Hopkinton Independent October 28

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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 21 | No. 21 | October 28, 2020

Select Board raises concerns about pledge to combat racism

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

F PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

PEACE OF MIND

State Sen. Karen Spilka (left) and state Rep. Carolyn Dykema, followed

by Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch (right), lead the way during the Oct. 17 Women’s March at the Town Common.

Town sees ‘significant increase’ in COVID cases The statue of George V. Brown at the Town Common was adorned with a Boston Celtics face covering (George’s son, Walter, founded the team) as well as an American flag last week. With the town experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases, the town’s health director is stressing that residents be vigilant about wearing face coverings and adhering to other safety protocols.

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

T

COVID | 11

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

own health director Shaun McAuliffe, in his COVID-19 update to the Select Board on Oct. 20, warned that there has been a “significant increase in the number of cases in town over the last two weeks,” and with seven active cases Hopkinton was expected to shift to the yellow risk category when the state’s updated COVID map was released later last week.

On the day he spoke, Hopkinton had been designated as a green community, meaning it had a low number of cases. After yellow, the level for the communities with the most active cases is red, and that would lead to restrictions on activities.

“Fall brings the start of cold and flu season, so we expected to see an uptick in respiratory illnesses, COVID being a similar disease,” McAuliffe said, adding: “If we can buckle down a little bit we’ll get back to

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ollowing the deaths of a number of people of color at the hands of police earlier this year, some Metropolitan Boston community leaders joined together and signed a pledge to “address systemic racism in our communities and violence in law enforcement.”

The Select Board discussed the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) pledge at its Oct. 20 meeting following a request from residents that the town sign on to it. During the public comment portion of the meeting four residents spoke in favor of the pledge.

However, concerns were raised about some of the wording and how it might lead to legal issues if Hopkinton were to adopt the pledge.

The primary concerns raised related to statements regarding how the Police Department should be run. The MAPC | 7

INSIDE ELECTION

Early voting keeps town clerk’s office busy

2

NEWS

Select Board considers changes after controversy

8

SPORTS

Hopkinton’s Farrell selected in NHL draft

14

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

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

STAFF

Town clerk Connor Degan (right) examines the voting machine at the Senior Center with election warden Robert Auclair.

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

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

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Publisher: David Bagdon Dir. of Business Development: Susanne Odell Farber Founder: Sarah Lothrop Duckett Managing Editor: Jerry Spar Social Media director: David Bagdon Editorial contributors: Jean Cann, Lyn Calkins, Michelle Sanford, Chris Villani, Deborah Burke Henderson, Tricia LaCascia, John Cardillo, John Buday, Sandy Quadros Bowles, Christine Strickland, Gethin Coolbaugh, Jennifer L. Grybowski

contact us

An election like no other worth effort for town clerk

W

hen town clerk Connor Degan scheduled his wedding for Oct. 3 he couldn’t have imagined what was in store. Not only is the entire world in the midst of a pandemic the likes of which has not been seen in over a century, Americans are participating in an election unlike any in the nation’s history.

Degan and assistant town clerk Lynn Kelly have been logINDEPENDENT ging some long hours of late, primarily tryTHOUGHTS ing to keep up with a JERRY SPAR steady stream of early in-person and mail-in ballots.

“I get the joke quite often from my now-wife that she can only see me if she volunteers to work for election stuff,” Degan said. “It’s been a lot of early mornings and late nights to make sure that we can get all this stuff done and ensure that people’s votes are being counted, their votes are secure and

that everything can be handled with the most integrity possible. So far we’ve been able to execute that, which has been fantastic.

“It’s worth the long hours to make sure people here in Hopkinton can get that.”

Degan said more than 5,700 residents requested mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election, which of course includes the highly charged race for president.

Much of Degan’s time is spent answering questions about early and absentee voting, and whether ballots have been received.

“A lot of people are asking can they still vote early in person if they have received their ballot in the mail but haven’t it mailed back yet,” he said.

“The answer is yes, they can. It’s just that whichever one we receive first is the one that counts, and anything else that we receive after is rejected because the voter has already voted. They can’t have one cancel out the other, essentially.”

Early in-person voting is taking Independent thoughts | 3

Back by popular demand, another HALLOWEEN quiz!

Q1: Casper and his friends rent an Airbnb house in New Hampshire for Halloween

weekend. Casper tries to cook his famous ghost white soufflé but accidentally starts a fire in the kitchen. Since Casper is away from his property, his liability insurance will not cover the damages.

Q2: Herman Munster sells his house to his son, Eddie, but plans to continue living there. Herman does not need to change the home insurance from his name to his son’s, since he still lives at the residence.

Q3:

Morticia Addams is in her house when she suddenly hears a loud BANG! She runs outside to see that her neighbor’s tree fell on her recently purchased hearse. Not to worry, though, Morticia has comprehensive coverage on her auto policy, which covers falling objects damaging her car.

Answers: Q1 False. Q2 False. Q3 True

Happy Halloween

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The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 3

Fall is a GREAT TIME for a Change Move into your new home in time for the Holidays These Homes are Now Available

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Election volunteers Linda Di Bona (left) and Colleen Charleston supervise as a voter fills out a ballot at the Senior Center.

Independent thoughts | from page 2

place at the Senior Center through this Friday. The remaining schedule is Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Those with mail-in ballots can mail them back or place them in the drop box in front of Town Hall. The drop box is emptied multiple times per day, but Degan said people checking to see if their vote has been received should be patient. While Degan logs in the early in-person votes each evening, the mailin ballots can get backed up.

“We have so much of it coming in, and there’s only two of us who can actually log it in, so we’re not getting to all of them the same day,” he said.

Those looking to see if their mail-in ballot has been received can check the Secretary of State’s website (sec.state. ma.us). But again, some patience may be required, as Degan indicated there are hundreds of ballots arriving every day.

“Some folks are worried that they can’t see their ballot yet. Well, the tracker is not real time, like when you’re tracking a package on UPS or FedEx,” he said. “It’s very much that it’s as we can get to it with the staffing we have.

Then if I update something today on my side, the secretary’s office pulls all the data from our logs overnight, and it doesn’t populate until the next day. So even if we have it logged in as received it might not show up right away.”

Degan has received a boost from a loyal and experienced group of election volunteers in town, but the volunteers are limited in what they can access and duties they can perform.

“The election workers who are able

to come in and help us out have made the task significantly more manageable,” Degan said. “We’re extremely lucky to have the election staff we do have, and it just continues to prove itself in situations like these.”

Degan said he has not seen any major issues with the Post Office, although he said some out-of-town ballots have taken longer to arrive. He noted that his office sorts the ballots by location so the Hopkinton Post Office doesn’t have to send them all to the sorting facility in Boston. The local ballots stay here and often arrive at residents’ homes the next day.

Looking ahead to Election Day, Degan said the counting will not end that night. He noted there’s been a change to the rule regarding mail-in ballots — they must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Nov. 6 — and there are overseas mail-ins and provisional ballots (where there’s an issue that needs to be resolved).

“Once those are all checked and we’ve hit our deadline to certify the election then we’ll be able to kind of breathe easily a little bit,” he said.

“But that could be probably a couple of weeks.”

In case you are wondering, as of last week Degan said he had not decided how he was going to vote.

“In the primary I voted early inperson,” he said. “For this one I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to vote early or vote on Election Day. I haven’t voted through the mail since I was in college.

“I’ve voted through all the different methods now so I can at least attest that all of them are secure and I’ve always had my voted counted.”

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No solar in forests I believe in solar power, and I also believe in conservation.

My wife and I have driven across the country from Florida to Oakland, California, and back, and taken the train from Boston to Oakland and back. There are hundreds of miles of nothing. There could be any LETTERS TO number of solar farms built in the Midwest.

In New England we need all the forests we can retain to filter THE EDITOR out carbon dioxide. To me it makes no sense to tear down forests to build solar farms.

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

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

SELL YOUR HOME for TOP DOLLAR!

Extended drawdown of Lake Maspenock OK’d weeds this year. So we have an opportunity to take advantage of the 8-foot drawdown.

The folks at Spindel Island have agreed to allow the town to draw it down to 8 feet.”

According to the town bylaw, the annual drawdown — normally 5 feet, but 8 feet every third year — starts between Sept. 15 and Oct. 1 (this year it was Oct. 1) and advances at an average rate of 1 inch per day, achieved by opening the low-level outlet gate approximately 2.5 inches. The drawdown continues until mid-December (depending on weather conditions). The hope is that by exposing the vegetation the winter freeze will kill the weeds.

In years when the drawdown continues to 8 feet, it remains there for 1-2 weeks before being refilled to the normal drawdown level.

However, a condition to the bylaw notes that an extended drawdown “shall not be conducted during or immediately following periods of extended drought.”

“We are of course in a period of drought right now,” Westerling said, “but we’re asking the Conservation Commis-

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

A

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Drawdown | 5

HCA’s annual gala heads online Nov. 14

By Michelle Sanford Contributing Writer

W

hile some may think there’s not much to celebrate these days, the Hopkinton Center for the Arts says otherwise. On Nov. 14, the HCA staff wants friends and families to put their dancing shoes on and get ready to “par-tay” with a festive evening of virtual performances, classes, great music and more.

Art Lights the Night is the theme of this year’s gala, and the virtual celebration promises to be a great time to enjoy an evening of fun and support the HCA. The gala has three levels of participation that includes a free Stage Pass, a $25 Luminary Package, or the VIP Gala Package for $1,000. The Stage Pass provides access to the entire event, while the other funded levels come with additional perks.

