INCIDENTS:
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
6:38 pm
An Oak Street resident reported an on-going parking
complaint of a neighbor's vehicle parking on his property.
Officer Aaron O'Neil responded and advised that there was
not a vehicle on the property.
4:07 pm
The Westborough Police Department reported that a possible
group of gypsy pavers were heading into Hopkinton. Officer
Matthew McNeil checked the area of Hill Street with a
negative find.
3:47 pm
A caller from West Main Street reported theft of an iPod
over the weekend. Officer Matthew McNeil responded and took
a report.
3:12 pm
Officer Gregg DeBoer spoke with a walk-in from Hearthstone
Road regarding identity fraud.
2:13 pm
Officer Stephen Buckley checked on a disabled motor vehicle
on West Main Street. The owner had help en-route.
9:25 am
Officer Thomas Griffin spoke with a walk-in from Front
Street regarding possible identity theft.
8:59 am
Officer Stephen Buckley responded to a minor two-car motor
vehicle accident without personal injury on Main Street.
8:43 am
Officer Thomas Griffin assisted the Fire Department with a
general alarm on West Main Street.
8:13 am
A caller reported that a vehicle was parked in an island
blocking the view of traffic exiting the Sate Park on Cedar
Street. Officer Patrick O'Brien located the owner of the
motor vehicle and advised her to move it.
12:32 am
Officer John Moran checked a motor vehicle on West Main
Street.
Photo from this morning of car exiting One-Way in the wrong
direction.
How
to Solarize
Above, State Senator Karen Spilka opens the dialogue at the
Senior Center last evening.
May
31, 2012 — Andy Boyce, the Solar Coach for Hopkinton,
coordinated with Elizabeth Kennedy of the the Mass Clean Energy
Center to present Hopkinton homeowners last night with a clear
understanding of the government's program to assist homeowners
in select towns pool together to gain group purchasing power for
solar installations.
According to Ms. Kennedy in a brief
interview before the start of the program, the coordinators have
whittled down the list of vendors who will provide the
installations services to 10 companies. As a homeowner signs on,
they are given a "no-greater-than" estimated price for their
job. As neighbors and others in the community sign up for
installation of photovoltaic solar, the price goes down for
everyone who has enrolled in the tiered pricing structure until
more than 250 kW is contracted, at which time the price will
bottom out.
The tax credits, rebates and other
incentive are the same for everyone, on or off of the program
explained Ms. Kennedy, but the efforts of the Solar Coach in
pre-marketing, sales adds to the group's volume purchasing power
and brings the price down for program participants. The savings
realized in last year's inaugural program showed savings between
8 and 30 percent for participants, Ms. Kennedy said.
To reach the Solar Coach to learn how
to participate, email Andy Boyce at
SolarizeHopkinton@gmail.com
Undefeated JV Softball
SERVICE
GUIDE
Seeks Broader Dialogue on Laptop Initiative
Dear Editor,
For months
now, I have been following the process of the proposed 1:1
Laptop Initiative -- by gathering information through the
website, various articles, as well as reaching out to the
administration. I am having difficulty trying to get a clear
understanding of the financial and implementation impacts of
this program. Recently, MetroWest Daily News reported, “A packet
to parents yesterday kicked off a campaign by administrators to
get a laptop in the hands of every high school student starting
with this fall’s freshmen.” (By Michael Morton/Daily News
staff Posted May 26, 2012 @ 12:00 AM). According to the packet,
the School Department is looking for a commitment from the
parents of incoming freshman by June 4, 2012.
While I
support the goal of having our children become”21st Century
Learners," I have several concerns that have not been
answered. Through the course of a day, what will the children
experience in terms of computer hours, instruction from the
teacher and interaction with their classmates?
Where will
future funding come from for this in the short-term and
long-term? The current cost per family is approximately $300.00
per year X 4 years ($1,200). Families who do not buy into the
program will have a student at a disadvantage, particularly if
at-home work will be assigned based on Apple technology and
newer computer compatibility. It has been stated that
financial assistance is available, but this is based on
federal poverty levels. Poverty levels are not specific to
this area. Also, I have not been able to ascertain
from what budget the assistance will come (i.e. school budget,
slush fund, etc.). I was informed that this initiative would
not cost taxpayers money, but I was also informed that the
program couldn't move forward unless the network upgrade
was approved at town meeting. This network upgrade
was approved by the voters at the town meeting and was required
to support the additional wireless devices this program would
bring. I would like to know what the total cost to
taxpayers will be.
