7:35
pm A North Mill Street caller complained that the snow banks on his
property are too high exiting his driveway, making it unsafe...
3:20
pm A caller complained that a dog was left in a vehicle...
6:10
pm A Frankland Road caller reported that a man walking in the middle
of the road who appeared to have urinated on himself...
12:30
am Heavy equipment scraping ice in a South Street parking lot...
Happy St.
Valentine's Day
February 14,
2011 — A snow artist carved this huge heart for a favorite someone in
his yard at the corner of two streets; the shovel is a makeshift arrow.
The yard is blurred and the location kept secret in case the person has
yet to see it.
Ready to Relay?
The Relay for Life
Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/16 in the High School
Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. The committee is looking for student
volunteers and chaperones. Last year, Hopkinton raised just under
$175,000, and nearly 1500 community members came together for this American
Cancer Society fundraising event. Please attend the Kickoff for
information on Hopkinton's Relay, and learn how to get involved.
Wayne
R. Davies, Esq., CFP was awarded the FIVE
STAR Wealth ManagerSM distinction for 2011.
Nominated by high net-worth individuals and financial services industry
professionals for the second year in a row, Mr. Davies is among just 3%
of wealth managers in the Boston area to be honored with this award this
year.
Mr. Davies appeared in the February 2011
issue of Boston Magazine.
What does it mean to be named a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager?
What
does it mean to be named a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager?
February 2, 2011 — This possum found its way into the bird feeder of
Michael Skrzypczak this afternoon and got shot with a camera. This
usually nocturnal animal is North America's only marsupial, which
carries its newborns in a pouch like a kangaroo. Sometimes, when a
nocturnal animal such as a possum or a raccoon is out during the day,
it is because they are ill. People are advised to stay away from them.
Photo by Michael Skrzypczak.
Pack 97
Pinewood Derby 2011
February 12,
2011 — Michael Greystone receives a trophy for First Place in his
category Saturday afternoon during Pack 97 2011 Pinewood Derby. See a
demonstration, a race, and a narrative by Aidan Busconi in HD, below.
Picture in a
Picture
February 12,
2011 — These friends had their moment in the middle of Hopkinton
Reservoir memorialized by a friend, left, while the HopNews photographer
captured all of them in an image, unbeknownst to them until now.
February
12, 2011 — Hopkinton High's basketball team overtook the Westwood
Wolverines in the closing minutes of Westwood's Senior Night Friday,
68-62. Composite photos by Vicki
Francis.
Circa 1957
February 12,
2011 — The Braves had some renown players who have not changed in over
50 years. Those who know them will immediately recognize Paul Sheahan on
the far left and Porky Tyler to his left. Know any others? Let us know
and we'll add their names here. Photo compliments of Pete Marso.
On the Stump
February 11,
2011 — Supporters of perennial candidate for president, Lyndon LaRouche,
set up shop on Cedar Street in front of the Post Office, an altered
photo of the President as Hitler as the centerpiece while they exercise
their freedoms, ironically it appears, on Federal land.
National Merit
Finalists
HopkintonHigh School
is proud to announce the 5 student finalists in The National Merit
Scholarship Program. All finalists will be considered for National
Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2011.
Pictured: Paige
Phelan, Elise LeCrone, Matt Szczepankiewicz, Stephanie Hadley, and Chris
Daniels
The
Originals
February 11,
2011 — Pete Marso and Dick Straight were motivated to share photos of
the Red Sox Little League circa 1954. We are told there is at least one
future Hopkinton Selectman on the team above.
Back Row Left to Right:
Bob Lewis,,Manager , John Carlberg,, Asst. Mgr.
Row 2 Left to Right:
Dick Straight,
Peter Grass,, Winnie Wylie,, Dickie Gooding,, Freddie Harris,,
Skippy Carlberg,, Mike Murphy,, Donnie Fairbanks.
Row 1 Left to Right: Cy Cassidy,,
Jimmie Kurzontkowski,, Albi Harris,, Joey Annunziata,,
Unknown,,Tommy Grass,, Jeff
Furber.
Bottom Front: Bat Boy, Paul Annunziata
Hopkinton
74, Bellingham 54
February 11, 2011 — Above, team high scorer Tim Dufficy had 23 points
with 7 3-pointers. Photo by Vicki Francis.
AG COAKLEY URGES REJECTION OF
PROGRESSIVE’S PROPOSED 23.5% RATE HIKE FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES
Taxis, Trucks and
Small Business Vehicles Facing Drastic Increase in Insurance Premiums
BOSTON – February 10, 2011 — In a letter to the
Division of Insurance, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office asked
the state agency to reject Progressive
Insurance’s
planned 23.5% rate increase for commercial auto insurance.
In the letter, the Attorney General’s Office stressed that Progressive’s
proposed rates were excessive and unfair to Massachusetts businesses and
that the information Progressive used to support its rate hike was
inconsistent with its proposal. The letter notes that the company’s
request contradicted its actual claims history, as well as
Massachusetts’ overall claims history. The projections are unsupported,
and Progressive has refused to provide the Attorney General’s Office key
data or answer questions about its calculations.
Progressive had initially filed seeking an even higher
rate hike, a 26.6% increase. The company reduced this to 23.5% after
the Attorney General raised concerns and asked to see the supporting
data. As noted in the Attorney General’s letter, this increase is
still unjustified.
“High commercial auto rates can cause significant harm to small
businesses,” said Attorney General Coakley. “We believe Progressive’s
proposed increase is unjustified and an unfair rate hike on small
businesses across Massachusetts.
Commercial auto insurance is required for all businesses
that operate vehicles in Massachusetts, including taxis, trucks, and
service vans. Last year, Progressive sold approximately $22 million
worth of commercial auto insurance in Massachusetts. Progressive, which
entered the Massachusetts automobile insurance market in 2007 currently
holds 3% of the market for commercial auto policies in Massachusetts.
If the
Commissioner approves the rate hike, Progressive’s new rates will become
effective on March 24th. This would be Progressive’s fifth commercial
rate increase in three and a half years.
Murder Investigation
Leads to Carver Arrest
February 10, 2011 — An
investigation into a homicide yesterday in Readfield, Maine today led Maine State Police
investigators to a home at
12 Williams Drive in Carver, Mass. Maine
investigators requested assistance from the Massachusetts State Police
Special Tactical Operations Team (STOP Team), the tactical entry unit,
to execute an arrest warrant at that address for DAVID B. SILVA JR., 32,
a suspect in the homicide.
This
morning the STOP Team deployed at that address and surrounded the house.
At the same time, the Massachusetts State Police Crisis Negotiation Unit
made contact with SILVA by telephone. Crisis negotiators were able to
persuade SILVA to exit the house peacefully, and he was taken into
custody by the STOP Team in the home’s driveway shortly before 2:30 p.m.
SILVA was taken to the State Police
Barracks in Middleboro, where he is being questioned by Maine State
Police detectives. He will be brought to Wareham District Court, most
likely tomorrow, to be arraigned as a fugitive from justice. He will
face extradition to
Maine to
answer to charges related to the Readfield homicide, including murder
and arson.
Bring your
Valentine
to Ciao Time for Breakfast Sunday 8 am – 12
noon
28 Main Street
Full Buffet and Kids Menu Available!
Monday Night,
avoid the crowds and bring home dinner
Specials
for Monday:
Veal Parmesan or Picatta
Chicken Marsala
Shrimp Fettuccini
Alfredo
We have a full
restaurant menu including appetizers, entrees and salads.
February 9,
2011 — HopNews reader Bob Richards memorialized this mill at North Mill
Pond with this watercolor he painted in 1979. The mill, believed to be
listing, was knocked over yesterday to prevent the possibility of it
crashing onto the street.
Below is a
photo taken by Mr. Richards in 1979 when the mill was in better shape.
TONIGHT!!!!!
Hopkinton
High School Drama Ensemble hosts a
Spaghetti Dinner
Fundraiser generously sponsored by
The Golden Spoon
Wednesday, February 9
4:00 ~ 8:00 p.m.
$9 general, $6 children under 12 and
senior citizens
Enjoy a delicious all inclusive
dinner of spaghetti, salad, roll, dessert and beverage!
Tickets
may be purchased at the door or in advance from a drama ensemble
member. Visit our website for more information on this event and the
group’s upcoming trip to represent Hopkinton.
hopkintondrama@gmail.com
www.hhsdramaensemble.com
Hillers Remain Undefeated at
TVL Meet
Senior Track Team
Members
Girls l-r: Devin
Dourney, Kelli Lodge, Stephanie Hadley, Kim Bolick, Andrea
Gendron and Haley Anderson (missing - Jenny Curly)
Boys l-r: Brendon
Driscoll, Chris Daniels, Kevin Franke, Zach Hutchinson, Jake
Whittles, Peter Bransfield and Mike Ronan (missing - Clint
Atkinson and Johnny Farina)
by Adam Gately
February 9,
2011 — This past Sunday both the boys and girls Hiller track teams
competed at the TVL meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. For
what is now the fourth year in a row the Hillers have taken home the
TVL trophy, which means that the seniors on the girls team have gone
through their entire high school careers without losing a single
track meet. The same would have been said for the guys team if not
for the last meet of this year's season, in which Medfield (the only
other undefeated team up to that point) was able to edge the Hillers
out of first place in one of the closest meets of the year.
Both teams were able
to clinch victories in the mile and 4x400 relay
races, but a majority of the points won by the Hillers came
from athletes who placed 6th or better in their events, as over 20
Hillers were able to score points without winning their events.
Outstanding performances from the guys team included captain Zach
Hutchinson with 2nd in the 600, captain Peter Bransfield
(second) and teammates Josh Hacunda (fourth) and Jake Whittles
(sixth) in the 300, captain Mike Ronan with fourth in the 1000,
juniors Jack Ryan (fourth) and Alex Hulme (sixth) in the highjump,
Nick Giordano 5th in the mile, captain Clint Atkinson 2nd in the
shotput, and Pat Levenson sixth in the two mile. For the girls,
points were brought home by Tam Mills, who scored second in the 1000
and set a new school record (3:00.73), Melissa Lodge second and
captain Kim Bolick third in the mile, Haley Anderson third and Leah
Holmes fourth in the 1000, Jessica Scott third in the dash, captain
Jenn Lynds third in the high
jump, Jackie Chirco second and Katrina Parsons third in the
shotput, captain Steph Hadley 6th in the 300, Jordyn Labriola 4th in
the 600, and Mary Kate Cavanaugh sixth in the two mile.
First place winners
included Emily Jarvis in the hurdles, Jeff Corkum in the high jump
(6' 4"), Tim Bolick in the mile (4:38.68), Kellie Lodge in the mile
(5:27.03) and two mile (11:44.57), and the girls and boys 4x400
relays. Alex Hulme took first in the longjump (an unscored event)
with a jump of 19' 9".
The season is
now over for a majority of Hopkinton track athletes, and only a
select group of runners who have qualified for the state tournament
continue to practice.
Encampment
February 9,
2011 — Boston television stations set up at the police station and the
Common this afternoon to provide backdrops for their upcoming news
programs dealing with the kidnapping of a Hopkinton woman and the arrest
of the suspect, Phillip A . Depasquale, in Barnstable.
Hopkinton 56, Medway 47
February 9, 2011 — Jason Dlugolecki jumps up for two last night at
Medway.
Hopkinton Kidnap
Suspect Captured by State Police
February
9, 2011 — Last night at 9:35 p.m., a stolen 1998 Nissan Altima fled the
scene after striking a Barnstable Police Department cruiser and headed
west on Route 6 in Barnstable.
Massachusetts State
Police Trooper Randall Carlson observed this vehicle near exit 6 in Barnstable. The operator
refused to stop and Trooper Carlson pursued the vehicle. The operator of
the Nissan attempted to take the exit 4 off-ramp in Sandwich, but failed to negotiate the ramp. The car
traveled across the grassy infield, crossed over the westbound on-ramp
from exit four and crashed into a tree.
The driver was taken
into custody and turned over to Barnstable Police Department. The
operator has been identified as 39-year-old Phillip A. Depasquale. He is
the same person who was added to the Ten Most Wanted List today by the
Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section for a
kidnapping in the Town of Hopkinton and left the victim in an abandoned vehicle in
Oxford last
January. Depasquale will be arraigned today in Barnstable District Court
and eventually will be returned to WorcesterCounty to answer the charges there. -Mass State Police
Senior
Moments
Paper Hearts and Silver
Glitter
Nancy L. Drawe
(Punky)
Garden club member Cheryl Perreault with Carol Mecagni
Wow, they did it
again! I’m talking about the members of the Hopkinton Garden Club
hosting yet another project at the SeniorCenter. This past week,
the craft room tables were covered with glitter, paper hearts, mosaic
pieces, markers, special “love” sayings, small ceramic pots and
miniature rose plants. All donated by the club so that the seniors
could make special “Valentine Pots of Love!” The senior center is no
strange place to members
Cheryl Perreault, Kate Heyd, Joan Luciano and Leslie Skrzypczak,
because they’ve hosted MANY garden/art projects at the center. Not only
are these woman very artistic and creative, but
they are always so friendly and happy to be
able to host these projects for the seniors. Their ideas are always
wonderful and truly appreciated!
I saw
the sample of next month’s project--cactus pincushions. These little
potted stuffed cacti are really cute and will be fun to make!
Remember, these classes are FREE and materials are supplied by the
Garden Club.
Besides the monthly
projects, the members also make very special floral arrangements for the
tables at the Veteran’s Breakfast held on the first Friday of the month
at the center. Cheers to all the members of the Hopkinton Garden Club!
Don’t forget to come
to the center on Valentine’s Day—Monday, February 14, for the annual
Valentine’s Day party! It’s always such a fun time, filled with “love
in the air” and lots of goodies! This year, there will be entertainment
by comedian/singer Ann Marie King, who will perform her one woman show,
“Unexpected Songs.” You won’t want to miss it, so call the center and
sign up!
That’s it for now, so
if you have any comments or suggestions, you can email me:
Punkala@aol.com. Until next time, have
a great week!
PROPOSED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING
PROJECT COMMUNITY INFORMATION FORUM
The School Committee is
conducting a public information forum to provide information regarding
the Elementary School Building Project, answer questions, and receive
comments from the public.
Friday, February
11, 2011, 9:30 am
Hopkinton Senior
Center
Snow Date:
Friday, February 18, 2011, 9:30 am , Hopkinton Senior Center
State Police Hunt for Suspect in Hopkinton Kidnapping
UPDATE: According to a story in the
Worcester Telegram,
the suspect was captured in Barnstable after crashing into a police
cruiser. He will appear in court there tomorrow
February 8, 2011 — The Massachusetts State
Police today added to its Most Wanted Persons list a suspect who
kidnapped a woman with disabilities, forced her to withdraw
money
from an ATM, and then tied her up and left her overnight in an abandoned
recreational vehicle during a severe snowstorm.
The Massachusetts State Police Violent
Fugitive Apprehension Section is hunting for PHILLIP A. DePASQUALE, 39.
DePASQUALE is accused of
kidnapping the 27-year-old woman on January 26 from her home in
HOPKINTON.
After forcing her to withdraw cash from her
account at an ATM, he brought her to an abandoned RV, tied her up, and
left her in the abandoned trailer overnight while a snowstorm raged
outside. The victim was later able to free herself and was seen walking
down a nearby street by a man clearing snow, who called police.
Subsequent investigation identified DePASQUALE as her attacker.
A warrant charging DePASQUALE with
kidnapping and related charges was issued out of Dudley District Court.
DePASQUALE is considered very dangerous and may be armed with a firearm.
DePASQUALE is a white male, described as
5’10”, 170 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has several tattoos:
the names “Sarah” and “Tony” on his arms and an “In Memory Of” banner on
his left arm. He has used the aliases Anthony P. DePasquale, Phillip A.
Wilson, Tony Wilson, and Mike Desrosiers.
Anyone
with information about DePASQUALE or his whereabouts is urged to call
the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at
1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873) or the Massachusetts State Police
Communications Section at (508) 820-2121. Members of the public should
not approach him on their own.
Anthony J. Vento, 83
HOPKINTON - Anthony J. Vento, 83,
died Monday, February 7, 2011 , in Woonsocket , RI . Born in Boston , he
was the son of the late Anthony and Catherine (Brazzo) Vento. He was a
Naval World War II veteran.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda MacLaughlin and her husband, Glenn
of Chelmsford and his sons John and his wife, Pamela of Fitzwilliam, NH,
Anthony and his wife, Debra of Upton and Nicholas of Cumberland, RI. He
also leaves his sisters Catherine Fornaro, Anna Grawl and Mary Lima, all
of MA. In addition, he leaves 12 grandchildren and 11
great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Patch),
his son, Joseph and his brothers Joseph, Nicholas, and John.
The funeral will be held Friday, February 11, 2011 , at noon from the
Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street (http://www.callanancronin.com).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church at
1:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Mt. Auburn
Cemetery , Hopkinton. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday,
February 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311Arsenal St. ,
Watertown, MA 02472 .
Undefeated
Swim Team Wins Tri-Valley League Championship
Photo of Swim Team following last
weekend’s TVL Championship meet.
This team was undefeated in the TVL during the regular season, and won
this Championship Conference Meet by 200 points. Members of the team
will compete in the Sectional Championships this weekend, and the State
Championships the following week.
Dick
MacDonald Announces Candidacy for Selectman
See interview with
Republican MacDonald in HopNews HD
Valentines for
the Troops
Members of the Crafty Cats and Woodville
Trailbusters 4-H clubs joined together to host a card making activity at
the Middlesex County Horsebowl Competition. Members, family, and friends
all helped to create unique and personalized Valentine’s Day cards for
our troops. These special cards will be given to the soldiers from the
US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA.
Old Mill Leveled
February 8,
2011 — Fearing for the safety of the public, passersby notified
authorities that the antique mill on North Mill Street appeared to be
leaning toward the street, rather than away from it as usual. Town
officials got in touch with its owners, Laborer's Training Center, who
then leveled it. The area is very dangerous, and people should stay
away.
Two Reading Home Invasion Suspects in Custody
READING,
MA—Today 21-year old Quinlan Junta turned himself in at the Reading
Police station. Quinlan was wanted in connection with an armed home
invasion that occurred yesterday afternoon at the Reading Commons
housing development. The Reading Police already arrested one suspect,
20-year old Jason Molle of Stoneham, in connection with the same crime.
During yesterday's home invasion a 19-year old victim was assaulted with
a black handgun, beaten, and robbed of a
substantial
amount of money. The victim notified police immediately after the
incident occurred, giving a good description of the suspects' vehicle.
Reading officers stopped and arrested Jason Molle within minutes of the
crime being reported. Molle was uncooperative with police, denying all
involvement in the crime.
However, a search of his vehicle revealed evidence of the crime as well
as marijuana and painkillers. Molle's vehicle is currently impounded by
police.
Molle's arrest was made on Summer Avenue, less than two miles from the
scene of the crime and less than one half of a mile from the second
suspect's house. The second suspect, identified by the victim Quinlan
Junta, was not with Molle at the time of his arrest.
Believing that Junta and the handgun could be inside his house, the
Reading Police Department applied for warrants. Reading officers were
stationed outside the house, located at 81 Hancock Street, for several
hours while the necessary paperwork was filed.
Woburn District Court issued both a search warrant and an arrest
warrant. The arrest warrant listed the following four charges against
Quinlan Junta: Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Assault and Battery with a
Dangerous Weapon, and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. The search warrant
was conducted in the early morning hours.
Several items of interest were seized by police, but neither Junta nor
the handgun were found. Junta was accompanied by his attorney when he
turned himself in today. He was booked by Sergeant Mark O'Brien and
transported to Woburn District Court for arraignment. It should be noted
that the Reading Police Department does not believe this crime to be a
random act because Junta and the victim knew one another.
Two more candidates take out papers today:
School Committee (2) 3
Richard deMont - D (I)
Selectmen 3
Dick MacDonald - R
New Selectman Candidate
February 8, 2011 — Republican Richard "Dick" MacDonald
took out nomination papers today at the Town Clerk's
office for the upcoming vacant seat on the Board of
Selectmen.
In a press release distributed by Hopkinton Republican Town
Committee Chair Ken Weismantel, Mr. MacDonald writes of his
move to Hopkinton in 1994, his wife and two sons, and the
experience he has had as a coach, advisor to Hopkinton
Country Club, volunteerism with Big Brothers, Big Sisters,
membership in the Hopkinton Sportsmen's Association and his
pilot's license.
He likes being close to Boston, but enjoys the country
lifestyle and the character of Hopkinton. A video interview
with Mr. MacDonald is forthcoming.
Feasibility Study Flawed
and Biased
Dear
Editor,
I am writing to voice my opinion against the current K-5
School plan on Fruit Street. I do think we need a new school, however,
I believe that the way the School Committee is going about forcing the
town of Hopkinton into districting will do more harm than good.
Currently our children get to start and finish their
elementary education experience together and get to know each other from
kindergarten through their senior year of High school. This is a
positive aspect of how we do it here in Hopkinton. As far as the
transition to a new school, Hopkinton does an excellent job preparing
our students prior to and upon entry into the new school. Why do we
want to put our kids through one major change by merging them together
in the 6th grade where they have a great deal more going on
in their lives physically and behaviorally?
The proposed school is going to cost the tax payers of
Hopkinton $38 million before the MSBA grant for construction of the new
school is given to us. What is hidden in the feasibility study is that
the Elmwood School is going to require $12 million, and Hopkins School
is going to require $2 million worth of renovations to gain parity
between the new school and them to provide an equal educational
environment. This $14 million has not been appropriated, and will
require another override in addition to the override we are going to be
asked to approve for the new school. By building a K-1 replacement
school we eliminate the need to ask the taxpayers for even more money,
and maybe reduce the overall cost for the new school. This savings by
not having to do additional construction outside of the scope of the new
school greatly exceeds any savings gained by districting
As a Government space planner I can with a high degree of
confidence state that the current feasibility study is flawed and
heavily biased. The study has 13 alternatives and none of them included
a K-1 school option. We need to explore a Plan B option, and I have
reached out to the School Committee, and Board of Selectmen expressing
this. Any potential setback would be reduced if the School Committee
began working on a Plan B option now. If they acted now, a viable Plan
B could be completed and presented at the upcoming Special Town Meeting
as an alternative to the current districting option.
The School Committee is going to try and scare us by
telling us that it is now or never on these funds. They are wrong; it
is just a minor set back. By voting against the upcoming question it
allows us to plan according to the will of the people of Hopkinton. We
can then prepare a schematic design study for a K-1 school and resubmit
it to the MSBA. Given the condition of Center School, we should have no
problem getting back in the ring and competing for funds again for the
school we want. Since most of the planning and background data has been
done the cost of the revised study will be minimal. We may be set back
up to a year, but it provides the town the opportunity to voice its
opinion on our future structure of our schools at the upcoming special
town meeting, and our annual town meeting.
Our current K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12 model works, and
will continue to work. If our current way of doing things doesn’t work,
then why were we ranked 24th in the Commonwealth by Boston Magazine in
2010? I urge the citizens of Hopkinton to save the date on your
calendar for Monday March 21st for the Special Town Meeting
and voice your opinion.
Glen Layton
22 Duffield Road
February 8, 2010
New Resident Favors New School
Editor,
I am new to
Hopkinton. My husband Mike and I moved to town this past July with our 3
year old son. We are among the many young families that are attracted to
the town of Hopkinton for many reasons. The most important to me as a
parent is the stellar school system that has been built here.
In my quest to
become involved in the town and specifically involve myself with other
parents of school age children I attended a meeting at The Center
School. My attendance at that meeting prompted me to write this letter.
I should mention my son was diagnosed as being hearing impaired 10
months ago. This forces me to look at things from varying perspectives
on a day to day basis to ensure he is learning and experiencing his life
to the fullest.
Over the coming
weeks you may read many letters of individuals in our town that are in
support or against the proposed Fruit Street School. I can certainly
understand the ambivalence some may have especially those that do not
have children attending school. I do also think it is important to
consider that at one point or another in most of our lives wherever we
may have grown up and attended school someone’s tax dollars supported
each of us.
Our children
have to change buildings every two years. It would seem as though once
they get comfortable with their building and teachers they are shuffled
along and have to reacquaint themselves all over again. They have to get
to know the layout of a new building which in and of itself can be very
stressful for a child as well as make new friends all over again. We
have a very unique opportunity to change this.
We have been
granted a high level of reimbursement on this project from the state to
help defray some of the costs.
We have
excellent teachers that make the Hopkinton School System something that
each of us can be proud of. I can only imagine what they can accomplish
with our children if given all the tools they so desperately need.
I toured the
Center Street School and tried to experience it from my son’s
perspective. It saddened me. We can do better for our kids and have been
given the opportunity to do so. I urge you to ask questions and learn as
much as you can about the upcoming vote and to please take the time to
come out and help make a change for the better in the way our children
experience their education.
As a town we
are going to have to address the Center School at some point because it
will simply not sustain itself for the long haul. I believe strongly
that we need to take advantage of the opportunity we are being offered
with funding from the state and make the changes that are required so
that we can remain educationally competitive.
In an effort to
insure that all concerned members of our town can have access to
information on this project as well as ask any questions they have I am
hosting a coffee at my home on February 28 at 10:30 am with a member of
the school committee in attendance. If you have the availability and can
attend I welcome you. Please email me at
EMC to Hold
Strategic Forum for Institutional Investors
HOPKINTON, Mass.,
Feb. 7, 2011
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EMC Corporation
will hold its
2011 Strategic Forum for Institutional Investors
tomorrow,February 8, 2011,
at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
EMC will webcast the
morning executive keynotes including:
Joe Tucci,EMC Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer; Paul Maritz,
Chief Executive Officer, VMware Inc.;
Pat Gelsinger (Photo,
right), EMC President and Chief Operating
Officer, Information Infrastructure Products;
David Goulden, EMC
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer.
Legacy
Farms LLC has brought a developer on board to build, market and manage
240 apartment units in East Hopkinton. Listen to the principals of Wood
Partners speak to HopNews readers before their introduction to the
Planning Board this evening in the HD video above.
Legacy Farms Project manager Steven Zieff also appeared before the
Planning Board to continue his application for a subdivision plan that
includes a new road and changes to East Main Street. The approvals need
to be in place before Wood Partners break ground for their apartment
complex, according to Director of the New England Division, Rick
Dickason. Mr. Dickason said they would like to do so by June of this
year.
NOTE: This
HopNews HD Video can be viewed in full HD at full-screen.
Hiller's Cleaners Presents to Planning Board
February 7,
2011 — Hiller's Cleaners, represented by engineer Dave Marquedant and
attorney Doug Resnick, presented a site plan review this evening to the
Planning Board for construction of a new building, complete with parking
spaces in front of the building as well as in the rear of the building,
on the site of the former Hitchings Hardware. The construction will
follow demolition of the current building. The Historical Commission has
the authority to order a six-month demolition delay on any structure 75
years-old or more, but they passed on this one due to the lack of
redeeming structural qualities. The new building, pictured above, will
have a similar look, and will actual feature some artifacts from the
current one.
Owner George Vrahliotis will be ordering new equipment to be more
environmentally friendly and promises to install lighting that is
shielded from spillover, except that Colella's would like a little
spillover to help light a darkened area in the rear.
Planning Board member Deb Thomas said, "If Dale wants more light she
should put in more light." Ms. Thomas alluded to the oft repeated
commandment
of the Planning Board that light from one property shall not spill onto
another.
The group also discussed driveways, parking, storm water and signage.
The Public Hearing was continued until February 28, 2011 at 8:30 pm.
Planning Board Member
to Run For Board of Selectmen Seat
February 7,
2011 — Planning Board member Richard "Dick" MacDonald, enjoying his
first term on the Planning Board, plans to make it official and take
nomination papers out tomorrow as a Republican candidate for a
three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. The seat is currently held by
Republican RJ Dourney, who has decided not to seek re-election.
Hopkinton Republican Town Committee Chairman Ken Weismantel is planning
a media event for tomorrow at 1:00 pm at the Town Clerk's office with a
photo opportunity, candidate availability and a press release.
Confronted with his impending candidacy prior to the Planning meeting
this evening, Mr. MacDonald, who prefers his nickname, said, "It's a
tough time and we need to get people to get involved.
"I have a good sense in how to make ends meet, and I believe there's a
lot of support out there for my candidacy."
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