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Since 2003, Hopkinton News
TM

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

Editor@HopNews.com



North Attleboro 39, Hopkinton 36.

November 16, 2013 — Hopkinton fell short at home Friday night, bowing to North Attleboro, 39-36.

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Foxwoods, MA Receives "Conditional"
POSITIVE Determination of Suitability
from Mass Gaming Commission

November 15, 2013 — The Mass Gaming Commission has issued a conditional positive determination of suitability for Crossroads Massachusetts LLC, extending its approval to the individuals referred to in the report. The group will do business as Foxwoods MA, LLC.

          The commission listed seven conditions for final approval, many having to do with a continuation of the management listed and the addition of equity partners for 54% remaining. Foxwoods themselves may only have a 10% stake in the deal, and need one or more partners.

          The entire determination may be read here. 

         The Milford Selectmen have previously voted in favor of the casino project and entered into a Host Community Agreement with the developers. Milford voters will determine next Tuesday, by a 50% + majority, whether they want it located in their town.

         And after that, Foxwoods will need to show their cards, reveal their equity partners, to the Mass Gaming Commission in order for their conditional approval to become permanent.  

W E L L N E S S

HOPKINTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING

 

The Hopkinton School Committee has begun its process of developing a new 5-year Strategic Plan to guide the work of the district.  The School Committee is seeking input from across the community to use as the foundation for targeted goals and outcomes. To gather information from the community, Dr. MacLeod will facilitate the two remaining Focus Groups with parents and community members. A community wide survey will also be conducted during the month of November. We encourage you to attend so that your voice can be heard.

 

Focus Group meeting dates are listed below:

 

November 19, 2013      Senior Center                      10:00 am           Parents and Community

November 19, 2013**   High School Auditorium      7:00 PM             Parents and Community

 

**Babysitting for the November 19, 2013 7:00 PM will be provided free of charge by the HPTA in the

High School Cafeteria.

 

The format and questions will be the same for all groups.  Your input in this process is very important to us.  Please contact the superintendent’s office if you are unable to attend, but would like your voice to be heard.

Curtis D. Melvin, 81

HOPKINTON - Curtis D. Melvin, 81, died Wednesday November 13, 2013 in Framingham. He was the loving husband of Grace K. (McCarthy) Melvin for 56 years.  Born in Hopkinton, he was the son of the late Curtis H. and Grace A. (McDormand) Melvin.

 

He was a 1950 graduate of Hopkinton High School, a 38-year employee of Raytheon, a member of the YMCA Hopkinton Camp and  Building Committee and Indian Guides,  a long-time volunteer at St. John’s Parish and a long-time member of the Raytheon Management Club and Golf League. He also served in the U.S. Air Force.

 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons Richard K. and wife Julie of Marlborough and Keith F. and wife Zita of Westborough, his grandchildren Jennifer Lutterbie and Matthew, Christopher, and Stephanie Melvin.  He also leaves his sisters Judith Dodge of Pittsfield and Lois Frost of Sandwich and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Richard and his sister Marilyn Cousins.

 

The funeral will be held Monday November 18 at 9:00 a.m. from the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday November 17, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

 

Donations may be made to Hopkinton Ambulance Fund, 73 Main St. Hopkinton, MA 01748.

      
 
HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
INCIDENT 2013-10731

 

On Friday November 15, 2013 at approximately 12:20 A.M., Hopkinton Police received a report of residential breaking and entering in progress off of Lumber St. As officers were responding to this location, a call was received from an alarm company reporting an intruder alarm at a business on West Main Street.

 

Upon arrival at the West Main Street business, responding officers observed the front door of the business to be smashed and a subject fleeing this area in a motor vehicle. Officers quickly detained this subject. Upon reviewing security video, the detained subject was observed parking his vehicle in front of the business, then breaking the front door glass, entering the business and taking several items.

 

Corey J. WELCH, age 23 of Dracut, Mass., was charged with the following offenses:

 

  1. Breaking and Entering Nighttime for Felony

  2. Larceny from a Building

  3. Destruction of Property +$250

  4. Operate MV License Suspended

 

Upon further investigation, it is believed that WELCH was the person who placed the initial breaking and entering call as a ruse in order to commit his crime.

