Man About Canton: A Funicular

Did you know …

The Boston Globe recently did a story in its business section on a proposal by Shelly Hoon-Keith and her husband, builder and former Cantonite John Keith, to access the Neponset River from their new hilltop home in Milton. The river is more than 45 feet down a steep bluff in their backyard. The Keiths are looking to install a funicular, which is basically an open elevator or tram on an inclined rail system which would allow the Keiths easier access to the Neponset River. The project was approved by the town’s Conservation Commission and allowed to go forward with a special building permit. The application is currently being reviewed by state agencies to determine whether the project, with its proximity to the Neponset River, could trigger a more stringent environmental impact review or require the Keiths to obtain a specific state environmental license. The Keiths’ attorney, Robert Sheffield, said work on their funicular can start this fall if permits are issued by summer. Hoon-Keith told the Globe that she is trying to focus on the final goal. If she and her husband can easily get to the river by funicular, their plan is to “get a canoe.” Today, the White Cliffs Country Club in Plymouth has what may be the only funicular in commercial use in Massachusetts.

Tom and Lisa Menino recently purchased a home on Maplecroft Road in Canton, according to the Banker & Tradesman. Tom is the son of the late former mayor of Boston Tom Menino.

The Canton Public Library will receive $385,294 from the estate of Victoria Chaisson. This is one of the largest single donations to the library in recent memory. The use of the funds will be determined by the Board of Library Trustees.

There may be a future girls softball star for Canton High School. Remember the name Sophia Santos. Sophia has been considered by many as a superstar pitcher and was recently honored as the “Player of the Week” by Dirt Dawg Sports. A member of Dirt Dawg’s 12 and under purple softball team, Santos struck out 33 batters in 15 innings during the weekend of June 3. The question is, will she go to Canton High School or will a private school scoop her up?

There is a little-known program in Massachusetts where eligible seniors can avoid paying the local tax until their home is sold or they pass away, but interest rates on the repayment can be up to 8 percent. According to state officials, it is “only of minimal” use now but could be a boon for seniors if the law was changed to make it easier for seniors to use it.

Canton has a great community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm share program that recently started at Pakeen Farm on Elm Street.

The Canton High School track and newly renovated turf field will be closed to the public in July for up to six weeks while the track is renovated.

The town is still waiting for the state to complete repairs on the ramp and stairs at the Canton Junction commuter rail station. Work on the ramp and stairway finally resumed on July 5 and is expected to be completed in three weeks.

The Sharon High School boys tennis team has won 112 straight regular season league matches and 38 straight Hockomock League titles. Since 2006, the boys have won seven state titles; and this year, they won 23 matches in a row before losing to Wayland 3-2 in the state finals. However, the Sharon girls tennis team won its first ever state championship, going a perfect 25-0 in the process. Congratulations to both outstanding teams.

The Boston Red Sox have three numbers that are not retired but are not in use: Roger Clemens’ number 21, which has not been worn since 1996; Jason Veritek’s 33; and Tim Wakefield’s 49, both of which have not been used since 2011.

David Lustbader, DMD, of Canton, has been elected president of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

The town of Canton uses an average of 2.5 million gallons of water daily. Twenty percent of this water is supplied by the MWRA through a connection to our water system, while the other 80 percent is supplied from local wells.

The Canton Area Help Line recently donated $5,000 to the Canton Parks and Recreation Department.

The Halfway Cafe has been renamed the Cornerstone Pub & Grill, but the menu and hours will not change.

There are no wrong turns only unexpected paths.

That is all for now folks. See you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=36737

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Jul 22 2017. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.