HI 2.8.23

NEW YEAR

HHS magazine lands national honors

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

Hopkinton High School’s student literary magazine, Marginal, recently won honors in two national competitions.

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) recognized the publication as a REALM First Class magazine, the contest’s highest distinction. Only 38 magazines received that designation.

The magazine also earned the First Place with Special Merit designation

Marginal | 15

Petition seeks disbanding of trail committee

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

Frustrated

with the direction that the Upper Charles Trail Committee is headed, a resident is submitting a citizens’ petition for Annual Town Meeting calling for the committee to be disbanded.

Peter LaGoy, chair of the town’s Trails Coordination and Management Committee (TCMC), said he is submitting two petitions.

One requests that the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) not be allowed to spend any more public funds on the section between 147 and 192 Hayden Rowe Street — referred to as Segment 7. There has been vocal opposition by residents who don’t want to see the trail run along busy Hayden Rowe Street, but the UCTC continues to explore that option, claiming there are no other places to locate the trail.

The other petition calls for the UCTC to be abolished and replaced with a subcommittee of the Trails Coordination and Management Committee. “The subcommittee would have the same task as the UCTC but with a clearer focus on providing route options to the

HHS junior Emily Jiang won an Outstanding Art award for her painting “Free Sailing” that ran in the student magazine, Marginal.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO Performers and attendees gather at the end of the Hopkinton Chinese American Association’s Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 22 at Hopkinton High School.

Hopkinton independent

The Hopkinton Independent is published by Hopkinton Independent, LLC, 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of the ad that was in error if notified in writing within three business days of the publication date. All material is the property of the Hopkinton Independent. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material. The Hopkinton Independent is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to 100 percent of the homes and businesses in Hopkinton, reaching more than 7,600 addresses. It’s also available at Price Chopper and Hopkinton Drug as well as at many other local businesses.

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Community Covenant Church closes doors after 115 years

Forty-seven years after relocating to Hopkinton from Milford, and 115 years since its founding, Community Covenant Church held its final service on Dec. 11.

INDEPENDENT THOUGHTS JERRY

SPAR

Plagued by declining attendance and an unsuccessful merger with a regional organization, the church at the corner of West Elm Street and West Main Street (diagonally across from the Price Chopper plaza) closed its doors after parishioners determined it was not sustainable. According to member Mary Overholt, there were only about 10-15 people showing up most Sundays in the final year.

Some 60 attendees turned out for the final service at the church, which originally was founded in 1907 in Milford by a group of Swedish-speaking immigrants, Overholt shared.

With expansion came the move to Hopkinton in the early 1970s. The church always stayed relatively small and used part-time pastors until the late 1990s, when Bruce Johnson was brought on full-time.

In 2006, the church added a wing with a fellowship hall and classrooms to provide for a growing number of children.

At one point, Overholt stated, the church was “one of the fastest-growing and most ethnically diverse denominations in the country.”

Highlights from the church’s run included members parking cars for Boston Marathon watchers and fall fairs in

the 1980s and ’90s, and more recently, a living Nativity, spring plant sales and Pastor Johnson’s famous Swedish limpa bread offered for sale at the annual Hopkinton Polyarts festival. Members of the church were involved in outreach to girls in a juvenile detention center, several service trips to the Dominican Republic, Louisiana and Houston (after hurricanes) and supporting Project Just Because, Overholt recalled.

As attendance dipped in recent years, the congregation decided to reach out to Highrock, a network of churches of the Covenant denomination. The church became part of the Highrock family in 2021, during the pandemic, but Highrock ended the agreement after six months, indicating it could not support the church financially, Overholt said.

That led to more parish departures and a reduction in hours for Pastor Johnson, and eventually the church’s run came to an end with an emotional final service.

“Despite the sorrow involved, there was a lot of joy in remembering all the blessings of being part of the church,” Overholt stated. “The music was joyful and hopeful. During the service, church members offered appreciation to Pastor Bruce Johnson for his faithful 23 years

Independent thoughts | 3

Community Covenant Church Pastor Bruce Johnson leads the congregation during the final service on Dec. 11.

Community Covenant Church closes doors after 115 years

of service with the church and people shared what the church had meant to them. Although small, it was like an extended family which provided love and support to members.”

Once the church is legally dissolved, the building will be sold, with the proceeds targeted “to plant many churches,” Overholt shared.

“While some in our society may find churches irrelevant, they are still one way that people are trained in the ‘fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, against such things there is no law,’ ” shared Overholt, quoting from Galatians 5:22. “Those things may in fact be the very things that our society needs.”

Lots of changes downtown

available for public use between 6 p.m. until midnight, while the municipal lot will be available during the day and evening.

The lots are expected to be available for use in a few weeks, following some infrastructure work.

Tax relief available

Hopkinton’s Tax Relief Committee continues to encourage eligible Hopkinton residents to apply for funding assistance from the Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Fund before the March 1 deadline. Applicants must be at least 60 years old or have a state-recognized disability, and must own and occupy a Hopkinton single-family home as their primary residence. Qualified applicants will also have an income below $60,000 if married and below $45,000 if single or widowed.

“This is really a neighbor-helpingneighbor program,” committee chair Sue Kurys shared. “It offers a way for the community to come together to help make living in Hopkinton a little more affordable for our most vulnerable residents. It not only provides an opportunity for financial support, but also lets these residents know they are a valued part of the community.”

Check the town’s website (hopkintonma.gov) for more information.

A recent press release from the town indicated there will be 57 new parking spots behind 35-37 Main Street, in front of the new Hopkinton Village Center development, targeted for use by visitors to downtown.

Town Manager Norman Khumalo later confirmed a Hopkinton Independent writer’s count that there actually are 55 spots. That said, Khumalo noted the 55 spots is more than what originally had been planned, and it should help businesses in the area — especially with some spots going away as part of the Main Street Corridor Project.

Developer Chuck Joseph noted that there are 31 spots in the municipal lot, and 24 more in private lots next to the two buildings. The private lots will be

Marathon cost clarification

In a recent article about planning for the Elmwood replacement school, we stated that the cost to build Marathon School, which opened in 2018, was approximately $47 million.

Susan Rothermich, the schools’ director of finance and operations, indicated that the final audit of the original Marathon School project has the spending at just under $43 million (with the state contributing about $14 million).

After the building was completed, town voters approved an expansion project that cost about $4 million, bringing the total cost to $47 million.

No trail along Hayden Rowe

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I support Peter LaGoy’s assessment that running the Upper Charles Trail down Hayden Rowe will be of limited usefulness. Not only will it put people’s lives in danger, it will further increase the congestion on a main thoroughfare. The proposed trail route crosses approximately 15 driveways. Right now, trying to back out of a driveway onto Hayden Rowe can be dangerous as cars routinely travel at 40-50 mph. Imagine that the Upper Charles Trail is at the head of all these driveways. The driver now not only has to estimate the speed of the cars traveling on Hayden Rowe but simultaneously watch for hikers, bikers or skateboarders who might be coming in either direction. It is a recipe for disaster. Not long ago, a young man on a bike was hit by a car on Hayden Rowe and passed away. Also, let us not forget the woman crossing Hayden Rowe with a baby carriage who was struck by a vehicle. Does it make any sense to put the Upper Charles Trail on Hayden Rowe when it is proposed that those using it must cross this road three times?

Traffic concerns on Hayden Rowe were raised by several townspeople at the recent ESBC forum as reported in the Hopkinton Independent: Tina Berlan said that she must “plan her whole day around buses and cars going in and out of Hayden Rowe,” Bill Collins referred to the congestion as “horrible” and “incomprehensible,”

Letters | page 4

The new lots behind 35-37 Main Street will make it easier for downtown visitors to find parking.

Community embraces diversity at MLK Interfaith Day

By Mary Ellen Gambon

Contributing Writer

More than 60 people gathered at the Islamic Masumeen Center of New England to celebrate the legacy of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 22 at an interfaith celebration that explored how King’s work is reflected in this increasingly diverse and embracing community.

The mosque, founded in 1995, has hosted the celebration for several years. It serves as a place of worship for Muslims from Hopkinton and surrounding communities. The interfaith ceremony is considered to be the highlight of the center’s annual programming and an opportunity to unite people of different backgrounds and faiths.

The mood shifted between jubilation and reflection as guest speakers and performers from the center’s Sunday school classes described the impact of King’s words and actions on their lives. While they spoke with pride about Hopkinton’s increasing inclusivity, they also acknowledged that society has greater strides to make to achieve overall equity.

The two-hour event began with a 15-minute Zuhr prayer ceremony. The non-Muslim guests stood or bowed their heads in reverence as they observed their hosts’ devotion. This was followed by a greeting and recitation of a prayer from the Quran. Its message paralleled King’s philosophy of peace and love for one another.

Several community leaders spoke about King’s message and how its impact can reverberate in today’s society

at the Jan. 22 MLK Interfaith Day event pose for a photo.

to dissuade racism and all forms of discrimination. The first was Cathleen Dinsmore, the president and founder of the Hopkinton Freedom Team, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe space for people who have experienced abuse or bias because of their race, gender, sexual orientation or disability. She noted that she heard a child talking about how she “made a smile” out of a string of beads during the prayers.

“It’s been hard to smile and see one another smile behind masks for almost three years,” she said.

Dinsmore recalled last month’s unveiling of “The Embrace,” a sculpture in Boston commemorating a hug shared by King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, as he was awarded the Nobel Peace

Prize. Dinsmore spoke of how King’s words continue to inspire her in her work as an immigration attorney.

“Dr. King and Coretta Scott King worked tirelessly for justice for all,” she noted. “They recognized the deep interconnectedness of us all and the importance of including everyone in this journey.”

She questioned how people can embrace one another “in a world that’s so divided.” She encouraged residents to “ask curious questions with your mind open and your heart soft, and find those connections that do exist.”

“For lasting and meaningful change, we need to include everyone on this journey toward justice,” Dinsmore stressed. “And it can be here in Hopkinton and everywhere there is a crack — because that is where the light shines through.”

Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh reflected on “the moral aspects of education” that King described in his college newspaper article when he was a student at Morehouse College. While the school system stresses academics, it also promotes character and inclusivity through a culturally responsive atmosphere.

“In the Hopkinton Public Schools, we’ve adopted the mantra ‘All means all,’ ” she explained. “To achieve that end, all students need to feel welcome, supported and respected, both by fellow students and the adults in our institution.”

No

Cavanaugh said the district hired a director of English language acquisition, equity and access as well as a director of social emotional learning and a social worker as a means of reaching that goal.

Likewise, the Islamic Masumeen Center of New England also promotes culturally responsive learning through this and other events it hosts, she added.

“This event, I think, grows our understanding of one another and broadens our experiences of social living,” she said. Cavanaugh also described the young people present as “our greatest asset.”

Rev. Lourey Savick, the pastor of the United Parish of Upton, told the audience that she has been a participant in the event for years. She remembered a packed auditorium and children trying to get through the crowd during a pre-pandemic ceremony. She lamented the distance that COVID-19 has placed between people now, both physically and emotionally.

“This same spacing out for you in this room has happened for us as well,” she said poignantly as she noted that several places of worship have had to close their doors. “We have been through much in these communities. But that does not mean that the faith does not continue, continue to drive us forward and inspire us for the future.”

She noted King’s work toward freedom and justice but stressed that MLK | page 9

while Mary Arnott said that she “feels sorry for people trying to go north and south on Route 85.” In another Hopkinton Independent article on Oct. 12, Select Board member Mary Jo LaFreniere made the following observation about the narrowing of the road on Main Street: “The tighter road has eliminated someone — perhaps a delivery driver — to pull over in front of houses.” With the Upper Charles Trail on Hayden Rowe, the same problem will arise. Both sides of the road will be curbed. This narrows Hayden Rowe considerably and may cause problems for police, fire and ambulances responding to an emergency in a timely manner when lives are at risk.

By putting the Upper Charles Trail on the land west of Charlesview, these problems are virtually eliminated, and folks who wish to take an enjoyable, stress-free walk or run can do so in the woods without the congestion and noise that they will encounter on Hayden Rowe.

— Richard Cunningham, Hopkinton

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

Attendees

trail along Hayden Rowe

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’

This issue’s winner is Susan Wieland for this photo of Jackson the dog with his best friend, Connor, during a recent snowstorm in town. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@ hopkintonindependent. com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

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

Select Board dilemma: Rush into RECC or risk waiting?