 

WELCH was held on $5,000 bail for his appearance at Framingham District Court later today.

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   Police Arrest/Incident Log - Most Recent First
  Updated Friday, November 15, 2013

Summary

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

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

7 Motor Vehicle/Person/Home Checks.

2 Motor Vehicle Accidents without personal injury.

1 Disabled Motor Vehicle.

1 Time the Police assisted with an Animal Call.

2 Times the Police participated in Community Relations or passenger safety.


Arrest Log

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

8:15 pm Officer Peter Booth arrested David H. Weise, 49, of Waverly Street, Ashland, on Cedar Street and charged him with Marked Lanes Violation, No Inspection/Sticker and OUI Liquor, 2ndOffense.


Monday, November 11, 2013

10:04 pm Officer Peter Booth arrested David Range, 36, of Hayward Street, Hopkinton, on Main Street and charged him with Registration Not in Possession and Operating a Motor Vehicle With License Suspended.


Incident Log

Thursday, November 14, 2013

11:29 pm A caller reported a verbal domestic disturbance on Main Street. Two officers responded and attempted to make contact with the caller who refused to come to the door.

3:49 pm A 911 caller reported that an aggressive operator was yelling obscenities at a school bus then passed it in a no passing zone on Grove Street. Officer Matthew McNeil responded and checked the area with a negative find on the vehicle.

3:28 pm The Water Department reported an illegally parked vehicle on Ash Street. Officer Matthew McNeil checked the area but could not locate the vehicle.

3:01 pm A walk-in reported that a tractor trailer unit hit a stone wall on Elm Street then left the scene. Officer William Burchard responded and advised that there was minor damage to the stone wall.

1:52 pm A resident of Old Elm Way reported that she came home to find that her front door appeared to have been pushed open and that there was a light on upstairs that was not on when she left. Three officers checked the house and advised that it was not a break-in.

9:37 am A caller reported that a female operating a gray Ford Focus was speeding and texting and nearly crashed while passing cars on Cedar Street. Officer Stephen Buckley checked the area with a negative find.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

10:08 pm A caller reported seeing a vehicle with its lights on at a new construction home on Ash Street. Officer Matthew McNeil responded and advised that it was a construction vehicle that had its lights left on.

4:30 pm A caller reported that a young boy, possibly 8 or 9 years-old, was walking by himself on Fruit Street. Officer William Burchard responded but could not locate the boy.

2:22 pm A detail officer reported that a construction crew had ruptured a gas line on Elm Street. Five officers responded to assist the Fire Department.

12:21 pm Detective Timothy Brennan assisted the State Police with an investigation at the State Park.

9:03 am A caller from Patriots Boulevard reported that a fox with mange and a limp was running around the condos. The Animal Control Officer was notified and responded.


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

8:24 pm A walk-in from Hayden Rowe Street spoke with Officer William Burchard regarding a suspicious incident from few hours ago.

7:10 pm Officer Peter Booth stopped a motor vehicle on Cedar Street and subsequently arrested a 49 year-old male from Ashland and charged him with Marked Lanes Violation, No Inspection/Sticker and OUI Liquor, 2nd Offense.

6:42 pm A caller reported a large amount of water in the roadway on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Peter Booth responded and stated that that water was coming from the ground between the water tanks. The Water Department was notified.

1:11 pm A caller from Mayhew Street reported that trail cameras were stolen. Officer David Shane responded and took a report.

12:35 am Officer John Moran removed a couple bags of trash from Clinton Street that appeared to have been dragged there by an animal.


Monday, November 11, 2013

9:52 pm A resident of Pinecrest Village reported that a neighbor was playing the drums very loud. Officer Aaron O'Neil spoke with the individual who was done for the night.

9:10 pm Officer Peter Booth stopped a motor vehicle on East Main Street and subsequently arrested a 36 year-old male from Hopkinton and charged him with Registration Not in Possession and Operating a Motor Vehicle With License Suspended.

