HI 10.26.22

State rep race zeroes in on Nov. 8 election

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

Hopkinton voters will help choose a new state representative for the redrawn Middlesex 8th District on Nov. 8 in a contest between veteran political activist James Arena-DeRosa (D-Holliston) and communications in dustry expert Loring Barnes (R-Millis), a former Millis Select Board member.

The two candidates are vying for the seat formerly held by Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), who stepped down in February to take a job in the private sector with clean energy com pany Nexamp. The district includes Hopkinton, Holliston, Sherborn and part of Millis. There are almost 50,000 residents in the district, with a median household income of $151,303.

This is the first time since 2014 that there has been a contested race, as Dykema held the seat since she was first elected in 2008.

In interviews with The Hopkinton Independent, both candidates spoke

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

One day, 2-year-old Natalie and 1-year-old Jailson Lucien will learn that a group of Hopkinton High School students helped to build their Mickey and Minnie Mouse-themed playhouse to honor their father Vincllor, an Army veteran.

The high school’s Habitat for Hu manity Club held an Operation Playhouse Build with the support of the organiza tion’s MetroWest/Greater Worcester chapter. The program involves creating and decorating a playhouse of approxi mately 4 feet by 5 feet from a kit and donating it to a veteran’s family.

Members of the HHS Habitat for Humanity Club work on

playhouse at Marathon School.

PHOTO/BARBARA

CARROLL

Benjamin Gomes, 2, dons a helmet at the Hopkinton Fire Department open house on Oct. 16.

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Viewpoint

Barnes for state rep

and will fight for each of us.

My vote is for Loring Barnes, and I hope she can get your vote as well.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

In the “new” 8th Middlesex District, Loring Barnes has the best overall experi ence, on-point ideas and the right energy to properly represent Hopkinton on Bea con Hill. We Hopkinton residents (and taxpayers) deserve a strong voice to ensure that our concerns are heard on Beacon Hill and to drive results that tangibly benefit our community. Loring Barnes is that strong voice and will drive results.

Loring brings real world experience as a Millis Select Board member, for an extended term, and has demonstrated suc cess in community development, growth and fiscal responsibility. She successfully executed Millis’ coordinated response during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her experience with budgeting, planning and economic development are exactly what we need in our district. Her past experience working with the MBTA gives her knowl edge of the inner workings of state politics.

However, Loring is far from a career politician. Loring brings her many years of practical business experience with her and is, frankly, the most qualified candidate to tackle the main concern of Hopkinton (and the other three towns in the 8th Middlesex District) taxpayers: affordability. She has a private sector mindset that keeps her focused on the bottom line, zero-based budgeting and the maximum return on investment. She is not shy to challenge questionable spending requests and will fight for her constituents.

Loring is the best candidate for both the individual taxpayer and business es. Having run a successful small consult ing firm and seen both sides of government contracts, she knows and understands the value of competitive contracts but even more how to restructure the process to both reduce taxpayer cost as well as expand business opportunities.

As a mother, businesswoman and care advocate for her elderly parents, Loring is well in tune with the issues that affect us

— Chris Alicandro, Hopkinton Barnes part of ‘new generation’

Loring Barnes comes from a new gen eration of civic leaders who believes that the best way to solve issues and bring posi tive change is to first build relationships and consult experts, for an informed con sensus that ensures stakeholders are heard.

All one must do to know that Loring is authentic is to ask her a question or give her a problem to solve and then listen to her answer. Loring does not speak in sound bites; she answers thoughtfully, is easy to understand, and gets to the root issue.

Her depth of knowledge comes from relevant, real-world experience along with Select Board governance that Hopkinton needs now: economic development, multiuse construction including residential, commercial, public/municipal, transporta tion, utility and infrastructure. These are the issues facing us and driving up costs. We need an advocate on Beacon Hill familiar with evolving building and en ergy codes, supplier diversity compliance, prevailing wage contracts, infrastructure policy and new building safety systems.

Loring led the MBTA’s communica tions, marketing and government relations during America’s largest and infinitely complex public works project: the Central Artery/Tunnel. This will benefit us as we face a torrent of new state regulations and disruptions. Her national reputation for the state’s largest international tourism event, FIFA World Cup Soccer, is why the Olym pics came calling. She has already worked with Hopkinton for the Boston Marathon. The Weld-Cellucci [administration] sought her business pragmatism that saved tax payers money and improved services. She initiated our state’s first real-time contrac

State rep candidates get support

tor performance reporting system.

It is Loring who has always said that we are a new district of four local towns and that “It’s about all of us.” In fact, I attended her multi-town Select Board meetings when our terms intersected. The other candidate, who offers politicized social activism over recent local munici pal management or business experience, seems to have discounted 75 percent of us voters with his party-first campaign. Hop kinton voted for Gov. Baker — twice — and yet he marginalized our 63.4 percent unenrolled and 13.1 percent Republican residents.

Early primary voters turned in only about half of our town’s mailed ballots. To have a voice on Beacon Hill, we must first have a voice by voting in Hopkinton, by mail now or in person on November 8th.

Loring Barnes is an exciting choice for Hopkinton. Please join me in voting Lor ing Barnes as our new state representative.

— John Coutinho, Hopkinton

Arena-DeRosa for state rep

I am writing to express my enthusias tic support for and endorsement of James Arena-DeRosa for state representative in the Middlesex 8th District. My association with James goes back many years to my time in the state Senate, with the honor of representing Hopkinton. At the time, James and I had the opportunity to work on a number of issues together. As he learned from his association with Peace Corps and serving in local government, James values the importance of listening to the community and being inclusive in his approach to public engagement.

He will work closely with commu nity leaders in Hopkinton, advocate for their concerns and be a leader on critical issues important to the community. These would include, among others, support for education, housing affordability for seniors, investment in town infrastructure and protecting the environment. Over 50 town leaders throughout the district sup port James because they know he will be their partner.

As a Democrat in the Massachusetts

Legislature, he will be in position to de liver for this district. He will be part of the vanguard that is fighting the conservative federal Supreme Court to protect rights we have fought for in Massachusetts, includ ing marriage equity, reproductive rights and climate justice. As someone who has been involved in local and state govern ment in this district, and national govern ment with the Obama Administration, he will help the town navigate the many complex issues facing families, businesses and local government. His endorsements from teachers, nurses, social workers and numerous unions reflect that he will always stand with and support working families.

I am confident that James will follow in the footsteps of Representative Carolyn Dykema, who has endorsed James for state representative, as an outstanding public servant.

James pledges to serve as state rep resentative on a full-time basis so as to be fully accessible and available to the residents of Hopkinton. He is commit ted to continue the tradition of excellent constituent services which Hopkinton’s residents have come to expect. In all that he does, James will ensure that Hopkinton’s voice is heard when public policy is being developed on Beacon Hill.

I enthusiastically endorse the candi dacy of James Arena-DeRosa. He will make an outstanding state representative for the Town of Hopkinton.

— David Magnani, former state senator for 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 veri fication. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promot ing 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 (HopkintonInde pendent.com) and click on the Contact header, then on Editorial Deadlines.

Tales from a Townie: Geese on parade

By William T. Hamilton Jr. Contributing Writer

Unlike all of my previous stories, most of this story takes place in June 2022.

On the first Monday of June, I worked in my garden in Westborough. Finishing around noon, I sat in my chair and reflected that the only way to describe the day was “delicious!”

I went home and said to my wife, Alice, “It’s too nice a day to take a ride, so let’s take our chairs and go to Lake Whitehall and sit and read.”

After lunch, off we went. After surviv ing a gigantic pothole on the edge of the parking lot, we arrived at the lake.

We had no sooner set up our chairs when we looked up, and around the corner came a perfect single column of geese, with an adult at each end and six small ones in the middle. They proceeded to head over the rocky banking directly toward us. They circled around within 2 feet of us, eating grass like we weren’t even there. The geese continued eating for about 30 minutes, with one of the adults always keeping a watch for danger.

They then waddled halfway down the banking and took a 15-minute “siesta” before filing into the water and swimming up the lake.

Right about then, two ducks swooped in for a landing like a couple of seaplanes, about 50 feet in front of us.

When they all had left, I told Alice about what this area was like around 70 years ago. My friend Billy and I used to go swimming there when we were 10 or 11 years old. His sister would give us a ride over, and my father would pick us up at 5 p.m. on his way home from work. We would dive off the gate house — the water went all the way to it then — and swim around the point past Edmunds’ Boat Rental Pier, and dive off Castle Rock.

One June day in 1953, my father got us about 30 minutes early, much to our disappointment, saying there was a bad thunderstorm on the way. It was the day a tornado went through Shrewsbury, West borough and Southborough! As usual, our parents knew what they were talking about.

So much for reading on that day this summer — I think we each read about two pages of our books. But the geese show was better.

Conservation Commission finalizes Maspenock drawdown

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

The Conservation Commission at its 90-minute meeting Oct. 18 unani mously approved a request by the De partment of Public Works for an 8-foot winter drawdown of Lake Maspenock for two weeks as a strategy to control invasive weed growth.

Last month, the commission ap proved an initial standard drawdown of the lake to gauge its effectiveness in curbing weed growth. However, it did not approve a more extensive drawdown request at that time because supporting documents were received the day of the meeting and it did not have time to review them beforehand. The docu ments included feedback from town consultant and certified limnologist David Mitchell.

Previously, the DPW would draw down the lake to either 5 or 8 feet every three years as part of the operational maintenance plan for the dam. This type of work typically is performed in late September to early October.

Member Ted Barker-Hook asked DPW Director John Westerling if the drawdown period could be extended “to give it a better chance to kill weeds” without hindering the timeline for the refill.

Westerling indicated the last time an 8-foot drawdown was performed two years ago, an extension was granted because the weather did not cooperate.

“But I think we also extended it five years ago when it was extremely effective and had the best weed kill,” he added.

The issue of potentially using herbicides to kill invasive weeds has stirred debate in town for months. While some residents claimed the weeds were a hazard to swimmers, others argued that the weeds were more of a nuisance. There were suggestions for other methods of weed control in a “toolbox” of strategies, and the draw

down was one of them.

Residential tree removal issue addressed

The other major issue the commis sion discussed involved a cease and de sist order for tree clearing at 56 Downey Street, which abuts Lake Maspenock.

Conservation Administrator Kim Ciaramicoli explained that the new property owner intends to raze the house there and requested permission to remove the trees down to the lake.

“The buffer zone extends and just kisses his existing deck,” she said, not ing the trees are under the commission’s purview.

While approximately half of the trees “were either deceased or in im mediate danger of striking the house,” Ciaramicoli noted that the other half were viable and were in the buffer zone or just on the bank, and she explained that to the property owner.

A problem arose early last week when a tree removal company was on the property.

“The tree contractor was under the impression that they were just cutting everything down to the bank,” Ciarami coli said. “So we weren’t able to stop them before they got to the bank. They did get to a few of the other trees that had not been approved.”

This prompted Ciaramicoli to issue the cease and desist order and seek the commission’s advice. Co-Vice Chair Melissa Recos suggested that new trees be planted to replace the ones that were wrongfully removed.

A new house is proposed on the site once the old one has been razed, the construction of which could impact the buffer zone, noted chair Jeff Barnes. He suggested that an enforcement and restoration order be approved so that the wrongfully cut trees could be replaced with “trees of substance.”

