Politics & Government

Around Town: Ron Clough Honored for 40 Years of Conservation and Recreation Service, Upcoming Road Races & More

News and notes from around Foxborough.

Ron Clough has dedicated nearly 40 years of life to conserving and preserving land in the state with 27 of those years in Foxborough as the Forest and Park Supervisor of the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest.

“It was January 1972 that I started in the Boston office for the Department of Natural Resources Planning Division,” Clough said. “I was a little bit younger then. I had a great job but on a nice spring day looking out my window onto a roof with pigeon crap on it reminded me I had to be outside so I left that job.”

Clough found what he was looking for in Foxborough as the park supervisor of the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, a position he held for 27 years before retiring at the end of February.

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“I came to Foxborough in 1986 as the supervisor of the state forest and we started out a goals plan, which is like a master plan, for the state forest and we got a lot of local citizens on the committee and at public meetings,” Clough said. “From that we developed a wonderful relationship with various groups and town officials.”

On Tuesday, April 16th, Foxborough’s Board of Selectmen thanked Clough for his years of service and dedication to the town by issuing him an official citation.

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“On behalf of the town we appreciate you and all you’ve done up there between the walking trails and bird watching and skiing,” said Foxborough Board of Selectmen chair James DeVellis. “You’ve taken care of it very well for us.”

Clough, 64, is credited with “enhancing the prestige of the town of Foxborough because of the location of the state forest within the town” and adding to the reasons that Foxborough is known as “The Gem of Norfolk County.”

The retired park supervisor met monthly with concerned residents on issues related to managing the state forest and regularly conducted tours. Clough also helped and encourage members of the Boy Scouts of America in projects and merit.

Here’s the text of the board’s citation to Clough:

“Whereas, after almost 40 years of service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ron Clough retired from the Department of Conservation and Recreation and whereas, for 27 of those years, Ron was the Forest and Park Supervisor at the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest in Foxborough and whereas, in the line of duty, Ron preserved in the goal of preserving and encouraging the responsible use of the State Forest, and whereas, as the liaison to the town of Foxborough, Ron met monthly with concerned citizens of Foxborough to deal with the issues of the management of the state forest, and whereas, for the pleasure and edification of the citizens of Foxborough, Ron regularly conducted tours of the State Forest, and whereas, over the years, Ron has helped and encouraged members of the Boy Scouts of America in projects and merit, and whereas, as Supervisor of the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, Ron, along with the dedicated staff and crew under his direction, has enhanced the prestige of the town of Foxborough because of the location of the State Forest within the town and has truly added to the reasons that Foxborough is known as “The Gem of Norfolk County.” Therefore, the Foxborough Board of Selectmen offers its sincerest thanks to Ron Clough for his dedication to his position as Forest and Park Supervisor at the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest to the benefit of the town of Foxborough. The Board of Selectmen also wishes Ron Clough a happy, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.”

13th Annual Foxborough Against Diabetes Road Race Set for June 1

Selectmen approved the request of Richard Noonan and John Hurley to hold the 13th annual Foxborough Against Diabetes Road Race on June 1.

Foxboro Against Diabetes is a non-profit organization that has organized a successful 5k-road race/walk for the past 12 years to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that effects close to 16 million people and is the seventh leading cause of death. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. The mission of this organization is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

This event is held in memory of Shannon Hurley, who passed away in 1995 due to diabetes complications.

This year’s road race and walk will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, beginning and ending at Invensys Corporations on Neponset Avenue.

Organizers are expecting roughly 1,000 participants and 200 spectators for the event and have coordinated the appropriate safety measures with local police, fire and public works personnel.

“It is our goal to have an enjoyable and safe event,” Noonan said. “We have notified the following departments of our plans and have received their cooperation and support.”

Highway Department

To check course Friday before the race for the following:

  • Cleaning the streets for the race, removing potential injury causing materials such as glass, rocks, large litter and loose sand.
  • Repair any potholes that could cause injury to a participant

Police Department

Police Chief Edward O’Leary has approved this event and the police department has committed to have police officers and reserve officers present the day of the race. Their responsibilities will be:

  • Monitoring all major road junctions for traffic
  • Provide a safe escort for all runners
  • Provide a safety barrier for the last walkers
  • Monitor all activities of the road race

Fire Department

Fire Chief Roger Hatfield has approved this event. There will be an EMT as well as several registered nurses standing by at the road race for any medical emergency that may arise.

United State Coast Guard Flyover

The event is expected to have a United States Coast Guard helicopter conduct a flyover Neponset Avenue during the National Anthem. This flyover will be conducted in compliance with the rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard.

This event is very well planned and the safety of all participants is our main objective.

Noonan noted there will also be two water stations set up on the course for the participants.

As for the course, it is the same as it has been for the past 12 years:

Start at guard shack one at the Invensys Corporation and go down Neponset Avenue towards Chestnut Street.

  • Take right onto Chestnut Street following to traffic lights
  • Take right on Mechanic Street following to railroad tracks
  • Take right on to Railroad Avenue
  • Take left on to Bird Street
  • Take right on to Baker Street to the end
  • Take right on to Chestnut Street
  • Take right onto Neponset Avenue back to starting line.

 2013 Harvard Pilgrim’s Finish at the 50 Approved for July 3

The annual Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the 50, organized by DMSE Sports, Inc., is set for July 3 on local roads and the grounds of Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place.

The 10K run/walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. outside of Gillette Stadium and finish on the field’s 50-yard line. There will be three water stops on the course for participants. Organizers are expecting roughly 3,500 runners/walkers and 100 spectators along the course. The race is expected to conclude around 7:30 p.m.

Ed Wiederhold of DMSE Sports, Inc. noted several significant changes to the event taking effect this year:

  • Reduce duration of required road-closures
  • 2013 course covers 1.25 miles of town roads (2012 course used 4.4 miles of town roads)
  • Estimated road closures are between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. for North Street, Young and Edwards roads. (In 2002 road closures were from 6:05 to 7:30 p.m. involving 4.4 miles of roads)
  • Avoid key intersections in Foxborough Center and minimizes impact on local residents, businesses, recreational fields and vehicular traffic
  • Allows for uninterrupted access between Route 1 and Foxborough Center (Beach and Mechanic streets).

John Rhoads Reappointed to Planning Board

Foxborough Board of Selectmen approved the Planning Board’s recommendation to reappoint John Rhoads as associate member of the Planning Board.


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