Discover Emmitt Francis’ “Scents of Place”

Wednesday, April 18, 2012: 10am-12pm

      Join us at Upton State Forest for a FREE program for all ages.
      Come and Meet DCR Search and Rescue K9 Emmitt Francis and his handler, Ranger Jennifer Stowe. Explore the trails of Upton State Forest and “smell” it from his point of view.

      Appropriate clothing and footwear are highly suggested for hiking on the trails

      The meeting location is located at the intersection of Westborough Road and Southborough Road. Program signs will be located at the entrance to the driveway. Dogs are not preferred at this program, but if present, will be required to be on leash.

       For more information contact Jennifer Stowe (978) 369-7834 x 3

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Just the Facts

March 31, 2012 — Southborough Police covered both sides of the tracks at the T station in their town while the passenger train remained at a halt. Above a police officer speaks with a conductor after speaking with a teen. The reason for the investigation is unknown.

Lunch at the Park

March 31, 2012 — This northern flicker was very busy this afternoon having lunch at Hopkinton State Park, as seen in this grabshot from the HopNews HD video camera.

No Reason for Alarm

March 31, 2012 — Employees of a Main Street business were evacuated following the report of a gas odor in the basement of the building. However, neither the Hopkinton Fire Department nor the gas company could detect an odor.

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Juxtaposition

March 30, 2012 — These members of the track team, with their springtime running shorts, are juxtaposed against the background of a plow behind them coming up the Cedar Street hill from the flats, a reminder of the season that has just passed. NOTE: The definition of any word on Page One, as well as an audio demonstration of its pronunciation, can be had by double-clicking on the word.

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New Feathers

March 30, 2012 — This bird was among a half-dozen great blue herons as the Roving HopNews Camera captured it in Southborough today. It appears to be a young bird with unblemished feathers.

Hopkinton woman will run Boston Marathon
to raise money for renowned school for the blind

Watertown, MA – March 30, 2012 — Hopkinton resident Kathryn Traut will run the Boston Marathon^® on April 16, but not to set a new record or win the race. She’s running to raise money for Perkins School for the Blind.

Traut is one of 10 runners on the Perkins charity team who will pound the pavement for 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston to raise over $50,000 for people who are blind or visually impaired. Traut has personally committed to raising $5,000.

The Perkins team, which includes runners from around the country, is the only charity team in the 116th B.A.A. Boston Marathon that focuses exclusively on helping people with visual impairments. All donations will fund the Watertown, Mass.-based school’s on-campus, regional and international programs.

Traut, 32, said she first thought about running for charity in 2004 when she ran the Boston Marathon and saw people running for non-profit organizations. “I was amazed to see how many people were pushing themselves for a cause they believed in,” she said. “I want a chance to do the same.”

Traut didn’t have to look far to find a good cause. She’s worked at Perkins for more than a year as a teacher in the Lower School.

“I decided to run the marathon because I really love my job,” she said. “Perkins really has a profound impact on so many people. My students inspire me to run, as well as the dedicated staff that I am surrounded by.”

To support Traut’s marathon run and make a donation to Perkins, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/PerkinsMarathonTeam/fundraiser/KathrynTraut.

Perkins School for the Blind, the nation’s first school for the visually impaired, provides education and services to help build productive, meaningful lives for 200,000 people who are blind or deafblind, including those with additional disabilities. Founded in 1829, Perkins pursues this mission on campus, in the community and in more than 60 countries around the world. Learn more online at http://www.perkins.org/.

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What Is It?

March 30, 2012 — The flag at Cookie's Corner is reflected in the window next to a creature beginning to peak out at the bottom right corner of 1 Ash Street. Its identity might have remained a mystery forever if it had not appeared in the window of the Boston Athletic Association.

