From
left to right: teacher, Angela, students Marcus, Devon
and Nicky, with teacher Dan.
December 7, 2011
— True to form, students at the Evergreen Center of Milford made
a beautiful wreath to give to the Town of Hopkinton for hanging
in front of Town Hall as they do every year. The
Evergreen
Center is a residential school in Milford serving children
and adolescents with severe developmental disabilities.
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495 ROLLOVER
UPDATE 3:30 pm
At this time, the right travel
lane and the breakdown lanes are still being occupied from this
morning's rollover on Route 495 South in Marlborough; the center
and left travel lanes are open and clean up of some leaking
diesel fuel is underway. A preliminary investigation by Trooper
Stephen Sullivan indicate that the operator of a tractor trailer
unit, CHRISTOPHER LEE HUDSON, 38, of North Carolina, was driving
on the ramp onto Route 495 southbound from Route 20 in
Marlborough. The load on the truck shifted and the tractor
trailer rolled across Route 495. A box truck driving southbound
on Route 495 took evasive measures to avoid the turned over
truck and came to rest in the median strip. There wasn’t any
contact between the two vehicles. It is unknown what HUDSON was transporting at the time of
the crash. HUDSON was transported
to
MarlboroughHospital by
Marlborough EMS for complaints of minor injuries. HUDSON will be cited
for speeding and unsecured load. We have no estimated time of
when the road will be fully opened. Mass State Police state
they will not be offering further updates on this incident.
TRAFFIC
ADVISORY 11:20 am
495
SB Closed in Marlborough
State Police units are just on-scene of a crash involving two
tractor-trailer units on Route 495 southbound in Marlborough.
One TT has rolled over. The entire southbound side of the
highway is shut down. There are no injuries. Southbound traffic
is being diverted onto Route 20 in Marlborough at the
Northborough exit
prior to the crash scene.
Region
Nine Dean
College Students Expelled - Criminal Charges Expected
Student beaten down while others watched, cheered at Franklin
College
December 7, 2011 — A YouTube video that went viral, presented in
a report below by Channel 4 News, shows a student who believed
another stole his sneakers, beating that student, removing the
sneakers from his feet, and then hitting him with them. Eight
students who watched, cheered, or mocked the student in front of
the camera, as well as the alleged perpetrator, have been
expelled from the college.
According to several media reports, in
addition to the action taken by the administration of the
College just three towns away, police are expected to file
charges.
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HOPKINTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING SURVEY NOW CLOSED
From November 21
through December 6, the School Committee conducted a community
survey asking residents to weigh in on important criteria and
hypothetical solutions to the conditions of the Center School.
The survey was available online and in hard copy at the Senior
Center and Hopkinton Public Library. In order to gather feedback
from the entire community, the survey was broadly advertised
through all local print and online media. In addition, a
postcard was sent to every home in Hopkinton to encourage
participation.
The survey
garnered the largest response rate to date of any community
survey conducted by the School Committee. The results of the
survey are now being analyzed. The data will be presented
to the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and community at a
meeting on January 4, 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Middle School
Library. The meeting will be televised for those who
cannot attend in person.
The School
Committee would like to thank the community for the tremendous
response.
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Seventy Years Ago
Selectmen Hear Storm of Complaints About Downtown Steering
Committee
"You can't bait and switch!"
~
Jackie Potenzone
"Tone-deafness to the Community has cost us dearly." ~ Claire
Wright
Ron Eldridge Accepts Appointment to Appropriations Committee
December 6, 2011 — Speaking as the Clerk of the Works of the
Center Trail Project, Peter LaGoy told Selectmen this
evening that he would be responsible for spending the $120K to
move the project forward, despite his Downtown committee's lack
of a voting quorum at their meetings.
Selectmen's Clerk Geri Holland,
at the behest of the town manager, immediately dug out the
record from Town Meeting, which stated that the money was to be
spent through the Community Preservation Committee. The board
agreed that Town manager Norman Khumalo would provide the
oversight for that.
The Board of Selectmen then
adjourned and reconvened as the Appointing Committee,
inviting Town Moderator Dr. Bruce Karlin to join them in
appointing longtime past Appropriations Committee member Ron
Eldridge (standing, above), who they solicited to help out.
"You paid your dues;
you've been a loyal citizen for a number if years," said Dr.
Karlin.
"I do hope that some
other people step up," he said, conveying the frustration Town
Hall has had in getting volunteers to serve on that committee.
