Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

June A. Shanabrook, 88 of Hopkinton, former longtime resident of Ashland and Weston, passed away Tue Feb. 15th after a period of declining health. Born in Bucyrus, Ohio, she was the daughter of Frank and Lura (Brown) Zartman. A graduate of The College of Wooster with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. June was a music teacher and went on to work for Tufts Health Plan as a marketing data coordinator.

June’s family story is an American journey. Her maternal grandfather was a homesteader first in New Mexico then settling in Oklahoma before the territory became a state. The Brown family continues to farm that same land. Mom would tell stories of the drive from Mount Eaton Ohio where she grew up to see her grandparents on the farm in Billings OK. Both the Zartman and Shanabrook ancestors immigrated from Germany centuries ago in search of their own farmland eventually settling in Ohio. In Mount Eaton her dad was the minister of the Evangelical and Reformed church and her mom taught piano. It was fun to hear stories of how mom dated every boy in her high school class of six and how the social studies teacher drove the class to Washington D.C. in his station wagon for her class trip.

June went on to the College of Wooster where she met Paul Shanabrook. Recently found letters originally sent to her friend Diana on her year abroad in Edinburgh revealed the courtship happening back in Wooster. After graduation in 1954 the now engaged June taught music in Justus Ohio. Once married in 1955 June moved to Webster Groves, Missouri where Paul attended the Eden Seminary School. After graduation from theology school June and Paul moved to Cleveland for the founding of a new United Church of Christ, St. Marks in Cleveland. Paul later took a stewardship leadership role in the UCC main office in Boston, moved the family in 1962 with Nevin then four years old and newborn Eric to Wellesley Hills. Eliot followed in 1964 leaving three boys for June to care for! This care extended to the Atlantic Ocean where June embraced sailing the New England coast far from rural Ohio. In 1971 the family then moved to Weston when Paul returned to preaching at the Weston Congregational Church.

June and Paul went their own ways in the early 80’s. June thrived in her work at Tufts befriending so many people she worked with. Then living in Ashland, she worked, then retired, enjoying traveling and attending music and theater events with her boyfriend Bruce MacDonald. June also enjoyed her volunteer work with recent immigrants finding their way.

June’s interests in music and theater were a lifelong enjoyment. Teaching piano out of the house and playing for local theater companies kept her active and fostered friendships. June embraced her New England home finding solace and beauty here. Among her favorite places were the Isles of Shoals, Frenchboro Island, and fried clams at Woodmans! Wonderful family trips to Europe were planned by mom, Frommers Europe on $50/day in hand, an experience that gave her children a unique worldview experience and education.

June is survived by three sons: Nevin Shanabrook and his wife Elena List of Ashland, Eric Shanabrook and his wife Katherine Schrader of Salem, and Eliot Shanabrook and his wife Celeste Ignacio of Marblehead. Grammy June readily accepted the role of primary babysitter for her two grandchildren Austin, Nevin and Elena’s son and Reid, Eliot and Celeste’s son. Austin is now married to Chaya with a newborn son Yeshaya Eliahu.

Friends and family will be notified of an informal gathering, at June’s request, as an opportunity to celebrate June’s life and share memories. This will take place this spring sometime. June had wanted her ashes to be buried on her beloved Star Island and the family will privately honor her memory in that way.

Hopkinton — On Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 9:00 AM, Democrats will convene virtually to elect 9 delegates and 4 alternates to represent Hopkinton at the 2022 State Democratic Convention. Attendees may participate remotely by registering in advance at bit.ly/HopCaucus. Event check-in begins at 8:30 AM and those eligible must join by 9:15 AM in order to be allowed to vote.

Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Hopkinton 16 years old by February 4, 2022 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting www.massdems.org/convention .

The 2022 Convention will be a hybrid convention, with in-person proceedings taking place alongside virtual participation options on June 3 and 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Delegates will convene to endorse candidates for statewide office ahead of the September Democratic Primary. The MassDems are closely monitoring changes in public health guidance and will update plans accordingly.

Those interested in getting involved with the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee should contact Darlene Hayes at chair@hopkintondemocrats.org or (508) 435-6585 / (508)-904-7417.

WHAT: Hopkinton Caucus to Elect Democrats to the 2022 State Democratic Convention
WHEN: Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 9:00 AM, with check-in beginning at 8:30 AM
WHERE: Virtually, with advance registration at bit.ly/HopCaucus

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Releases Updated Face Covering Advisory

BOSTON (February 15, 2022) - Today, the Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated guidance regarding the use of face coverings and masks by individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccine acceptance, and in light of recent improvements in COVID-19 indicators, DPH now advises that a fully vaccinated person should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system and is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a face covering or mask when indoors with others to help prevent spreading COVID-19.

Individuals who have tested positive or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 must follow the isolation and quarantine guidance which includes wearing a mask in public for 5 more days after leaving isolation or quarantine on Day 5, regardless of vaccination status.

All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including on public transportation and in health care facilities. Please see www.mass.gov/maskrules for a complete list of venues where face coverings have remained mandatory since May 29, 2021.

The full advisory can be found here.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Dr. Arthur L. Gendron Jr., “Art”, aged 69, of Hopkinton, MA, passed away February 5, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Linda J. Clancy as well as his three children, Grant, Danielle and Andrea and her husband, Max Robidoux. Art was pre-deceased by his father Arthur, mother Rita, and his brother Richard.

