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"The News Starts Here!"

24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Editor@HopNews.com  508-435-5534

Updated: October 16, 2012 01:58:50 PM

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Taking Better Pictures Outdoors

Thursday, March 26, 2009, 7 – 9 PM

 

Join Mass Audubon naturalist and photographer Bob Speare for this evening workshop designed to help you make the most of your digital camera.  Topics covered will include white balance, exposure, depth of field, and compositional elements, all with the aim of helping you enhance your nature photography skills. 

 

A working knowledge of your digital camera is all that’s required to attend.  Please bring your digital camera along with a fully charged battery and your user’s manual. Recommended for ages 15 and up.

 

Event is to be held at the Hayes Lodge facility at the MetroWest YMCA in Hopkinton, 45 East St., Hopkinton, MA 01748. Pre-registration required. $5 per person for Y members; $7 per non-member. For more info or to register, call 508-435-9345 x12; or email: cmenard@metrowestymca.org.

In Memory of Chuckie Mullen

March 16, 2009 — Framingham Police led a group of dozens of motorcycle riders from the funeral of HHS graduate E. Charles "Chuckie" Mullen III, 41, who worked for the Town of Framingham, to the Eagles Fraternal Lodge on Framingham for a further gathering of mourners this morning. Mr. Mullen was an avid rider, and a member of  Hopkinton High School Class of 1987.

   

Police News UP-TO-DATE  <--- March 16, 2009

Click above for full report, or read the raw log here (or do both)

 

 

 

5:25 pm A resident of Piazza Lane reported an on-going issue with people riding ATV's on his property...

 

2:43 am A motorist reported that a suspicious looking male, dressed in yellow with a backpack...

 

10:01 pm A caller from Wood Street reported that he and his wife saw an emergency flare go off across Lake Whitehall...

 

5:41 am The Milford Police Department requested assistance with the search for the other breaking and entering suspect on Camp Street...

Cheerleaders Set New record

The Hopkinton High School varsity cheerleaders placed 5th in division 3 (highest placement in school history) and qualified to attend the Cheerleading Nationals in Orlando, Florida next month.  ~Melissa Heiligmann, Hopkinton Cheer Coach

Contributed content

NOT ONE property transaction for Hopkinton last week.

 

 Checking out the Virtual Common, above for daily happenings?

Want more information about a listing on a graphical sandwich board?

Then also click on our Calendar Calendar link for more info of each event.

Time of the Season

March 15, 2009 — This mallard couple left Little Pond on Pond Street today for a larger space of open water on greater Lake Whitehall. The flight of the ducks, as well as the melting snowmobile tracks on the ice in the background that lead to open water, clearly define the changing season.

 

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Up, Up, and Away

March 15, 2009 — While on routine patrol, Officer William Burchard warned several people who were trespassing with recreational vehicles at the town-owned Fruit Street property, which gets overtaken by this type of activity every fair-weather weekend. It is unknown if this rider was cited. This photo was taken hours earlier. The people who were cited had over-the-road vehicles that they brought the off-road vehicles in.

The Times, They Are A-changin'

March 15, 2009 — A man practices his kayaking while on a cell phone, while of three people watching, one appears to be texting, and one appears to be on a cell.

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

MSO Performs

March 15, 2009 — MetroWest Symphony Orchestra Family Concert performed at the High School Auditorium today. In addition the musicians held an instrument petting zoo. Hopkinton's Dr. Bruce Karlin is far left.

 Services for the Home

Sweet Sounds

Above, Barbara Kessler performing at the premiere of Is He Real or Not, a short film  filmed in December 2008/January 2009 in Hopkinton, MA, and Shrewsbury, MA, with local actors from Hopkinton and the surrounding area. The film contains original music from Hopkinton resident, Barbara Kessler.  The completed film is planned to be entered into multiple U.S. and international film festivals in 2009. This film was made in conjunction with Enter Stage Left Theater in Hopkinton, MA. Below, more than 100 people watching the premiere at St. John's parish center.

Hopkinton Takes 1st Place at WPI

Hopkinton had another great showing at WPI on Friday. This is the 4th year in a row that Hopkinton has taken 1st place. They all had a very long day starting at 8am concluding with the award ceremony at 5pm. Both Courtney Onofrio (File photo) and John Hinkel III, along with winners from five other regions, will represent Massachusetts at the International Science Fair.

