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Support Muriel Kramer
Editor:
We
support the re-election of Muriel Kramer to the Hopkinton Board of
Selectmen. Three years ago when Muriel ran for her first term, her
campaign slogan was "Bring Balance Back". She has definitely succeeded
in doing just that. Muriel threw the doors of Town Government wide
open, and many of us gratefully walked right in.
The keyword for her current campaign could very well be "Consensus".
Muriel has the gifts of listening objectively to all points of view and
articulating these without prejudice, thereby allowing consensus to be
reached through active and respectful discussion.
Please vote for Muriel's re-election and let your voice continue to be
heard.
Jeff Furber
Gail Clifford
Wood Street
May 2, 2008
Legacy Project Manager
Responds
Editor:
As the project manager for Legacy Farms, I
wish to respond to Ms. Lund’s call for more project study.
Jennifer begins her note outlining
environmental concerns. We share Ms. Lund’s concerns for the
environment. For this
reason, we have designed Legacy Farms considering the United States
Green Building Council LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program.
A number of LEED project criteria are fulfilled by our attempt to create
what Sasaki Associates has coined our “build green” approach. We have
also been involved in Low Impact Development long before it became a
catch phrase.
Ms. Lund’s characterization that the
Transportation analysis falls short of our neighboring communities is
not true. The data gathering and analysis for this activity stretched
well into Ashland, Southborough and the balance of Hopkinton.
Hopkinton, Ashland and Southborough have also all had the opportunity to
review our Transportation consultants’ work.
As it relates to Fiscally positive nature –
Hopkinton’s consultant, Ms. Judi Barrett, can affirm this fact as well
as we can. All one has to do is review the Hopkinton Appropriations
Committees submittals to understand that the OSMUD will have a
significant cash flow, net of costs.
The question of process raised by Ms. Lund
is an important one. Please realize that adopting the OSMUD means simply
enabling zoning. The Developer will then need to approach a significant
process of Master Plan Special Permit with the Planning Board, a Notice
of Intent with the Conservation Commission, and once those activities
are finished; further Planning Board site plan review. The Commonwealth
will also be involved with both MEPA and DEP oversight.
The decision to adopt the OSMUD and its
Legacy Farms is up to Hopkinton Voters to decide at Town Meeting on
Tuesday May 6 with a vote on Article 29. We look forward to the
opportunity to work with the Community in developing the OSMUD and
Legacy Farms.
Steven N. Zieff
21 Center Street
Weston, MA
May 1, 2008
Demand Further Study
Editor:
Hopkinton is not ready to vote on the OSMUD’s legacy of eternal traffic.
We know too little about the impact. No one has forecast the health
impact of the air pollution. No one has looked at the backup getting
onto Route 9.
I used to live on a busy street near Brookline.
The windows washers did not “wash.” They razor-bladed to remove the
soot. Thousands more idling cars, waiting in line, will contribute
unknown tons of poisons and particulates into our air, raising childhood
asthma, and respiratory ailments of the elderly. This is inevitable – we
just don’t know if it’s 1 or 100 cases. It is irresponsible to
compromise the health of our children and seniors in pursuit of a
dangling fantasy of revenue. If you didn’t know that air pollution
causes asthma, Google it. On the bright side, the four-lane intersection
planned for the center of town will make the town center less friendly
for pedestrians, so perhaps we'll prevent some exposure there.
The traffic study mysteriously stops a few miles from the town
center. Why is that? The border of Hopkinton is not a commuter
destination. I assume the traffic study stopped because there is
no possible remediation for the backups getting onto Route 9 and the
Turnpike. Boulder Capital can’t offer any kind of bypass to shrink the
20-minute wait we currently have there. Those intersections are backed
up at 7AM. Hundreds of more cars will reduce Hopkinton’s desirability as
a commuter location.
We’ve seen spiraling increases in taxes from recent development. We
don’t want spiraling increases in lung disease or spiraling decreases in
property values. Don’t close your eyes and vote. Demand further study.
Jennifer J. Lund
15 College St
Hopkinton, MA 01748
April 30, 2008
Current Enrollments are
Level
Editor,
Inaccurate information about school enrollments and budget cuts has
recently appeared in various public forums. The School Committee wants
to make sure that the facts are clear to everyone.*
A
key area of misinformation deals with student enrollment. Contrary to
what was written, enrollment in the Hopkinton public schools has not
been declining; it has been virtually flat for the past four years. The
enrollment figures for the last four years (FY05-FY08) have been 3461,
3470, 3453, and 3454 inclusive of vocational and out-of-district special
education students. The forecast for next year (FY09) is 3434, only 20
fewer students than we currently have. The mis-information about
declining enrollment was used to justify a $700,000+ cut from the amount
required for level services in the FY09 school budget. However, the
forecasted enrollment decline does not even equate to the loss of a
single classroom.