HCA Arts in Bloom Exhibition April 6 - 27

HOPKINTON, MA (March 30, 2012) --- If you need any more evidence that spring is really here, be sure to attend the Arts in Bloom exhibition at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe in Hopkinton. Arts in Bloom is an annual, juried exhibit sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance that showcases new and exciting work created by artists living and working in New England. All works reflect a floral theme in imagery, color, design or conceptual elements, and once again the Hopkinton Garden Club is providing one-of-a-kind floral arrangements to complement the prize-winning artwork. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and weekdays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The public is also invited to a reception on April 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“It looks like many people had spring fever this year because we had our most competitive year ever, with 68 artists submitting 202 pieces of art,” said Kris Waldman, director of the CAA. “Our juror, Arthur Dion from Gallery NAGA, (who will also help curate the show), had the honor of selecting 25 artists and 31 pieces of art, with the result being a very vibrant and delightful exhibition.”

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BETA Group, DISC Present to BOS

Mouse-over image to see "After" view

Above: Mouse-over the image to see the "after" plan that includes burying the underground utilities, something that was not part of the original scope, and could nearly triple the cost of the proposed project. Images provided by BETA Group.

by Robert Falcione

March 30, 2012 — The Board of Selectmen held a joint meeting with the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee (DISC) last evening to see a presentation by BETA Group, the engineering firm tasked with designing a plan to present to the state for funding a renewal of Downtown Hopkinton. The town voted to fund about $400,000 for this work in anticipation of an approximate $4 million in state funding that BETA Group Vice President Anthony Lionetta has said on more than one occasion, "...is in the pipeline." At a seminal public meeting on January 29, 2010, he said there was a "likelihood " that the project would be approved. The plan adds turning lanes at the main intersections, which requires roadway widening.

        The original scope of the project, which begins at Ash Street at the Common, did not include the intersection at Main and Wood Streets, but was added later, because the group believes it is necessary for the traffic plan to work. The participation by the public at meetings has increased significantly since Town Engineer Dave Daltorio included Downtown business owners and residents to the hearings invitation list. Two businessmen who own property in the affected area, Tom Nealon and Joe Strazzulla, are on the DISC committee. A third, and largest Downtown property owner, Dale (Colella) Danahy resigned from DISC over changes in the plan. The Chairman of that committee, Ken Driscoll, owns property nearby on Grove Street that he is renovating.

         The plan has evolved from the original suggestions of the firm, into what Selectman John Mosher called last night, "A refinement," of the current status. He asked in contrast, "Do we want a change?" meaning a more significant plan.

         Some of the proposed evolving changes included the acquisition of some of Colella's Supermarket property to straighten out the intersection at Main and Grove Streets at one meeting, the claim that none would be needed at another meeting, and then the claim at yet another meeting that property acquisition would be proposed. Colella's President Dale Danahy resigned from her position on DISC following the latter meeting.

          The proposed plan for the intersection at Wood and Main has been revised following complaints from Wood Street resident Jackie Potenzone that in one proposed plan, headlights from turning vehicles would shine onto her home.

          One alternative plan showed the intersection moved down West Main Street to the west, but pushback from an affected property owner caused that alternative plan to be shelved.

          Two considerations, traffic lights at Hayden Rowe and Main, and lights at Pleasant and Main, were shelved by BETA in their final presentation without much explanation.

          One of the main points of contention has been the planned elimination of a substantial amount of parking; several spaces in front of Phipps Insurance, Doyle's package Store, Ward's Barber Shop, Hopkinton Gulf and Hopkinton Gourmet. The group showed a revised plan that put back some of the parking, but changed the sidewalk width as a result.

          The group presented a plan to close the entrance at Bill's Pizza, saying that would allow Bill's to have outdoor seating in what is now the driveway, making the area the type of place that would be attractive to people (Editor's note: Bill's Pizza already has outdoor seating, and has no exit from the dining area to the driveway.). The entrance to the rear of Bill's would then be moved to where the current exit is, and would retain the exit, meaning that pedestrians would be crossing two lanes of traffic at a time instead of one. One reason for the change was that some believe the crosswalk would be made safer. In addition to the flow changes would be a revision to the parking agreement between Bill's and the town. Currently, the parking lot behind Bill's is plowed by the town in exchange for allowing parking for people doing business at Town Hall. It is not public parking.

