Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

ROADWORK NOTICE

Road reconstruction is scheduled for Elm St from Lumber St Ext to the dead end on 8/23 - 8/29. Work hours will be 7pm-5am. Dates may need to be extended depending on the weather conditions.

Please drive slow and use caution.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Flu Vaccine Now Required for all Massachusetts School Students Enrolled in Child Care, Pre-School, K-12, and Post-Secondary Institutions

BOSTON (August 19, 2020) - State public health officials today announced that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and ​the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. Also exempted are K-12 students who are homeschooled and higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all those attending child care, preschool, K-12, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.

“Every year, thousands of people of all ages are affected by influenza, leading to many hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, Medical Director, DPH’s Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. “It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve healthcare resources.”

All children at least 6 months old who attend child care or preschool must be immunized in accordance with the ACIP Recommended Immunization Schedule.

All students in K-12 must receive the seasonal influenza vaccine annually by December 31. New students entering between January 1 and March 31 must have received a dose of vaccine for the current flu season before entry.

Depending on the child’s age and flu vaccination history, a second dose of flu vaccine in the same season may be recommended. In these cases, the second dose is not required for school entry.

For older students, the flu vaccine requirement applies to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age and all full- and part-time health science students. The requirement includes individuals from outside the U.S. attending or visiting classes or educational programs in Massachusetts as part of an academic visitation or exchange program. The only exception is for college and university students who exclusively attend classes online and never visit campus in person. College students who attend any classes or activities on campus, even once, must be vaccinated by December 31.

The updated table of immunization requirements for the upcoming school year can be found at https://www.mass.gov/doc/immunization-requirements-for-school-entry-0/download .

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph E. "Joe" Bleakney, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

   Open Letter Regarding Events Saturday at the Common

Dear members of the Hopkinton community:

My name is Rich Yurewicz and on Saturday morning I rode my motorcycle around the Hopkinton Town Common during a celebration of India Day.

I am writing this letter to apologize directly to attendees of yesterday’s gathering - and to all members of the Hopkinton community, both for the way I behaved and for disrupting your peaceful Saturday morning. Despite my intentions, I hurt people with my behavior. I can’t take it back, but I can commit to learn from this and to change. I commit to ask questions, to seek to understand, and to think before I act.

My actions were wrong. I will not dispute that. I reacted emotionally at the idea that the American flag was to be lowered and replaced by the flag of another country. I am human and not without fault. In these uncertain times, where it is now common to hear reports of our flag being disrespected, I jumped to the conclusion that this was happening here - in our town - and felt I had to take a stand.

I want you to all know that being American, the freedoms that we stand for, honoring those who fought to give us those freedoms, and the flag - have always been my core values. My father died in Vietnam. I never met him, but I attribute my pride of country to what I believe he stood for. It is the fabric of who I am, and the way I lead my life.

Like many of us, I have spent a great deal of time this summer thinking about what has shaped my life, what it means to be white, and what it means to be inclusive. I believe racism is complicated, and we all have blind spots. I openly discuss this with my family and friends, and as uncomfortable as these conversations can be, they are necessary for us to move forward. I teach my three young children to be kind, to be loving and to be brave. My family is actively involved with the community, schools, local sports and have extensive roots in this town. I say that so you can understand how much it means to us to see this town maintain its sense of pride in community and ensure that all feel welcome.

I will not act defensive to what you interpret my actions to have meant. You are entitled to your own opinion and freedom of speech - this is an American value that so greatly defines us. My only request is that you do not judge my children, or their mother, and that perhaps you take a step-back and allow this to be what it was – a poorly executed sense of patriotism.

In closing, I want to apologize again for my behavior on Saturday, and to let you know that I wholeheartedly share your belief that hate, and racism have no place here in Hopkinton – or anywhere. Perhaps my misguided actions will somehow inspire more open-dialogue and a greater sense of community for all who call Hopkinton home.

Sincerely,

Rich Yurewicz

Hayden Rowe Street

August 16, 2020

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More Than 120 People Condemn Disruption

Editor:

As concerned citizens of Hopkinton, MA, we condemn all racist acts, and specifically the recent racist incident in which a fellow Hopkinton resident deliberately disrupted a ceremony on the town common to mark India Day. Racism has no place in our town, and we call upon the perpetrator to apologize to our Indian-American neighbors and to the Hopkinton community for his offensive act. We thank the Hopkinton Police Department for intervening, and we invite our neighbors to join us in condemning racism in all its forms.

