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<--- Our followers were notified by Robert Falcione February 11, 2015 (2:00
pm) — Seeking to squash unbridled,
unprecedented gossip and rumors around town,
and especially on uninformed social media,
President of Colella's Dale Danahy called
HopNews today to inform us that they are
indeed closing their business at 61 Main
Street after 70 years, and three
generations, of family and community
involvement. She said they did it ahead of
schedule out of fairness to their employees,
who were being told the rumors, some of
which involved them. The store will close in
March or April, Dale said, but would not
elaborate on a successor. Dale Danahy, Diane McGrath and Sandy Varnum have remained working in the business since the expansion and renovation in 2010 (Photo, below), and the other sisters have retired. The market, through the small town nature of its business practices and family orientation, has contributed to the community in many ways over the years; from scholarship funds, to the lions and scouts collecting cans and bottles and selling Christmas trees in their back lot. Few weekends go by when one group or another, Girls Scouts, veterans and many more, does not greet people at either door with a smile and a need. They have been strong supporters of Project Just Because, the Serenity House and the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center. Their list of contributions, which are too numerous to print, can be seen on their website here. The market will be sorely missed by the regular lunch customers, who line up at the deli every day for a sandwich, salad, or hot meal from the buffet cart. The fresh bread at the bakery, as well as the sugary desserts, will be a thing of the past. Even families who shop at larger chain stores for the perceived savings that might follow volume purchases, have shopped for their beef at Colella's, which has always had the finest beef, and who added prime beef to their offerings about a year ago. Their homemade Italian sausage is preservative free for those sensitive to nitrates. But although Dale deferred discussion of reasons for closing until another time, some events since their renovation speak for themselves. Two competitive supermarkets opened after their renewal. Water Fresh Farm, which conducted a wholesale business on Hayden Rowe Street as American Hydroponics for years, specialized in hydroponic greenhouse products, grown wholly in water. It built a new building and opened a retail marketplace three years ago, drawing customers from the south and southeast. Six months later, Price Chopper opened up on the Lake Maspenock side of town, drawing customers from the west. This writer had some fun directing Dale in a hypnotic video warning people of avoiding dangerous intersections, an apparent tongue-in-cheek reference to South and West Main Streets near the new market. The impact of those two competitors can't be measured anecdotally, but it would defy reason to believe they had no impact. Dale will be contacting HopNews when it is time to share more. All the best to them and theirs. |
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What if the Coffee
Went Away? JOURNAL by Robert Falcione Monday, February 9, 2015 After working from home this morning and then snow-blowing for what seemed like forever — by the time I got halfway done, the cleared part needed to be cleared again — I stopped at the Spoon for a light lunch. On the way there, I wondered how a photo of Pout Rock would look from the causeway, catching the storm with Sandy Island Beach in the background. But the background was pure white, which is quickly becoming the color of evil. Turning into the driveway of the Spoon and being surrounded by the enormous piles of snow, both there and at 77 West Main, I realized that plowing snow was not as easy as it used to be. It wasn't like the old days when a plow driver brought a six pack along and did rote maneuvers on a familiar, uncluttered route. Clutter got punished in the olden days. "Want to see me bury that car?" asked Kevin, with whom I was riding while he cleared an MBTA parking lot in Needham around 1967. It was really a rhetorical question, not a request for permission. His unhappy boss reached him by radio 30 minutes later, after seeing his handiwork. Then there was the time that the plow driver at my sister's apartment complex in Framingham failed to look at the alternative location for the resident parking sticker and totally buried her vehicle, a just deserve for the interloper that he thought she was. He quickly unburied it. Yikes! His name was Kevin, too! After I passed the causeway, I wondered if this unrelenting snowy weather was the beginning of a new glacial period. It snows, it thaws a little, it freezes again and expands. It snows again, and then again, and then again, and soon there are several feet of snow, then tens of feet of snow and then hundreds of feet of snow compressing and freezing everything below, while the entire mass moves slowly toward Woonsocket. Will we have to build homes that will sort of float on top of a glacier, like an igloo or a rubber raft? What about the cable and the internet, which every igloo will need? They will all need to be wireless. But we'll still need electricity in our igloos. How is that going to work? Wow, glaciers can be complicated. As I looked at the piles of snow at the Spoon, I realized that the plow drivers were acquiring a new set of skills out of necessity. I look at those piles in awe of their creativity. No six packs in those machines. And when the people from the future dig down deep and find those now-fossilized pyramids, they too will wonder in awe at how they were built. I ran into the Spoon to get a better seat than the woman racing me from her car. |
