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A Visit to the Respite

January 29, 2008 — From right, Elmwood School guitarists Stephen Auslander, Raj Dandekar with Mrs. Diamond on violin are joined by Michael Mullins and Dan Cloutier at The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center this afternoon for a full program performed for clients and others who gathered. Click the play button twice to see part of the performance.

 

Hopkinton - Karen Joan Bell, 44, of Boston, MA, formerly of Wyomissing, PA, passed away on January 28th, 2008 at her brother's home surrounded by loving family and friends.

She was the beloved daughter of Edward Bell and the late Florence Bell (died Jan. 2004), of Wyomissing, PA. She leaves behind her brother Mark, his wife Gayle and their children Jeffrey and Marissa, all of Hopkinton, MA. She also leaves many long time friends and colleagues who considered Karen family and loved her dearly. Arrangements Complete.

2001 John Deere Lawn Tractor, Model 335 with 538 hours, 20 hp, Hydrostatic Drive, Power Steering and lift, 48" Mower deck. Price: $5,000.00. Also: John Deere 42" Snow Thrower, single stage, includes wheel weights, rear counter weights and tire chains. 7 bushel rear bagger with power flow. Price $1,200. Will sell separately or as a package deal.  Call 508-320-2458.

St. John's Appreciation Dinner 

January 29, 2008 — St. John the Evangelist Church of Hopkinton held its annual Appreciation Dinner for its volunteers this past weekend. A few of the parishioners sang and acted, but many more hams were in the house as the aprθs-dinner festivities turned into a variety show, and one candidate for Selectman dozy-doe'd.

Click the play button on the screen twice for this www.YouTube.com/HopNews  video.

 

 

NOBILINI —FITZPATRICK

 

 

HOPKINTON – Tina Nobilini of Hopkinton is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter Lisa to Sean Fitzpatrick, son of Claudia and Perry Fitzpatrick, longtime residents of Hopkinton before moving to Bluffton, S.C. two years ago.
   Lisa is also the daughter of the late John Nobilini. She attended schools in Hopkinton and graduated from Keefe Technical High School. She attended Franklin Pierce College and UMass-Amherst, graduating with a degree in Psychology. She is employed by TJX Companies, Framingham.
   Her fiancι attended Hopkinton schools and is employed by Metrowest Subaru, Natick.
   A wedding date is set for August 2008.

Karen J. Bell, 44


Karen J. Bell, 44, of Boston and Hopkinton, died Monday, January 28, 2008 at her brother�s home in Hopkinton surrounded by her family. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and are under the direction of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

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Nominate your “Hopkinton Hero”


The HPTA would like to hear from you about who your Hopkinton Heroes are, and help you thank them for being so important in your life. Please send us a short essay (not more than one page) introducing us to your Hopkinton Hero.
We would like to know...


*about them,
*who they are,
*how they have helped you in your life, and
*what qualities make them a hero.


You may nominate any adult who lives or works in the town of Hopkinton, and who has helped you in your life in some way.  The HPTA will select 5 heroes to honor at a special ceremony at our Silent Auction, and an additional ceremony with the students who nominate them.

All essays must be submitted to PO Box 608, Hopkinton, MA 01748, by 2/14/08, or via e-mail to Cindy Bernardo at cindybernardo@hotmail.com .

The deadline for submission is 2/14/08.

Making a Difference Every Day
www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/hpta

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Police News UP-TO-DATE  Today, January 28, 2008

 

 

10:00 am The Marlborough Police Department reported that a person on EBay was selling an old Hopkinton Police Department badge...

 

12:53 pm A caller reported finding what appeared to be a woman's hair weave in the woods behind his work on South Street...

 

3:14 pm A caller reported that a horse was wondering around loose on Lorigan Road...

 

5:58 pm A caller from Hillcrest Drive reported that youths were repeatedly ringing her door bell and running away...

Choose the title bar above for the complete news.

Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Compiled by Eric Montville for HopNews.com, January 28, 2008

Address

Buyer

Price

Date

Seller

5 Ralph Road Wei Chen & Zhiqi Liu $683,000 Jan. 25, 2008 Howard N. Markson & Jennifer A. Markson
203 Fruit Street Jennifer A. Violette $562,500 Jan. 25, 2008 Wing Kuen Wu & Sim Sau Wu
22 Thayer Heights Road Robert S. Durocher & Kristen D. Durocher $437,500 Jan. 25, 2008 Norman Lallier & Susan M. Lallier
Previous update:        
159 Saddle Hill Road William F. Potas & Susan J. Potas $600,000 Jan. 18, 2008 Lodge Corp
40 Parker Point Road David T. Coutu & Amy L. Coutu $392,000 Jan. 18, 2008 Gary French & Pamela French
6 Prestwick Drive Qin Tao & Xuan Tang $580,000 Jan. 17, 2008 Paul H. Dietz & Catherine M. Dietz
63 Old Elm Way Brian M. Day & Leslie J. Day $446,000 Jan. 17, 2008 Craig L. O'Brien & Carol A. O'Brien
1 Wedgewood Drive Christopher Devaux & Nikki Devaux $760,000 Jan. 15, 2008 John A. Scaramuzzo, Jr. & Yolanda Scaramuzzo
11 Meserve Street Walker Realty LLC $155,000 Jan. 15, 2008 Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

See Full List back to February 1,  2007

Link above is renewed each week

It's All About Choice

School Committee explains process

 

January 27, 2008 — In this article, the Hopkinton School Committee would like to clear up some misunderstandings that have arisen in the public mind about the School Choice program.

The School Choice program provides an option for any School Committee to vote to allow students from other school districts to attend its public schools.

The Hopkinton School Committee is considering whether to participate in the program during the school year beginning next September. The idea was identified by the Financial Plan Working Group in its report last October as a potential way to bring new revenue into the town to help alleviate the structural deficit in town finances.

Hopkinton used to accept School Choice students but has not participated since the 2000-01 school year because of growing enrollments and space constraints. We have had our hands full trying to keep up with a rapidly rising population of school-aged children living in Hopkinton. However, this situation has begun to change in the last few years. Enrollments in the lower elementary grades have shown a significant drop, and estimates from the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) are for this lower level of enrollment to persist over the next ten years.

Under state law, the School Committee can limit school choice seats to specific grade levels and specific numbers of students based on available space. If the number of applications exceeds the number of seats available in a grade, a lottery is held. After a student is accepted, he/she must be allowed to stay in the school system until graduation from high school.

The School Committee is NOT required to accept students who were expelled from schools in other school districts.

Participation in the School Choice program relates only to accepting students from other districts. It has no bearing on Hopkinton students who choose to go to school in other districts. State law allows students from any district to go to school in another district that accepts incoming students in their grade (subject to space constraints). There are currently seven students living in Hopkinton who attend school in other districts under the School Choice program.

The district that the student is coming from is required to pay the receiving district a certain amount for each student. The amount is based on a formula established by the state. The formula is tied to the average per-pupil spending in the receiving district. The amount that Hopkinton would receive for each School Choice student coming into the district is $5,000 per school year. For special education students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the amount would be higher based on the state formula. The receiving district is not required to provide transportation to and from school for School Choice students.

To understand how participating in School Choice could raise revenue without compromising the quality of education, consider the following example. Suppose that one of our elementary grades has 240 students and 12 classes. The average class size would be 20. If we were to take 20 students into that grade via the School Choice program and add 1 class, then the average class size would remain the same, 20 (260/13). The cost of staffing the additional classroom would be about $50,000. However, the 20 students would generate $100,000 in new revenue. This would provide $50,000 that could be used for other purposes. This example assumes that no incoming students have special needs. A separate analysis would need to be done to determine if the incremental revenue that would accompany such students per the state formula would cover the incremental costs incurred by the school district.

The School Committee has great flexibility in deciding how to use the new revenue. For example, the money could be used to offset other expenses of the school district, thereby reducing the amount that Hopkinton taxpayers would have to fund. Alternatively, in the example described above, the extra $50,000 could be used to hire a second new teacher, thereby reducing average class size for the grade. This assumes that there is space available for a second new class. Another possibility is that the money could be used to hire a new teacher (or a portion of a new teacher) at the high school in order to add more sections of particular courses and thereby reduce the number of sections with high class sizes. These are examples of the possible uses of the incremental funds.

The School Committee is continuing to study the matter and will give careful consideration to the decision about whether to participate in School Choice for the school year beginning next September and, if so, to what extent.

Detailed information about the state's School Choice program and data on those districts participating in the program is posted on the Massachusetts Department of Education web page on School Choice.

If questions remain about the parameters of the School Choice program, please let us know.

Hopkinton School Committee:
Rebecca Robak, Chair
Nancy Burdick, Vice-Chair
Lyn Branscomb
Phil Totino
Dave Stoldt

Warm, Winter's Glow

January 27, 2008 — About 25 members of the Hopkinton Historical Society took advantage of a wintertime social gathering at the home of Carol and Russell (Photo, right) Greve on Sunday afternoon, while small flurries fell outside, and large logs burned inside.

Madelene P. Gargan, 92


ASHLAND - Madelene P. Gargan, 92, died Saturday, January 26, 2008 in Sudbury.  She was the wife of James L. Gargan, who died in 1996.  Born in Groveton, NH, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mabel (Tracey) Austin.  She was a resident of Ashland for over 60 years.
  She is survived by her sons James and Joseph, both of Ashland, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
  A graveside funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Wildwood Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to a visitation prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton.

Deaths

Relay For Life of Hopkinton

 

Join us for the 2008 RFL Kickoff in the Hopkinton High School Cafeteria on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 6:30-8:00

 

Relay For Life 2008 at Hopkinton High School

Friday, May 30th at 6:00 pm

Saturday, May 30th at 12:00 pm

 

If you are interested in making a team or getting more involved in the Relay come to this meeting! See you there! hopkinton.relayforlife@hotmail.com   Carly Boyce & Luke Fraser

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Pop Warner Registration

January 28, 30

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ashland Middle School

 

Registration for the 2008 Hopkinton/Ashland Raider Pop Warner football and cheerleading season will take place on Monday and Wednesday nights January 28th and 30th.  Sign Ups will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ashland Middle School.  Further information can be found at www.Raiderfootball.org

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Hopkinton’s Cub Scout Pack 26 reaches out to the 20th Engineering Brigade stationed in Iraq

 

 On Christmas Eve, 34 care packages totaling approximately 125 lbs were delivered to the 20th Engineering Brigade stationed in Iraq from Cub Scout Pack 26 of Hopkinton.  

 

In response to receiving the care packages, Captain John McNamara of the 20th Engineering Brigade stated in an email that “It means a lot to all the Soldiers and myself to know that we have support back home.  

 

"Mail and packages like yours make us all smile and give us more than enough to be thankful for this Christmas.”  

 

Each care package included a range of items such as trail mix, nuts, beef jerky, foot powder, shower clogs, and aspirin.  These items were collected by the scouts of Pack 26 and then assembled into care packages at the Pack 26 Holiday Party.

 

Cub Scout Jake McDonald is standing next to the boxes containing the care packages that were sent to Iraq. ~Contributed photo and content.

 

 

Fatal Crash on Route 95 in Woburn

Passenger not wearing seat belt, ejected

 

January 27, 2008 — Today, at approximately 1:45 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Danvers responded to a one-car crash on Route 95/128 South just north of Route 93 (exit 37) in Woburn that resulted in one fatality.

 

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Mark Wheeler indicates that 22-year-old Vincent J. Marquardo of Woburn was operating a 1993 Ford Escort on Route 95 South when he lost control of the vehicle. The Ford rolled over and came to rest upright on the right shoulder of the roadway facing oncoming traffic. A rear seat passenger 22-year-old Michael F. Lutz of Woburn sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was declared deceased at the scene. Marquardo was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He sustained serious injuries when he was ejected from the vehicle and pinned beneath the Ford when it came to rest. Three passengers 21-year-old Michael A. Wheaton of Stoneham, 21-year-old Timothy W. Keane of Woburn and 22-year-old Brian J. Walsh Jr. of Woburn, were wearing seatbelts and sustained minor injuries in the crash. They were able to pull Marquardo from beneath the Ford. Marquardo and Keane were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital by ambulance. Wheaton  and Walsh were transported to Lahey Clinic by ambulance.  

Old Hopkinton

 

January 27, 2008 — Left is a screen shot from a Windows video converted from an VHS tape that had been made from an old movie that had no sound.

   In the photo is the drug store, as well as other businesses in the same building. Other scenes are Colella's, St. Paul's Church when it was still in the building that is now attached to the Library, the Gourmet before it was the gourmet, as well as the old Post Office when it was in the spot that the Exxon now occupies.

     To see the movie, please click here to play, or right-mouse click and "save as...."

      Thanks to Hopkinton resident and WMRC News Director Ed Thompson for pulling this out of his archives.

Party Hearty

January 27, 2008 — Tina MacConnell watches as Lake resident Beryl Sachs looks over a petition that the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association is passing around in an attempt to stop "zoning creep" of businesses further into the neighborhood. Mrs. MacConnell was one of the organizers of the invitation-only social get together Saturday evening at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club.

Hopkinton 7, Ashland 0

January 27, 2008 — Pat Shea skates the puck across the line toward a 7-0 win over Ashland as that team's bench looks on.

No Cabin Fever Here

January 26, 2008 — The Woodville Rod and Gun Club had a Fishing Derby on Saturday that gave scores of people a good reason to go out on the ice at Lake Whitehall on Saturday.

A Good Book and Thou

January 26, 2008 — Doris Kumlin looks over a book, one of several hundred that were offered for sale on Saturday at the Hopkinton Public Library.

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The High Jump

January 26, 2008 — Kevin Cassata comes out of the crowd with the ball at Medway on Friday night. The boys lost 64-59.

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What Goes Up...

January 26, 2008 — The girls played the first varsity game at Medway on Friday night. Here Corinne Ellis is challenging her Medway counterpart for the ball. Medway won 53-52.

...Lift That Bale

January 26, 2008 — Hopkinton Highway Department worker Frank Torento makes some repairs with cement around the Town Hall on Friday.

Automotive Break-Ins

January 25, 2008 — At least two vehicles were the victims of "smash and grab" robberies this evening in a South Street parking lot, a crime that has been repeated frequently at that location for several years. The items usually taken are laptop computers from workers on South Street taking their work home and stopping on the way. People leaving the devices in their vehicles may feel that their property is safe, because it is in the dark. However, it is apparent the thieves must use a flashlight to peer in for their quarry. Computers and other electronic devices left in a vehicle should be well hidden, even in the dark.

Giving Back

January 25, 2008 — Linda Cherrington, who was at the March on Washington and heard Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech appeared at the Day of Giving Back at St. John's Parish Center as well as Ron Burton Jr., who each told of the meaning of the day.

       Ms. Cherrington, a white person, related how she held hands with black people, something unheard of in the South at that time. Mr. Burton, who runs a sports camp, said that he did not experience that type of social circumstance, but said his father, a player for the Boston Patriots, did experience prejudice in his lifetime.    

Appropriations Committee Mulls Budget Process

Approves $250,000 more for snow ~

 

January 25, 2008 — Last week the appropriations Committee met and deliberated the upcoming process for the town's budget. Under the recently enacted Town Charter, the Town's Financial Officer, Heidi Kriger, is a member of that Committee.

     The Committee voted the approval of another $250,000 for snow removal. The snow budget is never fully funded at the start of the year, and always needs replenishment.

     Committee Chairman Joseph Karner pointed out that Town departments were requested to present two budget models; one for a level-funded budget , and one for a level-services budget.

       "The Chairs and Department heads were supposed to turn in their budgets by January 1 — most of them have turned them in," Mr. Karner said.

       "What cuts will you have to make, and prioritize what you feel is important."

       "The School Department submitted a budget with a 3.6% increase," said Town Manager Anthony Troiano. "This is not what we spent hours discussing."

        Mr. Troiano said that contract negotiations are continuing with the teachers, leading to an agreement that will save about $300,000 from the budget; but, he said, it was contingent on the other Town workers agreeing to similar concessions.

        "That is one of the huge movers eating up this budget," said Committee member Stuart Cowart.

        The Town has, according to the group, about $700,000 in stabilization funds, or what some people call the "rainy day" account. Some $480,000 of that was received in "rollback" taxes from the sale of 700 + acres of former Weston Nurseries property to Boulder Capital [Weston Nurseries still retains use of 70 acres for growing and will have a revitalized retail center]. Another $48,000 is expected his fiscal year.

        Discussing various options such as an override, Mr. Troiano said, "I don't know how people would feel about an override. Several economic conditions would lead to people not wanting to spend." An override is an increase in taxes that remains forever. A debt exclusion usually is for capital expenses and has an expiration.

         "Once you pass an override, you never see an underride," said Committee member Ron Eldridge.

        The Committee also pondered changing the CPA formula, its allocations and its percentage. The Community Preservation Act allows participating towns to set aside 2 % of taxes for the purposes of recreation and historical preservation, as well as  open space, land preservation and affordable housing, among others. The town could change the way it collects the money, or could simply vote to opt out of the program. However, money that has been appropriated for future purposes would still need to be collected.

          Another budget consideration is the revenue from a bulk sale of uncollected taxes, expected to generate a minimum of $1.4 million. The tax title interest portion, assumed to be about $300,000, can be put into the general fund immediately, according to Treasurer/Collector, Maureen Dwinnell. The sale is out to bid. Mrs. Dwinnell, according to the group, has already spent $11,000 for advertising.

         The status of the remainder of the money is not entirely clear, because it is money that has already been appropriated. Hopkinton is said to be the first town taking advantage of the ability to have this sale.

         "Why would anyone pay face value, when some of the taxes are simply uncollectible?" asked one member.

          "Because it is the property that has the value," answered another. The company purchasing the right to collect the taxes would also have the right to foreclose on the property.

          The remainder of the money, according to Mrs. Dwinnell, can be set up in a fund for capital items with a borrowing life of five years.

          The Selectmen will be devoting most of their time next Tuesday in a televised "working session" to discuss the budget for the Town, the School Department, and the capital items.

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Moms' Night Out

January 25, 2008 — Denise Griben, third from right, black outfit, hosted the Mom's Club on Wednesday evening for their Moms' Night Out at Ciao Time on 28 Main Street.

     Co-Chair Maria Boyle said, "We wanted to support Denise, to help her get started."

     "We've got 46 Moms here tonight, sampling the food and getting the word out," said Liz Carrozza, the other Co-Chair.

     There was not one man there as a patron.

All Art, All the Time

January 25, 2008 — Several photographers held a reception on Thursday evening at the CAA, 98 Hayden Rowe Street for the beginning of a group show that will run until the beginning of March.

     Above, photographer Kathleen Culler discusses one of her photos with friend, teacher Bill Howard on Thursday.

MOTHER’S HELPER WANTED
 

Couple in Hopkinton center looking for a student to come to our house three afternoons a week (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays), after school, for a few hours. Mom is working from home and needs someone to help out with our three-month-old little girl. Must have experience baby-sitting infants. References required.

Please have your mom call Danielle at 508-625-1197 or e-mail at daniellegreer@yahoo.com

Daron Arakelian Wins Award

January 25, 2008 — Daron Arakelian, of Cub Scout Pack 97 in Hopkinton, received a Good Turn for Scouting award Thursday night. Daron sold special bracelets constructed of parachute cord and soldier's uniform buttons to assist with Pack 97s annual Treasure Our Troops program.  The proceeds paid the postage for all the care packages sent to the soldiers.   He was recognized by Cub Master Chris Nadeau and Committee Chairmen Chris Elliott and Kevin Perkins at their January 24th Pack  Meeting.  Contributed photo.

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WEE DELIVER

January 24, 2008 — Elmwood School has a postal system. Their first session is ending.  Above are the students who delivered the mail the past few months to their friends and teachers at Elmwood. The Karen Ann Quinlan on the right is not getting "rabbit ears" from a prankster, but is standing in front of a painted figure, who appears to be waving in the mural behind her. Elmwood Principal Ilene Silver is in the rear, center.

~Photo by Abbie Rosenberg.

 

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