton Fire Station second floor meeting room.

McMansion era over?

In a survey referenced in this article, 30% say their ideal home size is less than 2,000 square feet, and less than 10% say their ideal home size is greater than 3,200 square feet.