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P.O. Box 351, Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-435-5534

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Selectmen Affirm Hire of New Police Officer
Selectmen vote to move Downtown renovation process forward
Water Fresh Farm gets malt and wine license approved
Casino support gets nixed


Above, Town Manager Norman Khumalo congratulates newly hired Police Officer Robert Bielecki at the selectmen's meeting Tuesday.

 

by Robert Falcione

February 5, 2013 — The Selectmen welcomed newly hired Police Officer Robert Bielecki, who has traded working for the sleepy town of Littleton, where he has been serving for 11 years, for the hustle and bustle of Hopkinton, which is at the cusp of an extended period of explosive growth. In addition to the duties of a patrolman in Littleton, Officer Bielicki also served as a training officer in that town. The position he is filling has been in the budget as a result of promotions.

          Police Chief Rick Flannery was on hand to not only support his new hire, but to inform the public of the disappointing news of recent housebreaks in Hopkinton and the region. He advised the public to secure their homes, look out for their neighbors, and if they see something suspicious to report it to the Police Department.

          In preliminary budget discussions this evening, the board was informed that new growth of taxable property in Hopkinton is adding $1.2 million to the revenue side. Adding that figure, plus $250,000 in untaxed levy would take care of a 4.4% budget increase by the School Department inside the 3.9% increase in the overall budget.

          A wine and malt liquor license for take-out only was approved by the Selectmen for Water Fresh Farm following a hearing this evening that had been continued to give the town time to research zoning issues and other questions about the location. The vote was 3 in favor, with Palleiko and Mosher against.

           The Selectmen voted to submit the long-studied so-called  25% plan for the renovation of the Downtown to the state for its approval and study. If approved by the state, a more comprehensive plan will next be required to be submitted to qualify for the $5.4 grant for the $6.65 million project to improve sidewalks, pedestrian safety, roadways and drainage.

            Selectmen voted to send a letter in opposition to a "resort-style casino in the MetroWest area" to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and "anyone else who will listen" following a short discussion and unanimous opposition to a casino in the region.

           

YOUR HOME
 

Long and Winding Road

February 5, 2013 — Upton reader Nicole Brooks proves the power of an iPhone and an eye for beauty as she shares this photo taken at sunset.

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"Be Refreshed"  for Women

Thursday, February 14, 9:15am – 11:15am
Faith Community Church of Hopkinton
146 East Main Street
Hopkinton, MA

 

'Be Refreshed' is a seminar for women which includes a breakfast followed by an engaging presentation. The speaker for February 14th's event is Kathy Bridge and the topic is Be Transparent: Influencing the Ones you Love:

Our loved ones are watching everything we do - the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly. Whether we want to be or not - we are an open book to those closest to us, especially our families. Rather than hang our heads in shame, we can learn to use transparency as a positive tool to help influence the ones we love.

Please register online for this free event at www.FCCH.org/be-refreshed. Childcare is offered for children from infants–6 years old ($3.00/child).

Website: www.FCCH.org/be-refreshed Phone: 508-435-5900 or women@fcch.org

 

Sara F. "Sally" Cotter, 102

Hopkinton — Sara F. "Sally" Cotter, 102, of Hopkinton died Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Bethany Healthcare Center Framingham.

Sally Fitzpatrick was born November 27, 1910 in Cambridge, MA. Her schooling was through the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Boston and Philadelphia, finishing at West Hill School in London. She became a professional stage actress performing in Boston and New York and doing summer stock with the Barnstormers in New Hampshire. On Dec. 29, 1941 she married Joseph S. Cotter in Brookline. MA. They lived in Helena, MT and Rochester, MN until returning to MA in 1967. Mr. Cotter died March 3, 1991. While in Rochester, Mrs. Cotter was an active community volunteer and especially enjoyed acting with the Rochester Civic Theater. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling, cooking, antiquing, and time spent with family.

She is survived by her daughter Maureen Plitzuweit and her husband Irv of Eyota, MN, Shelia Thieme and her husband Carl of Marco Island,, FL, her daughter Evelyn Cotter of Hopkinton, son Kevin Cotter and his wife Mary Beth of Salem, MA, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grand children. She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 1 sister.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Feb. 7 at 10:30 AM in Bethany Healthcare Chapel in Framingham. A calling hour will be held prior to the Mass from 9:30 to 10:30.