Art was born in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and was a graduate of Boston University’s prestigious six-year combined-degree college and medical school program. Art lived his life caring for his family and others. He treated thousands of patients over his 40+ years as a family practice physician (including decades of practice at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Manchester, NH).

A quietly determined man of piercing intelligence, Art achieved his life’s goal of providing a wonderful family life for his wife and children. He loved games, walks, books, and bicycling. He enjoyed spending hours walking the beaches of Cape Cod and taking boat rides in Boston Harbor. Attending Red Sox games and watching the Patriots and Boston College football were treasured activities. He also loved living in Hopkinton and visiting Chatham. He will be missed everyday by his family.

Visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Friday, February 18 at the Chesmore Funeral Home, 57 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton, MA. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com  A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 19 at 11am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church St., Hopkinton, MA. Masks are required at both events. Due to COVID, a collation will be held at a later date to allow for a safer gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston  ( https://giving.spauldingrehab.org ) or to the Hopkinton Massachusetts Public Library (  https://hopkintonlibraryfriends.org/donate ).  

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

HMA Runner

Through the generous support of the Boston Athletic Association and the Town of Hopkinton, the Hopkinton Music Association is pleased to announce that Katharine Brummett will be running the 126th Boston Marathon on an invitational entry for the Hopkinton Music Association! The HMA is a volunteer parent organization whose mission is to promote, support, and advocate for exceptional music education for all Hopkinton Public School students. Katharine’s fundraising efforts for HMA will help provide opportunities for children and young adults to continue participating in the musical pursuits they enjoy! More specifically, this fundraiser will provide scholarships for graduating seniors, music lesson scholarships, guest clinicians and speakers, concert attire, and allow for instrument purchase & repairs.

Please consider supporting Katharine’s run and the Hopkinton Music Association!
Thank you.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/katharine-brummett-raising-funds-for-hopkinton-music-association/

WHITINSVILLE, MA – UniBank, Central Massachusetts’ largest mutual community bank, has once again been voted “Best Bank for Business” by Worcester Business Journal Readers for 2022. This is the 9th time the bank has earned the coveted title.

“UniBank customers tell us that it is our personalized approach to business, commercial and personal banking and our commitment to the community that keeps them excited about their relationship with our bank,” commented UniBank CEO Michael Welch. “We remain focused on our mission to make the community a better place.”

In 2021, UniBank announced the establishment of the UniBank Charitable Foundation, which the bank seeded with $2 million. The Foundation, according to Welch, will help ensure that the bank’s legacy of giving will continue for generations to come.

UniBank is rooted in the Blackstone Valley with assets of $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2021. A full-service, mutually owned community bank, UniBank has branches in Central Massachusetts and the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. UniBank is an Official Founding Partner of the Worcester Red Sox. UniBank is dedicated to contributing to the overall quality of life and economic health of the communities it serves, while maintaining a high level of financial soundness and integrity. UniBank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC and Member DIF. UniBank NMLS #583135. The company website is www.unibank.com .

My Furry Valentine

“Hearts for Houndies” Drape Greyhound Friends Kennel in Love for Furry Valentines. Friends of Hopkinton’s Greyhound Friends dog adoption shelter are showing their love for the resident dogs by sponsoring bright Valentine hearts to be hung around the kennel area. Running through Valentine’s Day, the fundraiser has generated some enthusiastic support.

"It’s so nice to know people are sending love to the dogs," says Executive Director Terri Shepard. “Walking through the kennel, you can’t miss all the bright pink and every heart means someone cares about the dogs who are waiting for homes. Of course it’s the staff and volunteers who feel cheered by the outpouring of support, but whenever we come to hang more hearts, the dogs seem to know something good is happening."

Ordering details are available at Greyhound Friends’ website, https://greyhound.org .

Brian Keith Cormier, 26, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Born in Worcester MA, he was the son of Brian Cormier and Faithanne Soucier; as well as his Guardians, Bryan & Kamala Guthrie, formerly of Hopkinton.

Brian was a charming guy who had an infectious personality. He had a mischievous streak and was affectionately known as the mayor of every place he went. He was a passionate sports fan and an avid video gamer. Brian had been a long time patient at Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Brighton, and spent most of his younger years in Canton. He strived at The Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children; where he achieved numerous student of the month awards. For the past several years, he had been part of the Wrentham Developmental Center.

Brian is survived by his siblings; a brother, Brandon Maloney, several sisters, Lila & Ellie Guthrie, Mandi Benson, Shannon Velez and Brittnay Velez & her husband, Shane. He also has many aunts, uncles & cousins. There is no way to express our gratitude to all of the amazing educators and healthcare workers who helped Brian throughout his life, your dedication and support was incredible. Brian is predeceased by his brother, Connor Patrick Kilrain and several grandparents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 11th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com  A funeral mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Curch in Hopkinton. Interment will be held at a later date. Masks are required. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children 3 Randolph St. Canton, MA. 02021

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Pictured:  Nancy Tarsi, President; Club members Nancy Gibbs, Nancy
Proulx, Phyllis Coughlin.

"Hopkinton Women's Club will be donating Care Bags to the organization
"New Hope".  New Hope works with those affected by domestic and sexual
violence.  It has offices in Milford and Attleboro and serves over 41
communities within Central and Southeast Massachusetts.  For information
about the Women's Club Mission of giving go to HopkintonWomensClub.org.

