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24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748  508.435.5534

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Discovery at Sandy Island

July 31, 2007 — Leo Buck points out fish to his son Rowan, 3, from a sandbar/peninsula today at the appropriately named Sandy Island.

Weston Nurseries Announces
Winners of $10,000 Garden Makeover Giveaway


July 31, 2007 – As part of its celebration of 85 years in business and its new direction, Weston Nurseries gave away a landscape design and installation package valued at $10,000 at a drawing on June 24. The winners of this exceptional prize are Elizabeth (Above, left) and Brian Bradley and Elizabeth’s mother, Maria of Sutton, MA. Liz stated that at first she didn’t think it could be true that they had won. “We never win anything. I thought maybe it was a mistake. We were truly surprised and very happy; it definitely made our weekend”, she said.

The Bradleys are working with Pattie Featherstone (Right), one of Weston Nurseries’ many professional landscape designers, on a plan that will enhance a native plant area of their yard by transforming it into a beautiful and relaxing shade garden on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.

 

The Nursery emerged from bankruptcy last week, leaving Wayne Mezitt as the sole owner, and 709 acres of former  nursery land in the hands of to Boulder Capital. In other changes detailed in a letter to employees, Gary Furst stepped down as president and CEO and Peter Mezitt became President.

NOTICE of  ROAD WORK

  

Pleasant St from Main St to Nebraska St will be closed (weather pending) to through traffic from 7am-4pm beginning the week of August 6th for reclaiming and paving of the roadway. The project is estimated to take seven days to complete.

 

Please do not park along the sides of the road as it will interfere with the construction equipment and limits of the work.

 

Thank you for your cooperation during this project.

 

Mike Mansir, Highway Manager

 

MADD 2007 YOUTH POWER SUMMIT AT CLARK UNIVERSITY

 

by The Kids

July 30, 2007 — Allie Panetta, Miguel Lõndono, Lauren MacIntosh, Christina Wigglesworth, Aaron Brug, Maggie Grabmeier, Greg Hadley, and Tim Braga are the eight youth from Hopkinton High School that represented the “be FREE!” Project with Renée Cammarata at the 2007 MADD Youth Power Summit. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held the conference at Clark University in Worcester to address rising concerns over underage drinking. While at the conference, each group developed in-depth plans on how to improve their community.
 

WHAT WE DID: 
 

The purpose of the MADD Power Summit was for youth to gather ideas and develop a community plan to address youth substance abuse while building leadership skills in the process. What we accomplished was pretty amazing! Not only did we work in our own groups (called action pacts) to develop our individual community action plan, we also worked with a group that consisted of kids from all over the state (called fusion groups) to gain perspective on how other communities are dealing with youth substance abuse issues. We put a lot of thought and consideration into our community plan. After much discussion and planning, we hope our plan will be both idealistic and practical while meeting all the goals of the “be FREE!” Project. Our group will be unveiling its plan to our coalition here in Hopkinton over the summer.
 

READ FULL STORY and see full-sized photos

Hopkinton Public Library Presents:

 

                  It's All About Magic and Balloons

 

The much anticipated children's event, Magic and Balloons show with Ed Popielarczyk is ready to go on August 8 at 11 am in the Main Library.

 

                    

 

Edible Wild Plants of the Northeast

 

Wednesday, August 15th at 7 pm with Naturalist, John Root at the Hopkinton Public Library.

 

Learn how to identify and use plants for food. See, touch, smell and taste them! It's a great opportunity to 'go green'.

 

Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Compiled by Eric Montville for HopNews.com, July 30, 2007

Address Buyer Price Date Seller

62 South Mill Street

Mark Renner & Sacha Renner

$441,000

July   27, 2007

Gerard E. Keough Dianne M. Keough

4 Knoll Road

Jeffrey K. Huff & Danielle Moss

$258,000

July   27, 2007

Malcolm H. Arbour & Jane W. Arbour

202 Wood Street

Victoria Shay

$1,225,000

July   25, 2007

Frances L. Tuttle

53 Forest Lane unit 36

Kristyn M. Traversi & Alfred A. Traversi

$345,000

July   25, 2007

Kathleen Marks

333 Wood Street

Karen A. Murphy & William B. Brown

$347,500

July   24, 2007

Daniel Szecket & Jennifer H. Prentiss

12 Stoney Brook Road

Steven Medina & Kelly A. Medina

$885,000

July   23, 2007

Thomas Panetta, Jr. & Doris B. Panetta

Previous update:        

50 Connelly Hill Road

Michael A. Hardenbrook & Kristin A. Hardenbrook

$1,074,900

July   23, 2007

Connelly LLC

1 Rosewood Lane

Jason M. Karlin & Jennifer S. Karlin

$313,000

July   20, 2007

Donald P. Watson & Amy Beth Watson

186 Pond Street

Daniel F. Bortolussi & Carla Bortolussi

$1,100,000

July   19, 2007

Terrance E. Bradley & Catherine Mains Bradley

13 Emma Drive

Eric Rogers & Ronni Leigh Rogers

$605,000

July   17, 2007

Robert S. Shammas & Karen M. Shammas

13 Fawn Ridge Road

Donald P. King, III & Kimberly S. King

$1,150,000

July   17, 2007

Cartus Financial Corporation

13 Overlook Road

Moinuddin H. Muttakin & Agrenus I. Muttakin

$1,078,100

July   16, 2007

Eagle Farm Limited Partnership

See Full List back to February 1,  2007

Police News UP-TO-DATE

Today, July 30, 2007

 

2:47 pm A Pond Street resident reported that her dog had been missing for a few days and that the dog has run away before... Scroll down for picture

 

11:14 pm A caller reported that youths were along the roadway on Pond Street and was concerned that one may be sick or injured...

 

6:58 pm A caller from Greenwood Road reported that a suspicious person attempted to speak to his son...

 

6:22 pm A caller reported that a male who "did not look professional" entered a West Main Street bank... 

Lightning Strike

July 30, 2007 — The Fire Department received a call last evening from a North Street resident that lightning had struck their home, resulting in smoke in the basement. Fortunately, all that the firefighters could find was an affected low voltage transformer on some outside lights.

 

New England Weather at ESL Coffeehouse August 4



July 30, 2007 — New England Weather (NEW), an acoustic folk band of singer-songwriters from the Boston Metro area, will be performing at the Enter Stage Left Coffeehouse at 8:00 p.m. on August 4. New England Weather is made up of Kathy Danielson, Mike Delaney, Angela Marseglia, Tom Maynard, and Ken Porter along with their sound engineer, Mike Danielson. Collectively they've produced five CDs and recently released "A Little Sun, A Little Rain", a fifteen-song disk from the whole group. The group's name is based on the reputation of New England weather for its variability, which is reflected in the group’s different types of musical styles.

The ESL Coffeehouse Series takes place at Enter Stage Left Theater Workshop’s intimate studio setting at 30 Main Street in Hopkinton. Tickets are $10.00 per person.

Route 2 Traffic Advisory ~ MILL FIRE

 

Route 2 in Irving to be completely shut down due to an abandoned warehouse fire. The warehouse which is part of the Usher Paper Mill in Irving center is a fully engulfed working fire. Subsequently Route 2 East and West will be closed for approximately 4 to 5 hours while Erving Fire Dept. extinguishes the blaze.  

 

Traffic is being diverted off of Route 2 West at Mountain road and Route 2 East at Church St.. Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes as the traffic congestion is expected to be heavy during the morning commute.   

HAVE YOU RECEIVED THIS POSTCARD?

If you have received the postcard above and it is in color, and you are the first to call, you will receive $150.00. If you received a black and white postcard, perhaps your neighbor received one of the color ones. Ask them!

Swim, Run, Bike

September 29, 2007 — Krystn Hickman of Hopkinton and her sister-in-law Mary McCarthy of Niantic CT competed in the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Webster on Sunday July 29th. 

The Mating Game

July 29, 2007 — It appears that this dragonfly is depositing eggs while another provides air cover, north of the Lake Whitehall Dam on Saturday.

Sound of Experience

July 29, 2007 — The Senior Center was alive with the sounds of its chorus practicing on Friday afternoon.

Cheerleaders ~ Storm with Hail

 

Aftermath

July 29, 2007 — This bee found time to work at the State Park following the storm on Saturday.

Fallen Tree Dims Neighborhood

July 28, 2007 — A tree on Kerry Road toppled during today's storm and took all of the utilities with it, knocking out the telephone, cable, and electricity on that street as well as homes on surrounding streets. Top arrow is broken branch, bottom arrow is electrical wire from the top of the pole.

Relief !!

July 28, 2007 — Yesterday, Wayne Mezitt, front and center with his wife Beth to his left, became the sole owner of Weston Nurseries as the company emerged from bankruptcy with a plan to pay its creditors 100%. The plan bought out brother Roger, and sold 700+ acres to Boulder Capital, which has promised millions to reinvigorate the nursery business, which will anchor an envisioned retail center. HopNews got a tip that the family was celebrating on the way home from signing papers at Johnstone's in Ashland.

     "Relief is the word," said Mrs. Mezitt. "Relief!"

I C U

July 28, 2007 — This dragonfly, photographed by Ben Lewis at Lake Whitehall today before the storm, has two large eyes with thousands of elements.  

Summer Breeze

July 28, 2007 — Matt Younis enjoys a good read while awaiting the next beachgoer at Sandy Island on Friday.

Flying High

July 28, 2007 — This Piper aircraft, registered to Plane Nonsense, Inc., New Castle, Delaware, is much higher than the zoom lens and digital cropping make it out to be as it cruised over Woodville yesterday.

Drowning at Hopkinton State Park

July 27, 2007 — Thirty-nine year-old Darren Oram of 135 Pleasant in Berlin, who was stricken at around 7:45 p.m. this evening while swimming at Hopkinton State Park, was pronounced deceased this evening at MetroWest Medical Center after lifesaving measures there were unsuccessful. The official cause of death is listed as accidental drowning, according to Sgt. Steven Zanella of the Ashland Police Department; and the next of kin have been notified.

       According to Sgt. Zanella, Mr. Oram was with a friend who noticed him under the water longer than usual. The friend called for lifeguards, who brought Mr. Oram to shore and proceeded with lifesaving measures (above). The Ashland Police and Fire Departments responded as well as  Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments, although that area of the park is in Ashland. All departments assisted with bringing the victim to the Ashland Ambulance with Firefighters inside who continued to practice CPR while en route to the hospital. Hopkinton Lt. Ken Clark went inside with the Ashland Ambulance to assist.

       Bystanders said they were told the man had a diabetic shock while swimming. Short Video

Boulder Capital Completes Weston Nurseries Acquisition

 

Legacy Farms proposal to move forward

 

 

 

July 27, 2007 — Boulder Capital of Weston, MA today completed its acquisition of 708 acres of Weston Nurseries farmland in Hopkinton, MA.  Hopkinton lies at the crossroads of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate 495 and enjoys a well situated position in Greater Boston’s western suburbs.  The Mezitt family will continue to own and operate a newly sized Weston Nurseries and Garden Center. Roy S. MacDowell, Jr. and the Boulder Capital team will continue to work closely with the Town of Hopkinton to make the proposed Legacy Farms mixed use residential/commercial/retail environment, which also maintains 500 acres of the site as open space, a reality.

 

Legacy Farms calls for 940 units of mixed housing types and 300,000 s.f. of commercial/ professional/medical space.  The proposal will also reinvigorate the Weston Nurseries Garden Center with 150,000 s.f. of complimentary retail space.

 

The Boulder Capital team has been conducting field studies and meeting with varying local and state officials throughout the summer. It is anticipated that a draft Legacy Farms zone change consistent with the plan that has been presented to the Town will be submitted to Hopkinton Officials this fall.

Just Leaving

July 27, 2007 — This great blue heron makes a quick exit after seeing the photographer emerge from behind a large bush at Ice House Pond this afternoon.

WESTON NURSERIES EMERGES FROM
BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION TODAY

 

Boulder Purchases Property Today
 

Nursery Now Owned by Wayne Mezitt



July 27, 2007 –Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton, the 85-year old business well known for its wide selection of plants and horticultural expertise, has emerged from bankruptcy, well-positioned for the future.

Today, Weston Nurseries, Mez-Ag, and Roger and Wayne Mezitt [File photo, right] sold 709 acres to Boulder Capital, a prominent real estate development firm, after extensive collaboration and discussion between the Mezitt family, Hopkinton town officials and community members. In a second deal, the Town of Ashland chose to exercise its Chapter 61A rights and purchased approximately 33 acres of land from the company.

With the company out of bankruptcy, several leadership changes have taken place to ensure Weston Nurseries’ continued growth and success. Gary Furst has stepped down as president and chief executive officer, and has assumed the role of chairman. Peter Mezitt [File photo, left], the company’s general manager, is now president. Wayne Mezitt purchased his brother, Roger Mezitt’s shares in the company, and is now the nursery’s sole owner and treasurer. David Pearce will continue to serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

“This is the right time to make these leadership changes,” said Gary Furst, chairman of Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton. “Peter has been the general manager for the past two years, and has helped guide the company through this transition. He has the proven skills to lead the company going forward.” Furst added, “The real unsung heroes of Weston Nurseries are our employees and management team who continue to do an unbelievable job in serving our customers.”

On July 10, Judge Joel B. Rosenthal of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts approved the reorganization plan, after it was unanimously accepted by creditors who are being paid 100 cents on the dollar. Weston Nurseries filed for a voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization in 2005 as a strategic move to safeguard operations. The 85-year-old nursery has remained open for business throughout the restructuring.

“We are focused on the future and are well-positioned for strong growth in our three sales channels: the garden center, landscape design and installation, and commercial sales,” Peter Mezitt said. “We are 100 percent committed to growing our business and serving our loyal customers.”
-more-

In reaching this milestone, Furst commended brothers Roger [File photo, right] and Wayne Mezitt. “Both sides of the family really pulled together to make this happen,” he said.

“We feel that Boulder Capital will do a fine job for the community and for the legacy of the land. They will be an excellent neighbor and partner with us,” said Wayne Mezitt, owner of Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton.

Traffic Advisory

The left and center lanes of Route 128 North by University Ave. in Westwood will be closed for emergency road repair for an extended period of time. Travelers are advised to utilize the right lane and the breakdown lane during this time.

Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes as the traffic congestion is expected to be heavy until the road is reopened.

UPDATE

Storm Drain Goes Though Windshield on Rte 95 - Driver Seriously Injured

  

Today, at approximately 5:29 a.m. troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Framingham responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 95 North south of University Avenue (Exit 13) that resulted in one serious injury.

 

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Matthew Harrington indicates 39-year old Pawel Swierczynski of North Easton was operating a 2003 Toyota Corolla on Route 95 North in the middle travel lane when his vehicle struck a storm drain that was dislodged from the roadway by northbound traffic. The storm drain entered through the Toyota’s windshield and struck the operator. The Toyota traveled across the left travel lane, collided into the median Jersey Barrier and then came to rest in the left lane. The operator sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital by medical helicopter. He was wearing his safetybelt at the time of the crash. The name of the operator is being withheld pending family notification.

 

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Westwood Fire Department and MassHighway assisted troopers at the scene.

Water Woes

No Swimming!

July 27, 2007 — Hopkinton State Park's Main Beach prohibited swimming today due to "elevated bacteria levels." Coliform is the usual culprit in these cases, but no one was immediately available for comment. In the background are two people walking dogs, one of which was unleashed and did some thick and dirty business at the water's edge, while its owner looked in the other direction. Plastic bags are available throughout the park for the dog walkers to carry their pets business away.

More Water Woes

Water trucked into luxury neighborhood

July 27, 2007 — Luxury home builder Toll Brothers, developers of the Estates at Highland Ridge, informed residents as well as Town of Hopkinton departments and the DEP this past Monday of the need to truck water into the water system that serves the residences in the project.  According to the letter, the problem was a drop in their well levels as well as the very aquifer that serves them. This drop in levels, according to the letter, triggers an alarm. The development is near the Sudbury River and the Hopkinton Reservoir.

      The company promised to work with their engineers to address the issue, and asked homeowners, even those with private irrigation wells of their own, to conserve water.

      The developer had to drill for water onsite when first building, because the town's water system does not reach that part of town. 

Oh, Deer

July 27, 2007 — These deer have become aware of the photographer and turn their ears toward him, but don't know what he is, or what the clacking of the shutter is. The one on the left is raising her nose, which is about to point to the sky, in an effort to identify the human from his scent. They appear nightly in the same field just across the Hopkinton line, at an undisclosed location.

Hopkinton Community Summer Concert Band

Concert on the Common on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.



    The Hopkinton Community Summer Concert Band has been existence for 2 seasons and will be forming again this spring for its 3rd season, but this time it will be on the Common on Sunday. The band is comprised of musicians from the area ranging from ages 14 and up who enjoy performing. 

     Under the direction of  Steven Yavarow, Director of Music for the Hopkinton Public Schools,  the band will be performing music ranging from Broadway Musicals, to light classical favorites, American Pop Music, to Sousa Marches. 

     The Summer Community Concert Band is made possible through the generosity of the Hopkinton Music Association and the cooperation of the Hopkinton Public Schools.

     In the event of rain, the concert will be held at the First Congregational Church.

Brush Fire on Route 495

July 26, 2007 — Hopkinton Firefighter "Boo" Clark douses the remnants of a brush fire, while Firefighter Tim Healey assists, and several State Troopers look on this afternoon around 1:00 p.m.

 Board of Appeals

"Hopkinton Square" Clears Hurdle

Exxon gets permit

Peppercorn Village seeks changes

"The town of Hopkinton will not allow illegal occupants" ~ Mr. Davies

 

July 26, 2007 — Hopkinton Square, the shopping/office complex proposed for the corner of West Main and South Streets got a boost last evening when the Board of Appeals granted a request by Peter Markarian and Chuck Joseph for a Special Permit for two drive-through windows one on each of two separate proposed buildings, as located on a conceptual plan, and restricted to the specific four uses proposed by Mr. Markarian, who appeared before the Board.

      The Board restricted the uses to a bank, dry cleaner, photo-processing, or drugstore/pharmacy. The use of a drive-through for food would not have been allowed.

 

Hopkinton Exxon

     The Hopkinton Exxon got the changes in their Special Permit granted that now allows them to sell propane, a use that had been specifically prohibited in their original permits, but had been ongoing nonetheless. Town Meeting passed a bylaw specifically allowing by Special Permit  the sale of propane, largely as a result of the Exxon's need.  

 

Peppercorn Village

      Peppercorn Village, a 40B community planned on School Street near the town line with Upton, came in with a request to withdraw their over-55 over age restriction, as well as drop the number of units from 56 to 44 as a result of that change that could attract families with young children. The developer said that the market was saturated with over-55 units, making their units a difficult sell.

      Board member Wayne Davies countered that he investigated similar developments and that Peppercorn units were priced higher, and offered only one model of unit.

      Paul Cusson, arguing on behalf of the developer, countered that these units were in Hopkinton, and location mattered. However, Mr. Davies had compared Peppercorn to Walden Woods in Milford, which is a stone's throw to Route 495, and has lower prices and more choices of pricing. 

      "Since we talked about taking away age restriction, she [realtor] has received a dozen calls," Mr. Cusson said. He presented comparables that showed Peppercorn pricing lower.

      "It seems you'd be selling more units if you had more bedrooms," said member Rory Warren. The development as it stands has all two-bedroom units. If they went to three-bedroom units, according to the discussion last evening, they would need a more sophisticated sewer treatment than the 10,000 g.p.d. leaching system now in place. As it is, the change of use is the reason for the drop in the unit request from 56 to 44. Younger people will have children and will use more water.

       "I think two-bedrooms are marketable. We need to get started," said Mr. Cusson.

       "We do not want to see illegal occupants," said Mr. Davies. "If your septic system does not meet your needs, you'd have to put in another system."

       "That's a deal breaker," Mr. Cusson replied. "That will create financial hardship."

       "That financial hardship is self-imposed," said Mr. Davies. "You have to provide bedrooms for the people you market to." 

       "The town of Hopkinton will not allow illegal occupants," said Mr. Davies.

       "There's no way we're going over 10,000 gallons," said principal Miraj Ahmed.

       Jeff Doherty from the audience said that it appeared from marketing materials that he has seen, "It seems they are already marketing to the public the conditions they are asking for."

       Mr. Davies recommended that the principals speak with the Board of Health, develop a new marketing plan, drop some two-bedroom units, and, "Convince us your financing is in place."

        Mr. Davies also pointed out that much of the project is clear-cut, and that most of the projects in Hopkinton have a wooded atmosphere.

        "Keep the tree cuts to a minimum," he said.

        The public hearing was continued until August 28.      

Town Accountant Looking for Money

Heidi Kriger to ride in PanMass Challenge

 

by Robert Falcione

 

July 25, 2007 — Town Accountant Heidi Kriger, who started biking after knee surgery almost 12 years ago, will be biking to raise money to fight cancer  in the PanMass Challenge on August 4 and 5, joining 4,000 other motivated riders.

      Ms. Kriger was inspired to ride for the first time eight years ago to support a friend whose mother was stricken by the disease; but things would eventually change.

     "I joined her and her brother, who were riding. I am still riding with them — and another friend joined who lost her father to colon cancer.

     "Then I lost a close friend to colon cancer, but another one survived.

      "I joined the Survivors' Club myself  on February 16, 2006," Ms. Kriger said, alluding to her breast cancer surgery. Additionally, Ms. Kriger underwent radiation as well as chemotherapy, which she was still in the middle of when she rode the 163 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown last year wearing a bandana and a new, positive determination.

     "When I did the ride last year, it was a very emotional event — it represented the end of an ordeal.

     "It was emotionally powerful, very uplifting," said Ms. Kriger searching for more words to describe an experience that most survivors find beyond words.

      Ms. Kriger's contribution grew from $1,500 in her first year to $7,500 last year.

      "I ask friends and coworkers to help with donations. I have a couple of friends who give me sizable donations," she said.

      Heidi Kriger has a PanMass web page for those wishing to contribute to this year's goal of $6,300. Or call the Accountant's Office at 508-497-9705 to learn more about how to contribute.

Edna Elizabeth “Libby” Dockstader, 86

  
July 21, 2007
- The School Bell has rung.  Class is dismissed.  Books are closed.  Desks and chairs are in tidy rows.  Blackboard is wiped clean.  Libby Dockstader has been invited by the Heavenly Father to change classrooms.

     Born and raised in Gloucester “by the Sea”, Edna Elizabeth Collins’ academic promise won her family support in attending Jackson College (Tufts University), where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1941.   She married John Hollis (“Jack”) Dockstader, her college sweetheart (she said “He had the prettiest eyes of all the boys in his class.”).  They worked together during World War II at MIT’s Radar Laboratories until she took 18 years off to raise three sons and a daughter.  With her children as her focus, she ran a Kindergarten, was a Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Band mom and PTA supporter. 

Arrangements Complete

Hopkinton Police Officer Suspended

Reasons not disclosed

 

July 24, 2007 — It is not the general practice of the town to discuss in detail matters of internal departmental discipline. However, as a result of repeated requests from various media personnel, and in an effort to quell rumors and to set the record straight, the Board of Selectmen has prepared the following statement:
     Hopkinton Police Chief Thomas Irvin requested the Board of Selectmen to conduct a hearing to determine whether there was just cause to discipline a member of the Department, Officer Thomas Lemon. Charges included various rule infractions, none of which was of a criminal nature.

     The Board of Selectmen, after a hearing conducted on June 18 & 19, 2007, reached an agreement with the Hopkinton Police Union and Officer Thomas Lemon concerning an appropriate level of discipline. Under the terms of the agreement, Officer Lemon will be suspended for the next six months, during which time he will be addressing personal issues that he believes have prevented him from fulfilling his duties as a member of the Police Department. As part of the agreement, Officer Lemon will be obligated to comply with numerous requirements and to pass a “fitness for duty” examination in cooperation with the Town’s Employee Assistance Plan.
      Out of respect for the privacy of the officer and his family, and in compliance with certain legal confidentiality requirements, the town will not be disclosing the nature of any such personal issues or related remedial actions.
     The Board has asked that the Chief and members of the Department refrain from making any comments to the press on this matter.

 

     The above is a press release form the Hopkinton Police Department. The photo is a file photo of Officer lemon in the foreground and Chief Irvin to the right, taken at the Police Association's Annual Senior Dinner that was held for the first time last year at the new Hopkinton Senior Center. In the photo, Officer Lemon is proudly wearing the same uniform he wore the first year of service, after trimming down to fit into it. Officer Lemon has been instrumental in fundraising for that event as well the Annual Fishing Derby, which he also coordinates and runs. ~Editor

SUMMER RERUN*

From the Radical Middle...

Does Your Dog Bite?

by Robert Falcione

      As a dog lover and former dog owner, I can truly appreciate how people feel about their dogs. They love them, consider them family members, and want to share them with the world.

     And although I love dogs, I am not fond of the manner in which they become newly acquainted with people. First of all, they sniff areas that most people do not want sniffed. And they sometimes forcefully shove their noses in those areas, which are sensitive and not used to palpation, especially from a spastic animal. It can cause a human to double over and bring undeserved embarrassment, the kind featured on America’s Funniest Videos.   

     And a dog’s mouth and nose are perpetually moist organs, often leaving a wet nasal stain and dripping, gooey drool wherever they touch.

     My last dog, Cocoa, was a German shepherd, a breed which is very close to the wild. They always stand ready to spring into action, with one paw in front of another. A pure-bred German shepherd likes to have its swiveling ears pointing straight up, hearing things humans do not, and at distances we cannot, maintaining a closely guarded, very large perimeter.

     A most interesting thing about a dog is its nose, the original DNA tester. A dog with its nose to the ground tracking a human is following the trail of cells that fall off of the person it is tracking. They can differentiate the scent of skin cells between people. Amazing!

     Because I was the fourth owner of Cocoa, she had developed habits and established practices long before I got her. Little did I know the selectmen had ordered the previous owner to move the dog from her property due to her incessant barking.

     My neighbors were not as perturbed, however, because they couldn’t hear her barking over the sound of my rock band practicing, and the explosions going off every ten minutes from some rowdies in the Lake neighborhood, who had discovered a MacGyver-like use for oxy-acetylene, truck tire inner tubes, and highway flares. (Ink drawing by Ashley TM Jackson)

     Cocoa came with me on my frequent hikes, but we had a major difference of opinion in one area: Cocoa thought that the carrion that we encountered on the hiking trails was perfume. She enjoyed rolling around in it like humans enjoy freshly laundered silk sheets. To complicate matters further, she expected to be petted immediately following the act, as if it deserved a reward, as if I somehow understood and shared her joy.

     Another thing Cocoa had trouble understanding was why I refused to kiss her or let her lick my face, hands or other exposed skin — ever. As I said, a shepherd is close to the wild, which means they don’t need a human to use tissue paper like poodles do.

     I’ll never forget my childhood friend’s mother letting the poodle out to do its business, and afterwards putting the curly-haired creature on the dining table, lifting its tail, and finishing the job with a moist kitchen sponge. Cocoa never needed my help — but then again, the poodle never got a kiss either. And I never ate there again.  FULL STORY

Storyteller Helena Leet-Pellegrini at ESL July 30


 

Helena Leet-Pellegrini, a psychologist and creative expression coach, will be bringing her storytelling skills to Enter Stage Left Theater at 8:00 p.m. on July 30. Leet-Pellegrini will be presenting The Luigi Code, humorous and moving revelations about growing up in an Italian family with an anarchist grandfather. The show will take place at Enter Stage Left Theater’s intimate studio setting at 30 Main Street in Hopkinton. Tickets are $10.00 per person.

Leet-Pellegrini has appeared at various local venues including The Amazing Things Art Center, the Worcester Storytellers, and Storytelling for Adults in Medford.

Nobody got it!

We had the second $100 giveaway hidden on Central Cleaners' web page for over a day, but no one found it, so we'll add another $50 to the total and announce a new means of winning it soon! P.S. Central Cleaners delivers and picks up twice a week!

Selectmen Agree on Fruit Street

Sign Lake Maspenock "Conveyance of Deed"

DPW Board members designated Special Municipal Employees

Above, Selectmen sign multiple copies of Lake Maspenock documents

July 25, 2007 — Rather than reappoint the Fruit Street Development Committee, or even form a new one, the Board of Selectmen last evening decided to spearhead the progress of the Fruit Street property that the town purchased for multiple uses themselves and with the Town Manager, by inviting the stakeholders to meet with them on August 28 to offer feedback on their needs. The five-member board was reduced to three members for the Fruit Street discussion due to Vice-Chair Mary Pratt being an abutter, and Selectman Mike Shepard's daughter being a near-abutter, and both of them stepping down as a result.

     Selectman Matt Zettek made clear from the start that the Selectmen could not and had not spoken to on another since the last meeting, because any two of them would constitute a quorum on Fruit Street matters, and that would be a violation of ethics guidelines. 

       Mr. Zettek said that he was happy to get the input from people over the last two weeks from emails and in person, and that most people he spoke with did not want another Fruit Street Committee to be established.       

      Selectman Brian Herr (Photo) countered that our government is not based on email, "...and what people say at Colella's; it isn't the way our government works. It is Town Meeting," he said.

      Mr. Herr spoke out against altering the plan calling for eight distinct uses, but both Chairman Muriel Kramer and Mr. Zettek emphasized that neither of them had meant to suggest that.

      During the discussion, both Mr. Herr and Mrs. Kramer expressed a belief that the townspeople want athletic fields on the Fruit Street property, but were unhappy with the funding mechanism. Mrs. Kramer suggested there could be other funding methods that could be explored. Some people have suggested private funding, or leasing the area to a sports facility.

      Mr. Herr said, "Let's manage the process and have those people involved in the process come in."

     "The update tonight [From the DPW Board] was really what we need," said Mr. Zettek. "Remove the politics out of the Fruit Street project. One way to show we are moving forward is to have the folks come in and give us an update," he said.

      "Build the road [To the Waste Treatment Plant], but be sure it doesn't impact other projects," said Mrs. Kramer, alluding to the road that the DPW has planned that goes through the middle of the concept plan for the Affordable Housing component.

      "It cost more to do it right," she said.

      The Town Manager's office will send letters to the stakeholders inviting them to the August 28 meeting to discuss their projects.

       After the Fruit Street discussion, Selectman Mike Shepard returned to the Board and said, "This was extremely professional. Everyone treated everyone with respect," alluding to their divergent opening positions, their unanimous end agreement, and the apolitical way in which it was reached.

        

 Special Municipal Employees

      Members of the DPW Board, Dan McIntyre and Jim Pyne, asked for Special Municipal Employee status, because without it, both men, who do business with the Town of Hopkinton would be in violation of Conflict of Interest laws. Selectman Mike Shepard wanted to know more about Mr. Pyne's situation, because his company does a significant amount of business with the Department of Public Works.      

      Chairman Muriel Kramer suggested an hour of the Town Counsel's time.

     In the end, the group, and according to the rules it has to be the entire board that is granted status, was granted the status with the condition that Mr. Pyne submit a letter of disclosure. 

 

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance To Massachusetts
Residents And Businesses Affected By Bernat Mill Complex Fire


July 24, 2007 — Steven Preston, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that low-interest disaster loans will be made available to Massachusetts residents and businesses affected by the Bernat Mill Complex fire that occurred on July 21, 2007.

Administrator Preston took this action following a July 21, 2007 letter from Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray requesting a disaster declaration by SBA. The declaration covers Worcester County, and the adjacent counties of Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and Norfolk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Cheshire and Hillsborough counties in the State of New Hampshire; Tolland and Windham counties in the state of Connecticut and Providence County in the State of Rhode Island.

“We look forward to working with Massachusetts and the people affected by fire to make SBA disaster loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses,” said Administrator Preston.

Frank Skaggs, Director of Disaster Field Operations Center East said, “Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.” COMPLETE STORY

Hopkinton Team Finishes Season with a Win

July 24, 2007 — The Hopkinton 9yr Old Tondorf Team completed their summer season by defeating Ashland for the 2007 Tondorf Championship. The tournament, held in Medway, includes divisions of teams 9-12 years of age from the towns Ashland, Bellingham, Dover/Sherborn, Holliston, Hopedale, Medway, and Wrentham.

The Hopkinton 9’s completed the regular season with a 9-1 record and first place overall in the 9 year old division. The # 1 seeded Hillers were matched against Wrentham in the first round and handled them easily by the score of 18-0. With Round 2 looming the next morning, the boys had to bring their A game verses a confident Hopedale team. The Hillers used timely hitting and strong pitching to defeat Hopedale 5-1 and advance to the best 2 out of 3 finals verses rival Ashland.

After falling behind 2-1 early, the Hillers used slick fielding, aggressive base running, and hard hitting to re-take the lead and not look back en route to a 10-4 Game 1 victory. After rain delayed Game 2 by a day, the Hillers came out focused and ready for the task at hand. To their credit, Ashland played well and kept the game close before the Hillers pulled away in the 5th and 6th inning to win game two 5-3 and clinch the Tondorf Championship!

Head Coach Rick Decina, assisted by Don Lehman, Tim Simi, and Ken Vaccari led a team of hardworking boys who represented their town with pride. The players on the team were Matt Decina, Jake Doherty, Matt Hand, Calvin Holland, Cooper Korbey, Alex Kosheff, Sam Lehman, Gwil O’Rourke, Peter Schiloski, Andrew Simi, Jack Vaccari, and Will Yaggy.

Great Job Hillers!

Weston Nurseries sale = $636,086 windfall for the Town of Hopkinton

July 24, 2007 — According to Principal Assessor Robert Bushway today, he has calculated that the Town of Hopkinton stands to gain $488,086 in Chapter 61a rollback after the closing of the sale of Weston Nurseries land to Boulder Capital.

 

     Chapter 61A of the Massachusetts General Laws is an incentive program that taxes land used for farming at a lower rate, a program developed to help stem the tide of farm closings and conversions to other uses. When a property receives an offer to purchase, the town has the right of first refusal to purchase the land. The voters rejected that idea by a landslide last month, allowing Boulder Capital to proceed with its purchase and its development plans. But the town gets something out of it too in the form of a rollback of taxes for the previous five years, amounting to nearly half a million dollars in this case.

 

     In addition to the rollback taxes, the town is expected to receive, according to Treasurer/Collector Maureen Dwinnell, $148,000 in back taxes, amounting to a total windfall of over $636,000.

 

     The closing of the sale is expected to be within a few days, according to a memo from Boulder Capital President Roy S. MacDowell, Jr.

Dempsey House Moving Along

Board approves lot plan

July 24, 2007 — The Planning Board approved the division of land to form a lot in front of Deerfield Estates and separate the former Dempsey House from the subdivision property on which it currently sits. The house is virtually a gift — the town will pay something — from the builders to the town after lobbying by members of the Historical Commission, and Claire Wright in particular, in 2003 to save the antique dwelling.

     The builder has promised to bring the exterior up to par — new wooden shingles, with copper roof peak and chimney flashing were recently installed. The town only had to pay the difference between the cost of an asphalt roof and the wooden one.

      Martin Loiselle, Jr., a representative of Capital Group, said that his company will also repair the foundation and the  sill of the foundation at their cost. The Lumber Street property will eventually be conveyed to the town at a token cost.

Crumbling Bridge

Planning Board recommends sidewalks in any new plan

July 24, 2007 — The bridge on Route 85 over the Sudbury River, the property line between Southborough and Hopkinton,  is ready for replacement, and the Planning Board would like to see improvements made in the process. The Board voted last night to recommend a sidewalk for one side of the bridge that could link the commuter rail to the State Park as well as existing and proposed neighborhoods to mitigate traffic concerns.

EMC Reports Record Earnings

 

July 24, 2007 — EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC), the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, today reported record second-quarter revenue and strong profit growth marked by double-digit revenue growth in its systems, software and services businesses and across all major geographies.  EMC has now delivered double-digit top-line growth for 16 consecutive quarters.  

      Total consolidated revenue for the second quarter of 2007 was $3.12 billion, 21% higher than the $2.57 billion reported for the second quarter of 2006.  GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2007 was $334.4 million or $0.16 per diluted share, 33% higher than the GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.12 reported for the year-ago period.  EMC generated strong operating cash flow of $622 million, an increase of 59%, and free cash flow of $422 million, an increase of 123%, compared with the same period a year ago.    

     Joe Tucci (File photo), EMC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “EMC executed well in the second quarter.  Customers continued to choose EMC for the depth and breadth of our information infrastructure technologies and solutions, which translated into solid revenue growth that was well balanced across our systems, software and services businesses and all major geographies.  Add to this the explosion of digital information and the positive 2007 IT spending outlook we see in all major geographies, and it is clear that we are in a sweet spot of the IT industry.”

 
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