2013 Review: Top News Stories

From the two-week shutdown of the U.S. government to the election of Pope Francis to the passing of South African leader Nelson Mandela, the past year was an eventful one across the country and around the globe. And the same was also true in Canton, where residents witnessed historic changes, grappled with senseless tragedies, and celebrated major milestones and notable achievements. The following are a few of the many compelling stories that made headlines in Canton during the past 12 months. For an in-depth review of 2013 from a local perspective, check out the January 2 issue of the Canton Citizen.

Marathon tragedy hits home; Canton proves ‘Boston Strong’

Located less than 20 miles from the finish line in Copley Square, the town of Canton felt the full impact of the tragic events of Marathon Monday, when two pressure cooker bombs exploded in quick succession on Boylston Street, killing three and injuring more than 260 others.

Marathon vigil at First Parish Unitarian-Universalist

Nearly everyone in town had a friend, relative, or coworker who had participated in the historic race, either as a runner or a spectator, and a few witnessed the carnage firsthand.

Back home in Canton, residents remained glued to their television sets, while hundreds took to Facebook or Twitter to express their outrage or to offer up condolences to the victims and their families. Public safety officials stayed on high alert and took extra precaution, even calling in the State Police Bomb Squad and closing a stretch of Turnpike Street for a brief period on Tuesday in order to search a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Bay State School of Appliance.

The Canton Police also sent a large contingent to Boston to assist with security efforts, including the protection of hospitals and hotels, and with the subsequent manhunt in Watertown that ended with the capture of bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

In the weeks and months that followed, Canton residents rallied in support of the bombing victims, culminating with a massive “Boston Strong” t-shirt fundraiser in all of the Canton Public Schools. Organized by CHS students Meghan Peters, Jill Eckler, Courtney Loughnane and Kaitlyn Kelleher, the fundraiser quickly morphed into a phenomenon and raised a staggering $27,000 for the One Fund Boston.

Local leaders, CPD detectives stem drug tide

The Canton Police Department had a busy and productive year when it came to keeping illegal drugs off the streets, executing several large-scale drug busts while also partnering with the Canton Public Schools and the Fire Department to form an anti-substance abuse coalition.

Bags of marijuana seized in the historic February bust. (CPD photo)

The biggest bust came in February, when police intercepted a delivery that yielded approximately 300 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $1 million. A month earlier, police arrested a Canton man and charged him with drug trafficking after a search turned up nearly 70 pounds of marijuana and $110,000 in cash.

Police also scored at least three other major busts throughout the year, leading to the arrest of three Canton men on drug distribution charges. One of the men, who was charged with heroin distribution and firearms charges, had been shot by an unknown assailant at his Chapman Street residence in March. Police said the man refused to provide any details about the incident, leading them to suspect that the shooting was drug-related.

Needs of seniors take center stage, fuel housing dispute

Canton’s growing senior population moved one step closer to getting its long-awaited new senior center when town meeting voters in May overwhelmingly approved a $1.36 million free cash transfer for renovations to the Knights of Columbus hall, which had been purchased a year earlier for $450,000. The successful appropriation followed months of debate about the condition of the building and the skyrocketing renovation estimates. However, most voters felt that the benefits still greatly outweighed the costs, greenlighting the project and putting it on schedule for an August 2014 opening.

Canton’s seniors were also the target of a major zoning change in 2013 as town meeting voters approved a new Senior Housing Overlay District and subsequently applied it to the former AA Will Sand & Gravel pit on Turnpike Street. The sponsor of the amendments, Brightview Senior Living, agreed to provide a sizable mitigation package to the town in exchange for building a three-story, 160-unit structure featuring both independent and assisted living apartments.

A few months later, the owners of the Plymouth Rubber site proposed a smaller, competing facility on Revere Street, leading to a wave of opposition that involved, at various points, the Board of Selectmen, the town counsel, and Brightview attorney Richard Staiti. Caught in the middle of the dispute was the Zoning Board of Appeals, which held several hearings on the matter throughout the fall before eventually reaching a creative solution that allowed the project to move forward under a special permit.

Town strengthens partnership with Dunkin’ Brands

Following a lengthy but ultimately fruitful negotiations process, Dunkin’ Brands, owner of the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains, proudly announced in October that it would be keeping its headquarters on Royall Street for at least the next 16 years.

Town officials announce the TIF and lease agreement with Dunkin’ Brands.

The popular restaurant franchisor reportedly had a better offer from neighboring Westwood, but chose to stay after securing a ten-year tax increment financing (TIF) extension. In exchange, the company agreed to several mitigation steps, including a donation to the new senior center and the establishment of two annual scholarships for Canton graduating seniors. Lead negotiators for Canton included Economic Development Committee Chairman Gene Manning, Selectman John Connolly, and state Rep. Bill Galvin.

Also in 2013, Dunkin’ Brands teamed with local law enforcement officials to help solve a string of armed robberies at various Dunkin’ Donuts locations around Boston, including two on Neponset Street in Canton. The company offered a reward of $2,500 and later increased it to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of a robbery suspect. Finally, in late November, police announced a break in the case with the arrest of three local men, including 23-year-old Isaiah Murphy of Dedham, who was charged with the two Canton robberies …

Read about more top stories from 2013 in this week’s issue of the Citizen, available on newsstands January 2. Not a subscriber? Click here to order your subscription today.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Jan 1 2014. Filed under Featured Content. Both comments and pings are currently closed.