 

The Intel ISEF 2009 will be held May 10-15, 2009 in Reno, NV. All of the people listed below move on the State Science Fair held at MIT from April 30th  to May 2nd. ~ Alan Sung

 

FIRST AWARDS

 

 

Courtney Onofrio

Hopkinton HS

The Effect of Tumeric on Learning in Parkinson's Drosophila

John Hinkel III

Hopkinton HS

Head-Controlled Mouse Interface

 

SECOND AWARDS

 

 

Patrick Jarvis and Thomas Coburn

Hopkinton HS

Optimal Nutrient Levels on the Bioremediation of Oil, Part II

Amy Sung and Gretchen Sileo

Hopkinton HS

Production of Poly-B-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Carbon Sources

 

THIRD AWARDS

 

 

Ryan Foisy and Mitchell Culler

Hopkinton HS

The Effects of Cell Phone Emissions on Drosophila

Meghan Krueger and Colleen Murray

Hopkinton HS

Effect of Vitamin E and Flaxseed Oil on ALS in C. elegans

Alex Brown and Kate Richardson

Hopkinton HS

Using Differential Agars to Identify Environmental Pathogens

 

FOURTH AWARDS

 

 

Andrew Ryan and Daniel Cunningham

Hopkinton HS

The Effect of Tubercles on Wind Turbines

 

FIFTH AWARD

 

 

Vincent Buffa

Hopkinton HS

Effect of Different Fertilizers on Rye Grass Growth

Hopkinton's The Pride Earns Gold

Above, the Pride with their gold medals. The team members are: Jason Dlugolecki, Barrett Hanlon, Jack Yaggy, Jack Ryan, Jack Hemmelgarn, Coach Tim Dlugolecki, Tyler Kolowsky, Daniel Kinchla, Ryan Hamilton, Melissa Clough (missing from picture: Gavin McDonald, Brian Chaisson, Tyler Olson)

 

by Mari Levine

March 14, 2009 — Four Hopkinton Special Olympics basketball teams participated in Special Olympics Massachusetts’ Winter Games, held the weekend of Feb. 28th at various venues all over Worcester. The annual weekend of competitions and festivities attracts athletes from state-wide Special Olympics programs who train year-round in a variety of sports.

 

The Spirit, Force, and Pride, the three Hopkinton teams consisting of younger athletes, participated in the unified division, where “partners,” or volunteers, play alongside the Special Olympians. Because they were in the same division, the Force, coached by Kelly Sanborn and Matt Younis, faced off against the Alec Levine-led Spirit in both squads’ final game of the tournament. The match ended in a hard-fought tie, earning each team a bronze medal.

 

The Pride, coached by Tim Dlugolecki, earned the gold medal by going undefeated in the Unified/Senior division, while the Force, coached by Anne Marcy and Oliver Clough, earned the silver medal in the competitive Traditional division.

According to program director Levine, the hard work exhibited throughout the weekend truly captured the essence of the State Games.

 

“From the excitement of the games, to the overnight stays in the hotel, to the dance in Mechanics’ Hall, the State Games serve as the fitting end to a fun-filled season,” he said.

 

The athletes get another chance to showcase their basketball skills at noon on March 21 at the Hopkinton Middle School gym in their annual matchup with the Hopkinton Police Department.

   

Clayton Willoughby Sings Ain't Misbehavin'

 

Above, enjoy a reprise of a song by Hopkinton Common guest Clayton Willoughby, who transports from the vaudeville era and brings it into the present with a HopNews feature video exclusive.

 Services for the Home

Fruit Street Dirt Bike/4-Wheeler Recreational Area?

Above, tracks from recreational vehicles have torn up a large part of the Fruit street property. The area above is next to the gravel road that leads from Fruit Street to the parking area. However, the road has been torn up so much by these riders, that it is no longer distinguishable as a road, but instead looks like any other part of the sandpit. Photo taken today March 13, 2009.

 

by Robert Falcione

March 13, 2009 — The photo of the deer, left, was taken by this writer immediately following the dedication of the town-owned Fruit Street property on July 8, 2005.

      "You are looking at the future of Hopkinton," said Selectman Ron Clark at the time, who doubled as the Chairman of the Fruit Street Development Committee.

      Since then, information about what can and cannot be situated in a well zone, as well as a half-dozen appeals, have kept the town from using the property for no more than walking and hiking, as well as the construction of a new water well.  Not to worry, though. The place gets plenty of use.

      The vacuum has been filled by dirt bike and off-road riders who take over the place on the weekends in the warm weather, sometimes by as many as two dozen riders, looking a bit like a Mad Max movie revisited, with clouds of dust following each rider. The property is being turned to dust, whisked away by the next brisk wind.

 

At the rear of the property, near where the athletic fields are supposed to become situated, (Thumbnail photo, left, taken today. Click to enlarge), someone has brought soil, apparently with an excavating machine, and made ramps and humps, and placed them in a circular pattern, much like the ramps used for motocross racing. Enlarging the photo will reveal recent traffic. The deer were photographed in the area to the left of the track, but four years ago, before it was built.

 

     The road into the area (Left thumbnail to enlarge) is a sea of mud at this time. This road has been described as a "gravel road, well-packed by the heavy equipment of the former owner, Jim Pyne," now a DPW commissioner. Today's photographic evidence fully refutes that claim. It would take some imagination to believe that this road would be passable by over-the-road sludge trucks destined for the planned Waste Water Treatment Facility to be built beyond. What could be even more incredible is that Mom will bring the kids to the future soccer fields over this area without a macadam road being built first. This photo was also taken today.

 

The HopNews Video camera got a bit of footage last summer. The following is what we could find in our archives after a short search today. We could find more after a deeper search.

 

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

What is Mélange 2009?

Listen and Learn, below

 

Thinking Greece

Daisy Troop #2975 holding up their passports after visiting "Greece" at Girl Scouts Thinking Day last night at the Hopkins School. Thinking Day is when Girl Scouts are supposed to think about girls in other countries.

 

The Girl Scout Troops try to learn about a country and then present what they have learned to all the troops here in town. 

 

The Troops at the country tables shared facts about the countries, through a skit, a table offering facts and food from that country or a craft from that country.

 

Our Daisy Troop was a group of Tourists traveling the world and getting their passports stamped as they visit the country. They enjoyed a Greek treat afterward.

 

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Crowning Achievement

March 13, 2009 — Jeff Bertolet of Bertolet Construction installs roofing shingles on the new Veterans memorial Gazebo this afternoon. The slate look-alike shingles are made of a composite material that is supposed to cost less to install and , maintain, and be more durable. Mr. Bertolet and his brother Ted had to drill holes in the shingles to nail them in by hand, a process that could have been done with a nail gun in warmer weather.

      "They could crack using a nail gun in this cold weather," said brother, Ted Bertolet, off camera.

   

Hopkinton Police, Fire and Executive Office of Public Safety

and Security Warn Drivers to “Move Over”

 

Hopkinton, MA – March 13, 2009 - In an effort to keep Massachusetts roadways safer, the Hopkinton Police Department, Fire Department and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) are raising awareness for the state’s new Move Over Law.

 

The new law, which takes effect on March 22, 2009, is meant to help protect police, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and all roadside emergency and maintenance workers. The law requires all drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and, barring that, to reduce their speed. Violating the Move Over Law can be expensive as well as dangerous as failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100.

 

“We would like all drivers in Hopkinton and throughout Massachusetts to take a moment to slow down and move over, if it safe to do so, if they see an officer, emergency responder or maintenance vehicle stopped on the side of the road,” said Police Chief Thomas Irvin (File photo at disaster scene).

 

Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed while providing emergency roadside help. In the past six months alone, several Massachusetts state troopers have been injured on the job. According to the Merit Rating Board, in 2008 there were nearly 2000 violations of the Chapter 89 law which deals with obstructing emergency vehicles including failure to yield and following too closely. For more information, read the law.

 Hundreds of HHS Students Achieve Scholastic Honors

 

Hopkinton High School

2008-2009

Honor Roll – Semester 1

 

High Honors

 

Grade 9

Shaina Belsky, Madeline Bertschmann, Evan Dackowski, Connor Engstrom, Jaclyn Foisy, Megan Fujiyoshi, Rebecca Govoni, Sarah Greizer, Jamie Horrigan, Emily Jarvis, Jaskirat Kaur, Hannah Krueger, Paul Lagasse, Jake LeSuer, Anna MacDonald, Marissa Mahoney, Ashley Markson, Taylor McAree, Joseph McNulty, Tamara Mills, Jacob Mokler, Chelsey Mullen, Victoria Munger, Meghan Murdock, Lara Murray, Connor Pelletier, Abigail Perreault, Thomas Reimonn, Beverly Reynolds, Kate Satterfield, Anna Thornton, Allyson Travers, Olivia Turner, Max Vumbaca

 

Grade 10

Peter Bransfield III, Michelle Cooprider, Christopher Daniels, Wesley Ericksen, Joseph Fujiyoshi, Stephanie Hadley, Jessica Haley, Elizabeth Kelley, Jennifer Langh, Brendan Litavis, Christopher McCain, Brittany O'Loughlin, Sara Ottomano, Kelly Ryan, Mitchell Saeger, Matthew Szczepankiewicz, Allison Toth

 

Grade 11

Mallory Bannon, Dana Cavedon, Nicole Cooprider, Paige Girardi, John Hinkel, Jonathan Ho, Mary Kelly, Samantha Levitre, Anna Lipkin, Madison McKenna, Katherine Richardson, Roya Servattalab, Gretchen Sileo, Amy Sung, Micah Ulrich

 

Grade 12

Sarah Bentley, Laura Brisson, Meghan Brisson, Julianna Carbone, Gretchen Claffey, Brittany Collins, Kristen Cormier, Caitlin Danahy, Eric Docknevich, Sean Donahue, Caitlin Dourney, Benjamin English, Andrew Fabricant, Kathleen Feheley, Connor Fitzpatrick, Rachel Gately, Lindsey Gorgol, Lindsay Kramer, Andrew Litavis, Stephen Lynch, Dayna Lynds, Chelsea Missaggia, Courtney Onofrio, Vladimir Parfenov, Deanna Payson, Jaclyn Perreault, Kathryn Roberts, Lauren Schultz, Laura Strickland, Suzanne Whalen

 

SEE FULL LIST

 Services for the Home

Morning Solitude

March 12, 2009 — Bob and Lynn Marquedant had the entire Lake Whitehall behind their home to themselves one morning this past week, as the sun rose over the hillside behind them. This view faces west/southwest.

Hopkinton Police Association's

 

37th Annual Dinner - Dance

March 28, 2009

6:30 pm -12:30 am @ Portuguese Club

119 Prospect Street in Milford.

 

• Social Hour: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

• Dinner by Tina Marie's: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

• Dancing, with music by Tailspin: 8:30 pm - 12:30 am

 

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased from any Hopkinton Police Officer or at the Hopkinton Police Station. For more information, call the station at 508-497-3401, and ask for Officer Patrick O'Brien.

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

   

E. Charles "Chuck" Mullen III, 41

 

HOPKINTON - E. Charles "Chuck" Mullen III, 41, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.  Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Edward C. Mullen and Elaine (Marquis) Mullen of Hopkinton and grandson of Marcelle Marquis of Oxford.

He was a 1987 graduate of Hopkinton High School and was employed by the Framingham DPW.  He was an avid softball player, participating in many leagues in the area.  He also enjoyed snowmobiling and riding motorcycles.

In addition to his mother and grandmother, he is also survived by his sister Patricia Trudeau and her husband John of Feeding Hills, and Lisa Brown and her husband Sean of Plymouth.  He also leaves four nieces and two nephews.

A memorial funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church Street.  Private burial in Wildwood Cemetery, Ashland will take place at the family's convenience. 

A collation will be held after the funeral Mass at 11:30 at the Eagles Fraternal Order #894, 55 Park Street, Framingham. 

There are no calling hours.  The Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton, is in charge of arrangements.

Donations:  Mullen Scholarship Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, 66 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA  01748.

 

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Meeting of Parents of the Senior Class


There will be a meeting for parents of the senior class on Monday March 16th from 7-9 P.M. in room A219 at the high school to discuss the upcoming senior activities. We need as many parents as possible to make senior week a success. Please spread the word to your friends.

If you can't make the meeting but are willing to help out, please email Sue Aitken at
akn01@aol.com

 Services for the Home

Cooking Classes at Caffe Italiano
25 Hayward Street
Hopkinton, MA  01748


Above, Maria Forte and Chef Carlos preparing orders for the dining room.

 

Classes begin on Monday, March 23rd from 6:30-9:00. Classes run every Monday for six weeks.  $50.00 per class.

Enjoy learning the fundamentals of Italian and Mediterranean cooking with Maria Forte and her Chef de Cuisine, Jacob.  Cooking classes are hands-on and include tasting the dish prepared every week along with a glass of wine that compliments
the meal prepared. It will be FUN!!!

Call now for reservations   508-497-0730.

Limited class size.

Boston Blazers Dan Dawson and Mitch Belisle visit Hopkinton Middle School
 


Over 300 seventh grade students at Hopkinton Middle School gathered on Tuesday, March 10, as professional indoor lacrosse All-Stars, Dan Dawson and Mitch Belisle of the Boston Blazers, paid a visit to kick off the myGo Healthy Challenge. Their visit, in partnership with the American Heart Association and An Alliance for a Healthier Generation, is known as the “Leadership, Education, Attitude, Dedication” (LEAD) Assembly Program which aims to educate local youth about the sport of lacrosse while simultaneously inspiring them to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Dawson and Belisle spoke about the dedication and skills that allow the Blazers to successfully work together, while reinforcing the importance of everyday teamwork, leadership and healthy lifestyles with the discussion of topics including “taking care of your health.”

After speaking, Dawson and Belisle spent time interacting with the students, including seventh grader Autumn Kramer.

Discounted tickets are available for the Blazer’s April 4th game versus the Buffalo Bandits at 7:30 p.m. at the TD Banknorth Garden:
www.americanheart.org/bostonblazers.


Left,  Autumn Kramer of Hopkinton Middle School with Dan Dawson of the Boston Blazers

 

 

E. Charles "Chuckie" Mullen III, 41

 

HOPKINTON - E. Charles "Chuckie" Mullen III, 41, died suddenly Monday, March 9, 2009.  Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, are incomplete at this time.

 

HopNews File photo

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

Op-Ed

Keeping Our Kids Safe In The Internet Age

Nearly 20% of 8th graders gave personal info over net

 

by Gerry Leone

March 11, 2009 — Times have changed.  That certainly rings true to any parent today, as our kids are growing up in a vastly different world than we did.  There is no greater example of that changing environment than the explosion of technology in our children’s everyday lives. It's hard to believe how prevalent cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, and social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook have become as the normal forms of communication for many of our kids

 

While the challenges have changed, our responsibility remains the same – and that is to protect our children in every way that we can.

 

 Let's consider some of those safety challenges.  The prevalence of the Internet and other new modes of communication means that one bad choice made by our kids now could have a lasting impact on them. Look no further than the recent “sexting” cases that have arisen during the course of the last few months as examples.  In one case, a 13-year-old girl took a partially-nude photo of herself with her cell phone camera and then forwarded that photo onto a boyfriend via text message.  What was a bad choice to begin with was compounded when that image was forwarded on to many other kids throughout her school. She has now lost all control of that image, can never fully recover it, and will never know when or where it could reappear. 

  

The anonymity of the Internet also presents serious dangers to our kids.  Our office has seen numerous cases in which children have willingly provided personal information about themselves to strangers over the Internet.  Even more frightening, some have even made arrangements to meet those strangers in person.  These seemingly innocent mistakes by our children could have potentially lifelong and oftentimes tragic consequences.

 

A survey conducted by Emerson Hospital illustrates the troubling predicament we as parents face.  The study, which surveyed 8,000 middle and high school students, revealed that more than 24% of high school students reported having given information about themselves over the Internet to someone with whom they had never met (19.5% of eighth graders had done so).  According to the same survey, 14.8% of high school students reported having met someone in person with whom they had initially contacted online (13.6% of eighth graders and 12.8% of sixth graders reported doing so).

 

There is no doubt that, as these technologies become more prevalent, a growing number of our kids are engaging in this kind of risky behavior at younger and younger ages. 

 

So, what can parents do? Here are some recommendations.

 

Educate yourself

While keeping up with technological trends may seem daunting to even the most technologically savvy among us, it is absolutely vital that parents know what our kids are doing, who they are communicating with, and how they are communicating.  Websites such as NetSmartz.org and Wiredsafety.org have important information to help parents educate themselves about the latest safety trends.  We at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office also offer trainings to parents, teachers and student in communities throughout the county on Internet Safety.  If you would like to schedule a training in your community, please contact our office at 781-897-6800.

 

Talk to your kids

Keeping an open line of communication with your children is a fundamental tenet that never goes out of style.  With the explosion of the Internet and other technologies, it is more important now than ever that you are engaged and communicating with your children about these issues.  You must constantly be asking questions.  Find out what they are doing online. Ask them whom they are talking to.  Ask them to spend some time and walk you through their social networking site of choice. Make sure that they know not to provide any personal information to someone who they don’t know.  Explain to them the dangers of sending any images of themselves out over the Internet or via text message.  Keeping a strong line of communication open now can go a long way in preventing your child from making mistakes in the future.

 

Set Limits

We are our children's parents before we are their friends. That means that we must be willing to set strict ground rules for our children's cell phone and Internet use.  Among the strategies that we recommend is placing the family computer in an open room, like the living room, rather than allowing unsupervised access to a computer in your child's bedroom.  If your children use laptops, the same rules still apply.  Explain to them that a condition of using a computer or cell phone is that you may be periodically checking their browsing and texting history as well as their MySpace or Facebook pages.  If you believe your child needs a cell phone, consider giving them a phone without the capability to send or receive an image or set a condition that you will be reviewing their photos periodically.  Engage age-appropriate parental controls on your home computer, such as logging and filtering.  While your child may not always like these rules, remind them that this isn’t about punishing them or not trusting them,  it’s about protecting them because we love them.

 

There is no greater priority for any of us as parents than keeping our kids safe.  The challenges will continue to evolve, but by continuing to be engaged and proactive in dealing with these issues, we can all better protect our children in the Internet Age. 

 

Gerry Leone is the District Attorney of Middlesex County

   

Mélange Preparations on Track

March 11, 2009 — Nellie Gross peeks from behind the mask she is creating to donate to the 2009 Milford Regional Masquerade Ball, 2009 Melange, a black-tie event to be held at the Milford Town Hall on April 18, 2009 to benefit hospice services at the hospital. About a dozen girls stayed after school to help with the project. Learn more...

 

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"A Good Portion of Town Without Power"

March 11, 2009 - (1:56 p.m.) — Multiple reports of a transformer explosion brought Fire, Police and NSTAR officials to a pole on Pond Street to replace the transformer.

     There have been reports from Lake Whitehall to Lake Maspenock of residents who have lost power. There is no estimate at this time of when power will be returned.

      UPDATE: Rather than a transformer as previously believed, NSTAR workers on the scene discovered a wire that had been sorted out by a tree branch. They said that most of the power was restored by rerouting, and that only a few homes (2:30 p.m.) were without power. They did not have an estimate on completion.

Town Has $2.45 Million in Reserve and Stabilization

"Under the Threat of taxation we have an opportunity to do good." ~ TM Clayton Carlisle

Above, HAA President Timothy Kilduff, and School Committee Chairperson Nancy Burdick chat with eleventh grade Girl Scouts who had just appeared before the Selectmen. The Scouts invited the group to join them on April 17 at the First Congregational Church for a Marathon Tea Reception. About 80 guests were invited to the closed affair, including both State senators, to increase awareness of the Twin City relationship between Marathon, Greece and Hopkinton. next year is the 2,500th Anniversary of the Battle of Marathon.

 

March 11, 2009 — In a departure from past practices, Interim Town Manager Clayton Carlisle suggested strongly that Hopkinton hold a second Town meeting in the fall to complement the May meeting. He said it would facilitate the setting of the tax rate, because the state's contribution to the town always comes after the May meeting.

       In spite of his reporting $1.7 million in reserve funds and $750,000 in stabilization funds, Mr. Carlisle said it was necessary to continue to find ways to cut expenses. "Under the Threat of taxation we have an opportunity to do good," he said. He repeated his suggestions to change the insurance plan, regionalize some services with Ashland and seek some of the $100 million in funds available after Framingham Union closed. He also said that there was $750,000 in accounts that needed to be "swept" into the stabilization fund.

       He said that two variables, state aid and federal stimulus spending were unknowns that could affect the budget.

       Mr. Carlisle got kudos from Henry Kunicki, who spoke during time put aside for the public to ask questions or weigh in. The selectmen's room had a larger audience than usual, when reporters and others who usually watch from home, poured into the meeting because the audio failed on all three broadcast methods. Mr. Kunicki wanted to be sure that the preliminary budget being discussion included no new capital items.

       Vascen "Bogie" Bogigian (HopNews file photo) took the seat and pointed out that the budget Mr. Carlisle presented as level-funded actually had a .41% increase.

       Mr. Carlyle said he chose a method of reporting the figures that would encourage people to save.

       Mr. Bogigian also pointed out that the preliminary budget included a 2.5% increase, allowed by the so-called Prop 2 and a half, something he said the Selectmen said they wouldn't do, he said.

       Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Brian Herr, said, "It was never decided that we wouldn't use the 2 and a half."

       "I've had enough of paying these taxes," Mr. Bogigian said.

       "Savings should go to the taxpayers rather than maintaining the status quo," he said.     

 Services for the Home

Premiere of Short Film at St. John's on Saturday

 

Film trailer from the short film "Is He Real or Not?" Produced by Pinch Hit Productions and Lighten Up Ladies Productions. For more information on the film please visit www.IsHeRealOrNot.com .

 

The premiere is March 14th, 7 PM, at St. John’s Parish Hall.  Advanced tickets can be obtained at www.enterstagelefttheater.com.   Come to the premiere and enjoy this short movie filmed in Hopkinton (with several Hopkinton actors and kids) as well as raffle prizes and a guest performance by Hopkinton’s Barbara Kessler and Tone Deft a capella singing group!

 

Winners of the 2009 Beaufort International Film Festival, Beaufort, South Carolina, were announced Saturday night at an awards gala This year's festival drew more than 100 entries from 24 countries.  Screenplay award was for Christmas Cake, by Karen Webb of Hopkinton, Mass, producer of the above short film.

Lions Club Scholarships

 

Hopkinton Lions Club scholarship applications for Hopkinton students graduating in 2009, are now available at the Hopkinton High School guidance office. Five $1,000 grants will be given this year. Four scholarships will go to Hopkinton High School senior class members and one to a Hopkinton resident graduating from Keefe Tech in Framingham. Awards are based on financial need, commitment to community service, or intention to pursue a service-related profession. Application deadline is April 3, 2009.

From the Town Talk page:

LOST DOG FOUND!

Comments

We would like to thank all the nice people who phoned & helped us find our dog. She is home safe and we are glad so many people were concerned about her! THANKS TO ALL!

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

Cheerleaders Qualify for State Championship

 

March 10, 2-009 — For the first time in nearly 7 years the Hopkinton Varsity Cheerleading Squad placed 2nd at the South Section Regional Championship, beating defending state champions East Bridgewater and TVL rivals Medway High School.  In addition to their placement their score qualified them to attend the Division 3 State Championship this Sunday, March 15th at Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School. 

 

The cheerleaders have had a very successful season with many first place finishes as well as the Tri Valley League Sportsmanship Award. Contributed content.

   

MILFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thomas J. O’Loughlin

Chief of Police

SCAM ALERT

 

(Milford, MA.) March 10, 2009 —The Milford Police Department would like to inform citizens of an ongoing scam called “Advance Fee Scheme”.

 

In this type of scam there is communication made through telephone calls, letters or email that someone has won a lottery or sweepstakes and there is a request that the recipient has to pay some fee in advance in order to collect a greater substantial prize, usually cash, or they have to call back to a specified telephone number.

 

In one recent complaint a Milford citizen received a telephone call from the following telephone number (876) 678-6750 where the caller left a message giving a false name saying that the citizen had won some type of winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes and to call back for more information. This telephone number was tracked to Jamaica. If the Milford resident returned a call to this number he would have been charged a $100.00 service fee on his telephone account simply for the call.

 

These scams are limited only to the imagination of the con artists who will ask for an advance fee to cover certain costs such as taxes or shipping costs to collect an even greater prize or they may ask for your bank account information or ask that you send advance fees via Western Union.

 

Some of these con artists have even used middle-men here in the United States to collect fee’s and to avoid suspicion about their illegitimacy.

 

We recommend that you do not call back these telephone numbers in the (876) area and never give out your financial information to anyone calling from these telephone numbers.

 

Con artists will continue to get creative in their attempts to lie, cheat and steal money from potential victims. They often target the elderly and do so from far away in foreign jurisdictions where there is little risk for them to be arrested and/or prosecuted.

 

Knowledge and prevention is the best defense from these scam artists; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Avoid being victimized; con artists spend considerable time practicing the art of persuasion to con people out of their money.

 

Don’t become a victim.

 

Don’t make any quick decisions after talking with someone you did not know previously. This will only increase your chances of becoming a victim of fraud. Fully investigate and talk with other people to check the source and legitimacy of the caller.

 

Don’t return calls if you did not ask for the service or product or if the telephone number is outside of the United States (e.g. the (876) telephone exchange is in Jamaica.

 

Don’t send cash or give out your credit card or bank account information to anyone that you did not contact first.

 

Don’t pay for fees in advance to receiving some type of winnings.

 

Don’t become a victim. If you suspect something is wrong then consult with a trusted family member, your attorney, your bank or the police before you act.

 

If you believe that you have been a victim of sweepstakes or lottery fraud or know someone else who has been, reporting the scam to the proper authorities may help in the apprehension of those responsible or it may help prevent others from being victimized. Some agencies you can contact include: The Internet Crime Complaint Center, United States Postal Service, Federal Trade Commission and your Local Police.

 

  H   O   M   E   S         H   O   M   E   S        H   O   M   E   S         H   O   M   E   S

Speranza Ethics Commission Proceeding Dismissed

Speranza cleared of violation

 

March 10, 2009 — The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission today issued an Order ("Order") vacating its reasonable cause finding and terminating the adjudicatory proceeding in the matter involving Hopkinton Conservation Commission ("ConCom") member and Community Preservation Committee ("CPC") member Jack Speranza ("Speranza").  The Commission's Order states that its determination is based on new information learned after the adjudicatory proceeding commenced. 

According to the Order, the adjudicatory proceeding was initiated on June 12, 2007, when the Commission's Enforcement Division alleged in an Order to Show Cause ("OTSC") that Speranza violated § 17 of G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law.  The OTSC alleged that on October 5, 2006, Speranza asked the Commission's Legal Division for advice as to whether he could act as a private
attorney on behalf of a group of town residents ("Petitioners") who wanted to file a suit against the town regarding the CPC's proposed purchase of a parcel for open space[Whitehall Purchase].  Speranza was advised that G.L. c. 268A, § 17 prohibited him from so acting.  Then, on October 12, 2006, Speranza, acting as a private attorney on behalf of the Petitioners, filed a court petition against the town and obtained a temporary restraining order.  Subsequently, Speranza, acting as a private attorney on behalf of the Petitioners, signed a stipulation agreement regarding the restraining order, filed a memorandum in support of continuing the injunction, and signed and filed a stipulation of dismissal.

The Commission's Order states that on November 7, 2007, Speranza filed an affidavit with the Commission which provided new and detailed information about Speranza's concerns about the various appraisals of the parcel, that the proposed purchase might violate state law and that Speranza was acting to fulfill the obligations of his oath as a town employee.  The affidavit also described the information he provided and the questions he posed when he called the Commission's Legal Division for advice. 

The Commission states in the Order, "[b]ased on our review of Speranza's affidavit which provides a fuller factual presentation of the unusual underlying circumstances in this matter, we now find that, had such facts been known to us previously, we would not have found reasonable cause and authorized an adjudicatory proceeding.  The facts supporting our finding include the following:  Speranza's concerns about the appraisal process; his actions were taken in an effort to protect the public interest in ensuring the Town's compliance with the relevant statutory requirements rather than his own personal or private interests; the efforts Speranza made to comply with the conflict of interest law by seeking advice; the absence of any personal financial gain to him as a result of his representation of the petitioners; and Speranza's reporting of his actions to the Commission. These facts taken together in this unique situation warrant the exercise of our discretion to vacate our prior finding of reasonable cause and authorization of an adjudicatory proceeding.  Accordingly, we hereby vacate the prior finding of reasonable cause and the authorization of adjudicatory proceedings."

"The Commission has the authority to find reasonable cause to believe that the conflict of interest law has been violated, and to authorize adjudicatory proceedings," stated Executive Director Karen L. Nober.  "The Commission, however, may in its discretion revisit those decisions when new information that would have affected an earlier decision becomes available. In this case, based on the unique and specific facts of this matter, including the fact that Mr. Speranza acted in an effort to protect the public interest and not for any personal gain, the Commission determined that terminating these proceedings at this time was the correct and fair course of action."

 

[This is the full document from the commission]

HopNews File photo

Two More People Take Out nomination Papers

 

Planning Board Unexpired term,  1 yr.  2010

David Auslander (N), 16 Hearthstone Rd. - U

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Health 3 years

(no pic)      Paul J. Wright M.D. (N), 28 Hayden Rowe St. - Rep

 

o see a list iof everyone who has taken out papers, check out: Elect 2009

 Services for the Home

Cupola Shortened

March 10, 2009 — Jesse Walsh of Jesse Walsh Construction and Services holds a piece he removed from all around the cupola of the new Veteran's Memorial Gazebo that is under construction on Hopkinton common. The cupola was lowered after complaints about its height and symbolism from passersby grew to a near frenzy following its original construction.

     According to Timothy Kilduff, President of the Hopkinton Athletic association, the structure will be complete before this year's Boston Marathon.

Hopkinton is Full of Sunshine!

Recycling Water

March 10, 2009 — Yesterday's snow tries fruitlessly to hang on to the bush's new growth as this morning's sun turns it into water that will fall into the soil above the roots that will then drink it in.

Family Fun Day – Health and Wellness Fair

Hopkinton High School

 Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

 

Back by popular demand!  Join us at Hopkinton High School for the seventh annual Family Fun Day and Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  The event offers over 30 groups, organizations and businesses that support and promote health, safety, and fitness in a variety of ways.  Visit the many wonderful booths, participate in exciting activities, and get your health and fitness questions answered.  There is something for everyone, no matter what your age. 

 

Try to “walk the line” wearing fatal vision goggles.  Blood pressure checks, chair massage, and moon bouncing are just a few of the exciting activities. Protecting your skin from sun damage, nutrition, relaxation, and more...

 

If you have children, we’re offering child safety photo IDs and fingerprints for your home files.  Remember to set aside some time to join us and you’ll walk away with a multitude of information!  Questions? Please contact jleach@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

HopNews 2007 file photo

Match each word in the left column with its synonym on the right. When finished, click Answer to see the results. Good luck!

 

Check out our Free Daily button, always above, for fun facts.

   

 

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