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"The News Starts Here!" 24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 Editor@HopNews.com E10/08/2007 01:10:18 PM

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Time of the Season

September 22, 2007 — Annie Smith makes sure everything has it proper place, including a goose-shaped zucchini, earlier this week in front of Weston Nurseries.

Soar With the Eagles

September 22, 2007 —Troop 92 Eagle Scout candidate, James Fanquhar, partially blocked from view, watches as Jason El-Massih leaps over a pile of wood chips at the Hopkinton State Park. James has gathered a group of Scouts to help with his plan of making the entrances to areas in the park attractive. At the entrance to the Pavilion, he and his group has built a stone wall, as well as planted maximum rhododendrons and created a planted shrub bed.

Hopkinton Public Library

Celtic Music
by
Jeff Snow
7 p.m.
Friday 9/28/07

     Join us for this exciting and fun program where traditional and contemporary songs blend melodically for your listening pleasure. Jeff will sing & play guitar, autoharp, bouzouki and bodhran!
     Jeff has performed for audiences of all ages. Bring your family to a show where there is something for everyone.
13 Main St. Hopkinton, MA 01748  (508) 497-9777

Men Devise Ruse Against Elderly

Two Still at Large - State Police Seek Public Assistance, Give Advice

September 22, 2007 — Yesterday, September 21, 2007, at approximately 12:12 p.m. troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Cheshire investigated the robbery of an elderly couple while in their residence located on Hancock Road (Route 43) in Hancock. 

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Talitha McCarthy-Johnson indicates that two men, claiming to work for an energy company that worked to reduce the energy costs of those on fixed income, entered the elderly couple’s home at approximately 11:15 a.m. The two men distracted the couple by having them assist one of the men with measurements while the other searched for items within the home. Taken from the residence was approximately $2500.00 in cash and four antique rings. The men are both described as 50-60 year-old white men approximately six feet tall. One is stockier then the other and they were both wearing gray caps, light blue shirts and light blue pants. It is unknown if there was a vehicle involved in the incident.

Anyone who may have information about the identity of these two individuals are asked to contact Trooper Talitha McCarthy-Johnson at the State Police Barracks in Cheshire at 413-743-4700.

If individuals are solicited at their residence and suspect a similar ruse they should request photo identification from the individuals and contact the local authorities before dealing with them further.

HYSA Night at the Revolution

THE fall soccer event of 2007!

Our Price:$25.00

Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your neighbors but DON'T

make the mistake of missing this event which is bound to be hailed as THE event of the fall 2007!

Whether you are a huge soccer fan or not, this is a great opportunity for you to get together with friends, eat some good food, visit Gillette Stadium, enjoy a great fall sporting event, and support Hopkinton Youth Soccer. This is definitely a 'more the merrier' type of event so please go ahead and forward this email along to others.

Date:

Saturday September 29th - New England Revolution vs. Colorado Rapids

Time:

6:00pm Tailgate party (the game starts at 7:30pm)

Location:

Gillette Stadium

All of this is included in the price of your event ticket:

• A game ticket in a section reserved exclusively for Hopkinton Youth Soccer.

• Exclusive Hopkinton Youth Soccer Tailgate party area in the Gillette Stadium parking lot (parking is free - see below for details)

• All you can eat buffet in the tailgate area prepared by Olivia's of Milford (starting at 6:00pm)

• Every child attending this event will receive an official Revolution commemorative souvenir.

In addition, families will also enjoy

• Access to Soccer Celebration! where children are treated to many interactive inflatables, face painting, and more!

• Hopkinton Youth Soccer's 'Name in lights' displayed on the Jumbotron throughout the game

• Cheering on representatives (children) from Hopkinton Youth Soccer who will be out on the playing field throughout the night representing Hopkinton Youth Soccer.

• Opportunity to win fabulous raffle prizes!

Exclusive HYSA Tailgate Party:

Upon entering the Gillette Stadium parking lot, go ahead and park your car anywhere in the main lot.  After parking your car proceed over to the pop-up tent (in the parking lot) and cars that have the Green & White balloons tied to them. That's us...let the tailgating begin!

What to bring: Please plan on bringing your own beverages for adults & children.  All dessert items will be welcomed! You may also want to consider bringing a folding table and chairs. Other than that, we will handle the rest!  Please visit the Gillette Stadium website for a list of items that are and are not allowed into the stadium.

