Hopkinton Independent Oct13

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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 22 | No. 21 | October 13, 2021

Locals help with revival of loon population

By Rhian Lowndes Contributing Writer

T

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Runners head down Main Street on Monday morning at the start of the 125th Boston Marathon.

Poetry in motion for Gu

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

H

opkinton High School senior Kevin Gu’s way with words has taken him all the way to the national stage.

Gu is one of only five high school poets to earn the designation of National Student Poet, the nation’s highest honor for youth poets presenting original work. He will hold the title for a year.

“This is such an amazing honor,” Gu said.

The five poets represent separate areas of the country.

Gu will represent the Northeast, the first student from Massachusetts to receive that designation.

Gu was officially appointed during a ceremony in September in Washington, D.C. “I met a lot of cool people and had an amazing experience,” he said.

One poem that earned him acclaim, “Red Gold,” addresses his Chinese heritage.

The poem examines the “rise in hate crimes against Poet | 15

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Hopkinton High School senior Kevin Gu, shown speaking at the National Student Poet recognition ceremony in Washington last month, hopes to share his love for poetry with the community.

he team took to Lake Whitehall at night, sending a spotlight and a bird call across the water.

“We’re essentially mimicking an intruding loon,” said wildlife research biologist Lucas Savoy.

Savoy is the project manager of the Biodiversity Research Institute’s Loon Translocation Project. The project aims to restore loon populations, including those lost to the Northeast during the 19th century. Savoy said the common loon was targeted by hunters because they were seen as a threat to fishing.

“The breeding population of the state was completely wiped out,” said Savoy. “Not a single breeding loon, and there used to be a lot.”

So the institute began tagging loons to track their migration and breeding patterns. Savoy’s team visited Hopkinton twice over the summer, once in July and once in August, to capture the loons Loons | 6

INSIDE VIEWPOINT

Pastor Bob leaves legacy at FCCH

2

NEWS

Elevated PFA levels detected in town water

8

SPORTS

HHS volleyball rolls on, aims for banner season

12

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

Hopkinton Independent

Pastor Bob leaves legacy at FCCH Pastor Bob Cloutier served Faith Community Church of Hopkinton for 37 years until his death in August.

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.

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B

ob Cloutier — known for decades at Faith Community Church of Hopkinton as Pastor Bob — gave his final sermon in October 2019 and talked about heaven.

Cloutier had received treatment for prostate cancer in 2019 before he returned to the podium.

He said that when he makes his way to heaven, he was most looking forward to meeting his unborn child — a miscarriage three months into his wife’s first pregnancy prevented a meeting on earth.

INDEPENDENT Cloutier said he envisioned the child THOUGHTS greeting him by sayJERRY SPAR ing, “Welcome home, Dad. I’m so glad to meet you.”

Added Cloutier: “We lost that child for a time, but not forever.”

In August of this year, Cloutier passed away following an eight-month battle with a rare form of lymphoma.

His final sermon serves as some solace to his family — wife Linda and their three children — to whom he was very close, as well as the many people he ministered during his 37 years with the church.

Cloutier and his wife became members of the FCCH — then known as First Congregational Church of Hopkinton and located in the center of town — in 1974.

Angie Gerrard, the church’s director of family ministry, said the pastor, Rev. Dick Germaine, encouraged Cloutier to join the ministry, just before the church’s remarkable growth that led to the move to the bigger facility on East Main Street.

“He came on staff and subsequently went to seminary,” Gerrard said. “He was certainly one of the founding people in regards of the move from Hopkinton Center to the location that we’re in now.

So he was critical in those early years of growth, serving in various roles. He was part of that team that made that big transition.”

Cloutier eventually settled into the church’s pastor of care, leading all of the care ministries.

“When we had a family in crisis, for example, or family that lost loved ones, I worked closely with him in those situations,” Gerrard said. “And I can honestly say, I don’t know anybody who cares for people better than Bob. He was incredible in that space. You never felt rushed. Whatever time you needed, he

HopkintonIndependent.com

took it to care well for people.

“He was a funny guy, too. He had a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh. He just struck this great balance of a person where he cared well and deeply, but he also could laugh and joke around — he certainly had his share of bad jokes.”

Hopkinton’s Vinnie Cappetta, who works at Crossroads Community Church in Framingham and runs Check Your Compass Counseling, said Cloutier was one of the first pastors he met when he moved to town in 1999.

“He welcomed me into the area and showed me the ropes of ministry here in New England,” Cappetta shared. “He was an inspiration to many other pastors in MetroWest due to his longevity in ministry at one church for so many years. He worked hard to ensure the people at his church felt cared for and had the opportunities to grow in their faith. He was constantly evaluating the programs he oversaw to ensure that they were working well for the people in the church and for those outside the church who needed help.

“He loved people, he loved Hopkinton, he loved New England — and all that love was motivated by his love for God.”

Eagle Scout builds blessing box After doing community service at Project Just Because, the food/clothing pantry on South Street, Hopkinton High School junior Adam Distasio knew what he wanted to do for his Eagle Scout project. Understanding the need for food assistance, he focused his efforts on providing another option for individuals to access free food.

“I made a blessing box — like a mini-food pantry — at St. John’s church,” Distasio explained. “People can go and take food if they need it.

And there’s a donation box underneath for people to leave food.”

Distasio constructed the box in his garage with help from his father, Steve, troopmates Jack and Ryan Hoyt, and the Hoyts’ father, Ted, who has carpentry experience. He received donations from Home Depot, McIntyre Loam, Hopkinton Lumber and T&M Landscaping, then Market Basket contributed money for the first batch of food.

The box made its debut the last weekend in September, and Distasio reported that it was busy, with some items being taken and the donation box Independent thoughts | 3

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 3

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This issue’s winner is Julie Haines for this photo of a young bird awaiting a meal in a nest on School Street. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@ hopkintonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

The Hopkinton Independent presents “A Slice of Hopkinton” photo contest, sponsored by Bill’s Pizzeria.

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

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For his Eagle Scout project, Adam Distasio constructed a food pantry at St. John the Evangelist Parish.

Independent thoughts | from page 2

filled. Donated food that does not fit on the shelves will be donated to Project Just Because, which is helping maintain the box.

Ritterbusch on mend Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch was absent from two recent Select Board meetings as she recovers from surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma — a benign tumor that sits on a nerve

leading from the inner ear to the brain and can affect balance and hearing.

“I’m feeling a little better each day, walking around the neighborhood to relearn my balance,” Ritterbusch shared.

While her doctor told her she likely would need to take off two months from work, Ritterbusch is hoping to attend the Oct. 19 Select Board meeting, if not in person then remotely. She also expressed disappointment that she was not able to attend the Oct. 5 Bobbi Gibb statue unveiling at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

SELL YOUR HOME for TOP DOLLAR!

Viewpoint Main Street businesses deserve better [On Sept. 21], my attempt to access downtown was thwarted by the stationary line of traffic on Wood Street. [The next day] was not LETTERS TO bad, I think it only one cycle of the lights to get through and on THE EDITOR my way to a Main took Street business.

I asked the owner how they were doing. He noted that about every customer [who] manages to reach them is complaining. I remembered how, in a Select Board meeting two years ago, there was a lengthy soliloquy by a [Select Board member] expressing concern for Main Street businesses, potential for lost sales, and how that needs to be taken care of. I asked if said party, or anyone from the town, had been by to see how this project was impacting their business. “No, I guess he’s stuck in traffic,” was the response.

One of my father’s quotes seems appropriate here: “Talk’s cheap, it takes money to buy booze.”

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Family sets great example at Cleanup Day

The Vassoler family contributed to the Community Cleanup Day on Sept. 25.

Main Street strollers and Town Hall employees, if you happened to notice your pavement and parking lot strangely absent of its usual flotsam and jettisoned junk, blame it on the trio of budding environmental activists Rowan, Logan and Evelyn Vassoler, and their mom, Fair. Champion volunteers in the Community Cleanup held Sept. 25, they cut a de-sullied swath across sidewalk and tarmac alike, returning to “command central” at the Town Common not once but three times for re-arming with fresh trash bags before heading back out to renew the charge!!

These mini-dynamos were part of the larger effort sponsored by the Sustainable Green Committee to spruce up the town before the marathon. Golden and breezy weather blessed the event, which drew upward of 80 diverse and dedicated citizens including families, students and Scouts, to lend their litter-pickin’ (and gloved) hands, and reaping as many and more bags of unsightly rubbish, making Hopkinton that much more beautiful! The Scouts especially did a pristine sweep of EMC Park, and civic-minded students earned an A-plus for polishing up their own campus.

Don’t wait for an invitation to join the anti-litter party — grab a trash bag before your next walk and do double-duty for the well-being of both yourself and Mother Earth!

— Peggy Barton, Hopkinton

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First of all, I just want to say that I am fully supportive of the Downtown Project and I appreciate all of the hard work that everyone has put into it. When it’s done, Hopkinton will have a truly unique downtown with its beautiful bike path, sidewalks, trees, etc.

However, I do have a concern about the above-ground utilities. If you look at the current state of the project, you can see that only half of it, from the Town Common to the police station, will have the utilities underground. The other half, from the police station to Wood Street, will remain above ground, as you can see from the new utility poles that were recently installed. This seems unwise to me, since, if those utilities are put underground in the future, the nice sidewalks, curbs,

HopkintonIndependent.com

Letters | 7

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 5

Local middle schooler dances into record book

By Sidhi Dhanda Contributing Writer

D

uring the summer, Harini Jeyaraman would wake up a few minutes before 6:30, brush her teeth, join a Zoom teleconference, and dance until 8. Afterward, she would eat breakfast. Most nights, at 9:30, she would go on Zoom again and dance until 11. She repeated this routine the entire summer.

