Steadfast Support for Deputy Slaman for Fire Chief

Editor:

The outpouring of support for Deputy Chief Slaman certainly tells you something about him. I have also heard comments that the bulk of his support is coming from “Townies." I did not grow up in Hopkinton. I did not attend Hopkinton High School. But I am a proud resident of Hopkinton for almost nine years, and I am writing to express my steadfast support for Deputy Chief Slaman in his candidacy for Fire Chief.

I don’t doubt that there are many “qualified” candidates for Fire Chief. Like Deputy Chief Slaman, there are many career firefighters who have steadily risen up the ranks, who have earned accreditation through the Massachusetts Fire Services Commission, and who have earned their masters’ degrees. But what sets Deputy Chief Slaman apart from the others is something that cannot easily be assessed through a search process or even an interview. It is character.

Deputy Chief Slaman maintains the highest level of character. It is why he is so well liked by his friends, his peers, and by those who work for him. He is a genuine and compassionate man. I still remember seeing him at a particularly emotional funeral several years ago; not as a representative of the town and not because he was a close friend, but because in some way he was touched by the young girl’s legacy. He is also even tempered, humble and is wise beyond his years. Just take one look at how he is handling himself through this current debacle; with maturity, composure, and recognition of the impact that town politics can have without expressing the frustration and bitterness that he undoubtedly feels. Character is not learned in a classroom. It is developed over a lifetime of experiences, and requires thoughtfulness, reflection, and courage. It is character that defines a strong leader. It is because of his character that Deputy Chief Slaman is so widely liked and respected, and why he is such a strong candidate for Fire Chief.

As many others have said, to initiate a new search is a waste of time, money, and resources, particularly for all of the volunteers that make our town run. It is also effectively a vote of no confidence in the previous search committee who put in countless hours to this process. Sadly, it is another example of why things take so long and cost so much money to do in Hopkinton. If this is how our leaders lead, then no wonder our town hall is a revolving door for staff (it’s a shame that we could not keep Jamie Hellen) and our school leadership cannot maintain consistency. As the saying goes “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” I hope the Board of Selectman re-evaluate their decision. I ask that they step up as leaders and rightfully appoint Steve Slaman and Chief of our Fire Department.

Kind regards,
Gary Trendel
31 Chamberlain Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
January 3, 2016

"Hollywood" Heroin Believed Responsible for 8 OD Deaths in Chicopee, Holyoke in One Week

January 2, 2015 - Massachusetts State Police detectives attached to the Hampden District Attorney’s office and local police have responded to eight overdose deaths in the last week — including 3 yesterday — in Holyoke and Chicopee in which victims are believed to have used drugs branded with the stamp “Hollywood.”

The investigation by state and local police into the source of the heroin is ongoing. The State Police Division of Investigative Services is compiling data related to these overdoses for dissemination to other law enforcement agencies. Holyoke and Chicopee Police have issued warnings to heroin users and the State Police are amplifying that message.

All heroin is poison; For reasons still to be determined, the heroin being sold under that stamp has proven exceptionally deadly in recent days.

We urge anyone using heroin or any illicit drug to seek medical help/counseling. There are many resources available to those fighting addiction.

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St. John the Evangelist Seeks Historical Photos, Articles

St. John the Evangelist Church is looking for articles and/or photographs of significant church activities occurring in the past 50 years or more, for publication in a booklet commemorating its 150^th anniversary as a parish.  Attribution of ownership will be acknowledged and all items will be returned unharmed.  Items can be dropped off at the Parish Office, 20 Church St.  For pickup, or for more information, contact John Palmer at (508) 435-4955 or johnpalmer87@verizon.net .

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Massachusetts State Police Data from 2015
755 suspected heroin OD deaths, not including Worcester, Springfield and Boston*

With several hours to go in the current year, Massachusetts State Police have investigated 64 homicides across the state in 2015. State troopers, who investigate homicides in the vast majority of Massachusetts communities with the assistance of local police, have solved 47 of those, for a 73 percent clearance rate. The homicides run the full gamut of circumstances, from outdoor shootings at all times of day or night in urban areas to domestic homicides inside residences and those with a variety of other fact patterns.

State Police have jurisdiction over homicides in every city and town in Massachusetts except for Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield (whose local departments handle their own death investigations). The homicide totals per county were as follow:
•  Essex County, 15;
•  Middlesex County, 12;
•  Plymouth County, 11;
•  Bristol County, 9;
•  Suffolk County, 5 (not including Boston);
•  Worcester County, 4 (not including city of Worcester);
•  Cape and Islands, 3;
•  Hampden County, 3 (not including Springfield);
•  Norfolk County, 2.

Also this year, State Police detectives have responded to 755 fatal suspected heroin overdoses. Official cause of death in these cases is determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but State Police classify them as suspected heroin overdoses because of evidence found at the scene, including drug paraphernalia, or statements of witnesses who were with the deceased immediately prior to death. Of the 755 suspected fatal heroin overdoses, 591 victims were male, 164, female. The average age of the victims was approximately 36 years. As with the homicide investigations, state troopers respond to all unattended deaths in every community in Massachusetts except Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield, underlying the fact that the problem of heroin addiction knows no geographic boundaries. State Police narcotics units continued to conduct numerous significant drug interdiction operations throughout the past year, ranging from street-level arrests to long-term investigations that dismantled sophisticated drug trafficking organizations.

Of those 755 suspected overdose deaths, the county breakdown is as follows:
• Middlesex County, 142;
• Essex County, 130;
• Bristol County, 108;
• Plymouth County, 94;
• Norfolk County, 88;
• Worcester County, 68 (not including city of Worcester);
• Cape and Islands, 41;
• Hampden County, 37 (not including Springfield);
• Suffolk County, 23 (not including Boston);
• Hampshire/Franklin Counties, 18;
• Berkshire County, 6 (not including Pittsfield).
Also thus far in 2015, State Police have made 3,865 arrests of drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Interdiction of impaired operators has always been a core mission of the State Police. The vast majority of OUI arrests were made by road troopers assigned to 39 barracks across the state, and during sobriety checkpoints held on many weekend nights.

The State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) has cleared approximately 4,050 criminal warrants in 2015. Among those were more than 2,760 arrests of wanted suspects, registrations of sex offenders, or locates of suspects in other states. Of the arrests, VFAS troopers have apprehended 45 people on murder warrants this year (including seven in December alone). VFAS troopers have also seized 27 guns and made dozens of narcotics seizures as well.

Some other statistics from 2015 are below:

• The State Police Air Wing has flown 1,306 missions in 2015, including routine patrols, searches for fleeing suspects or missing persons, and overflight support for security at large-scale events and critical incidents;
• The State Police K-9 Section has deployed on 3,113 missions, including tracks of fleeing suspects or missing persons, evidence searches, and patrol and security activities;
• The State Police Underwater Recovery Unit has deployed 240 times, including rescue and recovery dives, evidentiary searches, and security sweeps;
• The State Police Special Tactical Operations Team (STOP Team) deployed for 191 missions, including tactical entries for high risk arrests and search warrants, barricaded armed suspects, and various security operations. The STOP Team also continued its training of local and university police departments throughout Massachusetts in how to respond to active shooter incidents, training 1,489 police personnel from 33 other agencies in 2015.

The missions by the Air Wing, K-9 Section, STOP Team, and Underwater Recovery Unit were in support of State Police incidents and cases and also in support of numerous local police departments.

Additionally, a new class of State Police recruits began intensive physical, academic, and procedural training at the department’s Academy in New Braintree this past fall. The nearly 160 trainees will graduate in April.

“I am extremely proud of the strong work done by the members of the Massachusetts State Police throughout the past year,” stated Colonel Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of department. “The men and women of this department worked around the clock, every day and night, to protect the lives, safety and property of everyone who lives, works and travels through our state. I thank them profusely. We embrace our responsibility to do it all over again in 2016.”

The Department of State Police marked its 150th anniversary in 2015. The agency that would grow into the State Police, the State Constabulary, was established in 1865, several weeks after the end of the Civil War. Many of the department’s first officers were Union Army veterans.

* Editor's Note: It is our experience that the office of the Medical Examiner, which makes the decision on the cause of death, is sometimes a year behind in its final determination.

Capitaine, mon Capitaine

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Chief Kenney Clark and his wife Marie the very best as they launch a new chapter in their lives. You will have to search long and hard before you find a more proud, passionate, and dedicated resident of this town. While hanging up his boots, coat, and helmet, for the last time later today, that smile and outgoing personality will still be there for us to appreciate and enjoy. 

While being a great family man, and raising four boys in town, Kenney is nearly as passionate a Hiller sports fan. You can always get him easily sidetracked speaking of a historical Hopkinton win over Ashland, and you can still see the gleam in his eye as he can recall minute details of the event.

I am proud to admit that Kenney was my original mentor in the fire service, teaching me early on at drills and often showing me the finer points, even in the middle of calls. I still recall the patience and his passion for teaching new people, 30 + years after he helped me get started. It immediately comes back to me, each and every time I encounter a new recruit, that I want to pass on that knowledge and passion, like Kenney did with me. Kenney never did anything himself during his fire service career, but instead shared any praises or accolades with his team.

May I also thank Marie and your boys for their sacrificing you during holidays, birthday parties, and other family events, as the alert tones would never ring at a convenient time.

Kenney, you have been a valued, dedicated, and passionate public servant to this town for 40 + years, and I wish you, Marie, and the boys the very best of health, prosperity, and longevity!!!

Donny Collins
45 Teresa Road
December 31, 2015

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Time for a Change

Editor,
It is hard not to be taken by the cogency of Mr. Tedstone’s letter sharing his feelings regarding Hopkinton’s Board of Selectmen’s recent decision to reopen the search for a permanent Fire Chief (Support for Chief Slaman, 12/24/15).

Like many concerned and contributing members to the Hopkinton community, I am left scratching my head as to why the established process for engaging a search committee of disparate, qualified professionals, who spent countless man hours vetting dozens of candidates, reached its conclusion to recommend the most qualified candidates, has now been called into question by the same Board of Selectmen.

Let me add to Mr. Tedstone’s support of Deputy Chief Slaman by reminding your readers that in September of this year, Mr. Slaman was granted accreditation through the Massachusetts Fire Services Commission for successfully meeting all “requirements based on education, training and experience in areas relevant to serving as fire chief,” according to a published account quoting the chair of that commission.

Selectmen John Mosher, who served on the search committee, steadfastly endorses Mr. Slaman being hired as permanent Chief, even after Gary Daugherty withdrew as the other finalist. Yet Selectman Chair Ben Palleiko was recently quoted saying, “I, for one, want another search. I want to evaluate more than one candidate.” He then goes on to intimate perhaps Hopkinton only needs one public safety chief instead of separate police and fire chiefs. Was he just thinking out loud or does he really want a do-over? Is Mr. Palleiko overextending his reach by suggesting that perhaps Police Chief Lee should update his resume?

Couple this perceived debacle with their handling of the CVS situation, their poor preparation for our last annual town meeting with ill-timed auditing of the town’s free cash system, and reading seemingly never-ending HopNews articles chronicling the exodus of town employees from Town Hall, I am left wondering how we ended up in this situation.

I posit a sensible and engaged community member can easily surmise our quaint little town is currently suffering from a dearth of quality leadership (and has for quite some time).

I believe Hopkinton will profit from fundamental changes in our current Board of Selectmen. I hope and pray the 2016 election cycle uncovers dedicated candidates who are qualified leaders and will engage as one cohesive board with more common sense and less posturing to serve the best interests of the entire community.

All the best,
David Hamacher
42 Walcott Valley Drive
Hopkinton, MA 01748

December 30, 2015

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^(REMINDER)

Party to Celebrate Maureen Dwinnell’s Retirement

Thursday, January 7^th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm

 Laborers’ Training, 37 East Street, Hopkinton

Time is running out…have you bought your tickets yet?  RSVP ASAP and no later than Monday, January 4^th

     A retirement party, arranged by her colleagues, family and friends, will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Laborers’ Training, 37 East Street, Hopkinton, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Tickets are available from the Hopkinton Human Resources office at Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton. The cost is $25.00 per person, payable in cash or check.  Checks can be made payable to the “Chamber of Commerce”.

• WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

 

With the first “storm” of this winter to hit parts of the state, the Massachusetts State Police remind motorists of several basic strategies to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips throughout this storm, and those to come:

Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of power outages, make sure your devices are fully charged. Download the State Police smartphone app, “Mass SP” to stay up to date from all of our digital media, including real-time alerts. You can also find links to our smartphone application here: MSPnews.org/smartphone-application/

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• Take Note of the Local Forecast: The State Police encourage motorists to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions.  Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Massachusetts Highways.

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• Vehicle Preparation:  With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving.  Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels.  Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.  Motorists should equip their vehicles with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets.  Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility.  Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cellular phone.

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• Reduce Speed:  Anticipate delays.  Most snow- and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions.  Posted speed limits are set for driving under optimal, dry conditions.  If road and weather conditions are adverse, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.

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• Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under optimal driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them.  If the road and weather conditions are adverse, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.

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• Black Ice:  Transparent ice may form on the roadway.  If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.

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• Buckle Up:  Ensuring everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained is the single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the roads.

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• Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies:  In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cellular phones to immediately be connected to a State Police Communications Center. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.

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Troopers Respond to Shots Fired at Shirley

At approximately 3:25 pm today corrections officers at MCI-Shirley reported hearing a single gunshot outside the prison in the area of Harvard Avenue. They made visual observation of that area and saw a man fleeing on foot. State Police were notified and immediately deployed patrol units to help search the area with Corrections officers. MSP K-9 units and a helicopter from the Air Wing responded to assist in the search. There was no gunshot victim; likewise, there is no information on the identity or motive of the suspect. It is unknown at this time if the man was a hunter. The man observed fleeing was described as a white male wearing dark pants. The color of his shirt was not observed. MCI- Shirley was locked down temporarily.

All inmates at MCI-Shirley have been accounted for.  MSP K9 patrols searched the area around the prison out to the area of State Road near Route 2. The MSP helicopter searched the area using its FLIR infrared camera. The subject was not located. Active searches have concluded. MSP patrols in the area will remain on alert for the potential suspect.  

Support for Chief Slaman

Editor:

I am writing this letter in hopes that the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen will review their recent decision to appoint Deputy Chief Stephen Slaman as only Interim Chief rather than making his position be permanent.

Deputy Chief Slaman has been a great call firefighter, great full time firefighter, great Lieutenant and great Deputy Chief for the Hopkinton Fire Department. He is well educated. He recently achieved a master’s degree in Public Administration which I can only assume was to better himself to become the Fire Chief in Hopkinton. Hopkinton today is not the Hopkinton of past.

The long timers are sadly becoming memories in the town ranks. Filling the loss of a great man and Chief like Ken Clark can be minimalized by the appointment of Deputy Chief Slaman. He is passionate, loyal, driven and enthusiastic. Having worked with both Chief Clark and Deputy Chief Slaman, I can tell you that when it comes to an emergency situation, these are the 2 you want with you. Deputy is level headed, insightful and empowering. He is pedigreed. His grandfathers were Chiefs in Wellesley and Dover, his father was an extremely well regarded call firefighter in Hopkinton for probably 50 years. He has been with the department for probably 40 years in some capacity. He has been raised in the same fire station where he should now be Chief. He is a resident of Hopkinton, and has given much of his life to the town, most specifically, the fire department.

When Chief Clark was formally promoted to Chief, I was at the ceremony and spoke not as a firefighter but as a citizen. My comment was to the Selectmen stating how pleasantly surprised I was to see that they made the right choice in promoting Ken Clark to Chief. How anyone could vote against the permanent appointment of Deputy Slaman is beyond me. He was in a pool of 18 applicants. He was one of the last 2 remaining.

Regardless of why Chief Daugherty, whom I have also worked for, pulled out of consideration, Deputy Slaman has proven himself to everyone in the process that he is the man to be put in charge. Having spoken to many, many people in regards to this issue, I have not found one person who has not been amazed how ridiculous and embarrassing the Selectmen’s decision is.

I am deeply disappointed in the Selectmen who voted for the interim title for Deputy Chief Slaman and not permanent. With all that is wrong with the town, this was a no brainer, and the no-voters on the board have dropped the ball. As a citizen of Hopkinton, I will remember this when it comes to election time and hope that all others will do the same. We need more common sense on the board and less posturing.

Thank you,

Brendan Tedstone
45A Pleasant St., Hopkinton, MA
Ex Call-Firefighter, Town of Hopkinton

December 24, 2015

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24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748  508.435.5534
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Updated: February 27, 2018 08:39:52 AM