Sincerely,
Sheila Zarba-Campbell and Stephen Campbell

Editor's Note: Under the notation by the Campbells in the signature line of this letter were another 120 lines of individuals, couples and families, each line under another, margin to the left. The full presentation would have left several inches of scrolling of negative space on the page, but we inform nonetheless. We have greyed out a word used in accusation that would ordinarily cause the letter to land in the circular file, but the need to hear the other side of this accusation gives us cause.

The opinion above is that of the signatories, and not the position of this publication. It presumes racism and charges the motorcyclist, named in print and presumably known to all, with it. Below is a video presented by organizer Meena Kaushik on her facebook page. We hear no racist remarks, but the  sheer volume of the exhaust is overwhelming. They offer no reason for the charge of racism, and Mr. Yurewicz, the motorcyclist, promises a statement.

Board of Health Closes Middle School Basketball Courts

Above, file photo at Middle School courts.

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EOPSS Launches Web Site to Track Crime and Arrest Data from Police Departments Statewide 

BOSTON—The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) today launched a web site that will promote accountability and transparency by allowing users to analyze detailed crime and arrest data from across the Commonwealth. 

The grant-funded Massachusetts Crime Statistics site, located at www.mass.gov/crime-statistics, fulfills a requirement under the criminal justice reform bill signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker, providing options to view annual crime data statewide or by municipality; theme-based reports on hate crimes and other topics; and detailed quarterly arrestee information by city or town. EOPSS has pre-populated the site with data from Massachusetts law enforcement agencies that use the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which collectively provide policing services to more than 95 percent of the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, schools, and hospitals.   

Additional data will become available as more agencies and municipal police departments throughout the Commonwealth adopt the NIBRS system and submit regular reports.  Massachusetts State Police are currently in the process of transitioning to NIBRS reporting, and in the interim are making their data available to the public through an external link on the crime statistics landing page. State Police expect to be fully NIBRS-compatible in December, at which time their data will be directly accessible through the EOPSS site. 

“This site leverages information technology to promote transparency and accountability,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Thomas Turco.  “It will serve as a valuable tool for researchers, municipal leaders, and residents alike.”   

The site was funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice. 

                               UPDATED ROADWORK NOTICE

Road paving has been rescheduled on the following streets. Work hours will be approximately 7am-5pm. Dates and times may need to be adjusted depending on weather.

8/17 & 8/18 - Wedgewood Dr.

A detour will be in place during paving operations. The detour will consist of using Greenwood Rd to Overlook Dr to Cedar St Ext.

8/20 - Palomino Dr, Clydesdale Rd and Claflin St.

Please expect delays and seek alternate routes when possible.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Robert Randall (“Randy”) Magnanti, 49

Robert Randall (“Randy”) Magnanti, 49, passed away from Covid-19 on August 5, 2020.  He was born to Beverly A and Thomas L Magnanti in Palo Alto, CA on February 10, 1971.  Later that same year the family relocated to MA when Thomas joined the MIT faculty. 

Randy suffered a stroke at age 2 that left him multi-handicapped, but this never dimmed his spirit or his smile.  He joined the Cub Scouts in Holliston and attended school in both Holliston and Westwood, MA.  In his senior year he met the love of his life, Mary Sacco.  They attended both his and her senior proms together.  WBZ and Jack Williams interviewed them and they were featured on the news.   Randy attended a day program run by Advocates, Inc. and in later years moved to a group home run by them as well.  Randy worked part-time for Southborough Medical/Reliant Medical Group since 1995 and was very proud of his job and his tenure with the company.

Over the course of his life Randy travelled the world with his parents. He lived in Brussels for a year, visited England and Singapore multiple times, and toured most of Western Europe.  He made more than 15 visits to Disney properties and he considered those ideal vacations, but Singapore and Hawaii weren’t far behind.  Randy attended day and residential camps overseen by Natick Recreation and when he returned from his camp weeks he was already eagerly anticipating the following year.   Randy loved music, especially Elvis, and visited Graceland 3 times.  He also loved cars, movies, the theatre, our home teams, watching sports with dad, making mom laugh, his family, and Mary, Mary, Mary.  In 2011 the parents put on a gala to celebrate their 20 years of friendship and love.  Randy said he had never been so happy.