No matter what level of participation is chosen, everyone will have access to internationally renowned DJ Mad Marj (Marjorie Gubelmann), who will be spinning lively tunes that will have everyone dancing. Mad Marj is the house DJ for “The Today Show” and has opened for Cardi B, Katy Perry and Mary J. Blige.

“She’s really, really fun and high energy. She spins great, eclectic dance music from all eras,” said HCA co-executive director Kris Waldman.

By simply registering for free, family and friends will also have access to a virtual mixology class to concoct a signature drink for the evening, a cooking class and a family activity for the gala.

For those who choose the $25 Luminary Package, participants will have access not only to the mixology and cooking classes and family activity but also a virtual swag bag with discounts from area businesses and restaurants. Additionally, participants will receive four luminaries and candles to be displayed outside their home.

The $1,000 VIP Package has an exceptional evening lined up for up to 10 people in a pod.

Kick off the evening at 6:30 p.m.

HopkintonIndependent.com

PHOTO/DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

On September 20, 2020 our worlds were turned upside down when our office building at 17 Main Street caught fire. On behalf of Body Restoration and Hopkinton Chiropractic we would like to thank the first responders, town officials, community, friends, patients/clients for all your words of encouragement and support during and after the fire.

t the Oct. 6 Conservation Commission meeting, the commission voted to approve the Department of Public Works’ request to conduct the triennial 8-foot drawdown of Lake Maspenock in an effort to kill weeds at the bottom of the lake, despite concerns related to the current drought.

“It is a last-minute request, but we have an opportunity that just came up for us to be able to draw down the lake to the triennial 8-foot [reduction],” DPW director John Westerling told the commission.

“If you recall, we were not able to do that last year because of concerns with Spindel Island [an island near the Milford border where a resident’s well could have been adversely affected]. Also, we were denied our notice of intent for spreading herbicides in the lake to control the weeds.

A recent inspection of the lake has shown that the weeds are growing. Of course, it’s the end of season so some of them are dying off, but we had quite a crop of lake

Internationally renowned DJ Mad Marj will spin dance tunes during the HCA’s online gala, Art Lights the Night.

with a pre-gala cocktail reception that includes a meet and greet with HCA staff and a surprise guest or two. In addition, Proseco/sparkling wine and dessert will be provided to 10 people.

Other perks include a package of hand-painted cards created by HCA founder Sandra Delbridge, an Arts in Bloom floral “arrangement” photo to display during the festivities, and direct emails of gala sneak-peak previews.

VIP registrants also receive the mixology and cooking classes and family activity, the virtual swag bag, and the luminaries and candles for display.

With the exception of the VIP pre-gala cocktail reception, the gala kicks off for all attendees at 7 p.m. with performances to watch virtually, including Tony-nominated actor Jere Shea and Grammy-nominated songwriter David Jeremiah.

A silent auction related to the gala will begin Nov. 8 at 8 a.m. and continue through Nov. 15 until 6 p.m. Items up for auction include tickets to see Stephen Colbert, an overnight stay at a lighthouse and the opportunity to be the lighthouse keeper, a two-night stay at the Cliff House in Maine, and more.

All money raised from the gala will help continue the HCA’s mission of making the arts accessible and affordable to everyone, which has been quite challenging due to the pandemic. More information and registration can be found at hopartscenter.org.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 5

Mental Health Collaborative plans several initiatives

By Michelle Sanford Contributing Writer

E

ver since its inception, Mental Health Collaborative has been on a mission.

Through education and awareness, the Hopkinton nonprofit has been working diligently to decrease the stigma of mental illness while keeping conversations on the matter open and ongoing.

“We believe that a foundational education about mental health is a right and need of everyone, so we provide training in mental health literacy to communities, schools and corporations,” explained MHC founder and executive director Abbie Rosenberg. “We hope that by doing this, stigma decreases and more people get proper treatment and support.”

The pandemic has forced MHC to think outside the box to keep its efforts moving forward.

That hasn’t deterred the organization from its mission one bit. In fact, MHC has several upcoming initiatives involving everything from training sessions to holiday gift giving.

In November, MHC will offer mental health literacy training sessions led by Rosenberg and former HopkintonYouth and Family Services director Denise Hildreth — both licensed mental health clinicians.

The training sessions will touch on multiple issues related to mental health such as decreasing the stigma, utilizing the right language, understanding the impact the pandemic is having on mental health, and learning when and where to get help.

The first two-part session — open to anyone with interest — will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Thursday, Nov. 19 (7 p.m. both days). A virtual link will be sent once individuals register on MHC’s website.

The organization previously held these training sessions, which are purposely kept small to keep things engaging. MHC hopes to offer the sessions regularly beginning in 2021.

With the holiday season approaching, MHC is launching a gift giving program, selling beautifully created individualized self-care packages. Each package will include a personalized note to the recipient. The initiative is meant to spread some cheer during such a difficult and stressful time for many.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest in the self-care packages,” Rosenberg said. “Each recipient’s package will be as personalized as possible.”

Three sponsors are supporting the care package initiative: Archambault Construction of Holliston, Phipps Insurance of Hopkinton, and Winthrop Wealth of Westborough.

“We’re always looking for more sponsors to offset our programming and sustain our organization,” Rosenberg noted.

Anyone interested in more information about the care package initiative — including volunteering to help or sponsor — can email Ali Balster at ali@ mentalhealthcollaborative.org.

Speaking of giving, MHC’s Giving Tuesday is slated for Dec. 1 via Zoom.

The point of this get-together is to give people the opportunity to learn more about the organization and offer a taste of the education that MHC provides. Check the website in November for specifics.

Pandemic or not, MHC’s other programs are ongoing, including its efforts to bring mental health education into the curriculum at local schools, as well as offering its seminars to companies.

The MHC’s Youth Advisory Board, a group of young adults from all over, also continues to meet virtually to discuss relatable mental health issues and spread the word through social media.

“MHC’s executive board has been all hands-on deck priding themselves on keeping the community spirit of giving back that surrounds Hopkinton,” Rosenberg said.

For more information about MHC, go to mentalhealthcollaborative.org.

Lake Maspenock drawdown OK’d Drawdown | from page 4

sion respectively to consider waiving that requirement so that we can draw down to the 8-foot level and control the weeds for next summer.”

Conservation administrator Don MacAdam expressed concern due to the uncertainty when it comes to the weather.

“If you’re in a drought now, you don’t know how far the drought is going to go,” he said. “The lake, some groundwater feeds it, obviously the surface flow, then what you get from rain. So from a water budget perspective, are you going to lower this down and then are you going to get the rebound next spring.”

Added commission chair Jeff Barnes: “I understand the situation with the weeds, but I think the folks that live around the lake are going to be more upset if the water level doesn’t come up and they can’t swim at the docks, they can’t bring the boats in the lake up to the docks. It’s a tough one.”

In the end the commission unanimously agreed to take the chance on the extended drawdown, especially considering its vote earlier this year against the application of herbicides.

In other news from the Conservation Commission meeting, a hearing was

Don’t let the thought of selling your home haunt you.

continued regarding a parcel of land on Old Town Road (near Lake Maspenock), where Wall Street Development has indicated plans for a housing development.

Following a site walk and further analysis of the wetlands delineation, Arthur Allen, the applicant’s consultant from EcoTec, Inc., agreed with town consultant Lucas Environmental that a stream on the property is perennial, and “a riverfront area [designation] should be applied to it.” The commission voted to approve the abbreviated notice of resource area delineation.

Also at the meeting, REC Hopkinton, LLC, requested an amendment to the order of conditions for its plans to extend Whalen Road and Chamberlain Road — which will be connected by an emergency access lane — to build clusters of homes at the end of each street. The company wants to revise the Whalen Road layout and modify the proposed stormwater basins, in part to adhere to the commission’s request for larger buffer zones from wetlands. The combined development now will have 29 homes. The previous plan was 32 homes, and the original plan was for 35. The commission plans to get input from input from BETA, the town’s engineering consultant, and revisit the issue at a future meeting.

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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

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WE ARE YOUR RELIABLE INSURANCE NEIGHBOR

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

T

he Select Board threw its support behind two new programs related to COVID-19 and one returning program that are designed to provide financial assistance to residents.

“The two programs that we are introducing tonight speak to why Hopkinton is a great community,” Town Manager Norman Khumalo said at the Oct. 20 meeting.

“We actually through these programs are advancing what I believe best illustrates why we have been very successful over many, many, many years building a community.”

The CARES Act provided the town with $1.6 million, the majority of which was allocated to the schools to help with their transition to remote and hybrid learning. Other large chunks were spent on facilities modifications and protective equipment/cleaning supplies.

Khumalo said the plan is for an initial funding of $100,000 from that pool of money — subject to review — to be made available to residents who need help paying their rent or mortgage, including seniors who have not been able to participate in the work-off program due to the pandemic.

The town’s finance team has reviewed programs in other towns and developed

SENIOR SNIPPETS

O

Work with people you can trust: Joanne, Letty, Brian, Julie, Mike and Amy.

The Senior Center, partially funded by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation, is running a limited takeout lunch program (Tuesday-Friday) for Hopkinton seniors, particularly those who are homebound and/or have relied on the center for their daily main meal in the past. While there are limited quantities, anyone who knows of a senior who might benefit from this program can call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730. Cost is $2 per meal.

Calling all Jigsaw Puzzlers

Monday, Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For those who are tired of the same puzzles and would like a new one, the Senior Center is offering a puzzle pickup day. Participants should preregister so the center can make sure to have the correct number of puzzles to share. Puzzle donations are welcome.