Hopkinton Garden Club's Online Speaker Series Presents: “Garden Design for a changing climate” with Christine Darnell - Tuesday, February 15, 7:30 p.m. via *Zoom, free and open to the public.

How do we create gardens in the face of climate change? How do we pursue the ideas of ecology and make smart choices in planting design with regards to water, soil, assisting migrating pollinators and wildlife? There is not just one way, but many ways to reconsider our decision-making and create gardens that will last and thrive, even in extremes.

In her presentation ‘Gardening Design for a Changing Climate’ Christine Darnell will share her specialty of plant combinations that are rich in form and texture. The gardens she designs celebrate the beauty of nature and reflect a sense of place.

Christine Darnell is the principal of Christine Darnell Gardens, a landscape and garden design studio located in Lyme, CT. She holds a Masters degree in Landscape Design from Columbia University and is an adjunct professor in the Horticulture Department at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT. She also serves on the Inland Wetlands Committee for Lyme, CT, and writes often for Connecticut Gardener Magazine and the New Haven Register.

She has over 10 years of experience as a professional horticulturist. Christine takes a hands-on approach to every project from beginning to end. Creative plant combinations characterize her work, with an artist’s eye towards color and texture. From the start of the design process to the end of the installation, her focus is to translate clients’ needs into their dream landscape.

*This program will be held via Zoom and is open to the public. Non-members who wish to attend, please respond to register@hopkintongardenclub.org and state your interest in attending our February 15th online event. Instructions will be provided in a reply email.

The Hopkinton Garden Club is an affiliate of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Visit us at www.hopkintongardenclub.org ; follow Hopkinton Garden Club on Facebook and hopkintongardenclub on Instagram. New members are welcome any time during the club year. Come learn with us!

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Hopkinton Cultural Council through the Massachusetts Cultural Council LCC program.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

"OP" Retires

School Resource Officer Phil Powers retired Tuesday, Jan. 25 having worked in the schools since 2004. He is known as "Officer Phil," or "OP," which was also engraved on his patrol car's driver's door. (Photo courtesy Hopkinton Police Department)

HOPKINTON — Chief Joseph Bennett announces that longtime Hopkinton School Resource Officer Phil Powers retired Tuesday, Jan. 25 after over 34 years with the Hopkinton Police Department.

Officer Powers served in the Air Force before beginning his career as a police officer with the Upton Police Department. He transferred to Hopkinton in 1987 and became an SRO in 2004.

During his time as SRO, Officer Powers was a tremendous asset to the school community and had a positive impact on its students. Officer Powers was known by students as "Officer Phil," or "OP," which was also engraved on his patrol car.

“OP has always been a friendly face in the morning, saying hello and waving to everyone he sees," Hopkinton High School senior Sreya Ravi said. "He truly made the school a brighter place and contributed so much to the overall atmosphere of trust and positivity at HHS. His presence will be so missed. He always had a funny joke to make or was willing to listen, and I'm grateful and so lucky he was working here during my four years at HHS.”

Officer Powers exuded understanding, compassion and patience in his role as SRO. In 2006, a person went onto the roof of the high school with apparent plans to jump, and Officer Powers was able to communicate with the individual and get them down without incident.

Throughout his career, Officer Powers showed great dedication to Hopkinton's students and the community as a whole. He assisted in fundraising efforts, including fundraising that supported a seventh-grade student battling a brain tumor, as well as the Pink Patch Project which raises awareness and funds to support breast cancer patients and research organizations.

He also spearheaded the annual Fishing Derby and the annual Special Olympics basketball game during which Hopkinton Police officers play against Special Olympics athletes.

"It's been truly a pleasure to work alongside Officer Powers, or 'OP,' as the students affectionately refer to him as," Hopkinton High School Principal Evan Bishop said. "He is beloved by all at HHS. It's difficult to capture just how much of a positive impact he has had on so many during his time as SRO. He is thoughtful, approachable, kind, and a great listener. He truly cares about the students of Hopkinton and will be sorely missed."

Officer Powers was trained as a radKIDS instructor and ran the department's radKIDS program which educates children on avoiding and responding to predatory violence. He was also a trained D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor.

He was recognized by the Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officer's Association with an SRO Exceptional Service Award in 2016.

"It has truly been an honor to have worked alongside Officer Powers," Chief Bennett said. "His compassion, empathy and caring nature was felt throughout the schools, community and among the members of the department, not to mention his sense of humor. He served as a role model and mentor throughout my entire career and I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement."

Other roles Officer Powers held within the department included assignments with the boat patrol and bike patrol, sexual assault investigator, Breath Test Operator and liaison to the Hopkinton Youth Commission. He was an active member of the Hopkinton Police Association and served as president until his retirement.

A short video message from Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Cavanaugh can also be viewed here.

HPD Press Release

Jeannette (Jeanne) Portale, 86, of Hopkinton, passed away at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Born in Nyack, New York, she was the daughter of the late Ola (Coppins) and Thomas A. Bedner. She was the wife of 18 years to the late Joseph Portale.

Previously of New City, NY and later retiring to Tom’s River, NJ, Jeanne recently moved to Massachusetts to spend more time with her family.

