Panda-Monium
(Mouse over image)

October 9, 2013 - First, a dummy couple was stolen from their bench at their home on Lumber Street. Then after a period of time the Moresi family put out a life size plush panda. HopNews had a contest to name the panda and someone won $25 with the name Panda Monium, compliments of the Moresis.
     The panda was stolen. The Moresis offered a reward through HopNews of $50 and before long someone called the police station with the name of a suspect.
     The police called the suspect asking that if the suspect did indeed have Panda Monium that they would appreciate it returned.
     Before long it appeared at the police station and Panda Monium was returned to his proper place on Lumber Street with a sign warning about video surveillance.
     But now in the proverbial "Let no good deed go unpunished" the panda has been stolen again, and the family, which only wanted to entertain the passersby in the school buses, as well as their own grandchildren, have decided that its not worth fighting the thieves and have put up a new sign.
     To see that was stolen, mouse-over the image.
     If you know who took the panda please call the police at 508-497-3401. The Moresi grandchildren have special affection for Panda Monium.

Police Incident/Arrest Log - Most Recent First

Ski Ward Race Team Registration Open for 2013 – 2014 Season

The Ski Ward Race Team (SWRT) is a non-profit, recreational junior ski racing organization whose mission is to encourage, promote, and advance young athletes in the sport of ski racing.  SWRT gives skiers of all ability levels – beginner through advanced – the opportunity to experience ski racing close to home, and the ages of our racers range from 5 to 18.  To learn more about this program, visit the SWRT website at www.skiwardraceteam.com, download our SWRT Information Flyer, or contact Ian Fier at (508) 561-4123 or ifier@verizon.net.   Register Online by December 1^st to take advantage of Early Registration Rates!
You can learn more about the program and meet coaches, board members and racers at the upcoming SWRT Open House, Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 – 8:00 at Ski Ward, 1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA

Gang Task Force Arrests 3, Seizes 2 Loaded Guns, in Fall River

Massachusetts State Troopers and Fall River Police assigned to the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force arrested three Fall River residents last night and took two loaded guns, as well as cocaine and pills, off the street.

Members of the Task Force stopped a car for a motor vehicle violation on Orange Street in Fall River. Upon investigation, Trooper Marc Lavoie and Fall River Detective John Lapointe discovered the three occupants of the vehicle to be in possession of two loaded firearms, approximately six grams of crack cocaine, and a small quantity of Percocet tablets. Police seized the firearms, a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with nine rounds of ammunition and a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with seven rounds. Further investigation revealed that the .45 caliber gun had been reported stolen in a housebreak in Middletown, R.I., in August 2011.

The occupants of the vehicle, all of whom were charged with multiple firearm and narcotics offenses, were:
1. FRANK SIMMONS, 26, of Fall River;
2. LETITIA BROUSSEAU, 24, of Fall River; and
3. DENNIS COUSINEAU, 59, of Fall River.

The three defendants and the seized firearms and drugs were taken the Fall River police station. They were expected to be arraigned today in the Fall River District Court. No further information is being released at this time.

Police Incident/Arrest Log - Most Recent First

Default Warrant Sought for Tsarnaev

October 7, 2013 — Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, of Cambridge, was indicted June 27, 2013 by a Middlesex Grand Jury on charges of murder, attempted armed robbery, armed assault with intent to murder (four counts), assault with a dangerous weapon (four counts), kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.

             The defendant is presently in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service awaiting trial on Federal charges.  It is anticipated that federal authorities will decline to deliver the defendant to the Middlesex Superior Courthouse for arraignment.

            At Monday’s hearing, the Commonwealth will seek the issuance of a default warrant.  The Commonwealth cannot proceed with the arraignment of the defendant until the defendant is physically present.

            The defendant is charged with the murder of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier on April 18, 2013 and assaults with intent to murder on Watertown police officers on April 19, 2013, in Middlesex County.  It is the intention of the Middlesex District Attorney that the defendant stand trial for these charges in Middlesex County.

            The investigation into the circumstances of the police-involved shooting between the defendant and police officers in Watertown is ongoing.  Pursuant to protocol, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office conducts a review of all police-involved shootings. Given the number of weapons involved and the amount of firepower expended during this exchange ballistics analysis as well as further investigation is extensive.  Final analysis of the facts and circumstances surrounding this event are expected to take several more months. ~ From the office of the Middlesex District Attorney.

School Committee Meeting

Superintendent Wants Zero-based Budgets From Principals

by Muriel Kramer

October 6, 2013 (Report of October 3, 2013 meeting) — The School Committee opened its meeting recognizing the accomplishments of Michael Hamilton, psychology teacher at Hopkinton HS (Contributed photo), who is one of three recipients of a national 2013 American Psychological Association’s (APA) Committee of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) Excellence in Teaching Award. The award recognizes outstanding high school psychology teachers for exemplary teaching, advancing the science of psychology and commitment to academic and professional excellence. The psychology classes offered at HHS have long generated substantial student appreciation and subsequent competition for the available classroom seats each year. Dr. Mary Ann DeMello, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, highlighted Mr. Hamilton’s success in organizing a conference for New England teachers of psychology to gather, network and further themselves professionally.

The Hopkinton Girl’s Swim Team was also congratulated for their success both in the pool and the classroom.  The team was ranked 23^rd in the nation by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) for their successes competing in the pool; additionally, they ranked 25^th in the nation academically with a 3.789 team GPA average (based on the max 4.0 allowed by the NISCA).

Local developer Rick Barbieri has approached the SC with an offer to donate land in return for use of the school’s “cable road”, the access road that leads from the parking lot at the MS down past the football field; Barbieri needs an emergency second access for a proposed 6 home development he is looking to build off of Leonard Road. The development access to the cable road would be limited to emergency use only, with the access gated and locked.  In return, Barbieri would gift the town with approximately 9 acres to potentially be used for parking school buses, bus driver vehicles, and/or for an equipment storage & maintenance area. Discussions are at the preliminary stages; issues like providing power and lighting to the lot in order to use it for bus storage would need to be addressed, traffic through the MS lot with buses and emergency vehicles at various times of the day are concerns, snow removal and contract negotiations with Connolly Bus are also issues to address. SC Chair, Nancy Alvarez Burdick, clarified that the Town could accept the land and decide later what it would or would not be used for. The SC was receptive to the possibility of working through an agreement with the developer; the gift does hinge on Planning Broad approval of the proposed development. Previous work to investigate the possibility of parking the school buses in Hopkinton rather than Ashland indicate a potential positive revenue impact to Hopkinton of $111,000 per year both in reduced expenses and increased excise tax revenues.

Dr. Cathy Macleod, Superintendent of Schools, (File photo) met with public safety officials to discuss safety concerns specifically along Hayden Rowe. Some specific ideas being discussed are electronic crosswalk signs highlighting the crosswalk at the Hopkins School entranceway, a crossing guard at the same spot as well as specific concerns caused by traffic at arrival and dismissal in the MS and HS lots – student drivers, buses and parent drop-off and pick-up create many safety concerns. The group is scheduled to meet again October 18^th.

Budget season is underway; an extensive list of capital items is scheduled to be discussed at the SC meeting October 17^th in preparation for budget work and eventually ATM May 5^th.  The Board of Selectmen will issue a budget message at their meeting October 22^nd which formally kicks off budget work for the Town. The Superintendent will present her recommended budget to the School Committee on December 19^th. School Director of Finance Ralph Dumas pointed out in discussion that school principals have been asked to go into much more depth this year in addressing their expenses in the budget process; he explained that they are being asked “to utilize a zero based budgeting model this year.”

Dr. Macleod presented her goals for the year which are designed to publicly model the new standards for educator evaluation that are now in place. The priorities for the school district include writing a new strategic plan, implementing curriculum initiatives, spearheading the effort to address the future of Center School, implementing the educator evaluation system, orienting and mentoring the new administrators, building a district budget, and participating in the New Superintendent Induction Program. Specific goals include earning a proficient or better rating on each major assignment in the New Superintendent Induction Program, successfully implementing the new educator evaluation standards, maintaining momentum in the district by ensuring measurable progress on critical district goals, developing a new Strategic Plan by May 2014, building the district’s budget that provides for effective management and the ability to support key initiatives, and finally working with the Elementary School Building Committee to develop a solution to the operational and educational constraints of Center School that will be supported both by the voters and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

State Police Investigate Motor Vehicle Fatality in Foxboro - Update

October 6, 2013 — This morning at 5:21 am, Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Foxboro Barracks responded to a single motor vehicle crash on Route 95 southbound prior to exit 6B that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Michael Bartucca indicates that a 2005 Kia Sorento was operating on Route 95 southbound when the operator lost control, struck the guardrail at the breakdown lane and went into the woodline. The operator was trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.

The female operator has been identified as Phoenix C. Smith, 24, of Cranston, Rhode Island.

4:18 pm -Traffic Alert.

Hopkinton units travelling to Route 495N, north of W Main St. for a rollover accident, car fire. Advise other routes.

Facebook and Twitter followers got immediate alerts.

October 5, 2013

St. Paul’s Fall Rummage Sale October 19

HOPKINTON, MASS. (October 4, 2013) – There will be bargains galore on clothing, toys, books, and other miscellaneous items at the St. Paul’s Dollar Days  Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 61 Wood Street (Rte. 135) in Hopkinton.  

Anyone wishing to donate items to the Rummage Sale is welcome to drop off items (with the exception of computers, TVs, microwaves or air conditioners) at the church Parish Hall on Tues., Wed., & Thurs. October 15, 16, & 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Friday, October 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Boston—Representative Carolyn Dykema and staff from Senator Karen Spilka’s office welcomed local officials from the Town of Hopkinton to the State House for a meeting with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Housing and Economic Development yesterday to discuss the availability of water and its impact on town development.

Shown in photo, from left: John Westerling, Elaine Lazarus, Norman Khumalo,  Rep. Carolyn Dykema,

Ken Weismantel, Dave Daltorio.