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

Each week, the Inde pendent highlights an ani mal available for adoption at Baypath Humane So ciety in Hopkinton. This week we feature 2-yearold Layla.

Here is Baypath’s de scription of Layla:

“Layla is a fun-loving girl who is an ownersurrender and not used to the shelter life. She loves to swim, fetch, chew and toss sticks. She is a clean house guest who is housetrained. She is smart and already knows many cues. She does crazy zooms and enjoys car rides. She is guaranteed to make you smile!”

For more informa tion on Layla 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 Indepen dent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

HHS Habitat for Humanity Club builds playhouse for veteran’s children

On Oct. 8, some club members spent the day at the Marathon Elementary School working on the project. The event concluded with a presentation to the Luc ien family, who are Brockton residents.

Vincllor Lucien was deployed from 2015 to 2016 as a 91B wheeled vehicle mechanic/H8 vehicle recovery specialist to Kuwait with the 1060th Transportation Company in support of Operation Endur ing Freedom.

He was awarded the Army Achieve ment Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Samantha Breen, HHS English teach er and Habitat for Humanity Club advisor, said the students have been extremely excited about Operation Playhouse Build. Because of the pandemic, the group hadn’t been able to build anything for some time.

The club boasts 61 members with about 15-20 regulars who hold fundraisers throughout the year such as a gingerbread house decorating event and Krispy Kreme Donut sale.

“This program is an awesome way to give back to the community and veterans’ families,” Breen said.

She added that the Hopkinton-based build was unusual because participants got to see members of the Lucien family in person at a brief ceremony at the end of the day.

“That presentation made it all the more special,” Breen said.

HHS senior Avani Daga, a club of ficer, said participating in the group is “an extremely fun way of giving back.”

Daga said the best part of the day was personalizing the playhouse for Natalie and Jailson, which involved decorating the inside with Mickey Mouse-themed toys and glow in the dark stars as well as add ing details to the structure on the outside.

“Other than actually making the playhouse, the best part of the day was definitely meeting Mr. Lucien, learning a little bit about his story and being able to give back to him and his family for all that they have done for our country,” Daga added.

A few adult volunteers were on hand to use the drills and power tools and assist the students.

Brian Gu, also a senior and club offi cer, said he was attracted to join the Habitat for Humanity group because it is “so in touch with the community” and he wanted to be “part of a cycle of giving back.”

Gu said he was only there for the painting part of the build and found “get ting dirty with actual paint for the first time a fun, new experience.”

He added, “After the first splash of paint hit my shoe, I stopped being afraid of getting my clothes covered in paint.”

Freshman Lea Hong, a new club member, said that she enjoyed participat ing in the build but wishes she was older so that she could actually help assemble the playhouse. Other than that, Hong hopes to repeat the experience with other builds.

HHS junior Anay Pachor, another new club member, said the most challenging part of the day was bringing everything together. The kids were in separate groups completing tasks like painting and put ting the framing together, so coordinating and bringing the build together was the ultimate goal.

For Gu, the most difficult part of the experience was “watching paint dry.”

He explained that the students were so excited to build the best playhouse that

they had to “hold in their excitement” and wait for a half-hour before putting on second coats of paint and drilling in the screws.

Daga encourages others to partici pate with Habitat for Humanity because

it is a very “hands-on” way to make a difference.

“You really get to see how you are making a direct impact on your commu nity and people,” Daga said.

When fundraisers and builds come

HHS students present a playhouse to Army veteran Vincllor Lucien. Students participating included Avani Daga, Neil Abraham, Brian Gu, Bharat Mekala, Allison Chen, Alice Potapov, Leo Shimmura, Lindsay Hong, Kavya Jeevanantham, Roma Tewari, Prithvi Venkatesh, Anay Pachori, Sophie Barbosa, Leah Hong and Alyssa Swerdlick.

around, Gu noted, “you can get your hands dirty and see change happen.”

For more information about Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Playhouse Build, visit habitatmwgw.org/programs/ operation-playhouse.

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Navratri celebration

Altaeros Energies expresses interest in relocating to South Street NEWS BRIEFS

Representatives from Altaeros Ener gies presented to the Select Board on Oct. 18 about their company and discussed the possibility of relocating to South Street if it was able to receive support via a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement, special permits and other incentives.

The board approved Town Manager Norman Khumalo to open negotiations with the company.

Altaeros designs and builds aero stats — hot air balloon-style airships that can carry a payload such as a tele com radio. The company’s head office is in Somerville, while its research and development center is in Fremont, New Hampshire.

“We’re the only company to de velop and manufacture autonomous aerostats” that are maneuvered by soft ware and can make adjustments based on factors such as weather, explained Chief Financial Officer Ike Okonkwo Okonkwo indicated an aerostat could be used to supply public WiFi dur ing an event such as the Boston Mara thon or provide backup WiFi in the case of an emergency such as a hurricane. It also is used for military purposes, such as providing information on troop and weapons locations.

The company indicated it would in vest $30 million-$50 million in a former Dell EMC building that has been vacant and create at least 180 jobs over the next five years, with an average annual salary of $165,000.

Altaeros also is looking at sites in Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Brockton and New Hampshire and plans to make a decision by this December, Okonkwo said, noting that Hopkinton’s appeal was its location off Interstate 495 and the availability of a building that could suit its needs.

Altaeros President/Chief Operating Officer Eric Whitman noted that the company already is producing the air ships but is looking to ramp up produc tion at a new facility.

“We’re very excited about the prod uct,” he said. “We can’t wait to get going with it. We want to see them out there.”

School solar agreement moves forward

Hopkinton Public Schools Director of Finance Susan Rothermich pre sented to the Select Board on a power purchase agreement with Solect Energy Development to install rooftop photo voltaic projects at Hopkins School, the middle school and the high school.

The board voted unanimously to authorize the town manager to sign the lease agreement.

The agreement is for 20 years and allows Solect to rent the space on the rooftops at no cost and with no per sonal property tax in exchange for a discounted rate on electricity passed on to the schools. The company will pay real property tax.

Rothermich explained that in the first year of the deal, the town is pro jected to save approximately $33,000 at Hopkins, $48,500 at the middle school and $21,700 at the high school. Over the 20-year term, the town is forecast to save a total of about $2.5 million.

Khumalo explained that with the panels, Hopkinton would pay a maxi

Funded by CTE Loring Barnes

mum of 12 cents a kilowatt, as opposed to 22 cents without. He added that no Town Meeting vote is required.

“This is a substantial savings for the town,” Khumalo said.

Town addresses Main Street concerns

Anyone who has driven on the newly redesigned section of Main Street just east of the Wood Street intersection can see that the area for vehicular traffic is more narrow than it was before this summer’s redesign, with sidewalks on both sides limiting driver’s options. If an emergency vehicle should need to pass, it appears unlikely that space could be cleared.

“[Town Engineer Dave Daltorio] is working with MassDOT [Massachusetts Department of Transportation] repre sentatives and our public safety depart ments to answer the question that has come up from the public: Can our public safety vehicles traverse the corridor with ease?” Khumalo said at the Oct. 11 Select Board meeting. “That’s an issue that we are now looking into, discussing extensively, and we will be reporting to the public about the outcome of the research that has been done.”

Select Board member Mary Jo LaFreniere also noted that the tighter roadway has eliminated the ability for someone — perhaps a delivery driver — to pull over in front of any houses on that section of Main Street. She also expressed concern about how the new design will affect snow clearing.

Khumalo said that while Phase 1 and 2 of the project — which focused on the roadway from West Main Street to the Fire Station and the Route 135/Route 85 intersection — has been completed, work on the sidewalks will continue as weather permits. Additionally, the traffic signals at the 135/85 intersection are in progress and are expected to be completed in the next two weeks.

Work on Phase 3, from the 135/85 intersection to Ash Street, will start after the April 2023 Boston Marathon and remains on target to be completed next fall, according to MassDOT.

On a related note, Khumalo credited Verizon and Eversource for moving quickly to help facilitate the move of local charity Project Just Because to a new location on South Street.

Marathon charity number policy set

The Select Board voted Oct. 11 to make minor updates to the town’s Boston Marathon charity bib distribu tion policy.

The Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the Boston Marathon, is providing the town with 50 numbers that are to be distributed to town depart ments, boards and committees along with nonprofit organizations “under taking public service activities within the Town of Hopkinton” to be used as a fundraiser.

The Select Board is required to define a policy for the distribution of entries each year.

Khumalo said the goal is to estab lish a policy that ensures “transparency, efficiency, accountability and inclusivity — bringing people in to participate as broadly as is allowed by the law.”

The Select Board held a long debate about how best to define the charitable organizations that can apply for a num ber, and the vote to change the language to require organizations to be 501(c)3 charities was not unanimous. Likewise,

the language defining the distribution of numbers “through a random selection” remained after a 3-1 vote, even though the process has not been random — the board has determined where the numbers will go.

Qualified organizations that would like to be included in the selection process, which is scheduled for Nov. 1, must fill out an application (available at the town website) and submit it to the Select Board/Town Manager’s Office by Oct. 26.

Fire Department offers reminder

The Hopkinton Fire Department responded to a fire on the second floor of a home on Elizabeth Road on Oct, 10.

Upon arrival, crews found a heavy smoke condition on the second floor. The fire had been extinguished by the homeowner before crews arrived. Firefighters confirmed that the fire was contained to one room.

Upon further investigation, crews learned that a bed room smoke alarm awoke a sleeping resident and alerted others in the home, which provided them time to exit the residence. The homeowner then ran upstairs with a pail of water and doused the flames, which held the fire to just one room.

There were no injuries as a result of the incident. The home sustained approximately $15,000 in damage, however, the residents were able to remain in the home.

Fire Chief William Miller used the incident as a reminder to residents to ensure they have smoke alarms installed inside every sleeping room in addition to outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

“Smoke alarms proved their immense value in this inci dent by waking up the residents and giving them time to get out of the house,” Miller stated, via a press release. “Sprin klers are another step property owners can take to reduce loss of life and property in fires. [The week of Oct 10 was] National Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s campaign stresses the importance of working smoke detectors and a home escape plan for all families through the theme ‘Fire Will Not Wait, Plan Your Escape.’ ” …

In other HFD news, Miller introduced new firefighter Conor Sayles, who was hired from the Hopedale Fire De partment.

A 2016 graduate of Worcester State College, Sayles started as a call firefighter in Hopedale in 2015 and is a certi fied paramedic.

“I definitely get an enjoyment out of doing what I love, and I love the job I do,” Sayles told the Select Board.

Misc.: West Main Street to get barrier

Khumalo said the town plans to install a barrier down the middle of West Main Street between the two gas stations, where accidents are a regular occurrence. The barrier will prevent drivers leaving the stations from making a left turn across traffic. He indicated Cumberland Farms is not pleased with the decision. …

The town’s latest water test indicated a PFAS reading above the maximum allowed by the state, Khumalo reported. He said the town continues to move forward with the pro posed connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) pipeline via Southborough. The MWRA is waiving the connection fee for towns with PFAS issues, which will save the town about $11.7 million, Khumalo added. …

Khumalo revealed to the Select Board on Oct. 11 a plan to create two full-time town positions. One is for a direct services social worker in Youth and Family Services, while the other would focus on economic development. …

The board voted to approve the senior means-tested tax exemption at the maximum allowed amount of 200 percent. Principal Assessor John Neas said 24 applications have been received by the town, with 20 having been approved this far by the Board of Assessors. …

The board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Reed from the Hopkinton Youth Commission.

