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P.O. Box 351, Hopkinton, MA 01748
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Teamwork

August 2, 2012 — Hopkinton Police Dispatch Trainer/Special Officer Luis Gonzalez was part of the team Downtown today coordinating traffic around construction areas. Above, he makes sure the equipment has access to Main Street, and the vehicles stay off of Walcott Street.

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Police Incident Log - Most Recent First
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
5:04 pm Officer Gregg DeBoer checked and spoke with a female who was standing on the bridge on Fruit Street after a passerby called concerned. She was watching the train.

3:19 pm
 Officer Timothy Brennan assisted the Fire Department with an oil tanker that had heavy smoke coming from it on the side of West Main Street.

2:39 pm
 Officer Gregg DeBoer assisted the Fire Department with a hydro seeding trailer that flipped over on West Main Street. There were no injuries.

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 Uncommonly Hopkinton
Shakespeare Under the Stars
First in a series begins Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 7:30 pm


August 1, 2012 — "This is like the drive-in," said one observer during ESL's dress rehearsal this evening, "where you arrive when the sky is bright, and it becomes dark during the show. And you can sit around with the family on blankets." There will be no problem seeing the actors in their brightly decorated costumes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, even if it does get a little dark, because the amphitheater will be professionally lit.
NOTE: The start time should read 7:30 pm

   

Trailer Roll-over

August 1, 2012 — A landscaper's hydro-seeding trailer decided it would be good to be in the lead, but only got this far on West Main Street near the new commercial development today. The trailer was removed 30 minutes later.

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Police Incident Log - Most Recent First
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
10:57 pm Officer John Moran placed traffic cones around a tree limb that was blocking part of the roadway on Cross Street.

8:10 pm
 A walk-in from Cedar Street spoke with Sgt. Michael Sutton regarding possible larceny by check.

5:10 pm
 A caller reported that a vehicle crashed into a house on Pond Street. Three units responded and advised that there was no personal injury. The vehicle was towed and a message was left for the building inspector.

4:29 pm
 Officer Aaron O'Neil checked and spoke with the operator of a suspicious motor vehicle on Curtis Road.

12:41 am
 Officer Jacob Campbell assisted the Upton Police Department with a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street.

SERVICE GUIDE
 
 

MassDOT ANNOUNCES NEW NUMBER FOR RMV CUSTOMER SERVICE
857-DOT-8000 live as of August 1, 2012
 
Press Release:
Boston (Wednesday, August 1, 2012) — Today, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a new telephone number for Registry of Motor Vehicles business and transactions, 857-DOT-8000/857-368-8000.
 
The number is live today and serves the RMV’s Call Center which answers, based on 2011 call volumes, an average of 45,000 calls each month.
 
“The Call Center is one part of our customer-service oriented operation and serves a population accustomed to receiving assistance and performing transactions with a helpful voice on the other end of the line,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian.
 
Over the next year, customers will become familiar with the 857-DOT area code and exchange as MassDOT offices across the Commonwealth transition to the new number. The telephone transition will result in annual phone bill and maintenance savings of approximately $422,000.
 
“Transportation Reform continues with 857-DOT,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “We are replacing the antiqued and redundant telecom systems of the RMV, Turnpike, MassHighway and Executive Office of Transportation to realize significant savings and improve customer service.”
 
The RMV’s new telephone number, 857-DOT-8000 is being advertised inside Registry branches, on the MBTA system and through the Highway Division’s digital billboard PSA program throughout the month of August.
 
The RMV reminds customers that there are two dozen transactions that may be performed online at mass.gov/RMV.
 
For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot
EDITOR'S NOTE: The RMV website link is ALWAYS available in the drop-down menu at the top. Choose "Government and Transportation."

 

A Few Words from Town Hall Signing
July 31, 2012 — Legacy Farms signed papers today with the town officially notifying Hopkinton that it has begun to use its overlay OSMUD (Open Space Mixed Use Development) zoning , which in effect terminated the underlying zoning, which was agricultural.

In the video below, Ken Weismantel, Planning Board Chairman and Roy S. MacDowell Jr. say a few words about the transition. On this day, developers Wood Partners, under the newly formed Legacy Farms Apartments, LLC, purchased from Legacy Farms a parcel on the Legacy Farms South Road for $7.5 million. They plan to turn the first spade within weeks to build 240 apartments. Pulte homes is also expected to close in August (see map previous story below) to begin construction on 270 single homes in the way of single family structures, condos, duplexes and simplexes.

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ROADWORK UPDATE

Roadwork is set to resume on the following streets beginning Wednesday August 1st.

Hayden Rowe St – From Chestnut St to College St. Wednesday & Thursday.

Grove St – From Main St to just past Leonard St. Wednesday- Friday.

Walcott St – From Main St to C St. Tuesday-Friday.

Roadwork is set to begin on Wednesday August 1st and last for approximately three weeks on,  

Cedar St Ext – 1400’ west of Cordaville Rd to the Southborough line.

Roadwork began on Tuesday July 31st and will last for approximately three weeks on,

Church St – Full length.

Church PL – Full length.

Work hours on Hayden Rowe St & Grove St will be 9am-3pm. All other roads will be 7am-5pm.

Please do not park along the sides of these roads during construction hours as it will prevent the contractors from completing their work. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your cooperation during these construction projects.

Sincerely, Mike Mansir, Highway Manager

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A Man's World

July 31, 2012 — Two and a half year-old Dominic and 15 month-old Tammer enjoy a ride on scenic Hayden Rowe Street today this afternoon from Dad, Joe Barbieri.

   

$7,500,000 Parcel sold!
Legacy Farms sells one parcel of Legacy Farms South  to
Legacy Farms Apartments LLC

July 31, 2012 — Years of hard work planning, politicking, schmoozing, selling, negotiating, marketing and lawyering have paid off for Roy C. MacDowell Jr. and his group, Legacy Farms, as Legacy Farms Apartments LLC, an Atlanta entity formed by developers, Wood Partners, has purchased part of the southern parcel for $7.5 million today, outlined in red, below. More in a while.
      

   

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Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts

 

Compiled  for HopNews.com by Robert Falcione © 2012 All Rights Reserved

New Transactions from July 24, 2012 to July 31, 2012

Address

Buyer

Price

Date

Seller

Clinton Street Legacy Farms Apartments LLC $7,500,000 July 31, 2012 Legacy Farms LLC
40 School Street Julio C. Chow, Tina S. Chow $570,000 July 30, 2012 Richard D. Spector, Janet R. Spector
32 Grove Street David J. Larter, Justine A. Larter $285,000 July 30, 2012 Joshua A. Burnie, Robin A. Burnie
19 Pendulum Pass Michael Sapeta, Sarah Sapeta $709,000 July 27, 2012 Lawrence Gestaut, Margaret Mary Gestaut
192 Hayden Rowe Street Inhabitants of the Town of Hopkinton $370,000 July 26, 2012 Barbara Anna Snyer, Paul M. Hughes, Paula Mae
Ramsey, Alfred Francis Hughes
5 Courtney Circle Jianping Chao, Haoxuan Yan $605,000 July 24, 2012 Steven E Horowitz, Elsbeth Dijxhoorn
14 Ridge Road John M. Hendrick, Annina A. Hendrick $590,000 July 24, 2012 Daniel R. Smith, Marie G. Smith

SERVICE GUIDE
 
 

Youth Coordinator to Speak at Senior Center
Wednesday, August 8, 10 a.m.
   Jean Vazza, Hopkinton Youth and Family Services Coordinator, will discuss ways to communicate and build relationships with teens. Teenagers who have strong relationships with grandparents have fewer behavior problems than those who don't, according to Jean. Communication is paramount in establishing trust and respect with young people who are often misunderstood.
   While the program is geared to grandparents, Jean will answer questions and discuss subjects of interest to all ages. Please call the Senior Center at (508)497-9730 to sign up. 

 

HPS Press Release

Interim Superintendent to Assume Role on August 1, 2012

7/30/2012 — The Hopkinton School Committee is pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement with Dr. Steven Hiersche to serve as the Interim Superintendent of Schools for the 2012-2013 school year.  School Committee Chair, Nancy Alvarez Burdick, reported that "The Committee is looking forward to having Dr. Hiersche join the leadership team. Having a veteran Superintendent with both mentoring and management experience will positively affect this year's priority mandates and initiatives, which will improve learning for all students in Hopkinton."

Dr. Hiersche will assume the Interim Superintendent position as of August 1, 2012. The 11 month-contract provides a salary of $142,083.00 with benefits.

 

The Office of the Superintendent will be arranging opportunities for the staff and community to meet Dr. Hiersche, and will announce the schedule within the next few weeks.

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Wonder Dog
July 30, 2012 — Odin the pit bull mix is not really flying, but has jumped at full speed off of a dock at Hopkinton State Park and is ready for a big splash. His owner, Mike Shear, got him from Bay Path Humane Society, but says Odin learned how to fly on his own.

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High Mileage
July 30, 2012 — Although this gull over Hopkinton State Park looks a bit weary from wear, it had no trouble flying across the entire reservoir.

   

GOVERNOR PATRICK SIGNS GAMING COMPACT WITH MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE


BOSTON – Monday, July 30, 2012 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined legislators and members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to sign H.4261 “Resolve Relating To The Tribal-State Compact Between The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe And The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts.” Signing the Resolve is the final step in the process before the Compact can be submitted to the United States Department of the Interior for final approval. The Department of Interior will have 45 days to review and act on the Compact upon its joint submission.


Governor Patrick signs H.4261, “Resolve Relating To The Tribal-State Compact Between The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe And The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts.” (Photo Credit: Eric Haynes / Governor’s Office)

 

“I thank the Legislature for approving the Compact with the Mashpee Wampanoags,” said Governor Patrick. “This is an important milestone and a good deal for both the Commonwealth and the Tribe. It respects the inherent rights of the Tribe while adhering to the principles set forth in the Expanded Gaming Act. Now we turn our attention to the federal government and final approval of the Compact and the Tribe's land in trust application."

 

The Compact, which includes significant concessions by the Commonwealth, establishes the relationship between the Tribe and the Commonwealth for the operation of a tribal casino in Taunton and sets out, in detail, a structure for the operation of such a casino. The Compact was executed on July 12, 2012 with the federally-recognized sovereign Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and approved by the Legislature on July 26, 2012.

 

“I commend Governor Patrick for his negotiation with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on what is a very strong and fair compact,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “While these terms are in the best interest of both the Commonwealth and the Tribe, this Compact represents another step forward for Massachusetts’ economy.”

 

"This is a great day in the history of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the People of the First Light. We thank the Governor and the Legislature for the seriousness and cooperative spirit with which they approached this historic Compact," said Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Cromwell. "This brings us another step closer to achieving economic self-sufficiency for the Mashpee Wampanoag people while providing much-needed jobs and revenue to Taunton, Southeastern Massachusetts and the Commonwealth as a whole."

 

“I would like to thank Governor Patrick’s office and the Legislature for working together with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to reach a completed Compact, “ said Taunton Mayor Thomas C. Hoye Jr. “This is a vital step in the process of bringing economic opportunity and employment potential to Taunton and Southeastern Massachusetts.”

 

The Commonwealth and the Mashpee Wampanoag negotiated the Compact over the course of several months. As a tribal government, the Mashpee Wampanoag is not subject to the recently passed Expanded Gaming Act. In exchange for several concessions from the state, the Compact establishes guidelines for a potential tribal casino that are consistent with the policies and principles outlined in the Expanded Gaming Act:

 

      A newly formed Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC) will be the primary regulator of the Facility’s gaming operations, subject to oversight and concurrent regulation by Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).

      The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) authorizes a Tribe to conduct any gaming that is legally authorized in the state. Therefore, the Compact authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to operate casino-style ("Class III") games allowed elsewhere in the Commonwealth, excluding live horse racing.

      The Compact agrees that the tribal facility will be non-smoking.

      The Compact includes a revenue allocation equal to 21.5 percent of gross gaming revenue from the Tribe to the Commonwealth. This allocation will address the impact costs of a new facility and is agreed to in consideration of concessions made by the Commonwealth. 

      The Commonwealth will distribute any revenue allocation in a manner consistent with the Expanded Gaming Act, including dedicating funds for mitigation in communities affected by a casino.

      The Compact is for a 15-year term, with an automatic renewal for an additional 15-year term unless either party provides notice for modification or nonrenewal. 

 

The Commonwealth agrees in the Compact to several concessions to the Tribe. First, the Commonwealth agreed to enter into the Compact before the Tribe’s federal land in trust process was completed, and will advocate for Compact approval by the Secretary of the Interior. The Administration will also actively support the Tribe’s pending land-in-trust applications for Taunton and Mashpee. 

 

The Compact also advances the Commonwealth’s stated priority of regional economic development while protecting public safety and public health, ensuring strong regulatory oversight, supporting host and surrounding communities and providing quality employee benefits. The Compact includes the following additional provisions:

 

      The Commonwealth is granted jurisdiction and may prosecute under its laws and in its courts any violations of its gaming laws, other crimes against the facility's gaming operations or any other crimes occurring at the facility, just as it can for commercial facilities.

      The Tribe agrees to contribute to the Public Health Trust Fund.

      The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will have the right to inspect the facility, all gaming activity and all related records.

      The Tribe has agreed to an inter-governmental agreement with the host community to mitigate the impact of the facility’s construction.

      Pursuant to federal law, the Tribe must conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) under NEPA, which includes a comprehensive analysis of the environmental, infrastructure, educational, cultural, social and economic impacts of the facility on the region.

      The Tribe must consent to jurisdiction of the agencies responsible for enforcing the state worker's compensation and unemployment insurance laws.

      The Tribe will provide employees with health care benefits that meet or exceed standards set forth in state health care laws. 

 

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has identified Taunton as a location for a gaming facility and reached an agreement with the City that was approved by voters in June. Before a facility can open at the location, the Tribe must have land placed in-trust with the United States Department of the Interior. 

 

   

Three People, Two Vehicles
July 30, 2012 — Two older people were injured as a result of this two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Main and Pleasant Streets this afternoon, and were taken to the hospital.