7:13 pm A School Street resident complained about a persistent person who was wearing some sort of badge and was ringing their doorbell. Officer Aaron O'Neil spoke with the individual who was registered.

3:41 pm A walk-in spoke with Officer Aaron O'Neil regarding threats that he received.

8:49 am A Hidden Brick Road resident reported that a beat up looking pickup truck was driving slowly then backed into her driveway. The operator starting walking toward the open garage door then left the area when he saw the home owner. Two officers checked the area with a negative find on the vehicle.

12:21 am There were several callers reporting a wrong way driver on Route 495. Officer John Moran responded and assisted the State Police.

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Hopkinton vs. North Attleboro Tonight at Home

November 15, 2013 — Sports fans, looking for something fun to do tonight?  Gather your family and friends for a classic high school football game at the David M. Hughes Stadium where the Hillers will take on the North Attleboro Red Rocketeers.  Kick off is at 7 p.m. Come support the players and award-winning Hopkinton High School Cheerleading team.  The concession stand will be open all evening providing drinks and snacks, and all proceeds benefit Hopkinton athletics.  

   

GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES WINNING WORLD SERIES WAGER,
DONATES ITEMS TO WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE

 

Governor Patrick meets with the staff of the Women’s Lunch Place as he donates products won during the 2013 World Series wager. (Photo: Eric Haynes / Governor's Office)

BOSTON – Thursday, November 14, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today visited the Women’s Lunch Place to donate the Missouri goods sent to Massachusetts by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, making good on the pair’s 2013 World Series wager.  The Governor was joined by representatives from Massachusetts companies Legal Sea Foods, Polar Beverages and Dancing Dear Bakery Co. These companies had originally agreed to contribute items in the event that the Red Sox had lost the World Series, but volunteered to donate their own products to the Women’s Lunch Place, on top of the products sent by Governor Nixon, in celebration of the 2013 World Champion Boston Red Sox
.

“I thank Governor Nixon, along with Legal Sea Foods, Polar Seltzer and Dancing Deer Bakery Co. for the generous donations we are able to deliver to the Women’s Lunch Place,” said Governor Patrick. “And thanks to the Red Sox for bringing another championship back to Boston!”

 

Before the World Series playoffs, Governor Patrick and Governor Nixon made a friendly wager on the outcome of the series. Under the terms of the wager, if the Red Sox won, Governor Nixon would donate a four-pack of Cardinal Cream Soda from Fitz’s Bottling Company in the Delmar Loop; a box of chocolates from Bissinger’s Chocolates; and an assortment of Italian baked goods from Missouri Baking Company on the Hill. If the Cardinals won, Governor Patrick would donate New England Clam Chowder from Legal Sea Foods; a variety of beverages from Polar Beverages; and a selection of baked goods from Dancing Deer Bakery Co. in Boston.

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MSP Fugitive Unit, in the Bronx, Captures Man Wanted for Brutal Assaults on Woman in Mass., N.H.

 

Members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, this afternoon in the Bronx section of New York City, found and arrested a Massachusetts man wanted for brutally assaulting a woman. Massachusetts State Troopers John Strazzullo and Brian Bandini, along with members of the New York Police Department’s fugitive unit, found WALTON VALENTIN, 29 (D.O.B. 11/16/82), 41 Hardy St., Methuen, hiding in the bathroom of a deli on Anderson Avenue in the Bronx. VALENTIN has been the subject of an intensive manhunt since the weekend by State Police and police in Lawrence, Andover, Methuen, and Salem, N.H.

 

Following his arrest, VALENTIN was transported to an NYPD station in the Bronx for booking. He will be held pending rending proceedings in the New York judicial system. Once rendited, he will face charges in New Hampshire in connection with his assault of the woman last weekend, to include attempted murder and aggravated assault. VALENTIN will also face charges in Massachusetts in connection with assaults of the same woman in October, to include multiple counts of assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful carrying of a firearm, violation of protective order, and threats to commit a crime, as well as a single home invasion count.

