STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Injured HMS teacher on mend after accident
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Apopular Hopkinton Middle School civics teacher and baseball coach injured in an Oct. 6 motorcycle crash was “in good spirits” upon being moved to an area rehabilitation center on Oct. 15, according to the victim’s cousin.
In a phone interview with the Independent on Oct. 15, Vinny Collotta shared that teacher Bill Mingace suffered “a lot of broken bones” when his motorcycle was struck by a truck in Grafton.
“I’m his cousin, but I always call myself his brother,” he said. “The two of us are very close. We both love riding motorcycles, and we go out riding together almost every weekend.”
Collotta said Mingace was on his way to visit him at his home in Grafton after leaving work at HMS when the crash occurred. The pair had planned to
Crust owner, landlord reject ‘conspiracies’
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
Aletter sent to the Select Board by an attorney representing 77 West Main Street owner and landlord Paul Mastroianni earlier this month is stark in its warning: If the board moves forward with an investigation into Mastroianni regarding private financial matters related to Crust & Co. or Hillers Pizza, his client will “exercise all of his rights and remedies under state and federal law.”
The letter from Shawn Masterson of Cohen Cleary follows a public hearing on Oct. 7 regarding the common victualer’s (CV) license for Crust & Co. The restaurant opened its doors before its inspection requirements were met, violating the conditions agreed on by the Select Board when it approved the CV. As a result of the public hearing, the board issued a $1,000 fine to the business.
During that hearing, members of the public came forward to offer testimony. Individuals representing a coalition of concerned residents presented documents to the Select Board regarding Hill-
Mingace | 13
HMS teacher Bill Mingace (left) sits with his cousin, Vinny Collotta, in this photo taken prior to the motorcycle crash.
Members of the Hopkinton High School football team assist a participant in a wheelchair to the finish line of the 26th annual Michael’s Run on Oct. 18 at the Town Common. The event is a fundraiser for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.
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CPC to be stricter with project completion deadlines
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Atits Oct. 16 meeting, the Community Preservation Committee stressed that it is going to be tougher on applicants who are applying for funds for the upcoming fiscal year if they have not made progress on previously funded projects.
“I think we just have to start being more hard-nosed about getting projects done in two years,” said chair Ken Weismantel.
He noted that funding allocations are made with the expectation that projects will be completed within a two-year period. Over the past several years, the CPC has granted extensions. Examples Weismantel gave for extensions were for the Cemetery Commission’s gravestone restoration project and several Parks & Recreation Department projects.
“Every damn year we extend it,” he stressed. “One of the questions we should ask during our public hearing is, ‘Are you going to get it done within this time period?’ ”
“We need to make a case to take all the money away from them until they come in here with a plan to do this,” added vice chair Eric Sonnett.
Member Parker Happ said that strategy “feels a little punitive.” But he agreed that action plans with timetables are needed from applicants.
with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. It was requested as a “placeholder.”
The chair provided an update on this key downtown revitalization project. The HCA is in the process of trying to raise $4 million for its share of the work. It is expected to be the private partner, he said.
He added that the town did submit a request for proposals (RFP) asking for bids from a Hopkinton-based non-profit focused on the arts for the “arts floor.” Bids are due in early November.
Town Meeting unanimously approved Article 26 at May’s Annual Town Meeting for $600,000 to fund construction bid documents and engineering plans. It also approved Article 27, which “transfer[red] care, custody and control of the former Center School” to the Select Board so that it could issue the project RFP. It likewise passed unanimously.
“There is a possibility that we might just do demo this next budget cycle,” said Weismantel. He noted that the demolition of the two newer sections added onto the historic front structure is expected to cost about $2 million.
More information on this project would be available by mid-December, he added. The deadline for the CPC to complete its capital hearings and submit recommendations to Town Manager Elaine Lazarus is Dec. 19.
Request overviews trigger discussion
No applicants were present at the meeting to present their respective projects. The Cemetery Commission’s $20,000 headstone restoration project was on the meeting’s agenda. Its request for FY 26 for the same amount was denied because of lack of progress. Cemetery Commission members noted at that time that the person who does that work is only available a few months each year and has several projects in the works. Its funding requests usually are taken from the historic preservation
Shannon Isaacs, the Land Use Department’s administrative assistant, pointed out that the Cemetery Commission still has $19,800 left over from previous allocations dating back to 2021.
Under the Community Preservation Act that was signed in 2000, Massachusetts communities may add a surcharge on top of their local property taxes to fund open space, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and affordable housing projects. The current rate for Hopkinton is 2%. At least 10% of CPA funding must be spent on each of these four categories, or buckets, with the rest available for any category. The CPC administers the allocation of these funds based on submitted proposals and makes recommendations for approval at May’s
This meeting is the second one in a long process leading up to May’s Annual Town Meeting to determine which projects will be funded and from which buckets the money will be allocated.
Center School reuse project updated
Weismantel gave an overview of project requests received for FY 27. The largest request was for $6 million through FY 28 for the Center School restoration and reuse project as part of a $10 million public/private partnership
The other main requests discussed came from Parks & Rec and the Cemetery Commission. Also, there were several land purchase requests from the Open Space Preservation Commission (OSPC) and a request to repair limestone at Town Hall’s front entrance. A Department of Public Works request for $37,500 was made for a conceptual plan for landscaping improvements to a town-owned parcel at Ice House Pond. A new funding request from the Parks & Recreation Department for $250,000 for energy-efficient lighting for the pickleball/tennis courts on Fruit Street generated debate. The application noted that this request arose from “community feedback and observation of current usage patterns.”
Weismantel questioned whether the “brand-new courts” would have to be trenched to install the lighting fixtures. Sonnett asked about whether the lighting is needed, as night usage would be limited by seasonal and weather conditions.
“People like their pickleball,” countered Happ, who noted the sport’s popularity.
Weismantel noted that a new pickleball/padel facility is under construction on East Main Street and slated to open in December, and it could impact the usage at these public courts.
Parks & Rec also requested an additional $1 million for the cricket pitch/ ball field. A $1 million request for the redesign of Pyne Field, which included the cricket pitch, ball field and parking area, was approved by the CPC in December 2022.
While Weismantel said he was “curious” as to how the Planning Board will vote on its design reconfiguration, his main concern was appropriating another
Chamber of Commerce gets new executive director
The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director.
The chamber announced on its website that Jill Mongeau stepped into the position of executive director last month. She takes over from Tim Kilduff, who announced he was stepping down last November.
Mongeau brings both corporate and nonprofit experience to the role. She previously worked at Flare Education and Iron Mountain, and recently “has been serving as chief operating officer and strategic consultant for missiondriven organizations in Greater Boston,” per the chamber website.
“Much of my work is around helping nonprofits to scale,” Mongeau explained, “helping them to build the infrastructures to support the scaling of their companies.”
She noted that the chamber’s current goals align with her experience. “This is, I guess, a perfect fit in some ways,” she said.
Mongeau, a Marlborough resident, feels she can bring a fresh set of eyes and independent lens to the chamber as it looks to increase its membership and improve efficiency. Her first 90 days will be spent meeting with chamber members and town officials in order to better understand the current business environment and what a future vision for the organization might look like.
“The speaking tour is really important to help me put together a strategy around those two goals [of membership and efficiency],” Mongeau said. She also hopes to help figure out what businesses in town are looking for out of the chamber.
HPD awarded federal traffic safety grant
The Hopkinton Police Department will expand its capacity for traffic enforcement thanks to a federal grant.
The Municipal Road Safety Grant Program recently awarded the HPD nearly $35,000 to support targeted traffic enforcement and safety initiatives in the community. The program is intended to help local police departments address community traffic safety issues through solutions such as enforcement, equipment and other safety initiatives.
Around $3,500 of the grant will be used to purchase a new radar sign that helps track and display vehicle speeds. The remaining $31,500 will be allocated to funding overtime shifts focused solely on traffic enforcement. “Officers assigned to these shifts will
conduct highly visible enforcement in specific areas to promote safe driving and reduce crashes,” the HPD stated in a press release.
Hopkinton Police also plan to participate in safety campaigns sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These campaigns are focused on issues like impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding.
In the press release, HPD Chief Joseph Bennett commended Lieutenant Aaron O’Neil and Sgt. Cody Normandin for their work in obtaining the grant funding.
PJB holiday program underway
The first phase of the Project Just Because holiday program began Oct. 27, and the nonprofit is looking for community support.
PJB’s annual holiday program provides gifts, warm clothing and food to individuals in need. The goal of the program is to help alleviate stress and uncertainty while making sure no one feels forgotten during the holiday season.
That goal is especially important as need in the community grows larger, according to PJB executive assistant and volunteer coordinator Amy Hartland.
“I would say right now we’re at about 110 children in our book,” said Hartland. “That’s just Hopkinton families — I’m sure that number is going to go up.”
Because of the increased need, Hartland said the nonprofit is finding itself short of items needed to fulfill children’s wishes. “We’re really short on teen items and infant items,” she added, citing difficulty in securing sports equipment and items like throw blankets.
Hartland encouraged residents with the means to support a Hopkinton child or a whole family to reach out to her at amy@projectjustbecause.org or pull a name from one of the giving trees PJB has set up around town. She noted that no budget is too big or small, and PJB will work with sponsors around their budget.
Individuals who pull a heart from the giving trees can take as many as they like and return items unwrapped with the heart attached. Locations where the trees can be found include Cornell’s Irish Pub, AllTown Fresh and at PJB’s facility on South Street.
Hartland said that while its holiday program is focused on children, it also provides for adults. “We try to include the parents, too, and if the sponsor wants to help them, that’s awesome,” she explained, adding that donors are welcome to sponsor seniors as well.
million dollars to a project that is “three years behind.”
A $25,000 request for picnic tables and benches at the Town Common, Sandy Beach and the skate park also was reviewed. Weismantel said he plans to ask whether the benches will align with the Historic District Commission’s standards for the Town Common benches. The Cemetery Commission’s request was rescheduled to the next
on Nov. 13. That meeting is expected to mostly take place in executive session, according to Weismantel.
“They are still spending on two cycles ago of funding,” stressed Weismantel. “Unless they can get their act together and find someone new for the $20,000 they’re currently at, I’m not inclined to give them more money until they spend where they’re at.”
Weismantel suggested that some of the lingering projects may need project assistance. Other members agreed.
Debate resumes on plan to control Maspenock weeds
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
The Lake Maspenock Weed Management and Control Advisory Group at its Oct. 2 meeting shared information about the planned extended drawdown of the lake and the use of herbicides to control weed growth.
Joe Baldiga, the chair of the Citizens Input Group (CIG), led the meeting. The CIG has been studying the lake over the past decade, making recommendations to the Department of Public Works about how to control both native and invasive weed species. Annual weed surveys have been performed by the CIG since 2016.
Lake Maspenock is due for an extended drawdown this winter, noted DPW Director Kerry Reed. The Conservation Commission recently approved this action, as it occurs regularly every three years.
Last year’s results shared
Baldiga noted that the weeds were “noticeably diminished” after the targeted use of two herbicides last summer in the northern basin — Tribune (diquat) and Aquathol-K (endothall). There also were “decent drawdown conditions” this winter because of the low temperatures.
“Unfortunately, the weeds have come back with a vengeance,” he said.
Sabine St. Pierre, president of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association (LMPA), added that the treatment had targeted variable milfoil and pondweed. While there was a “noticeable difference” with those two species, “pretty dense areas of Eurasian milfoil” grew in their place.
CIG secretary Drew Logan said that the most recent survey also showed “a lot of naiad as well” in the lake’s lower levels.
“The point is not to eradicate everything,” stressed St. Pierre, noting that naiad is a native species and good for fish.
Reed noted that last year’s drawdown was a little lower than usual because of repair work to the dam. An extended drawdown typically is 8 feet, while an annual drawdown lowers the water by 3-5 feet. Last year’s was 5-7 feet.
“We are going to be very cautious, though,” she said. “We have significant concerns about the ability of the lake to rebound if we don’t get the rain.”
Residents fear ‘herbicide treadmill’
Donald Sutherland, a member of the Sustainable Green Committee (SGC) and the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (WSAB), expressed concern about chemical use impacting the lake.
“It sounds like this is an herbicide treadmill,” he said. “It comes with a price tag. It also comes with more extensive use exponentially as things get moved around.”
Don Keiser, who lives adjacent to Lake Maspenock, suggested doing a dry dredge of the lake’s bottom to aerate the soil.
He also lamented that some lakeside residents are using lawn fertilizer up to their property lines, which can infiltrate the lake.
“The herbicide treatment worked for what we were hoping for,” she said. “We feel like if we hadn’t, we would be seeing even more dense populations of the Eurasian milfoil.”
Keiser suggested getting the Conservation Commission involved with enforcing fertilizer use violations within the 100-foot buffer zone. He also asked that the LMPA educate residents about the harmful effects of fertilizer use.
St. Pierre said the LMPA just complet-
Tales from a Townie: First aid
By William T. Hamilton Jr. Contributing Writer
Ona recent afternoon, I drove up Hayden Rowe and saw that the house at 147 was gone. It was razed to make a driveway to go to the new Charleswood School.
The memories came pouring back, of a time around 1954. I was on my journey to become an Eagle Scout, and one of the merit badges I needed was first aid. Steve Fleming and his wife, Marie (Colella), lived in the house, and he happened to be the first aid counselor. Steve ran the motor pool at Natick Labs and had been an Army medic in World War II.
for 30 years.
I made an appointment with him and rode my bike to Steve’s house to start meeting my merit badge requirements. We spent several evenings at a picnic table in the backyard going over the requirements and tying many dressings and splints. He said I did very well at first aid, adding that I had a knack for it. I went on to get to badge and my Eagle Scout Award in 1955. He motivated me to become a first aid instructor and firefighter/emergency medical technician (EMT) for the Hopkinton Fire Department, a position I held
Steve was a good guy. Colella’s Market had a bowling night at Crosti’s Grove in Ashland for a few years. My brother worked part-time at Colella’s around 1965, and he was on the bowling team. I was invited to join the team. Steve was one of the bowlers. We had many a fun time bowling and having a couple of beers together. Still later on, I joined the American Legion, and Steve also was a member. We marched in many Memorial Day parades together. So, all these years later, just driving up Hayden Rowe and seeing his house gone turned on the “old memory clock.”
This house at 147 Hayden Rowe was razed recently to make room for the new Charleswood School access road.
Maspenock | 5
‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’
Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest
This issue’s winner is Tami Magnuson, who imagines this chipmunk thinking, “These are the biggest acorns I’ve ever seen, and they’re all mine.” To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo (put “Photo Contest” in the subject line) 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 BoMain. 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 BoMain.
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 BoMain.
Debate resumes on plan to control Maspenock weeds
Maspenock | from page 4
ed a September educational campaign on ways to control lake weeds. This included email blasts, signs, Facebook posts and links on the LMPA website.
“We can’t police,” she stressed. “We can only try to educate and recommend to people what to use on their lawns.”
St. Pierre added that she will reach out to Health Department Director Shaun McAuliffe to see if lake sediment testing can be performed during the extended drawdown period.
An herbicide treatment likely will be necessary in the spring to control the weed growth, even with the extended drawdown, according to Baldiga.
“I think without herbicide treatment, the lake is going to be a real mess next summer and the summer after that,” he said.
Members voted 4-0 for having the herbicide treatment “in the event that optimal extended drawdown conditions have not been met.”
Reed said she will request $40,000 to the DPW budget request for the treatment, plus another $15,000 for a limnologist’s services. She also recommended that the group make its recommendation for the treatment directly to the Select Board. If approved, the group will need to appear before the Conservation Commission to explain whether the herbicide application is necessary.
Sutherland pushed back, noting that
there has been no environmental impact assessment of the chemicals. Although it is not required by law, he questioned the “cost-benefit analysis and a budgetary attachment to the endless use of these toxins.”
Keiser added that there has been no analysis about how the herbicides affect microorganisms living in the water.
New survey area explored
Baldiga said a new possible survey and treatment location would be in the area he described as “the swampy part north of the causeway.” His reasoning was that weeds and sediment there could migrate to the main water body.
Said St. Pierre: “It was basically a salad of greens over there.”
Reed said she would be “supportive” of having the limnologist “extend the scope of their work.” But she would not support dredging that part of the lake.
Baldiga asked for the termination of early season surveys, seeing them as an unnecessary expense. They have not been effective, he said, because they occur before weed growth starts. Surveys at the end of the summer demonstrate “the efficacy of whatever treatment that’s taken place that year” so that a treatment plan for the following year can be developed.
Members voted 4-0 to stop the early season surveys.
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Paul Champlin has been involved in theater since his youth He helped found Enter Stage Left Theater while a student at Hopkinton High School and now works as theater production manager for the Hopkinton Center for the Arts Champlin’s work has been praised by theater critic Peter Filichia, who gave glowing reviews of ESL’s production of “A Hatful of Rain ” Filichia also hailed “ The Garland Show,” an original production written and directed by Champlin that premiered in 2024 Regarding his love for theater, Champlin pointed to its communal nature “Sharing a laugh or sharing a tear is just a pretty remarkable and transformational experience,” he said
Crust & Co. owner, landlord push back against ’innuendos’
ers Pizza and made claims that there were remaining financial ties between Mastroianni, Ryan Dion — the owner of Crust & Co. — and Petros “Peter” Sismanis.
The only owner [of the business] is Crust & Co. — that’s it, end of story.
Crust & Co. landlord Paul Mastroianni
Sismanis, the former owner of Hillers Pizza, is serving jail time after being convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. Dion bought out Hillers’ lease and equipment at 77 West Main Street after Mastroianni let the Sismanis family out of its lease.
“Over the past few months, I have witnessed … Sismanis and his family maneuver to resurrect [Hillers Pizza] through entity shifts, paper shuffles and UCC filings that seem designed to funnel funds and shield assets from his crushing debt,” alleged Marie Laskowsky during the Oct. 7 hearing. Laskowsky is an Ashland resident who previously campaigned for Hillers Pizza to close following Sismanis’ conviction in June.
Added Laskowsky: “Unmask the financial flow; our community insists upon it.”
These claims prompted a discussion over the Select Board’s authority to investigate any alleged financial ties further — a discussion at which Masteron’s letter takes aim.
“Simply, the public comment fol-
lowed by the pomp and circumstance of the board’s discussion of inquiry into business dealings between Hillers Pizza, Inc. and my client borders on harassment,” the letter states. “The board has no authority to act in the way it has suggested it proceed.”
‘Have
to move forward’
“The innuendos that are going around, they have to stop,” said Mastroianni. “We have to move forward.”
In a brief interview with the Independent, Mastroianni asserted that any claims made during the Oct. 7 meeting amounted to conspiracy theories, which he would not tolerate. He maintained that he let the Sismanis family out of its lease and entered into a purchase agreement with Dion for the equipment that remained at Hillers Pizza.
“I’m certainly not involved in any profit sharing or funneling any money to anybody,” said Mastroianni when asked about Peter Sismanis’ recent Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. “I have no idea about any UCC filings or anything else.”
Mastroianni’s comment relates to one of the documents Laskowsky and others shared with the Select Board. UCC filings, which are public record, “allow creditors to notify other creditors about a debtor’s assets used as collateral for a secured transaction.”
The filing in question was processed on Sept. 17, and it lists Peter Sismanis and Hillers Pizza as a debtor and pledges collateral in exchange for a loan. An expert with whom the Independent shared the UCC filing said it suggests whatever business entity that remains as Hillers Pizza is pledging some form of income stream as collateral for a loan.
Both Mastroianni and Dion asserted that whatever income stream Hillers Pizza has pledged for its loan does not come from them.
“We do not have anything with anybody,” said Dion. “Not Peter Sismanis or his family, not Paul Mastroianni or anybody.” He said he had no knowledge of the UCC filing either, or of a tax lien on Hillers Pizza that still was in place as of June.
Dion expressed frustration over the matter and maintained that no agreement between him and Peter Sismanis for profit sharing had been arranged. As he has stated in previous meetings with the Select Board, Dion reiterated that he has never met nor been in contact with any member of the Sismanis family.
“If Peter Sismanis walked by me, I wouldn’t know who he was,” he said.
Added Mastroianni: “The only owner [of the business] is Crust & Co. — that’s it, end of story. They bought it, they own it, there’s no conspiracies.”
Both Dion and Mastroianni expressed a hope that the issue would be put to rest and the community could find a way to move on.
“I do believe that time will heal, and when [residents] come in and see me there … they’ll give us a shot and be very happy,” said Dion.
Crust | from page 1
—
PAUL CHAMPLIN Theater
Select Board discusses licensing modifications after Crust & Co. misstep
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
The Select Board at its meeting Oct. 20 began discussions about revamping the process for issuing and renewing common victualler and related licenses for restaurants and businesses.
The call for a change arose after Crust & Co. opened on Sept. 17, two days prior to receiving its common victualer (CV) license.
On Sept. 9, the board voted 4-1 to issue the CV and entertainment licenses with the caveat that all inspection requirements be met in advance of the pizza shop’s opening. The lone opponent, member Matthew Kizner, told his colleagues that he believed all requirements should be fulfilled before granting the license. Since that time, he has chastised his colleagues for their decision.
Crust & Co. replaced the controversial Hillers Pizza restaurant. Disgraced former Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis is serving jail time after being convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. Crust & Co. took over its location at 77 West Main Street, keeping basically the same menu and several staff members.
Ryan Dion, Crust & Co.’s owner, agreed to buy the restaurant in late August. Hillers abruptly closed Sept. 1. At the last Select Board meeting on Oct. 7, Dion was fined $1,000 for opening the establishment early. The seasoned restaurateur called the application process confusing.
At that meeting, speakers during the public comment period alleged that financial obligations currently exist under the Hillers Pizza name and address. These included a loan from the Small Business Administration and tax liens. Area resident Alyssa McGinty called for “transparency” around the business deal. She claimed Sismanis pledged “the assets and future revenues of Hillers Pizza” as collateral on a loan application dated Sept. 17.
Recommendations made to improve process
“The big thing I’m going to say is there’s been a lot of conversation about this,” said chair Joe Clark as discussion began. “This is a process-focused conversation.”
Added Clark: “We’re going to go through what is the best path forward for Hopkinton, from every time we do a renewal or a new license application.”
No references to any CV license holder were made during the dialogue among the members. The discussion revolved mainly around procedures for issuing CV and alcoholic beverage licenses, although entertainment, Class 1 and Class 2 licenses also fall under the Select Board’s purview.
Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that the Hopkinton Fire Department and the Building Department have a “parallel process” that they use annually that begins in October. This includes reaching out to businesses, having them complete a questionnaire and file various inspection reports, reviewing the submitted inspection reports and performing physical inspections. An electrical inspector performs separate inspections.
The process happens concurrently with the Select Board’s process, she added. Inspections can take between 1590 minutes, and re-inspections can occur throughout the licensing process.
Member Amy Ritterbusch noted that
the inspections occur in December, which is a “very busy time” because of holidays. She asked if there was a contingency policy if inspections are not completed by the end of the year. Lazarus said a contingency policy would be “something for the board to discuss.” It later emerged as a priority.
“I’m hearing that this is a wildly complex and interfacing project that I’d want to understand,” added Kizner. He suggested that “a central point of accountability” or “sherpa” guide applicants through the process. Kizner also asked that the entities involved “work in tandem.”
Vice chair Shahidul Mannan asked for a “detailed process diagram” as well as a digital platform to manage applications. Lazarus said that an electronic permitting system is “in the works” and that a consultant is “on board.”
Said Mannan: “That will eliminate a lot of the confusion, I’m hoping, and also speed up the process.”
Member Brian Herr agreed, noting that digitization “would put a level of discipline and certainty into the process.”
Members said some short-term focus areas would be to review other communities’ application processes, hear recommendations from business leaders and Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce members, and extend renewal periods during this cycle.
CORI/SORI process, HPD role reviewed
Mannan also asked if a national applicant background check could be performed in addition to the required Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks.
Lazarus added that all applicants and renewals will undergo CORI and SORI checks now. The one exception is the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) because it operates under a municipal street license.
She also explained that the CORI and SORI reports are kept in state databases. They can be accessed by Town Hall em ployees, as it operates under the licensing authority.
Kizner clarified that the town man ager’s office reviews these reports, not the Hopkinton Police Department, which Lazarus confirmed. During the public comment period, speakers questioned HPD’s role in this process.
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Clark asked about HPD’s role histori cally. Lazarus noted that it has “changed over the years.” Over the last few years, the HPD has “stepped back” from inspections of businesses that don’t serve alcohol or deal with vehicle sales.
“We as a board need to understand that and talk about that,” said Clark. He added that Level 1 sex offenders’ information is not publicly available.
Ritterbusch noted that the HPD also cannot share “rumors and accusations.”
Comparisons to area communities made
Assistant Town Manager Lance Del Priore presented an analysis he compiled of several area communities as well as Boston regarding their CV license process es. He noted that Foxborough, Ashland and Boston “require that the CV be issued before the food permit.” Hopkinton, by contrast, withholds the CV until the food permit is issued. TRANQUILITY
PAWS FOR CONCERN
Charleswood School stormwater violations raise concerns
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
TheConservation Commission on Oct. 21 rebuked the Charleswood School developer for a lack of “urgency” in addressing recent stormwater management violations.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Judy Day, the town’s conservation administrator, explained that on Oct. 16, she observed silt beyond the limit of work in the buffer zone heading into a jurisdictional pond. It was “just off of the worksite for the new Charleswood School,” located at 147 Hayden Rowe Street. She suspected that this was caused by heavy rains two days before.
On Oct. 20, Day said she saw additional silt in two areas, one “just north of that same pond” and the other above it.
While Day acknowledged that the builder “has made a lot of improvements to the site” since that time, another concern was a hole in a concrete drain pipe. The pipe carries an intermittent stream across the planned entrance of the school.
Earlier in the process, Day noted that there were “all sorts of conditions” in place regarding the excavation and replacement of the pipe. The old pipe was cut through during the placement of utilities.
Said Day: “Obviously not how it was meant to be handled.”
“The breach occurred during excavation for what is the utility duct bank,” said project manager Joe Amara.
Because the pipe was “compromised,”
it was removed, he added. It was repaired on the day of the meeting. Within the next two weeks, “the permanent fix” for the pipe will be completed.
Regarding the two runoff areas, Amara said they occurred in areas where the roadway’s grade is being heightened. By the end of the construction season, the grade should be elevated 5-6 feet.
“It was an unfortunate event,” he added. “We do have the measures in place per the contract. But sometimes you’re not going to really see where the water is going to flow until the rain event.”
Chair Melissa Recos advocated for a temporary berm to be placed at the roadway site to stabilize the area. Amara said a temporary berm should be in place within two weeks.
“Why does it take two weeks to build that berm if we have good weather?” questioned co-vice chair Ted Barker-Hook.
Project superintendent Nicholas Brait said the berm could be built in a week and installed by a subcontractor within a week. The construction team plans on backfilling the area to stabilize the slope before installing a berm.
Replied Barker-Hook: “I just don’t sense the urgency from you guys that I feel to make sure all of this is buttoned up as soon as absolutely possible.”
Recos agreed. She noted that the commission was concerned about the project’s erosion control plans before it started because of the soil condition there.
Amara said he will discuss the temporary berm installation with the contractors Charleswood | 9
Robin Pottackal and her dog, Poshy, pose at Hopkinton State Park on Oct. 19 while at the Paws & Claws 5K, a road race that benefits the Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton.
Hundreds turn out for No Kings Day of Action
By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
Hundreds of protestors gathered at the Town Common on Oct. 18 to join in a national day of protest.
“It was peaceful,” said Amy Groves, chair of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee. “There were no accidents, there were no arrests [and] no serious confrontations.”
The HDTC held the event in partnership with Indivisible MA. The protest joined others across the country on Saturday for the second No Kings Day of Action. Demonstrators gathered to participate in a nonviolent protest against the actions of the Trump Administration. The HDTC held its first No Kings protest back in June.
Saturday’s protest saw several hundred demonstrators turn up with signs, banners and flags. Groves estimated that
Stormwater violations
on Wednesday so that “it is at the forefront of their attention.”
Vertex project manager Chris Eberly addressed the commission, noting that the firm’s performance regarding this situation is being documented daily.
“We have made this point of emphasis right from the beginning,” he stressed. “We know the commission’s concerns, and we have relayed them from the initial bid.”
He added that engineering firm Tighe & Bond was brought on as a third-party reviewer by the Planning Board. It will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the board.
75 South Street hearing continued
The commission voted 5-0 to continue the hearing for remediation plans for 75 South Street, the site of an old electronics company near Interstate 495.
Consultant Joe Marquedant explained that the 4-acre parcel is at the corner of Hayward and South streets. The Valpey Fisher technology company built its facility there circa 1973. It made circuit boards.
He added that the owner, who purchased the property last year, understood that there is “hazardous waste on the site below grade as a result of the activities of Valpey Fisher.” The remediation plan calls for several “injections sites,” where chemicals will be introduced to break down the hazardous materials.
The injection sites will be 20-50 feet deep, according to Marquedant. There also will be “a handful of monitor wells.”
Contaminated soil will be put in a sealed container and removed, he said. Once the work is completed, the site will be capped.
Environmental remediation expert Jarrod Yoder explained that iron with emulsified vegetable oil and lactate will be injected “to facilitate biological activity.” Then microbes will be added that will degrade the hazardous materials.
He said it is “a lot safer” than injecting chemicals typically used in this type of process, such as permanganate. The microbes are nontoxic.
Wetlands consultant Joe Orzel questioned whether the project could qualify as a limited project for contamination and mitigation remediation work. The applicant will check into that and will report back at the Nov. 4 meeting. The hearing was continued until then.
about 500 people attended the event, with people expressing themselves in a number of ways — including in costume.
“I did spy a raccoon and a gerbil,” said Groves. “We had lots of blow-up animals, and lots of real animals too.” She commended those who showed up for learning to have fun with the protest and maintaining positivity.
Groves chalked up the number of protestors at Saturday’s No Kings event in Hopkinton to a general trend of involvement. “I think that the protests generally are getting larger and larger,” she said. She also expressed optimism in the number of protestors, citing the 3.5% rule. According to the rule, if 3.5% of a population engages in peaceful protest, it becomes impossible for the government to ignore demands for change.
“For Hopkinton, that would be 700 people, and we’re at 500,” Groves said. “We’re getting bigger and bigger, and I don’t think the protests are going to stop.” Added Groves: “We’re going to keep at it.”
Use November to Finalize Year-End Success and Plan for 2026
November is a pivotal month for financial planning — the time to measure progress, make final strategic tax decisions for 2025, and prepare for 2026. Wait until December, and your finances might get lost somewhere between pumpkin pie and ugly holiday sweaters.
Here’s what to do now to stay in control.
1. Review your planning goals
Have you met savings and investment targets? Paid down debt? Improved spending habits? Reviewing your progress helps identify what to accelerate before December 31 and where to focus in 2026.
2. Tax planning strategies November is ideal for evaluating tax opportunities while there’s still time to act.
• Does a Roth conversion or switching future 401(k) contributions to Roth make sense?
• If converting, what’s your projected 2025 tax bracket, and how much room remains before moving up a bracket?
• Are you a grandparent planning to gift more than $19,000 to a child’s 529 Plan?
• Are you self-employed and opening a solo 401(k)? The plan must be created by December 31, though contributions can
be made until your 2026 tax-filing deadline.
Regulatory update and gifting: The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act of 2025 made many Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions permanent, including lower income tax brackets and the higher standard deduction, so the expected 2026 “rate reset” won’t occur. Some temporary provisions — like higher state and local tax (SALT) deduction limits and expanded child/education incentives — phase down later. Consider whether realizing income, Roth conversions, or charitable deductions in 2025 could improve your long-term tax plan.
The annual gift tax exclusion remains $19,000 per recipient for 2026, and the federal lifetime gift and estate tax exemption rises to $15 million per individual starting January 1, 2026. The top estate and gift tax rate stays 40%.
3. Open enrollment and workplace benefits
Open enrollment is your yearly chance to review benefits:
• Does your health plan still meet your needs?
• Should you fund a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for pre-tax medical savings?
• Do supplemental life, disability or dependent care benefits make sense?
Use your FSA before it expires: FSAs are “use-it-or-lose-it.” For 2025, employers may allow up to $660 to carry over into 2026, or a 2½-month grace period — not both. If you don’t use it, it’s gone — unlike that leftover Halloween candy you somehow keep eating through March.
4. Evaluate your investment portfolio
Review your asset allocation and rebalance if needed. Diversification across asset classes — not just equities — helps manage risk.
If nearing retirement or expecting major expenses, plan how to access funds
efficiently. Tailor your strategy by account type — taxable, traditional, Roth, HSA — to balance liquidity, growth and tax efficiency.
5. Cash flow and emergency savings
Review cash flow and savings. Retirees using a bucket srategy should replenish cash to cover short-term income gaps over two to three years. Working individuals should maintain three to four months of liquidity and access to credit, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for unexpected expenses.
6. Don’t forget your RMDs For 2025, the required minimum distribution (RMD) age remains 73. Inherited IRAs from non-spouses after 2019 require annual RMDs within the 10-year rule. Penalties have been waived through 2025 but take effect January 1, 2026.
Conclusion
November is a month for reflection, gratitude and preparation. Reviewing finances now can set you up for a stronger 2026 — and help you avoid that awkward moment when you realize you splurged on “holiday gifts” for yourself.
If you’re unsure where to start, connect with your Certified Financial Planner® to finish 2025 strong and position yourself for success in the year ahead.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Glenn Brown is a Holliston resident and owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, www. PlanDynamic.com. Glenn is a fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ helping motivated people take control of their planning and investing, so they can balance kids, aging parents and financial independence.
Charleswood | from page 8
Protestors hold signs opposing the Trump Administration during a rally Oct. 18 at the Town Common.
Glenn Brown, Certified Financial Planner
Direct bookings: The next frontier in vacation rental success
In the world of short-term rentals, one phrase has been gaining momentum among professional hosts and property managers: direct bookings. A direct booking happens when a guest reserves a stay directly with the host or management company, rather than using an online travel agency such as Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com.
Professional insights
Instead of relying on those major platforms to handle transactions, the property owner becomes the merchant of record through their own website or email or even a phone conversation.
So why the shift? The answer lies in control, connection and cost. With a direct booking, property managers communicate directly with guests from the start, creating the opportunity to describe the property in detail, answer questions and highlight what makes the home unique. That personal touch often builds stronger trust and sets the tone for a better guest experience.
cation and certain fraud protections, property managers handling direct reservations must create their own systems for screening guests. This includes running background checks, verifying age, collecting signed guest agreements and maintaining secure payment processes. There also is the potential risk of chargebacks if a guest disputes a transaction with their credit card company, so understanding small claims procedures or having protective policies in place is essential.
Another challenge lies in visibility. Large booking platforms invest millions in search engine optimization and advertising, meaning their listings almost always appear before an independent website. As a result, most management companies find it difficult to rely solely on direct bookings for new guests. The smart approach, as many professional operators have discovered, is to use those larger channels for initial exposure and then convert guests into loyal repeat visitors through direct channels.
That is exactly how leading companies are using this strategy. After a guest books through Airbnb or Vrbo, the company collects contact information during the stay and later invites great guests back through a direct booking website, rewarding them with a lower rate while keeping the relationship in-house.
TREE CARE
From a financial perspective, direct bookings help operators retain more of their income. Traditional online travel agencies often charge significant fees, sometimes as high as 15%, that reduce both the guest’s savings and the owner’s bottom line. By booking directly, guests save money and hosts keep more of the revenue. Being the merchant of record also allows the operator to hold the funds, providing more flexibility and consistency in enforcing cancellation or payment policies.
However, direct bookings are not without challenges. Unlike Airbnb or Vrbo, which offer automated guest verifi-
Looking ahead, direct bookings are becoming a cornerstone of sustainable growth in the short-term rental industry. As competition tightens and marketing costs rise, the companies that own their guest relationships will hold the real advantage. With thoughtful systems, consistent branding and modern technology, direct bookings no longer are just an alternative — they are the future of professional vacation rental management.
Dave Menapace, President
The 5 Star Co-Host, LLC 5strcohost.com
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 1-year-old Moose.
Here is Baypath’s description of Moose:
“Meet Moose! This 90-pound Belgian Malinois is as handsome as he is brilliant.
“Moose is a social guy who loves people and is happiest when he’s right by your side. He’s an athlete at heart — chasing tennis balls, squeaking his favorite toys, enjoying long walks and always eager to learn — he knows sit, down, come and stay … en español!
“A true smarty-paws, Moose thrives on learning and would love a family that keeps him active and engaged through positive-reinforcement training.
“With patience, consistency and plenty of love, he’ll be your loyal, loving shadow for life.”
For more information about Moose 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
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Dave Menapace, President The 5 Star Co-Host
PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
FREE SKATE
Dignitaries from the community cut the ribbon Oct. 17 to formally open the redesigned Hank Fredette Skatepark at EMC Park.
Select Board gets update on efforts to control ‘dangerous’ dog
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
The Select Board at its meeting Oct.
21 thanked the town’s animal control officer and the owner of a dog it deemed “dangerous” a month ago for working together to implement measures to keep the pit bull from running loose off ithe property.
At the Sept. 23 meeting, the board heard testimony from neighbor Hannah Chase about the dog, named Thor. She described in harrowing detail how her boyfriend had to restrain Thor while she pried her cat from the dog’s teeth. Chase also recalled how the dog jumped a 4-foot fence and attacked three of her chickens, killing one.
Animal control officer Bill Proctor appeared before the board to describe the progress made since the last meeting. He explained that he met with Gabriel Knupe, the pit bull’s owner, at his home at 50 Hayward Street.
“So far, the gentleman has replaced windows in the house,” he said. “He still has some crank-out windows, but they’re not where the dog is going to jump out of.”
He added that the back porch was fixed so the dog cannot escape. The owner has been walking the dog on a leash three times a day. Previously, Chase noted that Thor did not have a leash or a collar on at the time her cat and chickens were attacked.
“He’s doing everything that we’ve asked of him,” Proctor said of Knupe.
The one remaining item is the installation of a new fence. This is not financially feasible right now, according to Proctor.
Proctor recommended that he continue to monitor the situation. The board agreed.
“From my standpoint, progress is being made,” said chair Joe Clark. “We understand everything can’t happen right away. But it sounds like the dog’s been on the leash when people see it out.”
Conservation seat filled
The board unanimously voted to appoint Walter Garland to the Conservation Commission. His term will expire on June 30, 2027.
Garland, a former Board of Appeals member, has been a Hopkinton resident
for almost 30 years. He said he had wanted to join the commission before but was waiting for a vacancy to emerge.
Said Garland: “I think I bring a level head to any conversation that the board might have. I would be honored to serve on the Conservation Commission.”
Member Matthew Kizner noted that the current and former presidents of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association (LMPA), Michael Riley and Sabine St. Pierre, offered glowing recommendations on Garland’s behalf at the meeting’s start.
There is one additional seat open on the Conservation Commission.
FY 26 goals approved
Select Board members unanimously approved their goals for this fiscal year after discussing them over the last two meetings. These goals include:
— Balancing the FY 27 budgets and capital plan while minimizing tax impacts and avoiding a Proposition 2 1/2 override;
— Ensuring safe, reliable and clean drinking water and achieving a standardized approach to setting municipal water and sewer rates;
— Preparing a strategic plan for the town that will integrate the charter review process outcome.
Trunk or Treat alcohol approved
After some discussion, the board unanimously approved a special temporary alcohol license for a Trunk or Treat event. It is scheduled for Oct. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Resilience Fitness, located at 45R South Street.
Organized by Kellie Dow, the president of the ReMax Executive Charitable Foundation, the event intends to raise money to directly fund local families in need. Alcohol will be served by TIPs certified servers.
Main Street project updated
The board unanimously approved a request authorizing Town Manager Elaine Lazarus to execute a permanent license agreement with the owner of 96 Main Street as part of work for the Main Street Corridor Project.
A line of bollards needs to be installed at the Pleasant Street intersection
for safety reasons, Lazarus explained.
“One of the issues there is that the base of the bollard is 10 inches wide,” she said.
“The town has 8 inches of right of way.”
The property owner, Lazarus said, is willing to allow the installation to overlap onto the property. The license agreement would allow the town to install and maintain these bollards.
On a related note, Lazarus said trees were planted Tuesday at the Town Common. Plantings will branch out from there along Main Street.
Verizon plans to finish all its utility transfers by the end of October. Verizon
and Eversource will coordinate with A.F. Amorello & Sons, the project’s construction company, about adjustments needed for paving work.
Amorello also will work on curbing and sidewalk repairs this week. The company plans to complete final paving work on the project’s west side by the end of October.
The grading at the intersection of 35 Main Street and Hoyt Way needs to be adjusted. Lazarus said it would be completed in the fall if time allowed. If not, work likely would begin in the spring after the Boston Marathon.
A retiree’s guide for National Retirement Security Month
If you’re retired, it’s easy to let your finances go on autopilot. Since October is National Retirement Security Month, it’s a good time to revisit some areas that can impact your long-term financial security and help your money last a lifetime.
Consider these suggestions: Manage your withdrawal rate. You’ll likely need to tap into your retirement accounts — your IRA and 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan. But think carefully about how much income you withdraw every year. If you take out too much, especially in the early years of your retirement, you risk outliving your resources. You have the option of withdrawing from these accounts at age 59½. Once you turn 73, you’ll be required to take out at least a certain amount each year based on your age and account balance.
Consider when to take Social Security. You can start receiving monthly Social Security checks at age 62, but your payments will generally be larger if you wait until your “full” retirement age of 66 or 67. (The size of your payments will “max out” at age 70.) If you believe you have longevity working in your favor, and you can afford to wait, you may well be better off by delaying Social Security as long as possible. Avoid investing too conservatively. Once you’re retired, you might think you should take as few chances with your investments as possible — after all, you have less time for them to bounce back from a downturn than you did during your working years. Nonetheless, it’s important to consider keeping a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented investments in your portfolio to help you stay ahead of inflation. Even at a low rate, inflation can erode your purchasing power over time.
Estimate health care costs. When you turn 65, you will be eligible for Medicare, but you may still need a Medicare supplement plan, both of which will require premium payments. You’ll probably also incur a variety of other unreimbursed expenses for doctor visit copays or deductibles, prescription drugs and vision, hearing and dental care. Additionally, about 70% of adults ages 65 and older will need some form of long-term support, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. This may include a paid home health aide (average cost of $77,792 per year), an assisted living residence (average cost of $70,500 per year) or nursing home care (private room average cost of $127,750 per year). (Cost estimates are from Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey.) Over the course of your retirement, these can add up, so be realistic when budgeting for health care expenses
Keep your generosity in check. If you have grown children who need financial help, or grandchildren heading to college someday, you’d no doubt like to do what you can to assist them. However, the hard truth is that they have more time than you to find workable financial solutions, whereas if you deplete your funds through your generosity, you could put yourself in a precarious position. So, be as giving as you can afford — but try not to go beyond that. By preserving your financial independence, you’ll end up benefiting your family as well.
Retirement is ideally an enjoyable time in your life, especially if you feel financially stable. So, take time to check in periodically to keep that stability on track. Mark
77 W. Main Street Hopkinton, MA (508) 293-4017
Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Fundraiser underway for injured HMS teacher
Mingace | from page 1
ride their motorcycles to dinner together that evening.
“We were going to go down the road from my place to get some chicken wings,” Collotta explained. “When he didn’t come, I thought he bagged out on me.
“Then he called me from the ambulance around 5 to tell me he was in an accident,” he continued. “I was shocked. I was able to speak to a paramedic, who told me he had some broken bones. Luckily, I was told there was no serious head injury.”
Collotta said he was told that an offduty Massachusetts State Police officer assisted Mingace at the scene.
“They told me he had lost a lot of blood, so the off-duty officer put a tourniquet on Billy’s leg,” he said.
Collotta described what his cousin told him about the accident.
“He said a truck came out of the blue at him,” he shared. “He made a splitsecond decision to try to get out of the way as the truck backed out into him. He said there was nothing he could do.”
Collotta said he was told by the paramedic that the truck’s driver remained at the scene of the accident.
According to the Grafton Police Department’s log from Oct. 6, the accident was reported “in the vicinity of Providence Road and Milford Road” at 4:18 p.m. Mingace was transported to a local hospital for treatment at that time.
Mingace was transferred to “an area rehab facility” on Oct. 15 to continue his convalescence, Collotta shared. He declined to name the facility or the hospital
Parks & Rec OK’s memorandum over cash handling, procurement
By Nick Schofield
Contributing Writer
During a brief special meeting Oct.
10, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to accept a memorandum of understanding with the town regarding procurement and cash handling.
“The one agenda item we have is to review, discuss and potentially agree to sign the MOU that was put together that was addressing the attorney general’s comments,” Parks & Rec chair Dan Terry explained as the proceedings began. The meeting lasted less than 10 minutes.
Town Manager Elaine Lazarus attended the meeting and provided an overview of what the town was asking from the commission. She explained that the Office of the Inspector General recommended that Parks & Rec sign the MOU to acknowledge it is subject to the town’s policies for cash handling and procurement.
“That’s what the ask is,” said Lazarus, “that you vote to sign the MOU, if it’s acceptable to you.”
The special meeting and the MOU were the result of a recent investigation by the OIG into former Parks & Rec Director Jay Guelfi. The OIG concluded that Guelfi, who served as director from 2015 until his retirement in 2023, intentionally circumvented the state’s procurement laws.
Guelfi is alleged to have engaged in a “handshake agreement” with a local food truck vendor who operated concessions at the Fruit Street athletic fields. That agreement, which violated laws regarding solicitation of services valued between $10,000-$50,000, began around 2019. The vendor ceased operations at Fruit Street in 2022.
The OIG’s investigation also de-
termined Guelfi did not turn over the proceeds from the concession stand to the town treasurer as required by law. Instead, he allegedly kept the cash in his desk and used at least a portion of it to reimburse employees for department purchases.
“A full accounting of all money received by Guelfi and where it went could never be reconstructed due to insufficient records,” the OIG stated in a press release.
After hearing from Lazarus, the commission quickly voted to approve signing the MOU. Terry agreed to go sign the document in person later in the day and encouraged the other commissioners to complete their signatures within the next week.
Current Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus also took time to establish how his department has handled such issues since he started in September 2023. He said policies and procedures were rewritten and voted on by the commission within his first six months as his department found areas where change was necessary.
“Two facilities I identified immediately that we needed to make procedural changes [were] Sandy Beach and Fruit Street concessions,” Lewitus said. “We implemented those changes, and continue to do that in our department.”
He added that a request for proposal for Fruit Street yielded no bidders, though Parks & Rec did enter into a contract with a local business to put vending machines at the fields.
Lazarus and Terry commended Lewitus for his work. Terry also stressed the importance of maintaining compliance with town and state regulations.
“Anything short of compliant … it can certainly raise questions and a lack of trust within the community,” said Terry.
out of respect for his cousin’s privacy.
“It’s going to be a long road to recovery for him,” he said. “When he gets out of rehab, he will need some care.”
Collotta started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign on Oct. 10 to help his cousin with “medical expenses and daily needs.” As of Oct. 17, just over half of the $15,000 goal had been raised.
Collotta said neither he nor Mingace know when he would be well enough to return to work.
Said Collotta: “It really means a lot to him that Hopkinton is pulling for him.”
‘Nothing the motorcycle could do’
In an interview with the Hopkinton Independent on Oct. 16, Sgt. Michael Mazzola of the Grafton Police Department corroborated Collotta’s account of the accident and shared additional details. While he was not on duty at the time of the incident, he said he reviewed the file and spoke with colleagues about it.
“The motorcycle was traveling in the northbound lane on Providence Road at Milford Road, near the Grafton/Northbridge town line,” he explained. “The motorcycle crashed into the back of a truck that was pulling out onto Providence Road near Milford Road.
“It was a pretty straightforward, bad accident,” continued Mazzola. “Obvious-
ly, because the person was on a motorcycle and given that it was late afternoon, we assume he was pretty much going at full speed, around 40 mph.
“The truck just pulled right out into the path of the motorcycle,” he said. “There was really nothing the motorcycle could do.”
A Grafton Police Department recall team responded to the emergency, noted Mazzola. In addition, the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) was called in to investigate the incident, as well as the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
“The motorcycle did nothing wrong,” stressed Mazzola. “He wouldn’t have been at fault anyway, because the motorcycle has the right of way in that situation. Sometimes people don’t realize that.”
Mazzola described the truck as acting “like a brick wall” to the motorcycle.
He added: “The saving grace is that the motorcycle flipped into the bed of the truck.”
When questioned about the role of the off-duty MSP officer, Mazzola said, “I did hear about the officer applying the tourniquet. My understanding was that the victim’s femur was injured.”
While he stressed that the accident remained under investigation, he noted that “there was no alcohol involved” and that “the person who was driving the truck was charged.” He did not indicate the scope of the charges.
Starbucks parking hearing continued after modification request
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
The Planning Board on Oct. 20 voted 8-0 to continue the hearing for the proposed parking lot expansion at the UniBank/Starbucks plaza. The applicant decided to reduce the number of new spaces requested from two to one and later proposed restriping the lot.
PLANNING BOARD
The commercial parking lot at 85-89 West Main Street is located on an acre at the corner of West Main Street and Lumber Street. The small but popular shopping plaza is occupied by UniBank, Starbucks, Verizon and a nail salon.
The original proposal presented in June sought four spaces that would be created by reducing two landscape islands. The Planning Board continued that hearing until after the Conservation Commission reviewed the plan. On July 22, the Conservation Commission voiced concerns about the increase in impervious space on a revised plan for three new spaces. At the Aug. 4 Planning Board meeting, a request for two spaces was submitted. Concerns were raised about the need to install infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations.
At this meeting, project engineer Andrew Steiner explained that a surveyor analyzed the site since the last discus-
sion to correct a “slight discrepancy” from what had been submitted. Steiner confirmed that the parking lot currently has 42 spaces.
The applicant was seeking to add two spaces, he said. Room for these spaces would be made by restriping several current spaces for compact cars.
The purpose of the new plan is to document the number of spaces currently on the site as well as to make the parking lot “compliant with the town’s accessible parking regulations,” according to Steiner.
Because this plan does not require buffer zone disturbance, he noted that the applicant has withdrawn the application from consideration by the Conservation Commission.
EV waiver request prompts debate
The town’s bylaw requires that any project that has to go for site plan review for parking provide EV connections. Charging stations either have to be installed, or the parking spaces have to be EV ready. The applicant requested a waiver. Steiner noted that the board has the power to waive the requirement.
Samara Solan, a co-owner of the plaza, advocated for the waiver, citing the financial impact of infrastructure installation. She noted that the proposal’s goal now is to “construct a single parking space for the purpose of meeting the handicap parking requirements.”
“The cost of this minor project is under $10,000,” said Solan. Making two spaces EV ready would cost “over $50,000 and perhaps significantly more.”
About 50% of the current parking spaces are located within the 100-foot buffer zone, Solan noted. The utility room is located “deep within the buffer.” Electrical cables would need to run from there to modified spaces.
She added that 15% of the spaces are reserved for UniBank and cannot be modified, and 7% of the spaces are reserved for accessible parking, which Solan said was “not suitable for electric charging stations.” Most of the remaining spaces are used by Starbucks, which she said has “a lease
provision that prohibits any action that would reduce parking capacity at the site.”
Member Parker Happ noted that the plaza’s location near Interstate 495 makes it “a logical place” for motorists using EVs to stop and charge them.
Happ added that members of the Sustainable Green Committee alerted him to the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loan program through MassDevelopment for businesses that are upgrading their property to include “energy improvements.”
Chair Rob Benson questioned whether the small project review would still be required if the proposal were solely about restriping the lot. John Gelcich, the director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, said it would not.
Victor Teglasi, who also represented the property owners, said one new accessible space is proposed. Two others exist.
Added Teglasi: “The handicapped spaces are not good candidates for EV utilization because the population that could use it would be very limited.”
Questions raised about site history
Vice chair Matthew Wronka questioned the documentation about the history of the site. He noted that “we’ve not had a great history with this specific project” and its requests to add spaces over the years. He also pointed out the lack of a peer review of this plan.
“There are a lot of things that concern me about the viability of this project,” he continued. “We’ve had three meetings on this, and this is the fourth site plan that we’ve had that’s had some drastic changes in it.”
After more discussion about the history of extra spot requests since 2017, Teglasi asked that a straw poll be taken regarding waiving the EV requirement. It failed by a 6-2 vote.
“The bottom line is there just isn’t room,” said member Amna Diwan regarding additional spaces.
Teglasi sought a conditional approval for restriping the lot for three required accessible spaces, which Gelcich said was not allowed. He explained that it called for a new application because it now was for “a completely different scope of work” that had not been previously advertised.
Teglasi pushed for “contingent approval” based on future plans that would not include a new spot, which Gelcich said could not be done. Gelcich recommended that the hearing be continued so new plans could be submitted. Teglasi then asked for a straw poll, which Gelcich said was not possible.
Added Gelcich: “It’s getting very confusing, honestly, trying to decipher all the hypotheticals.”
The hearing was continued until the next meeting on Nov. 3.
Deiana Farm bond reduction approved
The board voted 8-0 to approve the request for a bond reduction for the Deiana Farm subdivision at 6 Nebraska Street. The original bond was for $124,000; the request was to lower it to $12,090.
Applicant Jeff Deiana explained that he requested the reduction because he did not realize that the bond was only intended for the work in the town right of way. He initially assumed that it was for all of the infrastructure work on the property as well
Planning Board | 15
Delicious, quick, hot pizza plus more at Crust & Co.
Open seven days a week, the newly opened Crust & Co. Pizza & More at 77 West Main Street in Hopkinton offers area customers a 120-item menu featuring custom and specialty Greek pizzas, calzones, hot and cold subs/wraps, dinners, pasta dishes, salads and desserts, all made with fresh, quality ingredients.
Lifelong restaurateur Ryan Dion bought the former Hillers Pizza this summer and opened his new business in September. “Crust & Co. is offering a fresh start for Hopkinton,” said Dion, who investigated all aspects of the restaurant before purchasing it from the building’s landlord.
“I am 100% the sole owner,” he added.
Dion explained his decision by saying, “Hopkinton is a great location for this business. My social media research found that over 95% of the comments about the food were rave reviews. And most of the restaurant’s kitchen equipment was under five years old, including the double-stack conveyor belt that can produce our Greek pizzas in minutes.”
Because customers like the food, Dion said, “For now, about 98% of the menu is the same.” He also kept the layout of the restaurant but refreshed the decor, adding hand-painted sportsthemed murals. Additionally, Dion was able to retain the eight full-time employees and the 10 high school athletes who are cashiers and in-house delivery drivers. “Part of the reason I opened the restaurant so quickly was to keep my full-time staff,” said Dion. “Our customers will see familiar faces and be able to order the food they enjoy.”
Besides serving individual customers, Crust & Co. is expanding its catering menu to serve businesses, groups and anyone planning events. “We offer great food with speedy service,” said Dion, who noted all the pizza dough is made in-house daily.
A lifelong Massachusetts resident who grew up in Melrose and now lives in Westford with his wife, Hilary, and their
two boys, Dion has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years. A University of New Hampshire graduate with a business major and hospitality minor, he began his career at Burton’s Grill, where he worked for a decade. In 2014, he created and co-founded 110 Grill, which, along with the other RAVentures Hospitality brands, spread to 60 locations in seven states. For the last five years, he has been vice president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
Eager to become part of the community, Dion has joined the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce and has started making donations, recently delivering food for a Hopkinton High School volleyball team fundraiser. “I look forward to getting more involved, especially with education, because better kids make for a greater tomorrow,” said Dion.
Crust & Co. Pizza & More is open Saturdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays — which Dion calls America’s pizza night — from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Individuals can order online by visiting CrustAndCompanyPizza.com or by calling 508-435-3926. Customers can enjoy their food in the restaurant’s dining room, outdoor patio or as takeout. Delivery is provided by the in-house drivers and DoorDash.
Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.
Starbucks parking hearing continued
as the road. Deiana has not yet posted the amount because he wanted to seek clarification, he explained.
He added that he priced everything on the project “by the foot,” including machinery and labor costs.
Once the bond is posted, Deiana said he can get the building permit and begin construction. The plans call for site improvements for the existing lot and the proposed single-family house
Trails Committee proposes 10 mph speed limit for bikes on trails
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
The Trails Committee on Oct. 15 voted 8-0 to recommend that the Select Board consider the implementation of a 10 mph speed limit for both traditional and electric bicycles on the town’s shared-use trails.
Chair Peter LaGoy drafted a letter to the Select Board before the meeting that proposed setting a speed limit for e-bikes. It was modified over the course of discussion to include standard bicycles. While the letter stated that the committee supports e-bike use, it stressed safety concerns and damage caused to trails by e-bikes as reasons for requesting that a speed limit be imposed. It recommended posting the speed limit on the town’s three shared-use paths — the Center, Hughes Farm and Echo trails.
“The thinking was to try and encourage responsible use,” said LaGoy. “This is a huge town-wide issue.”
“E-bikes are being used in a manner that cuts ruts into trails,” the letter stated, “which over time will result in stormwater runoff erosion to the trails. In particular, E-bikes with throttles are started quickly in a manner that can dig into the trails.”
Vice chair Scott Knous at first balked at the committee making a recommendation, preferring instead that the Select Board “do due diligence” on the issue on its own.
LaGoy countered that the letter served two purposes. It notified the Select Board that the Trails Committee has been look-
ing into the situation while emphasizing the value of e-bike use “on certain types of trails.”
Knous said he didn’t believe the speed limit could be enforced. He also pointed out that e-bikes are harder to control on soft surfaces. They may startle other types of trail users, he pointed out, including walkers and horseback riders.
Clerk Linda Chuss said she believed the 10 mph speed limit on Center Trail would be helpful from a sustainability perspective as more people turn to using e-bikes. She suggested that the speed limit apply to all types of bikes, which members endorsed.
Member Jane Moran added that e-bikes can provide an accessibility option for older people and people with disabilities.
After the vote on modifying the letter to include traditional bikes, resident Don Keiser suggested that the committee work on “courtesy guidelines for the trails.”
Boardwalk plan in motion
Treasurer Sean Kimball, a member of the physical trails ad-hoc subgroup, told the committee he did “a bunch of stuff” independently, as this subgroup did not meet yet.
One project Kimball tackled was combining two lists of trails into one spreadsheet that could be modified. He said his hope is to create a trail database. Once completed, this could be applied to a town-wide trail map to create trail zones.
Trails | 16
lot. Work would be performed in the town right of way.
Lots released for Red Tail Circle
The board also voted 8-0 to release two lots for the Red Tail Circle subdivision, located at 24 Chestnut Street. The other three lots in the five-lot subdivision previously were released. The proposal called for four homes to be built and one existing home to be modified.
Ryan Dion is the owner of Crust & Co. Pizza & More, a newly opened restaurant offering quick, hot pizza and other dishes in Hopkinton.
Trails Committee proposes 10 mph speed limit for bikes on trails
This inventory project would allow members to see where needs for trails exist as well as where trail clusters appear, he added.
LaGoy said this list will be helpful information for the trail planning subgroup. Knous noted that the inventory could be used by the outreach subgroup to target its messaging efforts.
Kimball told members that he met with members of the Woodville Rod & Gun Club regarding the proposed reconstruction of the bridge at the Woodville trail, which is located 50 feet north of the club’s property. He brought a letter from the club to the meeting in opposition to the plan.
“Essentially what they said is that the trail is dangerous,” stressed Kimball, who said he walked the trail with some club members. “I personally agree with them.”
Kimball noted that he found whole clay pigeons on the trail. They generally are used for target practice.
Because of this discovery, the committee voted 8-0 not to go forward with building the bridge there. The wood, which already was purchased, could be used for two boardwalks planned for the Berry Acres area, according to Kimball.
A proposal was submitted by the committee to the Conservation Commission regarding these boardwalks at its Oct. 7 meeting, but it did not include a schematic drawing. One boardwalk is 16 feet in length, while the other is 60 feet. The plan is expected to be reviewed at
the Conservation Commission’s Oct. 21 meeting.
Outreach strategies discussed
Knous and Chuss, who are members of the outreach subcommittee, spoke about various methods to connect with groups and residents in town. Their end goal is to create a greater public awareness about Hopkinton’s extensive trail networks and encourage usage by diverse populations.
Suggestions Knous provided included fostering partnerships with the schools, local businesses and organizations. He mentioned activities such as scavenger hunts, themed trail walks and photo contests.
In addition, Knous said the committee should meet people “where they are.”
Reaching out to different types of trail users, the South Asian community, “moms groups” and neighborhood organizations is crucial, he explained. Trail ambassadors and volunteer recognition awards were other suggestions mentioned.
Chuss noted that traditional and social media can be used to connect with the public. Maps, pictures and videos can be shared easily digitally.
She added that trails committees in neighboring towns are beginning to meet together, and this committee will be invited to the next joint meeting.
Chuss also proposed an informal social gathering for members of all town committees and boards with a focus on natural resources and to get to know one another.
SENIOR SNIPPETS
The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter.com. Anyone with questions can call 508-497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.
Book Club
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m.
One of life’s pleasures is a good book. Another is having the time to read it. At this meeting, attendees can relax and bring something to drink, all while enjoying book reviews and socializing. This month, the club will discuss “Green Kingdom” by Cornelia Funkes.
Our Time Memory Cafe at the Senior Center
Thursday, Nov. 6, 1 p.m.
This is a welcoming gathering at the Senior Center for those experiencing forgetfulness or mild cognitive impairment, or living with dementia, and their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, share experiences and form friendships. Live music and refreshments usually are offered. This is a joint venture between Senior Services and the Hopkinton Public Library. For more information, call the Senior Center.
LIBRARY CORNER
For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary. org. Visit the library’s website calendar for event registration information. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
The library will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
The library’s Board of Trustees will hold its next meeting Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Coffee House: Cormac McCarthy with Sammie Haynes
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2-3 p.m.
Singer-songwriter and musician Cormac McCarthy, along with wife Sammie Haynes — a Hopkinton native — will perform as part of the library’s ongoing Coffee House series.
Coffee House: Hungrytown
Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson make up the musical fusion of Hungrytown. Their music blends traditional folk with rich harmonies and intricate instrumentation.
Superintendent Listening Session
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m.
As part of his district-wide listening tour, Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Evan Bishop will visit the Senior Center to hear from community members. This is an opportunity for residents to share thoughts, ask questions and engage in conversation about how to continue strengthening the partnership between Hopkinton schools and the broader community. All are welcome to attend and join the discussion. Coffee and light refreshments will be available.
Sound Bath
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2:15 p.m.
In this magical and relaxing hour, Crystal Lee will lead participants in experiencing the sound waves from crystal bowls. They are meant to synchronize brain wave frequencies, fostering deep relaxation and a tranquil mind, which may ease anxiety, manage stress and support a balanced mood. Attendees should bring a yoga mat, pillow and blanket, and may sit or lie down for this session. Advance registration is required.
Tragic Story of Bonnie and Clyde
Monday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m.
This presentation brings the story of the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde to life with rare period photographs, original footage and modern photos and videos captured by historian, author and public speaker Christopher Daley. In his talk, Daley will separate Hollywood myth from fact to dig into the complex true story of Bonnie and Clyde.
CHILDREN’S & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS
Horror Makeup with Little Spark Theater
Thursday, Oct. 30, 4-5:30 p.m.
Little Spark Theater presents a workshop for children ages 11-18 all about stage makeup. Participants will learn how to create realistic horror makeup for Halloween featuring blood, bruises and zombie skin.
Trick or Treating at the Library
Friday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Children are invited to wear costumes to the library and get treats at each of the service desks throughout the building.
Movie Showing:
‘The Good Dinosaur’ Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-4:30 p.m.
The library kicks off Dinovember with a showing of Disney’s “The Good Dinosaur.” This event is open to all ages. Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the movie will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Dinoman presents Dinosaurs
Saturday, Nov. 8, 10-11 a.m.
Dinoman will lead children on a trip through the Mesozoic era with the help of life-sized prehistoric reptiles. Attendees will hear about the age of the earth, how it is divided into eras, how fossils are formed, dinosaur behavior and the newest paleontological finds. This program is recommended for ages 4 and up. Registration is required.
School Committee looks at timing on HVAC projects, approves capital plan
By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer
On Oct. 9, the School Committee gave administrators direction on how to proceed with HVAC projects at the middle and high schools.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Susan Rothermich gave a presentation on how to accomplish these projects without putting more debt and tax burden on the community.
“We’re trying to time [this] out to have little or no impact,” Rothermich said.
At the high school, the budget cost for the geothermal water to water heat pump (WWHP) system totals $18.9 million. MassSave and Federal Tax Credits are $1.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively.
Rothermich said the WWHP option is most favorable, with baseline energy savings of $6,500 and cooling adjustment energy savings of $86,000. The savings on geothermal is more than what would be achieved replacing in kind what currently exists and adding cooling.
The net cost comparisons would be $11.2 million for geothermal and $11.5 million for traditional plus cooling.
Rothermich spoke about the debt for the Charleswood School project, noting the construction contract is $22,684,689 under budget and contingency is $9,472,944 under budget, for a total of $38 million under budget.
Rothermich emphasized, “However, the project is early on and there will be change orders; $38 million will not be the number, but it gives you an idea of the magnitude where we stand [now].”
She outlined how the district is “conservatively estimating” the Charleswood project as coming in under budget by $20 million.
Combining that with Mass Save credits on the Hopkins School project expected in the fall of 2026 ($513,000), subsequent credits given in fiscal year 2027 ($1.8 million), and the same for Charleswood in FY 28 ($1.9 million), it means the district would be able to cover the high school HVAC project, she said.
A potential scenario would include seeking a Town Meeting vote in May of 2027 to add the HVAC high school project onto the 10-year plan and give engineering consultant CMTA direction on how to proceed.
After that, Rothermich highlighted how debt would work for a middle school hybrid geothermal system with a $15.3 million budget ($11.05 million net) and Mass Save credits of $3.5 million.
That project’s cost could be offset by credits for
The Hopkinton Special Education Parent Advisory Council will hold a community event this month meant to focus on empathy, inclusion and connection.
The event, titled “Understanding Our Differences,” will take place at the Hopkinton Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting the event in honor of Disability Awareness Month.
Organized as a community-wide panel discussion, the evening will feature two expert panelists exploring both visible and unseen differences and how those differences can be celebrated. Attendees will hear insights from leaders in advocacy and neurodiversity, engage in a community discussion and learn meaningful ways to talk with children about differences.
“Our goal is to create a space where parents, caregivers, educators and community members can come together to build empathy and inclusion across Hopkinton,” SEPAC stated in a press release.
the Charleswood project in the summer of 2029, the high school WWHP project in the summer of 2029 and so on.
She said this time next year, the district would have a better idea how things are going a year into construction on Charleswood.
Member Nancy Cavanaugh clarified that debt savings from one project could not automatically be transferred to fund a different project. “It’s separate votes,” she said.
Cavanaugh added that she hoped Town Meeting would see the logic and rationale about using timing, tax credits and Charleswood’s under budget amount over several years to accomplish the HVAC work.
“Geothermal makes the most sense to meet green initiatives,” she said. “The biggest thing is timing of debt, and I like the idea of doing it in FY 28. On the flip side, how much liability is there if issues come up with the high school boilers?”
Rothermich said the high school has five boilers, so if one goes off, it does not mean the school will not be heated.
Chair Kyla McSweeney said she understands the “huge concern” by residents that their taxes will increase again. “But we also have to do something about the boilers at the high school.”
Prior to the presentation, Sustainability Green Committee chair Geoff Rowland offered his support of the geothermal water to water heat pump option at the high school and geothermal hybrid option at the middle school.
He said it was a “win-win” with strategic timing to get ahead of failing systems, achieve climate goals and financial incentives and open the possibility of Green Communities ($500,000) and Climate Leaders ($1 million) grants.
Rowland said the geothermal options align with recent decisions on energy efficiencies at the other schools and “put you on the path to reach the town’s net zero goals. … The most [financially] smart choice is also the greatest.”
FY 27 capital plan approved
After hearing a presentation on the 10-year capital plan, the School Committee focused on and approved moving forward the FY 27 capital requests. They include a handicapped accessible vehicle for the 1822 special education program ($95,000); classroom desks and chairs at the middle school ($217,000); and technology including projectors, security upgrades, radio and camera replacements ($150,000).
Town Meeting ultimately votes on capital items.
The two featured panelists will be autism specialist and educator Betsy Johnson and Leslie Leslie, a project officer at the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Johnson also is a Hopkinton resident and consults for The Arc of Massachusetts.
Charleswood ceremony Nov. 4
The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the Charleswood Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 3-4 p.m. The event will take place at the construction entrance next to Marathon School (129 Hayden Rowe Street).
Metta graduates Ga. Tech
Rahul Metta of Hopkinton earned an M.S. in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Metta was among approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students who earned degrees during the summer semester.
SportS Tough slate leaves Hillers girls soccer ‘battle-tested’ as postseason nears
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
Hopkinton High School girls soccer coach Dan Collins knows his team’s schedule is difficult, but he sees the challenge as a doubleedged sword.
“On one hand, it’s tough and it’s tiring,” Collins said in mid-October, amid a string of three-match weeks for his squad, which had an 11-1-1 record heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
“By the end of it, it’s like, ‘Oh my goodness, we went through a gauntlet and we have to do it again,’ ” he said. “At the same time, you do have to be battle-tested at some point.”
Collins, in his first year as head coach, said the challenge of playing three matches per week in the Tri-Valley League should have his team as sharp as possible for the state tournament.
“You need to manufacture pressure a little bit,” he said. “And we are feeling that right now.”
Fortunately for Collins, he said he is able to fully rely on all 23 members of his varsity team to contribute in a variety of ways. Several players have stood out in their selflessness, including senior captain Aila Chase.
“She was a starting goalie for the past two years, and she came to us and said that our other goalie deserved to get the starting job this year,” Collins said. “She wanted to compete for playing time, and she became our leading scorer as a striker.”
Chase, Collins said, brings talent and a physically imposing presence to the field.
“She is a menace for defenses,” he said. “She is vocal, she brings so much good energy, and she is the most selfless athlete and a phenomenal teammate.”
The Hillers have three other captains, all of whom
By Chris Villani Contributing Writer
The Hopkinton High School boys soccer team took a 6-5-3 record into the homestretch of the regular season, and coach Garrett Sawyer said his squad has the ability to make some noise in the upcoming state tournament if it can put it all together.
are important cogs for the team. Mairin O’Connor is a strong facilitator in the midfield and another player who Collins praised as a great teammate. Ashley McCann and Alex Clarke are captains who have been battling injuries this year. Collins said they are two of the team’s most “complete” players.
“They are finding ways to contribute and help the team in nontraditional ways,” he said. “It just speaks to their leadership.”
Hopkinton has a balanced scoring attack, with a handful of players following Chase in the goalsscored category. The Hillers also are buoyed by skilled younger players. Sophomores Natalie Prisco, Riley Colleran and Taylor Skaff — who took over in goal this fall — are all among Hopkinton’s most consistent contributors.
With the season winding down, Collins said the team is focusing on the process and will let any potential titles take care of themselves.
“We said back in March, we are going to have one goal: to compete every day,” he said. “To win a league title or go to a final four or be considered a top-10 team, that’s all well and good. But we really just want to compete every day.”
“Our league is really competitive, but we have had some good results and some results where we thought we could have played better,” Sawyer said. “I think we still have some room to improve in the final weeks.”
HHS senior captain Alex Clarke surveys the field during a recent match against Westwood.
HHS players (from left) Landon Van Buren, Tim Zakharov, Ian Weilding and Jason O’Connell celebrate a goal during a recent game against Holliston.
SportS
Zhong has had a strong second half of the season. On Oct. 9, in his first time playing the TPC Boston course, he recorded a 39 to earn medalist honors. He also notched two rounds of 37, once at Hopkinton Country Club and the other at Westborough Golf Course. “He has a complete game and hits the ball very far off the tee. When his game is on, he is hard to beat,” shared coach Bill Phaneuf, who also praised Zhong’s attitude and leadership. “Alvin is the perfect embodiment of a golfer, student and human, and we all can’t wait to see what he does next year and beyond.”
A four-year varsity player and secondyear captain who was team MVP and a Tri-Valley League All-Star last year, Fowler “has been a cornerstone” of the program, coach Ally Valencia stated.
“She’s the heartbeat of our midfield who controls the tempo, distributes the ball and helps set the tone in our attacking third,” Valencia noted, credited Fowler’s “high game IQ, quick decision-making and strong stick stills.”
Fowler had 11 goals and 10 assists in helping the Hillers to a 6-5-4 record through Oct. 20. “Beyond the stats, Ella’s leadership, competitiveness and consistency have set the standard for our team,” Valencia added.
Sawyer pointed specifically to better goal scoring and finishing as an area where the Hillers could get a little bit more productive.
“We have a lot of talent on the team,” he said. “We are able to generate quite a bit of offense, but there is room to improve our ability to translate that offense into quality scoring opportunities.”
Heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, Hopkinton had shown a number of strong traits. The team is athletic and physically strong, Sawyer said, and possesses the ball very well. The defense has improved steadily throughout the year, and Sawyer’s players have shown an attitude that allows them to make changes and correct some of the errors they were making early on.
“The team spirit and culture is strong,” Sawyer said. “The guys come out and play hard every day.”
Senior captain Jason O’Connell has been a leader on defense. He has helped organize that side of the field, his coach said, and been a steady presence
at center back.
Anchoring the Hillers’ strong possession game are senior Tim Zakharov, another captain, and fellow senior Landon Van Buren.
“They are both high quality midfielders,” Sawyer said.
As the second half of October unfolded, the Hillers found themselves out of the running for a chance at a TriValley League Large School Division title. But Hopkinton was in a strong position to make the state playoffs.
“Our focus is playing the last few games and trying to take some steps forward on offense to prepare for the tournament,” Sawyer said.
He believes that, if things do come together, Hopkinton will be a tough out in the states.
“I think the overall athleticism is high. If we could put some of these final pieces in place, certainly I think we can compete,” Sawyer said. “I think that’s how the kids feel, too. I think they feel like we have not quite reached our potential, and that’s what they are working hard towards every day.”
HHS Athlete Spotlight
Athletes are selected after consultation with HHS coaches.
Alvin Zhong Boys golf Junior
Ella Fowler Field hockey Senior
Laura Wauters REALTOR®
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.
Helen Kelley
Helen S. Kelley, 88, passed away on Sept. 27 at Concord-Laconia Hospital in New Hampshire.
Helen was born Nov. 1, 1936, and was the adopted daughter of Bertha and Leon Evlian. She was raised in Hopkinton and graduated from Hopkinton High School, where she was a cheerleader and played for the girls basketball team. Thereafter, she lived most of her life in the nearby towns of Northborough, Westborough and Shrewsbury. At the time of her passing, she lived near her family in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Helen married Joseph M. Kelley of Hopkinton on May 23, 1959, and together they raised two children. They were married for 63 years until Joe’s passing in 2022.
Helen was known for her boundless energy and generous spirit. In addition to raising a family, she worked in her children’s school system and was an active volunteer with the school’s booster club. To promote girls sports, she jumped into coaching Lassie League softball for a number of years, winning a league championship along the way. After her kids left home, she worked full time as an office manager for small businesses, as well as selling real estate.
Helen enjoyed gardening, line dancing, driving fast cars and spending time on her family’s boat in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She loved elephants, collecting dozens of figurines and pictures of them. She never gave up her volunteer spirit, continually offering her time to numerous causes throughout her life. For many, she will be remembered for her tireless efforts in support of family and friends in their time of need.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Patricia A. Kelley, and her son, John J. Kelley, along with John’s wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Lexi. She has one surviving brother, Richard Sebilian of Medway.
A graveside service will be held Friday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton, followed by a celebration of life luncheon for all friends and family to attend and celebrate Helen’s life. Services are under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home in Hopkinton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) in Helen’s memory.
Bernard Garron
Bernard Lent Garron Jr. of Hopkinton passed away at his home on Oct. 8 at the age of 79. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Marion (Johnson) and Bernard Lent Garron Sr. He was the husband of 56 years to Sandra (Morris) Garron of Hopkinton.
An Air Force veteran, Bernie served honorably during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Ashland VFW. Just two months ago, Bernie got a tattoo of the Vietnam Black Barons patch on his leg — his first tattoo. Bernie loved his children and grandchildren deeply and cherished the time he spent with them.
In addition to his wife, Bernie is survived by two children, Tracy Garron and TJ Garron, along with TJ’s wife, Carrie, all of Hopkinton. He also leaves behind his sister, Penny Taylor of Ashland, and four grandsons, Calvin and Eric Touzjian, and Jake and Nick Garron. He is predeceased by his brother, Kenny Garron.
Private funeral services are being held and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
Michele Piane
Michele Piane (Lenk), of Keene, New Hampshire, passed away on her 72nd birthday, after bravely battling Parkinson’s and its complications for over a decade. She was born Sept. 11, 1953, in Hanover, New Hampshire, and grew up there before attending Reed College in Oregon. She eventually settled in Hopkinton, where she raised her children in a home filled with happiness, warmth, and love.
Michele was predeceased by her father, John Piane, her mother, Tinette “Yaya” Jenkins, her stepmother, Barbara Sapin, and her sister, Joan Kenosky. She is survived by her beloved husband, Greg Cook, her stepmother, Cristine Piane, her children, Beryl Wagner and husband Rob, Tim Lenk, Russell Cook and Gregory Cook; her cherished grandson, Booker Wagner; niece and nephew, Michelle and Johnny Kenosky; great-niece and greatnephew, Zoe and Ethan; and her first husband, Peter Lenk. She also remained close to Peter’s late wife, Jean Lenk, and their children, Elizabeth and Ian Sangster. Michele was proud of her beautifully blended family and loved each person in it deeply.
More than anything, Michele will be remembered for her fierce kindness. She loved with her whole heart, and her love extended far beyond her immediate family. She was “Mom” to anyone who needed one. She adored friends of Beryl and Tim, she called them her “league of usual suspects” and got a tattoo with those words in a heart on her arm. She loved friends from work and people she simply met and connected with over the years. Her heart held space for everyone.
Her relationships reflected that spirit. Her door was always open, her phone always ringing with a friend, a cousin, a neighbor or her kids. She wanted to stay in touch. Even her first husband, Peter, and his late wife, Jean, were frequent visitors to her and Greg’s home in Florida, or shared time together on Cape Cod. She loved sharing stories of motherhood with Jean.
Michele was anything but ordinary. She went skydiving with her son on her 60th birthday, flew a helicopter just for fun and refused to live a life that could be called boring. A lover of all things hippie, she filled her house with tapestries, cats, incense, bottle-cut candle holders, tinkle lights, bright colors and shoeboxes packed with photos. She spent countless hours
making stained-glass art and playing with pictures in Adobe. She was like a sea of rainbow with waves of sandalwood and patchouli.
Celebration of life arrangements are still being finalized, with plans to be held in spring 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant some iris flowers, Michele’s favorite, anywhere meaningful to you and think of her when they bloom. Donations in her memory can be made to any organizations supporting Parkinson’s research.
Raymond Himmel
Raymond S. Himmel, 64, of Hopkinton passed away at his home on Oct. 13. Born in Hudson, New York, on Jan. 28, 1961, he was the son of the late Marcia (Shumsky) and Raymond Himmel. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Veronica (Osben-Orellana) Himmel, and proud father to their son, Tyler Himmel, a premed student at Boston College.
Raymond served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was part of the Marine Security Guard detachment, stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria, where he met his wife, and Nairobi, Kenya. Raymond was an international sales executive who loved to travel to remote locations, engage with local business partners and learn about their culture and food. Raymond loved spending time with his family and beloved rescue dog, Stella.
Besides his wife and son, he also leaves behind his siblings, Roberta Riedl and husband Thomas, Regina Lacy and husband Daniel, Richard Himmel and wife Christina, and Robert Himmel and wife Jackie. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
A burial service was held at Bourne National Cemetery on Oct. 28. Arrangements were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Raymond S. Himmel to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.
June Bouvier
June C. Bouvier, 91, of Shrewsbury passed away on Oct. 17. Born in Atlanta, she was the daughter of the late Edward Winters, who died when she was young, and the late Mary (Boyd) Winters. She was the wife of 54 years to the late Bernard D. Bouvier.
Formerly of Westborough and Grafton, June found joy in the simple pleasures of life — reading a good book, preparing a home-cooked meal, decorating for each holiday and, above all, spending time with her family. A devout Catholic, she often could be found praying the rosary at church and was a former member of a church in Jacksonville, Florida. She was an avid Red Sox fan and loved cheering on the Patriots. She had multiple black Labs over the years, most recently her dog Lulu. She was a “cheerleader mom” when her sons
were in school. She especially cherished her role as a mother to her four sons and as a beloved grandmother.
June is survived by four sons: Joseph Bouvier, M.D., and wife Andrea of Queen Creek, Arizona; Stephen Bouvier of Bluffton, South Carolina; Edward Bouvier and wife Robin of Hopkinton; and Thomas Bouvier and wife, Marie of Wilton, Connecticut. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Samantha, Alessandra, Laura, Maria, Josephine, Tess, Sarah, Isabel and Garret.
Visitation was held Oct. 24 at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 25 at Saint James Church, South Grafton. Interment was to be held privately at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to smalldogrescuene.org or Small Dog Rescue of New England, 18 Yard Street, Cranston, RI 02920.
Janus Connelly
Janus Marie Connelly passed away peacefully on Oct. 21 at the age of 73, surrounded by loved ones after a brave battle against an aggressive cancer. She was born to Kenneth and Marie (McGowan) Cameron on Jan. 24, 1952. Janus lived the majority of her life in the same Hopkinton home, where she raised a loving and tight-knit family along with her devoted husband of 51 years, Joe. Janus ensured that their home on College Street was welcoming to everyone.
Janus was a 1969 graduate of Hopkinton High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Springfield College in 1973. Janus and Joe met at Springfield College and were married shortly after graduation. Janus went on to teach elementary school students and then worked for over 40 years alongside Joe at their family business, Noremac Manufacturing Corporation in Westborough.
An avid sports fan, her passion for the Patriots was surpassed only by her love for her grandchildren, for whom she always will be referred to as “Ga.” She always insisted on hearing every detail about their lives and was fiercely proud of each of them.
In addition to Joe, Janus is survived by her three daughters, Tara Lawrence of Wellesley, Meg Singmaster of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kelley Connelly of Hopkinton. She will be greatly missed by her five grandchildren, Sam, Avery, Henry, Rowan and CeCe, who range in age from 17 to 3.
Janus also was a supportive ally and trusted friend to her two sons-in-law, John and Curtis. In addition, she leaves behind her brother, Jeffrey Cameron, who resides at the family homestead in Spry Harbour, Nova Scotia. She also is survived by her stepmother, Barbara Cameron of Osterville.
A funeral Mass was held Oct. 28 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton, followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery. Services were under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home in Hopkinton.
Donations may be made in Janus’ honor to the Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton (baypathhumane.org) or to Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln (caredimensions.org).
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.
RE/MAX Trunk or Treat Oct. 29
The RE/MAX Executive Charitable Foundation will host a Trunk or Treat event at Hopkinton’s Resilience Fitness (45R South Street) on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be more than 20 decorated cars from which children can collect candy. The Black Harp Traveling Pub will run a cash bar, and there will be games, activities and concessions for purchase, including s’mores kits. While this event is free, a donation of $5 per child is suggested to raise money for local families in need. To register, visit rem. ax/RCFRSVP.
Lions Club Meat Raffle at Cornell’s Nov. 1
The Hopkinton Lions Club Meat Raffle is set for Saturday, Nov. 1, from 3-5 p.m. at Cornell’s Irish Pub in Hopkinton (229 Hayden Rowe Street). Prizes include beef, pork, chicken and more. Tickets are $5 for 10 or $10 for 25. There also will be a 50-50 raffle. Proceeds will support local charities and eye research. For more information, visit hopkintonlions.org.
Dementia Friends
Information Session Nov. 3
Residents of all towns are invited to become a Dementia Friend by attending a Dementia Friends Information Session at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on
Enter Stage Youth Theater Presents:
Bestest Bedtime Stories (as told by our Grandpa) | Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. | Nov. 8 & 9 at 3 p.m.
Grandpa’s a little out of practice when it comes to babysitting, but if he’s ever going to get his bouncy grandkids to go to sleep, he’s got to remember some bedtime stories fast. Or at least something pretty close to them. Meet the Witch who lives in a house made of broccoli, the magical fairies Lipitor and Miralax, and Jack who climbs a beanstalk — and needs a little help from the stage crew to get down. You may think you know your fairy tales, but not the way Grandpa tells them.
Friendsgiving with Jamaal Eversley & F.R.I.E.N.D.S. | Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
The Lotvin Family Gallery will be transformed into a warm and welcoming space for a Thanksgiving-inspired meal — featuring a delicious Thanksgiving sandwich (or vegetarian option), seasonal sides, and of course, dessert. Food will be provided by Outpost Farms. While surrounded by art, guests will share in lively and meaningful conversation with the exhibiting artists — exploring what friendship, joy, and community mean in today’s unpredictable world.
Monday, Nov. 3, from 7-8:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how dementia impacts a person and family, what it’s like to live with dementia, and about extensive resources that are available to help families and care partners. To register, call the Hopkinton Senior Center at 508497-9730. For more information, email sdocknevich@gmail.com.
Military History Exhibit Nov. 8
The Hopkinton Historical Society will host a salute to Hopkinton’s military history at the History Center on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The free event will include memorabilia, artifacts, photos and ephemera, highlighted by a collection shared by the family of Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lenihan. For more information, visit hopkhistsoc.org.
Trails Club Walk at College Rock Nov. 9
The Hopkinton Trails Club will host a guided walk of College Rock on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m., celebrating 20 years since the organization’s first walk. The walk will start at the College Rock parking area across from 23 College Street. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.
Harlem Wizards Basketball Fundraiser Nov. 19
The Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization will host the Harlem Wizards basketball team on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Hopkinton High School athletic center. In addition to performing tricks, the Wizards will play a game against Hopkinton schools staff. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hopkintonpto.membershiptoolkit.com.
Lions Club Youth Speech Contest Dec. 2
The Hopkinton Lions Club is hosting its annual Youth Speech Contest on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the HCAM studios (77 Main Street). This year’s topic is “What can past America teach future America?” The contest is open to students in Grades 9-12 who live or attend school in Hopkinton. The first-place winner will be awarded $200, and the runner-up will receive $100. For more information and to register, visit hopkintonlions.org or email hopkintonlions@ gmail.com.
PJB Fall Yard Cleanup Fundraiser Through Dec. 12
Homeowners in need of a fall yard cleanup can sign up for a charity fundraiser for Project Just Because. A group
of three high school volunteers will rake and bag leaves for payment that will be donated to PJB. The cleanups will be held on fall weekends through early December. The cost is $100 per hour. To reserve a slot, visit signupgenius. com/go/10C0E4FABA829AAFEC0758924261-pjbleaf#/. For more information, email studentboardpresidents@ projectjustbecause.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 the Senior Center at 508-497-9730.
Artful Connections
Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
This month, our co-hosts are Carla Schwartz and Amanda Maffei. Artful Connections is a social justice-lensed event where artists offer music, poetry, readings, and spoken word. Free and open to the public.
Primarily Potters Show & Sales Nov. 21 & 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Calling all pottery lovers! Get ready for one of the most anticipated holiday events of the season. Eight extraordinary potters will be showcasing their artistry — each piece handcrafted with both beauty and purpose in mind. From elegant vases that brighten any room to sturdy, one-of-a-kind mugs perfect for your morning coffee ritual, you’ll discover treasures that make unforgettable gifts… or a little something special for yourself (we fully approve!). Unique. Functional. Local. Don’t miss this chance to shop small and support talented makers right here in our community.
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.
Oct. 7
6:25 a.m. A motorist complained of a white dump truck following too closely and revving its engine at 5:45 a.m. on Hayden Rowe Street near Marathon School. She could not provide any other identifying information and requested a greater police presence in the area. The complaint was logged.
7:45 a.m. The Westborough Police Department requested an officer to speak with a Clydesdale Lane operator of a vehicle involved in a collision in Westborough. Officer Eva Cann went to the residence and was unable to make contact with the person. She was to try again later.
8:00 a.m. A motorist reported she was assaulted in a road rage incident on South Street. Officers Noah Buentello and Eva Cann responded and checked with nearby businesses for video footage. The Milford Police Department was advised and subsequently located the suspect vehicle. Officer Eva Cann took a report and proceeded to Milford to speak with the suspect.
3:01 p.m. Multiple callers reported juveniles fighting on Main Street. Multiple officers responded and took a report.
4:21 p.m. A caller reported she lost her AirPods on a flight, and their current location showed up at a David Joseph Road residence. The homeowner was contacted, and he was to bring them to the station.
4:40 p.m.Officers Kyle Quinzani and Matthew LaTour responded to a motor vehicle collision on West Elm Street and took a report. A tow truck removed one vehicle.
Oct. 8
1:43 a.m. Officer Jennifer Manning found a loose dog on Hayden Rowe Street and secured it in its yard.
8:39 a.m. A caller reported a large amount of water in the roadway on Wood Street that was causing a hazard. Officer Noah Buentello responded and reported there was no hazard.
12:16 p.m. A caller reported a smoking mail truck on Main Street. Officers Noah Buentello and Robert Ekross responded along with the Fire Department.
12:52 p.m. A Winter Street caller reported several of her plants were stolen. Officer Noah Buentello responded and took a report.
1:45 p.m. A Teresa Road resident reported a suspicious vehicle nearby believed to belong to someone on whom there was a restraining order. Officer Benjamin Vaz responded and checked the area with a negative find on the vehicle. He spoke with the reporting
person and took a report.
4:21 p.m. Sgt. Cody Normandin attempted to make contact with a Downey Street resident about a traffic complaint. Nobody answered the door. The night shift officers were to follow up.
8:14 p.m. A Constitution Court walk-in reported a scam in which a caller wanted her to purchase gift cards. Officer Matthew LaTour assisted and provided advice. No money was given to the scammer.
Oct. 9
8:44 a.m. Officers Benjamin Vaz and Matthew LaTour responded to a motor vehicle collision on West Main Street. One vehicle was towed.
6:40 p.m. Sgt. Arthur Schofield and Officer Sean McKeon responded to Pond Street to assist the State Police in locating a motor vehicle that failed to stop. The vehicle was found and was unoccupied.
Oct. 10
6:49 a.m. A motorist reported she left her home in Milford and was being followed closely by the driver of a gray Hyundai Sonata. She attempted to evade the person by taking turns and pulled into the Price Chopper parking lot on South Street. The vehicle continued and took a left onto West Main Street toward Upton. Officer Eva Cann responded and checked the area with a negative find.
2:43 p.m. An Ash Street caller reported four red squirrels in her fireplace. A message was left with the animal control officer.
3:02 p.m. Sgt. Arthur Schofield and Officers Kyle Quinzani and Matthew LaTour responded to a motor vehicle collision on West Main Street involving three cars and entrapment.
4:09 p.m. Sgt. Arthur Schofield requested the tow of a vehicle with no license plates on Clinton Street. The vehicle was removed.
5:14 p.m. A loss prevention employee reported theft from a West Main Street business. Officer Kyle Quinzani took a report.
6:18 p.m. A caller reported someone may have dumped guinea pigs on the side of the road on Hayden Rowe Street. Sgt. Arthur Schofield and Officer Nicholas Saletnik checked the area with
a negative find.
7:09 p.m. A caller complained of a truck parked sideways on South Mill Street. A second caller complained that the vehicle had been there for several hours. Sgt. Arthur Schofield and Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Kyle Quinzani responded and stated many beer cans and vape pens were in the vehicle. Officer Nicholas Saletnik reported the registered owner was just dropped off and stated he ran out of gas. A portable breath test was requested. The registered owner called for a ride, and the vehicle in question was removed.
8:18 p.m. A Downey Street resident reported hearing loud explosion sounds in the area. Officer Kyle Quinzani responded and checked the area with a negative find.
9:29 p.m. A motorist reported two vehicles drag racing on Interstate 495 and exiting in Hopkinton on West Main Street. Officers Kyle Quinzani and Nicholas Saletnik responded, checked the area and found no vehicles matching their descriptions.
9:38 p.m. A Hayward Street resident reported hearing a loud explosion and felt his house shake. Officer Kyle Quinzani responded and found all quiet. 10:13 p.m. A third caller, from Downey Street, reported hearing an explosion in the area. Sgt. Arthur Schofield responded and checked the area with a negative find.
10:54 p.m. Officers Jennifer Manning, Lucille Creedon and Kyle Quinzani responded to a motor vehicle collision on Hayward Street where a car struck a tree. Six mailboxes were found damaged on Second Road. The Fire Department responded to evaluate the driver. A tow truck removed the vehicle.
Oct. 11
6:49 a.m. A Wedgewood Drive caller reported a missing 9-year-old boy who had been outside riding scooters with a friend. She had been looking for the boy, blonde and wearing a green fleece jacket, for about 40 minutes. Sgt. William Burchard and Officers Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Saletnik responded along with the State Police. The child was located on Overlook Drive and given a courtesy transport home by Officer Diaz.
11:08 a.m. A Hoyt Way resident reported someone smashed his window. Officer Augusto Diaz responded and took a report of vandalism.
12:47 p.m. A caller reported a large tree fell on top of wires next to a transformer on Exchange Street. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and notified Eversource.
4:30 p.m. A caller reported he and his wife were assaulted by 10 individuals on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Aline Matos responded and took a report.
8:39 p.m. A caller reported youths doing doughnuts in a Hayden Rowe Street parking lot. Officers Justin Cappuccio, Aline Matos and Eva Cann responded to the disturbance and moved the parties along.
Oct. 12
3:50 p.m. A Trevor Lane resident reported a homeless white male with a gray beard and a green coat entered
police log
his home. Two teen occupants ran next door to the neighbor’s house. The caller — the parent en route back to the house — called back and stated that the teens made up the story, and the photo they sent to the parents was AI generated. Officers Justin Cappuccio, Robert Ekross and Nicholas Walker responded and spoke with the teens and parents about making a false report.
4:41 p.m. An Oakhurst Road caller reported the balance on her food stamps EBT card was stolen. Officer Robert Ekross spoke with the caller about the fraud. She already had opened a case with the state.
9:30 p.m. A caller reported what sounded like a middle-aged man calling for help on Ash Street, possibly at a neighbor’s home. Officers Robert Ekross, Nicholas Walker and Justin Cappuccio responded, checked with the surrounding neighbors and were unable to locate anyone in distress.
9:43 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross responded to a motor vehicle collision on West Main Street near Interstate 495 and took a report.
11:29 p.m. A caller reported a fallen tree across most of the roadway on School Street. Officer Aline Matos responded and notified the DPW.
Oct. 13
1:37 a.m. A Hayward Street motorist reported having issues with her tires and requested assistance going to Alltown. Officer Aline Matos responded and followed the vehicle to West Main Street.
5:51 a.m. A caller reported a car bumper in the roadway on West Main Street. Officer Aline Matos responded and reported it already had been removed.
12:00 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported a suspicious incident in which two men showed up at her door and then left. Officer Noah Buentello responded and took a report.
12:39 p.m. A caller reported a townowned tree on Wood Street fell down onto his vehicle and caused damage. Officer Noah Buentello responded and took a report.
3:57 p.m. A caller reported a green light was out on Main Street. The DPW was notified.
5:06 p.m. A Spring Street resident reported a suspicious incident when someone in a Chewy delivery van was making a lot of noise, potentially trying to get her attention. Officers Matthew LaTour and Kyle Quinzani responded and checked the area with a negative find.
5:16 p.m. A motorist reported a tree branch fell down on Ash Street and was blocking a lane of travel. Sgt. Shannon Beloin responded and removed it from the road.
8:19 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour checked on an individual trying to corral a dog on Ash Street. He was advised of the leash law and advised not to let his loose dog near the roadway.
Oct. 14
6:01 a.m. A caller reported a fallen tree blocking half of the roadway of College Street. Officer Lucille Creedon responded, removed some brush and debris and notified the DPW.
8:40 a.m. Sgt. Matthew Santoro
and Officer Benjamin Vaz assisted the Fire Department in responding to an inside odor investigation on Hayden Rowe Street. An issue with wires that were pulled by branches was reported. Eversource was contacted.
10:01 a.m. Officers Robert Ekross, Noah Buentello and Benjamin Vaz and the Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash involving airbag deployment on East Main Street. A tow truck removed one vehicle. Two people were transported to the station. A citation for failure to yield was issued to one driver.
2:14 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle struck a pole on West Main Street. Sgt. Aaron O’Neil and Officer Noah Buentello responded and took a crash report. The vehicle was towed.
11:38 p.m. A motorist reported a deer was struck on South Street, and it was injured and on the side of the road. Sgt. Shannon Beloin and Officer Lucille Creedon responded, dispatched the deer and notified the animal control officer
Oct. 15
8:02 a.m. Officer Augusto Diaz responded to a motor vehicle accident on Hayden Rowe Street and took a report.
7:05 p.m. A Chamberlain Street resident reported the television on her screened-in porch was on, and she saw two young males, possibly middle school-aged, ride away on dirt bikes. The incident was logged.
10:30 p.m. A motorist reported hitting a deer on DiCarlo Road. Officers Kyle Quinzani and Sean McKeon responded and reported no sign of the deer.
Oct. 16
1:33 a.m. Officer Eva Cann checked on a male on West Main Street who was attempting to fish. He was advised to move along.
5:25 a.m. Officer Eva Cann found a dead cat in the roadway on West Main Street. The animal control officer was notified.
6:57 a.m. A Woodview Way caller reported a male was harassing her and would not let her and her dog into the dog park, telling her that her dog was too aggressive. Officers Benjamin Vaz and Matthew LaTour responded, spoke with both parties and took a report.
2:07 p.m. A caller reported a deceased cat on the side of the roadway on East Main Street. A message was left for the animal control officer.
Oct. 17
3:54 a.m. The Grafton Police Department requested assistance contacting a Davis Road resident whose vehicle was found in Grafton with front-end damage and a popped tire. They asked for the vehicle to be removed. Officers Lucille Creedon and Eva Cann went to the residence and passed on the message to the owner of the vehicle. The individual seemed confused, stating he last saw his vehicle in the driveway five days earlier and did not know why it would be in Grafton. Officer Cann contacted the Grafton Police Department.
9:59 a.m. A caller reported a dead deer on Chestnut Street. The animal control officer responded and removed it.
12:07 p.m. Officer Nicholas
Saletnik responded along with the Fire Department to a report of two staff members stuck in an elevator at a West Main Street facility. They were freed.
1:08 p.m. The DPW reported a dead deer on South Street. The animal control officer was notified.
4:04 p.m. A Grove Street resident reported a white male in his 60s wearing a lime green shirt, shorts and sneakers attempted to enter her house through the back door. He left and headed toward the high school. Officers Robert Ekross and Justin Cappuccio responded and took a report.
8:56 p.m. A Grove Street caller reported her son did not return home from school. Officer Justin Cappuccio responded and took a report of a missing person.
Oct. 18
2:21 p.m. A caller reported a hitand-run motor vehicle accident on DJ Murphy Lane. Sgt. Cody Normandin responded and continued into Upton to catch up with the involved vehicle.
3:14 p.m. A Pond Street caller reported a man with a long beard rang her doorbell and waited a few minutes before leaving. The caller was unsure if the man was a solicitor or casing the area. Sgt. Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.
5:51 p.m. A caller reported that someone posted on Facebook that two guinea pigs were released on grass on Hayden Rowe Street, near Cornell’s. Officer Sean McKeon responded and along with a resident attempted to wrangle the pets, but they ran off and hid in a bramble.
9:02 p.m. A caller reported 75-100 youths hanging out and making noise on Granite Street. An employee at Cornell’s reported hearing that a group of teens was planning to party in the back fields behind Cornell’s.They were not wanted on Cornell’s property. Sgt. Cody Normandin and Officers Robert Ekross and Sean McKeon responded and located 2-3 dozen teens who were running through the woods. The crowd was dispersed.
10:12 p.m. A caller reported a con stant stream of vehicles slowly driving through the Connelly Hill Road neigh borhood with teenagers stopping and getting out of the cars and hanging out on front lawns. The caller believed the teens were looking for a place to party. Officer Sean McKeon responded and checked the area.
Oct. 19
a Sunday in violation of town bylaw. Officer Benjamin Vaz spoke with the roofing crew and advised them that the use of heavy equipment was not allowed.
10:41 p.m. A caller complained of loud hammer noises coming from a Saddle Hill Road house for the past 30 minutes. Officer Justin Cappuccio responded and spoke to a person who ceased the hammering.
Oct. 20
7:57 a.m. A caller reported a man on East Main Street was wearing only underwear and a face covering while on crutches and walking a dog, and he was screaming at passing cars. Sgt. Matthew Santoro and Officers Benjamin Vaz and Robert Ekross responded and checked the area with a negative find. The Ashland Police Department was notified and reported familiarity with the individual.
8:08 a.m. A caller reported a large, dead raccoon in a travel lane on Cedar Street. Officer Benjamin Vaz moved it to the side of the road and contacted the DPW for removal.
9:57 a.m. A traffic constable reported a tree limb fell in the roadway on Cedar Street and was causing traffic issues. Officer Benjamin Vaz moved the limb to the side of the road and notified the DPW.
10:02 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour removed a tree from the roadway on Saddle Hill Road.
3:00 a.m. Sgt. Shannon Beloin removed a dead raccoon from the roadway on Cedar Street.
6:48 a.m. A caller reported a male in pajamas and a headlamp walking by the pump house on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Eva Cann responded and spoke with the individual, who was looking for the guinea pigs involved in a previous incident. All was OK.
1:22 p.m. A caller reported illegal dumping on Parkwood Drive. Officer Noah Buentello responded and reported finding six large trash bags full of yard waste. The DPW was contacted for removal, and a report was taken.
1:41 p.m. A walk-in reported roofers working on Chamberlain Street on
