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Health & Fitness

Community Binds: How Framingham Neighbors Are Bonding Together

Profile on the Pleasant/Temple Street neighborhoods. Check out what your neighbors have to say about the Marist property and Walden Behavioral Care.

 

                                                            By Paula Jacobs

 

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In recent weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting dozens and dozens of neighbors who reside near the Marist Property on Pleasant Street — a neighborhood that encompasses Temple Street, Pleasant Street, Belknap Road, and the many side streets in the vicinity.  

I thank Stuart Koman, CEO and founder of Walden Behavioral Care, for providing me the opportunity to meet new neighbors and reconnect with those whom I haven’t seen in a long while.

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This is a quiet area with well-manicured lawns and meticulously maintained single-family homes. Neighbors chat about the Red Sox and summer vacations while gardening or watching their young children play outside.  It’s what a neighborhood should be.

 

Some of my neighbors are young couples who purchased their first homes within the past year, while others are retirees who have lived here for more than a half century. Many are parents of school-age children who attend Brophy Elementary School and other schools in Framingham.

 

Even though I’ve lived here for years, I’ve learned much about my Framingham neighbors which I am pleased to share with Patch readers.

 

Some of my neighbors grew up in Framingham and returned to our town to raise their own families. Others moved here from urban locations or other areas of Framingham because it’s a beautiful residential area with excellent town services and easy access to major highways. They reflect the diversity of Framingham, and represent many cultural, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.

 

My neighbors love Framingham, support Framingham Public Schools, pay taxes, support the local economy, and vote in local elections. They have volunteered with PTOs and civic organizations, coached youth sports teams, and served on town committees. In brief, they feel part of this community and are invested in the Town of Framingham. 

 

And when the conversation turns to the current hot topic — Walden Behavioral Care — here’s what they have to say.

 

I love this residential neighborhood. I don’t want it to become a commercial zone.

I want my children to be safe at school and on the playground.

We moved from Boston because we were tired of the noise and traffic.

We recently paid top dollar for our house and worry that our home value will decrease.

Once a special permit is granted, a Pandora box is open for other businesses.

My husband and I thought we were committed to Framingham but now we’re not so sure.

 

“Why is Framingham always the dumping ground? And why does an outsider’s wishes take precedent over those of Framingham homeowners?” asked one long-time resident. Like many others with whom I spoke, he feels that a special permit will open the door for establishing other commercial facilities in residential areas of Framingham.  

 

Residents continue to worry about security, expansion plans, and traffic — both during the 3:00 p.m. shift changes when school busses already clog Pleasant and Temple Streets as well as during the morning and late-afternoon rush hours.

 

Yet the number one concern that residents emphasize repeatedly is this: The area is zoned for single-family homes. Walden’s proposed use of the Marist site simply just does not fit with the neighborhood.  A for-profit hospital does not belong here.

 

Neighbors have proposed several alternative uses that would retain the residential character of the Marist property, while bringing tax revenue to the Town of Framingham. These include single-family homes, over-55 housing, and cluster housing. There’s also a wistful dream that a wealthy benefactor would step forward to purchase the land as a park for the benefit of the citizens of Framingham.

As for Walden, one resident proposed relocation from Waltham to Concord, Mass. where Walden Pond is located. He quoted the facility’s website, “Dr. Stuart Koman, President & CEO of Walden Behavioral Care, has always treasured the natural beauty of Walden Pond. When he created Walden Behavioral Care in 2003, he chose this name because to him, Walden reflected peace, healing, and recovery.”

Another proposal for is the Westborough State Hospital, a 125-acre (92 are usable) green property overlooking Lake Chauncy. It is mixed zone and will soon be up for sale, according to a recent Boston Globe article (West Weekly, June 24, 2013.)  

But if Koman really wishes to bring additional property tax revenue to the Town of Framingham, there are many vacant commercial properties currently for sale in Framingham. And these locations are already in commercial zones, which eliminates the many hassles he currently faces.  

 

Patch readers, what commercial location would you suggest in Framingham? Let’s hear from you.

 

Paula Jacobs is a long-time resident of Framingham, Precinct 7.

 

[Editorial note: For details on the Walden proposal, see previous Patch news articles and the June 16th blog: Walden: Food for Thought.]

 

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