Donations: Bethany Healthcare Center, 97 Bethany Rd., Framingham, MA 01702 (ATTN: Sr. Jacqulyn McCarthy)

SERVICE GUIDE
 
 

Romeo and Harriet

The Keefe Regional Technical High School Drama Club will present Romeo and Harriet: A Musical Tragical Comedy in Two and a Half Acts. Pictures above, members of the Drama Club are: front row, left to right, Patrick Stearns, Oskar Alas, Karla Cassemiro, Mariah Brown, Nick Morris, Derick Valovcin, Casey Laing, Jonah Feintuck; middle row, left to right, Kelley Rivers, Alicia Maradiaga, Rachel LaFrance, Sophia Zabarsky, Sarah Lundberg, Molly Dee, Michelle Esmay, Linda Bursch, Brianna Medina; and back row, left to right, Eric Lundberg, Joey Figueroa, Erin Dowdy, Kiernan Roche, Bridget Belcher, Laney Mayo, Olivia Morrison, Jonathan Montanez.

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HPTA's Biggest Event of the Year
Some tickets STILL available
HARLEM WIZARDS FAMILY FUN EVENT
Harlem Wizards vs. Hopkinton Hotshots
Sunday, February 10th, 3:00-6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 2:15 p.m.)
Hopkinton High School Athletic Center

Tickets Prices: Adults $12, Students & Seniors $10
(on day of the event, all tickets $15)

To order Tickets Online – visit us at http://www.hptaonline.com/

Opportunity drawings will be held at the event, one to include iPad 2!
Concessions, autographs, and merchandise will be available


Come watch the Harlem Wizards vs. Hopkinton Hotshots for an amazing, joyous and awe-inspiring basketball experience. This family fun event will include concessions, autographs, souvenirs and opportunity drawings (one to include an iPad2). Please see the flyer for a list of all the members of the Hopkinton Hotshots team.
Left, file photo by Paul Dietz.
   
THRIFT SHOP SALE
Everything Half Price
for the entire month of
FEBRUARY
New merchandise added regularly
HOPKINTON SENIOR CENTER
28 Mayhew St.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-3
Fri. 10-2

 

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone Announces That He Will Not Be A Candidate for US Senate

 

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone (File photo), a Hopkinton resident and Franklin native, sent the media the  following press release today, ending any speculation that he would jump into the race for US Senate from Massachusetts for the seat opened up as a result of senior Senator John Kerry being nominated for the position of Secretary of State by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate.

 

“After having considered the prospects of a run for U.S. Senate, I remain of the same mind that I expressed in my announcement to forego seeking reelection as Middlesex District Attorney, and I remain firm in my decision to leave electoral politics and government service to pursue other career opportunities.  Although the U.S. Senate is a wonderful public service opportunity to do significant and gratifying things for people, I have decided that it is not the right next step for me by way of the job or the lifestyle.  These are highly personal decisions, that are never wrong nor regrettable when made in the best interest of family.”

YOUR HOME
 

Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton, Massachusetts

 

Compiled  for HopNews.com by Eric Montville © 2013 All Rights Reserved

New Transactions from January 28, 2013 to February 4, 2013

Address

Buyer

Price

Date

Seller

61 Pine Island Road James Christopher Thomas $20,000 February 1, 2013 Frederick P. Wood Tr, Mill River Realty Trust
8 Winter Street Nancy Tinnel Emrick $317,500 January 31, 2013 Rita Riley, Ruth R. Sagar, Daniel J. Riley II,
Joan E. Widmayer, Joan E. Riley
13 Donna Pass Scott A. Hatherley, Stephanie N. Hatherley $691,000 January 31, 2013 Nancy Tinnel Emrick, Nancy Emrick
5 Bridle Path Ravi Kiran Malladi Venkata, Padmaja Malladi
Venkata
$709,900 January 31, 2013 Crama LLC
18 Lakeshore Drive Peter J. Ditoto $374,000 January 30, 2013 Emine Kiray
Amherst Street Thomas Perna Custom Home LLC $90,000 January 30, 2013 Robert F. Lapointe, Eileen Lapointe
Last Week        
15 Meserve Street Kate-Lee Reyes, Cristal Reyes $217,000 January 29, 2013 Mae Fannie, Federal National Mortgage Assoc.
10 Spring Street Caro M Cheney Tr, Jay P Cheney Tr $149,900 January 24, 2013 Kevin J Wright, Maureen L Wright
Previous Transactions        
29 South Mill Street Corbett Family Trust $208,000 January 17, 2013 Patrick O. Dobson
34 Overlook Road Carmax Auto Superstores Inc. $844,000 January 16, 2013 Mohammad Shamim
29 South Mill Street Charles Stahl, Nancy Stahl $340,500 January 15, 2013 Patrick O. Corbett, Corbett Family Trust
Ash Street Kenneth R. Weismantel, Margaret M. Weismantel $62,500 January 15, 2013 Alan Greenwald, Kenneth Crater, Abbott Realty
Trust
Ash Street Colin J. Stearman, Marilyn K. Stearman $62,500 January 15, 2013 Alan Greenwald, Kenneth Crater, Abbott Realty
Trust

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    Police Incident Log - Most Recent First

  

Updated Monday, February 4, 2013

Summary

The Hopkinton Police were involved in the following incidents, which are not included in the detail report below.