Randy had health setbacks and surgeries over the years, but never felt sorry for himself.  In fact, his catch phrase was “Its ok, I’m tough.”   Randy filled the hearts of all who knew him and those just passing by with his enthusiasm for life, his kindness, and his shining spirit.

Randy liked to joke that he was born weird and felt sorry for families who got “boring” babies.  He liked to further joke that he got his weirdness from dad’s side of the family. 

Next year when, hopefully, we can all safely intermingle, a memorial will be held for him.  Randy’s parents will be setting up some funds in his name.  Because his favorite animal was an orangutan (like his stuffed friends Red, RJ, and Shorty), one of the funds will be to help try to save them from extinction.

In addition to his sweet Mary, he leaves loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A virtual service is planned for Saturday Aug 15^th at 11:00 am. Link will be posted on mataresefuneral.com   No flowers, please.  Donations can be made to his funds next year.

Roadwork Notice

Road paving is scheduled on the following streets. Work hours will be approximately 7am-5pm. Dates and times may need to be adjusted depending on weather.

8/14 & 8/17 - Wedgewood Dr.

A detour will be in place during paving operations. The detour will consist of using Greenwood Rd to Overlook Dr to Cedar St Ext.

8/18 - Palomino Dr, Clydesdale Rd and Claflin St.

Please expect delays and seek alternate routes when possible.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Support for Jesse Mermell for the Fourth

Editor:

I am voting for Jesse Mermell as the Democratic candidate for our Fourth Congressional District. Here’s why: In a field of nine Jesse stands out for her clarity on the whole range of progressive issues – all of which make sense to me as a businessman:

• Economic growth through investment in environmentally modern industries. Call it the Green New Deal if you must but investing in the future makes more sense to me than continuing to subsidize the past.

• Health care is a right, not to mention an economic necessity. The Mad Hatter’s tea party of drug companies, hospitals, doctors, lawyers, and insurance companies all fighting to protect their special self-interests is no easy one to break up or break into. Doing so is critical to reducing costs and improving deliveries. It’s only good business!

• Bring immigration out of the penalty box. Recognize that immigration is the “gas” in our economy. Establish fairness and humanity in U.S. immigration policy. • Women’s reproductive health. Women make up more than 50% of the workforce. Fairness in treating pregnancy, childcare, and birth control is overdue.

• Fairness and inclusion for gender, color, sexuality, and cultural identity. When all do well, all do well.

Jesse has a long record of public service in local government, state government, and issue advocacy which surpasses any in the candidate field -- Brookline Selectman, Governor Patrick’s senior staff, Planned Parenthood, and Alliance for Business Leadership. Speaking with her one on one, and observing her in two debate performances, it is clear she knows how to carry herself. Jesse is clear spoken, informed on the issues, and focused. She will be a powerful advocate for 4th District concerns on the floor of the House.

Jesse can wear the mantel of Barney Frank and Joe Kennedy – both national figures whose stature has served the district well. Jesse has the persona to continue that presence.

Finally, she is a woman. I think more women are needed in Congress. I’m reminded of Senator Klobuchar’s debate comment, “If you think a woman can’t beat Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi does it every day!” Jesse Mermell has that sense of the moment. We should give her the opportunity to be that kind of voice for the 4th District in Washington.

 Respectfully offered,

Finley Perry

87 West Elm Street

Hopkinton, MA

August 13, 2020

Ashland, MA – Knights of Columbus Bishop Rice Council #4822 serving Ashland and Hopkinton MA was awarded the distinction of Star Council, the international organization’s top honor for local councils.

The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of growing membership, promoting Knights of Columbus insurance benefits, sponsoring Catholic faith formation programs and volunteering time through service-oriented activities. Only 12% of the 16,000+ worldwide Knights of Columbus councils earn this award for their service.

