Ranger Chuck then described the evolution as St James Church was built in the mid 1880s along with the mill villages still vibrantly intact. The Congregational Church was built in 1895. In 1890, 400 persons worked at the Fisherville Mill. By 1911, 500 people worked there. Grafton residents Phil Gauthier and Phil Platt also reminisced about the old movie theatre that has now become the home to Richard's Auction House. All three spoke about South Grafton's dominance in providing class valedictorians due to the heavy emphasis on education by South Grafton residents. Ranger Chuck also stated that this was a stately area with a magnificent street lined with trees and visually very aesthetic and community oriented. Many of these trees were elm and died from dutch elm disease in the late 1950s-60s.
Fish and Game's Bill Davis, who has been involved with the approximately 16 acre Fisherville Pond area, for a couple decades mentioned its ecological significance as a stopover point for major bird species, including raptors, osprey. In fact, it was mentioned in the North American Flyaway Management Plan. However, due to site specific challenges of the dam not always functioning properly and the pollution present, Davis remarked that the years of banding birds ceased in 1982 when the gate was raised in 1982 to lower the impoundment in order to build Sunrise Development. This severely limited the pond and many birds disappeared. However, in a brief stint in the 1990s when the pond filled up for a few years again, the diverse range of birds seemed to quickly resume their presence.
A review of the ownership issues included Mass electric's donation of 1000 feet of frontage along Trinity Avenue and the railroad's presence reflected only some of the diverse pieces of this complex puzzle. Concern as to cleanup also included trash cleanup in the sluiceway. Concerns regardingt he 400' earthern dam were also a high priority for environmental safety particularly.
At this point, the group walked up the side street south of the fenced off Fisherville site to gain pre-arranged access to the 200 foot dam through an abutter's yard. The magnificence of the site was noticeable immediately! The pond was quite full due to the recent rains and the waterfall of 20-30 feet was gushing with water everywhere. The pond set against the blue sky and the late fall yellows and muted reds in the marshes was picture perfect and a wonderful asset, if captured in a new setting. Everyone seemed to realize this potential immediately!
The site walk then backtracked along the Fisherville mill site devastation and along the canal which is shown below receiving constant remediation from petroleum leaking that has threatened the South Grafton public water wells, but is now under control. The walk then continued on to the "classic example" of mill housing seen along Orchard Street and English Row behind the South Grafton library. Ranger Chuck then described the focus and love of baseball that permeated the mill workers lives. This sport allowed workers to enjoy an escape from the mill bells and demands with its hot and musty air and instead be out in the lovely sunny weather with no clocks or sweaty, tiring work. The mill owners supported this sport as its benefits created leadership, healthy muscles and fun while the workers enjoyed every minute, too!
This conversation led to Phil Gauthier's recall of the football field behind the Depot Street mill and the many years of fun at that site, now long abandoned, too. He explained how the 1938 hurricane caused severe flooding as did the 1954 flood of the Blackstone all along this area. He stated that the Fire Department used to open the dam behind Depot Street before each storm to assure no flooding would occur. Dodson Associates Peter Flinker also stated that his firm had explored these Depot Street mills as well as the mill villages to get a fuller sense of the "community" that existed here.
The time was around 12:30 and the group broke up after a very insightful gathering. The next meeting, to be held at the Municipal Center, was scheduled for 2:30.
The second meeting was attended by several of those attendees from meeting one, yet several other Town Board members, more townspeople and the Heritage Corridor's Bike and Trail Planner Mark Jewell joined the group. The Planning Board's Keith Regan, Bob Hassinger attended along with DPW Director (and Acting TA) Roger Hammond. This meeting provided extensive aerial and GIS mapping to more fully demonstrate the integrated planning that could enhance the charm and sense of community as well as the economic prosperity beginning to be envisioned for this part of South Grafton. Discussions began to gather more detailed information from stakeholders as to considering the 400 foot earthern dam needing restoration, the planned route for the bike trail through this section in Grafton, understanding the historical importance of the mill village and beginning to explore opportunities for the actual Fisherville mill site. These assets can all be utilized with an integrated and cooperative approach to fruition, yet the concept of "what" that still might be is predicated largely on the environmental assessment underway by Bernat and Foley, the new owners. However, it was clear that the excitement and visions of "what could be" were starting to build!
The third meeting of the day was held at the South Grafton elementary School down the street a few blocks from the site. There were roughly thirty in attendance, with about 10 new faces joining the group, including Grafton News' Don Clark and State Rep/Minority Whip George Peterson, EDC's Dan Flynn. Visuals had been created during the interim by Dodson Associates to give initial concepts of the "flow of opportunity" that exists on the Fisherville mill site as well as in the entire area. These visuals showed a footprint similar to the old mill, yet lessened on one side. A possible archway to allow enhanced access to view the Fisherville Pond was created. Parking and recreation areas allowing portage sites for kayaking/canoe access were conceptually created. Across the street were buildings brought up to the main street with parking in the rear to create a more walkable main street area, enhance the aesthetics and "sense of place". Further down Depot Street, the concept of bringing back the football field was delineated and possible housing at the smaller and more easily converted depot Street mills was imagined.
Then, Planning expert John Mullin, a UMass Amherst professor, spoke of the abundant opportunities for the Town if a partnering effort is made which includes a TIF (tax incentive financing) and perhaps zoning changes. He reviewed the timing which indicates that Grafton is in a perfect spot for success as the third ring around Boston is easily accessible with the recent Rte 146 changes and the MBTA station in Grafton. "Five miles is only five minutes" he exclaimed as more and more homeowners find the Blackstone Valley accessible and affordable. By 2010, studies indicates that Belchertown will be in the fourth ring from Boston. Mullin spoke of the "edge cities" of Westboro, Milford and Mansfield and the population surges around them.
Mullin spoke of the many critical assets at this location - a significant greenway corridor, a historic mill village, plenty of recreational opportunities, a streetscape option to pull in a feeling of downtown, the tremendous market for over 55 as the population ages and the family size decreases to less than a child per family proven statistically. He spoke of the trend of a job center moving south towards the Valley and the "birders" being the most affluent "sport" in the nation. This parcel has it all, he stated, though it is critical for the Town to understand the partnering it must do to see this all come together, he reiterated.
It is critical to assess all the factors from the certification of the dam, the ownership issues, the importance of "shaking money loose" from local, State and federal sources and the necessary efforts by the Town to communicate effectively with townspeople to get all on the bandwagon to understand the importance of partnering towards these goals. In cases where that has happened, success emanates from 9 out of ten of the challenges. In cases where communication is not forthcoming, the success ratio is 3 out of 10! Lastly, Mullin pointed to the Groton Mills as an example to consider exploring or the Champlain Mills to see the arch access or even the Strathmore Mill in west Concord as examples of working together to success.
By now, the audience was filled with excitement and possible visions towards success along with realization that a timetable of having a beautiful building within five years is possible. This, however, is predicated on the need for partnering efforts to all work together and if the remediation efforts, at a cost of $3-10 million can be performed satisfactorily. Dodson Associates remarked how pleased they were to see so many turn out in Grafton, especially those committed to attend all three meetings! They will be formalizing their design concepts and assessments in a formal report and have committed to Grafton Daily that they will allow links or actual drawings online as soon as their work is finished. These, of course, will be made available as soon as available to Blackstone Daily.