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All Clear
February 11, 2015 — The Fire Department was out in force Tuesday evening, above, checking out a gasoline odor in a garage on Valleywood Drive that turned out to be from a snow blower. Later, the crews scoured the Downtown for the source of the significant, and in some places overwhelming, smell of natural gas. NOTE: According to an entry in the police department log, the source of the odor was Wilson, where 3 billion cubic feet of Liquefied Natural Gas is stored. A similar event a few years ago was caused by a leak in the storage or transmission of the odorant, an additive to the gas to identify the otherwise odorless substance. |
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From the District's website: No School February 10, 2015 |
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Marathon Fund Scholarships
The
Marathon Fund Committee will be awarding 6 -
$1,000 scholarships, 3-female, 3-male,
to graduating high school seniors who are
residents of Hopkinton. Applications are now
available at the selectmen's office in the town
hall or in the guidance department at Hopkinton
High School. The applicants need not be students
of Hopkinton Public High School. Editor's Note: An inference can be drawn that the qualifications are that a resident of Hopkinton can be attending any high school as a senior, and meets the other qualifications. We await the definitive word from the committee. |
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Parents Seeking to Help, Learn
Do you have a child receiving special education services in Hopkinton Public Schools? Are you looking for support, ideas, resources and maybe even some laughs from parents dealing with similar challenges as yourself? If so, then we invite you to join a new support group (and Facebook page) called Hopkinton Autism & Special Needs Parent Connection! This group was created by 4 moms with the desire to reach out to other parents with children on the Autism Spectrum or other Special Needs in Hopkinton. It's our goal to be each other's support and to meet for social gatherings where we can share our experiences, questions and concerns. We are also open to hosting information sessions and we welcome suggestions. Our group is informally connected with the Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) in Hopkinton. We hope that we can engage more parents in their invaluable special needs advocacy work. *Please join us at the Hopkinton Police Station on Friday, 2/13 at 10:00a.m. to learn more about the "Child at Risk" program, a program in which helps police/medical have pertinent info. on file. Officer Buckley is graciously offering is his time to educate us on this program! If you would like to join our group, go to our Facebook page, Hopkinton Autism and Special Needs Parent Connection . This is a closed group so you will need to be approved in order to access. Email Erin Geshwiler, erincsg92@gmail.com with any questions. Please feel free to invite other Hopkinton parents to our group as well. Remember, we are all in this together! ~ Andrea Chesmore |
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Kudos to the DPW To the Editor,
I would like to express my appreciation for the good and hard work the Hopkinton DPW has done this winter season. These storms have hit us hard and, through it all, the crews on the roads in Hopkinton have done a great job. I have been repeatedly impressed with how well they have gotten the initial clearings done and then how they have followed up quickly to widen the narrowed roads. As part of my morning commute, I travel through both Southborough and Marlboro and can vouch for the fact that our primary and secondary roads have been in better shape than either of those towns.
John Daley 39 Greenwood February 9, 2015 |
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Police Incident Log Updated February 9, 2015 Emergency, dial 911 • • Non-emergency, PD dial 508-497-3401, FD dial 508-497-2323
Summary The Hopkinton Police were involved in the following incidents, which are not included in the detail report below. 7 Times the Police assisted the Fire Department, another department, town, or outside Police agency. 31 Motor Vehicle/Person/Home/Building Checks. 1 Motor Vehicle Accident without personal injury. 8 Disabled Motor Vehicles. 1 Time the Police participated in Community Relations or passenger safety.