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

Select Board members on Jan. 24 continued to show hesitation regarding a proposed regional emergency communications center (RECC), but there also was concern about missing an opportunity to have a say in where Hopkinton ends up and what the RECC looks like.

A proposed intermunicipal agreement (IMA) dated Jan. 19 was shared. The district would include Hopkinton, Grafton, Southborough and Westborough.

Town Manager Norman Khumalo, who previously suggested that town voters would get a chance to decide, said due to a change in the law, the Select Board has the final say on whether Hopkinton joins the district.

That news was not well-received by board members nor those in the audience, many of whom spoke out against the RECC during the public forum at the start of the meeting.

The deadline for Hopkinton (and the other towns) to sign the IMA is Feb. 14, and some board members said that did not provide enough time, especially with many questions still unanswered. The deadline was set by the towns, as the state has a deadline of March 5 to be considered for grants.

“As much as we’re trying to be transparent, we’re not because we don’t have enough information,” board member Shahidul Mannan said. “You’re saying it’s economically beneficial, but our data doesn’t support it, and we

don’t have any clear new data to really establish the argument. I can see why it can be confusing.”

Added Mannan: “It’s not the right time.”

Khumalo said the only economic benefit that can be identified at this point is potential grant funding, adding: “I have never said this is economically beneficial to the community.”

Board members expressed a desire to find a way to give residents the chance to be heard — perhaps via an online survey.

The RECC headquarters would be located in Westborough, with a former superfund site identified as the likely home.

The IMA spells out how the RECC would be governed. Regarding staffing, some current dispatch employees noted a line in the IMA that stated: “The aggregate staffing level of the district and

Kiley Davis, a public safety dispatcher in Hopkinton, expresses concerns about the proposed RECC during the Jan. 24 Select Board meeting.

Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

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

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

After previously expressing hesitation about a Town Meeting article related to short-term housing rentals, the Select Board on Jan. 31 voted to include the article on the warrant.

The issue arose after a home on Pike Street was remodeled and rented on a short-term basis.

A letter to the board attributed to 15 neighbors noted that the proposed bylaw “is a necessary step in regulating the booming industry’s impacts on Hopkinton.”

Detailing the issues, the neighbors wrote that “illegal renovations and repairs were made, trash and recycling were thrown on the curb or strewn throughout the yard on a regular basis, the upkeep of the property and maintenance of the yard became non-existent, functional and cosmetic repairs that most homeowners would make were entirely neglected, and a preponderance of single-day rentals had turned the property into Hopkinton’s only hotel room.”

During the public forum portion of the meeting, Pike Street resident Roxanne Donahue (one of the letter’s signees) said it was a “really alarming experience,” as it was a “hotel-type occupancy without professional management.” She said the article “puts some guardrails on it.”

Select Board chair Amy Ritterbusch supported the inclusion of the article.

“If people are going to be operating it as a business, running it continuously on a short-term basis, I think there should be some rules and guidelines,” she said. “And I’d like people to be able to vote on it at Town Meeting, and hear the pros and cons.”

Select Board member Muriel Kramer said she would not stand in the way of the article, but she wasn’t convinced the problem was widespread enough at this time.

“I always have a concern when we react to a single incident with a bylaw,” Kramer said, adding: “I’m also sensitive to the fact that if they had not egregiously broken other laws we would not have had the ability to control what was happening.”

Added Shahidul Mannan: “The fine line we need to think about is not to over-regulate in a way that becomes operationally challenging for us as well, but something that suits the purpose.”

On a related note, Town Clerk Connor Degan shared that there were six certified citizens’ petitions in his office that would appear on the Town Meeting warrant. Two are zoning-based, one relates to managing shooting at firing ranges, and two deal with the work of the Upper Charles Trail Committee.

Health Department works to combat opioid overdoses

At the Board of Health’s meeting Jan. 30, Public Health Nurse Simone Carter announced that the state designated the Hopkinton Health Department as a Community Naloxone Purchasing Program affiliate, allowing it to distribute the medicine used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

The goal of the CNPP is to prevent death from opioid overdose by increasing distribution of free naloxone to community organizations across Massachusetts, according to the mass.gov website. CNPP designees can order naloxone at a partial or full subsidy directly from the State Office of Pharmacy Services. The program stipulates that designees are expected to provide counseling on overdose prevention and training on overdose response to all persons who receive naloxone as part of this initiative. This naloxone will not be billed to a patient’s insurance.

“As we continue our planning progress, we will institute free community trainings on a rolling basis,” Carter said. “In the meantime, naloxone and fentanyl testing kits are always available through the Health Department, and I can train anyone who needs that in person.”

In other health news, Carter explained that COVID-19, RSV and the flu all are beginning to

decrease both locally and nationwide. The average COVID-19 official case count of reported cases was averaging 2.6 cases per day in town as of late January, “and it seems to be relatively mild disease.” She added that people should still be mindful of prevention strategies, as it still is present.

Security gates sought for Sandy Beach lot

The Parks & Recreation Commission at its meeting Jan. 26 voted 4-0 to endorse a capital grant proposal to fund manual gates at Sandy Beach in order to increase security there.

Commissioner Cynthia Esthimer has been serving as a member of an ad hoc committee that previously analyzed the beach for safety concerns regarding parking and the condition of the dock. Gates are needed at the entrance and exit to Sandy Beach’s parking lots because “we have quite a circus in the summer,” Esthimer said.

Cumberland Farms objects to barriers

An attorney for Cumberland Farms appeared before the Select Board on Jan. 24 during the public forum to complain about the town’s proposed plan to install barriers in the middle of West Main Street. The barriers would prevent left turns into and out of Cumberland Farms and Alltown Fresh and is designed to cut down on accidents in an area that Police Chief Joseph Bennett previously stated was the most dangerous in town for accidents.

Attorney Doug Troyer said Cumberland Farms was not advised until this past September about the plan, and he said the town has not been returning his calls. He added that Cumberland Farms has conducted its own study and would like to present alternatives. He also said the barriers would create issues for tankers delivering gas.

While typically town officials do not engage in a dialogue during the public forum, Town Manager Norman Khumalo responded, saying the project already has gone out to bid. He stated sternly, “We will implement the project.”

Following further protesting from Troyer, board members said they would consider putting the matter on a future meeting agenda.

Construction materials might be moved

Khumalo recently provided an update on the Main Street Corridor Project, which is on pause for the winter. Following complaints from residents, the town reached out to see if the items being stored on Marathon Way (next to the Town Common) could be moved.

Khunalo said Dave Daltorio, the town’s engineer, reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), which is overseeing the project. MassDOT in turn contacted the contractor, A.F. Amorello.

Khumalo said the items potentially could be moved to the rear of Center School, but because the contractor already has demobilized for the winter, it’s not clear how the items would be transported.

PFAS plant permit approved

Touching on the PFAS issue, Khumalo shared that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved the permits for the town’s filtration plant, which has moved into the procurement phase for construction.

The PFAS test results continue to trend in the wrong direction, with the December reading at 31.7 parts per trillion.

Khumalo added that he soon was to begin

PFAS | page 7

Select Board dilemma:

RECC may be set at a number of employees that is no less than the cumulative total of those persons employed by the participating communities’ existing 911 dispatch centers.” The Hopkinton employees asked that the word “may” be changed to “shall” in order to ensure they don’t lose their jobs.

Responded Khumalo: “The language that you see that uses ‘may’ was arrived at after negotiation. I don’t believe we will have success in asking for ‘shall.’ We did. We ended with ‘may.’ ”

Khumalo explained that the district can only provide the RECC’s executive director a guideline for how the institution will be staffed, not order the director how many people to hire.

The IMA states that a town wishing to withdraw from the district would have to satisfy its financial obligations and then go through a five-year withdrawal process.

According to a letter from the state, 48 percent of Massachusetts communities are part of regional centers — 170 communities making up 31 regional centers.

A study by the Collins Center estimated Hopkinton would have a projected recurring cost savings of just over $480,000 along with an additional one-time savings of over $460,000 in the first year. However, the state’s letter noted that a number of factors affect the final cost projections.

Mannan expressed disappointment that the letter could not be more clear about potential savings, perhaps listing an average for the towns currently in a RECC.

“We don’t have data to compare?” he asked. “How can that happen?”

As for the Collins Center report’s conclusion, “The numbers just don’t add up,” Mannan said.

One of the biggest concerns raised by the public and Select Board members is having an unstaffed Hopkinton Police Station at night. Town officials have said they would not allow that to happen, but that likely would lead to

PFAS plant permit approved

PFAS | from page 6

negotiations with Southborough on Hopkinton’s planned connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply.

Misc.: Wagner joins Town Hall staff

Beryl Wagner was confirmed by the Select Board as the town’s new procurement and grants manager. Wagner grew up in Hopkinton and returns after working for the City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for four years.

“I’m really excited to use what I’ve learned and also to learn new information, how to be on a different team in a different municipality in a different part of the country,” Wagner said. …

John Cardillo was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Veterans Celebration Committee. …

The board accepted the resignation of Renee Dean from the Sustainable Green Committee.

additional costs.

“All this coming together, it’s not making a lot of economic sense.” Mannan added.

Select Board chair Amy Ritterbusch acknowledged that “it does feel rushed” having to make a decision by Feb. 14, but she worried that passing could lead to future problems.

“If we don’t make the choice, the RECC will go ahead with the other towns,” she said. “And at some point in the future, this is the unknown, we don’t know if the state will say all the towns cannot operate their 911 centers, they all have to join with another, and we will have lost that control to form the kind of district we want to be in.”

Ritterbusch also wondered if Hopkinton’s current dispatch staff members might have higher odds of landing jobs with the RECC now rather than later.

“I feel like we might have a better chance of getting more of our staff members if we join this RECC center than if we wait and see — the other centers might be all staffed if this goes on without us,” she said. “It’s hard to know what would be the right decision for our employees.”

Board member Muriel Kramer said she is no closer to determining her final opinion, although, “What seems obvious is that this is the wave of the future and we’re going to have to make this decision at some point.”

Shannon Casey, a Hopkinton dispatcher, was one of a handful of individuals who spoke during public comment and raised concerns about the RECC.

“It’s not going to help the town,” she said. “It’s not going to be better in any sense. Your officers don’t want it, your dispatchers don’t want it, many firefight-

ers don’t want it, despite what you’ve been told, and most of the residents don’t want it, and they’ve expressed that. So as you guys representing the residents in the town, I just hope you guys consider that when you’re making a decision.”

Casey and fellow dispatch employee Kiley Davis said some of the Q&A

answers posted on the town’s website had incorrect information.

They received support from board member Mary Jo LaFreniere.

“I don’t really like losing our autonomy to three other towns who, for various reasons, could vote against us on anything that we want,” LaFreniere said. “Something about this just bothered me that we have such a good, good, good department right now. I find there’s still problems, there’s still questions. I’m not crazy about this agreement myself.”

Added LaFreniere: “I would rather take the chance that we don’t get to have the input in the beginning of the program and that we can join later, at another time, and that we do this right, and that the whole town is behind us. I just don’t see why we have to rush, rush into this.”

You’re saying it’s economically beneficial, but our data doesn’t support it, and we don’t have any clear new data to really establish the argument. I can see why it can be confusing.

— Select Board member Shahidul Mannan

MassDOT: Fruit Street I-495 bridge reconstruction to begin in late spring

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

Reconstruction of Fruit Street’s Interstate 495 bridge will begin in the late spring as an initial step to remodel the interchange between I-495 and I-90, representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced at a two-hour virtual meeting Jan. 25.

Fruit Street’s other bridge — it sits about 1 mile northeast of the I-495 bridge, over railroad tracks on the border with Southborough and Westborough — currently is being redesigned by MassDOT. That section of the road has been closed to traffic for almost a year and is expected to remain closed for about another month.

About 90 people attended the meeting, where the 75 percent design plan was presented on the bridge reconstruction as well as Ramps ES and SE, which connect I-90 (MassPike) eastbound to I-495 southbound as well as I-495 southbound to I-90 eastbound. Work will begin in these areas as part of a nearly $300 million, five-year project to reconfigure the interchange, which straddles Hopkinton and Westborough, in an effort to improve traffic flow. The highway project is the first complete interstate-to-interstate interchange project the department has undertaken in its history.

Don Cooke from civil engineering firm VHB noted that this is a “designbuild project,” where parts of the project will be constructed as others are being designed simultaneously.

“It’s key to understand that this is

being constructed in an extremely sensitive environmental area,” he added, “which actually informs all of our design development as well as its construction.” He mentioned Whitehall Brook as well as the surrounding wetlands and floodplains.

During the Fruit Street I-495 bridge reconstruction, one lane will be maintained for two-way alternating traffic controlled with a temporary signal, Cooke explained.

There is a noise control plan “that is very robust,” he said, which was one of the biggest concerns residents raised later in the meeting. Baseline sound levels were established in December and will be reassessed on a quarterly basis throughout the length of the project. Temporary noise barriers will be in

place during the construction, and the use of loud equipment will be limited to the daytime as much as possible.

The bridge work will be completed in two stages over the course of 22 months, explained civil engineer Chris Deacetis. It will include replacing the overpass, installing ADA-compliant sidewalks with ramps along the southern side of the roadway, and widening the roadway from 28 to 32 feet. The timeframe begins the first day the bridge is reduced to one lane.

The new 5-foot shoulders will be able to accommodate bicycles, he added. The sidewalks will be 5.5 feet wide, go over I-495 and connect to Huckleberry Road and Saddle Hill Road. Drainage improvements will be made to address the additional runoff

created by the pavement.

The project has two main phases, with the first including the crosswalk at Huckleberry Road. The second section at the eastern segment of Fruit Street will include a proposed guardrail that will terminate at two residential driveways at 203 Fruit Street and 213 Saddle Hill Road. These driveways will be rebuilt at the new grade. The existing stone wall at 176 Fruit Street will be removed, and the one at 213 Saddle Hill Road will be rebuilt.

At Saddle Hill Road, the road “will begin to taper back to its existing condition, Deacetis said of the project’s third phase. This is where the new construction will end and where the ADA-compliant crosswalk and ramps will be installed.

“East of the bridge is where Fruit Street will be raised the most,” Deacetis noted. It will rise about 3.5 feet at the maximum elevation of the bridge. On the western end, it will be raised a maximum of 2 feet.

There will be no pedestrian or bicyclist access during the construction period — another point of concern expressed by residents during the meeting. Deacetis explained that there will not be sufficient space.

During the first phase of construction, traffic will flow on the northern half of the existing bridge with two-way alternating traffic while the southern half is built. Once this phase is completed, traffic will shift to the southern half. The old northern half will be demolished and the new bridge will be constructed. New utilities, a 6-inch sewer line, and

Fruit Street’s I-495 bridge is to be rebuilt this spring.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

MassDOT: Fruit Street I-495 bridge reconstruction to begin in late spring

MassDOT |

access for a future water line will be constructed underneath the bridge.

Because Fruit Street is “a historical scenic roadway,” Deacetis said that the areas affected during construction will get new seeds and loam. There will be 171 new plantings, including 44 deciduous trees, 24 evergreen trees and 103 deciduous shrubs. Approximately 81 current trees along Fruit Street will be protected,” he added.

To accommodate the wider lanes and sidewalks, 78 trees of less than 12 inches in diameter will be removed as well as 24 trees with a caliper measurement greater than 12 inches.

After the presentation, questions lingered among residents regarding the trees, noise and accessibility for bikers and walkers.

Brad Fenn, who lives at the corner of Saddle Hill Road and Fruit Street, asked about the tree markings already in place. He asked which color ribbons designate which trees will be saved versus those being removed. Cooke noted that the blue ribbons indicate wetlands delineation, but the team was to confirm which trees will be removed.

Philip Fischer asked about consideration for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, noting that the area already has been impacted for a year by the closing of Fruit Street’s railroad bridge.

“This has been a route that has been used by runners, walkers and cyclists and has been cut off for 12 months,” he stressed.

Cooke explained that the roadway would not be wide enough to be safe for bikers and pedestrians during the bridge’s replacement period. There is only a 2-foot shoulder on each side.

Another participant in the chat called this “excessive widening” of the road and sidewalks.

Cooke said the plan “has some sensitivity towards bikers” by providing the 5-foot shoulders. But during construction, state and federal guidelines state that 13 feet is not wide enough for a shared-width lane.

He added that Fruit Street may be closed “for a very short duration” when the second half of the bridge is ready to be built.

“We’re talking like the extent of a weekend,” he said, noting that a closure period is not set in stone yet. He stressed that the designs are 75 percent complete and that the public’s input will influence the final plans.

Several people brought up noise concerns and requested that permanent noise barriers be put in place. Cooke noted that there are none proposed in the design yet. Resident Kevin Conway asked how the determination already could be made not to incorporate permanent noise barriers.

Cooke explained that the noise measurements in December were a baseline taken to determine the noise level during construction.

Residents can get more information on the project by emailing 495-90Improvements@state.ma.us.

Community embraces diversity at MLK Interfaith Day

MLK | from page 4

his dream has yet to be realized in our society on either a small or large scale.

Town Clerk Connor Degan noted that he first participated in the interfaith event seven years ago. He said when he was younger he did not realize what the building was. Now, he said he enjoys the sense of connection he experiences with the people who worship here.

“I just always felt so blessed and so welcomed to be brought into your community here,” he said to the hosts. He called the gathering “an opportunity to focus on the things that drive us together, not the things that drive us apart.”

Everyone present displayed the common trait of kindness, Degan stressed, which is a community builder. He also noted that King’s focus on justice is also “a central tenet of Islam.”

Select Board member Shahidul Mannan, an immigrant from Bangladesh, noted that his presence as a public official “is a testament that we have come a long way in the journey of Dr. King’s dream.”

Said Mannan: “We are here today not only to celebrate but also to commit ourselves to the same cause and to following [King’s] path in today’s world, in today’s context, and towards a new set of struggles toward equality and justice.”

He added that King’s dream has not yet been fully realized, and the struggle sometimes seems like “a never-ending journey.” He noted the pain caused by the shooting of Asian participants in a

Chinese New Year celebration in California the day before.

“We cannot be complacent with our progress,” Mannan said, “as we only have complex and often daunting work to do. … Let’s keep working and dreaming towards equality and justice for all through our own little ways.”

State Rep. James Arena-DeRosa said Hopkinton likely is the most diverse of the towns he represents, calling it “a model” for the state. He noted that this holiday is different from all the other ones celebrated in America because it stresses the joint values of economic and social justice.

“Of course, it’s not just about one day,” he added. “It’s about what we can do every single day in our lives and in our communities in service to others.”

He described his prior work with the Peace Corps and Oxfam, where he worked with “cultures from all around the world.”

Said Arena-DeRosa: “I truly believe that, if we continue to dream, our diversity can be our greatest strength.”

Student performances evoked smiles from the crowd. Younger children sang a song about King to the tune of “Bingo.” Each one held a letter that together spelled out King’s philosophies of unity, peace and faith. Older students performed a skit that focused on gender discrimination in the context of a basketball game. After the event, these students could be seen shooting hoops together outside, showing the same spirit of unity that King embraced.

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

Each week, the Independent highlights an animal available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton. This week we feature 1-year-old Petey.

Here is Baypath’s description of Petey:

“Petey boy found himself with us for no fault of his own. But he’s made the best of it! His days consist of running around our back pen playing fetch (we think he could be a GREAT dock or agility dog), playing chase and wrestle with his dog friends (one of his favorite activities), and going for long walks or hikes.

“If he had to describe his dream home, Petey would wish for a dogexperienced owner who loves to do training (especially agility or other fun activities), a potential dog sibling to keep him company (it’s the highlight of his day), a quiet home where he can relax and enjoy his new people, and a yard to run around in (ideally fenced, but it’s not a deal breaker). He’s still unsure about cats at this time.”

For more information on Petey and any of the other available pets at Baypath, email adopt@baypathhumane.org or visit baypathhumane.org/adopt.

For more Adoptable Animals of the Week, check the Hopkinton Independent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter.com. Anyone with questions can call 508-497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

Transportation programs

The Senior Center offers transportation to and from the center as well as local shopping Mondays through Fridays for Hopkinton residents. Those looking for transportation for medical appointments or essential shopping should call to learn about options at least three business days prior to the desired day of travel.

AARP income tax assistance

Tuesdays beginning in February

AARP Foundation tax-aide volunteers (IRS certified) will help individuals prepare and file their returns for free. While this program is focused on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income, it is open to anyone of any age. Appointments begin Feb. 7 and continue each Tuesday through the end of March. For more information or to register, call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730.

Art Appreciation: African American Artists We Should Know

Thursday, Feb. 16, 1-2 p.m.

“African American Artists We Should Know” sheds light on the creations and careers of prominent 19th and 20th century African American artists such as Augusta Savage, Henry Ossawa Tanner and Jacob Lawrence, among others. Local art historian Jill Sanford will talk about the many obstacles these artists overcame and the ways each of them made an impact on the history of art.

Leaving Your Legacy

Thursday, Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m.

Each participant will receive a beautifully bound “Your Life Story” journal filled with unique questions to start reminiscing about the good ol’ days and help record those precious moments in time. Participants can keep the journal or share it with loved ones to pass along to future generations. Advance registration is required, and space is limited.

Repair Cafe with Hopkinton Lions Club

Saturday, April 1, 9 a.m.-noon

Repair Cafe is a community event where people bring their items that are not quite working right but still too good to throw away, and other community members help repair them. There is no charge unless replacement parts are needed. Similar events have been held in more than two dozen towns across Massachusetts in recent years, including Hopkinton last year. Anyone with an item in need of repair or who enjoys fixing things and is interested in being a volunteer should contact the Senior Center. Volunteers are being sought to help with knife sharpening, general furniture repair, lamp rewiring, mending and small appliance repair, to name a few things.

Citizens’ petition calls for disbanding of UCTC

Select Board, and ensuring that public concerns are addressed,” LaGoy shared.

LaGoy said if the second petition passes, he would step down as TCMC chair but remain on the committee — partly so he can focus more on projects and less on public outreach, but also so it’s clear that this petition is not meant as a “power grab” by him.

If the second petition passes, the TCMC would select the members of the new UCTC subcommittee.

“I’d like to see a broader section of folks, in particular folks with young families — the folks who are going to be using the trails for the next 10-20 years,” LaGoy said.

Ten signatures from registered Hopkinton voters are required to submit a citizens’ petition for Annual Town Meeting, and LaGoy said he has twice that number.

The second petition also calls for the TCMC, which focuses on other trails in town, to be renamed the Trails Committee.

The UCTC was formed in 2012 with the goal of connecting to the Upper Charles Trail in Milford and extending it through town and into Ashland. Plans to have the trail run along Hayden Rowe Street — which the town engineer indicated would require land-taking as well as millions of dollars to straighten the road — have been met with resistance from residents.

LaGoy said for this reason he expects support for his petitions.

“The one that says don’t put the trail down Hayden Rowe Street is something that I think passes very easily,” LaGoy said. “People have seen what’s gone on on Main Street, they’ve heard about the controversy here, it’s really simple.

“The other sounds a little more like there’s compe-

tition between the two committees. People who haven’t been paying much attention can go, ‘Why one versus the other?’ It’s complicated. Having said that, it does more things and really sort of solves what I see as a problem. That’s going to take more explanation and being more careful in messaging.”

LaGoy said the town has made positive steps in terms of pedestrian connectivity throughout town, and he wants to see everyone moving in the right direction, no matter what his role is.

“There’s a lot of good things going on in town with regard to that [connectivity], but there’s also things that are draining on that and holding the process back,” he said. “To me, the important thing is making sure that this trail moves forward and that the town-wide trails move forward, and I frankly have to stop spending energy arguing on some of this stuff. A lot of these things, the devil’s in the details, and that takes a lot of time to be involved in. There’s a lot of positive stuff going on, and I’d prefer to be working on that than fighting old battles.”

LaGoy compared the UCTC to the committee that proposed an elementary school on Fruit Street in 2011. Residents opposed to districting shot it down at Special Town Meeting. Seven years later, Marathon Elementary School was built on Hayden Rowe Street with widespread support from voters.