Jeyaraman is a sixth-grader at Hopkinton Middle School and a bharatanatyam dancer. Bharatanatyam is a classical form of Indian dance.

This August, Jeyaraman and 697 others set a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for the most people perform- Hopkinton’s Harini Jeyaraman, a bharatanatyam dancer, ing a choreographed took part in a world-record dance event this summer. dance online simultaneously. Jeyaraman worked over the summer to learn this dance with more than 800 other bharatanatyam dancers worldwide. They learned from the famous Indian composer and choreographer Madurai R. Muralidharan. He choreographed the dance and created the song, “Tamizh Annai,” that went with it. This performance marked Muralidharan’s third world record.

Participating in this and other bharatanatyam performances requires physical strength and endurance. For Jeyaraman, the most challenging part of bharatanatyam is the pain she gets in her legs.

“You have to be in aramandi [where] you have to get down to half of your height, and that actually hurts,” she said.

For the world record attempt, Jeyaraman spent almost the entire 30-minute dance in aramandi, a position similar to a deep squat. Jeyaraman incorporates stretches and core exercises to strengthen her body. Even with these exercises, the position still causes her leg pain.

“At night, her legs hurt, so I massage her. The next day she forgets the pain and starts all over again,” said her mother, Priya.

Attention to detail is a large part of bharatanatyam as well. Jeyaraman’s mother described bharatanatyam as storytelling with full expressions and full-body movement. Every part of the body, from eyes to one’s toes, is part of the dance.

“The small, little things make the dance look better,” Harini said.

Learning the intricacies of bharatanatyam takes years of practice. Jeyaraman started when she was in kindergarten. She now practices every day for at least 30 minutes and some days up to an hour. She is a student at the Kolam Academy of Dance, and her teacher is the founder of the school, Suja Meyyappan. Jeyaraman was able to participate in the world record attempt because of Meyyappan’s support.

Meyyappan pushes Jeyaraman to become better, which has allowed Jeyaraman to earn success in dance.

“I want to continue learning bharatanatyam, practice hard, and enjoy my dancing, so Suja auntie will be happy and proud of me,” Jeyaraman said.

The hard work is paying off. In April, Jeyaraman won first place in her age group in a dance competition run by the New England Malayalee Association.

Jeyaraman also is motivated by Harinie Jeevitha, a famous bharatanatyam dancer. Jeyaraman had the opportunity to watch her practice and perform two years ago during a trip to India.

“She was amazed and inspired by Harinie, so that was a turning moment in her dancing journey,” Jeyaraman’s mother said.

After seeing Jeevitha perform, Jeyaraman wanted to practice even harder. To help her improve, Jeyaraman’s mother would sit in a chair, watch her practice, and then review her steps.

Jeyaraman currently is working toward completing her arangetram, a ceremony for dancers that comes after years of training. She also hopes to compete in and win the prestigious bharathanatyam competition at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival.

For Jeyaraman, dancing is more than just about the awards. She does bharatanatyam because she enjoys how her dancing makes others feel.

Her mother said, “When I’m sad, she dances, and when I see her, it makes me very happy. I forget all my worries. It’s like a goddess dancing.”

Between dancing and school, Jeyaraman also plays violin and bakes. In her neighborhood, she is the local baker. Her favorite food to make is cupcakes.

“I have this recipe for making these strawberry cupcakes that taste really good,” she said.

For her birthday, Jeyaraman made a four-layered cake.

“We don’t buy any bakery items. We live with a baker,” joked her mother.

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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

Locals help research team revive loon population in Lake Whitehall Hopkinton residents Jeff Peters (back left) and Russ Phipps (back right) assist researchers with tagging loons at Lake Whitehall in July.

Loons | from page 1

at night. By mimicking another loon, they spurred the territorial birds to leave their nests and protect their young. Once the birds reached the boat, Savoy and his fellow scientists tagged them with individual color combinations.

Their second visit later in the summer was to track the babies, who were too small to tag in July.

Savoy said Massachusetts is the last New England state to struggle with its loon population, and his team hopes to change that. By tagging the loons, the researchers can determine how many return to their breeding waters after migrating to the coast. Savoy said they won’t typically return to their lakes until they’re 3 years old.

“And a lot of chicks just don’t make it,” said Savoy. His data shows that only 40 precent of baby loons who leave their lakes in the fall will return as adults.

Those that have returned to their lakes have populated Central Massachusetts.

“They’re just not dispersing to the eastern part where our translocation project is,” Savoy said, “and there’s a lot of really nice lakes there, like Whitehall Reservoir in Hopkinton.”

Savoy and his team were careful to track the population in Eastern Massachusetts as well as Western Massachusetts, PHOTO/ED HARROW

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where the same problem is occurring. At Lake Whitehall, they found plenty of help.

“Just through coincidence we met some lake residents as part of our work,” explained Savoy, which led to locals reporting sightings to his regional biologist.

Mary-Anne Guild lives on Whitehall, and she heard about Savoy’s work on the news. She contacted him to let him know about the loons that arrived in her area in the summer of 2020.

“Actually my husband told me, ‘I think I saw a loon,’ and I said, ‘No, loons aren’t this far east,’ ” Guild recalled.

“We’ve been here for over 40 years,” she added. “My husband and I were so excited to see a pair of loons take up home here.”

Guild called them “pandemic loons,” and said they were a joy during days otherwise absorbed by COVID.

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Actually my husband told me, ‘I think I saw a loon,’ and I said, ‘No, loons aren’t this far east.’ We’ve been here for over 40 years.

My husband and I were so excited to see a pair of loons take up home here. ­— Mary-Anne Guild “I called it poetic,” said Guild. “It’s hard to find the right word. It was such an interesting experience to watch them develop in what was kind of a dark summer.”

So Guild, along with her neighbors and friends who frequent the lake, began exchanging notes on the birds and reporting to the project.

“They provided just observational data, which is very helpful for us,” said Savoy. “Because we can’t possibly hit every lake in the state of Massachusetts every summer.”

The project has been working to establish a network of volunteers like Guild, people who visit the lake every day.

Savoy’s project works in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

“The overall goal at the end of this project is for the state of Massachusetts, MassWildlife, to take over our role of monitoring loons in the state and heavily rely on volunteer networks too,” said Savoy.

Savoy said all over the state, people are calling in reports of loon sightings and contributing to the translocation program.

“Like the folks in Whitehall Reservoir,” said Savoy. “It gets people invested. They feel like they’re really helping, which they are.”

Loon sightings can be reported to the Biodiversity Research Institute’s Loon Program by calling Lucas Savoy at 207-839-7600, ext. 104.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 7

ConCom addresses ongoing issues with Leonard Street, The Trails projects sion that there has been some progress made on the site since the last meeting.

“Over the [Sept. 25-26] weekend, we installed a culvert and a head wall he Conservation Commission at so that the water is now draining how its Sept. 28 meeting continued the it was intended to drain,” he said. hearing on the Leonard Street three-lot An inspector from BETA Group, the subdivision project because of ongoing town’s engineering consultant, was on drainage and erosion control issues. site during the installation.

Lou Petrozzi of Wall Street DevelHowever, the construction of the opment Corporation told the commisswales down to the detention basin was delayed because the basin was filled with water on Saturday. Petrozzi said he was unsure of how much the day’s rain impacted the situation, adding, “We will more than likely have to dewater that area.”

Letters | from page 4 Environmental consultant Matt bike route and road will need to be dug Vrabel brought up some concerns on up again. Now I know the original plan revisions to the plan. On the Bucklin was to underground the entire project, Street side, he noted that the revised but the original plan was voted down at grading design would appear to cause an Annual Town Meeting. stormwater to flow from two of the lots So, I do believe that it’s not too late onto the abutting properties on Bucklin to modify the plan and I would like to Street (which is a paper street — in suggest two options. The first option is name only). to present an article at the next ATM for “There really isn’t any kind of a the additional money needed, which I swale or anything proposed,” he said. would hope that the town citizens supAlso, the swale on the eastern side of port. And the second option would be to the property does not seem to address not do this section yet. the drainage that could flow into the My hope is that the whole length abutting property. will be put underground as part of this Petrozzi explained that the homes project. This town has done the right originally were proposed to have thing in the 26 years that I have been a walkout basements, but that has been resident, with new schools (3), police revised. The roofs will be smaller, and fire stations, and a library. So let’s which he said will direct the water into do the right thing for this project. infiltration basins and culvert cham bers. A small swale could channel water

— Dave Paul, Hopkinton into the basin.

However, Petrozzi did not present a revised plan noting these proposed changes.

“I think we do need to see that on a plan, Mr. Petrozzi,” Chair Jeff Barnes said. “Our preference is not to kind of A significant asset of the Center wing it. We like to have some science School property is the availability of and engineering behind what is being parking. Events on the Town Common proposed.” need ease of parking to ensure success He added that there is still some and safety, especially when young chilconcern about water running onto abutdren and senior citizens are involved. ting properties.

Specific Town Hall offices and “I do want to get the project movtown function meeting space could be ing,” Petrozzi said. “We want to try located within the historic structure of to get this thing buttoned up before Center School. These offices and spaces would be more accessible to the public if convenient parking was located near the school. At present there is inadequate JUST LISTED! parking or inconvenient parking for conducting certain Town Hall business or attending evening meetings.

Downtown Hopkinton needs more parking, and what better place than the Center School property?

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

T

Put all downtown utilities underground

Center School property offers valuable parking

— Rick and Beth Kelly, Hopkinton Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent.

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

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December 1.”

When Barnes reiterated that the plans needed to be updated, Petrozzi said he hoped the commission would close the hearing with the condition that the plans be revised.

“With all due respect, the drainage is an issue with the project,” Barnes said.

Replied Petrozzi: “It’s only an issue for the water coming onto our site.

Our site is managed pretty well.”

He added that the revised plan “is a significant improvement to what was previously proposed.”

Barnes said the hearing needed to be continued until the next meeting on Oct. 19, which appeared to frustrate Petrozzi.

“I just want to make sure that the proper controls and the proper drainage are in order before we approve the project,” Barnes said. “So hopefully that makes sense.”

After the hearing was continued, members expressed consternation about the continued issues with the project.

“Mr. Petrozzi has created his own delays aplenty at this point,” said member Ted Barker-Hook. “I really resent him pressuring us to say, ‘I really want to get this done.’ … I don’t think his delays are our problem to deal with.”

Conservation agent Kim Ciaramicoli said that the “project needs to be a slam dunk” at the next meeting and not have incomplete plans, which could cause delays for other projects being heard.

“The burden really is on Mr. Petrozzi to present something that is easy to review,” she added.

There have been previous violations at the site over the past couple of months because of flooding and poor stormwater management.

Flooding at The Trails causes concern Ciaramicoli said that earlier in the day she observed a discharge of water

at The Trails, Hopkinton, a 55-andover housing development located off Legacy Farms North Road. Cease-anddesist orders previously were issued by the commission as well as the town’s Building Department after sediment ran into the Hopkinton Reservoir, impacting the town of Ashland as well as Hopkinton.

“This was not as severe as past events,” she explained. The discharge flowed from one point into the reservoir.

She added that she met with project engineer Peter Bemis on the site, where he explained that workers are in the middle of constructing a swale. Silt sacks were filled with sediment.

There has been a history of violations on the site since 2018. A ceaseand-desist order is in effect because of violations and fines, but the developer is seeking to move forward with foundation work. It is still out of compliance.

“I’m almost at a loss,” Ciaramicoli said.

Member Ed Harrow added: “It’s just the same thing over and over and over again.”

Said Barnes: “The complacency here is just ridiculous.” He suggested that Vin Gately, president and general manager of Heritage Properties, the firm that built The Trails, Hopkinton, be invited to the Nov. 2 meeting for a hearing on how to address the ongoing problems.

Vrabel said that one suggestion is to have the commission hire an independent consultant to design and monitor the site, at the owner’s expense.

Barnes said another option is for Gately to hire another contractor or find out if a subcontractor is not performing the work correctly.

Hearings continued Several hearings were continued, including the Massachusetts Laborers’ Training Center on East Street and the Connelly Farms subdivision. Also continued was the 103 Wood Street project.

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

Elevated levels of PFAs detected in town’s water samples T Recently, government agencies have

he town announced Sept. 24 via a press release that water from Well 6, located off Fruit Street, showed slightly elevated levels of regulated chemicals known as PFAs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAs — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a group of man-made chemicals that have NEWS BRIEFS been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. Some of the chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body — meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAs can lead to adverse human health effects, including liver, blood, thyroid, fetal development and immune systems effects.

In October 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted a strict drinking water standard, limiting the quantities of six specific PFA chemicals to no more than 20 parts per trillion. The Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, set the federal limit at 70 parts per trillion.

Samples from Well 6 collected in July detected PFA levels at 20.9 parts per trillion, while a follow-up test in August showed 20.5 parts per trillion, the town stated. The average of 20.7 is slightly above MassDEP’s standards.

“While PFAs [have] been around for nearly half a century, we are just beginning to understand the possible adverse effects that these chemicals have on water supply systems and public health,” Town Manager Norman Khumalo stated. “Recently, government agencies have instituted aggressive regulations to combat the problem, which we believe are necessary to protect people long term. I encourage every resident and business owner to read the published materials so that you can understand PFAs chemicals.”

According to the press release, the town is investigating treatment options to mitigate the PFA levels.

“As a whole, New England is taking very aggressive steps to mitigate the levels of these chemicals and their possible effects on public health. We will continue to monitor the wells and take the appropriate actions,” said Water-Sewer Manager Eric Carty. “We are investigating corrective measures, and will keep the community informed of our progress.”

A public information meeting is to be scheduled to share more details. An informational flyer is included with this newspaper.

Porter promoted to deputy police chief Prior to being approved by the Select Board on Oct. 5 as the new deputy police chief, John Porter shared his story of overcoming a rough childhood with the help of the Hopkinton Police Department.

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instituted aggressive regulations to combat the problem, which we believe are necessary to protect people long term. I encourage every resident and business owner to read the published materials so that you can understand PFAs chemicals. ­— Norman Khumalo Town Manager

MHC partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Porter said he was the child of an abusive father and was fortunate that HPD officer Chuck Wallace (since retired) took him under his wing when he was a teenager, helping him avoid going down the wrong path. Porter has been a police officer since the age of 19, when he started in his hometown of Upton. He joined the HPD three years later and has served in a variety of roles in his 27 years here, including school resource officer and sergeant.

“I’ve been in this town coming up on 30 years now. It’s like a second family to me,” Porter said. “It’s grown, it’s changed, and luckily I’ve been able to grow and change with it. I wouldn’t be what I was if it wasn’t for what the Town of Hopkinton and the men and women of the department have given me and made me.”

Another individual who has had a big influence on Porter is current chief Joseph Bennett, his longtime co-worker.

“Choosing your second in command is one of the most important decisions that you can make at the top,” Bennett said. “Since taking over as chief, Lt. Porter has been a steadfast second in command, reliable and consistent. He’s capable of much work.”

Porter called Bennett his “other life partner” — while his wife keeps him grounded at home, Bennett keeps him in check and grounded at work.

The Select Board voted unanimously to approve Porter’s promotion. The position had been vacant since Bennett was promoted to chief last year.

HOP coalition recipient of $625K grant The Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) coalition was awarded a $625,000 grant from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, the town announced Sept. 27.

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HOP was founded by Youth & Family Services in 2015 with the goal of empowering the youth to live a healthy, substance-free life through the provision of resources, education and support.

HOP plans to use a portion of the funding to hire a full-time coalition coordinator who will oversee programming, activities and grants. Funds also will be used toward cultural competency and substance prevention training, establishing a middle school prevention group, targeted education for students and parents and more.

Through funding from the MetroWest Health Foundation of Framingham, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts and Metrowest (BBBS of CM/MW) and the Mental Health Collaborative will be partnering to bring a virtual health literacy program to the constituents that BBBS of CM/MW serves. The virtual program, due to begin this fall, will be offered to at-risk children in the BBBS of CM/ MW programs (Littles), volunteer mentors (Bigs), parents/guardians and staff.

As a result of this collaboration, the two organizations hope to see earlier identification and intervention for youth and young adults struggling with mental health challenges, improved help seeking behavior throughout communities, and improved knowledge and attitudes regarding mental health/ mental illness amongst BBBS of CM/ MW staff, mentors, mentees and their families.

Misc.: Town requests pet owners pick up waste Water-Sewer Manager Eric Carty sent out a press release Sept. 29 regarding pet waste around town.

“The town municipal well fields offer a number of great walking trails at Fruit Street and Charles McIntyre Lane, off Lake Whitewall,” the release reads. “However we have noticed an increase in the amount of pet waste that is being left behind in the direct recharge area of the wells. This waste poses a potential risk to contamination of the water supply. We ask that anyone who is walking their dog to avoid the direct vicinity of the wells, and in other areas to please pick up after their pet to ensure the safety of our drinking water supply.” …

At its Oct. 5 meeting, the Select Board voted to support the Shared Housing Services Office initiative, which would have the town participate in a regional office with area communities. The SHSO would provide services such as monitoring existing units, assistance with proposed affordable housing projects, developing and administering affordable housing programs, and providing resident support. …

The Select Board voted to appoint John Morris to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board to a term expiring June 30, 2024. …

The Select Board accepted $500 gifts to the Police Department and Fire Department from families of Legacy Farms North.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 9

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Morgan’s Harbor to Hill a one-stop shop for fresh seafood, meals

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

L

Bill Morgan fills the lobster tank at Harbor to Hill with employees Leontina Kepic (left) and Katie Connolly (right).

aunching a business during a pandemic is apt to be a challenge, but for Morgan’s Harbor to Hill, “It was the right time,” Bill Morgan explains. Morgan, who opened the seafood market in January, had been planning his exit from The Spoon, the diner he ran for 19 years. When COVID-19 hit, it made financial sense to expedite the transfer to partner Samantha Prescott. Meanwhile, a retail location had become available across the street, so Morgan decided it was the right moment to “try this little seafood market.”

“I had always liked the idea of doing a small shop,” Morgan said. In the 1990s, he worked for Wellesley-based Captain Marden’s Seafoods, which now supplies Harbor to Hill. “The beauty of Captain Marden’s is they go to three or four places every day to get fresh seafood,” Morgan explains. “I talk to them in the morning, BEFORE THE family-friendly and they generally have it out to me by HOLIDAYS* noontime.”

Some of the staples Harbor to Hill AND GET you r carries include cod, haddock, swordfish, r o ZERO INTEREST IF PAID salmon and scallops. Other offerings are yfour r o IN FULL WITHIN 18 MONTHS** f based on seasonality; in the summer, for */**See store for details. example, the market will have striped bass and wild-caught salmon. “If somebody The holidays are swiftly approaching. Soon your asks for something I don’t normally carry, house will be overrun with leftovers, decorations, like whole red snapper or bluefish, I’ll Thecheer. holidays are swiftly approaching. and But before you pick up that cider or bring it in,” Morgan adds, “We can get eggnog, shophouse the Family-Friendly Flooring Sale Soon your will be overrun with almost anything in season in 24 hours.” going on now at Flooring America and save on leftovers, decorations, and cheer. But In addition to operating as a market, the perfect floors, just in time for the holidays.

