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Press Release:

Assistant Superintendent Search: Finalist Selected

Parents, Staff, and Community Invited to Public Forum

   Hopkinton, MA

2/8/2016

A finalist for the position of Hopkinton Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development has been selected.

Dr. Carol Cavanaugh:  Dr. Cavanaugh holds a Ph.D. in Middle and High School Literacy Strategies from Lesley University, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Boston University.  Her undergraduate degree was in English, and was also awarded from Boston University.  

She is currently the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at the Uxbridge Public Schools, and an Adjunct Professor at Worcester State and Lesley Universities.  She is a founding partner in Brunell and Cavanaugh Consulting, an education consulting business (1999-present). She has previously served as English Teacher/Department Chair and Assistant Principal (2005-2015) for the Westborough Public Schools, and began her career in education as an English teacher and Department Chair in the Auburn Public Schools (1994-2005). 

An integral part of the process involves parent, staff, and community input.  The Superintendent, Dr. Cathy MacLeod, invites interested parents, staff, and community members to a public forum to meet Dr. Cavanaugh, and ask any questions they may have.
 
Parents, staff, and interested community members are invited to attend this forum:

Thursday, February 11^th

Hopkinton Middle School Library

7:00 PM

Participants will be given the opportunity to provide feedback to Dr. MacLeod.  We strongly urge you to participate, and seek your feedback.

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Governor Baker Announces State Office Closures in Nine Counties for Non-Emergency State Employees

BOSTON – Tonight, Governor Charlie Baker announced that state offices in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties will be closed tomorrow. Non-emergency, executive branch employees working or living in these counties will not report to work tomorrow. The administration is urging everyone to stay off of roadways if possible to allow crews to clear the roads as many parts of the state will experience blizzard conditions throughout the day. 

“This storm will create hazardous driving conditions as many parts of the state, particularly the South Shore, Cape and Islands, will experience blizzard conditions for most of the day and we urge all residents to refrain from travel unless absolutely necessary,” said Governor Baker. “State offices will be closed to reduce traffic volume and allow our road crews to clear roads and sidewalks. We encourage employers to consider allowing employees to work from home if possible and ask folks to help clear the driveways and sidewalks in their communities and assist neighbors in need. The MBTA plans to run a regular schedule, but commuters are encouraged to check MBTA.com/winter for scheduling updates.”​

The Baker Administration remains in close contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, MassDOT and State Police to monitor the forecast and will work to alert the public with important updates or notifications. The MBTA Storm Desk will continue to monitor rail service throughout the storm and provide updates to commuters at MBTA.com/winter  .

State Office Closures: State offices will be closed in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties. Non-emergency, executive branch employees living or working in those counties will not report to work on Monday, February 8, 2016.

MBTA: The MBTA will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow with winter routes in effect for buses. Commuters are encouraged to be patient, allow plenty of time for travel and plan ahead by checking MBTA.com/winter for updates.

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Gingerbread

February 6, 2016 — Robyn Auslander shares a photo of her home taken from across the street.  The neighborhood looks a little like gingerbread houses, as well as a bit like a Thomas Kinkade painting, but without the lighted windows.

Flora Arthur Busconi, age 90

HOPKINTON: Flora Arthur Busconi, age 90, a kind and graceful lady, died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, February 4, 2016, at Timothy Daniels House in Holliston.

Born, raised, and educated in Natick, she was a daughter of the late Sotir and Nora (Ndini) Arthur. She married shortly after her high school graduation and settled in Hopkinton. Flora oversaw Patten’s Plumbing and Heating for many years, and later worked with Photographic Images in Hopkinton. Always ready to lend a hand, she enjoyed volunteer work with the Salvation Army, and several years each with the Framingham Public Library and the Danforth Museum. She loved being with her large extended family. As she put it, “I have lots of nieces and nephews.”

A lifelong member of the Albanian Orthodox Church in Natick, she was dedicated to her membership with the Vetetima. For 18 years she organized church bus trips, and, during her long membership in the Vetetima, where she worked at all functions, from bazaars to bake sales. For 18 years she organized bus trips for church members. A prolific and talented knitter, she shared her creations with both her church and Hopkinton communities. She also enjoyed a foray into politics, backing family friend, Lou Nickinello, for Lt. Governor. Where there was need, Flora tried to be there. Her life was centered around her family, church, and town, and her devotion to each was full.

She is survived by three sisters, Vasilika Verdi and her husband Arthur of Hadley, Pauline Steffon of Auburn, and Loretta Gentilotti and her husband James of Mendon; two brothers, Louis Arthur and his wife Lori of Stratford, CT, and Thomas Arthur and his wife Patricia of Ashland; and all of her siblings’ families. She was also the sister of the late Nicholas, Arthur, Vingo, George, Antoinette, and Dorothy Ann Arthur.

Her funeral service will be held in the Annunciation Orthodox Church/Albanian Orthodox Church, 37 Washington Street, Natick, on Wednesday, February 10th at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at Dell Park Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours.

Donations may be made in Flora's memory to the Annunciation Orthodox Church, 37 Washington Street, Natick, MA 01760.

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Governor Baker Signs Legislation to Reduce Minors’ Risk for Skin Cancer
Enacted law raises minimum age for use of tanning facilities to eighteen
 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed legislation (S 1994) to reduce the risk for skin cancer among minors by increasing the minimum age for the use or operating of tanning facilities to eighteen years old. During consideration of the bill, medical associations including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Melanoma Foundation of New England, Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation and the families of skin cancer victims Glenna Kohl and Jay Farley testified in support of its passage.

“With the number of minors diagnosed with skin cancer on the rise across Massachusetts and the nation, this legislation takes a critical step towards increasing awareness and protecting our most vulnerable,” said Governor Baker. “I thank the legislature for their attention to this important issue to protect the health and ensure the safety of youth throughout the Commonwealth.”

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State Senate Passes Public Records Reform Bill

BOSTON, MA – February 4, 2016 - Today the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation reforming how the state handles public records. The legislation, originally sponsored by Senator Jason Lewis, is the first update to the public records law since the early 1970s.

“An accessible, transparent government is fundamental to the democratic process,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill strengthens our public records law to improve access and make the process of requesting records simpler, clearer and more fair. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate and advocates on all sides of this issue for engaging in a collaborative effort to bring our public records law into the 21st century, while providing flexibility for municipalities and agencies.”

The legislation will reduce costs for records requestors and ensure timely compliance with public records requests. The bill also brings Massachusetts in line with 47 other states and the federal government in allowing attorney’s fees to be awarded to plaintiffs who are victorious in court when denied records. The bill requires attorney fees to be awarded, except in certain defined situations.

Under the legislation, each state agency and municipality is required to appoint at least one public records access officer to serve as the point of contact for all public records requests and coordinate a timely and thorough response. The public records officer does not have to be a new employee.

The bill limits the amount that state agencies and municipalities can charge for production of the records. The limits are set at 5 cents per page for copies, down from 20 to 50 cents per page under current law, and the cost of a storage device. The bill requires state agencies to provide four free hours of employee time and two free hours for municipalities. Charges for requests that require more time are limited to $25 per hour.

The bill prohibits charging for records if the agency or municipality does not provide the record within 15 days of the request or does not respond to the requestor within ten days. It also requires punitive damages up to $5,000 if a court determines the government entity did not act in good faith.

Finally the bill requires state entities and encourages municipalities to post online many commonly requested public records. In addition, records are required to be provided in electronic format unless requested otherwise.

The bill will now be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor.

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Laughter Ensues in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”

Tony Award Winning Musical at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts this March

(February 4, 2016 - HOPKINTON, MA) — Enter Stage Left Theater (ESL) presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for two weekends of performances this March in Hopkinton. The show centers on a fictional spelling bee taking place in the geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School, where six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. Directed by Denise Laumeister. Music Direction by Henry Buck. Performances are March 11-13 and 18-20, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m, in the Delbridge Family Performance Space at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (98 Hayden Rowe St. Hopkinton). Tickets are $20 adults and $15 for students and seniors (60+). Premium seating is available for $30. Adult content. Not appropriate for young audiences. Tickets are available for purchase at the door or at www.hopartscenter.org.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is a musical comedy conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin and additional material by Jay Reiss. Cast list: Andrew Ross (Medway) as Chip Tolentino, Jarryd Blanchard (Fairhaven) as Mitch Mahoney, Laura Frye (Waltham) as Rona Lisa Perretti, Mark Laumeister (Hopedale) as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Matthew Fliegauf (Hopkinton, photo, right) as Leaf Coneybear, Melissa Ennulat (Norfolk) as Olive Ostrovsky, Noelle Laumeister (Hopedale) as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, Ryan Leverone (Franklin) as William Barfee, and Taylor Forsmo (Hopkinton) as Marcy Park. 

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Lake Maspenock Draw-down Extended

by Cynthia Esthimer

February 2, 2016 —John Westerling, DPW Director, approached the Conservation Commission on Monday, January 25, 2016 with a request to extend the winter draw down of Lake Maspenock from January 15, 2016 until February 1, 2016. The extension would delay refilling the lake to normal, seasonal levels by “ice out” generally occurring mid March. Mr. Westerling’s request was granted by the Commission.

This season’s permitted draw down of the lake level is intended to control noxious and invasive weeds by deep freezing root systems. Due to the unusually warm weather, the effectiveness of the extended draw down is not likely to be as successful as hoped for.

The Lake Maspenock Weed Management & Control Advisory Group, under the direction by Mr. Westerling, will sponsor two Public Forums for Hopkinton residents on February 9, 2016 from 7 p.m. to 8 The:30 p.m. and February 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. The Public Forums will be held in Room 215 of Town Hall, Main St. Hopkinton MA.

A formal Comprehensive Weed Management and Control Plan will be developed for control and monitoring of noxious and invasive weed problems specific to Lake Maspenock. Hopkinton residents are urged to participate in the Public Forums and the online Survey link http://kwiksurveys.com/s/I5qy2QZO  in order to provide feedback, ask questions and increase their awareness about benefits and ecological impact from proposed methods of weed management. Upcoming Advisory Group Meetings, Public Forums and additional information will be posted in Town Hall and on the Town website, www.hopkintonma.gov

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Sheriff Koutoujian Cops $140,000 Grant  to Fight Drug Epidemic

MEDFORD, Mass. - February 1, 2016 — Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office was awarded a $140,000 grant to enhance ongoing efforts to address the heroin and opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth.

The award, from the Heroin and Opioid Crime Reduction State Initiative, was released Monday morning by Governor Charlie Baker and Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Secretary Daniel Bennett.

“I want to thank Governor Baker and the Administration for their continued support of law enforcement efforts to address the opioid crisis,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Sheriff's Offices are on the front lines of this epidemic every day – we’re constantly innovating in an effort to save lives – and this grant will help us support our nationally recognized addiction treatment programming.”

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has been a leader in the field of addiction recovery and funds from this grant award will allow for the expansion of the Medically Assisted Treatment and Directed Opioid Rehabilitation (MATADOR) Program, a unique opioid and heroin addiction treatment model. MATADOR incorporates the use of an injectable form of Naltrexone (a non-habit forming, long lasting medication which blocks the effects of opioids), substance abuse counseling/programming and continuity of care for participants upon return to the community.

Eligibility for MATADOR will expand with the awarding of this grant, allowing the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to enroll more participants including females departing MCI-Framingham and those in the pre-trial population involved with the drug courts.

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Charlie Baker

in Hopkinton

January 30, 2016 — On  Friday January 29, Governor Charlie  Baker attended a Meet  and  Greet event  that  was  held in the  home of Selectman Brian Herr  and  his  wife Mary Murphy. More than 125 people  attended the event  to support  the  re-election of Ed McGrath and Janet Leombruno for Republican State Committee.

Governor Baker spoke  about the  importance of having a Republican organization that  was moving together  in the same direction to accomplish great  things for the  Commonwealth. Both McGrath and  Leombruno have worked  hard  to set the priorities of  the state party, recruit and support  candidates, and provide  the  tools needed help candidates win elections. Governor Baker fully endorsed the McGrath- Leombruno Team for re-election on the  March 1 Republican Presidential Party Ballot.

Governor Baker has outstanding favorability ratings for the improvements to functioning  of  state government and  his  commitment to all the  cities  and  towns in the Commonwealth.

Hopkinton residents, led by Republican Town Committee  Chairman Ken Weismantel, were members  of the  host committee that included Brian Herr, John Coutinho,  John Ferrari, Eric Sonnett, Ron Clark, Len Holden, Vascen J. Bogigian, Mark Abate, Debra Holbrook, Todd Holbrook, Deb Thomas, Fran DeYoung, Matt Wade, Brian Karp, and Christian Ollenborger.

Above, with his wife Mary Murphy beside him, Hopkinton Selectman and former Republican candidate for US Senate Brian Herr gestures while talking with Charlie Baker, as a guest captures the moment on her  phone.

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Coordinated Program Review of Hopkinton Public Schools by DOE

Dr. Cathy MacLeod, Superintendent of the Hopkinton Public Schools was informed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of an upcoming Coordinated Program Review that will be taking place this school year. As part of this Coordinated Program Review, Department staff will visit the district during the week of March 14, 2016 – March 18, 2016. Such visits are routinely conducted by the Department to satisfy federal and state requirements for the periodic review of specific education programs and services in schools throughout the Commonwealth. The Department is reviewing several programs during a single visit in order to use Department and school staff’s time most efficiently and to encourage strong connections among the programs.

The Department's Coordinated Program Review will address the following programs: Special Education, English Learner Education (ELE), Civil Right and Other General Education Requirements. After reviewing school district procedures for these programs, a Department team will make its onsite visit, during which it will review individual student records, interview administrators, teachers and paraprofessional staff, survey parents and observe instructional spaces. After the onsite visit it will prepare a report for the superintendent and school committee [or charter school leader and board of trustees], with detailed findings for each program.

Using a scale of ratings ranging from “Commendable” to “Not Implemented,” the report will rate the implementation of each requirement reviewed by the Department. Where requirements are found not implemented or only partially implemented, the district [or charter school] must propose to the Department corrective action to bring those areas into compliance with statutes and regulations. Districts and schools are encouraged to incorporate the corrective action into their district and school improvement plans and professional development plan. The school district [or charter school] will be provided with technical assistance from the Department in developing a corrective action plan. Both the Department’s report and the corrective action plan are public information and will be available to the public upon request. Program Review Final Reports are also available on the Department’s Internet website at<http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/> .

Any member of the public may request to be interviewed by telephone by a member of the Department's visiting team. Those wishing to be interviewed should call the superintendent's office at (508) 417-9360 no later than February 15, 2016, to leave their name and phone number, or they may call the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (781) 338- 3742 (number for onsite chairperson, Corey Steinman). A member of the visiting team will contact each person desiring an interview within two weeks after the completion of the onsite visit. If an individual is not comfortable communicating in English or requires some other accommodation, the Department will make arrangements to communicate appropriately with the individual.

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Scholarship Application for 2016

This year, the Hopkinton Polyarts Committee will give $1,000.00 scholarships to a minimum of two graduating high school seniors going on to major or minor in fine or applied arts (ie. painting, ceramics, sculpting, drama, music, creative writing, fashion/interior design...) at a college or university.   The applicant needs to adhere to the guidelines.   Please keep the essay short.   The student must be a Hopkinton resident. The deadline is April 1, 2016

See application here.

BRIDGEWATER (January 28, 2016) Yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m., Trooper Jason Trout of the Troop D Community Action Team (D-CAT), was on patrol on Route 24 in the town of West Bridgewater. Trooper Trout observed a Chrysler Sebring commit a motor vehicle violation. Trooper Trout stopped the vehicle as it exited Route 24 onto Route 123.

Trooper Trout spoke to the driver, identified as KEVIN A. GREEN, 23, of North Randolph, and the passenger, identified as ATIYANA C. PHILLIPS-LAWSON, 19, of Dorchester. Trooper Trout returned to his cruiser to process the paperwork. The vehicle then fled at a high rate of speed down Manley Street in Brockton. At times, the fleeing vehicle passed vehicles in the opposite lane, forcing other motorists off the roadway.

While Trooper Trout attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle, Trooper Edward Blackwell observed the vehicle cross Route 106 into a Lowe’s parking lot. As Troopers Trout and Blackwell converged in the area, the vehicle fled out of a gated area, through the Chili’s Restaurant parking lot, then became disabled on a snow bank.

Both GREEN and PHILLIPS-LAWSON were placed in custody. A search revealed both occupants were in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun and approximately 233 grams of marijuana, packaged for distribution.

GREEN and PHILLIPS-LAWSON were placed under arrest and brought to the State Police Middleboro Barracks for booking.

GREEN was charged with the following offenses:

Firearm, Unlawful possession without a license;
Ammunition, Possession without FID card;
Drug, Possession to distribute Class D (Marijuana);
Operating after suspension;
Negligent operation of a motor vehicle;
Use motor vehicle without authority;
Marked lanes violation;
Fail to stop at stop sign;
Fail to signal; and
Speeding
PHILLIPS-LAWSON was charged with the following offenses:

Firearm, Unlawful possession without a license;
Firearm, Possess large capacity; and
Drug, Possession to distribute Class D (Marijuana).
Both GREEN and PHILLIPS-LAWSON were held without bail, pending their arraignment in Brockton District Court.

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Updated: February 27, 2018 08:39:56 AM