“That group of people, they were hard-working, dedicated folks, and they were convinced they were doing the right thing,” LaGoy said. “They were wellmeaning, but once you get stuck on your convictions, you can get in trouble. I see the same thing going on here.”

Added LaGoy: “We don’t have the perfect solution, but you know what, we can find the best solutions.”

UCTC addresses criticism, continues planning

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

The Upper Charles Trail Committee at its meeting Feb. 1 briefly addressed two citizens’ petitions for the Annual Town Meeting warrant proposed by a local trails advocate, one that seeks to dismantle the current committee and form a new one with new members.

UCTC Chair Jane Moran said the move was designed to promote an alternative to Segment 7, located between 147 and 192 Hayden Rowe Street, that the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) has been advocating for despite facing strong public pushback.

Last week, resident Peter LaGoy told the Hopkinton Independent that he was submitting two citizens’ petitions regarding the UCTC to be placed on the warrant for consideration (see related story, Page 1). The chair of the town’s Trails Coordination and Management Committee (TCMC), LaGoy has been a vocal critic of the UCTC’s work, saying that it has not been responsive to the community’s needs.

The first request was that the UCTC not be able to spend any more public funds on Segment 7 along busy Hayden Rowe Street.

The other petition calls for the abolishment of the UCTC, which was formed in 2012 to create a trail that would connect to Milford and Ashland. The petition proposed to replace the UCTC with a subcommittee of the TCMC. It also asked that the TCMC be renamed the Trails Committee.

LaGoy previously has been critical of some of the UCTC’s decisions. In November, he questioned the spending of MassTrails grant funding for an engineering study of Segment 6 of the trail, which has been proposed to go around Marathon School and cross Hayden Rowe Street. Moran explained that the $128,000 in grant funding had been allocated for that purpose to see if a trail there would be feasible.

Moran read a statement at the beginning of the meeting to address LaGoy’s petitions.

“I’d like to take a moment and share some thoughts as it relates to two petitions filed on Jan. 30, 2023, by Peter LaGoy and friends and associates and acquaintances,” she said.

“The Trails Management and Coordination Committee, commonly known as the TCMC, recently applied for just under $50,000 to be used for what we referred to as the western alignment,” Moran explained.

“[This] could be an alternative for our Segment 7, which I feel in my heart is the subject of these petitions.”

She added that if this TCMC funding request were approved at Town Meeting, “This work could begin as early as July 2023.” The TCMC also voted to spend $5,000 from its budget for engineering studies for a bridge crossing at Route 85 near the Milford Upper Charles Trail parking lot, according to Moran. She noted that “both of these studies are essential to the western alignment, as it has been explained to our committee.”

Moran noted that the UCTC previously decided to postpone any decisions regarding Segment 7 until the engineering studies of the western alignment are completed.

“So Mr. LaGoy’s actions are perplexing to me,” she said. “And I have to ask myself, ‘What is the rush?’ It would seem reasonable to at least wait until the engineering studies have been completed. Then we can all collaborate and make a meaningful and thoughtful and just intelligent decision based upon facts.”

“I think we have to deal with that one way or another,” UCTC treasurer Scott Knous said of LaGoy’s petitions.

“I was hoping that a simple statement at the beginning would address this,” Moran countered. “I think it’s a long way before Town Meeting.”

She added: “Our planning and our job is to continue our progress.”

Public engagement effort stepped up

Knous gave a report on a subgroup that met Jan. 30 and is concerned with increasing public engagement about the committee. It is working on identifying “influencers and leaders” on town committees and in online groups. A UCTC liaison could request an initial meeting to see if a group was interested in learning more information.

He explained that this would allow the UCTC to “meet them where they are,” crafting a communication style that would resonate with each group. Some may prefer a representative speaking at a committee meeting while others may prefer posting a form or letter on a Facebook page.

The next UCTC meeting will be held Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

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 January 2023

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

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 October through December 2022 compliance period with a quarterly average of 29.8 ng/L at the Fruit St. Pump Station. The quarterly average of PFAS6 has ranged between 18 and 30 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 October 2022, November 2022, and December 2022, reported levels of PFAS6 at 27.2 ng/L, 30.4 ng/L and 31.7 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 was permitted by DEP in January 2023 and will move to the bidding and construction phase.

• 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

Business

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Realtor French always willing to go ‘above and beyond’

By Deborah Burke Henderson Contributing Writer

In a unique role as agent and neighbor, Jenn French is the perfect person to guide a client through the nuances of the local market. Ranked one of the top agents with RE/MAX Executive Realty in town, French couples her experience with access to top listings, a worldwide network, exceptional in-house marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology.

“Jenn is both a top-level professional with the skill set necessary to be successful at the highest levels, and even more

importantly, an amazing person who gives her time willingly and cares about everyone whom she encounters,” stated Christopher Arienti, broker/owner at RE/ MAX Executive Realty.

“I’m a natural problem-solver,” French noted with a smile. “I love all the moving parts of this business and thrive on finding creative ways to help each client realize their dreams.”

Establishing close relationships with clients is a must. Face-to-face interactions are preferred, especially as the relationship begins. Clients come to easily trust French’s “fresh eyes” when looking

Could you cope with long-term care costs?

need to make some significant changes to your saving and investment plans. And the earlier you begin, the better. Your other option is to purchase some form of long-term care insurance. Essentially, three types of coverage are available:

Weall want to stay healthy and live independently throughout our retirement years. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible for some of us, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for healthrelated challenges — such as the need for long-term care.

As you may know, long-term care covers a variety of services, ranging from occasional visits from a home health aide to full-time residency in a nursing home. But while these types of care may vary in duration and intensity, they all have one thing in common — they’re expensive. Genworth, an insurance company, reports these median annual costs:

• Over $100,000 for a private room in a nursing home

• Over $60,000 for the services of a home health aide

Furthermore, Medicare typically pays very few of these expenses, which means the burden of payment will likely fall on you — or, even worse, on your adult children if you can’t afford the care you need.

Of course, you could hope that you will avoid these costs simply by not requiring any type of assistance — but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor. In fact, someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services in their remaining years, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

So, how can you protect yourself from the potentially enormous costs of long-term care? You could decide that you’ll pay out of pocket — if so, you’ll need to incorporate into your retirement budget a reasonable estimate of potential long-term care costs, and you may

• Traditional long-term care insurance – A traditional long-term care policy covers long-term care expenses in your home or at a nursing facility. But policies will differ in terms of what services are covered and how benefits are paid. And you may also be able to choose whether you want inflation protection. Also, with some policies, you can deduct the premiums from your state and federal taxes. (Your tax advisor can evaluate a policy you’re considering for potential tax benefits.)

• Hybrid long-term care insurance

In addition to providing coverage for home health care or a nursing home stay, a hybrid long-term care policy also offers a death benefit, so if you never need long-term care, your family could benefit from the policy’s proceeds.

• Life insurance with a long-term care rider – You can find a life insurance policy that lets you add long-term care coverage through a “rider,” or optional add-on. With this type of policy, you can use some of the death benefit to pay for your long-term care needs.

Which policy is best for you?

There’s no one right answer for everyone. A financial professional can help you evaluate all your options within the context of your overall investment and protection strategies. But keep in mind that all long-term care policies tend to get more expensive as you get older, so if you’re considering this type of coverage, you may want to get started sooner rather than later.

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

at properties, locally or in surrounding towns, as she is a keen interpreter of their needs.

Clients also appreciate that French is a good listener. She asks questions to determine a client’s likes and dislikes, works to understand their needs, offers different perspectives about properties to consider, and builds a thoughtful, strategic approach to home buying or selling, resulting in the most positive outcome.

“I love working with people,” French added, “and I love the process of helping transform a house, getting it ready for market and helping the homeowner locate their next home.”

In terms of buyers, French recommends three considerations: Choose an experienced local agent to guide each step of the home search and buying process; speak with a lender or secure a preapproved mortgage to better understand one’s price range; and clearly define one’s home criteria in advance so the agent can identify the ideal home when it comes to market, as timing is crucial. For sellers, French orchestrates any professional vendors needed to ready a property for sale and seeks to understand what clients expect of the selling experience.

French prides herself on being reli-

able, friendly and easy to work with. Eighty percent of her business is referralbased, resulting from satisfied clients wanting others to experience the same smooth transaction.

“I know this business is stressful for my clients, and I’ll do everything I can to change that,” French said. “I believe in doing what is right for each person, and going above and beyond is just how I work.”

French recalled an instance when she returned from vacation a day early in order to assist a client to stage and organize their house to go to market, presenting the property to its best advantage.

French advises clients interested in moving out of the area that she is more than willing to drive within an hour’s distance to assist. Otherwise, she can provide a referral for another talented agent through the company’s tremendous network of professional realtors.

The RE/MAX office is conveniently located at 22 South Street, and French may be reached by cell at 617-997-2207. Visit her website at JenniferFrenchHomes.com.

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

Realtor Jenn French loves her work and the flexibility it offers to enjoy her family.

PHOTO/SARA MAIDA PHOTOGRAPHY

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.

Schedule update

The library will be closed from Saturday, Feb. 18, through Monday, Feb. 20, in recognition of Presidents Day.

Freedom’s Cause: Historical Black Communities and George Washington’s Cambridge Camp

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7-8 p.m.

From 1775-76, 105 Brattle Street (today Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site) became Gen. George Washington’s first major headquarters of the Revolution. While Washington’s time at Cambridge Headquarters is well-documented, this site also provides a lens into intersections of Black history in Revolutionary America.

Author Talk: Lana Harper

Thursday, Feb. 9, 7-8 p.m.

In this virtual program, New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper will discuss the enchanting third installment of her immensely popular “The Witches of Thistle Grove” series, “Back in a Spell.”

Classical Music 101

Starts Friday, Feb. 10, 10-11 a.m.

In this virtual program, music historian Amber Broderick will present an eightweek introduction to the world of classical music, designed for general listeners and newcomers.

Black History Month Talk: Author Dr. Rebecca Hall

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

“Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts” tells the story of Dr. Rebecca Hall, a historian, granddaughter of slaves, and woman haunted by the legacy of slavery. This program is virtual.

Write a letter to our troops

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Getting a letter can be the highlight of a military person’s day. Adult Services librarian Danielle will lead a program in which individuals will write a letter(or two or three) of thanks to members of our military. The library will be sending the letters to the nonprofit organization A Million Thanks for sorting and posting.

50-plus Job Seekers Networking Group

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50-plus Job Seekers Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month via Zoom. This program is for those who are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed or seeking a new career direction. This session will focus on applications, cover letters and negotiations.

High School Academics and College Admission by the Princeton Review

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

How important are high school grades on college applications? Princeton Re-

view’s Sarah Cao will help participants navigate grades and college admissions. This program is free and is intended for high school students, rising high school students and parents of students. Participants must register for this session at the Princeton Review website.

Author Talk: Grace M. Cho

Thursday, Feb. 16, 1-2 p.m.

This virtual program will feature an insightful chat with award-winning author Grace M. Cho as she discusses her memoir, “Tastes Like War.”

Author Talk: Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Wednesday, Feb. 22 7-8 p.m.

This virtual program features writer, historian and lecturer Erica Armstrong Dunbar, who is the author of “Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge” (National Book Award finalist) and “She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman,” as well as pieces in The New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer. She also appears in documentaries such as PBS’s “The Abolitionists.”

CALENDAR

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

Women’s Club monthly program Feb. 13

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will host its next monthly meeting/program Monday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Hopkinton Public Library. The speaker is Cherylann Lambert Walsh from Project Just Because. New members from Hopkinton and the surrounding communities are always welcome. For more information, check the club’s website at hopkintonwomensclub.org or contact Judith Weinthaler at 508-435-3287 or HopkintonWC@gmail.com.

BSA Girls Troop 11 Meet & Greet Feb. 13

The all-female Scouts BSA Troop 11 invites girls age 10-17 and their families to meet the troop and learn more about the program and activities that are offered. The event will take place Monday, Feb. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 West Main Street, Westborough. Girls interested in getting outside, developing leadership skills, meeting other girls in the area and having fun are encouraged to attend. For more information, email bsatroop11ma@gmail.com or visit the BSATroop11 Facebook page.

