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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 22 | No. 26 | December 15, 2021

Town taps temporary water fix By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

HOOFING IT

A horse-drawn carriage carries people around the Town Common during the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Stroll on Dec. 4.

Water | 8

INSIDE

Powers move: Officer Phil set to retire Phil Powers, shown at a Senior Center event this past summer, has been Hopkinton’s school resource officer for more than 20 years. He is set to retire in January.

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

n an era when police nationwide have faced increased scrutiny, particularly in schools, Officer Phil Powers is a shining example of what a community officer should be. The veteran Hopkinton school resource officer of more than 20 years reflected on his career and his efforts to steer Hopkinton’s youth in the right direction as a mentor and friend as he approaches his retirement next month. Powers began his career after serving in the Air Force, joining the Upton Auxiliary Police in 1979. After a few years, he joined the force part-time. In 1987 he became a full-time officer in

f Hf

he town’s temporary solution to the issue of potentially harmful chemicals in its water supply will be to rent or purchase a filtration system for the problematic Fruit Street well, the Select Board decided at its Dec. 7 meeting. Additionally, residents who have been identified as being in the sensitive subgroup — infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people who are immunocompromised — are to be reimbursed for their purchase of bottled water, as they are advised not to drink or cook with the town water until the issue is resolved with the PFAs (manmade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Boiling the water is not a remedy, as it actually serves to concentrate the PFAs in the water even more. Those not in the sensitive subgroup are not considered to be at risk and can

VIEWPOINT

2021 an unforgettable year for better or worse

BUSINESS

Lykan plans expansion, asks town for tax breaks

COMMUNITY

Phipps shares memories as he nears 100th birthday

Powers | 12

FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Hopkinton Independent The Hopkinton Independent is published by Hopkinton Independent, LLC, 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of the ad that was in error if notified in writing within three business days of the publication date. All material is the property of the Hopkinton Independent. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material. The Hopkinton Independent is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to 100 percent of the homes and businesses in Hopkinton, reaching more than 7,200 addresses. It’s also available at Price Chopper and Hopkinton Drug as well as at many other local businesses.

STAFF

Publisher: David Bagdon Dir. of Business Development: Susanne Odell Farber Founder: Sarah Lothrop Duckett Managing Editor: Jerry Spar Social Media director: David Bagdon Editorial contributors: Lyn Calkins, Michelle Sanford, Chris Villani, Deborah Burke Henderson, Tricia LaCascia, John Cardillo, John Buday, Sandy Quadros Bowles, Christine Strickland, Mary Ellen Gambon, Christie Vogt

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

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

2021 in a word? It’s complicated A

fter the mess that was 2020, we had high hopes that 2021 would be easier to navigate. And it was. Except it wasn’t. Looking for a word to describe this past year? It’s complicated. The COVID-19 pandemic raged at the start of 2021, but by November vaccinated students at the high school were allowed to shed their masks, becoming the first public school students in the Fifth-grader Jackson Balster receives a COVID-19 state to do so vaccine shot during the Health Department’s — against the pediatric clinic on Dec. 3 at Hopkinton Middle advice of the School. town’s health director. “I am on INDEPENDENT record as being against it,” THOUGHTS Shaun McAuJERRY SPAR liffe said last week. “But at the end of they day, they managed to pull it off. They actually had two positive people show up to school. But we didn’t have any spread in the high school during the off-ramping.” So, are we out of the woods, a community showing what can A sign remains in the woods just off Main Street, happen when people behave re- near where Mikayla Miller’s body was found in sponsibly (for the most part)? No. April. Because while high schoolers attended classes with no masks, Elmwood It’s complicated. School shut down a classroom due to a Aside from the pandemic, the year’s “super-spreader” event that McAuliffe said top story was the tragic death of HHS affected about 60 people. And the town sophomore Mikayla Miller in mid-April overall has seen a spike in cases over the and the bizarre firestorm that followed. past few weeks.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 3 Activists descended upon the town in May, hurling accusations that Hopkinton was racist and there was a cover-up to protect the white teenagers who “lynched” Miller, who was Black and gay. A Twitter poster threatened to burn down the town. The Select Board called an emergency meeting and pleaded for a peaceful rally. Some businesses closed early, as did the schools, on the day of the event. But then the rally’s leader said Hopkinton is not racist, because hundreds of residents After a year off, the Boston Marathon returned, had reached out to show support although it was held in October and with some and showed up to the rally at the logistical changes in an attempt to minimize safety Town Common. The activists risks. then focused their attention on the district attorney for what they claimed was a mishandled and biased investigation — although no evidence has emerged to refute the DA’s finding of a suicide. During the rally, Miller’s heartbroken mother took a shot at Hopkinton’s designation as “America’s Safest City,” saying it’s only because many crimes are not reported by police. One change the Police Department made following the teen’s death was to be more forthcoming with information. However, for the past month, The Hopkinton High School volleyball team won following a change in software the Division 2 state championship last month. providers, the police log has been devoid of its usual details, making it unpublishable in this newspaper. won’t pay its taxes, instead choosing to Last week I asked Police Chief Joseph take the town to court over its assessment Bennett what — if anything — we learned on a regular basis, even re-litigating cases from the whole situation. “I’m going to it’s lost. have to think about that one and get back That one’s complicated, too. to you,” he said. The Main Street Corridor Project? It’s complicated. Commercial solar zoning rules? The solar Our current top news story is the issue project on Wilson Street getting called of PFAs (potentially hazardous manmade out by tribal officials for failing to respect chemicals) in the town’s water supply. The Indigenous landmarks? The proposed town tested over the state limit for three amendment to limit firearm use in town straight months, meaning mitigation meathat was quickly shelved? Very complisures — which will cost hundreds of thoucated. sands of dollars — must be implemented. Thankfully, there were some positive Those in a sensitive subgroup — instories in town that weren’t as complicated. fants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, The Hopkinton High School volleyball individuals who are immunocompromised team won the Division 2 state title last — are being told not to consume the water, month, sending retiring coach Margie including not using it to cook foods such Grabmeier out with her third championas pasta. Boiling the water — oftentimes ship. the remedy for tainted water — in this case In the spring, the HHS baseball team only makes it worse, as it concentrates returned to the Division 2 state champithe PFAs. onship game under coach Steve Simoes The rest of the town can continue to — recently named to the Massachusetts drink the water, because it’s not considered Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame — but dangerous. The federal law allows for a came up just short. much higher standard, which Hopkinton The popular Steve Slaman retired as is not near. fire chief and was sent off in style with a Except maybe the water will cause going-away party at the station before beproblems in the long run. No one really ing replaced by Bill Miller. knows. Irfan Nasrullah became the first person It’s complicated. of color to be elected Select Board chair. The Boston Marathon returned — Hopkinton held its first Pride Parade, not on its usual date on Patriots Day but and there was a march to protest antiin October on the holiday formerly (but Asian hate following some scary national still officially, at least locally) known as incidents. Columbus Day but now acknowledged by HHS student Kevin Gu was named a many as Indigenous Peoples Day. National Student Poet after hauling in mulRace organizers used a rolling start tiple awards in a state writing competition. for the non-elite participants instead of the HHS students Archita Nemalikanti standard set times, which gave the event and Sahithi Pogula earned first-place a different feel. Oh, and we’ll be back at honors at the Massachusetts Science & it again in a few months, when the race Engineering Fair. returns to its normal date — assuming we Former HHS standout and current don’t have another COVID spike. teacher Mark Sanborn was named Hillers It’s complicated. football coach. Annual Town Meeting was held in A dog park was built on the access May outside, at the HHS football field. It road to the Fruit Street athletic fields. had to be halted halfway through due to Hopkinton-bred golfer Jimmy Hervol the numbers falling below a quorum, but earned a spot in the U.S. Open. then some people returned so the meeting Lykan Bioscience announced plans to could finish. expand its headquarters on South Street. It’s complicated. Not much is easy these days. But as Last month we were informed by the evidenced by the results (shared earlier town’s chief financial officer, Tim O’Leary, this year) of a survey that polled residents that Eversource has passed Dell EMC as about the town’s livability, it’s a lot less the town’s top taxpayer. Except Eversource complicated living in Hopkinton. Now it’s up to 2022 to simplify things.

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Lykan seeks to expand with new TIF R

epresentatives from Lykan Bioscience appeared before the Select Board on Dec. 7 to share plans for the expansion of the company’s South Street headquarters and ask for discussions to start on a new tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with the town. The Select Board unanimously supported having town officials start negotiations. Lykan, a cell therapy manufacturer, was founded in 2019 opened its South NEWS BRIEFS and Street facility last year. Now the organization is seeking to grow. “Cell therapy is really at the forefront of biotechnology today. It is an exploding area of the industry, and the demand that we’re seeing is really driving us to be here tonight,” said Patrick Lucey, Lykan’s president and CEO. “We’re seeing significant growth.” After considering geographic expansion, including in Europe, company officials decided expanding its base in Hopkinton would make sense, especially with four international airports within 100 miles. “We think critical mass here in Hopkinton is of value to the organization,” Lucey said. Lykan leases and occupies 97 South Street. Under its plan, two buildings at 103-109 South Street would be demolished and replaced by a 112,141-square foot facility with two floors. Lucey said Lykan will spend about $110 million on the new building. The expansion would create about 125 new, permanent full-time jobs over a five-year period in a variety of positions

with competitive salaries and benefits, Lucey said. Lucey added that Lykan is in full compliance with its current 10-year TIF agreement, investing far more money than promised and ahead of its anticipated hiring pace. “The whole Lykan corporation has come in and done everything they’ve promised they’d do,” Select Board Member Brendan Tedstone said, calling the company “a wonderful partner” for the town. Lykan’s plan is to get the TIF on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting in May, as it requires approval from town residents.

Minor fixes on tap for West Main traffic issue The town made some minor inroads in its attempt to address the safety concerns on West Main Street in front of Cumberland Farms. The area has long been a problem spot, primarily from people attempting to turn left out of Cumberland Farms to head west. This requires crossing two lanes of traffic, and often times a driver in the right lane stops to allow an individual to exit while a car continues through the left lane, leading to a collision. “It is our hottest area for accidents,” Police Chief Joseph Bennett told the Select Board, although he clarified that he was referring to the area from the Interstate 495 ramps to the new Dunkin’ at the corner of West Main and Lumber

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COVID cases on rise In his Dec. 7 update to the Select Board, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe said COVID-19 cases have been rising in town. “We’ve had a surge in cases since the beginning of November,” he said, noting the average per week has risen from about 10 to approximately 40. A big part of the surge can be attributed to a super-spreader event at Elmwood School that affected about 60 people and forced

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the closure of a classroom. McAuliffe said the town had a big turnout for the Dec. 3 age 5-11 vaccination clinic and said he expects that about 82-84 percent of Hopkinton children in that category would be fully vaccinated by the end of last week. He is encouraging those who are eligible for booster shots to get them, and said he is working with health departments in Ashland, Westborough, Southborough. Northborough and Holliston to schedule a grant-funded regional vaccination clinic to provide boosters as well as pediatric vaccinations. He stressed that anyone showing COVID symptoms, which can be similar to allergy symptoms, should play it safe and stay home.

New library director introduced Nanci Hill was unanimously approved by the Select Board to be the new library director. Hill most recently served as library director of the M.G. Parker Memorial Library in Dracut. She also worked as library director at Boxford Town Library. Previous experience included stints at libraries in Methuen, Lexington and Wakefield. “I have worked in public libraries for over 20 years,” Hill said. “I started in school libraries and decided that I wanted to move into public libraries, so I went and got my master’s in library science News briefs | 9

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Street Extension. “Most of them are noninjury accidents,” he added. Following negotiations with the owner of Cumberland Farms, an agreement was reached in which the eastern driveway (nearer the center of town) will be restricted to exit only, and additional signage will be added at both driveways. It was noted that once the Mobil gas station on the opposite side of the street reopens (an expanded facility is under construction), it will create more turning patterns. Department of Public Works Director John Westerling said the town had two engineering firms look at the situation, but no solutions were found — at least none that had a chance to get the OK from the Cumberland Farms owner. “We want to work with the businesses so that we’re not discouraging customers and we’re not driving customers away,” Westerling said. “[Cumberland Farms has] agreed to making that easterly driveway exit only, which is probably the best that we can hope for at this point.”

Wishes you a merry holiday season and a peaceful new year!

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The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 5

Faith Community Church invests, improves, inspires By Courtney Cornelius Contributing Writer

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

n the year 1724, when the United States was still called the United Colonies, a nondenominational church was formed in Massachusetts. Now, nearly 300 years later, Faith Community Church has two campuses (Hopkinton and Framingham) and an online presence that reaches even farther. Pastor Mike Laurence has been part of that expansion. After becoming pastor in 1990, he was there when the church moved in 1997 from its downtown location to its current spot on East Main Street. Soon after, the building required some upgrades — prompted first by age, and later by a substantial flood that damaged a large part of the building. With the goal to not only repair but also improve, the organization — funded by generous donations and flood insurance compensation — invested $1.75 million into renovations, and local builders and contractors went to work. Among many enhancements were a new child ministry, new technology at the Worship Center (including a new sound system, video and LED screen), a redesigned meeting space and a cafe. The church has a website, Facebook page, Instagram account, YouTube page and Church Online app. Viewers around the world can participate in events like Zoom prayer night or watch Sunday services on the web (live or taped). Developments that also will benefit

Faith Community Church’s East Main Street building has undergone a number of renovations to fix and improve the facility.

We worked with a school district to raise and donate $60,000 worth of food to residents in MetroWest and the same through churches in Madagascar for people who were starving because of coronavirus. Even amid their own fears and stress and difficulties, people stepped up to help others. — Pastor Mike Laurence

Thank you to all our clients who listed with us in 2021!

the planet now are in the works. In partnership with a local company, the church plans to install solar panel canopies over its back parking lot to harness green energy as part of a solar collective. Asked about the most significant benefit from all of the changes, however, Laurence doesn’t note the tangible. “We’ve built a strong community that comes together in challenging times,” he said. “During the COVID pandemic, renovations had to be put on hold, but we managed to continue services, whether outdoors, online or with restrictions, and never missed a single one.” That isn’t to say the church didn’t feel the impact. Faith Community Church lost a third of its staff, members of the congregation suffered anxiety and depression, and people had funerals and weddings postponed. But inspiration was found through acts of generosity and support. “We worked with a school district to raise and donate $60,000 worth of food to residents in MetroWest and the same through churches in Madagascar for people who were starving because of coronavirus,” Laurence said. “Even amid their own fears and stress and difficulties, people stepped up to help others.” It’s that kind of strength and resilience that is found in community, which is why Laurence believes it’s important to continue to invest in it. “People can see tragedy turn to triumph when they have a strong community,” he said.

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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Phipps hits 100th in stride

Soon-to-be centenarian continues to ‘roll with the punches’ Russ Phipps, who has lived in Hopkinton since 1949, turns 100 on Dec. 28.

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

PHOTO/MARCIE CAPORIZZO

s he closes in on his 100th birthday, Russ Phipps says there are no secrets to his longevity. “I just take whatever comes,” he says. “You have to roll with the punches. That’s the way it goes.” Phipps, who has lived on Winter Street since 1949 — in a home he built — turns 100 on Dec. 28. He still works in the sawmill he constructed on his property and drives a 1930s Model A Ford. His daughter, Marcie Caporizzo, says her father was “born 100 years too late. He is a fan of simple living and enjoys living like the good ole days of pioneering.” In fact, after he returned from World War II to his wife and baby son, also named Russ (and now his next-door neighbor), Phipps and his family lived

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for a few months in a tent he put up on a friend’s farmland in Natick. When the nights starting getting too cold, they moved into apartments in Framingham that were reserved for veterans. Eventually he found approximately 14 acres of land in Hopkinton that he purchased for about $300. For another $500, he purchased materials to build a house and install a well. A proponent of open space, Phipps recently donated about half of his land to the town, and it can be accessed via the Cameron Woods trail off Wood Street. An engineer by trade, Phipps now spends most of his time working in his sawmill and enjoying the outdoors. He’s not a fan of modern technology, especially television and computers. “The electronic world to me is a sad bore,” he says. “It’s terrible for old folks. For one thing, I have trouble with my hearing, even with hearing aids. And the programs that they put on, they’re very — to me — uninteresting, and too mixed up in politics.”

An eventful early life Born in Framingham in 1921 to parents of Swedish and English descent, Phipps remembers traveling to Hopkinton to visit his aunt, uncle and two cousins, who lived on Summer Street (off Main Street, in the center of town). When World War II started, he and his best friend, Howard Severson, tried to enlist in the Air Force. Phipps had an issue with one of his eyes, so he was not selected. But because he was an expert shot — having honed his skills during hunting trips to Maine — he was made an artillery instructor and sent to Colorado to train others. Meanwhile, Phipps married Severson’s sister, Doris in 1944. Severson could not attend the wedding, as he was based in North Africa, serving as a navigator on B-24 bombing missions. In his last letter to Phipps, Severson expressed concern for his safety. “He knew they were in a horrible situation,” Phipps recalls. Severson’s premonition was unfortunately accurate, as he died in an ensuing mission, with his body eventually recovered in Yugoslavia. Phipps eventually was sent out to the Pacific Ocean island of Tinian. There he worked on the Enola Gay, the plane that would drop one of the atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945, leading to the end of the war soon after. “We didn’t know what the hell was going on,” Phipps says of the mission, details of which were kept secret from most on the island. “I had a chance to go out there and look [the plane] over one day, and I didn’t take any pictures, but I did get followed up later in life by the FBI to find out if I had any information.” Phipps recalls with sadness the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, which delivered key components of the bomb to Tinian and, a few days after leaving, was sunk by a Japanese torpedo. Due in part to the mission being a secret, many of the crew members died in the water before help arrived almost four days later. “There was terrible, long suffering before they found them,” Phipps says of the 316 survivors. It was estimated that 900 of the 1,200 on board initially survived the sinking, but hundreds died from a variety of causes, including salt

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 7

MAY YOU PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Russ Phipps continues to work in the sawmill he constructed on his property on Winter Street.

poisoning, dehydration and shark attacks. Phipps had his own brush with death while flying. “We almost had to ditch one time in the Gulf of Mexico one day,” he recalls. “We were lined up with all the provisions for the crash, but we made it.”

Hopkinton becomes home Phipps was stationed in Florida when he purchased a motorcycle that had been handed down from GIs to each other. Motorcycling eventually became a passion for Phipps, who would ride — with his wife sharing the seat — thousands of miles. “Doris and I did an awful lot of motorcycling down in the Big Bend in Texas,” Phipps recalls, referring to the national park in the southwest part of the state. “It’s beautiful country. No cars to worry about. Beautiful scenery for miles and miles. The weather is usually pretty good. We became acquainted with three ranchers, and we stayed with those folks over the winter.” Added Phipps: “We explored miles and miles of any scenic back roads we could try, we’d take them.” Eventually the family settled in Hopkinton, purchasing land from Clarence Farrar. The land was 13.7 acres, although Phipps wasn’t sure where the property ended when he bought it. “I really didn’t know where the boundary lines were,” he recalls. “Clarence didn’t want to bother surveying. He said if you want the land, you can have the whole thing.” Phipps also didn’t know much about the town when he first settled here. “Hopkinton didn’t mean much to us at all,” Phipps said. “I knew the Town Hall was there [on Main Street]. I learned that Woodville was part of Hopkinton. “When we first moved in here I met Herman Larter, he was a local woodcutter, and they had a farm in Woodville. He and I would sit down and talk after we’d worked all day. I bring in loads of slabs and dump them in the pasture, and he’d use them, cut them up for kindling wood for people he’d sell firewood to. He and I would swap stories.” Phipps also recalls Ora Cheney, who lived in the Bear Hill section of town, near the Upton line. “Ora Cheney was rather a character,” Phipps says. “He had a lot of knowledge about this area. He and his father, Harry, they had done a lot of research on Indian lore. All kinds of Indian artifacts. They had put up a low building across the road

Anyone who meets him always goes away a friend. He’s one of the smartest men I have ever known, but one of the most humble. He’ll always end a visit with, ‘You all come back now.’

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from the little house they had there on School Street. In there they had counter spaces and aisles around it, and you could walk around and see piles of Indian lore they had collected, from where I don’t know.” The family grew with the arrival of Marcie, the couple’s second child. For fun, they would swim and fish and boat on Lake Whitehall, which is across the street from their house. “We spent lots of time on Lake Whitehall,” Phipps says. “Whitehall was more of a wild, free lake. They didn’t have any state connection to it as far as boat landings or rules and regulations and whatever else. But they had to have something, we understand that, otherwise it would be overrun with too many big boats and stuff.” Doris passed away in 2015, one day after the couple’s 71st wedding anniversary. Phipps continues to regularly see his two children, who are helping to plan his 100th birthday celebration. With COVID preventing a large in-person celebration, the family instead is hoping to receive 100 birthday cards for Phipps’ 100th (cards can be mailed to 89 Winter Street, Hopkinton). His daughter says her father does not call attention to himself but is deserving of recognition. “He’s a quiet man who listens intently and is reserved in offering an opinion on anything unless it has to do with patriotism and love of America,” she says. “Anyone who meets him always goes away a friend. He’s one of the smartest men I have ever known, but one of the most humble. He’ll always end a visit with, ‘You all come back now.’ ”

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

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continue to use town water, Department of Public Works Director John Westerling explained to the Select Board. “When we were looking at our options, we canvassed communities around us that are also fighting with the PFAs problem,” Westerling said. “As I stated previously, there are 60 communities in the commonwealth that are dealing with this. And we also worked with [environmental consulting company] Weston & Sampson to find out what communities are doing.” The town had identified four temporary solutions and sent out surveys to residents seeking their input. The first was reimbursing customers for purchasing bottled water. The second was installing a temporary treatment system that would serve as a bottle-filling station for customers to obtain water. The third was to install a temporary treatment system — using either granular activated carbon or ion exchange technology — for Well 6 and purchase the reusable filter vessels, while the fourth was the same as the third except the filter vessels would be rented. About 500 customers responded to the survey, and Option 3 was the overwhelming choice, with well over 400 selecting it. Town administrators initially supported the fourth option, but concerns arose about availability, leading them to support either Option 3 or 4. The long-term solution is a permanent filtration system and/or connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water system, Westerling said. Select Board Member Amy Ritterbusch suggested a more aggressive outreach to ensure people who might be in the sensitive subgroup are aware of the situation. “We can’t overcommunicate on this one,” added Member Muriel Kramer, supporting Ritterbusch’s suggestion of an automated phone call to all residents. Member Brendan Tedstone reminded the public that the federal health guideline allows for up to 70 parts per trillion of PFAs in the water, much less strict than Massachusetts’ standard of 20 parts per trillion. Hopkinton measured over the state limit for three consecutive months — with the highest recorded total at 28 — putting the town in violation. Nearly 50 percent of individuals responding to the town survey indicated they were willing to support an increase in water rates to pay for a temporary solution. About 25 percent were opposed, and about 25 percent stated maybe. Option 3 (purchasing the filters) has a three-year estimated cost total of $500,000 to $600,000. Option 4 (renting) is expected to cost $600,000 over three years, with a setup cost of $140,000 to $160,000 plus monthly leasing fees of $12,000 to $14,000. “We are looking for every opportunity we can to offset the costs,” Westerling said, noting the town could seek an emergency procurement in an effort to avoid having to call a Special Town Meeting to approve the spending. Leah Stanton, vice president of Weston & Sampson’s water program, said the town might be able to acquire some money through a grant program.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 9

Hill named library director News Briefs | from page 4

in order to do that. I think that one of the unique things about me is I’ve worked in pretty much every department in the library. I worked my way up from young adult services to adult services, I became assistant director, I’ve been the director.” Added Hill: “I’m excited about what’s happening in libraries today, about the things that we’ve learned about how we can serve people after COVID. I think that there are new and exciting things on the horizon. I’m excited to be in Hopkinton. I’m really looking forward

Parks & Rec roundup: Turf fields project in design phase By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

t its meeting Dec. 1, the Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed plans for the Fruit Street fields and discussed budgeting and future Parks & Recreation projects. Kathy Hervol of Gale Associates presented schematic designs for the Fruit Street fields turf replacement. The next step for the project would include proceeding with final design documents. The project is on schedule, and Hervol estimated that bidding could commence at the end of January, contingent upon approval of funding. The commission voted to authorize Parks & Recreation Department Director Jay Guelfi to engage Gale Associates for the next two phases of the project, up to $14,000. Meanwhile, Guelfi reported that he met with a team from Irwin and Associates in order to assemble a plan for annual maintenance of the Fruit Street grass fields, including fertilization, seeding and an upgrade to the irrigation system. At its next meeting, Guelfi will present the plan to the commission with an annual cost estimate.

Additional updates shared Commission Chair Dan Terry reported that the commission is in “a good place” with the Community Preservation Committee. “I think there’s a bunch of people who realize that this money needs to be spent,” Terry said. “They like the projects that we’ve done, but most importantly, we’re getting stuff done.” Looking ahead toward future projects, the commissioners expressed interest in acquiring additional land and property in order to expand Parks & Recreation offerings. … Commissioner Liisa Jackson, liaison to the Trails Coordination and Management Committee, reported that the committee has presented an alternative proposal for developing Center Trail. The plan differs from the proposal that the Upper Charles Trail Committee presented to the commission in October. The group plans to review and discuss the new trail proposal at a future meeting. … Guelfi reported that his presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget to the town’s Finance Department was well received. Next, the budget likely will be presented to the Appropriations Committee, Guelfi said.

primarily to getting out more into the community. That’s something that your residents are looking for. I’m excited to be able to team up with businesses and nonprofits in the town and working with other town departments.”

Town leaders pay tribute to Duffy, D’Urso At the Dec. 7 Select Board meeting, Brendan Tedstone called attention to the passing of Mary Jo Duffy, who lived in Hopkinton since 1959 and raised 12 children here. “She was Dr. [John] Duffy’s wife. She had 2,000 kids, I think,” Tedstone joked. “A wonderful, wonderful person. … Just a heck of a woman. One of these longtime townie people that when we lose them we don’t get back, and we lose some history and we lose a lot of stories and identity for the town. She will be missed. She was a wonderful person.” Board Member Mary Jo LaFreniere said she and Duffy had a “running joke about being the two Mary Jos in town.”

“She had a great sense of humor,” LaFreniere said. “She was wonderful. Very gracious.” The board also saluted Frank D’Urso, a former Planning Board member who was an active volunteer in town. He passed away late last month. “He’ll be sorely missed,” said Chair Irfan Nasrullah. “Town Meeting is not going to be the same without him,” Amy Ritterbusch said.

Misc.: Rutter named town moderator Ellen Rutter was unanimously voted by the Select Board to serve as town moderator until the Town Election next May. She replaces Tom Garabedian, who recently announced that he was stepping down from the elected position. Rutter had served as deputy town moderator under Garabedian. Board Member Muriel Kramer noted that Rutter becomes the town’s first female town moderator. …

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Jennifer Reed and Erica Lawrence were appointed to the Youth Commission to terms that expire June 30, 2023. David Dollenmayer was appointed to the Board of Library Trustees until next May’s Town Election. … The Select Board unanimously approved providing The Vin Bin, a liquor store located in Hopkinton Square on West Main Street, with an all-alcohol license, upgrading its current beer and wine license. The license became available due to the increase in population in town as reflected on the 2020 census. The board also approved the annual Section 12 alcohol license renewal for the Hopkinton Tennis and Swim Club, which has yet to be built. The facility is targeted for 27 Lumber Street. … Auto sales licenses were renewed for WSAB Enterprise (32 East Main Street) and Whitehall Auto Sales (34R Spring Street). … The Select Board voted unanimously to support the opioid national settlement agreement, which means Hopkinton will be included in the settlement and eventually can begin using funds to aid in the treatment of those with addiction issues.

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10 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Upper Charles Trail Committee hears from public on trail progress By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

t its public meeting Dec. 8, the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) provided a progress report on the Hopkinton portion of the proposed trail project, an 8-mile path through town that extends from Milford to Ashland. The presentation by UCTC Chair Jane Moran and engineering consultants from VHB included a video flyover of the trail and background information on the project development. During the public comment portion of the meeting, nearly 20 residents spoke, with the majority expressing concerns about safety. Providing history on the project, Moran explained that the committee was appointed by the Select Board in 2012 to plan, design, engineer and build the multiuse path. After consulting with the Conway Group, the committee’s main takeaways were that it must use mostly town-owned open space and that a professional firm would be necessary to manage the intricacies and challenges of the project. The proposed trail alignment presented at the meeting had been unanimously approved by the committee. Moran explained that UCTC’s next step would be to go to the Select Board in January to submit an environmental notification form (ENF), noting that the ENF is “one small step in this huge project, just as this meeting is.” Christine Champeau of VHB explained UCTC’s goal is to develop an alignment that provides a shared-use path connecting to key nodes and destinations in town such as recreation sites, businesses and neighborhood developments. Cham-

This map shows the Upper Charles Trails Committee’s proposed route (in yellow) for the Upper Charles Trail in the area around the schools along with an alternative suggestion (in blue) from some residents who expressed concern about the safety of the UCTC route due to multiple crossings of Hayden Rowe Street.

peau explained that to qualify for state and federal funding, certain design guidelines must be met, taking into consideration various constraints such as wetlands, materials, space, historic sites, utilities, cost and other parameters. Champeau said that the group used 20 different categories to rank various path options and then created at least three alternatives for each segment of the trail. The project is divided into 11 segments, but UCTC currently is focusing on the center segments (5 and 6) that include town-owned property that would allow the project to begin design as soon as possible. The center segments would provide a stand-alone shared-use path from the school campuses to the Center Trail to the downtown corridor and the Town Common. The northern and southern segments also would provide great connectivity, Champeau explained, but land acquisition would be required, which could delay action for several years. The more immediate and successful completion of the center segments, Moran argued, could “be a very attractive stand-alone unit,” noting that UCTC’s goal is “to provide connectivity and accessibility.” In Segment 5, the Campus Trail Connector connects to Hopkins School and Hopkinton High School. A MassTrails grant for preliminary design was received in 2021, and design since has been completed. In Segment 6, which includes EMC Park and Marathon School, UCTC aims to conduct the same level of design as Segment 5 and hopes to receive a MassTrails grant in 2022 to do so.

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Trail | 11

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 11

English language learners participate in Conversation Circle From Olá, Nǐ hǎo and Salam to Hello at Hopkinton Library

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alking about what they do in the winter, understanding idioms such as a piece of cake, and even hearing one of their members sing a Chinese opera song all are part of the English language learners Conversation Circle now going on at the Hopkinton Public LiThe Hopkinton Public Library ELL Conversation Circle brary. The Conversation meets weekly to help participants hone their ability to use Circle is designed to English in everyday life. provide English language learners (ELL) an opportunity to practice vocabulary, tions, joined the Circle to make friends pronunciation and grammar in a comfortin her new hometown. And at the Dec. 3 able environment. Emphasis is placed on meeting, Lili Guo, a Chinese opera singer, providing conversation skills that reflect performed for the group. day-to-day life, such as a business phone “The participants say they find the call or navigating the grocery store. The Conversation Circle a fun opportunity to Circle is flexible, reflecting the needs of practice their growing skills in English participants. and to get to know one another,” said The program is an outgrowth of the Champney, who added the one-hour meetlibrary’s five-year strategic plan to provide ing usually stretches to at least 90 minutes. resources and experiences for the entire Many of the participants were reHopkinton community that are welcomcruited from two Hopkinton groups for ing, safe and respectful. recent immigrants. They speak two or “Recognizing a community need, three other languages, and although they Jessi McCarthy [former acting library know the basics of English, they want to director] looked for someone to get the become more fluent. program going,” explained Barbara Based on the enthusiastic response Champney. “The Friends of the Library from participants and facilitators, two new responded as sponsors and I volunteered ELL Conversation Circles will start next as coordinator.” month at the library. One group will meet Run entirely by volunteers, includon Wednesdays at 1 p.m. beginning Jan. 12 ing facilitators Janet Fannon and Ellen while the second will meet on Thursdays Deutsch, the pilot ELL Conversation at 6 p.m. beginning Jan. 13. The weekly Circle began in mid-October. sessions for beginners and intermediate The dozen participants, who come language learners will continue through from Brazil, China and Iran, meet on Frithe spring. The facilitators will include day mornings to discuss a specific topic Beth Mezitt, Trish Perry, Renee Dean and related to everyday life such as celebratChristine Clifford. ing a holiday or visiting a doctor’s office. Individuals can register for the ConBut conversations flow from the focus to versation Circles by visiting HopkintonLipersonal experiences and thoughts, resultbrary.org, clicking on the Calendar/Events ing in a supportive group and growing menu bar, then navigating to the January friendships. calendar and selecting the date for the “Four of the women in our current meeting they would like to attend. group found out they each have a child Said Champney: “We hope to grow in second grade, which drew them closer the program even more in the future” by together,” said Champney. Another particiadding advanced classes and individual pant, who felt isolated since she moved to tutoring and “approaching the schools to Hopkinton during the COVID-19 restricsupport children who need help.”

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Upper Charles Trail Committee hears from public on trail progress Trail | from page 10

Matt Chase of VHB stressed that the group was “straddling the planning phase and design phase” and that these are preliminary, not final, designs. Chase also noted additional studies and engineering will need to be completed and plans likely will shift as the project progresses. Moran noted that prior to Wednesday’s meeting she had heard concerns from residents about the fact that the proposed path includes three Hayden Rowe Street (Route 85) crossings; citizens cited concerns about safety and traffic and noted incidents in which a child on a bike was killed and another incident in which a woman pushing a stroller was struck by a car. To address these concerns prior to opening the meeting for public comment,

Champeau explained that the path along Hayden Rowe would be a “separate facility offset from the road” and not a traditional sidewalk. She explained the group would not design something with less than a 5-foot buffer and, if needed, a physical barrier could be erected. Champeau also noted that rapid flashing beacons or overhead systems could be installed to call more attention to crossings. The plan also could potentially incorporate tools to slow traffic on the roadway, including narrowing the roadway or incorporating visual tools or speed humps so drivers would be aware of changing conditions. Despite this attempt to assuage concerns, the majority of residents who spoke during the meeting’s commenting period mentioned Hayden Rowe Street safety Trail | 14

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‘Officer Phil’ heads into final weeks as school resource officer in Hopkinton for 19 years, has become a fixture at the schools, allowing students Hopkinton and never looked back. to stop into his office and have lunch “Back in 1987, Hopkinton had a with him if they need advice or call him full-time job opening, so I transferred on his cell phone. His office is adorned over there,” he explained. with drawings, pictures and stickers Because he wanted to spend time showing the students’ gratitude for his with his family, he chose to work the involvement in their lives. midnight shift for 13 years so he could “It went from, ‘Why do we need be with his children during the day. police?’ to ‘Why did you take a day off?’ He went from walking the beat to very quickly,” he said. also becoming a D.A.R.E. officer for Powers started as a school resource fifth-graders, teaching students about officer part-time at the middle school, the dangers of violence and drugs. Powspending the other half walking the beat ers enjoyed working with children, so on patrol. When the full-time opening when a grant came up to fund a school came up, he said he would try it for a resource officer position, he decided to year and found it to be a good fit. When apply. he was offered a position at Hopkinton “It was a new thing in law enforceHigh School, he insisted that he be inment at the time,” he recalled. “It was volved in all the other schools as well to kind of tough. Being in law enforcement foster and maintain connections. and in the schools didn’t seem to be a “Doing this job, the kids knew me smooth transition. We got a lot of feedfrom school to school,” he said. “Some back from schools and students asking Phil Powers (second from right), shown with some fellow HPD officers, said his of the kids who are in college now I met why do we need police in the schools.” success as school resource officer was due to building relationships with students in kindergarten. You build relationships through the years. Since then, Powers, who has lived with these kids.” Because of these relationships, a culture of trust emerged between the youth and the police. “It’s come a long way, and it’s still a really great program,” Powers said. “I see a lot of schools now trying to get away from school resource officers. But I saw the police becoming friendlier to the kids, and the kids felt comfortable talking to them.” His job entails activities such as Free Resources going on field trips, including accomSAT/ACT baseline testing & college panying students to New York City and profile review session Washington. 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He’s been an invaluable asset to the department, an incredible member of the community, and his full-time presence will certainly be missed.” Powers participates in a “Ride to school with Officer Phil” for charity, as well as organizing other fundraisers. “These are the small things that you can do to make a difference,” he said. “And the kids remember that.” At one point, Powers saved the life of a former student because of the trust he inspired. “A former student came through the lobby with a baseball bat and a chain, and he was smoking a cigarette,” Powers said. “He broke a window in the library and headed up to the roof. I wasn’t in uniform, so I went up there because I looked more casual.” The individual had cut himself and was bleeding, so Powers brought a firstaid kit to attend to the wound. Powers | from page 1

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The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 13

‘Officer Phil’ heads into final weeks as school resource officer

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Powers | from page 12

“He was planning on jumping off the roof and committing suicide,” Powers said. “I motioned to another officer to let him know what I was doing. I grabbed his wrist and was able to subdue him. We were able to get him to the hospital safely to get treatment.” There have been other hard moments as well, such as students who died from car accidents and cancer. He also alerts the schools if a domestic incident occurs at home so the school will be prepared for a student in crisis. “A big part of my job is to comfort the kids and be a shoulder to lean on,” Powers said. “I don’t want to wait in the office for a problem to come in; I want to prevent it.” Dealing with mental health issues is a component of the job as well. “Sometimes I feel more like Dr. Phil than Officer Phil,” he said. “I talked to the kids when they did something that wasn’t smart to find out why and help them.” As part of the school’s diversion program, Powers counsels students who have committed minor infractions so that they don’t end up with permanent records. “We work with the DA’s office and set up a contract,” he explained. “It gives the kids another chance to go on. But they can only do that once.” Another hat he wears is as a prosecutor for juvenile court. He works with students on how to present themselves and speak to the judge so they won’t get charged with a crime if it is a minor incident. “It’s complicated because I have to prosecute these kids and also represent them,” Powers said. “When they get in trouble, they have no problem calling me for advice.” During the pandemic, Powers wanted to maintain his presence in the students’ lives, so he organized more than 200 police drive-by parades in front of students’ homes. “It was a way to make the kids smile during this awful time,” he said. Powers also was an organizer of the annual fishing derby and cookout held in May, with the some of the money raised going to fund a Christmas dinner for elders. And he has participated in the police’s annual Special Olympics basketball game each March.

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One thing Powers is grateful for is the support he has received from the town, particularly during this challenging time. “I get thanked all the time for the work that I do by the parents and the kids,” he said. “I do think the program has helped in a number of ways. Now I see officers going to kids’ lemonade stands to support them.” He gave one piece of advice that applies to everyone. “You have to give respect to get respect,” Powers said. “We all make mistakes, so treat people the way you would treat your family.” He said he had “thousands of people to thank,” including his fellow officers, the students and the school staff. The only regret he has is not getting a college degree. He went into the Air Force five days after his high school graduation. One thing he is proud of outside of his school role is that his son, Philip Jr., followed in his footsteps and became a police officer, in Walpole. The only reason Powers said he is leaving is because he is turning 65 in January, and officers must retire by the end of their 65th birthday month. Officer Matthew Santoro, the school resource officer at the middle school, will assume Powers’ position. “I am glad to do this all these years because it’s a rewarding job, and I would continue this job if I could,” Powers said. “I hope that I’ve done something positive with the kids. But it’s time for some new blood in here and newer ideas. I feel good with me leaving and Matt being here.”

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HopkintonIndependent.com

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

n overnight fire at a Winter Street company caused major damage to a Hopkinton Fire Department pumper truck that had been inside the building, Fire Chief Bill Miller said. Hopkinton firefighters responded to a fire alarm at about 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 at Bulldog Fire Apparatus, located at 17 Winter Street, Miller said. There is a Hopkinton Fire Department sta- The Dec. 1 fire occurred at Bulldog Fire Apparatus, which is located at 17 Winter tion around the corner Street. (on Wood Street) but Miller said that station was closed at the time. cause for the fire as there is an active investigation The fire was not evident outside the building, underway, although he did say, “It does not look but when firefighters entered the facility they saw suspicious at this time.” smoke and discovered the truck on fire in a painting The pumper truck is not usable, Miller acknowlbay, Miller said. A sprinkler system helped prevent edged, although he said he could not discuss specific the fire from spreading, and firefighters were able details until the state completes its investigation. to get the fire under control in about 40 minutes. Miller added that his department also is in discusMiller said he could not comment on a potential sions with the town’s insurance company.

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Experts say invasive plants pose risk to Hopkinton’s native species Earlier this year, members of HALT (Hopkinton Area Land Trust) worked with Hopkinton’s Open Space Preservation Commission to remove invasive plants and restore a former meadow at the Whitehall Conservation Area.

By Rhian Lowndes Contributing Writer

wo years ago, Ed Harrow came across a patch of Hopkinton that was so overgrown with invasive plants, he could hardly walk through the undergrowth. Now, the chair of the Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission is on the third round of grant-funded clearing. “Basically a glorified mowing job,” Harrow said about the mechanical and by-hand removal of plants. Even as a last resort, herbicide is not an option under Hopkinton’s edict, so he pulls and cuts the Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed and Japanese barberry that overwhelm the landscape. “I’ve pulled roots that are at least 15 feet long,” Wayne Mezitt said. Mezitt, in addition to being the owner of Weston Nurseries, is chair of the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group, and he said the bittersweet’s orange roots are pervasive. But the branches are what climb and choke out trees in their competition for sunlight. “I’ve sort of given up on pulling except for the small plants,” said Mezitt. “And I’ve gone to cutting them off.” He said getting to bittersweet before

PHOTO/HALT

it flowers can stop its seed from spreading. Both men said the bittersweet, and its red berries that appear in the fall, will crawl up anything it can find. Knotweed, on the other hand, is a leafy shrub that Mezitt said prefers to grow in broken or disturbed ground. Harrow said he’s seen several properties and heard several discussions concerning knotweed. “So there is some awareness, but I don’t think it’s a large awareness,” said Harrow. “The places where it is on state property, to get the state to recognize that it’s a problem and to do something about it, or to authorize somebody to do something about it, has proven to be difficult.”

Mezitt said Japanese knotweed, along with a few other invasive species, was introduced in the 1930s by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). After the Dust Bowl, the USDA sought to stabilize eroding lands through soil conservation nurseries. Yet, some plants had a different origin story. Japanese barberry always was a major product in the nursery industry, said Mezitt, because it’s an effective hedging plant. Its dense growth and beautiful color make it a popular perimeter. The thorns deter human and animal trespassers — but because the deer won’t touch it, and it grows so easily, it’s difficult to control.

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Native species can be troublemakers as well, noted Mezitt, citing poison ivy and Virginia creeper. But the incorrigible growth of bittersweet, knotweed and barberry can be a danger to native species. “Most of them have a tendency to gravitate into native areas and dominate certain areas, sometimes to the exclusion of desirable plants,” said Mezitt. “In fact, frequently, that way.” He said the invasive species often don’t have “natural controls” like pathogens, insects, diseases and animals. “The thing that’s most needed is more public awareness and funding,” said Mezitt. Funding often comes from private groups and individuals, but Mezitt said without pressure from the public, he doesn’t believe the government will spend to cut down the invasive growth. But many don’t understand the impact of bittersweet’s bright red berries. “Well, it’s too late for my mother, but she thought bittersweet that was growing up on the side of my parents’ barn was lovely,” Harrow joked. “And my father would sneak out when she wasn’t looking and cut it off at the base. And this went on for some number of years.” Bittersweet berries, said Harrow, can be quite charming. But he adds, at some point, it climbs the tree and pulls it down to the ground. More information about invasive species can be found on the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group website (massnrc.org/mipag).

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as their primary concern with the plan. Two residents, after hearing Champeau’s explanation about the offset design of the path, expressed that they indeed felt more comfortable with the plan. At least one resident viewed the Hayden Rowe crossings as a potential positive, noting that more crossings could be safer for traffic flow patterns and help attune drivers to slow down. Beyond Hayden Rowe concerns, one resident said that the path going by the schools is “not a positive,” as she doesn’t want “people walking up from wherever.” Another resident was worried about parking capacity around EMC and near town playgrounds and baseball fields; he also was concerned about car break-ins, arguing that the trail lots would be an easy target. Property owners along Hayden Rowe expressed concerns about potentially losing part of their yards to the trail, although UCTC has stressed it is avoiding the use of private property. Several residents preferred that the path would incorporate more wooded trails rather than following existing roadways. One commenter expressed a preference for stone dust (similar to the Center Trail) versus asphalt, although UCTC has not yet decided on surface materials for all segments. Some attendees argued that they should have been informed of the plans prior to the meeting and that public outreach efforts were not sufficient. They asked for ongoing feedback opportunities and additional traffic studies, as well as for UCTC to delay presenting the ENF in January. Despite their concerns, several of the commenters stressed that they are avid trail users and appreciate the work being done

Trails | 15

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 15

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

New Hopkinton Shell owner eager to connect with community Cal Karam, the new owner of Hopkinton Shell, says he has enjoyed a “warm welcome.”

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

n the beginning, Cal Karam was a bit worried about taking ownership of Hopkinton Shell. It was located in an area he wasn’t familiar with and had been run by the same person for 38 years. “But, honestly, from the first week, I felt welcome,” Karam says. “There are beautiful, nice people around here. So, that gave me the strength to stick with it.” Originally from Lebanon, Karam has lived in the United States for 23 years and now calls South Weymouth home. He has been working in the gas station business for 19 years, largely alongside his uncle, who owns 12 stations. When the opportunity arose for Karam to own his own location at Hopkinton Shell, he saw it as a challenge he was ready to accept. Remarking on former owner Jerry Lazzaro’s longtime and respected tenure, Karam says that he has been working hard to prove himself and be a suitable replacement. “So far, so good,” he says. “Now, after almost six months, I feel so great about it. I have to drive an hour every day, but at the same time I feel like I’m becoming part of the community.” Karam and his wife are even considering moving to Hopkinton in the coming years with their three young boys. “The more I’m learning about Hopkinton the more I’m feeling comfortable,” Karam says. “For me, education is the number one priority. And that’s why I also would love to support the local schools and sports teams.” In addition to being a gas station, Hopkinton Shell is a complete car care station with certified mechanics. The station offers a variety of services, including engine tune-ups, wheel alignment and balancing, brake jobs, propane tank filling, cooling and exhaust work, professional repairs and more. It also offers pick-up and drop-off services, which Karam notes is particularly helpful for older adult clients, especially during the winter. Like many businesses, Karam says that Hopkinton Shell is short-staffed, and it has been a challenge to find employees. Nevertheless, he has not changed his operating hours. “I’m covering hours to make it convenient for the community,” he says. “We close at 10, and then I get home at 11, 11:30. My kids aren’t happy about it. They’re like, ‘Daddy, Daddy, we don’t see you anymore!’ But that’s the business, and it’s not fair for the com-

Trail progress

munity if we close early. So I’m putting in the hours until I can find somebody.” As snow and freezing temperatures arrive, Karam encourages residents to winterize their vehicles, get their wheels and brakes checked, and, most importantly, drive safely. He says he appreciates the trust that customers have shown Hopkinton Shell so far, and he wants to reciprocate by making sure everyone who comes into the station “feels like they are welcome, like they are home, like I am one of them.” Karam’s ultimate mission, he says, is “to keep everybody happy.” Hopkinton Shell is located at 60 Main Street and can be reached by phone at 508-435-6738. Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.

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Trail | from page 14

to improve Hopkinton’s public paths. One resident, a newcomer to Hopkinton who has appreciated meeting her neighbors through the trails, acknowledged that the plan wasn’t perfect, but she urged other attendees to not let “a quest for perfection prevent us from doing something good that helps us build this community.” Town Engineer Dave Daltorio emphasized that as the project moves forward, there will be additional public meetings and details released. “This is the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “From this point forward, we’ll start drilling down in further detail. All this feedback is great.” As the meeting closed, Moran stressed: “Remember that this is one small step in a giant, giant project, and we will continue to work on it.”

Wishing you a sparkling Holiday Season and a brilliant New Year! Contact John at Fitzgerald Real Estate when looking to sell or buy your home.

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

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We do recognize that this is above the guidance that was given by the Select Board and the town manager. However, this is where we are at this time.

The School Committee began its hybrid meeting Dec. 9 with a joint session with the Select Board and the Appropriation Committee to discuss the Fiscal Year 2023 school budget requests. — Finance Director Susan Rothermich, “We really do on the School Department’s proposed budget have a very good idea of where we stand right now,” Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh explained, noting that School Department meetings with the Select Board and the Appropriation Committee have taken place since September in a “very collaborative” process. She noted that when she started the school budget process, the number recommended by the Select Board was “more conservative than what the Hopkinton Public Schools have experienced over the past couple of years.” However, the budget requests by schools and departments during their presentations have been modest while meeting the educational, behavioral and socio-emotional needs of all students during a time when the student population is increasing. The superintendent gave an overview of last year’s budget. Right now, there are 4,026 students in the school system, while the budget had been projected for 3,998. The preschool number is continuing to rise above the anticipated number of 78 students; 86 currently are enrolled and more are expected. Because of this increase, the budget is calling for an additional preschool classroom. Finance Director Susan Rothermich explained that the FY23 operating budget of $57,116,428 showed a 5.8 percent increase from the previous year of almost $3,150,000. “We do recognize that this is above the guidance that was given by the Select Board and the town manager,” she said. “However, this is where we are at this time.” The number of English language learner (ELL) students has increased this year, Cavanaugh said. She noted that the average caseload per teacher is 30, which she described as “very high.” At Marathon School, there are 127 ELL students, while at Elmwood there are 80. Hopkins has 30 ELL students. District-wide, this accounts for 6.9 percent of the total population, where in 2014-15, the percentage was only 1.4 percent, or 48 students. This illustrates the budgetary need for more English as a second or other language (ESOL) students. Out-of-district tuition and contracted services increased by $1.094 million, while the transportation increase was $73,260 for one bus. This was offset by $358,000 in circuit breaker funds. There were no budgetary increases requested for instructional program enhancements or administrative support of facility enhancements. Rothermich noted that a special education reserve fund could be created to accommodate for unexpected shifts in this population. The School Committee voted for this a few years ago. The Select Board and Town Meeting would need to vote on its creation, and Town Meeting then would have to approve the funding. “Once this fund is established, appropriations out of the reserve fund could be made by a majority vote of the School Committee and the Select Board,” she explained. Capital requests detailed at a previous meeting amounted to $7,222,000 but would be offset by a $6,287,000 in solar battery revenue offset that would pay for its purchase, leaving a projected taxpayer cost of $935,000. One unknown was the amount for the roof project for Hopkins and the middle school. Due to a supply chain issue, it has been difficult to secure the materials. Select Board Chair Irfan Nasrullah asked when solar energy credit would be expected to be generated from the investment in solar energy. “How long do we expect that to take before we start making the gravy?” he asked. Rothermich said there are multiple projects, but for the middle school they would be “right side up in eight years.” It would take seven years for Hopkins, she added. But the length of time would depend upon the interest rate on the debt service. Included in the overall budget presentation were the elementary school requests, which were presented later in the meeting. Marathon Principal Lauren Dubeau said she had no additional staffing requests for the general population. The population will remain consistent. “The need for us is with the preschool program,” she explained, as it will be 90 students by the end of January. Money for supplies is needed for items such as dry erase markers and different types of paper. Many of these students require special education, she added. But early intervention should help those needs not to be continued in later grades. She also talked about the expansion, which is in the design phase. “The goal is to break ground at the end of this school year,” she said, with the addition taking one year to be constructed. Elmwood Principal Anne Carver said the only personnel request she had was to add 0.1 to a current 0.9 position to have a full-time wellness teacher. The expenses were slightly below last year. She also asked for $5,000 to fund a March book program. Hopkins Principal Vanessa Bilello said her expenses “are level funded across the board.”

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 17

Move guarantees that those who deserve coal this year will get it!

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’ Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

T h i s i s s u e ’s winner is Betsy Harrahy for this photo of her children, Colin and Cora. To enter next i s s u e ’s c o n t e s t , email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent. com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

The Hopkinton Independent presents “A Slice of Hopkinton” photo contest, sponsored by Bill’s Pizzeria. Readers are encouraged to submit photos of people, places or things in Hopkinton. The Independent staff will select one winner for each issue. The winner will have their submitted photo published in the paper and will receive a $25 gift certificate to Bill’s Pizzeria.

NORTH POLE — Santa Claus announced today that he has chosen Medway Oil & Propane as the exclusive resource for high-quality Reading Anthracite coal throughout the greater MetroWest region and eastern Worcester County. According to one of Santa’s elves, it was very important that Santa chose a company he could count on this winter. “We were delighted that Santa chose us again this year,” said Jeffrey Mushnick, owner of Medway Oil & Propane. “We have coal that is quite suitable for keeping people warm this winter — and also for filling stockings and decorating snowmen! We offer the best quality coal in the region.”

Even the Naughty Will Get Something! In a telephone interview this week, Santa Claus elaborated further on his decision. “We know that Medway Oil & Propane has been offering high-quality Reading Anthracite coal to their customers since 1954,” said Santa. “It was natural for me to select the region’s best coal supplier to handle all of the MetroWest requests we get for a lump of coal.” Based on Santa’s happiness with Medway Oil & Propane, the “naughty and nice” will want to consider them for coal, fuel oil and propane service.

FREE 100 Pounds of Coal and One Pound for Stockings! Homeowners who heat with coal are invited to receive a FREE 100-pound bag of coal with any coal delivery before January 31, 2022. Call (508) 533-6561 or 1-800-649-5949. Anyone wanting a few free lumps of coal for stocking stuffers should call for details. Santa hastily ended his press conference to return to his shop in preparation for visiting the MetroWest area later this month.

All photos must be submitted by individuals 16 and over. The photo must be high resolution, and not submitted for use by any other media outlet. Winners will pick up their gift certificate at Bill’s Pizzeria.

HPS winter concerts underway T

he Hopkinton Public Schools Music Department winter concerts started earlier this month with Grade 6 (Dec. 6) and 7 (Dec. 13). The Hopkinton Middle School’s final Winter Concert, for Grade 8, is Wednesday (Dec. 15) at 6:30 at the HMS auditorium. Hopkinton High School has two upcoming concerts: concert SCHOOLS band and jazz ensemble on Monday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m., and chorus NOTEBOOK and orchestra on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. Both are at the High School Athletic Center. The Hopkins School Winter Concert is Monday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. at the High School Athletic Center. Masks are required at all concerts, and other restrictions are in place. The concerts will be livestreamed on HCAM. Check the Music Department web page for more information (hopkinton.k12.ma.us). … In other Music Department news, the following HHS students were selected to participate in the 2022 Senior District Festival, which is being held virtually: Jordyn Ahlstrom-Hall (chorus), Abigail Baskin (orchestra/jazz), Jacob Chastain (jazz), Luciano Duca (chorus), Aditya Machiraju (band), Carolina Ozmun (orchestra) and Hana Ruran (chorus).

Barker part of winning quiz team Hopkinton’s Claire Barker was a member of the Cedarville University athletic training team that won the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association annual Student Quiz Bowl on Nov. 13 in Dublin, Ohio. Cedarville defeated teams from Ohio State University and Ohio University by more than 2,000 points in the final round. With the victory, Cedarville’s quiz bowl team will represent Ohio from March 9-12 at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association district competition, held in Wheeling, Illinois. The competition will include state winners from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The winner of that competition will advance to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association quiz bowl in June. Barker is a senior in Cedarville’s Bachelor of Arts in athletic training program and was one of three students (plus an alternate) on the team.

We appreciate your business and wish you the best this holiday season.

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Donna Spector, Steve Spector 508-751-9735 DonnaAndSteveHomeTeam.com

18 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Obituaries John Brennan

butions may be made in John’s memory to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or St. Timothy Church, 650 Nichols Street, Norwood, MA 02062.

Mary Jo Duffy

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 14 at St. John the Evangelist Church, followed by burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Services were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to BirthRight, 79A Main Street, Framingham, MA 01702.

Richard Perkins

John J. Brennan, 84, of Norwood and formerly Franklin, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3. He was born March 26, 1937, in Boston to Hubert and Julia (Lennon) Brennan. As a young boy growing up in Brighton, John often would be found at Fenway Park selling programs. He once had a chance encounter with Ted Williams, who called over to him, “Hey Red, am I playing today?” to which John replied, “I hope so, they don’t stand a chance without you!” That was John — upbeat, positive and easy to approach. Upon graduation from Boston State College, John enlisted in the Coast Guard and continued for another three years in the Officer Candidate School. After completing two terms of service in the Coast Guard, John started his career in the Norwood Public School System, teaching for 35 years until his retirement. His many friendships there, especially with school superintendent Dr. Philip Coakley, who hired him, were lifelong. John was a lifelong student and teacher who touched many lives in a wonderful and loving way. His desire to bring the world to his classroom was evident with his perpetual introduction of classical music, literature, philosophy and computers. He was a selfless man, giving of his time and talents throughout his life. In retirement, John became an avid student of the game of golf in Naples, Florida. He loved every video, book and PGA event to constantly improve his game with his special beautiful partner, Maureen, the love of his life. John frequently gave Maureen roses throughout their marriage and was named “Mr. Roses” by a dear friend. John was both a true gentleman and gentle man. John is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Maureen (Donohue) Brennan; his loving daughters, Judith Mastaj and husband James of Franklin, and Cheryl Murphy and husband Terence of Hopkinton; his adored grandchildren, Lindsey and Emily Mastaj, and Conor and Caroline Murphy; his dear siblings, Eleanor Gillette and late husband Richard of Woburn, and James and wife Ellie of Melrose. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 8 at St. Timothy Church, Norwood, followed by interment at Highland Cemetery. Services were under the care of the Gillooly Funeral Home, Norwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contri-

Mary Jo (Brennan) Duffy, 93, of Hopkinton passed away peacefully on Dec. 3 surrounded by her loving children. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Dr. John H. Duffy. Daughter of the late William B. and Letitia (Farrell) Brennan, Mary Jo was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended the College of New Rochelle, where she graduated with a B.A. in art, and the Catholic University of America, where she earned an M.A. in history. Mary Jo studied in Paris shortly after the end of World War II and wrote her dissertation for her master’s degree on the critical role Free France, led by Charles de Gaulle, played in confronting the Vichy regime’s collaboration with the German occupiers. A resident of Hopkinton since 1959, Mary Jo was very active in St. John the Evangelist Catholic parish for many years. She founded and ran a catechesis program to supplement normal CCD instruction which included professors recruited from Boston College to teach advanced theology to the high school-aged students. Mary Jo was active in politics and instrumental in the passage of Proposition 2 1/2 in Massachusetts, as well as engaging in pro-life activities and supporting mothers and children in need. A lifelong student and avid reader of philosophy, theology and history, Mary Jo displayed an incisive mind and ready wit. She was a formidable challenger in any intellectual discussion, yet she always had open arms and a compassionate heart to anyone in need. Above all, Mary Jo was marked by her deep and abiding Catholic faith. Mary Jo is survived by six sons and four daughters, Christine Cloutier of Natick, Thomas Duffy of Randolph, New Jersey, Michael Duffy of Hopkinton, Mary Corkery of Mansfield, Robert Duffy of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Peter Duffy of Merrimack, New Hampshire, James Joseph Duffy of Shirley, Richard Duffy of Syracuse, New York, Letitia Bottino of Wareham, and Kathleen Nash of Holliston; her brother, James Brennan of Falmouth; 45 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her much-loved children John Duffy Jr. of New Haven, Connecticut, and James Weston Duffy of Hopkinton.

Richard Alan (Dick) Perkins, 80, of Yarmouth Port passed away peacefully on Dec. 2 in Brewster with family at his side. He was predeceased in May by his beloved wife, Phyllis M. Perkins, with whom he shared 47 wonderful years of marriage. Dick was born in Newton to Frederick A. Perkins Jr. and C. Evelynne Sorensen Perkins on Sept. 5, 1941. He attended Newton North High School and graduated in 1959. He went on to earn an MBA from Suffolk University. Dick began his career in the stockroom at Algonquin Gas in Boston. From there he rose through the ranks, even testifying before Congress. He worked in the natural gas industry his entire career and retired as president of Algonquin Gas Transmission Company. After retiring, Dick was on the board of directors of Colonial Gas. Dick cherished Phyllis, his wife of 47 years. They were truly best friends. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for her and she for him. He loved taking the family on wonderful vacations. It was always Dick who would put others before himself. One of Dick’s passions was baseball. He loved his Boston Red Sox. He wasn’t just a spectator, though. He was a true athlete, playing baseball and football in high school. He went on to coach both sports. He would tell you, if asked, that his favorite job of all-time was coaching baseball and football at Newton North High. Dick also had a passion for golf. He even turned Phyllis into a fan. It’s amazing how many different golf courses Dick played in the United States, Scotland and Ireland. On several occasions he took family members out to Pebble Beach in California to play and share in his passion. Those who had the honor of getting to know Dick knew what a great man he was. He was kind, passionate, caring and generous to a fault. He was subtle in giving direction and advice. He was intelligent beyond words, and you wouldn’t want to go up against him playing Jeopardy. Dick was predeceased by his brother, Frederick A. Perkins III. He is

HopkintonIndependent.com

survived by his sister, Dorothy Perkins Mackinnon of Weymouth; daughter Patricia Fischer (Milo) of North Fayston, Vermont, son Paul Higgins (Don) of Gaysville, Vermont, daughter Susan DeStefano of Framingham, and daughter Carol Morcone (Chris) of Hopkinton; grandchildren Diana DeStefano and Philip DeStefano of Framingham; niece Cynthia Crossman (Timothy) of Barnstable; great-nephew Hunter Crossman of Barnstable; great-niece Anna Crossman of Barnstable, and nieces and nephews in Maine. Dick will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He and his lovely wife Phyllis are now together again. A celebration of Dick and Phyllis’ lives was held at Chapman Funeral Home in Marstons Mills on Dec. 13, followed by a private service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association in Massachusetts, P.O. Box 70350, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0350 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Patricia Carmichael

Patricia M. Carmichael, 87, died Dec. 4 at Milford Hospital. She was the wife of Richard L. Carmichael. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Edmund and Dorothy (Schmutz) Mullin. Pat was a 1953 graduate of Hopkinton High School. She worked a variety of jobs, including with the telephone company, for Bethany School, in insurance and various jobs at Hopkinton Drug. Pat was a true fan of the New England Patriots. Gardening was a favorite pastime. She loved playing in the dirt. She spent as much time as possible on the Cape and enjoyed the “tribe.” The word family was too small for all her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, June Johnson and husband Keith of Worcester, Daniel McBride and wife Janet of Pennsylvania, and George McBride and wife Awn of Thailand. She also leaves 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and her siblings, Maureen Zachary and husband Mark of California, and Edmund “Skip” Mullin of Ipswich. A funeral service was held Dec. 11 at the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 19

Legacy Farms Diwali food drive reaps big return

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

Volunteers show off the food they collected at Legacy Farms during the Diwali food drive they held last month.

Each week, the Independent highlights an animal available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton. This week we feature a 3-month-old kitten named Casey. Here is Baypath’s description of Casey: “Casey is an adorable gray tiger kitty with cute white paws and chest. Casey is a shy kitten who will take some time to warm up. Casey would do best in a quiet home with adults or older teens. He needs to go to a home with a friendly cat to help him come out of his shell. He loves his sisters, Brett and Georgia!” For more information on Casey and any of the other available pets at Baypath, email adopt@baypathhumane. org or visit baypathhumane.org/adopt. For more Adoptable Animals of the Week, check the Hopkinton Independent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

By Sidhi Dhanda Contributing Writer

his fall, Legacy Farms residents collected 1,300 pounds of food during a Diwali food drive. The food was donated to Hopkinton’s Project Just Because and Framingham’s Turning Point Shelter. The initiative was led by Madhuri Waje, a core volunteer for Sewa’s Boston chapter. Sewa, a Hindi word meaning selfless service, is an international, Hindu faith-based humanitarian organization that helps all. In the Hindu belief, selfless service is at par with worship. Waje got involved with Sewa (sewausa.org) about six years ago after learning about the organization from a friend who volunteered. Waje became even more active in Sewa during the pandemic. This year was Waje’s first time heading the food drive by herself. “It has always been a passion since my childhood to help those in need,” said Waje. “In elementary school, I promised my friend that we would do some good work for society. It’s so good that it’s coming true.” People of all ages volunteered, including 45 children, the youngest being 7 years old. Sanketh Udupa, a junior at Hopkinton High School, was a youth volunteer for the food drive, and he is a part of Sewa’s youth volunteer program, Lead. He started volunteering with Sewa after his parents and grandmother helped make masks with the organization at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “I was really excited and proud that the organization was doing such noble work, and I also wanted to get involved,” said Udupa. The volunteers informed people in Legacy Farms about the food drive and organized it with great precision. A youth volunteer was assigned to each street. They were responsible for handing out flyers and collecting food. Volunteers also set up donation boxes on their driveways. “This way we could cover all of Legacy Farms, and no lane got missed,” said Waje. So many additional families volunteered to have donation boxes outside their house that flyers describing the food drive ran out of space to include the addresses for all the donation boxes. “We kept getting houses that volunteered, and I had to keep reformatting [the flyer] to fit the addresses because we had so many houses that wanted to [help],” said Udupa.

After two weeks of collecting, the group took one week to organize all the food in a volunteer’s garage. All the donations were checked and tabulated. This year, pasta was a popular donation. Udupa was in charge of tracking the total pounds of food donated. “It would not have been possible for me to do it without all the other volunteers helping,” said Udupa, “[as] 1,300 pounds is a lot of food.” Just before Thanksgiving, the volunteers donated all the food to Project Just Because and Turning Point Shelter. “All the young volunteers and all the other volunteers selflessly poured their heart into this food drive and worked hard from collection to even doing quality control on the food and organizing the different categories of food and packing it into boxes,” said Waje.

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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 check Ourseniorcenter.com/find/Hopkinton-council-on-aging or 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.

Thrift Store The thrift store is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Transportation Programs for Seniors The Senior Center offers transportation to and from the Senior Center as well as local shopping Tuesdays through Fridays for Hopkinton residents. The Senior Center also can help residents find transportation assistance for medical appointments and essential shopping, utilizing grants and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) programs. Individuals aged 60 and older, veterans or those homebound due to a disability should call the Outreach Department at the Senior Center at least three business days in advance of the desired day of travel at 508-497-9730, ext. 1615, for assistance in scheduling a ride.

Lunch Program Meals are back in person at the Senior Center. Individuals should call to sign up at least two days in advance. The

cost is $5 per meal, or a pre-purchased ticket for five meals is $20. The Senior Center website has the full lunch menu.

Exercise Classes All classes now are in person Chair yoga, Mondays, 9 a.m. Exercise with Linda, Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Stretch class, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. Zumba, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Balance & Flexibility, Tuesdays, 11 a.m. Exercise with Joni, Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. Tap dancing, Tuesdays, 2 p.m. Tai chi, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Zumba, Fridays, 9:15 a.m. Chi gong, Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Meditation, alternating Fridays, noon (call for schedule)

World War II — Letters To and From a Young Soldier Thursday, Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m. Seema-Janye Kenney is a software instructor and professional genealogist. Over 300 letters found in her uncle’s attic tell a wonderful tale of World War II both at home and overseas in Italy. Learn about or relive the years 1943-45 as participants travel through this time in the USA.

2022

Stroke Signs and Symptoms

tions. Sharps are not accepted at this event.

Monday, Dec. 20, 1 p.m. Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, together with the Hopkinton Senior Center, will present a program on strokes. The presentation will look at the signs and symptoms of a stroke, how important time is when responding, treatment options and recovery outlook. This program will be available in-person and virtually for those unable to attend.

Our Time Memory Cafe

Medication Disposal Drop-Off Monday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Hopkinton Police Department is hosting a medication disposal event at the Senior Center. Individuals can stop in to drop off any expired or unwanted medica-

CALENDAR

Call for dates Our Time Memory Cafe is a welcoming gathering for those experiencing forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment or living with dementia, and their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, share experiences with others going through similar changes, and form friendships. A care partner must accompany anyone who requires assistance. The program is a joint venture between the Hopkinton Senior Center and Hopkinton Public Library. For more information or to register, call 508-497-0108 or email info@ourtimememorycafe.org.

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.

Knights of Columbus free throw contest Jan. 4 The annual Knights of Columbus free throw competition will be held Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Hopkinton High School after the Hopkinton-Ashland varsity boys basketball game. All boys and girls ages 9-14 can participate regardless of disabilities. Trophies/medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age category, and first-place winners advance to the district finals. Registration will begin in the high school gym at 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Ashland/Hopkinton Bishop Rice Council 4822.

Trails organizations seek monthly volunteers The Hopkinton Trail Coordination and Management Committee (TCMC) and the Hopkinton Trails Club have created a monthly trail volunteer day on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers are needed to help with general trail maintenance throughout the year, and a specific trail will be selected each month for targeted maintenance. Residents also are encouraged to inform these groups of maintenance issues observed on trails (downed trees, trails becoming overgrown, etc.) by emailing TCMCchair@hopkintonma.gov or hopkinton.trails.club@gmail. com. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

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

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Event Calendar Sponsored by the

HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Registration deadline is December 31

Co-Ed Tee Ball (age 5) Softball (ages 5-14) Baseball (ages 5-12) Challenger Baseball (ages 4-22)* www.hopkintonlittleleague.org REGISTER NOW

MAKE UP Evaluations MANDATORY for boys born 8/31/14 or earlier, and for girls born 12/31/12 or earlier; and for girls born 1/1/13 - 12/31/13 interested in playing 10U

Friday, January 21st • 7 to 8 pm Metro West Sportscenter 270 Eliot Street, Ashland

Ayla Brown Christmas | Dec. 17 The HCA is excited to welcome back country music singer and Country 102.5 morning show co-host Ayla Brown to our stage for a special holiday concert. Ayla will perform your favorite Christmas classics and sing a special original Christmas song. Tap your feet and sing along to fun cover songs and ones that Ayla has written. Join us for a magical evening of music and storytelling! Tickets on sale: www.HopArtsCenter. org. Sponsored by The Family Pet Hospital, Ashland. HCA Members Show | Dec. 17, 2021–Jan. 28, 2022 The HCA is excited for our annual members art exhibition opening December 17 in the Lotvin Family Gallery. Over 35 pieces of original art will be on display. Join us for an artist reception Jan. 14 from 6:00–7:00 pm. The public is welcome.

*Adaptive baseball for children ages 4 to 18 (or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school) with physical and intellectual challenges.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Nutcracker Ballet | Dec. 19 This beloved annual holiday treat will delight audiences of all ages! Under the direction of HCA Dance Director Jessica Wilson, the cast of 30+ dancers will transport you as they interpret Tchaikovsky’s memorable musical score. And as an added treat, Santa Claus will be on hand for a meet and greet after the show! Two performancesat the Hopkinton Middle School Auditorium (88 Hayden Rowe Street) Tickets on sale www.HopArtsCenter.org. Ring in the New Year! (Kid-friendly) Dec. 31 | FREE Event Families with little ones who can’t stay up until midnight are invited to ring in 2022 at the HCA! On Dec. 31 between 3:00–5:00 pm, we will host a casual drop-by event with music, arts and crafts, hot chocolate, noise makers, and more! Activities will be outdoors or inside our spacious theater if weather is inclement. We will do a special “countdown to 2022” at 4:00 pm and again at 5:00 pm. Registration is required for this event. www.HopArtsCenter.org

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 21

HPD chief: Hopeful for detailed police log soon By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

he Hopkinton Police Department’s arrest and incident log continues to be unavailable for publication, as the department only has released very basic information. Chief Joseph Bennett said last week that he has had multiple discussions with the department’s new software provider, ProPhoenix, about finding a solution. “I’ve identified it as the single most critical request for service” from the company, Bennett said. “I’ve asked them to place it on the top. They have delivered improvements since our last meeting, and they continue to work on it.” Bennett said he is optimistic the problem will be remedied in the coming days, once the company figures out how to release the appropriate information without sharing details that would violate state law. “We think we’re going to be able to get something more like we used to have, which will include the dispatcher remarks,” Bennett said. “The problem we have now is the report that [is being] generated lists a bunch of information that’s not compliant with the Mass. law. So we’re working with the vendor to outline and explain the Mass. law and what we’re looking for. “It put a bunch of information like the people’s names and dates of birth, and it wasn’t excluding juveniles. The product was built in another state, so we’re trying to get it in compliance [with state law].” Bennett added that once the issues

LIBRARY CORNER

are worked out, the system will have “a lot better interaction right from the [911] call-taker,” including the ability for dispatchers to text with emergency callers, including accepting photos. “We can do tons of really forwardfacing sharing of data,” he said. “I’m looking at a dashboard that — if we can get this up and running safely — we’ll be able to look at our map, click on dots, look at how many calls for service by section, and I’m hoping [the media] will have access to our whole database and will be able to run your own reports on everything.” In the meantime, only limited information is being shared with the public. “It’s been a tough couple of years in the making,” Bennett said. “Anything this big always has hiccups.” On a related note, the HPD is advising residents to be be careful about leaving their vehicles unlocked, especially if there are valuables inside. He said there has been an increase in break-ins and vehicle thefts in the region, including in town. However, he noted that the majority of the thefts have occurred when people have left their cars unlocked. “Lock your cars. That’s the number one thing you can do,” Bennett said. “They’re very rarely smashing windows. They’re just opening the car, looking through it to see if there’s anything they might want. Then they press the [engine start] button, and if you left your fob in the car, they drive away.” He also suggested having packages delivered to the back of the house or while someone is home.

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

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Adult Craft Night: Linocut Snowflakes Tuesday, Dec. 28, 7-8 p.m. At the library’s first in-person adult craft event since its closing, participants will do linocut, an easy introduction to the world of printmaking, using tools to carve their own snowflake stamp. Space is limited. Masks are required at all times. This event is for adults ages 18 and up.

Conversation Circles Beginning Jan. 12, 1-2 p.m., and Jan. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. English Language Learners Conversation Circles are designed to provide an opportunity for English Language Learners to practice vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar in a relaxed, comfortable environment. Emphasis will be placed on providing conversation skills that reflect day-to-day life, whether it be a business phone call, a trip to the doctor or simply navigating the grocery store. Flexibility will be emphasized so that the needs of participants can be met. All Conversation Circles will be led by trained community volunteers. Register via the library website.

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Friends Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library will be held on Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. All members are invited to attend. The agenda will include the election of officers, approval of the dues structure, and affirmation of regular business. The annual meeting will be followed by the January board meeting. A link for attendance will be posted prior to the meeting on the Friends website (hopkintonlibraryfriends.org).

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22 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

Sports ‘Athletic’ HHS boys basketball team jells in preseason

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Senior guard Nate Kasper, a Tri-Valley League All-Star last season, returns to lead an athletic group of Hillers.

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From the entire team at the Hopkinton Independent

fter a season affected by pandemic restrictions, Hopkinton High School boys basketball coach Tom Keane is happy to be back playing under relatively normal circumstances. Other than wearing masks, the rules the Hillers will play under will be the same as what they are used to seeing. There will be fans in the stands and a regular schedule; the latter part is especially welcome after Hopkinton played five of its nine games last year against the Tri-Valley League’s top team, Westwood, due to the quirky scheduling. Keane is also pleased to be playing a more normal season with a roster he really likes. “I am very optimistic about this team,” he said. “I love their team chemistry, I love the way they have practiced in the preseason. It seems like everybody is pulling in the same direction, so I am super excited about that.” None of the players on Keane’s roster have been through a regular high school varsity basketball season, but the Hillers do have four seniors who have some varsity experience. Starting point guard Nate Kasper, who will play next season at Western New England University, was a TriValley League All-Star a year ago and will be an on-court leader for the Hillers this winter. Fellow senior Caleb Rahaim is another likely starter and someone who could play a scoring role. Keane praised senior Matthew Coffman as a player who made great strides during the offseason, and Nick Paharik is another returner with some playing time under his belt. Hopkinton’s fifth senior, Alex Smith, is a forward who will be making his varsity basketball debut after dealing with some injuries. The rest of the roster is composed of seven juniors — including returning rotation players Kourosh Fattahy and Evan Mirazimi — and a sophomore who will be learning from seniors Keane called “good kids and good leaders.” The Hillers’ lone sophomore, Sam Pantera, has a chance to play a big role

HopkintonIndependent.com

I am very optimistic about this team. I love their team chemistry, I love the way they have practiced in the preseason. It seems like everybody is pulling in the same direction, so I am super excited about that. — Coach Tom Keane this winter, Keane said. Many of the other players coming off the bench this year are versatile and will mix and match out on the floor. “They are all athletic,” Keane said. “We are pretty athletic this year, so I think quite a few of them are going to be able to get into the rotation.” Hopkinton does not have a ton of size, but Keane does have players who are long and wiry, he said. “Quite a few kids hit their growth spurts over the summer,” he said. “We have a lot of good, athletic basketball players.” Judging from the opening scrimmage, Keane said the defense is a bit ahead of the offense at this point in the season. Learning the system and making sure everyone is on the same page was a focus ahead of Hopkinton’s opener (Dec. 14 vs. Westborough). After last year’s odd scheduling, Keane said it’s tough to get a handle on who the top teams in the TVL might be this winter. While he is not sure where his team might fall in the league standings, he said this group is so far showing itself to be a pleasure to coach. “It’s been nice just to go to practice,” Keane said. “Sometimes you can get a sense that it’s going to be a good season, attitude-wise, and it seems that would be the case this year.”

The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021 • 23

HHS girls hoops features strong senior class By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

fter a truncated 2020-21 season, Hopkinton High School girls basketball coach Mike Greco said he is happy to be back playing a season as close to normal as the program has had over the past two years. “Even though we are still wearing masks, it feels like basketball should again,” he said. And for the Hillers, a return to a sense of normalcy and to tournament play comes at the perfect time. Hopkinton has a strong contingent of seniors whom Greco hopes will help his team compete in the Tri-Valley League and qualify for the state tournament. “We have high expectations for ourselves,” he said. “Health and other things all play a factor, including how well some of the younger kids develop. But we hope to be able to hit the ground running.” The younger Hillers will have a number of players they can look up to this winter. Senior captain Kiki Fossbender returns and should be a significant part of the Hopkinton offense. “She is probably our best natural scorer,” Greco said. “She shoots the ball well, she has a knack for getting to the rim and getting herself to the free throw line, and her game has developed on the defensive side of the ball. She is learning how to create for her teammates as well.” Lexi Trendel is another captain who has led the team in minutes over the past three years, spending most of her time playing in the post. “She is very athletic and she runs the court well in transition and rebounds well,” Greco said. “She’s a fantastic leader, I can’t say enough about the intangibles Lexi brings for us.” Hopkinton’s third captain this season is Carly Hedstrom, whom her coach

said brings toughness to the floor and a physical brand of basketball. Greco praised her shooting ability and basketball IQ. Running the offense this year, as has been the case now for four years, is Lauren Cho. The starting point guard has been a TVL All-Star on multiple occasions. “She brings us great leadership and steadiness at the point guard position,” Greco said. “She does a great job scoring and passing the basketball in transition. She is the one who makes us go offensively.” Senior Brooke Doherty might be the

Hillers’ most athletic player, Greco said, and the team’s best on-ball defender. “She hustles up the court, she attacks the rim and gets off the floor really well,” he said. “She has that aggressive, go to the basket mentality that Kiki does as well.” Jessie Ianelli likely will be the first player off the bench, according to Greco, who added that there is no one he would rather have in that role. “She is one of those kids you want in your program, no matter what her role is,” he said. “She is such a highcharacter kid. She does everything you ask and always puts the team first. I can’t

say enough good things about Jessie as a person.” The six aforementioned girls have played basketball together for most of their young lives, so Greco is quick to say that experience will be a strength this season as the Hillers look to compete with the top teams in the TVL. Hopkinton will not be the biggest team on the floor, but Greco hopes to combat that shortcoming with speed. “I can’t say we are going to go out and beat teams up physically, but we are hoping to get out and run,” he said. “That is always the style we want to play.”

Honors pour in for HHS volleyball champs T he Tri-Valley League announced its fall All-Stars earlier this month, and Hopkinton High School was well represented in all sports. Leading the way was the girls volleyball team, SPORTS which won the TVL Large ROUNDUP School Division as well as the Division 2 state title. Kate Powers and Sam Berenson were named league co-MVPs, and both earned a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) AllRegional squad. Cathryn Leighton was named an All-Star and AVCA All-State. Mel Gildea was an All-Star. Sarah Furlong, Mikayla Grady, Annabelle Senseney, Kate Dion and Meg McCarron received honorable mention. Retiring coach Margie Grabmeier was named Coach of the Year, and the team won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Sportsmanship Award. For the Division 2 state tournament quarterfinalist HHS boys soccer team, All-Star nods went to Tora Ito (also an Eastern Massachusetts AllStar), Sean Golembiewski and Owen Schnur, while Andrew Gaughan and Peter DeMichele received honorable

mention. Girls soccer standout Ashley Butler was named an All-Star (as well as second-team All-Eastern Massachusetts), Brooke Birtwistle and Georgina Clarke received honorable mention, and the team won the TVL Large Sportsmanship Award. For football, Seamus Murphy and Brendan McGowan were All-Stars, Aidan Kelly, Hunter Bertucci-Bissonnette and Robert Litscher received honorable mention, and the team won the TVL Large Sportsmanship Award. Andrew Morse, Jack Petruney and Parker Winn were named AllStars for the TVL Large co-champion golf team. Following its 10th-place finish in the Division 1 state meet, girls cross country had Autumn Tumbleton, Katie Callery, Grace Joy, Bethel Flanagan, Avery Sawyer and Kayla Sawyer named All-Stars, while Elyse Srodawa received honorable mention. Craig Salois was named TVL MVP for boys cross country, which won the TVL Large and Showcase Meet. Wyatt Ruff, Ben Scott, Lex Kaye, Jake Lacoche and Cole Deisenroth were named All-Stars.

For field hockey, Camille Perlov was named an All-Star and Maura Souza was an honorable mention. For the cheer team, Abby Hassler and Jewlya Rogers were named All-Stars.

Girls basketball starts Korbey Tournament The Hopkinton High School girls basketball team will host the inaugural Mary Korbey Tournament over winter break. Teams from Hopedale, Westborough and Grafton will participate. Mary Korbey was a standout basketball player for HHS in the early 1980s (then known as Mary Marquedant). She went on to play at UMass and eventually became a highly regarded parent coach in the Hopkinton’s youth basketball program. She devoted many hours to volunteering for youth programs — athletic and educational — in Hopkinton before she passed away in 2015 at the age of 50 following a bout with cancer. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Mary Korbey Scholarship Fund.

North Pole Claims 1. Fin the elf has an at-home business making and selling holiday wreaths. If a client goes to pick up a wreath at Fin’s house and slips on ice and is injured, would Fin’s traditional homeowner policy cover the injuries? 2. Connell is working hard in Santa’s workshop when he accidentally smacks his hand with a hammer. Connell’s hand is severely broken. Will Santa’s workers compensation policy pay for the claim even through it was Connell’s own fault for getting hurt? 3. Sarah hosts all the elves at her house on Christmas morning. She orders a custom Reese’s cake for all the elves to enjoy, but the cake is destroyed during the shipping process. Would Sarah’s home insurance cover the damage to the destroyed cake during the shipping process? Answers: 1. No, Fin needed the Permitted Incidental Occupancies endorsement included on his policy to cover minor at-home business exposures. 2. Yes, the workers compensation policy would pay. 3. No, there is no coverage.

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24 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 15, 2021

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December 16 - 31

Julio’s Vodka 6x Distilled & Gluten Free • 1.75L ...........................................$13.99 20% of the profits will be donated to Project New Hope Veteran’s Food Pantry! Tito’s Vodka • 1.75L ....................................................................................$29.99 Grey Goose • 1Liter .....................................................................................$29.99 Platinum 7X Vodka • 1.75 .........................................................................$11.99 Wheatley Vodka from Buffalo Trace • 750ml .........................................$14.99 Monkey in Paradise Vodka • 750ml .........................................................$17.99 Blank Vodka • 750ml .................................................................................$14.99 Slane Irish Whiskey • 750ml .....................................................................$24.99 Glendalough Double Barrel • 750ml ........................................................$27.99 Dewar’s White Label • 1.75L .....................................................................$29.99 Compass Box Peat Monsters • 750ml ......................................................$54.99 Glenmorangie 10yr • 750ml .....................................................................$44.99 Old Pulteney 12yr .....................................................................................$39.99 Maker’s Mark • 750ml ..........................................................(after $3MIR )$22.99 Fistful of Bourbon • 750ml ........................................................................ $24.99 Tin Cup Rye • 750ml ..............................................................$29.99 2 for $49.99 Herradura Ultra • 750ml .......................................... ( *while supply last) $54.99 Zapardo Blanco Tequila • 750ml .......................................... $21.99 or 2 for $40 plus a free T-shirt or glasses (while supplies last) Dulce Vida Organic Blanco Tequila • 750ml ............................................$24.99 Bacardi White & Gold • 1.75L ..............................................(after $3MIR) $16.99 Capt Morgan • 1.75L ........................................................... (after $6MIR) $16.99 Tanqueray • 1.75l .................................................................(after $7MIR) $25.99 Kahlua • 1.75L ............................................................................................$33.99 Bailey’s • 1.75L ................................................................... (after $10MIR ) $34.99 Coole Swan Irish Cream ...........................................................................$29.99

Free delivery on orders over $300.

Beers, Ales & Seltzers

Miller Lite • 30pk.........................................................................................$23.99 Coors Light • 30pk .......................................................................................$23.99 Budweiser • 30pk ....................................................................................... $23.99 Bud Light • 30pk .........................................................................................$23.99 Michelob Ultra • 24pk loose bottle .............................................................$21.99 Blue Moon • 15pk can .................................................................................$13.99 Miller High Life • 18pk bottle .....................................................................$10.99 Yuengling • Loose 24pk can ........................................................................$18.99 Yuengling Light • Loose 24pk can ..............................................................$18.99 Carlsberg • 12pk can....................................................................................$12.99 New Belgium Fat Tire • 12pk bottle or can ................................................$13.99 New Belgium Voodoo Ranger • 12pk can.................................................$13.99 Allagash • Variety 12pk................................................................................$17.99 Fiddlehead IPA • 12pk ................................................................................$16.99 Jacks Abby House Lager & Blood Orange Wheat • 15pk ....................... $13.99 Troegs Mad Elf • 12pk can...........................................................................$25.99 Night Shift Nite Lite • 12pk can .................................................................$13.99 Zero Gravity Pisolino Pils • 4pk .................................................................$10.99 Ten Bends Green Fountains • 4pk.............................................................$14.99 Ten Bends Northern Heights • 4pk...........................................................$14.99 Downeast Cider • all 9pk cans ....................................................................$14.99 Vizzy Seltzer • Variety 12pk.........................................................................$14.99 Vizzy Watermelon • Variety 12pk ...............................................................$14.99 Truly Seltzer • All Variety 12pks ..................................................................$14.99 Bud Light Ugly Holiday Sweater • 12pk ...................................................$13.99

Wines – Bubbly

Vilmart & Cie 1er Cru, Champagne, France ...............................................$65.98 Robert Barbichon 4 Cepages, Champagne, France ..................................$47.98 Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, California 2016 ....................................$23.98

Raventos i Blanc de Nit, Spain .................................................................$23.98 Monte Rossa Blanc de Blancs Franciacorta Brut ..................................$29.98

Wines – Whites

Chateau Peagau Lone Cote du Rhone, France .......................................... $15.98 Hofstaffer Pinot Grigio, Italy ............................................... (*New Arrival) $15.98 The Dreaming Tree Chardonnay, California ...............................................$11.98 Copain Voisins Chardonnay, California .......................................................$23.98 Middle Earth Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ............................................$12.98

Wines – Red

Holloran Ranch ‘Stafford Hill’ Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon ................$15.98 The Hess Collection ‘Allomi’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California .........$27.98 The Burn ‘Borne of Fire’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State .............$15.98 Mauro Molino Nebbiolo, Langhe, Italy .....................................................$14.98 Pierre Cotton Brouilly, Beaujolais, France ................................................$29.98

Wines – Rose

Holoran Ranch Rose of Pinot Noir, Oregon ................................................$13.98 Fattoria Sardi Rose, Italy ...........................................................................$13.98 Latue Tempranillo Rose, Spain ................................................................... $9.98 Wolffer Estate Summer in a Bottle, Finger Lakes, New York .......................$19.98 Alexander Valley Vineyards Rose of Sangiovese, California ..................... $11.98

Gourmet

Stonewall Kitchen Snack Mixes (Ultimate, Spicy, & Ranch) ....................... $8.99 Effies Biscuits (Oat and Cocoa) ..................................................................... $5.49 Elki Crackers, All Varieties ............................................................................ $3.99 Kilchurn Estate Cheddar ...........................................................................$13.99 Cabot Spreadable Cheddars, All Verities .................................................... $5.49 Olli Salmi, All Verities .................................................................................... $9.99 Mona Lisa Chocolate Toasting Cups ......................................................... $5.99

140 Turnpike Rd., Westborough Route 9 at Lyman St. (508) 366-1942 | juliosliquors.com OPEN 7 DAYS M-Sat 9am - 9pm, Sun 10am-7pm

So much more than a liquor store. To download our app go to JuliosLquors.com

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