          The new proposal would add an agreement with Bill's that opens the parking to the public. The 20 spaces it would somehow add is the amount that the state, someone said last night, wants the town to provide for the proposed library expansion. Changing the driveway to a walkway would provide a clear path from the back of Bill's to the Library. The study alone, said Selectmen Chair Todd Cestari after the meeting, would cost $50,000.

         Planning Board Chairman Ken Weismantel, looking at the parking proposal, said that considering the new parking lot requirements by the Planning Board — that were not taken into consideration in the plan — Bill's parking plan would be a "net loss."

          Mr. Weismantel said the plan for the Downtown was "...nothing more than a paving plan."

          He said the group, "...threw away 90% of the suggestions, because of the unwillingness to take land."

         One BETA engineer repeated last evening that the solution was two lanes in each direction through Downtown to the highway, but that there was no [political] support for that, he said. Legacy Farms, the project being developed on land acquired from Weston Nurseries, will add 18,000 vehicle trips per day when finished, according to figures supplied by Director of Land Use and Planning Elaine Lazarus during those hearings.

         To keep the project going — and there is no deadline on this, stated Mr. Driscoll — the town needs to submit a 25% engineering plan to the state.

         Town Engineer Dave Daltorio pointed out that the plans presented this evening did not qualify as engineering plans, and that those would need to be devised.

        The Selectmen made no decisions last night, but will be considering voting up or down on Town Meeting Articles funding studies for putting the utilities underground, a job that some estimate could add $7 million to the project. Mr. Driscoll said that Verizon and NSTAR each wanted 10 % down for engineering costs. The actual funding for burying the utilities could be done by adding to the rate-payers, something that would unduly burden South Street business said one attendee, or by taxpayers.

Below, Mr. Weismantel presents his observations.

Below is a proposed streetscape that includes bump-outs and an island at Hayden Rowe and Main Streets that would decrease the 80' distance between sides of the road. The Boston Athletic Association has objected strongly to the island, said one member, because of the needs of the Boston Marathon. One member suggested that it could be made portable.

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Sign Moved

March 30, 2012 — An observant reader alerted HopNews to the fact that the "Entering Hopkinton" sign has been moved a few hundred feet from its usual location, a couple of hundred feet into the town of Southborough, presumably in preparation of the building of a new bridge across the Sudbury River.

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Hopkinton Democrats are Called to Caucus!

LAMB CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES HOPKINTON LEADERSHIP TEAM

Hurlbut and Wright Join Lamb’s Team

Hopkinton, MA - March 29, 2012 — Today, Marty Lamb, Republican candidate for State Representative, announced that Craig Hurlbut and Claire Wright will be the town captains for Hopkinton.

“Craig and Claire will make a great team for heading up our efforts in Hopkinton. They will be instrumental in getting my message of restoring our economy and integrity to Beacon Hill and demanding fiscal accountability,” said Lamb. “They helped us win Hopkinton in 2010. I know that they can do it again.”

Last week surrounded by a huge crowd of friends, family, and supporters, Lamb formally launched his campaign for State Representative. As our next State Representative, Lamb wants to improve our economy, restore integrity to the State House, implement Secure Communities in the Commonwealth, and fight for fight fiscal responsibility.

“I strongly believe that it is time to elect a small business owner who can help revive our economy. That’s why I like Lamb,” said Hurlbut.

Hurlbut has been married for twenty eight years to his wife Paula. They moved to Hopkinton in 1988 and have raised three children, all going through the Hopkinton schools. Craig Hurlbut has his own furniture repair business and has been self-employed for thirty years.

“Last week’s Probation Department indictments show that the corruption continues. Not only do we need balance on Beacon Hill, but we need a new State Representative who will have the courage to fight the status quo,” said Wright.

Wright has served in Hopkinton town government for over 30 yrs. As a 10 yr. elected member of the Planning Board, she says she has seen first-hand the economic downturn's tremendous impact on the local economy. "Projects abandoned, projects delayed, projects never submitted, because the climate for growth is not there" she said. "Things have got to change, starting with this election."