Jeanne had a passion for playing Bridge. With her husband as her partner, they were able to achieve 3rd place in one world tournament. She enjoyed being retired, she took pleasure in playing golf, gardening, her dogs and the beach. Jeanne also loved her time with friends, going to the opera, church and out for dinner.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Aurilio of Hopkinton; her nieces, Susan Denison and her husband, Mark of Holliston, Deb diBenedetto and her husband, Bernie of Hopkinton, and Nancy Johnson and her husband, Cliff of Rockport, MA. She also leaves behind her cousin, Tom Cummings and cousin-in-law, Monica Briemer and her children, Marc and Eric. She is predeceased by her brother-in-law, Michael Aurilio and cousin, Kenneth Briemer.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baypath Humane Society, 500 Legacy Farms N. Hopkinton, MA 01748 or www.baypathhumane.org 

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

January 28, 2022 - Hopkinton Police School Resource Officer Phil Powers [medium-blue sleeves] worked his final shift this afternoon before getting together with his co-workers and superiors, as well as other retirees, for a lunch at Police Heaquarters. Following that, a loving tribute was given by his son, [Officer] Phil Powers, Jr., over the police radio frequency (video below). Then, several cruisers and Officer Powers, all with sirens blaring, took the long way home. HPD Video by Meaghan DeRaad.

The Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments would like to share the following safety precautions ahead of this weekend’s expected storm & Blizzard Warning

At this time, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning for Middlesex County, including the Town of Hopkinton, for Saturday, Jan. 29. Snow accumulations of as many as 18-24 inches are possible, with wind gusts potentially approaching 60 miles per hour.

Travel conditions are expected to be very difficult to impossible, and strong winds could cause tree and property damage. Strong winds may also lead to power outages.

Visit weather.gov to see the forecast for the region as the storm approaches. Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point, and they should monitor the local forecast throughout the coming days. Residents are encouraged to listen to local area radio, NOAA Radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

The Hopkinton Public Library and the Recycling Center will be closed on Saturday as a result of the impending storm.

The Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments wish to share the following winter weather safety tips and other important information:

   Before a Winter Storm

• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full so you can leave right away in an emergency and to prevent the fuel line from freezing.

• Keep handy a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, water-resistant boots, and extra blankets and warm clothing for each member of the household.

• Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications and medical supplies. Keep it nearby.

• Prepare for possible power outages.

• Be sure you have ample heating fuel. If you have alternative heating sources, such as fireplaces, wood- or coal-burning stoves, or space heaters, be sure they are clean and in working order.

• Review generator safety: Never run a generator in an enclosed space.

• Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that the outside vent is clear of leaves and debris. During or after the storm, make sure it is cleared of snow.

• Home fires are common each winter when trying to stay warm. Review ways to keep your home and loved ones safe.

   During a Winter Storm

• Stay indoors and wear warm clothes. Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing will keep you warmer than a bulky sweater. If you feel too warm, remove layers to avoid sweating; if you feel chilled, add layers.

• Bring your companion animals inside before the storm begins. Move other animals to sheltered areas with a supply of non-frozen water. Most animal deaths in winter storms are caused by dehydration.

• Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.

• If you must drive during winter weather conditions, make sure all fluid levels are full and ensure that the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper working condition. 

• Don’t leave the house without the following: A fully charged cellphone, car charger and an emergency supplies kit in your car. Ensure your kit includes additional layers of clothing and non-perishable food.

• If your car gets stuck during a storm, stay in the vehicle. If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.

   After a Winter Storm

• Stay informed and pay attention to the information provided by local authorities.

• Avoid driving and other travel until conditions have improved. Black ice is patchy ice on roadways that cannot easily be seen. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, any water left on the roadways may freeze, resulting in a clear sheet of ice, also known as black ice.

• Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Residents are also asked to assist firefighters by clearing snow away from fire hydrants during and after the storm. Snow should be cleared 3-5 feet all around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to connect a hose. 

Residents should report any power outages to Eversource at 800-592-2000 or through their website. Residents are reminded to stay away from all downed power lines and never go near or touch them for any reason. Residents should report downed power lines or downed trees to the Hopkinton Communications Center at 508-497-3401.

For additional winter storm safety information, visit NWS or the Red Cross. For any other questions on cold weather safety please visit weather.gov. EXPECTED SNOWFALL MAP

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Majority of Participants Not in Favor of More School Holidays

Editor:

Last year a School Calendar Committee was formed that I served on. We were tasked with reviewing if the existing school calendar is meeting the needs of the Hopkinton community.

My participation on the committee was through the lens of 1) the elementary community as I have a daughter in 1st Grade and have another daughter entering Kindergarten next year. And 2) through the lens of a dual-income family that relies on school so both my husband and I are able to work.

The School Calendar Committee conducted a survey this past November to gather data from Parents, Faculty/Staff & High School Students.

From the survey that was conducted, the top 3 data points that guided my thought process were:

1. Top priority for parents & faculty/staff is “maximizing the continuity of learning in the fall”

2. 76% of parents & 83% of faculty/staff who responded said they do not need an exemption from homework or time off from school for any religious holiday.

3. The majority of responses, 58% of parents & 73% of faculty/staff who responded, said they want to either reduce or eliminate non-mandated holidays.

(Note, I didn’t include student responses as it only reflected the high school level & is not inclusive of our entire student population.)

With that, the data tells us that the existing school calendar is not meeting the needs of the community & that we should be considering reducing or eliminating the non-mandated holidays. Therefore, I respectfully do not support the recommendation put forward that ADDs 2 additional holidays – where only 10% of parents & 3% of faculty were in favor of.