Town Manager Feted

September 21, 2007 — Town Manager Anthony Troiano was the guest of honor at a party put on by Town Hall employees at lunchtime today. He said he is glad to be back, as he completed his first full week working on his own and without the Interim Town Manager, Gary Daugherty, since his return after a horrific automobile accident in May.

School Committee and Teachers’ Association Reach Contract Settlement

September 21, 2007 — The Hopkinton School Committee and the Hopkinton Teachers’ Association (HTA) announced today that an agreement has been reached on a new three year contract. The HTA ratified the agreement at a meeting with its members on September 11th. The School Committee approved the contract at its meeting last night.

The agreement provides increases of 2.25% in the current school year, 3.25% in year 2, and 3% in year 3 for a total of 8.5% over the duration of the contract. “This agreement provides our teachers with a fair and competitive wage package that will help us retain existing staff and attract new teachers to Hopkinton,” said Ms. Rebecca Robak (File photo), Chairman of the Hopkinton School Committee.

To mitigate the town’s rising costs for employee health insurance, the agreement includes a plan design change that increases teacher co-payments for health and prescription services. The higher co-payment, however, is contingent on the town reaching similar agreements with its other employee unions.

The agreement also results in additional learning time for students by extending the student day 5 minutes in 2007-08 and an additional 5 minutes in 2008-09. “While on the surface, 10 minutes does not seem like a significant amount of time, during the course of a year it amounts to a substantial increase in contact time with students. We are in this profession to work with students,” stated Mr. Tim Kearnan, President of the Hopkinton Teachers’ Association.

As other highlights of the settlement, the School Committee and HTA agreed to changes in the teacher evaluation process, additional bereavement benefits for teachers, and adjustments to teacher stipends for coaching and extracurricular activities.

“Negotiations are the art of compromise,” stated Ms. Robak. “At the end of the day, you hope to reach an agreement that is good for students, good for the employees, and good for the town. In this negotiation, we feel we have accomplished each of these goals.”

Pinwheels for Peace

September 21,2007 — The students of Elmwood School created their own art exhibit today with the installation of hundreds of pinwheels that they assembled themselves, on the front lawn. According to art Teacher Bonnie Muir, who coordinated the event with Mass Art student teacher Kelly Phillips, the the 2nd and 3rd graders will write their thoughts about "war and peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others" on one side. On the other side, they drew, painted, made collages, etc. to visually express their feelings. The school was one of thousands of locations throughout the world that participated in the project.

Hopkinton Falls Short

September 21, 2007 —  #10 leads the pack down the field Thursday afternoon at home against Dover-Sherborn, who won 2-1.

Hopkinton 2, Holliston 1

September 21, 2007 — #8 beats her Holliston opponent to the ball.

Bright New Room

September 21, 2007 — Fred Moseley, a senior citizen volunteer, brings some fresh painting materials to the former senior center in the basement of town hall, an area with a full kitchen that will now serve Town Hall employees.

Hopkinton Houses by John Savignano 

Please give a listen to out friend and supporter, John Savignano, above.

Golden Oldie

Hopkinton Residents Kevin Kenney and Monica Coyne are superimposed in this image against the original delivery truck for Central Cleaners in Milford, a HopNews advertiser.

Historical District Commission Warm to New Gazebo

by Robert Falcione

September 21, 2007 — The Hopkinton Historical District Commission heard a presentation by Architect Scott Richardson, his second in as many evenings, on the need for a new Veterans' Memorial Gazebo on Hopkinton Common. The Historic District is from the Hopkinton Gourmet to the Price Mansion House 150 feet from Main Street to the south, and includes the Common Center School, and the Town Hall.

      Mr. Richardson, a member of the private group, Friends of the Common, listed both sides of the issue of repairing the existing structure, or constructing a new one. The Friends of the Common has vowed to not use a penny of taxpayer money for the project that will encompass a new or repaired gazebo, a repaired fountain, and a newly landscaped Common.

      On the down side of doing a repair is that it must be made handicap accessible in the process, which would require a 48-foot ramp for the 48-inch structure. The alternative is a lift system, which would cost nearly $20,000, and would detract from the aesthetics of the structure, the prime reason most people give for keeping it the way it is.

     The new structure would be lower to the ground and have a ramp built up from the earth perhaps on both sides of the structure, and will be open on two sides. People with wheelchairs, or limited ambulatory ability, women with strollers and others will be able to reach the inside without using stairs. One entrance will have about three stairs leading in.

