By Theresa Knapp

After town meeting approved a new order of taking of land at 364 West Street, land currently in legal limbo with the Grafton & Upton Railroad, the Hopedale Select Board signed that order but the GURR opposed the taking and now the parties are waiting for a ruling from the court. 

At a Select Board meeting on Aug. 24, attorney Mina Markarious, who is assisting the town in this matter, explained that a taking typically needs to be filed within 30 days and that time will likely expire before they receive a ruling from the court. He, therefore, asked the board to sign a new taking. 

The vote was to reaffirm and renew the vote the board took on Aug. 1. 

“It’s a bit of a formality,” Markarious said, noting there was no difference in the vote they took previously, just the date, and the Aug. 24 signed document would be the one filed with the court. 

Markarious said he advised GURR counsel that the board would take this step.  

The motion to reaffirm and renew the vote passed 2-1 with selectman Brian Keyes opposed. He said he was still opposed to the “current strategy” and opposed to the town wasting time and money on this matter. 

Select Board Chair Glenda Hazard said the legal fees on this matter are being paid by a donor, but Keyes disagreed. 

Selectman Bernie Stock supported the taking. “I think what we’re doing is simply a reflection of what the voters have told us in two town meetings, that’s where I’m coming from, I’m representing what they want.”