 

On Saturday, Nov. 9, Salem, N.H., officers responded to an assault of a woman in a hotel room in that city. Subsequent investigation revealed that the victim had been beaten and choked by VALENTIN, and that he then attempted to shoot her but his gun misfired. He then beat her with the firearm, the evidence suggests. The investigation revealed evidence of the additional crimes against the woman in Massachusetts committed last month.

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Hopkinton Center for the Arts to host annual Primarily Potters

Show and Sale with a new Meet the Artists reception

 

(November 14, 2013 – Hopkinton, MA) The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is hosting an exhibit featuring the handcrafted work of the Primarily Potters collective. The exhibit and sale runs November 22-24, 2013 at the HCA Farmhouse (98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748). The exhibit runs the entire weekend, and new this year it will kick off with an opening Meet the Artists reception on Friday, November 22 from 5:30-7:00 pm, when guests can enjoy refreshments and meet the potters and discuss their craft process and products.

            The Primarily Potters is comprised of 8 artists who have been exhibiting their work together for over 10 years. Members include Carol Mecagni, Emily van Nort, Gabrielle Gold, Hana Reilly, Jill Soloway, Martha Gold, Mary Edwards, and Marilyn O’Connor. The artists have varying styles, but they share the same passion for the creative process and the handmade form. None of these artisans mass produces their wares, and instead enjoys making useful and decorative objects that are unique in design. In a statement, the Primarily Potters have said, "We believe in the beauty and integrity of the hand made experience both for the maker and the user."  

            The hours of the exhibit are 12:00-7:00 pm on Friday, November 22; 9:00 am-5:00 pm on Saturday, November 23; and 10:00 am-3:00 pm on Sunday, November 24. The exhibit is free to the public, and guests can purchase gifts and ceramic wares from the artists throughout the weekend.

W E L L N E S S

Reprinted from Hopkinton High School's Student Online News: HHSPress.org

THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT STRENGTHENS VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS

By Kora Sileo
Given the acts of violence in schools within the past year, staff and administrators at Hopkinton High School have taken preventative measures to protect students and teachers from potentially violent intruders.

The district as a whole has a District Safety Committee, which is led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann DeMello. The committee looks into safety precautions in the district, and committee members working hard to find ways to make schools in the district more safe.

According to Dr. DeMello, “safety takes care of people, takes care of facilities, and it takes care of brainstorming things about best ways to communicate what you’re doing so that people are reassured that they’re feeling safe, but you’re also not tipping your hand.”

Dr. DeMello could not discuss any specifics of the school’s recent changes in safety precautions, as discussing the details would be “counter to keeping everyone safe.”

After last year’s tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, where 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 students and 6 teachers on December 14, 2013, the district reevaluated safety plans for schools.

“I think any district would be foolish to not take another look at what they’re doing when you hear about these things,” stated DeMello, “you always want to reassess safety, and so we’re looking at new and different strategies that are out there.”

Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, administrators at Hopkinton High School and several other schools in the Hopkinton District enacted a two-hour window of item drop off to limit the number of people entering the schools.

The two-hour window of item drop off is a procedure put in place by administrators in order to “ensure the safety and security of our schools,” as stated on the Hopkinton High School Website.

According to Cynthia Leach, an administrative support/campus aide at the high school, there has been much improvement since the new drop-off regulations were implemented.

“The less people you let in, the less chance you will have of people sneaking in,” said Leach. Leach mans ‘the booth,’ or front desk, at the high school, and she believes the new system “really helps.”

“For people to enter the school, they have to be buzzed in, they have to sign in, and they have to be escorted around the school if they don’t work in the district,” said Officer Phillip Powers, the on-duty School Resource Officer, “without [the two-hour window for item drop-off], you don’t have control over who enters.”

 

Officer Powers goes through all five schools in the district and primarily patrols the high school. He spends much of the day walking through the building in order to make his presence known.

“I am in uniform all the time to be in deterrent for criminal activity,” continued Officer Powers, “I also have the best spot in the parking lot so people know I’m here.”

The school system has recently installed better security cameras in the district, and the police department is currently looking into installing more cameras into schools in order to keep students as safe as possible.