The Downtown
Initiative Steering Committee (DISC) has been holding
hearings, conducting meetings and getting together with
residents to hammer out ideas presented to them by the
engineering firm, BETA Group, for the $4 million Downtown
revitalization initiatives. The firm continues to assure town
leaders that the town's project is in the state's pipeline for
funding.
The (expanded) project
scope involves a study of drainage, traffic flow, pedestrian
safety, and streetscape on Main Street from Ash Street to Wood
Street. An additional piece not considered for funding under
this project scope would be the burying of utilities on that
stretch estimated to cost upwards of an additional $7-$8
million. That portion would be paid for by taxpayers or utility
users, depending upon the funding mechanism.
The group came
before the Selectmen this evening to get their feedback on
proposals from the group for improved parking, traffic,
streetscape and the burying of utility wires. DISC Chairman
Tom Nealon presented the group's perspective to the
Selectmen. He said that the objective was to balance
moving traffic, but keeping as much street parking as possible.
However, the presentation by the group on November 3, 2011
illustrated all of the parking removed in front of Phipps
Insurance, Hopkinton Gulf, and Hopkinton Gourmet, as well as
some in front of 34 Main Street, and several spaces near Hayden
Rowe Street.
A total of 45
were removed, according to Colella's President Dale Danahy,
who expressed surprise this evening that the group was
considering acquiring her property to straighten the
intersection at Main/Cedar/Grove, especially after the BETA
Group said at the DISC hearing November 3rd that that plan was
no longer being considered as an alternative. Mrs. Danahy
recently resigned from DISC.
"We
[Colella's] may not be here in five years if this [taking of
part of Colella's parking lot] goes through.
"Today, I am
flabbergasted that you want to take my property," she said.
"Unlike Ron
Eldridge," she said, "I will not return to this [DISC]
committee."
Mrs. Danahy's
departure leaves just four members on the six member committee
made up of Tom Nealon, Joe Strazzula, Ken Driscoll and Ria
McNamara. However, Ms. McNamara has not attended the last few
meetings, and Joe Strazzula, a Downtown business owner, may be
forced to resign, if some have their way. Mr. Strazzula is a
former Selectman and former longtime Hopkinton resident who is
now a Milford resident. He was referred to tacitly this evening
in a bid to have him removed from the committee, because he is
no longer a resident. Planning Board and Historical
Commission member Claire Wright said that he was not
reappointed to ZAC for that reason.
Mrs. Wright
also said that the two public hearings by DISC were well
attended, but contentious. She noted a reduction from
100 parking spaces down to 56 on the plans, something that would
be detrimental to business. She said the proponents would not
disclose their cost estimate of the project.
Mrs. Wright said
that at the first meeting, the most drastic proposals, the ones
that involved land acquisition, were not on the table, and the
less impactful ones were being considered instead, according to
reports she read.
However, she
said the diagram that was presented at the second meeting, one
she attended, showed a plan that did not include the acquisition
of any land; but when the presentation began, the overhead
projections did, showing a different version of the plan.
As a member
of the Historic Commission, Mrs. Wright complained to the
proponents of the plans that they were considering including the
demolition of a historic home at 2 West Main Street. She said
she was told by one of the proponents that they could wait
out the 6-month statutory demolition delay on the Circa 1830
home.
She
said she was told by the proponents, "We've cut a deal with the
homeowners to buy them out."
However, the owner of the home at 2 West Main Street,
Will Jacomme,
was in attendance this evening, and said that although he was
amenable to moving the home to another piece of land, the
committee never discussed a price with him.
"Our
treasures should be protected," Mrs. Wright said.
"The benefit
for the proposed plan for this intersection is essentially to
improve it for truck traffic going to the recycling center
[Harvey's] on the border of Westborough and Hopkinton," she
concluded. Jackie
Potenzone (file photo), owner of a home business at 12 Wood
Street, spoke passionately about not having had a good night's
sleep since the November meeting she attended. Mrs. Potenzone
complained of there not being an overlay on the plans showing a
before and after, and said that her neighbor at 2 West Main
Street did not know of the committee's plans to acquire his home
until she told him she read it on HopNews.
"I speak for
the Downtown," she said, but that is not accurate.
She said the
plans that the public was told were moving forward were not the
same ones she saw presented this evening, concluding that if the
group changed their minds, they should have held another hearing
and invited the public. She said she felt slighted. She said
that if the plan to demolish 2 West Main Street was carried out,
she would have headlights hitting her home. She called the
change "a bait and switch."