The high
school has devices for 20 percent of incoming freshman,
requiring 80 percent of incoming freshmen parents to commit to
lease or buy a compatible device for their student. The
high school will not need School Committee approval, but doesn't
the School Committee approve the curriculum? I think this type
of initiative would change the curriculum, or at least how it is
delivered. I am not aware of an implementation plan for
future years. If 80 percent of each new incoming
freshman class does not lease, will our teachers be forced to
teach two different curriculums, one laptop and one traditional?
Could potential cost increases in vender leasing contracts
change for each incoming freshman class?
The
principal in an email to me quoted: "We will not move forward
with the program until we know that we have enough committed
parents to make it work. So, in fact, no one is forcing this
initiative on families. Rather, the parents of the incoming 9th
graders will be ‘voting’ about the one to one program when they
decide whether or not to participate." I do not think this
decision should be up to a small group of parents. A "vote" from
one select group of parents in an 8th-grade parent night, a
specifically-targeted survey, and a few informational nights are
not supportive of clear and open dialogues when presenting such
a large change in the educational experience of our students.
Parents and
taxpayers should voice questions or concerns to the School
Committee and administration. I am also requesting that the
administration take careful consideration in presenting open and
clear dialogue with the broader community of parents and
taxpayers before moving ahead with this initiative.
Dawn Ronan
211 Hayden Rowe
Hopkinton MA 01748
May 30, 2012
>
FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Milford
Police Nab Framingham Suspect For Assault with a Firearm
(Milford,
MA.) May 30, 2012 — Today, Milford Police arrested a 21 year old
Framingham man on East Main Street at Cedar Street for
a
variety of firearms charges after investigating a reported
assault involving a gun at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Julio
Orlando Acevedo age 21 of Interfaith Terrace Framingham, MA was
arrested at gun point after the car he was riding in as a
passenger was stopped by Officer Robert Pavia who was working in
off duty detail on East Main Street near the intersection with
Cedar Street. Officer Pavia heard dispatchers relay to all
officers the description of the suspect and the vehicle he was
in and observed it travel towards him.
Officers first
responded to the Registry of Motor Vehicles at 12:11 pm when
dispatch reported a man was assaulted by another man with a gun
at the Registry of Motor Vehicles who after the assault had put
the gun into his shorts and went back inside the Registry of
Motor Vehicles. All available officers quickly responded and
checked the RMV but the suspect had already left.
Officer Pavia then called in his stop of the suspect and
officers responded to back him up on east Main Street at Cedar
Street where the suspect was placed under arrest. Officers also
found a silver colored Colt .25 Caliber Semi-Automatic pistol
with five live rounds of ammunition from under the seat. Later
the weapon was determined to have been stolen.
Julio Orlando
Acevedo age 21 of Framingham, MA is charged with the following
criminal violations:
Carrying a
Firearm without a license to carry firearms
Receiving stolen property (firearms)
Assault by means of a dangerous weapon (firearms)
Unlawful possession of ammunition
Bail Commissioner
set bail at $5,000 cash and suspect will be arraigned Thursday
in Milford District Court.
YOUR
HOME
MedReturn Now Available at Hopkinton Police Station
No questions asked (Illegal drugs not wanted)
Above, Selectman Vice-Chair John Mosher, Town Manager Norman
Khumalo, Chief of Police Rick Flannery, Middlesex District
Attorney Gerry Leone, Principal Health Agent Ed Wirtanen.
May
30, 2012 — Columbian drug lords would have a tough time turning
over a new leaf by using the new MedReturn at the
Hopkinton
Police Station, according Police Chief Rick Flannery,
because illegal drugs are not wanted in the new disposal unit.
What is wanted are prescription household drugs that are no
longer useful because they have expired, or because they are no
longer needed. This helps keep the substances from getting into
the wrong hands, keeps them out of the water supply, out of
landfills and off of the streets.
According to Chief Flannery,
the collected substances (read accepted items and unacceptable
items below) will be disposed of by incineration.
The police promise not to ask
questions of anyone turning in unwanted medications, any time of
the day, to their 74 main Street location. For more information,
the Hopkinton Police business line is 508-497-3401.
>
YOUR VEHICLE <
Hopkinton Man Named Cadet Flight Commander
May 30, 2012 — Cadet 1st Class Matt Cosmo
of Hopkinton was named Cadet Flight Commander for
this July's Cadet Soaring Training Program at the U.S. Air Force
Academy. Cosmo will be working with active duty Officer
leadership, who provide mentoring to the Cadet Instructor Pilots
(IPs), and will be directly responsible for overseeing all
flight operations for the July session of the 2012 Basic Soaring
Program.
Cosmo and his fellow cadet Instructor Pilots
(IPs) run the Air Force Academy’s summer Basic Soaring Program
(Glider/Sailplane flight training program) as part of the 94th
Flying Training Squadron (“94th”), the operations of which are
based at the Academy airfield. The 94th trains nearly 500 USAFA
and AFROTC cadets each year. This
This past January, Cosmo was previously
selected as the Cadet Commander responsible for transitioning
all operations to this new fleet, which included implementing
and overseeing the upgrade training of all his fellow IPs in
this new plane. Full transition was accomplished this past week
in time for this summer's Basic Soaring Program.
In addition to his Cadet Flight Commander
appointment for this summer, Matt was also recognized on the
Dean’s List for academic excellence
and the Commandant's List for
military excellence for the recently completed spring semester
at the Academy in Colorado Springs. Selection on the
Commandant's List requires a military point average in the top
10% of his class and Dean's List achievement requires at least a
3.0 GPA.
A June 2009 graduate of Hopkinton High
School, Cosmo is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree and
wants to serve his country as a pilot upon graduation from the
Academy in May 2013.
>
FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Parent Wants
Transparency
Dear
members of the Hopkinton School Committee,
The resignation of the new Superintendent came without
warning to many in our community including myself. The
letter announcing it seemed carefully crafted, but provided
very little meaningful context for the community. The timing
of the announcement was inconvenient for the public to
gather any context.
As with every initiative
our town undertakes, critical decisions open up windows of
opportunity for communication. How we choose to manage
communication at these critical decision points can either
enhance or destroy credibility and public trust, with long
term impacts. In that spirit, and understanding that some
level of prudence in communication may be advised for
contractual reasons, could the School Committee please
provide additional information to the community regarding
the context of the new Superintendent’s resignation – or at
least a timeline for when such discussion may occur?
Was the School Committee
disappointed with the Superintendent’s March 1st
Report of Entry Findings, available on the School website?
What are examples of the
“expectations and approach of the Hopkinton School District”
cited in the letter as justifying the decision?
The Superintendent indicates
this comes “after much reflection and discussion;” when did
the School Committee have first indications this may happen?
Were there differences in
viewpoint between the School Committee and Superintendent
regarding defined priorities in the District?
Did the Superintendent
initiate the resignation or did the School Committee suggest
it?
Has the School Committee been
displeased with the Superintendent’s performance, or
received complaints from the community or staff?
Will a Superintendent search
committee be discussed and initiated at the scheduled June 7th
School Committee meeting in the Middle School Library?
Had the Superintendent
requested a pay increase that the School Committee could not
fulfill?
What are the implications for
the town’s 3-year contract with the Superintendent?
What can we
learn from this?
The high
level of community interest in the apparently abrupt
resignation of a new superintendent is not driven by idle
curiosity; rather, our community devotes a large proportion
of our substantial taxes to the public education of our
children. Our school system is a primary community asset and
we entrust much to the School Committee; in return we expect
transparency, so that we can evaluate the effectiveness of
our investment and trust.
I appreciate the work of
the School Committee, and ask the School Committee’s help
understanding the context of the Superintendent’s
resignation and what we can learn from it, or at least a
timeline for when such communication and public discussion
may be possible.
Respectfully,
Joe Markey
39 Ash Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
NOTE: Mr. Markey sent this to the School Committee and then
to HopNews.
SERVICE
GUIDE
In
Memoriam
May
30, 2012 — An honor guard of veterans stands by, as do members
of Hopkinton American Legion Post 202 and other veterans as
members of the Old Guard, a veterans riding club, raises an
American Flag at Wilson Street Cemetery, their last act on
Memorial Day in Hopkinton where they fired the 21-gun salute at
the cemeteries where ceremonies took place. The Wilson Street
Cemetery was known as the Irish Cemetery on the old days, and to
others, the Paupers Cemetery. There are few fancy markers, only
one polished headstone, and many unmarked graves, with the
occupants stacked a half-dozen atop one another in some graves,
according to some accounts.
Cooprider
Still Riding the Wave
May 30, 2012 —
Former Hopkinton High School softball player Michelle Cooprider
(middle person in second row) poses with her Tufts University
softball teammates. On three successive weekends, the team won
their conference championship (NESCAC), won their NCAA Regional
Championship (Mansfield, CT), and tied for fifth place at the
NCAA Division 3 Softball World Series in Salem, Virginia.
8:13 pm Officer Matthew
McNeil spoke with an individual who walked into the station to
discuss the violation of a harassment order. A 17 year-old male
was subsequently arrested.
5:15 pm A
Teresa Road caller reported seeing a carload of teens run into
the woods to retrieve a bottle of vodka, and then drive off.
4:07 pm
Officer William Burchard responded to a 911 call that a Lumber
Street 8 year-old was out of control. He calmed the child down.
2:06 pm
Officer Stephen Buckley assisted individuals with their reports
on a two-car MVA on Hayden Rowe Street that resulted in no
personal injuries.
12:06 pm A
Wood Street resident walked in to speak with an officer
about fraud.
11:39 am A
Pleasant Street caller reported that an individual in a vehicle
stopped in front of his house and took a photo of it.
9:00 am A
Lumber Street resident stopped in to speak with Officer Thomas
Griffin about credit card fraud.
>
YOUR VEHICLE <
The
edge of a very nasty thunderstorm just touched down in Hopkinton
(9:30 pm, Tuesday).
See the
active map here
to follow its progress, or see our Weather Channel link above
anytime.
Hopkinton Education Foundation
Awards Over $40,000
May 29, 2012 –
The Hopkinton Education Foundation is proud to announce this
year’s recipients of its annual grant awards. The Foundation
awarded over $40,000 to ten Hopkinton Public School staff
members whose ideas best met the Foundation’s criteria for
innovation and positive impact on the educational experience in
Hopkinton’s Schools.
The Education
Foundation awarded the
Stephen Gray Innovation Grant
(awarded each year for the most innovative program) to Steven
Yavarow, High
School Music Teacher (file photo), for his application
entitled Creating a Sound Engineering Studio. This grant
funds Pro Tools 10 Music Studio software and hardware which will
enhance the music curriculum at the High School. Pro Tools is an
industry standard which will be used to simulate a recording
studio. According to Yavarow, “The students will gain true 21st
century skills as they use their
creativity to
produce professional recordings.”
In addition,
thanks to the continued generosity of EMC Corporation, the
Education Foundation was delighted to award the
Seventh Annual EMC Grant for Math
and Science to Anita Lavakumar, High School Math
Teacher, for her application entitled Virtual Breadboard.
This grant funds the use of Virtual Breadboard online simulation
software, an innovative and unique tool for students to explore
circuit design and manipulate the inputs and outputs. This
software will be pilot tested in the 9th and 12th grade physics
and 12th grade logic classes to enhance the concepts presented
in the curriculum.
Also, it is
particularly satisfying for the Education Foundation that one of
last year’s professional development grants has resulted in
three successful applications for implementation projects this
year. These recipients are:
Heidi Woods, First Grade
Teacher, will receive $4,930 for her application, Bananos
for Books. This grant will provide iPad Nanos for first
grade classrooms to enhance their listening centers. First grade
classrooms will partner and share the technology to allow
students the opportunity to listen to fluent reading. When
students listen to a story through an iPad Nano while following
along in their own copy of the book, they will expand their
vocabulary, improve their fluency, and
strengthen their
comprehension.
Frances Hruska
,
Elmwood School Literacy Specialist/Teacher, will receive
$2,470 for her application, Hearing is Achieving. This
grant will provide each classroom at the Elmwood School with a
portable digital recorder and will provide a more accurate
assessment of students reading proficiency. The digital
recorders enable teachers to assess an individual student’s
reading level and create an oral reading portfolio which can be
referred to as needed and help create a more strategic skills
lesson.
Heather Smith
,
Fifth Grade Teacher, will receive $4,530 for her
application, Enhancing the Reading Workshop. This grant
will expose all fifth grade students to 21st century learning
tools and will enrich the existing reading workshops. This will
result in progress for all students in different aspects of
reading, foster independence, allow for differentiation and
prepare students for upper grades where more technology is being
used in the classroom and in everyday life.
This year’s other
award recipients are:
Susan Mello
,
Center School Librarian, will receive $3,250 for her
application, Center School Library: A 21st Century Library.
This grant will establish an ebook collection in the Center
School Library along with two iPads for students to use to
access the material. Students and staff will be able to access
e-books from a computer at home and teachers will be able to
access the e-books using their classroom smartboards for direct
student engagement.
Maribeth Tremblay
,
Fifth Grade Teacher, will receive $4,700 for her
application, Using Primary Sources and the Arts to teach
American History. This cross curricular grant will allow the
fifth grade American history framework to be taught through the
lens of primary source artifacts, documents, paintings, and the
related
arts. It will
encourage exploration and inquiry into our history. Students
will use critical thinking skills to create their own works of
art through music, dance, sculpting, and creating paintings of
their own. These projects will connect to the Mesoamerica and
the colonial time periods.
Jayne Shea
,
School Counselor at Hopkins School, will receive $7,210
for her application, Lights, Camera, Action. Through the
use of innovative technology such as iPads, Garage Band, iMovie,
Story Talk, iCloud, and Zimmertwins Animation, students design
and create multisensory projects enabling them to learn and
develop positive social competency skills that will enhance
their ability to communicate, problem-solve, and respond
effectively to a broad spectrum of social situations. All fourth
and fifth grade students will use these tools.
Jeremy Dodge
,
Middle School Music Teacher, will receive $6,500 for his
application, iMovie and Garage Band. This grant funds
innovative technologies to enhance and extend curriculum
offerings in instrumental, choral, and general music classes.
All Middle School students will have access to Garage Band,
iMovie, iPhoto,
and Keynote to
study, compose, and record music; explore various aspects of
movie creation; and develop podcasts and instructional videos.
Debby Arienti
,
Middle School Adjustment Counselor, will receive $1,300
for her application, Middle School Confidential. This
grant funds the acquisition of Middle School Confidential, a new
and interactive social skills curriculum that will be available
to all students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Topics include:
Self-esteem, Selfimprovement, Controlling Anger, Friendship
Making, Responding to Teasing, Anxiety Reduction, Conflict
Resolution, and Problem Solving.
“We congratulate all of the
grant recipients for their hard work and great ideas,” says
Education Foundation Treasurer and Grants Committee Chairperson
Clelland Johnson. “We are proud to be a part of the innovation
that moves the Hopkinton Schools forward and we are excited to
see the progress of these funded programs.”
YOUR
HOME
REMINDER
Solar 101
Learn how to benefit from the sun - May 30, 2012
The town of
Hopkinton has been awarded a Solar Grant by the Massachusetts
Clean Energy Center (CEC). Hopkinton’s Sustainable Green
Committee has scheduled an informational “Solar 101” event for
May 30th at the Senior Center meeting room from 7:00
to 9:00pm. The CEC will be there to explain in detail how the
Solarize program will work for town residents and business
owners. The event will consist of a brief presentation followed
by a Question & Answer session. Whether you are itching to
install solar, or have never given it a thought, come and see
what it is all about. The Solarize program allows residents and
business owners to choose how the systems are ultimately
purchased, so leave those ‘cost’ perceptions at home and venture
over to the Senior Center for an enlightening event. You
just might be able to reduce your energy bills for the next
20-30 years!
For more
information, please visit our website at
www.hopgreen.com.
Please contact Caroline McManus at
caroline.mcmanus1@gmail.com
with any questions regarding this event. ~ Caroline McManus
9:44 pm Officer Peter
Booth checked a motor vehicle on Wilson Street.
6:40 pm Officer Peter Booth spoke with a caller who reported
a man in a grey sedan on Frankland Road stopped and told him he
was looking for two little kids, which he thought suspicious.
Despite responses from Hopkinton and Ashland PD, the individual
was not located.
2:15 pm A caller complained of loud music on Price Street,
but Officer Patrick O'Brien did not find any music playing.
12:34 pm Officer Patrick O'Brien passing in his cruiser was
motioned by witnesses to a vehicle fleeing an alleged assault on
Church Street that occurred while a throng was exiting the
Common and walking on Main and Church Streets. Off-duty
Detective Timothy Brennan was walking with his family nearby and
responded to quickly place the alleged suspect under control.
The victim, who was knocked to the ground by a punch, was
examined by Hopkinton Fire Department ambulance personnel, and
declined treatment. Three witnesses came forward to offer
statements to police about the assault. The alleged suspect will
receive a summons to court, said Officer O'Brien.*
11:14 am An Eastview Road caller dialed 911, and on call
back, said it was an error. Officer William Burchard responded
[ALL 911 calls get a cruiser at their door regardless of what
they tell the dispatch on call back] and asked for another
cruiser. Officer David Shane responded to the residence where a
verbal argument was taking place. While there, officers noted a
violation of drug laws.
9:13 am A mailbox was damaged at a Thayer Heights residence.
8:32 am Officer William Burchard assisted a tractor trailer
unit make a delivery on Grove Street.
2:32 am A hit and run driver took out a mailbox.
2:26 am Officer Aaron O'Neil checked on a vehicle parked on
Hayden Rowe Street.
12:59 am One individual was arrested on Cedar Street and
another placed in Protective Custody.
* Most information in the HopNews Police Incident reports are
from the Hopkinton Police press logs. Some information is
received from eyewitnesses or other sources. Such was the case
with this incident.
TVL
Champions
Hopkinton Varsity
softball team after their last game against Mansfield - which
also happened to be on Senior Day. It is a pictire of the entire
team with their
#1 fan
- Mr. Mellor. He is the grandfather of Nicole Mellor who
is a senior and the #1 pitcher on the team. But he is there for
each and every girl rooting them on from the stands. This was
their last game of the season which came on the heels of their
winning against AShland on Wednesday night which secured their
2012 TVL Championship status. Even though Nicole is graduating,
Mr. Mellor promises to still show up next year for some of the
team's Home games. The entire team is appreciative of his
support through the years. ~ Contributed content
SERVICE
GUIDE
Memorial Day in Hopkinton
Above, wide angle view of the Common while Selectman Chair Ben
Palleiko addresses the gathering.
May
28, 2012 — Above, members of the Old Guard veterans'
organization carry the colors from St. John's Cemetery to the
Soldier's Mound in the Mount Auburn Cemetery today. Hundreds
turned out at the Hopkinton Common to be respectful of veterans
on this most solemn of days. Below is a photographic
capsule of Memorial Day 2012 in Hopkinton.
>
YOUR VEHICLE <
Memorial Day 2012
May
28, 2012 — (10:00 am) The Old Guard riding club, a group of
service veterans which rides in honor of veterans, took over the
task of the 21-gun salute at the cemeteries this morning, as
they did at the Evergreen Cemetery above. As we write, the
ceremonies continue.
See the entire itinerary here.
Tree
of Life
May
27, 2012 — These arborvitae, Latin for "Tree of Life",
ironically line the main road in Evergreen Cemetery, where
Memorial Day events will begin at 9:45 am on Monday, May 28,
2012, unless a person is inclined to view the newly revitalized
Comey Chapel ahead of time, beginning at 9:00 am.
See the entire itinerary here.
YOUR
HOME
Warm
Up, Warm Down
May 27, 2012 —
Liz Tuite stretches prior to exercising this afternoon, having
the Hopkinton Common to herself.
>
FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Wrong Side
May
27, 2012 — Officer Matthew McNeil speaks with the driver who
drove his vehicle on the wrong side of the trees on Pleasant
Street and crashed into a home as a result. Officer McNeil is
close enough to be able to smell the man's breath. He was not
arrested, but was to be cited for Operating to Endanger.
Mamarazzi
May 27, 2012 — Groups of children lined up for photos last week
following visits to the Respite Center.
Smile a Little Smile...
May 26, 2012 — This squirrel pauses on a Main Street lawn long
enough to grin and enjoy the moment.