April 8, 2013 — "Can you believe they told me when he was born to institutionalize him? And here it is fifty-one years later and they are building a statue of him!" said Dick Hoyt last week of his son, Rick, in a one-on-one conversation with HopNews Editor Robert Falcione.

         
Today, luminaries from government and commerce came to pay tribute to the team and watch as the cast-bronze sculpture by Texas-based Mike Tabor, and commissioned by John Hancock, was unveiled in front of Center School in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

HopNews has captured most of the event here:

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April 6, 2013 — These scouts from Troop 4, Ben Morey-Beale and Fletcher Clark, are wrapping things up at St. John's Parish Center Saturday morning after serving 400 pancake breakfasts during a benefit that also featured a silent auction.

   Hopkinton's Pavement Management

As we approach the start of our roadway resurfacing season I would like to thank the residents of Hopkinton for their continued support of our Pavement Management Program. We had a very successful 2012 season and hope to continue that in 2013 as funding allows. Each street that is on this year’s list has been inspected and evaluated to determine which treatment method is best based on its current condition. This will help ensure that we are maximizing the use of our Chapter 90 money and Pavement Management funds in the most effective way.

Every year our goal is to begin Pavement Management work as soon as school ends in June and finish in September when school begins. Due to the inevitable weather related issues, mechanical breakdowns & scheduling conflicts it is difficult to hold to a strict time schedule. We will post updated construction dates as we move forward with each project.

Under the Town of Hopkinton’s Road Opening Permit Policy, No permit will be granted for a period of 5 years on newly paved streets except in the case of an emergency. If your street is on this year’s list and you are considering having any utility work done to your home that would require the road to be cut I would recommend contacting the appropriate utility company and schedule the work to be done before June 17^th, 2013. This will ensure that you get the work you need done before we begin resurfacing that street.

Please visit our web page http://www.hopkintonma.gov/home/government/departments/dpw/highway and click on 2013 Tentative Roadwork Schedule to view a complete list of planned Pavement Management work. You will notice that the date column is blank. This will be updated as we get closer to construction season; however an estimated timeframe would be June 24^th – Sept 1^st.

Once work begins on each project please expect delays and plan accordingly. The DPW appreciates your patience and cooperation during this 2013 construction season.

Sincerely,

Mike Mansir

Highway Manager

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    Support for Amy Ritterbusch

   Dear Editor,

I am writing in support of Amy Ritterbusch for Hopkinton School Committee.  I know Amy will continue to uphold the strong educational values that make this town a coveted place to live.

I have spent the last two years serving on the Hopkins school council with Amy. I knew of her dedication to the schools but during these last two years, I have now experienced first hand her passion and in-depth knowledge of the school system.

Amy has volunteered in so many capacities over the years and has shown indefatigable support to this school district.  She is dedicated to preserving Hopkinton’s strong commitment to educational excellence without placing an undo financial burden on our townspeople.

Amy is a collaborator and a team player.  She will work together with all involved to achieve the goals of the town and the school system.  She is not focused on any one issue but cares about the success of all students across the district. 

I know Amy will be instrumental in implementing policies that ensure the success of our students and at the same time maintaining a fiscally sound budget.  Amy is willing to give her time and energy to a cause she truly believes in, public education.

Amy has made it a point to gain profound knowledge of budgetary issues by frequently attending school committee meetings and town meetings.  Amy is a good communicator and her presence is a fixture where our town’s education is concerned.  Most importantly, she can hit the ground running and will waste no time in working to attain this town’s educational aspirations.

Amy is the right choice for School Committee.  Thank you.

Donna Orellana

8 Pheasant Hill Road

Hopkinton

April 5, 2013

Cheering on a Favorite Runner in the 2013 Boston Marathon?

Visit the Hopkinton 300^th Anniversary booth on the Town Common during Marathon Weekend, April 13^th & 14^th and have a sign made to cheer on your special marathoner. Hopkinton Girl Scout Troop #72216 and Hopkinton Anniversary Committee volunteers will be making signs from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday for a small donation to benefit the Hopkinton 300^th Anniversary activities planned for 2015.

A variety of anniversary commemorative items and tickets to the Hopkinton Swing Dance, a 300^th Anniversary fundraiser to be held on April 27^th at HHS, will also be on sale at the booth.

Students Hear Calls to Action

Above, Dr. Mary Ann DeMello addresses the gathering of high school juniors and governmental leaders this morning in the Hopkinton High School Cafeteria.

Kudos to Swimmers and Coaches at School Committee Meeting

School building committee "...hits the ground running."

by Muriel Kramer

April 5, 2013 — The Hopkinton Swim Teams with Coach Bryan King and Assistant Coach Karen Terry were on hand at the School Committee meeting to receive some well-earned special recognition. King was inducted recently into the Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame and is credited with building a strong swim team that remains competitive year after year despite Hopkinton not having a pool of its own to practice in or host home meets.  The swimmers are the Tri-Valley League Champs for the fourth consecutive year, and Terry was named Assistant Coach of the year.  The Girls Team was also honored as a Gold Standard Academic All American Team for having a collective GPA of 3.79; all GPA’s higher than 4.0 are rounded to a 4.0 in the selection process.

While the team has plenty to be proud of with their accomplishments as athletes and students, it seems their collective character has gotten some attention as well.  The team won the MIAA Award for Sportsmanship.  The Interim Superintendent Dr. Steven Hiersche also shared an email he received that was extremely complementary of the program highlighting the fact that Hopkinton is often the team Weston High School schedules as visitors for their senior night, and “year after year they patiently wait while we celebrate our kids. They are a class act all the way, and Bryan King leads by example.”  Hopkinton swimmers were fortunate to be part of something special this season when a Weston High School special needs student received his first varsity win as part of the team’s 200 free-style relay; the other three Weston relay swimmers swam individual life-time bests (MWDN: 2/1/13) to post a thrilling come from behind victory.  The email detailed the event, the enthusiastic response from the stands and went on to say how gracious Hopkinton’s team was in competition and in defeat; “they were the first to congratulate the relay winners.”

Eric Karjel now in his ninth year as Athletic Director for Hopkinton, was also on hand to highlight winter sport achievements.  The Cheerleaders won second in the Tri-Valley, second at Regionals and 3^rd at States. The Wrestlers had their best season ever posting a 15-10 season and sending 6 wrestlers to States; Nolan Cornu placed second at States for Hopkinton. Swimming and Diving won their fourth consecutive TVL title, and the boys and girls indoor track teams both went undefeated.  “We continue to have highly competitive teams and yet balance that with sportsmanship,” remarked Karjel.

Joe Markey, Chair of the newly appointed Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC), and Mike Shepard Vice-Chair were in attendance to join Jon Graziano of the SC for an update of their process. Graziano summarized that the group has been familiarizing themselves with the voluminous documentation already available and getting up to speed on the MSBA process.  There is a placeholder for ATM beginning May 6^th for a feasibility study; the ESBC is working to assess what is needed to finalize and bring a request forward for this year. Markey commented that the group “has tried to hit the ground running…and as chairman it’s his job to leverage the deep talent and experience of the members of the committee.”

For his part Shepard commented on his commitment to find a solution “that more importantly, meets the needs of the children of Hopkinton.”

Upcoming events include the unveiling of the Hoyt statue at Center school on April 8^th at 10:30 AM; a large crowd is expected and will include Center school’s 400 students.  Parents and residents should know that Ash St, Park St and marathon Way will be closed by police after all the buses drop off students that morning.

Milford Regional’s Patient Advisory Council Needs New Members

Milford Regional Medical Center is seeking community members from their 19 town service area to serve on the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Now in its fourth year of operation, the PFAC is dedicated to promoting a partnership between the patients, families, and working professionals affiliated with the Medical Center to promote and foster patient‐centered care.

The PFAC at Milford Regional, which meets monthly, includes staff from the Medical Center’s administration and departments, and former patients or those who have had family members receive care at the hospital. Community members must reside within Milford Regional’s service area which comprises the following towns: Milford, Hopedale, Mendon, Blackstone, Medway, Uxbridge, Northbridge, Whitinsville, Bellingham, Franklin, Douglas, Grafton, Upton, Hopkinton, Holliston, Millis, Medfield, Wrentham and Millville.  Members commit to a two year term and have the opportunity to participate on various committees, task forces and advisory boards.

Those interested in becoming a member of Milford Regional’s Patient Family Advisory Council must complete and submit an application form by Tuesday, April 30, 2013. For more information on the PFAC at Milford Regional and/or to obtain an application, go to the Medical Center’s Web site at www.milfordregional.org and click on “About Us,” or contact Kim Munto by phone at (508) 422-2202 or email at kmunto@milreg.org .

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      Press Release:

Center School Principal Search:

Candidate Withdraws from Consideration - Two Remain

 
April 4, 2013 — Hopkinton’s Superintendent, Dr. Steven Hiersche, has been notified by Center School Principal candidate, Abigail Dressler, current acting principal at John F. Kennedy School in Franklin, that she is considering an offer from another district, and has decided to withdraw from the Hopkinton search.

There will be an opportunity for interested faculty, staff, parents, and community members to meet the remaining candidates, Lauren Dubeau, current principal at the Simonian Center for Early Learning in Sutton, and Tim Kearnan, current assistant principal at Elmwood and Hopkins Elementary Schools in Hopkinton, and provide feedback to the Superintendent.  This public forum will take place Monday, April 8^th, at 6:30 PM, and will be held in the Center School Cafeteria.  Those attending will have opportunity to hear the candidates speak about their experience and training, ask the candidates questions, and complete a feedback sheet that Dr. Hiersche will consider when making his selection.