Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Saturday, September 15, 2018 Community Events

• 10 am - 4 pm:  44th Annual Polyarts Festival, Hopkinton Town Common

• 10 am - 5 pm:  Marathon Quilt Guild Quilt Show, "Common Threads", Hopkinton Center for the Arts          

• 11 am - 2 pm:  Farewell to Center School - Closing ceremony at noon in Center School.

•   2 pm - 5 pm:  Woodsman's Show, Field 12, Hopkinton High School Athletic Fields

•   3 pm - 10 pm:  2nd Annual Hopkinton Family Day, Hopkinton Middle School/High School complex.

Parking at the Middle School/High School complex is recommended, or other municipal lots and permissible on street parking.  All events are within easy walking distance of each other.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

MSP FUGITIVE UNIT, LOCAL OFFICERS ARREST MAN ON FIREARM, DRUG CHARGES AFTER PURSUIT

NORTON August 11, 2018—State Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, with assistance from Norton Police and Raynham Police detectives, today arrested a fugitive wanted on firearms and drug charges, after pursuing the man by car and on foot.

THOMAS HOLLAND of Taunton, who turns 32 on Saturday [today], was wanted in connection with a Manchester, N.H., shooting last September; for waving a firearm at people on Taunton Green on June 2 and then kicking in the door of an apartment in an attempt to evade arrest; and in connection with a large amount of crack cocaine Danvers Police recovered in a motel from which HOLLAND had just fled on Aug. 1.

HOLLAND was arrested in the Taunton incident in June after police found him hiding in a shower in the apartment he forced his way into. However a bail clerk set bail at the station, he made bail, and failed to show up for his arraignment in Taunton District Court.

Troopers from the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section began looking for HOLLAND and developed information that led them to establish surveillance today at a hotel in Norton.

At 4:45 p.m. Troopers and Norton and Raynham detectives observed HOLLAND and a woman in a vehicle in the hotel’s parking lot. Troopers and Officers tried to stop the vehicle, which was operated by the woman with HOLLAND in the passenger seat,  before it approached Bay Street at Route 495 in Taunton. Police boxed in the vehicle, which then backed into a cruiser as the Troopers and  Officers tried to get to the occupants.

The suspect vehicle as able to drive away and flee, striking an unmarked Norton Police cruiser. Police attempted to stop traffic on Bay Street to prevent a crash while still trying to block the vehicle. while A pursuit ensued with the vehicle then intentionally striking a Norton Police Detective Cruiser. Involved officers attempted to stop traffic at the Bay Street intersection to prevent an accident and attempt to block the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle then drove at another cruiser, then onto the ramp to Route 495 southbound. The suspect vehicle was traveling in all travel lanes and the breakdown lane at high rates of speed. The vehicle exited at Route 138 then entered onto 495 again.

Traffic got heavy before the exit to Route 24; HOLLAND jumped out of the car and ran north on 495, attempting to open doors of and get into vehicles in stopped in traffic.

All Troopers and Officers converged on HOLLAND and arrested him without further incident in the middle lane of Route 495. He was charged with the warrants stemming from the three above listed incidents as well as new charges of resisting arrest and attempted carjacking.

The woman driving the vehicle, BRITTANY PASTERNAK of Somerset, also was arrested for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of property.

State Police Arrest Three in Auburn for Trafficking Cocaine after Violent Struggle with Troopers

August 10, 2018 -- On Wednesday at about 7:30 p.m., Trooper Joseph Flynn assigned to State Police Barracks in Holden was on patrol on Route 290 East when he observed the driver of an Acura TSX commit motor vehicle violations. Trooper Flynn stopped the vehicle, with three occupants, at mile marker 3 in Auburn.

Trooper Gregory Zanni assisted Trooper Flynn during the motor stop. The operator was identified as CARLOS MARTINEZ, 42, and the rear passenger as JAMES EVANS, 28, both from Bronx, NY. The front passenger was identified as JOY GREEN, 38 of Dexter, Maine.

As the troopers spoke with the occupants, EVANS was observed moving around in the backseat and was asked to exit the vehicle. Trooper Flynn attempted to pat frisk EVANS for weapons but EVANS began to pull his arms away and turn his body to free himself. Trooper Flynn performed a takedown maneuver bringing EVANS, Trooper Zanni and himself to the ground.

EVANS continued to resist in an apparent attempt to prevent Troopers from removing a package of narcotics he was concealing in his pants. The struggle continued for several moments before Trooper Zanni administered several bursts of OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray, but the spray had no effect on EVANS.

EVANS became more aggressive and continued to pull away from the Troopers with the narcotics now in his hand. Trooper Zanni removed his department issued Taser and after several verbal commands to stop resisting were ignored by the violent suspect, Trooper Zanni deployed – single five second drive stun to EVANS’ back.

Troopers were able to regain control of EVANS and remove the package from his hands. Through their training and experience, the white substance was believed to be cocaine, with a weight over 101 grams.

All three occupants were transported to the Holden Barracks for booking and charged with Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws.

EVANS was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest and Failure to wear a Seatbelt.

Subsequent investigation by Trooper Flynn revealed another a plastic bag containing cocaine and weighed 61.3 grams believed to previously have been in EVANS’ possession.

The arrested parties were arraigned in Worcester District Court on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the day before the incident, Trooper Flynn attended training with Pro Active Criminal Enforcement (PACE), a program that provides continuing training in drug trafficking interdiction for law enforcement officers.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Novelist Elizabeth Berg sponsored by Friends of the Library

Noon, August 7 2018

Novelist Elizabeth Berg will be speaking in the large event room August 7th at 12:00 PM. She is the author of many notable books including her most recent novel, The Story of Arthur Trulov, and one Oprah's Book Club novels, Open House. Currently on tour in New England, she has had a successful career as a novelist after spending years in nursing where she learned through her patients about their hopes and fears as well as relationships. For more information on Elizabeth Berg, go to www.elizabeth-berg.net .

Canty's Underdog Scholarship for 2018

We would like to announce the winners of the Canty's Underdog Scholarship for 2018. This scholarship was created in memory of Brad Canty, Class of 2018. Brad had to work harder than most due to gastrointestinal and immune issues, causing him frequent school absences. This did not take away from him being a thoughtful, kind, compassionate  young man who would go out of his way to make someone else's day better.

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize students  who have demonstrated good character, kindness and empathy towards others. Applicants may have overcome health challenges or had to work really hard on school work and/or overcome obstacles. This scholarship is for students that may have gone unrecognized while in high school. We saw you!

Congratulations to the following recipients who each received $1500 : Padraic Buckley, Sean Herlihy, Ellen Micallef, Peter Morse, Grace Nealon, Brenna Pettepit, Mallory Peishoff, Julia Pillarella, Olivia Rosen, and Alex Sanchez. 

Congratulations to each  recipient and wishes of success for all.

This scholarship will continue to be part of Hopkinton as long as we can sustain it. Everyone deserves to be seen! The Scholarship has been added to Amazonsmile for those who wish to continue to support this scholarship. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/82-2915677

Thank you to everyone who has supported this scholarship.

Sincerely,

The Canty Family

For those who prefer to donate by check:

Shaun Michael Coffey, 47

Shaun Michael Coffey, 47, of Hopkinton, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2018 after being stricken at home of a massive heart attack. Born in Framingham, he was the son of Judith A. (Cain) and Peter M. Coffey of Hopkinton.

Mr. Coffey’s obituary and arrangements are still pending at this time and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com

What to do before a Tornado strikes:

Although severe tornadoes are rare in Massachusetts, in recent years we have experienced a number of tornadic events, most recently including Upton last week and Webster today. Therefore, it is important that all residents and visitors of Hopkinton learn how to take safety precautions to avoid injury and minimize property damage if we are impacted by a tornado. [Amateur video of today's Webster storm here. Caution on raw language]

• Be informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during, and after emergencies. Download the Massachusetts Alerts app.

•  

• Create and review your family emergency plan.

   

  • Identify safe locations to take shelter where your family spends time, such as your home, your workplace, public buildings, nursing homes, shopping centers, and schools.

  •  

  • Determine safe locations to seek shelter, such as basements or storm cellars. If an underground location is not available, choose an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

  •  

  • Be sure everyone in your household knows these shelter locations.

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• Assemble an emergency kit.

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• Make a record of your personal property by taking photos/videos of your belongings. Store these records in a safe place.

Plan ahead for disaster: For more information go to www.ready.gov

~ Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Stephen T. Slaman

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

JURY CONVICTS HOME HEALTH AGENCY OWNER ON ALL CHARGES FOR STEALING MILLIONS FROM MASSHEALTH

    BOSTON – After a nine-day jury trial, the owner of a Boston-based home health agency has been convicted on seven charges of Medicaid Fraud and Larceny for stealing millions from the State’s Medicaid Program (MassHealth), Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Elena Kurbatzky, age 45, of Boston, was convicted after a jury trial in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of Medicaid False Claims (3 counts), Larceny over $250 by False Pretenses (3 counts), and Medicaid Member Eligibility Fraud (1 count). Kurbatzky is scheduled to be sentenced on August 7 at 2 p.m. in Suffolk Superior Court.

Kurbatzky was indicted in 2017 after an investigation by the AG’s Office. That investigation found that between February 2015 and October 2016, Kurbatzky’s company, Harmony Home Health Care, LLC (Harmony), billed MassHealth for in-home services allegedly provided to 38 patients, most of which were not provided and/or not authorized. Some of those services were billed while the nurses who were allegedly providing the services were traveling internationally, including Kurbatzky herself.

At trial, the AG’s office proved that Harmony fraudulently billed MassHealth for services it did not provide, including billing for nurses that the company claimed were providing services to several patients at different locations at the exact same time.

Harmony also billed MassHealth for services that were not authorized by physicians and, in many cases, forged physician signatures on the patient plans of care in an attempt to show these services were authorized. Kurbatzky also billed for physical, occupational, and speech therapy for the majority of Harmony’s MassHealth patients even though the services were not authorized by the patients’ physicians and Harmony did not employ licensed therapists to perform the alleged services.

Kurbatzky was also a MassHealth member herself, failing to disclose that she was paid $2.6 million by Harmony over two years to make herself eligible for the program. She then billed MassHealth for services she purportedly received from Harmony that were not authorized by a physician.

The AG’s Office began an investigation after the matter was referred by MassHealth, which suspected misconduct and fraudulent billing practices.

AG Healey’s Office has established itself nationally as a leader in the fight against fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicaid program. The office’s Medicaid Fraud Division works to prevent and prosecute provider fraud and violations of state law pertaining to the administration of the Medicaid Program, returning $45 million to MassHealth in 2017 alone.

Members of the public who are aware of similar practices by other physicians or health care providers should call the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division at (617) 963-2360 or file a complaint through the Attorney General’s website.

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Jennifer Goldstein and Kevin Lownds and Investigator Christine Baker, Investigations Supervisor Christopher Cecchini, Investigators Megan Corrigan, Patricia Ruiz, and Ruth Zeltzer, all of AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, Victim Witness Advocate Amber Anderson of the AG’s Victim Services Division, and the Office of the Inspector General. During the fraud investigation and at trial, MassHealth provided invaluable assistance during the fraud investigation.

Milford Regional Medical Center Recognized

for Higher Quality in Bariatric Surgery

MILFORD - August 3, 2018 -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has recognized Milford Regional Medical Center with a Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.

To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation, a health care facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. A health care facility must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels.

In 2017, the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program expanded to include not only the type of service provided, but also the site of care. Healthcare facilities were evaluated as either a comprehensive center or as an ambulatory surgery center. Milford Regional is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for bariatric surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies across the nation have recognized more than 550 health care facilities as Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery. Health care facilities recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of publicly available quality information and cost measures derived from BCBS companies’ medical claims.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Fay School to Open New Dorm in Fall

August 3, 2018 -- Fay is delighted to announce the opening of a new dormitory on campus this fall! The dorm, which is currently being referred to as West House, is located at the west end of campus, adjacent to the Village Dorms. Since purchasing the property back in 2007, Fay has used the space for faculty housing, but this summer, it is being gutted, expanded, and renovated for student use. When it became apparent that there was an opportunity to use the building to improve Fay’s residential life program, Head of School Rob Gustavson and Director of Advancement Ann Wardwell set out to raise the $1.5 million needed to convert the building. Due to an overwhelming and generous response from members of the Fay community, the money was raised by winter of 2018, making it possible for the dorm to be open by this fall.
 
Ann Wardwell notes that Fay’s Facilities Committee, which includes trustees Jim Shay ’78, P’15, ’17, Ann Laquerre P’16, Brendon Giblin ’92, P’21, ’25, ’28, Bill Picardi P’92, Albert Ting ’87, and Harvey Steinberg GP’02, ’05, ’14, ’15, has been instrumental in the success of the project.
 
When complete, the final space will be nearly 7,000 square feet, with 11 student rooms (singles and doubles), two faculty apartments, four student bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a spacious common area. The view won’t be too bad, either, with large windows facing out onto the Parkerville fields and the Sudbury Reservoir.

This fall, the dorm will be home to 18 8th and 9th grade boarding students, as well as faculty members/dorm parents Katie Frazzette and Heidi Qua.
 
While the number of dormitories on campus is increasing, the number of boarders is not. “The new dorm gives us more flexibility in making sure that every boarder can enjoy an optimal housing experience,” explains Alan Clarance, Director of Finance and Operations. “In this way, the entire boarding community will benefit.” ~ From Fay News

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Adelaide Ruth Schuster, 6,

Adelaide Ruth Schuster, 6, of Hopkinton, passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2018 from complications related to a rare neurological disease. Adelaide spent her final days peacefully at home surrounded by family and many friends. She is now with the Lord and great-grandparents in Heaven and is able to do all the things she was previously unable to do.

Loved and cared by all that met her, she loved music, going to school with wonderful friends, teachers, and therapists, as well as travel, and to be held close.

She is survived by her parents, Lars and Elizabeth Schuster; siblings Charlotte and Levi; grandparents Gary and Martha Bunkers of Lakeville, Minnesota as well as Wesley and Dawn Schuster of St. Helena Island, South Carolina. She also leaves behind a large extended family of uncles, aunts, and cousins from California, Minnesota, Texas, and Virginia.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton, on Saturday, August 4th with time still pending. A reception to celebrate Adelaide’s life and memory will be held at the Hopkinton Country Club directly following mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Adelaide’s memory may be made to the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, 112 Main St. Hopkinton, MA 01748 ( www.Hopkintonrespite.com/ ), or The Campus School at Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave. Campion Hall Rm. 197 Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. These are special places filled with compassion, care, and dignity for all people regardless of abilities or background. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com

 Motor Vehicle Stop in Fitchburg Leads to Arrest for Trafficking in Heroin and Cocaine

Today, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to the Gang Unit observed a Blue Hyundai Santa Fe fail to stop at Cody Road and Route 31 in Westminster. The Santa Fe was stopped as it approached Route 2 in Fitchburg.

The operator was identified as JORGE ROSADO, 29 of Providence Rhode Island. ROSADO had a suspended license and was placed in custody.

As a result of an investigation 86 grams of Heroin, 26 grams of Cocaine and $1,546 in cash were located.

ROSADO was placed under arrest and was transported to the Leominster Barracks, where he was booked. Bail was set at $10,000.

ROSADO was charged with the following offenses:

• Trafficking Class B (cocaine);

• Trafficking Class A (Heroin);

• Operation Motor Vehicle with Suspended License

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners

and the surrounding Communities.

Statement on Tewksbury Crash

TEWKSBURY— Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Tewksbury Chief of Police Timothy Sheehan have confirmed that a 7-year-old male was struck today while riding his bike in Tewksbury. At approximately 5:00 p.m. Tewksbury Police responded to a report of a Cadillac XT5 striking a bicyclist on Pratt Street in Tewksbury. The child was med-flighted to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the motor vehicle remained on scene. This incident is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Tewksbury Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and no charges have been filed. No further information is being released at this time.