Trains and Boats and Planes and More...

For anyone who'd be interested in watching my father's 8mm films that he did in The Yukon and Alaska circa 1942, I'm showing them at the Hopkinton Senior Center Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 1PM.

Steam trains and river boats, dog teams, native fishing, blanket toss, two-foot high kick, 'bike' racing, airplanes, glaciers, snow, ice, ice cream, etc.

Interested parties can register with Sally Almy: 508 497-9730 ext 23

Police Incident/Arrest Log - Most Recent First

Updated November 19, 2012

Serving the Public

Governor Patrick serves a meal at Boston Rescue Mission’s annual Day of Thanks. (Photo by: Eric Haynes/Governor’s Office)

“As the holiday season draws near, it is important that we come together as a community to help those in need,” said Governor Patrick. “I am proud to join the Boston Rescue Mission in their efforts to ensure that no one goes hungry this Thanksgiving holiday.”

The Boston Rescue Mission has provided basic life necessities, programs and services to the poor and homeless since 1899, and has hosted the annual Day of Thanks event for the past 18 years. Along with serving hot meals on the annual Day of Thanks, the Mission also distributes turkeys with complete holiday food baskets to local families in need to enjoy at home. Through its food pantry, residential recovery, job training, overnight shelter and outreach program, the Boston Rescue Mission provides assistance to nearly 28,000 people a year. Last year, the Mission provided thousands of pounds of food and beverages during the event.

New Branch in Town

Offering a convenient drive-up window, mobile banking, community banking and convenient hours of operation, Webster First Federal Credit Union, opened up shop  at 22 South Street in Hopkinton and is gearing up for a grand opening celebration on November 30, 2012.

With $630 million in assets, employing 220 people, and 52,000 members,  Webster First Federal Credit Union Webster First has been serving Worcester County for the greater part of the last 100 years, but has acquired other institutions that already do business in Middlesex County, and so they will be expanding with additional new locations in Middlesex.

The institution that began in 1928, according to their website, now boasts of being ranked in the top 2% of credit unions in the country.

Asked the difference between a credit union and a bank in a telephone interview for a HopNews feature scoop one year ago, CEO and President Michael Lussier said, "The fees are less, and we pay more in interest."

Mr. Lussier added that although deposits are insured up to $250,000, a depositor can have greater extended coverage.

"You can deposit $2 million with us and have it be fully insured."
*Some of this article appeared previously in HopNews.

Second Place in Division 4

Hopkinton High School Girls Cross Country Team came in Second Place in the Division 4 Meet

Shelby Aarden (2)
Melissa Lodge (4)
Marykate Cavanaugh (21)
Marypaule Monks (26)
Maybritt Schillinger (52)
Paige Lesslauer (54)
Emily Katz (59)

In the photo are:
Maybritt Schillinger, Emily Katz, Shelby Aarden, Melissa Lodge, MaryKate Cavanaugh, Mary-Paule Monks, and Paige Lesslauer. Contributed Content

Middle School Space, Teacher, Inspire

by Muriel Kramer

November 16, 2012 — For many years Maryellen Grady, long time Middle School English teacher and now Assistant Principal, sat eating her lunch looking out over an unused courtyard. “It’s a beautiful space and it is never used. I just started thinking about all the wonderful ways we could use that space.  Most people don’t even know it’s there.”  The space is a large grass and treed area cut off from access after an addition to the building many years ago; it sits in the middle of the school property surrounded by the wings of the building; the only access currently is through a bathroom.  What started with her vision is quickly building momentum and finding a way to becoming a reality.  For this to happen without adding to already steep budget concerns, parents, students and others in town will need to find a way to help make this a reality with ingenuity as well as donations of time, materials and expertise.

                The working theme for Maryellen’s vision that so many others already share is “The sky is the limit.”  “I started by imagining students out there reading and writing poetry, conducting science experiments, measuring for math projects; the space is absolutely gorgeous especially in the spring when everything is in bloom.”  Currently it is completely wasted space.  The Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee, Garden Club and others are already enthusiastic about the plans and want to help find ways to beautify and utilize the space.  Some of the ideas already in play for the space are a movie screen against the back wall, a moveable stage for musical and dramatic productions, 3 outdoor classrooms, gardens for vegetables and indigenous plants, a miniature gazebo, koi pond, and more.  Students would eventually have responsibilities to help maintain the space; vegetables could be donated to Project Just Because and flowers to the Respite House, local charities that support families in the community.  Mrs. Grady’s enthusiasm and passion are contagious.

