Community Corner

Week in Review: Blizzard Hits Foxborough, Local Developer Sued, Sex Abuse Victims Call on Town & More

A recap of this week's headlines from Feb. 2-8.

Miss anything in Foxborough this week? Here's your chance to sit back and catch up on some Patch. Below is a recap of this week’s biggest headlines on Foxborough Patch:

Foxborough Developer Intoccia Sued by AG for Allegedly Taking Advantage of Sharon Homebuyers

A Foxborough real estate developer has been sued for allegedly taking more than $200,000 in advance payments for new, single-family homes in Sharon that were never provided, and refusing to return the deposits, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced in a press release Monday. 

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The AG’s Office has obtained a temporary restraining order in Suffolk Superior Court against Michael Intoccia of Foxborough, and his companies including Bella Estates Realty Trust, MTI Realty, and Intoccia Builders Corporation, prohibiting them from accepting future deposits for new homes unless the deposits are put into escrow, Coakley said.

The lawsuit seeks more than $200,000 in restitution for five homebuyers who paid for homes in the Bella Estates development in Sharon. The AG’s Office is also seeking statutory penalties and a further injunction preventing the defendants from taking unsecured deposits. 

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According to the complaint, Intoccia operates a development business in Norfolk County through a network of companies that were involved in the planning, marketing, and construction of the Bella Estates development that was to consist of 29 single-family house lots. The defendants allegedly solicited buyers and took deposits of up to $55,300 per residence.

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Winter Storm: Foxborough Information Center

Stay up to date with the latest on this weekend's winter storm. For instant updates on weather and storm news (and more!), follow Foxborough Patch on Facebook and Twitter, or sign-up for our e-mail newsletter.

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State of Foxborough: Department by Department Updates on Town Preparations As Storm Hits

Foxborough officials and department heads met with Town Manager Kevin Paicos Friday morning in the Andrew Gala Meeting Room of Town Hall in preparation for the incoming snowstorm.

Here’s a roundup of important information to take from the morning briefing.

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Paicos: 'Don't Be an Idiot During Blizzard'

Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos says most of the town will take Friday’s blizzard seriously and stay home and off the roads.

“If it is as bad as they say I don’t think anybody is moving on the roads by 8 p.m.,” Paicos said. “I don’t think people will be able to get to and from their homes.”

But then there are just some people who are cavalier to caution.

“People are not going to be on the roads unless they are complete idiots,” Paicos said. … “Expect the normal drop off in human behavior that come from these events.”

The town departments and agencies met Friday morning to outline Foxborough’s emergency preparedness plan for the blizzard.

“Sounds like we are really prepared,” Paicos said. “Nothing prepares you like experience and God knows we have experience.”

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As Foxborough Town Manager heard updates from Police Chief Edward O’Leary, Deputy Fire Chief Steven Bagley and National Grid Liaison Tom Coughlin regarding Friday’s blizzard, the message was clear:

“So far, so good,” Paicos said.

Over a dozen town officials and department heads were on the conference call just after 5 p.m. Friday.

Here’s the most recent update of the town’s condition provided by public safety officials and department heads.

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Four men, each survivors of William E. Sheehan’s alleged sexual abuse crimes in Foxborough over 30 years ago, courageously came forward Tuesday to call upon the town’s Board of Selectmen to take ownership of the past and find the answers to so many questions regarding the alleged assaults of nearly 30 children.

“Many questions unanswered haunt not only the survivors of Sheehan but the soul of the town of Foxborough,” said Rev. Bill Dudley, pastor of Union Church of South Foxborough. … “Foxborough must purge our soul of this terrible chapter in our history and make our message crystal clear: Children are loved and valued in Foxborough and we will spare no effort to protect them.”

These survivors spoke out Tuesday against Sheehan, the former Foxborough youth leader and teacher accused of sexually assaulting at least 28 children in town from the late 1960s to 1981.

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Waxy O’Connor's Undergoes ‘Many Changes’; Set to Reopen Friday

Waxy O’Connor's has served its 16-day liquor license suspension and is ready to reintroduce itself to the Foxborough community as a pub that is food-first and a valued asset to the community.

“It should be pretty good on Friday when Waxy’s reopens,” said Waxy’s manager Joseph Lathrop Jr. “We brought in another chef. We have 15 new menu items. … I’m trying to be aware of what’s going on and get Waxy’s to be a value to the community.”

Foxborough’s Board of Selectmen approved Waxy’s change of manager application Tuesday, officially recognizing Lathrop Jr. as the new manager of the Main Street pub. Lathrop Jr. replaces Gordon Hyde, the manager who was allegedly responsible for many of the pub’s liquor-related problems with the town.

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Foxborough Police are investigating a series of break-ins involving an auto repair shop and several motor vehicles along Green Street that occurred overnight, according to police logs.

Foxborough Police Chief Edward O'Leary said the police department received a report around 8 a.m. Monday that Green Street Motors was broken into overnight and several unlocked motor vehicles along Green Street were "gone through."

The incidents are currently under investigation. If anyone has relevant information, call Foxborough police at (508) 543-4343.

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Foxborough Committee Recommends Sale of Town Land to Raise Revenue

Tasked with finding ways to monetize town assets that aren’t currently generating tax revenue, Foxborough’s Asset Review Committee has targeted five parcels to sell in auction.

Foxborough Board of Selectmen Clerk Lorraine Brue, who also serves on the Asset Review Committee, recently briefed the BOS on the following five parcels the town should consider selling to improve its revenue stream.

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Former Foxborough State Hospital Auditorium Could be Sold for Revenue

Looking to improve Foxborough’s revenue stream, the town’s Asset Review Committee presented to selectmen five parcels that if sold would generate the town at least $1.68 million.