2 Times the Police assisted the Fire Department, another department, town, or outside Police agency.

7 Motor Vehicle/Person/Home Checks.

1 Motor Vehicle Accident without personal injury.

4 Disabled Motor Vehicles.

1 Time the Police assisted with an Animal Call.


Arrest Log

Saturday, February 2, 2013

5:26 pm Sgt. Michael Sutton arrested Justin R. Kopec, 25, of Front Street, Hopkinton, on Main Street and charged him with Failure to Stop for Police.


2:07 am Sgt. Scott vanRaalten arrested Jack Z. Walker, 42, of Leland Street, Grafton, on West Main Street and charged him with OUI Liquor.


Incident Log

Sunday, February 3, 2013

10:47 pm Officer William Burchard issued a civil citation to the operator of a motor vehicle on Hayden Rowe Street.


9:35 am A 911 caller from East Main Street reported that two intruders were inside his house. Three officers and the Ashland Police Department responded and advised that there was no intruders inside.


12:08 am A resident of Priscilla Road reported that her house and her daughter's car were egged within the past few hours. Officer Linda Higgins responded and took a report.


12:02 am A Saddle Hill resident reported that their upstairs neighbors were having a loud party. Two officers responded and spoke with the home owner.


Saturday, February 2, 2013

10:15 pm A caller from Gassett Road reported that his house had been egged. Officer Aaron O'Neil checked the area with a negative find on anything suspicious.


5:26 pm Sgt. Michael Sutton arrested a 25 year old male from Hopkinton, on Main Street, and charged him with Failure to Stop for Police.


4:02 pm There was a report of a fox running around Main Street. Officer Aaron O'Neil checked the area with a negative find.


1:59 pm A 911 caller from Pond Street reported that their pellet stove had filled the house with smoke. Officer Gregg DeBoer responded to assist the Fire Department.


12:16 pm A motorist reported being cut off by another vehicle on West Main Street. The operator then threw a projectile at his motor vehicle. Officer Gregg DeBoer checked the area but could not locate the vehicle.


11:24 am A motorist reported an icy roadway on Fruit Street, possibly caused by a broken pipe. Officer Gregg DeBoer responded and advised that it was ground water that was causing the icing. The DPW were notified


10:59 am Officer Gregg DeBoer spoke with an individual who was dumping metal off in a DPW dumpster on Wood Street.


2:35 am Officer Jacob Campbell spoke with a person who was walking around the oil tanks on Meserve Street.


1:35 am Sgt. Scott vanRaalten arrested a 42 year old male from Grafton, on West Main Street, and charged him with OUI Liquor.


Friday, February 1, 2013

6:17 pm The Southborough Police Department reported an erratic operator on Ash Street. Officer Gregg DeBoer stopped the motor vehicle and issued the operator a verbal warning.


4:54 pm A 911 caller reported that contractors working at a house on Grove Street had a fire lit that appeared to be unsafe. Officer Gregg DeBoer responded to assist the Fire Department.

SERVICE GUIDE
 
 


Dog Survives Gunshot Wound - Now at Greyhound Friends

 

February 4, 2013 — Trooper has every reason to distrust people. He's either been used for target practice, or had the misfortune to be near a person who couldn't shoot straight - more than once. Yet he is a loving, friendly and kind dog that has charmed every person that's met him.  

A small Kentucky county-run shelter got a call at closing one day about a dog that had been shot. The employee, for a reason only known to him, did not go to the get the dog or pass the word along. The woman that found him called the shelter the next morning to see if he had survived. But no one had picked him up.

The kind lady had put down food and water, and a bed of straw, before she left to work a night shift, thankfully. Temperatures were below freezing that night. She said that even though the dog was bleeding and in pain, he wagged and licked her. She was asked to check and see if he was still in the field where she first found him, and he was. She then got her vehicle, loaded him herself, and took him to the shelter. Again, he wagged and thanked her. 