Harbor to Hill offers a takeout menu with before you pick up that cider or eggnog, ready-to-eat options as well as offerings Celebrating 50 Years of Service shop the Family-Friendly Flooring Sale that can be cooked at home. Some popular and/or Installation going on now at Flooring America and items include gluten-free air-fried fish and Carpet/Hardwood/Luxury chips, lobster rolls, baked fish and clam save Vinyl/Area on the perfect floors, just time for Rugs/Ceramic & in Stone chowder. the holidays. Outfit your Great Indoors “The freshness and quality” of Harwith any style of luxury vinyl, hardwood, bor to Hill’s products are what make the carpet, or tile designed to stand up to all market stand out, Morgan says. “The word of mouth around Hopkinton has been your family festivities.

When itfloors comes to your resource for beautiful Spruce up your nest in time for winter terrific,” he says, “but we’re still getting flooring, trust the place508-655-1393 where friends 508-520-2658 people in for the first time.” As a business 950 Chestnut Street 1276 Worcester Street send friends. whose commitment to freshness requires a Franklin (Rte. 9) Natick steady stream of customers, Morgan hopes 24 hr Service 800-356-6777 word will continue to spread. “The biggest FlooringAmerica1.com challenge is the inventory,” he explains.

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“It’s pricy and it’s perishable.”

At the shop, Morgan’s wife, Anne, lends a hand, as do other family members.

Local high schoolers and college students help out, too. “They’re all great,” he says OPENING DOORS of the students. “They’re learning the fish business.”

To New Beginnings Morgan says his team has appreciated neighbors’ feedback: “People are always telling us, ‘We’re so glad you’re here.’ ” During COVID-19, Morgan also has been able to rescue some traditions. When local families couldn’t travel for their traditional lobster bakes in Maine or New Hampshire, Harbor to Hill was able to supply their at-home feasts.

With an eye toward growing the shop, Morgan has his Spoon diner legacy in mind: “I want to continue to be a part of the community,” he says.

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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.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

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 Options for Seniors

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)

Bewitched: Styles During Time of Salem Witch Trials

Thursday, Oct. 21, 12:30 p.m.

Discover what the folks of Salem were wearing during the 1690s and how their styles differed from clothes worn by the people of Europe and other areas. Attendees will explore the various aspects of dress for men and women of that time, while viewing images and movie clips to supplement the discussion.

The Senior Center 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 Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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Lunch Program

Our Time Memory Cafe

Meals are back to being in person at the Senior Center. Call to sign up at least two days in advance. Cost is $5 per meal, or pre-purchase a ticket for five meals for $20.

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.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

This exciting free workshop is presented by Faith and Family Hospice. Each participant will receive a beautifully bound journal filled with unique questions to encourage reminiscing about the good ol’ days and help record those precious moments in time.

Participants will fill the pages with stories from their past to share with generations to come. Registration is required to ensure there are enough materials for each participant.

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.

TED Talks

The Smart Call for Heating & Cooling

Mondays, 12:30 p.m. (offered live and virtual) In 1984, TED Talks were created to bring technology, entertainment and design information to the curious and open-minded public. These videos cover a wide array of subjects and always lead to lively discussion and conversation. The Outreach Program at the Senior Center will have casual TED Talks group meetings over Zoom for one hour every Monday at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will consist of viewing a video and then discussing it. The program is free. Register by calling the Senior Center at 508-497-9730.

‘Keep Movin’ with the Senior Center

Second and fourth Friday of each month, 10 a.m. (HCAM) This half-hour show features a wide variety of community resources and up-to-date information on what’s happening at the Senior Center.

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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.

Library Hours

The library is open for browsing Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Due to the expanded hours, curbside pickup has been discontinued. Study rooms and computers are available on a limited basis.

The library will be closed on Oct. 11 for Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day.

Baptiste Power Yoga Class

Mondays, Oct. 18 and 25, noon (Zoom) Join Natasha Linton from Nourish Power Yoga & Ayurveda in Hopkinton for a weekly 30-minute Baptiste Power Yoga class.

Relaunching Your Career with Deb Raymond

Uber, Patriots and Halloween!

1. Brooks and Katie have the best Halloween decorations in town. During a windstorm, a large tree falls on their outdoor decorations. Would their homeowner policy cover the damage even though the decorations are not permanent outdoor structures?

2. Fred hosts a Patriots party at his house. One of the guests is over-served and has a car accident. If Fred’s guest sues him for being over-served, would Fred’s homeowner policy protect him?

3. Anna starts driving for Uber to make extra money for the upcoming holidays. Before dropping off a customer, Anna rear-ends the vehicle in front of her. Would Anna’s personal auto policy cover the accident?

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m.-noon (Zoom) Experienced career coach Deb Raymond is leading a six-week series on relaunching a career. Attendees will meet weekly with others who are on the same journey and build their confidence to transition back to work. Register via the library’s website calendar.

ESL Conversation Circle

Fridays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 10: 30 a.m.-noon This in-person program will provide an opportunity for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners to practice vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar in a fun, comfortable, laidback environment.

NaNoWriMo — Read like a Librarian

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. (Zoom) Join reference and technology librarian Danielle for a peek into how librarians read. Get recommendations for books that will blow your mind and change the way you look at humans, plants, animals, rocks, societies and more.

Chat ’n’ Chew Book Group

Answers: 1. Yes, the decorations are considered personal property and are covered from falling objects. 2. Yes, assuming they have host liquor liability coverage. Most insurance companies provide it.

3. No, the unendorsed Massachusetts personal auto policy excludes coverage while using your vehicle for ride-sharing businesses.

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. (Jit.si) Instead of assigning a book for all participants to read, each person reviews something they read this month.

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Freedom Team Book Club

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. (Zoom) This month’s book is “Broke in America” by Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox.

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 11

Sports

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Participants in the Parks & Rec field hockey program work on their skills at a recent session.

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

D

ozens of young field hockey players signed up for Hopkinton’s first fall clinic sponsored by the town’s Department of Parks & Recreation, exciting organizers who hope to grow the program even more in the years to come and develop a reliable feeder for the high school teams.

A total of 72 players ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade signed up for the six-week clinic, which runs on Sundays during September and October.

The turnout was even more successful than the coaches who helped spearhead the effort had hoped to see.

“There was a need for a youth program for field hockey,” said Jenn Carter, a former high school player and one of the coaches. “Soccer is so big, but this gives kids another option to play in the fall. We thought it was important to introduce them to field hockey at a much younger age.”

Sharon Remsen, who has coached at the middle school and varsity level and played the sport in high school and college, also noticed that young Hopkinton field hockey players have had to take their skills elsewhere in recent years if they wanted to play the sport before getting to high school.

“There were so many programs in neighboring towns that our girls and boys were going to,” Remsen said.

“We thought, ‘Let’s start something in-house and build a program here in Hopkinton.’ ” The clinics are taking place on Field 10 at Hopkinton High School. The day starts with warmups, then the players break off into groups based on their age for more drills, scrimmages and other activities. The focus is on teaching the basics, including dribbling, passing and shooting, and to make sure the time spent playing is fun and leaves players wanting to come back for more.

“We have had a lot of great feedback,” Carter said. “The kids were

excited to be there and excited to come back. My daughter said it’s her favorite sport after two days. I think they are really enjoying it. Field hockey is a really fun sport, and it’s something different for them.”

In addition to Carter and Remsen, the clinics are being led by Meghan Carlisle. A three-year captain at the University of Rhode Island, Carlisle has extensive collegiate coaching experience and trained as a player with the national team. She has also been able to involve members of her family who have deep coaching resumes.

“These kids are getting some really good instruction,” said Colleen Allen, the program coordinator for Hopkinton Parks & Rec. Allen said it usually takes a year or two for a program to really catch on, but field hockey has been the exception.

One reason is that the Hillers’ varsity coach, Becky Abate, has been firmly behind the effort and has recruited her players to help out with the clinic.

“We’ve seen it in soccer and with lacrosse, it’s really the coach that has to get involved to make it happen,” Allen said. “Connecting the youth with the high school program is awesome. The younger kids can emulate them and the older kids like to be role models, it’s a win-win.”

Abate said that not having a youth program until now is something that has negatively affected the high school team.

“We have little Hillers coming up,” she said. “That’s exciting.”

Remsen said the short-term goal is to keep the kids who have already signed up wanting to come back. In the future, she said it would be great to have enough players for one team per grade level and maybe set up a league where Hopkinton could play teams from other towns. She admits it’s not something she had thought about until she saw the huge turnout at the inaugural clinic.

“I think we are a little overwhelmed with how awesome it’s been,” she said.

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12 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

Hillers field hockey builds with young team

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

he Hopkinton High School field hockey team came into the new season with a relative dearth of returning players, but coach Becky Abate is using the season to develop crucial skills that should lay a strong foundation for the program going forward.

Even though the results did not show up in the win column through the first half of the year, Abate says the message is getting through. It was evident in a recent Tri-Valley League matchup against Dover-Sherborn.

“I was so proud of my team,” Abate

said. “They played like a team that wanted to win, we just didn’t score. But I think we are playing a mental game.

When you’re in a season like this and you’re not winning, it’s tough not to get discouraged.”

The effort against D-S followed a subpar outing the game before. After that contest, Abate said she talked with her team about accountability. Each player was asked to come up with one aspect of her game that needed improvement and promised to be accountable for that single goal. Abate had the players write the goal down on a piece of paper before the Dover-Sherborn game.

“I think it really helped them get PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

It’s Time For Fall Washing

Sophomore Camille Perlov is one of the Hillers’ promising young players.

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into a good headspace,” she said. “We had a game that prior Saturday that was abysmal. We were making a lot of the same mistakes over and over again.

The improvement in the next game happened without a single practice in between.

“There was no skill work from one game to the next, and yet I think just changing their attitudes made a huge difference,” Abate said. “They all saw the power of their mental performance, and it was great to see.”

With such a young team, it’s no surprise that many of the strongest performances this fall have come from underclass players. Sophomore Camille Perlov scored two goals in the season opener, a 2-2 tie that proved to be the Hillers’ best result through the first eight games.

