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EMC global marathon team raising money for Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center

EMC Run As One Team training for 115^th Boston Marathon to raise over $100,000 for Respite Center

HOPKINTON - 12 April 2011 - EMC Corporation employees, partners and customers from around the world are training together to conquer the Boston Marathon and raise money for the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton, MA. This year’s EMC Run As One team hails from four continents, eight countries and 11 U.S. states.

Every member of the EMC marathon team, a combination of seasoned marathon veterans and marathon novices, raise a minimum of $2,500 for the Respite Center. All proceeds raised by the team are matched by EMC. Since 1999, EMC has supported the Respite Center through over $1.2 million in donations and volunteer efforts.

Each year, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) awards EMC 20 waivers, allowing runners who would not normally qualify to run the marathon, to run the race on behalf of the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, a marathon sponsor. On Saturday, the Respite Center sponsors a barbeque for Respite Center families and runners hosted at EMC, allowing runners to meet their marathon team and the families they are raising money to support through the Respite Center.

This year’s team also includes Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Pat Gelsinger (photo), who is making his marathon debut.

“I was startled by the amount of time it takes to train for a marathon,” said Gelsinger. “Having an additional purpose, besides completing the marathon, is certainly extra motivation to continue training for the marathon; I am excited to have the opportunity to benefit the Respite Center.”

With a 30-plus year presence in Massachusetts and around the globe, EMC, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, has a long tradition of community involvement.

“The Boston Marathon is an amazing race and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in the grand scheme of things, it’s also about giving back,” says Jessica Anderson, Manager, EMC Corporate Community Involvement. “It is gratifying to know that EMC’s involvement allows more families to be able to afford and have access to the wonderful care and services that the Respite Center provides.”

Middle School Drama Club presents...

"West Side Story"

7:00 pm Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30

2 p.m. Sunday, May 1

Hopkinton Middle School auditorium

The Hopkinton Middle School Drama Club will present the musical “West Side Story” at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium, 88 Hayden Rowe St.

Considered to be the finest musical ever produced, “West Side Story” tells the story of star-crossed couple Tony and Maria, members of rival New York City gangs. Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The musical is an updated version of Shakespeare’s tragedy “Romeo & Juliet,” which the Middle School drama students presented last December.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors and will be available in advance at the Middle School office or at the door. School supplies for Hopkinton-based charity Project Just Because will be collected at the door during each performance.

Wood Partners Moves Closer to Goal

by Robert Falcione

April 11, 2011 — Wood Partners LLC Public Hearing continued this evening as a stable of experts answered questions for the Planning Board and the public, most of them abutters to the applicant's 240 apartment units that they would like to begin building in the fall of this year.

Adelaide Grady of Wood Partners assured one abutter that there would be a base coat of asphalt down before there was any traffic into the area, thereby keeping dust down.

And Project Manager for Legacy Farms, Steven Zieff, assured another abutter that he would soon place boulders at the end of Curtis Road so that the entrance into that area would be only by pedestrian access.

The applicants were amenable to installing bicycle racks, adding a sidewalk in one area and maintaining a trail system on the six acres of "restricted" land on the property. They said that in one area of land they plan to steward, they plan to erect structures for bluebirds and wood ducks.

"There will be a budget for stewardship of the site," said Mr. Zieff.

A lighting expert was on hand to explain the LED lights that the project will use, lights that use 1/3 the energy of conventional lights for the same effect. The lights are also directional, like a lens, and direct light downward, rather than toward a distance.

Planning Board member Claire Wright, known for her attention to lighting on all plans before the board, questioned the lighting expert and mentioned how much she liked the lights at a plaza on Linden Street in Wellesley. However, the board moved forward and a consensus grew to accept the lighting, which is more expensive to install than conventional types, and lasts 15 years, according the the presenter.

Director of Municipal Planning, Elaine Lazarus suggested parking spaces for the charging of electric vehicles, which got a warm reception from the applicant.

The public Hearing will continue on April 25, 2011 at 9:00 pm

<--- CLICK FOR FULL REPORT

April 11, 2011

5:50 pm Assisted Ashland Police and State Police after a caller reported men shooting...

4:04 pm A 911 caller reported a man in woods off of Rafferty Road [Hopkinton State Park] with his pants down in the presence of another man and a young child...

1:12 pm A Parkwood Drive caller reported greasy obscene drawings...

7:57 am Bus office called concerned that a tan vehicle has parked at the bus stop...

Click here for the rest of the stories...

Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts *Compiled for HopNews.com by Robert Falcione © 2011 All Rights Reserved* New Transactions from April 4, 2011 to April 11, 2011
Address	Buyer	Price	Date	Seller
40 Sanctuary Lane	Dorothy A Hunt Trust, Hunt-Sanctuary Fam Trust	$270,000	April 8, 2011	Irina Veron, Galina Yasnova
7 Sanctuary Lane #17	Anna M Ferrari	$446,798.37	April 7, 2011	Weston Development Group
20 Huckleberry Road	Louis J Delonte, Margaret T Delonte	$717,500	April 6, 2011	George Batejan, Carol A Batejan
45 Chamberlain Street	William A Muench, Roberta T Meunch	$269,900	April 5, 2011	Mark B Segars, Sally Ann L Segars, Sally Ann K Stukels
Last Week
3 Hopkins Road	Irene L Gilbreath	$67,375	April 4, 2011	Glenn P Galbreath
Lilac Court	John M Gavula, Jenna G Gavula	$263,000	April 1, 2011	David D Dickerson
21 Huckleberry Road	James P Donahue	$702,500	April 1, 2011	Michael G Randall, Ann E Randall
306 Hayden Rowe Street	Kannan Prasanna, Ramaswamy Priya Kunsheri	$410,000	March 31, 2011	Christopher Martel, Cynthia Martell
7 Tammer Lane	Yang Yong, Wu Xiaorong	$675,650	March 31, 2011	William S Chace, Lida M Chace
203 Fruit Street	Ayesha R Sheikh, Rizwan A Sheikh	$487,500	March 30, 2011	Jennifer A Violette
50 Hayden Rowe Street	Douglas, Karen, Ryan and Eric DeWolfe	$159,000	March 29, 2011	USA Housing Urban Development
2 Leman Lane 2B	Cynthia Centeio	$262,500	March 28, 2011	Eric Palson, Kasi Walker, Kari Palson
Week Before Last
23 Tammer Lane	Paul Silva, William Shaw	$675,000	Mar 18, 2011	Patricia R Lawrence, Alexander Bender
13 Lilac Court	Dean J Russell, Penny S Russell	$260,000	Mar 16, 2011	Mary E Tyrell Irrevocable Trust, David E Tyrell Trust
45 Nazneen Circle	Pooja Gaurav Goswamy, Gaurav Goswany	$430,000	Mar 14, 2011	Ahmed Mirajuddin, Trustee of Peppercorn Village Realty Trust
183 Saddle Hill Road	Robert J Firnstein	$172,000	Mar 114, 2011	Elaine L Firnstein

Proposed Library Virtual Tour

Take a peak, above, at the proposed new Hopkinton Library, which will be presented in two sessions:

The first session takes place on Wednesday, April 13, at 7 p.m., in the HCAM studio at 77 Main Street, lower level. The PBC and representatives from Johnson and Roberts architects will present the preliminary design for the 22,000-square-foot expansion project, talk about the planning process and timeline, and answer questions. This session will be broadcast live on HCAM.

On Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to noon, the PBC will host another session at the Hopkinton Public Library. While adults are learning more about the library building project, children can join Mrs. K for storytime, make their own books and take them home.

Center School Remembered

Former Center School student Matt Potenza

With all the recent controversy surrounding Center School, this drawing might be appropriate as a reminder of what it meant to a former student. In 1992, at age 11 our son Matthew Potenza drew the picture above for an Art Class. Matt graduated from Hopkinton High in 1999 and Northeastern University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Let's hope the legacy of Center School continues to be one of providing the children of Hopkinton with an education that prepares them for a successful future. ~ Dinny Potenza

Little League Parade 2011

April 10, 2011 — Wally the Green Monster led the Hopkinton Little League parade again this year as a thousand kids marched down Main Street and to Carrigan Park for the first pitch of the season.

Solo Swim

April 9, 2011 — This lone muskrat — no "Muskrat Love" here — was as surprised to see the photographer as the photographer was to see him when he appeared from under the bridge along the walkway around Ice House Pond on West Main Street today.

Better BeeBee Careful

April 9, 2011 — Two Hopkinton Police and two Ashland Police as well as a Mass State Trooper responded to Hopkinton State Park after a hiker complained that people were firing pellet guns on Caesar Trail. The men are above being shown the way out with their BB guns.

What's Good for the Goose...

Chapter 2 in Series

April 9, 2011 — The gander is off camera in this shot (inset) drawing attention away from his mate, who is barely visible on the island in the middle of Ice House Pond, warming her nest. Notice her at the base of the tree in the left of the photo This is the second in a series photos that will continue to document the lives of this Canada goose couple while the eggs are hatched and the goslings begin to follow the parents around. The first shot is the thumbnail to the left; again only the gander was visible, while the female prepared the nest off-camera on March 27.

Folding their Tent

April 9, 2011 — Troop 4 Boy Scouts fold up a canopy outdoors at St. John's after feeding hundreds of diners this morning at their annual pancake breakfast.

Baker's Half-Dozen

April 9, 2011 — The Pappas family shares a photo of a skulk of foxes in their front yard. Remember, double-click on any word on this page and get its definition, as well as its pronunciation.

Woodville Rod and Gun Club’s Annual Trout Derby

Saturday, April 16

6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Breakfast at 5:00 a.m.

Entry fee of $20.00. More information go to www.woodvillerodandgun.com.

Breaking News - Dick MacDonald out of Selectman's Race - Brian Herr In !!

Dick MacDonald, Republican candidate for Selectman has dropped out of the race. He said this evening at the Republican caucus that the compliance division of the investment company he works for has suggested that he could not hold the position of Selectman. He said he wanted to be sure there was not even the appearance of a conflict.

Former Selectman Brian Herr (file photo), who declined to run for reelection one year ago in favor of a run for Congressman from the third Congressional District, was elected this evening after a write-in campaign.

When asked how he came about deciding, he said, "I got the call at 5:00 o'clock today."

Mr. Herr said he voted against the school at Fruit Street, but has always been a strong supporter of the schools. He also said it is important to be fiscally responsible.

Mr. Herr was the only surprise at the caucus this evening. All of the other candidates who had taken out nomination papers were elected. Those names can be seen on the

page. It had been reported elsewhere, after receiving incorrect information from Town Hall, that one of the candidates had failed to gather enough signatures for his nomination papers. A correction had been issued prior to tonight's meeting. Left, June Harris, candidate for Board of Library Trustees, fills out her ballot with some assistance from husband Dick Temple.

The Democrats also held a caucus, but were not receptive to the presence of a member of the press early on in their process. They fielded three candidates. Frank D'Urso Board of Selectmen, Mary Arnaut, Commissioner of Trust Funds and Richard deMont, incumbent candidate for School Committee, according to Democratic Town Committee Chair Dick Duggan in a phone call following the conclusion of their caucus.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Boy Scouts Troop 4 will hold its 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 9th, 2011. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 am until 11:30 am at the St. John the Evangelist Church Hall, 20 Church Street in Hopkinton. Both original and chocolate chip pancakes will be served by the scouts. Breakfast will also include sausage, juice, coffee and more. There will also be a silent auction for donated items. Admission is $5 per person, $3 for seniors, and veterans eat free. Please call for tickets (508) 435-1030. Funds raised from the Pancake Breakfast will enable the Troop 4 scouts to go on a Nantucket Seabase Camping adventure, deep sea fishing, and sailing around the island. It is programs like this that provide the youth of Hopkinton with a quality scouting experience and helps build leaders in our community.

Little League Parade

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Teams meet at Common at 12:45 pm

Daniel, Andrew and Ryan D'Alleva (left to right) are just a few of the many hundreds of kids who will be on hand this Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Red Sox-own Wally the Green Monster returns to star in the annual Hopkinton Little League parade. Come find your special spot along the parade route and cheer on your favorite youth softball and baseball teams. Joining Wally this year as special guests also will be the 2011 Hopkinton High School girls' and boys' varsity basketball teams who recently advanced in the state playoff tournament earning a chance of a lifetime to play for the championship at the TD Garden in Boston.

From the Interactive Calendar for April 8, 2011

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm CAA presents Spring Boutique

5PM to 7PM Republican Caucus in Room 211 at the Town Hall.

7:30 pm Democratic Caucus upstairs at the Fire Station on Main St.

The Feast is Tonight inside OR

Check out the take-out window at the Golden Spoon until 9:00 pm

Amnesty fine-free week at the Hopkinton Public Library

As part of the celebration of National Library Week (April 11 - 16), we are offering an Amnesty week free of fines. This is the time to search for & return any Library items that may have been overlooked. Just bring them in or drop them in the return boxes. We love to get the items back no matter how overdue they are.

High and Dry

April 8, 2011 — This hawk over South Mill Street today was eluding a smaller bird that could have been protecting its own nest.

Snappy Ladies

April 8, 2011 — Lisa Hachey and Teresa Boyce are back at Snappy Dogs in Colella's parking lot with of all of their special dogs and relishes.

Creole Country

April 8, 2011 — This scene may look like Louisiana to some, turtle gumbo and catfish stew come to mind, but it is really at Blood's Pond in Hopkinton.

Spring Work

April 8, 2011 — Jamie Stewart and Joe Arena of Hopkinton DPW repair some plow damage on Grove Street today.

Park and Recreation's Annual Easter Egg Hunt

April 23, 2011

11:00 AM on the Town Common

The Easter Bunny makes his annual visit to Hopkinton on Saturday, April 23, 2011 for the Park and Recreation's Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event, which is sponsored by Hopkinton Drug Store, will be held at 11:00 AM on the Town Common. The Easter Egg Hunt is for Hopkinton pre-school to 2^nd grade children.

Please bring your own basket or bag to collect the candy and "Special Prize Eggs". We ask parents not to pick up eggs prior to the start of the event.

There is no registration or fee for this event and we will try to give candy to all children that attend.

Please note that the Easter Bunny will appear on the common, weather permitting, and that parents are welcome to take pictures with the bunny.

For more information please call Parks and Recreation at 497-9750 between 10 AM and 1 PM on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

If there is inclement weather, children can greet the Bunny and receive a treat at Hopkinton Drug Store.

Hopkinton Public Monday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m.

"The Thomas Jefferson Letters" by author Gerard Gawalt

Gerry, a former Hopkinton resident and Library of Congress historian, will speak about his newest Book “Circle of Friends – Thomas Jefferson and his women correspondents.”

Center School Forum

7:00 pm April 27, 2011

Hopkinton Senior Center

The Board of Selectmen in conjunction with the School Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the Hopkinton Senior Center’s main meeting room at 7PM. The Boards will provide the community a forum to voice opinions and share ideas on how to best move forward with the Center School. Comments or suggestions can be submitted in advance to selectmen@hopkinton.org. If you have any questions, please call the Selectmen’s Office at 508-497-9700.

School Department to Cut $200,000 from Budget

April 27 is new date for Center School Project forum

by Heather Kelley

April 8, 2011 — At last night’s School Committee meeting, Director of Finance Ralph Dumas announced that kindergartners on the western side of town will be attending morning kindergarten next school year. This year, the western side has been attending the afternoon session. Next year, Route 85 will continue to be the dividing line between am and pm, only with the west attending in the morning, and the east attending in the afternoon. Mr. Dumas explained that at an earlier School Committee meeting, a parent had inquired about the possibility of having each side of town take turns attending the am and pm sessions. “We’re trying to think of a fair way to do it,” said Mr. Dumas. He recognized that most people prefer the morning session, while acknowledging that it is not possible to afford that opportunity to everyone because of space constraints. Mr. Dumas could not commit to what would happen in future years. One exception to next year’s geographic mapping will be the Charlesview subdivision, which this year is attending in the morning, and next year will go in the afternoon. Another section of town, the Mayhew and Meserve Streets area, will also attend in the afternoon next year. Mr. Dumas said that the school administration was able to provide this balance to the east and west sides of town since next year’s half day kindergarteners have already signed up, and the bus routes and stops could be considered. There will be 54 am and 52 pm kindergartners next year. Geographic dividing lines were created with an eye first to keeping these numbers as even as possible. Parents will be notified through many and various means.

Mr. Dumas also submitted a bus fee letter for review by the School Committee. New for this year will be a firmer deadline of June 17^th to elect to request and/or purchase bus passes. This past fall, Mr. Dumas said, the schools collected around $6000 in late fees from parents requesting bus passes in the days leading up to the first day of school. The $50 late fee, Mr. Dumas said, was obviously not a deterrent to parents making last minute decisions. And the onslaught of parents at the business office requesting passes in late August created unnecessary craziness during a time when the administration is busy getting ready for the start of school, he said.

The goal, according to Mr. Dumas, is to collect no late fees. Instead, the administration is requesting that all parents meet the June 17^th deadline. As a deterrent to late requests, bus routes and stops will be created based on June 17^th data, with no new bus stops being created for pass purchasers who fail to meet the deadline, except for new students moving into town. It is possible, Mr. Dumas said, that a particular bus may be full, in which case no new passes for that bus route will be issued after the deadline.

The June 17^th deadline for bus pass submissions also applies to those requesting a pass, but not having to pay to ride the bus.

In addition, the transportation department needs to speed up many routes, which they will accomplish by combining bus stops. The department will be reconsidering where they will go into developments, and where bus stops will be moved to intersections with more main roads. In cases where buses will continue to go into subdivisions, the stops will be prioritized at the homes of kindergarten students. This is being done, said Mr. Dumas, with an eye to efficiency and student safety.

REST OF STORY...

Picture Perfect

April 7, 2011 — This young male mallard — not a damaged feather in sight — was very vocal today on the southern end of Lake Whitehall, as it presumably called for a mate while it swam, and flitted about from one area to another. Photo by Robert Falcione.

A Horse is a Horse...

April 7, 2011 — This inter-species relationship on Pond Street appears to be satisfactory to both the horse and the alpaca involved. The title above is a reference to the beginning of the first verse of a theme song of a television program from the Sixties. The photo, both balanced and framed, is a good example of the artistic rule of thirds.

Principal Mrs. Ilene Silver to Represent Elmwood School At State House Great Hall

Elmwood School, EMC, Michael Carter Lisnow Center to be recognized

April 7, 2011 — "Kids ask questions. if they see someone with one leg, they want to know why, because standard equipment is two," said Elmwood School Principal Ilene Silver, who will represent Elmwood School as one of three organizations, along with EMC and the Respite Center, which will be recognized for making a "difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities," according to a letter from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Mrs. Silver was singled out in a letter from the Department of Developmental Services to attend at 10:00 am on April 11, "...so that we may recognize the exemplary contribution you have made in partnership with the Respite Center."

"Dale [Danahy, Colella's President] and I spoke with Sharon Lisnow and Mary McQueeny at the Respite Center and we decided to visit with second graders and parents who wanted to participate. Even some parents were somewhat fearful, but now, some of them participate.

"They get to see the accommodations, which have been equipped for people with needs. The favorite is the sleep-over room.

"We emphasize things that are similar, not different," she said.

"Volunteers come to third grade and answer questions - the kids are very curious. It is a trip our teachers really value.

"We [Elmwood School] are only a half-mile from the Center, and we hope for good weather for the group walk.

"Elmwood is being recognized because we further the lives of people with disabilities by educating people," she said.

New Ownership at Hopkinton Jewelers

April 7, 2011 — Karen Stephenson looks up some information for Dayle Doherty, who stopped in just to browse at the new Hopkinton Jewelers at the suggestion of some of the women at Ann-Michele's Uptown hair Design, which is located above the Jewelry store at Claflin Commons behind the Garden Gate Florist.

Mrs. Stephenson, mother of an eleven year-old, and her husband purchased the business from Renee Marino, who did a 16-year stint at the location before hanging up her loop for a fitness business.

Mrs. Stephenson studied merchandising, but worked as an executive for a financial services organization for years before realizing her standing dream of opening a retail business.

The name may be the same, but Mrs. Stephenson said that her inventory has changed to reflect the economy.

"I want people to have access to not only the same fine jewelry we continue to carry, but also affordable pieces made from quality silver. They are pieces from designer collections," she said.

Mrs. Stephenson's purchase of the business continues the tradition at Claflin Commons of all-women businesses, including Ann-Michele's Uptown Hair Design, Renee Marino's Metabolism & Nutritional Analysis LLC, Jodi Palmieri of Let's Sing! Dance! Act! and Annette Nealon's Threads.

COMMENTARY

Site Walk Reveals No Gas Line, No Wetlands Behind Center School

by Robert Falcione

April 4, 2011 — Following the joint Selectmen/School Committee meeting last week where the architect for the Center School Project stated there was a gas line behind Center School on property he originally designated as an easement, this writer visited the property with a former town official and discovered that there was no gas line on the site; and in a story earlier that day, this writer revealed that the property was owned outright by NStar, and was not an easement as had been designated on the architect's conceptual plan.

A site walk also revealed that the property appears not to have any wetlands, contrary to the architect's statement that he believed there were "wetlands issues" there. And according to the Conservation Department, none have been designated as such on that property.

The plan for expansion on the property for the Center School Study that the architect presented that evening showed a new building crammed into an area on the currently used segment of the land, bordered in red on the bottom left side of the GIS map to the right. Click on thumbnail on left to see concept plan. This is the so-called $41 million plan.

The architect also mentioned a slope on the land, next thumbnail below, that prohibits building, but did not mention that land can be leveled and filled, and then built upon.

The map also shows the NStar land that cuts the town-owned land into two pieces. It is a 100' -wide strip that carries electrical utility lines on wooden telephone poles, as opposed to the type of metal structures that carry high voltages over long distances. The lines cross East Main Street just east of Ray Street and join poles where a brick Edison transformer station was situated before its demolition nearly 20 years ago.

Experts in the field have since confided that if the utility company refuses to grant a easement request to make access available, the town is within its rights to take the land by eminent domain and use the landlocked parcel.

Downtown Hopkinton, as any resident or shop owner can attest, is built on ledge, which makes any site work more difficult, but solvable, as the current buildings attest mutely with their presence.

If a $41 million Center School renovation and expansion can fit on the front parcel, imagine the possibilities if the rear parcel is made available.

This writer immediately made the observations known to town officials last week.