Working hard for Hopkinton
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> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Hopkinton Public Library
Partial Reopening
Have You Heard? We’ve
Reopened to the Public!
Here are some important things you need to know….
We are open for quick browsing from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on
weekdays.
Admittance through Church Street
doors.
A mask covering the nose and mouth is required.
There will be limited people allowed in the building at one
time.
Solo browsing is encouraged.
Services/areas not available at this time:
Computer Use
Study & Meeting
Rooms
All Seating
Children’s Play area
Bathrooms (except for emergencies)
Book returns should continue to be made at the outside book
return at
the Church Street entrance.
Curbside pickup and printing will continue.
Please continue
to visit our website for updates on services.
Upton VFW’s Run to Remember Going Virtual
Upton,
MA – VFW Post 5594 is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Run to
Remember 5K is going virtual for 2020! Participants will receive a
race bib and gaiter and can engage in either a walk or run category.
The Virtual Run to Remember will take place from Saturday, October
3rd through Sunday, October 11th.
According to Shawn Craig, Post Commander, “Like so many individuals,
businesses, and non-profits, our Post has been greatly affected by
the spread of COVID-19 and the CDC’s social distancing
recommendations. We were unable to bring the carnival to town last
spring, and then had to significantly delay our weekly Cruise Nights
this summer. It’s these fundraisers alongside our hall rentals that
support our community programs and services. I’m excited about going
virtual as it opens the event to our family, friends, and others who
may be living outside the area but still want to support our
efforts.”
Participants can register to run the 5K (3.1mi) or walk 2.25K
(1.4mi). Kids get their own Virtual Fun Run (from a 50-yard dash up
to 400 meters). The race honors all Active, Reserve, and Guard
members and veterans who served our country in the past. Each
participant is encouraged to wear the name of a veteran they wish to
honor. Runners submit their times using the honor system. Prizes
will be given (mailed) to 1st Place male and female 5K runners!
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
18 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748 Town of Hopkinton Community
Survey 2020
Dear Hopkinton
Resident:
The Town is
undertaking a survey of resident opinions about community and
services in collaboration with the National Research Center.
Your responses regarding the quality of services, public trust,
and community characteristics are extremely important to us. The
survey results may be used by staff, elected officials, and
other stakeholders for community planning and resource
allocation, program improvement, and policymaking.
The questionnaire is
available at http://bit.ly/opt2020hopkinton
and should take about 16 minutes to complete. If you need more
information regarding this survey, please contact the Town
Manager's office at 508-497-9700 or email
vdutta@hopkintonma.gov
Thank you for your
time and thoughtful feedback.
Regards.
Norman Khumalo
Town Manager
Town of Hopkinton
Crews will be working in the intersection of Wood and
West Main tomorrow starting at 7:00AM. The detour that was in place
last week will be used again. West bound traffic will be detoured
down Wood, up and Elm and out Lumber Street extension.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Regarding Sign Thefts
To the Editor:
The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee (HDTC) is deeply concerned
about reports of recent yard sign thefts. We believe that whether
they support LGBTQ+ Pride, Defend or Defund the Police, or any
political candidate, yard signs represent the kind of civic
engagement that should be encouraged. Under no circumstances should
anyone enter someone’s property, remove their personal belongings,
and interfere with their right of freedom of expression.
As we approach what promises to be a contentious and spirited
election on November 3, the HDTC urges all Hopkinton residents to
obey the law and respect the property of others. We further request
that parents discuss with their children the importance of
responsible, productive civic engagement. Those who wish to find out
more about how to engage effectively in the political process should
contact the campaigns or the Town Committee of their choice.
Respectfully,
The members of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee
Thanks very much,
Amy Groves
2 College Street
The Letter "M" September 17, 2020 — Stretching on the common
on Tuesday.
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Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Shhh...
September 17, 2020 — The new bridge at the
entrance to Whisper Way, which will be home to more new upscale
homes, is looking pretty solid.
Hopkinton Police Incident Logs Assist female retrieve her belongings,
fraudulent phone call, laptop stolen,
lawn sign stolen, call from not the police...
September 16, 2020 Existing arrest
The Goose Hokey-Pokey September 17, 2020 — "You put your left foot
in, you put your left foot in, you put your left foot in... repeat."
As seen from South Mill Street.
Mary Wise
Mary
Wise,
age 84, of Hopkinton, MA, formerly of Natick, passed away with her
family by her side on September 14, 2020, after entering hospice
care in early June.
Mary was born and
educated in Newton, graduating from Our Lady’s School, class of
1952. After graduation she worked at Raytheon where she met her
husband, Charles Wise. They moved to Natick where they lived for 30
years before moving to the Cape where her husband passed away
following his retirement.
Mary’s faith sustained her throughout her life. She was a devout
Catholic and was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in
Hopkinton for many years. She followed Catholic Television and
prayed the rosary daily. After retiring, she went on to do volunteer
work for many years for the Hopkinton School system, Senior Center,
and St. John’s Church. Mary had boundless energy, was a Bocce League
member, and a fierce card player. Always active, she loved
organizing, helping her children, the Red Sox, Bingo, Bowling and
attending church. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and Wordscape and
refused to pay for help on Candy Crush. Mary took great joy in
creating loving holiday memories for her family. She was the
daughter of the late Lucas and Concetta (Giacci) Taddeo, and the
wife of the late Charles M. Wise who passed in 1996.
She is survived by her children, Deborah Grant of N.C., and Arthur
Wise and Mimi Wise Auger, both of Hopkinton, MA. Mary is also
survived by her sisters Antoinette Piana of Canton, Rita Taddeo of
Ludlow, and Rose Taddeo of Newton. Mary was the grandmother of Emily
Boutin, Lucas and Jesse Wise, and Abigail Auger, and great
grandmother of Joseph Russo, Hazel Lisa Lyon, and Baylee and Tyler
Boutin, all of whom she loved and cherished. Mary comes from a large
family and was a loving aunt to her many wonderful nieces and
nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Frank and Lucas Taddeo
of Waltham in 2019, Dora Taddeo of Newton, and Yolanda Ferolito of
Watertown.
A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 25th at 10:30 am
at St. John the Evangelist in Hopkinton MA. All are welcome to
attend. Due to Covid concerns, a celebration of her life will be
postponed until further notice. Arrangements are under the care of
the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com/
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Red-breasted Nuthatch
September 17, 2020 — Thank you Julie Ford.
Wow!
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Unemployment fraud, injured bird in roadway,
DMV at Cumby's, assist individual picking up property,
Spring Street power outage...
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Homeowners and the surrounding
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Lykan Bioscience Mission Statement and Ribbon Cutting "It's truly to change people's lives.
And that's what we're going to do." — CEO Anthony Rotunno
September 15, 2020 — Above, Anthony Rotunno, Lykan Bioscience
CEO shows off the citations he just received from State
Representative Carolyn Dykema and State Senate President Karen
Spilka's offices today at Lykan Bioscience's 99 South Street
location, where town leaders and business people were treated
to introductions, a tour and lunch. Below, company executives
and guests help in the ribbon cutting. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
joined via a pre-recorded video message, in the background
above.
The company promises 125 new jobs and
received a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) for its endeavors.
Vice-President and General manager Matthew Treon led off the
speakers.
"Completion of this 64,000 square foot
facility is a significant milestone in the evolution of Lykan
Bioscience," he said. "A further commitment to manufacturing
lifesaving therapies for our partners and their patients.
"We were determined to consolidate our
expertise with cell and gene therapy manufacturing to provide a
true end to end solution..."
Chair of the Hopkinton Select Board Brendan
Tedstone noted a partnership between the town, the state, and
Lykan that brought the opening to completion. He also noted that
the high school science leaders would look forward to working
with them on STEM projects.
Mr. Rotunno spoke of the work like a mission.
"These new therapies are life changing and sometimes life
saving.
"That's why I had a moral responsibility to put my team
together. To save lives, not to make money," he said. "Although
people will make money," he added.
Hopkinton Police Incident Log
Caller hit on Pike, Harassment Prevention Order,
2-car w/injury, erratic operation,
arrest for OUI & Marked Lanes Violation,
Nazneen neighbor speeding, mailbox stolen,
hit deer, disturbance on Rosewood,
strange noises...
September 14, 2020 One new arrest
Hopkinton Fuel Assistance
The Outreach Department at the Senior Center, 28
Mayhew Street, is assisting residents of all ages with applications
to SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council) for fuel assistance
for the upcoming home heating season, if state income guidelines
are met. A household of one, $39,105; household of two, $51,137;
etc. Please phone 508-497-9730 for more information or to make an
appointment.
Silly Signs, All Over Town
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
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Women's Club Runner
Dawn Barnes running her individual marathon
for the Hopkinton Women's Club, which is celebrating 100 years of
service and women's cultural enrichment. THANKS DAWN!!!"
She is donating all the money she raised to the club and we are
thrilled and would love you help in thanking her and letting people
know about our 100th!
Contributed content
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School Committee Makes "...last best offer." to HTA
HOPKINTON,
MASSACHUSETTS – September
14, 2020 — The Hopkinton
School Committee tonight made a last best offer to the Hopkinton
Teachers Association
(HTA) regarding a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) related to working
conditions and school-year expectations as
we return to school during the pandemic.
Hopkinton
Public Schools will
open with a hybrid learning model on Wednesday, September 16 that is
based on the district’s
reopening plan. The plan was thoughtfully compiled by a number
of stakeholders, including members of the HTA. Informed by
scientific data, the plan attends to the health, safety and
well-being of everyone in the school community. Uppermost in our
mind, as ever, are the needs of our students. In concert with the
members of the RAG, we decided upon a hybrid model which calls for 75%
of the district's students to attend school in-person on an
every-other day basis.
On September 9,
2020, the HTA membership rejected a proposal which had been
tentatively endorsed by HTA leadership at the bargaining table on
September 4th.
We believe the rejection was in large part because the
agreement included a plan to live-stream a small group of classes to
145 elected-remote high school general education students, and it
also provided live-streaming to fulfill the needs
of some remote special education students.
"We have worked collaboratively
and at length with the HTA to address with care the union concerns
regarding safety, childcare for teachers, flexibility in work
location, and remote instruction for a hybrid reopening. We have
heard and care deeply about the teachers' concerns,” said Amanda Fargiano,
Chairperson of the Hopkinton School Committee [photo].
“While in-person instruction is
ideal, we know that some students and families have health and other
concerns that guided their decisions to elect remote learning.
To ensure these students have access to our outstanding Hopkinton
teachers and their classmates through live streaming, we offered the
union both technical support and an additional stipend.
"We
hope the HTA will approve the MOA and recognize how
important live-streaming is for this small number of students who
must 1) be able to stay connected to Hopkinton High School (HHS),
its teachers and students, 2) continue learning
progressions established in HHS and preserve the ability to return
to HHS classes seamlessly next year, and 3) maintain the option to
transition to in-person hybrid learning and rejoin classmates later
in the year as conditions allow.”
Contributed press release.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Smile in the Sky
September 14, 2020 — Thanks to John Sherffius
for sharing this upside-down rainbow today, and for researching what
he calls a circumzenithal arc.
Hopkinton Police Incident Logs Loud music from boat at 4:00 am, male w/red
backpack
trying to entice resident to go on walks, wallet lost, wallet found,
picture of someone taking a picture, speeding and passing,
500 houses w/o power, car vs motorcycle, large party on
Elizabeth Road in violation, male causing scene,
wandering mule, 50 cars gathered illegally via social media for loud
party on Parkwood Drive at 2:00 am -
mutual aid from Milford, Upton, State Police...
September 14, 2020 — Two Black Hawk birds
flew over the Start of the Boston Marathon at exactly 10:00 am this
morning in Hopkinton to celebrate the virtual marathon that many are
participating in this year. Above, inbound over Main Street and
below, passing over the BAA building on their way to Boston.
Counting Blue Turtles September 14, 2002 — On Bloods Pond on
Sunday.
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Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Radishes and Facemasks
September 13, 2020 — The Hopkinton Farmers'
Market did a brisk business today with everyone social distancing
and wearing face coverings. Good job, people!
Below, Rita Doucette will turn 100 years-old on September 25, 2020
and celebrate at Fairview Estates. Her daughter-in-law and son, Cece
and Stephen are behind her in the photo, getting ready to shop the
farmers' market.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
What Drought? September 13, 2020 — The black line in the
photo at Hopkinton Reservoir indicates the usual high-water mark.
Hee Haw September 13, 2020 — On Pond Street today.
Shake it! September 13, 2020 — A Canada goose creating
its own little whirlpool on Blood's Pond today.
Boston Bound September 13, 2020 — This T commuter rail
takes off from the Southborough station over the Route 85 bridge,
just feet from the Hopkinton town line with several cars trailing.
Although at first glance it appears the engineer is looking at the
camera, he is likely looking at the side/rear view truck-type mirror
attached outside.
Best Wishes for Jack September 13, 2020 — The Hopkinton
Police Department stands with and supports Jack Spector in his fight
against cancer. Good luck with your battle and with 4th grade this
year. ~
from HPD facebook
Town Meeting 2020 Legacy Farms Road North Approved!
Budget, Just Shy of $100,000,000, Passes
September 12, 2020 — Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting was held in
the former bus loop beside Hopkinton High School this morning.
All of the Planning Board/zoning articles were deferred until
next May at the 2021 Town Meeting.
The
first Article under major consideration, moved to the top of the
order by vote, was Article 19, which the assembly voted to take
no action.
Article 20 was a citizens' petition to purchase the former
Liberty Mutual land off of Frankland Road. Town Counsel Ray
Miyares noted that the project could be moved forward by next
May's Town Meeting; and also noted that the land's value can
increase with each new permit or improvement. The meeting voted
to authorize the Select Board to negotiate a purchase price with
the owners.
Town Clerk Connor Degan got a raise through Article 5.
[During the last few Articles of the Town Meeting YouTube
broadcast, the audio became unintelligible. We thank Town Clerk
Connor Degan for keeping notes and filling us in.]
The town budget, just shy of $100 million, got passed
without much fanfare or opposition. The portion of the School
Department was $51,206,402, which represents a 6.6% increase,
said Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, down from her original
budget increase of 8.9%, she added.
Article 10 passed easily, and gives the Select Board the
authority to lease a parcel of land on East Main Street for 99
years to an International Marathon Center, the brainchild of
26.2 Foundation founder Timothy Kilduff.
Among the Article 11 Community Preservation Funds approved was
$400,000 for the Terry Family Farmhouse, part of the Hopkinton
Center for the Arts, to be restored.
Article 21 was of grave concern for a few days, after pesticide
residue was discovered in dust on a window sill in the
neighborhood, and threatened to scuttle the entire thing. The
Legacy Farms North roadway was approved by Town Meeting after
the motion was altered to remove some of the contingency
language, because the parties had come to an agreement.
Hopkinton Annual Town Meeting 2020Hopkinton
Town Meeting - It All Starts Here<<---Click
for docs and more!)
Report being written as we speak. We'll alert on facebook when
complete.
Be sure you are signed up!
Chris Etre of Upton Awarded the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for
Civilian Bravery
BOSTON
— Today, in a virtual ceremony commemorating the nineteenth
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Baker-Polito Administration
presented the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery to
49-year-old Chris Etre of Upton who rescued a woman from a submerged
car in December 2019. This annual award honors a civilian who
demonstrates exceptional bravery, without regard for personal
safety, to save the life of another in actual, imminent danger.
At 10:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2019, in the area of Worcester
Street and Wheeler Road in Grafton, Etre observed a car driving at a
very high speed down a steep hill. The vehicle struck a patch of
black ice, spun off the road, and jumped over an embankment into the
Quinsigamond River. While a teenage male escaped the vehicle, a
female teenager was trapped in the sinking car. Etre entered the
water and, using a wrench from his car, broke the passenger window
to free the victim and guide her to safety through freezing water to
the shore. Police, fire, and EMS personnel responded to the scene
and found the car fully submerged and empty. Both teenagers were
taken to UMass Memorial Hospital for evaluation and found without
serious injury.
“Putting his own life at risk, Chris Etre personified the selfless
courage we remember Madeline ‘Amy’ Sweeney for,” said Governor
Charlie Baker. “In the face of life-threatening danger, he acted
quickly and decisively to bring a stranger to safety and is an
inspirational example of her legacy. ”
Known as “Amy,” Ms. Sweeney was an American Airlines flight
attendant for 14 years. She lived in Acton, Massachusetts with her
husband, Michael Sweeney, and their two small children. On September
11, 2001, she was killed aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the
first of two aircraft hijacked by terrorists and flown into the Twin
Towers of the World Trade Center. Before the plane hit the North
Tower, Sweeney contacted the airline’s ground services crew to
convey critical information about the hijackers and their actions on
the plane that morning. It is for her heroism and the 2,977 victims
of September 11, 2001, that this award was created.
“Nineteen years ago, Amy Sweeney’s extraordinary bravery saved
countless lives,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Heroes
like Chris Etre remind us each and every day of the incredible
sacrifice that Amy and so many others made on September 11, 2001.”
“The award in Amy Sweeney’s name is one of the highest honors the
Commonwealth can bestow,” said Secretary of Public Safety and
Security Thomas Turco. “This year, it honors her memory by
recognizing Chris Etre and the actions he took to save a life even
at great personal risk. Every second counts in these incidents and I
thank Mr. Etre on behalf of the public safety community.”
Etre was nominated for the award by Senator Michael O. Moore,
Representative David Muradian, and Grafton Police Chief Normand A.
Crepeau, Jr. He was selected by the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for
Civilian Bravery Selection Committee, which is chaired by Lt.
Governor Polito.
“Chris Etre’s quick action to save a young teenager from certain
death in icy waters was exactly the kind of heroic and selfless act
that the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery aims to
honor,” said Senator Moore. “Chris deserves to be honored for his
bravery in a situation which certainly placed him in imminent danger
and could have resulted in the loss of a young life.”
“After hearing of his heroic actions, I knew it would be an honor to
nominate Chris Etre for the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award to recognize
his civilian bravery,” said Representative Muradian. “Chris’
selfless actions reflect his putting-people-first mentality that he
has always exuded, and I can say with great confidence that the
world would be a better place if there were more individuals who,
under such distress when presented this unfolding horror in front of
them, responded with the calm, courageous and selfless actions that
Chris Etre displayed.”
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Defend the Police Rally
September 11, 2020 — We were alerted to a "Defend the Police" rally
in Northbridge by a Hopkinton facebook group, and so went to take a
look. And got a sign!
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
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In an Instant
September 11, 2001, long before, and long afterward.
Photos from Robert Hole and Sheila Zarba-Campbell.
Troopers Arrest Man for Possession of Stolen Firearm
Just
before 6 p.m. yesterday Trooper John Heavey, along with his
field training officer, Trooper Jeffrey Lang, were on patrol
assigned to State Police-Weston. While monitoring traffic on
Route 90 at Exit 18 in Boston they observed a Honda Accord, with
extremely dark window tint, pass their location. Trooper Heavey
entered traffic and followed the vehicle until they reached a
safe location to conduct a motor vehicle stop. As they entered
Cambridge Street, Trooper Heavey activated the cruiser’s blue
lights and stopped the Honda.
As the vehicle was pulling over both Troopers observed the
operator duck out of sight. The Troopers immediately approached
the vehicle and observed the operator, later identified as KEVIN
GARCIA, 20, of Dorchester, crossing and leaning over his legs.
In fear that GARCIA may have been concealing a weapon, the
Troopers removed him from the vehicle, along with two other
occupants. After a pat frisk of the specific area the Troopers
observed GARCIA reaching, a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol, capable of
holding thirteen rounds in total, was located.
After it was determined GARCIA did not possess a license to
carry firearms, he was placed under arrest. The two other
occupants of the vehicle were cooperative and eventually
released from the scene with no charges. An electronic inquiry
of the serial number on the firearm revealed it was stolen from
New Hampshire earlier this year. Additionally, an inspection of
the vehicle’s windows revealed they had a transparency of only
11%.
GARCIA was transported to State Police-Weston for booking. A
bail commissioner was contacted and placed a bail amount of
$5,000 on GARCIA. GARCIA was able to post bail. He is expected
to be arraigned at Brighton District Court on the following
offenses:
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;
Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
Receiving Stolen Property, under $1200;
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device;
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card; and
Illegal Window Tint.
Working hard for Hopkinton
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Rose M. Scianna, 95
Rose
M. Scianna, 95, of Hopkinton, passed away September
10, 2020 at Timothy Daniels House in Holliston. Born in Natick, she
was the daughter of the late Immaculata (Paganuzzi) and Joseph
Ortenzi. She was the wife of 70 years to Nicholas P. Scianna of
Hopkinton (previously Natick).
Rose was a lifelong resident of Natick and graduated from Natick
High School in 1942. First and foremost she was a devoted homemaker
who was dedicated to her family. She loved to cook, bake, and
enjoyed creating beautiful crewel embroidery.
Besides her husband, Rose is survived by her children, Linda A.
Scianna of South Grafton, Joanne R. Scianna of Maynard, and Joseph
N. Scianna of Framingham. She also leaves behind her granddaughter,
Amy M. Jordan and her husband, Scott; her great-grandson, Casey N.
Jordan and her brother-in-law, Louis J. Scianna and his wife, Joanne
of Bonita Springs, Florida. She also leaves behind many nieces and
nephews. She is predeceased by her siblings, Joseph Ortenzi, Nick
Ortenzi, and Angela Rotelli.
Funeral services will be held privately with family and are under
the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton,
www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers donations
can be made to a charity of your choice.
Hopkinton Police Incident Logs Flickering ornament, motor vehicle into
mailbox and pole,
dogs running loose, family matter involving money,
road rage, speeding BMW, beach-
goers sent on their way,
cars crowding C Street...
September 9, 2020
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
A Happy Space September 9, 2020 — Somewhere in Hopkinton.
COVID-19 Update September 9, 2020
Town Meeting Annual Town Meeting - REMINDER Annual Town
Meeting will be held on Saturday September 12, 2020 at 9:30
AM at the Hopkinton High School in the “old bus
loop” area. There will be one large tent, able to
accommodate 200 people with socially distanced seating. Families, or
those residing in the same household, will not be exempt from the
socially distanced seating arrangements - and so we ask for your
cooperation in not moving or relocating chairs. There will be
additional seating outside the tent, for overflow, should
attendance be over 200. Members of the Hopkinton Emergency
Management Team, and Public Safety, will be on hand to usher and
direct residents for parking and registration. In the event
of severe inclement weather, the rain date will be Sunday September
13, 2020 at 1:00 PM. More details will be forthcoming.
Additional documentation can be found
here, at Hopkinton’s ATM20 webpage.
At the Hopkinton High School (former) Bus Loop
Under the Tent
MOA between District and Teachers Hopkinton Public Schools -
NEW UPDATEThe District and the
Hopkinton Teachers Association have reached a tentative Memorandum
of Agreement; pending its ratification and School Committee
approval, the district will be well poised for reentry on September
16, 2020. Signage, tents, hand sanitizer, and more are in
place--ready for reopening! See full COVID-19 : 9-9-2020 Update
Here
It isn't too late to have
your
dreams come true, too, from Scott's Landscaping or Thomson
Architects (or both).
Golden Wreaths
September 9, 2020 —
L to R, Michael Neece, Chairman 26.2 Foundation, Brendan Tedstone,
Chairman Select Board, Nick Ypsilantis, President of the Alpha Omega
Council of Boston, Timothy Kilduff, founder of the 26.2 Foundation
and Stratos Efthymiou, Consul General of Greece in Boston pose in
front of the late Mico Kaufmann's sculpture, Spirit of the
Marathon on East Main Street. Photo by Bruce MacDonald.
Main Street Corridor
Project: Bid Opening Begins Contractor Selection Process
HOPKINTON,
MA (September 8, 2020) - Bids for Hopkinton’s Main Street Corridor
project were opened by MassDOT on September 1, marking the beginning
of the process that will result in the selection of the project’s
contractor. Early good news is that the first and second lowest
bidders were within $500 and the apparent low bidder was $500,000
lower than the engineer’s estimate.
Moving forward this week, VHB, the town’s
engineering consultant, will review the bids and coordinate with
MassDOT on the award, sending them a letter of recommendation. After
the notice of award is made by MassDOT, the project will move into
the construction phase. A press release will be sent out by the Town
to announce the selected contractor and the proposed start date.
“We are pleased to have opened bids with
such positive results as the project moves towards its construction
phase,” said Town Manager Norman Khumalo. “With the selection of a
contractor by MassDOT to follow, the project continues to progress,
moving the town closer to its goal of improving roadway safety for
vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and reducing congestion
throughout Hopkinton’s downtown corridor.”
At this time construction is anticipated
to begin in the Spring of 2021.
Hopkinton Police Incident Logs BMW key FOB lost, erratic operator passes
field sobriety tests, damage to mailbox, wallet in mailbox, bat in
house, Amazon driver over a ledge, OUI arrest...
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
HCA
Dance Studio
The HCA Dance Studio welcomes students of all ages and abilities
from around the MetroWest. Led by Director Jessica Wilson, the
studio is known for its high level of training and welcoming
environment where students are encouraged to take chances and learn.
Our instructors care about the whole student and are here to guide
and challenge them. The dance studio places an emphasis on the
classical ballet techniques passed down from the greats, but also
embraces the non-traditional dance student, including adults and
older teens who are looking for recreational classes in other areas
of dance. This fall all in-person classes (grades 1 and up) will
also be available in a virtual format for those students who prefer
to take a dance class from home.
The studio is not just a place to learn dance,
but also a place to meet wonderful people and build lasting
friendships. Together we explore, celebrate and promote the art of
dance.
Want to learn more? Contact Jessica Wilson at jessica@hopartscenter.org
to set up a phone or Zoom call and have all of your questions
answered.
Thank you for visiting the HCA Dance Studio. For more information on
a class, or for class placement assistance for your child, please contact
the studio today or check out our Dance
FAQ, which answers many frequently asked questions.
Approval of Legacy North
Roadway Takes Detour
To be decided at 8:45 am Saturday meeting before ATM
by Robert Falcione
September 8, 2020 —
Pesky pesticides became an eleventh hour issue at this evening's
meeting of the Select Board convened largely to approve
the Legacy Farm North Road. The road itself is within a 50' wide
right-of-way, but where the offending pesticides are located was
not articulated at this meeting.
At the last meeting, the board insisted
that developer Roy MacDowell complete a punch list of items that
he estimated would cost him around $10,000. After completion,
the board would vote to ask Town Meeting on Saturday to approve
the roadway. School buses would then be covered by motor vehicle
insurance and Mr. MacDowell will get his $776,581 bond freed up.
However, Mr. MacDowell said he
was "blindsided" today with a letter from the town insisting
that he indemnify the town from any actions resulting from the
finding of pesticides [dieldrin]
"on the road."
Mr. MacDowell said that the entire roadway was stripped and
built with new soils.
He explained that the
entire site has been sampled for pesticides, and he can make
those results available. But how could it possibly harm the
town?
DPW Director John Westerling was on hand. He explained that the
soil, if there is any that is contaminated, would need to be
removed and hauled out of the region. He said there is no place
in New England that does that work.
Mr. MacDowell expressed concern that the discovery and
mitigation could have "... a de-valuing effect on all those
homes."
Health Director Shaun McAuliffe said that his concern was for
protecting the town.
Mr. MacDowell said, "As long as it is below reportable levels,
it is not construed a danger."
The board agreed that Town Counsel Ray Miyares and counsel for
Roy MacDowell, Bryan Connolly, should try to agree to agree to
something that may extend past Saturday's Town Meeting, and pass
the Article.
The board plans to meet before Town Meeting at 8:45 am Saturday
to take a position on the Article approving the street, after
hearing from the attorneys.
Below, the view looking up the
hill to Legacy North.
"Last One"
September 8, 2020 — The Select Board will
hear from the town's peer review specialists, BETA this evening,
who will report on the progress of the Legacy Farm Road North
punch list of items that needed completion in order to accept
the roadway at Town Meeting on Saturday. Above, Erick Swenson,
who works for Baystone Development, pauses to say hello this
afternoon as he clears out a drainage conduit.
When asked how many items were left on the list, he
said, "This is the last one."
If Town
Meeting accepts the 8,376' roadway, it will be accessible for
school buses, the developer will get his $776,581 bond released,
and everybody wins.
The Select
Board will be voting on whether to recommend acceptance this
evening. Meeting begins at 6:00 pm on ZOOM.
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Cyber harassment referred to FBI,
illegal dumping, SS fraud,
citizens speak to chief regarding
harassing social media posts,
hoards entering restaurant on Cedar Street,
neighbor bothering him and service dog,
deceased deer in the middle of the road,
relative giving 15 year-old drugs...
Bullying? September 8, 2020 — Romance can sometimes
look like bullying, in the world of Canada geese. Thank you, Julie.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Almost Private Spot
September 8, 2020 — A fisherman enjoys some
casts as local boaters passing by return the photographer's wave at
the West Main Street Causeway car top drop. The Town of Hopkinton
Sandy Beach is in the background, nearly aligned with the bow of the
boat. The shores of Lake Maspenock are lined with boat docks.
Detour on West Main, September 9, 2020
Please be advised that the water department will be working at the
intersection of Wood and West Main Street on Wednesday,
9/9/2020 starting at 8 AM.The
West Main Street, Westbound lane at the lights will be closed and
detoured down Wood Street and up Elm during the work. We ask you to
please plan ahead. ~Eric Carty, Water-Sewer Mgr.
Increased Activity September 8, 2020 — Anecdotal observations
indicate that area police
departments are stepping up traffic enforcement, as more vehicles
are hitting the roads during this COVID-19 pandemic. Most observers
would agree that the police in the region backed off of the number
of patrols they had engaged in pre-COVID, but are now back on the
roads in full force. Above, Hopkinton Police Sgt. Timothy Brennan
checks a driver's paperwork on Main Street.
Real Estate Transactions for Hopkinton
New Transactions from August 24, 2020 to August 31, 2020
Choose Links to See Town's Property Card
September 7, 2020 — Two Canada geese
competing for best "Eagle-on-the-Back-of-a-Quarter" impression to an
uninterested audience at Bloods Pond.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Marathon Wreaths
September 7, 2020 — Stratos Efthymiou, Consul General of Greece in Boston, handing
wreath to Alpha Omega Council President Nick Ypsilantis. Four
golden wreaths that were to be presented to the winners of the
2020 Boston Marathon were instead presented to the B.A.A., the
New England Sports Museum, the Greek Consulate in Boston, and
the 26.2 Foundation. The marathon, in general, commemorates the
Battle of Marathon, which the Greeks won, ensuring that
democracy would continue.
Behind the subjects is The Starter, by Hopkinton
sculptor Michael Alfano, and commissioned by the 26.2
Foundation, a memorial to George V. Brown, whose family has
fired the starter's "pistol" continuously for decades.
Saying Farewell, for Now September 6, 2020 — Following calling hours
for 13 year-old Mason Lee, a Hopkinton Police cruiser led a couple
of dozen mourners' vehicles past several dozen blue balloons on the
route from Chesmore Funeral Home to Mt. Auburn Cemetery for the
funeral. Blue was undoubtedly Mason's favorite color. The Police
Department made a tribute noticeable on their sign, too, which
they posted on their facebook, below.
How Does Your Garden Grow? The "X" on the bottom of the post about 1/3
distance from the left side of the photo indicates the origin of the
near-90° angle that the wide-angle lens has nearly straightened out.
The left side of the X is on Main Street, the right side is on
Mayhew Street. Got a remarkable garden? How about sharing a photo?
Send to Editor@HopNews.com
I'll Splash Your Back, If You Splash Mine September 6, 2020 — Bloods Pond, absent of
geese in any large numbers for the last couple of fall
seasons, looks to be a desirable gathering spot before flying off to
wherever they go this year.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Off of the Road Vehicle
September 6, 2020 — This vehicle
went off of the roadway on Oakhurst Road, and landed with its front
end elevated and unable to get its front paws onto the roadway for
traction. Nothing a winch can't fix.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Choices
September 6, 2020 — Next to the fire, under
the stars, under an umbrella, in the dining room or under the tent;
MAZI has many locations from which to enjoy the atmosphere, the food
and the entertainment. Hopkinton's Rob Scarpato can be seen inside
on the left, in front of the microphone stand. The fine folks at
Bill's Pizzeria have entered this venture with chef cooked
meals from scratch and a beverage menu to match. MAZI is located
in Ashland across from Shaw's. Bill's Pizzeria also has
entertainment every Saturday evening with a rotating cast of
musicians.
Worth the Trip September 6, 2020 — Sometimes a trip to
nearby farmland is worth the view, which this steed could not care
less about.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
A Little to the Left... September 6, 2020 — Thanks again to Julie
Ford for sharing this photo of a red-legged
grasshopper, who apparently enjoyed posing for the photo.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Getting Your Ducks Turkeys in a
Row September 5, 2020 — Thank you, Julie Ford.
More Chalk Art from Yesterday
September 4, 2020 — Please enjoy more
images from the artists who shared their talents at the high school.
Click to enlarge each one.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
TONIGHT
September 4, 2020 from Hopkinton Center for the Arts in Cyberspace!
First Friday
Open Mic Live on Facebook
Our fall line-up for the First Friday Open Mic Live on Facebook is
shaping up! Join us September 4 at 7:30 pm with host Jack Byrne and
feature Ella Atkinson! Sign up to perform or just tune in to enjoy
the music!
For first timers, they just have to request to "JOIN GROUP" and
then go to the link tonight to see the performances.
C
ontributed
content
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Hopkinton Police Incident Logs Fireworks on Center Trail,
gathering at Sandy Beach lot at 1:25 am - dispersed,
loose boxer, branch in road, identity theft,
lost wallet, well vandalism,
someone videotaping son and friend,
teen on roof of car, aggressive person
let dog off leash on trail.
September 1, 2020
September 2, 2020
September 3, 2020
More Chalk...
September 3, 2020 — Great color combinations,
great sentiments, great artwork, above at Hopkinton High School.
Click a thumbnail to enlarge. We'll have more tomorrow!
MORE...
Let's Chalk About Change!
September 3, 2020 — High School
student Sarah Levenson showed off her skills today, first at Walcott
Valley, above, and below, in front of Town Hall. Above, neighborhood
kids lined up to cast their shadows for when the sun came from
behind the clouds. We'll have much more from the High School after
dinner, at about 9:00 pm.
Let's Chalk About Change
April 3, 2020 —
Members of the Hopkinton Police Department will
be participating in "Lets Chalk About Change" event on September
2nd (Moved to today because of yesterday's rain), hosted by the
HHS Diversity Club. This event encourages members of the
community to speak up in support of equality, social justice,
and inclusion in our town.
Let's Chalk About Change, will showcase messages and artwork,
drawn in chalk, by Hopkinton residents and business owners and
displayed on their sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
Feel free to join us by creating your own artwork and sharing it
on our page! ~HPD
Thank to the HFD for sharing.
Great Job!
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Troopers Arrest Man with Firearm, Narcotics
CANTON, MA - At
approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday, Trooper Nidu Andrade and his
Field Training Officer, a member of the H Troop Community Action
Team, were on patrol traveling on Route 138 southbound in
Canton. As they were approaching Route 93 they observed a gray
Kia sedan traveling at a high rate of speed cutting off other
vehicles. The Troopers were able to catch up to the vehicle
after it got stuck behind slower moving traffic. As it entered
the on ramp to Route 93 the operator increased speed to
approximately 55 miles per hour where the posted speed limit is
35 mph. Trooper Andrade activated the cruiser’s emergency lights
and subsequently stopped it on Route 93 northbound prior to Exit
4.
After the vehicle stopped, the Troopers approached it and
attempted to identify the operator. After several minutes of
conversation, it was determined that the operator provided a
false name and date of birth with the intentions of concealing
his true identity. He was removed from the vehicle and
eventually identified as RICHARD WIGFALL, 30, of Holbrook. It
was determined on scene that WIGFALL’s driver’s license was
revoked for a prior charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under
the Influence of Alcohol. He was placed under arrest and seated
in the rear of Trooper Andrade’s cruiser.
After WIGFALL was secured the Troopers attempted to conduct an
inventory of his vehicle prior to it being towed from the scene.
During the inventory WIGFALL forcefully struck the interior
window of the cruiser he was seated in and shattered it.
Additional Troopers responded to the scene for assistance. Once
WIGFALL was under watch Troopers continued the inventory. They
located a loaded .380 caliber firearm with the serial defaced
rendering it unable to be traced. WIGFALL does not possess a
license to carry firearms. Troopers also located a small amount
of a white substance believed to be Cocaine along with an open
alcoholic beverage in the front cupholder.
Due to WIGFALL destroying the window on the first cruiser he was
transferred to another cruiser then transported to State
Police-Milton where he was booked. WIGFALL was able to post
bail. He is expected to be arraigned at Stoughton District Court
on the following offenses:
Possession of a Class B Substance;
Possession of a Firearm;
Possession of a Firearm with Defaced Serial Number;
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicle;
Failure to Identify to Police;
Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License, Subsequent
Offense;
Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle;
Marked Lanes Violation; and
Speeding.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
As
of today’s (9/2/20) weekly Public Health Report and
Community Level Data Reporting issued by the Commonwealth,
Hopkinton’s 14-day Average Daily Case Rate (per 100,000) remains
steady in the <4 cases per 100,000 (green rating). While Hopkinton
currently has zero active cases, most of the five new cases over the
past 14 days are attributed to travel. While Hopkinton, as a
community, continues to fare well - this is a reminder that we all
need to stay vigilant. A negative movement of the 14-day Average
Daily Case Rate (per 100,000) to 4-8 cases per 100,000 would move
Hopkinton into the yellow rating, and may negatively impact the
school reentry, reduce the likelihood of Fall sports and jeopardize
the health and wellness of the community.
Annual Town Meeting -
NEW DETAILS At their
meeting on Tue 8/18/2020, the Hopkinton Select Board voted to
reschedule Annual Town Meeting to Saturday September 12, 2020 at
9:30 AM. The location has been confirmed, and ATM will take place
outside at the Hopkinton High School in the “old bus loop” area.
There will be one large tent, able to accommodate 200 people with
socially distanced seating. Families, or those residing in the same
household, will not be exempt from the socially distanced seating
arrangements - and so we ask for your cooperation in not moving or
relocating chairs. There will be additional seating outside the
tent, for overflow, should attendance be over 200. Members of the
Hopkinton Emergency Management Team, and Public Safety, will be on
hand to usher and direct residents for parking and registration. The
High School building itself will remain closed to the 1 public
during this event. Portable restrooms will be onsite. In the event
of severe inclement weather, the rain date will be Sunday September
13, 2020 at 1:00 PM. More details will be forthcoming.
Mason
(Jennifer) Lee, 13, of Hopkinton, passed away
unexpectedly on Monday, September 1, 2020. Born in Guatemala City,
Guatemala, he was the child of Kim Henderson-Lee and Andrew Lee of
Hopkinton.
Mason was an outstanding student at Hopkinton Middle School, where
he had a small but close group of friends. Mason was an avid soccer
fan and player on the town Academy team, loved listening to music,
and took great pleasure in learning to play the guitar. He was also
an aspiring artist and writer and spent hours drawing pencil
sketches and writing fiction. He also enjoyed baking for his family
and reading.
Besides his parents, Mason leaves behind his brother, Gabriel Lee;
his grandparents, Joan Ruuska Warburton, Charles Warburton, Beverlee
Lee, Pam Henderson, and Fred Henderson; his aunts and uncles,
Matthew Lee, Nathaniel Lee, Bryan Anderson, Aimee Harmelink, and
Mark Henderson; and his cousins, Kathryn, Juliana, Alexander,
Griffin, Samson, Jacob, Leigha, Zach, and Josh.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 6th from 12:30-2:30
p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com
A funeral service will follow visitation at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Auburn
Cemetery, Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
MetroWest OUT ( https://outmetrowest.org/
) or Project Just Because (
http://projectjustbecause.org/
).
State Primary Results in
Hopkinton Markey wins over Kennedy statewide, and in
Hopkinton
Jesse Mermell, winner in Hopkinton for Fourth District says she is
waiting for final statewide counting. DemocratRepublican There were 10 ballots cast for the
Libertarian Party and 4 for the Green Party. Neither offered a
written candidate.
Select
Board Meets in Zoom
9/1/2020 September 2, 2020 — The Select Board starting
their Tuesday meeting with some complaints from the public regarding
letting people speak from anonymity. This came about as two
residents, fearful of retribution for speaking out, went before the
Select Board anonymously at a previous meeting and called for the
resignation of Planning Board member Muriel Kramer for her role as
the Treasurer of Massachusetts Bail Fund, which has bailed out
dangerous criminals who then reoffended while out on bail. Board
Vice-Chair Irfan Nasrullah also read two letters from people he
did not publicly identify.
However, at this week's
meeting, Mr. Nasrullah emphasized that those were not his words.
Board member Mary Jo LaFreniere
insisted that the board must "put together a policy with name and
address" on the letters.
Health Director Shaun McAuliffe (photo) was on hand and asked that parents
have the right discussions and acclimate their children to
wearing facemasks and social distancing, and put politics aside. He
also suggested parents with children returning for the holidays put
a plan in place.
He added that the department has been challenged by property owners
about jurisdiction on private wells, and suggested people being
sensible about the shared resource of water. "It's a
recommendation," he said.
Town Counsel Ray Miyares weighed in on a complaint by Darlene Hayes
that the anonymity of the meeting previously discussed was a
violation of the Open Meeting Law. He said it was not. However, he
suggested the board develop a policy.
The acceptance of Legacy Farms North Road is a Town Meeting
Article that must be passed if Developer Roy MacDowell is to receive
his $776,000 bond returned. Public Works Director John Westerling
said there is a punch list of items that must be completed before
the Select Board can recommend passage of the article. They will
confirm that the punch list has been completed next Tuesday.
Mr. MacDowell said there is only about $10,000 worth of work left to
be done.
Once the roadway is accepted, school buses can pick up children
along that spine road, something they are currently unable to do.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
In Mourning September 2, 2020 — About thirty-six mourners
came to the Hopkinton Common at 4:00 pm to participate in a prayer
service to support in prayer the family of a Middle School student
who died too young. There were four representatives of the Hopkinton
Police Department also in attendance, including Chief Bennett.
Resident Kathy LaFlash announced the moms' club service in a
facebook group.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Merlin Falcon
September 1, 2020 —Thanks to Julie Ford for
sharing this photo of a female Merlin falcon.
Teresa Road Area Please
be advised that due to the use of a fire hydrant in the Teresa Road
area, you may notice some discoloration. Crews will be flushing
hydrants at the lower flows to help clear the lines. You may need to
run your cold water line to help clear your internal pipes.
Eric J. Carty Water-Sewer Manager
Hopkinton Water-Sewer Dept.
PO Box 171 Hopkinton, MA 01748
Standout September 1, 2020 — Hopkinton Democrats
favoring Jesse Mermell for the Fourth Congressional District are
above prior to her arrival yesterday. She faces eight other
primary challengers today.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Guard Activation Order Rescinded
“Following
coordination with municipal leaders through the weekend regarding
potential large scale demonstrations, Governor Baker today
authorized the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard
to end the Governor’s Aug. 28 activation order. That activation,
which made Guard personnel available in the event that municipal
leaders required their assistance, will end at midnight tonight.”
– EOPSS Spokesperson
• Governor Baker’s Aug. 28 order (attached) allowed up to 1,000
members of the Guard to assist municipalities “until further order
of the Adjutant General.”
• National Guard personnel were ready to assist cities and towns
throughout the activation but did not take an active role in any
municipal operations.
• The Massachusetts National Guard’s diverse and highly-trained
members live and work in communities across the Commonwealth. The
Guard has a proven track record of success supporting civilian
authorities during and after emergencies, and its units frequently
train side-by-side with state and local first responders, making
them well-suited for in-state operations.
• Members of the Massachusetts National Guard are always ready to
assist cities, towns, and agency partners across the Commonwealth.
They performed COVID-19 testing, delivered food, and secured medical
facilities during the height of the pandemic. They also respond when
tornadoes, blizzards, and other natural disasters strike a
community.
• Personnel drawn from MANG's military police units undergo
federally-accredited police training and receive additional
instruction on Massachusetts police training standards. When
assisting a local police department, they use that department's
policies, radio frequencies, etc., whenever possible.
• While federal Title 32 funding has been extended for COVID-19
missions, Guard personnel activated by this order served on state
active duty.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Harassment on Walcott Valley, door is ajar,
check fraud in Westborough,
mailbox smashed with watermelon,
coyote/fox acting strangely, lost lab,
lost documents, found credit card,
speeding on Pond Street,
suspicious social media message,
road rage...
August 31, 2020
Vote in Primary Tuesday, September 1, 2020 Above, Democratic candidate for the Fourth
Massachusetts District in the United States House of Representative,
Jesse Mermell, right, came to Hopkinton to stand out on the corner
of 85 and 135 tonight, Monday, Primary Election Eve. She hopes her
support and momentum will help her stand out among the nine people
on the ballot for that seat. Beside Jesse are supporters Meena
Kaushik and her husband,
Sundar Sivaraman.
It is with very mixed emotion and
great reluctance that the Carbone family announces the closing,
or hopefully, the potential sale of our family-run restaurant
after 87 years in business. This will occur sometime in the near
future. The actual closing date will depend on several factors
that are impossible to predict at this time. There were many
business and personal reasons, too numerous to mention here,
that went into this decision. It is a decision that we are not
taking lightly, and we announce it with a great deal of sadness.
Over the years, there have been friendships developed with our
customers and employees that we will cherish forever. We have
thought of you as more than customers and employees, but, as
family to us. This restaurant has been our life and the lives of
two generations of family that preceded us. It has been an
incredible run that regretfully will end soon. Let’s just say it
is time for us to begin a new chapter in our lives. We can never
thank everybody enough for your loyalty and support over the
years, and for being a part of this journey with us. The time is
fast approaching when we will say our last goodbyes here, but
let’s never forget the good times we all shared together.
The Carbone Family
August 31, 2020
Carbone's Italian American Restaurant to Close in 4-6 Weeks
"It's True," Owner Peter Carbone
by Robert Falcione
August 31, 2020 — A
Hopkinton staple for 87 years will close in 4-6 weeks, "If the
help lasts," said owner Peter Carbone in a phone interview
today. "I have no one coming up. I'm burned out."
"You can't keep a building like that
[vacant] forever," he said, listing
taxes, insurance, some utilities, and upkeep.
"Hopefully someone will reopen as a restaurant," he said.
Mr. Carbone agreed that leasing it out as a restaurant was a
possibility, but only as a last resort.
"Independent restaurants don't last that long," said the
three-generation owner of an 87 year-old restaurant that
beat all of the odds.
He said there are only a couple of gift certificates out there
which are unfulfilled, and the people will have 4-6 weeks to use
them. Would he sell the name, too?
"I would like to look across the street from my home and see my
name on the sign and know we started it. It would be a good
location for a mixed use," he said of the 12 acre site.
"Vendors and employees will all be paid and the gift
certificates honored.
"A club in Bolton recently went out and closed their doors and
chained the gate.
"I wouldn't do that to people," he said.
The restaurant will be open 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Monday thru
Saturday.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Missing dog, POD hit and run,
bullying, suicidal statements,
bicycle kicked - person took off on a motorcycle,
road rage followed to individual's home,
teens causing disturbance,
dog sniffing roadkill...
August 28, 29, 30, 2020
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
State Police, Along With Local and Federal Law Enforcement Partners,
Crush Two Drug Trafficking Organizations, Take More Than 6 Kilos of
Fentanyl Off the Street
Lightning Striking Again, and Again... August 30, 2020 — A tip of the HopNews Hat to
a couple of readers for alerting us to this powerful lightning
strike that blew the top off of the tree in the center, as well as
its bark and branches, which can be seen at its base. Other nearby
trees were also fatally damaged, on a trail in Lake Whitehall
Reservation.
Rows and Flows of Angel Hair ~ Joni Mitchell August 30, 2020 — Lake Whitehall was rich for
photography today, with a sky full of curious clouds even passing by
to take a long look.
Acrobats August 30, 2020 — Looking like a group of
rodents in the middle of some revelry in Little Pond today, these
broadleaf weeds pique the imagination.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Millie
Found :-(
Sad news this morning. We found our sweet Millie in the woods
where she loved to run and romp. Her passing is heartbreaking
but we are grateful to have found her and to bring her home.
Thank you for positive words, prayers, and for those who walked
the woods of Hopkinton looking for her.
The Cheney Family
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Mary J. (Juzaszek) Midura, 91
Mary J. (Juzaszek) Midura, 91,
a longtime resident of Framingham died at her home on Tuesday,
August 25, 2020. Born in Chicopee the daughter of the late Severyn &
Mary (Kuk) Juzaszek, she was the beloved wife of the late Ernest A.
Midura for 62 years.
Mary
graduated from Chicopee High School and shortly afterwards went to
work for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. She met
her future husband after he returned home from World War II at
Mountain Park Ballroom in Holyoke. He noticed her gold shoes and
their love for dancing and each other never waivered. They moved to
Framingham where she spent the last 64 years.
Proud of her Polish heritage, she carried on Polish traditions to
the next generations. Mary was a past President of the Framingham
Garden Club, former member of the St. Bridget Church Guild, worked
at Big Brother Big Sister, and worked part time at the Framingham
State College Book Store. She was an accomplished cook who shared
her special recipes with her loved ones and continued to enjoy
cooking throughout her life. Mary was also an avid reader, and
enjoyed many international and domestic travels into her 90s.
The definition of a beloved Matriarch, Mary is survived by her
children, David B. Midura & his wife Rose of San Diego, CA,
Christine M. Ward & her husband Joseph of Boston, Diane B. White &
her husband David of Westborough, and Donna M. Spector & her
husband Steven of Hopkinton, her 10 grandchildren, Amanda
Farren, Justin and Andrew Ward, Kristin Robinson, Matthew Midura,
Jillian Lowbridge, Nicole Kelly, Robert Boucini, Olivia and Michael
Spector, her 17 great grandchildren, Leo, William, Owen, and John
Ward, Miles Farren, Clara, Patrick, and Benjamin Robinson, Tierney,
Kayla, and John Midura, Mila and Andrew Lowbridge, John, Benjamin,
and Penelope Kelly, and Katarina Boucini.
Family and friends will honor and remember Mary's life by gathering
for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home,
11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Sunday, August 30th from 2-4 P.M. Due
to the continued health restrictions, visitors are asked to wear a
mask, observe social distancing requirements, and not linger in the
funeral home. Mary's Funeral Mass and interment will be celebrated
privately. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Mary's
name to: TheAmerican
Cancer Society,www.cancer.org.
For online tributes, or to share a memory with Mary's family, kindly
visitwww.mccarthyfh.com.
All in the Wrist August 29, 2020 — Thirteen year-old Connor
Teague displays great casting technique fishing with his dad at
Bloods Pond this afternoon, as a light mist began.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
*************ROAD
WORK******************
There will be continuous road work on South Street every weekend
between Friday night and Monday morning. Expect delays and traffic
congestion during these times. Construction will begin around 6pm on
Friday and end at approximately 5am on Monday. ~HPD
Anonymity Distasteful
Dear Editor:
Most civilized
countries feature, in their legal code, a means enabling an accused
to legally step outside of a jail cell by posting bail, of cash or
other value. That is then held by the court with the expectation
that the accused will return to stand trial. And while the accused
may then “Go directly to Jail”, the bail will be returned to
whomever posted it.
The party providing
the bail is not responsible for determining if the accused is
appropriate to be let back out into society. The bail provider is
not responsible for setting the dollar value of the bail. The party
so responsible is an officer of the court. The judge.
In our public life,
it is expected that before speaking at a Town Government function
one identifies oneself. It is customary, to have one’s letter
published in a news publication, to identify oneself. And it is
customary, if one has the courage of one’s convictions, to identify
oneself.
I am more than
disappointed to read that at a Hopkinton public Select Board meeting
(held via ZOOM) this customary expectation of a party stating their
name before speaking, or that when a letter is read to those in
attendance the name or names of the signers will be stated, was not
followed. That a long-time, earnest, competent, thoughtful member of
the Hopkinton community was skewered, anonymously, at a Select Board
meeting, and that it was enabled by our elected officials, I find
profoundly distasteful.
Sincerely,
Edwin E Harrow
8 Spring Lane
Hopkinton, MA
August 29, 2020
Governor Activates National Guard as a Precaution
August
28, 2020 - Today, Governor Baker
signed an order
activating members of the Massachusetts National Guard in the event
municipal leaders require their assistance. Please see attached for
a copy of the order and below for a statement and background.
Statement:
“Governor Baker today signed an order activating up to 1,000 members
of the Massachusetts National Guard in the event that municipal
leaders require their assistance. National Guard personnel are
deployedonly at the request of, and in coordination with,
the communities seeking support.”– EOPSS Spokesperson
Background:
The Massachusetts National Guard’s diverse and highly-trained
members live and work in communities across the Commonwealth.
The Guard has a proven track record of success supporting
civilian authorities during and after emergencies, and its units
frequently train side-by-side with state and local first
responders, making them well-suited for in-state operations.
These are some of the same National Guard members who performed
COVID-19 testing, delivered food, and secured medical facilities
during the height of the pandemic. They are also some of the
same National Guard members who respond when tornadoes,
blizzards, and other natural disasters strike a community.
Personnel drawn from MANG's military police units undergo
federally-accredited police training and receive additional
instruction on Massachusetts police training standards. When
assisting a local police department, they use that department's
policies, radio frequencies, etc., whenever possible.
Guard personnel provided assistance to local law enforcement
throughout the COVID-19 response.
While federal Title 32 funding has been extended for COVID-19
missions, Guard personnel activated by this order will serve on
state active duty.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
On Pond Street
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Share the Road August 28, 2020 — We don't have the report,
but dispatch said someone kicked someone's bike. The alleged kickees
are above. The alleged kicker was located nearby. The final
disposition is unknown.
Just Hanging Around August 28, 2020 — Thank you, Julie Ford.
Hopkinton
Police Detective Bureau along with area Detectives need help
identifying two suspects
involved in the recent vehicle break-ins and thefts. The suspects,
pictured, are targeting unlocked vehicles during the early morning
hours. These suspects are often in stolen high end vehicles with
Connecticut license plates driving through neighborhoods between
11p-4am. The vehicles they have targeted are usually high end
vehicles like Mercedes, Range Rovers, BMWs etc. All of the vehicles
involved have been unlocked, sometimes with the key fobs in them and
usually have other items of value in plain sight inside the vehicle.
We have not yet had any reports of vehicle thefts or break-ins in
Hopkinton.
The majority of the towns that surround Hopkinton have had multiple
incidents with this group. It is imperative that you lock your
vehicle at all times. Remove all valuable items or secure them in
the trunk. Do not leave keys, fobs or garage door openers in your
vehicle or leave them unsecured. If you notice any of these items
missing, you should immediately contact the police department.
If you recognize any of these individuals or recognize the vehicle
(white Mercedes sedan) please contact the Hopkinton Police Detective
Bureau at 508-497-3401.Via HPD Facebook.
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Homeowners and the surrounding
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Missing Juvenile FOUND
The Grafton Police Department is seeking the
public's assistance in locating a missing female juvenile. The child
left her residence in the Bruce Hollow housing complex at
approximately 5:00pm EST.
We are seeking information on the whereabouts of
Madeline Veech, age
12. Madeline was last seen wearing a blue jacket with hood and black
leggings. She is described as having medium length brown hair, most
often worn in a ponytail, brown eyes, standing approximately 4'10"
tall and weighing approximately 80 lbs.
If you have information as to the
whereabouts of Madeline,
please contact Grafton Police at 508-839-2858.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Missing Dog
Dog missing since this morning. Medium sized (60 lbs), friendly and
responds to Millie. Last seen at Lake Whitehall. Please call if you
see her or if you have any information: (508) 314-2134. Thank you!
Lissa Walls.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Investigation into Serious Pedestrian Crash in Natick Continues Investigators Ask Public with Any Information to Contact Police
NATICK
- Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Natick Chief of Police
James Hicks have confirmed that the investigation into the serious
crash that occurred on August 18, 2020 injuring two pedestrians
remains ongoing at this time.
The preliminary investigation suggests that at approximately 6:24
p.m. on August 18, the driver of a dark blue, four door, Chevrolet
Silverado pickup truck struck two pedestrians on Washington Avenue
in the area of Summer Street before fleeing the scene. Investigators
have seized the suspect vehicle as part of the ongoing investigation
and are actively interviewing witnesses and collecting and reviewing
video surveillance in connection with the crash.
Today the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Natick Police are
asking any member of the public who has information about the crash
or who saw a vehicle matching the description of the involved
vehicle to contact Natick Police at 508-647-9500. Investigators also
continue to seek any additional video of the suspect vehicle or the
crash.
More specifically, members of the public are being asked to think
broadly and to contact police both if they were in the immediate
area at the time of the crash or if they were in the surrounding
neighborhoods or communities including Sherborn or Holliston in the
early evening of August 18. During the subsequent investigation
police learned that the driver of the vehicle may have been seen or
been in contact with the operators of other vehicles including a tan
or brown sport utility vehicle and a black sedan that were also
travelling in the area of Washington Avenue prior to the crash.
Police are seeking to speak to these individuals.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the victims in this
case, a 51-year-old female and a 39-year-old male were walking
northbound on Washington Avenue in the area of Summer Street when
they were apparently struck on the sidewalk by a pickup truck. The
male has been treated and released and the female remains
hospitalized with serious injuries.
The family of the victims have asked for privacy at this time and
have requested that any media inquiries be directed to their
designated spokesperson and family member Tony Catlin who can be
reached at 508-314-4386.
This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District
Attorney's Office, Natick Police and the Massachusetts State Police
Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Section. No charges have been
filed at this time.
Tonight at Mazi, 320 Pond Street Ashland (Across from Shaw's)
Musical entertainment by
Mike Tarara
See Exciting Menu
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Juvenile on bike at 1:00 am, unemployment
fraud,
assist Ptown Police, mailbox struck with watermelon,
kids on school roof flee, hit & run.
Four unaccompanied children (father lagging behind),
kids on school roof (ongoing),
hanging around at boat ramp after hours,
driving with no plates (stolen).
It's All About Scale August 27, 2020 — A quick glance could lead
an individual to believe they are looking at a group of huge rock
faces through which ships pass. The true scale is clear when the
turtles come into focus. Who can see the face in the near-center
of the photo?
LAST DAYS OF TENT SALE
Let's Chalk About Change!
Members of the Hopkinton Police Department will be participating
in "Lets Chalk About Change" event on September 2nd, hosted by
the HHS Diversity Club. This event encourages members of the
community to speak up in support of equality, social justice,
and inclusion in our town.
Let's Chalk About Change, will showcase messages and artwork,
drawn in chalk, by Hopkinton residents and business owners and
displayed on their sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
Feel free to join us by creating your own artwork and sharing it
on our
facebook page!
Select Board Meeting
Board Lowers Town Meeting Quorum to 80 voters
Votes to recommend $92,813,795 Town Budget
Public forum in defense of Muriel Kramer
by Robert Falcione
August 26, 2020 — In contrast with last week's meeting, last
night's meeting opened with the Public Forum item during which
two residents spoke in defense of Muriel Kramer, who had been
criticized last week for her association as treasurer of the
Massachusetts Bail Fund, which had bailed out dangerous
criminals who went on to allegedly re-offend while out on bail.
Those letter writers and speakers were granted anonymity out of
their fear of retribution by those criminals, and of being
ostracized by members-only facebook groups that promote the
latest in social justice, but are unkind to those who are not in
lock-step with their agenda.
Select Board Vice-chair Irfan Nasrullah,
who last week read letters from people without revealing their
identities that called for the resignation of Mrs. Kramer from
the Planning Board, said at the outset, that those were not his
sentiments.
"Calling for Ms. Kramer's
resignation in light of the tragic events will not resolve the
issue," he said.
Anne Mattina spoke next
during the Public Forum and said that the decision to grant
anonymity was a "poor one."
The board considered the
approval of Town Meeting Articles, most of which were voted in
the affirmative, including a $92,813,795 budget, the creation of
an Economic Development Office, and making the name change of
the Select Board official.
One Article that did not
produce any support was Article 22, the purchase of the
remaining Liberty Mutual property by the town, sponsored by a
resident.
"I would not support an
Article that hasn't been vetted," said Select Board member Brian
Herr, noting that the matter had not been addressed by the
appropriate boards.
"I'm okay with it going to
Town Meeting, and if there's no funding, it's dead in the
water," Said Chair Brendan Tedstone.
Town Manger Norman Khumalo
recommended no action.
Deferred until next
meeting on September 1, 2020 is a discussion of the acceptance
of Legacy Farms North road.
The Board went into
Executive Session for an "unforeseen agenda item." (File Photo,
above)
Working hard for Hopkinton
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Communities
Level 1B Nursery Approved For Milford Regional Medical Center
MILFORD
– Milford Regional Medical Center (Milford Regional) has been
licensed and approved by the Department of Public Health to operate
a Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery within The Maternity Center. The
new designation allows Milford Regional to provide a broader range
of services to newborns that require additional specialized care and
support.
Milford Regional’s Level 1B nursery is designed to accommodate the
extra care, comfort and needs of late preterm babies at 35 weeks and
beyond, as well as those with health issues. It is equipped with the
latest technologies, including:
• Cardiopulmonary monitors
• LED phototherapy lights for elevated bilirubin levels
• Radiant warming units
• Resuscitation and stabilization care centers
• IV infusion pumps
• Isolettes
• Donor milk
• Oxygen therapy
“Those who lead and work within The Maternity Center at Milford
Regional have been diligent and focused in their effort to achieve a
Level 1B designation which provides greater specialized care for our
newborns,” says Edward J. Kelly, president & CEO of Milford Regional
Medical Center. “Our Maternity team is to be congratulated for their
dedication to serving our newest members of the community with the
very best care.”
For more information on The Maternity Center at Milford Regional, go
to www.milfordregional.org click on “Medical Services,” and then
“Maternity.”
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Acro-Yoga
August 25, 2020 — Katherine Fernald practices
Acro-yoga with friend, John Doe on Hopkinton Common yesterday
afternoon.
UNIBANK TO HOST FREE UNIPAY ONLINE PAYMENT WEBINAR FOR
BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
September 17, 2020
UniBank
will be sponsoring a free UniPay Online Payment Solution Webinar for
businesses and non-profit organizations who are interested in
offering online payment as a solution to customers/donors. It's a
simple fact: customers today expect the convenience of making
payments online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more
customers are seeking online payment options to minimize in-person
contact and help with social distancing. UniPay by UniBank is
simple, efficient, secure, reliable, and can help your business or
non-profit increase efficiencies. The solution is customizable and
offers your business or non-profit the ability to accept payments
securely 24/7.
Join Kristy Genga, AVP from UniPay by UniBank for one of our two
one-hour webinars on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at either 1 pm or
6 pm to learn how this solution can help your business or non-profit
and enhance your revenue collections!
Hopkinton Police Incident Log Mailbox damaged, loan fraud, package found,
mail stolen (ongoing issue), brakes smoking,
person stuck in elevator
August 24, 2020
No arrests
Support for Mass Bail Fund
Editor:
I want to respond to some of the controversy that has arisen around
the release of Shawn McClinton who was recently charged with
assaulting a woman after the Massachusetts Bail Fund posted his
bail.
First, the Bail Fund didn’t do anything that wasn’t legal. This
is because the Bail Fund didn’t do anything that any person in
Massachusetts isn’t legally entitled to do; and that is to post
their bail and go home.
It is hard to look at a high bail amount and not think there must be
a very good reason for it. It feels instinctual to believe that
people are held on high bails because they must be dangerous, but
this is patently not the law in Massachusetts. Bail’s sole purpose
is to incentivize the accused person to come back to court as their
case is processed. If a person doesn’t come back, they forfeit their
money. That’s it.
Our criminal system is slow. People can wait in jail pre-trial for
years, and the consequences are devastating. People lose their jobs,
their housing, their children. Not because they are dangerous, not
because they are bad parents, but because they could not pay their
fee. In overwhelming numbers, they come from historically
marginalized communities who do not have a spare $5000 to expend in
an emergency. The highest court in Massachusetts thus declared that
unaffordable bails are unconstitutional, but they are still imposed.
It is tempting to say that we aren’t talking about "those people.”
We’re talking about the $15,000 bail people and the people with
prior criminal records. But when we talk about what the Bail Fund
does, we are talking about those people. We’re talking about people
who were only sitting in jail because they could not pay this purely
administrative cost. If prosecutors request higher bails because
they believe a person is dangerous, then they are using bail
unlawfully. And when we talk about people’s “prior criminal
records,” this cannot be divorced from our criminal justice system’s
documented practices of over-policing and over-incarcerating poor
communities and communities of color.
None of this excuses a violent act or diminishes a victim’s trauma,
but it is disingenuous to crucify the Bail Fund and condemn the
thousands of vulnerable families who literally rely on the Bail Fund
for their lives and liberty.
This aside, the state is not helpless when it believes a person is
dangerous. There’s a clear process to address this very thing, but
it is not through bail. It’s called a dangerousness hearing, and
this process is not obscure; it is well-worn and used by district
attorneys’ offices across the state. In fiscal year 2020, the Boston
Municipal/District Court alone held more than 3,500 of these
hearings. It is the prosecutor’s sole call whether to seek one, and
it was not done in this case.
We have a criminal system that inflicts harm every day. While I
grieve for the victim and her family, I stand with the Bail Fund’s
values.
Lindsay Kramer Custer
8 Avon Street
Somerville, MA
August 25, 2020 Editor's note: Mrs. Kramer-Custer is the daughter of Muriel
Kramer, Hopkinton Planning Board member whose position as Treasurer
of the Mass Bail Fund has sparked calls for her resignation
following the alleged criminal act of a client who the fund bailed
out, while he was out on their bail. The motto of the group, stated
on its website landing page is, "Free Them All."
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
George Paul Reimann Jr., 84
George Paul Reimann Jr., 84, of Hopkinton,
passed away at UMass Memorial Medical Center on Saturday, August 22,
2020. Born in Needham, he was the son of the late Margaret (Atwood)
and George P. Reimann Sr. He was the husband of 30 years to Nancy
(Rising) Reimann of Hopkinton.
George was a graduate of Needham High School and went on to attend
Northeastern University, graduating with a master’s degree in
mechanical engineering.
George was an avid camper who enjoyed time spent fishing. He also
enjoyed playing cribbage with friends. He especially loved spending
time with his family, and his wife, Nancy.
Besides his wife, George is survived by his children, Deborah
Reimann and her partner, Deb Mongeon, Paul Reimann and his wife,
Karen; his step-children, Susan Blasczak and her husband, Richard,
Amy Turpin and her husband, Sean, and Robert Rider Jr. and his wife,
Brianna. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter, Lisa
Simpson.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28th from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com/
Due to current restrictions, face masks must be worn and social
distancing must be adhered to. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Hopkinton will be
held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
American Diabetes Assoc., www.diabetes.org
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
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Hopkinton Police Incident Logs Sheetrock in roadway, unwelcome parking,
ongoing handicap violation, handicap violation -
different vehicle but same owner, swerving, loud party,
deceased fox, son harassed in State Park,
rolling domestic bleeding, star gazers sent on their way,
lightning striking... again,
Fay School plans
to reopen for in-person teaching and learning this fall!Please
visit our Reopening
Web Page for more information, and check back
regularly for updates.
Our campus remains closed at this time, and only essential
employees are permitted on campus. Most staff members are
working from home, and their contact information
may be found in the Faculty and Staff Directory.
Early Voting
Come down to the Hopkinton Senior Center and vote early in person!
No lines and we are open until 2 PM today.
We will be opening at 8 AM everyday this week (8/24 -8/28). We close
at 4:30 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; we are open late on
Tuesday until 7 PM and we close early on Friday at 2 PM.
Foreboding August 23, 2020 — Sunday, as the first few
raindrops began to fall.
Silhouettes on the Water August 23, 2020 — At Lake Whitehall Dam
Spillway retention pond.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Today, Before the Storm August 23, 2020 — Subject matter in art and
photography is said to be the strongest at or near intersecting
lines of thirds. Panning (Moving the camera in unison with the
moving subject) can keep the moving subject in focus and blur
the background. To keep the action within a moving subject from
blurring, a shutter speed of about 1/400 of a second is advisable.
Taken at Bloods Pond.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Hopkinton, MA Police Department
Do
you have a loved one who suffers from a medical condition who
may be at risk? The Hopkinton Police has a Person At Risk
program where you can submit a form with information about the
individual which we can use in an emergency! This information is
kept confidential and is never given out.
The program is free and open to all Hopkinton residents. It is
intended to provide first responders with immediate information
during an emergency or crisis.
If you are interested in registering someone for the program you
can fill out the link below. If you have any questions please
contact Officer McGaffigan for more information! Or choose this to see form.
[From HPD facebook].
During the Downpour Yesterday August 23, 2020 — Hopkinton Common was not
very populated when the town-wide cloudburst opened up. Two women
who were by the Claflin Fountain when the huge drops, sometimes
sounding like hail on the Honda's roof, began to fall. They took
cover in the shelter of the Veterans War Memorial Gazebo, where they
were during this photo.
Before the Downpour Yesterday August 23, 2020 — Intricate patterns on this
duck in Bloods Pond help define its beauty. Not long afterward, a
passing cloudburst drenched the town (frame above). Below, a field
on Legacy North Road after the storm's passing.
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
Ecce Hopkinton! August 22, 2020 — Thanks to Julie Ford for
sharing this photo of some river otters at an undisclosed location
in Hopkinton.
> FOOD AND BEVERAGE <
Aftermath August 22, 2020 — Last week's isolated storm,
like a passing ship in the sky, left a beautiful landscape behind.
Hopkinton High School to
receive national recognition from Special Olympics for achievements
with inclusion
Hopkinton, Massachusetts/August
21, 2020 –
Special Olympics Massachusetts has
announced that Hopkinton High
School,
a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, is receiving national
banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports
and activities for students with and without disabilities. Hopkinton
High School is receiving this honor as a result of meeting
national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy
and respect. An award presentation will take place at a later
date, to be determined.
Hopkinton
High School will be amongst a select number of schools to receive
this distinction. They will be presented with a banner to hang in
their school and be included on a list of other schools around the
country who have achieved this distinguished status.
“Receiving
National Banner recognition is truly an outstanding and
well-deserved achievement for these 15 schools. It shows that they
have truly embraced what it means to be inclusive both on and off
the playing field, in the classrooms and in their communities,” said
Patti Doherty, Vice President of schools and Community Development
for Special Olympics Massachusetts. “Not only do these schools offer
Unified sports, youth leadership and whole school engagement within
their school, but they have elevated it to the next level and have
reached the standards of excellence set forth at a national level.”
Special
Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is a strategy for schools Pre-K
through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social
inclusion by bringing together students with and without
intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments,
utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified
Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.
More than
210 schools are currently participating in Special Olympics Unified
Champion Schools programming in Massachusetts, as part of more than
7,500 schools across the country engaged in the program. Special
Olympics Unified Champion Schools aims to expand to 10,000 schools
by the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
The
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools model is supported by the
Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of
Education. This model has been proven, through research, to be an
effective and replicable means to providing students with and
without disabilities the opportunity to form positive social
relationships and promote a socially inclusive school climate*. Key
data points include:
94% of teachers/school staff say the Special
Olympics Unified Champion Schools program increases
opportunities for students with and without intellectual
disabilities to work together.
98% of involved teachers believe
participation in the program has increased the confidence of
students with disabilities.
92% credit the program with reducing
bullying, teasing, and offensive language.
A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an
inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration,
engagement, and respect for all members of the student body and
staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner
recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion
by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were
developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and
the education community.
The primary activities within these standards
include: Special Olympics Unified Sports®
(where students with and without disabilities train and compete as
teammates), inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement.
National banner schools should also be able to demonstrate
they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these
activities into the future.
*Evaluation conducted by the Center for Social
Development and Education (CSDE) at the University of Massachusetts
Boston
Working hard for Hopkinton
Homeowners and the surrounding
Communities
District Supports Hopkinton Teachers
in Re-Opening
August
21, 2020 - With the return of Hopkinton teachers scheduled in just
ten days, the district and the Hopkinton Teachers Association (HTA)
are working hard to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
fall re-opening. On Thursday, August 20, 2020, Superintendent Dr.
Carol Cavanaugh (Photo, left) shared with the Hopkinton School
Committee a few of the accommodations the district is making to
support the teachers and their families during this pandemic, as
well as some supporting data:
On-Site, Flexible Childcare: With many teachers
facing childcare challenges due to changes in school schedules for
their own children, the district is pleased to announce that we will
host on-site, flexible childcare for district teachers at Hopkins
Elementary School, with options for families to sign up for only the
days they need at very reasonable rates. By utilizing the four new
modular classrooms with a separate entrance, this Kidsborough
program for teachers’ families will be able to safely serve up to 60
children ages 5 and up in a contained space isolated from Hopkins
classrooms. Although providing on-site childcare typically requires
a lengthy licensing process, Hopkinton is extremely fortunate to
provide this option due to our pre-existing relationship with
Kidsborough at Hopkins and our availability of an appropriate,
separate space.
Teacher Retention: Also at the School Committee
meeting, Dr. Cavanaugh spoke at length about the work being done to
retain all Hopkinton teachers during this pandemic. Said Cavanaugh,
“We wanted to make sure that we are keeping all of our teachers
intact.” Because supporting and retaining Hopkinton teachers is so
important to the district, HPS will invest roughly $225-250k to
cover the cost of in-person proctors and other required supports for
teachers who qualify for remote accommodations. So far, only one
teacher is facing a possible reduction in schedule. With the
exception of a few specific, higher-level high school courses,
Hopkinton students will be taught by Hopkinton teachers in all
learning models, hybrid and remote.
Safety: In addition to this week’s announcements,
Dr. Cavanaugh previously shared (on August 13th) details of the
district’s investment in workplace safety. Some of these investments
include: all necessary and appropriate PPE, plastic face shields
available to all teachers, plexiglass dividers for any teacher
needing to do extensive one-on-one work with a child,
well-maintained and high-quality HVAC systems with the highest level
filters appropriate for each specific system, multiple disinfecting
spray guns at each school, de-densified student populations with a
minimum of six feet for social distancing, an outside facilities
consultant’s audit of our buildings for COVID precautions, and hand
sanitizing stations installed throughout the buildings.
Data: Both teachers and administrators have said
that an in-person education model is the best learning model for
students, not only for academics but also for social/emotional
wellness. With the empirical data of Hopkinton’s low COVID case
count (currently one active case), extremely low percent positivity
rate (0.4%), and an unshaded (fewer than five cases) designation on
the state’s re-opening chart, the state, the district, and the
School Committee believe the data supports bringing Hopkinton
students, teachers, and staff into the schools with our precautions
in place. Although the pandemic continues, our extensive investment
in safety measures and protocols, our Board of Health/school nurse
partnership in contact tracing since March, our positive experience
with Hopkinton summer programming and camps, and the recent
announcement of state-supported mobile rapid testing options for
K-12 all combine to support our teachers and students who will begin
the new year in the hybrid learning/elected-remote model.
Negotiations between the HTA and the district continue on Monday,
August 24th.
Respectfully submitted by: Amanda Fargiano, Chair, Hopkinton
School Committee
Food and More in
Hopkinton! Click on each cell to see
new (and temporary?) hours and offerings
Mazi
Dynasty
Bill's Pizzeria
Hiller's Pizza
Cornell's Irish Pub Open Thurs - Sunday
Hillers Cleaners
More New Hours
Weston Nurseries Shop with your mask on and
follow the rules
Upton,
MA – VFW Post 5594 is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Run to
Remember 5K is going virtual for 2020! Participants will receive a
race bib and gaiter and can engage in either a walk or run category.
The Virtual Run to Remember will take place from Saturday, October
3rd through Sunday, October 11th.
HOPKINTON,
MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON
— Today, in a virtual ceremony commemorating the nineteenth
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Baker-Polito Administration
presented the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery to
49-year-old Chris Etre of Upton who rescued a woman from a submerged
car in December 2019. This annual award honors a civilian who
demonstrates exceptional bravery, without regard for personal
safety, to save the life of another in actual, imminent danger.
Just
before 6 p.m. yesterday Trooper John Heavey, along with his
field training officer, Trooper Jeffrey Lang, were on patrol
assigned to State Police-Weston. While monitoring traffic on
Route 90 at Exit 18 in Boston they observed a Honda Accord, with
extremely dark window tint, pass their location. Trooper Heavey
entered traffic and followed the vehicle until they reached a
safe location to conduct a motor vehicle stop. As they entered
Cambridge Street, Trooper Heavey activated the cruiser’s blue
lights and stopped the Honda.
Rose
M. Scianna, 95
HOPKINTON,
MA (September 8, 2020) - Bids for Hopkinton’s Main Street Corridor
project were opened by MassDOT on September 1, marking the beginning
of the process that will result in the selection of the project’s
contractor. Early good news is that the first and second lowest
bidders were within $500 and the apparent low bidder was $500,000
lower than the engineer’s estimate. 
HCA
Dance Studio
t
approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday, Trooper Nidu Andrade and his
Field Training Officer, a member of the H Troop Community Action
Team, were on patrol traveling on Route 138 southbound in
Canton. As they were approaching Route 93 they observed a gray
Kia sedan traveling at a high rate of speed cutting off other
vehicles. The Troopers were able to catch up to the vehicle
after it got stuck behind slower moving traffic. As it entered
the on ramp to Route 93 the operator increased speed to
approximately 55 miles per hour where the posted speed limit is
35 mph. Trooper Andrade activated the cruiser’s emergency lights
and subsequently stopped it on Route 93 northbound prior to Exit
4.
Mason
(Jennifer) Lee, 13,
Select
Board Meets in Zoom
Please
be advised that due to the use of a fire hydrant in the Teresa Road
area, you may notice some discoloration. Crews will be flushing
hydrants at the lower flows to help clear the lines. You may need to
run your cold water line to help clear your internal pipes.
“Following
coordination with municipal leaders through the weekend regarding
potential large scale demonstrations, Governor Baker today
authorized the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard
to end the Governor’s Aug. 28 activation order. That activation,
which made Guard personnel available in the event that municipal
leaders required their assistance, will end at midnight tonight.”
Mary
graduated from Chicopee High School and shortly afterwards went to
work for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. She met
her future husband after he returned home from World War II at
Mountain Park Ballroom in Holyoke. He noticed her gold shoes and
their love for dancing and each other never waivered. They moved to
Framingham where she spent the last 64 years. 
Hopkinton
Police Detective Bureau along with area Detectives need help
identifying two suspects
involved in the recent vehicle break-ins and thefts. The suspects,
pictured, are targeting unlocked vehicles during the early morning
hours. These suspects are often in stolen high end vehicles with
Connecticut license plates driving through neighborhoods between
11p-4am. The vehicles they have targeted are usually high end
vehicles like Mercedes, Range Rovers, BMWs etc. All of the vehicles
involved have been unlocked, sometimes with the key fobs in them and
usually have other items of value in plain sight inside the vehicle.
Hopkinton.
The majority of the towns that surround Hopkinton have had multiple
incidents with this group. It is imperative that you lock your
vehicle at all times. Remove all valuable items or secure them in
the trunk. Do not leave keys, fobs or garage door openers in your
vehicle or leave them unsecured. If you notice any of these items
missing, you should immediately contact the police department. 
NATICK
- Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Natick Chief of Police
James Hicks have confirmed that the investigation into the serious
crash that occurred on August 18, 2020 injuring two pedestrians
remains ongoing at this time.
Do
you have a loved one who suffers from a medical condition who
may be at risk? The Hopkinton Police has a Person At Risk
program where you can submit a form with information about the
individual which we can use in an emergency! This information is
kept confidential and is never given out. 
School,
a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, is receiving national
banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports
and activities for students with and without disabilities. Hopkinton
High School is receiving this honor as a result of meeting
August
21, 2020 - With the return of Hopkinton teachers scheduled in just
ten days, the district and the Hopkinton Teachers Association (HTA)
are working hard to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
fall re-opening. On Thursday, August 20, 2020, Superintendent Dr.
Carol Cavanaugh (Photo, left) shared with the Hopkinton School
Committee a few of the accommodations the district is making to
support the teachers and their families during this pandemic, as
well as some supporting data:
