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may 6, 2012 — Swoops the Eagle, the mascot of Elmwood School, stopped by the David Hughes Stadium Saturday to give his mute well-wishes to the students running in the HPTA Mini-marathon.

Well over 200 runners turned out Saturday for the annual HPTA Mini Marathon, featuring races and activities for all ages. Swoops, the Elmwood Eagle mascot, stopped by to cheer on the preschool runners, and Liane Blyn from Athletic Based Training (ABT) in Milford/Holliston was on hand to organize some agility-based activities for the young athletes.

There were a number of exciting races on the day. In the kindergarten boys race (one-eighth of a mile), Jack Galanek was first in 41 seconds. The kindergarten girls race was won by Kate Finnegan in 46 seconds.

In the Grade 1 boys race (quarter-mile), Evan Mirazimi finished first in 1:30, followed by Declan Mick. Sinead Herr won the Grade 1 girls race in 1:33, followed by Shelby Jones and Maura Souza.

Riley Finnegan won the Grade 2 boys race (quarter-mile) in 1:27, followed by Matthew Zettek and Matthew Coffman. Caitlin Dempsey was the winner over the Grade 2 girls race in 1:27, followed by Lexie Trendel and Samantha Galanek.

The third grade race was a half-mile. For the boys, Aidan Walsh was first in 3:03, followed by Cameron Mulvaney and Tristan Sampedro. For the girls, Elizabeth Mosher (3:15) edged out Olivia Jones and Mirabella Paolucci.

In a half-mile Grade 4 boys race, Robby Bernardin (2:59) outkicked Steven Maffiore in an thrilling finish, with Jack Rodgers finishing third. On the girls side, winner Angeline Grabmeier (3:05) was one second faster than Schuyler Gooley, with Alexis Hasbrouck finishing third.

The Grade 5 race was three-quarters of a mile, and Justin Normandeau blazed home 4:39. Rahul Krishnan was second, followed Chris North. Ally Holmes ran to a win in the girls race in 6:25.

The race for combined grades 6-12 was one mile, and both the boys and girls races were won by seventh-graders: Matthew Paolucci (6:48) and Olivia Spar (7:03).

Joe Markey won the adult race with a sub-6 minute mile. ~ Contributed content

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Scott R. Whalen, 45

CHELMSFORD - Scott R. Whalen, age 45, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, formerly of Hopkinton, devoted father, husband, and son, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was the beloved husband of Lynn (Walker) Whalen to whom he has been married for 18 years, and loving father of Kylie, Lilie, and Caroline Whalen.

He was born in Framingham on July 29, 1966, and was the son of Richard G. Whalen of Natick and Linda Lee (Berry) Soby of Dennis.

Scott was raised and educated in Hopkinton and was a 1984 graduate of Hopkinton Junior-Senior High School. He earned his Bachelor Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1988. For the last 12 years has been employed as Vice President of Advertising for the Boston Herald newspaper. Scott was an avid sports enthusiast, although his greatest joy in life was being a Dad to his three loving daughters. Scott enjoyed coaching his girls on their sports teams and spending summer vacations on Martha’s Vineyard with his family.

In addition to his loving wife, daughters, and parents, Scott is survived by his step-mother, Mary Burke Whalen of Natick; his step-father, John Soby of Dennis; his step-sister Geralyn Rodrigues and her husband Taylor of Newport, RI, mother-in-law and father-in-law George and May Walker of Billerica, and brother-in-law Patrick Walker and his wife Carmen of Huntingtown, MD.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 3 to 8 PM at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 o’clock at St. Irene Parish, 181 East Street, Carlisle. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Scott’s name to the Whalen Girls Family Trust c/o Bank of America, 2 Summer St., Chelmsford, MA 01824. Funeral Director Paul A. Hardy, Jr. For online condolences visit http://www.blakefuneralhome.com/

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Breaking Away

May 5, 2012 — Keegan Crowe breaks away from the pack at the HPTA Mini-Marathon at the Dave Hughes Stadium to win his division, 5 Year-old Boys Not in Kindergarten, this afternoon.

Wonderland of Youth

May 5, 2012 — Alice (Cassidy Lowell) and the Mad Hatter (Kyle Gazoorian) enjoyed their live, roving performance at the Center for the Arts on Saturday. Above, they take a break to be framed by the iconic grist-stone in the performance area, like the four glued corners of an antique photo album. The center held its Spring Arts Festival today and featured flat and 3-D art as well as live enetertainment.

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He Ain't Heavy...

May 5, 2012 — Billy Baker, 5, gets a well-deserved ride from Dad, Charles, after running in the HPTA Mini-marathon on Saturday.

Every Little Bit Counts

May 5, 2012 — Girls lacrosse team members did a little fundraising of their own on Saturday, as JC Parmenter donated their property for a car-washing station.

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Jumping the Gun

May 5, 2012 — The Democrats had the monopoly on the Grove/Cedar/Main Street intersection today, holding signs for two candidates.

Board of Selectmen and School Committee to Hear Permanent Building Committee’s Presentation on Studies of Existing Conditions in Town and School Buildings

The Board of Selectmen and the School Committee are committed to developing a prioritized plan to address Town and School building needs over time. The two elected bodies have funded parallel studies of existing conditions in all Town and School buildings. The study of school buildings was conducted by Habeeb and Associates Architects, and the study of town buildings was conducted by Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects. These completed studies have now been reviewed by the Permanent Building Committee.

On Tuesday May 15th, at a Joint Meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee, the Permanent Building Committee will present an overview of the findings of these two studies. The School Committee and Board of Selectmen will ask questions about the study findings, and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions as well. The time and location of this presentation has not yet been finalized, but Town and School leaders encourage interested citizens to reserve the date in their calendars. When final details are available, they will be publicized.

Following this initial presentation on the existing conditions in our buildings, the two boards will schedule a Joint Working Session with the goal of prioritizing facilities projects. When the date, time and location of that Working Session is determined, that information will be publicized as well.

~Press release, Hopkinton Public Schools

Selectmen to Recommend PerkinElmer TIF, EMC Parking, at Town Meeting

May 4, 2012 — Selectmen voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Agreement with PerkinElmer in exchange for that company adding 225 jobs, and up to 75,000 square feet in two expanded buildings.

The company will enjoy a tax break of 90% the first 3 years, 50% the next 5 years, and 30% the final 5 years of the 13-year agreement. The agreement will save the company about $100,000 over the term of the agreement, but will also add $100,000 to the town's coffers in additional tax revenue from the $13 million expansion. If Town Meeting passes the Article 58, the Selectmen will execute the documents and it will go before the Mass Office of Business Development for approval.

The EMC zoning change got a tentative green light from Selectmen this evening after fine-tuning language to ensure that 14 acres of an 111-acre parcel the company would like to rezone for use for a parking lot will not undergo any substantial further changes, if approved next week, unless it goes before another Town Meeting in the future and passes a 2/3 vote. Future ancillary use changes, they agreed, could be settled through votes by Selectmen and the Planning Board.

Town Counsel Ray Miyares and an attorney for EMC were hammering out details following this evening's meeting, and expect to present the finished documents to the Selectmen for signing at 6:00 pm Monday prior to Town Meeting.

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Hopkins School Talent Show

May 4, 2012 — Hopkins students performed in honor of Allison Lundy this evening, packing a standing-room-only crowd into Hopkinton High School. The HPTA sponsored the fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund, the Dana-Farber Pediatric Brain Cancer Research.

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School Street Resident Urges Support for Intersection Improvement

Editor: Please share this letter I wrote to the Appropriations Committee.

Thank you for allowing me to speak briefly tonight on behalf of the initiative to fund and install a traffic light at the intersection of West Main and School Street. Because you have granted us 10 minutes at the beginning of a full Committee agenda, I am reading this to respect the Committees time constraints and I will also leave a copy of it with each of you upon completion.

Since 2008 we have been communicating with various departments in the town to get some forward momentum for a traffic light or other intersection improvements to make this incredibly dangerous and infamous intersection much safer.

We have witnessed more near-accidents than we can count and a few serious ones that happened right in front of us while we were waiting, and there are numerous neighbors that spoke at last years’ Town Meeting and will speak again in May this year, that can echo these concerns. I also have excerpts from some of the many emails from our neighbors, expressing a few horror stories to underscore the need for this safety improvement.

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Yummy!

May 4, 2012 — The checkerboard motif and stylized fonts on the side of their mobile food wagon drew a lot of attention to Yummies Drive Up, located at Angel's Garden Center today. The window-on-wheels plans to be at Angel's every Friday 3-7:00 pm, and at Stanley Woolen Mills in Uxbridge on Saturdays. The cart features crab from Maryland and Maine, lobster, turkey, salads, pastrami and more. Above, customer Donna Desjardins and employee Brenda Charbonneau pose for the camera.

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Flee, Bird

May 4, 2012 — In keeping with the traditions of its species, this bird fled from the approaching photographer earlier this week on Hopkinton Town Common, but in doing so provided a spectacular photo.

Flightless

May 5, 2012 — These goslings, who are still at Ice House Pond — there are still a total of six — grazed this afternoon under the watchful eyes of their parents. An hour earlier, the geese and their young were at the gazebo, and a resident of the facility was feeding them bread. As this photo was taken, the resident was again walking around the pond, and as he passed this group, the parents started moving toward him, recognizing who he was apart from other people who were there, and hoping for a handout.

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School Budget Increase 3.4% Over Last Year - 55 Fewer Students Projected

by Muriel Kramer

May 4, 2012 — State of the Schools: The Hopkinton School Committee highlighted some of the district’s accomplishments and goals at the recently held forum on The State of the Schools. School Committee Chairman Jean Bertschmann commented, “It is an excellent opportunity to highlight the achievements of our students and the strengths of our district, and to thank the community for continuing to provide tremendous support for the schools. There were excellent questions posed, and I hope that the answers were comprehensive. Anyone with further questions should contact the School Committee directly - we appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from the community.” (File photo, above).

The proposed School budget for FY13 is $34,085,238 which represents a 3.4% increase over last year; the projected enrollment for next year is 3,390 (55 students less than this year). Existing fees remain in place with two increases; athletic fees will be $150 per sport (previously $125) and full day kindergarten tuition will be $4,000 (previously $3,700). There will be a new Student Activity fee for all students at the Middle School and High School of $25 and a new fee charged to daycare providers of $100 per child that is transported by bus to or from a daycare.

The budget as proposed supports several Strategic Plan initiatives—maintaining reasonable class sizes, curricular improvements, full day kindergarten expansion, technology initiatives and interventions for students. Residents are encouraged to participate at Annual Town Meeting on May 7^th beginning at 7PM in the Middle school Auditorium. In addition to Article 8, the school operational budget, Article 20 (pay as you go) includes: strobe light alarm for loud spaces (band room, cafeteria, gym) for $39,000, rack and body truck for $48,000, and technology improvements jointly with the Town for $300,000. Article 24 (Ballot question #3) is for repair of the High School running track for $278,500, Article 35 (Ballot question 6) is to repair the loop Road for $96,025 and Article 38 (Ballot question #8) is for a tractor/mower for $64,000. The election is May 21^st.

Among the School Districts many accomplishments, being named by Newsweek as the #2 high school in Massachusetts and #90 in the nation was noted as well as the exceptionally high MCAS results last year. 100% of the sophomores passed, and except for Charter schools ranked #1 in the State for on the Science, #2 in Language Arts and #3 in Mathematics.

