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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 24 | No. 22 | October 25, 2023

Town continues to seek fix for water discoloration

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

T

GANESH FESTIVAL

he Water Department on Oct. 17 announced that Weston & Sampson, an environmental engineering firm that provides consulting for the town, was contracted to provide a unilateral flushing program for the area.

“Crews have already begun the preparation work, which involves checking numerous gates and hydrants throughout the area,” Water-Sewer Department Manager Eric Carty shared in a statement. “Once the program has been designed, weather pending, it will be carried out late fall/early winter. This will help clear the mains of mineral sediment that has been causing the recent discoloration after being scoured from the main during recent events.”

During the first two weeks of October, the town experienced several instances of water discoloration. The most notable incidents occurred in the neighborhood near the Ashland water treatment facility and the Alprilla Farm wells. The Alprilla Farm wells were

Local Indian residents participate in the third-day procession as part of last month’s Ganesh festival, which recognizes the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, god of prosperity and wisdom.

Former HPD candidate left with questions

Water | 5

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

INSIDE

F

NEWS

HPD candidate | 8

Convicted murderer Entwistle seeks new trial ESBC finalizes details for proposed new school

Melvin Ligon continues to work at Simmons University after being passed over

by Hopkinton.

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rom the time he was a teen, Melvin Ligon Jr., 47, knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. Inspired by officers he met while attending the Boston Public Schools, the Boston native devoted his career to working as a security and school police officer.

The Millis resident applied to become a member of Hopkinton’s police force in January. After completing two separate interview rounds and meeting with Chief Joseph Bennett, he said he was told by Bennett in an August phone call that his conditional offer of employment was rescinded.

Given the recent debate over the Select Board’s role in the hiring and promotion of police officers in Hopkinton and the shortage of HPD officers, Ligon is questioning why he was not selected.

“I get sort of upset about it,” Ligon said

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

Hopkinton Independent The Hopkinton Independent is published by Hopkinton Independent, LLC, 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of the ad that was in error if notified in writing within three business days of the publication date. All material is the property of the Hopkinton Independent.

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STAFF

Publisher: David Bagdon Dir. of Business Development: Susanne Odell Farber Founder: Sarah Lothrop Duckett Managing Editor: Jerry Spar Social Media director: David Bagdon STAFF WRITER: Mary Ellen Gambon Editorial contributors: Lyn Calkins, Chris Villani, John Cardillo, Christie Vogt, Jane Bigda, Susan Gonsalves, Courtney Cornelius

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FOR ADVERTISING: Contact Susanne Odell Farber Cell: 508-954-8148 or Email: Sales@HopkintonIndependent.com FOR MAILED SUBSCRIPTIONS, Contact the Hopkinton Independent Office: 508 435-5188 or Email: Sales@HopkintonIndependent.com EDITORIAL COMMENTS AND INQUIRIES, including Letters to the Editor should be emailed to Editor@HopkintonIndependent.com

Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s name, address and contact information for verification. Letters should be no more than 400 words, and the Hopkinton Independent offers no guarantee that all letters will be printed. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event or thanking volunteers and sponsors.

Freedom Team hosts ‘Difficult Conversations’ T

he Hopkinton Freedom Team Collaborative Group is hosting an event titled “How to Have Difficult Conversations” on Monday, Nov. 6, at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. The event is led by jamele adams, who is the original Freedom Team founder and the originator of the love, inclusion and trust (LIT) model to community connection.

Organizers are hoping for a big turnout in order to “spread more LIT in Hopkinton and beyond by creating spaces for more dialogue that builds connection and transcends the silos that can divide our complex and beautiful community,” explained Freedom Team board member Elizabeth Farry.

The event, which includes refreshments, is free, although space is limited. Those interested can get more information and reserve a spot at the Freedom Team website (hopkintonfreedomteam.org).

The Freedom Team recently voiced support for adams (who styles his name with lowercase first letters) after he was believed to be the target of an incident in Scituate, where he works as the school district’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

In July, Scituate’s superintendent shared photos taken from Museum Beach that appeared to show a grave in the sand and a makeshift INDEPENDENT headstone with an apparent reference to adams, according to a report in The Boston Globe.

THOUGHTS Rather than respond with anger, adams told the Globe that he JERRY SPAR “locked in on love.”

“We know what it looks like when we feed negativity, when we feed the mentality of war kind of thing. We know how that works,” adams said. “We also understand the sustainability of love and the power of love. … It’s different and infectious.”

The Hopkinton Freedom Team released a statement shortly after the incident thanking adams for his work and crediting him for his response.

“We stand by him now as he has stood by our organization and community in the past,” the statement read, adding, “His words and actions inspire and lend strength to the mission and core values of why we serve our community in Hopkinton. Not surprisingly, jamele has held strong to his own mission with grace, forgiveness and love in his heart to turn this experience into a productive opportunity to continue to spread LIT and unity to his own community where this incident occurred. It is our hope that jamele’s message is recognized and received by all. Thank you jamele for all that you do, have done, and will continue to do to make the world a better place.”

Tom McIntyre Turkey Bowl seeks teams

Team members of Hillers Thrillers pose for a photo after winning the Tom McIntyre Turkey Bowl last November.

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The Tom McIntyre Turkey Bowl is looking to add some sides.

The 6-vs.-6, one-handed touch football tournament, held annually since 2002 on the turf fields below the HHS football field, has seen its numbers dip a bit since resuming after the pandemic, so organizers are putting out the call for more participants. It’s open to Hopkinton High School alumni as well as residents.

“We have players who graduated in 1977 all the way up to 2018, so it’s a big span,” said organizer Don Lehman, who played in the first few tournaments. “And it can be a neighborhood thing, a group of guys in the neighborhood; they don’t have to have graduated from Hopkinton High School or even played football.”

The event, a fundraiser for the Hopkinton Athletic Boosters, was started by Aubrey Doyle, who still makes an occasional appearance on the field, and Tom McIntyre, who died in 2017, after which time the tournament was dedicated to him. They coordinated with Denise Stickney, then president of the Hopkinton Boosters, to get the tournament running.

Scheduled this year for the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the tournament guarantees five 25-minute games per team, followed by single-elimination playoffs for the top teams.

Lehman is especially keen on connecting with recent graduates (2019 and later) and getting them to form teams.

“It’s a fundraiser for the boosters, a great day in the community,” Lehman said.

“Families come and watch, and after the games, everyone goes to Cornell’s and we have a trophy presentation there.”

The winning team gets to keep the engraved trophy for the year. Young Gunnaz had the longest streak of success with seven titles in nine years, while Hillers Thrillers have Independent thoughts | 3

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 3

Tom McIntyre Turkey Bowl seeks teams Independent thoughts | from page 2

won the last three tourneys.

“Every year it’s very competitive,” Lehman said. “And while we’ve had some bumps and bruises, for the most part we’ve been very fortunate to avoid any major injuries. Although, everyone’s pretty sore the day after.”

For more information or to register a team, email Lehman at donaldelehman@ aol.com.

Misc.: HCA needs ‘Wicked’ volunteers The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is seeking volunteers — teenagers and adults — for its annual Wicked Weekend (which we wrote about in our last issue). Events from Oct. 27-29 include the Monster Mash, a 5K road race/Wee Wicked Run, wicked pickleball and “The Haunt” at the MetroWest YMCA in Hopkinton. Visit hopartscenter.org for more information.

If you are unavailable this weekend but have an interest in helping out at the HCA, the organization uses volunteers

throughout the year.

“Whether you have a little time or a lot of time, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as a volunteer,” stated HCA Executive Director Kelly Grill. …

Best of luck to Linda Connelly, who retired during the summer as a senior assistant at the Hopkinton Public Library.

“We were all sad to see her leave the HPL after more than 20 years of service, but [we] wish her much enjoyment as she spends time with her family and friends in the great outdoors,” shared Library Director Nancy Milone.

Ray Stephenson was named to replace Connelly. …

Congratulations to Hopkinton High School student Ashwath Sridhar, who recently received the Youth Steward Award from the Sudbury Valley Trustees for leading an effort to build a boardwalk at SVT’s Whitehall Woods property in Hopkinton. …

In our last issue we ran a photo of the Hopkinton High School Class of 1968 reunion. Peter Marso was accidentally left off the list of attendees. Apologies for the omission.

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Hold off on herbicides in Maspenock Some information relating to possible herbicide use in Lake Mas-

LETTERS TO penock: Did you know that lake treatment could cost the town between THE EDITOR

$50,000 to $60,000 each year or possibly every other year? It is not one and done.

The opposers and doubters may be more numerous than estimated.

Infants and children have been shown to be more vulnerable to the following effects from weed-killing chemicals: brain and nervous system problems, changes in the brain leading to behavioral disorders, and disorders of the endocrine and immune systems.

The EPA has approved 85 herbicides/pesticides banned in the European Union, China and Brazil. We are more lax than many countries in determining safety.

Rep. Jim McGovern has sponsored HR 5085, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act. We were told that herbicides would be a last resort when the [Lake Maspenock Weed Management & Control Advisory Group] was formed. We have not tried benthic barriers, hand pulling or hydro-rakes (small machines that are not full-scale dredging, used in the 1990s).

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New state law unfair to taxpayers

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Beacon Hill just increased your taxes, and you didn’t even know it.

The recently passed and signed into law “Tax Relief Bill” holds several positive changes to our state tax code. However, there is one provision that we should all be aware of. Chapter 62F was passed in 1986 by the citizens of the commonwealth requiring politicians to return all “excess” tax collections back to the taxpayers who paid them, proportional to how much they paid in taxes. Makes complete sense, right? The taxpayers could do whatever they wanted with that excess payment refund (their money). They could save it, pay off bills, purchase something they need or want, contribute to a charity, etc.

The new tax code changes all of that. When the taxes collected from you and me now exceed what is needed by the state, the refunds will not be returned proportionally, they will be “redistributed” to every taxpayer in the same amount, regardless of what they paid in taxes. “Freebie,” “state-sponsored welfare,” “redistribution of assets,” “power grab” — whatever you want to call this, it is yet another example of politicians on Beacon Hill operating with no checks and balances in a one-party-rules-all system.

The refund of the taxes you have paid ought to be used in a manner that you decide, not redistributed by politicians on Beacon Hill.

What can you do? Get involved and make a difference. … Vote. … Run. … Contribute. … Call your state representative and state senator. They will listen.

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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.

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

Conservation Commission unsympathetic to solar alteration request

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

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he Conservation Commission at its meeting Tuesday night focused on two long-standing cases. They included a fee waiver request from a controversial solar array development and fines assessed against a Leonard Street developer for violations that prompted him to discuss a lawsuit against the town.

Mitch Maslanka, a wetlands scientist from Goddard Consulting, represented Grasshopper Energy regarding its solar array, located be- Grasshopper Energy is hoping to remove some trees that it says are blocking its solar panels off Wilson Street, but the Conservation tween Cedar Street and Wilson Commission does not appear inclined to support the plan.

Street. He requested that fees be reduced for his client’s new notice of intent filing.

Member Janine LeBlanc said she He explained that trees along the periphery “are casting considered the plan to have “a significant shade” onto about half of the solar panels. impact” to the wetlands that would not “Grasshopper Energy is going to request through a notice justify a reduced fee. of intent to find a way to reduce the amount of shading on The case was continued to its next their panels by adjusting the vegetation in the buffer zone,” meeting on Oct. 24.

