This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

ABOUT TOWN: Pride of Stoughton, ZBA and Habitat for Humanity

Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e-mail to pmpco@aol.com.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to former Acting Stoughton Police Chief Chris Ciampa.  The Stoughton native now lives in Lake Lure, North Carolina, and teaches at Isothermal Community College.

PRIDE OF STOUGHTON: "The Pride of Stoughton Day" will be held on Saturday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is an event that encourages residents to make positive changes in the community. It is run and organized by the Stoughton Youth Commission's Youth Advisory Council. This year's focus will be to clean and improve the areas around the C.A.P.P. Playground and Halloran Park (on Pierce Street), the O'Donnell Middle School Skate Park, the Stoughton Train Station, and the new community garden at the Youth Commission/Council on Aging Building at 110 Rockland Street. 

It's a fun time to give back to your community, and spend some time with family and friends, as well. Lunch will be served at the Senior Center Building after the community cleanup. If you are interested, feel free to contact Melissa Barbosa at the Stoughton Youth Commission at 781-341-2252 x9454.    

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

FORMER MAYOR WALKS OUT ON ZBA---Attorney Richard Wainwright, a former Mayor of the City of Brockton, wasn't happy last night at the Zoning Board of Appeals.  He was representing Peter Tsinzo in the matter of a recinded variance of a March 23, 1998 action on the construction of a single family dwelling at 50 Barnes Road.

Wainwright wanted Stoughton's Town Counsel to render a legal opinion on a matter, and Jerry Savage, who was chairing the particular hearing, had requested that Wainwright re-imburse the town for the legal costs, at the $150/hr that is billed to the town.  Wainwright disagreed on this request, and according to sources, left saying he would appeal the opinion. 

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After he left, according to Savage, the ZBA dismissed the variance request, with prejudice.

A Request by WRAP Realty for a special permit to build a cluster residential development of 25 single family homes, on land between Park Street and Ash Street, was continued until April 21st.  In my photo, Selectwoman Cynthia Walsh, who lives on Park Street, speaks about the proposal.  She had suggested that a site inspection be conducted on the property, before any development, to determine that it was "clean." 

"I had 120 tires dumped on my property. Some people think 'open space' means a place to dump their trash," she said.

Attorney T.J. Recupero (back turned to camera) was representing  the owners in this case. The owner told About Town that the process to try to develop this land has now gone over a year.  ZBA Chairman Sherm Epro is seen in the top right of photo.    

South Shore Habitat for Humanity (SSHH) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness and funding from the local banking community in support of their home building efforts.  For one week, commencing with a CEO kick-off on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 8:30 a.m., Dedham Savings, South Shore Savings Bank, Randolph Savings Bank, and Eastern Bank will come together to help build SSHH’s second home in the town of Stoughton.

Volunteers from each bank will turn in their banking hats for hard hats and take part in the week long blitz build construction project on Commercial Street in Stoughton. The Community Bank Build is not only an opportunity for the banks to provide financial support to the organization and receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit, but more importantly it is an opportunity for each bank to build awareness about their corporate citizenship and support of the local community.  

Normally these banks would be competing with one another in the market, but as Mark McKinnon, Board President of South Shore Habitat for Humanity and EVP/CIO for Dedham Savings stated, “This effort is about community leaders setting the example for local businesses and individuals to get involved and to make a difference in their community.”     

Over 50 volunteers from the banks will help to build the 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1,300 sq. ft. Colonial home.  Habitat families receive a 20 year, 0% interest mortgage and must provide 500 hours of “sweat equity” with both construction and non-construction hours as part of their partnership with South Shore Habitat for Humanity.  ·       

Bank Build Schedule:

  • Monday April 11 – Community Build Day (All Banks)
  • Tuesday April 12 – Randolph Savings Bank
  • Wednesday April 13 – South Shore Savings Bank
  • Thursday April 14 – Eastern Bank
  • Friday April 15– Dedham Savings

Information obtained from a press release.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Stoughton