Selectman Ben
Palleiko suggested, to the agreement of his fellow board
members, that of all of the goals of the committee, the group
should consider moving the parking component forward right away.
DISC member Ken Driscoll said that they had been in conversation
with land owners at — and surrounding — Bill's Pizza to
acquire land in that area for expanded parking.
After their
time at the microphone was over, Selectman Brian Herr lambasted
those who criticized the DISC committee, calling the members
"...volunteers who have spent a lot of time."
"Don't yell
at volunteers who have spent thousands of hours on this," he
said crossly to the critics of the plan.
However,
after the meeting, Frank D'Urso, who also spoke against the
plan, pointed out that the three major critics were also
volunteers, among them serving on about a dozen town or civic
organizations combined.
Christina P.
(Sprague) McGrath, 84
HOPKINTON -
Christina P. (Sprague) McGrath, 84,
died Monday, December 5, 2011 in Milford. Born in
Boston, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Stella
(McDonald) Poirier. She was employed by T.J.'s
Restaurant, Ashland, for over 20 years.
She is surived by her
daughters Cynthia LePouttre of Springfield, Patricia Braley
of NC, Marie Braley of Hopkinton and Deborah Evans of OH;
her sons James of Milford and Robert of IL; 12 grandchildren
and 19 great grandchildren In addition, she
leaves her brother Ronald Poirier of NH and her sisters Mary
Carey and Joann (Susie) Deletti, both of Hopkinton.
Calling hours will take place
Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the
Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street. A
funeral service will commence at the funeral home at 5:00
p.m.
Donations may be made to the
American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA
02241-7005
SERVICE
GUIDE
Milford Regional’s
Tree of Life Raises Funds for Cancer Care
Milford
Regional Medical Center’s Tree of Life event raised over $14,000
to benefit the Oliva Patient Comfort Fund. Over 190 guests
attended this annual gathering which celebrates life and is a
tribute for those who have survived cancer, who have battled the
disease or who have been touched by cancer.
Members of the
community enjoyed entertainment provided by The Holiday Mix
quartet from The Sounds of Concord Barbershop Chorus. The group
performed a 4-part a cappella harmony in barbershop style with
true heart-felt emotion. Comments were made by Francis M. Saba,
Milford Regional CEO, Edward J. Kelly, Milford Regional
president and oncologists Michael Constantine, MD, and Mona
Kaddis, MD, Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. The
group then moved outside along a path lit by tribute luminaries
to the front of the Medical Center for the tree lighting
ceremony. Each candle on the tree is a symbol that honors or
remembers a loved one affected by cancer. The tree will remain
lit during the holiday season as a reminder of hope in the fight
against cancer.
The Oliva Patient
Comfort Fund will assist oncology patients purchase items to
help make their lives more comfortable during their treatment at
the Medical Center and Cancer Center. To receive information
regarding donations to Milford Regional Medical Center please
contact the Foundation Office, Milford Regional, 14 Prospect
Street, Milford, MA 01757 or call (508) 422-2228. Donations may
also be made online at
http://www.milfordregional.org/.
The annual Tree of Life was lit by cancer patient Dayra Ocasio
and her son Angel Gomez, pictured here with oncologist Michael
Constantine, MD. Milford Regional raised over $14,000 for
cancer care. Contributed content.
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Hopkinton Resident One of Two River Students
Receive All-New England Honors in Football
WESTON, MA
– The Rivers School is
proud to announce that two members of its senior
class
have been named All-New England Class C Selections in football.
Chelsea resident Ash’Shaquor Sandiford ’12 and Hopkinton
resident William Oldach ’12 both received the honor.
“Shaq and Billy are
two outstanding young men both on and off the field,” said head
football coach, Dan Keohane.
As Rivers’
quarterback, Sandiford ran for more than 400 yards and passed
for more than 1,000 yards this season. Keohane said he was the
“heart and soul” of the team.
Oldach has
experienced great success as a long snapper and was also named
the New England Class C Lineman of the Year. Coach Keohane
called him one of the hardest working players he has seen. “Both
were great leaders and will be missed next year,” said Keohane.
SEN SPILKA AND OTHERS TO
DISCUSS DANGERS OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AT KEEFE
Senator Karen Spilka will speak to students
about the dangers of texting while driving at the Joseph P.
