HI 4.19.23 3

WHEEL POWER

Fire claims lives of couple, dog

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

Afire at 69 Hayward Street on Easter Sunday morning caused the deaths of a popular veterans advocate and his wife, as well as their dog.

Don MacNeill was pronounced dead after being taken from the home to the hospital early in the morning of April 9. Judy MacNeill died the following day.

“The Town of Hopkinton hasn’t seen something like this ever that I can remember in its history,” Fire Chief Bill Miller said. “It was a tragic morning.

PFAS

fix

now more expensive, origins unclear

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

The town’s efforts to eliminate PFAS from the water supply continue to get more expensive, while questions about where the chemicals originated continue to surface without any concrete answers.

At the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved $600,000 for the filtration project to treat the tainted well water while the town explores a connection with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority pipeline through Southborough.

However, the town is negotiating a contract with Bay State Regional Contractors for $1,198,737. Additionally, consultant Weston & Sampson has proposed a contract for construction, administration and compliance with Department of Environmental Protection permits in the amount of $217,500, and the town previously made a purchase of filtration vessels for $157,177.

That puts the total at $1,573,414, leaving a shortfall of $973,414.

Town

Manager Norman Khumalo

The home at 69 Hayward Street was gutted by the April 9 fire.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Handcycle and duo participants race down East Main Street at the start of the 127th Boston Marathon on a foggy Monday morning.

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Managing Editor: Jerry Spar

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Self-sufficiency goal of growing family farm

People responded to the pandemic in different ways. Some rode it out as best they could, while others saw an opportunity for change.

For David Kraus and his family, it was a chance to take the next step in the transformation of their property on Pond Street and become more self-sufficient. They already had constructed a carbon-negative home in 2018 — no utilities other than what their solar panels produce — and they went to work on their land.

INDEPENDENT THOUGHTS JERRY SPAR

“As soon as COVID looked like an issue coming down the pike, we started transforming our land into a farm,” Kraus said. “Our goal is to grow all of our food — and I mean everything, except salt, which you can’t get outside of the ocean. Our goal is, a couple of years from now, to go a whole year eating only what we grow, and milk from our goats and harvest from our chickens. Our goal is to be a showcase of how people if they’ve got 5 or 6 acres can feed a small community on their land and have the nutritional benefit of not having their food imported from Southern California, Mexico or China.”

Part of Kraus’ inspiration was not wanting to be in a difficult position due to a lack of consumer goods. Another was his family history.

“I’m the first generation that hasn’t been a farmer since the 1200s,” he said.

The nearly self-sustaining Honey Nut Farm sits on 6 acres off Pond Street.

PHOTO/HONEY NUT FARM

“The pandemic hit, and the grocery stores had lines and were running out of toilet paper and all of this weird stuff. It just felt so wrong. My mother grew up on a subsistence farm; they grew everything. Her parents came from the Donbas region of the Ukraine and grew all of their own food. So it’s both been in my blood, and COVID just kind of flipped the switch to say, ‘We’ve got to do something.’ I had more time on my hands — I still had my job [as a psychologist], but it’s not like I could travel for work. So I started cutting down trees and growing food.”

The family had nothing more than a small vegetable garden to start, but after clearing the land — which is between Lake Whitehall and Upton State Forest — they have planted trees and seeds to grow a wide variety of foods, and they have goats, chickens and bees as well. They named it Honey Nut Farm.

“We had maybe a 10-by-20-foot little garden that grew tomatoes,” Kraus recalled. “We’ve turned it into almost every square inch is productive with something, even if it’s replacing our lawn with clover for the bees.

“If you go through the various food groups, our sugars all come from maple trees and honey from the bees, our fats come from goat milk and hazelnuts that we grind. Our starches come from chestnut trees that we’ve repopulated; we’ve got 50 chestnut trees. We get our proteins from goat milk and make yogurt and cheeses. Then we have a CSA [community supported agriculture] that produces produce that we try to make a tiny bit of money from. It doesn’t take from what we’re doing, but it helps to educate the public that maybe they can do something in their backyard — maybe not as crazy as we’re doing, but maybe they can plant a little-leaf linden tree instead of an oak tree because it’s edible. Linden leaves are one of the tastiest foods you can eat. It’s got a five-star rating.”

As part of a CSA, an individual commits to purchasing food from the farm (honeynutfarm.com) over an extended period of time.

“We grow the food, the community basically buys what’s in season, like 21 weeks worth of produce, and they come and pick it up,” Kraus explained. “If they want to participate on the farm and they can volunteer they can get some extra benefits, but they don’t have to.”

A farm manager who lives in the family’s former home on the property does much of the work maintaining the farm, which Kraus hopes to share with the community and help those who might want to try something similar themselves.

“Our main goal is to be an educational farm and help other people think about what they can do to be more independent in terms of their food security and its nutritional value — and even taste,” Kraus said. “Everything at the grocery store is designed to look good and survive a trip from wherever it came from, not based on how good it tastes or how nutritional it is.”

Cleanups continue

Spring is cleanup season, and there have been multiple opportunities for people to help tidy the town. The Hop Yellow Bag Day was held April 2 (postponed one day due to rain). About 25 volunteers showed up to help pick up trash.

“The amount of liquor cans, bottles and nips on the roadsides was crazy,” co-organizer Jeff Barnes shared. “Volunteers also found the front of a home safe, literally the front end of a car, and a mattress among the typical trash. Lots of trash on our roads! … I did a drive through town [the] afternoon after the collection and it looks so much better.”

The Lake Maspenock Preservation Association held its annual cleanup earlier this month, and the Friends of Whitehall (friendsofwhitehall.org) will hold a spring lake and trail cleanup this Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon, coinciding with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Park Serve Day. Volunteers will gather at the boat landing parking lot at Whitehall State Park on Wood Street and be assigned areas of trails and shoreline around the lake.

Melissa and Frankie Recos prepare to help clean up at Hop Yellow Bag Day on April 2, while co-organizers Mike Boelsen and Jeff Barnes wait for more volunteers to arrive.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Fogg for School Committee

has the skill set, background and temperament to work collaboratively with all stakeholders involved to allow Hopkinton Public Schools to move forward and continue its noteworthy legacy.

— Kristin Dangelo, Hopkinton

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I am writing this letter in support of Ashley Fogg running for School Committee in the 2023 election. I met Ashley many years ago when our children played tee-ball together and got to know her even better during the pandemic as we debated the challenges that the pandemic had on our return to in school learning. I supported her candidacy last year, and most recently we have helped chaperone Hopkins Ski Club together.

Ashley grew up in Hopkinton, attended school here, and is currently raising three young children in town. She has a legal background and a vested interest in the long-term success of Hopkinton schools. As I have gotten to know Ashley over the years, I have noticed her impressive capacity for being pragmatic and objective in complex, difficult and potentially tenuous situations. I have also noticed that she is not afraid of healthy debate and will not choose a side based on her political affiliation or other potential sources of bias.

I think that most residents are aware by now of the challenges that our School Committee is currently facing. There are budget constraints, a growing population of students, concerns with the mental and emotional health of students, spatial constraints, special needs services needing attention, and a lot of heightened emotions surrounding a lot of these conversations. I am confident that Ashley

Why the UCTC should be replaced

Article 47 on this year’s Town Meeting warrant asks the town to replace the current Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) with a subcommittee of the town’s umbrella trail organization, the Trails Coordination and Management Committee. The reason for this request is simple; the UCTC continues to ignore broad public input and concerns, especially about the safety of siting a paved multi-use path along busy Hayden Rowe Street. The UCTC instead relies exclusively on a high-priced, urban/highway-focused consultant making recommendations inappropriate for a town like Hopkinton (as witnessed by the current Main Street bike path debacle, also its product).

Many of the citizens offering this petition have worked on town committees and are aware of the work involved and do not take this petition lightly. We are aware that dissenting views, and a healthy give-and-take, are part of the process of developing the best outcome for the town. However, having followed the UCTC for the past 6-7 years, and in particular over the last two years, we see a committee that is not listening to or responsive to the public. We see a committee overly reliant on an engineering firm that is focused on urban commuter bike paths. In short, we see a committee that will not produce the best product for Hopkinton nor its residents.

Hopkinton has seen this situation before. In 2011, a school building committee, tasked with developing a replacement for Center School, offered the town the districted Fruit Street Elementary School. This proposed school was decisively voted down, 70-30 percent, at the ballot. Despite that clear loss, at its next meeting committee members started by discussing how to change minds. Fortunately, two Select Board members stepped up and dissuaded them. A new committee was formed that initially focused on public concerns, and Marathon School was completed.

We have an analogous situation here. The UCTC continues to spend taxpayer money toward building a paved trail down Hayden Rowe, despite public and School Committee input against this proposal. The UCTC largely ignored a proposed alternative path through the woods, despite some UCTC members asking for a debrief, and general public support. The UCTC also ignored strong public sentiment expressed in response to a UCTC survey. A change is needed. That change should also include having only a single town trails committee to eliminate confusion and to facilitate public interaction on trails.

— Peter LaGoy, Hopkinton

Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and must include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event. Letters may be edited by the Independent staff for space, errors or clarification, and the Independent offers no guarantee that every letter will be published. For a schedule of deadlines for letters and other submissions, check the Hopkinton Independent website (HopkintonIndependent.com) and click on the Contact header, then on Editorial Deadlines.

Officials seek better attendance at Town Meeting

T here are 48 articles on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting, and town officials are hoping to get through them without interruption due to a lack of quorum — an issue that arose multiple times last year.

Town Manager Norman Khumalo said the town was considering sending a postcard to all residents reminding them of Town Meeting details in an effort to boost attendance.

He also said that he is “cautiously optimistic” there will be electronic voting at this year’s Town Meeting. The town experimented with electronic voting a few years ago, but it was abandoned after one meeting when internet connectivity issues arose.

Town Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium. It may run for consecutive nights if necessary to get through the warrant.

Marguerite Concrete seeks rezoning

During the Select Board’s April 11 discussion about the Annual Town Meeting warrant, representatives from Marguerite Concrete presented their plan for development of a South Street property that would require rezoning.

Marguerite Concrete, founded in 1989 by Hopkinton resident Jim Marguerite, seeks to change the zoning at the corner of South Street and Hayward Street in order to construct its new corporate headquarters. The property — which includes seven lots — currently is a residential lakefront district, and the company wants to make it a rural business district. Five of the lots would be used for the development, while two of the lots would be preserved as open space.

If Town Meeting Article 29 is approved, the site would contain an office building and parking for employees who work there, the proposal states. There would be no manufacturing of concrete on-site, and no concrete trucks nor construction equipment.

Select Board members expressed concern that they had just been presented with the development agreement, which had yet to be reviewed by town counsel, and there was not enough time before Town Meeting to fully examine the plan and discuss with residents in the area.

“I think there is potential, but it’s just too late for Town Meeting, in my opinion,” Select Board chair Amy Ritterbusch said. “But there’s potential for an agreement, if agreements can be reached with the neighbors.”

Resident Michael Riley said the property was designated residential for a reason, and it should be kept that way.

“Think about your neighborhood,” he said. “Think about where you live. And right next door, they’re going to put a 24,000-square-foot building and 120 parking spaces where your children walk by. And that’s your neighborhood now.”

Riley noted that there are other commercial properties on South Street that the company could have pursued.

“There’s not a compelling reason to change [the zoning] when there were options,” he said.

Select Board members suggested a Special Town Meeting might be in the works for the fall, and that would be a better time for the proposal to be considered, after neighbors’ concerns are addressed.

Mexican restaurant opens

The Select Board on April 11 approved a common victualer license for Orale, a Mexican restaurant that opened the following day at 22-24 Main Street. The restaurant offers dinein, takeout and delivery options.

Owners Mauricio and Elizabeth Bremermann explained that they chose the location because they live in Hopkinton and there was no Mexican restaurant in town.

The restaurant plans to eventually serve alcohol and have live music and karaoke, but those require separate licenses that would have to be approved at a future meeting.

Main Street discussions continue

Khumalo said representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) visited April 3 and were receptive to suggestions by the town for design tweaks. MassDOT is to provide an official response after a more thorough review.

The town suggested widening two sections of roadway and adding trees.

“We are requesting at a minimum an additional 11 trees to be planted, especially from the Fire Station going back to Wood Street,” Khumalo said. “We are a small suburban town in New England, and we love our trees.”

Outdoor water use restriction starts May 1

As mandated by the town’s water management permit issued by the state to limit nonessential outdoor use, protect stream flow and aquatic life, and ensure sustainable drinking water, the town is required to implement a mandatory state of water supply conservation from May 1 through Sept. 30 each year, pursuant to the town’s water use restriction bylaw.

Under chapter 199-6 Section F, lawn sprinklers may be used for lawn watering two days per week, outside of the hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m. All other outdoor non-essential use is permitted daily outside the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Residents in Precincts 1 and 3 may water on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Precincts 2 and 4 may water on Wednesdays and Fridays. No lawn watering is allowed on Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays. This only applies to those water services connected to the municipal water system.

Any person violating this bylaw shall receive a written warning for the first offense. For the second offense, violators are liable to the town in the amount of $100. For any violations beyond the second offense, water service may be suspended.

Water use | page 9

GIVE MOM THE GIFT OF TIME TOGETHER.

Questions raised about origin of PFAS in town well

PFAS | from page 1 proposed funding the balance through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds. Khumalo explained that he has the delegated authority to make that decision, but he wants to schedule a public hearing “to engage the public in this decision.”

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The town will not leave any stone unturned in identifying where this comes from. Currently, we have very limited knowledge on how to test for PFAS that are on land.

Meanwhile, a recent article at HopNews suggested a former state firefighting academy located off Fruit Street, only 430 feet from the tainted Well 6, may have contaminated the water due to the academy’s use of aqueous film forming foam. The fire suppressant — along with other chemical retardants — was used at the academy from 1979-85, according to the article.

The town responded to the article April 4 with a public relations statement indicating “The town is presently without knowledge to judge the truth or accuracy of these suggestions.”

At the April 4 Select Board meeting, Khumalo explained that there currently exists no accurate test to determine if PFAS exist in soil, so the town is deferring to state and federal authorities on the matter.

“The town at this point may not have the ability to focus on the sources of the contamination,” Khumalo said. “While it’s important to understand that wherever the PFAS is coming from would not overwhelm the new filtration system — we have received some assurances from our engineers that that will not be the case — identifying the sources of the PFAS, we’re really relying on our partners at the federal as well as state level.”

That statement did not sit well with

“That is not direct enough and immediate enough to satisfy me,” she said. “And there’s a couple of reasons. I’m very confident in the solution that we’re putting forward for the folks that are on public water. But the impact of what may have happened out there is also affecting people who are not on public water. So we can’t not know what has gone on out there with some assurance for the folks that are on the downstream side of what may have happened there who are on private wells. So for me, I think we need to get a little enthusiastic about really digging in, asking our Board of Health to lean in on this, and certainly asking the state. If it was a regional fire academy, the state should also be invested in helping us out [to determine if] it was a safe activity. So I want to find out what all of our options are.”

Clarified Khumalo: “The town will not leave any stone unturned in identifying where this comes from. Currently, we have very limited knowledge on how to test for PFAS that are on land.”

The town encourages residents who have questions or concerns regarding PFAS in private wells to contact the Health Services Department at 508-497-9725.

Veterans Breakfast

Military history events were examined by a full house of local veterans at the monthly Senior Center breakfast on April 7. In accompanying photo (from left), a veteran holds an image of “near beer” (older veterans recall this prohibition-era fare at military facilities); Jim Rose (Air Force) holds a photo of the Shiloh National Cemetery in Tennessee, where more than 9,000 Americans perished in 1862 during a two-day Civil War battle; Peter C. Redding (Army) holds a 1942 image of the Manzanar Relocation Camp in California, which was among 10 similar camps housing Japanese Americans who were sequestered from the general population during the early phase of World War II; Bob Letendre (Army) displays a photo of captives —mostly young girls and their caretakers — awaiting transportation to Auschwitz in 1944; Jeff Macmillan (Navy) holds a photo of an explosion that led to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamato in 1945 by torpedoes from the USS Yorktown; and William Muench (Navy) displays a characterization of the “domino theory” coined by President Eisenhower in 1954.

The sailor on “guard duty” on the monitor is Navy Commander Thomas William Entwistle Jr., a pilot from Hopkinton who served during the Vietnam conflict.

The next Veterans Breakfast is scheduled for May 5 at the Senior Center. Recap contributed by Hank Allessio

Select Board member Muriel Kramer.

— Town Manager Norman Khumalo

JENNIFER FRENCH

Call today to learn more about the spring market

Happy Mother’s Day!

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’

Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is Jason Andreola for this photo of Sunny having fun on the granite steps at the town dog park off Fruit Street. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

The Hopkinton Independent presents “A Slice of Hopkinton” photo contest, sponsored by Bill’s Pizzeria. Readers are encouraged to submit photos of people, places or things in Hopkinton. The Independent staff will select one winner for each issue. The winner will have their submitted photo published in the paper and will receive a $25 gift certificate to Bill’s Pizzeria. All photos must be submitted by individuals 16 and over. The photo must be high resolution, and not submitted for use by any other media outlet. Winners will pick up their gift certificate at Bill’s Pizzeria.

Ways to give new life to old junk

As the holidays approach, your mind may turn toward getting rid of items no longer being used to make room for new gifts. Or you may decide to give your home a fresh look for the new year by cleaning out dated accessories.

company that offers contactless pickup is a good option during these challenging times. A reputable company will offer several options for pickup of used goods, including curbside service.

Junk removal companies will work hard to make sure usable merchandise will find a proper home. One person’s trash could become another person’s treasure. They can bring furniture to a thrift store, allowing someone to give it a new home with a fresh coat of paint or a cover. Gently worn clothing and shoes may be perfect for a family living on a tight budget.

Jason Schadler

Professional insights

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A junk removal company is your best resource for removing unwanted furniture, mattresses and other items — all with no heavy lifting on your part. A worker can come to your home, and with the point of a finger, take away cumbersome items, disposing them in an environmentally responsible way.

As people downsize their homes or renovate them for the new year, this option may be an attractive way to conveniently clear out space. A junk removal company can help with basement and attic cleanouts, estate closings and other large-scale efforts. Workers then decide where to distribute the goods, such as donating them to a thrift store or local charity, taking the pressure off you during a stressful time.

For those who want to use some elbow grease or spend some time sorting through their stuff, a junk removal company can rent out dumpsters on a weekly basis. This allows for personal satisfaction, as you can see the fruits of your labor being hauled away safely.

When disposing of old goods, a

A local company will work with area businesses to see what can be repurposed to them. For example, old tools or gadgets can find new life in a repair shop because those parts may no longer be made.

Hiring a junk removal service is a great green alternative to dumping usable goods into a landfill. A conscientious company will offer to donate them to a charity or a thrift store free of charge. Some items that these stores find popular are older wooden pieces and kitchen items.

When it comes to the new rules about removal of old mattresses, a junk removal service can offer a lower-cost solution to a town fee. In addition to mattress removal, workers also will break down mattresses and box springs.

For more details, contact Jason Schadler at Affordable Junk Removal, 774-287-1133, or visit the website at affordablejunk.com. The business address is 163 Mendon Street, Bellingham, MA 02019.

‘Sew Many Possibilities’ brings quilting to HCAM

By Courtney Cornelius Contributing Writer

Anew HCAM-TV series called “Sew Many Possibilities” is showing viewers how fun and creative quilting can be.

Program host, Marathon Quilters Guild president and longtime Hopkinton resident Nancy Burdick shares what’s going on in the local fiber arts scene and provides some “How I did this” tips with the hope of inspiring people to try a new project.

“I’m absolutely not a teacher,” Burdick insisted. “I am just a maker. It’s just like, ‘Here’s something cool that I tried, maybe you’ll give it a shot’ type of thing.”

Said HCAM production coordinator Ashley Simmons: “[Burdick] makes such cool things, and she really makes it seem so easy. Whenever I do the show I’m always ready to go home and try it too!

“I have to say, I went into the show thinking, ‘Oh, it’s just about quilting,’ and I didn’t realize how interesting, how intricate and amazing it really is.”

Burdick has been practicing her craft for 15 years, experimenting with unexpected materials and offbeat ideas — such as making sacks out of chip bags.

“You just take vinyl sticky stuff and iron it on the chip bag, and you can then sew on top of it just as if it were fabric,” Burdick said. “It’s such a novelty — I’ve made Tootsie Roll purses, Fritos, Hershey Kisses, and I love it, because it’s trash, but it’s cool!”

She recounted making a zipper pouch for her brother out of a burnt pretzel bag (his favorite snack), which he proudly uses to carry his cigars. “That’s what brings me joy — when I come up with something that’s really exciting to me, and then somebody else admires it or values it,” Burdick mused.

She also likes to personalize by incorporating items with memories attached. “It’s a way to preserve and enjoy things you don’t want to throw away but didn’t really have use for,” she explained. For instance, the show’s third episode, airing in April, features a how-

to segment on making T-shirt quilts — a great idea for end-of-school-year and graduation gifts.

“The best part is that it’s something that was so sentimental, you don’t want to get rid of it …but if you don’t do anything with it, it just sits there,” she said of the T-shirts.

“They’re important. They mark achievements, milestones or periods in one’s life, and you want to keep them, but you don’t know how to display them.

“And that’s what these blankets are, they’re basically like yearbooks — photo albums of kids growing up, or the building of a business, or the end of an athletic career.”

Burdick — whose work can be viewed on Instagram at BuildItBehindYourEyes — noted one of the great things about quilting is that it doesn’t require a lot of special equipment to get started.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like, ‘Oh, I couldn’t try that because I don’t have the stuff,” she said. “You can use any old fabric you want just to start, and

any machine you can get your hands on should be a good way to begin.

“I think a lot of people, myself included, are concerned that they would need to amass a huge number of things, and if they spend the money for it and it’s hard, they might not continue with it, and the money would be wasted.”

She hopes the show will help alleviate this and some other common concerns she sees holding back people from their creative endeavors, such as the fear of making mistakes or wasting materials.

“Another hesitancy … is because once you cut fabric, you can’t uncut it. So, measurement is important; but the fear that you’ll waste or lose something that you bought because you didn’t plan right is sort of a stop sign for people.”

Others, she said, can end up with a stash of treasured fabrics because they don’t want to let it go. “People will think, ‘I love that, and I don’t know what to use it on.’ But you know what, there will be more beautiful fabrics in the future, so use it now, enjoy it now.”

Burdick speaks from experience in overcoming such self-imposed creative barriers.

“One time during COVID, I said to myself, ‘You keep stopping yourself from trying; why don’t you just do something like Why Not Wednesday, even for just an hour … and at the end of the hour, if you don’t like what you did, you don’t have to do it again, but you at least got it out of your system’,” she recalled, then added, “I was a psychologist in a previous life! It’s just Quilting | page 9

Nancy Burdick is hosting a new show on HCAM that focuses on quilting.

Conservation Commission allows The Trails to proceed

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

The Conservation Commission at its April 11 meeting unanimously approved the notice of intent that would allow construction of the next development phase of The Trails to proceed, but it tabled a discussion of how to resolve previously assessed fines.

The Trails, an 80-unit open-space mixed-use development (OSMUD) off Legacy Farms North Road, has been plagued by stormwater management issues that have negatively impacted the water system in Ashland, and violations were issued in the summer of 2021. Both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board have been seeking plans to remedy the situation over the past several months. A peer consultant was brought in to review the stormwater management practices.

Project engineer Peter Bemis explained that the off-site work he is presenting is the last component needed to “tidy up” the work. Originally, one proposed stormwater basin was planned to discharge into an intermittent channel along the lagoon driveway at the Ashland border. But a nearby culvert that runs into the channel was not on previous plans and directed additional water in the direction of the border. He said that a riprap embankment at the culvert was constructed in the 1990s there “without review or approvals” and it negatively impacted his work.

Outdoor water use restriction starts May 1

For tips on minimizing water use outdoors, visit the town’s website at hopkintonma.gov.

Misc.: Candidates Night April 26

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will host its 35th annual Meet the Candidates Night on Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. The event will be broadcast on HCAM, the town’s community access cable television station, and HCAM’s YouTube channel.

Residents are invited to attend at the HCAM studios (77 Main Street) for the opportunity to learn more about citizens running for office and to pose questions about key issues before the May 16 Town Election.

Home viewers will be able to ask questions ahead of time or that evening using live@hcam.tv for emails and 508435-7880 for call-in questions (texting not available).

For more information, visit hopkintonwomensclub.org. …

Aline Matos was confirmed by the Select Board as a new public safety dispatcher. She had been working part time in the same capacity for the past year, and she served a one-year internship with the Police Department the year previous. …

Colleen DePina was confirmed by the Select Board to be the new administrative assistant for Senior Services. …

The Select Board accepted the resignation of Kathy Yang from the Sustainable Green Committee. …

The Select Board accepted the gift of a stone bench at Hopkinton Public Library in memory of Arthur Gendron Jr.

“What we’re trying to do is design it for 8.7 inches of rain,” he said, not the 2.5 inches of rain that the system was designed to handle. The reason for this was that the impact of unprecedented storms nearly 18 months ago caused water to flow into Ashland’s reservoir. Ashland recently approved the removal of the culvert so that it can be redesigned as an open channel, Bemis said.

While he is concurrently performing mitigation work in Ashland, Bemis explained that Ashland actually owns the land in Hopkinton that the notice of intent addresses.

Said Bemis: “It’s been challenging because the calculations tell you one thing, and then from the field …”

A channel with a 4-foot bottom will be constructed up to the resource area, he added. A water conveyance system also is planned to bring the water to the wetlands area.

Bemis also proposed adding “transitional plant material” such as inkberry to improve the look of the site.

Bemis noted that his firm has done a lot of survey work on the site and has “found things all over the place” that don’t appear to have been documented previously.

Bemis thanked the commission members for their patience during this long and arduous process.

“One good thing that has come out of this is, if it hadn’t have been for these rain events, we may not have ever had to have these meetings,” he said. “But what

we did find is that the infrastructure was not sufficient to support the project.”

Added Conservation Administrator Kim Ciaramicoli: “It’s an area that has historically seen changes, and there’s been a lot of construction ad hoc down there.”

Commission members agreed that Bemis’ work has improved the area. The basin will be completed, Bemis stressed, and the off-site improvements have been made. Bemis asked that the fourth phase of development begin now because of the weather.

A condition was placed that the second half of the proposed housing units could not be completed until the stormwater work is completed. Barnes said this was “a fair compromise.”

Said Bemis: “We’ve come a long, long way.”

Ciaramicoli also explained that fines previously assessed have not been paid, with the exception of $6,000 in fines assessed in 2018 and paid. Currently, there has been $41,300 in fines assessed but not yet paid for violations and missing stormwater pollution protection plan (SWPPP) reports. The commission decided to table that discussion to consider the cost of the mitigation work Bemis is performing.

Chair Jeff Barnes suggested that the discussion be tabled so that the commission would “not make a rash decision,” which evoked some laughter from fellow commission members.

Member Ted Barker-Hook ques -

tioned the time frame usually in place for paying fines and was told by Ciaramicoli that it is 20 days.

Said Barker-Hook: “And we are at 19 months, or something like that.”

Ciaramicoli said the extension of time would help to resolve legal issues about fines that can be discussed at the next meeting. The committee agreed.

Quilting | from page 8

giving yourself permission to invest time or money into something on a very small scale.”

She quoted the quilting mantra, “Done is better than perfect,” and said her goal for the HCAM show isn’t to be perfect but just to share something she’s tried and encourage others to try it, too. She also appreciates that imperfections are what make the end products special.

“These T-shirts have been worn, they’re not perfect, they’re not pristine,” Burdick said. “But you say, ‘I remember when I got that shirt’ or, ‘I remember when we were at a party, and that’s not actually my shirt, it’s my friend’s shirt that I never gave back’ — you know, they have a story, and that’s the point of it.”

“Sew Many Possibilities” can be seen on HCAM or HCAM’s YouTube channel.

Planning Board approves The Trails, Grasshopper solar modifications

By Mary Ellen Gambon

Contributing Writer

The Planning Board at its meeting April 3 voted 8-0 to approve two longstanding projects — The Trails and the Grasshopper solar farm — after the respective applicants agreed to several conditions.

The Trails, an open-space mixeduse development (OSMUD) off Legacy Farms North Road, near the Ashland border, has been plagued by stormwater management issues that have negatively impacted the water system in Ashland, and violations were issued in the summer of 2021. Both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board have been seeking plans to remedy the situation over the past several months. A peer consultant was brought in to review the stormwater management practices.

Project engineer Peter Bemis said that the proposed sidewalk at the entrance was the only outstanding issue that the Planning Board may need to review.

A berm previously had been approved where the sidewalk with sloped granite curbing is proposed, he noted. The project received unanimous approval at the previous week’s Conservation Commission meeting.

Phil Paradis, the town’s engineering consultant from BETA Group, disagreed. He described the sidewalk issue as “back and forth” because it was proposed originally and then reinstated. He recommended that a vegetated buffer be used between the sidewalk and the road because it provides some stormwater infiltration and is in alignment with the look of the rest of the entire Legacy Farms development.

Another point he said he was “uneasy about” was the retaining wall behind 7589 Weston Lane, which is adjacent to the Ashland town line at its lagoon. Because BETA was not there when it was constructed to observe the work, he did not want to take responsibility for it on behalf of the town. He said he prefers to have a more “hands-on approach.”

Said Paradis: “Our concern as professional engineers is that I don’t want to own it.”

He added that it was never designed as a boulder wall but rather as a retaining wall.

Bemis noted that he had an engineer who specializes in retaining walls inspect the work and provide a letter authenticating that it was done correctly to the board. Large boulders were placed at the limit of work to form the structure, which the consultant determined to be sound. Bemis said he considered boulders to be “time tested.”

Member Matthew Wronka asked if there was a way to “get a more definitive level of confidence” about the retaining wall.

Chair Gary Trendel said that building it veered from the original plans but that an engineer did review it to ensure that it was sound.

Bemis and Paradis debated about where the sidewalk should be placed. Bemis stressed that he did not want it to

extend 75 feet into Legacy Farms Road because he believed it would jeopardize pedestrian safety on a road where he observed cars going 50 mph. He proposed adding additional pavement on the opposite side of the street.

“It’s extremely important to get that pedestrian traffic a little bit further west,” Bemis said, “so they’ll be a little bit more protected as they cross the road.”

The board approved the site plan after imposing 18 conditions, including requiring the applicant to be responsible for mitigating construction impacts such as erosion, noise and dust as well as adjusting the lighting to prevent light pollution.

Said Trendel: “We look forward to seeing that project finished off.”

Grasshopper landscaping plan approved with conditions

Grasshopper Energy’s 2.4-megawatt commercial solar farm between Wilson Street and Cedar Street also received unanimous approval of its updated plans despite the plans being submitted the day of the hearing. Materials are supposed to be received the Tuesday before the meeting. The board agreed to review the plans anyway in an effort to expedite the case after Trendel took the opinions of abutters Tom Shambo and Ed Cutter into account.

The plan revisions focused on the front entrance area and landscaping concerns raised by the abutters and board members at previous meetings. Electrical engineer Chris Balogh provided an update on how to shield the electrical boxes from view. There now will be a wooden fence surrounding the boxes instead of planter boxes, and there will be a scenic wooden fence at the entrance in front of them.

Trendel brought up that the boulder removal and revegetation plans for the disturbed buffer zone area did not appear on the plans.

Balogh said that the changes requested by the board at the last meeting were detailed in a letter he submitted. The board had to add several conditions to the approval because the letter is not considered a part of the approval package, according to Principal Planner John Gelcich.

At the last meeting, the board had asked for more detailed plans, particularly regarding the removal of boulders from the buffer zone and the access road, as well as the five-year maintenance plan for plantings. Some plantings and trees installed two years ago already have died or are in poor condition, according to the abutters. These details were not articulated in the revised plans.

Shambo said there were at least five dead trees that needed replacement.

Cutter called for “a fresh, healthy start” for the vegetation.

Green industrial fence screening will be added to shield the photovoltaic installation from the abutters’ view, and they insisted that it be dark green to better blend in with the tree canopy.

Member Ron Priefer called out vagaries in the letter about loaming and removing boulders “where applicable,” saying that he would have preferred “more minutiae detail.”

Trendel explained that “because the letter doesn’t mean anything,” the board has an opportunity to be specific in its conditions. If the conditions are not met, there is the potential for Grasshopper’s special permit to be revoked. One condition was Grasshopper | page 11

Grasshopper landscaping plan approved with conditions

Grasshopper | from page 10

that the mesh screening be maintained for the life of the solar array.

Another point of contention was the maintenance plan for the landscaping. The Grasshopper team initially proposed that the lawn be mowed biweekly, but Balogh said twice a season was more reasonable.

Shambo added that there was a dispute about the land reclamation area. The previous solar developer promised that trees would be planted there, he said. While Grasshopper proposed grass, Shambo said that only mowing it twice a season “seems a bit shallow.”

Trendel suggested seeding the area and letting it be reclaimed by the wild.

The boulder removal and initial landscaping must be performed by June 1, the board stipulated.

Said Trendel: “I think that if it isn’t done at the timeline that we specify in the conditions, then the next step would be to revoke the special permit.”

Turkey Ridge Estates open space plan updated

The Turkey Ridge Estates subdivision project, located at 52 Cedar Street Extension, near the Southborough border, has been plagued by weather-related problems that have caused its erosion control barriers to fail on several instances, sending turbid water toward the Sudbury River. Although the developer hired Goddard Consulting after the first incident on Dec. 29 and has made significant efforts toward remediation, additional violations recently prompted the Conservation Commission to leverage $31,800 in fines that had been held in abeyance for the first two violations.

Developer Shane Perrault said that debris and rocks have been removed from the open space area, which was going to be donated to the town for a trailhead. A stone retaining wall will be built, which Trendel said was “a nice visual reinforcement.” Red oak and red maple trees will be planted.

Gelcich added that Conservation Commission representatives requested that shrubs be added to prevent the spread of invasive Japanese knotweed. Perrault said the shrubs may overpopulate the trailhead, making it “not the right fit.” The board agreed that the shrubs were not necessary.

Perrault said he could provide a loam hydroseed with a New England mix and was “open to anything” the board suggested. He also stressed that there is a Japanese knotweed prevention plan in place and that efforts have been made over the past year to control its spread.

The proposal to donate the land to the town will be brought up at Town Meeting on May 1. There was a debate about whether the work could be done to restore the land before that date.

The board voted 8-0 to approve the acceptance of the land contingent on the work being completed.

Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw amendment approved

The Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw amendment was approved by a 6-2 vote after some debate over whether some af-

fordable housing units were actually considered to be affordable based on the region’s area median income.

There was a discussion where Ted Barker-Hook said that the average teacher would not make enough money to purchase a home based on the area median income and the amount required now for an average down payment. He had cited one home where the down payment was $300,000.

The bylaw was proposed as a means to increase the affordable housing stock and prevent Chapter 40B developments being allowed by right.

Ten percent is the number of affordable housing units that Hopkinton needs to maintain to prevent developers from building affordable housing developments by right and getting around local zoning laws.

Board passes on Foxhollow Road acceptance

The acceptance of Foxhollow Road by the town was not recommended by the Planning Board due to its complex history.

Gelcich explained that the development and the road were approved in 2014. The developer later abandoned the project. He said that the portions of the road in front of each house actually belong to the individual property owners up to the road’s midpoint. Because of this, the road could not be deeded over to the town.

He added that the Department of Public Works said that work on a stormwater swale on a parcel of one unconstructed house needed to be completed before the town accepts the road. The house could be subject to basement flooding, and the DPW feared liability for the town should this happen.

Attorney Robert Finnegan spoke on behalf of the 10 homeowners on Foxhollow Road, saying the situation for them was “very dynamic.” He clarified that the swale between lots 11 and 12 had been built as part of the as-built plan. An issue was raised when a report by BETA was received last month.

Construction of the home is underway, he added. The swale had been reconstructed because of a “safety concern” of the site excavator trying to go around a house into conservation land. It can be modified with a few days of work. He asked that the road be accepted with the condition that the work be performed.

Finnegan also said he has spoken with town counsel and appeared before the land court on this matter. He said residents agreed to waive any claims to their portions of the road and sign indemnifications.

“None of the issues that this swale presents are in any way part of the land that the town will be taking,” he stressed, noting the concern about town liability.

“There’s a lot of what-ifs here,” Trendel said, noting that the board does not like to approve items based on conditions. “Given the complexities here, I think it’s really important that the work be done before we take a vote on it.”

He added that “it would be premature” to vote on the matter until the issues are resolved, and members concurred.

Hearings continued

The hearings for 86 Elm Street as well as 17 Pratt Way for the proposed pickleball/tennis facility were continued until the next meeting on April 24.

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

Each week, the Independent highlights an animal available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton. This week we feature 2-year-old Luke. Here is Baypath’s description of Luke:

“This sweet boy is every dog owner’s dream! Handsome, intelligent, friendly to everyone he meets, walks nicely on a leash, and snuggles! What more could you wish for? At around 2 years old, Luke has the perfect energy level where he loves going out to play with toys or his dog friends and is always up for a hike! But back at home, he’s ready to snuggle up next to you on the sofa for movie night!

“Our volunteers and staff can’t say enough good things about him! How pleasant it is to take him on walks or how cute he is during pen play. Luke is a fan favorite! Now that he’s won over everyone at the shelter, it’s time to win over his new family.”

For more information on Luke and any of the other available pets at Baypath, email adopt@baypathhumane.org or visit baypathhumane.org/adopt.

For more Adoptable Animals of the Week, check the Hopkinton Independent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

The mood at the nearly two-hour Upper Charles Trail Committee meeting Monday night was agitated as members debated the response the group will put forward at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 1 to two citizens’ petitions that call for the group’s potential reformation as a Trails Coordination and Management Committee subcommittee.

Two citizens’ petitions were submitted for consideration for the warrant by Peter LaGoy, the chair of the TCMC. LaGoy previously has pushed for engineering funds to study a western trail route around Charlesview Estates. The petitions were signed by 23 other residents.

Chair Jane Moran opened debate of whether the committee should vote to support the two warrant articles. The first calls for the UCTC in its current form to be disbanded and reformed as a TCMC subcommittee, with members chosen by the TCMC. The second article calls for withholding further funding to

explore the possibility of the proposed trail that crosses Hayden Rowe Street, commonly referred to as Section 7, the piece of the trail that would connect Hopkinton to the Milford trailhead.

Moran noted that the UCTC is under the direction of the Select Board and was given “a clear charge” to engineer, design and construct a trail from Milford to Hopkinton. On the other hand, she said the TCMC’s mission does not include those mandates but serves to coordinate the town’s various trails groups and provide trail maintenance.

“I think I would shock the world if I said I was in favor of continuing to explore Hayden Rowe,” UCTC treasurer Scott Knous said of the second article.

“It’s not appealing as a marathoner, exerciser, walker, young child — I don’t think it’s safe.”

As for the UCTC reforming as a TCMC subcommittee, Knous said he would wait for the vote by Town Meeting members and honor their decision.

Said Knous: “Personally, I don’t think we should be telling the public what they should do about our committee.”

Spring Quiz

1. Shaggy buys a homeowner insurance policy and pays the policy in full. The insurance company does an inspection of the property and discovers Shaggy has a rottweiler. Can the insurance company cancel the policy since the rottweiler would have made the policy ineligible? Or will the customer be able to keep the policy since he paid in full?

2. Roger Rabbit stops by Nick and Jen’s house for Easter and leaves a bunch of eggs around the yard. Unfortunately, the eggs that weren’t found attracted mice to the property, and the rodents damaged the HVAC system. Would their homeowner insurance cover the damage from mice?

3. Jeff and Kia host their wedding in the backyard and invite 150 guests. One of the guests trips down the back steps and is injured. Would their homeowner insurance cover the injured guest even though the customers were having over 100 people at their house?

Answers: 1. The insurance company can issue a cancellation.

2. No — mice/vermin are excluded from coverage. 3. Yes, the number of people at the house does not matter.

Moran pointed out that the underlying message of that petition was whether the public wants the UCTC to be under the direction of the Select Board or moved under the TCMC’s umbrella.

When it was stressed that the TCMC members would choose the new UCTC members, member Cynthia Esthimer interjected with, “I think that’s dangerous.”

She added that she didn’t want to see “the body of work” the committee has done be in vain, saying the petition is more about “the process,” which includes applying for grants.

“What I would much rather see is cooperation and coordination,” Esthimer continued. She said she would like the UCTC to continue in its current form but to have a TCMC liaison as a member, and vice versa.

Said Esthimer: “The two are not separate forevermore with the Berlin Wall.”

Member Eli Post said he was “opposed to both petitions” and will speak at Town Meeting about them.

Member Ken Parker said that the UCTC should focus more on the north side of town. While he said the UCTC “shouldn’t be subservient to the TCMC,” he did call out its lack of progress. He also noted that while the TCMC as a whole does not have expertise in designing trails, LaGoy does.

Comments were made that the Select Board historically has not provided much oversight or direction to the UCTC. Moran countered that the committee is asked to make annual presentations to the Select Board.

She added that while the TCMC is advocating for the proposed western alternative route, this option previously was considered by the UCTC and deemed to be unachievable due to wetlands delineation, property acquisition and neighbor opposition. She said the public may not be aware that the UCTC considered it first.

“Going down Hayden Rowe was never our first choice,” Moran explained. “Does that mean we cannot go back and revisit it? Absolutely not.”

Added Moran: “There is an awful lot of backstory here that folks are missing because there’s been so much mudslinging, and that really saddens me.”

She added that the Hayden Rowe segment consideration “was when the proverbial baloney hit the fan,” receiving harsh community criticism.

Moran also said she is “hoping beyond hope” that Town Meeting would approve the TCMC’s request via the Community Preservation Committee for money to assess the viability of a western trail route around Charlesview.

Knous questioned why the UCTC sought the TCMC’s counsel on the western alternative route.

“We did not ask them,” Moran countered, saying the UCTC supported the CPC initiative. “They volunteered.”

Alternate member Jamie Wronka pointed out that the Planning Board’s pedestrian connectivity survey indicated that residents consider the sidewalks

along Route 85 unsafe.

“I very much dislike that [Segment 7],” she said. “I think it’s unsafe. I think it’s irresponsible.”

Wronka said that the UCTC should serve an advisory role to whatever entity it is under. She likened its role to the current Elmwood School Building Committee providing insight to the School Committee.

Moran said that because the new school is going to be built on Hayden Rowe, discussion on a proposed trail there needs to be paused. She urged members to “take a step back.”

Member Eric Sonnett stressed that the UCTC was “the first trails committee in town” and that LaGoy attended several of its early meetings.

“On two different occasions, I begged him to join our committee, and he declined,” he said, adding that the TCMC was created in such a manner “that the two committees would never interact.”

Said Sonnett: “The only thing I am trying to say is don’t make a committee that has no establishment in charge of the committee that created it.”

Wronka said that statement was wrong, explaining that the TCMC was created in 2018 when the Hughes Trail was placed behind her home. She said the TCMC engaged in public outreach at that time. Esthimer noted that she was the resident who actually performed that outreach.

The board never reached consensus on how to approach the two articles. The UCTC will have a presentation at Town Meeting, and members can present their viewpoints as individuals. There seemed to be confusion at times among members as to which initiatives discussed were put forth as citizens’ petitions, by the TCMC or by the Trails Club.

Moran said she reached out to the town moderator for guidelines for the presentation but had not heard back. She was contacted by the Town Manager’s Office via email the previous week, as were all committee chairs, to have their documents submitted by April 10, the day of the UCTC meeting.

“I asked for an extension right away,” she said. “They said, ‘It’s really not recommended.’ ”

Moran said she finished a draft PowerPoint presentation Sunday evening, which the committee then debated.

After the UCTC meeting, LaGoy reached out to the Hopkinton Independent via email to clarify what he considered to be misrepresentations about the citizens’ petitions he submitted.

“Lots of inaccuracies continue,” wrote LaGoy.

“Jane commented that the entire route must be designed before work can start,” he explained. “That is not true. It only applies if the committee is looking to get TIP [Transportation Improvement Program] funding through DOT [the Massachusetts Department of Transportation]. DOT requires a mini-road-type development; their current cost estimate for four sections is over $2,500,000 per

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UCTC members express thoughts, disagreements regarding potential reconfiguration

mile, while a trail, much more like what Holliston built, is more like $200,000 per mile.

“So for a Holliston-type trail,” he continued, “costs would be $1.600,000, or round it to $2,000,000 in total for the full 8 miles. For a DOT funding trail, the town is responsible for 20% of the costs. So an 8-mile trail, at $2.5M [per mile] is $20,000,000, with the town’s share at $4,000,000. And that’s assuming that 80:20 split. The current Main Street work is more like a 50:50 split.”

LaGoy also explained his reason-

ing for proposing that the UCTC be reconfigured as a TCMC subcommittee.

“The plan for the UCT subcommittee, under the TCMC, would be a subcommittee similar to a school building committee,” he wrote, “where members would be appointed by the parent committee but selected from the pool of potential members based on interest and expertise.”

He also charged that statements made by Sonnett and Post were inaccurate.

“I do like that they’re all hoping and praying for the ‘western alternative,’ ”

he wrote. “Yet when I presented it to their committee back in January 2022, they didn’t even have a debrief about the option at their next meeting (despite a couple of their members requesting such further discussion). I presented; that was it, with the exception of very occasional 2-3 minutes of lip service to the option.

“And Eric’s recollection of history doesn’t quite match my version,” he countered about joining the UCTC. “I don’t remember being asked, let alone any begging.”

Contradicting the point Post made about there being no other option to Seg-

ment 7 at this time, LaGoy wrote that Trails Club members presented a map to the UCTC “clearly showing that there were two options for the central section AND [his emphasis] two options for the southern section.”

Wrote LaGoy: “We made the map for Scott Knous, he presented it to the committee, and they decided they didn’t want to use it.”

One would require a longer bridge over a 110-foot beaver pond crossing plus granite ledge work, which the UCTC discussed briefly during the meeting.

HHS students shine at Brain Bee competition

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

Five students from Hopkinton High School were among the nine finalists at the 17th annual Central Massachusetts Brain Bee hosted by UMass Chan Medical School on March 18.

The Brain Bee tests high school students’ knowledge of neuroscience by asking them questions of increasing difficulty drawn from materials they studied in advance.

Four competitors remained tied by the 14th question, with Ivan Roberts of Nashoba Regional High School, the only contestant to answer the 15th question correctly, achieving the win.

Finishing in second place was HHS junior Srilakshmi Venkatesan, who earned the runner-up slot following a series of tie-breaking questions with two other competitors.

Placing third was Nandita Ramesh, a junior at HHS, who tied with Caroline O’Brien of Northbridge High School.

Other finalists from HHS were Abhishek Sakti Kannan, Prisha Shrivastava and Vaagmi Shulka.

Venkatesan co-founded the Neuroscience Club at school. She is eager to pursue neuroscience as a career.

In addition to using the study resources available to all members of the club, Venkatesan said she decided to investigate more about neuroscience in

her own time, “discovering diseases, nerve pathways and the applications of neuroscience research.”

She described the Brain Bee as “quite amazing.” Venkatesan noted, “The questions were all from material that I had covered in my own time, and

I found the experience to be one of my favorite competitions yet.”

Ramesh found the experience rewarding overall. She said she began studying for the Brain Bee at the start of the school year along with other members of the Neuroscience Club by making slideshows from various chapters of the Brain Facts textbook.

All group members gained a deeper understanding of neuroscience whether they planned to compete or not, she said.

“A month before the competition, I had to do a lot of review on my own time as part of the more rigorous studying,” Ramesh recalled.

Shrivastava said she took charge of leading optional study sessions over February break and also created study guides for each chapter as a resource for herself and others.

“I ended up doing a good amount of studying the week before the competition, even with beginning the preparation process months in advance,” Shrivastava said.

Although competing in front of the audience was a bit nerve-wracking,

HHS junior Nandita Ramesh (middle) sits between Northbridge High School’s Caroline O’Brien and Nashoba Regional’s Ivan Roberts during the Brain Bee competition on March 18.

Ramesh noted that the organizers made the event less stressful for competitors.

Shrivastava said she felt very nervous while competing but looked at the event as a “new opportunity,” and, “I just wanted to see how far I could take it.”

Added Shrivastava: “The finalists’ round on the state level was in person, though, and they all did such a great job of maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere that even after I lost, I was still enjoying it.”

Serving as master of ceremonies was Sheldon Benjamin, M.D., professor and vice chair for education in the Department of Psychiatry. Benjamin co-organized the event with David Weaver, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology, director of the graduate program in neuroscience and executive director of the NeuroNexus Institute.

Neuroscience researcher Kale Edmiston, Ph.D., and chief resident in neuropsychiatry Taylor Young, M.D., served as judges for the event.

Shrivastava said she has been interested in biology since elementary school and in psychology and neuroscience since middle school.

“As an introvert, I see psychology and neuroscience as ways to better understand people,” she said. Shrivastava is looking to pursue medicine as a career.

“Even if I don’t major in neuroscience, it will still be part of my career,” she added.

The winner advances to the national competition at the University of California, Irvine. The national champion receives a cash prize and becomes eligible to compete in an international event in conjunction with the American Psychological Association meeting in Washington in August.

MetroWest YMCA camps promise

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

SUMMER FUN BUSINESS PROFILE

An advertiser feature

At a time when young people are dealing with such issues as anxiety, sadness and hopelessness, quality youth programs can make a big difference, says Bartt Pinchuck, the executive director of the MetroWest YMCA’s Outdoor Center in Hopkinton. “The Y in general, but particularly summer camp, plays a role in combatting that,” says Pinchuck, referring to mental health data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There’s a need for kids to have positive role models in their lives, and we make sure our staff provide that.”

This summer, the Y is offering traditional day camps to three age groups and over 20 specialty camps in Hopkinton at its outdoor site abutting the Ashland Reservoir. “We have something for everybody,” Pinchuck says. “Our traditional camps include activities like a ropes course, archery, swimming, boating and arts and crafts. Our specialty camps go deeper into distinct interest areas like horseback riding, ceramics, magic and sports.”

Campers can participate from age 3 through 10th grade. The Y also has an inclusion program with staff who are “dedicated to integrating kids with special abilities into existing programs,” Pinchuck explains.

Camps are accessible to families of all income levels. “Nobody is turned away due to an inability to pay,” he adds. “That’s a big part of who we are as an organization. Our financial assistance program is especially important during the summer when parents lack child care.” To make it even easier for families, the Y runs buses throughout the area to transport kids to and from camp.

Once summer’s over, the 122-acre Outdoor Center remains bustling throughout the year with indoor and outdoor archery classes, a climbing gym, cooking classes, geocaching and other enriching activities.

“Whether kids come for one week or the entire summer, they’re sure to have a positive experience,” Pinchuck says. “One of the great things about camp is that campers return to join our staff team, and we get to see all the different directions they go in their lives. To know we played a part in that is exciting.”

To learn more, visit metrowestymca.org or call 508-435-9345.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.

‘best summer ever’

HHS Jazz Ensemble earns MAJE Gold Award

SCHOOLS

NOTEBOOK

The Hopkinton High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jeremy Dodge, performed at the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators (MAJE) Festival on March 25 at Norwood High School. The Jazz Ensemble was awarded a Gold Award at the 2023 MAJE Central District Festival on March 1, earning the opportunity to perform at the State Festival. The group earned a Gold Award at the State Festival as well. Individual awards for Outstanding Musicians went to Ryan Hwang (drums), Abigail Baskin (piano) and JJ Bahri (trombone).

Members of the HHS Jazz Ensemble include Natalie Bouffard , Erik Berlin and Prithvi Venkatesh on alto saxophone, Tarun Prasanna and Alper Rozy on tenor saxophone, Camryn August on bari saxophone, Brian Gu, Alex Stephan, Jayson DeLong, Ariana Scheidel and Sadie Wein on trumpet, JJ Bahri, Evan Yurewicz, Adi Machiraju on bass bone, Abhinav Vaddadi and Aman Kumar on trombone, Ryan Hwang and Lucas Pereira on drums, Lily

Brown on bass, Sidhi Dhanda and Rathish Senthikumar on guitar, Alice Potapov and Abigail Baskin (bass, too) on piano, and Jordyn Ahlstrom-Hall as vocalist.

Police confiscate toy gun

Police confiscated a toy gun from a student on a school bus and searched students following an incident April 5, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh shared.

In an email to the schools community, Cavanaugh ex-

plained that at approximately 7:42 a.m. on the Bus 23 run to the high school and middle school, the bus driver “recognized that a student brought a toy gun that resembles a real weapon onto the bus. The driver asked the students to hand over the gun, and the students complied with the request.”

The driver then called the bus dispatcher. Also notified was the director of transportation, who alerted the Hopkinton Police Department. The police arrived minutes later, along with both HHS and HMS administration.“Prior to letting the students in the back of the bus disembark, the students were patted down and the contents of their bags were also searched by HPD officers,” Cavanaugh shared.

Added Cavanaugh: “The high school and middle school administration are collaborating on an investigation into [the] events. We wish to thank the Hopkinton Police for their quick response time, professionalism, and partnership. As always, student safety is paramount. It remains at the center of all we do as a school district and a community.”

Local collegians, prep student recognized

Raymond Lucas , a senior at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, was named winner of the Rudolph and Mabel D’Souza Award for Outstanding Senior and also was one of five individuals named as winner of the Department of Finance Senior Panel Award. He will be recognized at a ceremony in May. … University of Massachusetts students Hayley Glassburn and Maxwell Levy were inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. … Hopkinton’s Nathan Kikonyogo, a sophomore at Pomfret School, a college preparatory boarding and day school in Connecticut, was named to the winter honors list.

Editor’s note: Information for college honors is provided by the schools. Those interested in being included in this section should forward the official notification or request for the school to email it to editor@hopkintonindependent.com.

Members of the Hopkinton High School Jazz Ensemble celebrate their Gold Medal at the MAJE State Festival on March 25 at Norwood High School.

PHOTO/JULIE PAUL BROWN

School Committee approves $59.9M budget with 3-2 vote

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

The School Com-

mittee on April

13 voted 3-2 to approve an amended budget for fiscal year 2024 totaling $59,937,752, a 7.9 percent increase over the previous year.

Members Holly Morand and Jennifer Devlin cast the opposing votes.

The original budget approved and then reaffirmed by the School Committee was $60.1 million.

However, most recently, the Select Board directed the district to trim $350,000 from that figure.

A reduction of $235,000 to the proposal resulted instead when the Select Board agreed to take $57,500 each from the Other Post Employee Benefits (OPEB) Fund and Stabilization Fund to cover the amount if an anticipated grant didn’t come through.

The district did not receive the grant.

That $115,000 would fund what Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh described as “student-facing” positions.

Affected by the $235,000 reduction are the cuts of two technology integration specialists to 0.6 FTE (full-time equivalent, $120,000 savings); reductions of fine arts/business/technology/ engineering requests at the high school ($45,000 savings); and one-time purchases like furniture, shelving, maps, tuba and textbooks ($70,000 savings).

Although the committee previously voted unanimously to hold firm with the $60.1 million total, chair Nancy Cavanaugh suggested that stance would put the board in “an awkward position” at Town Meeting.

She said it would be better to collaborate with the town, keeping in mind a fall Special Town Meeting when the district would be “asking for a whole lot of money” to fund a proposed Elmwood School replacement project.

Nancy Cavanaugh suggested the committee “move forward and not sort of bite off our nose to spite our face.”

The chair added she felt there was more cooperation other years with the town when developing the budget. Members reiterated their disappointment that during the process starting in the fall, other town leaders had not expressed concern or disagreement with the proposed school budget.

School Committee member Lya Batlle-Rafferty called it “frankly irresponsible” that administrators were told to come up with reductions over a weekend following five months of meetings.

She said she’s heard “slightly derogatory” comments in the community about School Committee members not cooperating with the directive.

“I feel strongly the town needs to collaborate with us,” Batlle-Rafferty

said, noting that they could have been given the budget message in November rather than just recently.

Nonetheless, she agreed to approve the amended budget because of the “ask” anticipated in the fall.

Devlin and Batlle-Rafferty are not running for re-election this spring.

Devlin said even though she won’t be on the committee in the fall, she can appreciate both sides and a desire to “keep things smooth.” However, she said with all the town growth, it should come as no surprise that school enrollment continues to grow — even higher than has been projected.

“I’m inclined to stick with my statement. We voted a very fiscally responsible budget in January,” she said.

The superintendent said if the reduction was higher, she would “draw the line in the sand. … It’s not everything we wanted, but we can do good things for kids being $235,000 apart,” she said.

With the rising enrollment, the superintendent said the town can anticipate the district will ask for assistant principals and other full-time educators in future budgets.

Bullying policy reviewed

The superintendent outlined the definition of bullying in the school policy that aligns with state laws. It talks about aggressors/perpetrators targeting others based upon their perception of an “unequal physical and/or psychological power relationship.”

They intend to harm their targets and do so repeatedly, she noted.

The policy states that bullying is not a quarrel or a conflict or problem between two people who are perceived as having equal power (i.e. two classmates who usually get along and in the midst of a disagreement). Also in this category is teasing between friends without “intent to harm” but still upsetting and offensive.

The district can assist when incidents happen on or adjacent to school grounds, bus stops and buses or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by Hopkinton Public Schools, Cavanaugh said.

There are several places on the district homepage where parents can access information and report incidents, most prominently the “Stamping Out Bullying and Harassment” button.

It’s

everything we wanted, but we can do good things

kids being $235,000 apart.

— Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh

Fashion forward

Spring Fashion Show, an annual fundraiser for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and

For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary. org. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @ HopkintonPLMA.

Card-Making Crafternoon

Wednesday, April 19, 2-4 p.m.

All ages and families are welcome to stop by and make a card for someone special.

War Clouds on the Horizon with Stephen Doucet

Saturdays, starting April 22, 1-2 p.m.

This eight-week class will address the global causes and concerns that led to World War II. Each week will have a specific focus. Topics that will be addressed include the aftermath of the Great War and the fall of empires. Stephen Doucet is a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He is a lifelong history buff and volunteers as a docent at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson. This class is free, courtesy of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library, as part of a commitment to life-long learning.

‘Avocado Anxiety and Other Stories About Where Your Food Comes From’

Saturday, April 22, 10-11 a.m.

In an effort to make sense of the complex food system we are all part of, author Louise Gray tracks the stories of our five-a-day, from farm to fruit bowl, and shares the impact that growing fruits and vegetables has on the planet. This program is virtual.

Write a Letter to Our Troops

Tuesday, April 25 5:30—7:30 PM

Getting a letter can be the highlight of a military person’s day. Join Danielle, the adult services librarian, to write a letter of thanks (or two or three) to members of our military. The library will be sending the letters to the nonprofit organization A Million Thanks for sorting and posting.

Hopkinton Trail Explorers Event

Wednesday, April 26, 4-6:30 p.m.

Families are encouraged to stop by the large event room to find out about all the fun for kids on the local Hopkinton trails. There will be activities, prizes and information. This event is hosted by the Hopkinton

Trail Coordination and Management Committee and the Hopkinton Public Library.

Job Corps Information Session

Wednesday, April 26, 6-7 p.m.

Job Corps is the largest job training and education program in the country, and it’s free to low-income 16-to-24-year-olds. Individuals can get the experience and skills they need to start a career that’s right for them, go to college or join the military.

Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle

Wednesday, April 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Participants are invited to bring their current project or pattern. This group is open to teens and adults of all skill levels. All fiber arts crafts (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, needle felting, etc.) are more than welcome. This group meets on the second and last Wednesdays of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Author Talk: William Kent Krueger, ‘Ordinary Grace’

Thursday, April 27, 8-9 p.m.

This online program is a riveting hour with New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger, who will discuss his newest book in the Cork O’Connor series “Fox Creek” and his other works.

Doggie Dens and Kitty Castles

Tuesday, May 2, 6-7:30 p.m.

Dog devotee Danielle and cat queen Jak will host an enjoyable evening of preparing to pamper pets. Everyone knows that with cats (and often dogs), if it fits, it sits! Participants can gussy up a shipping box to make an adorable den, castle, fort, throne, cave or shed for a favorite fluffy friend. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own wrapping paper, ribbons or toys to use as add-ons. The library will provide boxes in various sizes, coloring implements and some crafting odds and ends.

Our Time Memory Cafe at Senior Center

Thursday, May 4, 1-2:15 p.m.

Sponsored by Hopkinton Senior Services and the Hopkinton Public Library, Our Time Memory Cafe invites those with forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their care partner, family and friends to attend. Our Time Memory Cafe takes place on the first Thursday of each month at the Hopkinton Senior Center.

LIBRARY CORNER

The Swoon

GirlyGirl PARTS, was held April 3 and 4 at Central Public House. Models at the April 3 show included (from left): Molly McGaffigan, Lori Glover, Jody Furlong, Kia Gomez, Stacy Hutchins, Laura Brand, Ellen Grossis and Donna Spector.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

To submit an item for the Hopkinton Independent calendar section, email the information to: editor@HopkintonIndependent.com. Submissions should be limited to 100 words and are subject to editing by the HI staff.

Friends of Whitehall spring cleanup April 22

The Friends of Whitehall’s spring lake and trail cleanup will be held Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m.-noon. Participants will gather at the boat landing parking lot at Whitehall State Park on Wood Street (Route 135) and be assigned areas of trails and shoreline around the lake to clean up debris and refuse. Gloves, trash bags, tools, bug spray and water will be provided, along with coffee and donuts for volunteers. This cleanup is being done with the approval of the Department of Recreation. For more information, visit friendsofwhitehall.org.

Trail Explorers at Hopkinton Public Library April 26

Parents and children can drop in between 4-6:30 p.m. on April 26 at the library’s event room to learn about trails in town. There will be activities and prizes, plus information about geocaching, mountain biking, trail running, building stuff in the woods and more. Representatives from the Trails Club, Hopkinton Area Land Trust, Upper Charles Trail Committee, Parks & Rec, New England Mountain Bike Association, YMCA, Wildwood Learning Center and Mass. Audubon will be on hand along with the sponsoring organizations, the Hopkinton Trails Coordination and Management Committee and the library. For more information, visit HopkintonMA.gov/Trails.

Applications due May 1 for Hopkinton PolyArts Festival

The 48th annual Hopkinton PolyArts Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Town Common. Proceeds fund multiple scholarships for Hopkinton graduates majoring or minoring in the arts. Applications from artists seeking to host a booth must be received by May 1. For details, visit cozzens.net/ polyarts.

K of C Nite at the Races fundraiser May 6

The Knights of Columbus is hosting a fundraising event for adults (18 and up) called A Nite at the Races on Saturday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Parish Hall (20 Church Street). Doors open at 6 p.m. There will be 10 virtual horse races and 10 grand prize gift drawings. All admission tickets, which are $25 each ($200 for a table), are eligible for a door prize. Food and beverages, including premium beer and wine, will be available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bishopricekoc.org or email joealtman@ verizon.net.

Little League spring fundraiser

May 19

Hopkinton Little League’s annual spring fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, May 19, from 7-11 p.m. at St. John’s Parish Hall, 20 Church Street. Food and beverages will be provided by Snappy Dogs, Start Line Brewery and Mary’s Fine Wines. Tickets, which include an open bar, are $125 ($100 if ordered before May 5) and can be purchased at hopkintonlittleleague.org. There also will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds will be used to improve fields and the overall playing experience.

Dick Hoyt Memorial Road Race May 27

The inaugural Dick Hoyt Memorial “Yes You Can Run Together” Road Race will take place Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m., starting and finishing at Marathon School (129 Hayden Rowe Street). The event includes a 5-mile race, 2-mile walk and kids fun run, along with a virtual 5-mile run for those who cannot attend. Proceeds benefit the Hoyt Foundation. For more information, visit TeamHoyt.com.

Timlin Event at Hopkinton High School June 17

Registration is open for the 20th annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Event, which will be held at Hopkinton High School on June 17. The 5K road race and family fun day is a fundraiser for The Angel Fund for ALS Research. The 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the family fun day activities with live music, food, games, raffles, a silent auction and other activities — including a kids color run — until noon. For more information or to register, visit sharontimlinrace.org.

MBCC Against the Tide at Hopkinton State Park June 18

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) will host its annual Against the Tide event on Saturday, June 17, at Hopkinton State Park. The event features multiple competitions and recreational activities, including a half-mile or 1-mile swim, a 5K or 10K run and a 3-mile fitness walk. There also will be a virtual component. Proceeds benefit MBCC’s work toward breast cancer prevention, locally and nationally. For more information and to register, visit mbcc.org/swim.

PJB Golf Tournament at Hopkinton Country Club June 19

email barb@projectjustbecause.org or call 508-435-6511.

MetroWest K95K at Hopkinton YMCA June 21

The annual MetroWest K95K, a dog-friendly trail run/walk for teams and individuals through the woods at the MetroWest YMCA in Hopkinton, will be held Sunday, June 11, at 10 a.m. The event, which includes music, vendors from the human and animal fields, doggy demonstrations and more, is run by the Ashland Sporting Association and the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association Charities. For more information and to register, visit metrowestk95k.com.

Veterans Breakfast first Friday of each month

The Veterans Breakfast is held on the first Friday of every month from 9-10 a.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center. In July, and if the first Friday of the month is a holiday or snow day, the breakfast switches to the second Friday. No registration is required. For more information, contact Amy Beck at the Senior Center, 508-497-9730.

Trails organizations seek monthly volunteers

The Hopkinton Trail Coordination and Management Committee (TCMC) and the Hopkinton Trails Club have created a monthly trail volunteer day on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.noon. Residents also are encouraged to inform these groups of maintenance issues observed on trails (downed trees, trails becoming overgrown, etc.) by emailing TCMCchair@hopkintonma.gov or hopkinton.trails.club@gmail.com. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter. com. Anyone with questions can call 508497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

Art Appreciation: Masters of the Dutch Golden Age

Thursday, April 20, 1-2 p.m.

This program takes a close look at images by famous painters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer as well as other 17th century Dutch masters who reached levels of excellence that still inspire viewers today.

Cultural Conversations: South Korea’s Four Golden Dark Ages

Wednesday, May 3, 10-11 a.m.

In this virtual program, attendees will learn the history and unique characteristics of Korea, view spectacular scenery and interesting traditional artworks along with the nation’s most beautiful and authentic old places, such as Buddhist temples, palaces, royal tombs, Confucian schools and villages, and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Those interested should call for the Zoom link.

Our Time Memory Cafe

Thursday, May 4, 1 p.m.

Our Time Memory Cafe is a welcoming gathering for those experiencing forgetfulness or mild cognitive impairment

or living with dementia, along with their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, have social experiences with others going through similar changes and form friendships. A care partner must accompany anyone who requires assistance. The program is a joint venture between the Hopkinton Senior Center and Hopkinton Public Library. For more information or to register, call 508-497-0108 or email info@ourtimememorycafe.org.

Health and Wellness Fair for Seniors

Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Individuals can stop in anytime to check out and learn about a variety of health topics. The variety of resources, screenings and information available will provide attendees with information pertaining to health issues that concern everyone. This program is presented by the organization Volunteering for Seniors in Massachusetts.

Annual Friends of the Seniors Plant and Book Sale

Friday, May 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m.-noon

A large variety of vegetables, flowers and plants grown and donated by greenhouse volunteers will be available at rockbottom prices. Seeds have been started for over a dozen varieties of tomato plants, including heirlooms. There also will be a wide selection of gardening books, as well as cookbooks, children’s books, antique books, DVDs, CDs and much more. As part of this fundraiser, donations are accepted from the community in the form of potted vegetables, herbs, annuals and perennials. Potted plant donations can be dropped off (in clean containers) at the Senior Center on May 17 and 18.

The Project Just Because Golf Tournament will be held Monday, June 19, at Hopkinton Country Club. The event includes 18 holes of golf, continental breakfast, luncheon, silent auction and raffles, with all proceeds going to the families served by PJB. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. For information about participating or becoming a sponsor, visit projectjustbecause.org,

Al-Anon weekly meetings Thursdays

Anyone affected by someone else’s drinking is welcome to attend a confidential Al-Anon meeting, which takes place every Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. at the meeting room in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (61 Wood Street). For more information, visit al-anon.org or call 888-4ALANON.

Event Calendar Sponsored by HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Psychic Medium: Patricia Griffin

April 22 | 7 p.m.

Patricia Griffin is a gifted psychic medium, intuitive, clairvoyant, empath, Reiki Master, certified Angel card reader, and Angel links facilitator. She has had this gift her entire life, at first afraid and unsure of what to do with it. Now she’s embraced it to help you connect with your loved ones, in spirit. Her readings can help you find closure, peace, and validation. Even though loved ones are no longer in a physical body, love lives on. Love truly never dies.

An Evening With Sondheim

April 29 | 7:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening of music from the Stephen Sondheim canon which includes tunes from shows such as Into The Woods, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Assassins, Company, and many more. The concert includes special guests all the way from New York City: Zachary Tallman (Broadway tour of CATS), Jillian Jameson (Broadway tour of Sound of Music), with MetroWest artists Mark DiCampo, Mark Schiappucci, and Rachel MacKenzie.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown May 5 at 7 p.m. | May 6 & 7 at 2 p.m.

Happiness is great musical theater! With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, is the ideal first show for those who would like to do a musical.

Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime,” and “Happiness.” Guaranteed to please audiences of all ages!

Mother’s Day Concert

May 14 | 11 a.m.

Treat the mom in your life to this one-hour melodious concert featuring harpist Yvonne Cox and flutist Kate Davison. Playing an array of classical music pieces, as well as family-friendly songs such as Disney classics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Includes continental breakfast, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Coloring supplies for little ones will be available to make cards for the occasion. This concert is sponsored through the generous support of Scott’s Landscaping.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.

David Flannery

David A. Flannery, 76, died April 5 at UMass Memorial Health Marlboro Hospital. He was the husband of Sharon (Gorman) Flannery, to whom he was married for 55 years. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Stanley and Mary (Rousseau) Flannery.

David was a 1965 graduate of Hopkinton High School. He worked many years as a forklift operator for New England Frozen Foods and later as a chef/manager at Bay State Gas. He loved cooking, country music and summer barbecues with family. David was trained to work on small engines,

CompareOurGasPrices

always refurbishing outdoor power tools for family, friends and neighbors.

In addition to his wife, David is survived by his three children, David Flannery Jr. and wife Heather of Nashua, New Hampshire, Kevin Flannery and Heather Madden of Wyndham, Connecticut, and Daniel Flannery and wife Rachael of Hudson, New Hampshire, as well as his grandchildren Ryan, Emily, Kate, Leah and Breelyn. He also leaves his five siblings, Barbara Meisner of Hopkinton, Dorothy Smith of Hudson, Maureen Wheeler of Tampa, Florida, Kathy Valpey of Wareham, and Ernest Flannery and wife Sharyn of Raynham. He is predeceased by brothers Stanley, Richard, Frederick, Robert, Raymond and Eugene and sisters Phyllis, Mary DeFrancesco, Joan Wright, Marlene Beaman and Patricia Parker.

Calling hours were held April 11 at the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, Hopkinton. A private funeral service was to be held at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be made to the

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. David’s family would like to thank all of the staff at Marlborough Hospital for their exceptional care.

Arthur Fitzwater

Kathy, he was a former cross-country truck driver and previously worked as a self-employed builder. Scott had made his home in Mansfield for over 30 years and enjoyed spending time with family and friends and also traveling and sailing.

In addition to his wife and mother, he was the devoted father of the late Shane A. Fuller, who is survived by his wife, Nadine Fuller of Attleboro. He was the cherished grandfather of Tyler S. Fuller of Attleboro. He was the dear brother of Herbert Fuller and wife Cindy of Hawaii, Paul Fuller and wife Cindi of Mansfield, Diane Sullivan and husband John of Berkley, and Peter Fuller and wife Abby of Norton. He also is survived by his loving nieces and nephews.

Services, as well as burial at the Arlington National Cemetery, were to be private.

Arthur Fitzwater, 90, died April 3 at Golden Pond Assisted Living. He was the husband of the late Kathy (Waline) Fitzwater. Born in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Arthur and Marjorie Vogel.

Arthur graduated from Missouri School of Mines with a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering and an MBA. He worked for McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis and Harmonic Drive in California developing key components for satellites. He retired in 1991 as president of Reed Rolled Thread and Die Company in Holden. Outside of work, Arthur enjoyed traveling, photography, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and golfing.

Arthur is survived by his brother, Carl Fitzwater and wife Norma of Clayton, Missouri, his four children, Arthur Fitzwater and wife Maria of Worcester, Jodie Grayson and husband Rick of Hopkinton, Vicki Doyle of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and Stephen Hosnander and wife Sheila of Gardner. In addition to his brother and his children, he is survived by nine grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

Private funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home.

Scott Fuller

Scott E. Fuller, 62, of Mansfield passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family on April 4. He was the beloved husband of Kathleen M. (McNeill) Fuller, to whom he was happily wed for 43 years.

Born in Lowell on May 9, 1960, he was a loving son of Lauretta M. (Hicks) Fuller of Mansfield and the late Herbert C. Fuller.

Scott grew up and was educated in Hopkinton. Along with his wife,

Those wishing may remember Scott with a donation in his memory made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, Mansfield. To send his family a message of condolence, visit shermanjackson.com.

Barbara Oatway

Barbara M. Oatway, 92, died on April 4 at Hope Hospice House in Bonita Springs, Florida. Born in Everett to the late Earl and Jenny Wolfe, she lived in Wakefield for 24 years. Subsequently, she lived in Haverhill, Georgetown, Hopkinton and Estero, Florida.

Mrs. Oatway was a nurse in hospitals and nursing homes on the north shore before retiring, after which she enjoyed spending time with family, volunteering and traveling.

Beloved wife of the late Richard A. Oatway of Roslindale, she leaves daughter Diane McGrew of Hopkinton, daughter and son-in-law Karen LeBlanc and Stephen LeBlanc of Estero, Florida, sisters Janis Piazza of Everett and Linda Pendleton of Hartford, Vermont, four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A private graveside service was to be held at Harmony Cemetery in Georgetown. Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice at Hope Development Department, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908. For those wishing to share a memory of Barbara with her family, visit the Conte-Giamberardino Funeral Home website at cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com.

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Shahood & Sons prepares homes for the heat

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

Withrecent changes to the state’s Mass Save program, Shahood & Sons is preparing for a busy season of installations.

Mark Shahood, whose Hopkinton-based company offers plumbing, heating and cooling services, explained that Mass Save is now offering zero-interest loans up to $50,000 (an increase from $25,000) for energy-efficient home upgrades and up to $10,000 rebates for heat pumps. “With this change to the program, we anticipate doing a lot of heat pumps and other upgrades for customers this year,” Shahood says.

As the weather heats up, Shahood encourages customers to think ahead about their home maintenance. “We’re expecting a pretty warm summer and advise our customers to get their equipment serviced early in the season,” he says. “Also, if they’re in the market for a new system, we say to do it early and not wait until July or August when we’ll likely be too busy to schedule an installation.”

In terms of maintenance, the “sight unseen” approach can cause significant problems down the road, Shahood says. “People often turn their unit on, turn it off, and they think everything’s great. But if they don’t get it serviced regularly, it cuts down on both the efficiency and the life

Shahood & Sons has provided plumbing, heating and cooling services since 1949. of the unit, which will cost them money in the long run.”

For a monthly fee, Shahood & Sons is offering a new service plan in which customers receive annual service on their equipment as well as discounted rates on any future work needed in the realm of plumbing, heating and cooling. Plan participants have one less thing to worry about and remember, Shahood says.

Shahood & Sons has been in operation since 1949 and is fully licensed and insured. The company offers residential, commercial and industrial service across MetroWest and has an administrative office at 35 Main Street, Hopkinton.

An Open Letter to the Residents of Hopkinton

At the upcoming Town Meeting on May 1, there is a warrant item regarding a citizen petition for the rezoning of Hayward Street/South Street/Pine Grove Lane from Residence Lake Front to Rural Business

zoning.

The staff at Shahood & Sons continues to grow, and it’s that team that makes the company stand out, Shahood says. “We have just honest, hardworking people,” he says. “For example, we had a customer call us last week who had talked to two other companies before coming to us. The first one said his equipment couldn’t be repaired, and it would be $9,000 for a new one. The second company said it couldn’t be repaired — $7,000 for a new one. Then he reached out to us, and our HVAC manager found a repair and fixed it for under $400.”

The company is always looking for more technicians and installers, but Sha-

hood says they “don’t just hire everybody who walks in the door. We really strive to have the best of the best. Not the ‘best plumbers, the best heating techs’ — just the best people,” he explains. “We can help train anybody in the plumbing, heating and cooling world, but good-hearted people are what we’re really looking for.”

To learn more, visit shahoodplumbing.com, email info@shahoodplumbing. com or call 508-875-3413 for a free estimate.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.

INFORMATION ABOUT NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

• New corporate campus combines office operations from Hopedale and Hopkinton office facilities into one headquarters.

hometown. Establishing our headquarters here will provide more wellpaying jobs, more opportunities for students to engage with internships

Our plans for 70 South Street include only an office building and parking for the professional staff who will work in our new headquarters. There will be no concrete batching, mixing, or trucking at this facility and there will be no industrial activities occurring on South Street. Only a portion of land near South Street will be developed, and the remainder will be

As a resident of Hopkinton, I want to grow my company in my and apprenticeships, and new tax revenue to the town. There no deeded to CPC for open space.

The construction of the building will follow the highest environmental standards to ensure we protect the brook near the site and Lake Maspenock, including prohibiting phosphorus fertilizer. We have made changes to our original rezoning request, including eliminating any plans to build Pine Grove Lane.

Rezoning this property will give me the ability to establish my headquarters. I look forward to continuing

working with you on this project and supporting our hometown.

Sincerely,

Jim Marguerite

• 50 office professionals, including project managers, accountants, project estimators and safety division.

• Fits into existing area of office buildings and commerce in accordance with Development Agreement.

• No manufacturing of concrete onsite.

• No concrete trucks or construction equipment.

• Meets all DEP stormwater management standards

• Approximately $100,000 in new revenue to the town.

• Well-paying jobs for residents.

• Internships and apprenticeships for students learning about the building trades.

• Upgrades to sidewalks on Hayward Street.

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Quilling Card & Gallery a handcrafted gifts destination

By Linda Chuss Contributing Writer

The first-ever retail venue for a highend card and craft business recently opened in Holliston. Quilling Card & Gallery features an extensive display of the stunning, unique handmade greet-

ing cards the company has been selling online and through retailers worldwide for over a decade. The cards are created by artisans in Vietnam following fair trade practices. And while the roomful of art in the form of cards is reason enough to visit the store, three additional rooms contain exquisite new offerings, from bright sculptures and decorative tables to woven bamboo purses, also handmade in Vietnam.

Huong and Rafe Wolf, who formerly lived in Holliston, founded their quilling card business in 2011. “We didn’t know the industry, but we had a passion for the art of quilling and learned the trade,” said Huong. “Even before we started, greeting card sales were declining. But ours are a work of art, a reasonably priced gift at $11, so we’ve been able to thrive.”

The novel cards have been sold in local establishments like Hopkinton Card and Gift, but for anyone not familiar with them, they are a wonder to admire. People often frame them, as they would a painting or print. The picture is a three-dimensional design, made from strips of Japanese paper, each of which is rolled up, carefully shaped, and glued to the card stock. Crafters train intensively for six months before achieving

the high-quality results needed. While quilling may have originated in ancient Egypt, in more modern times it’s been adopted in Vietnam, with a culture known for perfecting fine crafts.

Rafe described the company’s expansion. “The cards are made by us in Vietnam. We then distribute them from our facility in Framingham and they make their way to retail stores all over. We had to add more space and leased the Holliston location. It’s in the downtown area where people come to shop, so there was an opportunity to directly sell to buyers at a retail venue.”

“Then we took it a step further. We’ve spent a lot of time in Vietnam, admiring the unusual handmade items that we know people here would value. We decided that in addition to the quilling cards, we’d offer that artwork here too, for people and decorators.”

For creation of their cards, the company adheres to fair trade practices and

the just treatment of employees. “We provide our crafters with a safe work environment and healthcare benefits. They are passionate about their work, and we’re glad to help them earn a sustainable living from it,” explained Huong. Added Rafe, “The Fair Trade Federation verifies our operations, and some of the largest companies in the greeting card industry regularly audit us for conformance.”

Patrons of the store can appreciate the principled origins as well as the stunning beauty of the items at Quilling Card & Gallery, 326 Woodland Street, Holliston. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 508-4052888 or visit QuillingCard.com, where cards are available for purchase.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.

Huong and Rafe Wolf stand in their new retail store, Quilling Card & Gallery, located at 326 Woodland Street in Holliston.

Local runners complete World Marathon Challenge

By Chris Villani

Contributing Writer

Hopkinton resident Mark Valutkevich

and his former longtime neighbor, Jim Coffey, are not exactly sure what inspired them to run six of the world’s premier marathons. But both can agree that the credit, or the blame, for the idea should go to Valutkevich.

“I am going to blame it on Mark,” Coffey said.

“Jim says it was my fault that we got involved in this,” Valutkevich said. “And he is probably right.”

Whatever the inspiration, the pair recently checked the Tokyo Marathon off their list, the sixth and final race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Only a few thousand runners in the world have completed the entire series, which includes marathons in Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin and Tokyo.

The journey for Valutkevich and Coffey, who now lives in Sandwich, began by pounding the Hopkinton pavement at dawn.

“I was never a long-distance runner, and in 2009, we had two little kids at the time and I was not in shape,” Valutkevich said. “I figured running is inexpensive. I bought a pair of shoes and I set a goal to run the Boston half-marathon in 2009. If it’s physically possible, I think I pulled every single muscle in my body.”

Valutkevich, who grew up in Framingham, made it a goal to run the Boston Marathon and did so in 2010. Coffey had been running marathons since 2000 and predicted that his neighbor would not be hanging up his running shoes after just

HHS girls track begins defense of league title

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

The Hopkinton High School girls track and field team has 94 athletes this spring and a few goals in mind, including capturing another Tri-Valley League title.

“We always like to win the league title, which generally means you have to be undefeated in the regular season,” coach Jean Cann said. “There are only five meets, and we have to win them all.”

The Hillers crushed Norwood in their opener, a meet that featured both veterans and newcomers winning events and scoring points. Hopkinton expects to have several athletes with the ability to win or place in multiple events. Loryn Canty won both the 55-meter dash and the shot put during the TVL meet Girls track | page 24

a single race. He said Valutkevich told him about the world marathon majors in 2016, and they decided to give it a try.

The pair had completed all three domestic races and the London Marathon by 2019, when the pandemic hit. They ran Berlin last September before completing Tokyo in March.

Setting aside the hometown race, each had a different favorite marathon among the other five. For Valutkevich, the best race was London, with its start in Greenwich and route through scenic countryside towns with fans packing pubs along the way.

“You could hear the town coming before you saw it,” he said. “Then you go over the Tower Bridge and finish running down the embankments by Parliament and the finish line is right in front of Buckingham Palace. The scenery was amazing and the crowds were intense. … And then we hit the pubs.”

Coffey loved his experience in the New York Marathon.

“I had the perfect day to run,” he recalled. “It was just a perfect temperature and it was sunny and my family was there with me and met me towards the finish line. It was just a nice day.”

Coffey estimated that he and Valutkevich have logged thousands of miles together over the years. He said they were dubbed the conversationalists by their running buddies because they would chat as they ran.

“I like to say we solve all the problems of the world while we are out there,” Valutkevich said. “It helps the miles go by.”

Even with the world marathon majors checked off the list, both men say they are not done running or competing in destination marathons and floated Dublin as a possible next race. Coffey now is a member of the Boston Athletic Association and said his daughters have gotten into running, even competing in the Berlin Marathon last fall. He’s eyeing running Boston again.

“That would be a fun one to do with my kids,” he said.

Mark Valutkevich (left) and Jim Coffey smile before starting the Tokyo Marathon in March.

HOPKINTON HOME IMPROVEMENT

Hopkinton looks to bring back youth tackle football

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Hopkinton’s youth football tackle program was put on hold after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the organization’s new leader, Bryan Brown, is hoping to bring it back in the fall.

“We lost the tackle program in town and we have not been able to get it back,” Brown said. “So our kids who want to play tackle have to go to other towns, mostly Holliston.”

In addition to the high school program, Hopkinton has a middle school program for seventh and eighth graders. But, while the town has flag football from kindergarten through fifth grade, there has not been a tackle program for the past few years for kids from second through sixth grade.

Kids who have been playing flag football and want to continue in middle school have to take a gap year, or play out of town, for sixth grade.

“We are losing some great athletes to other towns, and that’s fine, I want kids to have the chance to play,” Brown said. “But, if they can play locally, why not?”

Brown, who has two kids in the program and a third set to join in the fall, said registration is open, and interested kids and parents can learn more at hopyf.com or on Facebook at Hopkinton American Youth Football.

“It’s vital to do this now, because we don’t have any equipment and, due to supply chain stuff, it takes a long time to get football equipment, so I need to know who wants to play tackle,” Brown said.

Brown said he was hoping to get fifth and sixth grade teams up and running this year, but he will field teams for younger athletes if there is enough interest.

“The way I am talking to parents about this is, ‘If you can get me the kids, I can get you a team,’ ” he said. “There is more immediate interest at the older ages. But, if I can get second,

third or fourth grade, if I can get enough interest, then I will order the equipment.”

Brown played football his whole life and he’s a big believer in the lessons it can teach kids.

“There is a lot of camaraderie that you get with football,” he said. “It builds character. I played all of the sports, and I got more out of football than I did those other sports just because of the nature of the game.”

Brown also stressed that safety will be a top priority for all of the coaches.

“They are going to be trained and meet certain training requirements to make sure that tackle is taught safely, and the middle school and high school programs are going to help train the youth programs on how they teach tackle,” he said.

Hopkinton High School football coach Mark Sanborn and middle school coach Mike Webb both have been incredibly supportive of bringing back tackle football, Brown said.

“They have values that they instill in the kids at both the middle school and high school programs that I want to adopt and make sure my kids are living by the same values,” Brown said. “The middle school program supports it, the high school program supports it, so we are going to run with it.”

HHS girls track begins defense of league title

in the indoor season and won the shot put and, the 100-meter dash while anchoring the winning 4x100 relay team in the spring season opener.

Senior captain Shelby Jones is expected to score in the shot, the 200 and the 400 hurdles, and sisters Bridget and Keira O’Connor are doing multiple events. Sophomore Josie Hopkins also will compete in a variety of events, including the hurdles and the jumps.

Hopkinton will have a strong and deep distance crew this season. Juniors Stephanie Johnson and Bethel Flanagan are expected to stand out in the 800, and senior Autumn Tumbleton and sophomore Elyse Srodawa will compete in the mile and 2-mile events.

The strong crop of distance runners is boosted by freshman Chloe Tumbleton, who placed in the season opener in the 800. Freshman Georgia Flynn placed in the triple jump against Norwood, and Mary Finnegan, another freshman, won the long jump in her first time competing in the event.

“She had done middle school track, so I knew who she was, but I didn’t expect her to come out with a win right away,” Cann said.

Hopkinton figures to have some versatility this spring, the coach added, with several athletes who can both hurdle and jump like Ellie Driscoll and Emma DeMichele. The Hillers jumpers are aided in the spring by having an extra event — the triple jump — as well as a dedicated jumping pit and assistant coach Martha Thompson, who is in her 36th season working on the Hopkinton staff.

“Having her there to work with the jumpers makes a big difference,” Cann said.

Cann and boys coach Brian Prescott also have Mike Donahue coaching the throwers, Mikayla Pucci working with javelin and other events, Dan Collins coaching middle distance, and newcomer Shaye Ellard helping out with the sprinters.

“They are all fabulous coaches and even better people,” Cann said. “I am lucky to work with them.”

Most of the early season will be spent filling out the lineup and figuring out the right combination for dual meets. After that, Cann is hoping the depth and talent will have the Hillers competing deep into the spring.

“We will see what we can do at the state level,” Cann said. “We want to get as many people as we can to the Meet of Champions.”

There is a lot of camaraderie that you get with football. It builds character. I played all of the sports, and I got more out of football than I did those other sports just because of the nature of the game.

— Youth football organizer Bryan Brown

SportS Hillers softball seeks spot in tourney

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Hopkinton High School has a young and talented softball team this spring, and coach Shannon Allberry-Yerardi is hoping the Hillers can find a spot in the state tournament again after going to the playoffs a season ago.

“We have a really good core of sophomores coming back this year, and we also took on a couple of freshmen who have been adding to our depth,” Allberry-Yerardi said. “We are going to have a lot of stuff to work on, but it seems like our pieces might be falling into place.”

Freshman Alex Riesenberger will log significant innings this year as a pitcher. Allberry-Yerardi said the first-year player is showing tremendous promise. Sophomore Holly Paharik is another talented young player who will start at shortstop.

“She has incredible composure and has the right attitude about the game,” Allberry-Yerardi said. “She is really strong defensively and offensively, she is an all-around great player.”

Senior co-captains Caroline DeSimone, Bailey Harrigan and Kelsea McCoy are leading the way for the Hillers. DeSimone is one of the team’s fastest players and hit home runs in each of the team’s first two games.

Junior Caroline Kane is back in left field this spring after missing last year with an injury.

“We are really excited to get her back,” Allberry-Yerardi said. “She brings a lot of good leadership characteristics and is incredibly coachable and willing to learn to get herself back on track. We are excited to see her this year.”

The coach said she wants her team to get back to the playoffs after winning 12 games and being knocked out by Wachusett a season ago.

“Getting back to the tournament is a big goal,” Allberry-Yerardi said. “And I would be lying if I didn’t say we wanted to win the league.”

In addition to the ultimate goal of a tournament berth, the coach also has some process goals in mind.

“I would like for us to really work on the mental game and putting previous plays or at bats behind us and moving past mistakes easily,” Allberry-Yerardi said. “I think we are doing that a little bit so far, but I want us to avoid the spiral of a bad inning where we kind of come unraveled.”

Norton figures to be among the TriValley League’s top teams this year, and Allberry-Yerardi noted the Hillers’ rivalry with Holliston in the Large School Division. But she said Hopkinton’s ability to put runs on the board should keep the team in a lot of games.

“Our biggest strength is our offense and our ability to find the gaps and string multiple hits together,” she said. “I am looking for our team to be able to score a lot of runs this year. I think that is going to be our biggest weapon.”

Caroline DeSimone slams into a pitch during a game last season.

FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

April 3

4:27 p.m. Staff at a West Main Street establishment reported suspicious activity and a possibly intoxicated female. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Matthew LaTour and Nicholas Saletnik responded and performed field sobriety tests and subsequently arrested a 30-year-old Framingham resident and charged her with marked lanes violation, OUI drugs, OUI liquor, possession of a Class A drug, possession of a Class C drug and possession of a Class E drug.

Editor’s note: Due to space limitations, this is an abbreviated version of the Police Log. For the full Police Log visit the Hopkinton Independent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

March 28

10:25 a.m. The Sheriff’s Department requested the animal control officer to respond for assistance with removing a dog during a service in Pinecrest Village. The animal control officer was notified and responded.

4:36 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour responded to a report of a breaking and entering of a motor vehicle on Wood Street, where the caller found the vehicle’s window broken. A report was taken.

7:07 p.m. A caller in Pinecrest Village reported a male who was evicted earlier was back at the scene and causing a disturbance. Sergeant William Burchard and Officers Nicholas Saletnik, Cody Normandin and Matthew LaTour responded and took a report.

10:48 p.m. A Connelly Hill Road resident reported being blackmailed. Officer Cody Normandin assisted and took a report of fraud.

March 29

7:55 a.m. A Pinecrest Village caller stated he was locked out of his residence and wanted to know where his belongings and dog were. Information was given to the caller about the location of his possessions and dog.

10:35 a.m. A Davis Road resident reported she heard a knock on her door in the middle of the night by an unknown person. Officer Robert Ekross spoke with the caller and advised her to call if it happens again.

10:38 a.m. A caller reported an unassisted outside fire on Bumps Lane. Officer Robert Ekross responded along with the Fire Department, and the source of the fire was found and extinguished. No permit had been taken out.

1:46 p.m. A walk-in reported she possibly gave out personal information during a scam job interview. Officer Robert Ekross assisted and took a report of fraud.

2:25 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported a disturbance after a dog died during surgery. The caller reported the owner was acting aggressively. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Robert Ekross responded and took a report.

March 30

8:06 a.m. A motorist reported an ongoing complaint of a vehicle running a stop sign and tailgating on Cedar Street.

Sergeant William Burchard responded and spoke with the operator, who was to cease the behavior.

8:20 a.m. Sergeant William Buchard and Officer Brittany Firth responded to a motor vehicle crash on Ash Street between a school bus and a tractor-trailer. The bus clipped a pole, resulting in minor damage to a mirror. No personal injuries were reported.

11:31 a.m. A Davis Road resident reported someone going through trash and taking property. Sergeant William Burchard checked in with the Hopkinton Housing Authority, spoke with all involved in the incident, and took a report.

2:36 p.m. A motorist reported an aggressive driver who nearly side-swiped him on West Main Street. The vehicle crossed into Upton, and the caller wanted the incident logged.

3:33 p.m. A walk-in handed in a chainsaw picked up from the middle of the roadway on Wood Street and Main Street after falling from a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Officer Shannon Beloin placed it with found property.

8:55 p.m. A walk-in from West Main Street reported someone stole tools from his brother-in-law’s garage. Officer Matthew LaTour took a report of stolen property.

8:58 p.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Shannon Beloin responded to a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on Walcott Valley Drive. Minor damage was reported and officers spoke with a young male involved. No charges were filed.

March 31

4:10 p.m. A motorist reported an erratic operator on Chamberlain Street traveling toward Milford. The operator eventually drove onto Interstate 495. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and checked the area with a negative find.

11:29 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported he was in a wheelchair and locked in his room. The caller called back stating someone unlocked the door for him. Officer Augusto Diaz responded and was on scene.

April 1

2:03 p.m. A walk-in reported a hitand-run motor vehicle accident at the high school parking lot on Hayden Rowe Street. Sergeant Timothy Brennan took a report.

April 2

3:28 p.m. A caller reported about eight teens climbing building equipment behind the former Center School on Ash Street. Officer Shannon Beloin responded and spoke with the group.

11:15 p.m. A Wedgewood Drive resident reported his home was broken into and some items were missing. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Walker responded and entered the home. A report was to follow.

April 3

7:00 a.m. Officer Augusto Diaz responded to a motor vehicle accident on South Street. No personal injuries were reported.

8:39 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle struck a light pole on South Street. Officers Robert Ekross and Tyler Staback responded and took a crash report. The vehicle was towed. No per-

sonal injuries were reported.

2:23 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious incident on Wood Street involving filming. Officer Robert Ekross responded and spoke with staff and reported a negative find on a person filming.

6:03 p.m. A caller reported stolen property from a McHugh Lane property he was overseeing. The involved individuals were asked to vacate the residence, and the caller stated he believed there were at least three residents on the property. Sergeant Arthur Schofield contacted the caller for further information.

6:18 p.m. A caller reported two young boys on motorbikes speeding on Amherst Road. The caller and a friend were out walking and a dog belonging to a neighbor bit one of them due to the noise. The injured woman went to urgent care for treatment. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and checked the area for the youths with a negative find.

6:52 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported her employer stole her 16-week-old bernedoodle puppy. Officer Nicholas Saletnik assisted and took a report.

7:18 p.m. A caller reported a Facebook scam in which a woman requested food and hygiene items for her four children, and once people dropped the items off to her at a Milford hotel where she was staying, she sold the items on Facebook Marketplace. Officer Nicholas Saletnik logged the incident, and the caller was advised to also call the Milford Police Department.

April 4

9:55 a.m. A walk-in reported an exposed wire box on Colella Farm Road. Eversource was notified and responded.

12:53 p.m. A walk-in reported he found a knife while on a run on Cedar Street. The item was logged.

2:50 p.m. Officers Matthew Santoro, Brittany Firth and Tyler Staback responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus on Cranberry Lane. No personal injuries were reported.

5:01 p.m. Multiple callers reported a motor vehicle accident involving three cars on East Main Street. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Matthew LaTour responded and reported personal injuries. A report followed.

9:32 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle struck a rabbit on Main Street and it was still alive. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and was unable to locate the bunny.

April 6

2:47 p.m. A caller reported a student brought a metal object on a school bus. Officer Brittany Firth responded to Hayden Rowe Street and took a report.

4:48 p.m. A Hayward Street resident reported the water in his house was brown. The Water Department was notified.

6:05 p.m. A caller reported a possible bullet hole in the front window of a West Main Street building. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and took a report.

April 7

6:36 a.m. A motorist reported a dead deer on a Wood Street sidewalk. The animal control officer was notified.

7:01 p.m. A caller reported a motor

vehicle accident on Legacy Farms North with the driver bleeding from the head. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Shannon Beloin responded and provided a courtesy transport to the driver. The vehicle was towed, and Verizon was notified of a cracked pole.

10:31 p.m. The State Police requested assistance locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run on Interstate 495. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and located the vehicle on West Main Street and notified the State Police.

April 8

11:26 a.m. A clerk at a West Main Street business reported he confiscated a fake ID and requested to speak with an officer. Officer Tyler Staback responded and found the male who used the fake ID and spoke to him.

2:30 p.m. Multiple officers responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street. One lane of traffic was shut down and two vehicles were towed. No personal injuries were reported.

4:56 p.m. A Wood Street resident reported dirty water coming out of the tap all day. The Water Department was notified.

11:16 p.m. A Hearthstone Road resident reported kids in a neighbor’s yard who appeared to be throwing things. Sergeant William Burchard and Officers Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Walker responded and reported the kids were hiding Easter eggs for a fundraiser.

April 9

1:16 a.m. Multiple callers reported a house fire on Hayward Street. Multiple officers responded along with the Fire Department, and people were found inside. An investigation was underway.

4:28 a.m. An Alltown employee on West Main Street reported a customer became angry and threw a pack of cigarettes at him and then left the store. The caller wanted the incident logged and stated there was no immediate threat. Officer Augusto Diaz responded and spoke with the employee.

8:47 p.m. A motorist reported an erratic vehicle all over the roadway on West Main Street. Officer Cody Normandin checked the area with a negative find and notified the Upton Police Department.

April 10

7:52 a.m. A walk-in reported a lost musical instrument. Officer Tyler Staback took a report.

1:23 p.m. A Hill Street caller reported a drone flying over her and her granddaughter in their front yard. She wanted the incident logged.

4:54 p.m. A caller reported youths going in and out of an abandoned house on Mount Auburn Street. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Cody Normandin responded and transported a male and a female juvenile home.

5:25 p.m. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded along with the Fire Department to a report of a smoldering bark mulch fire on East Main Street. The fire was investigated.

7:47 p.m. A Lakeshore Drive caller reported vehicles doing tire burnouts in the parking lot. Officers Cody Normandin and Matthew LaTour responded and checked the area with a negative find.

•

• Conveniently

Hayward Street fire claims lives of couple, dog

Fire | from page 1

The staff of HFD and all our mutual aid companies did an outstanding job and the best that they could do with what we had at that time.”

Fire personnel received 911 calls at 1:12 a.m., and when they arrived, the one-level ranch house was ablaze. The fire was brought under control around 2 a.m.

“One victim, a senior male, was found in a hallway,” the HFD stated in a press release. “Another victim, a senior female, was discovered in a bedroom. Both were removed from the home and taken to Milford Regional Medical Center. The man was pronounced dead at Milford Regional Medical Center. The woman was transported to a Boston hospital for treatment of her injuries. A dog also died in the fire.”

During an interview at the scene with NECN, Miller explained the challenges for the firefighters trying to locate the victims.

“In this type of conditions, firefighters are working in zero visibility,” he said. “They’re on their self-contained breathing apparatus, they’re going in and their eyes are technically their hands. So they’re feeling, trying to locate people at that point in zero visibility. That’s what we talk about when we say trapped.”

Miller added that a tragedy such as this affects the entire town.

“It’s tough. They’re part of our community,” he said. “Hopkinton is a very tight community. It’s a great community. Unfortunately when something happens like this it’s devastating. ... It’s hard on

The compassion he had, followed by his active participation for the causes he supported, it’s really been his identity over the years. He was always ready to help out. Over the years, if somebody needed help for anything, he was right there along with his group.

— Mike Whalen

everybody.”

A former Marine, Don MacNeill was very active in veterans affairs. He was a leader of Old Guard New England, which performed military salutes at events in the area, and a longtime member of Hopkinton’s Veterans Celebration Committee.

Fellow veterans advocate and Veterans Celebration Committee member Mike Whalen said MacNeill was quick to volunteer and equally quick to finish whatever he was contributing.

“I would chuckle to myself when he would volunteer to do a certain task, because I knew it would be done the

next day,” Whalen recalled. “He was not a procrastinator. He was quick on the trigger, that’s for sure.

“He was very grateful for the opportunity to help out. The compassion he had, followed by his active participation for the causes he supported, it’s really been his identity over the years. He was always ready to help out. Over the years, if somebody needed help for anything, he was right there along with his group.

“Filling his shoes — or in his case, filling his boots — will be a challenge.”

Judy MacNeill was a longtime school bus driver.

While the cause of the fire was under investigation, it was deemed not to be suspicious, fire officials stated.

“The joint investigation by the Hopkinton Fire Department and State Police assigned to the offices of the State Fire Marshal and Middlesex District Attorney determined that the fire began in the area of the front porch,” an April 10 statement from the State Fire Marshal’s Office reads. “While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the

potential factors that have been identified are all accidental and there is no evidence that it was intentionally set.”

During the April 11 Select Board meeting, following a moment of silence for the family, Miller made an impassioned plea for residents to make sure they have working smoke detectors in their homes. The Hayward Street home did not have working smoke detectors, he said.

“I want us to all learn from this,” he said. “This is something that’s really serious. We talk about changing your batteries, we talk about checking your smoke detectors. Life expectancy is 10 years. Batteries are changed every six months when we do our clocks. We really need to do this. We need working smoke detectors. That’s our first line of defense, and that’s going to help all of us. So, please, I’m reaching out to the public, take a minute and do it.”

Miller said anyone who needs help acquiring or maintaining a smoke detector should reach out to the department for assistance.

Former Marine Don MacNeill was known as a passionate advocate for military veterans.