By Courtney Cornelius Contributing Writer

Ed Harrow remembers when his mother discovered vines of bittersweet creeping up the exterior walls of their barn. “My father threw a hissy fit; he was constantly tearing it down, before it tore the barn down,” he said with a chuckle. “But I had no appreciation, until recently, of how really destructive these plants are.”

Nonetheless, Harrow — a self-professed “non-plant person” — recognized the invasive flora.

“I’m on the Open Space Preservation Commission, and my wife, Sheryl, and I, we walk around the Lake Whitehall area a lot, and there was one area where we knew there was bittersweet on DCR [Department of Conservation and Recreation] property … but we didn’t see much else.”

One day, for reasons he couldn’t explain, Harrow felt com pelled to take a different route; rather than skirting the perimeter of the Whitehall conservation area, they attempted to cross through the meadow, which once had been the front yard of a house that is no longer on the property.

“It was quite literally impenetrable,” he recalled. “There was the remnant of a path, but it was bittersweet, bittersweet everywhere, making it impassable.”

Harrow got in touch with Sudbury Valley Trustees and learned about the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) Program. Because Lake Whitehall is on the Sudbury River watershed, it was eligible to participate in the program. Harrow received a grant to have a brush hog, which he described as “a lawn mower on steroids!”

After working to resolve conservation restriction issues with the Conservation Commission and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, “We received a bid from J&B in Hopkinton to do the work, which began several years ago in the fall.” Volunteers also have stepped up to help, including the Hopkinton Trails Club and members of HALT (Hopkinton Area Land Trust) as well as Friends of Whitehall, who assist with invasive removal work and care for the property.

It was after getting involved with CISMA and bittersweet that Harrow learned about other species present in the area: glossy buckthorn and a large infestation of barberry behind the Woodville Fire Station. “But,” noted Harrow, “the big one now

that’s everywhere is Japanese knotweed. It is absolutely daunting.”

So what’s not to love about knotweed?

There is debate about whom to credit with — or blame for — introducing knot weed to the United States, but all accounts agree that it was sent to London by 19th century German-British botanist Philipp von Siebold after his visit to Japan. At the time, it was hailed as an ornamental and hardy species.

For those without a green thumb, a plant that can’t be killed sounds like a great thing. But such species can take over an area and destroy other plant life, such as the collec tion of pussy willow that once existed in the meadow. Bittersweet crawls over ground until it finds something to climb. In the case of the meadow around Lake Whitehall, it found trees, three of which now are dead.

“The vines surround the tree and ba sically steal the sunlight from the host’s leaves,” Harrow explained. The tree gets no nutrients and dies. The vine clings to its host until it eventually falls and rots away.

Knotweed can grow as much as 4 inches per day. Its roots can sneak under and break up pavement; its vines will overtake structures, exploiting cracks and weaknesses. In some regions, the pres ence of knotweed can devalue a house by as much as 20 percent. Banks have been known to refuse mortgages where knotweed is present, or require implementation of a professional knotweed management plan.

Knotweed is especially hard to control because it can spread by various means — topically, via seeds; with the rhizomes on its roots, which shoot out and explore horizon tally underground; or by stalk cuttings that take root, which means that attempts to cut them down may serve only to spread them if not followed up with chemicals.

Collectively, invasives have cost the world an estimated $1.3 trillion over the past half-century by ruining agricultural yields, undermining tourism and impacting public health. Here in Hopkinton, this particular in vasive — knotweed — currently threatens to overtake a 40-by-50-foot space in the farthest corner of the meadow from the lake.

The only treatment that has shown promise is chemical, of which Harrow isn’t a fan. “I’m on the Conservation Commission! But sometimes, ya haf’ta go for the big one,” he acquiesced.

The process is to cut the vines to a couple inches above the ground and squirt herbicide directly into the stalks. “It’s extremely target ed,” Harrow assured. “There’s no overspray.” He added that he worked with the Water Department to ensure the chemicals wouldn’t affect the town’s supply. Fortunately, the treatment area is located outside of the well protective area.

Even with such concentrated efforts, the knotweed will return next year. Treatment must be repeated over several years to fully eradicate the problem … and, said Harrow, they’re still finding more: “Every day, you turn around and there’s something else, and in places you didn’t expect.”

Here’s your ‘recession survival’ checklist

afford it, try to continue investing. Coming out of a recession, stock prices tend to bottom out and then rebound, so if you had headed to the investment “sidelines,” you would have missed the opportunity to ben efit from a market rally.

P rofession al i nsights PAID ADVERTISEMENT

It’s unfortunate, but recessions are a fairly normal part of the economic landscape. When a recession occurs, how might you be affected? The answer depends on your individual situation, but regardless of your circumstances, you might want to consider the items in this recession survival checklist:

• Assess your income stability. If your employment remains steady, you may not have to do anything different during a recession. But if you think your income could be threatened or disrupted, you might want to con sider joining the “gig economy” or looking for freelance or consulting opportunities.

• Review your spending. Look for ways to trim your spending, such as canceling subscription services you don’t use, eating out less often, and so on.

• Pay down your debts. Try to reduce your debts, especially those with high interest rates.

• Plan your emergency fund. If you haven’t already built one, try to cre ate an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account.

• Review your protection plan. If your health or life insurance is tied to your work, a change in your employment status could jeopardize this coverage. Review all your options for replac ing these types of protection. Also, look for ways to lower premiums on home or auto insurance, without significantly sacrificing coverage, to free up money that could be used for health/life insurance.

• Keep your long-term goals in mind. Even if you adjust your portfolio during times of volatility, don’t lose sight of your long-term goals. Try ing to “outsmart” the market with short-term strategies can often lead to missteps and missed opportunities.

• Don’t stop investing. If you can

• Revisit your performance expecta tions. During a bear market, you will constantly be reminded of the decline of a particular market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Indus trial Average. But instead of focusing on these short-term numbers, look instead at the long-term performance of your portfolio to determine if you’re still on track toward meeting your goals.

• Assess your risk tolerance. If you find yourself worrying excessively about declines in your investment statements, you may want to reevalu ate your tolerance for risk. One’s risk tolerance can change over time — and it’s important you feel com fortable with the amount of risk you take when investing.

• Keep diversifying. Diversification is always important for investors — by having a mix of stocks, mutual funds and bonds, you can reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. To cite one example: Higher-quality bonds, such as Trea suries, often move in the opposite direction of stocks, so the presence of these bonds in your portfolio, if appropriate for your goals, can be valuable when market conditions are worsening. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification cannot guarantee profits or protect against all losses in a declining market.)

A recession accompanied by a bear market is not pleasant. But by taking the appropriate steps, you can boost your chances of getting through a difficult period and staying on track toward your important financial goals.

If you would like to discuss your personal situation with a financial advisor contact:

Christopher Stevenson Edward Jones Financial Advisor 77 W. Main Street, Hopkinton, MA (774) 991-0781

Christopher.Stevenson@edwardjones.com

Mark Freeman

Edward Jones Financial Advisor 77 W. Main Street, Hopkinton, MA (508) 293-4017

Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com

THE ADVERTISER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS COLUMN

Ciaramicoli pointed out that con struction outside the buffer zone would not be under the commission’s jurisdic tion.

“If the work results in sedimentation into the commission’s jurisdiction, then the commission can take jurisdiction over that work,” Ciaramicoli explained.

“I’m wondering what a cease and desist order does if they’ve already chopped down all of the trees they were allowed to chop down,” BarkerHook said. He feared that the applicant got “bonus trees” removed without a penalty.

Ciaramicoli noted that some trees were saved by stopping the activity near the bank.

She proposed clustering the new trees near the bank to firm it up and strengthen the buffer strip. This would also protect the homeowner from the new trees growing to a point where they could potentially damage the home. She also suggested filing a request for deter mination of applicability (RDA) to be filed by the applicant. The commission members agreed to these terms.

The tree removal company will be sent a letter stating that “the commission prefers to have them have the approval in hand before they do the work,” he added. There must be two trees planted for each wrongfully removed tree.

“I guess a lesson’s learned on this one,” Barnes said. “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission.”

Christopher Stevenson Mark Freeman

With a Wi-FI garage door opener, you’ll always know your little ones are protected.

You can check if the garage door was left open — and close it — right from your smartphone.

State rep candidates charge toward Election Day

about their passion for public service and how their skill sets allow them to approach the job in different ways.

Why are they running?

Barnes said she decided to enter the race late as a Repub lican because she wanted to “give people a choice” other than Arena-DeRosa and his preliminary rival, Connor De gan, Hopkinton’s town clerk.

“Both candidates said they were running on a Democratic Party platform,” she said. “The district is only 25 percent Democrat, so you’re already telling people like me that I don’t matter.”

She added that she is looking to “find balance” in government in a way she experienced in the corporate world.

“I am not a professional politician,” she stressed, noting that Arena-DeRosa previously has run for statewide office. “I think there’s a distinct difference in approach.”

Arena-DeRosa said he was inspired to pursue a career in public service at an early age, particularly because of his mother. His involvement in Holliston’s town government and community ac tivities led to his entering the race.

“I grew up in Walpole in an activist home,” he explained. “We had Freedom Riders, environmentalist meetings and hunger walks. I got exposed to all of that stuff.”

He was trained in community or ganizing by the United Farm Workers union by the son-in-law of activist Cesar Chavez, he explained. He has utilized this knowledge in his roles in local, state and federal government work as well as social justice advocacy.

Career highlights

“I’ve got this wide breadth of expe rience that I think would be invaluable if I were to serve as a state representative,” Arena-DeRosa said as he explained some of the major roles he has held. “I haven’t served in one specific area, but I’ve touched on a lot of them.”

One was as the advocacy director for Oxfam America, building bridges between Congress, the White House and state legislatures. He also served for several years as the New England director for the Peace Corps.

He was asked by the Obama admin istration to be the Northeast Regional Administrator of USDA Food and Nu trition, a $12 billion federal agency that focuses on areas such as food insecurity, education and agricultural issues. This experience allowed him to work with farmers, food processors, environmen talists and small business owners on issues such as water and land use regula tions and disaster relief.

For Barnes, one career highlight was when she was the marketing and communications director for the MBTA for three years between 1992-95. She was responsible for creating the memo rable slogan and campaign, “T … The Alternate Route.” In this role, she also wrote speeches for federal and state offi cials as well as congressional testimony.

“Public relations is not just about

publicity,” Barnes explained. “It’s about bringing organizations and people to gether and creating some bond of com mon understanding.”

This is a philosophy that she said is encapsulated in her main campaign slogan: “It’s about all of us.” She af fectionately referred to her volunteers as “Team Orange Crush,” noting her orange campaign signs.

During Boston’s hosting of the World Cup soccer tournament in 1994, she was able to partner with corporate sponsors to get the logo use rights for her “soccer train” concept and also spearheaded a volunteer multilingual concierge program. This led to Boston’s being considered as an Olympic site, she said.

Local government experience

As a Millis Select Board member, Barnes said the town had been facing the need for several major capital improve ments, including a new police and fire station, a modern library and a school. She advocated for funding those build ings as well as for the change of name to Select Board.

“I made a big difference as a Select Board member,” Barnes said, noting she also started the town’s Economic De velopment Committee and introduced performance-based contracts. “I brought a lot of new ideas to the town.”

Arena-DeRosa also has served in local government as chair of the Hol liston Democratic Town Committee and an elected member of the Holliston Finance Committee. He helped create the MetroWest Democratic Alliance as well. He has coached Little League baseball and has helped with community arts and music events.

“I am sometimes asked if I see myself as a local rep or a state rep,” he said. “But it’s both. If you want to be ef fective, you have to embed yourself and immerse yourself in the local issues of the people you serve and then translate that into a Beacon Hill context.”

Some common ground

One issue on which the candidates agree is the belief that small towns are being overlooked by the Legislature.

“Too many times I look at things and say, “Oh, nobody from a small town was sitting at the table when that was decided,” said Arena-DeRosa. “There’s got to be more consideration on how policies affect smaller communities.”

Barnes lamented that there was no

State

James Arena-DeRosa takes in the Art on the Trail unveiling earlier this month in Hopkinton.

special election to fill the seat when Dykema left, causing a vacuum in rep resentation for the area.

“I am running to be an advocate for small towns,” she said.

Both candidates said an issue that will severely affect their potential con stituents is the MBTA Communities Act, an unfunded state mandate calling for the creation of multifamily housing near transportation hubs. While Barnes attributed part of the decision to “oneparty voting,” Arena-DeRosa called the policy “a rush job by the Baker administration.”

Another issue where the candidates see common ground is that the four towns in the district are becoming in creasingly expensive in which to live.

“I talk to seniors who are worried about getting priced out of their homes because their tax bills are getting too high,” Arena-DeRosa said, also noting the need for affordable housing. He said state budgets should incorporate growth projections to better serve fast-growing communities like the ones he hopes to represent.

“Seniors are the ones who have been paying the taxes and writing the checks for years that benefit the schools and libraries,” Barnes explained. “Why aren’t we doing something for them?”

As a state rep, one initiative she would advocate for is a matching fund for senior services similar to the one the state has for schools and libraries. She’d also like to create a concierge program to help elders navigate the healthcare system. She noted the popularity of the Hopkinton Senior Center and would like to see its concept replicated in other towns.

Water management is another cen tral issue for both candidates.

Arena-DeRosa spoke about the un funded mandate regulating PFAS in the water system, an issue that has been of great concern in Hopkinton because of the elevated PFAS rates detected over the past several months.

“The state puts the regulation into effect in 2020,” Arena-DeRosa ex plained. “But the funding to implement it won’t be available until 2023, ’24 or ’25. It’s up to Hopkinton to decide how to solve the problem, but the state should be able to help them.”

Barnes said that she would have used some of the state tax surplus money slated to be returned to taxpayers for community improvement projects such as Milford’s water treatment facility and similar programs in this district. She said she would bring experts to the table to see if there was a potential for hydroelectric power and water recapture as more roads undergo reconstruction.

Both candidates are proponents of green energy, but each noted that fossil fuels are currently used in sustainable energy production.

Arena-DeRosa called the environ ment “the seminal issue of our time.” He would like to see the state get to net zero by 2050 but added there should be underlying measures put into place to aid the transformation to hydroelectric and solar power that will create highpaying jobs.

While Barnes said she is a propo nent of green energy initiatives, she noted that batteries and wind turbines are created with fossil fuels.

“People just think you can flip a switch and everything is going to be different,” she said. “It’s not going to happen that way. And that’s why I think we have to be transparent.”

Where they disagree

Barnes and Arena-DeRosa have dif ferent perspectives as to where the $2.94 billion state budget surplus money set aside for taxpayers should go.

“I think we have to honor the law the way it was passed,” Arena-DeRosa said. “That part of the surplus should go back to the people in the way it was structured. If we want to change that next time, that’s a different discussion.”

He added that he supports the $2 million exclusion on the estate tax and the sale of businesses.

Barnes disagreed, saying that the money should have been returned to the communities for needed infrastructure projects.

As a small business owner, she called the Fair Share Amendment bal lot question “unnecessary.” “I don’t get anything more for it,” she noted. “Our economy is 99.5 percent small businesses, and I think people really appreciate someone who speaks that language.”

Other races, ballot questions

Among the other races Hopkinton voters will help decide is U.S. represen tative. The town currently is represented by Jake Auchincloss (D-Newton), but after redistricting the town will vote in the second district, where incumbent James McGovern (D-Worcester) is being challenged by Jeffrey SossaPaquette (R-Shrewsbury).

State Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) is running unopposed in her reelection bid.

Statewide races include governor/ lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

There also are four ballot questions facing state residents. Question 1 could create an additional tax on income over $1 million. Question 2 deals with the regulation of dental insurance. Question 3 concerns a proposal to increase the statewide limits on alcoholic licenses. Question 4 addresses the removal of proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license.

Loring Barnes appears at Hopkinton Family Day last month with husband Michael Edmonds (left) and former Hopkinton Republican Town Committee chair Ken Weismantel.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

This report contains important information about your drinking water. Please translate it or speak with someone who understands it or ask the contact listed below for a translation.

Updated information as of October 2022

What happened?

Our water system received notification of PFAS6 results showing that our system violated the 20 ng/L PFAS6 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) drinking water standard during the July through September 2022 compliance period with a quarterly average of 23.6 ng/L at the Fruit St. Pump Station. The quarterly average of PFAS6 has ranged between 18 and 29 ng/L since Quarter 3, 2021 to date and our system will continue to notify consumers every 3 months with updated information as required.

Samples collected in July 2022, August 2022, and September 2022, reported levels of PFAS6 at 22.3 ng/L, 23.5 ng/L and 25.0 ng/L, respectively. Exceedance of the MCL standard has been determined from these results. Compliance with the PFAS6 MCL is calculated as a quarterly average based upon the total number of samples collected during the compliance period. The location where elevated levels of PFAS6 were reported is from one of five facilities (including the Ashland Interconnection) that supplies drinking water to our system. PFAS6 levels were reported below the MCL at our other locations.

What does this Mean?

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Although this is not an emergency, as a consumer of the water, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did and are doing to correct this situation.

On October 2, 2020, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued a new drinking water regulation setting a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (called PFAS6). PFAS6 includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA).

PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain resistant products, and other industrial processes. An MCL is the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a public water system. Some people who drink water containing PFAS6 in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. These PFAS6 may also elevate the risk of certain cancers. For more information on PFAS, see the links below.

What should I do?

For consumers in a sensitive subgroup (pregnant or nursing women, infants, and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system)

• Consumers in a sensitive subgroup are advised not to consume, drink, or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 ng/L.

• Consumers in a sensitive subgroup are advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking of foods that absorb water (like pasta).

• For infant formula, use bottled water or use formula that does not require adding water.

• Bottled water should only be used if it has been tested. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires companies licensed to sell or distribute bottled water or carbonated non-alcoholic beverages to test for PFAS. See https://www.mass.gov/info-details/water-qualitystandards-for-bottled-water-in-massachusetts#list-of-bottlers-

For all other consumers not in a sensitive subgroup

• If you are not in a sensitive subgroup, you may continue to consume the water because 20 ng/L value is applicable to a lifetime consuming the water and shorter duration exposures present less risk.

• If you have specific health concerns regarding your past exposure, you should see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) link below and consult a health professional, such as your doctor.

Steps you can take to reduce your intake - Consider taking the following steps while actions are being implemented to address this issue:

• For older children and adults (not in a sensitive subgroup), the 20 ng/L value is applicable to a lifetime of consuming the water. For these groups, shorter duration exposures present less risk. However, if you are concerned about your exposure while steps are being taken to assess and lower the PFAS6 concentration in the drinking water, use of bottled water will reduce your exposure.

• In most situations, the water can be safely used for washing foods, brushing teeth, bathing, and showering.

Please note: Boiling the water will not destroy PFAS6 and will somewhat increase its level due to evaporation of some of the water.

What is being done?

Our water system has taken the following pro-active measures:

• May 2022 Town Meeting appropriated funds for the design and construction of a PFAS6 filtration system to remove PFAS6 from the Fruit St. Pump Station water to levels below the MCL. That system is being designed and permitted through the DEP.

• Our other sources were sampled, and those sources did not contain PFAS6 above the MCL.

• We will continue to blend water at the Fruit St. Water Treatment Facility to reduce PFAS6 levels at this location.

• We will continue to sample our water sources for PFAS6.

• Our investigation of a connection to the MWRA water supply as a long-term solution is ongoing.

• We offer a bottled water rebate program for people in a sensitive subgroup in the form of a $20 monthly credit off your water bill - you may apply on our DPW website at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoImZWL-TX h4helWCVjnl6LH5vLXfmh3lqWsWyvnR2pnhw5Q/viewform

• When additional information becomes available, this public notice will be updated.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, please contact the Director of Public Works, John Westerling, at 508-497-9740 or jwesterling@hopkintonma.gov, or the Water/ Sewer Manager, Eric Carty, at 508-497-9765 or ericc@hopkintonma.gov, or view our website at: https://www.hopkintonma.gov/departments/department_of_ public_works/pfas.php

Additional information can be found at the weblinks listed below:

• MassDEP Fact Sheet – Questions and Answers for Consumers https:// www.mass.gov/media/1854351

• CDC ATSDR Information on PFAS for consumers and health professionals https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health information about PFAS in Drinking Water - https://www.mass.gov/service-details/per-andpolyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-in-drinking-water

This notice is brought to you by the Town of Hopkinton

Hopkinton Water Department located in Hopkinton, Massachusetts has levels of PFAS6 above the Drinking Water Standard

UCTC gets pushback about feasibility study

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

Tensions rose at the Oct. 20 Upper Charles Trail Committee meeting, as some residents asked that work on the current feasibility study for Segments 5 and 6 of the campus loop trail connector be stopped and the allocated funds be returned to the state.

Resident Amy Groves noted that at the previous night’s Select Board meeting, three individuals spoke during the public forum and requested a stop work order on the preliminary study. She attended the UCTC meeting to add her objections to what has been a contentious debate over the past several months over the proposed route, which would cross busy Hayden Rowe Street (Route 85) multiple times.

Segments 5 and 6 of the campus trail connector would start at the end of the Center Trail on Loop Road, cross over Hayden Rowe Street and run be hind Marathon School and across land where the schools have expressed inter est in constructing a new elementary school.

“Given the circumstances, over whelming concern has been expressed by the School Committee and the public consistently and clearly over a long period of time,” Groves said.

While there would be an element of embarrassment in returning the state funds that were awarded in a MassTrails grant, Groves said, her bigger issue was that the UCTC applied for the funds in the first place despite community ob

— Resident Amy Groves

Moran said the committee has voiced that it can’t provide informa tion to the Select Board without this preliminary study being completed. It will provide information on wetlands, neighborhood feedback and the viability of the route, she said.

Matt Chase, an engineer from VHB, said that there is no commitment to go forward with the study’s recommenda tions. But the process needs to be done to see what is feasible.

jections. She told committee members that she believed that, from now on, any UCTC requests for state funding should go before the Select Board and the town manager for review.

“I would like to see oversight,” Groves stressed. “When this committee goes and speaks for the town request ing money, I want to make sure that the whole town is behind this.”

She also asked that survey data col lected at a UCTC meeting during the spring be published “because it is of the public interest.”

Select Board Member Irfan Nasrul lah, who is the board’s UCTC designee, acknowledged that three people spoke in favor of halting the study during the Select Board meeting.

“They were asking that we not ex pend the funds for Segment 6 until we were fully aware of what the route was going to be and investigate alternative routes,” he clarified, noting that there were concerns about spending engineer ing money on Section 5 as well.

“I was just curious,” UCTC chair Jane Moran said. “Out of 20,000 people, three people showed up.”

She noted that the MassTrails grant already has been allocated for the study of Sections 5 and 6. Five percent of the work has been completed on the Sec tion 5 study.

“I’m not sure that the Select Board wants to interfere with town boards and committees,” Moran continued. She recommended seeking a legal opinion.

The process the committee has fol lowed in the past, she explained, is to apply for state money, which will fund 75 percent of a trail project. The remain der is requested from the Community Preservation Committee and voted on at Town Meeting.

Nasrullah added that the Select Board has neither discussed this nor decided on taking any action at this time. He said the Select Board origi nally directed the UCTC to explore trail options, so it is waiting for that information.

“We have to do something for the next level, and using the funding is that opportunity,” he said.

Member Scott Knous said there seemed to “be a disconnect” because both state and town funds are being used “on a segment that overwhelmingly was objected to.” He also pointed to some confusing language in the agenda that said, “Finish segment 5 — final design, construction.”

Moran said that people are getting “bogged down” on this segment, but the committee “did its due diligence.”

Select Board member Muriel Kram er, speaking as a private citizen, said that the western trail option that was previously discussed “should get the same kind of preliminary engineering work,” considering that both state and town funds are being used.

“We have not ruled that out at all,” Moran said.

Town engineer Dave Daltorio noted that the purpose of the engineering study is to bring a plan back to the committee for review as a springboard for further discussion.

When this committee goes and speaks for the town requesting money, I want to make sure that the whole town is behind this.

Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s win ner is Derek Foster for this photo of Finn emerging from a fall swim in Lake White hall. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and descrip tion of the photo to editor@hopkin tonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

Hopkinton emergency personnel honored

Police and fire personnel from Hop kinton were among those honored recently by the Worcester District At torney’s Office for saving the life of a missing man in July.

The first responders responsible for the coordinated search and rescue were presented with the DA’s Team Excellence and Merit (TEAM) Award on Oct. 13, at a ceremony at the Milford Fire Station.

On July 17, at 8:20 a.m., Hopedale Police requested assistance from Mil ford Police to help locate a 60-year-old missing resident who had not returned home and was believed to be in Milford. He was last seen around 2 p.m. the previous day.

First responders conducted a co ordinated search and rescue, which included Milford, Hopedale and Hop kinton public safety officials, as well as the Fire District 14 Tech Rescue team — which includes firefighting personnel from Wayland, Hopkinton, Southborough, Ashland, Milford, Fram ingham, Natick and Westborough.

dan, Lt. John Krauss, firefighter/para medic Allyson Gaudette, firefighter/ EMT Travis Metcalf, firefighter/EMT Pat Gross and firefighter/paramedic Pat Rahill.

Members of the Hopkinton Police Department who were recognized include Officer Jessica Ferriera, Sgt. Aaron O’Neil, Officer Basit Dennis, dispatcher Kiley Davis and dispatcher Benjamin Campbell.

“I am very proud of all the members of the Hopkinton Fire and Police De partments for being recognized in this way,” Chief Miller said. “They used their knowledge and skills to form a collective effort, which helped save the life of a person in need of help.”

Added Police Chief Joseph Ben nett: “A job well done to all the first responders who made a difference in someone’s life through their heroic efforts. They should all be honored to receive this distinction.”

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.

Around 3:40 p.m., searchers located the man’s Jeep, which was overturned in Walden Woods in Milford. The man was trapped in the vehicle and suffering from injuries, but he was conscious and alert. Rescuers freed him and he was transported to an area hospital.

Members of the Hopkinton Fire De partment who were recognized include Fire Chief William Miller, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Daugherty, Lt. John Sheri

The TEAM Award was created by Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. in 2019 to recognize public safety employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.

“When this call came in, there was one goal, and it was a goal shared across everyone involved; to find this man and get him back home to his family,” District Attorney Early said. “It is only fitting this group of dedicated firstresponders receive the TEAM Award because every aspect of this rescue and response embodied teamwork.”

Cleaning

My House Partners’ trio of agents operates as ‘well-oiled machine’

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

My House Partners, a RE/MAX Executive Realty team, boasts 57 years of real estate experience across its three agents: Chuck Joseph, Mike Auen and Ann Clark. The trio has worked together as an unofficial team for several years, and now they are adopting a more formal approach under the My House Partners name. Thus far, the group has been highly successful and consistently rated as the top real estate team in Hopkinton. “Between the three of us, we all have different strengths and roles to play, and we come together to make a really strong team,” says Clark.

“I love working in a team,” Joseph adds. “I wouldn’t practice real estate any other way today.” Joseph, who has been working in real estate for 38 years, says the process has become far more complex than it was in the past. “There are many more players involved,” he says. “There’s a lot more sophisticated financing and regulations, and for us to provide the level of service that we wish to provide to our clients, we need the three of us functioning as a well-oiled machine.”

Joseph compares the depth of their work to an iceberg. “There’s the piece above the water that the public sees, but they might not have a full picture of what competent real estate agents actually do,” he says. “Under the water, there’s so much work being done that I really don’t know how single practitioners do it alone. You have to be ready to be of service at a moment’s notice.”

The team’s Hopkinton connections run deep, which gives My House Partners an edge in terms of analyzing the market, recommending vendors and nurturing relationships. Clark has lived 26 years in Hopkinton, where she raised two kids and was a public school teacher. Auen, a self-proclaimed townie, was born and raised here. Long before becoming business partners, Auen was a social studies student of Joseph’s when Joseph taught at Hopkinton High School.

The unique qualities of each agent form a solid foundation for My House Partners, Auen explains. “So,

The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonsenior center.com. Anyone with questions can call 508-4979730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

Transportation for seniors

The Senior Center offers transportation to and from the center as well as local shopping Tuesdays through Fridays for Hopkinton residents. Those look ing for transportation for medical appointments or essential shopping should call to learn about transpor tation options.

TED Talks

Monday, Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m.

Attendees — in-person or virtual — will view a short video followed by a group discussion. Call to register.

Our Time Memory Cafe

Thursday, Nov. 3, 1-2 p.m.

This is a welcoming gathering for those experienc ing forgetfulness, having mild cognitive impairment or living with dementia, as well as their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, share experiences and form friendships. This is a

Chuck — everybody knows Chuck in town — he has the relationships, the network. Then there’s Ann, she’s the calming influence during a potentially challenging process,” he adds. “And me, I’m the spreadsheet, getit-done guy. I keep everybody on task and make sure things don’t fall through the cracks.”

Adds Clark, “Sometimes we come to a house and Chuck will say, ‘I’ve sold this house five times.’ ”

“It’s true,” Joseph says with a laugh. “I’m now selling homes to the children of my former clients.”

Commenting on the state of the current real estate market, Joseph notes that there is a housing shortage “from [Interstate] 495 to the Atlantic Ocean,” and he doesn’t anticipate prices dropping next year. “This is a housing crisis, a supply-demand crisis. We need to build higher density in the suburbs because boomers are healthier and staying in their homes longer, and millennials are ready to buy houses but there aren’t enough,” he explains.

“There’s a tremendous argument to be made to empty nesters to sell and then rent, but as children of World War II parents, they were told to never rent,” Joseph adds. “So, I don’t think demand is going to go down, and therefore we won’t see the bottom fall out of the market, but we might see a level of slight decline.”

To schedule a free consultation with My House Partners, call Chuck Joseph at 508-509-6169, Mike Auen at 508-951-4951 or Ann Clark at 508-439-2728.

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

joint venture between the Hopkinton Senior Center and Hopkinton Public Library. For more information or to register, call 508-497-9730 or email info@our timememorycafe.org.

Planning for Medicare — Countdown to 65

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.

This presentation and discussion will be led by a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representa tive. It is designed for those approaching Medicare eligibility. Among the topics to be covered is health insurance information outside of employer sponsored coverage, such as an explanation of Medicare, enroll ment timeline, plans and programs available to early retirees, and COBRA. This is a great presentation for seniors and soon-to-be seniors in the community who may be working and looking to transition. Preregistration is requested for this program.

Friends of the Senior Center annual holiday sale

Friday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon

Anyone looking to get a jump on their holiday shopping can stop by the Senior Center and check out silent auction items, handmade goods and much more. Proceeds from this event go to the Friends of Hopkinton Seniors, which helps support nutrition, transportation and other programming needs for the Senior Center.

Chuck Joseph, Ann Clark and Mike Auen make up the My House Partners team.

PHOTO/BARBARA

CARROLL

ScHoolS

Scott semifinalist for state Teacher of the Year

Hopkinton High School’s Doug Scott was named one of 12 semifi nalists for 2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. The award eventually went to Danielle Char bonneau of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

SCHOOLS NOTEBOOK

Scott won a Presi dential Award for Excellence in Mathe matics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) in 2020. As a result of that award, the Department of Elementary and Second ary Education invited him into the Mas sachusetts Teacher of the Year process for 2023, he explained.

“This recognition reaffirms the strong work that students engage in within my classroom,” Scott shared. “As a teacher, you do your best to make in telligent decisions that will benefit all of your students, so it is nice to see that the work that you have done as a teacher is making a difference and is appreciated.”

Scott describes his teaching style as “a facilitator of learning.”

“I provide students with the oppor tunities to explore new processes and applied technical skills,” he shared. “I consider myself a coach.”

Scott indicated there are many people who have influenced him, includ ing some in Hopkinton. He stated that when he was teaching in Natick, he was especially affected by three individuals.

“Dan O’Leary taught me many tech nical skills, Dr. Richard Cotter taught me about classroom management and Dr. Leigh Estabrooks of Lemelson-MIT taught me how to connect my classroom to the outside world,” he stated. “You

HHS students Merit semifinalists

never stop learning, and every time I turn around I find some thing I am unsure of that I have to figure out in order for a student to become suc cessful. The key is to say, ‘I don’t know … yet.’ ”

Hopkinton High School seniors Neil Abraham, Eli Calcagni, Albert Chen , Margaret Joyce and Jeffrey Wang recently were named as semi finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among 16,000 semifinalists nationwide vying for some 7,250 National Merit Scholar ships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered in the spring. …

Hopkinton’s Aidan Wech, a junior computer science major at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled “LEI IQP E22.” At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to address an important societal need or issue.

On the run

Doug Scott

Tim Paradiso (left) and Mia Faletra break into stride at the start of the 23rd annual Michael’s Run next to the Town Common on Oct. 15.

PHOTO/BARBARA CARROLL

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

The bulk of the Oct. 13 School Committee meeting was devoted to looking at a potential fiscal year 2024 capital plan and needs for the long-term over 10 years as well.

Director of Finance Susan Ro thermich outlined the following items and their proposed costs as follows: replacement of maintenance vehicle, $70,000; technology upgrades to re place wireless access points and keep up with systems and security, $75,000; HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) point-to-point testing, $98,520; HVAC additional funding, $300,000; HVAC VAV (variable air volume) replacement and controls, $157,739; and Marathon School play ground, $1 million.

Also included are: HVAC districtwide, $1.2 million; loop road paving and sidewalk repair, $1.5 million; high school track and Field 3, $5.8 million; and Hopkins School addition, $21 million.

Lengthy discussions took place regarding potential options for work on 10 different fields with a goal of increasing access and equity. A grant application with the Community Pres ervation Committee could result in $4.8 million of the $5.8 million Field 3 work covered, if approved, Rother mich said.

The board also heard statistics on energy usage at the various buildings and the need to continue audits and testing the systems’ functionality.

The goal is to decrease energy usage to the 20-30 range. Currently, some buildings are running in the 6070 range, which Director of Buildings and Grounds Timothy Persson called “off the charts.”

The data and analysis in this area is helpful when qualifying for Green Communities grants, Rothermich said.

School Committee member Lya Batlle-Rafferty noted the importance of providing a comfortable environ ment for students. “It’s not just about money,” she said. “If it is too hot or cold, it affects the students’ ability to be comfortable and learn well in that environment.”

Persson noted Field 3 rose to the top of immediate projects because it is the catalyst to getting other things done, and the current track is at the “end of life.”

“Whatever way we go, we have to do something with the track in the very near future,” he said.

Persson added the track is starting to cave in “and that’s going to be the reality quickly.”

The board will revisit the capital list at its next meeting. Vice Chair Amanda Fargiano suggested that the members “open an opportunity for dialogue” with the public, given the projected costs for the items.

Summer enrichment programs reviewed

The board also heard a presenta tion about three summer enrichment programs. Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey LaBroad noted that when he started working in July, he was im pressed that his introduction involved these programs.

“I saw really great work happen ing,” LaBroad said.

— Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey LaBroad, on summer enrichment programs

Overall, he outlined that 158 el ementary and 72 secondary students participated, with 27 teachers and 16 high school interns involved. There were 8,505 hours of instructed pro gramming offered.

The Focus program (fun oppor tunities to connect, understand and succeed) was described by Deb Mo riarty, who served as its director. She explained that students entering grades 1-6 had 15 sessions over four weeks from July 11-Aug. 3 for about three hours, three times per week.

The program offered academics — two blocks of literacy and math — as well as recreational time. Moriarty noted an important component was stu dents making connections with peers. She also spoke about the strong bonds formed between the high school interns

and children and the partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department.

Finally, she shared a quote from a young participant relayed by a parent. In part, it said, “I don’t know how they do it, but the teachers really make learning fun.”

Jen Cuker directed the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Lan guages) Summer Academy from Aug. 1-11 in eight sessions over two weeks. She said some of the pluses of the academy included re-engaging the students with English before return ing to school and culminating projects that used language in math. Examples included kids creating a pizza restau rant, ice cream truck, zoo, water park and more.

Kids entering grades 7-12 attended the Summer Tutoring Program that enabled them to recover credits, make academic progress and enhance social development, according to Jordan Lavender, the director.

He noted that following a couple of years of pandemic-related “disjointed education … having that time to learn is always a good thing.” The academy ran three days a week from 8:30-10:45 a.m., with 15 sessions over five weeks from July 11-Aug. 11.

Like the other directors, he agreed that consistent attendance was a chal lenge. Because the program is grantfunded and free, some parents didn’t realize that students are expected to attend every day like during the school year.

Lavender said he would like to

increase the social emotional learning (SEL) aspects as well as the language and math offerings.

Committee member Holly Morand said her child “loved every single sec ond,” of the Focus program and thrived in the following grade as a result.

LaBroad said there is a grant ap plication pending to fund the programs again. In answer to a question, he said the district would pursue other grant funding if the application is not ap proved.

“It’s had a pretty powerful im pact,” LaBroad said, and is therefore prioritized.

Travel requests, stipends approved

In other business, the committee approved stipends of $2,500 each for a supervisor for the Work Study Program and to help oversee senior projects. Last year, more than 200 students did senior projects with only one supervi sor. This year there will be two, and eight teachers also will help.

The board also approved requests for the Business Professionals of America to attend the state leadership conference on March 3-4 in Norwood. A request for that group to attend the national leadership event in Anaheim, California, next spring also passed.

Additionally, the committee ap proved requests for the middle and high school robotics teams to attend the VEX Worlds event from April 2528 in Dallas.

I saw really great work happening.

Sale

hillers thrillers

Through 13 games, Perlov was the Hillers’ leading scorer with 17 goals, including four hat tricks, helping the team to an impressive record of 7-2-4. “Camille is a workhorse who raises the bar for everyone else around her,” coach Allison Valencia said. “Her love for the game and competitive nature is obvious every time she steps on the field in games, practice and the offseason.”

The team’s senior captain, Morse has played as the team’s No. 1 golfer all season. He recorded an average of 38.29 strokes over nine holes, ranking him ninth in the Tri-Valley League. “He is a great leader for the team,” coach Bill Phaneuf said, highlighting Morse for being “incredibly consistent all year.” Morse led the Hillers to an undefeated regular season (14-0).

Check HopkintonIndependent.com for more about these amazing athletes

Recupero to play soccer at Duke

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Strong academics, big-time athletics, and a top-notch soccer conference was enough to draw Sophia Recupero to Duke University for the fall of 2024, a school she said felt like the perfect fit.

“I am super grateful for this op portunity,” the Hopkinton resident said. “The academics and the athletics are both huge at Duke, and the coaching staff is amazing. I loved Robbie Church, their head coach, and the rest of the other coaches. When it came down to it, Duke checked all of my boxes, and that was really important to me.”

Recupero, 16, is a junior at Buck ingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge and a standout forward at both the prep school and club soccer level. She said she enjoys being chal lenged, so the chance to take on the top competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference was too good to pass up.

“The ACC was really important to me because it’s probably the most com petitive conference in women’s soccer at the moment and it’s important for me to be challenged,” she said. “I really think the ACC is the best conference, and it shows.”

Recupero comes from a sportsloving family. Her mother, Stephanie, played soccer at George Mason when that school was a national champion

Sophia Recupero will leave Hopkinton to start her college soccer career at Duke in 2024.

ship-caliber program. Her dad, Bill, played college hockey at Bowdoin. During the pandemic, Recupero said she and her siblings, Madison and Wil liam, passed the time by practicing and competing in athletic events against one another.

HHS Athlete Spotlight

Athletes are selected after consultation with HHS coaches.

Drew Morse Golf Senior

Camille Perlov Field hockey Junior

PHOTO/DUKE

ATHLETICS

PHOTOS/JOHN

CARDILLO

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

The Hopkinton High School girls volleyball team and its new coach came into the 2022 season with the burden of following up a championship campaign and a legendary longtime steward of the program.

Despite the unenviable circum stances, this year’s team has been able to overcome relative inexperi ence and put itself on track for the postseason and a true title defense.

“We are not last year’s team, and I don’t want to be last year’s team,” new coach Emma Sweet apple said. “It’s been nice seeing them come into their own and step into those positions now that last year’s seniors have graduated.”

With eight seniors gone from a team that captured the Division 2 state championship, players who are either new to the varsity level or who did not have as much of a chance to shine last year have taken the spotlight.

“They have made this team their own and put their own mark on it,” Sweetapple said. “It has been great to see.”

The expectations have not been any lower this fall, with Sweetapple saying she expects the team to not only get to the tournament but to make some noise once the Hillers are there.

“I always tell them, ‘We are competitors,’ ” she said. “We should not leave anything on the table.”

Defense has been a strength for the Hillers this fall, particularly the back row anchored by junior libero Abby Hebert, junior Siena Verna and sopho more Olivia Carrazza.

Up front, senior captains Annabelle Senseney and Emily Graeber are holding down the outside hitting positions. Sophomore Elsa Woodbury also has been a strong addition to the varsity floor.

“She has been doing a great job,” Sweetapple said. “Especially for someone coming in as a sophomore.”

With five sophomores on the team in total, additional pressure has been put on the captains, Senseney, Graeber and Abbie Hardenbrook, to lead the way. All three seniors stepped up to the chal lenge, their coach said.

“They definitely had to take on a big leadership role with it being such a young team, and they have done a great job,” Sweetapple said. “They have done

well in some of our toughest matches to keep the team positive and playing hard.”

Sweetapple said she expected the start of the year to be rocky at times with such a young team.

“We were doing a little bit of rebuilding this year, but the last couple of weeks the girls have shown their persistence and perseverance,” she said, noting that the Hillers have pushed top foes to five sets and won more than they have lost in both the Tri-Valley League and the overall schedule.

The rookie head coach and Hopkinton High graduate has also had to navigate those challenges after spending the past seven years leading the junior varsity program under Margie Grabmeier, who retired in fine fashion after last year’s 25-0 record and state title.

“It’s definitely been a challenge for me, step ping into the shoes Margie filled for 20 years,” Sweetapple said. “She is someone I have looked up to. But I’ve worked with her for the past seven years and I played for her when I went to Hopkin ton, so it definitely helped seeing her manage this program. She helped set me up for this position.”

Recupero to play soccer at Duke

“I give all the credit to my family,” she said. “They are the ones who pushed me the most and it’s helped me. My parents have been the ones taking me to these college tournaments and giving me the help I need to get to this level, they are my biggest supporters.”

Recupero still has 1 1/2 years before she of ficially becomes a Blue Devil, and she said she plans to use the time to get her game ready for the highest collegiate level.

“College athletes are in the gym all the time and doing the extra work,” she said. “I have to get to the gym and build my strength and put the extra work in developing my skills.”

While she hopes to be able to contribute to the Duke attack from the outset of her college career, she added, “College soccer is really challenging, and nothing is promised to you.”

Recupero’s academic path is not yet clear, but she said she may look to the business school. She said she was impressed by the campus in Durham, North Carolina, and the pleasant southern weather. Recupero added that the coaching staff also talked up the southern cooking.

— Sophia Recupero

“I think it’ll be a really great experience,” she said.

When it comes to Duke athletics, men’s bas ketball is the biggest draw, with students packed into Cameron Indoor Stadium to see the perennial title contenders. Recupero said she looks forward to camping out for tickets to big ACC matchups during the basketball season.

“It’s tough to get tickets, but having great sports teams is so nice for the school’s culture,” she said. “It brings the whole environment up. It’s a school that is like a family.”

Emily Graeber (left) fires the ball over the net during a recent match.

PHOTO/CHRISTINE

STRICKLAND

PHOTOGRAPHY

I am super grateful for this opportunity. The academics and the athletics are both huge at Duke, and the coaching staff is amazing.

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.

Books in Bloom

The Hopkinton Garden Club pres ents Books in Bloom at the library from Oct. 24-29 during regular library hours. Attendees can enjoy the artful arrangements created by Garden Club members reflecting the covers of the books selected by the staff related to the theme “Home and Belonging.” This program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hopkinton Public Library.

Book donations sought for sale

Friends of the Library is collecting donated books for its next book sale. Visit hopkintonlibraryfriends.org for in formation on donating. Due to restricted space for storage and the need for books that will sell, individuals are asked to donate only recent or special books that are in excellent condition.

Global Diversity Film Festival Series: ‘Billu’

Saturday, Oct. 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Billu mentions to his family that he was once a friend of superstar Sa hir Khan. When Sahir Khan happens to come to the village to shoot a film, Billu’s children spread the rumor that their father is his childhood friend. The villagers shower Billu with gifts and promises on condition that Billu make contact for them. Billu is embarrassed by his poverty but he’s forced to make several ill-fated attempts at contacting the star while he’s shooting just outside the village. Were Billu and Sahir really childhood friends? Will Sahir meet with the villagers?

Trick or treating at the library

Monday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Those who wear a costume will get a treat at the service desks throughout the library from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Kids also can get their picture taken with

a special princess who will visit from 5-7 p.m.

Loons of Whitehall

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Loons are a quintessential New England bird and are easily recognized by their coloring and their distinctive call. Andrew Vitz will lead a presenta tion about these birds, including the his tory of loons in Massachusetts, threats to the species and current conservation efforts.

This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of Whitehall. All ages are welcome.

Welcome to the Graveyard with the Graveyard Girls

Saturday, Nov. 5, 1-2:30 p.m.

“Welcome to The Graveyard” takes attendees from colonial burial grounds through the rural cemetery movement of the 19th century and into 21st-century locations. The Gravestone Girls will tailor the program to Hopkinton’s graveyards. This program is intended for high school-age teens and adults due to references to death and dying.

Adult Craft Night: Miniautumn wreath (Ages 16+)

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6-7 p.m.

During this night of adult crafts, participants will make mini-wreaths with maple leaves, acorns and pine cones. It’s like a normal wreath, just smaller. Hot glue guns may be used. Registration is required. Friends of the Library is providing support for this program.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1-6 p.m.

Register on the Red Cross website at rcblood.org/3AmuYsP

508497-9777

CALENDAR

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

HCA’s Wicked Weekend Oct. 29-30

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will host its annual Wicked Weekend on Oct. 29-30. The expanded list of events includes a free scavenger hunt, a Trunk or Treat drive-through event (in collaboration with the Hopkinton Community Partnership), a Monster Mash (games, snacks, dancing, etc.) for families with young children, Haunted Trail spooky walks for teens/adults and the Wicked 5K road race, along with the Wee Wicked Dash for youngsters. For details, visit hopartscenter.org.

Loons at Lake Whitehall presentation Nov. 1

Andrew Vitz, state ornithologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, will present “The History and Conservation of the Common Loon in Massachusetts” on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hopkinton Public Library. The focus will be on the nesting loons that arrived at Lake Whiteball in 2019, including photos by local residents who participated in the loons’ banding last year. This program, co-sponsored by Friends of Whitehall and the Hopkinton Public Library is free and open to all ages. No advance registration is necessary. For more information, visit friendsofwhitehall.org.

Blue Christmas small group experience Nov. 28-Dec. 12

Individuals longing for hope, connection and peace in the middle of loss, chaos and confusion, and/or wrestling with chronic pain, broken relationships, shattered dreams, fragile faith or unexpected loses are invited to Faith Community Church to attend a four-week quest for encouragement, hope and strength. These sessions, facilitated by Dr. Vinnie Cappetta, will be held on three Mondays from 7-9 p.m. during the 2022 Advent season: Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. For more information — including the required registration — visit faithma.org/event/advent-grief-group.

Veterans Breakfast first Friday of each month

The Veterans Breakfast is held on the first Friday of every month from 9-10 a.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center. In July, and if the first Friday of the month is a holiday or snow day, the breakfast switches to the second Friday. No registration is required. For more information, contact Amy Beck at the Senior Center, 508497-9730.

Trails organizations seek monthly volunteers

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

Al-Anon weekly meetings Thursdays

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

Event Calendar Sponsored by HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Wicked Weekend HCA has a spook-tacular line-up for our sixth annual Wicked Weekend Scavenger Hunt

October 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Two hunts available: Youth and teens/ adults. Winners will be announced at the Monster Mash family event.

1. Austin brings the family dog, Sophie, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. A neighbor dressed as Scooby-Doo scares Sophie, and Sophie bites the neighbor, causing serious injury. Would Austin’s homeowner insurance cover the injuries even though Sophie was away from the property?

2. Bryan sets up a tent to promote his business at the Hopkinton football game and throws passes to prospective customers. An individual trips on Bryan’s tent and twists their ankle. Would Bryan’s business liability insurance cover the injury since it occurred away from the business property?

3. Jen brings her new car to Sarah’s house for trick-ortreating. Jen lets Sarah drive the new car around the neighborhood for fun. Sarah has an accident with the car. Whose insurance would pay for the claim — Jen the owner or Sarah the driver?

Trunk or Treat / Monster Mash Family Event

October 29 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Stroll through the Hopkinton High School parking lot to see awesome decorated trunks and collect candy. $20 per family (pay at event). Then stop over to HCA for a FREE family event with music, food, games, and prizes. Please register so we know how many ghosts and goblins will attend—costumes encouraged! The Monster Mash event is sponsored by Under Pressure Power Washing, Inc.

Wicked Weekend activities that require registration, go to: www.HopArtsCenter.org

Haunted Trail

October 29 & 30 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. The creative minds at the HCA have put together a very scary Halloween experience for those who love to be scared! Recommended for ages 12 and up. $20.00 per person.

Wicked 5K & Wee-Wicked Dash

October 30—Race starts at 10:00 a.m. Named a “Top Twenty Halloween Fun Run in New England” by Boston Magazine.

Thank you to our Wicked Weekend Presenting Sponsor:

Concert: Through the Doors with special guest band Piece of My Pearl November 5 | 8:00 p.m.

Two amazing cover bands — one incredible musical experience. Through the Doors is a multimedia tribute to Jim Morrison and The Doors and has been touring since 1980. Piece of My Pearl featuring Kate Russo is a powerhouse Janis Joplin tribute band. Tickets on sale now!

Your Arts Center | Tickets & Details at HopArtsCenter.org

obituarieS

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

Sara Deeb

Sara E. Deeb, 81, formerly of Framing ham and Hopkinton, passed away peace fully in White Plains, Maryland, on Sept. 9. Sara was preceded in death by her hus band, Carl A. Deeb, parents William J. Bates and Mildred E. (Carlstrom) Bates, stepmother Rita Da vis, brother William Bates, and grandson Caleb Burge.

Prior to retiring, Sara was a longtime pediatric registered nurse for children who required criti cal care. She also volunteered as a nurse with the Peace Corps in Malaysia. In her spare time, Sara loved to crochet, do gardening and read. But most of all, she loved to spend time with her family.

Sara is survived by son John Deeb and wife Shari, daughter Anne McKissick and husband Eric, son David Deeb and wife Melissa, daughter Mary Deeb, daughter Nancy Chaves and husband Christian, daughter Beth Riggs and husband Far ron, daughter Susan Burge and husband Brent, grandchildren Ashley Deeb, Alanna Deeb, Edward Gillison Jr., Ciara White and wife Tiana, Sara McKissick, Cajetan Deeb, Justin Deeb, Sophia Deeb, Grayson Deeb, John-Paul Deeb, Catalina Chaves, Sebastian Chaves, Baylor Burge, Max Riggs and Emma Burge, great-grandchildren Sa’Mari McGinnie and Cheyanne Deeb, and sib lings Kenneth Bates, Joseph Davis, Judith Vohden and John Davis. She also is survived by many other relatives and friends.

Sara’s funeral arrangements are under the di rection of the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 North Main Street, Fall River. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, Nov. 12, in St. Michael’s Church at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home will take place on Friday, Nov. 11, from 6-8 p.m.

Irene Timlege

Irene (Terry) Timlege, 91, a life long Hopkinton resi dent, passed away peacefully on Oct. 6 following a period of declining health.

She was born on Christmas Day in 1930, as the daugh ter of the late John and Lucy (Pomeroy) Terry. After graduat ing from Hopkinton High School, she furthered her education by earn ing an undergraduate degree in foods and nutrition from Regis College in Weston, and a master’s in education from Framingham State College.

Irene dedicated her entire professional life to empowering patients and clients as a dietician and nutrition specialist. Nutrition was her passion. She spent the majority of her career at Saint Vin cent Hospital in Worcester and Clinton Hospital, along with founding a private practice, Nutrition Consult, which she operated out of her Hopkinton home. She remained steadfast in her commitment to encourage health and well-being through coach ing techniques, integrating resources, and counsel

ing skills. Irene previously chaired Living Bread, a world hunger action group supporting develop ment projects in Haiti. Her incredible work ethic never wavered, as she fully retired in her late 80s.

Irene held strong values throughout her life, which included remaining active, positive, loyal and fiercely independent. She enjoyed several biking trips and took great pride in tending to her property. She was a fabulous cook and would gladly host countless holidays and family gettogethers over the years. An animal lover, she cherished all of the canine and horse companions who graced her life. Above all, she took great delight in her family, always supporting them in their endeavors.

She leaves behind her children, Kathleen Arena and partner James Basnett of Littleton, Beth Timlege of Monterey and partner Michael McBride, and Kimberly Timlege of Brattleboro, Vermont, as well as four grandchildren, John Arena III and wife Haili of Concord, Emily Arena of Littleton, and Connor Timlege and Caitlyn Timlege, both of Webster. She was the mother of the late Brian Timlege, who died in January 2022, and sister to the late John “Bud” Terry and Mary “Mimi” Terry.

Irene was to be laid to rest during a private burial service at St. John’s Cemetery in Hopkinton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Solstice Farm, P.O. Box 731, Monterey, MA 01245.

Arrangements were under the care of her grandson, funeral director John Arena III of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.

Deborah Cote

Deborah J. Cote, 65, of Hopkinton passed away unex pectedly at her home on Oct. 2. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of Dorothy (Bancroft) Murphy of Hopkin ton.

Deborah loved to crochet blankets for children and enjoyed playing bingo.

Besides her mother, Deborah is survived by her brother, Joe Taft of Marlborough, and her nephew, Eric Taft and wife Elaine of Marlborough.

A graveside service was held Oct. 21 at Dell Park Cemetery in Natick. In lieu of flowers, dona tions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Chil dren, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or donate.lovetotherescue.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

Benton Cassie

Benton Cassie, 39, died suddenly on Oct. 3 at his home in Hopkinton. Born in El Salvador, he was the son of Law rence Cassie and the late Sandra (Wood) Cassie.

Benton was a 2002 gradu ate of Hopkinton High School and a 2011 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in civil engineering. He worked for Sira Naturals in Milford.

In addition to his father, Benton is survived by his stepmother, Nina Cassie of Sarasota, Florida.

Private funeral arrangements have been en trusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home.

57 Hayden Rowe Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-6444

854 Washington Street Holliston, MA 01746 508-429-2391

Pre-need Arrangements Family Owned • Cremation Services Handicap Accessible • On-property Parking

www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com

Keefe M. Chesmore

Less Wait Time, More Face Time.

can see you first at Northeast Dermatology Associates!

PLOW CONTRACTORS

NEEDED

The Town of Hopkinton seeks qualified plow contractors, driving their own equipment, to become part of its team this winter. The qualified contractor shall have experience plowing, a good driving record, and reliable equipment.

The Town pays a very competitive rate that is higher than most other agencies.

Please contact the Highway Department at 508-497-9768 for details.

police log

ARRESTS

October 9

12:24 a.m. Officer Brennan Grimley and Sergeant Arthur Schofield conducted a motor ve hicle stop on West Main Street, and after administering field sobriety tests, they arrested a 19-year-old Woodview Way resident and charged him with marked lanes violation, speeding in violation of special regulation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and OUI liquor.

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

October 4

2:37 a.m. A caller reported her son missing. Officer Tyler Staback assisted and took a report.

7:31 a.m. A caller complained of a white truck obstructing morn ing school bus pickup on Hidden Brick Road. Officer Tyler Staback responded. The truck was gone upon his arrival.

11:30 a.m. Officer Tyler Staback checked on middle school property on Hayden Rowe Street and found one door open. School staff was advised.

12:59 p.m. The Westborough Po lice Department reported an erratic operator on Wood Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Sean McKeon responded and checked the area with a negative find.

October 5

3:16 a.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Tyler Staback responded to a motor vehicle accident on Chestnut Street. No personal inju ries were reported.

7:44 a.m. A caller reported a tree limb in the roadway of Wood Street. The DPW was notified.

12:41 p.m. Officer Tyler Staback assisted the Fire Department with a diesel fuel spill on West Main Street.

12:42 p.m. A Greystone Lane resident reported someone smashed her mailbox. Officer Matthew Santoro responded, viewed the vandalism and took a report.

6:28 p.m. A walk-in reported her car was struck while parked in a handicap spot in a West Main Street parking lot. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and took a report.

9:45 p.m. A Revolutionary Way caller reported two dogs in a truck for an extended period of time. Of ficer Matthew LaTour responded. The owner took the dogs inside.

October 6

7:03 a.m. Sergeant Timothy Bren nan and Officer Shannon Beloin re sponded to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street. One vehicle was towed. No personal injuries were reported.

2:09 p.m. A caller reported find ing a yellow Lab with no tags on Clinton Street. She attempted to put the dog into her car and take it to the

HopkintonIndependent.com

Baypath Humane Society but was unable. The animal control officer was notified.

2:46 p.m. A caller reported it ap peared that someone was breaking into a Lakeshore Drive residence.

Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Of ficers Tyler Staback and Shannon Beloin responded. After investigating, they found that the juveniles lived at the residence.

6:36 p.m. A caller reported a deer in the middle of the roadway of Cedar Street. Officers Basit Dennis and Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

8:53 p.m. Officer Matthew La Tour checked on a motor vehicle on Wood Street and advised the owner to remove it from the road.

9:42 p.m. Officer Matthew La Tour assisted the Milford Police Department in searching for a miss ing juvenile on South Street with a negative find.

October 7

1:18 p.m. A Pine Island Road resident reported a landscaping crew blowing leaves into his driveway and onto the lake. Officer Sean McKeon took a report of the civil dispute.

2:15 p.m. A walk-in reported a catalytic converter was stolen over night on Elm Street. Officer Sean McKeon took a report.

5:19 p.m. A caller reported a cat was stuck in a tree on Spring Street. Officer Basit Dennis responded and assisted.

10:23 p.m. A caller reported she lost her keys at the high school foot ball game and wanted it logged.

October 8

12:35 a.m. Officer Brennan Grim ley checked on a person walking on Main Street and subsequently provided her a courtesy transport to Framingham.

11:01 a.m. Officer Sean McKeon responded to a minor motor vehicle accident on Chestnut Street and took a report.

12:12 p.m. A caller reported an erratic driver on Angels Way. Of ficer Shannon Beloin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

2:33 p.m. Officer Shannon Beloin responded to a motor vehicle accident on School Street. No personal injuries were reported. A written warning was issued to a driver.

5:41 p.m. A caller reported a cat up in a tree on Spring Street. The animal control officer was contacted.

6:13 p.m. An Ashland resident re ported her German shorthaired pointer ran off on East Main Street. The ani mal control officer was notified.

7:12 p.m. A caller reported youths possibly playing ding-dong-ditch on B Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded and checked the area with a negative find.

10:53 p.m. Officer Brennan Grim ley assisted a disabled motor vehicle on West Main Street, and it returned to the road.

October 9

7:14 a.m. A caller reported a de ceased deer in the roadway of Hayden Rowe Street. Sergeant Timothy Bren nan responded and left a message for

the animal control officer.

8:30 a.m. A caller reported political signs posted on public property on Ash Street in viola tion of town bylaw. Sergeant Timothy Brennan responded and contacted the town clerk.

8:31 a.m. A motorist at the Dunkin’ on South Street reported a male motorist followed him from Milford, exited his car, kicked the caller’s motor vehicle and drove back toward Milford. The caller was advised to stop following the man back to Milford and meet an officer back at Dunkin.’ Officer Sean McKeon took a report of road rage.

11:00 a.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan found a dead tree on top of wires on Teresa Road and notified Verizon. A Verizon representative stated the company would not respond unless the tree was damaging its equipment. Sergeant Brennan left a message for the DPW.

11:01 a.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan re sponded for a person check on Teresa Road, where a Milford resident was found several times in the past. The person was not at the residence.

12:42 p.m. A caller reported a lost dog with no collar near the urgent care on Lumber Street. The animal control officer was contacted.

3:38 p.m. Office Cody Normandin responded along with the Fire Department to a report of the inside odor of natural gas on Woodview Way.

6:37 p.m. A walk-in brought in a dog found earlier. A Baypath employee picked up the dog and brought it to the shelter. The owner later called looking for the dog and was referred to Baypath.

9:59 p.m. A Westcott Drive resident reported someone showed up at his front door and then went to the back of the house. Sergeants Aaron O’Neil and Arthur Schofield responded and checked the residence and surroundings with a negative find.

October 10

7:13 a.m. A Hidden Brick Road resident re ported hearing a shotgun behind her residence. The caller was advised that hunting season has begun and that hunters have to be just 500 feet from a residence. Officers Tyler Staback and Sean McKeon responded and checked the area and reported the hunters might be in Holliston. The Holliston Police Department was notified.

7:14 a.m. Officer Sean McKeon spoke with a caller who complained of speeding on Frank land Road, responded to the area and observed no infractions.

8:07 a.m. A Woodview Way caller reported someone opened a post office box in her name. Officer Sean McKeon responded and took a report of fraud.

10:30 a.m. A caller reported a road hazard on Chamberlain Street. Officer Sean McKeon responded and found a piece of cable in the asphalt and was unable to remove it. The DPW was notified.

3:50 p.m. A caller reported his cell phone was stolen. Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

October 11

12:37 a.m. The Holliston Police Department requested assistance with a fight involving two males and one female on Washington Street. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded.

2:32 p.m. A caller reported an erratic op erator on Hayden Rowe Street. Officers Shan non Beloin and Tyler Staback responded and searched the area with a negative find.

6:18 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour respond ed along with the Fire Department to an alarm activation on West Main Street. It was deter mined that construction dust set it off.

October 12

8:37 a.m. A caller reported a school bus was side-swiped by a truck on Downey Street. Of ficer Matthew LaTour responded and reported

no personal injuries.

1:21 p.m. The school bus transportation com pany reported a previous assault of a student by another student. Officer Brittany Firth assisted and took a report.

4:49 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin took a report of stolen property on Hayden Rowe Street.

5:05 p.m. A Kruger Road resident reported her neighbor was harassing her. Officer Basit Dennis responded to the citizen complaint and took a report.

8:30 p.m. A First Road resident reported she felt threatened by someone in the neighborhood who got in her face. Officers Matthew LaTour and Cody Normandin responded and assisted.

10:16 p.m. A caller reported that while in CVS on Main Street, a male approached her in an awkward way. Officer Cody Normandin spoke with the caller.

October 13

10:21 a.m. A caller reported a road hazard on Downey Street, where a tree crew was work ing and blocking one lane of the road without a police detail present. Officer Alexander Stewart responded and shut down the crew.

11:57 a.m. Officer Alexander Stewart re sponded along with the Fire Department to a report of an underground cable that possibly was hit on Edge Hill Road. Eversource was notified.

6:35 p.m. The Blackstone Police Department requested assistance contacting a Hopkinton resident involved in an incident in their town.

Officer Robert Ekross located the individual on Grove Street, and the individual was to contact Blackstone after consulting with representation.

8:38 p.m. Office Robert Ekross assisted a disabled motor vehicle that hit a curb on Main Street and had a flat tire.

October 14

8:21 a.m. A Lorigan Road resident reported a dark van with dark windows parked in front of her house for an hour. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Shannon Beloin responded and the van was gone upon their arrival.

8:22 a.m. A motorist reported a man walking his dog on Granite Street and not moving over for vehicles. Officer Sean McKeon responded and checked the area with a negative find.

8:49 a.m. A caller reported a tree fell on Susan Drive. Officer Shannon Beloin responded and notified the DPW.

9:22 a.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Sean McKeon and Shannon Beloin re sponded along with the State Police to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street. An ambulance was requested for a small child in one of the vehicles. A tow truck was requested. Officer Beloin provided a courtesy transport for one person.

9:49 a.m. A caller reported a strange situation while working Instacart on North Mill Street. Detective Gregg DeBoer took a report.

4:37 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour was flagged down on Main Street by a person who reported a stolen scooter by the library. A report was taken.

4:59 p.m. A caller reported a person driving a dirt bike up and down Walcott Street side walks with no helmet. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and advised the driver.

7:46 p.m. An East Main Street resident reported a bull or cow in her yard. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded. The animal ran into the woods.

October 15

12:13 a.m. A caller reported a possible drunk driver all over the road on Main Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Robert Ekross, Cody Normandin and Nicholas Saletnik respond ed and located the vehicle and conducted field sobriety tests. The driver was sent on his way.

police log

7:55 a.m. A caller reported a child screaming on Walcott Valley Drive. Officers Tyler Staback and Sean McKeon responded and found young males playing in the area. All was OK.

10:16 a.m. A caller reported an Amazon truck, a white van and a red sedan blocking School Street and preventing cars from passing. Officer Tyler Staback responded and found a single car crash involving a tree.

1:54 p.m. A Woodview Way caller reported his dog was bitten by another dog. Sergeant Timothy Brennan re sponded and took a report. The animal control officer was notified.

4:17 p.m. A mail carrier reported hearing someone yelling for help on Walcott Valley Drive. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

October 16

8:12 a.m. A caller reported a loose white dog with no collar on Oak Street. The animal control officer was contacted.

8:54 a.m. A caller reported a golden retriever was lost in the State Park on Cedar Street. The animal control officer was notified.

12:55 p.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan advised a landscaping crew on Main Street not to work in the area on Sundays due to town bylaw.

2:13 p.m. A caller reported a per

son drove by her on Woodview Way and shouted names. Officer Tyler Staback responded and was unable to locate the vehicle.

5:05 p.m. A caller reported she was attacked by a female and her dog on Highcroft Way. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and took a report.

October 17

6:52 a.m. A caller reported her daughter lost her black wallet con taining her bus pass. The incident was logged.

8:35 a.m. Officer Basit Dennis assisted Eversource on Hayden Rowe Street until a detail officer arrived for the emergency.

12:40 p.m. Officer Basit Dennis responded along with the Fire Depart ment to an illegal burn on Summer Street.

2:15 p.m. A caller requested to speak with an officer about a person who yelled at her when she tried to drop off her child. Officer Basit Den nis assisted.

3:54 p.m. A caller reported the traffic lights on Grove Street were not functioning properly and were green at the same time. The DPW was notified.

4:59 p.m. A motorist reported a disabled motor vehicle in a danger ous spot on West Main Street. Of ficer Matthew LaTour responded and assisted.