It was also misstated that the School Committee had not cut positions to
match this so-called declining enrollment. In fact, the original School
Committee budget did cut 3 full-time equivalents (FTE) in conjunction
with re-engineering of information technology and special education
service delivery models. The final budget, matched to Town revenue,
reduces school department staffing by 16 FTE.
Looking at a two-year time frame, school department staffing will go
from a budgeted 455.9 FTE in FY07 to 422.4 FTE in FY09. The reduction of
33.5 FTE represents a staffing decline of 7.3%. By comparison, the FY09
enrollment forecast is 19 students less than the FY07 actual enrollment
and represents a decline of merely 0.6% (six-tenths of 1%). Of the
positions eliminated, 18.7 FTE -- a little over half -- are teachers.
This is a reduction of almost 1 teacher per student in this “declining”
enrollment.
Significant enrollment decreases are not forecasted to begin until FY10
when they will average 60 students per year over the next 10 years,
according to the latest forecast from the New England School Development
Council (NESDEC). This does not account for the impact of Legacy Farms
which is expected to bring 236 students into the system during its
build-out and will, therefore, make the enrollment decreases less than
60 students per year on average
Tight budget situations over the past two years would have reduced the
school department staff by more than the current 33.5 FTE had the School
Committee decided not to add new fees and increase existing fees. Fees
that directly affect students and parents are now assessed to 1) groups
who use our facilities, 2) students participating in athletics, 3)
students parking at the high school, and 4) students riding the bus
(except for K-6 students living more than 2 miles from their school
since state law requires that they be provided with transportation).
Over the past two years, we have increased these fees to generate
approximately $250,000 more in payments. Next year we anticipate total
fee payments to exceed $650,000.
If anyone has questions about school department operations, please
contact the Superintendent’s office or a member of the School Committee.
Doing so will assure that you get accurate information.
Sincerely,
Hopkinton School Committee:
Rebecca Robak, Chair
Nancy Burdick, Vice Chair
Lyn Branscomb
Dave Stoldt
Phil Totino
*Ms. Robak made it clear in
an email that she was in no way referring to anything in HopNews.
Mary Pratt
Endorses Fellow Selectman Muriel Kramer
Dear Editor,
In the hierarchy of Old Englands, were layers of importance
known as the ESTATES, the Press being
the 4th Estate. The
printed word was elevated to a high place in History. "The Power of the
Press" with outreach to millions. Tragically it has become more
combative than educational, hurting many people and their families.*
But we too get rebuttal time. My point is that has Members of the 5th
Estate, the Media, have grown far beyond the lowly newspapers and it's
positions often opinionated and biased, going far beyond the
independent publication of facts and figures.
There are
few towns that vote locally as Party oriented. It has it's advantages
and disadvantages. But the utter mean and pettiness toward Hopkinton
residents of all parties who run for elections or serve on Boards is
deplorable. No one is perfect and cannot please all. We endeavor
to see the issues as they Are and not as we wish they could be. I've
been around a long time and have a tougher hide than most so I take it
from whence it comes. But there are many great persons who refuse to get
involved because they cannot tolerate the ridicule and nastiness. Case
in point:
The July
4th parade which used to be fun and hilarious but is now
vindictive and mean. For all of the above let me say that I have served
on the BOS for eight years and the election of Muriel Kramer and finally
Mike was to me a breath of Fresh air. Thankfully with Matt and Brian it
has continued.
Do we all ? Agree H--- no. We argue, etc., but at the
end of the day we get along famously. I meet people and get calls about
how refreshing the BOS has become. Muriel and the BOS have taken
steps that many do not like and sadly we have
not wanted to take them either, but like parents who hate to say "NO"
but must, we too have had to take that stand.
What is truly tragic is that we now are not only losing
the original people of Hopkinton, but now have residents who cannot pay
their taxes and some with sewer payment problems. ONE MILLION DOLLARS
,$1,000,000 in taxes was not collected this year and we are trying
to find a means to collect them. Any override, means more uncollected
taxes next year.
I
disagree with the comments about new business. TIF's do not increase our
Tax line, and do not allow the collection of Personal Property taxes.
Legacy Farms will be a long time before we see a high positive return .