“She is one of the hardest working players on the team,” Abate said. “She loves field hockey, she works at it constantly. She is incredibly fast and her skills are incredibly good. She is young, so there is room to grow, but she has been a standout.”

Another sophomore, Caroline

Kane, has been solid in goal. Abate said she shares her classmate’s talent and dedication. Senior Fay Desmond has stepped into a defensive role due to a teammate’s injury.

“She has blown everyone away and raised the bar for our defense over the past couple of games,” Abate said.

Maura Souza, a junior captain, also has been a talented player for the Hillers this fall at the center back position.

Hopkinton will try to find more offense during the second half of the year, Abate said, but she hoped the game against Dover-Sherborn, even though it was a loss, could serve as a springboard.

“It felt like a win for us just because of the change in the play,” she said. “The energy was up, players were hustling, they were fighting, it was amazing. It was really a great game, so I’m trying to keep the momentum going.”

Abate said she is excited for the program’s future, but she has not written off the rest of this year, either.

“We still have a huge chunk of the season to go,” Abate said. “And we are not giving up.”

HHS volleyball aims for banner season

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alent and team chemistry is a combination every high school coach hopes to have. This season, the Hopkinton High School girls volleyball team has shown it has a plethora of both, and the result has been rolling through half the regular season without a single loss.

“They are just really supportive of each other,” coach Margie Grabmeier said. “We have eight seniors on the team, which is the most I have ever had, and I think that makes a difference. They are motivated by it being their last year, and I think that energy is carrying over to the rest of the team.”

Four members of this year’s squad were on the 2019 Hillers team that put together a deep postseason run.

Grabmeier thinks this could be another banner year.

“Not only are they talented volleyball players, but the team chemistry is unbelievable,” Grabmeier said. “It’s just a pleasure to go to practice every

HopkintonIndependent.com

day and work with this group of girls, and that makes the difference.”

Grabmeier said her team has been very balanced this year. Senior captain Cathryn Leighton has been a steady presence as the team’s setter.

“She is just very reliable and consistent,” her coach said. “She has great hands and great court awareness and she is able to put the ball pretty much anywhere. She is great with our hitters and with the defense.”

Libero Sam Berenson is another returning senior who leads the Hillers in passes received and digs.

“She has been on the team since sophomore year,” Grabmeier said. “She has only gotten stronger and more confident each and every year.”

Middle blocker Kate Powers leads the team in kills and blocks.

“She is just a presence in the middle of the court,” Grabmeier said, adding that her game is reminiscent of her surname. “She can get the team and the fans fired up with her explosive, powerful hits.”

Volleyball | 13

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 13

HHS fields balanced, deep golf roster

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

H

opkinton High School golf coach Bill Phaneuf has a problem filling out his lineup, but it’s one that most coaches would happily take. Eight players compete in a match, and whichever three players shoot the lowest score are rotated out for the next match to give other players a chance.

But with as many as a dozen kids who all can shoot a solid score within a stroke or two of one another, Phaneuf has had to sit some skilled players.

“We have a lot of good kids this year,” he said.

“We don’t have a guy who is going to shoot a 36 every day, but I have 12 kids who can shoot 41 every day. We have a lot of depth.”

Among the 130 players who have competed in varsity matches in the Tri-Valley League, Hopkinton has five players who are averaging scores that place them in the top 26.

Freshman Parker Winn is 19th in the league.

He played himself into the lineup during the second match of the year and has not looked back since.

“He is a really good player,” Phaneuf said. “He is a good athlete who plays hockey and baseball and he has been really consistent for us. Hopefully he will continue to factor into matches.”

Junior Drew Morse has been the top player in terms of stroke average, ranking 12th in the TVL. He and Winn have been part of a contingent that has averaged between 38 and 42 for nine holes during home matches at Hopkinton Country Club.

Consistency also is the hallmark of senior Jack Petruney, who has seen his scores vary by only a stroke or two, according to Phaneuf.

Perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise for the

Hillers has been junior Mike Liptak.

“We were hoping he could get into some matches, but he got in on the second match and he is another kid who hasn’t come out yet,” Phaneuf said of Liptak, whose play has put him within the top 20 golfers in the league.

Henry Wailgum is ranked 26th in stroke average, giving the Hillers yet another player with the capability to go low on a given day.

“I never have to worry about the three kids I take out, because I know the next three are likely equally as good,” Phaneuf said. “It’s good, but it’s also hard to make sure we get everybody enough matches.”

Phaneuf said he is pleased with his team’s performance this season. Though, like many golf teams, there is a clear difference between playing on a home course as opposed to the less familiar tracks on the road.

“We’ve had home matches where we had all kids shoot under 42, it was incredible,” Phaneuf said. “On the road, we are not nearly as consistent.

It’s a lot better when we are at home.”

It’s another product of not having a top-end player with a scratch handicap like the Hillers have enjoyed in past seasons.

“Having the depth is good, but it would be nice to have one or two of those kids to throw in a 37 or 38, just in case we have a kid who throws in a 47,” the coach said.

Still, with a dozen juniors on the roster, Hopkinton is well positioned to both stand out this season and build for the future.

“I think we are in pretty good shape,” Phaneuf said. “We continue to be focused on the future of the program as well as wanting to do the best we can for this year.”

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Hayes replaces MacPherson as HHS boys hockey coach Scott Hayes was named coach of the boys ice hockey team earlier this month, following the resignation of Chris MacPherson.

Hayes was hired as the girls ice hockey coach last year after coachSPORTS ing at various levels over the previROUNDUP ous several seasons. His experience includes a stint as an assistant coach at Becker College. He played collegiately at Tufts after a high school career at Noble & Greenough School in Dedham.

MacPherson stepped down after 10 seasons and 100-plus wins. He coached the Hillers to two Tri-Valley League championships and a 2019 sectional title.

Hillers soccer teams shine The HHS boys soccer team continued its winning ways, improving to 8-3-1 after a 2-0 victory at Norton on Oct. 5. Sophomore Jack Ianelli recorded his first varsity points with a goal and an assist, while goalie Max Nye picked up the shutout,

the team’s sixth of the season.

In a 2-0 victory over Bellingham on Oct. 1, junior Dylan Michaud — making his first appearance of the season following a preseason injury — earned a penalty kick after being taken down in the box and converted it for his first goal. Aryan Samaga scored the Hillers’ second goal off a cross from Sean Golembiewski. …

Girls soccer rallied for a 5-2 victory over Norton on Oct. 5 to improve its record to 8-3. Ava Perlov recorded three goals, while Nina Tzouganatos had a goal and three assists. The Hillers were trailing 2-1 early in the second half before exploding for four goals in seven minutes. Jo DuPont had the other HHS goal.

Four days earlier, the Hillers rolled to a 4-0 road victory over Bellingham on Oct. 1 behind goals from Steph Johnson, Ashley Butler, Emme Joy and Lexy Trendel. Goalies Libby Herlihy and Ana Tomas combined for the shutout. …

The HHS football team has struggled on both sides of the ball through the first month of the season.

On Sept. 24 the Hillers dropped a 34-3 decision to division Tewksbury. That was followed by a 47-12 loss at Foxborough.

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HHS volleyball aims for banner season Volleyball | from page 12

Senior outside hitter Melanie Gildea is second in kills and has a strong attack from anywhere on the floor. Mikayla Grady, another senior, has been Hopkinton’s most consistent hitter. She is tops on the team in hit percentage, Grabmeier said, and is “playing consistent and clean volleyball while hitting the ball hard.”

Kate Dion has provided yet another strong option for attacking on the right side, while Sarah Furlong and Meg McCarron are both dependable and talented defensive players, Grabmeier said.

“The seniors are pretty much leading the way,” she said, summing up the season so far.

The Hillers also have five juniors — right side hitter Abbie Hardenbrook, middle blocker Maggie

Fallon, setter Katie Cooper, and outside hitters Emily Graeber and Annabelle Senseney — along with sophomore defensive specialist Abby Hebert.

“They are holding their own,” Grabmeier said.

“They are every bit as talented and add to the team dynamic.”

Team managers Amisi Omondi and Olivia Chen have added to the effort, Grabmeier said. The combination has the Hillers poised to tick off a number of lofty goals this fall.

“The team goals are the ones they are most concerned with,” she said. “The goal is to win the Tri-Valley League — they were close last year but didn’t quite follow through, so they want to get back there. And they want a deep tournament run in Division 2.”

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

CALENDAR

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.

Hopkinton Music Association seeks members The Hopkinton Music Association is actively seeking new board members for the 2021-22 school year. The volunteer organization’s mission is to promote, support and advocate for exceptional music education for all students in the Hopkinton Public Schools.

The board meets monthly. Members assist at concerts, fit concert attire for students, and organize/run the MICCA Festival and Pops Concert weekend spring events. For more information, visit hopkintonmusicasso.wixsite.com/hopkintonmusic or email ktbograd@ gmail.com.

HALT annual meeting Oct. 14 Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at the John Warren Masonic Lodge (6 Main St.). All members of HALT and the community are invited to attend the annual meeting, which provides a review of HALT’s mission, accomplishments of the past year in acquiring and managing conservation land in Hopkinton, and a short business segment. For more information, visit hopkintonlandtrust.org.

Baypath Paws & Claws 5K Oct. 17 PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

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Women’s Club meeting Oct. 18

Pat O’Brien, representing the Hopkinton Police, tosses a ball during the annual bocce tournament Sept. 22 at the Senior Center.

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Registration is open for the 12th annual Paws & Claws 5K to benefit the Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton. The event — which will return live this year — will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, at Hopkinton State Park. The event includes a division for those running/walking with a dog. For more information, visit baypathhumane.org.

The Hopkinton Women’s Club’s next monthly meeting will take place on Monday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. The guest speaker will be a librarian from the Hopkinton Public Library.

New members from Hopkinton and the surrounding communities are always welcome.

For more information — including about if the meeting will be in person or online — check the club’s website at hopkintonwomensclub.org or contact Judith Weinthaler at 508-435-3287 or HopkintonWC@gmail.com.

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HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS The Laramie Project 4 Performances | Oct. 15, 16 & 22, 23 This 2000 play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project focuses on the aftermath of the 1998 brutal killing of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The production will present as its focus the people of Laramie and their unique stories and perspectives amidst these compelling circumstances.

Wicked Weekend | Oct. 30 & 31 Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ beloved Halloween tradition and fundraiser is back for its fifth year! Join us Halloween weekend for some spooktacular fun! Tickets & Registration for all three events at www.hopartscenter.org

Directed by Paul Champlin and featuring a cast of 16 from Hopkinton and surrounding towns, the play confronts the complexities of gay rights and its detractors.

Adult Halloween Dance | Oct. 30 This 21+ event will have a DJ playing all your party favorites, food and adult beverages for purchase, a costume contest, as well as opportunities to win prizes and other Spooktacular surprises! 8–11PM.

A talk back will be held after two of the performances (October 15 & 16) with Cathy Renna. Cathy is the communications director for the national LGBTQ task force and she played a central role while at GLAAD in shaping media coverage of Shepard’s death in 1998. Tickets available at www.hopartscenter.org

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Scavenger Hunt | Oct. 30 Family-friendly Wicked Photo Scavenger Hunt at Hopkinton-area businesses from 10 am to 3 pm. Participants have a chance to win a Halloween Gift Basket.

Wicked 5K Fun/Run | Oct. 31 A family-friendly, costume-encouraged fun run/walk. Proceeds raised from this event go to support Hopkinton Center for the Arts and Enter Stage Left Theater. 10 am to 12 noon. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Unibank.

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 15

People Scouts of Hopkinton plan for adventure-filled year

Gu named National Student Poet Poet | from page 1

PHOTO/JAMES GERSHWILER

Members of Boy Scouts Troop 1 serve as the honor guard for a Court of Honor session at the Town Common in June.

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

W

orld War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, the Great Depression, World War II — the Boy Scouts of America have been in Hopkinton through it all.

Formed in 1916, Hopkinton Troop 1 is said to be one of the longest continuously chartered troops in the country.

But enrollment in Scouting programs has taken a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, as has been the case for many organizations. Troop 1 leader Karen Thayer Bograd is hopeful the Scouts will persevere as they have for more than a century. “We’d hate to see these programs drop off, because they do provide so much for the kids,” Thayer Bograd said.

Thayer Bograd is a member of the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association, an umbrella organization formed in 1949 to support Scouting for girls and boys in Hopkinton. She has been a Boy Scouts den leader for 10 years, and she also spent 13 years with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

In Hopkinton, the Boy Scouts of America has two Cub Scout packs (kindergarten through fifth grade) and three Scouts BSA troops (ages 11-17), which includes one all-girl BSA troop; in 2019, the Boy Scouts of America began admitting girls into Scouts BSA. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, a separate organization, also is active in the area and oversees the Girl Scouts of Hopkinton program for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Enrollment for the Cub Scouts, in particular, waned during the pandemic, Thayer Bograd noted, as younger children struggled to engage through Zoom. This season, Cub Scouts leader Mark Stephan says the organization has several hands-on activities planned, including a pumpkin carving contest, model rocket launch and a pinewood derby, the classic wood car racing event.

While Cub Scouts generally is parent-led, Scouts BSA is led by the youth themselves, who vote on both their leaders and activities. From campouts to skills workshops, community projects

and historical site visits, “giving kids the big picture of the world” is one of the main objectives, Thayer Bograd said.

This fall, Scouts BSA has several activities on the docket, including trips to the Herkimer Diamond Mines and Howe Caverns (both in New York).

They’ll also be hosting a Christmas tree fundraiser and participating in Scouting for Food, a joint venture with the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts that supports the local food pantry.

Additional plans for the Girl Scouts include participating in a community Trunk or Treat Halloween event, working on a Center Trail bee garden and “kindness rock” garden, hosting a service project benefiting seniors and launching their annual cookie sale.

For all ages, Thayer Bograd says that the outdoor component of the programming is key “in a world where Scouts | 16

Asians,” he said. “I found poetry a way to release my anger and frustration.”

Writing the poem served as a “method of healing” and a “personal catharsis.”

With a release of words, he could share his “frustration with the way society is treating Asian-Americans.”

As part of his national award, he received a $5,000 academic award and will serve as a literary ambassador. This enables him to share his passion for literacy, poetry and the literary arts with the community.

Gu is working to develop workshops to share his love for poetry. Gu understands the importance of workshops. In the summer of ninth grade, he was one of only 20 students in Greater Boston selected to attend the teen writing class at GrubStreet, a nonprofit creative writing center in Boston.

“That’s where my love for poetry” was inspired, he said.

He also credits Amanda Gorman with putting poetry in the spotlight. The first person to serve as National Youth Poet Laureate, Gorman delivered a powerful poem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, earning her instant celebrity.

Gorman made poetry accessible, he said. “The way she presented it gave poetry a way into pop culture,” he said.

“Poetry is a distilled version of literature,” he added of her work, “The way she delivered poetry as her own message of attacking oppression and rising above it really enhanced the emotional aspect of her story.”

He hopes that helps remind people that poetry doesn’t have to be a “daunting, intimidating subject” but can reflect relatable struggles and journeys.

In writing poetry, “I just find such a release,” he said. “When you’re writing a poem, you can be as raw and as vulnerable as you want.”

The National Student Poets Programs is a partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the

When you’re writing a poem, you can be as raw and as vulnerable as you want.

— HHS senior Kevin Gu nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, which presents the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. These awards are the longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for the country’s young artists and writers.

Gu and his fellow young poets serve a vital role on the national level, Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Crosby Kemper said.

“We are delighted to send these young people out into the world as ambassadors for poetry, for humor, pathos, and resilience, in partnership with museums and libraries,” Kemper said.

“America’s communities need them, now more than ever — and here they come.”

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021

Schools School Committee not ready to relax mask policy at HHS outlined the updated mask policy from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). She explained that if an individual school has a vaccination rate that exceeds 80 percent among staff and students, fully vaccinated individuals could be given the option to remove their masks if approved by that district’s school committee. This policy is called “off-ramping.”

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

F

ollowing an hour-long discussion at its Oct. 7 meeting, the School Committee decided to hold off on a vote to rescind the mask requirement at Hopkinton High School at least until its Oct. 21 meeting.

Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh

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Everyone in the building, including teachers, students, administrators and support personnel, must be included in that percentage.

“It’s a very big decision to make,” she said.

Hopkinton Health Director Shaun McAuliffe noted that Hopkinton has one of the highest vaccination rates in the state. In the age ranges between 1215 and 16-19, about 95 percent of those individuals have been fully vaccinated.

Overall, 82 percent of eligible town residents have been fully vaccinated, with 88 percent having received at least one dose, the numbers show.

“We’re in a good spot,” McAuliffe said. “[However], we do have a significant population within the community that is traveling, and that travel is driving roughly 70 percent of our cases in town.”

One challenge is that children under the age of 12 still are ineligible for the vaccine. McAuliffe said he believed they would be able to start vaccinating this population “within the next three weeks.”

Another concern is that, although Hopkinton’s student-athletes now are mostly playing outdoors, the winter will see athletic contests move indoors.

Teams could be from communities that do not have the same high vaccination rates.

McAuliffe also mentioned that flu season is beginning, and the spread of the flu could be better controlled if masks were worn.

“The Health Department feels that it’s prudent to stay the course with face coverings — at least until we get to a point where we can get our 12-andunders vaccinated above 80 percent,” he continued. He noted that in neighboring districts that started the year without a mask policy in place, “They’ve had a considerable amount of illness and a significant amount of disruption.”

School Committee Member Joe Markey said that the decision to stay masked should not be based on preventing the flu and respiratory viruses but solely on the risk for COVID-19.

“We’re hearing something from the health director that is very antithetical

to what the state is saying,” Markey said. “It is up to us elected officials to make decisions that we think are rational.”

Member Amanda Fargiano reminded the committee that masks still would be required on school buses due to the federal mandate.

Markey made a motion to support the off-ramping of the mask policy at the high school. However, none of his colleagues seconded it. During further discussion, members said they wanted to take more time to analyze the data.

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh said that her goal is to not have to pivot back to remote learning if there were an outbreak, noting she was not comfortable with voting on the off-ramping at this meeting.

Allergy policy discussed The committee also talked about the life-threatening allergy (LTA) policy.

Three parents at the meeting brought up their concerns that a teacher had peanuts in a classroom where a student was allergic, which could result in anaphylaxis if that student were exposed.

There was a discussion about what was considered procedural and under the purview of the superintendent versus what was a policy that the committee would oversee. The language will be reviewed and discussed at the next meeting to see if revisions need to be made to the policy.

HHS Science Fair students seek mentors Hopkinton High School Science Fair students are eager to connect with local experts to get feedback on their ideas and brainstorm next steps. Anyone with a science or engineering background who is interested in mentoring can take part in a casual evening of short, informal feedback sessions via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 26, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information about this and other mentorship opportunities, and to RSVP, email Kristen Murphy at kmmurphy@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

Scouts plan for adventure-filled year Scouts | from page 15

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things are so technology-driven. It’s great to have these programs that say, ‘To achieve this, go outside and do this.’” With COVID-19 restricting indoor meetings, the Scouts used many more outdoor spaces throughout Hopkinton this past year, including the Town Common, Hopkinton State Park, Fruit Street facilities and school parking lots. If it was dark, kids brought along headlamps; if it was cold, they bundled up. “As a group, we’ve all had great experiences using local amenities,” Thayer Bograd said.

Seeing kids achieve their goals and reach the pinnacle levels of Eagle Scout (Scouts BSA) and the Gold Award (Girl Scouts) is one of the most rewarding parts of the experience for Thayer

HopkintonIndependent.com

Bograd, but the everyday, quieter accomplishments are remarkable as well.

Thayer Bograd recalled one Cub Scout who was referred to the program for help with socialization; the goal was simply for him to meet and know his peers. “By the end of the year, he knew 12 more people,” she said.

Scouting “can help bring you out of your shell … especially in Hopkinton where we have grades that are so huge,” Thayer Bograd explained. “If you’re young, it can be overwhelming. … The Cub Scouts program breaks it down a little smaller.”

Families who are interested in enrolling can find information for the Boy Scouts of America at beascout.org and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts at gsema.org.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 17

Obituaries David Keating David Charles Keating passed away Sept. 25 at the age of 85. He was born in Boston on May 4, 1936, and grew up in Jamaica Plain. David spent his life living in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston; Waterville Valley, New Hampshire; Stuart, Florida; and Bourne.

David was a larger-than-life personality in every sense of the word. His commitment to friends and family was unwavering as was his ability to befriend strangers at any juncture in life. David’s network truly knew no bounds.

David will be remembered for many endearing qualities, his outgoing and charismatic personality, his successful career as a real estate developer, his love of golf, and his love of dogs. But most importantly, he will be remembered for his ability to create lasting memories for those around him. David understood what it meant to live life to the fullest and did so every day. His family and friends are especially grateful for the countless memories on Cape Cod where no one was too old or too young to sit at the dinner table and share a meal and a laugh.

David was predeceased by his partner of over 35 years, Donna Gibson. He is survived by four devoted children: David Keating, Jr. and wife Rikki and their children, Jack and Alexander, of Manhattan Beach, California; Patricia Kinnealey and husband Bill and their children, Victoria, Sophia, Harrison and Patrick, of Weston; Carline Soutter and husband Sam and their children, Hayley, Emily and Eliza, of Charleston, South Carolina; and John Keating and wife Jodi and their daughter, Laci, of Hopkinton. In addition, he leaves his younger sister, Janet Gardner of Monument Beach. David will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name can be made to MSPCA-Angell, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 (mspca.org/ donate-now).

Jeanne Miley Jeanne Marie Miley, 65, of Holliston passed away at her home on Sept.

30. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Margaret (Cahill) Miley of Holliston and the late Daniel A. Miley.

A beloved daughter, sister and aunt, Jeanne was at the center of her family. She looked forward to attending daily Mass at Saint Mary’s in Holliston and chatting with friends after. She took pleasure in her time spent at the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton. Jeanne had wonderful memories of her travel to Belgium, France, Germany and Mexico. Most importantly, she loved being with family and friends, and her life’s work was making new friends.

Besides her mother, Jeanne is survived by her siblings, Stephanie Miley and husband Kurt Beurmann of Alexandria, Virginia, and Robert Miley and wife Kelly of Avon, Connecticut. She also leaves behind her nephews, Jack and Colin Miley, and Connor Beurmann.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 9 at Saint

HOPKINTON HOME IMPROVEMENT Mary’s Church of Holliston, followed by burial in the parish cemetery. Services were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, 112 West Main St., Hopkinton, MA 01748, or to Saint Mary’s Church, 8 Church St., Holliston, MA 01746.

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Lee Jackson, 72, formerly of Hopkinton, passed away unexpectedly at his home at Indian Lake Estates, Florida, on Sept. 9. Born in Framingham in 1949, he was the son of Margret and the late Phil Jackson, the beloved husband of the late Jean Coisman, and the father of the

late Jeffrey Jackson.

A 1967 graduate of Hopkinton High School, Lee enlisted in the Navy in 1968. After serving his country, he accepted employment with AT&T. He later worked for the U.S. State Department as a communications specialist. Lee married Jean Coisman in 2006. His work with the State Department took them to Frankfurt, Germany, and Pretoria, South Africa. They enjoyed exploring the countryside and going on safari in South Africa. In 2009, they returned to the United States, moving to Coral Springs, Florida. When Jean passed away in 2020, Lee relocated to Indian Lake Estates, Florida. Lee was active in the Masons, Shriners and Moose lodges for many years. His pastimes included golf, fishing, hunting and tinkering with antique cars.

Lee leaves his mother, Margret of Hopkinton; his brothers, Kris Jackson and wife Ann of North Grafton, and Lawrence Jackson and wife Laura of Hopkinton, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves many friends and colleagues all around the world. He was planning on visiting the family in Massachusetts this month and is greatly missed.

Funeral services, under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, were to be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Shriners Hospital at lovetotherescue.org.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex The Superior Court Civil Docket No. 21-2072 Re: Berkshire Bank v Henry G. Lombard To: Henry G. Lombard, an individual with an address 4 Brook Hollow Lane, Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748 in the County of Middlesex; all in said Commonwealth; AND TO ALL PERSONS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS’ CIVIL RELIEF ACT OF 1940 AS AMENDED 2003 as amended: Berkshire Bank, a Massachusetts banking corporation qualified to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a principal place of business at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 claiming to be the holder of mortgage covering real estate located at 4 Brook Hollow Lane, Hopkinton, MA given by the defendant HENRY G. LOMBARD, to Berkshire Bank, dated June 30, 2016 recorded in Middlesex South Registry of Deeds on July 27, 2016 in Book 67689, Page 552, has filed with said court a Complaint for authority to foreclose said mortgage in the manner following: by entry on and possession of the premises therein described and by exercise of the power of sale contained in said mortgage.

If you are entitled to the benefits of the Service Members’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 as amended, and you object to such foreclosure you or your attorney should file a written appearance and answer in Woburn said court at in said County on or before Dec. 27, 2021 or you may be forever barred from claiming that such foreclosure is invalid under said Act. Witness, Heidi E. Brieger, Esquire, Chief Justice of the Superior Court, at Woburn, Massachusetts, this 23rd day of September, 2021.

Michael A. Sullivan, Clerk of Courts

Ulysses Comeau Ulysses Roy Comeau, 87, died Sept. 22 at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham with complications of pneumonia. He was the husband of the late Joan (Dumas) Comeau, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. She predeceased him in December 2017.

Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, he was the son of the late Joseph E. and Annabelle (Bourgoyne) Comeau. He moved to Massachusetts and settled down in Hopkinton and raised a family. He owned and operated Roy’s Cleaning Service for several years. He carried inspiration, hard work and devotion to family. He was a great mentor, father, grandfather, husband and friend.

He is survived by his children, Gary and wife Kathleen of Ashland, Dale and wife Marcia of Framingham, Wayne and wife Melissa of Hopkinton, and Theresa and husband Donald Roy of Uxbridge, his 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by a son, Kevin, who died in December 2019, and leaves daughter-in-law Cathy of Marlborough.

A graveside service was held Sept. 29 in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Services were under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home.

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12:21 p.m. Officer Jay Deiana was flagged down by a person reporting an erratic operator on West Main Street. Officer Deiana located the vehicle and reported it had a flat tire. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Moira McGaffigan responded as backup, and field sobriety tests were administered.

A 69-year-old Milford resident was arrested and charged with OUI liquor.

10:57 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle crashed into and onto a stone wall on Saddle Hill Road. Officers Kevin Sager and Cody Normandin responded and subsequently arrested a 40-year-old from Dudley and charged him with OUI liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and wanton destruction of property over $250.

September 24

12:54 a.m. Officer Brittany Firth conducted a motor vehicle stop on East Main Street and Officer Stephen Buckley assisted.

A 66-year-old from Framingham was arrested and charged with speeding, marked lanes violation and OUI liquor.

September 27

7:09 p.m. Officers Ryan Polselli and Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle accident on Ash Street. No personal injuries were reported. A 57-year-old Maple Avenue resident was arrested and charged with OUI liquor and marked lanes violation.

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9:49 p.m. Sergeant Scott van Raalten and Officers Brian Sanchioni, Brendon Lyver, Tyler Brabham, Stephen Buckley and Kevin Sager responded along with the Fire Department to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street involving a patrol car and another vehicle. Personal injuries were reported. An ambulance transported a person to the hospital. A 26-year-old from Milford was arrested and charged with OUI liquor, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding in violation of special regulation.

October 3

12:15 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin conducted a motor vehicle stop on West Main Street and Officer Stephen Buckley responded as backup. A 24-year-old Northbridge resident was arrested and charged with OUI liquor and speeding in violation of special regulation.

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

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9:27 a.m. A walk-in reported a motor vehicle accident that had just occurred in the Cumberland Farms parking lot. Officer Kevin Sager responded and took a report.

12:14 p.m. An Elmwood School employee reported a skunk at the school. The animal control officer was contacted and responded.

3:15 p.m. A caller reported his neighbors yelled at his wife, saying she drives too fast. Officer Cody Normandin spoke with the caller about the complaint.

5:37 p.m. A caller reported a camper parked on Maple Street with a note stating people were living in the camper. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer

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Cody Normandin responded and found no one around but called a number left on the camper and spoke to a person.

7:34 p.m. An employee at an East Main Street residential facility reported a patient with dementia left the premises. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded and located the person and returned him to the facility.

September 22

8:00 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan took a report of a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on Grove Street. No injuries were reported.

8:07 a.m. A walk-in reported a business overcharged her credit card $200. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil assisted and spoke with the owner of the business, which was to refund the credit card.

9:12 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan spoke with a Main Street resident about relationship advice.

10:44 a.m. A caller reported a classic grandparent/ grandchild phone scam. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil spoke with the caller and took a report.

11:10 a.m. A Walcott Valley Drive caller reported an issue with animals in the common area of the condo complex. The animal control officer was notified.

11:40 a.m. A Walcott Valley Drive caller reported she was being harassed by a neighbor regarding a previous incident. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and spoke with all parties involved and took a report.

2:09 p.m. A caller reported a man yelling obscenities and causing a disturbance on Main Street. Officers Matthew Santoro, Moira McGaffigan and Benjamin Stickney responded and spoke with the man, who was upset that he had missed his bus.

September 23

1:27 a.m. Officer Kevin Sager reported an abandoned motor vehicle with no one around in the middle of the roadway of West Main Street. A tow truck was requested and a criminal application was issued.

7:39 a.m. The Housing Authority reported a man sleeping in a white van parked in the Davis Road parking lot. Officer Michael Santoro responded and spoke with the individual, who was not asleep.

12:23 p.m. A caller reported a rabid raccoon in the woods off Winter Street. Officer Jessica Ferreira and the animal control officer responded. The animal control officer reported the raccoon appeared to be OK and walked away.

2:38 p.m. A motorist reported he hit a telephone pole on Winter Street, and there were no personal injuries. Officer Tyler Brabham responded and notified Verizon of a piece of pole taken out. A report was to follow.

4:53 p.m. A Walcott Valley Drive resident reported being threatened by a male. Officers Brendon Lyver, Tyler Brabham, and Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

September 24

3:18 a.m. Officers Kevin Sager and Stephen Buckley checked on a vehicle on Hayward Street and took its plates due to status. The vehicle was towed. A report was to follow.

9:26 a.m. A motorist reported turkeys in the roadway of West Main Street causing a road hazard. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and reported the turkeys moved out of the roadway.

11:27 a.m. A Spring Street resident reported hearing several gunshots in the woods behind his house over the past few days. Officers Moira McGaffigan and Brendon Lyver responded, checked the area, and spoke with a nearby resident. Officer McGaffigan took a report.

6:24 p.m. Officer Philip Powers came across a 14-year-old female known to the department causing a disturbance on Hayden Rowe Street. Officers Brian Sanchioni, Brendon Lyver, Robert Ekross, and Tyler Brabham responded to assist. The father responded and took her home.

September 25

12:36 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin checked on a person in a vehicle on Main Street and found him

The Hopkinton Independent • October 13, 2021 • 19 playing Pokémon Go. 11:22 p.m. A caller reported an underage party on North Mill Street. Sergeant William Burchard and Officers Brittany Firth and Cody Normandin responded.

A courtesy transport was provided to Lumber Street.

A search from North Mill Street to the town line and East Street resulted in a negative find on anyone else.

11:33 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded to a report of a house party on North Mill Street. A motor vehicle took off and Officer Normandin spoke with the driver.

September 26

9:55 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported a black and white pit bull and a beagle-like dog escaped. Officer Philip Powers responded and notified the animal control officer. The dogs were located and returned to their owner.

7:17 p.m. A Chestnut Street resident reported a vehicle racing up and down the street multiple times.

Officer Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

September 27

12:02 a.m. Officer Kevin Sager checked on a female with a small child by the side of the roadway of Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Stephen Buckley assisted. The woman subsequently relocated back to the residence where she was staying.

7:42 a.m. A caller reported a coyote ran after her and her dog on Loop Road. The animal control officer was contacted.

9:24 a.m. A caller reported an old car frequently breaks down on Ash Street and could cause an accident. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and found the vehicle at a residence.

3:02 p.m. A walk-in requested to speak with an officer about threats. Officers Benjamin Stickney and Cody Normandin assisted and took a report.

September 28

7:01 a.m. A caller reported a vehicle was stolen from a Constitution Court parking lot. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and reported the car was towed due to a lack of a parking permit.

9:59 p.m. A caller reported a belligerent drunk female got in her car on West Main Street and drove away. Officers Tyler Brabham and Brian Sanchioni responded and located her at her residence and spoke to her about the complaint.

September 29

10:39 a.m. A caller reported a fallen tree blocking the roadway of Spring Street. Officer Jay Deiana responded along with the DPW. Verizon was notified.

The tree was removed.

12:21 p.m. A caller reported increased coyote activity on Loop Road between Fields 12 and 13. Officer Matthew Santoro responded and checked the area with a negative find. The animal control officer was notified.

12:26 p.m. A caller reported her car was hit on Cedar Street. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded to the hit and run and took a report.

12:29 p.m. An Old Elm Way resident reported a landscaping company was dumping debris on her property. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and spoke with the landscaping crew. A report was to follow.

1:11 p.m. A caller reported fallen wires across the roadway of Fruit Street. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and set up cones. Verizon was notified.

1:15 p.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on Park Street. No personal injuries were reported.

5:07 p.m. A caller reported two pit bulls running around Hazel Road. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and checked the area with a negative find.

7:19 p.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported she lost her tan French bulldog. The incident was logged.

September 30

12:02 a.m. A West Main Street caller reported his 18-month-old German shepherd and 8-month-old pit bull got loose and wanted it logged. The owner stated the dogs usually return within a couple of hours.

3:35 a.m. Officer Stephen Buckley contacted the owner of two loose dogs that were found and were safe in the lobby of the police station. The owner was to pick them up.

7:53 a.m. A caller reported a fight in progress among three people on Lumber Street. Sergeants Timothy Brennan and William Burchard and Officer Kevin

Sager responded and utilized a translation service. The altercation had passed, and all was clear.

3:31 p.m. A West Main Street resident reported her neighbor’s chickens were messing up her yard. Officer Tyler Brabham responded and spoke with the neighbor about the complaint.

4:22 p.m. A caller reported a trailer detached from a vehicle on Wood Street. Officers Robert Ekross and Tyler Brabham responded and assisted. A tow truck transported the trailer.

6:02 p.m. A walk-in brought in a dog he found in front of Cornell’s on Hayden Rowe Street. He took the dog home until the owner was located. The animal control officer was notified. The owner was located and put in touch with the reporting person.

8:48 p.m. A Proctor Street caller reported a missing black and white pit bull mix who ran away while wearing its collar and leash. The incident was logged.

11:01 p.m. A caller reported a car horn sounding and a female screaming on East Main Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officers Jay Deiana and Brittany Firth responded and checked the area with a negative find.

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2:24 p.m. A caller reported 30-40 packages fell from a truck on South Street. Officers Brian Sanchioni responded and reported they were off to the side of the road.

4:08 p.m. A Commonwealth Avenue resident reported a skunk rolling around in her yard. The animal control officer was notified.

4:38 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

5:59 p.m. A caller reported a minor motor vehicle accident with a possible head injury on West Main Street. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Cody Normandin responded along with an ambulance. The individual refused treatment.

October 2

12:23 a.m. A caller reported an 18-wheeler stuck in a residential neighborhood on Lakepoint Way. Officer Cody Normandin responded and reported the truck was able to turn around prior to his arrival.

12:39 a.m. Officer Brittany Firth spoke with a group of juveniles on Main Street and advised them to head home.

2:58 a.m. Multiple callers complained of a loud motor vehicle driving in circles on Chestnut Street.

Sergeant William Burchard checked on and spoke with the motorist.

12:22 p.m. A caller reported the dogs in the back of a customer’s car on West Main Street were scaring him. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and reported the dogs were contained and not an issue.

5:43 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator speeding and passing cars on Chestnut Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and notified the Holliston Police Department.

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October 3

2:05 p.m. A walk-in reported losing a Harley Davidson key and fob while on a ride through town on Route 85. The incident was logged.

October 4

12:07 a.m. The Ashland Police Department requested assistance searching for an 11-year-old boy who ran away from his residence. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and found the boy on East Main Street and took him to the Ashland Police Department.

8:12 a.m. A caller reported flooding and potential road hazard on West Main Street. Officer Jay Deiana responded and confirmed a large puddle was causing a road hazard. The DPW was notified.

10:40 a.m. The DPW reported an uprooted tree was leaning on Frankland Road and could be a road hazard.

Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and closed the road and placed detour signs in the area while the tree was cut down.

10:57 a.m. A caller reported a vehicle hit a turkey on West Main Street. The DPW was notified to pick up the deceased bird.

4:01 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious male in a Main Street parking lot. Officers Brendon Lyver and Brian Sanchioni responded and placed the individual into protective custody.

6:13 p.m. A motorist reported two pieces of metal in the roadway of East Main Street. Officer Brendon Lyver responded and removed the metal.

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

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week Health Health Health & Safety &Because Safety & Safety Matters Matters Matters Most Most Most To Us To To Us Us Your Family’s Health & Safety Matters Most To Us

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Health & Safety Matters Most To Us

E

ach week, the Independent highlights an animal available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton.

This week we feature a pair of adoptable animals, Liam and Nelly.

Here is Baypath’s description of the pair: Completing your family has never been easier — two young dogs for the adoption fee of one! Ever since their trip from Korea a few months ago, Liam and Nelly have bonded to one another. We’ve seen their love/friendship bloom, and we are in awe of how much they depend on one another. They would thrive in a home together, and their adopters would get two easygoing cuddle bugs who just want to be loved and snuggled up in the amily Family Owned Family Owned &Owned Operated & Operated &Operated Operated Serving Serving MetroWest Serving MetroWest MetroWest Boston Boston Since Boston Since 1968 Since 19681968 Family Owned & Serving MetroWest Boston Since 1968 comfort of a home.

Korea was not easy for them — not in the slightest. But they were rescued

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and they were brought here in the hopes of starting life over. They’ve been in the shelter so long and they deserve the security that comes with a forever family.

They have learned so much in their time here, including how to play, how to be truly goofy (Liam is a pro at this), and how to be gentle and sweet (Nelly excels at this). Together, they have worked to build their confidence and have succeeded! The staff and volunteers enjoy every second they have with this darling duo.

The missing link is you!

For more information on Liam and Nelly 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.

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