Arrest Log Saturday, February 7, 2015 5:01 pm Officer Arthur Schofield arrested Robert Cain, 59, of Apple Tree Hill, Hopkinton, on West Main Street and charged him with Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury, and OUI Liquor, 2nd Offense. 3:27 am Officer Peter Booth arrested Benjamin Robert Heinrich, 18, of Draper Street, Canton, on West Main Street and charged him with Failure to Signal, Person Under 21 in Possession of Liquor, Possession of Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class D Substance with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Class B Substance. 12:28 am Officer Jacob Campbell arrested Cara Marolda, 26, of Thingvalla Avenue, Cambridge, on Elm Street and charged her with OUI Liquor and Failure to Stop/Yield.
Incident Log Sunday, February 8, 2015 9:46 am Officer Thomas Griffin issued a motor vehicle a parking ticket on Walcott Street. 8:24 am Officer Patrick O'Brien advised the owners of two motor vehicles, that were parked on Jordan Road, to move them. 5:40 am The Highway Department reported that a vehicle was parked halfway in the roadway impeding snow removal on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Jacob Campbell responded and advised that the vehicle was gone upon his arrival. 1:46 am A caller reported finding a pair of labs unleashed walking around and almost getting hit by a snow plow on Walker Street. The Animal Control Officer was notified and picked them up.
Saturday, February 7, 2015 7:58 pm A Main Street resident reported that an excavator was dumping snow in her driveway. Officer Peter Booth responded and spoke with the operator. 5:01 pm Several callers reported a hit and run motor vehicle accident with personal injury on West Main Street. One caller followed the vehicle onto Lumber Street and was able to obtain the license plate number. Three officers responded, located the vehicle and administered a field sobriety test. Subsequently, a 59 year-old male from Hopkinton was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury and Death and OUI Liquor, 2nd Offense. 1:34 pm The DPW was notified that the snow was starting to stick on Main Street. 10:57 am A walk-in spoke with Officer Stephen Buckley regarding someone filing a fraudulent tax return under his name. 10:08 am A resident reported that the lights at School Street were malfunctioning and were stuck on red for about four cycles. Officer Thomas Griffin notified the DPW of the situation and to see if they can also remove some snow because the snow bank was making it a safety issue pulling out especially without the light working properly. 3:27 am Two officers stopped a motor vehicle on West Main Street and subsequently arrested an 18 year-old male from Canton and charged him with Failure to Signal, Person Under 21 in Possession of Liquor, Possession of Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class D Substance with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Class B Substance. 12:28 am Three officers stopped a motor vehicle on Elm Street and subsequently arrested a 26 year-old female from Cambridge and charged her with OUI Liquor and Failure to Stop/Yield.
Friday, February 6, 2015 11:28 pm A resident of Forest Lane reported that his father left his home unexpectedly this evening around 10:45 pm. Four officers responded and advised that they located the individual and transported him back home. 11:29 am A motorist reported that the traffic lights at School Street were not functioning properly. Officer William Burchard monitored them and confirmed that they were malfunctioning. 10:40 am Officer Philip Powers advised that eleven vehicles were ticketed on Hayden Rowe Street. |
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$2 million 203 Pond Street Purchase... What are the details? Why all the confusion?