But he wasn't safe yet. Like many small shelters, this one did not have emergency funds for an injured animal. Animals with life-threatening injuries were usually humanely euthanized. But, on a wing and a prayer, the local humane society jumped in. The ACO agreed to let the dog go to a local vet for treatment while undergoing a mandatory five-day stray hold. So, knowing that the owner could show up and reclaim him, and without a rescue commitment, several people offered money to help pay his bills.

The bullet had entered the shepherd mix's chest. Thankfully, it had clipped off his shoulder blade and lodged against a rib, missing organs. X-rays also showed several old bb's and buckshot in the poor boy. The vet said he was one of his best patients ever, and he didn't even have to be held while the vet clipped the area around the fresh wound.

Greyhound Friends quickly said yes to rescuing Trooper when they heard his plight. After several days of recovery from the gunshot, he was then neutered and readied for a volunteer transport. Once underway, his many transporters and overnighters became immediate fans as well. We are thrilled to have this survivor join Greyhound Friends, and can't wait until he finds his forever family. They all deserve it, and this boy especially so!

 

Dietary Weight Loss Tips Exclusively for HopNews Readers
From Hopkinton's own personal trainer, Brian Day

 

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CASINO FORUM


According to the Hopkinton Town manager's office, a Casino forum is scheduled for this evening February 4, 2013, at
Milford Town Hall i
n the Selectmen's Meeting Room. 

   

Tri-Valley Champs

With a score of 1091 points, Hopkinton defeated teams from Ashland, Dover-Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, and Norton to win the Tri-Valley League Championship Meet today.  After the plaque was awarded, the Senior Captains Helped Coach King celebrate with a dip in the pool.

~ John Daley

 

YOUR HOME
 


A Call for Civility in Gun Control Debate

Dear Editor,

In his February 1st letter about gun control, Mr. Rob Phipps says that "we have become a skin deep, image conscious, knee-jerk, celebrity fawning, never waste a crisis society with a one dimensionally divisive national media, while common sense, reasoning, and the lessons of history have taken a back seat."  He also refers to the "current national whine of 'something must be done to keep this from ever happening again.'”

I grew up in a Connecticut family immersed in firearms culture.  For the record, my father is a life and Hall of Fame member of the Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association (CSR&RA) and a life member of the Capitol City Rifle & Pistol Club.  In 1962 he was elected Pistol Tournament and Finance Director of the CSR&RA, and served as Connecticut State Pistol Director in 1966.  Also in 1966 he was elected president of the Metropolitan Revolver League of Hartford.  Dad was Chief Range Officer of the Metropolitan Revolver League for eighteen years, and served as Pistol Tournament director of the Rockville Fish & Game Club for several years.  He was a range safety officer at his gun club and an instructor for others seeking to become safety officers.  Dad gave up skeet shooting only in recent years when age-related balance problems became too severe (he'll be 98 years old this month).

My views on gun control are not identical to my father's.

I have been aware of gun control issues for more than fifty years, which means I've had lots of time to think about them.  Anyone who would call my reaction to the massacre in Newtown, Conn., "knee-jerk" and try to suggest that I'm merely a "whiner" is intent on deflecting people like me through name-calling.  Lumping people into categories and then applying derogatory labels serves only to divide.

We in America need to talk about gun violence without one side peremptorily dismissing the other.  There are "good guys" on both sides of this issue.  I speak only for myself here, but I know I'm not alone.

Sincerely,

Elaine Schenot
10 Baker Lane
Hopkinton, MA

February 4, 2013

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Hometown

February 3, 2013 — Families  and friends took advantage of the glass-like ice at ice House Pond today. Above is just one of several areas cleared and occupied by skaters on the pond. The color image above was turned into sepia-toned  for a warm and classic  effect.

SERVICE GUIDE
 
 

Rural Feel

February 3, 2013 — Well known bovine resident of Woodville, Cherry, is a curious cow, never letting a vehicle pass without a glance.

 

Artistic Elements

February 3, 2013 — These PVC posts on Legacy Farms South provide lessons in artistic elements, such as a strong diagonal, diminishing perspective, vanishing point and rule of thirds. The posts are pretty much in focus the entire length of the field because a small aperture (high-numbered f-stop) was  used. However, to see how a wide aperture (small-numbered f-stop) will create a shallow depth of field, mouse over the image. A shallow depth of field can be used to isolate attention on a subject.

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Seasonal Fire

February 3, 2013 — Two ice-fishermen on Hopkinton Reservoir had all of the necessities today: augers, chairs, sled, flags and a warm fire intended for cooking. Fires may be started on the ice, but only if for cooking, so be sure to bring at least one hot  dog.

   

Driver of Bus Full of Students and Chaperones, Despite Warning Sign, Goes Under Too-short Bridge in Boston
- 32 injured, some seriously


Updated Report:
As of 9:00PM, all of the passengers have been removed from the bus. The passengers on board are high school students and adult chaperones from the Philadelphia area who were in Massachusetts for a tour of Harvard University.  At least 32 people have been transported to area hospitals for evaluation. Three have suffered serious injury and it is unknown if they are students or adults.

Preliminary investigation by Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police indicates the driver did not see the warning sign indicating the height of the bridge and that the bus was not supposed to be on the road.
 
The investigation is ongoing to determine whether charges are warranted. 
Please do not call the barracks direct.
 
Preliminary Report:
 
Today at approximately 7:55PM, Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Brighton responded to a bus crashing into the Western Avenue Bridge on the east bound side of Soldier’s Field Road in the City of Boston. The bus is a 1996 Calvary Coach Bus out of Philadelphia, PA. There are 42 passengers on board and several of those passengers have suffered injuries. Boston Fire and EMS is on scene and are extracting people from the bus. The east bound side of Soldier’s Field Road is closed and the westbound side has been closed at the Bowker overpass.

Uninjured parties are being transported by the MBTA to a safe location. 

Members from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS), The Massachusetts State Police Collision Accident Reconstruction Section (CARS), the Massachusetts Commercial Vehicle Section and Airwing all have responded and are assisting.

YOUR HOME
 

Pulte Opens Legacy Farms Sales Office

February 2, 2013 — Pulte Homes opened their Legacy Farms sales office for the first time today and did a brisk business, offering only the first 24 of 270 homes and taking 8 reservations, according to sales Manager, Erin Sullivan, above, left, giving a presentation to Hopkinton resident Jean Cummiskey.

       Pulte purchased the current piece of property (Outlined in blue, below) from Legacy Farms LLC for $7.5million, and is expected to pick up the remaining acreage in the southern parcel.

       Wood Partners, known as Legacy Farms Apartments, is in the process of building 240 apartment units that will located in the area lined in red in the graphic below.

 

 

Tote That Barge, Lift That Bale...

February 2, 2013 — 'Ole Man River got nothin' on these men working in bitter cold, one of them actually in the river, yesterday to keep the bridge reconstruction over the Sudbury River at Route 85 on schedule. The work, which has been engineered to take into consideration the flow of the river, effects on wildlife, traffic on the roadway and future pedestrian traffic is in sharp contrast to the work of the beaver, which has been called nature's engineer, but who takes nothing into consideration and is driven an instinctive need to slow rushing water. In the scene below on North Mill Pond, beavers, which have few natural predators  except for man, have caused the up stream to flood and reach an 18 inch height difference from the downstream.


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More Support for Gun Owners

Dear Editor,
I agree wholeheartedly with Nancy Barron`s gun control debate letter.  In my opinion we have become a skin deep, image conscious, knee-jerk, celebrity fawning, never waste a crisis society with a one dimensionally divisive national media, while common sense, reasoning, and the lessons of history have taken a back seat.  The best of intention is often followed by the inevitable human error leading to the current national whine of “something must be done to keep this from ever happening again”.  Enforcement of existing laws coupled with expected prevention oversight is the best we can do.  Legislation will not prevent another Newtown tragedy sometime, somewhere, indeed nothing will, as long as inherently flawed people walk the earth looking for any way to magnify their existence.  Check out the true crime statistics from everywhere legal gun ownership has been restricted or banned!


Where is the clamor to ban cars for killing over 32,000 people just last year in the US?  We don`t blame cars for drunk drivers so why blame guns for violent people?  Worcester recently rescinded its dog breed-specific regulations and has officially placed the onus of responsibility on the owner, not the dog.

Whether it’s a car, a dog, or a gun, enforceable laws are in place to mitigate most of the dangers we face and prosecute the exceptions.  I know only responsible, law-abiding gun owners and I fully support their gun ownership rights.  Since implementing the most stringent urban gun restrictions in the US, mayor Rahm Emmanual [Pres. Obama`s former right hand man] has watched Chicago turn into this country`s murder capitol.  Apparently, he is not concerned with the bad guys having all the guns.  Why not a national discussion about that for starters instead of punishing the good guys?


Sincerely,
Rob Phipps
80 Main Street
Hopkinton
February  1, 2013

   
 

 

2011 in Photos Part I2011 in Pictures Part II

 

 

 

 

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Editor@HopNews.com
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