     The Commission was warm to the idea of the structure in their district. The existing gazebo is not old enough to be considered historic, and is in a state of neglect.

     Commission member Claire Wright, a champion of less lighting is more, questioned the need for lights on the Common.

    This writer noted that the plan should be looking 100 years to the future, the increased population and changing demographics that would necessitate a lighted walkway due to the need for security, and the possible use of the area in the evening.

      Mrs. Wright, also a member of the Planning Board, asked if the railings needed to be installed, as well as a narrower walkway around the structure, and smaller plants.

      Mr. Richardson said that he would incorporate the changes for the next submission.

      Next, the group plans to meet with the veterans.

Assault with Intent to Murder on Route  93 in Randolph

September 21, 2007 — Yesterday at 8:27 p.m. Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Milton responded to a report of an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon at the on-ramp from Route 93 south to Route 24 south in Randolph. That resulted in one arrest. 

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kathleen Carney who responded with several troopers working paid details in the area indicates the following. A male operator of a tractor trailer was stabbed numerous times while operating his vehicle by a 21 year old female passenger identified as Deka Artan from Tempe Arizona. The party fled into the nearby woods and was captured by State Troopers working in the area. She was in the company of a 2 year old female child.

The Suspect is currently being held at the State Police Barracks in Milton. She is charged with Assault with Intent to Murder. And will be arraigned tomorrow at Quincy District Court.

This incident remains under investigation by the State Police Troop H Detectives. The Norfolk County District Attorneys Office, Randolph Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services and Mass Highways assisted troopers at the scene. File photo

Esme YC Disch - “Natural Inspirations”

Art Exhibit

September 20 - October 20, 2007

Opening Reception

September 20, 2007  6:30 pm

Esme has been a fan favorite at the CAA Juried Art Show over the past few years winning many prizes including last years Viewer’s Choice Award.

This exhibit will include abstract and representational watercolors, mixed media and monotypes from the past five years leading up to the current monotype series of nests and grasses.

Through her watercolors, mixed media works and recent monotypes Esme YC Disch expresses her feelings about nature and the spirit through both representational and abstract imagery.  In this way she helps preserve her impressions for the future and capture the magic of nature.  Disch states, “I was drawn to the natural environment and often mourn the demise of pristine forested acreage for development, often holding the last vestiges of beauty and mystery in my mind and imagination.  I wish for my paintings to visually communicate evocative feelings of reverence to the infinite spirit within all things natural.” 

An opening reception will be held for the artist on Thursday, September 20, at 6:30 pm.  The gallery is located at 98 Hayden Rowe Street (Rt. 85) in Hopkinton, MA.  Directions are available by calling 508-435-9222 or visiting the website at www.caahopkinton.org. 

Driving Around

September 20, 2007 — James Hendry of HHS Golf Team showed great form yesterday driving from the first tee. Above, he winds down his swing and watches his drive, as do the Holliston golfers to the rear.

Casting Away

September 20, 2007 — Tom Alexander and Mike Drake enjoyed the peacefulness of Hopkinton Reservoir yesterday after school. There were no fish in sight, and a lot less water than usual. No one could remember ever seeing the base of the dam before.

Greyhound Friends Fall Open House & Reunion September 29 & 30, 2007

September 20, 2007 -  Greyhound Friends of Hopkinton, Massachusetts will host its Annual Fall Open House and Reunion on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, 2007.  With the seasonal closing of four local racing tracks, there are many greyhounds that will need homes. Racing tracks in Hinsdale, NH, Wonderland, Mass. and Belmont, NH have already closed for the season.  The track in Seabrook, NH will close on October 24. 

The open house will showcase dogs in the shelter available for adoption as well as provide prospective owners with the opportunity to speak with current greyhound owners.  The event will welcome back adopted greyhounds and their owners for an annual reunion. This year’s Open House will also offer a place where greyhounds and their owners can share in a day of pampering, delicious food, good company, and great canine activities.  Marion Fitzgibbon, Chairperson of Limerick Animal Welfare and president of the Irish SPCA, will also be on hand at the event to discuss a brief overview of greyhound welfare and adoption in Ireland.   Photo ©2006 John Mottern.

Additional activities will include:

• The Not Quite Westminster Dog Show

•  Nail clipping

• Pet massage

• Pet photography

Greyhound Friends Annual Fall Open House will take place at the Greyhound Friend’s Kennel, located at 167 Saddle Hill Road, Hopkinton, MA.  The event will run from 12 noon – 5 pm. 

To learn more about Greyhound Friends and the adoption process, please visit www.greyhound.org

 Bee part of all the buzz in Hopkinton!

Spelling Bee
Hopkins School Cafeteria
Saturday, November 3, 2007
6:00p.m.

The Hopkinton PTA along with the Hopkinton Education Foundation have organized the first annual Hopkinton Community Spelling Bee.
Become part of his great event by forming a team, sponsoring a team or by becoming an event sponsor. All spelling is done by consensus. Teams will be made up of Middle School aged kids through adults competing for a trophy and bragging rights!

For More Information, Contact ~
Event Sponsor or Team Sponsor: Ruth Ann Cote, cotemail@comast.net
Register a Team: Nancy Burdick, nancyb88@hotmail.com
Volunteer: Jean Bertschmann, jeanber65@hotmail.com

For more information visit our website at www.HopkintonSpellingBee.info . With your participation the HPTA and HEF can expand their support of the Hopkinton Public Schools while providing a fun event for families and community members!

Heartbreakers

September 20, 2007 — They did it!!  All three walked all 26.2 in the Jimmy Fund Walk and then limped to school the next day. Katie Duggan, Lindsay Kramer and Rachel Gately, above at Heartbreak Hill.

Groups Discuss New War Veterans' Memorial Gazebo Concept

Proposed new structure could cost less than repairs

Friends of the Common vow all private funding

September 20, 2007 —  Gorman and Richardson architect, Scott Richardson of the Friends of the Common (FOTC) presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission a conceptual plan of a rejuvenated or reconstructed Gazebo, a plan that he donated for use at the evening's meeting. Mr. Richardson said, "Its an accessibility issue.

     "When I went to look at the gazebo with Ruth [Gorman], there was a mother pulling her stroller up the stairs." Mr. Richardson explained that to repair the existing gazebo and bring it up to handicap  accessibility standards, a ramp of 48 feet would need to be built, or a lift would need to be installed, costing up to $19,000.
     "What makes most sense for this gazebo, if your going to put money into it, let's build something new," said Mr. Richardson.
       FOTC Chairman Ruth Gorman said that most of the participants in the private group wanted to see a new gazebo. The group had discussed the advantages that a gazebo closer to the ground could have in the way of handicap access and convenience. The plan Mr. Richardson brought showed a slope from the one side to the other, gentle enough to provide for a stroller or wheelchair to ascend easily, reaching the level of the interior.
       Parks and Rec member Michele Gates asked Selectman Michael Shepard, a member of the Friends of the Common his views. Mr. Shepard is also on the Veterans' Committee.

Above, veterans, Selectmen, Parks and Rec members, Friends of the Common members, show off a super-sized check for $5,000 presented to the Commission by Mr. Kilduff (pink shirt) on behalf of the HAA (Hopkinton Athletic Association), of which he is President. Don Creswell, in teal third from left, built the original gazebo.

      "I don't want the gazebo to move from where it is," he said.
      "I'm not comfortable with the Bellingham gazebo model, and that's what I look at this as," he said, looking at the drawing provided by Mr. Richardson. The Bellingham gazebo has been described as inviting, and has similar intellectual technology that Mr. Richardson proposed. The Bellingham gazebo also has benches inside for casual gatherings of residents. That town just celebrated the tenth year of its construction.
       "But whatever we do will be done with private funds, with your guidance, and I'm comfortable with that," Mr. Shepard concluded, speaking to the Commission.
        Mrs. Gates asked if the veterans had been on board with the plan, and added, "I can lose the basement," referring to the storage that she had lobbied for from the start of discussions weeks ago.
       "You're taking from the veterans that built this," said Don Creswell, Hopkinton Auxiliary Chief of Police, who attended as an interested party. Someone mentioned that Mr. Creswell banged most of the nails. "Every one of them," he replied.
       "Those very veterans that use it need to access it and get up those stairs," said Mrs. Gates, directing her comment to Mr. Creswell.
        Chairman Brendan Doyle asked Mr. Creswell if the existing structure could be brought down lower for handicap access.
        Parks Member Brian Eberlin said he was "torn" over refurbishing the existing structure or building a new one. Michele Gates echoed that sentiment.
       Mr. Doyle said it never struck home until he heard about someone struggling to get up the stairs. He brought up that the Parks and Rec had brought an article to town meeting that was rejected.
      "It makes a lot of sense what you guys are proposing; it sounds like a great idea from my perspective," he said.
      "I was against this approach from the beginning, like Ruth was," said Mr. Richardson, "but the more we looked at it, the more it seems to make sense; and because it doesn't cost the town anything, it makes even more sense. But I know we need to build more consensus," said Mr. Richardson.
       President of he HAA, Timothy Kilduff was on hand to present an oversized check of $5,000 to the group as he pledged, and speak about his fundraising efforts.
       "The resources are there to renovate, rebuild, remodel — whatever the decision is — but that decision lies with you guys. And it will impede the fundraising process if this decision gets dragged out," Mr. Kilduff said.
      "Do you want us to proceed?" Asked Mr. Kilduff of the Parks and Rec Commission. Voices from the group answer in the affirmative in unison. The group explained that they would like the FOTC to meet with the Veterans, the Historical District Commission, and design Review Board  — and then return.

Financial Plan Working Group Heads to Closed Sessions
“You must demonstrate report has endorsement of Town Hall finance team” ~ Tim Kilduff

By David Hamacher

September 19, 2007 — Marking their progress since their meeting on August 22nd, the Financial Plan Working Group (FPWG) met this afternoon at Town Hall to plan critical next steps in the process of corralling the ‘structural deficit’ that plagues Hopkinton, as well as, other neighboring towns.
        By way of review, principal assessor, Mr. Bob Bushway, reported that he had worked with consultant, Ms. Judi Barrett, and had tweaked the financial projections model to reflect earlier differences.
       FPWG Co-Chair Mr. Totino noted that the school committee was, so far, the only department to have completed re-running future budget projections factoring in an annual 6% utility cost increase. School business manager, Mr. Geoff MacDonald (File photo) also explained how the school budget increase in fiscal year 2012 had been calculated against a declining enrollment projection.
       Referencing the current meeting’s agenda, Mr. Totino announced that when the agenda called for report-outs, the media would be asked to leave the room. “I’ve been advised that when it comes to discussing sensitive issues with cutting expenses, people in this room would not feel comfortable having the discussion in public”, he said.
       Mr. Totino then introduced Mr. Tim Kilduff to deliver a draft communications plan he had prepared. “First of all, Mr. Kilduff said, “you need to overcome the perception that the work of this group is a school committee driven process. This is a town-wide effort and the public has to know that. Secondly, you must demonstrate your report has the endorsement of Town Hall finance team. You also need to create and present an implementation plan”, he said.
       The proposed communication plan would simplify the message by clarifying the challenge facing the community, identifying key message points, prioritizing short and long-term objectives, and setting a timetable for implementation.
The communication plan sparked much discussion. Selectman, Mr. Brian Herr (File photo) stated, “We need to educate the town on the model we’re using,”
       Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Phelan said, “I think we need a working session. When you’re talking about sensitive issues like this having an impact on jobs, it’s better to do that in a closed session.”
       There were also many comments on what timetable the report should reflect. Budget projections are more accurate within the next five years, projections should be outlined for ten years, and the impact on the town with Legacy Farms goes out further than 15 years. Mr. Totino expressed his original concern that the timeframe should be ten years.
       “We know we’re facing a potential two million dollar shortfall next year, and we’re trying to understand what that figure could be ten years out if we do nothing,” Mr. Totino said. “Let’s review the options, come up with a plan of action for increasing revenues and reducing expenses, and then present the options to the town”.
       The goal is now to distill the report-outs for the ideas on closing the revenue and expense gap in closed working sessions, compile the final report, and present it to the Board of Selectmen during a meeting in October.

Next Generation of Harringtons

September 19, 2007 — Bill and Mary Harrington were treated to a surprise weekend celebration with their entire family in Meredith NH on Lake Wauwekan.  They were married at St. John's in Hopkinton on May 4, 1957 and have been blessed with four children, Cindy Collette, Marylou Knox, Kathy Laflash and David Harrington, 7 grandchildren, John and Laura Collette, Michael, Stephen and Katherine Knox, Matthew Laflash and Jillian Katz and 1 great granddaughter, Alina Collette.  Old memories were shared and new ones were made.

Comparative Poll Results

Casino for Massachusetts and casino for Hopkinton

September 19, 2007  — After The poll on the left finished in a near dead-heat, a reader suggest the question in the poll on the right to test the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) factor. The NIMBY factor turned it from a virtual tie on a state level into a 2 to 1 against a casino in Hopkinton.

     One reader remarked, "That's normal."

Lady Hillers Competed in Summer Triathlon