Keefe Technical High School, 750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA
Wednesday, December 7th 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The event is part of AT&T's "It Can Wait"
campaign aimed at raising awareness about the risks of texting
and driving. As part of the presentation tomorrow, AT&T will
show a 10-minute documentary which tells the true stories of
young drivers whose lives were altered or even ended because of
texting and driving.
Principal John Evens, Mike Fabbri of the
Middlesex District Attorney's Office (File photo), and Dave
Mancuso of AT&T are also scheduled to address the students
beginning at 8:30 a.m. The program will then be repeated for a
second group of students at 9:40 a.m.
Spilka also spoke to students and young
drivers when the presentation was held in October at Marian High
School in Framingham.
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Toys for Tots Drop-Off Box Locations
•
Hopkinton Police Station Lobby •
High School •
Middle School • Hopkins School
YOUR
HOME
<----
CLICK FOR FULL REPORT -
December 5, 2011
1:24 pm A homeowner on East Main Street called to report
that there is a giant pig...
8:01 pm Caller reports her 18 year old daughter is
babysitting on Pond Street...
1:49 pm A C Street resident called to report what
appeared to be a drug transaction...
6:54 am New England Laborers Training Center called to
complain of a man trespassing with his dog...
5:40 pm Caller reports that a man on Saddle Hill Road on
his bicycle is yelling at him..
3...
2...1... Lights!
December 5, 2011 — Kelley Danahy holds one of her young charges
today immediately following the tree lighting at The Learning
Center of Hopkinton on Wood Street.
SERVICE
GUIDE
Spikey Do
December 5, 2011 — This rust-colored squirrel at North Mill Pond
shows off its savvy fashion sense with its spiked ear-do.
Rare, Indeed
December 5, 2011 — These reclusive mergansers found a spot away
from not only people, but cameras as well in East Hopkinton.
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ST.
PAUL’S INVITES ALL TO “BLUE CHRISTMAS” SERVICE DECEMBER 18
HOPKINTON, MASS. (December 5, 2011) – Do you need some comfort
and fellowship during this holiday season? St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church invites you to a non-denominational "Blue Christmas"
service on December 18 at 6:00 p.m. This is a special reflective
service to acknowledge the blue in our Christmas. It will be a
service of readings, music, candle lighting, and silence and
will take place in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s, which is located
at 61 Wood Street (Rte. 135) in Hopkinton. All are welcome.
>
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Menorah Lighting Celebration in Hopkinton
Come
celebrate Chanukah in Hopkinton with a menorah lighting at the
Town Common. The lighting will be on the first night of
Chanukah, Tuesday, December 20th at 5:00 p.m. We’ll
light the menorah, sing a few songs and even enjoy some treats!
Hope to see you there!*
YOUR
HOME
Real Estate
Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts
New Transactions
from November 27, 2011 to December 5, 2011
Address
Buyer
Price
Date
Seller
12 Trevor Lane
Matthew Cullinan, Jessica Cullinan
$455,000
December 12, 2011
Pannaben H Nangha, Chavda Chaitanya
68 Ash Street
Brooke N Ferencsik, Tracey L
Ferencsik
$470,000
December 2, 2011
Rebecca M Brosnan
208 Wood Street
Frankie Investments LLZC
$199,000
November 30, 2011
Patricia M Kennedy_Canava, Thomas F
Canava
16 Blueberry Lane
Emily Anderson, Todd D Anderson
$615,000
November 30, 2011
Karen L Weiskerger, Gregg Weiskerger
6 oak Street
Hongliang Tang, Oiang Shao
$860,000
November 30, 2011
Dean Giovanniello, Lillian
Giovanniello
52 Walcott Valley Drive #53
David M Jones, Aureliea A Jones
$170,000
November 29, 2011
Eileen Flynn, Elaine Oliveiri Elaine,
Paul R Annunziata, Estate of
Last Week
47 Saddle Hill Road
Jinchuan Yang, Wenli Li
$475,000
November 28, 2011
Catherine M Lynch, Ichael J Lynch
Week Before
7 Oliver Lane
Anand Narayan, Kalavathi Anand
$515,000
November 18, 2011
Vijay Sundhar, Rukmini Sundhar
9 Hillcrest Drive
Sarah Wills
$255,000
November 18, 2011
Makepar Corp
36 Alexander Road
Steve Perryman
$439,000
November 17, 2011
Renata M Clark Fam Tr, Michael S
Clark Tr, Diana C Clark Tr
11 Canterbury Lane
Vincent L Porzio, Margarita,
Porzio
$812,500
November 15, 2011
Allen J Peshler, Deborah L Peshler
Caroling at the Library
Please enjoy a clip from the ESL Carolers at the Hopkinton
Public Library on Friday:
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HOME
Photographer Available for Portraits
Individual and family portraits by
photographer Robert Falcione, as well as portrait gift
certificates, are available before and after the holidays.
