Pay No Tax Next Saturday at Holliston Antiques

October 5, 2012 — Holliston Antiques owner Al Carboni said of his customers, mom Cindy, ten year-old Tyler and Camden, 7, above, both in and out of the looking glass, "They're all antique-ers."

        Mr. Carboni said that Holliston antiques, which in addition to a store full of fine antiques, sells and buys silver and US coins,  will be having a no-tax day next weekend. The vendors will be paying the tax, which will not be added to the price of the purchase. In the meantime, stop by 798 Washington Street in Downtown Holliston to pick out your purchase.

Merry Go-Round

October 5, 2012 — Four year-old Caroline Charland didn't need any carousel horses during an outing with Mom and brother today on Hopkinton Common as she invented her own game to play around the non-functioning fountain.

Smooth as Silk

October 5, 2012 — Everything went forward without a hitch today as authorities performed an evacuation drill at Center School. Officer Gregg DeBoer is in the foreground and School Resource Officer Philip Powers is on the right, background.

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ST. PAUL’S “BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS” OCT. 14

HOPKINTON, MA (October 5, 2012) – Creatures of all species – including four-legged friends or feathered fowl -- are invited to receive a special blessing at St. Paul’s Annual Blessing of the Animals on October 14.

All dogs, cats, and others of God’s creatures – and their human friends – are invited to a special ceremony being held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 61 Wood Street (Rte 135) in Hopkinton. The Blessing of the Animals is being done at 10:15 a.m., followed by a “Pet Friendly” service of the Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. File photo, left.

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School Superintendent Search Process Underway

October 5, 2012 — After considering several potential courses of action, the Hopkinton School Committee has decided to continue its work with the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to search for a Superintendent of Schools.

To aid in the development of the candidate profile, NESDEC will reach out to the professional staff, parents/guardians and community to learn what attributes, experience and knowledge these groups feel the Superintendent should possess. In October, NESDEC will conduct a community forum in the evening; facilitate a forum with the administrative team; gather staff and community feedback through an electronic survey; conduct a forum with the School Committee; and interview key district staff and community leaders via telephone.

To support the search process, the School Committee voted to form an eleven-member Superintendent Search Screening Committee to assist in reviewing applications, interviewing candidates and recommending finalists to be interviewed by the School Committee. The eleven member Screening Committee will include representation from the district’s administrative office, building level administration, teaching staff, parent/guardian population, business community, Board of Selectmen and School Committee. The formation of that committee will take place in October with its work expected to begin in November, 2012.

Screening of Superintendent candidate applications will begin on or about November 19, 2012, with an anticipated starting date for the selected candidate on or about July 1, 2013.

Interested candidates should contact: Dr. Arthur L. Bettencourt, Hopkinton Superintendent Search, NESDEC, 28 Lord Road, Marlborough, MA 01752; Phone: 508-481-9444; Email: search@nesdec.org; or go to the NESDEC web site: www.nesdec.org to download the application. For additional information about the school district, please refer to: www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us .School Committee Press release.

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School Committee Ponders Elementary School Building Committee

Committee, Selectmen lock horns over authority

by Muriel kramer

October 5, 2012 — School Committee (SC) and Board of Selectman (BOS) met in a joint session last evening before the regular televised meeting of the SC to discuss the formation of an Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) to address the issues at Center School and/or Elmwood School; specifically the Mission of the ESBC is proposed “To facilitate the development of a proposed solution to the operational and educational constraints of Center School and/or Elmwood School that will be supported by the voters of Hopkinton as well as the MSBA [Massachusetts School Building Authority].”

Discussion between the two boards largely centered on the makeup of the committee; BOS member Brian Herr and BOS Chairman Ben Palleiko advocated strongly for an ESBC that maximized volunteers from the community to fill the seats on the Committee as mandated by the MSBA.

School Committee Chairwoman, Nancy Alvarez Burdick, began the discussion by asserting, “The five of us [SC members] over the course of work on two committees are unified.” There is a need to define a solution that protects the town’s eligibility to receive matching funds from the MSBA and has broad based community support. Several speakers on both boards emphasized during discussion that no specific solution had been identified; it could be a remodeled Center School, a new School on the Center School site or a new School at a different site.

SC Vice-Chairman, Scott Aghababian, elaborated, “Our thought was that we’ve done various activities to gather input, and there are still a lot of questions and issues.

Tempers flared briefly between SC member Rebecca Robak and Palleiko when discussing which Board oversees the ESBC and has ultimate responsibility. Palleiko asserted that the BOS has the overriding responsibility for overseeing the ESBC and its work; Robak disagreed pointedly, “The SC drives this process; I disagree entirely with that.”

Palleiko responded, “I know we’ve disagreed on this before. We are not trying to usurp the role of the School Committee, but I am unwilling to hand off responsibility to the SC.”

Ultimately discussion centered on ways to work collaboratively; the Boards will discuss this again at the BOS meeting October 23^rd. Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Hiersche commented, “The piece we got back to is that this has to be a collaborative effort.” He also made the point that “Time is of the essence. Our ultimate goal is to do this as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The BOS adjourned their meeting and the SC opened its regular meeting just after 8PM. Resident Joe Markey (file photo) spoke during public comment addressing his still unresolved concerns regarding the handling of the previous superintendent’s resignation, specifically the timing—informing the public long after it was known to SC members that the superintendent was resigning.

Last Spring the SC held off announcing the resignation of Dr. Jonathan Landman until after the Town Election had been held. Markey asserted that the public should have been informed immediately. Referring to the emails that have been recently released to the public, Markey expressed dissatisfaction that the emails “lack any indication of concern for communication to the public.” According to Markey, the emails showed an emphasis on informing staff and the administration but not the public. “Any candidate running for office that knows the Superintendent [of Schools] has resigned has an obligation to immediately communicate to the public that resignation.” The news was not released until after the election, and SC member Jean Bertschmann, having served as Chairwoman last year, was re-elected. Markey further stated, “The School Committee needs to develop a higher level of credibility*.” In keeping with their established format, SC members did not enter into a discussion with Markey.

Maintaining that the format gives the Board members an opportunity to consider and reflect before responding, Alvarez-Burdick held to the established format commenting only that Markey’s points were something to think about.

Alvarez-Burdick updated the committee and public on the search for the new superintendent; there will be a public forum and electronic survey in October. Additionally, the SC will be forming an 11 member screening committee this month targeting November 19^th as the start date to screen candidates.

A Special Town Meeting (STM) has been set for November 26, 2012 and an election the following week on December 3, 2012. The STM is hoped to have just one article, that article is to address replacing the roof at Elmwood School for 1.1 million dollars; it will require a 2/3 favorable vote at STM and a simple majority in favor at the ballot.

*The word in bold has been inserted to more accurately quote Mr. Markey.

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Pet Care 101

Above, fifth grade Brownies wait in line to get a look through the microscope at a sample taken from the inner ear of a subject animal.

October 4, 2012 — Brownies from Hopkinton Troop 72956 were guests of Hopkinton resident Dr. Elizabeth Russell of Healthy Paws Veterinary Center, 6 Old Flanders Road in Westborough (Just past the Southborough Rod and Gun Club at the end of Fruit Street and over the Fruit Street railroad bridge on the right).  The girls were treated to a tour of the comprehensive facility, getting a look at an operation in progress, the x-ray room, microscopic samples, grooming and listening to a stethoscope on the beating heart of a dog.

           The girls also took part in what older scouts would need to do for a badge, such as learning how to keep a pet healthy and groomed, how to set up a kennel run, make up a game to play with pets, and list items and tasks for their own pet. 

Hopkinton Historical Society & the Hopkinton Garden Club Presentation

On Sunday, October 14, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., please join the Hopkinton Historical Society and the Hopkinton Garden Club for an afternoon with

Presenting in 19^th century costume, Christie will whet your appetite with her slide-illustrated lecture "According to Your Taste": Cooking with Herbs in the 1800s”.  She’ll explore growing and using culinary herbs, or "pot herbs," as they were often known. These time-honored plants improved the digestion as well as adding flavor, preserving, and embellishing dishes of all kinds. Looking at historic recipes brings herbs to the table paired with meats, vegetables, breads, salads, dairy products, beverages, and desserts.

A handout recipe booklet will be provided.

Christie Higginbottom has worked as a costumed interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) since 1981. From 1984 to 2004, she coordinated the historic horticulture program researching, planning, and planting the re-created kitchen and flower gardens at the museum’s historic households.  She also supervised the Village’s Herb Garden collection, a garden exhibiting over 300 varieties of historic herbs.  From 2004 to 2006 she researched and developed a series of self-guided walking trails interpreting people and the environment in the early 1800s. Now retired from full-time work at OSV, she continues to work in costume part-time – most often in the gardens, and to present garden programs for the Village.

Take a step back with us to the 1800’s kitchen at the Historical Society building, 168 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA.

Donations are welcome at the time of the performance to help defray the cost of the event.

For more information contact Ray Gendreau (Hopkinton Historical Society), email ray1942@Verizon.net or phone 508-435-9865

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Zoning Public Forum
October 22, 2012 7:00 PM

The Zoning Advisory Committee will hold a public forum on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Room 211 of the Town Hall, at which time it would like to hear ideas that Town Boards, Committees, officials, organizations and the general public have with respect to desired changes to the Zoning Bylaw and/or the Zoning Map. Zoning bylaws generally regulate the use of land, buildings and structures. This is an opportunity to propose changes to the permitted land uses in specific areas in Hopkinton, and other ideas with respect to land use regulation. The Committee invites you to the forum to present your ideas and suggestions and to submit ideas/proposals in writing, especially if you cannot be present.

It is recommended that a written summary of the idea or proposal be emailed (elainel@hopkintonma.gov) or sent to Elaine Lazarus, Director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, at Town Hall prior to October 18. For more information, please email or call Elaine Lazarus at 508-497-9755.

High Profile

October 4, 2012 — Hopkinton Republicans and their supporters held a standout on Fruit Street overlooking vehicles whizzing by below on Route 495 this morning. Although Sean Bielat signs are prolific in this photo, a much larger Scott Brown sign that would have filled the image is off-camera to the left of the photo.

State Park Customers

October 4, 2012 — These Canada geese and another dozen of their group outnumbered the humans by a large margin at Hopkinton State Park this morning, as this year's springtime brood has fully developed wings and adult feathers, making them ready for long flights if they so desire.

October 3, 2012 — Pond Street offers visitors and residents a step back into an earlier period in Hopkinton's history, with original stone walls lining the streets and 100 year-old decorative trees framing scenes like the one above with a catalpa tree stretching across the entire width.

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National Depression Screening Day on October 11

 Hopkinton Public Library

Mental Illness Awareness Week occurs October 8-12 with National Depression Screening Day on October 11 at the Hopkinton Public Library. This event is sponsored by Hopkinton Youth Services and Mass 211.

National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) will be held at the Hopkinton Public Library from 10am-12pm and 5-7pm. NDSD raises awareness of mental illness and offers community wide education and awareness for depression and mood disorders. All Hopkinton adult residents are invited to be screened (in-person) for depression and related mood disorders including anxiety, bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Parents can also complete a brief screen for adolescents for depressions. Area providers will be at the screening and referral information for residents will be available. Hopkinton residents will also be able to take an on-line screening for one year that is completely confidential. 
Please visit:

Dial  211- 24 hours a day/7 days a week to locate a traihttp://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/HOPKINTONned specialist that connects families with valuable resources.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Make Way

October 2, 2012 — This bona fide railroad crossing in Upton of the Grafton and Upton Railroad is a stop, look, and listen street crossing. The train, which has a speed limit of 5 mph on these tracks, stops at the edge of the roadway, the flagman cautions vehicles, and then the train blasts its horn while accelerating. As it is a bona fide crossing, trucks with certain payloads, like oil delivery and tanker trucks, as well as school buses, are required to come to a complete stop before crossing the tracks, even when there is no train in sight. In 2010, HopNews was among the first to cover the revival of this short-line railroad. See the video coverage here.