                The Assistant Building Inspector has been by to offer his suggestions as the project takes shape.  One parent whose kids have long since finished at the Middle School is already on board to donate the professional expertise and time to craft and donate the necessary stamped architectural drawings, saving the project an estimated $20,000; the HEF has already awarded the project an $8,000 grant.  For others with ideas or offers of help, Mrs. Grady can be reached by email mgrady@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

                In other business at the School Committee Meeting, residents were reminded about the upcoming Special Town Meeting (STM) that is scheduled for November 26^th at 7 PM in the Middle School Auditorium; Special Town Election will be held December 3^rd from 7 AM to 8PM in the Middle School Gym.  The articles under consideration include funding a new roof for Elmwood School for up to $1.1 million; the current roof is in its 24^th year on a 20 year warranty and showing the strain.  For more information before STM, residents are invited to tune into HCAM on November 19^th at 7PM for “Know Your Vote” sponsored by Educate Hopkinton, attend an informational forum on Tuesday November 20^th at 7PM in the Elmwood School Library and/or contact by phone or email any member of the School Committee.

                NSDEC with input from the SC and members of the community has drafted the “successful candidate profile” for the upcoming search for Superintendent of Schools.  The SC is looking for someone that can be a visionary with both broad vision and targeted focus, who is a skilled decision maker and problem solver, who has experience and ability in the area of municipal finance and the budget development process, someone with experience as an organizational and educational leader in a high performing district, who can skillfully lead a major facility’s study and construction project, and who is a superior communicator and community builder.  The eleven member screening committee has been established and will begin screening candidates in November; they are expected to screen approximately 8-10 candidates identified by NSDEC and recommend 3 to 5 finalists for the SC to consider beginning in January 2013.

                Members of the High School student cast were on hand at the meeting to share short selections from this weekend’s production of “Les Miserables”; show times Friday 7:30 PM, Saturday 7:30 PM and Sunday 2 PM.  All performances are at the Middle School Auditorium.

High School Happenings This Weekend

Lots happening at Hopkinton High School this weekend and there’s something for everyone: 

-- First, the Hopkinton High School Drama Ensemble presents the school edition of Les Miserables, the musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel.  Performances will be held at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium on Thurs., Nov. 15 at 4 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 16 and Sat., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sun., Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.  According to director Valerie von Rosenvinge, “I am frequently moved to tears during rehearsals.  Students, leads and ensemble alike, have committed themselves to a level of excellence often associated with college productions. I look forward to sharing their talent with the entire community.” 

-- For sports fans, there’s the annual “Powder Puff Football Game” this Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in which the senior high school girls take on the junior girls in a traditional rivalry like none other – all under the lights at the Dave Hughes Stadium high school football field. Importantly, the concession stand also will be open with plenty to eat.  All proceeds benefit the class activities.

--And for shoppers wary of mall traffic, come to the Hopkinton High School Boosters store which will be open all weekend during the Hopkinton Youth Basketball (HYBA) annual “Tap-Off Tournament.”  Store hours are:  Fri, Nov. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sat., Nov. 17 and Sun., Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sales benefit Hopkinton athletics so shop early for the holidays.

State Police Rescue lost man from Valley View Road Mountain in Russell

Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., troopers from the State Police Barracks in Russell responded to the area of Valley View Road in Russell to search for a missing man.
Initially, the 20-year-old West Springfield man, when contacted by cell phone, told police that he was not lost and that he was making his way back to his vehicle. At approximately 7:05 p.m., the man called 911 to report he became lost, was cold and covering himself with leaves to stay warm.

The State Police along with local law enforcement mobilized assets into the area of Valley View Road to search for the man. Dispatched assets included a helicopter from the State Police Air Wing, a State Police K-9 unit, and troopers from the Russell Barracks for ground support, as well as Russell Fire and EMS and Huntington Police to assist in the search.

At 9:30 p.m., troopers located the man with assistance from the Air Wing. Rescue personnel said the man had suffered advanced hypothermia and was in need of medical assistance. Due to the heavy terrain Russell Fire and EMS utilized four-wheel all-terrain vehicles to assist in the rescue.

Westfield Fire and EMS met rescue personnel at the bottom of the mountain and transported the victim to Noble Hospital in Westfield for medical treatment.

NOTE: The Roving HopCam took a trip in 2008 to  Woronoco, a village of Russell where yesterday's rescue took place, and videotaped some youngsters doing some daring things, like jumping into a whirlpool that was fed by a rushing mountain stream. Not many days afterward, a young man doing the same thing in the same place after a torrential rain was pulled under and drowned. In a whirlpool is a  mixture of water and air that makes the mixture difficult to stay afloat. In addition to the dangers of a whirlpool, a particular type of algae or similar vegetation grows on rocks that are exposed to moisture from water spray, and to those who experience touching the algae, it is the most slippery substance on the planet.

Police Incident/Arrest Log - Most Recent First

Updated November 14, 2012

GOVERNOR PATRICK OUTLINES STATEWIDE GOAL OF 10,000 NEW MULTI-FAMILY UNITS PER YEAR

WORCESTER – Tuesday, November 13, 2012 – Committed to creating new housing that is vital to maintaining Massachusetts’ young, well-educated base of talent, Governor Patrick today outlined initiatives designed to produce 10,000 multi-family units of housing per year, the first production goal of this kind set by any state in the country.

“Access to housing for our middle- and moderate-income families is an important component in the Commonwealth’s continued growth to retain and build our young and innovative workforce,” said Governor Patrick. “By working to strengthen and expand our current initiatives and through greater collaboration with organizations and agencies across the Commonwealth, we aim to produce 10,000 multi-family housing units annually. This will further support our state’s continued growth and economic competitiveness for generations to come.”

At “Under One Roof,” the Commonwealth’s first Housing and Community Development Conference in more than a decade, Governor Patrick detailed the new Compact Neighborhoods program, designed to encourage and create well-planned housing that fulfills the demand for homes near jobs, transit and the vitality of city and town centers.

Compact Neighborhoods complement smart-growth programs by providing incentives to encourage residential development near transit and town centers. The program will recognize communities planning ahead systematically for economic and housing growth, and will offer Chapter 40B relief and priority consideration in discretionary funding programs, such as the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

Also today, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray discussed the Administration’s commitment to preserving and strengthening affordable housing for residents, particularly veterans. The Lieutenant Governor, who chairs both the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness and the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans' Services, noted a 21 percent decline in the number of homeless veterans over the last year, with the goal of lowering the number of homeless veterans (currently approximately 1,270) by 1,000 by 2015. The Lieutenant Governor also discussed the Administration’s reforms of the emergency assistance program, which is designed to increase investments in preventing homelessness and expanding permanent housing solutions while still providing a strong safety net for those who need immediate emergency housing.

"We are working strategically with our partners in the public and private sector to deliver more affordable housing solutions for individuals and families across the Commonwealth," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "By setting targeted goals, we will work together to ensure resources are used effectively and efficiently to support housing resources and community development."

Increasing market-rate housing for families and individuals is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s comprehensive plan for improving housing at all levels. Along with creating new housing, the Administration has made significant investments in the Commonwealth’s public housing stock, by preserving and improving the 46,000 housing units in the system through increased capital funding, increased operating subsidies, and changes in management of those resources.

“Setting concrete goals is a major step forward that reinforces the strong connection between housing supply and economic prosperity in Massachusetts,” said Clark Ziegler, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. “We strongly support the Governor’s goal and we hope the state’s business and civic leadership embrace it.”

Compact Neighborhoods joins a number of existing programs that are being expanded or re-funded in an effort to expand available options for cities and towns and help meet the goal of 10,000 new housing units per year. The goal figure was set after collaborating with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University.

This includes the Chapter 40R tool, which similarly to Compact Neighborhoods promotes smart-growth districts. Last month, Reading officials opened a mixed-use project in the downtown area that was supported by Chapter 40R funding, which was replenished by $4 million dedicated to the program in the jobs bill signed by Governor Patrick in August.

Also expanded in the jobs bill is the Chapter 43D program, which will support prompt and predictable residential permitting. Some communities, like Groton, have used Chapter 43D to support housing production that provides a variety of housing types for residents.

Last month, Governor Patrick announced the first Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) district, in Pittsfield. Specifically designed for Gateway Cities, the HDIP program is a development tool for increased residential growth and expanded diversity of housing stock. The program offers incentives to developers through a local-option real estate tax exemption and a state tax credit for 10 percent of eligible costs, up to $1 million.

The “Under One Roof” conference is a full-day, statewide event focused on housing issues across a broad range of issues, including emergency housing assistance, the Commonwealth’s public housing program that is one of the strongest in the nation and the plans to grow the state’s housing stock. Approximately 1,000 people attended the conference, which included sessions hosted by prominent state, non-profit and private-development housing leaders. Contributed content.

(Photo: Eric Haynes / Governor's Office)

RESIDENT SAND PILE PICK UP NOTICE

I would like to remind Hopkinton residents that are coming into the DPW yard to pick up resident sand to use caution when entering and exiting the property. Over the last few years we have noticed an increase in the number of residents taking advantage of this service and have noticed motorists driving too fast while entering and exiting our facility. There have been several close calls between our equipment and the vehicles of residents vehicles.

During winter operations there are many trucks delivering sand, salt and supplies to us; as well as our own trucks and equipment moving in and around the parking lot.

It would be extremely helpful if residents could enter and exit the property by using the entrance located at the west side of the building (the side closest to Westborough). Please drive slowly, be aware of what is going on around you and try to stay clear of the DPW trucks & equipment.

Please use the resident sand pile located at the rear of the property near the sign that says “Resident Sand”. The building that we store our sand and salt in is for employees only. Residents should not park in front of or be inside this building. We do not give out salt.

Please remember this service is meant for residents to bring their own 5 gallon buckets to fill with sand to be able to sand their walkways. Residents should not fill the back of any vehicles.

We are happy to provide this service however safety and operational efficiency are our first priorities.

Thank you for your understanding & cooperation in this matter.

Mike Mansir
Highway Manager

Middlesex District Attorney Investigates Fatal Police Shooting in Marlborough

WOBURN – The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office is conducting an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred Monday evening at 56 Meadow Brook Road in Marlborough.

According to authorities at approximately 8 p.m. Monday, November 12, Marlborough Police responded to 56 Meadow Brook Road for a domestic disturbance to assist in the removal of an unwanted person from a residence. Upon arrival, police were confronted by a man armed with a knife. A Marlborough police officer discharged his weapon. The man, identified as Bryce Coutinho, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The circumstances of the shooting incident remain under investigation. The justifiability of the police involved shooting will be investigated by the District Attorney’s Office, per protocol. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Police Incident/Arrest Log - Most Recent First

Updated November 13, 2012

PRIMARILY POTTERS SHOW AND SALE

Looking for a one-stop shop for unique, handmade holiday gifts?

Primarily Potters will hold its tenth annual three-day Show and sale at Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe Street in Hopkinton MA on November 16 and 17th from 10-5 and on Sunday, November 18 from 10-2.

The potters enjoy meeting the public, learning from feedback, and sharing new inspirations or techniques each year. A portion of the proceeds from this sale benefits the CAA.

Carol Mecagni, head of Primarily Potters, has some new popular twists in her pottery making this year: yarn pots for knitters, flower pins, chip and dip sets, a larger version of her berry bowl, and mommy pots for children's flowers.

"I’m glazing my pots with a simpler palette this year", says Carol, “ and still love making bowls-- large and small.”

“Working with clay has been a passion for over 30 years,” says Barbara Shank Wilson, who has a BFA in Sculpture and studied and worked at the Harvard Ceramics Studio for almost 15 years. She creates functional and figurative vessels—large bowls and platters as well as vases decorated or sculpted as figures or faces.

Kathy Taylor, will be showing functional work, with an emphasis on serving pieces and Asian-inspired vases.  New this year are her unique tripod cream and sugar sets and mugs.

Jill Soloway uses hand-building techniques. Her pieces are both creative and functional, with varying textures and shapes. Check out her unique boxes, bowls, and serving plates.

Hana Reilly makes mostly wheel thrown functional pottery with unique carvings of sea and nature motifs. Her work includes mugs, bowls, vases, candleholders, bottles, and beer steins, all microwave and dishwasher safe.

In addition to holiday pins and festive leaf trays, Mary Edwards
will offer a series of serving platters, cheese trays, new pitchers and gravy boats for holiday entertaining. These hand built and altered thrown pieces, glazed in beautiful natural earth tones, are also available in shades of green, inspired by textures from her garden.

“My functional pottery is designed to bring elegance and pleasure into your everyday life.” says Craig Bachman. “ Adding color to your table and counter, these handmade pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe, and the glazes are non-toxic and lead free.

Elizabeth Eidlitz makes functional stoneware, including suet feeders, stir-fry bowls, a variety of vases, including triplets, and dipping oil garlic grater plates. Most pieces are glazed with a rich glossy blue glaze.

Martha Gold says, “Function is still a very important element in my work, from kitchen and tabletop ware to Japanese inspired lanterns.”