April 27, 2013 — James Geshwiler joined the friends of Whitehall in cleaning up Lake Whitehall today with sons Connor, 6 and Alex, 3. According to officers of the Friends of Whitehall, the previous years yielded large items like sofas, but since the cleanup began a few years ago, people have stopped discarding those large items in the lake.

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Hopkinton Historical Society

Friday, May 10
Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Historical Society building, 168 Hayden Rowe Street
Presented by Bill Shaw, President

On Friday, May 10, we will be holding our Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner for HHS members at the HHS Building (168 Hayden Rowe).  Please plan to bring your favorite casserole dish, salad, or dessert item to share (no admission fee).  Besides great food and a chance to socialize, the annual meeting is an important opportunity to elect officers and chart our course for the upcoming year.  We will be providing updates on the HHS building, the archives, and programs and events being planned for next year.  Please plan to join us!

Ellen Scordino Second Candidate Statement

Coming to Massachusetts from New York City, where I had to diligently research private schools and educational philosophies, and subject my daughter to interviews, testing and applications, I knew I needed to land in a community with excellent public schools.  Not surprisingly, I moved here, to Hopkinton.  While our community has many great attributes, the school system is the cornerstone of this community and the single biggest reason why people move to Hopkinton.

I am committed to maintaining the excellent school system in Hopkinton.  This, I recognize, does not set me apart from many; what does, however, is my perspective, determination and tireless attitude to get things done efficiently and positively.  I have a track record of not taking the easy route.  I also have a track record of working collaboratively.  I believe my interpersonal and advocacy skills set me apart.  I will listen carefully, ask the hard questions, and seek to restore trust where trust has been broken.

I consider myself first and foremost an advocate:  whether it is for my family, my friends and neighbors, or my clients.  I am a careful listener and have an ability to collect and distill information regarding complicated issues, whether educational philosophies, finance, design or scientific innovations, so that I am educated and informed when making decisions.  I know these skills will help me help you, the community of parents and taxpayers, be heard and find solutions together.

I am also a team player and leader.  When the going gets tough (or rough, as the case may be), I get tougher.  I work with varied teams and personalities and I know how to get the job done.  Whether it is an all-nighter (yes, those happen well after college in my world), I keep the team focused and positive.  Whether it is a dispute about the best direction to accomplish the client’s or firm’s goal, I add ideas and listen to others.  I have never walked away from a stalemate.  We can always listen harder and compromise better.  I provide encouragement and enthusiasm for ideas different from mine.  This, I believe, will be a true asset on the School Committee. 

I am also extremely forthcoming and candid.  This is a product of my need for efficiency.  I learned some time ago that working behind closed doors may lead an idea to not be adopted.  Discussion is key to efficient resolution of all issues.  And, no, I do not mean fruitless, lengthy discussions.  I am referring to dialogue and updates when practical.  I believe I can guide these types of discussions and aid in time management and efficient resolutions to issues facing the Committee.

This leads me to my final note, I am extremely practical.  I know decisions have consequences and I look ahead to make sure a decision today does not result in a harder decision tomorrow. 

I believe these skills differentiate me from the other candidate and if elected I will bring everything I have to get the town and its schools where we all want it to be.  I will devote my energy, enthusiasm and advocacy skills to deliver an outstanding education to all of our children.

I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 20^th.

http://ellens4hopkintonschools.org/

Joint Press Release from Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and Elementary School Building Committee, Regarding Article 17: Center School Feasibility Study. 

At Annual Town Meeting May 6, 2013, Hopkinton citizens will be asked to appropriate $600,000 to fund a Feasibility Study for Center School, which currently houses Hopkinton’s public kindergarten and 1st grade.  Presented below are responses to questions the community may have about the Feasibility Study funding request.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FAQ:

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 $600,000 for New Feasibility Study for Center School Solution

Districting is "Off the table."

by Muriel Kramer

               April 26, 2013 —  With Town Meeting fast approaching, the School Committee and Elementary School Building Committee(ESBC) are working hard to raise the necessary public support for the feasibility study for the Center School solution.  Town Meeting begins Monday May 6^th at 7 PM in the Middle School Auditorium.  The Appropriation article for the feasibility study is $600,000 to identify a solution to the educational and operational constraints of Center School that the community supports.  It has not been decided whether or not to build a new building either at the Center School site or elsewhere, nor has it been decided to renovate Center School.  It has been decided and voted formally and unanimously by the School Committee at last night’s meeting that it will be a non-districted solution.  ESBC Chairman Joe Markey was on hand at last night’s meeting and pressed for the formal vote of the committee on the districting issue, saying, “We want the community to know that districting is off the table.” The solution is intended to serve the needs of the preschool program through first grade.

                The last feasibility study cost $451,000 targeting a solution that was not supported by TM vote.  Much of that feasibility study is not re-useable because it was focused on a districted school solution.  The ESBC has pledged to utilize any and all useful information from that work to avoid duplication of effort and expense whenever possible.  A new study is needed to qualify for MSBA re-imbursement funding in the construction phase.

                The challenges at Center School are well understood:  site access is difficult and student safety remains a concern at drop-off and pick-up; infrastructure concerns include electrical, HVAC, and a lack of an elevator; space is lacking for private consultation, health, music and art classes; space is also limited for center-based and small group instruction; the library space and nurse’s office space are inadequate by any standard; there is no student performance area; and the integrated pre-school is located at the MS creating space constraints there.

                SC member Jean Bertschmann offered that the presentation at TM should also include detail on the ADA deficiencies at Center School as well as the lack of phones and adequate OT/PT and Administration space. SC member Rebecca Robak suggested scheduling milestones be included in the presentation, so the public is clear on their opportunities to have input in the process.

