The Top 10 Sharon Stories of 2013

As 2013 comes to a close, we look back at some of the top stories from the past 12 months.

It was certainly an interesting year for Sharon. Major stories included the announced retirement of the town manager, a new delay for Rattlesnake Hill, and Sharon being named the best town in America.

And while we understand there are many news stories that hit Sharon this year, we're bringing you the headlines that had the most readership. Tell us in the comments section below what you think the year's biggest Sharon news story.

Here is Sharon Patch's top 10 stories of 2013:

The property is now under a conservation restriction, and abuts land that has conservation restrictions already on it.

Resident Joseph Risotto gifted the property, which is located on 263 South Walpole St. The parcel gifted covers 7.5 acres.

The land is also in a water protection district.

A female pedestrian was killed after being struck by a car July in Stoughton. The driver of the vehicle, Karen Blau, 46, of Sharon, was charged with  Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation, Operating Under the Influence of Drugs with Serious Injury, Operating Under the Influence of Liquor with Serious Injury, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Remain in a Marked Lane. 

"[Blau] backed out of a driveway at 107 Lincoln at a high rate of speed, crossed onto the opposite sidewalk and struck the victim before coming to rest against a tree," Stoughton Police Deputy Chief Robert Devine said in a statement. 

While bail was initially set at $500,000, Blau was later released on a reduced bail of $5,000

The Debra Sampson Park has had citizen maintenance from resident Richard Kramer for the last 25 years.

The problem? 

He didn't have permission from the town.

Kramer was recently sent a cease and desist order in July for the volunteer work he had been doing for the park from the Sharon town counsel because of a complaint issued against him from a resident who had “tripped over an object.”

While the actual object could not be revealed because of pending legal discussions, Kramer has been known to move large objects on paths in the park, put down sticks and logs to identify where the corridor of the path is, clean up litter and debris. In some cases, he’s brought out saws and hatchets to remove larger branches from the path.

7. No Vote Likely For Rattlesnake Hill Articles at Special Town Meeting

A vote on zoning changes for a Brickstone development at Rattlesnake Hill will most likely have to wait for a future town meeting.

At the pre-town meeting meeting in October, the selectmen with advice from Town Council Richard Gelerman agreed to push for no action on Article Two on the Special Town Meeting warrant.

“In order to avoid the concern there may be a negative vote we suggested that you announce that because there hasn’t been a report, it’s inappropriate for town meeting to take a vote,” Gelerman said.

6. Park at Sacred Heart Gets OK at Town Meeting

It needed a hand vote but Article 5 at November's Special Town Meeting was approved, allowing for the former Sacred Heart Property to be turned into a park for the town to use.

Before approval, the article was amended to decrease the amount in Community Preservation Funds to be used from $80,000 to $60,000 with a stipulation that the funds shall not be used for the cost of irrigation. 

Residents speaking against the inclusions of funds for an irrigation system felt it was not needed. 

“I was shocked when I received the warrant and saw the sprinklers was part of the warrant, it’s the most expensive part of the project.  It seems to me it was another backdoor approach to create another sports field instead of spontaneous use,” resident Richard Kramer said

Selectman Bill Heitin admitted that the irrigation system was part of the warrant to help maintain the fields which would be used for youth sports practices but not for any games.

5. Sharon Athletics Thrive

What started with a Super Bowl win for the football team in 2012 has turned into success for across multiple sports at Sharon High School

This year the Eagles took home league titles, went on memorable tournament runs, and performed well at the state level. While we'll look at the top sports moments in depth in the near future, here are some of the highlights from 2013.

• Boys Basketball makes it to the D2 South Semi-Finals.
• Baseball makes it to the D2 South Semi-Finals.
• Gymnastics wins the Hockomock League title, places second at the state meet.
• Golf wins the Hockomock League title by two strokes.
• Boys' Tennis wins the Hockomock Davenport Division Title, goes 16-0 in league play and 20-2 overall.
• Angela Zhang finishes third at MIAA Girls' Golf Championship.
• Boys' Indoor Track Wins the Hockomock Davenport Title. 

4. Sharon Commons Retail Developer Pulls Out, Project To Be Delayed

The Sharon Commons retail development, a 450,000-square-foot shopping complex similar to Mansfield Crossing or the Village Mall in Cobb’s Corner in Canton, faced a setback in August because the developer, Congress Group, has pulled out of the project.

Town Administrator Ben Puritz said that property has now gone back to the banks since Congress Group pulled out and new developers are actively being reviewed.

The development, located near the Foxboro town line across from Shaw’s plaza and near Interstate 95 is “very significant” for Sharon, said Puritz, explaining that it would the small commercial portion of Sharon’s tax base by 40 to 50 percent.

3. Sharon Town Administrator Ben Puritz Announces Retirement

In Feb. 1981, Benjamin Puritz began his time in Sharon as the town administrator. 33 years later, Puritz's tenure in the position is about to come to an end.

Speaking to the selectmen in September, Puritz announced his intent to retire from the position by the end of February, 2014.

"It’s time for the community and selectmen to start planning for a successor for myself," Puritz said.

A screening committee has been formed to help find Puritz's successor.

2. A Sharon Marathoner's Perspective on the Boston Marathon Bombing

It was a tragedy that took place in Boston but had everything to do with nearly every town in Massachusetts and many more worldwide.

As he took off from the starting line at Monday's Boston Marathon, one thing was clear for Sharon resident Eli Chernin: The weather was nothing short of ideal. 

"The city was kind of in chaos," said, recalling the scene in Back Bay on Monday. "People just walking around aimlessly. I headed up towards [Boston] Common. I ended up meeting another runner from [Washington] D.C. and he and his wife invited me back to the Long Wharf Mariott to make some phone calls."

Chernin, who ran the Boston Marathon for Team TAN - Technology for Autism Now and using Luna Sandals in the barefoot-style tradition of running, had set out on the marathon route with sherpa and running partner Brian Silver, who helped him keep pace the entire way. 

1. Sharon Voted Number One Town In America

Sharon was voted Money Magazine's best place to live in America in its September issue. 

Among the reasons listed for the ranking are Sharon's diversity in public school--30 percent non-white--40 percent open space, including Lake Massapoag, and it's proximity to both Boston and Providence via train. 

It is also "surrounded by a wealth of good jobs in Boston, Providence, and the Route 128 tech corridor," which insulated Sharon from the worst of the recessions and has helped with a rapid recovery.