Page 3

"The News Starts Here!"

24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Editor@HopNews.com  508-435-5534

Updated: March 18, 2013 02:53:54 PM

Traffic Enforcement

September 24, 2009 — Officer Matthew McNeil, operating the motorcycle cruiser, and conducting traffic enforcement at the corner of Grove and Main Streets, writes a warning for a red light violation to a Taunton driver, who pulled into Colella's lot after Officer McNeil lit up his lights.

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Ash on Ash

September 24, 2009 — An Ash Street homeowner had this 150 year-old ash tree in her backyard taken down just in time. The tree company made a single cut, and the tree collapsed, she said, due to its diseased, hollow and rotted condition. In addition, vines were growing in the hollow trunk, and one or more animals were living in it.

 News in the Commonwealth

 

State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges that

Former Milford Board of Sewer Commissioners member

 Scott Lanzetta Violated the Conflict of Interest Law

 

Lanzetta allegedly performed sewer work for property owners

 that required permits from his board

  

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division, in an Order to Show Cause (“OTSC”) filed Tuesday, alleged that former Milford Board of Sewer Commissioners (“BSC”) member Scott Lanzetta (“Lanzetta”) violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by receiving compensation from property owners for sewer connection work that required permits issued by the BSC. 

 

According to the OTSC, between 2005 and 2007, while a BSC member receiving an $1,800 yearly stipend from the town, Lanzetta and/or his company, Lanzetta Excavating, LLC, completed 17 sewer connections for property owners.  The BSC issued permits, conducted inspections and approved the sewer connection work.  Lanzetta and/or Lanzetta Excavating, LLC., was paid between $1,000 and $5,000 for each job.

 

Section 17(a) of the conflict of interest law prohibits a municipal employee from receiving compensation from anyone other than the municipality in connection with any matter in which the municipality is a party or has a direct and substantial interest.  By allegedly performing sewer connections in the town and being paid by the property owners for the work, where the work required permits and inspections by the town board of which Lanzetta was a member, Lanzetta allegedly violated section 17(a).  

 

The Ethics Commission can impose civil penalties of up to $2,000 for a violation of the conflict of interest law.  The Commission will schedule a public hearing into this matter within 90 days.

 News in the Commonwealth

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTHA COAKLEY’S OFFICE REACHES $3 Million AGREEMENT WITH WAL-MART TO settle claims the company violated the Massachusetts meal break law

           

            BOSTON – September 24, 2009 — Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announces that it has reached a settlement agreement with Bentonville, Arkansas based Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) to resolve allegations that the company failed to properly comply with the Massachusetts Meal Break Law.  The company has agreed to pay $3,000,000 to the Commonwealth to resolve all outstanding allegations asserted by the Attorney General.

             The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division opened an investigation into Wal-Mart’s meal break policies after workers reported that they were required to work through their meal breaks, take meal breaks after they had worked over six hours, or spent less than thirty minutes on their meal breaks.  Under the Massachusetts Meal Break Law, employers cannot require employees to work more than six hours without a thirty minute meal break.  During the thirty minute period, employees must be relieved of all duties and must be free to leave the work premises.  The Massachusetts Meal Break Law does not mandate damages or restitution for workers. After being contacted by the Attorney General’s Office, Wal-Mart cooperated fully with the investigation and has re-affirmed its commitment to comply with all wage and hour laws. 

             The Attorney General’s Office is responsible for enforcing the laws regulating the payment of wages, meal breaks and overtime and misclassification of employees in the Commonwealth. Workers who believe that their rights have been violated are strongly urged to call the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465.  More information about the state’s wage and hour laws is also available in multiple languages at the Attorney General’s Workplace Rights website: www.massworkrights.com

            The matter was settled by Assistant Attorney General Joanne Goldstein, Chief of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, Assistant Attorney General Bruce Trager and Attorney Lauren Goldman, all of Attorney General Coakley’s Fair Labor Division.

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 3rd Annual Hopkinton Community

 Spelling Bee
 November 6, 2009 6:00-8:00 pm
 Hopkins Cafetorium
 

 HopkintonSpellingBee.info

ST. PAUL’S 18TH ANNUAL “BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS”

OCTOBER 4 - 10:00 a.m.

HOPKINTON, MA (September 24, 2009) – Creatures of all species – including four-legged friends or feathered fowl -- are invited to receive a special blessing at St. Paul’s 18th Annual Blessing of the Animals on October 4.

 

All dogs, cats, and others of God’s creatures – and their human friends – are invited to a special ceremony being held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 61 Wood Street (Rte 135) in Hopkinton. This year the Blessing of the Animals is being done in a joint service with Grace United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. (also located at 61 Wood Street), followed by a “Pet Friendly” service of the Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

The Tournament At Hopkinton

Hosted by:

Hopkinton Police Local 254

&

Hopkinton Chamber Of Commerce

HOPKINTON COUNTRY CLUB

October 5, 2009

204 Saddle Hill Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748

 9:00 AM Check-in 10:00 AM Shotgun Start

 

Player/Sponsor registration

Player registration

 

Double Fatal Single-vehicle Crash on Route 495 South in Bolton 

No occupants were wearing safety belts

   UPDATE  

September 24, 2009 — Preliminary investigation by Trooper Matthew Clark indicates that 29-year-old Ramkishor Sadu of West Haven, Connecticut was operating a 2009 Hyundai Accent on Route 495 South in Bolton when his vehicle lost control, exited the road to the left, and rolled over before coming to rest against a tree in the median.  Ramkishor was trapped in the vehicle after the crash and was transported by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with serious injuries.  A male rear seat passenger, 43-year-old Venkat Reddy Enukonda of India, was also trapped inside the vehicle after the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  A female rear seat passenger, 51-year-old Bhagya Lakshimi Beeram of India, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was transported by ambulance with serious injuries to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where she was later pronounced deceased.  A third rear seat passenger, 28-year-old Sripal Enukonda of West Haven, Connecticut, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was transported by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with serious injuries.  The front seat passenger, 28-year-old Sankarsh Reddy of Ruston, Louisiana, was also ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was transported by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with serious injuries.  None of the occupants of the Hyundai were wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash. 

 

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 Bolton Fire Department, Bolton Police Department, Berlin Fire Department, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and MassHighway assisted Troopers at the scene. 

 

In order to accommodate the safe landing of the medical helicopter and a portion of the crash investigation, Route 495 South was completely closed for approximately 1½ hours.  During this time, traffic was diverted off of Route 495 South onto Route 117 at exit 27.  Due to the continued crash investigation and vehicle removal, the left and middle lanes of Route 495 South were closed for an additional 2½ hours.   

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Foxborough Teacher Sentenced to 70 Months for Possession of Child Pornography

Hopkinton Police aided in investigation

 

BOSTON, MA — September 24, 2009 - A Milford man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court for possession of child pornography.

 

Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced in a press release today that GREGG WOODWARD, age 47, of Milford, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 70 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 7 years of supervised release. WOODWARD pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on January 30, 2009.

 

At the earlier plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that, had the case proceeded to trial, the Government’s evidence would have proven that the defendant, a high school English teacher at Foxborough High School, had been viewing and downloading images of child pornography for years. The defendant possessed thousands of images of child pornography on his home computers. Some of the images depicted young girls, under the age of 12, engaged in sexual acts with adult men.

 

Some of the minors were known to the government and provided victim impact statements which were read at the sentencing hearing. At the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor also mentioned that, while incarcerated pending his sentencing hearing, WOODWARD created stories and hand drawn illustrations of young girls being raped, tortured and mutilated. The defendant distributed some of those drawings to other inmates.

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Milford Police Department, the Douglas Police Department, the Hopkinton Police Department and the Foxborough Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Bell of Loucks’ Worcester Branch Office.

Kids, Alcohol

Tips For Parents

 

by Jane Roche, Co-Director The beFREE! Project

September 23, 2009 — As parents we all want to keep our kids safe and a large part of teenage safety is keeping kids from using alcohol. As recent events at the high school indicate, that’s not always easy to do. Here are a few proven strategies that parents can use to decrease the chance that your child will use alcohol.

· Talk with your child: Research shows that the number one reason kids give for not using alcohol is their parents. You may not think they are listening but they are. Talk to them about why it is important not to drink. Start when they are young and keep talking throughout their teen years.

· Monitor their activities: Know where your kids are and who they are with and ensure that there is proper adult supervision. Call parents to be sure that they will be home whether it’s a party, a pre-dance get together or a sleepover.

· Model good behavior: Your kids listen to what you say but they also watch what you do. Set a good example. Your teen will notice the decisions you make about alcohol use.

· Control access to liquor in your home: The majority of middle and high school students who drink get that liquor from their parents’ home. Take a few simple steps to prevent this from happening. First, throw away any alcohol you never use because if it is taken you will never notice it. Second, move liquor away from remote locations like a refrigerator in the basement or the garage. It’s too easy for you child or one of their friends to take liquor from these places unnoticed. Finally, keep your liquor secure. The best way is to lock it up. If you don’t lock it, then know what you have, check it regularly, and let your kids know you monitor your alcohol.

· Set limits and impose consequences: Clearly communicate your rules and expectation and the consequences of violating them. Be sure to follow through with those consequences when the rules are broken. Even the best kids will make mistakes and when they do they need to learn from those mistakes and realize that there are consequences for their actions.

· Talk to other parents: We’ve all heard the complaint “You’re the only parent who…” either calls other parents, imposes a curfew, etc. The reality is there are many other parents like you out there and you need to work together to keep your children safe. Call each other, check up on what your kids are doing, and above all, share information you have with other parents. It could save a child’s life…and that child may be yours.

Regardless of what they tell you, you really can influence your teenager.

The beFREE! Project, a drug and alcohol prevention coalition, sponsors parent coffees that provide information and strategies for preventing youth substance abuse. If you would like to host or attend a coffee, please contact Jane Roche at befreeproject@gmail.com

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Hopkinton vs. Medway

September 23, 2009 — Cecily Boyce jumps up to where the air is thin, today at Hopkinton High School as they hosted Medway.

Congratulations to the Hopkinton HS volleyball team which beat Medway in a packed gymnasium. The excitement and tension was the highest I've seen in a long time. It was a real nail biter with very close sets. Hopk 25-23, Medw 25-20, Hopk 28-26, Hopk 26-24 ~ Mister VBall

Color Shift

September 23, 2009 — The summery colors of manmade things — clothing, transportation and accessories — will soon seem muted as nature takes over the color scheme for a brief time. The canoes and boats will be dry-docked soon, yielding the attention of the onlooker to the trees on the opposite shore as they will soon be bursting with color.

Snappy Dogs

September 23, 2009 — Hopkinton residents Teresa Boyce ("I'm the tallest") and Lisa Hachey are working to open their hot dog business by Saturday, to take advantage of the PolyArts crowd that will come to town, and have their debut to the town at the same time in the southeast corner of Colella's property, adjacent to Colella's main lot.

       Their converted landscape trailer has been adorned with large pine boards cut to order and finished with labors of love, as well as a sink and cabinets from the Fifties.

        The two women have previously worked together at the former Sauce on Main.

        They promise to offer hot dogs like no others.

PolyArts

Town Common

Saturday, September 26, 2009

10: am - 4:00 pm

Click on Map to see Legend

Hopkinton PolyArts Festival is on September 26th from 10A – 4P on the Hopkinton Common.   Come join us for this family friendly event that supports the many non profits charities of Hopkinton.  Enjoy the assortment of hand crafted unique items.  It is never too early to start that Christmas shopping!

Frances "Fran" Esler, 92

 

Frances "Fran" Esler, 92of Hopkinton, died Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Born in East Rochester, NY., she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Caroline (Weinman) Youngjohn. She was the beloved wife of Fred Esler for 69 years until he passed away in June of 2009.

Fran was the last living of 10 siblings; Elmer, Leland, Earl, Amos, Lillian, Irma, Beatrice, Ruth and Robert. She was the oldest girl in the family.

Fran was a bookkeeper and business partner at the many Esler stores selling records, TVs, stereo equipment, hardware, appliances and radios. She ran the business during WWII while Fred was away working on the top secret Manhattan Project. Fran was an excellent cook and a quilter. She belonged to the quilt club in Walworth, NY. She loved being a grandmother and enjoyed travel. She was happy to board a ship or an airplane to many destinations. In the early 1990's Fran and Fred relocated to Hopkinton, MA to be near family. Fran spent the last months of her life at Golden Pond Assisted Living in Hopkinton.

She is lovingly remembered and survived by her daughter, Carol Esler, son in law Don Keiser and grandson Cody Esler Keiser. A memorial service will be held October 4, 2009 at 3pm at the Unitarian Universalist Area church in Sherborn, MA. Funeral Arrangements are from the
Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St. Hopkinton, MA. 01748

Tax increase to Fill Budget Hole

Resident warned of trespass final time

 

by Heather Kelley

September 23, 2009 — A downward change in estimates of revenues due to the town, including a $225,516 reduction in state aid, leaves Hopkinton with a budget hole that town residents will have to fill with a tax increase. Chairman Brian Herr reminded the Board that residents had been warned at Town Meeting last spring that, while the goal was to not raise taxes in this economic downturn, nevertheless measures would have to be taken if intake fell short of projections. The town is now at that point of having to balance the $60 million budget. The increase will be well within the bounds of Proposition 2 ½, a measure passed in 1980 that prohibits Massachusetts towns from raising property taxes more than 2.5% per year.

 

In a final effort at diplomacy, the selectmen voted to have Chairman Herr personally speak to a resident who currently has private property located on town land in the Whitehall Conservation Area. According to testimony from John Coolidge, Chairman of the Open Space Preservation Commission, the town has “been trying for six months, if not ten, to get this resolved.”

 

At issue are a wood pile and other items being stored by Craig Nation on town property, said Mr. Coolidge. While many selectmen were ready to send a strongly worded letter, Selectman Michelle Gates persuaded the rest of the board to take one last gentler approach, citing Nation’s volunteer service to the town, including service on town boards. The Board agreed that if compliance were not forthcoming by October 6, 2009, then the letter would be sent.

 

Further clarifications on the proposed new role of a Director of Land Use, Licensing and Permitting Office were offered by Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Maryrose DeGroot, Human Resources Director. Khumalo emphasized that the point of creating this new directorship is to “enhance business processes,” stating that “we do not intend to interfere” with the day to day operations of the individual departments that would be organized into a larger working group.

 

A lengthy consent agenda was passed, including acceptance of a gift of $8,019 from the Hopkinton Athletic Association for ten years of maintenance and insurance for the George V. Brown sculpture. Also included was the approval of two entertainment licenses for the new restaurants coming to town. Marathon Restaurant at North Pond was approved for one radio and eleven television sets, while Zio Bistro obtained approval for one television.

 

Michelle Gates asked that a request made by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston be removed from the consent agenda for further discussion. At issue was a proclamation celebrating United Nations Day on October 24. While Matt Zettek moved that the Board recognize United Nations Day, Gates expressed concern that one of the items on the sample proclamation was critical of the United States. The proclamation states that “The United States has yet to live up too [sic] many of its trade guarantees,” and “provides substantially less foreign aid as a percentage of Gross National Income than its Western European peers.”

 

“I feel uncomfortable with that, Mr. Chairman,” stated Gates. The motion received no second from the three other Selectmen in attendance, and the motion died on the table.

 

Hopkinton youth sports may soon be able to play on the long-anticipated Fruit Street fields. Town Manager Khumalo reported that he anticipates a lease between the town and Hopkinton Youth Soccer will be signed within two weeks. “Can you estimate when a shovel will go in the ground?” asked Brian Herr. Khumalo replied in the negative, but indicated that after the signing and a site review, that planning would be able to move forward quickly.

 

Paul Mathews presented an update on the 495/MetroWest Partnership, a public-private initiative comprised of communities and businesses along the I-495 corridor.

 

Selectman Todd Cestari presented a draft of a resource guide to the procedures of the Board, intended to codify and clarify how the Board undertakes business.

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Girls vs. Medway

September 22, 2009 — The girl's varsity soccer team hosted Medway this afternoon.

Solitude

September 22, 2009  — Thanks to Janice McIntyre for sharing this photo of the fog at Pout Rock (and a bird) taken this week. Mouse over the image to see a negative image, much like an infrared image.

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Native American Seeks Acknowledgement of Past

Native American David Tallpine White stopped by the HopNews studio a couple of weeks ago to discuss the feeling he and others have about internment of Native Americans and the subsequent banishment of the Praying Indians to Deer Island in Boston Harbor.

 

He would like acknowledgement of the internment of the natives, and believes that the state should pay for a memorial for those who passed. He also believes that  there are agreements in place today that are not being honored.

 

He says that Hopkinton was a Praying Indian town called Magunkaquog. See part one of the interview above.

Police News UP-TO-DATE  September 14, 2009

Click above for full report in prose.

Click here for raw log

 

4:54 pm A Dale Road caller reported witnessing three teens attempting to steal his canoe. The caller chased them, causing them to drop the canoe and flee in a vehicle at a high rate of speed..

 

8:40 am A woman who struck a telephone pole on Saddle Hill Road said that she was forced off of the road by a speeding school bus...

 

6:54 pm A 911 caller reported a suspicious backpack behind Center School...

Hopkinton 2, Hopedale 0

 

September 21, 2009 — Mallory Bannon charges downfield against Hopedale this afternoon.

Here is the Field Hockey Roster

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LOST CAT

 

Ziggy is a light gray with stripes adult male cat lost on the Woodville end of Winter street.  If you find it, call 508-435-5534 to reunite it with the owner.

Get the New Roof on Before the Winter (We did)

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Reach the Beach Relay

This past weekend, Hopkinton Running Club members participated in the Reach the Beach Relay race.  Reach the Beach is a 200-mile running relay race/adventure in which participants’ race from Cannon Mountain to Hampton Beach in 24 hours.  Once again, the Hopkinton Running Club had two teams participating, one team of 12 members, and this year, we had an “ultra” team of 6 members.  Pictured in the photo is most of the 12-person team enjoying some sunshine at the finish. ~ Contributed by Running Club

Did Not Get Away!

September 21, 2009 — Jim Troupes had no need for fish stories in Cape Cod Bay yesterday, as a picture tells a thousand words, and ruler and scale provided further proof of a 44", 28 lb striped bass .

 

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Powwow in Upton

Native American Storyteller explains why dogs can only bark

 

September 21, 2009 — Native Americans from several groups spent two days in a powwow at Sweet William Farm in Upton. In the video above, a native dances in a circle to a very alluring drum beat and chant, while onlookers sit on the fringe. Then, a storyteller reveals to HopNews readers why dogs cannot speak, but are limited to barking.

     Many people who visit the farm, some from Hopkinton, say it is a very special, perhaps even spiritual, place. The storyteller said she could sense her ancestors there.

Fire Averted

September 20, 2009 — As the setting sun cast an orange glow across the tree tops this evening, an off-duty firefighter saw glowing sparks emitting from beneath the vehicle above and got the driver (in camouflage) to pull over and shut the vehicle off.

     The near-fire was likely caused by a faulty catalytic converter, because, the driver explained, the car was also losing power, which is a sign of a plugged catalytic converter, a very dangerous condition.

     Above, Lt. Gross escorts the soldier back to her vehicle.

If a Tree Falls...

September 20, 2009 — It is unclear whether or not anyone actually heard this tree fall across the walk while Hopkinton State Park was open, but it is certain, as well as fortunate, that no one was near it on this apparently slow day last week. Photo contributed by devoted reader.

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Representative Dykema Comments on Interim Senator Vote

 

Dear residents and voters of the 8th Middlesex District,

 

As you may know, Thursday night I voted against legislation that would provide for an interim appointment to the US Senate until a special election is held in January. Thanks to many of you who have voiced your opinion on this issue and I appreciate this chance to share with you the reasons behind my vote.

 

Underlying my vote is my respect for our democracy and the democratic process. While our party system encourages vigorous debate, it also relies on mutual respect and confidence that the framework of laws that guide the debate are fair and just for all, regardless of party affiliation. Each one of us has a stake in defending this principle because if we can't trust the fairness of the process for making our laws, we can lose our trust in the laws themselves.

 

My vote against the interim appointment was not a vote for or against any political party or any policy position. It was a vote for deliberative policymaking and against what I viewed as lawmaking of convenience, seemingly to fit the situation at hand, not driven by our long-term interests.

 

I believe that as a state and a society we need to move beyond partisan positions, listen to each other, and have rational and substantial discussion about solutions to the many challenges that face us. At the heart of this discussion must be a trust that we are all working for the greater good. That when our government makes laws we all agree to abide by them, not seek to change them when they do not serve our individual interests, whatever they may be. After carefully considering all the implications of this vote, I concluded that any benefits to our state from an interim appointment would be significantly outweighed by the cost in public trust. And we cannot afford to jeopardize this trust, especially with the many challenges that lie ahead.

 

If you would like to speak with me personally, I would welcome your call. (617-722-2210)

 

Respectfully,

Carolyn Dykema

September 18, 2009

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Azure

September 19, 2009 — The brilliant blue sky and its reflection upon the Hopkinton Reservoir early this evening attracted people like this young woman from Southborough, who sought the solace of the space, a bottle of Coke, and an escape from her penchant for texting (But she texted nonetheless).

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Poll Results

"Has Racism Entered into Presidential Politics in Even the Smallest Measure?" is what the poll asked. The slimmest majority answered in the affirmative.

 

What is very surprising to the Editor is that nearly 44% answered "no" just above a doctored photo that has been circulating all over the internet of President Obama dressed as an African witch doctor. Not an Celtic pagan or a North American Wiccan, but an AFRICAN witch doctor.

 

Why, in the face of such evidence, would over 40% of the respondents deny it?

 

The answer to that would need a poll in itself.

For the Benefit of...

September  19, 2009 — These pretty girls at the corner of Main and Hayden Rowe Streets directed passersby to 4 Hayden Rowe Street, where a yard sale to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation took place on Saturday.

 Middlesex Crime

AG Coakley Files Suit Against Acton Developers

Allegedly concealed profits in scheme

 

            WOBURN- September 18, 2009 — Attorney General Martha Coakley’s (File photo) Office has filed a lawsuit against Acton-based Crossroads Development LLC (“Crossroads”), its owners James Fenton and Michael Jeanson, as well as a related contractor, James Fenton & Son Contracting, Inc. (JF&S) for violating the False Claims Act (FCA) in connection with falsifying cost statements and profits on an affordable housing development in Acton

 

In the complaint filed in Middlesex Superior Court, the Attorney General’s Office alleges that the defendants submitted a false cost certification to the Town of Acton in connection with the development of the 12-unit affordable housing complex located on Main Street known as “Crossroads.”  As a result, the developers fraudulently concealed a large sum of money owed to Acton’s Affordable Housing Fund. 

 

Chapter 40B—the state’s affordable housing law—encourages the development of affordable housing by granting developers waivers from zoning and other local ordinances and bylaws in return for a commitment to earn a limited development profit. Under Chapter 40B, those developers who benefit from the advantages of the law are limited to a reasonable profit on the affordable housing projects they develop.  In this case, Crossroads had an agreement with the Town of Acton that capped its profits at 20 percent of the development costs and any profit above the allowable profit was to be paid to the town’s affordable housing fund. 

 

According to the complaint, Crossroads and its principals included costs in its report for services not actually incurred and inflated costs on the project in order to pocket profits and circumvent the 20 percent profit cap allowed under the state’s affordable housing law.  The defendants claimed they earned less than a 20 percent development profit, when actual profit was much higher. The complaint alleges costs for the project were estimated at approximately $2.7 million with the developers’ profit capped at $530,400. However, Jeanson and Fenton exceeded that threshold by adding an additional 10 percent global surcharge to the site work through JF&S, the site work contractor owned by Fenton, charging impermissible amounts for development fees, charging for labor, equipment and fees that were never provided, and charging  rates that far exceed costs that were actually paid. None of these excess charges were disclosed.

 

The complaint also alleges the defendants sold one of the condominiums to an entity they owned at a price lower than market value and then promptly resold the unit at market rate, making $50,000 on the resale. The developers fraudulently concealed this profit.  Jeanson and Fenton also charged excessive overhead costs by adding on a baseless 10 percent surcharge to JF&S billing rates, which already included overhead and profit.

           

            The Attorney General’s Office began investigating this case last fall after a referral from the Inspector General’s Office. The False Claims Act gives the Attorney General the authority to recover, on behalf of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, such as cities and towns, triple damages and civil penalties from those who defraud the state or its political subdivisions.  The Attorney General’s Office seeks to recover these sums for the Commonwealth and the Town of Acton, as well as seeking multiple damages and fines.  

 

            This case was developed through the cooperation and collaborative investigation of the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General. It is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Matthew T. Connolly with assistance from Legal Analyst Jeffrey Walker of Attorney General Coakley’s Consumer Protection Division.

Lottery Proposed for Full-time Kindergarten

by Heather Kelley

September 18, 2009 — A full-day Kindergarten pilot program consisting of one classroom is a possibility for the 2010-2011 school year. Jennifer Parson, Center School principal, presented an update from the Full-Day Kindergarten Implementation Team, and fielded questions from the School Committee at last night’s meeting. Working on “putting together our philosophy of Kindergarten,” Parson noted that the team of teachers and administrators is enthusiastic about the pilot. Meeting over the summer, the group has been building two parallel schedules, showing how a full-day Kindergarten would compare to the half-day classrooms. While both schedules contain the same “big ideas,” the full-day option would be more in-depth, allowing for more enrichment and remediation. Still to be determined would be the tuition for the program, a lottery system to decide which children would have spots in the classroom, and a deposit and payment schedule. A currently proposed timeline would hold the lottery during the first week in February.

 

Asked about the costs and benefits of a full-day program, Parson replied, “My style would be a cautious one.” Addressing the possibility, raised by Committee Member Troy Mick, of having two pilot classrooms, Parson replied that the Implementation Team was not willing to risk the overcrowding of other rooms as a result of the pilot study, and that one classroom would be their recommendation. Parson went on to explain that eleven half-day classrooms of Kindergarten are projected for next year; as this would require six physical classrooms, even if a pilot study didn’t happen, the team was in agreement that there was no sense in leaving one classroom empty for half of each day. A meeting with a parent sub-committee is scheduled for October 6, and a full proposal to the School Committee is due in November.

 

Honoring long-time football coach David Hughes, the Committee voted to spend $1,975 on a sixteen-foot-long sign that will soon grace the high school stadium. A more expensive sign, with a $3,075 price tag, was turned down. “Fiscal information tells me we should be smart. And smart to me is the price that’s less,” said Committee Chair Nancy Burdick. The David M. Hughes Stadium sign will be unveiled at the upcoming dedication ceremony.

 

Alyson Geary, principal at the High School, presented the school’s report from NEASC, the regional accrediting association that serves New England schools. Fourteen educators from around New England came to Hopkinton for a four-day site visit last spring. Geary cited many commendations, including kudos for the Atlas Rubicon curriculum website database. While NEASC did have some recommended courses of action for the school to take, according to Geary, none of them would have a budgetary impact upon implementation.

 

The Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee, as part of the Center School project, needs to decide whether it will seek to work on an early childhood building housing pre-K and Kindergarten, or whether it will be working on an elementary school building. In either case, the projected opening date of any new school has been pushed out to September 2013. At play in the decision are factors such as whether the town will district the school system at the elementary level, and whether full-day Kindergarten will be offered.

Paul A. Martin, 70

 

Paul A. Martin, 70, of Hopkinton, died Thursday, September 17, 2009. Born in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Louis D. and Lucia (Dupont) Martin. He was the beloved husband of Rosalie (Seward) Martin of Hopkinton.

A longtime Hopkinton resident, he enjoyed traveling and the Hopkinton Senior Center. He stayed close with childhood friends and had close ties with his whole family. Paul was an avid Pats Fan and gardener.

Besides his wife of 51 years, he is survived by 3 daughters, Laura Robbins and her husband Gary of New Boston, N.H.; Roseann Bond and her husband David of Dudley, MA; Debra Hartland and her husband Glenn of Linwood, MA; 3 brothers, Gerard of Danvers, Joseph of Hopkinton and Louis of FL; 5 sisters, Carmen of Revere; Dolores of Andover; Ida of Nevada; Pauline of Cambridge; and Lucy of FL. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. He is predeceased by a sister, Frances.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 2pm-6pm at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St.
www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Seniors, 28
Mayhew St. Hopkinton, MA. 01748 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Hopkinton 14, Arch Bishop Williams 25

September 18, 2009 — Hopkinton suffered their second defeat of the season on Thursday evening, this time at the hands of Arch Bishop Williams in Braintree. Above, Jack Daly pushes hard for a few yards on a drive downfield.

Hiller Varsity Football Team & Cheerleading Roster

Cheers!

September 18, 2009 — No matter the score on the field, the Hillers are always winners to this group, who posed spontaneously on Thursday evening in Braintree.

Get the New Roof on Before the Winter

Call Hurricane today!

 

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