                  The next meeting of the Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) is Monday April 29^th at 7PM in the Fire Station meeting room on the second floor; the entrance is in the rear, and if the door is locked simply press the buzzer to be allowed in. The ESBC Agenda for the 29^th is dedicated to public input and Town Meeting preparation.  According to Markey, their website is up and running and meeting minutes are being posted in a timely fashion to enhance the public’s access to the process. http://www.hopkintonma.gov/home/government/boards/esbc

                The bus letters have gone out with each and every student getting a letter rather than consolidating letters to families.  The deadline to apply for bus transportation is June 15^th; missing the deadline includes a financial penalty as well as a delay in service.  The bus fee is $190 per student with a family cap of $380; after June 15^th that increases to $260 per student with a family cap of $520.

                The SC also voted to support an article sponsored by the Town Manager to purchase financial software that will increase efficiency in budgeting, payroll and financial planning.  The first year the cost is $300,000 plus the cost of the current program to allow for over-lap and transition.  Future years will cost $136,000 that will be part of the Town’s operational budget annually.

                There is a televised event on cable TV on Tuesday April 30^th at 7:30PM addressing the Center school Feasibility Study and another on Wednesday May 1^st at 6:30PM hosted by Educate Hopkinton titled “Know Your Vote” in further preparation for ATM.

Support for Ellen Scordino

Editor:

Ellen Scordino should be on the Hopkinton School Committee, and we support her.  Our family has lived in Hopkinton for twelve years.  My husband, Matthew Wade, a member of the Hopkinton Planning Board and myself, a business owner in Hopkinton, are enthusiastic about Ellen’s candidacy.  We believe she will bring a fresh perspective and an advocacy skill set to the committee. 

Both of us have worked with Ellen on various volunteer projects in town.  Ellen Scordino is a hard-working, committed and intelligent individual.  Ellen offers pragmatic solutions to the issues facing our school committee.  We need people like Ellen who are motivated and dedicated to the education of our children as well as being focused on the available budget.  Ellen brings the concern that we all have to see our schools thrive.  She has solutions for long-term growth and sustainability for our schools.  There are many issues facing our schools today.  We need someone like Ellen who can listen and work with others while offering great leadership and well thought out solutions. 

Matt and I have three children in Hopkinton’s public school system; we plan to keep our children in this school system.  We believe that what is best for our schools is to be involved, and we must be vigilant as to whom we select to represent us on our school committee.  Ellen consistently demonstrates the qualities necessary to be a highly effective school committee member.  Therefore, she has our highest recommendation and our votes on May 20^th.    

Alisa and Matthew Wade

41 School Street

April 25, 2013

Support for Ellen Scordino

Dear Editor,

I write to share our enthusiastic support for Ellen Scordino to be elected to the Hopkinton School Committee.

 As a teacher in a local school district with 18 years of experience, I am keenly aware of the needs of an excellent school system.  I am also aware of the management and dedication required for a school system to maintain its excellence.  I have known Ellen for nearly 30 years and since childhood she has demonstrated a natural ability for leadership.  I am confident she has the skill set to maintain our school’s excellence while overseeing the management of the budget.

In the coming year, pivotal decisions regarding curricula, the one-to-one laptop initiative, the budget, and facilities are to be made.  As a result, this election is of great importance to all of us and we need Ellen’s independent voice.  I believe that Ellen will approach each issue and decision from a fresh perspective.  Ellen's focus on fiscal discipline as well as the educational needs of students from kindergarten and on, will serve our community well as these decisions are made.  She is, by nature, a problem solver and a team player.

While some people in Hopkinton may have found Ellen's decision to run for School Committee unexpected, I can honestly say, when she told me I was not surprised. Ellen approaches life and community with a pragmatic can-do attitude that makes her decision to run seem obvious. She will not only bring the commitment and dedication of a mother, but also the pragmatism and fortitude of a lawyer.  A School Committee member needs all of these attributes.

Please join us in supporting Ellen Scordino on May 20th.

Martha & David Godfroy

17 Cross Street

April 25, 2013

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Greyhound Friends Welcomes Community to Spring Open House

Spend a beautiful spring day meeting graceful greyhounds and other breeds waiting to be adopted into loving homes at the Greyhound Friends Spring Open House event. The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on May 18^th & 19^th at the Greyhound Friends Kennel, 167 Saddle Hill Road in Hopkinton. Greyhound Friends is celebrating their 30^th anniversary in May.

Meet players from the New England Patriots, partake in raffles, our silent auction, and enjoy event entertainment including our “Not Quite Westminster” dog show. Visit the spacious Greyhound Friends Adoption Kennel and enjoy the company of greyhounds and other breeds cared for at the facility including hound crosses and beagles. Vendors will be on hand and refreshments will be available for both greyhounds and their two-legged friends.

Greyhound Friends depends on the kindness of supporters and anyone interested in greyhound welfare.  Those attending the event are welcome to bring donations of dog food, cleaning supplies, bleach, laundry detergent, bedding, blankets, sheets and towels. Financial donations are also appreciated and needed. Greyhound Friends is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and donations are tax deductible. Please call 508-435-5969 or visit www.greyhound.org for more information. Photo by John Mottern.

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Hopkinton Middle School Presents “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”

The Hopkinton Middle School Drama Club will present the musical, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” on April 26, 27, and 28 at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium.

Based on a 1954 film and an ancient Roman legend, the lighthearted musical is about a backwoodsman named Adam Pontipee, his new bride Milly, his uncouth younger brothers and the girls who fall in love with them after they learn manners.   More than 100 students are in the cast and crew.  The musical includes memorable songs such as “Bless Your Beautiful Hide,” “Goin’ Courtin’” and “Sobbin Women.”

Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 in the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium.   Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.