On another note, I don’t know many employers who give their employees the non-state/non-federal holidays off. I also don’t know many employers who give more than 3 floating holidays off. While the recommendation put forward, is more culturally & religiously inclusive - It is NOT economically inclusive.

For those single parents who work, who already struggle with our existing school calendar, how is this recommendation going to benefit him or her?

For those dual-income families & lower-income families where both parents have to work, how is this recommendation going to benefit them?

I recognize that some of these holidays on some years do fall on a weekend and I realize the recommendation doesn’t have a large impact to the last day of school. But adding holidays to the schedule where only 10% of parents & 3% of faculty were in favor of – and that will negatively impact working parents and families – in my opinion, is not the best recommendation and was not what this committee was asked to do.

The School Committee is scheduled to vote on this on Thursday, February 3rd. I recommend anyone who would to like to voice their opinion to attend the meeting and take advantage of the 3 minutes allotted per person for public comment and/or you may email the School Committee at hpsschoolcommittee@hopkinton.k12.ma.us .

Jennifer Slottje

16 Oak Street

Hopkinton

January 25, 2022

Edithmarie L. "Bunny" Siebert

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Nancy Reynolds Boyd, age 78, died on January 13, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Loving wife of Frederick (Rick) C.C. Boyd II, she moved to The Landings on Skidaway Island, Savannah, in 2009, from Edwards, CO.

One of five children of the late Anne and Francis Reynolds, Nancy was predeceased by her sister Patricia Wilson and is survived by Shirley Beaty (Dillon, CO), Mark Reynolds (Kinderhook, NY) and Phyllis Weekes (Brad) of Oyster Bay, NY, as well as two daughters from a previous marriage, Kelly Davenport Nowlin (Charles) of Hopkinton, MA and Laurie Davenport Stavisky of Edwards, CO. and step children Deborah Boyd Smith and Frederick Boyd III (Tara Adyanthaya.)

Her grandchildren, about whom she was over the moon, are her living legacy -- Haley Nowlin, Jack Nowlin, Kate Stavisky and Jake Stavisky, and step grandchildren Rachel Smith and Isabelle Smith.

Nancy grew up in Binghamton, NY, where she and Rick were in elementary school together. While raising her daughters, she returned to SUNY Binghamton to complete her undergraduate degree. She went on to earn a MSW degree from Syracuse University and was an accomplished counselor for adolescents and at-risk youth and their families at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse.

Passionate about nature and outdoor activity, golf, skiing and hiking, Nancy also used her keen eye for natural beauty in her painting and photography.

She relished sharing stories about "the tribe," her sister Phyllis and daughters Kelly and Laurie, and the deep bonds they formed in escapades over many years while visiting or traveling together. Her dog, Bentley, held a special place and he continues to console and bring joy to the family.

For more than a decade in Savannah, Nancy mentored elementary school children through the Local Outreach Volunteer Educators (L.O.V.E.) program. She was the site director at A.B. Williams Elementary School and developed partnerships with the staff, including two principals, Andrea Williams and Susan Ambrose. In addition to working with three or four students each week herself, her magnetic leadership attracted more than 20 volunteers to mentor alongside her at this Title 1 school, before, during and after its reconstruction on Wheaton Street. Some of her closest friendships grew out of this volunteer work.

She was also an ongoing supporter of the Young Men of Honor program, founded by Diane Jackson at the school, aimed at teaching life skills and providing experiences outside of the classroom to young students. Her commitment to racial and social justice also led her to support Savannah's DEEP Center.

Donations to any of these non-profit organizations in Nancy's name would honor her memory: L.O.V.E. Mentors, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411. Young Men of Honor, Inc., 2245 Vicksburg Drive, Savannah, GA, 31404. DEEP Center, P.O. Box 5582, Savannah, GA 31414.

A service of remembrance will be held at a future date.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

HOPKINTON -- Chief William Miller and the Hopkinton Fire Department would like to provide residents with safety tips for heating homes and staying warm this winter.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating is the second leading cause of home fires and more than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators.

In order to keep residents warm and safe, the Hopkinton Fire Department wishes to share the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help prevent heating-related home fires:

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.

If you have children living in your home, have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters to ensure their safety.

Avoid using an oven to heat your home. Residents should have a licensed professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

Avoid using space heaters as your primary heating source in your home.

Never leave portable heaters on when you leave a room or the house, or go to bed.

All heating equipment/chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year by a licensed professional.

Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Residents are also encouraged to check their smoke and CO alarms periodically to ensure they are working properly, as well as develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household.

Carbon Monoxide Safety
Known also as the “invisible killer,” carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless and poisonous gas produced whenever any fuel is burned, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. Other sources of CO include furnaces and water heaters, chimneys, wood stoves, grills, camping stoves, gas ovens and gas snow removal or yard equipment machines.

All homes should have CO alarms. If a CO alarm goes off in your home, all residents should leave the house immediately and call 911 from outside or from a neighbor’s house.

The Hopkinton Fire Department would like to remind residents of the following carbon monoxide safety tips from the NFPA:
CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. Choose a CO alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
    Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
    If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
    If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel declare that it is safe to re-enter the home.
     If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not
covered with snow.
     During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High-level CO poisoning can cause loss of consciousness and ultimately death.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Dr. David Michael Neville Jr, 87

Dr. David Michael Neville Jr, 87, of Hopkinton, MA and Bethesda, MD, passed away at Golden Pond in Hopkinton on Friday, January 14, 2022. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Alicia and David Michael Neville Sr. He was the husband of 65 years to Nancy (Turnbull Johnson) Neville of Hopkinton, MA and Bethesda, MD.