"When we look at the realities, our terrible economy, and how it affects our everyday lives, we see the importance of bringing strong, sensible, pro-growth representation to Beacon Hill, such as Marty Lamb," said Wright. "Marty's focus on economic prosperity and creating opportunities for growth is what we need right now."

Hurlbut and Wright will assist the campaign with organizing leaflet drops and phone banks, sign stand outs, and collecting signatures.

Mr. Lamb graduated from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in 1985 and received his Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College in 1982. He has an extensive background in real estate law, formerly with Adelson, Golden & Loria, P.C., Edward A. Sokoloff & Associates, and Lamb & Shaffer, P.C., Lamb & Shaffer, P.C., Lamb and Browne, P.C., and is currently with Lamb and Associates, P.C.. He is a member of the Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts. An active participant in community affairs, Mr. Lamb sits on the Board of Directors of New England Region of United Synagogue and is a past president of Temple Beth Torah in Holliston. He has also served on the Holliston Elementary School Council and the Campaign for Holliston Schools. He resides in Holliston with Peri, his wife of 22 years, and their two daughters, Elissa and Simma.

~ Contributed Content

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It Already Started

March 29, 2012 — The DPW erected the famous sign on the Hopkinton Common with its world renown phrase. The sign, as well as related photos, were digitally altered several years ago for a humorous presentation that hangs on the wall of the rear entrance at Cornell's Pub, 229 Hayden Rowe Street.

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Over the Limit

March 29, 2012 — The driver received a citation for speeding last evening, but tied up police, because the out-of-state driver did not have a license in hand, and they had to research its validity.

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Rep. Dykema Votes for More Funding for Local Road Repair

Boston – Today, Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) joined her House colleagues in voting to bring $200 million in additional funding to local communities for road and bridge repair. The funds, which will be distributed directly to towns through the state’s chapter 90 program, will result in $639,459 in additional funding for Hopkinton.

“Keeping our local roads in good shape is important to our economy and our quality of life,” said Dykema. “With local budgets stretched thin, these additional funds will help towns keep on top of needed upkeep.”

Freshman Class Talent Show

March 29, 2012 7:00 pm

Hopkinton High School Auditorium

Thursday, March 29th, Team 11:11, a local Hopkinton chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the freshman class are putting on a talent show.  It starts at 7pm, and it will be at the Hopkinton High School Auditorium.  Admission is $5 at the door. 

Acts: 
1. Mike Spector, Nina Augustini --> playing/singing
2. Shae Feather --> playing/singing
3. John Schofield ->singing/playing
4. David Wang --> piano
5. Maddy Siraco, Kelbi M. -->playing/singing
6. Zach Sellman, Joey McNulty -->Juggling
7. Sam Esfahani -->singing
8. Graham Kulig --> Tap Dancing
9. Colin Shea --> singing
10. Ollie N, Jesse Shea, Danny Bressler --> singing/playing
11. Taylor Forsmo --> Playing/singing
12. Sophie Johnson -->playing/singing
13. Lara Murray, Haley Batchelder --> playing/singing
14. Emilia Antoniades, Dan Barra --> playing/singing

Spring Fever

March 28, 2012 — It appears this robin may be laying a blue egg very soon, somewhere near Clinton Street.

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Franklin Pierce U. Senior Ray Carmody of Hopkinton is Named Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact

March 28, 2012 — Campus Compact has honored 162 students from 32 states as 2012 Newman Civic Fellows. Among the honorees is Ray M. Carmody of Hopkinton, who is a senior at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. The Newman Civic Fellows Awards recognize inspiring college student leaders who have worked to find solutions for challenges facing their communities.  

Campus Compact’s member college and university presidents from across the country have nominated 162 college student leaders for the 2012 class of Newman Civic Fellows. These students are demonstrating a personal commitment to creating lasting change for the better in their communities. Through service, community-based research, and advocacy, the 2012 class of Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves and the root causes of some of the most pressing social issues that challenge us all.   

“I am especially pleased that Ray Carmody's commitment to service is being recognized by the national Campus Compact organization,” stated James F. Birge, President of Franklin Pierce University. “His work to educate others about important social issues through Reality Check demonstrates his understanding of thorny social issues and how to use his skills and talents to help others be aware of these issues.” 

Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents—representing some 6 million+ students—who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education, that is, to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the organization and the award, visit www.compact.org or contact: Cara Lovell, clovell@compact.org or 617.357.1881, x208

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Assessing Threat at Otis Base - UPDATE: Package was harmless

Massachusetts State Police units, along with the FBI and a state Hazardous Materials team, are responding to a suspicious envelope dropped off at a clinic on the Massachusetts Military Reservation’s Otis Base at approximately 1:20 p.m. Responding State Police assets include patrols from the Bourne Barracks, the Cape & Islands State Police Detective Unit, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Bomb Unit. The Mass. Military Reservation fire department is on-scene as well.

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Police Unity Tour

2012

“We Ride For Those Who Died”

The mission of the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund is to generate increased public support for the law enforcement profession by permanently recording and appropriately commemorating the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officer; and to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement community.

This year three members of Hopkinton Police Department will be participating in the Police Unity Tour (www.policeunitytour.com) to honor the 177 officer who died in the line of duty for 2012. The primary purpose of this four day, three-hundred and twenty mile bicycle ride is to raise awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. During our time in Washington D.C., we will be visiting and paying our respects to our fallen brother and sister officers.

Each participant riding in the Police Unity Tour event which begins in New Jersey and ends in Washington D.C. is responsible for raising approximately $2000.00. We are asking for your support in helping to defray some of the cost each rider is responsible for raising. If you or your organization would like to make a tax-deductible (Police Unity Tour Tax ID #22-3530541) donation to support this honorable cause, please fill out the attached sponsor form. Any chartable donation you or your organization can offer will help bring us one step further to representing the Town of Hopkinton and our police department at the Law Enforcement Candlelight Vigil during National Police Week 2012.

We ask that you please send any donation directly to the Hopkinton Police Department c/o Police Unity Tour, 74 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 no later than May 4, 2012. This will allow us to appropriately forward our charitable donation to the Police Unity Tour Board of Directors. Those wishing to donate online may do so here.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact one of us at the Hopkinton Police Department, 508-497-3401. Any additional questions can be emailed to svanraalten@hopkintonpd.org.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and recognition.

Respectfully,
 

Sgt. Scott van Raalten Sgt. Michael Sutton Officer Aaron O’Neil

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Outdoor Classrooms Considered

Vice Principal Maryellen Grady presented plans and design for the outdoor courtyard at the Middle School to the Sustainable Green Committee (HopGreen) Tuesday night March 27th. This space is over 5000 square feet and is not currently utilized. VP Grady, with input from students and staff, has put together a visionary plan for outdoor classrooms. HopGreen voted unanimously to support this effort. Construction of a new doorway from the library could start as soon as this Summer. Volunteers are most welcome.

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Happy Feet

March 27, 2012 — Someone tiptoed into the former CiaoTime restaurant on Saturday and placed these Michael Alfano sculptures in the windows. The display is sponsored by the 26.2 Foundation, formerly the Hopkinton Athletic Association, and will continue to be displayed through the Boston Marathon. According to Mr. Alfano, the greater goal is to gain enough sponsorship to cast 26 feet, one for each mile of the Boston Marathon. Two have been painted, but others await sponsorship. Those wishing to learn more may email Mr. Alfano at mailto:mail@MichaelAlfano.com<< PLEASE NOTE corrected email address .

Vintage on the Common to Sponsor Flea Market on the Common

March 27, 2012 — Owner Linda Cassavant of Vintage on the Common, 3 Main Street, has her sights set on the property across the street and would like to bring up to 50 vendors there for an upscale flea market on May 5, 2012 - rain date, May 6, 2012. The Hopkinton Common is across the street from her store.

Ms. Cassavant last night appeared before the Parks and Recreation Commission to apply for a permit from that body, which has jurisdiction over the common. The commission had some rules that must be agreed to before issuing a permit. Among them, each vendor must be approved, and each vendor must pay a fee.

Inasmuch as there is a rain date, the vendors are not expected to have tents, but simply tables. A police detail will be required.