We are trying to get development there that will be at least Revenue
Neutral.
We cannot
allow the town's services, roads and sidewalks to decay; and need to ull
up our boot straps, sacrifice the illusions of "a rich Town" and face
the facts . There is NO money and we have spent far beyond our means.
Please think of that as you cast your very important vote on May 19th.
Stick with the Board that hasfinally
worked together for a better Hopkinton.
Jim Harvey told Mr. Clark at a BOS Meeting that the first thing he would
build here would be a garage, no $400K there. A Sewer Treatment plant
could have been built in a less sensitive area for less dollars and have
been operating by now. ASK the question, why
IT wasn't .
Please vote for Muriel Kramer a woman of courage,
education and endurance.
Respectfully,
Mary C. Pratt
102 Fruit Street
April 26, 2008
* Editor's Note:
Mrs. Pratt apparently had another publication in mind regarding this
point.
Green Ribbon Week
Editor:
Several months
ago, members from SADD (Students Against Destructive Behaviors), the
beFREE! Project and Peer Leaders met to discuss substance abuse
prevention. The result of these discussions was the creation of ‘Green
Ribbon Week: Hillers Take a Stand Against Substance Use’, which was
implemented the first week in April at Hopkinton High School. The timing
of this campaign also coincided with the National Alcohol Awareness
week.
The purpose of the Green Ribbon Week was to present a visible commitment
to a safe, healthy and drug-free lifestyle. The objectives of the
campaign were:
To create awareness concerning the problems related to the use of
tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
To support the decision to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle
The following were the week’s activities:
Monday 3/31 -- Grim Reaper Day
SADD coordinated this event to raise awareness of how many teen deaths
are caused by drunk driving (1 every 32 minutes). A message was read at
the beginning of the day and a gong sounded every 32 minutes. Each time
the gong sounded, a "Grim Reaper" took a student from class, painted
his/her face, gave the student a flower and returned the student to
class. The student was not able to speak for the rest of the day.
Tuesday 4/1
-- Green Ribbons and Social Host Law Info
The Peer Leaders handed out cards with info regarding the Social Host
Laws to students and parents dropping off/picking up their kids. The
green ribbons are for car antennae.
Wednesday 4/2
-- Banner Signing
Student members of the beFREE! Project had a banner for students to sign
during lunch, promising not to drink and drive.
Thursday 4/3
-- Nick Levine Presentation on Addiction
There was a special presentation to all Junior and Senior students about
decision-making regarding alcohol use. Nick Levine is a HHS graduate
whose life was significantly impacted by alcohol and drug use after he
went off to college. He shared his story about addiction so that others
may avoid making the same mistakes that he did.
Friday 4/4
-- "Did You Know" Facts
The beFREE! Project compiled facts on drunk driving, social host laws
and addition that were read at the beginning of each block regarding
substance abuse.
These are timely
and important messages for our youth. Parents, please take advantage of
this opportunity to open a dialog with your child and talk about ways to
avoid substance use. Research has shown that parents are the biggest
influence on a child’s decision whether or not to use alcohol or drugs.
If you’d like more information, please feel free to visit the beFREE!
Project website;
www.befreeproject.org . Together, we can work to protect the teens
of Hopkinton from alcohol and drugs.
Sue Hadley and Jane Roche
Co-coordinators, beFREE! Project
508-497-9820 x1520 Befreeproject@gmail.com
Resident Favors Override
~ Lauds Westborough
Letter
removed at request of sender
Resident Lauds Selectmen for No Override Vote
~
Decries "Mudslinging"
Editor:
The town should recognize the Board of Selectmen for showing leadership
in voting against an override. Hard decisions are never easy, ask anyone in corporate
management. Past boards have not been able to say “No” to budget
increases. I believe this
vote will force every department to take a harder look at what is absolutely necessary. These steps are necessary
during times of increased monthly household expenses. Our food, heating
fuel, property taxes, school fees, & gasoline have risen at a much higher rate than our earned wages in
just the past 12 months. Many people in town have fixed monthly income
or small annual wage increase. Town
departmentsshould manage to
appropriated funds, not manage to “desired funds."
To the benefit of all Hopkinton residents, all departments have worked
diligently in the past several years to manage expenses. The
appropriations committee has created methods in the form of forums and
budgeting tools to assist the town in appropriating funds fairly to all
departments. Over the past 10 years, the Town has continuously increased
funding for its school system and has successfully and strategically
built a “best in class” system. With that said, the school committee
and the school administration
are nowchallenged with enhancing
academic programs (especially in Mathematics) using existing funds. The school committee and administration
keep touting the “structural deficit”.
The reason for the
structural deficit is because operating costs increase annually more
than the 2 ˝% tax increase allowed by law. No new significant revenue
generating ideas have surfaced. No override is
coming. It is time to look at
operating expenses and create strategic plans for reducing expenses.
Strategically
sourcing insurance was a great example. Perhaps more cooperative buying
or outsourcing non-academic functions
can help. Do we need an independent 3rd party to assess what
the administration has put
into place, to determine if there are other ways of delivering a world
class program for less money? Are preventive maintenance and energy
efficiency programs in place? Are all schools consistent in program delivery? Is there any way to
reduce our debt burden? Residents need to support commercial building
that
is environmentally friendly since the
Town generates approximately $3-$4/Sq Ft on commercial property.
Increasing fees is not the answer. Look what happened when we
introduced bus fees, we now have more people driving their children to
school, causing traffic congestion and all the associated environmental
problems that go along with it. The current focus
is on expense reduction not revenue
generation.
Let’s
stop slinging mud towards the BOS and get on with the task at hand.
Rick Odell
64 East Street
Hopkinton
March 26, 2008
Editor's note: Mr.
Odell is a former member of the Appropriations Committee
Hopkinton High School Alumni Athletes
To the Editor:
As I read in
Hopnews.com about the most recent, former Hopkinton track star
earning collegiate All-American status (Tiana Riel of Boston College), I
couldn't help but remember Hopkinton's first track star earning
All-American honors - Christine Moschella. Christine went on to excel at
arguably the best track and field program in the nation and an elite
institution, Stanford University. Christine earned collegiate
All-American honors all four years at Stanford as a sprinter and member
of NCAA champion relay teams.
I also thought about the current crop of Dick Bliss's high school
All-American golfers now starring at the national collegiate level.
Remarkably they all played on the same team and earned a state title. It
is almost unthinkable to have three athletes performing simultaneously
at the highest collegiate level from one team and certainly not from a
small school like HHS.
Keegan Bradley
- a senior at St. John's University and two time Massachusetts high
school golfer of the year and now #1 golfer at St. John's
Jon Curran - a
junior at Vanderbilt who achieved All-American status last year and
is the #1 golfer on the nationally ranked Vandy team
Kim Donovan -
the only freshman on the Duke University golf team which is ranked
#1 nationally and defending NCAA champions
Hats off to all
these athletes and many others who are participating at the collegiate
level, all proud alumni of HHS. Apparently there are many good things to
say about the Hopkinton school system that often get lost in the
political shuffle in Town.
Dick Gooding
Shrewsbury, MA
HHS, Class of 1963
March 20, 2008
$5,000 for Food Pantry
To the Editor:
The Hopkinton Women's Club Spring Fashion Show was held
at the Hopkinton Country Club on March 11th. The event raised over
$5,000 for the Hopkinton Food Pantry which is managed within Project
Just Because for residents of
Hopkinton.
On behalf of the Hopkinton Women's Club, many thanks to
the businesses who were the ad sponsors, and those that gave us gift
certificates, discounts or services in support of the Fashion Show.
Many thanks to the wonderful Hopkinton models and all
the attendees for making the fashion show another fun, successful, and
memorable evening.
For more information about the Hopkinton Women's Club,
its fundraising and social activities, please visit the Women's Club
website.*
Our sincere thanks to all!!
Most Sincerely,
Pamela McPherson and Phyllis Couglin, CoChairperson
Kathy Yankee, President
March 16, 2008
NOTE: *
Visit HopNews Community Page (Link on Page 1) for the Women's Club
website.
Accountability and Consequences
Editor:
Recent events in town demonstrate the challenges parents face in keeping
their kids safe from drugs and alcohol. We have new data now that
demonstrates the risks for teens who use alcohol or drugs. It should not
be seen as simply ‘a rite of passage for teens’. Consider these facts:
• The younger kids start drinking, the more likely they
are to become addicted
• Kids who drink are far more likely to drive drunk,
have sex, and experiment with other drugs.
• More than 65% of all sexual assaults and date rape of
teens and college students involve alcohol
• Regular marijuana use causes memory problems and
increases the risk of developing a serious mental illness.
• Alcohol is the leading killer of teens.
As parents, we need to do everything we can to protect our children from
alcohol and drugs. If and when they make the wrong decision, they need
to be held accountable for their actions so that they learn there are
consequences for those actions. The Hopkinton Police Department and the
Hopkinton School staff are committed to work in partnership with parents
to help keep our kids safe.
