PRESERVING THE PAST AND SECURING THE FUTURE

Dear Residents:

This is your Zoning Board of Appeals.  The members of this board represent you and have one loyalty -- to the Town of Hopedale.

Hopedale has undergone many changes since becoming a town in 1886.  The industrial era gave way 50 years ago to vast residential developments including "new" neighborhoods of Pinecrest, Laurelwood, Adin Estates, and Harmony.  Hopedale has emerged as a highly desirable (and still affordable) suburban home for those who work along Interstates 495 and 95 and within metropolitan Boston.

Our zoning by-laws are here to protect the health and safety of residents, to stabilize property values within districts, and to preserve natural resources for this generation and for all of those who follow.  The beautiful tree-lined streets, homes, parks, and Parklands of this town didn't happen by chance.  Selfless visionaries designed the town and labored to build a magnificent community.  They did all of that while knowing only future generations would fully see the fruits of that vision and labor.  Now it's our turn to do the same for the next generation.

This board invites you to participate in your government.  We have expanded information available on the website to help everyone understand and navigate the zoning process.  No one should feel intimidated by the often complex language and procedures of zoning, and no one should be discouraged from participating.  This is your chance to help shape the future of this community.  If you don't participate, you can be sure that someone else will, and the result may be a different future than the one you envisioned for the town we all love to call home.

Christopher P. Hodgens, Chairman