All of the photos on HopNews pages 1 and 2,
are by Robert Falcione, unless otherwise noted. To schedule a
portrait, please call 508-435-5534, or to learn more, visit
http://www.PhotoImages.com/ .
>
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August Hangos, 86
August Hangos, 86, of Hopkinton, passed away Friday,
December 2, 2011. Born in Chicago, he was the son of the late
August and Sophie (Myers) Hangos. He was the husband of the late
Irene Hangos.
August was a member of the Carpenter's Union Local #475, with 50
years of service in the field. He was retired for 15 years, and
had just received a 65 year pin. He was a member of Woodville
Rod and Gun Club, rode his motorcycle until the age of 82, and
was a member of the Distant Thunder for many years.
He is survived by his son, Mark Hangos of Hopkinton, a sister
Dorothy Bagdonas of Marion, IL and one grandson, Kyle Hangos of
Westborough. He is predeceased by his former wife Eleanore
Hangas.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 7th from
9:30a.m.-10:30a.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton
with a service following in the funeral home at 11:00a.m. Burial
will follow in West Sutton Cemetery in Sutton.
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Tradition
December 3, 2011 — Prior to the lighting of the Christmas tree
this afternoon on the Hopkinton Common by the Parks and
Recreation Department, the hundreds of attendees were treated to
caroling by the Girl Scouts and hot chocolate as well as visits
with Santa. To the left of the tree is a crèche put up each year
by a volunteer group. Unlike previous years, the interior of the
display is secluded by a Plexiglas barrier that keeps people
from entering the space. A couple of years ago, someone stole
the figure of the baby Jesus, and despite reward offers, it was
not returned. To the right of the gazebo, off-camera, is an
unlit menorah, which will be lit, one light at a time, starting
on December 21.
Fa,
La, La
December 3, 2011 — ESL's singers perform holiday songs at the
Hopkinton Public Library to the delight of about 100 adults and
children.
SERVICE
GUIDE
Ho,
Ho, Ho
December 3, 2011 — Patrons of the Library's program, who
happened to walk out at the end of their program to visit Santa
at the Common this afternoon, were excited to see him drive by
on his way there in an antique fire truck driven by Tom
McIntyre.
Face
Painting
Dedember 3, 2011 — Danielle Sutton puts the finishing touches on
5 year-old John Marchetti today at the Hopkinton Drug Open
House.
One
of a Kind
December 3, 2011 — Hopkinton artist Ashley Jackson renders his
perspective of Andrew Hayes this afternoon at Hopkinton Drug's
Open House.
YOUR
HOME
Star
of the Day
December 3, 2011 — Pierce Wellington sings with children's
entertainer Cheryl Melody at the Hopkinton Drug Annual Open
House today.
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One
Plus One
December 3, 2011 — This great blue heron was one of a pair this
afternoon on Lake Maspenock.
>
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Checked out the Hopkinton
Interactive Calendar Lately? Here is what is on today:
• Santa Claus
Weston Nurseries. 10 AM - 11:30 AM, and 1 PM - 3 PM 93 E
Main St Hopkinton.
• Library 7th
Annual Holiday Program - 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Music
performances & story time.
• 4:00 pm
Holiday Caroling on the Common, Presented by the
Hopkinton Girl Scouts and Hopkinton Parks and
Recreation. Caroling and Hot Chocolate 4pm. visit with
Santa and Mrs. Claus, Write A Letter to Santa...
• "New England
Song" Hopkinton Middle School auditorium 88 Hayden Rowe
Street 7:00 pm
• A
Christmas Carol, presented by Enter Stage Left Theater
at the Hopkinton Historical Society, 168 Hayden Rowe St,
7:00pm, Tickets available at the door or at
http://www.enterstagelefttheater.org/
•
Hopkinton Drug Open House - See banner above
>
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Bah,
Humbug!
December
2, 2011 — Enter Stage Left Theater presented their premier
performance of A Christmas Carol this evening at the
Hopkinton Historical Society, 168 Hayden Rowe Street. Check the
Interactive Calendar for other performances this weekend and
next.
>
FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
New
England Song
December 2, 2011 — Performed by the Hopkinton Middle School
drama Club, this play features the works of three early New
England authors as well as a cast of many. They will have an
encore performance Saturday at 7:00 pm.
YOUR
HOME
Artists' Reception
December 2, 2011 — Andrea Green and Kris Waldman were two of the
CAA member artists showing their work at a reception at the
farmhouse on Hayden Rowe Street this evening. The show is open
to the public for the rest of the month.
Capital
Article to Address IT Improvements
by
Muriel Kramer
December 2, 2011 — The
School Committee with its Director of Technology Kathy Dooley
and the Town Manager with new Town IT Director Chris McClure
have put the finishing touches on a proposal to bring to Annual
Town Meeting in May for a technology initiative that includes a
capital article for $301,000 to be spent under the direction of
the School’s Director of Technology. This effort has been
discussed at the School Committee meeting over the last month.
The capital article includes onetime expenses to address
virtualization, networking equipment, a necessary wiring project
at Elmwood and administrative work station replacements for the
School Department and the Town. The Board of Selectmen will hear
the complete proposal at their meeting on December 20th.
The joint project
intends to both improve services and reduce costs over time. The
plan will also move some technology around, as some equipment is
adequate for the Town’s needs but no longer capable of handling
the School department needs. In all about 30 town servers will
be eliminated reducing operating and maintenance costs.
According to McClure and Dooley this should lead to easier
management, increased data protection and a more secure
environment overall.
The operating
budget will also be affected by the technology initiative, and
the options there are still being discussed. According to
Dooley, the operating budget will capture the replacement
schedule and includes professional services to get new equipment
on line. The goal is to maintain a five year replacement
schedule, so no equipment is more than five years old. That will
also allow the Town and School Departments to take advantage of
new technologies as they become available because they will
always have up to date equipment in the inventory. The plan at
this point also builds in a network administrator and possible
assistants. In short, this initiative does represent an overall
increase proposed for the operating budget going forward.
The large capital
article was removed by the School Committee from their capital
project list given that it is a joint effort much like the ADA
improvements have been; it was not clear who the sponsor would
then be. The $301,000 initiative is split about 70/30, and the
monies if approved at ATM will be spent under the direction of
the School Director of Technology. The option for the
operational budget approach has not been finalized, so the
impact to the bottom line is not firm. The School Committee also
briefly discussed the full list of capital initiatives that are
under consideration this year which total 2.7 million dollars
without the technology piece. Amid murmurs that this was too
much to take forward from committee members, the decision was
made to maintain placeholders for all of the initiatives on the
ATM Warrant. “If it was me, I’d put them all on,” said School
Committee member Troy Mick.
Dr. Jonathan
Landman, Superintendent of Schools, asked if there was any value
in prioritizing the items on the list at this time but that was
not taken up. For her part, School Committee member Nancy
Alvarez Burdick did assert, that while being in support of
maintain placeholder positions for the proposed articles, “I’m
not comfortable at all bringing that many millions of dollars
worth of capital articles forward; I will be looking for
opportunities to discuss and prioritize later.”
The School
Committee members continue to encourage the public to respond to
the surveys currently available online or in hard copy form at
the Library or Senior Center. The survey does ask about
alternatives that would necessitate land purchases, and the
School Committee had Director of Land Use, Planning and
Permitting, Elaine Lazarus, in to the meeting to discuss parcels
now privately held in town that could be looked at should the
public decide to build a new school on a new parcel located more
closely to downtown or in downtown. That initiative is in its
infancy especially given that survey results are not yet in. The
survey remains open until December 6th. School
Committee member Rebecca Robak also reminded the public that the
Center School initiative, in whatever form that eventually
takes, is intended to include moving the Pre k program from the
Middle School to Center School.
SERVICE
GUIDE
Hopkinton
Education Foundation Celebrates 20 Years
with $1 Million Dollar Goal and Revitalized Website
Hopkinton,
MA, November 29, 2011 – The Hopkinton Education Foundation is
celebrating 20 years of supporting innovation in Hopkinton
public schools by kicking off its annual appeal, in an effort to
reach $1 million in grants since its inception, and by rolling
out a new website that details the positive impact the
organization has in its community. (Please enjoy a reprise
of a HopNews video of how technology can make a difference in
schools).
For the past 20
years, the Hopkinton Education Foundation has provided more than
275 grants totaling about $900,000 to the Hopkinton public
schools. These grants have touched all five schools and support
educators as they search for and deliver new ways to teach
students. Grants have included introducing iPad and e-book
technology to enhance second and third grade language arts
curriculum, piloting a writing mentoring program between fifth
and first grade students, providing interactive software to high
school science classes, and helping Center School teachers
implement new literacy assessments and instruction.
This year, the
Hopkinton Education Foundation celebrates the good it does with
a goal of reaching $1 million in grant support through its
annual appeal and other fundraising initiatives held throughout
the year, such as its Thank-a-Teacher program, annual gala, and
spring Golf Ball Drop. Its annual appeal, which highlights
grants, upcoming programs, and donors, is being mailed to
Hopkinton residents the week of November 28.
“In
the 2010-2011 school year we provided about $79,000 in grants to
help our town’s educators. Each dollar raised through the
kindness of corporate and individual sponsors not only helps our
teachers and administrators bring new ideas and innovative tools
to our classrooms, but it also opens up a world of exciting
possibilities for the way students can learn,” says Hopkinton
Education Foundation President Di Collins.
“The
Education Foundation is rich in history that has been built on
20 years of volunteer services. The most important factor in a
quality school is what happens in the classroom. The Hopkinton
Education Foundation started as a grass roots effort that had
and continues to have a direct link to the classroom,” says Tim
Kilduff, former Education Foundation President.
Collins says the
Education Foundation could not be where it is today without the
continued generous support of individual donors and corporate
sponsors.
Hopkinton Potter at Holiday
Craft Fair and Market
Get in the Christmas spirit at the Holiday Craft Fair and Market
at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 10, from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find gifts of pottery by Carol Mecagni,
jewelry, wooden stocking stuffers, food, clothing and unique
items for holiday entertaining and gift-giving.
The church is located at
183 West Main Street, Westborough at the fork of Route 30 and
West Main Street. Handicap accessible. Plenty of parking. For
more information call: 508-366-7095
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YOUR VEHICLE <
HOLIDAY RETAIL FAIR AND WOMEN-ONLY OPEN
NETWORKING
On Monday, December 5th, NEW
(Network of Enterprising Women) will host a holiday retail
fair and open networking for all area business women. From
8:30 am and until 10:00 am and located at the Faith
Community Church, Rte 135, Hopkinton, attendees will be;
treated to a free, healthy breakfast, an opportunity to
network with other Metro West business women and time to
visit/shop at the many retail tables provided by
members. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase and
all proceeds will go to benefit Project Just Because of
Hopkinton. All Metro West women are welcomed to attend. For
more info on NEW, go to;
http://www.networkofenterprisingwomen.com/
YOUR
HOME
Off-Road
December 1, 2011 — This vehicle ended up against a tree on Cedar
Street without any apparent skid marks leading to it. Two EMTs
accompanied the male operator in the ambulance to the hospital,
and two wreckers removed it from the ditch.
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FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Steady Hands
December 1, 2011 — Ralph Cram watches Arthur Lowell's shot head
toward its target this morning in the Hopkinton Senior Center's
activity room. The facility was abuzz with activity. The
computer room was well occupied, another room was filled with
people making quilts, the lobby entertained a dozen women
knitting charitable gifts, the kitchen was preparing a
low-priced meal, and the Hopkinton Garden Club was assembling
table decorations for the Veterans' monthly Friday morning
breakfast.
Labor of Love
December 1, 2011 — These guests of the Hopkinton Senior Center,
part of a group of about a dozen, are knitting items to be
donated to Project Just Because, a Hopkinton-based charity.
SERVICE
GUIDE
Donations for Dogs
Hopkinton Girl
Scout Troop 72977 is running a dog food drive to benefit
Greyhound Friends. They are accepting dog food donations
(dry or canned dog food, dog biscuits, white rice or olive oil)
at the Holiday on the Common event on Saturday 12/3. If
you cannot bring a donation to the event, take a gift tag from
the dog house then drop off donations at the Library, Elmwood
School, and directly at Greyhound Friends until 12/23/11.
Pictured (from left to right): Leah Patrick, Charly Cheverie,
Zoe Beauregard, Elizabeth Schneider, Deirdre Belger, and Megan
Joyce (missing are Abbey Lussier and Emily Jurasek) with one of
our Dog House Donation bins. Contributed photo.
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YOUR VEHICLE <
204-Acre Terry
Property Under Agreement
(<---Click
to enlarge) November 30, 2011 — Responding to questions about
rumors circulating in Hopkinton today, Hopkinton resident and
entrepreneur Paul Mastroianni conceded that he has reached an
agreement to purchase 204 acres of land from former Hopkinton
residents Mary and William Terry. Mr. Mastroianni said that he
expects to sign a Purchase and Sale agreement "in a couple of
weeks."
A formal agreement to sell land that has
been taxed under forestry Chapter 61 or agricultural
Chapter
61A, would trigger the Town of Hopkinton's Right of First
Refusal to match the offer agreed upon within 120 days if it
so desires.
In 2005, the land was under
agreement between the Terrys and a buyer for $8 million with
contingencies that the town claimed altered the actual
selling
price, giving them the right to revisit if the price came down.
The town passed on that offer, but that was not the end — and
the price went up, instead.
The next year, 2006, Erickson
Retirement Communities offered $12 million for the land, but
with stipulations. After nearly a year of intense engineering
studies and meetings with officials from Milford Water company
and the Town of Hopkinton, Erickson abandoned the idea, saying
that there was not enough contiguous dry land to build their
campus-style community the way they wanted. Erickson had hoped
to build 1,500 units for elderly there. A year later Erickson
filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was purchased under those
terms to an investment company. And in June of this year, the
founder, his family members and others were sued for $100
million by a trustee who claims that company assets were
siphoned off for personal purchases. However, the property will
soon have a steward with a proven track record if all goes
as planned between Mr. Mastroianni and the Terrys.
Citing the Midas touch, one
family member once said of Paul Mastroianni, "Everything he
touches turns to gold!"
Mr. Mastroianni purchased 77
West Main Street, where the Dynasty is located, upgraded that
property, and recently built a separate facility for a doctor's
practice in the rear. He told a skeptical Planning Board at the
time that the property would end up with more parking spaces
after the additional building was built on top of the existing
parking spaces. Somehow, it did.
Mr. Mastroianni also owns the
new Post Office, which he also had built.
"I am trying to continue the
legacy of the Terry family," said Mr. Mastroianni in a
telephone interview this evening about the land under
agreement..
"I am very excited to work with
the town and do something for the town. The town has always been
good to me," he said.
Asked about rumors that he
would like to build a hotel, he said that the land was not zoned
for that use, but that he would be "exploring the options of
what the land can provide for the town of Hopkinton."
The Terry land abuts his
current 77 Main Street property and continues down Lumber Street
on that side. It appears from the map that the property reaches
as far as Chamberlain Street to the south and nearly to the end
of Whalen Road to the east.
Mr. Mastroianni would not
reveal the purchase price this evening. It will be public
information when the town is notified of the formal Purchase and
Sale.
Adolescent Health Survey Results are In
Vast majority of Hopkinton Middle and High School students
participate
See the presentation here
Above, Hopkinton High School
Principal Alyson Geary lists the goals for the evening.
November 30, 2011 — Jean Vallera Vazza, Hopkinton Youth Services
Coordinator, and Danielle Petrucci, Hopkinton K-12 Wellness
Coordinator, presented their take on the results of the 2010
Adolescent Health Survey that asked questions about tobacco and
drug use, as well as sex, bullying and violence, of Hopkinton
Middle and High School students, to parents of those students
this evening.
The survey was self-administered, voluntary
and anonymous. Of Hopkinton Middle School students, 94%
participated. 93% of Hopkinton High School students
participated. The large numbers of students sampled — added to
the anonymous nature of the questioning — lends credibility to
its results. This evening's meeting was held for parents to
increase their awareness of the data, develop a plan to reduce
risky behavior, and share prevention and intervention
strategies.
Some of the data compiled was good news,
but other data was not as welcome.
Since 2006, Cigarette use has tripled, from
1% to 3% of students having reported using within 30 days of the
questionnaire, but alcohol use has dropped dramatically since
2008, from 10% to 4%, and marijuana use has stayed level at 3%
since 2008. Nonetheless, cigarette and alcohol use by Hopkinton
students was significantly lower than the average for the state.
Misuse of prescription drugs has,
over the four year period, increased from 9% to 11%.
Compared to data from the Metrowest region,
Hopkinton students' cigarette and marijuana consumption was
higher, but alcohol use was lower in comparison to past groups,
as was the regional use.
HopNews will link the entire
presentation tomorrow, when it becomes available.