by Robert Falcione
February 9, 2015
Q. What is 203 Pond Street, aka the Coolidge Property. A. It is a 42 or so acre piece of land with a residence and outbuildings on it, owned by John Coolidge and Anne Richards. It was approved for a 12-lot Open Space Landscape Preservation subdivision in 2014, leaving approximately 32.43 acres for open space. (See schematic of subdivision lots and surrounding open space here.) Q. Why is there a concern about the property? A. The property has been under Mass General Law Ch. 61, which gives tax breaks to those who hold land for farming or forestry. In this case, forestry. When property has been granted tax reductions for such purposes, the owner must notify the town of a change in use, or the receipt of a bona fide Purchase and Sale Agreement. In this case, the town was notified of such an agreement (<---- Agreement and P&S) on November 14, 2014 with Diamond Builders of Canton, Mass. Following receipt of that agreement, the town has 120 days to match the offer in a right of first refusal. An offer in a prior year was declared to be not bona fide, and was rejected as such. Nonetheless, the owners did not follow through with that sale after the rejection. In this instance, the town has not rejected the P&S in a timely manner, which would lead to the reasonable conclusion that it is indeed a bona fide offer. Q. Does the town want to purchase the land? A. The town hasn't decided yet. After intense lobbying by neighbors of Mr. Coolidge and preservation groups, including Sudbury Valley Trustees, who, according to a mention in the P&S, will get the open space parcel in its entirety, the Selectmen decided to hold a Special Town Meeting for March 3, 2015 to let the town meeting voters decide. A vote of 2/3 at Town Meeting is necessary to acquire land, and so if a quorum of 100 is met, it would take only 67 people to spend the $2 million. The following motion was approved by Selectmen at their last meeting and ordered onto the warrant as an Article:
“Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to acquire a fee interest in a parcel of land shown as Lots 1 through 12 inclusive on a plan of land entitled Definitive Subdivision Plan, Open Space and Landscape Preservation Development, prepared by Tunison Dias, Inc., and approved by the Hopkinton Planning Board on September 25, 2104, being a portion of the land shown on Hopkinton Assessors Map R21 Block 12 Lot 0 and commonly known as “203 Pond Street” in Hopkinton?” Approved 3-0.
The motion mentions a bond that would be exempt from Proposition 2 1/2, which is usually a debt exclusion for a period of 10 to 20 years, and then it goes away. An outright purchase instead would have been an increase of 4% on the taxes, stated the town's finance director at the last selectmen's meeting. A general election is scheduled for a week after the STM in case the land is voted in the affirmative at STM. A simple majority is needed at the ballot box to complete the purchase.
Q. Is the purchase congruent with the Open Space Landscape Preservation Development plan? A. Not totally. The OSLPD involves the entire 42-acre acre parcel, meaning the 12 lots and the 32.43 acres of open space. The P&S defines the purchase as ONLY the 12 lots, which make up around 10 or so acres of the parcel. The STM motion also mentions only the lots, and not the open space. The other 32.43 acres is specifically "excluded" from the purchase in line 2 of the P&S. Also in that line is a mention that 32.43 acres of open space will be conveyed to Sudbury Valley Trustees, but offers no mechanism to do so.
Q. Where is the $2 million coming from if the town buys the 12 lots? A. Taxes and other means. The town, through its Community Preservation Commission, has already voted to decline contributing $600,000 of requested CPC funds, which are made up of 2% of taxes collected and set aside for specifically this type of purpose, as well as others. The other means are in promises by various agencies and groups: The Whitehall Woods Alliance is an ad hoc group made up of people in organizations that support the town purchasing the property, and other organizations themselves, who got together to focus their fundraising efforts. Their tally is about $74,000 to date. The Department of Conservation and Recreation recently increased its proposed contribution to $250,000 "...contingent on the town's acquisition of the entire 42-acre property..." See their promise, which asks for much more in return, in its entirety here. The first commitment from the DCR was $150,000, which was soon reduced to $100,000 a few weeks ago. Today's offer stands at $250,000, per the letter and its many contingencies. The estate of Ora Cheney, through trustee J. Timothy Nealon, has offered 8.37 acres of land at 22 School Street from the estate to the town contingent on the purchase of 203 Pond Street, consisting of 42 +/- acres. It isn't money, but it is a gift related to the purchase of 203 Pond. The offer of the gift knocked two of the five selectmen off of the board because their proximity to the land might create the perception of a conflict. Town Manager Norman Khumalo has respectfully requested of attorney Nealon written documentation of his authority to offer the land, and is awaiting that document.