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Faith Community Church of Hopkinton Goes Solar with Solect

Hopkinton church to reduce electricity costs up to 50% with renewable solar energy installation

HOPKINTON, MA – October 2, 2012 – Faith Community Church of Hopkinton (FCCH) and Hopkinton-based Solect Energy Development have flipped the switch on a new solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system on the roof of the church, a project that will help the church save significantly on its annual energy costs. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Solect will provide electricity to FCCH at reduced rates.

Solect installed a 160.7 kW solar system on the roof of the 80,000-square-foot East Main Street facility, which was remodeled and expanded in 2003. The system is expected to reduce the church’s energy costs by more than 50 percent. The project includes 684 panels on the facility’s roof, producing approximately 180,000 kWhs (kilowatt hours) of electricity per year. Solect managed the project end to end, from an initial feasibility assessment, through the design and engineering stage to installation. Solect will also provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance for the system.

300th Celebration Needs YOU!

The town of Hopkinton's 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee has openings for four at-large members. Come join us as we plan for the town's big birthday! Any citizen is eligible; all talents, ideas and skill sets are welcome. Some specific areas the committee could use assistance with: fund raising, event management, marketing/public relations and community relations.  For further information please contact: Anne Mattina at hop300th@gmail.com 

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HOPKINTON CULTURAL COUNCIL SEEKS FUNDING PROPOSALS

Proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science projects due October 15, 2012.

The Hopkinton Cultural Council has set an October 15, 2012 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support

According to Council spokesperson Jean Bertschmann, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Hopkinton -- including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.

The Hopkinton Cultural Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups through the PASS Program, which provides subsidies for school-age children to attend cultural field trips.

The Hopkinton Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

This year, the Hopkinton Cultural Council will distribute about $3,870 in grants. Previously funded projects include: Sunset Jazz Concert at the CAA (file photo); author Yoko Watkins for Middle School students; ESL production of a Tribute to the USO; and performances and programs at the Hopkinton Public Library, Hopkinton Senior Center, Hopkinton Historical Society, Respite Center, and Golden Pond.

For specific guidelines and complete information on the Hopkinton Cultural Council, contact Jean Bertschmann at 508.435.5195 or jeanber65@hotmail.com. Application forms and more information about the Hopkinton Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp. Application forms are also available at the Hopkinton Public Library.

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Hopkinton Women's Club Progam

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS – 3 KEY STEPS

7 PM, MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012, FCC, 146 E. MAIN STREET, HOPKINTON

Preparedness Coordinator Chris Besse of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Chief Ken Clark of the Hopkinton Fire Department will be the speakers. They will talk about how to prepare and what to do during an emergency, Hopkinton’s emergency notification system, and the town’s coordination during an emergency. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

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The girls’ volleyball team is hosting its annual Dig Pink match on Wednesday, October 17 vs Holliston High School in support of the Side-Out Foundation. Side-Out was established in 2004 to unite volleyball players and coaches and to have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness and patient services by supporting clinical trials, increasing compassionate support services and educating communities.

Volleyball players will be participating in numerous fundraising activities leading up to and during the game including themed basket raffles (Hillers pride, Life is Good, Think Pink Bath and Body products), pink balloon selling, and donations/dig. All are welcome to support the team and donate to this great cause. http://www.side-out.org/application/ous/fundraising_page/7489