In the challenging times of COVID19, the Bishop Rice Council was able to strengthen their brotherhood with the addition many new Knights all who practice Faith in Action. During this pandemic, the Bishop Rice Council organized and executed a number of programs that aided the communities of Ashland, Hopkinton and surrounding towns. A few of these programs include:

 · COVID19 Helping Hands The Ashland/Hopkinton Knights organized a network of volunteers (Knights and non-Knights) to assist those most affected by COVID19 and needing assistance. Through a hotline (phone and email) as well as word of mouth, dozens of people in the Hopkinton/Ashland communities were assisted in basic tasks when traditional support systems may have broken down. These tasks include grocery shopping, delivery of prescription medications, rides to medical appointments and more.

· Virtual Food for Families Drive Under normal circumstances, the Bishop Rice Council holds a Lenten food drive at St. John The Evangelist collecting canned goods for Project Just Because in Hopkinton. With the COVID19 pandemic, the Knights regrouped and hosted a “virtual” food drive and were able to collect over $1500 in donations that were presented to PJB to help their worthy causes.

· Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry Helping Hands Prior to the pandemic, the KofC organized weekly assistance to the Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry which consisted of collecting food at the Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury and delivering it to MDBFP. During the pandemic, there was an obvious greater need for more food subsidy to the clients of MDBFP and even more assistance was needed. The Knights continued to provide a steady stream of volunteers week-in and week-out, normally loading and unloading between 6,000 and 9,000 pounds of food.

Virtual Spiritual Reflection In troubling times, Faith is needed more than ever, and the Knights organized a weekly Virtual prayer service allowing participants to reflect on the scriptures as well as their own personal beliefs and concerns.

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The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) and Special Tactical Operations Team (STOP) yesterday located and captured a suspect accused of shooting a man in the leg, striking his femoral artery, a little over a week ago.

Troopers from MSP VFAS were searching for RAMON BAEZ, 33, of Gardner, at the request of Fitchburg Police after he shot the victim on Aug. 2 in that city. The victim survived the shooting. Yesterday, an MSP VFAS Trooper developed information suggesting that BAEZ was staying at the Super 8 hotel in Gardner. MSP VFAS teams responded to the hotel and established surveillance, along with uniformed Troopers from State Police-Athol, members of a US Marshals Service task force, and members of the Middlesex Sheriff’s and Massachusetts Parole departments.

Troopers knew that BAEZ had made statements saying he would not go back to prison and indicating he would shoot at police who tried to arrest him. BAEZ was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, according to the intelligence. Additionally, Troopers were aware that a handgun had been found inside BAEZ’s car during a previous traffic stop.

The MSP STOP Team responded to assist in the apprehension because of the suspect’s history and the intelligence about his alleged mindset and firearm possession.

MSP VFAS and STOP Troopers were waiting as BAEZ came out of the hotel’s front lobby and took him into custody without incident. During a search of the suspect, Troopers located a loaded 9MM handgun with a 16-round clip in his fanny pack, along with approximately 13 grams of cocaine and six grams of heroin. The firearm will be examined to determine if it was the one used in the Aug. 2 attempted murder.

Troopers transported him to State Police-Athol for booking. He was charged with several warrants, including one for attempted murder, assault and battery with a firearm, and related firearms offenses in connection with the Aug. 2 shooting.

He was also charged with several other warrants charging him with, among other offenses, indecent assault and battery, breaking and entering, larceny, possession of a silencer and other firearms crimes, and motor vehicle crimes, including reckless operation and having a young child in his vehicle without a car seat.

In the Aug. 2 shooting, the 30-year-old Fitchburg man suffered a gunshot wound to his femoral artery. The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. between 2 Pritchard St. and the Fitchburg Place Apartments. Responding Fitchburg officers slowed the victim’s extensive bleeding, and may have saved his life, but using a tourniquet before EMS arrived on scene. The victim was listed in stable condition two days after the shooting.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Hopkinton Awarded Regional Grant from FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

HOPKINTON, MA (August 10, 2020) - The Town of Hopkinton is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $350,000 grant from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program. The money, awarded jointly to the Hopkinton and Ashland Fire Departments, will be used to replace obsolete portable radios, bringing both departments into compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards.

“Enhanced communications are the foundation of the fire service and crucial to the departments’ ability to complete their mission of preserving life and property from fire, medical, and other emergencies,” said Town Manager Norman Khumalo.