Resident Jackie Potenzone (file photo) highlighted her concern with rising costs and fees; “I have to pay the bus fees because I live within 2 miles of all the schools and I have to work.” Contending that the fees including the proposed laptop initiative costs add up to an additional $1,000 per year, Potenzone said “It costs me $1,000 a year on top of my property tax bill. I wholeheartedly support the schools, but I don’t support another fee put on the residents.”

Responding to her concerns, School Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Landman commented that the ideal approach would be funding the programs without imposing any fees. “The reality is that that is not possible now.” Speaking to the 1-1 laptop initiative proposed for next year’s freshmen class, he asserted that this is a program that will not go forward unless we are sure all students will have access to a laptop; the success of the program is determined by parent participation.

Getting in the last word on fees, Potenzone finished with, “I am the face of the new economy, and I am struggling. People are struggling. These fees are crippling people.”

From the School Committee Meeting: Residents are reminded that the School is hosting a Relay for Life Event beginning at 6PM on Friday May 12^th; currently there are 83 teams that have raised $120,000 to fight cancer. It is not too late to sign up and help the student organizers reach their goal of 95 teams. The public is welcome for the 6PM opening ceremonies which includes a Survivors’ Lap as well as the deeply moving Luminaria Ceremony at 9PM when those that have died or are still valiantly fighting are remembered with candles lighting the walker’s path around the track.

Meredith Ekwall was on hand to discuss the work being done on the elementary math program to align the curriculum with the State Common Core for mathematics. Beginning with next year’s freshman class, there are significant changes in the math curriculum representing a commitment to a significant increase in rigor and depth in the math curriculum. The work continues in order to align the elementary program with the State’s Common Core to prepare them for Middle School and High School math.

Ekwall stated that “as of the 2013-14 school year, the standards have to be fully implemented.” Additionally the current resource, Every Day Math does not align well with the new Common Core standards and will likely need to be replaced soon. The work at hand is to identify where the gaps are in the curriculum and the available resources; next steps include working to address the gaps and researching new curriculum tools.

Assistant superintendent Dr. Mary Ann DeMello added, “For the next several years this will continue to be a moving target.” The curriculum will be evolving and require a lot of changes in the District. This work represents “a big learning curve for everyone.”

The 1-1 laptop initiative faces some procurement hurdles; according to the Inspector General, the town cannot move forward implementing a sole source procurement plan which may change the costs and the timing for the initiative planned for next year. Information is still being gathered and a competitive bid package has been advertised. There is a parent information night currently scheduled for May 24^th specifically for parents of children currently in grades 6-8.

Christopher Piantedosi Turned himself in this afternoon

Authorities Requesting Public’s Assistance In Locating Burlington Homicide Suspect

Arrest warrant issued this morning for Christopher Piantedosi

BURLINGTON – Authorities have issued a BOLO (“Be on the look out”) for a man wanted in connection with last evening’s homicide in Burlington, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent informed the public today.

An arrest warrant was issued early this morning for Christopher Piantedosi, 39, of Methuen, for one count of murder. Authorities are requesting assistance at this time from the public in locating the suspect. He is expected to be driving a brown, four-door Honda Civic with Massachusetts license plate 581MC8. The public is urged not to approach the suspect if they see him, who may be armed and dangerous, but rather are urged to contact your local police station with any information.

According to authorities, at approximately 6:45pm, Burlington Police responded to 23 Forbes Avenue for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim, evidencing obvious stab wounds. The victim, identified as Kristen Pulisciano, 38, a resident of 23 Forbes Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Burlington Police and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing. While the stabbing is not believed to have been at random, the investigation remains active and ongoing by Burlington PD and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

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Police Incident Log - Most Recent First

Updated Friday, May 4, 2012

INCIDENTS:

Thursday, May 3, 2012

8:17 pm Officer William Burchard assisted with a disabled vehicle on East Main Street.

5:56 pm A caller from Serenity House on Wilson Street said a man was irate and yelling, scaring the staff. Three units caught up with him on Cedar Street. He told a different version of events.

4:16pm A Fenton Street caller reported a male and female who knew her name were asking strange questions. They were gone upon arrival in the area of Officer Booth.

3:30 pm There was no damage to vehicles involved in a minor accident in front of Center School. The bus involved continued on its route.

2:34 pm Caller complained about a few dogs she has seen running loose in the School Street area.

11:58 am An individual called to report a suspicious male cutting branches at Mayhew Court, but he turned out to be a worker for the site management company.

9:58 am Officer Shane determined that an incident reported on Clinton Street actually occurred in Ashland. Ashland PD responded and spoke with the individual involved.

8:45 pm A vehicle that witnesses said caused a multi-car collision on South Street fled toward Milford. Milford PD was notified and the surrounding area of parking lots was checked.

5:40 am The operator of a disabled vehicle on West Main Street has made her own arrangements.

12:37 am Officer John Moran checked on a motor vehicle parking at the J Lot of the school complex. He observed that the J Lot sign was missing.

There are two open seats on the School Committee and four candidates running for them.

HopNews has solicited brief statements from them.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATES' STATEMENTS

Jean Bertschmann -Unenrolled

Incumbent STATEMENT

Frank Sivo- Republican - Not Incumbent STATEMENT

Jon Graziano - Unenrolled - Not Incumbent STATEMENT

Frank D'Urso - Democrat - Not Incumbent STATEMENT

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Tickets are available online at http://www.hptaonline.com/

SERVICE GUIDE

May 3, 2012 — Leah Revkin, from the SMART (Save Money And Retire Tomorrow) plan speaks with Assistant Town Clerk Geri Holland today during a benefits fair in Town Hall oragnized by Director of Human Resources Maryrose DeGroot. Various health and benefits organizations were on hand to answer questions from a stream of town employees who took advantage of the resources today.

Several news outlets today have inquired about updates on the investigation into the disappearance of Caleigh Harrison, age 2 years/9months, from Long Beach in Rockport two weeks ago today.

Specifically, several sought comment in response to statements made by Caleigh's father on last night's Nancy Grace television.

Massachusetts State Police thoroughly investigated the possibility that Caleigh was abducted. As we previously stated, we found no evidence to support the abduction theory. That does not mean that we can say with 100 percent certainty that foul play did not occur, but rather, only that we have found no evidence of it, including no evidence of a mysterious man on the beach. That said, we will of course continue to follow leads as they develop. Even the tiniest shred of information will be thoroughly followed up, and we urge the public to continue to contact Rockport Police at (978) 546-1212 with any information, however insignificant it may seem.

The thoughts of the Massachusetts State Police and the Rockport Police Department remain with Caleigh's family, and we remain dedicated to finding answers about what happened to their dear little girl.

In regard to statements made by Caleigh's sister, please note that I will not discuss the content of investigative interviews.

Please click on the thumbnail above to view the Missing Child Poster created by the State Police Fusion Center and added to the Massachusetts Missing Persons Clearinghouse. According to State Police Spokesman David Procopio, it has also sent it to law enforcement agencies around the country through a law enforcement alert network, and entered Caleigh into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children site, the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). PressRelease from MSP.

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Selectmen to Meet on Friday
The Hopkinton Board of Selectmen will meet in Town Hall on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 6:00 pm to:

1. Review Perkin Elmer TIF and

2. Review Restrictive Covenant and MOA for EMC South Street Rezoning

Police Incident Log - Most Recent First

Updated Thursday, May 3, 2012

INCIDENTS:

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

10:38 pm Officer Peter Booth issued a warning to an operator on Ash Street.

5:39 pm Officer Booth assisted a motorist who had run out of gas on South Street.

6:27 am While on a traffic enforcement assignment, Officer Jacob Campbell received a report from a passing motorist of a roll-over accident on Route 495. Officer Campbell found Mass State Police on the scene.

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