Baypath Humane Society Fur Ball March 24

Baypath Humane Society’s annual Fur Ball Gala will be held Friday, March 24, from 6-11 p.m. at the Verve Hotel in Natick. This year’s event has a disco theme. The event will include a number of auction items in a wide price range. Tickets are $150 and include food, entertainment and dancing. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit baypathhumane.org/fur-ball-gala.

Veterans Breakfast first Friday of each month

The Veterans Breakfast is held on the first Friday of every month from 9-10 a.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center. In July, and if the first Friday of the month is a holiday or snow day, the breakfast switches to the second Friday. No registration is required. For more information, contact Amy Beck at the Senior Center, 508-497-9730.

Lots of Love Memory Care Musical Event | February 10 at 10 a.m. | FREE

The HCA is pleased to host a concert specifically designed for people experiencing forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment, or living with dementia, and their caregivers. We will have music by Ken DoRosario, valentine cookies and cocoa, and a special “dog guest” from our friends at BayPath Humane Society of Hopkinton. Ken is a music therapist who will not only entertain but encourage audience participation through singing and playing instruments with him.

Dueling Piano Entertainment

February 11 | 8 to 10 p.m.

Savage Pianos brings the FINEST in dueling piano entertainment to the Northeast. Their performers are recognized as headline entertainers around the world. They are each known for their craftsmanship, deep repertoires, and unique personalities! Their shows are a high-energy, request-driven, rock and roll sing-along experience. Great show to plan a Valentine or Galentine night out!

African Dance Workshop | FREE February 18 | 2 to 3 p.m.

Have fun dancing and learning about the history of African dance. SIMDACA is a dance academy that teaches traditional, contemporary and modern African dance for all age groups. The different steps and movements taught are to awaken happiness, self-confidence, creativity, and joy of dancing. Great for youth 4 years old to adults! This is a FREE event, but registration is required.

Michael McArthur with feature KIMAYO

February 18 | 8 to 10 p.m.

Michael is returning to Massachusetts for the first time in four years for a special one-night-only performance at HCA. In 2016, he performed at two sold-out shows at the former Jasper Hill Cafe and Bistro in Holliston, as well as numerous private house concerts in the area between 2016 and 2019. KIMAYO is a folk-pop artist. Her authentic and personal songs depict a humanity that is relatable and comforting. Her shows include her original music and a large variety of popular covers.

scHools

HHS literary magazine wins national honors

Marginal | from page 1

in the 2022 American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) literary magazine contest, one of only four publications to achieve that honor among schools of 1,000 to 1,700 students.

Additionally, HHS junior Emily Jiang won an Outstanding Art designation for her oil painting titled “Free Sailing.” Jiang was one of only seven artists to earn this award in the entire contest. It was the first time the magazine has had an individual student receive this recognition.

For its efforts, the school earned certificates from both competitions and is acknowledged on the organizations’ websites.

HHS English teacher Benjamin Lally said he took over the student publication six years ago, a year after its revival following an absence since the early 2000s.

Although he is the adviser for the school club that meets weekly, Lally said the magazine is “100 percent student run.”

The 100-page annual publication includes stories, poetry, essays and art representing 40 students in all grades. Lally explained that on average, 100-120 submissions are carefully reviewed by student editors, with the creators kept anonymous. About 10 student participated in this editorial process, Lally said.

Competing with the finished product is “new territory,” he said. “Sending it out to be judged beyond the school makes it a serious endeavor. It creates a good pressure to make the magazine

really good.”

The ASPA provides feedback and valuable insights designed to make future editions even better, Lally said.

Lally said although HHS’s magazine won NCTE honors two years ago during COVID, he was a bit surprised to see how well Marginal stacked up against far more competitors and strong ones. For example, first place was won by the Air Force Academy.

What made the difference, he thinks, was the really “solid variety of writing … skilled pieces … and impressive art work, which typically has

Local collegians shine

Emily Jiang’s recognition marked the first time Marginal produced an art award winner in the magazine’s history.

more of a wow factor that jumps off the pages.”

Jiang said this was the third time she has submitted artwork to Marginal, thinking it would be a nice way to have her work featured in the school publication.

Of the honor, she said, “I’m pretty surprised especially since I just submitted for fun and didn’t know about the

national competition.”

HHS senior Alveena Ehsan, one of Marginal’s lead editors, said she felt proud the magazine earned such recognition. “The writers in this magazine have written truly beautiful pieces, and we editors have worked incredibly hard to pick the best of the best,” she said.

Another lead editor, senior Owen Fitzpatrick, said that being chosen by his peers to have his art and poetry published in Marginal gave him the confidence to enter other art and writing contests throughout high school.

Fitzpatrick said Marginal is at the top of his extracurricular activities list and he hopes to work on the literary magazine at Bates College next year.

Senior Olivia Stacy, another lead editor, said the magazine is a great place for students to get involved with the writing and art community at HHS.

She was pleased to help shape the magazine as an editor and described the awards it earned as “awesome.”

“The more recognition it gets, the more we can support our student writers and artists and introduce new students to our community,” Stacy said. “Marginal is a beautiful collection of art and writing that anyone would love reading, so I am glad it is being shared.”

Copies of the magazine are for sale at HHS through Lally or at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. The cost is $10.

Nia T. Alvarado-Rodriguez, Taneja

A. Forero, Rebecca R. Gallant, Addy Hodson and Courtney Olafsen were named to the dean’s list. …

COLLEGE HONORS

The University of New Hampshire announced its fall dean’s list, and it includes a number of Hopkinton residents. Alexandra Lee, Lia Brossi and Samuel Lozeau were recognized with highest honors, Grace Joy and Olivia O’Connor received high honors, and Kathryn Callery earned honors. …

Hannah Polk was named to the president’s list at Plymouth State University, where she majors in elementary education and youth development. …

At WPI, seniors Ryan Hawkins (a mechanical engineering major) and Matthew Kiszla (computer science), sophomores Tanya Khan (computer science), Aabid Peermohammed (mechanical engineering) and Emma VanBeek (biomedical engineering), and freshmen Brandon Belmonte (mechanical engineering), Yasutora Ito (mathematical sciences), Treavor Weeden (mechanical engineering) and Mena Youssif (civil engineering) were named to the dean’s list. …

Making the dean’s list at the University of Vermont were Calli Moore, who is majoring in English and Chinese, and Landon York, who is majoring in psychological science. …

Corinne Messier was named to the president’s list at Bentley University, where she majors in health and business studies. …

At Bridgewater State University,

Olivia Jaye, a cell biology/chemistry major, was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University. …

Avery Knous was named to the dean’s list at Siena College. …

At Hofstra University, Amelia Bashy (audio/radio production/studies major), Dylan Morin (drama) and Matthew Regan (film studies/production) were named to the dean’s list. …

Andrew Nealon was named to the dean’s list at James Madison University.

At Muhlenberg College, Esther Klinger and Matthew Klinger were named to the dean’s list. …

Colin Norred was named to the dean’s list at Springfield College, where he is majoring in sport management. …

Fariha Fardin was named to the dean’s list at the University of Connecticut. …

At Holy Cross, senior Sara Cahill, junior Katharine Lagasse and sophomore Ross Comcowich were named to the dean’s list. …

Leah Palinkas was named to the dean’s list at the University of New England. …

At the University of Rhode Island, Jason Bachman, Trinity Birtwistle, Kelsey Eddy, Natalie Morgan, Will Pawela, Lily Pete, Casey Pratt, Eliza Worrell and Josie Zeigler were named to the dean’s list.

By Susan Gonsalves

Contributing Writer

Traffic could be the single most challenging issue facing the Elementary School Building Committee, with members acknowledging the need for more detailed analysis and communication with the public.

At its Jan. 31 meeting, the committee reviewed the various possible design options for Elmwood School either on Elm Street or Hayden Rowe Street.

The sites are designated as “Elmwood Bar,” “Elmwood Village,” Hayden Rowe Pinwheel” and “Hayden Rowe Village,” with different designs marked east and west depicting either Grades 2-3 or Grades 2-3-4 options.

Vertex Project Director Jeffrey D’Amico explained the committee was to look at half of the evaluation criteria on Tuesday and the second half at its meeting Feb. 7.

D’Amico highlighted a color-coded matrix that rated the design options in specific areas.

The codes included red for least advantageous, orange for less advantageous, yellow for neutral, light green for advantageous and dark green as more advantageous.

D’Amico said police and fire personnel were comfortable with all the options and had no issues should a new school be built with three stories. He noted that once a site/design is chosen, those personnel would review floor plans and voice their concerns.

Most of the conversation involved the traffic and district operations categories, including busing and maintenance.

Director of Finance Susan Rothermich said there could be a reduction in the number of buses if Hayden Rowe is chosen as the site. She said that selection could eliminate 15 minutes of cross-town trips to pick up from another school and shorter bus rides for students.

Director of Facilities Tim Persson said it would be more efficient for snow plowing and other maintenance tasks to have a new Elmwood School in closer proximity with the Marathon School rather than having to cross town to pick up equipment.

Board members talked about how the design for Hayden Rowe seeks to pull traffic off the road and have it queue and circulate on-site. However, ESBC chair Jon Graziano noted there

still would be more cars on Hayden Rowe Street because of the crossover of kids.

Members tried to determine if it should be rated “neutral” or “less advantageous” ultimately, as it was coded orange on the chart.

School Committee member Jenn Devlin said she saw potential for the traffic to be improved if “a chunk of it is pulled off the street.”

School Committee member Lya BatlleRafferty added that they didn’t really know what it would be like when all was said and done.

Graziano said the amount of data that is needed on traffic would be a lot more than what is typically done on an average project. Communication with the public needs to be comprehensive, he said. Answers are required for questions on timing of buses, the number of people dropping off and picking up students, what the town can do to calm down traffic near all the schools and much more.

“It would be easier if this project was in a vacuum and it isn’t from a cost perspective and from traffic if we go to Hayden Rowe,” Graziano said.

Some members were in favor of classifying the traffic impact as “neutral,” which the chair said would be a bad move.

“If we make it yellow, most of the public is not going to believe us,” he said. “We have work to do to tell this story.”

Building Committee member Michael Shepard noted he said from the beginning of the process that traffic would even supersede costs as the main sticking point with townspeople.

He said there is an opportunity for the public to come out when the project goes to the Planning Board. When it gets to Town Meeting for a funding vote, Shepard said, there could be a “pissing match.”

“This guy we hired to do the traffic [study] has got to do his damn job in order to make this work,” Shepard said.

Graziano asked that the discussion on traffic continue at the next meeting and the consultant be brought in after first being briefed on the scope of all he must look at and the considerations he has to take into account to come up with accurate analyses.

Batlle-Rafferty said that like with the budget process, people want to see transparency over time, that the committee is taking it seriously and there is movement forward on the traffic analysis.

“If they can see what’s happening, that will be a huge positive,” she said.

In other categories, both sites initially were deemed neutral for walkability and bike-ability. Following discussion about safety and the ages of children possibly walking if grade changes are made, the Elmwood locations were dropped to less advantageous and Hayden Rowe remained neutral.

For criteria concerning site complexities, D’Amico said while both locations have wetlands that need further study, there is more ledge at Elmwood, and blasting it near an existing building is of concern, he said.

He explained that big rocks can be drilled, separated and crushed, while ledge requires drilling and blasting in a controlled environment. Additionally, abutters of 250 feet have to be notified in the latter situation.

However, D’Amico added that a project in Ashland has had this blasting done with no problems near an existing building.

— Mike Shepard ESBC member

This guy we hired to do the traffic [study] has got to do his damn job in order to make this work.

School Committee approves $60 million proposed budget

By Susan Gonsalves

Contributing Writer

The Hopkinton School Committee voted 4-1 to approve a fiscal year 2024 budget totaling $60,172,752, a slight change from the proposal members had been working with previously.

School Committee member Holly Morand cast the opposing vote.

The increase of 8.4 percent is well above the 5.1 percent guidance provided by the Select Board.

The budget reflects funds for therapy services, which were slated to be cut but put back in following public outcry over many weeks. There also was a change increasing 0.1 of a staff position for nursing up to 0.4 based on need, according to Superintendent

School Committee to have turnover

Carol Cavanaugh.

School Committee member Jenn Devlin said town officials seemed positive they could make an overall town-wide budget work without a Proposition 2 ½ override.

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh noted that the amount of state funding is difficult to estimate with a new governor in office.

SCHOOLS

NOTEBOOK

School Committee member Lya Batlle-Rafferty, who also serves as a liaison on the Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC), announced last month that she was not going to seek re-election. She emphasized the importance of another committee member stepping forward to serve as a liaison to the ESBC.

Jenn Devlin also is not seeking re-election this spring.

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh mentioned that the members could change their minds.

Marathon Fund offers scholarships

The Marathon Fund Committee will award six $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Hopkinton. Applications are available at the Town Manager’s Office in Town Hall and the Hopkinton High School Guidance Department as well as on the town’s website (hopkintonma.gov) or by calling 508-497-9701.

Applicants must be slated to attend a two- or four-year college/university and have earned at least one varsity letter. Applicants also must have demonstrated a willingness to give their best effort in academics and extracurricular activities.

Completed applications should be turned in to the Town Manager’s Office by April 14 at 2 p.m.

Garden Club scholarship available

The Hopkinton Garden Club is soliciting applications for its $1,000 scholarship. Preference is given to graduating high school seniors pursuing the fields of horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, forestry, conservation, environmental sciences and related fields. Applicants must be current Hopkinton residents (at least one year).

Applications, due by April 22, may be obtained through the Hopkinton High School Guidance Department, the Joseph Keefe Technical School Guidance Office, and the Hopkinton Garden Club website (hopkintongardenclub.org).

Additionally, the Hopkinton Garden Club’s parent organization, the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, offers 11 scholarships, with applications due March 1. The $1,000 scholarships are available to undergraduate students (including high school seniors who will be freshmen in the fall) and graduate students. Applications can be found on the club’s website.

HALT accepts scholarship applications

The Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) is offering a scholarship of up to $1,000 to a graduating high school student or students from Hopkinton whose intent is to major in conservation, ecology, natural resources/wildlife management or the environmental sciences.

Application deadline is in early April, and the winner(s) will be informed by the end of April.

For more information, visit hopkintonlandtrust.org.

Class of 2024 holds fundraising raffle

The Class of 2024 Post-Prom Committee is hosting a Calendar Draw. Proceeds benefit the junior class post-prom event.

Tickets can be purchased from Feb 1-28, and the 31-day draw starts March 1. Anyone who is a Massachusetts resident can participate.

Tickets are $10 for a daily draw entry, and $50 for the daily draw plus a chance to win two tickets to the Taylor Swift concert on May 19 in Foxborough.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hopkintonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/27867109.

Before that decision was made, the budget process that started in September was reviewed. Cavanaugh noted that the district’s population of highneed students is 29.4 percent, compared to 17 percent in 2010-11.

She also referred to population projections for the end of FY24 at 4,160 students. However, the current enrollment is 4,184 students, which is 106 more than estimated.

Talking about proposed directors positions to oversee curriculum instruction and assessment in grades K-5 and grades 6-12, Cavanaugh said the directors would help the district best determine how to teach kids with disparate needs. The third director is to lead the preschool.

The budget contains 20.35 staff requests at a total of $1.3 million.

Cavanaugh referred to a list of needs presented by the Hopkinton Teachers Association seeking an additional 15.7 positions at a cost of $729,000. The superintendent explained that during the budget process, 9.5 other positions had been requested by principals but did not go forward. If all these additions were included in the budget it would bring the overall increase to 10.6 percent.

Director of Finance Susan Rothermich said administrators are working on strategies to bridge the gap between the town’s 5.1 percent guidance and the School Department’s 8.4 percent increase.

A few possibilities would be to have one-time purchases (i.e. science tables) funded by free cash and use an increased amount from some revolving funds, Rothermich said.

Morand outlined her concerns about the budget and the process. She said that a formalized relationship had to occur with the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) going forward. She suggested looking into neighboring communities to see what they are doing.

Other members agreed this step would be positive.

“We value you and want to work more collaboratively,” she said of SEPAC.

Morand also referred to a state mandate that requires a designated SPED director if there are more than 4,000 students in a district. Director of Student Services Karen Zaleski said leadership of that department was in her purview and Hopkinton always has been in compliance with that regulation.

Morand noted that Zaleski’s job was more “multi-faceted,” and she wondered if the SPED director had to only oversee that one department. An opinion from town counsel was to be sought.

In addition, Morand said she couldn’t justify adding administrators to the SPED department when the teachers and therapists say more “student-facing” staff is needed.

She said she also is in favor of teacher forums to give the educators space to be heard.

“I want to get it right for every kid. That’s my only focus,” Morand said.

Vice chair Amanda Fargiano said having directors “hopefully will be good for everyone,” because they could identify and express what is needed in curriculum assessment and instruction to make the SPED program stronger.

Cavanaugh and Rothermich said that in mid-year, if additional staff is found to be needed, they will come back to the School Committee with a request as has successfully been done in the past.

— Holly Morand School Committee member

I want to get it right for every kid. That’s my only focus.

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

Venkata Satyamani Malladi

traditions with a modern-world thinking. She was trendy, smart, respectful, strong-principled, good-humored and at the same time sensitive and humble. There is no end to bringing alive our mother and her qualities through the memories that we will always cherish. A mother (or parent) is always alive in her children through the values and teachings of her, that they carry forward. Arrangements are being held privately and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

Mary Inman

superintendent. She also spent many years working with the family moving and signage businesses and rounded out her career at Natural Microsystems of Framingham.

Eunice had a green thumb and thoroughly enjoyed making her Hopkinton yard a colorful and beautiful oasis. She was an avid bird watcher, nature enthusiast, golfer and skier. She loved the Hopkinton Senior Center and all her friends there. She spent many years volunteering and participating in many programs and activities. Her favorite activity by far was having lunch with her friends.

A memorial funeral Mass and celebration of her life was held Feb. 4 at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home.

enjoyed organizing the photos and making photo albums and picture collages for family and friends. His family was his life, and he loved spending time with them at family gatherings and cookouts.

In addition to his beloved wife, Patricia M. (Duley) Phaneuf, he also is survived by his three children, Stephen R. Phaneuf and partner Linda Muren of Hopkinton, James P. Phaneuf and wife Susan of Milford, and Susan M. Desimone and husband James of Shrewsbury; six grandchildren, Gina M. Hubcsh and husband Jason, Brad W. Phaneuf and wife Trista, Angela R. Phaneuf, Lori E. Gelsomini, Nicole P. Dutton and husband Stanley, and Officer Alex A. Desimone; 10 great-grandchildren, and a special sister-in-law, Eileen Deviln of Hudson. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert W. Phaneuf; his sister, Natalie E. Gay, his grandson, Jeffrey J. Phaneuf, and his best grand-doggie pal, Brody.

A funeral service was held Jan. 31 at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, Hudson, followed by interment and military honors at Forest Vale Cemetery.

Venkata Satyamani Malladi, 75, passed away Dec. 9 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, she was the daughter of the late Nagaratnam and Sreeram Murthy. She was the wife of the late Seshagiri Rao Malladi.

Satyamani is survived by her son, Ravi Malladi of Hopkinton, two daughters, Padmalatha Gunturi and Pallavi Malladi, and five grandchildren, Vibha, Vishnu, Aditi, Mythri and Rishi, as well as two sons-in-law, Bhanu Gunturi and Mohan Nadakuduti, and a daughter-inlaw, Padmaja Malladi.

Born into a close-knit family, Satyamani was the third of seven siblings (Subbalakshmi, Suryaprakash Rao, Kameshwari, Adilakshmi, Satyavathi, Satyanarayana). She always had their love and support throughout her life, until the end. Nicknamed Mani, she was a social butterfly and known to be witty with a great sense of humor. All her schooling and college took place in Hyderabad, India. As a kid, she was good at academics and quite an athlete. She also was into chess and card games. She had a baccalaureate degree in science, her specialization being chemistry. Being of a strong personality, she was the first female in the family to take a professional job.

After marriage, she moved to Bangalore and chose to be a housewife. She was very adaptive and good at learning new languages. She loved reading. Her knowledge of current affairs, be it politics, sports or general, was commendable. She was a soap opera and movie buff and also used to follow tennis and cricket tournaments on national television. A few of her favorite players were tennis player Steffi Graf and Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. She also was a religious person. Being a staunch devotee of Shirdi Sai baba, she regularly would go to the temple on Thursdays. Being very sensitive at heart, she always helped those in need and was into charity and social service, too. She also thrived to bring up her children with the same positive values of love and life.

She was a fusion of culture and

Mary Eunice (Mullins) Inman, 83, of Hopkinton passed away peacefully on Jan. 18 surrounded by her children after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure.

Eunice was born July 21, 1939, in Framingham to Edna (Pyne) Mullins and John Mullins Sr. Her family resided in Hopkinton. She was preceded in death by her parents and by the love of her life, her husband, Stephen Inman Sr. Eunice also was predeceased by siblings John Mullins, David Mullins and Kathleen (Mullins) Harrell.

Eunice is survived by her children, Stephen Inman Jr. and Sally, Kevin Inman and Sue, Suzanne Inman, Timothy Inman and Carrie Anne Edes, and Patrick Inman; grandchildren Shaun Inman and Leslie Jensen-Inman, Stephen Inman III and Libby, Christina Inman, Brandy Inman, Charlie Inman and Sophie Blackburn, Johnny Inman, Emily Inman, Isabelle Inman, Ciara Riley, Colin Riley, Taylor Inman and Rick Rowsell, Alexandra Inman and Sean Inman. Many much-loved greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends also survive Eunice.

Eunice graduated from Hopkinton High School, where she exhibited her leadership skills as head cheerleader as well as playing the lead of Yum-Yum in the play The Mikado. She then attended Boston University, where she studied English and education.

She loved her husband, Steve, and her five kids dearly and always put family before herself. Eunice had a huge heart, a great sense of humor, a no-nonsense attitude and a fierce fighting spirit. Her generosity and kindness was boundless.

Eunice raised her family in Grafton, where she began her administrative career with the Grafton School Department. She ultimately became the longtime executive assistant to the school

Richard Alan (Dick) Phaneuf, 90, of Hopkinton, formerly of Hudson, passed away peacefully on Jan. 21 at Milford Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. He leaves behind his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years, Patricia M. (Duley) Phaneuf.

Richard was born in Marlborough on June 2, 1932, and was the youngest of three children of the late Wilrose and Helen (O’Donnell) Phaneuf. He was raised on Apsley Street in Hudson, where he was a three-sport athlete and alumni of the Hudson High School graduating class of 1951. His senior year baseball team was inducted into the HHS Sports Hall of Fame, and he was very proud of helping his team win the state championship by starting a rally with a double off the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

After graduating from Hudson High School, he served honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1952-55 during the Korean War. Richard had a long and successful career as a graphic illustrator for Lapointe Machine and Tool Company in Hudson, and later for Raytheon Company before retiring. He was a former member of Christ the King and Saint Michael Parish in Hudson, and later St. Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury.

After retiring from Raytheon, Richard and Patricia relocated to Cape Cod for 12 years before moving to Shrewsbury to be closer to their family. For the past 2 1/2 years, they have resided at Golden Pond Assisted Living and Memory Care in Hopkinton.

Richard was an undiscovered artist, and could draw most anything that he could look at. He was rarely seen without his camera, and he enjoyed taking photos at most every event he attended. He also

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or alz.org.

John Whistler

During the holiday season of 2022, John W. Whistler of Hopkinton passed away at his home at the age of 74. John was born in Denver on Aug. 18, 1948, to Dr. Carl and Marsha Whistler.

John graduated from East Denver High School in 1966 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado in 1970. After moving to Boston in the early 1970s, he taught mathematics and science for the Boston Public Schools. Later, he worked in information systems for Verizon before retiring. John was an avid contract bridge player and achieved the level of sapphire life master. He had many friends who played the game and appreciated his unique sense of humor. John loved handicapping horse races, and he spent many summers at the Saratoga Race Course.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James. He is survived by his sister, Judith and husband William Peterson of Boulder, Colorado, and his nephew, John Peterson and family of Portland, Oregon. He also is survived by his many card-playing friends. Arrangements were to be held privately and were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

Richard Phaneuf

Garrett William Niland, 68, of Ashland and formerly Hopkinton, passed away peacefully at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Nancy (Norton) and George Niland. He was the beloved husband of 43 years to Jean (Caldaroni) Niland.

Gary attended Framingham State University, where he established lifelong friendships, met the love of his life and played football. Gary was inducted into the Framingham State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 for his football achievements and stayed involved in the school’s football community until his passing.

Gary was a man of character and integrity who never compromised his principles as he ascended the corporate ladder, holding various management positions and owning his own sales agency. Gary took the lessons from the football field and applied them to his everyday life — set your goals, work hard to achieve them, do the right thing and treat everyone with respect. He was absolutely respected by all who he came into contact with because he was a straight shooter. He never forgot who he was, he never forgot where he came from and he always took care of his own.

Summers were spent at Sagamore Beach with his family and closest friends. Gary was easy to love — he made you feel like the most important person in the room and always made a lasting impression. He was a man who loved deeply and never hesitated to let his loved ones know what they meant to him. Gary met the challenges of many health issues over the years and fought them courageously. He was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

Besides his wife, Gary is survived by his children, Christopher Niland and wife Abby (Francis) Niland of Hopkinton, Matthew Niland and wife Courtney (Day) Niland of Franklin, Kara Salvucci and husband, Scott Salvucci of Franklin and Molly Niland. Gary also leaves behind his five loving grandchildren, Grayson, Declan and Merrigan Niland, and Ryan and Connor Salvucci. He is survived by his siblings, Christina Joyce, Sharon Toomey, Bernadette Driscoll, Jacqueline Bates, Donna McGillvray, William Niland and Nancy Warfield as well as their spouses. He also leaves behind mother-in-law Marie Caldaroni and sister-in-law Judith Carr and her husband. Lastly, Gary is survived by an abundance of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brother

George Niland and father-in-law Anthony Caldaroni. Visitation was held Feb. 1 at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 2 at Saint Cecilia’s Church in Ashland, followed by a celebration of life at the Warren Center in Ashland. Interment was to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (dana-farber.org).

Deborah Lupacchino

Deborah (Mendes) Lupacchino, 70, of Southborough and Naples, Florida, died Jan. 27 at her home in Southborough. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Ann (Fusaro) Mendes and the wife of Frank Lupacchino.

Debbie graduated from Worcester State College in 1974 with a degree in elementary education before going on to earn her master’s in library science from Simmons College. She also taught as a school librarian at Center School in Hopkinton for several years.

Deborah devoted her life to being a loving wife and mother. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her beloved family, whether celebrating the holidays or embarking on family vacations to destinations such as Italy, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Barcelona. In her spare time, Deborah enjoyed gardening and playing mahjong, tennis and golf. She also enjoyed taking trips with her 20 Group throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as visits to Cape Cod, Ogunquit, Maine, and Naples, Florida, where she settled with her husband later in her life.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two sons, Steven of Brookline and Michael of Nashua, New Hampshire, and her brother, Joe Mendes of New Seabury. She also is survived by her aunt, Eleanor (Mendes) Strong of Huntington Beach, California, her uncle, Richard Mendes of Flat Rock, North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 4 at St. Matthew Parish, Southborough. A private burial was to be held at a later date.

Debbie fought a courageous fight for over 2 1/2 years with cholangiocarcinoma cancer.

Debbie’s family would like to thank Dr. David P. Ryan of Massachusetts General Hospital and all the nurses and

support staff who cared for her through her treatment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bile Duct Research, c/o MGH Development Office, 32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 or giving.massgeneral.org.

Robert Lim

Robert Lim, 86, of Towaco, New Jersey, and recently of Hopkinton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 27. Born in Fujian, China, he was the son of the late Kiok Siang Ko and Ah Hok Lim. He was married to the love of his life for 52 years, Jane (Lee) Lim. Robert was raised in Bali, Indonesia. He moved to the United States to attend college. He attended Barrington College, then Gordon Divinity School to earn a Master of Divinity, and later Salem State, where he received a master’s degree in mathematics. He taught math at St. John’s Preparatory School in Massachusetts and at Westwood High School in New Jersey. He was a Boy Scout chaplain for two summers in Alfred, Maine, and was the director of Chinatown Community Health Center in New York City. He also was a Bible study leader for many years and served as a lay minister for more than 16 years at the Chinese First United Methodist Church in New Jersey.

Robert was known for his kind, compassionate heart and warm smile. He was a humble man who took pride in being well-dressed, often in a blue pinstripe collared shirt, navy blazer and khaki pants. Besides helping people, he enjoyed many afternoons watching boxing and soccer matches on TV.

Besides his wife, Robert is survived by two sons, Christopher R. Lim and wife Ophelia Chiu of New York City, and Clifford N. Lim and wife Jessica of Hopkinton. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Carter, Ellis, Olivia and Alexa; and his siblings, Joseph Juwono and wife Ivoni of Cerritos, California, and Grace Jethrokusumo of Singapore. He is predeceased by one brother and two sisters. He also is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A private funeral service and interment was to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

Garrett Niland

Call Bert

617-733-8863

Strong performances fuel Hillers boys swimming

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Despite having a roster with only 10 athletes, the Hopkinton High School boys swimming team put together some memorable moments this winter, with four swimmers earning spots at the sectional and state meets.

“Having such a small team does make it hard to fill the lanes at our meets, but we did exceptionally well at the Tri-Valley League Showcase meet,” coach Kristen Wells said.

The TVL Showcase followed a 4-4 regular season for the Hillers. Hopkinton earned a third-place finish at the showcase, which took place at Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley.

Junior Davis Peishoff took home first place in the 100 butterfly at the TVL meet and added a third-place finish in the backstroke. Owen Picard, a freshman, earned a pair of top-five finishes by placing fourth in both the 100 and 200 freestyle events.

“He is another really strong swimmer,” Wells said.

Those two swimmers teamed up with juniors Caleb Burke and Lucas Coffman to swim in both the medley relay and the 400 free relay. All four boys qualified for sectionals and states in their respective individual or relay events, and the team’s showdown with Holliston/Medway provided Wells one of the most memorable moments of her coaching career.

“Each leg of the race matched up super well, it was a very even race and, at each leg, the next swimmer kept diving in at the same time,” Wells said. “The energy was great on the deck and in the stands. Everyone was super into

that race.”

Adding to the drama was the fact that no other team was particularly close to the two leading relay squads. Even though Hopkinton ultimately finished second, the Hillers swam what Wells called “the race of their lives” to turn what was expected to be a blowout into a nail-biter.

“We dropped 15 seconds from the season’s best time, which is kind of unheard of,” she said.

Peishoff qualified for the postseason in both the butterfly and the backstroke, Burke earned a spot in the backstroke, and Picard in the 100 freestyle. That trio joined Coffman on the two relay teams with qualifying times for both sectionals and states.

Wells said the team has a small but close-knit roster, and practices were more efficient because of the smaller group and the lack of crowds in each lane. Hopkinton will graduate just two seniors — Declan Hanscom and Conner Willadsen — and Andy Li joins Picard as a strong freshman who was able to make some noise in his first season with the program.

“A lot of our strong swimmers are juniors, so they will be great leaders next year,” Wells said. “And having two talented freshmen come in is very promising moving forward as well.”

HHS girls swimming shows improvement

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

The Hopkinton High School girls

swimming and diving team has been able to improve throughout the winter despite facing a number of challenges. The Hillers have a relatively small roster, with only 13 swimmers. And their lone diver, Eve Weatherhead, had to scramble to find a place to train when the Keefe Tech pool closed.

“She had to practice separately, so she went to Wayland’s practice every day,” coach Kristen Wells said. “She has been managing that all season, but she still had a good season and she has

been performing well.”

Weatherhead, a junior, finished fourth in the Tri-Valley League Showcase meet and qualified for the sectional and state meets. She will be joined by teammate Olivia Scalora, another junior, who qualified in the 50 freestyle.

“She has been working toward that 50 free qualifying time all season,” Wells said. “She is a strong swimmer in all of the freestyle events and has been the team leader in points. Her effort in practice has also been really impressive.”

Junior captain Natalie Bouffard Girls swimming | page 21

Andy Li, swimming the breaststroke, made an impact as a freshman this season.

hillers thrillers

The Holy Cross-bound Boothroyd is a middle-distance runner who posted the top times in Division 2 in the 600 and 800 meters. He also runs on the HHS 4x400 relay team that has the top time in Division 2. “Day in and day out he is a quiet leader during practice and meets, maintains a highly positive attitude, and is just scratching the surface of his potential,” coach Mike Donahue shared.

Scalora, one of the team’s top point-scorers all season in dual meets, qualified for the state meet in the 50 freestyle with a second-place finish at the recent Tri-Valley League Showcase meet. “Olivia is a very hard worker in practice and has had the goal of qualifying for sectionals all season long,” coach Kristen Wells shared. “She has been attentive in practice and working every day toward that goal.”

Check HopkintonIndependent.com for more about these amazing athletes

HHS girls swimming shows improvement

is a strong swimmer in the breaststroke and also has been a factor on the Hopkinton relays. She dropped her times significantly throughout the season, which aided the relay efforts greatly, Wells said.

The 200 freestyle relay team, consisting of Bouffard, Scalora, freshman Anna Burke and senior Anna Bardelli, came close to qualifying for sectionals at several points this season, including just missing during the TVL Showcase meet. Still, their efforts earned high praise from their coach.

“All of them had really good improvement over the course of the season,” Wells said.

The Hopkinton girls finished 1-8-1 during the dual meet season, a record that can be largely attributed to the lack of depth and having a much smaller team than normal years. But Wells said the smaller roster did provide some advantages.

“Because it was such a small team, everyone had a chance to swim more events and score more points for the team during the dual meets,” she said.

The improvement for her swim-

mers across the board is what stood out to Wells the most.

“Over 90 percent of our swimmers had their best times at the TVL Showcase meet, which was awesome to see,” she said.

Another plus for Hopkinton is the fact that most of the team will return next year. Both Weatherhead and Scalora have another season to go, and there were four freshmen and five sophomores on the roster this season.

“We have a lot of our team coming back,” Wells said. “That will be very good for the program moving forward.”

Luke Boothroyd Boys Indoor Track and Field Senior

Olivia Scalora Girls Swimming Junior

Maeve Hanscom swims the backstroke during a meet early in the season.

Girls swimming | from page 20

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Captains lead deep HHS wrestling team

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

In most seasons, Hopkinton High School wrestling coach Tim Nelson has about 25 athletes to work with in filling out his lineup. This year, around 50 individuals tried out for the team, and of that group, more than 40 stuck with the program.

The larger roster produced doubledigit victories during the dual meet schedule, and the Hillers’ five captains are eyeing deep postseason runs of their own.

“Our captains have been varsity starters for us for the past couple of years and they all have lofty goals for the postseason,” Nelson said. “All of them did some offseason wrestling to prepare for this year. They have been our backbone.”

Nelson said that each of the captains has been a leader on and off the mat and in different ways. The group is spread across different weight classes, giving the Hillers strength throughout the lineup. Adam Distasio is looking to bounce back from an injury that kept him from competing in the state tournament a year ago. He’s been a fixture at 113 pounds.

“He eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling,” Nelson said. “He’s been training hard all year and coming into the year because last season didn’t end the way

he wanted it to.”

Distasio’s “partner in crime” is John Carlson, who competes in the 126-pound division. Nelson described Carlson as an “iron man,” competing in nearly every meet and looking to advance deeper in the state tourney than he did last year.

Jack Hoyt, who wrestles at 132 pounds, is perhaps the most improved in the Hopkinton lineup, his coach said.

“Jack has come a long way since last year,” Nelson said. “He has turned himself into a state place-winner caliber and he is another one who is there every day and pushes through a lot of adversity.”

One of the team’s quiet leaders is Will Liptak, who wrestles at 138 pounds. Nelson said Liptak does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and more. After posting a 1-2 record at the state meet a season ago, he’s angling for a stronger finish this winter.

The best wrestler on the team is Josh Sokol, a captain and heavyweight with a large presence in more than one sense. He qualified for the New England championships last year after a fifthplace finish at all-states and comes from a long line of wrestling success within his own family.