Q. Has there been any confusion over the potential purchase? A. Is that a trick question? The Open Space plan and the P&S are not totally congruent, but have been treated as such in many discussions. And so the two have become conflated by public perception into some sort of deal that does not exist in writing. • Only the 12 house lots on the Coolidge property are under consideration for purchase, not the other 32.43 acres of open space. That is specified in the Description in the P&S, as well as in the motion for Special Town Meeting. In the same section of the P&S, it states that the Sudbury Valley Trustees will be conveyed the 32.43 acres. But the P&S does not provide a mechanism to do so. • The DCR letter has many conditions and a hefty offer of $250k. But it is contingent upon Hopkinton acquiring the 42-acre parcel in its entirety. Hopkinton is not acquiring the entire parcel, unless other circumstances are unfolding outside of public view, and so that offer does not appear to be within the scope of the purchase. The DCR appears to have conflated the two circumstances. The DCR also dictates what will be done with the 12 lots, again, outside of the scope of the P&S. • The Cheney offer also conflates the two, tying their gift to the town's acquisition of the entire 42-acre parcel. Again, the town is not acquiring the entire parcel, and so the validity of that offer could be in question, too. • As of late last week, the subdivision plan had not been recorded with the Registry of Deeds, a necessary step before completing the sale.
The Town Manager and Town Counsel are undoubtedly working to iron out some of these details. At the most recent meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Selectman Ben Palleiko suggested that there would need to be more than one document at Town Meeting to resolve what he called acquisition of the whole parcel.
But as Christa Collins of the Sudbury Valley Trustees said at a selectmen meeting last month, "It is a strange configuration for a [Chapter] 61 property."
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Kokomo February 8, 2015 — Photo I took late Friday afternoon of a Kite Boarder named Patrick Nickerson who was Boarding in Cocoa Beach with around 20 other Kite Boarders. Thought you might Enjoy a warm weather Shot as I hear there's more Heavy Snow at Home. Hang in There, like Patrick, who is hanging in his Harness 20 feet above the water, held up by the Wind in his large Kite!! ~ John Collins |
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According
to Hopkinton Public Schools Website:No School Feb. 9th
All schools will be closed tomorrow, Feb. 9th and all after-school activities and evening activities are cancelled |
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Adam R. Smith, 33 Adam R. Smith, 33 , of Sarasota, FL and formerly of Hopkinton, MA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 26, 2015 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Born in Framingham, he was the son of Barry R. Smith of Hopkinton and Kathleen J. Phillips of Venice, FL.
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Pinewood Derby
2015
February 7, 2015 —
Scouts from Pack 97 gathered at St.
John's Parish Center to compete in the
Pinewood Derby, a short contest of speed by
gravity. pitting four cars against one
another in each race. More information about Pinewood Derby, a national Boy Scout event, can be learned here.
Parents seeking more information about Pack
97 can call Ted Hoyt at 508-435-3000. |
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Step Aside,
Nabisco February 7, 2015 — Girl Scouts from a couple of different troops were the guests of Colella's Supermarket on Saturday morning selling the famous Girl Scout Cookies in a conspicuous place. |
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Police Incident Log Updated February 6, 2015 Emergency, dial 911 • • Non-emergency, PD dial 508-497-3401, FD dial 508-497-2323 Summary The Hopkinton Police were involved in the following incidents, which are not included in the detail report below. 3 Times the Police assisted the Fire Department, another department, town, or outside Police agency. 17 Motor Vehicle/Person/Home/Building Checks. 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents without personal injury. 4 Disabled Motor Vehicles.
Arrest Log Wednesday, February 4, 2015 10:21 pm Officer Arthur Schofield arrested Timothy K. Zammuto, 22, of Elm Street, Hopkinton, on Walcott Valley Drive and charged him with OUI Liquor.
Incident Log Thursday, February 5, 2015 5:45 pm A Pond Street resident reported that her miniature horse got loose. Officer Matthew McNeil responded and assisted the owner with getting the horse back home. 12:12 pm A motorist reported that a plow operator forced her off of the road on East Street. Two officers checked the area for the vehicle with a negative find. 9:59 am A resident reported that a trash truck was stuck on Winter Street. Officer Patrick O'Brien responded and advised that the truck was stuck completely across the road. The Fire Department was notified that the road was closed. 9:28 am An Ash Street resident reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and who threatened to send an officer to come arrest them if payment was not made. This is an on-going scam as the IRS does not make phone calls, they send notifications through the mail. 9:23 am Two officers assisted the operator of a motor vehicle who got stuck on Hayden Rowe Street. 12:28 am Sgt. Timothy Brennan notified the Highway Department of icy road conditions on Main Street.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 11:08 pm A resident of White Street reported the loss of water and water running down the street. Officer Linda Higgins responded and advised that the Fire Department confirmed it was a water main break. The Water Department was notified. 10:21 pm A caller reported that a white sedan was parked on Walcott Valley Drive for sometime with the vehicle running and possibly three teenagers inside. Two officers responded and subsequently arrested a 22 year-old male from Hopkinton and charged him with OUI Liquor. 10:17 pm Several 911 callers reported seeing a large fire at the sawmill on Fruit Street. Five officers responded to assist the Fire Department. 5:36 pm A caller reported being involved in a hit and run motor vehicle accident and the other vehicle involved continued on Hayden Rowe Street toward Milford. The Milford Police Department was notified. 1:03 pm The Highway Department reported that a vehicle was parked on the side of Nebraska Street, buried in snow. Officer Thomas Griffin spoke with the owner who stated that the vehicle did not run but would clean it off so plows could see it. 8:37 am A resident reported that a business plowed the snow from their parking lot and blocked the sidewalk causing kids to have to walk into the street to get around it. Officer Matthew McNeil spoke with an employee of the business who will contact the building owner to take care of it. 6:41 am A 911 caller from Wilson Street reported smoke in the building and everyone inside was being evacuated. Four officers responded to assist the Fire Department and advised that all the residents were bused to the senior center until the building was cleared. |
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Air Wing Deploys To Call For Missing Snowmobiler in Rutland February 6, 2015 — At 4:32 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police received a request for assistance from the Rutland Police Department in searching for a missing snowmobiler. A State Police Air Wing helicopter, Air 4, responded to the Rutland State Forest and located a snowmobiler. Trooper Russell Phippen was deployed from the helicopter to the ground to render aid to the individual. Trooper Phippen identified the individual as the missing snowmobiler. |
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Acton Woman
Pleads Guilty To Forging More Than $229,000
Worth Of Checks
WOBURN
– Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has
announced that a woman has pled guilty in
connection with stealing blank checks from a
household where she worked, forging names on the
checks, and cashing them in order to collect
more than $229,000. District Attorney Ryan
says this case should serve as a reminder to
senior citizens and to family members about the
importance of regularly checking bank statements
and other financial documents. Before assuming
the position as District Attorney, Ryan served
as Chief of the Middlesex District Attorney’s
Office’s Elder and Disabled Unit, where she
prosecuted a myriad of crimes involving
financial abuse and physical abuse of the most
vulnerable victims. In that role, Ryan
collaborated with business and community leaders
to conduct risk assessments and develop
prevention plans for elders and disabled
citizens. Ryan continues to host seminars in
community settings to provide advice to
residents about how to protect themselves. Some
information provided at these forums by Ryan
includes reminding people that, “If it’s too
good to be true, it probably is.” For example, if someone offers to take over the task of paying your bills for you, make sure that person can be trusted and check financial statements regularly. In addition, be skeptical if you receive a phone call or letter claiming you will get money for providing your social security number or personal information. Ryan says the age-old safety precautions still apply in these modern times: lock your front door, never give personal information to strangers, and don’t allow people into your home even if they say they have an emergency and need to use your phone. Finally, Ryan says if you think you have been a victim of a scam, speak up, and tell someone in authority. |
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Family Stuff |
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In With the New February 6, 2015 — George
Vrahliotis removes some garments from Hillers
Cleaners' brand new commercial grade washer/wet
cleaner. "It is very safe for the environment." |
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Reminder:
Ideas&Insights at Fay School - How do we keep our kids safe in this technology-driven world? Join Fay School for a special presentation by Katie LeClerc Greer, an expert in Internet safety and technology!
Parenting in our technology-driven society can be overwhelming, and keeping up with the latest trends and dangers can seem like an impossible task. Katie will help you navigate the digital waters and let you know what’s new and what’s next when it comes to your children and technology. She will also provide parents with proactive ways to keep kids safe.
Event Date: Wednesday, February 11 Event Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Fay's Harris Theater (signs will be on campus directing visitors to the theater) Parking: Please park at Fay's Primary School (25 Middle Road, Southborough) or at Fay's Office of Advancement (31 Main Street, Southborough)
This event is free to attend and open to the public. No registration is required to attend the event.
This presentation is the second event in Fay’s new series, Ideas&Insights at Fay School. The series features informative speakers, workshops, and presentations on topics that are relevant to parents today. Questions? Please contact Nicole Casey at 508-490-8204 or ncasey@fayschool.org. |
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Health and Fitness |
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Peaceful Easy
Feeling February 5, 2015 — Hopkinton resident John Collins sends this shot of an eagle from Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve in Florida near NASA, as he travels about the country. Mr. Collins hopes to send one from the launch on Sunday. |
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Hopkinton’s
Elementary School Building Committee narrows
list to 4 options on 3 sites Please choose a thumbnail to see final site options larger The Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) on February 4, 2015, voted unanimously to approve a short list of site alternatives for further evaluation. As part of the Center School Feasibility Study, funding for which was approved by Town Meeting in May 2013, the Committee has been evaluating 11 alternatives at 4 locations. These 11 alternatives and related evaluation criteria were the subject of two recent ESBC community workshops. Over the coming weeks, the ESBC will perform additional due diligence of the following site alternatives (the short list):
• Center School: Alternative 1C + 25 Ash Street, consisting of new construction on town owned property behind existing school, augmented by abutting 25 Ash Street, with preservation of the front of existing Center School building.
• Irvine Property: 20+ acres located on Hayden Rowe, just South of Hopkinton Parks and Recreation land at EMC Park.
• Todaro Property: 20+ acres, with access from 147 Hayden Rowe St, abutting the Irvine property to the North, adjacent to Water Fresh Farm and abutting 5 acres of town owned property on the South.
The committee’s decision followed extensive deliberations and discussion over several meetings, including input from two community workshops, and consideration of expert advice from town and school district professional staff, Compass Project Management, and Drummey, Rosane, Anderson (DRA) architects. Flexibility for future growth, minimizing disruption to education during construction, and other factors in the published site evaluation matrix ( http://tinyurl.com/siteevalmatrix ) weighed heavily in deciding the short-listed sites. Through the remainder of February and early March, the ESBC and its partners Compass Project Management and DRA architects will complete additional due diligence of the short listed sites. The community is invited to the third community workshop to review results of this additional work, Saturday, March 7, 9:00 – 10:30 AM at the Center School, 11 Ash Street in Hopkinton. The ESBC expects to make a final decision on a preferred site by March 16th, 2015. Please send questions and feedback to: schoolproject@hopkintonma.gov . |
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Hopkinton
Middle and High School Art Recognitions
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You Don't Need a
Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows
February 5, 2015 — Weather forecasters are calling this winter's snowfall a record amount. But a line from a Bob Dylan song — the heading above —reminds people that sometimes common sense and folk wisdom might trump the experts. Above, the gazebo on the property of the Golden Pond Assisted Living Facility plays host to the most snow ever. |
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Family Stuff |
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Possible water discoloration resulting from main break related to fire at saw mill Good Morning this is Eric Carty with the Water and sewer department. Please be advised that due to a major water main break last night in relation to the fire on Fruit street, there are several areas of town experiencing discoloration from the dislodgement of the minerals on the inside of the main. Crews worked through the night to make repairs. We ask you to please check your water before using it and you may need to flush your cold water lines to help clear the pipes. See pics of the fire here from WCVB-TV Photo from Hopkinton Fire Lt. Carl Harris facebook feed of fire at JB Sawmill in Hopkinton Wednesday evening: |
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2nd Annual MetroWest College & Career Fair March 21, 2015, 9 am - 11 am < ----- Note date correction Ashland High School 65 E. Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721
The Ashland PTO
and Ashland Education Foundation are
pleased to co-host the 2nd Annual
MetroWest College & Career Fair on
Saturday, March 22, 2015 from 9 a.m. -
11 a.m. Students and families from
several local high schools will enjoy an
exciting opportunity that will inform,
inspire and instill them with confidence
during the college and career search
process. |
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Personal Services |
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Health and Fitness |
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NOTE: The PD has begun adding the checks of strategic locations to the information they give out; the checks of business districts and schools as well as one or more undisclosed locations. Those will not be reported in detail, but included in the summary below, unless there is an incident.
Summary The Hopkinton Police were involved in the following incidents, which are not included in the detail report below. 4 Times the Police assisted the Fire Department, another department, town, or outside Police agency. 12 Motor Vehicle/Person/Home/Building Checks. 9 Disabled Motor Vehicles. 1 Time the Police participated in Community Relations or passenger safety.
Incident Log Tuesday, February 3, 2015 7:29 pm A 911 caller from Overlook Road reported hearing someone knocking on her back deck. Two officers checked the area and stated that there was nothing but fresh snow. 6:03 pm Several callers reported that vehicles were getting stuck on North Street. Officer John Corridan checked the area and advised that the roadway was slick but passable. 4:44 pm Several callers reported that the traffic light at School Street was malfunctioning. Officer John Corridan responded and stated that vehicles may not be completely tripping the light switch but it was functioning properly. 1:54 pm A caller reported that a car was parked in a bad spot on the side of Lumber Street. Officer Philip Powers responded and advised that it belonged to a resident who couldn't get into her driveway and parked there until she could. 11:40 am A resident of John Matthew Road reported that a vehicle has been parking in front of their mailbox. Officer Philip Powers spoke with the owner of the vehicle who stated that his daughter has been babysitting in the neighborhood. 9:08 am Two officers spoke with an individual regarding a parking complaint on Rafferty Road. 8:02 am An Old Town resident complained about the way their street was plowed and that the town plow purposely blocked his driveway. Officer Stephen Buckley responded to the residence and stated that it did not appear to be intentional. 7:53 am A resident of Morse Lane reported that her dog was outside and had a seizure due to the cold. Officer Thomas Griffin responded and stated that the resident was able to get the dog inside before his arrival.
Monday, February 2, 2015 6:46 pm A 911 caller reported that his 27 year-old son, who lives in Boston, was having difficulty breathing. The Boston Police Department was notified and responded. 3:51 pm A caller reported that several vehicles were stuck on West Main Street. Officer John Corridan notified the DPW who plowed and sanded the area. 3:32 pm A walk-in from Holt Street spoke with Officer Matthew McNeil regarding a restraining order. 11:35 am A Wilson Street resident reported that a town plow was plowing the snow from a driveway across the street and putting it on his front yard on top of his septic tank. 10:28 am A resident of Elizabeth Road reported finding a large calico cat. 6:48 am Three officers responded to a motor vehicle accident with personal injury on West Main Street. 4:44 am The Highway Department advised that they would place the traffic lights to flash during the storm. |
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