Research confirms that parents are the biggest influence on a child’s
decision whether or not to use alcohol or drugs. This is an appropriate
time to make sure you are doing everything you can to protect your
children. Here are some suggestions:
• Make sure your kids know that you do not want them to
use alcohol or drugs. Say it often.
• Do not leave your teen alone home overnight no matter
how responsible they are. Make sure they are staying with an adult you
trust.
• Let the police know if you are going to be away, ask
them to check your home, and let your child know that you have informed
the police.
• Secure your liquor. A large percentage of kids get
liquor from their own homes.
• Supervise all youth gatherings in your home, check in
regularly.
• Know where your kids are. Don’t be afraid to call and
check up on them
• If your kids make the wrong decision, support the
police department and schools in the consequences they assess.
As parents, we need to make drug and alcohol prevention a part of our
regular conversation and work together to combat this problem. Here are
two ways you can help:
1. Hopkinton has
begun a series of informal gatherings with parents on the topic of youth
alcohol and drug prevention. Parents have found the information
presented and the discussion with other parents very interesting and
helpful. If you are interested in hosting a small, informal parent
coffee, or participating in one, please contact Jane Roche at
janeroche@aol.com or
497-9820 X1520.
2. We would also
welcome your participation in the beFree! coalition which is a community
wide coalition to prevent youth alcohol and drug abuse. Check us out at
www.befreeproject.org or call Jane Roche or Sue Hadley, beFree
directors. At 497-9820, X1520.
Jane Roche & Sue Hadley
Directors, beFree! Project
March 16, 2008
LMPA Vows To Oppose Rezoning
Editor:
“The Lake Maspenock Preservation Association, LMPA, is very disappointed
that the owner of the property on Hayward Street would blatantly
disregard the wishes of the very neighborhood that will be adversely
affected by his proposed development.
It was obvious from the hearings earlier this winter that the Lake
Maspenock neighborhood is strongly against this development as evidenced
by the petition that was signed by numerous area residents voicing their
opposition to this project. At the public hearing held on February 4th,
the Planning Board unanimously voted against this proposed zoning change
to be included in the town meeting warrant. Members of that board
labeled this proposal as nothing more than “ZONING CREEP” and could set
a poor precedent for other residential areas of town.
The Lake Maspenock neighborhood already has trash issues on our streets
and at Sandy Beach. Employees of area businesses, who do not have an
investment in the area, already drive through our streets, near where
children are playing and our residents are out walking or jogging, and
they often don’t think twice about speeding or throwing trash out the
windows. This kind of blatant disregard for our home environment will
only increase with another retail development. .
The LMPA and the neighborhood at large intend to come together and
exercise our will at town meeting and vote in opposition of this zoning
change that would allow this project to proceed.”
Julie Crawley
LMPA President
March 7, 2008
Editor's Note: The following
is a response from Town Manager Anthony Troiano to an opinion piece by
an Editor of the MetroWest Daily News, Jim Klienkauf, who did not
express very high opinions of anyone in Hopkinton. Although much of the
referenced letter can be inferred by Mr. Troiano's response, it is in
the town's interest for HopNews to give it any more legs. However, our
Town Manager has not seen fit to take it lying down.
Town Manager Shares Letter
to MetroWest Daily News
Mr. Kleinkauf,
Having never met you, I really can’t comment on your motivations for
writing an article based solely on subjective
opinion. However, I don’t subscribe to one sided partisanship, and
never will. I took offense at your characterization of town leaders,
including the Board of Selectmen, Planning Department, Legal Team, and
myself. To my recollection, you have never attended a meeting where I
was present, and you have never called me for info or my opinion on any
topic.
You insinuate that :
1.I’m somehow in the Selectmen’s
pocket
2.That I have no experience in
town government
3.That I’m not a real Town
Manager
4.That I’m trying to extort
money from Boulder Capital
5.That the town has no real
leadership
6.That our Planning Board is
inept.
If you truly were visible and attending
meetings over the last three months you would see that things are very
different. Change in town government is slow, evolution to a town
manager form of government has growing pains. My peers and mentors all
agree that the first town manager in a community faces many hurdles.
Engrained institutional behavior has to be modified and refined with
patience, finesse, and honesty. I doubt that any of the Selectmen I
have worked with would characterize me as weak, or afraid to speak my
piece. Quite honestly, I’ve worked very hard at listening to everyone.
Characterizations are easy to spin, they have no depth, and create more
misinformation then good.
The comments about Boulder Capital could not
be further from the truth. Our legal counsel and Planning Director have
served in a very honorable fashion alongside me on the negotiation
team. They deserve credit for pointing out the issues and concerns
which we need to know before we sign any agreements. It is easy to say
that we’re obstructionist, but who will be held accountable for
agreements which cost the town millions in the future if all concerns
aren’t addressed. Oh, I know, then you can write that our leadership
was too weak to take on developers, or was in their pocket, or failed to
gain concessions. You can’t have it both ways. To list a few issues;
well agreements, host community agreements, traffic, wastewater,
project scoping, build out phasing, abutters, and water quality, are
just some of the issues we must understand. It would show a lack of
leadership for me to agree to anything without keeping the interest of
the citizens of Hopkinton front and center.
Boulder Capital has an aggressive plan, and
we have spent, and will continue to spend time working through issues
with them. The purpose of the negotiation team was to take politics out
of the process as much as possible. The host community agreement is not
extortion, it is a non-regulatory method of making sure we address all
concerns outside of the normal permitting process. Boulder Capital’s
Open Space Mixed Use Development District, which will appear as an
article on Town Meeting floor at some point, hopefully May fifth,
will pass or fail based on its own merits. A two thirds vote is
difficult to attain, and needs the support of everyone if it is to
pass.
As far as the Board of Selectmen, you owe
them an apology. They have worked hard to transition to a new form of
government. I have appointed a Treasurer, Finance Director, and Human
Resources Director under them. If you recall last year the combined
efforts of the selectmen, school committee, appropriations committee ,
and staff presented a balanced budget in five months instead of the
usual eight. We have revamped the way we approach legal services in the
Town, and the Selectmen, to their credit, looked to me for leadership
in this endeavor. The Selectmen have supported and encouraged me to
attend board and committee meetings as much as possible, have worked
closely with the finance team to map out long term borrowing strategies,
and worked with the Appropriations Committee as they redefine their
role. The selectmen have supported and pushed me to initiate change,
contrary to your stated comments. Your statement that the moratorium
article was, as some believe “handed down from higher up” , is a
misrepresentation, lacks integrity, and doesn’t have a shred of truth to
it.
I invite you to stop and see me, call me,
question, and then form an opinion. I think you would be surprised to
see that I live and breathe my job, have conviction, and an open
mind. I like to describe myself as someone who characterizes the
statement, what you see is what you get. My door is open, I return
phone calls, and I will defend the Town of Hopkinton. Maybe you could
come to a few meetings when you have a chance, and ask your questions
first, you might be surprised to find that integrity in government is
alive. I hope you see this as leadership.
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Troiano
Town Manager
Town of Hopkinton
Hopkinton, MA 01748
P: 508-497-9700 F: 508-497-9702
February 27, 2008
School Committee Move to Decrease
Expenses, Increase Revenue
Editor,
Over
the past several years, the School Committee has watched as pressures
have mounted on schools to meet higher standards along with increasing
state mandates, all while state funding and aid to all communities have
gone down.
In trying to meet these higher standards within fiscal restraints the
School Committee, over the years, has cut programs, reduced staff and
increased fees.
The Massachusetts Department of Education recently issued a preliminary
report on the fiscal condition of Massachusetts School districts. It
validated our experience in Hopkinton. Since 2002, academic expectations
and challenges mandated by education reform have increased, but state
aid has gone down. It said that across the state, local property taxes
and user fees are higher to make up for the loss of state aid. Finally,
the study concluded that the quality of education is at risk if the
funding formulas and methods are not changed.
Even as this tide continues, the Hopkinton School Committee and school
administration are working to continue to offer a strong educational
experience to all students at all levels and abilities. Now, and in past
budgets, we have found ways to save money to avoid overrides and fee
increases, and also to avoid reductions in service levels. Last year we
had to cut 17.5 positions to meet our budget constraints. Continued
cutbacks will severely erode the quality of the education that we can
offer.
Here are some examples of what we’ve done, in the past few years, to
meet budget constraints:
1 To reduce the burden on all taxpayers, the schools began
charging fees for buses, student parking and sports teams.
2 To reduce health insurance costs, we negotiated agreements
with our teachers and custodians to change some of the parameters of the
health insurance plan. We have also increased the number of hours a
part-time person must work each week to be eligible for benefits.
3 The school district has moved from print ads to
electronic ads to recruit new teachers and staff, resulting in
recruitment cost savings of 10 – 15%.
4 The school district has developed in-house Special
Education programs so that fewer students need to be sent to other
districts or private schools at the taxpayers’ expense. Besides saving
on tuition, we also save on transportation costs.
5 Each year the school district purchases fuel,
utilities, office and classroom supplies, and custodial supplies at
discounted prices through an education collaborative (TEC). This
collaborative is able to bargain for deep discounts, because of the
number of school districts participating.
6. Through special funding approved by Town Meeting,
the district has replaced the Middle School roof and Center School
boiler. We are anticipating energy savings as a result of these
projects.
7. Through the use of technology, the district has
been able to improve mandated student data reporting, food service
operations, transportation planning, and communication with parents
without adding staff at the schools or Central Office.
The school district continues to look for ways to increase revenues and
decrease costs. As a follow-up to the recommendations of the town-wide
Financial Plan Working Group report last October, we are studying the
following ideas:
1. Selling advertising in the schools, and selling naming rights
for buildings, halls and fields.
2. Admitting school choice students.
3. Combining common town government and school operations for
efficiencies and savings.
4. Renegotiating facility use charges for after school programs.
5. Bringing in special education students from out of district on
a tuition basis.
6. Offering our classes to other districts through on-line
learning.
7. Developing sustainable energy capabilities in our buildings,
like wind and solar power.
As we work with the Town manager and Board of Selectmen to fine-tune the
budget for the 2008-09 school year, the School Committee will advocate
for what is best for the students of the district, within the
constraints of what the taxpayers are willing to support. Through
creative and innovative thinking and continual review of our programs
and operations, we will strive to continue to offer a quality education
for all of our students.
Hopkinton School Committee:
Rebecca Robak, Chair
Nancy Burdick, Vice-Chair
Lyn Branscomb
Dave Stoldt
Phil Totino
Building a Strong Community
To
the Editor:
Something really special took place in Hopkinton yesterday when hundreds
of young people and adult volunteers from numerous community groups
joined together to participate in Hopkinton’s first annual MLK Day of
Giving Back; instead of a day off, they all had a day “on” in service to
their community. Organizers from the Youth Commission and the BeFree
coalition are to be congratulated for organizing such a terrific event
that put fun and meaning into a day spent working together—shoulder to
shoulder, the young and the not so young, from all corners of
Town—working together to build a stronger community for all.
It was exciting to see so many young people show up
with great energy and enthusiasm to participate in a variety of
worthwhile service projects. All in attendance were treated to a nice
breakfast and amazing words of inspiration from Mrs. Linda Cherrington
who was in attendance in Washington DC at the base of the Lincoln
Memorial for Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream”
speech and Mr. Ron Burton with great words of encouragement on the value
of investing in young people, each other and the community at large for
the betterment of all.
Congratulations to all who participated in this
terrific event which will hopefully become an annual tradition with
Hopkinton joining hundreds of other communities nationwide inspiring
thousands of volunteers to incite service as a way of honoring and
remembering the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you all for a wonderful and important community event.
Muriel Kramer
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
January 22, 2008
(File photo)
Collective Social Conscience
To
the editor:
I had to laugh the other day when I saw in the police blotter that some
individuals had gone to the police station to complain that an
individual with a white station wagon was photographing their car on
Main Street. Those of us who read this on-line paper and see the little
white station wagon with the "News 24" plates have a pretty good idea
that the folks being photographed were violating some law. I fully
suspect that they neglected to mention that to the police dispatch.
So
the point of this letter is to thank you, on this, Martin Luther King's
day, for acting as a part of our collective social conscience, a
reminder that we, as citizens of a community, have a duty to make sure
that our actions do not interfere with the rights and needs of others.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those
who made the second annual Holiday Stroll such a success. Despite
freezing temperatures, Mr. Hay, Mr. Purdy and dedicated members of the
Middle School Band (and their very supportive families) came out and
played a wonderful concert on the lawn of the Police Station to kick
things off. Thanks also to Chief Irvin for graciously allowing the use
of the lawn, and Officer Phil Powers who ably assisted with everything.
Kelly Grill and Mary
Scarlata-Rowe at Enter Stage Left organized the Victorian carolers who
braved the cold to add a wonderful touch to the festivities, as did
Colella's, Hopkinton Gourmet, Sauce on Main and Ciao Time with their
delicious food. Thanks also to Terry Murphy, Rownak Hussain director of
the Library, Judy Coffey, Sue O'Dell, Robert Falcione, Foster-Carroll
Printing, Sarah Duckett, Gorman-Richardson Architects, Susie Johnson,
and all the merchants and businesses who participated.