“He has really worked his butt off to make a name for himself within the family and within the Hopkinton wrestling program, and he has just been a great wrestler and a great leader,” Nelson said. “He is the most vocal of our captains and the kids respond to the way he leads.”

While the seniors are aiming for success this year, the future of the program seems bright with a dozen new freshmen having tried out this winter. Nelson said having assistant coach Corey Mills also serve as the freshman football coach has been a solid recruiting tool. The depth allowed Hopkinton to weather injury challenges this year and give plenty of athletes valuable experience.

“We are in every match, we compete with good teams and we are able to win matches,” Nelson said. “The kids have gotten better every time we step out there, that’s all you can ask for.”

John Carlson gets the advantage on an Ashland opponent during a December match at Hopkinton High School.

P\HOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Our captains have been varsity starters for us for the past couple of years and they all have lofty goals for the postseason.

—Hopkinton High School wrestling coach Tim Nelson

police log

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

ARRESTS

January 22

2:33 a.m. Officer Alexander Stewart conducted a motor vehicle stop on South Street and subsequently arrested a 30-year-old Milford resident and charged her with marked lanes violation and OUI liquor, second offense.

January 27

11:58 p.m. A caller reported a disturbance and possible domestic incident on Woodview Way. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Alexander Stewart and Brennan Grimley responded and subsequently arrested a 55-year-old from Framingham and charged him with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace as well as a straight warrant arrest.

January 17

8:12 a.m. A walk-in reported finding a yellow Lab on Woodview Way. The animal control officer was contacted and requested the dog be taken to Baypath.

1:48 p.m. Officer Sean McKeon found a dog running loose on Spring Street, spoke with neighbors and returned the dog to its owner.

2:56 p.m. A caller reported an injured hawk on Chestnut Street. The animal control officer was notified.

4:05 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour responded to a motor vehicle accident on Main Street and reported no personal injuries. A tow truck removed the vehicle, and Officer LaTour provided a courtesy transport to the driver.

January 18

7:49 a.m. A motorist complained a vehicle was tailgating her and then passed her on Main Street. Officer Sean McKeon responded. The vehicle was gone upon his arrival.

11:32 a.m. A caller reported a possible phone scam with scammers claiming to be involved in a federal investigation. The incident was logged.

4:41 p.m. A caller reported a tree fell on wires on Cole Drive. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and contacted Verizon.

January 19

2:03 a.m. Officer Brennan Grimley reported a crosswalk sign was on the side of the roadway on Legacy Farms North. A message was left for the DPW.

5:28 p.m. A caller complained of cars speeding downtown and not yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk on Main Street. Officer Robert Ekross responded and took a report.

9:06 p.m. A Freedom Way resident reported returning from vacation and finding their house was broken into. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Shannon Beloin responded and took a report.

January 20

2:59 a.m. Police in Lincoln, Rhode Island, reported an individual at a casino

in their town had her house keys, car keys and car registration stolen. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded to Briarcliff Drive to do checks of the individual’s house.

2:57 p.m. A caller reported an altercation between two co-workers on South Street. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Shannon Beloin and Augusto Diaz responded and took an assault report. They were unsuccessful in reaching EMC security.

5:27 p.m. An East Main Street caller reported receiving a fraudulent phone call from a person requesting donations for police and fire personnel. The incident was logged.

7:29 p.m. Sergeants Timothy Brennan and Arthur Schofield responded to a motor vehicle accident at Price Chopper on West Main Street. The operator of one of the involved vehicles was given a written report.

8:11 p.m. A caller reported a strong odor of smoke inside a Saddle Hill Road building. Sergeant Timothy Brennan responded along with the Fire Department.

8:16 p.m. A caller reported a dead deer on a Walcott Valley Drive walkway. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded and notified the animal control officer.

January 21

2:46 p.m. An A Street caller reported a suspicious man who kept knocking on her door. Officer Brennan Grimley spoke with the caller and took a report.

10:01 p.m. A Pinecrest Village caller reported a tenant was stealing property. Officer Nicholas Walker responded and took a report.

10:39 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported a suspicious vehicle in his driveway. Officers Matthew LaTour and Nicholas Walker responded and spoke with the driver of the vehicle, who was lost while out delivering food.

January 22

11:25 a.m. A Legacy Farms North resident reported hearing gunshots in the area. Officer Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

2:37 p.m. A caller reported a verbal dispute involving a dog walker and another person on Kruger Road. Officer Benjamin Campbell responded and spoke with both parties, and they declined police assistance.

3:33 p.m. A caller inside a West Main Street store reported a male yelling and causing a disturbance in the front of the store. Sergeant William Burchard and Officers Matthew LaTour and Cody Normandin responded and spoke with all parties involved. The manager approved the parties to stay in the store, and no action was to be taken by officers.

6:18 p.m. A motorist reported he hit a grill that was in the roadway of West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported. Officers Cody Normandin and Nicholas Walker responded, moved the grill to the median and left a message for the DPW to pick it up.

January 23

12:29 p.m. A passerby reported a motor vehicle accident on Clinton Street. Officers Cody Normandin and Nicholas Walker responded and reported damage

to a pole on East Main Street. Verizon was notified. No personal injuries were reported. A vehicle was towed.

2:06 p.m. Officer Sean McKeon responded to a motor vehicle accident on South Street and took a crash report.

2:24 p.m. A caller reported multiple cars stuck in the roadway of Cedar Street. Officers Matthew Santoro and Augusto Diaz responded and assisted.

2:30 p.m. A motorist reported he was stuck on the hill on South Street. Officer Sean McKeon responded. A tow truck was en route for several vehicles stuck in the roadway.

2:44 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on Wood Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a crash report. A tow truck removed the vehicle.

2:55 p.m. A motorist reported she was stuck on the hill on West Main Street. Officers Matthew Santoro and Augusto Diaz responded and assisted.

3:37 p.m. A caller reported a large brown dog and a little black dog were loose on Elm Street. The incident was logged.

3:37 p.m. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded to a motor vehicle crash on Clinton Street. A tow truck removed the vehicle.

6:19 p.m. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded to Hayden Rowe Street to assist a teacher in a classroom.

6:49 p.m. Officer Shannon Beloin removed a road hazard from Cedar Street.

10:22 p.m. Sergeant William Burchard contacted Verizon about a lowhanging wire on Pond Street.

January 24

9:40 a.m. A caller reported a tree fell down on Elizabeth Road. Sergeant Timothy Brennan responded and reported it had already been removed.

10:30 a.m. A caller reported a disabled motor vehicle on Cedar Street near the boathouse. Officer Cody Normandin responded and contacted a tow truck for a winch-out.

11:54 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle accident on Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

1:25 p.m. A Davis Road caller reported her neighbor has been taking her mail. Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

7:02 p.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan took a crash report on West Main

Street. No personal injuries were reported.

January 25

1:05 a.m. Officer Nicholas Saletnik came across an injured deer in the roadway of Clinton Street that was struck by a vehicle, and he dispatched it. A message was left for the animal control officer.

11:22 a.m. A Davis Road resident reported the odor of natural gas. Officer Sean McKeon responded along with the Fire Department and evacuated the building. Eversource responded.

3:30 p.m. The Milford Police Department reported a bus hit a wall on South Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and checked the area with a negative find on the bus. Milford called back and stated the bus was located.

5:25 p.m. A motorist complained of a couple of potholes on Saddle Hill Road. Officer Cody Normandin responded and notified the DPW.

10:58 p.m. A Downey Street resident reported seeing on his Ring camera a person approaching his house and attempting to get into his garage. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Alexander Stewart responded and took a report.

January 26

12:00 a.m. A Claflin Avenue caller reported seeing from his Ring camera someone walking around his property. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Alexander Stewart responded and checked the area with a negative find.

8:26 a.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Alexander Stewart responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury on Hayden Rowe Street. A criminal application was issued to the driver.

12:16 p.m. Officer Alexander Stewart assisted the Fire Department in responding to a report of water in a Spring Street basement.

1:41 p.m. Officer Alexander Stewart responded along with the Fire Department to a report of a fuel spill on Hayward Street.

2:40 p.m. A caller reported her aunt was attempting to enter her Pinecrest Village residence but was unable due to a dispute with the landlord. Sergeant Timothy Brennan reported it was a civil dispute.

6:18 p.m. The Westborough Police Department requested a well-being Police Log | page 24 “Made

You Look!”

police log

with all the juveniles and took a report.

January 29

check on a male who had just done a custody exchange. Sergeant Timothy Brennan responded and followed the person to the town line. All checked out OK.

6:43 p.m. A Lumber Street caller reported she was home alone and someone was banging on her door. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and checked the area with a negative find.

January 27

12:40 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported water in her basement and a possible broken sump pump. Officer Alexander Stewart responded along with the Fire Department.

4:20 a.m. A Davis Road resident reported someone banging on her door, and she was scared. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and checked on the caller and reported no one was in the area.

10:06 a.m. A motorist reported sharp debris in the roadway of Elm Street. The DPW was notified.

10:51 a.m. A Freedom Way caller reported a past breaking-and-entering attempt. Officers Tyler Staback and Nicholas Walker responded and took a report.

12:24 p.m. A caller reported a disturbance at a Main Street business where teenagers were trashing a store. Sergeants Timothy Brennan and Aaron O‘Neil and Officers Tyler Staback and Nicholas Walker responded and spoke

2:32 p.m. A caller reported a large group of youths causing a disturbance on Main Street. Officers Cody Normandin, Tyler Staback and Nicholas Walker responded, spoke with all the youths and removed them.

8:06 p.m. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Cody Normandin took a motor vehicle crash report on Angels Way.

9:14 p.m. A Downey Street resident reported hearing gunshots. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Matthew LaTour responded and checked the area with a negative find.

9:54 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator on School Street. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Cody Normandin responded and caught up with the vehicle and spoke with the driver.

10:10 p.m. A caller reported a stream of water icing up in the roadway of Tiffany Trail. Officer Cody Normandin responded and notified the DPW.

January 28

2:23 a.m. A motorist reported a deceased deer in the middle of the roadway of Cedar Street. Officer Brennan Grimley responded and notified the animal control officer.

7:55 a.m. A caller reported a deceased deer on the side of the road on Chestnut Street. Officer Nicholas Walker responded and moved the animal off the roadway and contacted the animal control officer.

9:38 a.m. A caller reported people firing firearms on West Elm Street too close to occupied dwellings. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Alexander Stewart responded and checked the area with a negative find on anyone firing guns. Officer Stewart followed up with the reporting person.

12:04 p.m. A caller reported hearing possible gunshots in the woods on Legacy Farms South. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Matthew LaTour responded and checked the area with a negative find on gunshots or anything suspicious.

12:05 p.m. A caller reported a dead raccoon in the roadway of East Main Street. A message was left for the DPW for removal.

3:58 p.m. A caller reported she was being stalked. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Augusto Diaz assisted and took a report.

4:04 p.m. A caller reported a dead cat in the roadway of Wood Street. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and notified the DPW.

4:09 p.m. A Davis Road caller reported another resident was taking her mail and also looking into her windows at night. Officer Brennan Grimley responded and took a report.

5:57 p.m. The Holliston Police Department requested assistance locating a female driver in a green motor vehicle who hit several mailboxes in Holliston. Officer Brennan Grimley assisted in the

search on Ash Street, and the driver was subsequently located in Holliston.

January 30

1:05 a.m. Officer Brennan Grimley found a Chestnut Street sign on the ground and reported someone may have hit it. A message was left with the DPW.

8:17 a.m. Officer Sean McKeon assisted a disabled motor vehicle in a hazardous location on West Main Street and stood by while AAA responded.

2:28 p.m. A West Main Street business manager reported a credit card scam. Officer Sean McKeon responded and took a report of credit card fraud.

2:39 p.m. Several callers reported a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on Hayden Rowe Street. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Brennan Grimley responded and reported no personal injuries. Both vehicles were towed.

5:19 p.m. A caller requested to speak with an officer about a suspicious incident that occurred on the last day of school in 2022. Officers Robert Ekross and Matthew LaTour assisted and took a report.

5:20 p.m. A caller reported a large black and white dog loose on First Road. The dog was subsequently returned to its owner.

10:07 p.m. A caller reported she left her vehicle on Cedar Street because she was unfit to drive and she wanted to make sure it didn’t get towed. The incident was logged.