“It’s important that students and staff members are always alert and report things that might not seem right,” continued powers, when stating the ways in which he believes students can help make the school more safe on their own.

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Saturdays at Fay - 
Sir George and the
Dragon Puppet Show at Fay School


Saturday, November 23 • 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. (
complimentary snack to follow)


       Join an adventurous princess as she journeys to Mystery Mountain to visit the Great Green Dragon. Along the way you'll meet Zelda the babysitter, a silly bat, Sir George and his clumsy dog, and of course the lovable dragon. Will Sir George slay the dragon? Not to worry, everything ends happily in this fun show.

       This event is free, but space is limited, so please register online (www.fayschool.org/saturdays). The event will take place at Fay's Primary School at 25 Middle Road in Southborough, MA.

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Golden Pond Assisted Living Opening - Video
If you, your parents or loved ones don't mind being pampered at dinner, would enjoy a wrap-around view from their bedroom or have a putting green outside their residence, then the Golden Pond Assisted Living Facility could be just for them.
To arrange a private tour, or visit when another official Open House takes place, please call Shelley at 508-435-1250.
 Learn more now by watching a video taken during their open house last weekend.

 
      
 

Caroline Estella and her Level 7 teammates from Elite Gymnastics Academy of Ashland participated in the Judges Cup Team Challenge Invitational gymnastics meet on Saturday, November 9th at Shrewsbury High School.  

Caroline Estella (Hopkinton), Avery Liou (Milton) and Ciara Scamby (Ashland) all qualified to represent Massachusetts at the 24th annual National Gymnastics Judges Cup 2014 Team Challenge meet in Tacoma, Washington in January.

photo:  Avery Liou, Ciara Scamby, Jacqui Olsen (Coach) and Caroline Estella.

   

St. Paul’s Collecting Giving Tree Donations for Project Just Because Through Dec. 8

 

HOPKINTON, MA (November 12, 2013) -- Once again, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton will be collecting items for The Giving Tree from now until December 8.  This program assists Project Just Because in providing gifts to thousands of needy children at the holidays.  Each needy child’s wish list is placed on a heart, and the hearts hang on Christmas trees at St. Paul’s.  Parishioners and the general public are welcome to sponsor a boy or girl, from newborn to teen. 

 

The Giving Tree Drive started Sunday, November 10th and will conclude on Sunday, December 8th.  During the 10:30 a.m. church service on December 8 Roy Dinicola, a member of Project Just Because’s Board of Directors, will speak to parishioners, and St. Nicholas will lead a procession where children and families will place gifts on the altar. 

 

Anyone interested in participating in The Giving Tree is invited to come and select a heart with information about the child being sponsored either during St. Paul’s office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, or at a 10:30 a.m. church services on Sunday, November 10th, 17th, 24th, or December 1st.   St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 61 Wood Street (Rte. 135) in Hopkinton.  

 

Donations should be brought to the church at the above times either on or before December 8.  Project Just Because asks that the hearts be firmly attached to donations and that gifts are left unwrapped.   That way, families can personalize their wrapping.

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One Lane on Little Elm Street

Please be advised that sewer construction will be taking place on the dead end section of Elm Street, from the intersection of Lumber Street westerly, for the next ten (10) days.  There will be minimal impact to through traffic.  The only traffic impact will be for motorists traveling along that dead end section, but one lane of traffic will be maintained in that section at all times.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

John K. Westerling

Director of Public Works

W E L L N E S S
Traffic Advisory 2:24 pm. Avoid Elm Street at Parkwood Drive
Gas line ruptured by workmen and is blowing into atmosphere
Road Re-opened Around3:30 pm
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Action Copy Plus Moving to Warwick, RI