Trivia

Friday, Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m.

Participants will test their knowledge of music, history, current events and so much more. A list of questions will be created by the Council on Aging staff.

The trivia champion will be announced in an upcoming issue of the Hilltopper.

Pre-registration is required by calling the Senior Center at 508 497-9730.

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Programs | 7

The Hopkinton Senior Center remains closed to the public, but the staff remains available to assist residents. Call 508-497-9730 if in need of assistance, with questions or just to say hi. For a more extensive listing of programs check Ourseniorcenter.com/find/Hopkinton-council-onaging or hopkintonseniorcenter.com.

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an approach that works for Hopkinton, Khumalo said. There are certain requirements, including a 20 percent earnings loss due to the COVID-19 crisis. Applicants can apply for up to 50 percent of rent or mortgage payments not to exceed $4,000 per household, to cover November and December payments this year.

The final amount awarded will be based on available funds and the number of approved applications received.

The application period will run from Oct. 22-Nov. 10. The Finance Department will consider the applications, and Nov. 25 is the target date to issue the awards.

“As [CARES Act] program funding nears the December 30th expiration date and as the financial impacts of COVID-19 continue to threaten many in our community, this particular rent and mortgage support program seems like a worthy and timely use for some of the town’s remaining funding,” Khumalo said.

The second program is similar, but the funding source is different. The town plans to submit an application to the Community Preservation Commission for Community Preservation Act funding for the next fiscal year, as there is an assumption that there will continue to be a need for financial assistance.

The program tentatively would cover 70 percent of monthly rent/mortgage pay-

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

TED Talks

Mondays, 12:30 p.m.

In 1984 TED Talks were created to bring technology, entertainment and design information to the curious and open-minded public. These videos cover a wide array of subjects and always lead to lively discussion and conversation.

The Outreach Program at the Senior Center will have casual TED Talks group meetings over Zoom for one hour every Monday at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will consist of viewing a video and then discussing it. The program is free.

Register by calling the Senior Center at 508-497-9730.

Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment (walkers, bath seats, canes, crutches — but no longer commodes), for Hopkinton residents’ use only, is available to be loaned out free of charge. Wheelchairs, both standard and transport, require a $25 refundable deposit and are limited to two months.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 7

Select Board raises concerns about MAPC pledge to combat racism MAPC | from page 1

pledge lists protocols directing police to “deescalate all interactions to prevent violence or the use of force,” and also calls for towns to “Review our police budgets and assess whether allocations might be better deployed either within police departments or for other critical community programs,” and “Reevaluate whether responsibilities that are currently performed by police officers could be provided in new and different ways or by non-police personnel.” (The complete statement and list of suggested policies can be found at mapc.org).

“I agree with it 100 percent directionally,” Select Board member Brian Herr said. “I am concerned that a couple of the clauses, however, would possibly create the need for a bargaining situation with our dedicated police officers in town, and I want to make sure that we don’t open up a situation with the collective bargaining agreement that wasn’t anticipated, nor is it fair to do so without understanding it and letting our dedicated officers know why we might have to open it up. So, [Town Manager Norman] Khumalo, I think that we need some more information specific to how that pledge would impact the collective bargaining process in town.”

Town counsel Ray Miyares, in a written statement, indicated that “The Board may wish to ask labor counsel and the police chief about any difficulties they may have encountered in addressing police misconduct and whether legislation is needed to address those difficulties.”

Miyares also noted that since the original pledge was drafted, a modified version was passed in the House of Representatives and a different version was passed in the Senate, so the board might want to consider the revised versions as well.

Select Board member Mary Jo LaFreniere said she is “all for” the pledge but said discussions first need to be had with the police.

“I stand behind the pledge, I stand behind the thoughts of the pledge and the reasoning for it,” she said. “But as I looked at the recommendation from town counsel, it does say that we should have a meeting or talk with the labor counsel and the chief of police about the difficulties in negotiations.”

Amy Ritterbusch suggested sending

the pledge to town department heads to get their input. She noted that other towns have crafted their own versions of the pledge and said, “Maybe we should have a modified version for Hopkinton if we were to go forward and sign something.”

Irfan Nasrullah supported the idea but said communication with police would be vital.

“I’m encouraged by the MAPC pledge, I think there’s a lot in there, and I think we’re due,” Nasrullah said.

“We’ve heard from a number of members of our town that would like us to take this pledge.”

Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone said he agreed with fellow board members’ statements but that he didn’t think the pledge was necessary.

“I think it’s sad that as a society we have to put all these core values into writing, but apparently the public wants us to do that,” he said. “I look at No. 4 on the principles, ‘We will work to address racism within law enforcement in a proactive, intentional and consistent manner’ — I’m pretty sure we already do that. I’m pretty sure we already do most of this. …

“These are all things that I guess we just take for granted that people that are professionals in their department already do. I believe that society has not a pot but a cauldron that’s being stirred by both polar ends of the political world.

What I really want to focus on is our police department. We were the No. 1 safest town/city in the country two years ago, last year we were No. 2. I just don’t see that we have a racism issue in our Police Department. As a matter of fact I’m positive that we don’t.”

Added Tedstone: “These are all things that [Police] Chief [Joseph] Bennett and [Fire] Chief [Steve] Slaman and Mr. Khumalo and [Department of Public Works director John] Westerling and all of our department heads in town, I think a lot of this stuff is understood.

It’s sad as a society that we have to put this into writing. But people want it in writing, so I guess we’ll look at it, and the board, we’ll all be able to chip in and put in what we think is right and take out what we think is wrong and run it by town counsel and then the board and make a presentation.”

The topic was set to be discussed again at the next Select Board meeting on Nov. 10.

Town introduces programs to help residents hurt financially by COVID Programs | from page 6

ments for a three-month period.

Assistant town manager Elaine Lazarus said the idea came about after discussions with organizations such as Hopkinton Youth & Family Services.

“We have indication from social service agencies and town departments that we do have households that are in need of such assistance today, and we believe that there will still be a need next year — although it would be great if there wasn’t,” she said.

After the program application is submitted to the CPC it would go through the public hearing process. If it gets a positive recommendation from the Select Board it would be voted at the next Annual Town Meeting.

The board voted to push the program

forward and submit it to the CPC. Meanwhile, the board voted to continue the means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption at the same rate as last year, approving a 200 percent exemption of the circuit breaker income tax credit of $1,130 — making the exemption $2,260.

Principal assessor John Neas noted that only a few communities in the state have this program, which provides tax assistance to residents in need. Residents who do not need help make up the difference with a slight increase. Last year the increase in the residential tax rate was two cents, from $16.80 to $16.82. Neas said that he can’t state for sure what the increase would be this year because the tax rate recap is not yet complete, but he anticipated it would be a similar amount as last year.

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

Select Board debates changes to policies after public comment controversy

A

t its Oct. 20 meeting the Select Board discussed possible changes or clarifications to its policies, most notably the public comment portion.

The issue rose to the forefront in August, when Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone allowed four people to deliver anonymous criticism of Planning Board member Muriel Kramer and call for her NEWS BRIEFS to resign.

Some members of the board expressed concern at the time, noting that the board — and other town boards, as well as Town Meeting — consistently asks for the name and address of anyone providing public comment.

A resident later filed a complaint with the state Attorney General’s Office over the issue, but town counsel Ray Miyares told the board that there was no violation, as there is no requirement that an individual be identified, and the chair has the authority to determine who may participate.

However, the board elected to revisit its policy to determine if any changes were warranted.

Select Board member Brian Herr said he felt the issue was related to the pandemic and holding the meetings via Zoom.

“I just don’t think now’s the time to make the change to a policy that works in a normal meeting,” he said, adding: “I don’t think we should be hitting the panic button because we’ve had some rough meetings during the COVID situation

and what we’ve put up with here. … I don’t think we should try to manipulate rules and regulations that have worked well for a long time.”

Tedstone, like Herr an independent, supported that idea.

“I like the thought of Mr. Herr of having us drop the anchor and slow it down a little bit and not jump off the cliff because of a couple of months of insanity,” he said. “And all of this really has been insanity on both sides of the fence. There’s no two ways about it. So I think that we certainly can take a look at it, but I think cooler heads need to prevail and we have to look at this as a policy that we’re going to be utilizing going forward post-COVID.” Mary Jo LaFreniere, who was vocal in her defense of Kramer and her opposition to the anonymity, said blaming the situation on COVID isn’t completely fair.

“The only thing that was related to COVID was that we were doing it by phone so often and not in person,” said LaFreniere, one of three Democrats on the five-person board. “Our history has been in person you give your name and address and why you’re here and who you’re representing. And we do the same thing at Town Meeting. And all of a sudden we’re on the phone and people don’t have to say who they are. And tonight they did, tonight you requested who they were. So I think from now on that should be part of it.”

The discussion was to be continued at a later date.

Editor’s note: For a longer version of this story, visit the Hopkinton Independent website at HopkintonIndependent.com.

Town recognizes retirees Harris, McKay

ConCom ruling puts hold on forest cutting plan

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At the Oct. 20 Conservation Commission meeting, the commission unanimously ruled that a Lumber Street couple who had two forestry cutting plans approved by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation could not remove trees to access one of the desired parcels of land without an approved notice of intent, thus putting the project on hold.

Benedict and Amy Chirco, who already have a solar array on their property, expressed a desire to cut down trees in two adjoining parcels of land that they own, despite the existence of wetlands there. They filed their forestry cutting plans with the DCR, and the approvals provided exemptions to the Wetlands Protection Act, thus limiting the town’s ability to control the cutting.

However, in order to access one of the parcels, the Chircos indicated they first would need to cut down trees in the wetlands buffer zone on an adjoining parcel that was previously permitted for the solar array, outside a permanent fence. The order of conditions for the parcel with the solar array states that the fence constitutes “the boundary of a permanent area of no disturbance.”

So the Chircos requested clarification as to whether the DCR approval would grant them the right to proceed.

“There’s an exemption under the state act and the town’s bylaw subject to harvesting trees under a forest cutting plan,” explained conservation administrator Don MacAdam. “The question is, is that exemption overridden or null and void due to the

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The Select Board honored Lt. Carl Harris, who retired from the Fire Department on Oct. 1. He had been with the town for 31 years, 26 as a full-time firefighter after five years as a call firefighter.

Brendan Tedstone said he started as a call firefighter the same day as Harris.

“Carl has my admiration as a firefighter, as a colleague, as a person and as a friend,” Tedstone said. “Carl has given back to the town of Hopkinton more than anybody with the exception of Chief [Steve] Slaman on this call knows. …

You have earned my respect. You’re a great man. For the town it’s a tremendous loss.” …

The board also recognized assistant town accountant Janet McKay, who is retiring Oct. 31 after 24 years with the town.

“I am so proud to have worked with Janet over the last 12 years,” said town manager Norman Khumalo. “She was a very able representative of what we call excellence in public service.”

Added Tedstone: “The town is losing a wealth of knowledge and a heck of a person as an employee. … Your work means a lot to us.”

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ongoing conditions under the certificate of compliance on this particular parcel [with the existing solar array].”

The Chircos’ first forestry cutting plan, filed and approved in 2017, refers to a parcel in the southeast section of their property. The second, filed this past August and approved in September, is for a parcel in the northeast corner. The second parcel is the one that would require cutting of trees in the adjoining parcel’s buffer zone.

With the denial, the Chircos would require the approval of a notice of intent for tree clearing in the adjoining parcel, although the commission made it clear that it was likely that it would not be approved.

Asked if he had another option to access the approved parcel, Benedict Chirco told the commission he does not.

“I guess I don’t really have an answer how I would access that at this point,” he said just before the vote was taken. “I don’t own any other way out of there. So I’m not sure exactly what would happen.”

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Khumalo said the town continues to wait for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to announce the winner of the bid for the Main Street Corridor Project. The contract is expected to be awarded in early November, at which point a pre-construction kickoff meeting will be scheduled by MassDOT. Regarding projects in the pipeline, the Permanent Building Committee is expected to soon issue its report on the reuse of Center School. Meanwhile, an application will be submitted to the Community Preservation Committee for the preservation and restoration of the windows on the 1928 portion of the school.

A preliminary feasibility study on the proposed public safety facility is nearing completion.

Khumalo also asked for an exemption to the town hiring freeze in order to hire a new assistant town accountant, and the board approved the request.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 9

Local Knights of Columbus offer ‘Helping Hands’ At the 2019 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest at Hopkinton High School, Fran Pettepit keeps score.

By Will Kraus Contributing Writer

I

n the midst of a pandemic, the Knights of Columbus Bishop Rice Council of Hopkinton and Ashland has persevered with its mission to improve the lives of all those living in the community.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization dedicated to practicing faith in action. Members largely attend St. John the Evangelist parish in Hopkinton.

Hopkinton’s Chris Alicandro, local leader of the Knights, has been at the forefront of an initiative to assist those in need through these challenging times.

“We call it the COVID-19 Helping Hands Program,” he said.

Alicandro made sure the Knights were quick to act when COVID-19 began directly impacting day-to-day life.

“When the pandemic really got serious, a few of us realized that we needed to form a support structure for those most in need, as everything was really falling apart,” he explained. “So, we set up a hotline that actually has a phone number at St. John the Evangelist, and we pushed the message out to the community through word of mouth, through the senior centers, that if folks needed help we had a network of people to help out.”

To be clear, the hotline isn’t for emergencies. But that doesn’t change how many people the group has benefited.

“We organized a team of probably 30-plus people that were Knights, and then also folks from the community, men and women,” Alicandro said.

“Some people would call in and say I need someone to pick up groceries or my prescription or take me to the doctor.

So, we’ve helped out dozens and dozens of people.”

The COVID-19 Helping Hands Program is only the tip of the iceberg for an organization that annually hosts a number of events.

Many of those events have been canceled this year due to concerns about virus spread. But the Knights have done what they can to adapt.

“Early on in the pandemic we held blood drives hosted by the Red Cross,” Alicandro said. “We had one in Ashland and one in Hopkinton, and over 70 people came to donate.

“Another thing we do is typically during Lent we will stand outside the Evangelist with paper bags and ask people to donate cans. This year we

couldn’t do that, so we pivoted and spread the word out through our network that we were having a virtual food for family drive, which ended up raising over $1,500 worth of food donated directly to Project Just Because.”

The Knights also annually run two events for young athletes: a soccer chal-

lenge in the fall and a basketball free throw tournament during the winter, after a Hopkinton vs. Ashland high school game.

These events have been postponed along with the organization’s signature event, the Special People’s Field Day. “The Field Day, supporting special

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needs in the community, represents a fundamental part of what the Knights of Columbus do,” Alicandro said. “We usually have over 20 athletes and a number of fun activities like bean bag toss, kickball, pony rides and a big barbecue with ice cream, and all the participants get awards.”

Alicandro’s efforts helped his group of Knights receive the Star Council Award, an honor only 12 percent of the over 6,000 Knights of Columbus Councils receive.

“Our basic mission is simply to support our community and the parishes we serve,” he said. “We want to help everyone no matter their faith, religion, political background. We’re here for the community, to help as many people as possible.”

Anyone seeking assistance from the COVID-19 Helping Hands program can call 508-435-3313, ext. 214, or email hopkintonhelp@gmail.com.

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10 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

Planning Board addresses concerns regarding proposed development off Cedar Street

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Half of the proposed eight-home development would be located at the end of Lincoln Street, a narrow dead-end road located off Cedar Street (Route 85) across from Carbone’s.

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

T

he proposed Lincoln Street/Cedar Street Extension development was the primary focus of the Oct. 19 Planning Board meeting, with the discussion centered on whether the area would be better served with two cul-de-sacs or a through road.

The Planning Board received communication from a number of abutters opposed to creating a new through road from Cedar Street Extension to Lincoln Street (which lets out onto Route 85 across from Carbone’s restaurant, near the Southborough line) out of fear that it would become a shortcut for residents looking to avoid the Cedar Street Extension/Route 85 intersection.

“I can understand these residents’ concern, because if there was a throughway that would become a huge shortcut for the Highland [Park] people, Wedgewood Drive people, coming through and trying to get through a shortcut area,” Planning Board member Jane Moran said. “That little road [Lincoln Street] cannot handle that traffic. … It’s going to destroy that neighborhood.”

The developers, Lincoln Street residents Courtney and Kyle Derderian, have suggested extending Lincoln Street about 500 feet, making the end into a cul-de-sac — currently it has a flat end, with no turnaround — and building four new homes there.

They also proposed creating a new road about 750 feet long off Cedar Street Extension and constructing four homes there as well.

However, Lincoln Street already is about 1,700 feet long — well over the town’s limit of 1,000 feet for a dead-end road — and the proposal would make that road even longer. Generally speaking, the town prefers roads with more than one access point, primarily for safety reasons.

Joe Marquedant, the developers’ design consultant, said the proposal to extend Lincoln Street — which would require a special permit — falls under the category of “extraordinary circumstances.”

“We felt that the concerns of the neighborhood fall in that category,” Marquedant said. “As we pulled it together [we] said here is a thoughtful design that balances all those and we hope that you folks would see that as well.”

Courtney Derderian, who had numerous consultations with her neighbors before bringing her idea before the Planning Board, said safety is a primary concern. She noted that delivery trucks and other large vehicles are forced to back down

HopkintonIndependent.com

Lincoln Street — a narrow road with no sidewalks — because there is nowhere to turn around. And school buses won’t enter the street, forcing children to walk to the intersection with Route 85 on a road with no sidewalks or street lights.

“When Joe said this was a well thought-out plan, this wasn’t just because we could put four lots on a road,” she said. “This was to make our road safer and more updated and more reasonable.

There’s no reason that we shouldn’t be able to put something in place where a fire truck can come down the road, turn around safely and not have to back up down the road.”

The board tossed thoughts and ideas back and forth, with concerns raised about both options.

“It’s a dilemma,” member Dave Paul said. “I can see both sides of the story. The lack of cul-desacs is a benefit for the town, but it puts the burden on the neighbors. What should we as a Planning Board [prioritize]? Because we always have the neighbors present at one of these meetings, and we always have the developer present, but realistically we’re the only ones representing the town. So it’s a tough call.”

Planning Board member Rob Benson, who chaired the discussion, clarified that while a potential through road has been discussed, it has not been proposed by the applicant, and thus the board can’t officially consider it as an option. The board’s focus instead was supposed to be on whether a waiver to extend the dead-end road should be considered.

Responding to a suggestion that it might make more sense to have the proposed new road off Cedar Street Extension provide access to all eight house lots, Marquedant said it was not favored because it was tougher to access the desired land.

However, he acknowledged the need to revisit the proposal and see what changes might make it more palatable.

“I think we may be at the point where the design team needs to huddle with our co-applicants and kick around some of these ideas,” he said. “We’re at the point where maybe we should table this discussion temporarily, allow us to put pen to paper and see if we can’t come up with a scenario that we can bring back to the board.”

The hearing was continued to Nov. 2.

In other Planning Board news, the hearing on a stormwater management permit and a petition to construct a paper street related to the proposed development on Leonard Street was continued to Nov. 2 and the decision date to Nov. 16.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 11

Health director warns of ‘significant increase’ in COVID cases COVID | from page 1

green or unshaded [minimal cases] the following week.”

McAuliffe stressed that people need to refocus on social distancing, wearing face coverings, displaying proper hygiene, staying home when they’re sick, and avoiding large gatherings.

“If we do this I’m confident we can drive our numbers back down,” he said.

McAuliffe noted that the average age of infected individuals in town has dropped sharply since the start of the pandemic.

“Back in March and April the average age was in the 60s, then during the summer it dropped into the 40s, now the average age of residents falling ill is about 27,” he said. “These results are consistent with what we’re seeing both state-wide and nationally. Our trends are no different.”

Halloween is fast approaching, and the town remains OK with trick-ortreating, but, “We just want it to be done intelligently,” McAuliffe said. “We just need families to be distanced, wearing face coverings, we need the kids to wash their hands prior to going out, they should have sanitizer on them.”

Residents interested in giving out treats are asked to illuminate their driveways and/or porches. McAuliffe also suggested residents try to social distance while being “creative, like using a PVC pipe down the railing to deliver candy.”

As for indoor gatherings, “We want

Fall brings the start of cold and flu season, so we expected to see an uptick in respiratory illnesses.

— Health director Shaun McAuliffe to discourage any Halloween parties, especially those that would be in violation of the governor’s gathering order [more than 25 people],” he said.

Touching on athletics, McAuliffe said indoor sports have been the most problematic throughout the state, and he said the state is supposed to have an announcement soon about sports in general.

Travel is another touchy subject.

“We just want people to be smart about travel right now,” McAuliffe said, noting that one resident is under quarantine now because of an airplane exposure.

McAuliffe encouraged residents to start planning for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays now, especially if it involved interaction with individuals from out of state. He encouraged people coming in from another state to get tested first, and added that more information about holiday planning will be presented in the coming weeks.

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12 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

Schools Superintendent: COVID cases were contracted outside schools

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

S

ix people in the Hopkinton school community tested positive for COVID-19 through the middle of October, but none of them contracted the virus within the schools, superintendent Carol Cavanaugh told Hopkinton School Committee members at their Oct. 15 meeting.

“To date we have had no cases of in-school transmission of the virus,” she said.

That statistic shows that “we are doing the right things in school,” she said. Protocols such as frequent hand washing and sanitizing, wear masks and maintaining 6 feet of distance are working, she added.

Cavanaugh urged families to follow those same protocols at home.

Hopkinton had 153 positive COVID-19 cases as of Oct. 14. Hopkinton was categorized as a green community,

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although the town is “dancing on that line between green and yellow,” the next level.

Green level communities are those considered “lower risk.” Yellow is the next category, followed by orange and then red. Communities with fewer than five cases are not given a designation.

“We have to be very cautious,” she said, particularly as more communities fall into the red category.

FY22 overview introduced Finance director Susan Rothermich presented an overview of the capital plan for Fiscal Year 2022.

Projects in the plan include: HVAC (heating/ventilation/ air conditioning) district-wide, $350,000; boiler replacement, $201,000; roof replacements, partial work at Hopkins Elementary School and Hopkins Middle School, $3 million; a maintenance vehicle, $59,500; systemwide security upgrades, $200,000; systemwide technology upgrades, $100,000; district planning study, $80,000; work on the exterior of the White House, $206,000; wetlands order of conditions from where the original high school fields were built, $60,000.

The town might be taking on some of the technology cost as part of a town-wide phone system upgrade, so the overall school capital plan cost will be lower, Rothermich said.

Superintendent’s goals approved Committee members approved the performance evaluation goals for the superintendent. Goals include: — Empower administrators to ensure all instructional

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staff collaboratively plan, adapt as needed and implement standardsbased units comprised of well-structured lessons aligned to state standards and local curricula. Continually monitor and assess progress and provide additional support as needed.

— Set high expectations for the content and quality of instruction and empower all administrators to do the same, ensuring that instructional practices throughout the district are engaging and inclusive and personalized to accommodate diverse learning needs of all students. Stay informed of new evidence-based instructional practices and provide resources and support to implement them as needed.

— Empower all administrators to develop and execute reflective plans, procedures, routines and operational systems to address a full range of safety, health, and emotional and social needs of all students throughout the district.

— Provide the resources and support for all school personnel to understand and comply with state and federal laws and mandates, school committee policies, collective bargaining agreements and ethical guidelines.

— Lead the administrator team to develop a district budget aligned with the district’s vision, mission and goals that addresses the needs of all students.

— Support and empower all administrators to engage in regular, two-way culturally responsive communications with families about student learning and performance.

— Utilize and model strong context- and audience-specific interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills. Actively seek and incorporate feedback into decision-making and in communication rationale for the decisions to staff, family, community members and school committee.

— Lead stakeholders to develop and implement culturally responsive policies and practices that acknowledge the diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths and challenges of administration, students and staff.

— Model a variety of strategies for responding respectively and effectively to disagreement and dissent and resolve conflict in a constructive manner such that all parties are able to move forward productively.

This goal, Cavanaugh said, reflects in part the inability to reach a memorandum of agreement with the Hopkinton Teachers Association. “I would like to work on that, to restore the relationship with the teaching force in Hopkinton,” she said. Teachers, she added, are “critical” and are on the “front lines” of education.

Committee member Joe Markey said the issue is “tricky.”

“The teachers are great, but there’s a whole entity called the union,” he said. At times, “it’s in their interest to create” conflict, he said.

Committee member Nancy Cavanaugh praised the superintendent for taking on this goal. “I’m hoping we can move forward with some rebuilding and some restoring,” she said.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 13

Sports HHS field hockey adjusts to new rules Left: The Hillers, shown walking off the field during a break in a season-opening win over Medway, are dealing with some significant rule changes designed to minimize contact.

Below: Senior Meghan Muldoon is one of the team’s senior captains.

PHOTOS/JOHN CARDILLO

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

he motto for the Hopkinton High School field hockey team this year: Play smarter, not harder.

The ongoing pandemic has imposed changes on many high school sports this fall, but perhaps no sport has been as upended as field hockey. Not only do players have to wear face coverings, but the number of players on the field excluding the goalie has been reduced from 10 to six per side in an effort to allow athletes more room to spread out.

Adding to the challenges for the Hillers and the other teams in their local pod is that games are playing on back-to-back days, with Hopkinton meeting the same opponent on Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s been a big adjustment for the players and the coaches,” said HHS coach Becky Abate. “I have to think about how I do the lineup and substitutions so I am not burning players out. It’s not just about

the first game, but giving them something left in the tank for Sunday as well.”

Playing games on consecutive days would be difficult even in a normal situation, Abate said.

“Add in the fact that we only have six field players and it has definitely taken the physical toll up about 100 percent,” she said.

An example of the difficulties of the schedule and the new rules was the first weekend of the season (Oct. 10-11) when Hopkinton played Medway.

The Hillers beat the Mustangs 2-1 on Saturday but ended up on the wrong end of a 5-0 decision the following day.

“It’s really challenging to play a team Saturday and do really well and come back the very next day,” Abate said. “I don’t think Medway was a different team the second day, I think we were.”

Still, Abate feels good about the Hillers’ roster this fall. Her three captains — seniors Elizabeth Kane, Sarah Doyle and Meghan Muldoon — have

Hopkinton’s MacDonald earns spot with TCU football

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

W

hen Christian MacDonald stood in the tunnel, just moments before kickoff, what he had accomplished really started to hit him.

The Hopkinton High School graduate, a sophomore at Texas Christian University, made the football team as a walk-on this fall and was about to take the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Due to the pandemic, the Christian MacDonald is relishing the opportunity to be a part of the TCU football open-air stadium was program. only filled to about one-fifth of its normal capacity. But, at 10,000 people, that’s still a much last year and decided to give it a shot. bigger crowd than the average Tri-Valley League During spring tryouts, he participated in a variety game. of workouts. While juggling his courses, he woke up “It was one of the craziest experiences of my at 6 a.m. for intense running workouts. Some hopelife,” MacDonald said. “Dressing was normal. I was fuls either could not keep up or chose to throw in the with the same group of guys. But as soon as we were towel, but MacDonald kept pushing. in that tunnel and started running out, it was the most As the season approached, the workouts became surreal feeling.” more football-focused and, one-by-one, other would-be He added, “I felt like I was living a dream.” walk-ons were told their services were no longer needed.

The 2019 HHS graduate worked hard to get to “I was really worried,” MacDonald said. “In the this point. After being drawn to TCU by a family back of my mind I was thinking, part of me is not gofriend who attended the Fort Worth, Texas, school, ing to be too mad because this was a crazy opportunity MacDonald started exploring the walk-on process MacDonald | 14

HopkintonIndependent.com

been providing steady leadership since the offseason. Alyssa Sousa has looked strong at forward, Abate said, scoring in the Hillers’ season opener. Abate added that Vani Sharma has been “fantastic” so far this year.

“They all look really good on the field,” the coach said.

In goal, Hopkinton is starting freshman Caroline Kane, the younger sister of the co-captain.

“Despite the score [in the second Medway game] she has been absolutely phenomenal and shows a tremendous amount of talent and promise,” Abate said of the young keeper.

Abate said she is also pleased with the way her players have dealt with the changes so far this fall.

“They have been great about wearing the masks and they don’t complain, they don’t try to take them off, they just kind of roll with it,” she said.

As with the other fall sports teams, there will be no postseason and no competing for a league title this year. But the Hillers have a different objective for a season that comes in the backdrop of a terrible pandemic.

“The girls want to enjoy each and every day, we just don’t know how long the season is going to go so we are going to play every game as if it could be our last — because it could be,” Abate said.

“We want to be competitive, we want to win games and develop our skills, but ultimately we want to have fun,” she added. “For me, as a coach, I want the girls to have fun at field hockey. I want this to be an outlet for them.”

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

Farrell selected in NHL draft H

opkinton native Sean Farrell was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round (124th overall pick) of the National Hockey League draft on Oct. 7.

A 5-foot-9, 175-pound forward, Farrell was ranked 62nd among North American SPORTS in the final 2020 NHL Draft prospect ROUNDUP skaters rankings.

Farrell recorded 15 goals and 41 assists in 44 games with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League last season. He has been playing with the Steel again this fall while he waits to see if he will be able to play his freshman season at Harvard or if the Ivy League will cancel the season due to the pandemic.

He previously was a member of the United States team that captured a bronze medal at the U-18 World Championship.

“In the future, a big goal is to play in the NHL,” Farrell told the Independent last year for a feature on him.

“Right now, my goal is getting ready for college and to play at Harvard. I do well in school and I enjoy most of my classes. I love the coaches there, and I think it will be a good step for me.”

Hillers golf off to strong start

PHOTO/USA HOCKEY NTDP/RENA LAVERTY

HHS girls XC suffers rare loss After opening their season with a 15-40 rout of Medway, led by first-place finisher Hope DeLuca, the Hopkinton High School girls cross country team fell to Holliston on Oct. 17 by a score of 25-32. It marked the program’s first loss in a dual meet since September of 2013, snapping a 41-meet win streak. Olivia Jones was second overall and Autumn Tumbleton took sixth vs.

Holliston.

Hopkinton was missing two of its top three runners, but coach Jean Cann noted, “Every team deals with injuries, and Holliston was the better team [that day].”

Holliston placed runners in first, third, fourth and fifth, and while Hopkinton placed the next eight runners — which in a bigger meet such as the league championship

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could have led to a different outcome — it did not make a big enough difference in a head-to-head competition.

“Our depth was fantastic,” Cann said. “We had 10 girls ahead of their sixth [runner] and 17 girls ahead of their seventh, but that doesn’t win a dual meet.” …

The boys cross country team rolled past Medway on Oct. 10, a 19-40 victory led by senior Nick Brown’s first-place finish, and then opened HHS’ new on-campus course with a 22-33 victory over Holliston on Oct. 17. Wyatt Ruff, Jake LaCoche and Matt Burdulis finished 2-3-4 vs. Holliston.

Hopkinton’s MacDonald earns spot with TCU football MacDonald | from page 13

and I shouldn’t even be here in the first place.”

But one day MacDonald and the rest of the walk-ons received a text: “You’re being added to the roster.”

MacDonald is number 23 and listed as a 6-foot-1, 198-pound wide receiver, but he works with the Horned Frogs scout team. His job is to serve as the opposition in practice to help the starters and the other scholarship players prepare for the coming week’s game.

“I have met a lot of awesome guys,” he said. “It’s crazy knowing that some of these guys may be playing in the NFL someday.

MacDonald’s days, he said, mostly consist of waking up, attending online classes, then going to practice.

The football team attends classes online even though students are on campus in an effort to better insulate them from any COVID-19 spread. The team studies together in a facility upstairs in the football stadium in the morning. Football meetings start at 2:20 p.m., followed by practice. MacDonald is back to his room by 7 p.m. to do his homework before bed.

“It’s a huge commitment, but I have so much fun,” he said. “There are guys who are interested in doing this and I tell them, ‘You have to love the game, because it will literally take over your life.’ ” Last year, MacDonald had more time to spend in the library, or hanging out with his friends or his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers. This year, he does not have nearly as much free time, so he’s learning to use the time he has as efficiently and wisely as possible.

And it’s unclear whether the effort will result in any playing time. Due to smaller travel parties, MacDonald said the scout team players are not going to be going on the road with the team this year. TCU opened the season with a 1-2 record, with the win a 33-31 upset at ninth-ranked Texas.

“Obviously trying to get into a game is a long shot in the Big 12,” MacDonald said. “But my dad says, ‘You can’t get in unless you stick with it.’ I will keep trying and, even if I don’t get in, I will be happy that I went through the process.”

HopkintonIndependent.com

The HHS golf team won its first eight matches, led by the efforts of seniors Ryan Lundy and Geoff Tocco. In a 216-240 win over Ashland on Oct. 22, Lundy and Jack Petruney led the way with even-par 33s. In a 236-276 win over Medway on Oct. 21, Lundy, Tocco and Leo Shinmura all shot 37.

In a 226-280 win over visiting Bellingham on Oct. 20, Tocco shot a 2-underpar 34, with Lundy one stroke behind. On Oct. 19 HHS outshot visiting Ashland 242-264, led by Lundy’s even-par 36.

On Oct. 15 the Hillers posted a 247-266 win over Bellingham, led by Tocco’s 38.

In an Oct. 7 win over visiting Norton, Lundy was low scorer with a 2-under-par 34. One day earlier, Andrew Morse recorded a 37 in a 240-283 win over Norton. In the opener on Oct. 1, Shinmura (34), Tocco (35) and Lundy (37) led the way in a 222-238 win at Holliston. …

Boys soccer fell 4-0 at Holliston on Oct. 18. One day earlier the Hillers came away with a 1-1 tie. Owen Schnur found the top right corner with a 25-yard blast in the 71st minute, but the Panthers answered three minutes later following a COVID foul for a head ball in the box.

In the season opener the previous weekend, the Hillers fell 6-2 but bounced back the next day to earn a 3-3 tie, both vs. Medway. Sophomore Sean Golembiewski scored the tying goal with about 15 minutes remaining, his second of the game (the first coming off a nice feed from classmate Sam Vasington). Schnur had the Hillers’ other goal, on a penalty kick. …

Girls soccer dropped a 1-0 decision to Holliston on Oct. 18, after earning a 1-1 tie the previous day. Lexi Trendel scored the Hillers’ goal, off a feed from Ashley Butler.

The previous weekend, the Hillers opened with a scoreless tie vs. Medway.

Senior goalie Kristin McCluskey made a number of stellar saves, including one with under two minutes remaining. In the following day’s match at Medway the Hillers took a 1-0 victory on a goal by sophomore Kylie Skiba. Butler and senior Alexis Viehl led the Hillers’ effort in the win.

Parks & Rec basketball registration open Hopkinton Parks & Recreation has opened registration for its winter basketball program. This season will look a lot different due to the pandemic. The plan is for there to be weekly practices/scrimmages, with no formal games. All players must wear face coverings for their entire practice. The number of players will be limited in order to comply with the state’s indoor gathering restrictions. All practices will be held at Center School.

The plan is subject to change based on any changes in the state’s reopening plan. For more information, visit hopkintonma.myrec.com.

Travel basketball, run by the Hopkinton Basketball Association, appears unlikely to have a regular season, but organizers continue to accept registrations in case they are able to offer some kind of modified program. For more information on travel basketball, visit hopkintonbasketball.org.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 15

BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Phipps Insurance Agency carries on legacy of family business

By Deborah Burke Henderson Contributing Writer

I

n September 2017, Brian Thomas was proud to purchase the Phipps Insurance Agency — founded in 1950 by his uncle, Paul M. Phipps — and keep the independent agency at 80 Main St. in the family. The purchase also included its sister company, Ashland Insurance Center, which has been serving members of the neighboring community since 1987.

A 1983 graduate of Hopkinton High School and fourth generation Hopkinton resident, Thomas had been delighted to join the agency right after graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in economics.

“My uncle has always been my hero,” Thomas recalled. “In 1989 he was contemplating retirement and looking for someone who could grow the company.”

Thomas accepted his uncle’s job offer and learned the business from the ground up. He has successfully run the agency for 25 years as its executive vice president and now is gratified to own the company and serve as president.

With a team of six dedicated employees in Hopkinton and two in Ashland, the companies specialize in personal lines of insurance coverage — home, auto, condo and renter — along with some commercial clients.

Among the nearly 5,000 clients, the mix is typically 90 percent personal and 10 percent business. Thomas cites the agency as having a 5 percent annual growth rate and a 97 percent retention rate, both a resounding testament to his excellent staff.

“I can’t say enough about our team,” Thomas stated. “They’re unbelievable, and I consider each one of them family.”

In the first two months of quarantine from COVID-19, Thomas’s staff worked only two days a week in the office, employing all necessary safety protocols, and were paid full wages.

“It was the right thing to do,” Thomas said. “None of their expenses were lessening, and these guys and gals are dedicated workers. I wanted to take care of them.”

Honesty, hard work and integrity are bywords at Phipps and could as easily describe Thomas and his employees. Clients trust the team always has their best interests at heart and will protect their property and other investments fully.

Tom Carey, a commercial client, shared, “After 20 years of doing business with your company, your coverages have NEVER left us exposed. I continue to be pleasantly surprised when tragedy occurs that you have us covered. And nobody offers better customer service than Phipps Insurance.”

Beyond that commitment to individuals and businesses, Phipps has deep philanthropic roots in the communities it serves.

“We take great pride in our track record of community support, annually donating to more than 50 local charities in and around the Hopkinton, Ashland and Upton areas,” Thomas noted. “Our commitment to the community is second to none, and we

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

CALENDAR

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Women’s Club meeting Nov. 9

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The Hopkinton Women’s Club’s next monthly meeting will take place on Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. New members 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.

HCA Wicked Run to $5K virtual, scavenger hunt The Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ Wicked Run to $5K will be held virtually on Oct. 31. Participants can “run, walk or dance your way around town.” There will be a costume contest, and those who raise a minimum of $250 will be entered into a drawing for a pair of AirPod Pros. This year’s event also will include a family scavenger hunt — free, but limited spots available — with all finishers entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. For more information and to register for either event, visit hopartscenter.org.

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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.

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HCA Art Lights the Night Virtual Gala | November 14 The public is invited to join the Hopkinton Center for the Arts first virtual gala. Join all the fun from the comfort of your home. Event will feature performances by HCA/ESL Theater alumni, testimonials, and a special dance party by internationally renowned DJ Mad Marj. Register for free at www.hopartscenter.org.

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Red Cross blood drives Nov. 4, Nov. 10 The American Red Cross will hold blood drives in Hopkinton on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 1-6 p.m. at Faith Community Church (146 East Main St.). Anyone who donates will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card (courtesy of Suburban Propane). Donors must wear a face covering and will have their temperature checked on site. Those interested are asked to make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

HCA annual gala Nov. 14 The Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ annual gala is moving online this year, to be held Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. This year’s event is titled Art Lights the Night. It will be DJ’d by Mad Marj and feature appearances from Tony-nominated actor Jere Shea and Grammy-nominated songwriter David Jeremiah. Participants can take part via a free Stage Pass or purchase a $25 Luminary Package or a $1,000 VIP Gala Package (for 10 people). A related silent auction will run from Nov. 8-15. For more information and to register, visit hopartscenter.org.

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

LIBRARY CORNER

Library closed Nov. 11 The library will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. The book drop will be closed from Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. until Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9:30 a.m.

YA for Adults (and Grades 11/12) Book Group Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.

For this YA book group — open to adults and students in Grades 11 and 12 — the first book is “Girl, Unframed” by Deb Caletti. Copies are available for pickup at

HopkintonIndependent.com

the library. Registration is required via the library’s website calendar.

Grade 6/7 Book Group Thursday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m.

For this YA book group on Zoom the first book is “Efren Divided” by Ernesto Cisneros. Copies are available for pickup at the library. Registration is required via the library’s website calendar.

Friends of the Library Zoom Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.

Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library will hold its monthly meeting on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested in staying up to date and sharing ideas about the Friends’ activities is invited to attend. Due to COVID-19, Friends meetings are being held via Zoom. Email hoplibraryfriends@gmail. com for information on how to participate.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 17

Police Log ARRESTS

TREES A CROWD

October 6

7:45 p.m. The Southborough Police Department reported an erratic driver on Grove Street. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Preston Mucciarone, Robert Ekross, Jessica Ferreira and Ryan Polselli responded and searched for the operator. Officer Polselli located the vehicle and subsequently arrested Eric M. Collins, 31, of 35 Sonia Drive, Marlborough, and charged him with OUI drugs and marked lanes violation. The Marlborough K-9 squad was requested, and the animal control officer responded in order to take a small dog from the car home.

A number of trees at Hopkinton State Park were knocked over or uprooted, apparently from the Oct. 7 microburst, damaging picnic tables.

October 13

8:24 p.m. Officer Brian Sanchioni conducted a motor vehicle stop on Maple Street and Officers Robert Ekross and Benjamin Stickney responded as backup. The Uxbridge K-9 unit was requested. David A. Dini, 41, of 17 Eden Street, Millis, was arrested on a warrant.

5:45 p.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil conducted a motor vehicle stop on West Main Street and subsequently arrested Edward Mendes III, 39, of 136 School St., Whitman, on a warrant and additionally charged him with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle with license suspended, no inspection/sticker, number plate violation to conceal identification, and uninsured motor vehicle/trailer.

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. Among the edits were numerous reports of unemployment fraud.

October 6

9:29 a.m. A caller reported a truck driver was bitten by a dog while working on Ridge Road. The driver went to the station and spoke with Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Brendon Lyver and refused medical attention. The animal control officer responded and took a report.

10:55 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Moira McGaffigan and Cody Normandin responded and reported no personal injuries.

10:30 a.m. The State Police reported a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 495 involving a tractor-trailer and a military vehicle. Multiple injuries were reported.

Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Moira McGaffigan and Cody Normandin responded along with three ambulances and reported six injuries on scene. Patients were transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center and Milford Regional Medical Center. A report was to follow.

October 7

2:55 a.m. The Westborough Police Department requested assistance searching near Fruit Street for a Homestead Boulevard breaking and entering suspect. Officers Robert Ekross and Tyler Brabham responded and searched the area with a negative find. The State Police deployed a K-9 unit and a drone to search for the suspect.

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October 17

ported a tree fell on Davenport Lane, and the road was impassable. He contacted the DPW. 6:29 p.m. Officer Benjamin Stickney reported a tree was uprooted on South Street and was leaning on a pole. The DPW and Eversource were notified.

7:03 p.m. Officer Ryan Polselli assisted the Fire Department in responding to a report of a hanging transformer on Stewart Street.

7:10 p.m. Multiple calls about fallen trees on top of wires on Winter Street were received. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and contacted Eversource.

7:22 p.m. Several calls about fallen trees and wires on Sylvan Way were received.

Officer Ryan Polselli responded and placed cones in the area and notified Eversource.

7:28 p.m. Officer Benjamin Stickney came across a broken tree on top of wires blocking part of Granite Street. Eversource was notified.

8:06 p.m. Multiple calls were received about fallen trees on wires on West Elm Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and placed barricades in the area and notified Eversource.

8:48 p.m. A West Elm Street caller reported smoke inside the house. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded along with the Fire Department. The wiring inspector was contacted. Smoke was discovered in the basement at the electrical panel.

9:17 p.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil reported a large pine tree on a West Elm Street house. The building inspector was requested.

No structural damage was reported.

9:47 p.m. A caller reported a tree fell on a Pond Street house and wires were down Police log | 18

10:36 a.m. An Ash Street walk-in reported she found her mailbox on the ground.

The vandalism was logged.

5:06 p.m. Multiple callers reported a tree fell on Rafferty Road and the road was impassable. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Benjamin Stickney responded and notified the DPW. 5:42 p.m. A caller reported a tree fell on wires on Pond Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and notified Eversource.

5:42 p.m. Police Chief Joseph Bennett advised all officers to stay in place, as a microburst had just hit the area and many trees fell down.

5:43 p.m. A caller reported a tree fell on wires on South Street. Officer Robert Ekross responded and notified Eversource.

5:46 p.m. A Teresa Road resident reported a tree fell through his house. Officer Robert Ekross responded along with the Fire Department. The wiring inspector was requested.

5:47 p.m. Officer Benjamin Stickney moved a tree from the roadway of Main Street.

5:48 p.m. A Whitehall Lane resident reported a tree fell close to his house and wires were involved. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and checked the area and notified Eversource.

5:49 p.m. Officer Benjamin Stickney removed a tree from the roadway of Hayden Rowe Street.

5:51 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross reported a tree fell on Ursla Drive and the road was impassable.

5:55 p.m. Multiple callers reported a lane on West Main Street was blocked by a fallen tree, as was an Interstate 495 ramp.

Officer Ryan Polselli responded. The State Police had already shut down multiple impassable ramps.

6:14 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross came across a fallen tree on Nicholas Road and notified the DPW. 6:20 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross notified theDPWofafallentreeonHaydenRoweStreet.

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 Police log | from page 17

on the street. Officer Ryan Polselli responded along with the Fire Department and a branch was found through the roof. The building inspector was contacted and the wires were pulled from the house.

October 8

12:35 a.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira removed branches and debris from the roadway of Fruit Street.

11:58 a.m. A caller reported hanging wires on Saddle Hill Road. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded along with the Fire Department. Eversource and Verizon were notified.

10:44 p.m. A caller reported a bar fight involving a large group on Hayden Rowe Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officers Benjamin Stickney, Ryan Polselli and Jessica Ferreira responded and all individuals got rides home. A report was to follow.

October 9

1:36 p.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan assisted a utility crew clearing hazards from the storm with traffic control on Granite Street.

4:14 p.m. Officers Brendon Lyver and Preston Mucciarone assisted the Fire Department with closing West Elm Street.

11:17 p.m. A caller complained of a large, noisy party on Smith Road. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Tyler Brabham and Stephen Buckley responded and advised the homeowners of the complaint, and they were advised to keep the volume down for the night.

October 10

12:07 p.m. Multiple callers reported a transformer explosion and a fire on the side of the roadway of West Elm Street. Officers Jay Deiana, Brian Sanchioni, and Benjamin Stickney responded along with the Fire Department. Eversource and Verizon were contacted.

2:12 p.m. A Pinecrest Village resident complained of a motorcycle with a helmet-less young girl on the back speeding around the condo complex. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and located a parked motorcycle matching the description and logged the incident for future reference.

October 11

7:08 p.m. A caller reported a deceased deer in the roadway of East Main Street. Officers Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded and moved the animal to the side of the road and left a message for the animal control officer.

8:48 p.m. A North Mill Street caller reported a package on her front porch was on fire. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded along with the Fire Department.

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October 12

2:15 p.m. A Downey Street resident reported a skunk in his basement. A message was left for the animal control officer.

4:45 p.m. A caller reported a deceased black cat on a Main Street lawn. The animal control officer was notified.

October 13

11:03 a.m. Officer Brian Sanchioni assisted the DPW in removing sand out of the roadway of Wood Street.

2:00 p.m. A caller asked what protections are in place for an individual against an aggressive dog. The caller was referred to the animal control officer for assistance.

3:40 p.m. The Holliston Police Department reported a cow walking on Clinton Street. Officer Robert Ekross responded and checked the area with a negative find.

3:51 p.m. A caller reported a two-car motor vehicle accident on Hayden Rowe Street with no personal injuries. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Philip Powers responded and requested a tow truck.

October 14

7:57 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street. No injuries were reported. Officer Jay Deiana responded, and a report was to follow.

8:26 a.m. A Chestnut Street resident reported his mailbox was stolen and wanted the incident logged only.

5:29 p.m. An Ash Street caller reported a stolen mailbox.

Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and took a report.

5:32 p.m. A caller reported a silver Smart car raced through a Wood Street parking lot multiple times. Officers Benjamin Stickney and Brian Sanchioni responded and spoke with the driver. Officer Stickney spoke with the reporting person about possible action.

7:47 p.m. A motorist reported a hazardous dip in the pavement on Main Street. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and placed a cone in the area and notified the DPW.

October 15

12:22 a.m. A Chamberlain Street resident reported doorbell ringing and requested assistance. Officer Stephen Buckley responded and checked the area with a negative find.

9:01 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident with no personal injuries on West Main Street. Officers Moira McGaffigan and Jay Deiana responded and took a report.

9:44 a.m. A caller reported five gallons of gasoline spilled on the roadway of Penny Meadow Lane. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded along with the Fire Department, and Speedy Dry was placed on the spill.

11:49 a.m. The Framingham Police Department requested assistance in speaking with the owner of an abandoned motor vehicle located in Framingham. Officers Jay Deiana and Brian Sanchioni responded to Constitution Court and attempted to make contact with the owner, but no one was home.

October 16

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1:21 p.m. The Northborough Police Department requested assistance in stopping and identifying a vehicle involved in a hit and run in Northborough. Officers Benjamin Stickney and Brian Sanchioni responded and spoke to the owner on Baldwin Lane.

2:52 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator on West Main Street. Officers Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded.

After running the license plates, they notified the Upton Police Department.

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October 17

12:09 p.m. Police Chief Joseph Bennett, Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Matthew Santoro responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a deer on West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

The deer was put down and the animal control officer was notified.

12:27 p.m. Officers Jay Deiana and Matthew Santoro responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

12:36 p.m. An Ash Street resident reported a political sign from his property was stolen and he wanted the incident logged.

1:46 p.m. A Coburn Road resident reported a mail delivery company vehicle backed into her mailbox and drove away.

Officer Jay Deiana responded and spoke with the reporting person.

3:53 p.m. Multiple calls were received about West Main Street traffic lights malfunctioning. Officer Cody Normandin responded and contacted the DPW. 8:57 p.m. A Connelly Hill Road caller reported an ongoing issue with a barking dog.

Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and made contact with the dog’s owner. The animal control officer was notified of the complaint.

9:53 p.m. A caller reported a road rage incident on Hayden Rowe Street in which firecrackers and cups were thrown at his vehicle. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Jessica Ferreira, Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded and spoke with both parties, and a citation was issued.

October 18

10:52 a.m. The Milford Police Department and the State Police requested assistance locating a white van with ladders.

Sergeant Matthew McNeil searched Hayden Rowe Street with a negative find.

11:26 a.m. A caller reported three vehicles parked in the wrong direction next to a stop sign on Highland Street. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and issued parking violation warnings.

11:25 a.m. A walk-in reported the gate at the town pound was removed. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and took a report of vandalism.

2:49 p.m. A Jackson Street caller reported a disturbance in which his 25-year-old daughter had a mental breakdown and made suicidal statements. Officers Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded along with an ambulance. No patient contact was made.

3:20 p.m. Multiple calls were received about malfunctioning street lights on West Main Street. Officers Derek Morton and Cody Normandin responded and contacted the DPW.

October 19

1:13 p.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded along with the Fire Department to a fire alarm activation on Revolutionary Way. It was confirmed that the smoke came from cooking.

1:46 p.m. A Kimball Road resident reported her lawn signs were stolen and she wanted the incident logged.

2:22 p.m. A caller reported a youth riding a scooter on Main Street was nearly hit. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and checked the area with a negative find on the youth.

4:44 p.m. A caller reported a male in a red Subaru SUV followed her while she was out on a run. The vehicle then entered her neighborhood and approached three children on Canterbury Lane. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and took a report.

4:59 p.m. A caller reported seeing two men in camouflage exit two vehicles and enter the woods on Mayhew Street. The caller also believed he heard gunshots and was concerned about hunting being permitted in those woods. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Robert Ekross responded and checked the area with a negative find on the two men.

5:59 p.m. A manager of a West Main Street grocery store reported a theft that occurred two days prior. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and took a report.

The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020 • 19

Obituaries Daniel Shea Daniel Shea, 60, of Ashland, passed away Oct. 19 at Tufts Medical Center following a brief illness. Born in Pittsfield, he was the son of the late Irene (Skubel) and John Shea. He was the husband of 29 years to Amy (Wright) Shea of Ashland.

A lifelong Ashland resident, Dan was active in his community, having been a member of the Knights of Columbus and serving on several town committees. He also was a past vice president of Hopkinton and Ashland Pop Warner. His humorous, witty and sarcastic stories will be missed.

Besides his wife, Dan is survived by his daughter, Sydney Shea of Washington, D.C., his sister, Kathryn Price and her husband, Kevin, of Ashland, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

Visitation was held Oct. 23 at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, followed by a funeral mass at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ashland Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721.

Lucille Guerrini-Burks Lucille N a p o l i tano Guerrini Burks, 83, known to friends and family as “Lou” and “Nonni,” passed away after a brief illness on Oct. 9 at her home in West Yarmouth with her family close by.

Lou was born Dec. 15, 1936, in Boston to Helen “Nellie” Gallo and Antonio “Tony” D’Alessandro and grew up in the Italian North End of Boston. In 1953 in York, Maine, Lou married Richard Antony Guerrini. In 1997, Lou married Chester “Chet” Arnold Burks.

Lou was the kitchen manager of Hopkinton Junior-Senior High School for many years and also ran a successful cake business, providing elaborately decorated cakes for weddings, birthdays and other events. Her license plate read “Cake Lady.” Lou also was a quilter and stained glass artist.

She is survived by sister Roberta Mintner and husband Robert, daughter Jean T. Alman and husband Barry, son Michael R.Guerrini and wife Kathy, son Steven J. Guerrini and fiancee Darya Coldwell, grandchildren Benjamin Alman, Nicholas Alman, Geralyn Guerrini-Carr, Carli Guerrini, Matthew Guerrini, and Jillian Loving and husband Will, brother-in-law Scott Taylor, and her husband Chet’s seven children and 10 grandchildren.

Lou was preceded in death by her husbands Richard and Chet, her sister Leila, and her grandson Steven.

The wake took place Oct. 15 at Doane, Beal & Ames in Hyannis with prayers led by Deacon Patrick Guerrini. The funeral followed at Otis Air Force base in Bourne.

Memorial donations in Lou’s honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Richard Odell R i c k Odell, 62, a longtime resident of Hopkinton, passed away Oct. 18 after a battle with cancer.

He passed at his home in Southwick, surrounded by his loved ones.

Richard was born in Summit, New Jersey, to Shirley J. (King) Odell (now of Southwick) and the late Ellsworth I. Odell Jr. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy R. Odell-Liupakka, in 1987.

Rick was employed as a strategic sourcing manager. He was passionately involved in the Hopkinton Scouts, helping young kids learn outdoor skills. For his love of lake life, wildlife and the outdoors he was part of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association and the Woodville Rod & Gun Club.

In addition to his mother, Rick is survived by a daughter, Taylor Rose Odell of New York City; a son, Austin Walter Odell of Durham, North Carolina; one brother, Thomas E. Odell and his wife, Lisa, of Glenwood, Iowa; a sister, Shirley A. Warner and her husband, Seth, of Tolland, Massachusetts; his best friend, Fiona Lyons of Holland, Massachusetts; his former spouse and mother of his children, Susanne Odell Farber of Hopkinton; and his faithful canine companion, Dakota. Rick leaves extended family members along with numerous friends who will miss him.

Private services will be held. A celebration of life in Rick’s honor will be planned when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Family Promise Metrowest (familypromisemetrowest.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Southwick Forastiere Family Funeral Home (forastiere. com).

spent most of his childhood in Finglas, Dublin, Ireland.

Tony was a renaissance man. He was an avid hiker, outdoorsman, car enthusiast and voracious reader as well as an excellent chef. His travels took him all over the world, often returning to Ireland to visit family and friends. He spent most of his professional life in the automotive industry.

Tony was a loving father to Pearse O’Baoill and his wife, Megan, of Hopkinton, and a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Rory and Luke

O’Baoill. He is also survived by his brothers, Eddy, Steven, Bernard and Marcus, and his sisters, Jane and Mairead, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Due to COVID-19, service arrangements were private, under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s name may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org).

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HHS football to be played in February?

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s COVID-19 Task Force on Monday recommended adjusting the entire high school sports calendar and moving football to a season that would run from late February through late April, according to a report from the Boston Herald. Read more.

Tony O’Baoill A n toine “Tony” O’Baoill, 69, of Watertown passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 9.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was the son o f M a rg a r e t (O’Reilly) and Anthony Boyle. Tony was raised and

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20 • The Hopkinton Independent • October 28, 2020

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