However, it is unclear if one of those properties – the old Camp Lincoln Hill property on Oak Street - can be sold because it is and is said to have been purchased by the town with the purpose of open space and recreation.

Because of this, the town’s Conservation Commission has said it opposes the sale of this land.

In addition to those five parcels is another one the Asset Review Committee has targeted for potential sale – the former Foxborough State Hospital auditorium on Payson Road.

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Change in Floor Plan Delays Jake n JOES' Opening in Foxborough

A special public hearing is needed before Jake n JOES can open its Foxborough location after the sports grille altered its original floor plan, according to Town Manager Kevin Paicos.

“[Jake n JOES] had a little bit of a problem that was brought to my intention Tuesday,” Paicos said. “They filed their liquor license with a floor plan that basically is what was there before and then of course they went and they built their restaurant. They didn’t realize the floor plan that you approved is actually what is legally approved.”

Paicos said he visited the restaurant to see if the changes to the submitted floor plan were minimal but reported to selectmen Tuesday the alterations were “gigantically different” from what was on file with the town.

“They can’t legally open until [selectmen] review [Jake n JOES’] petition for a change of premises and approve [those changes],” Paicos said.

Selectmen agreed to set a special public hearing for Feb. 19 to review Jake n JOES’ floor plan. Once approved, the sports grille’s liquor license becomes valid and Jake n JOES’ could theoretically open for business the next day.

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Over the past 25 years, Foxborough’s Founders Day has grown into a wonderful day of community fun, food and fellowship to celebrate the town’s civic pride.

To commemorate the event’s 25th anniversary, the Founders Day Planning Committee has set a special theme for the June 8 celebration.

“The Theme of Founders Day 2013 is "Celebrating Foxborough Founders Day 25th Anniversary," the Founders Day Planning Committee announced on its Facebook page Tuesday. “We have a lot to be thankful for and would like to make this year’s celebration very special. Think of a way you can participate and help us to continue another 25 years.”

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Cars a Way of Life for Central Street Garage Owner in Foxborough

Paul Rogers started Central Street Garage on 385 Central St. in 1983, but his love of cars has been going on far longer than that.

“My grandfather was a mechanic and so was my father,” he said. “I raced cars for over 15 years, so I was always around cars.”

Rogers said he raced tracks in Norwood, Westborough and Seekonk, then known as the Northern Circuit. The cars were the Nascar Busch division.

“It was great competition,” he said. “It was just a great time for a young guy to come through. I made a lot of friends and kept a lot of friends.”

Rogers said that he left the racetrack and started Central Street because he felt he needed a more stable occupation.

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Kelsey's Kloset in Foxborough Making Dreams Come True for Children

Terri Manty opened Kelsey's Kloset Consignment and Boutique in December and she said it’s been a dream come true.

Manty said she worked at the Mustard Seeds Antique store in the same location as her consignment store for about three years and had always wanted to operate a children-oriented business.

“I had always wanted to bring in children’s gifts and gadgets, and it didn’t fit [with Mustard Seeds],” she said. “When we decided that we were closing the doors [of Mustard Seeds] I decided to give it a go.”

Manty said that, in her new space, she had to do a good deal of remodeling to get it "just right." The store sells new and consigned goods for children, which includes toys and clothing. She said that her experience with her children and now her grandchildren had an impact in what she buys for the store.

“I’ve always liked all the little frills and gifts and that kind of thing,” she said.

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VIDEO: Stoughton Comes Back to Stun Foxborough in OT

Foxborough lost 78-70 in overtime after leading Stoughton by 14 heading into the fourth quarter Thursday.

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Foxborough High Girls' Basketball's Fourth Quarter Comeback Falls Short at Stoughton

The Warriors trailed by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, but had a chance to tie the score on the game's final play. However, the Black Knights held on for a 45-42 win Thursday in Stoughton.

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Foxborough's Kiivone Howard Headed to Dean College; Mac Lowrie Commits to BC

Foxborough High School standout Kiivone Howard will be playing collegiate football close to home next season, committing to Dean College in Franklin Wednesday, HockomockSports.com.

Howard had a Division III best 25 touchdowns and ran for 1,750 yards this past season. For his career, Howard scored 38 touchdowns and ran for more than 2,500 yards for the Warriors. He was also a standout defensive back and earned a spot in the All-State team.

In other recruiting news, Foxborough native Mac Lowrie will be attending Boston College in the fall and playing for the Eagles' football team. The Roxbury Latin quarterback announced his commitment Wednesday.

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Gronk Wild: Patriots Tight End Seen Body Slamming Friend at Vegas Nightclub (Video)

Rob Gronkowski is once again making the kind of headlines that make most New England Patriots fans cringe.

TMZ captured video footage of the Patriots star tight end dancing shirtless on the stage of a Las Vegas nightclub with friends like he was auditioning for an MTV reality series to replace the recently concluded Jersey Shore. The video, to no surprise, has gone viral and is once again bringing to question Gronk's off-field behavior and commitment to football.

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Patriots Congratulate Bill Parcells Following Hall of Fame Nod

On Saturday, seven NFL greats learned their professional football careers would forever be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells joined six former NFL players to make up the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

Parcells coached the Patriots from 1993 to 1996 and led New England to Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers. The Pats lost that game, 35-21 and Parcells left town to become head coach of the New York Jets. Prior to his tenure in New England, Parcells coached the New York Giants from 1983 to 1990, winning two Super Bowls with the G-Men. Parcells ended his coaching career in Dallas, coaching the Cowboys from 2003 to 2006.

Current Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who was a longtime assistant coach of Parcells with the Giants, Pats and Jets, said his former boss is one of the league's all-time greats.

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