November 13, 2013 — The twin boys in the photo must over 13 years-old now, ten years after their dad, Joe Palmquist and mom, Michelle, purchased Action Copy Team at 34 Main Street in Hopkinton, an established print and copy shop.
        Joe immediately changed the name to Action Copy Plus, adding his years in the IT and networking fields to the business offerings. But that was then, ten years ago.
         Was it the six-day-a-week interstate drive that made them yearn for a location closer to their Cumberland, RI home?
          Perhaps the realization that the walk-in customer who wants one copy, and needs assistance for the 11 cent sale, takes up just as much time as the customer who spends $100 at a time, was the catalyst.
          "Our new model will be more business to business," said Mr. Palmquist yesterday in his very busy store, in between commercial customers picking up quantity orders, and a few onesies, who actually needed more assistance than those with the larger orders.
            "We will not have a retail presence," he said, "because we will be in an industrial area."
             "We will be keeping all of our accounts active. We are NOT going out of business," he emphasized.
          "Although we won't be seeing walk-ins because of the area we are moving to, we will still have a showroom and pickup counter. And in this global economy, most of our source files are delivered to us electronically anyway, so, the greatest difference is that we'll be shipping the work to our customers in Hopkinton, as opposed to them picking them up.
            "It has been a great ten years, and we look forward to the next ten with most of our customers.
            "But it will be business as usual until December 24, 2013, Christmas Eve. All orders completed after that will have to be shipped." 
            The new business is called ideal Printing, LLC, and it will be located at 24 Greco Lane in Warwick, RI. 401.732.4200.

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Center Trail Fall Maintenance

 

Saturday,  November 16, 9AM: Center Trail work day. Helping hands are needed to tidy up the trail. The plan is to do annual fall maintenance to the drainage, basically clearing excessive leaves and fallen sticks from drainage ways.  This will mainly involve raking and tossing sticks further into the woods, so gloves and a rake would be helpful.  Some more strenuous effort may be needed at a spot where a tree fell to make sure water doesn't pool.  Shovels and hoes may be useful here. We will also be doing general brush clearing along to the trail's edges.  There may also be some limited planting work that needs to be done. Meet at the Loop Road trailhead, between Fields 8 & 10. "H" lot is probably best for parking.

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Hopkinton Takes Gaming Commission to Task
Believes Foxwoods unsuitable for casino in Milford

November 13, 2013 — The Town of Hopkinton, claiming rights through Mass General Law, has, through its Town Counsel, written to the Mass Gaming Commission taking it to task for not holding the feet of Foxwoods Massachusetts to the fire in investigating the people involved in the application of a casino license in Milford.

           In a "Who's on first" type of go round with David Nunes, the original developer, who was out and then in, and various entities who call themselves Crossroads, MPGE, and Foxwoods Massachusetts,  the letter complains that Foxwoods Massachusetts, which claims to be the entity in the lead, is not even on the application.

            The letter faults the commission for not doing due diligence, and not properly investigating the entities involved.

            It also doubts the financial stability of Foxwoods, brings up alleged criminal behavior by members of the Tribal Council involved in the operation, and doubts the business acumen of the group. Read the entire letter here

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MILFORD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES HISTORIC FUNDRAISING EFFORT

Meehan primes pump with $5 million donation



Kevin Meehan (center), owner of ImperialCars.com,  was recognized for donating $5 million to Milford Regional’s $54 million building project to expand the ER, ICU and private patient rooms. Pictured left to right: John Burns, chairman of MRMC’s board of trustees; Edward J. Kelly, MRMC president; Kevin Meehan; Francis M. Saba, MRMC CEO; and Martin Richman, VP of MRMC philanthropy.

 

  November 13, 2013 — Milford Regional Medical Center officially unveiled a $25 million fundraising goal to help support a $54 million building project that will significantly expand the areas of emergency care, intensive care and private patient rooms. The Campaign has already raised more than $15 million toward its goal.

          The fundraising effort, entitled Excellence…The Campaign for Milford Regional Medical Center, is highlighted by a gift of $5 million from the Kevin Meehan family.  It’s both the largest gift in the history of the Medical Center, and the largest ever in the greater Milford region.

          “Our family has always embraced the spirit of generosity and we are pleased to make a gift that will benefit the entire region,” said Mr. Meehan, owner of Mendon’s Imperial Cars.com.  “We are delighted to join with you in ensuring that Milford Regional Medical Center is a world class medical facility.  We are privileged to have made this area our home and honored to be investing in an institution that provides exemplary and compassionate care when people are in need.  Our family has been the beneficiary of much good will from throughout the community and we graciously welcome this opportunity to help improve the quality of life for our neighbors, friends and colleagues.  With enthusiasm, the Meehan family wishes you great success.”

Excellence will support a major capital initiative resulting in: an enhanced emergency department (ED), more than doubling the size of the current ED; a new, expanded intensive care unit that will increase capacity by more than 60%; and, with the addition of a new 24-bed private room unit, a transition to 100% private patient rooms throughout the hospital. 

          “We are extremely proud of this campaign, truly the most significant fundraising effort in our history, and so grateful to our family of donors, particularly Kevin Meehan, who generously provided us with the foundation for the Campaign’s ongoing success with his extraordinary $5 million gift,” said Francis M. Saba, CEO of Milford Regional.  “In our continuing commitment to serve the healthcare needs of Milford and the surrounding community, we recognized the urgency to address current and future needs.  We are poised now to provide the next generation of healthcare in key patient care areas.”

            The announcement took place at a gathering on the campus of Milford Regional Medical Center, attended by Milford Regional leadership, and officials, including Senator Richard T. Moore and State Representative John V. Fernandes.  During the festivities, Excellence’s leading campaign donors were feted, and the goal of $25 million unveiled. 

          The Campaign will support enhancements to one of the busiest emergency departments in Central Massachusetts.  The staff at Milford Regional, including board-certified emergency medicine physicians and emergency trained nurses and technicians, provide care for nearly 60,000 patients a year.  At the center of Milford Regional’s urgent needs in emergency care is demand.  Between 2000 and 2010, the area population increased by 8%, while the 65 and older population rose by 12%.  Moreover, the general population in the Medical Center’s service area is expected to grow by nearly 10% over the next ten years.  Not surprisingly, the Milford Regional emergency department has experienced a dramatic increase in utilization. The current ED, with 30 approved beds, was built in 1995 to accommodate 45,000 patients per year, but annual patient volume has escalated by more than 60% over the past 10 years. The new ED will comprise 30,000 square feet and feature 52 beds, an expanded waiting area, and spacious, comfortable private rooms.  The new department will be built to accommodate at least 70,000 visits annually and be designed for today’s volume challenges and tomorrow’s advances.

            “It was critical that a number of people come forward with momentum-generating, precedent-setting gifts when we began the quiet phase of the Campaign…people like Kevin Meehan and so many others who understood the needs we have and the opportunities as well,” said John Burns, chairman of Milford Regional’s Board of Trustees, as well as chairman of Excellence…The Campaign for Milford Regional Medical Center.  “So many of our family and friends have risen to the occasion with special gifts, and we are eternally grateful.  It demonstrates the powerful partnership we share with this community.”

          Excellence will also support the intensive care unit, one of Milford Regional’s centers of distinction, which has not undergone a significant renovation since its construction in 1982.  With only 10 beds, there is not enough space to accommodate peak demand.  Physicians need more space and amenities are limited for patients.  The new 13,000 square foot ICU will address the need for space with an increase from 10 to 16 beds, and derive added benefit from its juxtaposition to the emergency department.  New patient rooms will be sized and equipped as multi-purpose spaces, allowing most treatments to occur there. Overhead wall booms will allow increased flexibility in positioning monitoring equipment, intravenous pumps and solutions, thereby freeing space for bedside care. 

            In addition to the ED and ICU project, Milford Regional will reconfigure the Medical Center so that every room will be private whenever possible, ensuring infection prevention, privacy and family sensitivity.  Currently, only 86 beds are private.  Telemetry services will be available in each room, and a higher level of personalized care will result. 

            “Everyone connected to the Campaign deserves high praise for extraordinary effort and ahead-of-the-curve results,” said Edward J. Kelly, president of Milford Regional Medical Center.  “But the truth is we’ve really only just begun this process.  We need to depend on the community now to bridge the gap between the amount we’ve raised and $25 million.  It will take a concerted response from everyone in the surrounding area who understands the value of having access to the highest quality care, close to home.”

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Updated: February 27, 2018 08:38:09 AM

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