Maslanka explained. This would include cutting large trees “down to the stump” and replacing them with at least twice Leonard Street developer the amount of smaller trees. threatens to sue town Because of the disturbance proposed in the 50-foot buffer zone, the filing fees would add up to more than $13,000.

Developer Lou Petrozzi of Wall Street An additional $35,000 would be charged for alterations Development Corporation discussed the within the 50-foot buffer zone. Maslanka requested that the levying of $13,300 in fines against him. commission reduce the amount, saying that the work would The site at 8, 10 and 12 Leonard Street only be “changing the composition of species and pruning.” has experienced stormwater management Chair Jeff Barnes noted that he could not comment on issues since July 2021. In addition, stormthe scope of the proposed work because no plan has been water pollution protection plan (SWPPP) submitted. But he stressed that “it is highly unlikely” that the reports had not been filed as required. Two notice of intent (NOI) would be approved. The applicant may delinquent reports were filed last month, not want to spend the nonrefundable fees with that probable but they each encapsulated one year. outcome in mind.

Petrozzi stressed, as he has done at He added that the site design should have taken the shade previous meetings, that he believed that into account and that this request would be “a significant the stormwater problem has been caused departure” from the previously approved plan. by the town. Since the Sept. 12 meeting, “This strikes me as bad planning for the solar-industrial riprap and a silt fence were installed to complex,” said member Ed Harrow. “I have absolutely no control runoff. intent of voting to not impose these fees.”

Barnes said the violation needed to Member Ted Barker-Hook asked what Maslanka thought be enforced because, if not, the SWPPP a reasonable fee would be. Maslanka replied that he “hadn’t report requirement would figuratively put much thought into it.” Barker-Hook also was concerned have no teeth with developers. that not charging fees when trees are proposed to be cut could Petrozzi claimed that he was being “open up a Pandora’s box” for other developers to use as a fined because runoff from town roads precedent. caused the erosion to the edge of his property. He added that he is “being penalized” for not filing reports “on a problem that the town created” that he is required to fix at his expense. He blamed the problem on a town drainage culvert that he said was not working properly.

He added that he didn’t want to “reopen a litigation against the town” after there was an understanding that the parties would work together to resolve the issue.

Members noted a history of site violations where fines were not assessed.

Barnes said the lack of filing SWPPP reports “has nothing to do with the water,” pointing out that Petrozzi’s engineer designed the house locations and drainage system.

When Petrozzi mentioned legal action again, vice chair Melissa Recos responded that the violations occurred because of turbid water running off Petrozzi’s site, not water coming onto it.

Added LeBlanc: “I’m not comfortable voting a certain way because of veiled threats of litigation.”

Replied Petrozzi: “The litigation is already pending.”

The commission voted 5-1-1 to impose the fines, with commissioner Jim Ciriello against and new commissioner Matthew Moyen abstaining.

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 5

Town continues to seek fix for water discoloration issues Water | from page 1

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

turned on Oct. 18 and monitored at the hydrants.

The town was working on a proposal to create a flushing plan for the entire town, according to Carty. At the Oct. 17 Select Board meeting, Town Manager Norman Khumalo said the draft proposal should be ready in four to six weeks.

“Our engineers have also recommend- The town has been working on its water discoloration issue, ed turning our Alprilla which first was noticed near the Alprilla Farm facility.

Farm sources back on and running them consistently to help stabilize the water column from the aquifer,” he said. “They believe that the inordinate amount of rain this year has contributed to water quality issues causing the iron and manganese to come out of solution in the water and precipitate [water discoloration] more than normal.”

Recently affected areas were running clear over the weekA resident submitted this photo of discolored tap water to end of Oct. 14-15 and the Select Board to illustrate the seriousness of the issue. when checked the following two days, according to the statement.

Department flushed multiple fire hyOne week earlier, the town’s interim drants in the area to try to clear the lines. fire chief explained that one cause of the discoloration was from a power outage Oct. 5 in the neighborhood near the DPW director Eversource LNG facility. addresses concerns “A security guard at the LNG plant At the Oct. 10 Select Board meeting, on Wilson Street reported a loud blast, Department of Public Works Director loss of power and abnormal venting,” acKerry Reed spoke about the water discording to the Oct. 5 police log. Two pocoloration situation. lice officers responded to the complaint, “We just wanted to come in and let along with Fire Department personnel. you know that we’re aware of the issue,” “Whenever something happens in she said. “We’ve been trying to respond that area, people assume it’s the LNG to the residents as they call in. plant,” explained interim Fire Chief Gary “The Water Department has been T. Daugherty Jr. “The blast actually came working diligently to address the issue,” from a neighboring property. A bunch of Reed continued, noting that an engineer people lost power.” was consulted “to try to come up with a “The LNG plant shut down during longer-term solution.” She stressed that that time,” he added. “Everyone worked “the water is safe, although it is a little together and followed the proper procebit unnerving to see the water come out dures as designed.” like that.”

While the neighborhood experienced “The town believes the discoloration a temporary loss of power, Daugherty was is being caused by higher-than-expected not aware of the duration of the outage. demand and inconsistent water flow, When reached via email by the Indewhich can stir up naturally occurring pendent, Eversource spokesperson Chrissediment such as iron and manganese,” topher R. McKinnon reiterated that the according to a statement released by the incident did not involve the LNG facility. town earlier that day. “Though discol“There have been no issues at our ored, the water is safe to drink.”

Hopkinton LNG plant, and it continues to The Water Department previously operate safely, as designed,” he said. “Afannounced that some of the water dister the event last week that was unrelated coloration may be related to irrigation to the LNG facility, the plant followed systems set on automatic timers and proper safety protocols and procedures.” asked residents to turn off the systems This power outage also affected the “until the permanent solution is able to Ashland water treatment plant that probe implemented.” vides water to Hopkinton, causing it to Reed noted at the meeting that berapidly turn off and on. cause colder weather is approaching, “it’s “When the water goes off and on not as conducive to flushing.” like that, it stirs up sedimentation in the Said Reed: “So we might have to pipes,” Daugherty explained. “That was wait until the spring to do a more comthe cause of the black water.” prehensive program.”

That afternoon, the Hopkinton Water

Friday, Oct. 27

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Proceeds raised from the ticket sales to this fundraising event will support Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) and the MetroWest YMCA.

Saturday, Oct. 28

Sunday, Oct. 29

The Wicked Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wicked 5K & Wee-Wicked Run 10:00 a.m.

Get ready for a smashing good time! HCA’s first-ever Wicked Pickleball Costumed Tournament.

Sponsored by Concierge Physical Therapy.

Join us for a Wicked 5K fun run/ walk on a relatively flat course with traffic-free roads and groomed gravel trails. Music and prizes! Costumes encouraged!

Sponsored by Unibank.

Monster Mash Family Event | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Under Pressure • • • • • •

Costumed Dog Contest Food Trucks D.J. Dance Music Games and Activities Scarecrow Contest Trunk or Treat (partnership with HCP)

The Not-So-Scary Haunt 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For those who prefer to see the dead during the day.

The Haunt 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Haunt 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For Tickets and Event Details: www.HopArtsCenter.org

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Convicted murderer Entwistle seeks new trial

A

British man convicted of murdering his wife and baby girl in their Hopkinton home on Cubs Path is seeking a new trial, according to multiple news sources.

Neil Entwistle, 44, is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after he NEWS was convicted in 2008 of two counts of first-degree BRIEFS murder in the 2006 shooting deaths of his wife, Rachel, 27, and their daughter, 9-month-old Lillian Rose. The murder was committed with a gun stolen from his father-in-law. After returning the gun to his father-in-law’s Carver home, the native of England booked a one-way flight to London but was extradited after the bodies were discovered.

According to court records, Entwistle filed a petition with the Supreme Judicial Court on Aug. 23. His automatic appeal of his conviction was rejected in 2012. Entwistle also unsuccessfully petitioned the Supreme Court to hear his case in January 2013. He has been serving time in the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater for more than a decade.

The case garnered national attention and was profiled on NBC’s “Dateline” in June 2008.

Entwistle, who is representing himself, is requesting a new trial because he questioned whether a jury reenactment was done in a legal and proper way. The 5-foot, 2-inch juror who, during deliberations, reenacted the role of his wife in what the defense suggested was a murder-suicide, Entwistle said, was a violation of his rights because it was not “governed by the rules of evidence,” the MetroWest Daily News reported.

“The defense asked the jury to ponder whether this case before them wasn’t a double murder at all, a gun in the hand of the husband, but rather a murder-suicide,” according to the transcript of the “Dateline” segment.

Special Town Meeting plans discussed

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Town Manager Norman Khumalo appeared virtually before the Select Board on Oct. 17 to discuss the articles proposed for the upcoming Special Town Meeting on Nov. 13. The most widely discussed has been the article on the proposed replacement building for Elmwood School. Also proposed was a citizens petition to remove political affiliation from local election ballots. A third was proposed by the Sustainable Green Committee to adopt the municipal opt-in specialized stretch energy code.

The board unanimously approved two additional articles proposed by Khumalo on budgeting for land acquisitions. One involved acquiring land in the vicinity of Town Hall, while the second requested that open space be acquired in the vicinity of South Street.

The board also voted unanimously to approve the Elmwood School replacement ballot question for the special town election on Nov. 28.

Town Clerk Connor Degan announced that the town is considering an electronic voting process that would involve the use of clickers. The estimated cost for renting them is $14,500. While he acknowledged the expense, he said it would save time with head counting and vote tallying. The ability to vote by a secret ballot was another plus. Select Board chair Muriel Kramer called the price “awfully steep.”

“It may be the wave of the future,” said member Mary Jo LaFreniere.

Select Board calls for FY 25 belt-tightening The Select Board during its meeting Oct. 10 approved by a 4-0 vote a budget message that stressed frugality to town departments when making their fiscal year 2025 budget requests. The town is bracing for a challenging budget season with a current projected shortfall of at least $1.7 million.

Khumalo gave a presentation before a joint meeting of the Select Board, the School Committee and the Appropriation Committee on the town’s fiscal situation. He said “the town will be challenged to sustain” FY 24 service levels, asking that the Select Board agree that department budget requests not exceed 4.4% over the previous fiscal year.

He recommended a “freeze on service-level enhancements” and “new starts” in order to avoid a potential property tax override.

Khumalo stressed that this conversation was “the financial starting point” for the FY 25 budget cycle, as changes could occur depending on the amount of state aid received.

Local aid is estimated to increase by 5% over FY 24, a smaller gain than in past years.

PFAS filtration system work underway The town announced Oct. 12 that construction for Hopkinton’s Well 6 PFAS filtration system had begun.

Bay State Regional Contractors Inc. began digging a foundation at Hopkinton’s Fruit Street Well 6 to begin the process of building the filtration system in order to remove PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination from the public water supply. PFAS are a group of several thousand chemical compounds known as “forever chemicals” because they do not biodegrade. While commonly used in manufacturing, some PFAS are toxic and can affect sensitive groups including pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants.

PFAS were developed as coatings to protect consumer goods from stains, water and corrosion. Nonstick cookware, carpets, outdoor gear and food packaging are among items that contain the chemicals. They also are an ingredient in firefighting foams.

The project is expected to be completed in the winter of 2024. Once completed, the filtration system will use granulated activated carbon and ion exchange filters to remove PFAS contamination.

This new treatment system is designed to treat PFAS levels below current detection levels. This level of treatment will meet the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection safe drinking water standards for both the current and future maximum contaminant levels for PFAS6.

Hayden Rowe office proposal advances The Planning Board at its meeting Oct. 16 voted 5-0 to approve a stormwater management permit for a two-story office building at 85R and 87 Hayden Rowe Street, allowing the redevelopment project to move one step closer to approval.

The property is next to the Hopkinton Public Schools administration building and across from the middle school. The proposed office building will replace an unoccupied apartment building, which will be demolished. The new building will retain the historic architectural characteristics of the previous structure. The site plan for the office building was first reviewed by the Planning Board in August and approved on Sept. 11.

Daron Kurkjian, the town’s engineerHayden Rowe | page 7

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 7

OPENING DOORS To New Beginnings Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’ Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is Srihari Jala for this photo of “a glorious greeting by nature at Hopkinton State Park.” 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.

SOLD $810,000 3 Shirley Lane • Sandy was the buyer agent for this home

“My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of working with Sandy on both the sale of our existing home and the purchase of a new home this summer. Throughout the process, Sandy provided invaluable guidance, connected us with wonderful partners for the lending and legal process, and made the overall experience virtually stress-free. She knows the market so well, but more importantly, she made the effort to get to know us as a family so well.

To have an agent who will be honest with you about the tradeoffs you make in the process because she knows what you are and are not willing to compromise on was a breath of fresh air, and by the time we found our forever home in Norfolk, it was truly because Sandy knew exactly what we were looking for. We were also blown away by her as a seller. Our home sold after less than one week on the market with multiple bids above the asking price. We highly, highly recommend Sandy to anyone who is looking to buy or sell. She is truly the best in the business!” ~ T. Lyon

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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.

Hayden Rowe office proposal advances Hayden Rowe | from page 6

ing consultant from Weston & Sampson, explained that the developer has addressed his comments in the peer review. They included minor updates to plan specifications, increasing the size of the storm sector unit, and not placing snow in the area where rain gardens are proposed. Site lines for vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot also must be maintained.

The board continued the decision deadline until Oct. 30.

Masumeen Center calls for peace in Middle East With the latest turmoil in the Middle

East leading to thousands of deaths this month, the Islamic Masumeen Center in Hopkinton released a statement expressing concern for those affected and calling for peace.

“Our mosque is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, which has caused immense suffering to innocent civilians on both sides,” the Oct. 17 statement reads. “We earnestly call for a resolution to this longstanding issue, with a focus on justice, human rights and an agreed solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by this conflict and pray for a future where peace and harmony prevail in the region.”

The Masumeen Center is a nonprofit organization that serves the Muslim community of the Greater Boston area.

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

Police candidate questions why conditional offer was rescinded medical screening.

In late August, Ligon said Bennett called him with news about the job.

“He said, ‘I was actually dreading this phone call, but I’m going to have to rescind our conditional offer at this time,’ ” Ligon recalled. “He said it was due to the recent issues he had with the deputy chief and the sergeant. They had to be really strict with their hiring.”

Ligon added that Bennett invited him “to reapply should a position open up.”

“He really seemed like he wanted to hire me,” Ligon said.

“But because of circumstances beyond his control, he couldn’t.”

Ligon noted that he was unaware of other candidates, but he knew that the HPD was down nine officers at the time.

HPD candidate | from page 1

in a recent phone interview. “I have stellar references, and my work history is almost impeccable. I don’t understand what the issue is now. But when I hear different things going on between the town Select Board and the Hopkinton PD, it kind of makes me look at the town a little bit differently.”

Hiring process questioned Ligon submitted an application in January. He said he didn’t hear anything back until April or May, when he was contacted by the town’s Human Resources Department to see if he still had an interest in interviewing for an HPD position.

The initial interview took place shortly thereafter with an HR representative and two patrol officers. Upon leaving that interview, Ligon said he “bumped into” Bennett, who invited him into his office.

“He said, ‘I really like how you present yourself,’ ” Ligon recalled. “He said, ‘I really hope I see you in an interview down the road.’ ” He added that he had a favorable impression of Bennett “from day one.”

Buoyed by this interaction, Ligon said he was thrilled when he received an email two weeks later to interview with Bennett and a member of the HR team.

“I guess I got the stamp of approval,” Ligon said, because the second interview went well. He went through a thorough background check of his history over the past 15 years and a

‘Hopkinton pulled no punches’ “Hopkinton pulled no punches,” Ligon said. “They told me that their department has been in the limelight in a negative way.”

When he researched the HPD, Ligon learned that former Hopkinton Deputy Police Chief John “Jay” Porter is awaiting trial on charges that he allegedly raped a student while serving as a school resource officer two decades before. In addition, he knew that Sgt. Tim Brennan was placed on paid administrative leave in May. Said Ligon: “That’s really sad that these particular officers had to bring that particular light on the department. But I’m thinking to myself, ‘That is by no means me.’”

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Ligon said he also applied to police officer positions in nearby towns where he said the hiring structure is different.

“I knew that the select boards there played a role in the hiring process, but usually the town manager has the final say,” he said. “But I wasn’t aware of the authority the Select Board has in Hopkinton.”

Ligon described his perception of the relationship between HPD and the Select Board as “oil and water.”

“When I read the story about it, it just started clicking just how bad the situation is there,” he said. “It makes me wonder that, if that’s the leadership that the town has to deal with, do I really want to work in that particular town?”

In an email to the Independent on Oct. 17, Select Board chair Muriel Kramer outlined the process she proposed for police hiring moving forward. This proposal was discussed at the Oct. 10 Select Board meeting.

“The new contract indicates clearly that the [Select Board] has the responsibility and authority to act on the chief’s recommendations to make the decision on new hires and promotions,” Kramer wrote, “and the [Select Board] has created a very simple process to consider those recommendations — a process that will work in concert with the chief’s recommendations and existing processes and not be overly cumbersome to the candidates, the chief or staff.”

This process, she explained “simply built in” a meeting with Bennett, an HR representative, Town Manager Norman Khumalo, and the Select Board “to discuss the chief’s recommendation(s) and speak with the candidate in advance of the public meeting to formalize the decision. This first meeting with the candidate can be in a public or executive session at the candidate’s choosing in accordance with Massachusetts General Law.”

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“From a very young age, I had a dream of becoming a police officer, and I took the steps to position myself accordingly,” Ligon said.

He graduated from the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science, one of Boston’s three prestigious exam schools, where he served in the Navy ROTC. After training as a Boston police cadet for about five years, Ligon became the first Marine in his family, continuing his family tradition of military service. He became a member of the military police and trained in logistics.

Upon completing his service, Ligon worked as a special police officer in August 2006 for the city of Boston, where he worked for a decade before deciding to move out of the city.

“It’s a private armed security company with the Boston Police Department that is licensed to make arrests, do patrols, and things of that nature,” he explained.

Ligon reentered the Boston Police Academy in 2013. He had to resign when he injured his left knee, tearing his ACL and meniscus. In 2017, he entered the Reserve Intermittent Police Academy. After completing 372 hours of training there, Ligon qualified to work as a special police officer. He served as a police officer in the Boston schools for almost three years.

“I left that department because of the whole police reform issue,” Ligon explained.

“That department basically devolved into a security team with no police power.”

“Being a minority, I saw the benefit of having officers in the Boston Public Schools,” added Ligon, who is Black. “I saw the impact that the officers had on me when I was in school. They kept me on the straight and narrow road that I didn’t see other people going on.”

HPD candidate | page 9

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 9

Select Board appoints new police officer, reviews HPD goals

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

T

he Select Board at its meeting Oct. 17 unanimously appointed Brian Ziniti as a Hopkinton Police Department officer and focused on the department’s goals.

Police Chief Joseph Bennett, who attended the meeting via Zoom, introduced Ziniti to the board.

“Hopkinton is a town that I’ve closely

looked at since I’ve known that I want to make the jump to a municipality setting,” Ziniti explained. “It’s clearly a town that’s investing in its people.”

He explained that he has been certified on the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission list published in September. It validates that an officer has not had any discipline issues.

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan asked what steps the candidate would take to

Former HPD candidate left with questions HPD candidate | from page 8

Ligon’s experience qualified him in 2021 for his current job as a university police officer for Simmons University in Boston. While he enjoys this role, he was excited to learn about the need for police officers in Hopkinton because of a desire to work closer to home.

He added that his status was certified in the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission list published in September. He was not on that list for any disciplinary issues.

Neither was he mentioned in the state’s Brady List that cites officers involved in police misconduct.

“I’m not on any of those lists or anything like that,” Ligon stressed. “Have I had issues coming up in my work career — non-law enforcement? Sure. I’m 47 years old, and I have 30 years of work experience. I don’t have a flawless work history. But is that indicative of who I am as a police officer and who I know I can be?

“Everything that could have been an issue with my work history was disclosed

from the very beginning of the hiring process,” he continued. He did not elaborate on what a potential issue could have been.

Added Ligon: “While no guarantees were made by the department, it is commonly expressed in these processes to be as transparent and truthful as possible.

That way anything that comes up can be addressed or explained. Which is what I believe I did. I laid out anything that could possibly have come up and made it known in hopes that it would not hinder my chances of employment.”

While he said he didn’t believe his lack of being hired had anything to do with his race, he added that the suburban departments to which he has applied have been predominantly white.

“I don’t want to say it’s that, but you can’t help but think that may have played some part in it,” Ligon said. “I didn’t get that vibe in any way, shape or form. But you never can tell.”

Added Ligon: “If I did get an offer to reapply, I would probably explore the opportunity. But I’m not getting my hopes up.”

build trust with the community and the department. Ziniti replied that his military service taught him that “teamwork is paramount.” He hoped to learn from his colleagues and help to “bridge that gap” with those who may harbor a mistrust of police.

The questions posed by Select Board member Irfan Nasrullah focused on Ziniti’s views on restorative justice, court diversion programs and crisis intervention teams for those experiencing mental health emergencies. In his previous roles, Ziniti attended de-escalation trainings that would help people experiencing distress.

Ziniti, who currently works in the Northeastern University Police Department, described a recent incident to Select Board member Mary Jo LaFreniere where he encountered a juvenile who appeared to be under the influence of a substance. He stressed to this person and his concerned friends that his primary concern was the well-being of this individual getting medical attention.

Addressing systemic racism, social justice and equity were issues raised by Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch to Ziniti. He stressed the importance of accountability.

“I only want to portray the town as a welcoming, inclusive and an intrinsic value place,” he explained. “Everybody’s welcome; everybody’s treated as if they’re my own family member.“

Police chief discusses departmental initiatives, goals Bennett told the board that his department, the School Department and Youth and Family Services are working together to prepare for an upcoming School Com-

HopkintonIndependent.com

mittee presentation on the school resource officer program on Oct. 26.

Regarding the departmental review, he added that he has contacted two vendors to assist in the process, and one would be selected “pretty soon.”

Reflecting on his goals for the department, Bennett stressed the importance of community engagement, a goal he said is “the primary purpose” of police departments nationwide as they work to rebuild trust.

“We want to be approachable,” he explained. “We want people to get to know officers individually. In today’s environment and with all our new residents coming in, it’s first and foremost on our list.”

One HPD effort to engage with teens was the Oct. 20 Early Release Hangout at the Town Common. The idea sprung from the need for activities for young people after some problems with juveniles were experienced downtown over the past year. The event included refreshments and activities with officers.

Said Bennett: “We’re really excited to take advantage of the opportunity to have all the students downtown at the common and celebrate that.”

He added that it is “heartwarming” to see how the department and local businesses have embraced the townwide project.

Bennett added that recruiting new officers and investing in HPD staff also were his priorities. Mannan added that succession planning is key.

Nasrullah raised the goal of reinforcing officer behavior policy. Bennett described a new software platform he is using to remind officers of policies and test their knowledge of them.

10 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

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 508-497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

CALENDAR

Managing Money and Finances for Caregivers

The Haunt at Hopkinton YMCA Oct. 27-29

SENIOR SNIPPETS

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.

This free program by the Alzheimer’s Association will help caregivers learn about the costs of caregiving and the benefits of early planning, teach them how to avoid financial abuse and fraud, start a conversation about finances, assess financial and legal needs, and find support.

Halloween Costume Party Featuring the Elderly Brothers

Thursday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m.

Attendees will get into the spooky spirit with sweet treats, live music and tons of Halloween fun. Costumes are welcome. Advance registration is required.

Senior Center Book Club

First Wednesday of every month, 10:30 a.m.

One of life’s pleasures is a good book. Another is the time to read it. At this meeting, attendees can relax and bring something to drink, all while enjoying book reviews and socializing. The next book club meeting is Nov. 1, and the book is “The Thursday Murder Club–The Bullet That Missed” by Richard Osman. For the Dec. 6 meeting, the book is “Where the Forest Meets the Stars” by Glendy Vanderah.

Our Time Memory Cafe

Thursday, Nov. 2, 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. The program is a joint venture between the Hopkinton Senior Center and Hopkinton Public Library.

For more information or to register, call the Senior Center.

Back to Basics on iPhone/iPad

Thursday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.

This introductory class introduces new (or hesitant) users to the basics of navigating iPhones and/or iPads. Topics will include the hardware of the iPhone, including the buttons, volume switch, cameras and speakers. Participants will learn how to navigate to important areas of the phone, as well as iPhone applications for calling and messaging. Advance registration is required.

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.

The MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center in Hopkinton and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts are teaming up for The Haunt: Welcome to Deadville, part of HCA’s Wicked Weekend. The spooky event will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-29, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. each night, at the YMCA (45 East Street). An additional family-friendly (less scary) hour for parents and young children will be held on Oct. 29 from 5:30-6:30. Tickets are $25 per person, with proceeds supporting the HCA and YMCA. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hopartscenter.org/wickedweekend.

SACH Rhythms and Raagas Festival Oct. 28

The South Asian Circle of Hopkinton is hosting a new event called Rhythms and Raagas, a cultural festival with South Asian beats and eats.

This musical extravaganza will celebrate Diwali and more. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough. The event includes musical theater entertainment, guest speaker Archana Mundhe (food author/blogger), Indian food and dancing, and there will be a separate area for children of different ages to enjoy engaging activities. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit southasiancircleofhopkinton.org.

‘Difficult Conversations’ at HCA Nov. 6

The Freedom Team Collaborative Group will host a program titled “How to Have Difficult Conversations,” hosted by jamele adams, at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Monday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. Food will be served. Spots are limited. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit hopkintonfreedomteam.org.

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.

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The Haunt | October 27, 28, 29 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Welcome to Deadwoodville, our little hidden town deep in the woods of Hopkinton. Deadwoodville prides itself as a creepy, ominous, and scary community with gruesome oddities. During your tour of our ghastly town, you will meet our unwelcoming citizens and be carefully guided through our village of the living dead. Proceeds raised from the ticket sales to this fundraising event will support Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) and the MetroWest YMCA. The Wicked Pickleball Tournament October 28 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HCA’s Wicked Weekend just got even more exciting with the addition of our first-ever round-robin Wicked Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser. Join us for some Halloween-themed fun on the court, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out. Cash prizes will be given. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by—sign up for a wickedly good time! Sponsored by Concierge Physical Therapy.

Monster Mash Family Event and Trunk or Treat | October 28 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The HCP is back this year with their popular Trunk or Treat drive-thru fundraising event. Wear your favorite costume and bring your Halloween bag to collect lots of treats and goodies. Pay just one price for the whole car! Then follow signs to the Monster Mash family party at the HCA! This costume-encouraged event includes DJ dance music, games, food vendors, and sponsor tables with lots of activities for kids and parents to enjoy!

Sponsored by Under Pressure.

7th Annual Wicked 5k and WeeWicked Dash | October 29 | 10 a.m.

Get ready to lace up your running shoes and join us for the Wicked 5K Fun Run/Walk at HCA! Our flat course with traffic-free roads and groomed gravel trails is perfect for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. But that’s not all - we’re offering cash prizes for the top finishers! But it’s not just about the race - we encourage you to get in the spirit of the event and dress up in your most creative costumes.

Registration details on our website.

Your Arts Center | Tickets & Details at HopArtsCenter.org HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 11

Lack of state PFAS guidance frustrates Health Department, residents

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

T

he Board of Health at its meeting Oct. 16 discussed the lack of state guidance on PFAS levels and Hopkinton’s leading role in its regional health collaborative structure.

Health Department Director Shaun McAuliffe told board members that no state guidance from the Department of Environmental Protection has been issued yet regarding the acceptable level of PFAS in public wells. These perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been deemed “forever chemicals” because they are not biodegradable. They are used as coatings to protect manufactured goods from stains and water damage.

The town began construction of a PFAS filtration system at Well 6 on Oct. 12.

“The questions I have asked them are about how they are going to justify having two drinking water standards — one for private wells and one for public municipal wells,” he explained.

The public water supply wells “will likely have a standard of 4 parts per trillion,” while private wells are anticipated to be allowed to have a level of up to 25 PPT, he said.

Asked McAuliffe: “How do you educate the public on why one group has a stricter requirement? It’s really tough to defend.”

He noted that PFAS is “very prevalent” in food and compost as well as in the groundwater beneath sewage treatment plants. It can then be reabsorbed into the food supply and drinking water. PFAS is most dangerous to infants.

“They’re finally making that link between prior firefighting sites and any businesses that used PFAS to waterproof and stain-proof,” added McAuliffe. “This is the first time that the DEP is coming out and admitting that PFAS is in all these different sources.”

If residents want to test their wells, they need to use a lab certified by MassDEP. Vice chair Nasiba Mannan noted that she has received outreach from concerned residents about the PFAS levels in town.

“I hear from the community a lot, and they are all frustrated by the lack of

guidelines,” she said. “There is a hope for clear messaging.”

McAuliffe noted that filters in refrigerator water dispensers and Brita pitchers are effective at removing PFAS. Also, about 20% of all PFAS comes from tap water.

For those on the municipal water supply, the PFAS problem likely will be resolved when the town connects to the Massachusetts Water and Sewer Authority. But McAuliffe said that is “a couple of years away.”

COVID-19 vaccines available on more limited basis Because the government is no longer providing free COVID-19 vaccines, providing widespread vaccinations to the town is not feasible. Each shot costs about $150, according to McAuliffe.

There is a bridge program for children and those who do not have medical coverage, Public Health Nurse Simone Carter explained. They will be available on an as-needed basis “for those on the cusp.”

The department still is owed reimbursement from the state for more than 600 shots last year, which impacts the department’s budget, McAuliffe said.

A drive-through clinic will be held on Friday in conjunction with the Hopkinton Fire Department. Three hundred people have signed up so far, according to Carter.

Vaccinations have also been provided in the schools by the Health Department.

On a separate note, Carter shared data about the role of the three Health Department nurses. More than 40% of their time is devoted to community outreach. There also are home visits and referrals to other providers in addition to office work.

Thillaigovindan deputized as MetroWest tobacco agent

Said McAuliffe: “Partnering with the state, we have a fantastic compliance history now.”

Hopkinton Health Department praised at health conference McAuliffe said he attended the 61st Annual Yankee Conference on Environmental Health in late September, where the Hopkinton Health Department received praise. It was held in conjunction with the 2023 FDA Northeast Annual Food Protection Seminar.

“Hopkinton is doing well as a community compared to others as far as the

Health Department, public health nursing and our level of education and expertise in different areas,” he said. “We are often referenced about knowing more about PFAS and because our nurses are top-notch.”

He added that the state’s Department of Public Health recently published a dashboard of how health departments in regional collaboratives are performing.

The MetroWest shared services collaborative, of which Hopkinton is a part, has outperformed other collaboratives in the state. Individually, Hopkinton has been “at the top of the ultra-high performers” in the state.

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 9-month-old Harry.

Here is Baypath’s description of Harry: “Introducing Harry! He may not be as famous as Harry Potter, but this sweet boy has a magical charm all his own! Harry is sure to cast a spell on your heart.

“Handsome Harry is looking for a forever family! Could it be you? Besides his charming looks, Harry has many other wonderful qualities, making him the perfect companion for fall adventures.

— Dog-friendly: He gets along great with puppy pals!

— Enjoys playing with humans (especially if squeaky toys are involved).

— Active and enjoys going on adventures. The ideal partner for hikes!

— May do well in a home with older children!

Harry is hoping to find his new family soon to enjoy lots of fall festivities! If his charming smile didn’t win you over, then surely his amazing personality will.”

For more information on Harry 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.

The board voted 3-0 to deputize Parivallal Thillaigovindan as the new MetroWest tobacco agent for the town as part of the regional collaborative. The Ashland resident’s work is based out of Framingham, where he has worked for the past three months.

This comes on the heels of McAuliffe’s announcement that Price Chopper “elected to forfeit their tobacco license.”

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12 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

LIBRARY CORNER

For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary.org. Many programs require registration. Visit the library’s website calendar for event registration information. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @HopkintonPLMA.

National Friends of the Library Week

Monday-Saturday, Oct. 23-28 Patrons can show their support for the library by joining the Friends. Membership helps support programs and Adventure Passes to special attractions that library patrons can enjoy. For more information, go to hoplibraryfriends.org and click on “Get Involved.”

Preschool Story Time

Wednesday, Oct. 25, and Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11-11:45 a.m.

Mrs. C will lead an activity that includes stories, songs and maybe even a craft. This program is recommended for ages 3-6. All story times include sensory-friendly practices (visual schedules, routines, repetition, body breaks/movement, etc.). Tuesday story times, however, include additional practices such as smaller group size, lower lighting, lower music volume, etc.

Dungeons and Dragons Group

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m.

Nate, Hopkinton’s resident Dungeon Master, will lead this weekly Dungeons and Dragons Group (suggested for ages 10 and older). Players will test their skills and wills through challenging and fun campaigns and character development. Upper elementary students, teens, tweens and new adults are welcome for a night of role-playing fun.

50-Plus Job Seekers Networking Group

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m.

This Zoom program is a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help with a career transition. This session will focus on resumes.

Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle

John Irving will chat about not only his most recent novel, “The Last Chairlift,” but also about his prolific body of work and a lifetime spent writing.

A Time to Spout Off Pottery Event

Saturday, Oct. 28, 1-2:30 p.m.

This interactive pottery event is with the Pied Potter Hamelin. This workshop is a celebration of the similarities and differences experienced by many cultures by way of a pot of tea. The history of teapots will take shape on the potter’s wheel.

Holiday Photo Shoot Fundraiser

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29 This is a mini-photo session with Hopkinton photographer Tricia LaCascia. For pricing and information for sittings, visit hopkintonlibraryfriends.org.

Trick or Treating at the Library

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Those who wear a costume will get a treat at the service desks throughout the library from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Children also can get their picture taken with a special princess who will visit from 4:30-6 p.m.

Pokémon Club After-School Free Play

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 4-5 p.m.

This program is for Pokémon players 8 and older looking for someone to play with, trade cards and chat about all that is Pokémon. This club is a peer-directed event that will be held in the main library area outside of the Young Adult Room, adjacent to the magazine area.

Conversation with Actor John Stamos

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8-9 p.m.

This virtual program is an intimate conversation with “Full House” star John Stamos, who will lead attendees through his incredibly moving and vulnerable memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me.”

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 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.

Korean Lanterns with KSCPP

Conversation with Author John Irving

One Book/One Hopkinton Book Discussion

Thursday, Oct. 26, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom In this intimate conversation that will be held virtually, international bestselling author

Saturday, Nov. 4, 3-4 p.m.

The Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project will lead this program in which participants will learn about traditional Korean culture while creating beautiful lanterns.

Registration is required.

Monday, Nov. 6, 9-10 a.m. at Town Hall Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6-7 p.m. at library This is a library staff-facilitated book discussion of the One Book/One Hopkinton book choice, “Digging to America.” Books are available at the library, compliments of the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.

Genealogy With Eric Migdal

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

As part of the One Book/One Hopkinton program, this online event is an evening of genealogy with Eric Migdal of It’s All Relative Genealogy. As an adoptee, Migdal spent many years searching for his biological family with very few results. In this presentation, he will teach people how to search for relatives when the focus of the genealogy research is adopted.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2-7 p.m.

Registration is available at the Red Cross website at rcblood.org/3AmuYsP.

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English Language Circles

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 13

Don’t leave your IRA to the IRS

I

f you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement.

Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income.

So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in Mark Freeman your estate plan.

If you leave your Professional IRA to grown children or other Insights family members, could they be hit PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T with a big tax bill?

Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden.

(Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met).

However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries.

Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions.

The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum dis-

Local Expertise.

tribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023.

Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions: • Using permanent life insurance.

A properly structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.

• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your tax-deferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds. Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA. The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better.

If you would like to discuss your personal situation with a financial advisor contact: Mark Freeman Edward Jones Financial Advisor 77 W. Main Street, Hopkinton, MA (508) 293-4017 Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com THE ADVERTISER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS COLUMN

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BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

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Tom Carey, owner of Jamie Oil, poses with daughter Carolyn Carey, director of sales and marketing.

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amie Oil started out as a home heating oil company in 1989, but over the past three decades, it has “morphed into a full-fledged home services company,” says Tom Carey, the president and owner of Jamie Oil since 1997.

“We established a reputation of providing great service for oil and heat, and our customers began asking for more services. We wanted to be responsive to their needs,” Carey explains. “Fifteen years ago, customers wanted air conditioning, for example, so we got into that.

Then they would ask for propane or if we knew a good plumber, so we got into both propane and plumbing.”

In 2022, Jamie Oil purchased Paul Flaherty Plumbing, which has allowed Jamie to add gas heat and propane to its list of services. “A lot of customers, especially in Hopkinton, have propane generators, fireplaces or swimming pool heaters, so it was natural to expand into these businesses,” Carey says. “Plus, we see the environmental writing on the wall, and now we can work on heat pumps, which are more efficient than oil.”

Carey recognizes that “times are changing” when it comes to how home and business owners choose to fuel their properties. “We’ve been named MetroWest’s best oil company for 25 years in a row, and that’s great, but we had a decision to make. If we just stayed in oil, we should’ve been thinking about selling the business in a few years, but we made the decision to carry on and evolve,” Carey says.

“Evolving, transitioning — you have to,” he continues. “The smart blacksmiths started selling gasoline

HopkintonIndependent.com

and repairing automobiles. Oil is going to be here for another 20 years, but if we really want to carry on for another generation, we have to diversify. Things evolve, and if you don’t stay with it, you fall behind.”

Although the company has seen considerable expansion since its beginnings, Carey stresses that Jamie Oil still operates like a local business. “We’re big enough that we can offer all these services, but we’re small enough that we offer the personal touch. On one hand, we’ve got 25 oil trucks. On the other hand, we return every phone call,” states Carolyn Carey, director of sales and marketing.

As we enter the cooler months, Carey says most homeowners would benefit from a preventative maintenance visit from Jamie’s technicians. “If you have your heating system tuned up in October or November, we can catch a problem early. You don’t want to lose heat on Thanksgiving weekend,” he cautions.

Carey, who lives in Hopkinton, says he’s most proud of the fact that his team has “built a good company with a good reputation; people really rely on us, from greenhouses to funeral homes to day cares. If they lose their heat on a cold day, we can get there in an hour or two and get their heat running,” he says.

“Doing it right and having high levels of customer satisfaction, that makes us feel good.”

To learn more about Jamie Oil’s services, call 508-231-1400 or visit jamieoil.com.

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

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 15

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS in Hopkinton ADDRESS

SOLD

DATE SELLER

BUYER

40 Trevor Lane, Unit 22

$467,808.82

Oct. 5

Edouard Androssenko, Volha Androssenko

IMS Realty Corp

5 South Mill Street

$1,750,000

Oct. 5

Peter Golenia, Brandy Golenia, Krystyna Golenia

Brendan Lafferty

6 Whisper Way

$2,575,000

Oct. 5

Ravenwood LLC

Peter Golenia, Brandy Golenia, Krystyna Golenia

35 Walcott Valley Drive, Unit 30 $435,500

Oct. 6

Jenny Paukova

Benjamin Leavitt, Jacquelyn Murphy

1 Peppercorn Road

Oct. 12

Nicole Dickson, Matthew Dickson

Ryan O’Neil, Elizabeth O’Neil

$1,300,000

23 Overlook Road

$1,850,000

Oct. 12

Amy Morrissey

Shailender Nagpal, Rohini Nagpal

100 Ash Street

$565,500

Oct. 17

Maureen Parnell, Jason Parnell, Kristi Baldini

Dependable Home Solutions LLC

10 Summit Way

$1,580,500

Oct. 17

Thomas Collentine, Daisy Collentine

Chen Yang, Ziyue Yin

The above are all property sales as recorded by the state and posted in the previous two weeks.

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opkinton’s Robert Buday, author of the award-winning marketing book “Competing On Thought Leadership,” will share how professionals of all kinds BUSINESS can raise their profile as experts and attract more BRIEFS clients.

The free seminar will be held at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. Buday also will sign his book for attendees who purchase it that day or who purchased it previously.

The title of Buday’s presentation is “How to Get Recognized For Your Expertise On A Limited Budget.” The discussion is designed for solo professionals and owners and managers of Metrowest- and Worcester-area firms who want to attract clients by being seen as leading experts in their field.

Since 1987, Buday has helped some of the world’s largest management consulting, technology services, accounting, architecture, technology and law firms “compete on thought leadership.” What this means is marketing their expertise to customers through educational formats, ranging from blog posts to books and everything in between (articles in prestigious journals, white papers, conference presentations, and podcasts) — rather than advertising, trade show booths, brochures and other promotional formats that suggest someone is trying to sell something. The principles of thought leadership can be adapted by smaller firms and solo professionals with limited budgets as well.

Since its publication in early 2022,

“Competing On Thought Leadership” has won eight honors in independent book competitions. It has been praised by tech marketing legend Geoffrey Moore, CEO consultant Ram Charan and corporate culture guru Dave Ulrich, who calls Buday “the thought leader on thought leadership.”

To reserve a seat for the free event, visit eventbrite.com/e/738390966257.

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Lawyers Baldiga, Fine recognized Joseph Baldiga of Hopkinton, a partner and chair of the Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group at Mirick O’Connell, was selected to the 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. Baldiga concentrates his practice on creditor and debtor rights, bankruptcy proceedings, out-of-court loan restructurings, and the purchase and sale of distressed businesses.

David L. Fine of Hopkinton, a partner and chair of the Construction Law Group at Mirick O’Connell, also was selected to the 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. Fine represents and counsels clients in the construction industry, including commercial, institutional and residential owners and developers, general contractors, construction managers, specialty subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers.

Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

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ESBC talks implications of ‘no’ vote for new school

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Because Because Because Your Your Your Family's Family's Family's

he importance of the review process and implications of a ‘no’ vote on the proposed Elmwood School replacement building were among the issues discussed during the Oct. 18 Elementary School Building Committee meeting.

Chris Eberly, senior project manager at Vertex, explained all the work during the schematic design phase (representing 30% of the project) is meant to identify a budget that can fund the facility’s design and construction.

Still ahead is the design development phase, estimated to take seven months, followed significantly, Eberly said, by “an approval process to meet the community standards set for what a project in Hopkinton should be.”

The ESBC also will host another public forum on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the high school but with a Zoom option available.

Approval process has many steps The project must go before the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Design Review Board, and matters of water and sewer, stormwater and traffic must be reviewed.

State reviews are required by the Historic Commission (completed), Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act and Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Eberly noted the Planning Board aspect has multiple steps, including third-party reviews, abutter notifications, public hearings, designer responses and resubmissions.

The Town Meeting vote on Nov. 13 “is not to build the building that is before you,” Eberly said. “The vote is to set a budget that will reach the building that the town ultimately wants to build.”

“That budget is the budget,” said chair Jon Graziano. “It’s the ceiling. We are not spending above that.”

For example, Eberly noted some of the street improvements may not go

Health Health Health & Safety &Because Safety & Safety Matters Matters Matters Most Most Most To Us To To UsUs Your Family’s

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forward, thereby spending less. Or, the town may decide to mitigate stormwater issues at a higher level and direct funds that way.

In all cases, contingencies are in place within the budget of $158 million to cover such decisions as the project gets reviewed.

He said the degree to which contingency funds are used during projects varies and is based on “the appetite of the town’s Building Committee to spend it.”

Graziano said all items must come before the ESBC before any contingency money is spent.

On a related note, Eberly reported that because of an MSBA clerical error, the amount of reimbursement for the Elmwood project increased to $46,784,822.

What does ‘no’ vote entail?

ESBC member Bill Flannery, who is on the Appropriations Committee, said there is a perception that if Town Meeting votes no, “the district will add a few modulars and be done,” which is not the case. He said the committee must proactively talk about a systemwide study that shows how enrollment growth impacts each building.

School Committee vice chair Amanda Fargiano said Elmwood is an “end of life” project. Significant infrastructure investments would have to be made to the existing school to make it “a healthy place to learn.”

Eberly said there is recent historical data to show how much modulars and additions cost. At Marathon, the town spent $5.1 million to add four classrooms; two classrooms each at Hopkins and Elmwood cost $1.9 million and $2.4 million, he said.

Other factors include class sizes rising, the need for additional lunches and a gym, he said. “Answering those questions is not a scare tactic, but it’s an analysis of what the implications of growth means to how you educate your students in Hopkinton and what you’ll need to deal with growth already occurring,” Eberly said.

He noted that in some cases, current enrollment numbers have exceeded the reconciled estimates done by two demographers to forecast enrollment growth.

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Eberly outlined benefits of the proposed traffic plan and the impact of having a connected campus between Marathon and the proposed new school.

Advantages, he said, include the proposed configuration frees up 12 buses, adding more routes and shortening bus rides; consolidation of stops eliminates the need for two buses to travel the same route through neighborhoods and reduces the number of stops by 200, or 28%.

The new car queue at the proposed school accommodates 85 cars and 18 buses, pulling traffic off Hayden Rowe Street. Future conditions have all elementary buses enter Marathon Drive and drop students off and avoids bus crossing at Hayden Rowe Street.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 17

Schools MCAS scores show Hopkinton students meet or exceed targets

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

M

ost students in the Hopkinton school district met or exceeded targets on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests, and most grade levels bounced back to prepandemic scores higher than the state’s averages.

The state, therefore, said the schools and district are “not requiring assistance or intervention.”

The results primarily show progress, said Assistant Superintendent Jeff LaBroad, who reminded the School Committee at its Oct. 19 meeting that MCAS is just “one piece of the pie” measuring and monitoring student performance.

He said the district sends the message to kids: “We want you to do well, but it’s just a test.”

LaBroad likened MCAS as a report card for the schools to see if they are “making sure students are having a great learning experience.”

By looking at trends in the test results, curriculum can be tweaked and other adjustments made as educators try to address areas where there may be shortfalls, he said.

Students in Grades 3-8 are tested in English language arts (ELA) and math, with fifth through eighth graders also tackling science/technology/engineering

(STE). Eighth graders piloted a civics assessment and had a “great showing,” according to LaBroad. The older grades also take MCAS tests in the three subjects.

LaBroad’s presentation featured detailed data comparing state averages to Hopkinton’s results. It also demonstrated comparisons since 2019 (pre-pandemic).

LaBroad noted the tests were suspended in 2020, were half-tests in lower grades during 2021 and returned to normal in 2022 and 2023.

The assistant superintendent highlighted different grades to give the committee an overview of results.

For example, Grade 3 English language arts had 77% of students meeting or exceeding expectations (21% exceeding, 56% meeting), while 20% of Hopkinton’s students partially met expectations and 3% did not meet them.

Grade 7 English language arts had 30% of students exceeding expectations and 45% meeting them. LaBroad pointed out the “exceeding” level was up from 14% during the previous year, where it was one of the lowest grades.

In math, several grades “bounced back” from previous years. Grade 4, for example, had 29% of students exceeding expectations, up from 17% in 2019.

It also was a grade where kids went up from partially exceeding expectations to higher categories (24% partial in 2019 to 15% this year).

At the high school level in math, 50% met expectations and 37% exceeded them.

Other highlights: In STE, Grade 5 had 75% of students meet or exceed targets. The percentages in Grades 8 and 10 were 68% and 83%, respectively.

There is “room for growth” in areas like Grade 3 ELA, where the number of students only partially meeting targets increased to 20% from 12% last year.

Grade 6 ELA also had more students partially meeting expectations at 20%, up from 11%.

LaBroad also touched on subgroups like English language learners, who showed improvement in math in Grades 4 and 5.

He said parents would be getting individual copies of their child’s scores in the mail.

He thanked students, teachers and families for their efforts. “Students work hard. They come in and give it their all,” LaBroad added.

Consequences of no new Elmwood discussed During her superintendent’s report, Carol Cavanaugh talked about the previous night’s meeting of the Elementary School Building Committee and elaborated on the costs and consequences of a ‘no’ vote on the proposed new Elmwood School.

DON’T LET COLD WEATHER

“A ‘no’ vote does not mean no spending. There is a lot to it,” said vice chair Amanda Fargiano.

Committee members talked about the challenges of trying to rehabilitate the current Elmwood’s HVAC system as well as pay for 12 more modular classrooms at Elmwood and 13 at the middle school.

While work is being done, trailer satellite classrooms would have to be used on-site, lunch shifts added and space found for subjects like art and music, she said.

Maintenance costs for the school built in the 1960s and loss of energy savings as well as Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funds are other issues members brought up.

Cavanaugh talked about the slim likelihood of getting back in the MSBA reimbursement line if the Town Meeting article fails. A big factor in their decision making, she said, is a show of community support, which a ‘no’ vote would negate.

She said it would be “throwing good money after bad” on an “end of life” school.

While the schematic plans were being developed, Cavanaugh said, some of the design decisions brought the costs for the proposed school down. She said there are still things “that would be removable” in the $158 million project, with the town’s share ultimately in the $111 million to $112 million vicinity.

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

Sports HHS field hockey builds off last year’s success

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

he Hopkinton High School field hockey team tasted success last fall with a trip to the state tournament and a first-round victory, and coach Ally Valencia is looking to build off that campaign this year by contending for a league title and making even more noise in the postseason.

“The girls have been really motivated by finally getting that taste for the playoffs,” Valencia said. “We were successful, but I knew my second year was when things would really start to come to fruition.”

The Hillers lost last season to the eventual state champion, further fueling the notion that the team can compete with just about anyone. Hopkinton brought back 11 seniors this fall, and most of them either started or saw significant time on the field in 2022.

Senior Camille Perlov is the team’s top scorer out of the center midfield position, and Valencia spoke highly of her co-captain’s playmaking ability.

“She is all over the field; she just never gets tired,” Valencia said. “She is the type of player who can turn games around with her ability to score and create scoring opportunities for others.”

The forward line has been boosted by seniors Kiley Locke and Reese In-

Camille Perlov maintains control of the ball during an early-season contest against Norwood.

terrante.

“They have been getting a lot of goals and scoring opportunities,” Valencia said of the close-knit teammates.

“They played club field hockey together during the offseason, and you

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can tell on the field,” the coach said.

“They play side by side, and they have a strong connection.”

Defensive midfielder Sanidi Waduthanthri has been a catalyst on that side of the field.

“She has such a high field hockey IQ,” Valencia said. “She knows where to be at the right time, and she is great at stopping breakaways and transitioning the ball back on offense.”

The Hillers received another lift by getting senior goalie Caroline Kane back after an injury kept her out last season. Seniors Lauren Stretchay and Ali LePage are strong presences on the defensive end in front of Kane, Valencia added.

“Everyone can trust them as defenders,” she said.

Valencia said the team has maintained a “one game at a time” approach, even as it rolled through the first 13 games of the season with only two defeats. But there are some big-picture goals at the back of everyone’s mind, including winning the Tri-Valley League.

After qualifying for the tournament a season ago, Hopkinton is hoping to earn a high seed in this year’s tournament by virtue of its place in the statewide Division 2 rankings. The team has been in the top 10 through most of the campaign, usually hovering somewhere between 6-8.

“We have some huge games coming up if we want to take the TVL,” Valencia said. “If we don’t win the league, just getting into the playoffs and going even farther is a goal. Making a deep run in the playoffs is really important to us.”

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he Hopkinton High School golf team missed out on the postseason this fall by a single match, and coach Bill Phaneuf said the key for the Hillers to avoid the same fate next season is to cut out the big numbers.

“This team was much different this year than the last few years; we kind of looked at it as a Junior Parker Winn was the Hillers’ top golfer this fall. rebuilding year,” Phaneuf said. “We had some really good players, but some of strokes over par per nine-hold round this these kids could shoot a 38 or a 51 and, fall, and Phaneuf estimated that he took on the wrong days, the 51 showed up.” home medalist honors as the low scorer Hopkinton lost some close matches in about a dozen of the team’s matches. this year and also dealt with a difficult “He was super consistent all year,” schedule that included two matches each the coach said. “He played tremendous against Dover-Sherborn and Westwood, golf; it was an amazing season.” as well as non-league tilts against AyerSeniors Jake Adams and Robby Shirley and Westborough.

Silva were two more consistent con“Unfortunately, we came just one tributors for the Hillers. Adams played shy of the number to qualify,” Phaneuf in every match, and his score counted said after the 7-8 campaign. toward the team total in most of them.

Junior Parker Winn, a contributor at Silva showed the ability to go low, with the varsity level since his freshman year, several rounds under 40. finished the season as the top golfer and Hopkinton also received a boost earned a spot in the sectional tournament from sophomore Levi Schuster, particuHHS golf | page 19 as an individual. Winn averaged just 1.5

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 19

Sports Hillers volleyball back among state’s elite year,” Sweetapple said.

Keeping on-court communication at a high level is something the Hillers are working on, their coach said.

“We have been working together as a team, but we have had some games where we get a little bit too comfortable and make too many errors,” Sweetapple said. “That’s something we just can’t do as we get closer to the tournament.

This team is relatively young but fully

capable of stepping up and minimizing these errors.”

Sweetapple said the Hillers’ team chemistry has been strong all fall, and she is pleased with the level of talent on her roster.

“Skill-wise, we are very strong all around,” she said. “We are a very good serving team, and our defense is our specialty right now, we have a really solid back line.”

HOPKINTON HOME IMPROVEMENT PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Adriana Aquino delivers a spike during a Sept. 27 victory over Millis.

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

he season Hopkinton High School girls volleyball put together in 2022 included a winning record and a trip to the state tournament. While it would have been a banner campaign for many programs around the state, the Hillers were not used to a first-round exit after winning a state championship the year before.

But heading into the final days of the 2023 regular season, Hopkinton has a strong group of experienced players and a record that once again has the Hillers among the state’s best.

“This is what I was expecting,” coach Emma Sweetapple said of the strong campaign. “Last year was sort of a rebuilding year coming off the state championship and losing pretty much the entire starting lineup.”

Sweetapple used a deep bench last year to get as many players into matches as possible, gaining them valuable experience for this season. The strategy has paid off, with several younger players leading the way.

Sophomore Gabby Pattie is leading the Tri-Valley League in assists, and juniors Adriana Aquino and Elsa Woodbury

are big hitters on the outside of the HHS attack.

Siena Verna, a senior, is the team’s libero and has teamed up with Pattie to help the Hopkinton defense be one of the team’s greatest strengths.

“The two of them working together has led our defense and enabled our offense to play as well as they have,” Sweetapple said.

Newcomer Evie Woodbury is one of the team’s middle blockers, and Sweetapple said she is “really proving herself at the varsity level.”

Sweetapple said the team’s confidence was up significantly after a string of wins through the first half of the season. The Hillers took an 11-3 record into the season’s final week.

“Last year was a battle, but having a lot more players coming up this year who saw a lot of court time last year helped build the confidence for the players going into this season,” Sweetapple said.

The top spot in the TVL was well within Hopkinton’s reach with a strong finish to the regular season. The Hillers also are looking to build on last year’s tournament appearance, which resulted in a first-round exit.

“We want to move beyond that this

HHS golf seeks more consistency after playoff miss HHS golf | from page 18

larly toward the end of the season.

“He started slow, but he really picked it up,” Phaneuf said, citing the pair of 39s and a 40 Schuster shot to close out the season. “He was always in it.”

While the Hillers generally posted some low scores, Phaneuf said the challenge was competing in a strong league when scores in the mid-40s were counting toward the team total and driving that number up.

While trying to put the best team out on the course for each match, Phaneuf said he also worked to make sure some of the younger players on the team were able to earn repetitions in competitive golf, knowing that they would be back next season. He said everyone who played in a varsity match this year likely

will figure into the mix for Hopkinton next season.

The key, Phaneuf said, will be coming into the season in top form and taking advantage of the summer months.

“The summer comes and goes pretty quickly and everyone has family vacations and fun time at the beach, but we are lucky to play fall golf and have the whole summer to get ready,” he said, noting that the spring girls season kicks off with a match on April 2, when there could still be snow on the ground.

“I am going to push them this year to be ready on August 25,” Phaneuf said.

“We get going and it’s seven weeks, it’s fast and furious, and then we are done.

There is no time to start getting ready on August 25; we have to be ready to go right out of the gate.”

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20 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023

Obituaries 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.

George Thorsen George C. Thorsen Jr., 80, of Hopkinton passed away Oct. 2 after a period of declining health. Born in Natick, he was the son of the late George Thorsen and the late Gertrude (Daly) Sheriden. He was the husband of Maura (Dale) Thorsen for 54 years. He was the stepson of the late John Sheriden. George owned and operated Thorsen Excavation Co. for many years. Mr. Thorsen served his country honorably in the Air Force from 1961-65.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two brothers, John Sheriden of Virginia and Brian Thorsen of Florida, and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Michael Thorsen.

Services were to be private. Donations in his name may be made to the Hopkinton Ambulance Fund, 73 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Phyllis Smith Phyllis Smith, 96, a lifelong resident of Hopkinton, passed away peacefully on Oct. 3 with family by her side.

Born in Framingham on Jan. 10, 1927, she was one of 15 children of the late Ruth (Lougee) and Louis Chouinard of Hopkinton.

She was predeceased by her husband, Tom Ed Smith (July 1982), and son James R. Smith (May 2023). She is survived by son Thomas E. Smith and wife Melanie A. Smith of Hopkinton, daughter-in-law Nancy Smith (wife of the late James R. Smith of Hopkinton), siblings Herbert (Rick) Chouinard and wife Jackie of Westborough, Phillip Chouinard and wife Thelma of Ashland, and Thelma Pageau of Watertown, grandchildren David T. Smith and wife Wendy Smith, Jason D. Smith of Phillips, Maine, and Kaitlin Smith and husband Edward Painter. She leaves four great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Samantha, Hunter and Josie, and two great-greatgrandchildren, Lyla and Roxous. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews in Massachusetts as well as Tennessee, Oregon and Alaska.

Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother and sister. Her world revolved around her whole family with parties, weekend get-togethers with cookouts, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and vacations together. She was an active member of The First Congregational Church in

Hopkinton and loved teaching Sunday School. She especially relished her time spent on Lake Winnipesaukee, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. She also loved taking long rides throughout New England with her family on Sundays. She had to drop out of high school to help her mother and father take care of her siblings, but despite that setback, she went on to become an excellent bookkeeper and office manager for several companies, most notably the United Auto Workers as secretary/treasurer/office manager. Her latter years were spent working for the Town of Hopkinton in the Tax Collector’s Office, where she was well-known and liked.

She worked into her 80s, until her family made her retire. She continued to work as a volunteer at the Hopkinton Senior Center for a number of years.

She is forever at peace now in God’s hands and will be ever loved by those left behind.

A funeral service was scheduled for Oct. 21 at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton. Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or donate.cancer.org.

Bernard Doherty Bernard D. Doherty, 92, of Harwich and formerly of Holliston and Hopkinton, passed away on Oct. 16 after a brief illness. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Doris R. (Taylor) Doherty and Gerald M. Doherty. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to the late Ann Marie (Kenney) Doherty.

A graduate of Hopkinton High School and Suffolk University, Bernard served in the Navy during the Korean War, establishing residence in Holliston in the early 1960s. He would serve on the High School Building Committee and, later, as chair of the Holliston Finance Committee, president of Holliston Youth Baseball and chair of the High School Band Uniform Committee, and a member of the Holliston Lions Club.

Moving to Harwich in 1992, he was a member of the Harwich Men’s Club and an enthusiastic member of the Cranberry Valley Golf Course.

Mr. Doherty enjoyed his many trips to Ireland, cooking for his family and time spent in his garden, cultivating the many ingredients that would come to embody his near fanatical desire to create a superb spaghetti sauce. His home had an open door for friends and family who would find a cool drink and warm meal as their reward for the visit.

Bernard is survived by his four children and their families: Suzanne Shannahan and husband John of Holliston, Karen Shaw and husband Jonathan of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Bernard D. Doherty Jr. and wife Carolyn of Framingham, and Michelle Goncalves and husband Jaime of Hopkinton. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and his sisters-in-law,

Joan Doherty of Norwood and Carol Kenney of Hampton, New Hampshire.

He also leaves his cousin, Theodore Doherty of Lynnfield. He is predeceased by his siblings, John A. Doherty, Gerald M. Doherty Jr., Paul T. Doherty and Eugene A. Doherty.

Visitation was held Oct. 20 at Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 21 at Saint Matthew Parish in Southborough.

Burial was to be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 (danafarber.org).

Richard Gooding Richard “Dick” Howland Gooding, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 16.

Dick was the youngest of two children (sister Nancy) born to Albert and Eunice Gooding in Needham on Sept. 24, 1945. His father, Albert, died from stomach cancer in 1948 at the age of 38. Eunice then married Lawrence Smith, who had a son, Stuart (Stu), creating a second family for Dick. Dick’s uncle, Howard (Howie) Whitaker, also served as a father figure to him growing up.

At the age of 6, Dick moved to Hopkinton, where he lived until his graduation from Hopkinton High School in 1963. Dick was a standout athlete who set numerous local Little League Baseball records and captained and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. It was in high school where Dick met and started dating his future wife of 56 years, Judy Bowker.

Dick was influenced by his Uncle Howie’s military service as a Marine pilot who served in the Korean War. He was accepted to attend the United States Military Academy (West Point). While there, Dick lettered in baseball and participated in football and track as a sprinter.

Upon graduation, Dick and Judy were married at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton on July 1, 1967.

They were blessed with three children, James (Jim), Douglas (Doug) and Kimberly (Kim). Dick began his military career in West Germany as part of a nuclear weapons company. From there, Dick was stationed in Pleiku, Vietnam, as a lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Intelligence Division and finished his tour as a captain in the Artillery Division in Nha Trang. He was awarded two Bronze Stars. In 1972, Dick finished his military career stateside as an officer with the Massachusetts National Guard, also completing an evening MBA program at Northeastern University. He then began his civilian career as a manufacturing executive in the packaging and printing industries, living in locations including Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia and Massachusetts.

Upon his return to Hopkinton in 1986, Dick entered local politics and was elected to the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen, serving multiple terms during a period of significant growth in the

HopkintonIndependent.com

town. Upon retirement, Dick relished his role as an involved grandfather (Grampy) to his eight grandchildren. Honoring military service also was a passion. He was instrumental in the founding of Veterans Remembered, an original series on HCAM-TV. Hosted by Dick, the series featured Hopkinton veterans who have served their country in times of war and peace and has been memorialized in the Library of Congress.

Dick will be remembered for his leadership, scholarship, humility, loyalty, athletic prowess and love of dogs. He integrated himself to every community that he called home and was loved and respected by all he encountered. Dick enjoyed nothing more than attending his grandchildren’s events and regaling everyone about their successes. He was proud of his Scottish and Mayflower heritage. He was an avid follower of Boston sports teams and a recent convert to University of Georgia football (Go Dawgs).

Dick is survived by his wife, Judy, sister, Nancy Moorehead, brothers-inlaw John Bowker and Keene Metzger, children, Jim, Doug and Kim, daughterin-law, Becky Kaufman, son-in-law, Doug Sullivan, grandchildren, Caitlin and Jack, Riley (Gessner), Quinn, Tess and Casey, and Connor and Callie (Sullivan), nephews Gary and Glenn Moorehead, nephew Clifton John Bowker and niece Courtney Bowker.

Visiting hours were held Oct. 19 at Callanan Cronin Funeral Home. A funeral service was held Oct. 20, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, followed by burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made via PayPal or by sending a check to the Hopkinton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 109, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Theresa Daigle Theresa Rose Daigle, 47, of Hopkinton and formerly of Ashland, passed away Oct. 10 at her home after a long period of declining health.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Janet (Goodman) Brett and her husband, Frank Brett. Theresa previously worked as an emergency room technician at Newton-Wellesley Hospital before retiring due to illness.

Devoted to her family and community, she received numerous awards for her work with the elderly, often at Mill Pond Rest Home in Ashland. Theresa especially enjoyed vacationing with her family on Nantucket every year.

Theresa is survived by her beloved son, Robert Pergakis Jr. of Ashland, mother Janet Brett and husband Frank of Ashland, brother Randy Daigle of Ashland, aunts Susan Sullivan and husband Richard of Ashland, and Karen Tolson and husband Dominick of Sherborn, and cousin Branden Getchell and wife Stephany of Georgia.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 21 in St. Cecilia’s Church, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Theresa’s name to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 21

Police Log 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.

October 3

3:22 p.m. A Holt Street resident reported seeing from her door camera a male walking around her property. Officer Sean McKeon responded and looked at the footage, which showed a blonde, 5-foot-8 woman around 45-55 years old in a blue shirt and jeans. Officer McKeon checked the area with a negative find.

7:18 p.m. A Lyn Path resident reported someone attempted to take out a loan in his name. Officer Matthew LaTour took a report of fraud.

October 4

7:53 a.m. A Blueberry Lane resident reported someone left a white bicycle in her front yard the previous night and asked if anyone reported a bike missing. She stated she would store it in her driveway.

9:43 a.m. A West Elm Street caller reported someone dumped nine tires on his property. Officer Sean McKeon responded and took a report of illegal dumping.

11:59 a.m. A caller reported a Lamborghini on School Street was causing a traffic issue. Officer Sean McKeon responded and spoke with the reporting person.

1:12 p.m. A Hazel Road resident reported two vehicles pulled into his driveway, stayed for 15 minutes, and when he went outside to confront the drivers, they immediately left. The caller stated one vehicle was a blue Toyota Corolla and the other was a Lexus SUV, and it was not the first time they pulled into his driveway.

The caller believed they were scouting his home. He wanted the incident logged.

4:04 p.m. A caller reported the outside odor of natural gas on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded along with the Fire Department.

10:08 p.m. A Pleasant Street caller reported what appeared to be a truck stuck on or near her property, and she wanted it checked. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded and reported the truck belonged to a family member. All was OK.

October 5

7:11 a.m. A security guard at the LNG plant on Wilson Street reported a loud blast, loss of power and abnormal venting. Officers Tyler Staback and Noah Buentello responded along with the Fire Department to investigate.

11:26 a.m. A caller reported a dog running loose on Walcott Valley Drive.

Officer Staback transported the dog to Baypath.

2:17 p.m. A walk-in reported he lost his phone at the Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 1, and it was pinging to a Wood Street location. Officer Sean McKeon assisted and checked the area. The phone was returned to the owner.

3:42 p.m. A caller complained of a loud green sports car speeding daily on Pond Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and reached out to the owner.

5:07 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator on Main Street. Officers Robert Ekross and Cody Normandin caught up with the vehicle. All checked out OK. 7:03 p.m. A Wood Street caller reported her ex-boyfriend won’t stop calling her. Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a harassment report.

October 6

1:11 a.m. Officer Nicholas Walker reported a small tan and white dog in the roadway of Grove Street. He was able to return the dog to its owner.

1:42 p.m. School staff on Hayden Rowe Street reported seeing a suspicious character wearing face paint and attempting to pull cars over. Officers Noah Buentello, Robert Ekross and Tyler Staback responded and checked the area with a negative find.

4:03 p.m. A caller complained of someone operating a dirt bike in the roadway of South Street. Officers Shannon Beloin and Brennan Grimley responded and checked the area with a negative find.

4:18 p.m. A caller reported a tree barely being held up by wires on Cedar Street Extension. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and contacted Verizon.

6:05 p.m. A caller reported a truck with a trailer struck a pole on Pond Street and drove away. The witness stated the pole was not structurally sound. Officer Brennan Grimley responded, notified Verizon of the damaged pole and took a report of a hit and run.

10:57 p.m. Officer Nicholas Walker checked on a vehicle that seemed to have been abandoned in a travel lane on West Main Street and requested a tow. Officer Walker contacted the owner, who returned to the scene and was issued a citation. She stated she ran out of gas and went to get some in Framingham.

11:54 p.m. A Woodview Way caller reported a suspicious white vehicle that had been parked and running for over an hour. Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Nicholas Walker responded and found all clear.

October 7

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Police Log | from page 21

11:55 a.m. A caller reported a turkey and some chickens were wandering loose in the roadway of Lumber Street. Officer Robert Ekross responded and was unable to locate the birds.

12:08 p.m. A motorist reported a dog was hit by a vehicle on West Main Street. She attempted to help the dog, but it ran off behind a pumping station. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and notified the possible owner that the dog was hit.

1:32 p.m. A caller reported a pit bull running around on Main Street near Bill’s Pizzeria. Officer Robert Ekross responded, located the owner on Walcott Street and returned the dog.

1:45 p.m. A caller reported kids shooting some type of gun at Reed Park on Parker Point Road. Officer Robert Ekross responded and spoke with parties shooting BB guns at targets and advised them to pick up targets before leaving.

October 8

12:11 a.m. A Leonard Street resident reported her 6-yearold daughter, whom she put to bed at 9 p.m., was missing.

While on the phone with the dispatcher, the child was located outside the residence. Officer Nicholas Walker and Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded and all checked out OK. 2:59 p.m. Officers Cody Normandin, Matthew LaTour and Brennan Grimley responded to a road rage incident on Cedar Street. The drivers were advised of the complaint and moved along.

3:26 p.m. A Clinton Street caller reported finding a trail camera on her property. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and took a report of the suspicious incident.

7:10 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour assisted a person locked in the State Park on Cedar Street and opened the gate.

October 9

10:27 a.m. A Lumber Street caller reported smoke coming from the oven. The home was evacuated, and Officer Sean McKeon responded along with the Fire Department.

11:10 a.m. Officer Shannon Beloin reported a hanging dead tree branch on Cedar Street, placed a cone in the area and notified the DPW. 1:15 p.m. A caller reported seeing two females exit an abandoned house on Mount Auburn Street. Officers Shannon Beloin and Sean McKeon responded and found the house empty.

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8:56 a.m. A caller wanted an earlier incident logged. She reported that while in front of Cumberland Farms on West Main Street where lanes merge to one, a truck attempted to move into the lane and ended up hitting her vehicle. No significant damage was incurred, so both parties decided to go on their way.

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11:17 a.m. A motorist reported her vehicle broke down in the middle of West Main Street and a battery charge did not work, so she was awaiting a tow. Sergeants William Burchard and Matthew McNeil responded and stood by while the tow truck was en route.

2:27 p.m. A caller reported a bicycle was chained to a stop sign on Hayden Rowe Street and asked if officers could remove it. She was advised to contact the DPW for removal. The DPW removed the bike and took it to the Police Station.

4:16 p.m. A Constitution Court caller reported being sexually harassed by a neighbor. Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

7:14 p.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil assisted the Milford Police Department in searching for a 16-year-old male on foot who was involved in a domestic situation with his mother. Sergeant O’Neil checked South Street with a negative find.

7:52 p.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street involving two cars and took a crash report.

October 11

8:49 a.m. Officers Robert Ekross and Sean McKeon responded to a motor vehicle crash on Davenport Lane where a vehicle was smoking. A complaint application was issued to a driver.

1:26 p.m. A caller reported water flowing in the roadway of Saddle Hill Road. Officer Sean McKeon responded and reported a pool was being drained on Edgehill Road and it was completed.

October 12

8:03 a.m. A caller reported a puddle of some sort of chemical along with a strong odor on School Street. Officer Tyler Staback responded and confirmed the liquid was drying up into the asphalt but the odor was gone.

9:10 a.m. A motorist reported an erratic operator swerving in and out of traffic on South Street. Officer Tyler Staback responded and checked the area with a negative find.

10:08 a.m. A caller reported hearing a popping noise, possibly one of the transformers, on Hayden Rowe Street. Officers Noah Buentello and Robert Ekross responded and found no signs of smoke.

1:03 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious black Toyota Corolla at EMC Park on Hayden Rowe Street. The driver, a middle-aged man with a goatee, appeared to be alone and was circling around the parking lot and watching kids. He left the park and returned. Officers Robert Ekross and Noah Buentello responded.

The vehicle was gone upon their arrival.

2:10 p.m. A motorist reported an erratic operator in and out of lanes driving under the speed limit. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and located the driver on Patriots Boulevard and issued a verbal warning.

3:43 p.m. A caller reported that while riding his bike on Wood Street, he was cut off by a tractor-trailer unit. Officers Shannon Beloin and Brennan Grimley responded and took a report.

October 13

1:15 a.m. A caller requested to speak to an officer about a vehicle parked in her driveway that might be her ex-boyfriend’s.

Officer Nicholas Walker spoke with the caller and took a report.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 25, 2023 • 23

Police Log

11:44 a.m. A motorist reported her vehicle broke down on Hayden Rowe Street and her hazard lights were not working.

Officer Shannon Beloin responded and assisted while AAA was en route.

1:06 p.m. A caller reported she was being harassed by a person in New Hampshire. Officer Shannon Beloin assisted and took a report.

6:23 p.m. A motorist reported an erratic operator veering in and out of lanes on West Main Street. When the operator pulled into the Price Chopper parking lot, the caller followed to make sure she was OK, and she appeared flustered and confused. Officer Cody Normandin responded. The driver was gone upon his arrival.

7:50 p.m. Officer Shannon Beloin found a black backpack containing sneakers near the bike racks on Hayden Rowe Street. The item was logged.

9:38 p.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Shannon Beloin completed community relations on Hayden Rowe Street after a caller reported a group of youths running toward the back of a building. The caller reported feeling unsafe.

10:43 p.m. Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots or explosions on Pond Street. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Cody Normandin and Shannon Beloin responded and found nothing in the area.

10:51 p.m. A Greenwood Road caller reported her black and white rat terrier was lost. The caller was advised that no calls had been received about a found dog.

October 15

2:54 p.m. A Winter Street resident reported a vehicle was sitting in his driveway and then drove away. The caller wanted the incident logged.

4:08 p.m. A walk-in handed in a pair of white AirPods in their case that were found on the high school football field.

School resource officer Matthew Santoro was notified.

7:27 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour took a report of stolen property on Alprilla Farm Road.

8:46 p.m. A Huckleberry Road resident reported someone rang her doorbell and ran off into the woods. On her Ring camera, the caller saw the person trying to sneak in between the bushes in the front of the house. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded and witnessed a vehicle pulling out of Huckleberry Road at a high rate of speed.

Sergeant O’Neil subsequently discovered the caller had been “booed” as part of Halloween activities.

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October 14

on East Main Street. The State Police responded to assist.

The DPW assisted with detour signs, and a tow truck was requested.

9:33 a.m. A motorist reported he hit a parked vehicle on Constitution Court. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and took a report.

10:45 a.m. A concerned bus driver reported piles of dirt on Pratt Way preventing her from driving through. Officer Sean McKeon responded and reported the dirt was removed and the road was passable.

10:58 a.m. A caller reported a wire fell across the roadway of Woody Island Road. Officer Sean McKeon responded and contacted Verizon.

11:11 a.m. A Winter Street caller reported suspicious activity after seeing people going on his property and playing with his cameras. Officer Sean McKeon responded and took a report.

4:37 p.m. A caller reported a deceased animal in the roadway of Lumber Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and removed it.

5:51 p.m. A Clinton Street resident reported someone broke into his camper. Officers Robert Ekross and Noah Buentello responded and took a report.

BEFORE

6:19 p.m. Officer Brennan Grimley came across a male and female moving cones near the Boston Marathon start line on Main Street and spoke with them. They were waiting for a bus.

11:01 p.m. A Woodview Way resident reported a disturbance after hearing a male and female yelling. Sergeants William Burchard and Arthur Schofield and Officers Nicholas Walker and Brennan Grimley responded and checked the neighborhood but found no disturbance.

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SALE ENDS 10/31/23. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. THIS OFFER IS NOT VALID ON PRIOR SALES AND IS BASED ON THE MSRP, AND NOT COMBINABLE WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNT, PROMOTIONS, OR INCENTIVES. PRICE LISTED INCLUDES ALL APPLICABLE MANUFACTURER REBATES (NOT EVERYONE WILL QUALIFY) AND IMPERIAL DISCOUNTS INCLUDING A $1,000 IMPERIAL TRADE ASSISTANCE BONUS FOR A QUALIFYING 2013 OR NEWER TRADE. SEE US FOR DETAILS. ADVERTISED PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX, TITLE, REGISTRATION, DOCUMENTATION OR ACQUISITION FEES AND CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS OR PROMOTIONS. WEEKLY PAYMENTS CALCULATED WITH AN ESTIMATED DOWN PAYMENT OF $2,999 CASH OR TRADE. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CALL 1-508-488-2382 TO SEE WHICH REBATES YOU QUALIFY FOR.

Creeping it Real inSALE gs Spooktacular sav SPirits!

Julio’s Vodka 6x Distilled & Gluten Free 1.75L ...................................$14.99 20% of the profits will be donated to Project New Hope Veteran’s Food Pantry!

Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1.75L .......................................$27.99 Grey Goose 1L (Reg only) .................................................. $29.99 WellHouse Vodka 1.75L ..................................................... $19.99 Platinum 7X Vodka 1.75L ................................................. $12.99 Blank Vodka 750ml Labeled for Halloween...........$14.99 Evan Williams Black Label 1.75L ................................. $21.99 Noah’s Mill Bourbon 750ml .............................WOW!! $49.99 Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon 750ml ................ $39.99 Blackened Whiskey Finished in Black Brandy Casks 750ml .....................................$44.99 Basil Hayden Bourbon 750ml ........................................$37.99 High Plains Rye 750ml ..................................................... $39.99 Limited amount back in stock!

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Código L&K Selected Barrel Rosa Blanco Tequila 40%ABV ........................................ $49.99 Partida Cristalino Anejo Tequila 750ml .................. $54.99 Hendrick’s Gin 1 Liter........................................................ $44.99 Cotswolds Gin 750ml ........................................................ $29.99 Rattle Snake Rosie’s Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Maple Bacon, & Peanut Butter Cream 750ml ..... $29.99 Grand Marnier 750ml ........................................................ $34.99 Aperol 750ml ......................................................................... $21.99 Coppola Prosecco 750ml ................................................ $12.99 On The Rocks Midori Sour 375ml ...................................$9.99 (ectoplasm green!!)

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Beers and More!

3 Floyds Zombie Dust 12pk can...................................... $16.99 3 Floyds Zombie Ice 6pk can .......................................... $11.99 Lawson’s Hazy Rays IPA 12pk can................................ $20.99 Burlington Beer Co. Vaulted Blue 12pk can .............. $16.99 Two Roads Roadsmary's Baby 12pk can ................... $16.99 Wormtown Fresh Patch Pumpkin 12pk can.............. $15.99 Jack’s Abby Copper Legend 12pk can ........................$14.99 Southern Tier Caramel Pumking 4pk......................... $11.99 Southern Tier Pumking 4pk............................................ $11.99 Notch Festbier 4pk can...................................................... $11.99 Long Live Fest Side 4pk can ........................................... $12.99

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Sale ends October 31

Downeast Cider Pumpkin 9pk can ............................... $16.99 Dunkin Spiked Iced Tea Variety 12pk can .................$14.99

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OPEN 7 DAYS Mon-Sat 9 am - 9 pm, Sun 10 am - 7 pm

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HopkintonIndependent.com