America Reunited: A Relational Solution to Bridging the Political, Social and Personal Chasm Dividing our Nation

by Hopkinton author,  Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Each year, more and more Americans adopt extreme views to the right or to the left. America Reunited attempts to provide first-care for the current and serious conflicts that ail us as a society: racism, sexism, immigration, poverty, increases in suicide, and alcoholism and overdoses, as well as address the reasons for the political misinformation that is prevalent every day through various news sources and social medial sites.

Nutritionists tell us that we are what we eat. As a clinical psychologist, Arthur P. Ciaramicoli believes that we are what we perceive. We are in a dark time and in need of enhanced empathy to allow us to regain our civility and our sense of reason. The cancer in our country is deep and it is growing, but it is still curable if we devise a treatment plan that we are all willing to implement.

America Reunited is due to be published this May; however it is now available for pre-order from my publisher, Open Books. It is my hope that you will pre-order your copy today, and that you will order one to give to a friend, too! Let’s all try to make a difference!

Order here: http://www.open-bks.com/library/moderns/america-reunited/order.html

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dr. C
Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Kevin Stacey, Hopkinton Author of Mind Right: Navigate the Noise,
Interviewed on ABC

www.TrainRightInc.com

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office urges residents to be alert for scams

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is once again urging residents to be alert for ongoing imposter scams.

“Across the nation, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) – among others – are warning of scams tied to tax filing season, economic impact payments (EIP) and even COVID vaccinations,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian.  “At the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office we want community members to be on guard and be able to immediately recognize these scams.”

When it comes to COVID vaccinations, for instance, the BBB warns that some immediate tell-tale signs a communication is a scam are if the person contacting you wants you to pay to put your name on a waiting list or pay for the vaccination.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC), the vaccine is being provided “free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.” 

The MSO is also warning of continuing scams involving the alleged suspension or deactivation of Social Security numbers (listen to audio).  According to the FTC, Social Security numbers do not get suspended.

In all of the scams mentioned above – and their variations (arrest, jury duty, etc.) – the perpetrators are trying to either obtain money in the form of direct payment through things like prepaid debit or gift cards, or to access critical personal information like Social Security numbers, bank or credit card accounts, and passcodes.

Residents who receive communications similar to these, are urged to:

• Immediately hang up.

• Never provide any personal information (Social Security or bank account numbers, etc.).

• Contact government agencies directly to verify the veracity of calls, emails, texts or letters.

If you or a loved one have lost money or had your personal information comprised due to one of these schemes you are urged to immediately contact local authorities.  Individuals may also report cases of fraud to the FTC via reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/  .

Seeking Artists

Hopkinton Cultural Council is seeking artists to extend and grow our Celebration of Diversity Mural in Hopkinton.  “We hope to add 3 to 5 new segments this year.  We are looking to create a footprint of this moment in our town’s history as we embrace its growing diversity and character.”-Casady, Chair of the Hopkinton Cultural Council.

Themes may include, but are not limited to, Indigenous culture, women’s history, and individuals with differing abilities.   All ideas and artistic interpretations of diversity are welcome for submission.  Open to working with single or multiple artists. Mural is located on the wooden fence leading from Rt 85 into EMC Park.  Segments 8 ft wide x 7 ft tall.   Media must be long-lived and weather resistant.

For questions, call Ilana Casady at 617-461-9659 or email culturalchair@hopkintonma.gov  

Please send sample images:  culturalchair@hopkintonma.gov  

• Entry deadline:  May 15, 2021.  

• Jury decision deadline: May 31, 2021.

• Installation deadline:  August 15, 2021

The Hopkinton Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 local Cultural Councils (LCC) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides and annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

On Saturday, March 13, 2021, Robert W. Bierig loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness. Bob was born on January 1, 1932 in Alma, NY to Ruth Crawford of Dorset, Ohio. He grew up in Erie, PA where he graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1949. After graduation from high school, he attended college until he was called to serve his country during the Korean War. He served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1954 at which time he was honorably discharged. He then cared for his disabled Father.

He restarted college after his Father’s death and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Electrical Engineering from Princeton University.

After graduation in 1958, Bob moved to Massachusetts and started his long and successful career at the Raytheon Company, Research Division. While at Raytheon, he was responsible for a significant portion of the research in the general area of electron paramagnetic resonance. He also did work at the MIT Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory studying the band structure and the conduction band nonlinearities of III-V semiconductors. Bob earned numerous patents and was honored in 1988 by being elected a Fellow of the IEEE for leadership in the research of gallium arsenide device and monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology.

Upon his retirement from Raytheon, he attended Harvard University and earned a Masters of Education Degree. He then spent several years as a substitute teacher in the high schools of the surrounding towns with the hope of exciting the students in the pursuit of science.

Bob most loved spending time with his extended family, gardening, listening to classical music, fly-fishing in Maine, reading and cooking. Bob’s pies and rolls were coveted and enjoyed by his family. One of the first words of one grandnephew was “ro-ro”.

For 57 years, Bob brought his children, grandchildren, and one hardy nephew to fly fish in the wildest reaches of Maine’s inland mountains. A love of nature and years of cherished memories were created during these trips to the North woods.

Bob met the love of life, his wife Barbara at Raytheon. Their more than 41 year marriage was a model of reciprocal love and mutual respect. Other than their yearly Caribbean vacations during the winter, most of their time was spent loving their extended family and happily providing babysitting for two generations of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Bob’s passing has left a massive hole in the hearts of those who love him. The mountain has fallen but the many foothills still stand. Bob’s legacy, the love of family and self-sacrifice, will be carried forward and passed on by his descendants.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara of Hopkinton, his son, Brian and his wife, Susan, daughter Teresa and her husband, Matt, and his son, Robert K. His son, Kurt, predeceased him in death. Bob is also survived by his grandchildren, Trevor and Ariel Bierig, Devin Bierig, Blake and Brady Neyland, Veronica and Tabbitha Bierig.

A private graveside service and burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holliston at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com

Derek Holden Dempsey, 36

Derek Holden Dempsey, 36, of Woonsocket, RI and formerly of Hopkinton, MA, passed away Monday, March 15, 2021 at Rhode Island Hospital, after a long struggle with a heart infection.  Born in Worcester in 1984, he was the son of Jennifer Holden and James Dempsey.

Derek attended Hopkinton Public Schools, and began to study at an automotive school before being employed with California Closets, where he worked for many years. He continued to love working on cars, had a knack for anything mechanical, and enjoyed making things for others. He especially enjoyed time spent with his daughter, Claire. She put a twinkle in his eyes from the moment she was born, and he always taught her that she was capable and strong. 

Derek was lifelong friends with his two younger brothers, Jon and Geoff. He gained an older sister, Sarah, when his dad married Gail, and the two formed a lasting and unique sibling bond.

Derek is survived by his daughter, Claire Dempsey and her mother, Lauren Matias both of Ashland; his mother, Jennifer Ann Holden and her partner, Richard Schnitzlein of Upton; his father, James Dempsey and his wife, Gail M. Dempsey of Worcester; his siblings, Sarah Dempsey and her children, Madeleine and Maximus Corriveau of Worcester; Jonathan Dempsey and his wife, Jessica Pearl of Landenburg, PA; and Geoffrey Dempsey and his partner, Marissa Douglas of Philadelphia, PA.

His life was cut short, but he touched many hearts in the time he was with us, and he will be remembered as a warm, kind, and gentle soul by his family and many friends. 

The family would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Rhode Island Hospital Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care staff, for the loving and expert care they gave to Derek. 

Private family arrangements are being held and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Heart Association, heart.org.  or Learn2Cope.org. 

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

HOPKINTON, MA, March 15, 2021 - The Hopkinton Public Library is pleased to announce the creation of a long-range plan for fiscal years 2022-2027. Based on community feedback collected in 2020, the new plan will guide the library's work and priorities for the next five years.

The FY22-27 Strategic Plan identifies five priorities within which the library will work to achieve its mission to "inspire exploration, discovery, and engagement as we enrich and strengthen the social network of our diverse community." Those priorities are: "Connecting our community", "Providing access to education, arts, culture, and knowledge", "Creating an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for all", "Striving to deliver an exceptional, customer-focused user experience", and "Stewarding and obtaining resources to accomplish strategic priorities".

The plan is available for the public to read on the library's website at www.hopkintonlibrary.org/strategicplan.asp . "We are grateful to the many community members who took the time to share their thoughts as part of our planning process," said Library Director Heather Backman.

"Thanks to their input, we have a strong and flexible plan that will guide the library in providing exceptional services, managing our resources effectively, and sustaining our vital role within the Hopkinton community."

For the next five years, the library's work will be guided by the priorities defined in the Strategic Plan. Each year, library staff will create action plans describing specific steps that the library will take to make progress in those priority areas. Updates on annual action plans and progress will be available on the library's website.

Library Director Heather Backman will give a public presentation about the Strategic Plan on Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. Interested members of the public should visit the library's event calendar at www.libraryinsight.net/calendar.asp?jx=hk  to register to receive a Zoom link. The Director is also available to speak directly to community groups about the Strategic Plan upon request.

The library is appreciative of the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation's generous support in funding consultant Ruth Kowal's work on this project.

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Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce Overwhelmingly

Against Proposed Tree Protection Article

     To: Gary Trendel, Chair, Hopkinton Planning Board
     From: J. Nicholas Slottje
     Date: February 25, 2021
     Subject: Tree Protection Article

On behalf of the Hopkinton Chamber’s Economic Development Council, please let this letter serve as our overwhelming opposition to the proposed Tree Protection Article. It is clear that a few key questions and points need to be injected into the discussion with particular focus on the contradictions that this article creates when paired with our existing zoning by-laws.

There is certainly reason for concern and complaint over recent solar development and how that has impacted some of our abutting neighborhoods. This is a task worth taking action on. However, this article is far too overreaching and creates more problems than it solves.

There is a reason that Hopkinton is such a special community and in part is a result of our, albeit complex, but well-planned zoning. The very zoning that has resulted in creating the town that we all know and love.

If the goal here is to limit solar development is it wise that prudent commercial and residential development be collateral damage? That prudent growth which we frankly need desperately to keep our budgets and corresponding taxes at a reasonable level.

Furthermore, there is a question of government overreach here. Such a restrictive by-law that tells property owners which trees they can cut down has the potential to open the Town up to lawsuits.

We would ask that the Planning Board look at alternative strategies that focus clearly on solar development instead of a dangerous blanket by-law which create more red tape, confusion, and contradictions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards,

J. NICHOLAS SLOTTJE

Chamber Executive Committee & Chairman Economic Development Council

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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

•      Updated List of candidates who have taken out papers for the 2021 Hopkinton Town Election
•      Compiled by Town Clerk, Connor Degan
•     
•     Irfan Nasrullah, Board of Selectmen/Select Board, Democratic, Incumbent

• Muriel Kramer,  Board of Selectmen/Select Board, Democratic

• David Paul, Planning Board, Unenrolled, Incumbent

• Melissa Hayes, Commissioners of Trust Funds, Democratic

• John Morris, Housing Authority, Democratic

• Stanley Pulnik, Library Board of Trustees, Democratic, Incumbent

• Daniel Terry, Parks & Recreation Commission, Unenrolled, Incumbent

• Francis D'Urso, Constable, Democratic, Incumbent

• Colleen Malloy, School Committee, Democratic (has requested to withdraw, does not intend to return papers)

• Leslie Ficarri, Board of Assessors, Democratic, Incumbent

• Margaret Wiggin, Parks & Recreation Commission, Democratic

• Robert Benson Jr., Planning Board, Democratic, Incumbent

• Michael King, Board of Health, Democratic, Incumbent

• Thomas Pratt, Cemetery Commission, Democratic, Incumbent

• •       Kyla McSweeney, Cemetery Commission (unexpired term, one year), Democratic

• Amanda Fargiano, School Committee, Unenrolled, Incumbent

• Margaret Tyler, School Committee, Democratic, Incumbent

• Francis Deyoung, Planning Board (Unexpired Term), Unenrolled

• Jared Pray, School Committee, Unenrolled

• Amy O'Donnell, Parks & Recreation Commission, Democratic

• Regina Miloslavsky, Board of Health, Democratic 

•  

•     There are two ways a candidate can get printed on the election ballot.

•         1. By taking out nomination papers and turning them in signed, which must then be verified.

•         2. By being nominated by their party caucus.

•    A candidate gets elected by having more votes than the others. Besides being on the ballot, an individual could get elected by a write-in campaign, where supporters would write the candidate's name in the blank space provided on the ballot. Or, a candidate could run a sticker campaign, handing out stickers for people to adhere onto the blank space.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Charles E. Campbell III, 73

Charles E. Campbell III, 73 of Hopkinton, MA and formerly of Holliston, passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2021. Charles (Chuck) was born on August 8, 1947 in Berlin, Germany, son of Charles E. Campbell Jr. and Marion Doyle Campbell.    

Chuck leaves behind his beloved wife of 47 years, Carolyn (Degler) Campbell, his brother, John of West Palm Beach and his nephew, Alex of California. His late sister was Marion Wade Campbell.He and his family moved to the USA in 1953, settling in Connecticut. Chuck’s mother was a Pulitzer Prize winning writer for Reuter’s in 1954. Chuck attended Darien High School and then served in the military in the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he became a State Trooper in Connecticut and then in Massachusetts when his family moved. He went on to complete his studies at Northeastern University and earned his Bachelor’s in Journalism and his Master’s in Counseling. Chuck spent 17 years at Motorola Codex as the Director of HR and subsequently at other technology companies as Director and VP of Human Resources. 

For the past 28 years, Chuck has been the owner and Principal of Argyle Consultants, an HR Consulting and Coaching firm. He is best known for establishing the Senior Human Resources Network (SHRN) as a founding member who touched the lives of hundreds of HR professionals in transition and networking.  

His candor, insight, counseling, friendship, and beautiful heart helped an innumerable number of executives throughout his career. His selfless passion for supporting others and promoting the HR profession has created a legacy within Massachusetts. 

Following a private graveside ceremony, Chuck will be buried at Lake Grove Cemetery in Holliston, MA. A celebration of life event will be scheduled for later in the year. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the following of Chuck’s charities; American Wounded Heroes www.woundedheroesofamerica.com , American Cancer Society www.cancer.org  , Disabled American Veterans  dav.org, and The Humane Society of the U.S., humanesociety.org Arrangements are under the Chesmore Funeral Home, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com  

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Hopkinton Police Incident Logs 
Disabled motor vehicle, unemployment fraud,
missing student -found walking home,
harassing messages and calls,
checking male party near field 10,
erratic operation of truck, gas odor,
driver opening all mailboxes, more...
March 3, 2021
Existing Arrest

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

BOSTON – March 3, 2021 - Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments starting March 11th.

This group of workers will join the current eligible groups (including 65+ and individuals with 2+ certain medical conditions).

The Administration also released details on available appointments for the upcoming week.

Teacher Vaccines

Beginning March 11th, all K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff will be eligible to schedule appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. Educators may book appointments at all 170 sites currently open to eligible residents in Massachusetts by visiting www.mass.gov/covidvaccinemap .

Additionally, the Command Center will work to designate specific days at the seven mass vaccination sites for educators to get their shots. More details will be released soon.

There are approximately 400,000 K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff in Massachusetts. Due to a severely constrained federal supply and the existing population that is currently eligible for vaccines, it is estimated that it will take a month for all eligible individuals to secure a first appointment. This timeframe is only subject to change if federal supply increases dramatically, including the recently authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Vaccine Appointments

This week, we anticipate over 250,000 doses will be administered between first and second doses across all providers throughout the Commonwealth.

On Thursday, March 4, 12,000 new first appointments for mass vaccination sites will be made available to eligible groups. Over 450,000 new second dose appointments have also been scheduled at mass vaccination sites.

The number of new appointments (first dose appointments) is less than previous weeks due to the volume of second dose appointments. 7,500 appointments have also been booked by the call center (211) for older adults who were unable to use a computer to book an appointment and required assistance.

As more individuals have received a first vaccine dose across the Commonwealth, there is a greater need to book second appointments, so the mass vaccination sites have fewer first dose appointments available on a weekly basis.

Later next week, a new Regional Collaboration will go live: the Lower Merrimack Valley regional collaboration, to include the City of Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury. Details on this collaborative will be on the website at mass.gov/covidvaccinemap next week.

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The COVID-19 Command Center was notified that Massachusetts is receiving only one shipment of 58,000 doses for the month of March. These doses have been allocated – primarily to hospitals and health systems.

Based on information the Commonwealth has received from the federal government, the Administration does not expect to be able to order more J&J doses until the end of March or early April.

While the Commonwealth is receiving limited doses of the J&J vaccine in March, the Administration is continuing to plan for eventual widespread distribution of the J&J vaccine.

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March 2, 2021 -
“A top priority for everyone in government, whether at the local, state or federal level, should be getting our students and teachers and staff back into the classroom safely. Getting students back into the classroom, where they learn best, should be a local decision which will depend upon a variety of factors. If the Governor wants to mandate opening elementary schools across the Commonwealth to in-person learning by April 1st, the Administration must have an equitable plan that gives communities the necessary support and resources to do that. Among those resources, we need a vaccine program for teachers and staff that is aggressive, and we need it this month. As more vaccine doses become available to the state, I am calling on the Governor to designate a percentage of those doses to be administered to teachers and staff in their communities.”

HMA March Calendar Drawing Sales Continue

The Hopkinton Music Association (HMA) will continue to sell tickets to their “March Calendar Drawing” throughout the month of March to raise funds for music scholarships and Music Program needs at the Hopkinton Public Schools. This is the HMA’s only fundraiser for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Tickets for the March Calendar Drawing are $10 each. Purchase as many as you wish! Each ticket is eligible for prizes in up to 31 daily drawings depending on when the purchased ticket is received. Thus multiple prizes per ticket are possible. Tickets can be purchased from any Hopkinton Public School music student in grades 5 through 12.  If you are unable to find a music student, contact Karen Bograd at ktbograd@gmail.com. We appreciate your support!

Look for calendar updates and the list of winners on our website:

 www.hopkintonmusicasso.wixsite.com/hopkintonmusic/fundraising

For more than 30 years nationwide, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has designated March as “Music In Our Schools Month” highlighting the importance of music education for all children and reminding us that school is where all children should have access to music. Contributed

The Town of Hopkinton seeks a Police Officer*
 

Base Starting Salary: $25.02 hourly; Salary Range up to $27.91 hourly
and other benefits in accordance with the CBA incl. 
Education Incentive, Shift Differential, etc.
 
Application Deadline: 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 18, 2021
 
 
*This recruitment is only open to candidates who have either 1) successfully passed and received certification from a full-time police officer training academy or 2 ) are currently enrolled and attending the training academy as recognized by the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC). Out-of-state applicants must contact the MPTC at (781) 437-0300, www.mass.gov/mptc , to determine eligibility for certification.


DUTIES:
• Police Officers must perform a wide range of law enforcement responsibilities necessary to the stability and safety of the community. These include, but are not limited to, the following:  
Identify criminal offenders and criminal activity and, where appropriate, apprehend offenders and participate in subsequent court proceedings.
• Reduce the opportunities for the commission of crime through preventive patrol and other measures.
• Aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm.
• Facilitate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic; enforce traffic rules and regulations and motor vehicle laws by issuing citations.
• Identify situations that are potential law enforcement or safety problems.
• Create and maintain a feeling of security in the community.
• Promote and preserve the peace.
• Respond to emergency situations and provide appropriate services as necessary.  
• Proactively address issues identified by citizens and/or neighborhood organizations.  
• Creatively solve problems related to improving quality of life in the community.  
• Complete detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle accidents and other incidents requiring police attention.
• Properly maintain equipment and supplies.  


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Education, Experience, and Certifications:
• Certifiable by the Municipal Police Training Committee as a Police Officer.
• Equivalent to High School Equivalency; possess a minimum of 60 credits from an accredited institution in a related field and/or Four years of Honorable service in the Military in lieu of degree.
• Possession of valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms. 
• In accordance with Mass General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 96A, “No person who has been convicted of any felony shall be appointed as a police officer of a city, town or district.”


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Physical condition necessary to pass a medical exam relating to the essential functions of this position.
• Ability to use physical force in a lawful manner to restrain and apprehend suspects or to suppress violence.
• Ability to carry and use firearms when authorized in a safe and lawful manner.
• Ability to function effectively in dangerous situations where personal safety may be in jeopardy and where conditions are stressful.
• Ability to work for long hours during any part of a 24-hour day, including weekends and holidays.
• Good reading comprehension and writing skills; ability to prepare and read reports regarding different occurrences, disturbances, and accidents.  
• Good verbal communication skills; ability to interact with co-workers, supervisors and the general public in an effective manner.
• Good moral character as evidenced by a background investigation.
• Ability to speak a second language is helpful.  


Internal/External Applicants: To be considered for this position, please submit cover letter, resume and required Application for Employment (attached), to hr@hopkintonma.gov   no later than 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 18, 2021. While the preferred method of application is through email or online, applications will also be accepted via walk-in or mail at: Town Hall, Human Resources Department, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748. The Town of Hopkinton is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Submitted by Amanda Fargiano, Chair, Hopkinton School Committee after a vote by the Hopkinton School Committee on February 25, 2021. Contributed content.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Hopkinton Main Street Corridor Project Construction Advisory #1 - February 26, 2021

Onset of Construction Activities:

It is anticipated that the MassDOT contractor, A.F. Amorello will begin to mobilize in the coming weeks to begin the long-anticipated construction of improvements to enhance Hopkinton’s Main Street Corridor. The Town is working closely with MassDOT and the contractor to ensure the consistent flow of accurate and timely information about this project and its temporary construction impacts to downtown abutters, businesses, commuters, and the community at large.

What To Expect in the Coming Weeks:
• Beginning the week of Monday, March 8, 2021, the contractor, A.F Amorello will begin to mobilize on the site.

 
• Neighbors and commuters can expect this phase to include the installation of Variable Flashing Message Boards (VMBs) generally located on West Main Street, Wood Street, East Main Street, Cedar Street and Grove Street. These boards will alert neighbors and commuters of upcoming traffic impacts and construction activities.

• Also beginning on Monday, March 8th, the contractor will begin installing construction signage associated with the beginning of construction.

• Actual project work by the contractor is anticipated to begin, weather permitting, the week of March 15th at the East Main Street/Ash Street area.

• As the work commences, police details will be onsite daily to coordinate all construction activities.

• Construction is planned to take place Monday through Friday, between 7am and 3pm.

• Abutting homes and businesses will be notified directly and in advance of any work that will temporarily impact vehicular access to their properties as construction advances. The Town of Hopkinton appreciates your patience and consideration while we work to support MassDOT’s program to revitalize our Main Street Corridor. Additional information about this project is available at the Towns project website: https://hopkintonmainstreet.com . If you would like to receive regular advisories about this construction project, please sign up for construction updates here. Contributed Content.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Charity for Pets

Project Just Because has a new Pet Pantry stocked with dry and wet pet food, leashes and collars, warm pet sweaters and other supplies due to the generosity of donors.

 
We are so grateful to be surrounded by communities that care so much for our furry friends. The Pet Pantry is open to anyone struggling financially to care for their beloved animals.

Due to Covid hardships many pet owners have been struggling with providing for their family and pets. Many have had to surrender their beloved animals because of job loss, a forced move or evictions. We hope this service provides immediate assistance to help pet owners and prevents any separation.

We are open Mon - Thurs 9:00-4:00. Pet owners in need can go to our front office at 109 South Street in Hopkinton and help themselves to free pet items.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Milford Regional Welcomes New Chief Medical Officer

MILFORD – Milford Regional is pleased to announce Peter B. Smulowitz, MD, MPH, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Smulowitz is an experienced emergency medicine physician and proven innovative leader.

Dr. Smulowitz joined Milford Regional late last year, following the retirement of Leslie Selbovitz, MD, who served as CMO since 2017.

Dr. Smulowitz earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1998 and graduated from the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine in Irvine, California, in 2003 with a degree in medicine. He performed an emergency medicine residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and earned a Masters of Public Health (Health Policy and Administration) from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston in 2006.

Prior to joining Milford Regional, Dr. Smulowitz held many leadership positions in the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital system, including Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Needham campus, co-leader of a state-funded program to manage the Plymouth campus’s Complex Patient Population and Integrated Care Initiative, and oversaw a pilot program at the hospital’s Boston campus to redesign the hospital’s response to major adverse events.

Dr. Smulowitz has also held leadership positions outside of his hospital affiliations, including a term as president of the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians and was once a candidate for Massachusetts State Senate. In addition, he is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School and has several research publications and scholarly articles to his credit.

“We welcome Dr. Smulowitz to our leadership team,” says Edward J. Kelly, president and CEO. “We are so pleased to have such an experienced physician as our Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Smulowitz’s expertise in emergency medicine and leadership skills will ensure that our medical staff continues to provide the highest-quality care to our community."

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February/March 2021 Project Update

Daytime Work on Local Roads and
Overnight Lane Closures on I-90

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that daytime work on local roads and overnight lane closures on I-90 have begun and will continue through March 2021. 

The contractor and its subcontractors will be conducting the following work on local roads, primarily between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Lane closures on local roads will be in place with alternating one-way traffic through work zones:

• At Cordaville Road: Installation of construction signage, work zone set-up, mobilization and drilling micropiles

• At Woodland Road: Installation of construction signage, implementation of temporary traffic control barriers for abutment repairs

• At Flanders Road: Installation of construction signage, construction of utility ductbank along the southbound shoulder

•  

MassDOT will also implement overnight lane closures on I-90 East between Exits 106 (old Exit 11A) and 111 (old Exit 12) and I-90 West between Exits 111 (old Exit 12) and 106 (old Exit 11A) from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Sunday nights through Friday mornings. The closures are necessary for the installation of construction signage, saw cutting along the median barrier, and implementation of work zones for median barrier replacement.

MassDOT is replacing bridges on I-90 east and westbound over Flanders Road in Westborough and Parkerville Road, Cordaville Road, and Woodland Road in Southborough as part of this project. The replacement of the eight bridges (two spans per local road) will take place over eight weekends in summer 2021.

Public information meetings will be scheduled and email and website updates will be posted throughout the project. Please be sure to sign up for the email list at the website link below to receive meeting notices and project updates.

MassDOT held a public information meeting on February 9. A recording of the meeting is available to view on the event webpage and a written meeting summary will be posted soon.

For more information about the project, please visit the website at www.mass.gov/Acceler8Bridges. If you have questions or would like to report an issue or concern, please email the project team at A8@dot.state.ma.us.

MassDOT urges those traveling through the area to obey posted speed limits and use ca

ution. The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Hopkinton Women’s Club

Monday, March 8, 2021

Program Topic: “Unwrapping the Gift of Creativity”

Everyone is welcome

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will be holding its monthly meeting on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. on ZOOM. Please join us. To receive a ZOOM invitation contact Judith Weinthaler, Membership Chair, at HopWCMembership@gmail.com. The program following the business meeting will be “Unwrapping the Gift of Creativity”; discovering our own creative talents with Cheryl Cohen, Mosaic artist.

Future program April 12: “Women of the FBI” by Margaret Bower, former FBI agent and club member.

Guests from Hopkinton and surrounding communities are welcome to attend our meetings or join us for the program only.

For more information about the HWC go to www.Hopkintonwomensclub.org Our Mission is to improve our community through volunteer service. Our focus is scholarships for Hopkinton students, families in need, and support for local charities.

February 22, 2021 - At 3:25 p.m. Sunday, February 21, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the State Police-Millbury Barracks responded to reports of a single-vehicle rollover on Route 146 northbound, north of Exit 3, in Uxbridge. The crash resulted in a fatality.

The driver, who is not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and was determined to be deceased at the scene. He is identified as Robert Bilodeau 3rd, 31, of Bellingham. The passenger, a 35-year-old Millville man, was belted and was extricated from the truck by Uxbridge firefighters. He was transported to UMass-Lakeville Hospital with suspected serious injuries. Troopers confirmed there were no other occupants in the truck.

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is hosting its
first Annual Bike for Prevention Bike-A-Thon!

This virtual event will take place locally and nationally from Monday, April 19th to Sunday, April 25th, 2021 and will feature honorary guest, Jennifer Hanks, a professional mountain bike athlete who has raced all over the world and is a two-time breast cancer survivor!

Participants can ride 1 mile or more on their favorite route or indoors on a stationary bike. For those interested who do not have a bike, they are invited to participate either by walking or running any distance of their choosing. Registration pricing for this virtual Bike-A-Thon is: $40 for Individuals, $150 for Families (up to 5 members), and $25 for Students. All proceeds from the event benefit MBCC’s unique mission of breast cancer prevention.

For more information, please visit the event page at  www.mbcc.org/bike .

Cheryl Osimo
Executive Director
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
cherylosimo@comcast.net

Working hard for Hopkinton Homeowners and the surrounding Communities

Margaret (Peggy) Golden, 90

Holliston - Margaret (Peggy) Golden, 90, of Holliston, MA, formerly of Cheshire, CT, passed into eternal life on February 18th, 2021 after a brief illness; wife of the late Thomas Vincent Golden, whom she married in 1955. Peggy was born in Marion, Connecticut on February 14th,1931. Her parents were the late Theodore Fowler Dickinson and Margaret McAdam Dickinson.

She graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School in 1949 and then graduated from Larson College (Quinnipiac College) in Hamden, CT with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She was employed as a service representative at the SNET company in New Haven, for many years. Later, when her children were grown, Peggy worked for Cheshire Management Company, attained her real estate license, and sold condominiums throughout the state of Connecticut. She was a Brownie leader, a member of the Junior Women's Club, and a member of the Ladies Guild at St. Bridget Church. Peggy was a very dedicated and spiritual person who made many lifelong friends. Peggy’s family was a source of enormous pride and joy for her, as were her very special friends. She was extremely grateful for the life that God had graced her with.

She leaves two beloved children, a daughter Mary Golden Burns and her husband, Ralph, of Hopkinton, MA and a son, Thomas Vincent Golden, Jr., and his wife, Karin of Cheshire. Also, she leaves five grandchildren whom she adored: Colleen, Kevin, Christopher, Neena and Tasman. Peggy also leaves a brother, Ted Dickinson, and his wife, Penny of Nokomis, FL and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Bridget Church, 175 Main St., Cheshire, CT on Saturday, February 27th at 12 noon. A celebration of life and burial will be held at a later date. The Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, MA is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Saint Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410. For online condolences, or to share a photo or story, please visit www.chesmorefuneralhome.com 

Eleanor Katherine Dumais, 94

Eleanor Katherine Dumais, 94, of Marlboro and formerly Hopkinton, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 at Marlborough Hills. Born in Newport, VT, she was the youngest daughter of the late Kate (Chaffee) and John Lunna. She was the wife of the late Emile L. Dumais, whom she married on July 3, 1948. 

Eleanor was raised and educated in the Newport Center Schools, graduating in 1944. In 1953, Eleanor and Emile moved to Hopkinton. They became members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Summit Chapter 32. OES. She presided as Worthy Matron of the Chapter from 1960-1961. Eleanor then served as Deputy Grand Matron of Massachusetts, Order of the Eastern Star from 1962-1963. The following year, the Hopkinton Order of Rainbow Assembly #108 was instituted and she was elected as the First Mother Advisor of the Assembly, having served many years in that capacity. She later worked at the Dennison Manufacturing Co. in Framingham for several years in the communication and IPD departments. She belonged to the Hopkinton Garden Club, the New England Rose Society, and the Golden Age Club. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Altar Guild and had served as Directoress of the Guild for several years. In 1993, she was appointed to serve the Hopkinton Council on Aging. A year later, she became a Board Member of the Bay Path Home and Community Services Inc., and served briefly on the home care committee. Eleanor also was an amateur radio operator and member of the American Radio Relay League for many years with the call letters WA1-GEG.

Eleanor and Emile moved to Marlboro in 2000 and enjoyed retired life until Emile’s passing in 2006. Eleanor then transitioned to Marlboro Senior Housing and eventually to Marlborough Hills Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. 

Eleanor is survived by three daughters, Katherine L. Micciche of Pelham, NH, Pauline F.Smith of Uxbridge, and Dorothy E. Merullo of Framingham. She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, James, Jason, Jeffrey, Jinger Micciche, Jonathan, Joseph, Jameson Smith, and 10 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her siblings, Kempton, Henry, Albert, Francis, Dr. Robert, Dr. Richard Lunna, Helen Sandretto, Grace Miner and Alice Higuera.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Hopkinton.