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May 30, 2011
Evergreen Cemetery, Wood Street, Woodville |
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All In The Family
May 29, 2011 — This family of six has taken over this cove on Lake Whitehall and is surround by, off-camera, another two dozen Canada geese and mallards, as well as a fisherman; see fish pail on shore at left. |
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Up and Away
May 28, 2011 — This great blue heron put its wheels up and moved to the other side of the pond, giving the photographer his own space, as the sun set this evening. |
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More From the Grand March
Please choose each thumbnail below to view a larger version of the photo
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I Am Lost!!
My name is Guinevere, but I could be called Houdini today, because today is the day I disappeared from my Wood Street home.
I am 18 years-old, and although that may not be a lot in human years, please remember, I am a cat, and cat years — don't make me do the math — are shorter than human years. As if age isn't enough, add arthritis to the mix and you've got an old, arthritic cat who is bad at math and doesn't know enough to stay home. Some people say I walk like a rabbit. Ahem, really?
My owner, Anne, misses me dearly and is upset that I am on my own in the vicinity of the town-owned Whitehall property, even though I have a microchip. If you find me, please call 508-435-xxxx before Anne has conniptions, whatever those are.
UPDATE: I have found my way home (Whew!) and promise not to sneak out into your scary world again when the workmen leave the door ajar. |
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Trooper Struck - 45th Trooper Struck Since January, 2010 May 28, 2011 — At approximately 12:13 a.m. a
State Police cruiser traveling northbound on Morrissey Boulevard near
Freeport Street in Boston was struck head-on by a wrong-way operator
traveling southbound in the northbound lane. |
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Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s STATEWIDE Against the Tide The PREMIERE EVENT to raise money for BREAST CANCER PREVENTION! (Quincy) –Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) calls on mothers, daughters, sisters and their loved ones to support breast cancer prevention by participating in the organization’s annual Against the Tide swim, kayak, walk or run fundraising event.
This is the first year that Hopkinton's David Spengler will be participating in the Against the Tide event without his beloved wife, Carol by his side. In December, Carol lost her six year battle with breast cancer at the age of seventy. Carol is remembered as being an avid supporter of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition; whether participating in the walking event or volunteering to help the event run smoothly, Carol was dedicated to the organization. Just as the MBCC advocates, Carol believed that prevention is the cure and she chose to support the MBCC because it is the only breast cancer organization locally and nationally that focuses on breast cancer prevention. “It was with an intellectual curiosity that Carol approached the causes of the disease and how to prevent it,” says David. So in loving memory of Carol, David has decided to carry on her mission of supporting the state’s largest breast cancer prevention organization. If you are interested in joining or pledging to the David and Carol Spengler Team you can go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/davidspengler/against-the-tide-hopkinton.
“Carol will be sorely missed and that I know she would be proud of David's involvement because of her belief in MBCC's focus on prevention” says MBCC’s Event’s director Cheryl Osimo..
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is a statewide grassroots advocacy organization that seeks answers to what is CAUSING breast cancer in order to offer changes that will lead towards breast cancer prevention.
Massachusetts’ breast cancer rate is nearly 10% higher than the national average, with some women in Greater Boston and Cape Cod bearing some of the highest risk for breast cancer in the world. More than 1 in 8 women risk a breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime; and, while breast cancer is typically a disease affecting older women, more and more younger women are being diagnosed with very aggressive forms of the disease.
This event is a 1 mile competitive or recreational swim, 2 mile kayak, 3 mile walk or a 5k run. Participants can participate in 3 of the 5 events.
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is
asking citizens in Massachusetts to join one of the statewide Against
the Tide events on June 18th in Hopkinton, MA or on
August 20th on Cape Cod, MA. Go to www.mbcc.org/swim and register today!” Donations may be sent to the following address: Against the Tide c/o MBCC 1419 Hancock Street, Suite 202 Quincy, MA 02169 |
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Middle School Live! to be Performed June 4
HOPKINTON, MA (May 27, 2011) – Enter Stage Left Theater will be presenting Middle School Live! on June 4, at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be at the Hopkinton Middle School Cafeteria. This laugh-out-loud sketch comedy show, directed by Mary Scarlata-Rowe, with music direction by Mark DiCampo, was a collaborative writing effort between the cast members and the directors.
The cast also had a guest instructor, John Petruney, Group Creative Director of Arnold Worldwide in Boston. Mr. Petruney has worked on ad copy for JetBlue, Boston Market and Ocean Spray, among other companies, and worked with the cast to write two comedy spoof commercials to be part of the show.
This project is partially funded by a grant from the Upton Cultural Council. Enter Stage Left Theater’s choral group Tone Deft, Jr. will also be performing during the show as musical guests.
Tickets are $12 ($10 for students, seniors and stage door members) and include complimentary baked goodies that will be served during the performance. Tickets will be available at the door or by purchasing in advance (credit cards sales) at www.enterstagelefttheater.org. Door ticket purchases are payable with cash or checks (no credit cards at the door).
“This has been a terrifically fun project for us. I’m constantly amazed by how quick-witted, creative and funny the kids in the cast are,” said Dawn Anderson, stage manager for the show. |
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Lacrosse Seniors
Girls Varsity Lacrosse Seniors get ready for tournament play. L-r Hannah Gibney (capt.), Brooke Rudden (capt.), Meredith Clarke, Andrea Gendron and Karly Biggs. Photo by Kathy MacDonald. |
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Grand March 2011
May 27, 2011 — The Junior Prom kicked off with a grand march by hundreds of students in the Hopkinton High School Athletic Center this afternoon. The girls came in and turned left and around the seating, and the boys turned right. Somehow, as they do every year, they met in the correct order in the middle and walked through the trellis and down the center aisle. |
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FROM: TOWN OF HOPKINTON OFFICE OF TOWN CLERK18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: (508) 497-9710 Fax: (508) 497-9702
Tie Vote Results in Failure to Elect Two Seats on Board of Library Trustees
At the May 16, 2011, Annual Town Election, voters were asked to fill all five seats on the new Board of Library Trustees. In order to stagger the terms of board members, candidates were to be elected to varying terms of office, with the top two candidates receiving three-year seats, the next two candidates receiving two-year seats, and the fifth candidate receiving a one-year seat. The results of the election were as follows:
The tie vote between two of the candidates created uncertainty as to how the staggered terms were to be distributed. The Town Clerk sought the advice of Town Counsel, who consulted with the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the agency charged with administering state election laws. The relevant statute, Chapter 50, Section 2, of the Massachusetts General Laws, states:
In elections, the person receiving the highest number of votes for an office shall be deemed and declared to be elected to such office; and if two or more are to be elected to the same office, the several persons, to the number to be chosen to such office, receiving the highest number of votes, shall be deemed and declared to be elected; but persons receiving the same number of votes shall not be deemed to be elected if thereby a greater number would be elected than are to be chosen. Except as otherwise provided, this section shall apply to all nominations and elections by ballot at primaries or caucuses. Nothing herein shall derogate from the provisions of chapter fifty-four A.
The Elections Division informed Town Counsel that it did not support a legal interpretation of this statute that would result in a failure to elect for only the second three-year seat and deem the two tied candidates to be elected to two-year terms. Instead, the Elections Division stated that the tie vote resulted in at least two failures to elect (the second three-year seat and the first two-year seat), and possibly four failures to elect (all positions except the first three-year seat), but that the agency would defer to Town Counsel as to which interpretation to recommend to the Town Clerk.
Following the advice of the Elections Division, Town Counsel recommended that the Town Clerk declare two failures to elect (the second three-year seat and the first two-year seat). This interpretation was based on the fact that the two tied candidates were technically eligible for both the second three-year seat and the first two-year seat, resulting in a greater number of candidates elected to those seats than were to be chosen. As such, M.G.L. c.50, §2, requires that the two tied candidates "shall not be deemed to be elected." Based on Town Counsel’s recommendation, the Town Clerk has declared that there were two failures to elect, with the results as follows:
Section 3-1(e)(2) of the Town Charter provides that a joint committee comprised of the remaining members of the Board of Library Trustees and the Board of Selectmen shall make appointments to fill the two vacancies until the next Annual Town Election. Notice of the vacancies must be posted for 10 days, and the two boards may meet and vote on the appointments at least one week after giving notice of the date of the vote. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Library Trustees are scheduled to meet at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, to discuss the appointment process. |
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Assistant Town Clerk Resigns Says Town Clerk Ann Click Disregards will of voters May 27, 2011 To the Town Clerk, Town Manager, and Board of Selectmen, I hereby resign as Assistant Town Clerk (seated), due to the Clerk’s (standing) refusal to honor the will of the voters expressed in the Annual Town Election.
As you know, I ran that election when the Clerk was prohibited from doing so due to her personal interest in the outcome. Acting as Clerk for the election, reporting the results was my responsibility, and “results” per Massachusetts election laws M.G.L. Ch. 50 § 2, includes determination of the effect of a tie.
Following the tie for the Board of Library Trustees, I examined the election laws and determined that although no one could be elected to one of the 3-year seats, the tied candidates (Leda Arakelian and June Harris) should be awarded the two 2-year seats. This is due to a statute which says in the event of a tie, “persons receiving the same number of votes shall not be deemed to be elected if thereby a greater number would be elected than are to be chosen.” Looking at the 3-year seat, neither Arakelian nor Harris could be seated. However, nothing in the statute requires that those candidate be disqualified, which is exactly what the Clerk has done.
With no justification and without regard for the prohibition against her running the election, the Clerk has taken this decision from me and disqualified the two tied candidates. She says she is simply following the advice of Town counsel Ray Miyares. I have repeatedly asked counsel how he can interpret the statute to disqualify the tied candidates, and his response has simply been that he would explain if the Clerk asked, and the Clerk has refused to ask. Counsel has relied on the statute quoted above to eliminate both one 3-year seat and one 2-year seat, but has refused to answer when I have pressed for an explanation of how his comparison of those two positions could be based on a statute which applies only if there are more candidates than seats.
When I first brought my interpretation to the attention of Town counsel and the town clerk, it was positively received, with an attorney in Miyares’s office calling it the “most equitable” outcome – barring any “prohibitive language.” Since Miyares became involved again, however, he has rejected this interpretation without giving any reason it was prohibited or indeed any support whatsoever for his odd recommendation that two candidates with over 1000 votes each are not elected and one with only slightly more than 100 votes is.
I attempted to confer with the Massachusetts Elections Division, but was informed that they had provided their reasoning to Miyares and I should get it from him. Again, he refused to provide it.
If I was wrong, so be it, but I never received any reason why this scenario is wrong, other than counsel’s say-so. Then, the Town Clerk blindly adopted that recommendation.
I believe that this interpretation is based not on the law but on emotion. Miyares has been upset with me ever since I confronted him about his advice to the Clerk just after the election that she should recount the ballots, on her own with no supervision and no request from a candidate, and then keep the results “under her hat.” As Miyares has since admitted, such actions would have violated elections laws. (I have expressed my concern about this advice to both the Clerk and the Town Human Resources department.)
Since the election I have expended great efforts to try and come to a reasonable, fair conclusion to the tie vote in the race for the Board of Library Trustees. I have repeatedly asked the Clerk and counsel to justify their decision. I have, however, been unsuccessful in convincing the Town that the interpretation these two have taken is not the most fair or even a rational approach, that it does a great disservice to the voters, and that it does not uphold the highest ethical standards that are expected from us as employees of the Town of Hopkinton.
Ever since I became aware of the problem created by the tie vote on May 17th, I have struggled with how this was being handled. I tried to convince others that all the candidates, not just the two who had tied votes, had a right to know that there was an issue and of the ability to file a petition for a recount. Notice was not given until Tuesday, May 23rd, a week after the election results were announced and only 72 hours before the filing deadline. This was very troubling to me. I was placed in charge of the election, which I was proud to do, but was misinformed as to what my ultimate responsibility and role was until after we discovered the tie vote.
I take great pride in providing the Town of Hopkinton the utmost dedication, professionalism and highest ethical standards, and I wholeheartedly feel that the Clerk’s decision on the election goes against everything we as town employees are expected to do and everything our Charter stands for. I would have rejected town counsel’s unsupported recommendation if I had been allowed to report the election results as I should have.
We had 1744 town voters show up on one very inclement day, May 16, 2011, to exercise their fundamental right to vote, to speak their choice by a ballot. Leda Arakelian and June Harris both received the votes of 1013 of those voters – that is, almost 60% of the voters who cast their ballots voted for these two candidates. The Clerk’s decision entirely disregards those votes, without any value, and that is wrong. By this decision, we are telling those candidates who worked so hard for a well-deserved seat that they are not entitled to one because of the way two people interpret the ballot. We are trying to bring more residents to town meetings and town elections, and we are trying to sign up more residents to volunteer on our many boards and committees, but I ask how this is to happen when democracy is handled this way?
So with a very heavy heart and no other job in sight, I hereby resign from my position of Assistant Town Clerk of Hopkinton. This is a matter of principle, fairness to the voters, and the ethical standards of which I work by and always will. I cannot remain in this position while the Town Clerk disregards the will of the majority of our voters.
Sincerely, Deborah A. P. Holbrook 6 Rice St Hopkinton MA 01847
Editor's Note: When asked for comment, Town Clerk Ann Click declined. |
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On the Block Auction at noon Tuesday, May 31, 2011
May 27, 2011 — The building and land that houses Doyle's Star Package Store and a half-dozen or so rental units will be the subject of an auction at noon on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, according to John J Murphy, Jr. with Home Loan Investment Bank, who was in the building yesterday. Mr. Murphy would not provide any other details, including opening bid, other than to say the liquor license was good until the end of the year; but he was unclear how and if the business would be transfered. A representative of Paul Mastroianni, who has renovated and owns the plaza at 77 West Main Street, sought to have the liquor license transferred to his company in 2009, but the transfer was disapproved due to tax issues that existed prior to his contingency purchase, by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission in 2009 for "Failure to Comply with Mass Tax Laws." It lists property owner and business owner Brian Bento in the remarks area. |
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Senate Adopts Spilka’s ‘Gift of Life’ – Income Tax Deduction for Living Organ Donation
May 27, 2011 — Yesterday, the Senate adopted Senator Karen Spilka’s (D-Ashland) amendment ‘Gift of Life’ to the Senate budget, which creates an income tax deduction for citizens of Massachusetts who donate an organ, while living, to another human being.
‘Gift of Life’ will allow living organ donors a state income tax deduction of up to $10,000 in related expenses that include travel expenses, lodging expenses, and lost wages that are incurred by the donor and related to his or her organ donation that are not reimbursed in any way.
“It is vital to ensure that living donors do not incur financial loss for their altruistic organ donation” Stated Senator Spilka. “This legislation will raise awareness for living organ donations, and help those in need of a transplant to receive an organ in a shorter period of time, and ultimately save lives every year. I want to thank my constituents, Krystine and Steven Orr of Framingham, who brought this issue to my attention in 2007, when Krystine was in need of a kidney donation, and who have helped me bring this legislation to life.”
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School Department Looks Toward Center School Repairs Robotics team recognized for achievements
by Robert Falcione May 26, 2011 — The robotics team, fresh from national competition and four points from a world record, demonstrated their handiwork for the School Committee this evening, receiving warm and enthusiastic praise for their achievement at the World Championship in St. Louis. See a warmup of the demo here in Windows Media Player. Mentioning a criticism on Town Talk, the HopNews discussion page, a committee member asked Director of Finance Ralph Dumas to explain the process of Center School repairs. Mr. Dumas said in relation to window replacement at Center School, that every bid over $100,000 must have a designer to help establish the bidding process. He said that a study six years ago brought forward a figure of $800,000. "Clearly, you're going to break the $100,000 threshold," he said. Mr. Dumas also said he had a conversation with a mechanical engineer who believes that a base of $25,000 to study the HVAC at Center School is a good figure. Heather Kelley will return to cover the next School Committee meeting, and will resume the comprehensive reporting then. |
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Ahoy!
May 26, 2011 — Hopkinton High School Class of 2010 graduate and Class President Anthony DiMare works the bow of this sailboat at Hopkinton State Park, bringing it from dry-dock to its mooring in the water at Outdoor Recreation, where he has worked for several years. |
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Dock of the Bay
May 26, 2011 — This artificial miniature man enjoys a sunny day at Weston Nurseries' train setting behind the Garden Center. |
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Frolickers
May 26, 2011 — This camera-shy mallard couple enjoyed the Hopkinton Reservoir, its grass, its woods, its spillway and its beach today, much like their human counterparts. |
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Life and Death Struggle
May 26, 2011 — This life and death pursuit took place over the trails at Hopkinton State Park today as two black birds and a hawk took turns pursuing one another. Although neither side has told its story, hawks are known to snatch the young of other birds from their nests. |
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Three Men Indicted In Connection With Decades-Old Unsolved Lowell Homicide
Alan Brown, 59, of An arraignment date has not yet been set.
According to authorities, at approximately 9:45am on September 27, 1969,
Lowell Police responded to a vacant field off
The victim, identified as 15 year-old John
Joseph McCabe, of
Authorities launched an immediate
investigation into the circumstances of the killing. It was determined
that McCabe disappeared after leaving a dance at the Knights of Columbus
in Due to recent evidentiary developments, coupled with a 41 year investigation, the three defendants were charged. It is alleged that Shelley, Ferreira and Brown were all involved in abducting the victim, holding him in a car against his will on September 27, 1969, where they assaulted him, and subsequently bound and gagged him in such a way that it led to his death.
It is alleged that Shelley
drove the car to the vacant field on
Arrest warrants for the three
defendants were issued on April 14. Brown and Shelley were arraigned in
Lowell District Court on April 15 before Judge Tobin Harvey. Shelley
was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail. Brown was released on personal
recognizance. Ferreira was arraigned that afternoon in Exeter District
Court in These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing.
The Assistant District Attorney
assigned to the case is Tom O’Reilly. The Victim Witness Advocate is
Dora Quoriz. This case was investigated by The Lowell Police
Department, The Tewksbury Police Department, and The Massachusetts State
Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office
with assistance from the |
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Thank You, Hopkinton Taxpayers Due to the generosity of hundreds of residents and, in particular, to New England Laborers Training Trust Fund, payments totaling $4,900 were made to 14 elderly persons this year to assist them with their real estate taxes. This is the thirteenth consecutive year in which such payments have been made. The Senior/Disabled Relief Fund is supported solely by voluntary donations from Hopkinton taxpayers. For more information about the Fund, go to www.hopkinton.org/taxrelief .Hopkinton Tax Relief Committee |
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Gloria Mary Russell
Gloria Mary Russell (88) – 2/10/23 – 5/9/11 — Gloria Carroll was born to Joseph and Florence Carroll in Everett, MA. She grew up in the depression era and told stories of being poor, but not knowing it because everyone was in the same boat. Like her father, she had the voice of an angel and was winning talent contests by the age of 12. She began her professional singing career at WEEI, as the girl singer on the Carl Moore show. She had an opportunity to go to New York City to sing on the Arthur Godfery show, but chose to stay in Boston.
She married Fred Locke just as the US was becoming involved in WWII. She has 2 sons, William and Fred. Later she married Tom. They moved to Hopkinton in 1954 where they lived for many years, raising Holly and Heidi and lots of lambs, horses, dogs and cats.
Her singing career was rekindled in the 80’s when she sang at the Stickey Wicket’s Sunday Brunches. She was accompanied by the great guitarist Gray Sargent who now plays in the Tony Bennett Quartet.
She lived for many years in Naples Florida where she loved her life of sunshine and singing. In 2003 she moved to Maine where Holly and Heidi shared in caring for her.
She loved – Singing at local Naples piano bars where she ‘Wowed’ the crowd, living in Florida, sitting for hours in the sun, eating good food - especially bacon pasta, looking beautiful, listening to great music; Tony Bennett and Michael Buble were her favorites, her dogs and us.
We will miss – Turkey dinners with the best stuffing ever, her laughing so hard that she would wet her pants, our great vacations in Florida, caring for her when she needed us, Two and a Half Men, her pillow-top tummy, her singing Happy Birthday in harmony. We will miss Our Mommy. |
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