Kudos to all the
entertainers at the Library and Hopkinton Drug, along with the Girl
Scouts and the folks from Park and Recreation for the Tree Lighting on
the Common. And finally, great appreciation for all those folks who came
out to support all the events! See you next year.
Anne Mattina, Chair, Downtown Revitalization Committee
December 10, 2007
Old Friends and New Friends
Dear Editor,
What a great time I had reminiscing with two dear
friends at the opening of Maria’s Caffe Italiano restaurant Saturday
night. I had previously worked with one of the bartenders, Jim Alegrezza
only years ago. Ironically we worked on the very same street and stopped
in after work at the same establishment known as the North Pond House or
O’Toole's. Since then I have frequented only to catch up on old times
and remember all the great times we have shared.
I want to express my thanks to the new owners and their hard work to
create a wonderful new place to share new memories and a wonderful place
to spend with friends around the holidays. Thank you for the wonderful
work you do with Hopnews.com.
Thanks,
Rick Fairbanks
8 Oliver Lane
December 9,
2007
Chairman Endorses
Exhibit
Dear Editor,
The Boston Marathon
’07 Photo exhibit currently showing at the CAA is a terrific event; the
five photographers (all five Hopkinton High School students at the time
the photos were taken) should be very proud. The photos capture the
tenor of the event and the challenge of the day. Kudos for the terrific
pictures and for the tenacity to tough out the awful weather conditions
themselves to capture the event so beautifully. Congratulations to all
involved. Don’t miss this great exhibit!
Muriel Kramer,
Chairman,
Hopkinton Board of Selectman
December 8, 2007
Towering Inferno Heating up on the East
Side of Town
Editor:
I
wanted to make fellow residents aware of a community issue on the East
side of town in hopes that it might be able to generate
attendance/interest in a Board of Appeals public hearing on December
12th at 7:30 at the Town Hall.
A towering inferno is heating up in the N. Mill area of town where the
absentee owners of 72 North Mill Street, together with T-Mobile, are
seeking to install a wireless communications facility and a 100 foot (10
story) cell tower on the back of their property. This is a 4 acre wooded
property perched on a hill directly behind Ledgestone Drive and Sterling
Drive. It will rise up well above the tree line in the neighborhood and
easily infringe on the 500 foot distance from homes requirement for
installing these towers. Somehow it appears that this neighborhood is
zoned agricultural vs. residential despite the absence of any
agriculture beyond potted planters and kids who "horse around."
And so despite the acres of open land in this area, this tower may plop
right in the middle of the neighborhood. If you look at
the attached
blue print (esp. the last page) you'll quickly see the tight
space...what you can't really see is the topography of the area and how
this spot is already highly elevated. T-Mobile’s well prepared attorneys
only sent letters to the direct property abutters on an issue that will
certainly impact a larger group. They will be joined will be at the
December 12th meeting as well as a radio frequency specialist to plead
the case that it is in the public’s best interest to allow this tower.
The notice reads that "The petitioner seeks relief from the Hopkinton
zoning by-laws to install, operate and maintain a wireless
communications facility on and next to a 100 foot tall monopole tower on
the property owned by Cindy Lou Jordan located at 72 North Mill Street,
Hopkinton, MA."
We appreciate your interest and support. If you have any questions or
would like to speak to some of the abutters, please contact Tammy Nadeau
at 508-435-8320 or email me and I'll be happy to assist in any way
possible.
I have been reading with great interest the discussion on the Town Talk
page regarding crosswalk safety in town. As chair of the Downtown
Revitalization Committee I wanted to let people know that we are
currently working on this very issue. In September, we had a meeting
with J.T. Gaucher, of the DPW; Lt. Flannery of the HPD and Selectman
Brian Herr to ask about ways to improve crosswalk visibility as well as
concerns around the poor condition of downtown sidewalks.
At that meeting, we were informed that many of our suggestions regarding
improving visibility would not comply with state guidelines. After much
discussion, it was determined that 2 things we might be able to do are:
painting the striping more often and in brighter colors along with
painting a "pedestrian crossing ahead" logo directly on the street (to
deal with the issue of hills.).
We are still waiting for final input from the Police and the DPW
regarding those possibilities. Hopefully, we will have more information
soon, and we can begin the process of improving visibility.
Improving driving habits? Well, that's another story, or another
committee.
Regards,
Anne Mattina,
chair DRC
Editor's Note:
We have deleted Letters that have become stale due to the increased use
of the Town Talk Forum for opinions; but we encourage more participation
on this page. When someone puts their name on something, it holds a
greater value.