The family moved to Larchmont, NY, where he attended Mamaroneck High School. He was a 1955 alumnus of Dartmouth College, and earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester, in upstate New York. There, he was encouraged to take a year in pre-clinical sciences and did so in pathology and, as a research project, isolated cell membranes. He was interested in cell communication with the outside and its influence on active genes in cells. After finishing school, he interned at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Neville found it frustrating that there was so little available for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases.

 
It was at this time that he went back to his research roots with a job at The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, and began exploring physical chemistry and molecular biology. Dr. Neville dove into membrane studies and collaborated with two groups interested in looking at how hormones work. The scientists in his molecular biology lab worked for three decades to develop an immunotoxin platform producing well-folded bivalent toxic proteins targeting a variety of cell epitopes. Eventually, their research led to the development of Resimmune, a targeted anti T-cell therapy they believed would be less damaging to healthy cells. The research led to a Phase I study for the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma and other T-cell related diseases, and FDA Fast Track Development Designation.

Dr. Neville is a pioneer of the immunotoxin field, and the author of over 140 peer reviewed scientific papers. In 2008, Dr. Neville retired from the NIH, the Public Health Service and Civil Service with a rank of Captain, and founded Angimmune with two of his Ph.D. scientists. In the Spring of 2021, Dr. Neville and his wife moved from Bethesda to the Communities at Golden Pond in Hopkinton, MA.

Dr. Neville loved nature, and enjoyed spending summers in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, enjoying the National Seashore beaches of Cape Cod. An avid birder, David and Nancy spent many weekends birding on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and along the C&O Canal in Potomac, Maryland.

In addition to his wife, David is survived by two sons, Paul H. Neville and his wife, Kathleen of Holliston and David M. Neville III and his wife Nancy, of Brookeville MD. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Kaitlin and Anna Neville, Jack and Liam Neville.

Funeral services are being held privately with family and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A wake is planned for a time when social gathering is not a risk, when it can be held outdoors in Holliston, MA.

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Hopkinton Fire Department Awarded State Grant for Safety Equipment

HOPKINTON -- Chief William Miller is pleased to announce that the Hopkinton Fire Department is one of more than 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2022 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.

The $11,652.84 grant awarded to the Hopkinton Fire Department will be used to purchase and replace their in-station vehicle exhaust system.

This program enables fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer. This is the second year that funding has been awarded for this purpose as part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter safety and health in the coming years.

Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 118 different types of eligible equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.

A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.

Gianna Marie Pandolfino, 21

Gianna Marie Pandolfino, 21, of Holliston, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of Janine (L’Antigua) and Paul Pandolfino of Holliston.

Gianna was a precious little girl who overcame tremendous odds. Born completely healthy, she suffered a vaccine injury that left her on a journey of complete hardship. Doctors said she would not live to see her first birthday or her fifteenth birthday, but God had a different and beautiful and perfect plan for her life. Gianna amazed most doctors with her tenacious will to live; it was almost admirable. She endured more than most people do in a lifetime. Her story, her life, taught many of us, of the goodness of God. Her story led more people to Christ without her even uttering a word. Gianna seemed to have an impact to change lives to all who crossed her path.

Her smile was contagious to all who knew her. She loved the feel of a warm, bright, sunny day, loved strolling on long walks, loved the wind in her face, music and her Winnie the Pooh book on tape. She knew and loved her family and friends and she loved her extended family at Seven Hills Pediatric Center; but most importantly, Jesus loved her. Jesus made a way because of His sacrifice on the cross, when he paid the ultimate price by conquering death once and for all; then his death and resurrection and his amazing promise to return, reuniting us all once again.

Besides her parents, Gianna is survived by her brothers, SGT. Nicholas Pandolfino USAF of Texas and SGT. Vincent Pandolfino USAF of Nevada; her grandparents, Joyce L’Antigua of Hopkinton, Pete and Lorraine Pandolfino of Hopkinton; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 12:30 p.m. at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com

The Select Board awarded 2022 Boston Marathon Invitational Entries as follows: (5-0)
One invitational entry to each of the following organizations:
1. Hopkinton Women’s Club
2. Mental Health Collaborative Inc.
3. Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc.
4. Hopkinton Garden Club
5. Hopkinton PTO
6. Live4Evan Inc.
7. KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation
8. The Michael Lisnow Respite Center
9. Hopkinton Girls Youth Lacrosse
10. HHS Robotics + BPA Students
11. Project Just Because
12. Hopkinton Tax Relief Committee
13. Baypath Humane Society
14. Hopkinton Boys Youth Lacrosse
15. Canty’s Underdog Scholarship Fund Inc.
16. Hopkinton Middle School
17. Dignity Matters, Inc.
18. National Brain Tumor Society
19. Hopkinton Public Library Friends Inc.
20. Friends of the Hopkinton Seniors
21. Friends of Hopkinton SEPAC
22. Demons Youth Hockey Association Inc.
23. Hopkinton Historical Society
24. Hopkinton Lions Club
25. Hopkinton Education Foundation
26. Sophie’s Hope Foundation
27. Hopkinton Little League
28. Friends of Hopkinton Inc.
29. Hopkinton Emergency Fund
30. The 19th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Event to Cure ALS
31. Hopkinton Music Association
32. Hopkinton Freedom Team
33. The Hopkinton Food Pantry at Project Just Because

Invitational entries to the following Town departments, the number indicated below:
Hopkinton Police Department - 8 Hopkinton Fire Department - 1
Hopkinton Senior Center - 1
Hopkinton Public Library - 1
Hopkinton Marathon Committee - 5
Veterans Celebration Committee - 1

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Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Our MA Hospitals are in an invisible CRISIS because of Omicron surge: WE ALL CAN HELP:

"Our healthcare community would not be sounding the alarm unless circumstances were so critical,” said Christine Schuster, the president & CEO of Emerson Hospital. “To our community members: now is the time to act.”

Noting that exhausted healthcare workers have been demoralized to see their sacrifices met with unmasked individuals in supermarkets and other places where Omicron can easily be spread, the group asked the public for four actions:

Masking at all times when in public;
Avoiding emergency rooms for routine testing or for mild COVID-19 symptoms;
Getting vaccinated right away and boosted as soon as you are eligible;
Providing support and gratitude to the healthcare workers in your life.”

Shared by Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka

Look Through Any Window

January 15, 2022 -  Julie was able to shoot this male northern flicker through a glass window.
No need to go outside in this weather!

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Trails Club to Present Alternative

The Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) has invited the Hopkinton Trails Club, a private group, to present the Trails Club Alternative to the UCTC's conceptual trail at the UCTC's meeting on January 19, 2022 at 5 PM. The meeting is on Zoom (information on the calendar on the Town website) and will also be shown on HCAM.

I will be presenting as a member and private citizen, although as a private citizen responsible for the construction of the five stone dust trails totaling 2.25 miles currently existing in town. The presentation will address the differences between recreationally-focused Shared Use Paths (SUPs) such as the Hopkinton, Holliston, and even Milford trails, and the more bike commuter-focused SUPs like the Minuteman, Bruce Freeman, and other urban commuter trails. Trail costs and the reasons for the differences in the costs will be presented, as will the basis for our conclusion that a Class 5 stone dust SUP focused on recreational use is best for Hopkinton. We will also be presenting the details of our Alternative route, which we feel is much safer and more consistent with the town's desire for a wooded shared use path.

I've attached a Summary Fact Sheet and a Map of the overall route, which also shows the UCTC conceptual route. Additional Fact sheets have been shared with the UCTC, and are also available on the Trails Club website at: www.hopkintontrailsclub.com/uct/uct.html .

Error on Census Questionaire

Residents of Hopkinton,

As many of you are aware, this is the time of year when the census is mailed to every household to better track our annual population and to maintain our voter lists. However, there was an error with the census forms that have been mailed by the Town's vendor this year. They added a column for "gender" with data from the "mail to" column, making it appear as a "Y" or an "N." Please disregard this column, we do not collect gender information and we will simply use that as an extension of the "mail to" column. I apologize for any confusion this may cause and will ensure this does not happen again.

Sincerely,
Connor B. Degan
Town Clerk,
Justice of the Peace, Notary Public,
Registrar of Voters, Records Access Officer
Town Clerk's Office
Town of Hopkinton
18 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Phone: 508-497-9710
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

(BOSTON–1/13/2022) Today, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation to make state identification more accessible to people experiencing homelessness, as well as legislation to allow adoption by close relatives, which is currently prohibited under state law.

“These two bills will support some of the most vulnerable individuals in our Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The benefits are clear: providing access to identification for people who would otherwise struggle to receive it lifts up the lives of those in need. Separately, it is also time we recognized that in some cases, close relatives, even siblings, are the best choice for an adoptive guardian. Both bills will serve to strengthen people’s lives in a tangible way. I am proud to join my colleagues in the Senate on moving forward on these issues again this session.”

Currently, a person experiencing homelessness who wishes to obtain a Massachusetts identification (ID) card are faced with prohibitive fees and documentation requirements, including providing proof of a residence that they may not have. An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness seeks to remedy these burdens by waiving fees for individuals experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, the bill would allow such an ID applicant to meet the proof of residency requirement by presenting documentation that is from an entity providing services in the Commonwealth, such as a homeless shelter, or that shows that the applicant is receiving services provided by the Commonwealth.

Identification cards are necessary for applying to jobs, enrolling in school, interacting with law enforcement, accessing government buildings, opening financial accounts, and many more basic services that many take for granted. The inability to receive an ID prevents many individuals experiencing homelessness from accessing basic services and has been linked to a cycle of poverty.

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday also addressed the issue of legal adoption of a young person by close relatives of an adoptee. An Act relative to expanding access to adoption would allow an individual adopt a younger individual if they are that individual’s brother, sister, uncle or aunt. Currently, Massachusetts is one of only two states that prohibits adoption by close relatives. This legislation would allow for families to stay together ensuring a stable home environment which is a necessary component for development as well as physical and emotional health.

Both bills now move on to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration. Press release.

A Testament of Hope

A Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Museum of African American History (MAAH) and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) come together each year to celebrate of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This collaboration is a unique partnership of history and music that highlights the words of Dr. King and the musicians of BYSO’s Intensive Community Program Orchestra. On this special day MAAH and BYSO have traditionally come together in person to embrace Dr. King’s transformative words along with the young musicians of BYSO’s Intensive Community Program Orchestra performing inspiring music that reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit.

Due to the current climate, BYSO and MAAH had to cancel the in person celebration however we produced a lovely video Tribute in 2021 that we are delighted to share again with the community. Together we are proud to recognize Dr. King’s enormous impact on our lives. Through the spirit of this day we celebrate his dream as we acknowledge that the work is not done. MAAH and BYSO recognizes the universal role of music in the African American experience and its impact across race and ethnicity to advance the message of freedom, hope, past, present and future. Contributed Content.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Midnight Sun Lights the Way

Shortly before 9 p.m. on December 22, Troopers assigned to the State Police Air Wing scrambled in Air 3 to assist in the search for a missing hunter in a forest in Petersham. The helicopter’s flight crew was able to locate the missing individual by the light on his cell phone while he was deep in the woods. The Troopers established contact with him by using the PA system installed on Air 3, then lit up the area with their “Midnight Sun” spotlight to lead ground units to the man’s location to complete the rescue.

Earlier today, the man, Herbert Moody, and his wife, Elizabeth Bassett, visited the Air Wing to express their gratitude. “Thanks to all of you for being there, it went unbelievably smooth,” Mr. Moody said. His wife added that her husband’s rescue was the most wonderful Christmas gift the family could have received. The couple is seen in the photo with Lt. Kevin Kaupp (left), commander of the Air Wing, and Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Wilcox, commander of the Division of Homeland Security. MSP Press Release

Please Note:

Please be advised that in honor of the life and legacy of United States Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, and in accordance with a Presidential Proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Charles D. Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, January 13, 2022 (tomorrow) the day of interment.

This gubernatorial order applies to: 

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls 

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings 

3.  All state military installations

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Gabriel Estuardo Rojas, 28 of Methuen, and Manuel Jose Lopez, 24 of Lawrence, have pled guilty to multiple charges in connection with seven burglaries and break-ins that occurred between November 22, 2019, and January 27, 2020, across 11 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Gabriel Estuardo Rojas pleaded guilty to four counts of unarmed burglary, three counts of breaking and entering a building in the daytime, breaking and entering a motor vehicle in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, two counts of receiving stolen goods over $1200, receiving stolen property, possession of burglarious instruments, and conspiracy. Rojas was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison, followed by two years of probation.

Manuel Jose Lopez pleaded guilty to three counts of unarmed burglary, breaking and entering a building in the daytime, two counts of receiving stolen goods over $1200, receiving stolen property, possession of burglarious instruments, and conspiracy. Lopez was sentenced to three to four years in state prison, followed by two years of probation.

The resolution of the case comes after a 15-month long investigation conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN), and detectives from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Andover, Belmont, Boston, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Haverhill, Lawrence, Malden, Methuen, Nashua NH, Natick, Needham, Newton, Pelham NH, Salem NH, Sharon, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, Westford, Wilmington, and Windham, NH Police Departments and the U.S. Secret Service.

On December 12, 2019, Pelham, New Hampshire Police Detectives and Patrol Units responded to a daytime burglary in progress at a home on Longpond Drive in Pelham, NH. The suspects fled into a wooded area close to the Massachusetts border before officers arrived. After the report, detectives were able to share information on the case with multiple agencies experiencing similar burglaries in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The subsequent investigation allowed detectives to identify surveillance videos and records linking the defendants to several burglaries. Police searched the defendants’ residences pursuant to search warrants, recovering clothing, tools, a rented SUV believed to be used in the incidents, the defendants’ cell phones as well as numerous articles of stolen property from Rojas’s apartment. A search of their cellphones pursuant to a search warrant allowed the detectives to identify messages between the defendants and others allegedly related to a wide-ranging burglary conspiracy. Investigators obtained search warrants issued by the Superior Court to analyze the location data for the defendants’ cell phones. This established that one or both of the defendants’ cell phones communicated with cell towers close to the breaks at the time they are believed to have occurred, often traveling from the areas where the defendants lived to the sites of the break-ins.

As the investigation progressed, Gabriel Estuardo Rojas was arrested and charged with being in possession of a stolen motorcycle on May 21, 2020, by Nashua Police. Following that arrest, investigators identified a self-storage unit he rented in Tyngsborough. On July 16, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant and located property in the defendants’ names at that storage unit. They also recovered three motorcycles that had been stolen in May and June of 2020 and approximately $5000 of stolen Snap-On tools, among other suspected stolen property.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Graham Van Epps and Doug Cannon. 

Gerald E. Tuite, 73, died Sunday, January 9, 2022 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Ann L (Mayer) Tuite, to whom he was married for 36 years. Born in Norwalk, CT, he was the son of the late John R. and Madeline (Gilmore) Tuite.

Jerry was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Norwalk CT and Fairfield University. He worked at Hanscom AFB in Bedford as a Financial Analyst for 41 years. Jerry retired 10 years ago and kept active with family, gardening, neighborhood poker games and local politics, including being on the ZBA. His happiest place was home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children John Tuite (Nicole Graham) of CA, Elizabeth Tuite, Victoria Tuite and Nathan Tuite, all of Hopkinton, and Meredith Tuite (Chuck Torrisi) of Melrose. He also leaves his sister Marie Muller and husband Bruce of FL, his brother Peter Tuite and wife Marcia of FL and his mother-in-law Louise Mayer of Hopkinton. In addition, he leaves a long list of relatives in the Carver, Mayer, Tuite and Muller families.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, Hopkinton. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home prior to the Mass starting at 9:30 a.m for a walking procession to church. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday, January 13 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities