April 24,
2011 — The mother Canada goose remains in her nest at the base of the
tree on the island most of the time, while her mate swims around Ice
House Pond on West Main Street, eating underwater veggies and honking at
intruders. Unlike the previous four photos, here, the gander rushes to
the shore to see if the human has a handout. This follows many days of
people throwing food from the gazebo to the previously shy bird.
Committee Member
Pitches New Library
Editor:
I am essentially astounded at the recent vote by the
Hopkinton Historic Commission. We have had so many meetings on this
project and have responded in good faith to all of the input to improve
the design that we heard and understood reflected the wishes and desires
of the community - including the unanimous positive vote from the HDC
back in January. The project is the same now as it was in January when
they voted. It seems bizarre that they would now, 3 months later, vote
against the project. What is next? In another 3 months will they vote in
favor of it? Hard to predict.
However the key points that they talk about are kind of
historically contradictory. If one compares the scale of the buildings
that existed in the downtown 80 to 100 years ago – 4 to 5 story large
wood framed buildings along Main Street – to the relatively small scale
buildings and open spaces there now these would appear to be out of
character with the previous historic character of the downtown. How do
you selectively identify the historic character of an area – is it right
now with the exclusion of other historic precedents? Do we always want
to limit any needed improvements with only what is and what should never
be? I think we are a more mature and forward thinking community than
that.
Contrary to their statement – I believe the streetscape
and the entire Historic District as well as the downtown and the town as
a whole would be significantly enhanced by the new library. We would
finally have a building that is in scale with a downtown and would
provide the essential spaces and services that a modern library
possesses and that we have suffered without for over 40 years. And I
dare say that the current neighbors would be the ones that would most
benefit from the expanded library and would most likely be very frequent
users of a library that really responds to our current and future needs.
Hopkinton currently has the distinction of having one of
the smallest and inaccessible libraries in the Commonwealth (of towns of
our population there are only 2 smaller than us with 102 larger and with
the average size library for a community our size ranging between 16,000
and 20,000 SF). Ashland and Northborough – both communities the same
size as Hopkinton – just recently completed additions/renovations to
their libraries totaling 22,800 SF and 26,000 SF respectively.
Do we need an expanded library? Definitely! Did the
majority of residents want it to be built at the same site as the
existing? Definitely! Is the design in keeping with and complementary to
the existing building? Definitely! Will this library be a strategic
component to downtown revitalization? Definitely!
It would be very sad if the town did not take advantage
of the opportunity to obtain up to 50% of the funding for a desperately
needed new library – an opportunity that may not come again in our
lifetime.
Imagine 20, 30 or 50 years from now when our children’s
children are using this expanded library and appreciating the forward
thinking decisions that we have the opportunity to make now – seems
pretty obvious.
Scott Richardson
HopkintonPermanentBuilding Committee
Personal
Space
April 23,l
2011 — This lone duck enjoyed some solitude and a long bath in Firehouse
Pond across from the Woodville Fire Station today under the cover of
some cherry blossoms and budding trees.
Library Trustee Calls
Actions of Historical District Commission Unprofessional*
Michael,
Can you imagine
my surprise when I read the press release from the Hopkinton District
Commission (HDC) regarding the library building project? Early in the
planning process, the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) voluntarily
contacted the HDC to inform you about our work and gain your input
regarding this important project. In January, your committee issued a
letter in support of the library (please see attached letter dated
January 17).
I am shocked and
disappointed that you held a meeting on Thursday night, April 21, to
discuss and vote on the library project without notifying us. We did not
know you were reconsidering your position. As a professional courtesy, I
think you should have extended us the opportunity to attend your
meeting, make a formal presentation, listen to your comments and answer
questions. I think your actions were unprofessional and demonstrate
total disregard for interdepartmental collaboration and communication.
Within
two-and-a-half hours of the start of your 7 p.m. meeting on April 21,
you sent a detailed letter to the Board of Selectmen and the media
announcing your decision not to support the library project and the
rezoning article. You did not notify us. What was the rush? Are press
releases standard HDC practice?
I understand that
it is your responsibility to weigh in on projects within the Historic
District and make decisions that uphold local requirements and serve
Hopkinton’s best interests. However, I think the process you used last
night is flawed and inappropriate. Given the good will we demonstrated
in voluntarily pulling you into our library planning process, I think we
deserved the same consideration in return.
Marie Eldridge
HopkintonPermanentBuilding Committee
Library Trustee
* This email letter was addressed to Michael
Girardi, but additionally sent to 18 CCs, which included members of the
press.
Busy Corner
April 23,
2011 — Elisabeth Kistner and dad Clifford wave to the camera from
Elisabeth's colorful and professional looking lemonade stand on West
Main Street and Elm today. Money made today is going toward
leukemia/lymphoma cures.
Trustee, Building Committee Member
Requests Historical District Commission Reconsider Vote
Editor:
As a Library
Trustee, and member of the Permanent Building Committee for the Library
Project, I was stunned by the press release this morning from the
Hopkinton Historic Commission announcing its reversal of its support for
an improved library.
In January, Hopkinton Historical Commission issued a letter in support
of the library design (please see attached letter dated January 17,
2011). At no time did HCC advise the Permanent Building Committee or
Trustees that it was reconsidering its support of the library project.
The Permanent Building Committee and Trustees were never
informed that HCC was scheduled to discuss the library
project on April 21. Given the importance of this topic
and its impact on the future of the library, we think it
necessary & proper that the Permanent Building
Committee, Library Trustees and Town Facilities Director
be contacted, and provided the opportunity to make a
presentation.
I respectfully request that Hopkinton Historical
Commission reconsider its action on April 21. I also
request that HHC schedule another meeting that will
allow the Permanent Building Committee and Library
Trustees to attend and make a presentation regarding the
library project.
April 23,
2011 — This self-defined farm stand on Hayden Rowe Street is progressing
quite well.
Easter Bunny Meet and Greet Moved to Hopkinton Drug
Due to
predicted inclement weather, The Parks and Recreation’s Annual Easter
Egg Hunt will be cancelled for
Saturday,
4-23-11.
The events
sponsor, Hopkinton Drug Store, invites you to meet the Easter Bunny at
their store on Main Street.
It starts
at 11:00 AM and treats will be given to those who attend.
Historic District
Commission Unanimously Says NO to Support for
Library Rezoning
and Design
Urges Selectmen
and citizens to vote NO
April 22, 2011 — In a letter to Selectmen, all members of the
Historic District Commission have come out against not only the rezoning
of
properties adjacent to library property, but against the robust design
as well.
Their complaints against the
zoning change from Residential to Downtown Business center around the
"inappropriate scale and character" of the project. They also believe
"the streetscape of the Town Common area and the entire Historic
District will be negatively impacted..."
They have added their voices to those of
abutters who have formed a neighborhood group after not being notified
by the study committee of the changes to the area surrounding their
properties. The neighbors have also complained that the conceptual plan
omits their homes, but instead shows lawn and trees, and does not allow
enough parking..
The letter from the Commission follows:
Town
of Hopkinton Board of Selectmen April 21, 2011
Town
Hall
18
Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Dear
Selectmen:
The
Hopkinton Historic District Commission has voted unanimously not
to support Article 49: Amend Zoning Map: Library Parcels and
Article 53: Library Project Preliminary Design as listed in the Town
Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Although the Commission issued a
letter of support for the previously submitted “Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners 2011 Construction Grant Application for the
Hopkinton Public Library”, the Commission has serious concerns with the
Hopkinton Public Library Expansion Project as currently proposed.
The Commission has voted unanimously not to support Article
49: Amend Zoning Map: Library Parcels for the following reasons:
the vote for rezoning comes
prior to the vote for approval of Article 53: Library Project
Preliminary Design, thereby providing a permanent zoning change
regardless of the parcel’s final disposition,
the change in zoning permits
the inappropriate scale and character of the proposed project by
decreasing setback requirements and increasing lot coverage,
the proposed rezoning from a
historically residential neighborhood to Downtown Business will
permanently alter the character of the District and its surrounding
areas.
The
Commission has voted unanimously not to support Article 53:
Library Project Preliminary Design for the following reasons:
the proposed scale of the
expansion is not compatible with the surrounding buildings,
the scale of the proposed
library is disproportionate to the mass of the original historic
library building,
the project’s lot coverage
is excessive in relation to the surrounding properties,
the appropriate setback and
lot coverage requirements are not met for the current Residence A
zoning,
the streetscape of the Town
Common area and the entire Historic District will be negatively
impacted by the intrusion of the proposed structure.
We
recommend that the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of Hopkinton
not support Article 49: Amend Zoning Map: Library Parcels and
Article 53: Library Project Preliminary Design. In terms of
character, size, and scale, this project challenges all that the
Hopkinton Center Historic District was created to protect.
Sincerely,
The Hopkinton Historic District Commission
Michael Girardi (Chairman)
Beth
Kelly
Melanie Smith
Austin Spang
Jeanette Thomson
Claire Wright
Host an
International Student 2nd
Semester
Open your
home to the experience of a lifetime! Host an international
student accepted to Hopkinton
High School for the 2011-2012 school year. Your life will be enriched in
enormous and sometimes surprising ways and you'll be contributing to
globalizing your family and your community. A stipend is provided. If
you're interested, please contact Ann Northup, International Coordinator
at 508-480-8513 or
northupa@verizon.net.
This program is sponsored by Educatius International, a non-profit
international educational organization which, among other projects,
connects international high school students with American secondary
schools and families.
www.educatius.org.
AG COAKLEY CALLS ON PABST
BREWING COMPANY TO STOP SELLING OR ALTER NEW PRODUCT BLAST BY
COLT 45
Known as “Binge-In-A-Can,”
Drink Offers Equivalent of Five Beers in One Serving
BOSTON
–
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, along with
18 other Attorneys General, today called on Pabst Brewing Company to
stop
selling or alter its new malt drink beverage, Blast by Colt 45,
because of its high alcohol content and marketing tactics. The drink,
known as “binge-in-a-can,” offers the equivalent of five beers in one
serving. The Attorneys General also are concerned that the product is
being marketed and packaged in a way that targets underage youth.
Earlier this month,
Pabst introduced its Blast by Colt 45 as a flavored malt beverage
in fruit flavors of grape, strawberry lemonade, strawberry watermelon,
and blueberry pomegranate, with an alcohol concentration of 12% in
brightly colored 23.5 ounce single serving cans. This means that each
single serving contains the equivalent of nearly five servings of
alcohol. Anyone who consumes a can of Blast within an hour will
have engaged in binge drinking as defined by The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
The Attorneys General
are concerned that its marketing of the product targets underage youth.
As part of its marketing, it has enlisted celebrity hip hop/rap music
artist Snoop Dogg, and Blast is being promoted largely through social
media such as Facebook and Twitter. Pabst is also marketing the product
through launch parties, some of which are designated as 18 plus.
"At a time when we're
fighting to prevent underage drinking and binge drinking, we are urging
Pabst to rethink the dangers posed by Blast,” said AG Martha
Coakley. “We also believe the promotion of this ‘binge-in-a-can’ is
aimed at the youngest of drinkers as well as underage youth.”
Last fall, after urging
by Attorneys General and a review by the Food and Drug Administration,
the popular alcohol energy drink Four Loko was pulled from the
market after reports surfaced that children as young as 13-years-old
were drinking the product, which also had a 12% alcohol concentration in
a 23.5 ounce single serving can. The drink also had a caffeine additive,
which the FDA later banned, that allowed users of the product to stay
awake and drink more.
Horse Right
of Way
April 21,
2011 — Officer William Burchard holds back westbound traffic while
Officer Peter Booth does the same for eastbound traffic as an Ashland
officer and another person return horses to their East Main Street
coral. Both towns received several calls for the horses in the street
causing problems. For a century, horses have had the right of way over
automobiles.
All Ears
April 21,
2011 — This robin and two others had their ears turned toward the ground
listening for movement of insects today at Hopkinton State Park.
Hopkinton
vs. King Philip
April 21,
2011 — Hopkinton boys got the best of King Philip today at home.
Ashland Officer and Canine Partner Capture Fleeing
Suspect After Violent Struggle
On
Wednesday April 20, 2011 at approximately 9:45 PM, Ashland Police
Officer Chris Alberini (File photo) and his K-9 partner Dax were on
routine patrol on Chestnut
Street in Ashland, when they observed a vehicle operating erratically
(weaving over the center line several times). Concerned that the
operator may be impaired, Officer Alberini subsequently pulled the
vehicle over.
As Officer Alberini exited his cruiser, the
operator, later identified as Timothy Sullivan, 34 (booking photo), of
22 Lakeview Gardens, Natick, exited his vehicle and fled on foot, while
shouting, “F*ck you, I’m out of here. Catch me.” At that time, Sullivan
turned and ran south on Chestnut Street as Officer Alberini instructed
Sullivan to stop. Sullivan then entered a dark wooded area and was not
immediately visible to Officer Alberini.
Officer Alberini removed his K-9 partner Dax
from the cruiser, and verbally commanded Sullivan to come out of the
woods or he would release his dog. After two more warnings, Sullivan
finally exited the woods, but continued to curse at the Officer.
Sullivan was instructed to lay prone on the ground with his hands spread
out.
Officer Alberini placed K-9 Dax back in the
cruiser and approached Sullivan, attempting to handcuff him. Sullivan
refused to comply with Officer Alberini’s instructions, resisting his
efforts to place him in handcuffs and began to violently struggle with
the officer. Officer Alberini, who was alone on the side of the dark
roadway with Sullivan, summoned K-9 Dax from the cruiser. The dog
immediately exited the cruiser through an open window and responded to
protect his handler. Sullivan attempted to fight with K-9 Dax, grabbing
the dog’s face and pulling on him. K-9 Dax continued to protect his
handler, grasping onto Sullivan’s neck. Officer John Driscoll then
arrived to assist. With the assistance of Driscoll and K-9 Dax, Sullivan
was finally subdued and taken into custody.
The vehicle’s registration was discovered to
be revoked for insurance cancellation. Several small “corner cut”
baggies were located along Sullivan’s initial escape route, and a crack
pipe was located on Sullivan’s person. Sullivan was charged with:
1.Failing to Stay in Marked Lanes 2. Operating a motor vehicle with
suspended registration 3. Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle 4.
Resisting Arrest 5. Failing to Stop for Police and 6. Interfering with a
Police Dog. Other charges are still possible. Due to Sullivan’s
resisting arrest and struggle with K-9 Dax, he sustained an injury to
his neck. He was treated by the Ashland Fire Department for his injury.
Thoughtful
Seal
April 21,
2011 — This bumper sticker on a vehicle in the parking lot of Milford
Hospital turns the tables on people who spend their energy saving baby
seals, suggesting that baby humans be given some consideration; perhaps
as an anti-abortion position. See a unique, thought-provoking or funny
bumper sticker? Even if you do not agree with its message, send it along
regardless to
Editor@HopNews.com
to share it
with HopNews readers.
Tree Trauma
April
21, 2011 — This deceased Pond Street resident went through a lot in its
life. Insects had invaded its surface under the bark, as evidenced by
the hieroglyphic-like designs left on its bare trunk. As for the piece
of granite; don't know.
Police Chief
of the Day, Michael Ambrosone
April 21,
2011 — Seven year-old Michael Ambrosone didn't have to go through Town
Hall application processes, Board of Selectmen reviews, or any testing
procedures to become the Hopkinton Police Chief of the Day today.
Michael participated in the HPTA's online auction and bid on the right
to become Chief of the Day, sit on the motorcycle, in a cruiser, and get
a full tour of the police headquarters.
When asked his prime motivation for wanting to be Chief of the Day, he
said, "I wanted to see the motorcycle."
NOTICE: Water Users in the
South Street/West Main Street/Lake Maspenock Area
Please be advised that a required fire flow
test will be conducted Monday, April 25th on South Street at
approximately 10:00 AM. You may notice some discoloration in the water
following the test. Please check your water before using it and you may
need to flush your line to clear your pipes after the test has been
completed.
Regards, Eric J. Carty, Water/Sewer Manager
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to
Present "State of Town"
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 • First
Congregational Church
7:30 am Coffee and Conversation 8:00 am
Program
An
informative lead to Hopkinton’s Annual Town Meeting set to convene on
May 2, 2011 at 7 PM.
Presenters will include:
RJ
Dourney Chair, Hopkinton Board of Selectmen • Ron Eldridge
Chair, Appropriations Committee
Norman
Khumalo Hopkinton Town Manager • Jack Phelan Superintendent,
Hopkinton School District
Bob
McGuire President, Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce
April 20, 2011 —
The fourth in an ongoing series of photos in the lives of this Canada
geese couple at Ice House Pond shows the goose spread across her nest,
covering her eggs with her wings on the island in the middle.
Above, her mate stays apart from the nest, drawing attention away from
it. The goose is barely visible to the naked eye; the photo's color
saturation has been increased to distinguish her from the background,
and the photo has been enlarged.
EMC Reports Record $4.6
billion Q1 Revenue
HOPKINTON, Mass.
—April 20, 2011—EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) today
reported record financial results for the first
quarter of 2011. Continued healthy customer demand
for EMC's information infrastructure and virtual
infrastructure products and services, and strong
performance within the company's Europe/Middle
East/Africa and Asia Pacific/Japan regions,
contributed to EMC achieving record first-quarter
consolidated revenue, record first-quarter net
income, and strong year-over-year percentage
increase in operating and gross margins.
First-quarter
consolidated revenue was $4.6 billion, an increase
of 18% compared with the year-ago quarter.
First-quarter GAAP net income attributable to EMC
increased 28% year over year to $477.1 million.
First-quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share were
$0.21, up 24% year over year. Non-GAAP¹ net income
attributable to EMC for the first quarter was $700.4
million, an increase of 27% compared with the
year-ago quarter. First-quarter non-GAAP¹ earnings
per diluted share were $0.31, an increase of 19%
year over year.
During the first
quarter, EMC expanded gross and operating margins
substantially on a year-over-year basis. The company
achieved operating cash flow of $1.1 billion and
free cash flow² of $857.3 million, and ended the
first quarter with $9.5 billion in cash and
investments.
Joe Tucci, EMC Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, said, "EMC is off to a
strong start in 2011 with significant opportunity
and long-term growth potential ahead. With
market-leading virtualization and information
infrastructure products and services, and a strong
partner ecosystem, we are positioned squarely at the
intersection of two of the most sweeping trends in
IT – cloud computing and Big Data. These assets,
along with a robust innovation pipeline, uniquely
align EMC to help customers accelerate their journey
to cloud computing and unlock the full value of
their information." Contributed Content - File
photo
Dollars for
Doyle
April
20, 2011 — Hopkinton students Elisabeth Kistner, Maeve Cross, Jess Sci
and Meghan Herlihy will be offering lemonade, baked goods and jewelry on
Friday, April 22 for the benefit of leukemia and cancer charities at 86
West Main Street on Friday, April 22 between 3-6 p.m.
The girls were inspired by a friend of Jess, who recently moved to
Hopkinton from New Jersey, and has a friend there named Doyle Heggeney,
who has recently graduated from his leukemia treatments.
"He has a good life; he laughs a lot and is funny," said Elisabeth. "We
are trying to raise as much money as possible and have fun doing it."
Elisabeth suggested that people who do not want to purchase anything
could give a monetary donation.
Keeping Hopkinton Green
“Spring
Green Up is here again” exclaimed Nancy Dourney, chairwoman of the
Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee (HOPGREEN). Dourney was speaking
to the members of her committee this week about plans which are shaping
up for the Third Annual Hopkinton Spring Green Up Day event on May 7th.
“Last year we had over a 100
residents participate” said Dourney. “This year we would love to see
even more folks come out to beautify Hopkinton.
The Spring Green Up is a
popular event where friends and neighbors can connect after a long
winter. Several Community groups as well as school organizations will be
participating again this year. Harvey’s will be donating several
dumpsters which will be placed around town.
Hopkinton Sustainable Green
Committee invites anyone who wants to join the effort to contact us at
hopgreen@hopkinton.org
We will be tracking where groups are working and offering updated
information. All Participants are invited to the town common at 8:30am
on the 7th for a photo opportunity. Please check out
www.HOPGREEN.com
for more details.
Tenacious Trooper Identifies
Subject with 12 Aliases and 10 Warrants
On
Sunday April 17, 2011 Trooper Jodi Gerardi was patrolling Route 95
southbound in Wakefield when her attention was drawn to a
1999 Honda Accord in the breakdown lane. She observed the vehicle to
have fresh damage and the operator walking away from the car.
The driver identified
himself as Willie Rosa and provided identification reflecting the same
information. The Trooper was not convinced. She eventually arrested him
for operating a motor vehicle without a license and providing false
motor vehicle documents. He was transported to the State Police Barracks
in Danvers.
The Trooper attempted
to fingerprint the suspect at the barracks, but discovered his
fingerprints were purposefully altered. He was then sent to the
Middleton House of Correction. On Monday, Troopers assigned to the Major
Crime Unit went to the House of Correction. Despite the suspect's
altered fingerprints, the Trooper was still able to recover usable
prints. He was identified as a former inmate named LORENZO ECHEVACIA,
39, of Brockton.
The Troopers sent the
fingerprints to the FBI where 10 warrants on the suspect were located.
They also found 12 aliases for this individual. The majority of the
warrants were for felonies. They included several distribution of Class
A cases and a 10-year-old rape and kidnapping case from Saugus. It was also discovered that he was
deported in 2004 and had entered the country illegally.
The defendant was
arraigned Tuesday in Malden District Court on the original motor vehicle
charges and then transported to Middlesex Superior Court to answer for
the outstanding warrants. The dedication of Trooper Gerardi with the
assistance of the Essex Sheriff’s Department and the Massachusetts State
Police Major Crime Unit has removed a dangerous felon from the streets
of the Commonwealth.
Richard M. Small, 64
Richard
M. Small, 64, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2011
in the UMass Memorial Healthcare, Memorial Campus with his devoted wife
and family by his side.
Richard was born in Boston, February 26th 1947, one of five children
born to Samuel and Ruth (Ferguson) Small. He grew up in Hopkinton,
graduating from Hopkinton High as a standout athlete and captain of the
football team. He then attended the Maine Maritime Academy. He came to
Worcester many years ago, until moving to Auburn 3 years ago.
Richard is survived by the family he so loved: his devoted wife and
love for the past 28 years, Joy (Tonelli) Small; three children,
Nicholas DiBenedetto of Auburn, Lori Corridori of Charlton and Matthew
Tarallo of Worcester; a brother and three sisters, Stephen Small of
Indian Rock Beach, Florida, Jean White of Alfredo Maine, Elizabeth
"Betsy" Olofson of Waltham and Susan Small of Beverly; four
grandchildren he found inspiration from, Nicholas, Anthony, Shelby and
Rachel; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Richard found his love and laughter in the big heart and concern he had
for everyone. He made all feel at ease as soon as he entered the room.
He was an avid Red Sox fan. He will be sorely missed.
Richard's employment led him to serve the public in Sales for
Westborough Dodge & Toyota more than 25 years before retiring due to
illness in 2000.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Richard's family,
Saturday, April 23rd from 11 a.m to 12 noon in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL
HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. A memorial service will follow at 12
noon. Burial will be held privately at a later time. Memorial
contributions in his memory may be made to any of the following: Umass-Memorial
Hospice, 650 Lincoln St. Worcester, 01655,
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
, P.O. Box 1000, dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or Why ME & Sherry's
House, 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602.
Richard's family would like to thank the staff of the UMass-Memorial
Healthcare, Memorial Campus especially the SICU, CCU, and 5th floor
units for all the care, comfort and understanding given to Richard.
Fitness Tip
by Day
Libraries Are Very
Relevant
To the Editor -
I would like to take this opportunity to
address several recurring comments regarding the expansion of the
library. Many people have taken the position that in the digital age
libraries are out-dated and redundant. As a college professor, I
believe that nothing could be further from the truth. Libraries and
those who work in them are as vitally important and relevant now as at
any time in history.
Even though it may feel like the world is
only a few key-strokes away and therefore all one needs is access to a
computer to become knowledgeable on a given topic that is simply not
true. Anyone who has researched a paper for high school or college knows
the sheer volume of information online. Making sense of that
information and determining the credibility of its source is something
that most people have little training in, and not much inclination to do
so. What factors go into determining whether a website is legitimate?
Is a blog a reliable source? How about Wikipedia? Reference librarians
know the answers to those questions - - and more -- and willingly share
that information with anyone who cares to ask! Most websites with
legitimate information on them have bibliographies. What’s on the
bibliographies? Books, found in libraries. Plus, fully-vetted scholarly
research is rarely available for free on the internet, but instead is
located on electronic data-bases found only in, you guessed it,
libraries. Learning how to be a critical thinker does not happen by
entering a term into a search engine.
Others have argued that all we need to do
is give everyone an e-reader and be done with it. I own an e-reader and
like it for its convenience and portability. But e-readers are not free
and neither are the books. Is every citizen in Hopkinton going to be
given one of these and free access to all the library’s material
digitally in the same way that they all have access to what’s currently
there? If so, what are the costs involved? Are there licensing fees?
Who will train those who need it on how to use e-readers & access
material? Who will pay for the training? Where will that be done? Who
will repair it if it breaks? Do you get an upgrade if the technology
improves? If you move out of town, do you have to give your e-reader
back? Who owns the material on it? You, or the town?
Technology has also been held up as more
environmentally-friendly than books. If you would like a side-by-side
comparison, check out “How Green is My I-pad” an article by Daniel
Goleman and Gregory Norris. After providing such interesting facts as
one e-reader requires the extraction of 33 pounds of minerals and 79
gallons of water to produce while one book takes 2/3 of a pound of
minerals and 2 gallons of water, they conclude their comparison by
stating, “All in all, the most ecologically virtuous way to read a book
starts by walking to your local library.” (go ahead, you can Google
them!) Some have suggested that we use the schools’
libraries. Given security surrounding public school access (not to
mention lack of parking) it would be reasonable to assume the public
would not be able to use these facilities while school was in session.
Additionally, there would need to be staff hired, not only librarians
but probably more custodians as well if the building were to open to the
public nights and weekends. Would they be open or closed on school
vacation? This does not seem to be either fiscally-sound or logical.
Also, didn’t we try something similar with the exercise room at the high
school? If I recall, the public who agreed to fund that building was
supposed to have access to the equipment at night. Even with a user-fee
it was found to be too costly to maintain.
Unlike the video store, a business model
based on a single form of technology, libraries have adapted and evolved
in the face of centuries’ worth of advancements. Hopkinton’s library is,
and should remain, the center of the community serving young and old,
those with means, those without. Please show your support for the
library expansion at the May 2 town meeting.
Anne Mattina
40 Eastview Rd
April 19, 2011
Hopkinton
13, Algonquin 10
April 19, 2011 — Tess Chandler on her
way to scoring for Hopkinton.
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April 19, 2011
8:40
pm A caller was concerned that a man was operating a wheelchair on
West Main Street...
1:01
am A walk-in reported an individual male in a red Volvo SUV followed
her home...
2:21
am An Ash Street caller reported an animal in her attic eating
something...
3:20
pm A caller complained of skateboarders in the middle of Wood
Street...
Library Expansion is
Another "Fruit Street"
Situation
Dear Editor,
I’m writing on behalf of the Citizens for More
Responsible Government in Hopkinton. The Town Board of Selectmen, other
town committees and commissions are again throwing their support behind
a project, the town library expansion, without truly understanding the
town’s people desire to spend over $10 million dollars on such a
project. This project like the proposed new school on Fruit Street is
being rushed through the town governance process in hopes of securing a
50% matching grant from the State of Massachusetts. The results thus far
have been the Permanent Building Committee proposing expanding the
library on the existing site, building a new library behind Center
School only to have the School District not support this ideal, to
quickly moving the proposal back to the existing site of the library
within the matter of a couple of months. This despite the architectural
firm contracted by them concluding last year that the existing site size
was not appropriate to support a building more than 4 times larger than
the current library size the Town is requesting under this project plan.
As a result of trying to rush this project through, the
Planning Board has requested a zoning change be made to the site of the
current library at 13 Main St and the lot directly behind at 8 Church St
from Residential A to Downtown Business District to allow the library to
get relief from the zoning bylaws allowing for the building to cover a
maximum 60% of the lot vs. 35% allowed today. The change will also
provided relieve on setbacks and building height restrictions. Because
of the large scope in size to the plan the Town of Hopkinton has
requested an easement be granted by two of the property abutters of the
site too in order to fit the large footprint of the project into this
site. The vote for rezoning will come before the vote on funding
the library as this is the only way their plan will work due to their
hushed process of trying to secure the State grant money. If these lots
are changed to Downtown Business District, it will be a permanent
change, regardless of whether or not the current library plan moves
forward with their expansion plans. Three major hurtles need to be
“jumped” before this can happen, securing the State grant for 50% of the
funding, raising $2.8 million dollars in private donations, and asking
the town’s people to agree to an override on property taxes for 20
years. If anyone of these three points aren’t achieved “all bets are
off" as to what could happen with this historic property if the zoning
change is approved by the voters at Town Meeting.
The library is in the Historic District in a residential
neighborhood on a residentially zoned lot today. The expanded library
will be seen from Main Street, Hayden Rowe, Church Street and the town
common. The scale of the building as designed is completely
inappropriate for the area, and will forever change the character of the
residential neighborhood of historic homes around the library and the
town common. The scope of the proposed project will include meeting
rooms for up to 110 people. The plan only can accommodate a parking area
for 21 cars; this includes parking for the library staff. With the
downtown area already suffering from the lack of retail businesses, many
of the storefronts vacate already where will all the cars park if this
plan becomes a reality? Will the remaining few businesses left in
downtown be forced out of business because of the lack of parking?
While we would support making improvements and some
expansion to the existing historic library buildings, the addition as
currently designed is completely out of scale. Increasing the library
space by more than 4 times on a lot that can’t support it, in an area
that doesn’t have enough parking to support the current business
district let alone this project just doesn’t make economic sense. We
believe the Town should “step back”, reach out to the town’s people to
truly understand what they want and what the town can support before
rushing forward with another project to grab State grant money. This is
another Fruit Street School situation all over again. We ask that you
consider the appropriateness of the cost, size and scale of the proposed
library expansion, the permanent negative effect on the Historic
district and the business district by asking that you join us to defeat
articles 49 Amend Zoning Map: Library Parcels and 53 Library Project
Preliminary Design at town meeting on May 2.
Jim Walker 8 Hayden Rowe Street
Sue and Jeff Hadley 4 Hayden Rowe
Kate and Mike
Roughan 6 Hayden Rowe
Citizens for More Responsible
Town Government in Hopkinton
"The News Starts Here!"
properties adjacent to library property, but against the robust design
as well.
stop
selling or alter its new malt drink beverage, Blast by Colt 45,
because of its high alcohol content and marketing tactics. The drink,
known as “binge-in-a-can,” offers the equivalent of five beers in one
serving. The Attorneys General also are concerned that the product is
being marketed and packaged in a way that targets underage youth.
On
Wednesday April 20, 2011 at approximately 9:45 PM, Ashland Police
Officer Chris Alberini (File photo) and his K-9 partner Dax were on
routine patrol on Chestnut
Street in Ashland, when they observed a vehicle operating erratically
(weaving over the center line several times). Concerned that the
operator may be impaired, Officer Alberini subsequently pulled the
vehicle over. 
“Spring
Green Up is here again” exclaimed Nancy Dourney, chairwoman of the
Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee (HOPGREEN). Dourney was speaking
to the members of her committee this week about plans which are shaping
up for the Third Annual Hopkinton Spring Green Up Day event on May 7th.
On
Sunday April 17, 2011 Trooper Jodi Gerardi was patrolling Route 95
southbound in 
Richard
M. Small, 64, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2011
in the UMass Memorial Healthcare, Memorial Campus with his devoted wife
and family by his side.
