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"The News Starts Here!"
24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508.435.5534
Editor@HopNews.com
AIM:BobFotoMan
 
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POLICE NEWS UP-TO-DATE
Today, August 31,
2006
11:54 am A caller reported that three
motorcycles (two of which were unregistered) were operating
erratically on West Main Street and then turned onto South
Street...
5:24 pm A caller from Erika Drive
reported that one pane on his double pane glass door was shattered...
12:52 pm A walk in reported that a
vehicle was circling the Davis Road area several times... |
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Poll Results
August 31,
2006 It is a definite slam dunk that takes the media to task
for overreacting in the matter of John Mark Karr's arrest in
Thailand and his return to the United States.
It is the
propensity of the news media's obsession with getting the story,
and sometimes at all costs, with accuracy as a victim in many
cases.
And it is with
reference to the speed that TV needs to report things that we
ask the question, "Do you remember when there were no TV
helicopters? |
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Just
Cruisin'
August 31, 2006 This turkey vulture
and another were riding the thermals in the downtown, starting
at roof top levels. It is unsure what they thought they'd find,
but some good advice for residents to take is to keep the poodle
indoors. ;-) |
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Junior Rangers program graduates 10 !
.jpg)
2006
Junior Rangers: (clockwise from left to right starting with
Ranger) Ranger Deanna Collins, Anna Charteris, Olivia Charteris,
Harry MacDonald, Rachel Hamilton, Rachel Guen, Interpretive
Ranger Jennefer Marker, Jessica Hamilton, James Morningstar,
John Morningstar, Madeline Boyce, and Gabrielle Boyce. The new
Junior Rangers are holding up their newly awarded badges and
certificates.
August 31,
2006 After meeting once a week for four weeks, these
participants, ranging in age from six to ten years-old, each
received a badge and certificate after reciting a pledge in
which they promise to care for, protect and enjoy Massachusetts
State Parks. |
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What's the fuss?
August 31, 2006 Residents of East
Hopkinton wondered what the fuss was about this afternoon, as
ambulances and fire engines from Ashland, Hopkinton and
Holliston converged at a
crash scene in Ashland at the intersection of West and
Spring Streets, just over the Hopkinton line. The vehicle failed
to stop at the end of West Street, and crossed Spring Street,
hitting a telephone pole. Above, the CBS4 chopped circled the
scene as did helicopters from several news agencies. More below.
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Van
vs. tree
Bumper sticker asks
appropriate question
August 31, 2006 This van registered
to the Department of Mental Retardation slammed into a telephone
pole on Spring Street in Ashland this afternoon a continuation
of East Street in Hopkinton sending six adults, of which at
least four were clients of the Department, to Milford and
Framingham Hospitals. |
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Preschool in
your crosshairs?
Wondering what the best preschool for your child is? On
Wednesday, September 27 at 7:30 pm, the MOMS Club of Hopkinton
will offer a workshop of preschool options and how to evaluate
them. Roxy Leeson, an expert in child development with over 20
years of experience, will cover topics
like what to think about before looking at preschools and what
questions to ask when you call and visit, descriptions of the
various types of preschools, and what to consider if your
childs birth date is near the kindergarten cut-off. Cost is
$15.
Pre-registration required (directions will be sent to those who
pre-register). To pre-register, please contact Christine
Coffman at
cddcoffman@comcast.net or 508 497-9948.
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Reader worries
about safety issues
Dear
Editor,
I
drive down Elm Street everyday and for the past 8 years,
wondered about the eyesore of an abandoned trailer on what
used to be High Street. I was curious and looked it up - it
is property R23 33 0 - it is 3 High Street.
As an abandoned building, I fear it is potentially a magnet
for kids, animals, vandals, etc. I don't know what the town
policy is on abandoned buildings. I've never gone over and
looked at it, so I don't know if there are really any safety
issues.
As a concerned citizen, I thought you might be interested in
looking into this further.
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We have many more
resources coming online, all because readers have made it clear
what they want. |
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Selectmen vote to move forward with Whitehall land purchase
by Robert Falcione
August 30, 2006 This evening,
three members of the Board of Selectmen voted for the town to
move forward with the purchase of open space in an area of town
in which they live, Woodville.
The town
voted to fund the purchase to the tune of $2.75 million at Town
Meeting in May, even though the appraisals for the land figured
it worth much less than that figure.
Although
the land has been appraised for the town by two firms, one at
$2,050,000 and the other at $2 million, the problem is that
Chapter 44, Section 5f of the Massachusetts General Laws
prohibits a municipality from purchasing land for more than the
appraised value.
The
seller, Ron Nation, obtained an appraisal for $2,685, 000 and
told the town he would agree to drop the price to that figure.
So a majority of the Selectmen agreed this evening to hire Mr.
Nation's appraiser to get a higher appraisal, as stated by
Chairman Muriel Kramer.
Selectman
Ron Clark called it "appraiser shopping" and asked if anyone
purchasing land privately would accept the higher appraisal when
their own two appraisals came in lower.
Selectman
Mike Shepard disclosed that it was his brother, Bob, who sold
the land to Mr. Nation. Mr. Nation purchased the land for $1.8
million on April 3, 2006, one month before the town agreed to
pay nearly a million more.
State Rep.
Paul Loscocco was on hand and lectured the Selectmen twice about
the roles of Town Meeting as a Legislative body and the
Selectmen as an Executive body.
Rep.
Loscocco explained that the town sets the value and then gets
appraisals to support the price they have set.
Mr. Clark
insisted that the appraisals have been submitted and that the
work has been done. However, Mr. Nation rejected an offer the
town made based on the appraisals the town had done.
Selectman
Mary Pratt said that the land is priceless, which may have been
what prompted Mr. Clark to say later, "This isn't a MasterCard
commercial."
The next
step, after an agreement to extend the deadline past the current
one ending August 31, is for the town to get another
appraisal, and if it doesn't come in as high as Mr. Nation's,
then the town will likely make a final offer.
When asked
if there was a limit on the amount of appraisals the town could
get, Town Counsel Richard D'Angelis said no. |
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Is your Community Group represented?
Check out our Community Page like
the Special Olympics did. See if you belong there, and if you
are not there, get in touch with us so we can get you linked! |
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Survival
of the biggest
August 29, 2006 If the dragonfly
in this spider's clutches is a normal size one, then the spider
in this photo is huge. The thorax appears to have scary eyes and
other markings that would surely ward off many predators.
"I
found this huge spider in my garden last week. He is
pictured here eating a dragon fly. Yuck!! Does anyone know
what type of spider it is? I hope he isn't poisonous,
because he got away!" ~ Ellen Mace
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Woodville Appraisals made public
Selectmen to discuss Land Purchase this evening
August 29, 2006 The appraisals for
the Whitehall land became public without fanfare last week,
while the Selectmen seem to have gotten into the act of the land
purchase of 22 or so acres in Woodville for $2.75 million from
developer Ron Nation, who has been looking to close on the
Purchase and Sale agreement that is slated to expire on August
31, 2006, after a second extension.
At
issue is the value of the land, which has been appraised from a
low of $1.8 million by an appraiser for the town, to the high
appraisal of $2.65 million by an appraiser hired by Mr. Nation.
According to Open Space Preservation Committee member Jeff
Doherty, the town cannot legally, under any circumstances,
purchase the land for more than the appraised value, even if no
Community Preservation Act funds are used.
The
appraisals all seem to consider some sort of development being
approved and an infrastructure of roads in place, with
consequential deductions if the conditions are not met.
The
Selectmen have it on their agenda for this evening. |
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Community, Church, Scout, and Teen Spirit
by Robert Falcione
August 29, 2006 How many people
can boast of creating a stone monument in their lifetimes and
especially at just fifteen years-old? Sean Donahue (Rust-colored
jacket), a sophomore at Hopkinton High School, has chosen to
build, at St. Paul's Church, a contemplative labyrinth out of slate moved from an old
quarry at Boy Scout
Camp MacGregor in
New Hampshire, as part of his Eagle Scout
Project.
The labyrinth is
not just seven circular circuits of laid stone, but according to
Sean's dad, Patrick, a place where a person's troubles can be shed,
renewing their life.
"A person can meditate
and supposedly find God in the center," said Sean. His dad was more
certain.
"On the path in, you
walk slowly and empty yourself of burdens, and you reach the center
empty of these things. And then on the path out, you are free to
have a closer communion with God," Patrick explained.
Sean found the
design on the internet, where he learned that several cultures
throughout history came up with the idea of a labyrinth
independently.
The
labyrinth is not the only part of his Eagle Project.
In addition
to organizing, researching and directing fellow teens in building
it, Sean must have demonstrated a high level of leadership, and must
have character elements that make up Scout Spirit, or Scout Oath and
Law.
Sean
has been involved in scouting since he moved to Hopkinton eight
years ago with his
family, which includes a younger sister.
The
entire community will be welcome to attend an opening ceremony in
September, and to visit and contemplate anytime thereafter. |
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August
28, 2006 Many readers have asked about the missing sign at the
High School and Middle School. We also asked over a week ago and
were told it is out for repair. The Police Department also
confirmed that. So, stop what ever rumors have started and get
ready for another great school year! |
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 STORY
TIME REGISTRATION IN CHILDREN'S ROOM
The Children's Room will be
accepting registration for story time beginning Tuesday,
September 5th. Registration must be made in person for the first
week. Phone registration will be accepted beginning Wednesday,
September 13th with registration continuing throughout the
month. Story time will begin the first week in October with 8
meetings in each session. Two and three year olds meet Monday or
Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:15 AM. One and two year olds meet on
Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15 AM. Three, four, and five year olds
meet on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45 PM. Please register for only
one story time session per child. Call the Children's Room at
497- 9779 with any questions. ~ Dinny Potenza
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You Tube Video
link excerpt of RJ Penney Ride provided by Stephanie Carver. |
Annie M.
Hager, 89, of Hopkinton died Saturday, August 26, 2006. Born in
Acton, MA, she was the daughter of the late Matilda and Ole
Granberg. Annie and her husband
Sterling lived in Hopkinton from 1939 to 1958, moved to
Holliston and returned to Hopkinton to reside with their
daughter, Betty Wyckoff, a year ago.
ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETE |
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Open House at
YMCA
The MetroWest
YMCA of Hopkinton is hosting an Open House on Saturday
Sept. 9th, from 10am until noon time.
Come out and tour our NAEYC
Accredited Early Childhood Center, Challenge Course, Basketball,
Tennis and Volleyball courts, winterized Lodge and the rest of
the 116 acre facility at 45 East Street in Hopkinton. For more
information call (508) 435-9345 or visit
www.metrowestymca.org
and click on Hopkinton.
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POLICE NEWS UP-TO-DATE Today, August 28, 2006
1:44 pm A caller from Amherst Road
reported a young male, perhaps 8 or 9 years old, operating a dirt bike
on the roadway... Officer Stephen Buckley responded and, upon
negative find, was told by a citizen that the biker went into the woods.
12:21 pm Police responded to a
possible domestic dispute on West Main Street...
1:00 am Police received call of two
suspicious persons walking around the area of a South Street business... |
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Poll Results
The poll results after a half day of voting show an
interesting turn of public opinion. The first reports of John
Mark Karr's arrest in Thailand had everyone believing the killer
of JonBenet Ramsey had been caught and confessed.
But now, after people have had time to digest what was said
and what wasn't said, the public's opinion appears to have
shifted. Only 13% believed Mr. Karr guilty in the HopNews poll.
Over 50% believe he was looking for attention or needed a
ride home. Thanks for voting. |
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Three deaths ~
Arrangements complete
HOPKINTON -
William E. Cousineau, 78, died on August 21, 2006 at
Carlyle House in Framingham. Born in Newton, he was the son of
the late James and Anna (Troy) Cousineau...
HOPKINTON-
Donald R. Simpson, 81, died Wednesday August 22,
2006. Born in Washington, PA, he was the son of the late Charles
and Harriet (Kennedy) Simpson...
HOPKINTON -
Charlotte Cookingham, 89, died August 23, 2006. She
was the wife of the late Howard Cookingham. She is survived by
her daughter Sandra J. Pryke and her husband John of Orleans,
MA... |
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Snake
Hill
August 27, 2006 Snake Hill on
Winter Street was too much for this motorcycle rider who slid
for over a dozen meters after laying the bike down. The man,
appearing over 50 years old, appeared to have a broken bone or
two in his extremities and perhaps a torso injury. |
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High
speed lane
August 27, 2006 This self
propelled, scaled down train at Weston Nurseries, is in clear
focus while the background is blurred, as a result of panning
(Moving side to side) the camera with the moving train,
and using a relatively slow shutter speed. |
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Stronger than granite
August 27, 2006 This
antique automobile, apparently British, was parked on Main
Street for a spell this afternoon. Its showroom quality
contrasts sharply with the deteriorated granite curbing and
asphalt streets of downtown Hopkinton. |
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Power
ride
August 27, 2006 Friends and family
of R J Penney, who lost his life in a motorcycle crash in
Holliston on July 22 of this year, a few weeks before his 22nd
birthday, ride down Grove Street today in a Memorial Bike Run
for his immediate family's benefit. The line of bikes is much
longer than seen here, obscured by the crest in the road. |
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Always remember
August 27, 2006 Friends and family
of RJ Penney gathered at the Body Shop in Milford to prepare for
a Bike Run in his memory. Top left inset is group photo of
family members wearing commemorative tee shirts. |
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