Hopkinton Fire Deputy Miller and Ashland Fire Lieutenant Boland state that the opportunity to work on a regional grant was a positive benefit to both communities and their departments.

“Having effective communications on all emergencies is a crucial part of our operations, and these new portable radios will assure that our staff has state of the art communications,” they said.

“I am thrilled that Hopkinton and Ashland were awarded a regional grant to fund critically-needed emergency response equipment, in this case portable radios to improve communication,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. “ I am very pleased that our towns worked together to secure additional resources to further protect our regions’ residents.”

The primary goal of the AFG Program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. According to the FEMA website, since 2001 AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

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As Troopers approached the vehicle they observed the operator, JOUSEPH PACHECO, 20 of New Bedford, quickly close the glove box before removing the gloves on his hands and tossed them on the floor board.

PACHECO was unable to produce a valid driver’s license and was asked to exit the Jeep. As a result of a search of the vehicle troopers located a loaded Jimenez .25 caliber handgun with two rounds of ammunition, two large clear bags of Marijuana, a digital scale and $267.00 in the glove box. PACHECO does not possess a license to carry.

PACHECO was placed under arrest and transported to State Police – Dartmouth where he was booked on the following charges:

1. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;

2. Possession / Carrying a Firearm;

3. Drug, Possess To Distribute Class D;

4. Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle;

5. Holding Electronic Device, Non Hands-Free;

6. Fail to Signal; and

7. Fail Wear To Wear Seat Belt.

PACHECO was transported to the Ash Street Jail where he will be held pending his arraignment Monday in New Bedford District Court.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Town Hall Reopening Plan

Town Hall Reopening Plan - NEW (COVID-19) UPDATE On Monday August 10th, Town Hall will reopen to the public by appointment only. This is due to the state's COVID-19 limits on building occupancy. Currently, only one visitor will be allowed, per floor, at a time. Under this initial reopening, any member of the public wishing to visit Town Hall in person must schedule an appointment in advance. To make an appointment with Town Hall staff, please contact the department directly to schedule a mutually available time slot.

When arriving for your confirmed appointment, all visitors must wear a face-covering for the duration of the visit. In addition, visitors will be required to complete a COVID-19 attestation form in advance or upon arrival. Any individual who has symptoms of COVID-19 is asked to stay home and reschedule their appointment.. In order to support physical distancing, the Town has installed signage and markings to provide guidance, as well as Plexiglas barriers at customer-facing counters for protection.

Hand-sanitizers have also been installed throughout Town Hall. All Town departments continue to offer residents and businesses the ability to conduct transactions online, by mail, by phone, and via the drop-boxes located in the rear and front of Town Hall. The Town encourages residents and businesses to use online services to conduct business. Under this initial reopening phase, the Town continues to protect the health and safety of the public and its employees by following state guidelines.

Adhering to the state’s reduced capacity requirement, 50% of staff will be at Town Hall at any given time. All staff are required to complete a COVID-19 attestation form daily before entering the office and wear a face-covering in shared spaces, including corridors, lobbies and restrooms. Staff who have COVID-19 symptoms must remain at home. 1 The Facilities Department is sanitizing high touch areas frequently. Future phases of the reopening of Town Hall will depend on public health measures, state guidelines, and will be announced when they are determined.

Voters of Hopkinton,
The new election law passed by the General Court and Signed by the Governor has significantly expanded early voting, by-mail and in-person.  Due to occupancy issues at Town Hall, the Board of Registrars voted on 08/04/2020 to move early voting in person for the Primary to the Hopkinton Senior Center at 28 Mayhew Street.  Voters will not use the main entrance and will enter through the library door and will exit through the side door once they have voted.  Mask wearing as well as social distancing will be required.

