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Growing Season is Over — Holiday Season is Growing Seasonal switch from plants to gifts complete for Weston Nurseries Retail
November 17, 2007 — The smell of a freshly baked apple pie in Weston Nurseries Garden Center greets the visitor as a visual symphony, directed by Karen Mezitt, overwhelms the senses with purchases from all over the world, such as unbreakable ornaments and dolls from Kenya. "We've been to the best independent garden centers in the country to see how we stack up," said Weston Nurseries President, Peter Mezitt. "Our garden center is smaller than some, but our plant area is larger," he said. "And this time if year, we transform our Garden Center into a gift shop. We have trees with decorative themes, like sports, ballerina and pet lovers themes," he said. |
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Commonometer nears $30,000 in donations for Veterans' Gazebo Garden Club pitches in $500 "Access with Dignity" ~ Michael Whalen
In addition to raising funds for building the new Veterans' Gazebo with materials that will last, and having it designed by professionals, the FOTC has promised an endowment to maintain the structure routinely so that its lifespan will be 50-100 years into the future, rather than the 19 years that the current one has had. The current Veterans' Memorial Gazebo was built from monetary donations from veterans and in kind donations as well. At a recent meeting, veteran Don Creswell said that he banged every nail. The late Ernie Fecteau is often named as the person who organized the fundraising for the existing gazebo, and kicked off the inaugural ceremonies to dedicate it in 1988. Mr. Fecteau's daughter, Barbara Sicuso, is a member of FOTC, and has stepped up and donated $2,500 on behalf of her family in memory of Mr. Fecteau. A couple of reasons that upgrading the current gazebo to a handicap accessible structure was that the two ways to do it would have ruined the aesthetics, which have been cited repeatedly as the very reason for keeping the existing one. The first solution the group pondered was to build a handicap ramp to the existing structure. However, the ramp would have to be 48 feet long to comply with state standards that require a foot for every inch of rise. The gazebo floor is 48 inches high. The second possibility that the group considered was a stationary or remotely stored portable lift, but people wondered who would be the key-holder, and how long would a person have to wait in all kinds of weather for a key.
Mr. Whalen, during a short interview a few days ago, had some other ideas for the FOTC to ponder. He said that there has to be a way for a person who is handicapped to get to the gazebo. He said there is no dedicated parking spot around the Common and that a spot should also be integrated into an entrance into the common. Mr. Whalen has also suggested that the current location for the gazebo may not be the best location. He suggested that it could be located away from the noise of the trucks and motorcycles that pass on Main Street. Some people have mentioned the side of the common nearest the Center School, where there is more open land that will afford a better view of events. The FOTC will need to meet again with the Historical District Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission ( and perhaps the Planning Board) before moving forward.
Will your $1,000 donation kick the Commonometer over the $30,000 mark? Be the first to email with your $1,000 pledge and receive that distinction, as well as an FOTC tee shirt and postcard.
$29,303 TO DATE, November 16, 2007 |
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Bedrock Band Plays Saturday, November 17 in Northborough
Above, please enjoy a clip of the Bedrock Band recently recorded at ESL Live.
Bedrock Band will be at Tom's Gourmet Marketplace - Saturday November 17 from 6:00 until 9:00 (Also December 22 for those that like to plan ahead) 4 West Main Street, Suite 101 (Intersection of Route 20 and Route 135) Northborough, MA 01532 Tel :508.393.5299. We perform downstairs. Tom's is a great place to eat with over 24 different entrees to choose from for dinner, desserts, cocktails, etc. Come for dinner and listen to the music. Bring the kids if you want. ~Bedrock Band
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William Tenney Lindsay Jr., 83
William Tenney Lindsay Jr., 83,
of Hopkinton, and recently of Westwood, died
Sunday, November 11, 2007 at The Clark House in Westwood. Born in
Scranton, PA., he was the son of the late Gladys (Axford) and William HOPKINTON - Eunice C. Hall, 97, died Friday, November 16, 2007 in Westborough. Funeral arrangements, by the Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, are incomplete at this time. |
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A Picture is Worth...
Above, Elmwood School students listen intently as retired Center School Principal Thomas Argir reads Casey at the Bat, giving lessons and asking questions as he does so.
November 16, 2007 — If a picture is worth a thousand words, what then can be said of a story or a book and all of the ancillary mental images that come with reading? Today, Elmwood Principal Ilene Silver continued a fifteen year-old tradition of stressing to her students the importance of reading, by hosting a Community Reading Day. Community leaders and educators gathered in the school library to introduce themselves to one another before proceeding to individual classrooms where each read to the waiting students. "It is an opportunity for our students to learn how important reading is in lives of adults," said Ms. Silver. "We hope to instill a love or reading, which is important no matter what age. "I anticipate this will continue to be an ongoing annual event," she said. |
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Hopkinton School Committee Visits Home Education Policy, Challenges to the Schools
by Demian David Tebaldi
November 16, 2007 —
It was a dark and
stormy night, but that didn’t keep any of the faithful members of the
Hopkinton School Committee from attending last night’s regular
bi-weekly public
meeting. Mrs. Parson reported on the current fiscal goals for
the
A new math program was purchased and is now being used, Everyday Math, in an attempt to improve performance and better adhere to standards set forth by the Commonwealth’s Board of Education. As with any large body of students, there are several levels of proficiency represented in the Hopkinton schools, and the needs of each group – those working at, below and above their level – are being addressed individually. The Math Tutor Task Force will hopefully be able to provide additional instruction for struggling students, and last year’s Parent Math Night, a community-based event intended to familiarize Hopkinton parents with the current philosophies and strategies of the math department, will be repeated this year. Results of last year’s third grade math MCAS will be analyzed in the coming months to determine if there are patterns in student performance, so that problem areas may be addressed and student learning enhanced in the process. Overall, “we have our work cut out for us,” said Mrs. Silver.
The Hopkinton School Committee policy on Home Education was reviewed for potential changes in just one phase of a multi-tiered editing process. Currently, the language of the policy is a bit tedious to everyone but lawyers, and that is perhaps because most of the text is taken directly from the laws which govern such activity (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 69, Section 1D and Chapter 76, Section 1). Committee member Nancy Alvarez Burdick questioned the placement of certain phrases in the current policy, including Hopkinton’s appreciation of “personal and cultural uniqueness” of area families in the establishment of a home education system, asking whether it was necessary to specify the ways in which families are “unique.”
Committee member Phil Totino agreed that the language of the policy as drafted was perhaps potentially overwhelming, but stated that it “made sense.” Changes to the exact language of the policy and the forms utilized by parents who wish to home school their children will face further editing for correctness and clarity over a series of two or three more regular School Committee Meetings.
Expected and unavoidable school budget shortfalls were discussed by the panel, the charge being led by Committee member Lyn Branscomb. With Hopkinton’s population steadily growing and resources for students remaining largely the same for the last five to ten years, the choices are clear – cut programs (such as foreign languages) or appeal to the Board of Selectmen for an override. All in attendance agreed that the deficits are unfortunate, but the discussion turned quickly to how best to avoid them in the future. Committee member Dr. John E. Phelan, Jr. likened the review and preparation process to the effort of Californians to safely remove residents from areas affected most heavily by the recent wildfires. With deference toward and respect for those efforts, Dr. Phelan said “[the firefighters] didn’t wait until houses caught on fire to lead residents to safety,” rather, they evacuated home owners before the fire got to them. Applying that logic to the budget situation, he suggested that early awareness was the key to addressing and providing solutions to expected deficits.
Phil Totino, with a nod to the adept analogy, indicated that “our house has been burning for six years.” |
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In With the New - Out With the New Public Health Administrator position open
November 16, 2007 — The Board of Health made public last evening the two-week notice of Public Health Administrator Thomas Ryder, who will be taking a position with the Engineering Department for the Town of Needham. Mr. Ryder began his current position in November, 2003. "It seems like yesterday," he said. "You'll be using your P.E. [Professional Engineer degree]" noted Board of Health member Nancy Peters. "I spoke to Mary Rose, and as soon as we are ready to advertise, we would post it for a couple of weeks," said Board Chairman David Edson. "It would be good to look at people we interviewed before," said Mrs. Peters. Vice-Chairman Richard DeMont said, "I would encourage anyone who knows anyone professionally to get the word out." The Board stated that the job is Grade 3, Level A with a salary range of $52,949 to $66,200. |
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Driver, passenger wearing seat belts, survive
MILTON November 16, 2007 — Today, at
approximately 12:24 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks
in
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Michael
Hardman indicates that
19-year old Patrick
Leonard of
This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section
State Police Announce “Click It or Ticket” Mobilization
Coordinated in
This funding will assist the Massachusetts
State Police and local police departments to encourage statewide safety
belt compliance. Currently, the safety belt use compliance rate in |
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Saturday, November 17th,
10:30 am-12:30 HCAM TV STUDIOS: 77 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA Wake up and Smell the
Poetry |
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Friday Night Spaghetti Dinner Woodville Rod & Gun Club November 16 5:00pm to 8:00pm for $6.00 per person. To support Hopkinton-Ashland Raider A Squad Cheerleaders
After winning the Hockomock Championships a couple of weeks ago at The University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center, The Hopkinton-Ashland Raider A Squad Cheerleaders began their fundraising to raise money to support their continuing efforts to compete in the Regional and National Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Competitions. The last 2 weekends, The Raider Girls were at the Golden Spoon Restaurant, The Mobil/Dunkin Donuts and The Sunnyside selling Raffles for Prizes like Capitol Grill Gift Certificate, Jackets and More. The Big Event is the Spaghetti Dinner at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club on Wood Street in Hopkinton on November 16th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for $6.00 per person. A Raffle will be held with prizes that include:
Come out and support the girls. Go Raiders! |
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High Technology
November 15, 2007 — At the Hopkinton Senior Center in the Computer Room today, Audrey Connolly, left, and Ellie Ularich enjoy a computerized slide show of Hopkinton veterans originally prepared by Jim Cozzens for the veterans' dinner last week. (You may View it here) in a PowerPoint presentation. To get the PowerPoint Viewer, click here. |
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Ground Water Levels Still Low #5 Well to start pumping ~ discoloration may result
Although we have
seen some rain over the past few weeks, ground water levels still remain
extremely low. There are streams in Eric Carty, Water/Sewer Manager DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS |
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Board of Appeals "Implores" Parties to Resolve Matter Privately Chairman to take leave
by Robert Falcione
November 15,
2007 — Last evening, Board of Appeals Chairman Thomas Garabedian (Photo)
announced a leave of Before the merits could be heard, Mr. Garabedian made it clear that he would be taking a leave and would not return until the middle of January 2008. If the appeal hearing had moved forward last night and got continued, it would have needed to be continued only when Mr. Garabedian returned, as he would have sat in on the hearing. In that the hearing was for an Administrative Appeal, the vote would have had to have been a super-majority of four of the five eligible members. Although five members were present and seated, two, Peter Ficarri and Rory Warren, were conflicted, had some sort of business dealings with CJPM. Member Wayne Davies, who was absent, was conflicted also, it was noted, because of business dealings with the appellant. Member Michael DiMascio arrived in time to bring the number of eligible members — himself, Mr. Garabedian, Tina Rose, and William McCarthy — to four. And although the appeal could have been heard last evening with the four eligible members, it would have needed to be a unanimous vote to carry for the appellant. The appellant chose to move forward at the next available date when five eligible members will be present. The Appellant, according to documents, feels aggrieved by driveway openings that are consistent with an alleged cross-parking agreement, saying that it would add too much traffic to their property, an objection that had also been brought up during the Planning Board hearing. They also cite technical issues of the Decision, claiming that the Planning Board made their Decision before the Board of Appeals granting of variances for two drive-through windows was officially recorded, and that the number of driveways between the properties noted in the Decision is not consistent with the number noted on the plan. The appellant is also appealing the variances by the Board of Appeals of the drive-through windows to Court. "Since we are subject to a lawsuit on this same matter," said Mr. Garabedian, "I would implore the parties that we as a town got dragged into this. This would be better settled even before December 5. The real issue is between two property owners. "Perhaps when we come back, there will be less imposition on the Town," he said. The Town's comments to the appeal are in agreement with Mr. Garabedian's statement. "The Planning Board asserts that the abutting land owners need to come to an agreement.." it states in part. |
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Hopkinton Public Library Welcome to our wireless connection to the
Internet at the Library. Bring your laptop, plug it in and you are on
the net! “Thank you for the WiFi. It’s a wonderful resource.” Says Ethan Jackson of Hopkinton as he enjoys a quiet afternoon at the Library!
Contributed content |
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Senior Center Breakfast and Discussion What were you doing on Pearl Harbor Day?
This will be the topic of discussion at the monthly Veteran’s breakfast at the Senior Center on Friday, December 4 when veterans will be served chipped beef, a rerun of the slide show of Hopkinton servicemen and comradeship. Jim Cozzens of HCam TV will be on hand to record your comments. The Senior Center staff hopes that Veteran’s Breakfasts will become a regular event for many Hopkinton veterans on the first Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m.. |
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Senator Spilka Votes for Emergency Home Heating Assistance for Low-Income Residents
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Hitch Hiking Miracle
by Robert Falcione November 14, 2007 — Police Officer Aaron O'Neil inspects the back seat of this crashed vehicle that was found without a driver or passengers on Fruit Street near the Hopkinton line near the Southborough Rod and Gun Club. Police had received many 911 calls about a car vs. tree. A man appeared on the scene in an SUV shortly after public safety personnel arrived and said it was his wife's car, and that she had been driving it. When asked where she was, he replied that she had hitchhiked to Framingham and was now at home. The engine was still running when police arrived with their sirens howling and lights flashing. Apparently, the woman was the benefactor of a miracle, having hitch hiked to Framingham in 4 minutes, and not having bothered to take the nearby train that would have taken 25 minutes just to walk to. The man's son happened to work nearby, but the man denied that the SUV he was driving was just gotten from his son up the street. When questioned, the son said his grandmother dropped him off at work. It is a further miracle that the man happened to be in the area with an SUV, but very curious that his wife hitch hiked rather than called him or the grandmother to pick her up. He was on his cell with someone while the police investigated at his son's work. No one reported that the woman tried to flag anyone down or stop at anyone's nearby home for assistance. Miraculous! (Preceding is in part commentary.) |
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November 14, 2007 — The cast of Footloose held a dress rehearsal this afternoon (Above) in preparation for their inaugural Performance Thursday at 4:00 pm in the High School Auditorium. |
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67 Year-old Man Falls from Forklift, LifeFlight Transports
November 14, 2007 — A 67 year-old man who fell approximately 15 feet off of a forklift today at Barry Controls on South Street was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to UMass Medical in Worcester with lacerations on the back of his skull. Barry Controls did not return a phone call. According to Hopkinton Fire Lt. William Lukey, one of the protocols for calling in Life Flight is a fall that is twice the distance of a person's height. "Head injuries progress fast," he said. "We have ALS [Advanced Life Support] in Hopkinton," he said, "where we bring the emergency Room to you." "This injury warrants the helicopter with a doctor on board," he said. The chopper circled the Landing Zone radioing instructions to people on the ground after inspecting the area and seeing a motorcycle that they wanted moved. The patient was transported to the helicopter from the Hopkinton ambulance that had been standing by with the patient inside, after which time the helicopter took off to Worcester.
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Free Holiday
Concert
Continuing a tradition begun in 1999, St. John's will host the annual holiday concert presented by the Southeastern Massachusetts Community Concert Band. Take a break from the holiday rush and enjoy a program of seasonal music sure to delight the entire family. The band includes a number of Hopkinton residents and in the spirit of the season, the concert is a gift to the community from both the band and St. John's. Also performing will be the St. John's Children's Chorus. Admission is free, but donations of laundry detergent, school snacks and breakfast foods are requested for the Hopkinton Food Pantry. For more information about the band, go to www.smccb.com. HopNews File Photo |
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"The
News Starts Here!"
The FOTC (Friends of the Common), a non-governmental group of residents,
has just received another generous donation, this time, a $500 gift from
the Garden
So, a wrap around ramp on a lower structure was considered as the final
solution, one that would be incorporated into a new design. It is what
the American Legion Adjutant, Michael Whalen (Photo) has called, "Access with
dignity."
Vehicle
Crashes into Tree ~ Breaks in Two
Hopkinton
Public Library
town that are currently dry that have never run dry in the past. Driving
by any water body in any town, one can see the effects of the lack of
water over the past several months. After consultation with Ashland
Officials we have been advised that the situation is not improving with
ground water levels at the wells for the plant. Although the plant
(Photo) does not pump directly out of the reservoir, the wells are
adjacent to the reservoir and are affected by the lack of ground water
recharge with the limited rain. We ask everyone to continue to only use
water that is necessary for everyday needs. For tips on conserving water
around the house, we ask you to log on to our website on
Although
we are currently taking our minimum about of water from Ashland, they
have asked us to enact all measures to minimize our use from the plant.
We will be running Well #5 to help supplement the water supply. While
this well is running, people may notice a slight discoloration to the
water due to the iron that is naturally present. We have also contacted
our large users and asked them to help curtail any use possible.
absence that further complicated the next matter before it, an appeal by
Drs. Joseph Menna and John Pandiscio, trustees of Maspenock Professional
Building Realty Trust, of the Decision of the Planning Board to grant
a permit to CJPM Development (Chuck Joseph, Peter Markarian) for a
development at the corner of South and West Main Streets.
(Boston,
MA) - November 14, 2007 — The Senate today acted quickly to avert a home
heating crisis by unanimously approving $15 million in state funding to
help more than 100,000 elderly residents and low-income families stay
warm this winter.