• Saturday (08/22) and Sunday (08/23) - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Monday (08/24), Wednesday (08/26), and Thursday (08/27) - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Tuesday (08/25) - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Friday (08/28) - 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

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BOSTON – Two individuals in two separate cases have been arraigned on charges of illegally possessing firearms in connection with investigations resulting in the seizure of “ghost guns”, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Tuan Nguyen, 47, of Milton, was arrested in December 2019 in connection with a joint investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations, the Massachusetts State Police, and the AG’s Office. During the execution of a search warrant at Nguyen’s Warren Avenue residence, law enforcement officers from the Massachusetts State Police recovered seven loaded firearms, including two un-serialized AR-15 style semi-automatic rifles considered “ghost guns” and five semi-automatic pistols, as well as four firearm silencers, 26 large-capacity firearm feeding devices, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest carrier, and a cache of gun parts and accessories from the defendant’s residence and vehicle. During a forensic search of Nguyen’s cell phone, authorities recovered several photographs of Nguyen posing with firearms and assault rifles.

Nguyen was indicted by a Norfolk Grand Jury in July and was arraigned today in Norfolk Superior Court on the following charges:
Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm (2 Counts)
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (26 Counts)
Possession of a Firearm without a Firearm Identification Card (7 Counts)
Improper Storage of a Firearm (8 Counts)
Possession of a Silencer (4 Counts)
Nguyen pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment and bail was set at $10,000. He is due back in Norfolk Superior Court on October 7 for a status conference.

Victor Pagliuca, 56, of Winthrop, was arrested in January 2020 in connection with an investigation, initiated by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, involving shipments of illegal firearm silencers. The case was referred to the AG’s Office for further investigation. During the execution of a search warrant at Pagliuca’s Shirley Street residence, law enforcement officers from the Massachusetts State Police and Winthrop Police Department recovered two semi-automatic “ghost guns”, nearly 3,000 rounds of ammunition, eight large-capacity firearm feeding devices, a cache of gun parts and accessories, an instructional DVD on how to build an untraceable AR-15 assault rifle at home,” and a 3D mold for building “ghost guns”. Pagliuca was indicted by a Suffolk County Grand Jury in July and arraigned Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court on the following charges:

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)
Unlawful Possession of Ammunition (1 count)
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (8 counts)
Bail was set at $25,000, and a status conference is scheduled for October 7 in Suffolk Superior Court.
These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“Ghost guns” are untraceable, privately made firearms that lack serial numbers or other identifying marks. These firearms are often manufactured from firearm parts kits that include an unfinished firearm that the buyer can complete assembly of at home, a task that can be easily accomplished with ordinary household tools. The legal purchase of these kits, whether through online retailors or at brick and mortar gun shops, can lead to the illegal possession of an untraceable firearm once the firearm manufacture process is complete.

These matters are being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Andrea Mauro and Lynn Brennan, both of the AG’s Enterprise, Cyber, and Major Crimes Division.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

State Public Health Officials Announce Season’s First Human Case of EEE in the Commonwealth

Two communities now at critical risk for EEE

BOSTON (August 3, 2020) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing confirmed the first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection, a male under the age of 18 who was exposed to EEE in Plymouth County. As a result, the risk level in the two communities of Carver and Middleborough in Plymouth County has been raised to critical.

In addition, Kingston, Plympton and Rochester are at high risk. Bridgewater, Halifax, Lakeville, Plymouth, and Wareham in Plymouth County, and Raynham and Taunton in Bristol County are now at moderate risk.

DPH is working with the local health departments, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and local Mosquito Control Projects to coordinate surveillance and appropriate public health response activities.

All residents are reminded to use mosquito repellent any time they are outside, and those in high and critical risk communities are advised to schedule their outdoor activity to avoid the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to the mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE.

“EEE is rare, but it is a serious disease and public health concern, and we remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites as EEE activity increases,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “The single best prevention tool continues to be avoiding mosquito bites by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, weather permitting, and avoiding outdoor activity between the hours of dusk and dawn in the highest risk areas.”

EEE is a rare but potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. In Massachusetts there were 12 human cases of EEE in 2019 with 6 deaths.

EEE virus has been found in 29 mosquito samples this year, including in species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people. Information about current mosquito activity will continue to be updated regularly and can be found here.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes. DPH recommends the preventive measures below.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to DPH by calling 617-983-6800.

For the most up-to-date information on pesticide spraying locations, visit the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Aerial Spraying Map https://massnrc.org/spray-map/

For other updates, Q&As, and downloadable fact sheets in multiple languages visit the DPH webpage www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019.

Information including all West Nile virus and EEE positive results can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities