Hopkinton Independent Apri 23

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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 22 | No. 8 | April 21, 2021

District revives Elmwood School replacement plan

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

S

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

CATCH AND RELEASE

Hopkinton High School senior wide receiver Brian Keefe fights for extra yards during the Hillers’ victory over visiting Westwood on April 9.

pecial Town Meeting voters could take the first step toward a potential new Elmwood School.

By a unanimous vote, School Committee members agreed April 15 to place an article on the May 8 Special Town Meeting warrant seeking money for a feasibility study to look at the possibility of a new school.

The cost of the study, estimated at about $1 million, is proposed to come out of the Legacy Farms host community agreement (HCA).

The Massachusetts School Building Authority voted April 14 that the Elmwood School project could enter into a period of eligibility. The district has asked to be considered as far back as 2008.

During this period, the district must form a School Building Committee, provide information about proposed educational facilities, teaching Elmwood | 24

Kilduff reflects after alumni award

INSIDE NEWS

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

im Kilduff had been living in Hopkinton for several years when he attended a meeting of the first Boston Marathon committee ever formed in the town in 1979. Preparations were being made for the 1980 race, which became infamous for Rosie Ruiz, the fraudster who had her victory stripped when it was discovered that she did not run the entire course.

Someone needed to chair the Hopkinton committee, and Kilduff recalled Tom Brown (of the legendary Brown family) pointing in his direction.

“Let the new guy do it,” Kilduff remembered Brown saying.

Kilduff | 7

Bittersweet closes doors as pandemic takes toll

5

ELECTION

Following caucuses, candidates list set

10

COVID Longtime Hopkinton resident Tim Kilduff’s involvement with the Boston Marathon dates back to 1979.

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

Hopkinton Independent

Grabbert makes fitness fun with energetic classes at HCA

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

Torsten Grabbert leads an Easter-themed workout outside the HCA earlier this month.

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

contact us

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

T

orsten Grabbert started his professional life as an electrical engineer in his home country of Germany. It didn’t take long before he decided he didn’t have the passion for that career. At age 23 he became a fitness instructor and never looked back.

In 2017, Grabbert — now 40 — moved with his husband (a neuroscientist) to the area and found work at a fitness center before deciding to start his own business, which he calls BodyFit (bodyfithopkinton.com). He was put in touch with HCA director Kelly Grill and soon found a home there, renting space in the building.

Grabbert said there are noticeable differences between the fitness industry in his old country and his new one, primarily how people here show their appreciation for a teacher they like.

“A pushup is the same in Germany as it is here — and the people have the same trouble with it,” he said with a laugh. “But here in the U.S. the people are more willing to pay for quality. If people really like something, they’re really supportive here. And it’s easier to start a business in the U.S.” Grabbert’s classes have a quick pace and positive energy — “We’re not done!” is one of his oft-repeated motivational stateINDEPENDENT ments — and that’s part of what makes them feel different, even THOUGHTS though many of the exercises might not be new.

“A pushup is a pushup, a squat is a squat — you cannot start a JERRY SPAR completely new kind of movement,” he said. “What I do is [make it so] you don’t really feel how long the class is. It’s 55 minutes, and you don’t feel it’s really 55 minutes.”

This is done by keeping the mood light and fun, but also by taking minimal stoppages.

“I do not have a lot of breaks between my exercises, because a new exercise is a kind of new break,” he said. “You have a transition from exercise to exercise to exercise. You can take a 30-second break, and then you come back in and exercise some more.”

In terms of the actual workout, he calls it a mix of movements.

“We say it’s a functional workout, because functional workout is you do everything,” he said. “It’s a mix of yoga-inspired exercise, and also a body-art style, which is a new style of teaching from Germany. Then a mix of the holistic. It’s a complete holistic workout, a functional stretch, everything included in one exercise.

You save time with your workout.”

Added Grabbert: “There’s a lot of daily improvisation, because not every day is the same. It depends on the weather, it depends on your own mood.”

Hopkinton resident Lisa Hicks describes the classes as “unique, varied and always just right,” and Grabbert — who has been known to drive to participants’ houses to drop off home-baked goodies for birthdays and holidays — as “positive, kind and thoughtful, as well as fun, energetic and motivating.”

Another part of the appeal is the location. The classes are held either inside or outside the HCA — lately almost exclusively outside, due to the pandemic — which gives the sessions a more relaxed feel.

“I don’t want to work in a gym anymore, I’ve had enough with gyms,” Grabbert said. “This is also the reason why I wanted a place like the HCA. It’s not a gym, it’s a kind of culture center. You don’t feel — it’s fitness. You hear the word fitness and then you have to work — fitness, fitness, fitness the whole time. It’s not my way. I try to reduce the pressure of fitness. With my method, the way I teach, you can do whatever works for you.”

Neighborhood library a hit Clinton Street resident Rory Warren was on a bike ride in Holliston a few years back when he spotted a small bookshelf on a post. It was a Little Free Library, where residents share books.

“I always thought it was a great idea,” Warren said. “My wife and I talked about it and we decided to give it a shot. We did a little research on in the internet and found this organization [Wisconsin-based nonprofit Little Free Library] and went with it.”

Independent thoughts | 3

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 3 A Little Free Library on Clinton Street has been popular with neighbors.

Chuck, Ann, and Mike Listed and Sold These Hopkinton Homes in Three Days

8 B Street List Price $519,900

PHOTO/RORY WARREN

3 Gibbon Road List Price $570,000

Independent thoughts | from page 2

Warren ordered a pre-cut bookshelf, assembled it and installed it at the end of his driveway. “It was very simple and easy,” he said.

Now instead of the couple’s many books sitting around their house, they can allow others to enjoy them.

“My wife and I both read extensively, so we had a ton of books,” Warren said.

“I never liked e-readers, I always like to have a book in my hand. So we bought them and they’re here. We always give them away or trade them, but it just got to the point where we had too many books. So we decided we’d kill two birds with one stone. So we have a well-stocked library.

“We rotate the content. There’s always some mystery writer, because I read a lot of mystery and detective novels. We feature one author every two weeks.”

At one point early in the pandemic, Warren put gloves and masks on one of the shelves. He also occasionally will contribute some eggs from chickens he and his wife raise. But primarily there are books — and plenty of them. In fact, Warren said he plans to build a bigger storage unit, as people have been contributing to the collection.

“Some people in the neighborhood come by and leave books. We don’t know who they are,” he said. “Some people take books, some people leave books, some people read them and bring them back. We encourage people to pass them on to somebody else and keep them going. But there’s never a shortage of books.”

After close call, importance of CO detectors driven home [On April 2] we returned from our first dinner out in over a year. We had smelled what we thought was gas that afternoon, but it was stronger that night. We called the Fire Department. Firefighter Scott Jurasek and a colleague arrived. entered the house and his meter was screaming. He told us to get LETTERS TO He out — it was carbon monoxide and it was heavy. He called the gas THE EDITOR company. The furnace was red-tagged and we spent a very cold Easter weekend, but that was definitely better than the alternative with all the CO! They aired out the house and remeasured the levels. They also discovered that our CO monitors were no longer working. I would like to suggest that others check their smoke and CO detectors. The Fire Department literally saved our lives.

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— Sarah Duckett, Hopkinton

Crosswalk scofflaws should be addressed Hopkinton [Police Department] needs to immediately start enforcing crosswalk violations. I’m thinking in particular of the crosswalk over Main Street to Church Street.

Despite the pedestrian accident that happened there a couple of years ago, people continue to ignore the flashing yellow lights and drive upwards of 40 miles per hour as though their $75,000 SUVs absolve them of paying attention to the rules of the road.

Only rigorous enforcement and significant monetary fines will resolve this continuing dangerous situation.

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

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

CALENDAR

Free furniture/electronics drop-off April 24

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In honor of Earth Day 2021, Green Team Junk Removal and the Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee are sponsoring a drop-off event for furniture and electronics on Saturday, April 24, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at approximately noon, depending on when capacity is reached. The location will be the north parking lot of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St. For more information, including on what items will be accepted, visit bit.ly/HopDrops or contact Green Team Junk Removal at GoGreenTeamJunk.com.

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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.

2018 LiftMaster All Rights Reserved. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance. Apple® and iPhone® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

Hopkinton Babe Ruth Baseball registration is open via the Parks & Recreation Department website. Babe Ruth is open to players ages 13-16 (aged out of Little League) of all ability levels. The league is planning three seasons in 2021: spring, summer and fall. The spring league will run from April 26-June 10. The summer league will run from June 14-July 23. The summer league also will have a Senior Babe Ruth division for ages 16-19. Information on the fall season is not yet finalized. For more details or to register, visit hopkintonma.myrec.com.

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Event Calendar Sponsored by the

HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS The Art of Conversation: Climate Reality | April 22 Join Scott Richardson for a special Earth Day event at 7pm at the HCA. Event will be live-streamed on HCAM-TV, but a small number of free, in-person tickets are available when you register at www. hopartscenter.org. Sponsored by Atlas Wealth Strategies.

Claflin Hill Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch Concert | May 9 Limited tickets available for this live concert at the HCA with Todd Brunel and Friends. Enjoy coffee, tea, and assorted breakfast baked goods as you enjoy the music. Tickets: $20 adult, $10 kids. www.hopartscenter.org. Sponsored

by Scott’s Landscaping.

Art Around the World: Let’s Visit Japan | Online May 1 Free children’s cultural program for ages 3 to 8. Free, but registration is required at www.hopartscenter.org. Sponsored by Unibank.

Art at Home Adult Sketching Workshop | Online May 15 De-stress at home with this free drawing class with HCA instructor Marion Buricatu. Free, but registration is required at www.hopartscenter.org. Sponsored by Unibank.

I SEE MAGIC! | May 2 Join us outdoors for this magical interactive children’s series event. Come explore the art of magic with creator Doug Wonder. One hour show. Limited number of tickets available. $10 per child, $5 for adults. www.hopartscenter.org.

Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

Garden Club Spring Plant Sale May 8

The Hopkinton Garden Club’s annual Spring Plant Sale will be held Saturday, May 8, from 8 a.m.-noon on the Town Common. Club members will be selling perennials, many dug from their own gardens, and annuals, to include a wide variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols will be implemented. For more information, including updates on potential changes due to the pandemic or weather, visit hopkintongardenclub.org or HopkintonGardenClub on Facebook.

Church Plant and Bake Sale May 8

Community Covenant Church (2 West Elm St.) will host a Plant Sale and a Bake Sale on Saturday, May 8, from 8 a.m.-noon. The Plant Sale will include inexpensively priced perennials, specializing in cottage garden favorites. The Bake Sale will include Swedish baked goods.

Lions Club community yard sale May 22

The Hopkinton Lions Club’s community yard sale will take Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at homes across Hopkinton. Rain date is June 5. Registration is $25, and the Lions will advertise all participants’ yard sales. For more information, visit the Hopkinton Lions Club website at hopkintonlions.org.

Timlin 5K to be run virtually in June

Registration is open for the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K, which will be held virtually again this year. The entry fee is $30 per person, with a family/team of up to five discounted to $99. Participants can run/walk their 5K during a two-week span in mid-June. For more details or to register, visit sharontimlinrace.org.

Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Oct. 3

Registration is open for the 33rd annal Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. This year’s event will be virtual. Participants are encouraged to “Walk Your Way” from wherever they are most comfortable — for example, in the neighborhood, on a favorite trail or on a treadmill — on Sunday, Oct. 3. Walkers must commit to raising at least $100 ($25 for those under 18). The event raises funds for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To register or support a walker, visit JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866-531-9255.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 5

Bittersweet goes out of business Bittersweet Co. has closed its doors for good, according to owner C.J. Dunne. The Main Street cafe/bakery/tapas bar welcomed patrons for the final time April 9.

NEWS BRIEFS Dunne said revenues dropped 90 percent due to the COVID-19 pan- Bittersweet’s last day of business was April 9, as owner demic and he could no C.J. Dunne said the pandemic put him in too deep a hole. longer keep the business afloat.

General’s Office.

“It’s reached a tipping point and Select Board member Amy RitterI can’t sustain the losses,” Dunne told busch said the board could work to improve the MetroWest Daily News. “Somecommunication with the public. times, you have to know when to quit.”

Town manager Norman Khumalo, Bittersweet first opened in 2014. however, noted that the Marshall Avenue Dunne purchased the business in 2016 and situation was set for discussion at the two expanded on its offerings. ensuing Parks & Rec Commission meetings Dunne, whose apartment at 17 Main (Parks & Rec uses the lot for Carrigan Field St., across the street from Bittersweet, was parking). And Khumalo and town engineer destroyed by fire last year, said he plans to Dave Daltorio joined Parks & Rec to hear leave town. from residents and address their concerns.

Start Line Brewing gets OK for outdoor expansion

Special Town Meeting planned

The Select Board on April 6 voted unanimously to approve a permanent outdoor seating area at Start Line Brewing.

Owner Ted Twinney explained that the Hayden Rowe Street establishment was operating at about 60-65 percent of occupancy due to having to space out seats during the pandemic.

Last summer the Select Board approved a temporary expansion of the outdoor seating area, and Twinney said he’d like to make it permanent.

“There is going to be — and we hear it from our customers every day — a lasting demand for outdoor seating, not only during the pandemic, but I think in years to come,” Twinney said. “So we’ve decided to invest some money and make this a permanent solution, with your approval. We’re simply going to expand our current patio space out by another 80 seats.”

Twinney said no additional parking will be needed because the establishment is approved for an occupancy of 252, and Start Line will remain well below that number.

While 80 seats are being added, others are being removed and some are not being used due to the social distancing requirements.

Said Twinney: “Were simply looking to spread our seating across more space and meet our customers’ requests for that outdoor seating on a seasonable basis.”

Khumalo told the Select Board on April 6 that after the Town Meeting warrant had closed, he learned that the town’s means tested senior property tax exemption law is set to expire in August. So he recommended Tuesday that the board approve a Special Town Meeting to be held within the Annual Town Meeting on May 8 to address the issue.

“The message from the board should be that this is a Special Town Meeting defined narrowly — if the board agrees — for the purpose of only including the article to address extending the means tested senior property tax exemption law,” Khumalo said.

The board voted unanimously to hold the Special Town Meeting but noted that the town legally cannot prevent anyone from adding a warrant. Khumalo is to discourage town departments and boards from doing so.

The Special Town Meeting warrant will close April 23.

Meanwhile, the board approved four ballot questions, all related to Prop. 2 1/2 exemptions, for Town Meeting and then Town Election. The questions ask if residents want to fund an addition to the Marathon School, a school HVAC renewal and digital control upgrade, Hopkins and Middle School roof replacements, and the Police Station roof replacement.

Open Meeting Law complaint addressed A resident filed a complaint accusing the Select Board of violating the state’s Open Meeting Law when it discussed using Marathon Way and the town-owned parking lot on Marshall Avenue as staging areas for Main Street Corridor Project construction equipment and materials at its March 2 meeting without proper notification to the public.

Lucia Lopez, who lives on Marshall Avenue, wrote in her complaint that she believed the violation was intentional, done so the board could “avoid addressing public comment and concerns.”

However, town counsel concluded that the board did not violate the Open Meeting Law, as the agenda indicated the town manager would discuss the project in his regular report to the board.

The board on April 6 voted unanimously to accept town counsel’s determination and forward the finding to the Attorney

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Dutta joins Town Manager’s Office The Select Board on April 13 approved the hiring of Vasudha Dutta as executive assistant to the Town Manager’s Office.

Dutta had worked on a temporary basis for the Town Manager’s Office as well as other town offices.

“As you know, this position requires the highest and utmost level of poise, tact [and] discretion in supporting the chief executive offices for the town,” Khumalo said.

“Vasudha comes to us through a wealth of life experiences stretching to different continents in Asia as well as here in North America. … [Those involved in the hiring process] all learned very, very clearly about Vasudha’s ability to be calm, efficient and poised in any situation and every situation that we presented during the interview.

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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

GIVE MOM THE GIFT OF TIME TOGETHER.

Article seeking trash pickup at garden apartments lacks town support

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he Planning Board on Monday voted against recommending Town Meeting passage of a citizen-submitted article that calls for the rescinding of a prohibition on trash pickup at garden apartments.

The vote was 8-1, with Sundar Sivaraman the lone board member to support it.

The petition, sponsored by resident Tom Garabedian, seeks to amend Article 13.

“We’re asking that the town provide rubbish disposal services to those who have been permitted as garden apartments or as village housing in residential districts,” explained Garabedian (who also serves as moderator at Town Meeting). “The basic concept is one of equity and fairness that all town services should be provided to all town taxpayers.”

Town planner John Gelcich said passage could open up a larger can of worms because, while it was originally drafted to benefit the residents of Davenport Village, residents of condo associations could challenge that the town should be responsible to collect their trash should the bylaw go into effect.

“Legacy Farms would then fall into that category, which would really make Legacy Farms would then fall into that the town’s responsibilcategory, which would really make ity a lot higher,” Gelcich added. “I believe if that the town’s responsibility a lot higher. I were to happen, the town believe if that were to happen, the town may choose not to collect may choose not to collect rubbish and it rubbish and it would just be private carting, if that would just be private carting. were to happen. That’s not meant to be a scare tactic or anything like

— Principal planner John Gelcich that. I’m just passing along information from DPW.” Planning Board chair Gary Trendel asked what the cost would be for the additional services. Garabedian said he was unsure, but for the trash removal for the 18 units at Davenport Village and recycling every other week, he said the cost was “approximately $6,000.”

Board member Jane Moran said she worried about setting a precedent with this proposed bylaw. Deb Fein-Brug added that she wanted more information about the cost of trash collection.

Mary Larson-Marlowe noted that the bylaws were established this way to give developers leeway in the way they laid out the roads so that they could be narrower.

“Most of the developments simply do not have the appropriate access for the DPW to go onto the roads and pick up trash curbside,” she said. “It really would not affect how the existing developments get their trash picked up.”

Garabedian, however, noted that “all of our developments are having trash picked up by someone.”

Following some discussion, the board determined that the article as written appeared to only affect new developments. Vice chair Robert Benson noted that the article “doesn’t solve the problem” for Davenport Village.

Although the board did not approve the measure, members applauded Garabedian for bringing the issue to their attention.

“That’s the kind of thing we like to see is people taking the initiative,” said David Paul.

“I understand that this just doesn’t fix the problem,” Muriel Kramer said, noting it is an equity issue. “And we may not untie the knot for the existing garden apartments. But I think it’s an important consideration going forward in our permitting.”

Garabedian said he understood the decision and would reconsider putting the article before Town Meeting. He also hopes to talk with town counsel about some options.

Board sticks with solar bylaw item In other Planning Board news, the board voted 8-0 to not make any proposed changes to the proposed solar bylaw regarding the use of application of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers — even though they are stronger than those currently held by the state and there is concern that they could be struck down by the Attorney General’s Office.

Gelcich explained he spoke with town counsel and learned that “the state has exclusive authority to regulate the use and application” of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Anything in the bylaw, therefore, could be superseded by the state.

The state could strike the section but not the entire bylaw, he added.

Larson-Marlowe recommended leaving the language in because it is stronger and may not be struck down.

Kramer also said she wanted to keep it in, noting that removing the wording would be “chipping away at our ability to be a home rule community.”

The only dissenting comment was made by Sivaraman, who was concerned about going against the advice of town counsel on two issues. This also occurred in a past meeting, he said.

Trendel said this issue was very important to the board, and he “did not see any downside,” and Sivaraman agreed.

HALT recommends OSLPD changes

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Morrie Gasser, president of Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT), gave a presentation on the importance of preservation bylaws. HALT manages about 900 acres of conservation land.

He recommended changes to the open space landscape preservation development (OSLPD) bylaw, which he said could be beneficial to both developers and residents.

Some of the land HALT oversees has conservation land centered in the middle of developments, such as at Mighton Woods OSLPD. Trails run like arteries through its heart.

“The issues we face here is that a lot of these backyards are really close to the border,” he pointed out. “That’s what takes most of our time to manage at these developments.”

Gasser pointed out similar issues at a number of development sites, such as encroachments, narrow strips of land that are unsuitable for trails, other trails with multiple corners, yards against open space and complex geometry.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 7

Kilduff honored by alma mater Kilduff | from page 1

And so began four-plus decades of involvement with the Boston Marathon, including a brief stint as race director in the mid-1980s. Kilduff now provides analysis for WBZ-TV from the back of a truck in front of the lead men’s runners.

Kilduff also founded and leads the Hopkinton-based 26.2 Foundation, and serves as executive director for the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce.

His accomplishments in the Hopkinton community gained the attention of Kent State, where he graduated in 1968, and the school recently announced that he would

Dutta joins Town Manager’s Office News briefs | from page 5

and professional at all times, as we have experienced during her tenure here working with us on a temporary basis.” …

Meanwhile, on April 6, the Select Board approved a request from Khumalo to grant hiring freeze exceptions for an assistant senior services director (the position has been vacant since last summer, when Ashley Shaheen left for a new job) and a senior services outreach coordinator (Marlene Troupes is retiring later this year).

be inducted into the College of Education, Health and Human Services’ Hall of Fame.

“I was taken aback, I asked them, ‘Look, you sure you got the right guy?’ ” Kilduff said upon being told he had earned the Centennial Alumni Award.

“The recognition for whatever little I have done in the communities where I have lived is not necessary, but I have to admit, it felt good,” he added.

Kilduff said the honor allowed him to stop and reflect on his time both in Hopkinton and at Kent State. A Connecticut native, Kilduff joined Kent State’s track and field team as a hurdler. He attended the 20,000-student university during a particularly active time, as opposition to the Vietnam War swelled during the 1960s.

Two years after he graduated, four students were killed and nine others injured by shots fired by National Guard troops during a peace rally. The incident became the subject of Neil Young’s song “Ohio.” One of the students injured, Kilduff said, was someone he had met the prior year.

“I was there during this very turbulent

period in the history of the college,” Kilduff said. “It gave me a different view of the world.”

He also was there for performances by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Johnny Carson, who Kilduff met as part of Kent State’s major events committee. Kilduff ran track and still is active in Phi Gamma Delta, a fraternity where he met friends he keeps in touch with to this day.

But in Hopkinton, Kilduff has become associated first and foremost with the Boston Marathon. He said he never imagined that first committee meeting would change his life in the way it ultimately did.

“I had a sense of the draw and the power and the influence of the marathon, but it has far exceeded any sense of that,” Kilduff said. “Whether you’ve run it or you’re a volunteer or your parents dragged you to the starting line, anybody who has been exposed to the marathon has this sense they own a little piece of it.”

Kilduff remembers walking to the start line in 1981 and presenting two-time Boston champion John Kelley with a portrait to commemorate Kelley’s 50th running of the

iconic race. In 2014, Kilduff was broadcasting on the lead truck when Meb Keflezighi became the first American man in decades to win Boston, a year after the 2013 finish line bombings.

“When you sit on the truck, you’re supposed to be an impartial reporter, but after we crossed the halfway point we went from reporters to fans,” Kilduff said.

“It got more emotional the closer he got to the finish line.”

Kilduff has worked on numerous marathon-related projects, including a current one to build an International Marathon Center in town. He said he has spent much of his time listening and has been fortunate to work with many “capable, caring and giving people.”

The honor from his alma mater has given him the chance to reflect on his involvement at the school and in the community where he has lived for nearly half a century.

“You play it all over in our mind, what would I have done differently?” he said.

“Probably not much.”

Outdoor water use restrictions begin May 1 The town’s Water and Sewer Department announced that non-essential outdoor use of water again will be restricted from May 1 through Sept. 30. Lawn sprinklers may be used for lawn watering two days per week outside of the hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m.. All other outdoor non-essential use is permitted daily outside the hours of 9 a.m.5 p.m. People residing in Precincts 1 and 3 may water on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Precincts 2 and 4 may water on Wednesday and Fridays. There is no lawn watering on Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays. This only applies to those water services connected to the municipal water system.

Violators are subject to a fine and suspension of water service.

For more detailed information, check the town’s website.

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Misc.: Kelly leaves Historic District Commission The Select Board accepted the resignation of Beth Kelly from the Historic District Commission.

Ritterbusch, who served on the commission with Kelly, lauded Kelly’s contributions to the town.

“She really cares deeply for the [Town] Common and the historic district, and we’re really going to miss her perspective on that board,” Ritterbusch said. …

The board also approved four board/ committee appointments: Gail Levine to the Council on Aging (term expiring June 30, 2021), Jack Nealon to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (term expiring June 30, 2022), Kathy Yang to the Sustainable Green Committee (term expiring June 30, 2023) and Christian Franklin to the Capital Improvements Committee (term expiring June 30, 2023). …

The Select Board accepted an award of $3,000 from the Hometown Heroes program to the Hopkinton Police Department for Officer Brian Sanchioni and K9 Titan.

“In a time right now where society seems to be pretty much against everything that the police are doing, I certainly appreciate all the accolades that they’re giving and the recognition for the hard work and the wonderful work those guys do,” Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone said.

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

Select Board’s Herr cautions against letting complaints ‘derail’ Main Street project Residents of Marshall Avenue have continued to express frustration that a townowned parking lot on their street is being used for the storage of construction materials and equipment for the Main Street Corridor Project.

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

T

he April 13 Select Board meeting mostly focused on housekeeping issues, but the Main Street Corridor Project was on everyone’s minds.

As part of his town manager’s report, Norman Khumalo offered a very brief update on the construction, saying it is “progressing well” and noting that Verizon had moved several poles.

Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch commented that the board has received a number of emails from frustrated residents, and she said, “It is disappointing so many people have had issues so far.”

Board member Brian Herr said the board should be careful regarding its interaction with residents who have complaints.

“Our role is to enforce, follow and encourage the general will of the community to move forward,” he said. “The general will of the community was established on December 9th, 2019 [when Town Meeting approved the project].

“We have to follow that directive from Town Meeting and build the project. There’s 18,000 people that we represent. The 18,000 is the general will of the community. Twenty people is not

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

the will of the community, and we can’t let them derail this project, as some have clearly tried in recent weeks. That’s not fair to the rest of the town.”

Herr added that he believes the board has been “going beyond the board’s role in some of these matters, and it’s causing issues for the town as a whole because of that.”

“When you give people false hope in these processes of the democratic deliberation, false hope is not helping move the project or the process or the town forward,” he said. “And I think sometimes recently we’ve been giving

out some false hope about certain situations that are going to get corrected, when that’s not the case, and the general will is not supportive of that, either. I’m just really concerned about the false hope that we’re putting out there, and when we involve ourselves in the dayto-day operations of the town, we’re creating false hope for residents and it’s not fair to them. They may not like that answer, but we’re not being fair to them when we give them false hope, either.”

Added Herr: “The citizens have to hear that difficult message, that you can write as many emails as you want,

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Twenty people is not the will of the community, and we can’t let them derail this project, as some have clearly tried in recent weeks. That’s not fair to the rest of the town.

— Select Board member Brian Herr we’re not going to change certain things operationally about what the town has decided to do. And when we give them false hope that we are going to do something, that’s where the problem lies, and that’s what I’m very concerned about going forward.”

Chair Brendan Tedstone said the board earlier in the day received a large number of emails regarding the use of the town-owned parking lot on Marshall Avenue, just off Main Street, for storage of construction materials and equipment. That has been an ongoing issue since construction started last month.

Said Tedstone: “If they moved [the storage lot] to the snow dump, it will alleviate the three direct neighbors next to it, their concerns, but what about the people now as the front-end loader has to go down to the snow dump from 85 Main St. to get a pallet of pipe at 8:30 in the morning and when they come up Cedar Street hill with that pallet of pipe they’re doing 2 miles an hour, there’s going to be 150 cars behind there. And that’s going to delay 150 people by 45 minutes 15 times a day.

“So, yes, I’m aware that the Marshall Ave. people are upset with how things are there, but this isn’t about Marshall Ave., this is about the good of the town. And what’s right for the town. By using that Marshall Ave. lot it’s going to lessen the amount of time that the disruption is going to be in this Main Street Corridor.”

Herr, whose term on the board expires next month, took it one step further, saying board members should not get sucked into trying to defend their actions in online discourse.

“It’s also this notion that we’re supposed to participating in Facebook debate about town governance,” he said.

“Absolutely not, in my opinion as one member of this board, should we be participating in Facebook debate about the Town of Hopkinton governance.

This is where we govern Hopkinton, and at Town Meeting.”

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HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 9

Girl Scouts recognized for community projects

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

S

ix Hopkinton Girl Scouts were honored at the April 6 Select Board meeting for their recent community projects that earned five of them a Gold Award and the other Eagle Scout recognition.

Sammy Altman received the Gold Award for her project to help solve the problem of obesity in pets for low-income pet owners. Altman worked with veterinarians and students from Tufts Veterinary School to spread awareness, including distributing pamphlets at lower-income housing facilities and shelters in Worcester.

“A lot of low-income pet owners don’t necessarily have the resources to provide their pets with healthy nutritional meals,” Altman said. “We actually came across a couple of pet owners that were feeding their pets the same thing they were eating for dinner. So we were trying to help them out to find low-costing but nutritional foods for their pets.”

Cate Barry’s Gold Award came after she increased awareness and provided information on how to prepare for a natural emergency, working primarily with Fire Chief Steve Slaman to create a flyer with information on what to do before, during and after an emergency.

Barry said she was inspired after working a mission trip in Houston following Hurricane Harvey, and she was “shocked by the amount of damage that was left behind even close to a year after the storm.”

Upon returning to Hopkinton, she said, “I realized that there was a mindset in our community that a natural disaster or a natural emergency couldn’t affect our community. … We definitely can’t control the weather, so it never hurts to be prepared.”

Holly A. Burns earned her Gold Award for working with Hopkinton High School and the Parks & Recreation Department to spread awareness about anaphylaxis and allergies via posters and flyers and an educational video.

“It was to help increase awareness in our town, and more focused on the athletic department at the high school,” she said.

“I felt there was a need to kind of remind our school system and our coaches and our players about the importance of being safe at student athletic events, and knowing that some of our student-athletes, spectators, coaches, teachers have allergies, and can have an anaphylactic reaction.”

For her Gold Award, Megan Murchie created the website HopkintonCares.org, where teenagers can learn about volunteer

I was struck by not only the complexity and the thoughtfulness of the proposals, but really they showed such a connection to the community and a real understanding of the community that you live in and the needs of that community.

— State Rep. Carolyn Dykema

opportunities with nonprofit organizations.

“I decided to create a platform for teens in my community so they can find volunteering opportunities in one safe, central location,” Murchie said.

Julianna Lucas earned her Gold Award for engaging high school students in the voter registration process and encouraging eligible high school students to register and vote.

“There’s not a lot of information given to us as we go through the high school about probably one of the biggest civic duties that we participate in in our lives,” Lucas said.

With the help of town clerk Connor

Degan and HCAM’s Jim Cozzens, Lucas produced an educational video that discussed the importance of voting and explained the process.

Ellora Hoyt’s Eagle Scout project was to design, build and install more than 20 bird nesting boxes for native species, specifically the eastern bluebird and tree swallow.

“My goal for the project was to create more areas for the birds to nest, as in the past their populations kind of took hits from loss of habitat and pesticides,” Hoyt said. “I also wanted to bring kind of light and peace in the areas where I installed them, which was around two cemeteries

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in Hopkinton and a couple of trails.”

Hoyt is in the initial group of girls to be named an Eagle Scout, which is a Boy Scouts designation. Boy Scouts recently started accepting girls.

Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone credited scout leaders Lee Burns and Kim Brennan for their “hard work and tireless effort” with the girls.

State Rep. Carolyn Dykema joined the meeting to pay tribute to the teens.

“This represents not just the individual achievement but truly years and years of scouting experience that you’ve participated in, which has really culminated in what you’re receiving tonight,” she said.

“There’s so much to be proud of.”

Added Dykema: “Listening to your stories, or your descriptions of your projects, I was struck by not only the complexity and the thoughtfulness of the proposals, but really they showed such a connection to the community and a real understanding of the community that you live in and the needs of that community.”

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10 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

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

Town Election candidates finalized

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Following the Republican and Democratic town caucuses April 8 and 9, the list of candidates for the May 22 Town Election has been set.

The only contested race is School Committee. Incumbents Amanda Fargiano and Meg Tyler and newcomer Jared Pray will vie for the two available seats.

The Hopkinton Women’s Club will host the 33rd annual Meet the Candidates Night on April 28 at 7 p.m. For the first time, the event will be held virtually. It will be broadcast on HCAM. Following is a list of all races.

Board of Health, three-year term, one open position CONTESTED RACE Regina Miloslavsky (Democrat) School Committee, three-year term, Cemetery Commissioners, three-year two open positions term, one open position Amanda Fargiano (Unenrolled), Thomas Pratt (Democrat), Incumbent Incumbent Margaret Tyler (Democrat), Incumbent Cemetery Commissioners, one-year Jared Pray (Unenrolled) term, one open position Kyla McSweeney (Democrat) UNCONTESTED RACES Select Board, three-year term, two open positions Irfan Nasrullah (Democrat), Incumbent Muriel Kramer (Democrat) Planning Board, five-year term, two open positions David Paul (Unenrolled), Incumbent Robert Benson Jr. (Democrat), Incumbent

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Constable, three-year term, one open position Francis D’Urso (Democrat), Incumbent Housing Authority, five-year term, one open position John Morris (Democrat) Library Trustee, three-year term, one open position Stanley Pulnik (Democrat), Incumbent Parks & Recreation Commissioners, three-year term, two open positions Daniel Terry (Unenrolled), Incumbent Amy O’Donnell (Democrat) Commissioners of Trust Funds, threeyear term, one open position Melissa Hayes (Democrat)

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 11

Parks & Rec address safety concerns at Town Common

By Mary Ellen Gambon Contributing Writer

A

t its meeting April 12, the Parks & Recreation Department addressed a couple of safety concerns that recently arose at the Hopkinton Town Common.

The first, according to Parks & Rec director Jay Guelfi, was a “Frisbee-sized chunk of brick” at the corner of Ash Street and Main Street that had loosened from the crosswalk there. It was pointed out to him by Department of Public Works director John Westerling.

“John offered to patch it for us and paint it red,” Guelfi said. He called it “a good short-term solution for us in terms of safety” to prevent someone from falling. Concrete would be used for now.

Chair Dan Terry asked if it would prevent it from being re-bricked later, and was told it would not.

“This is a beautiful common,” he said. “That area is absolutely beautiful down there, and I think that that’s the right way to make sure that someone doesn’t trip and break their ankle this weekend. I don’t think it’s a mediumterm solution, let alone a long-term solution.”

Terry added that a few years ago there was talk about replacing the granite at the common as a beautification measure.

“We need to address safety,” he said.

“But I’m curious as to how this process is going to work.”

Guelfi said he would address “the aesthetic issue” with Westerling during the meeting, because other spots likely will need to be addressed by the town at some point.

Another safety concern Guelfi pointed out were some “dead or dying maple trees” that have limbs that are in danger of breaking. He said he was meeting with Westerling on April 13 to discuss the limbs’ removal as well as the brick walkway.

“John has offered to prune those for us,” he said, noting that Westerling already had hired a tree removal service for the town at a cost of $8,000 a day for three days across town.

Guelfi and others noted that this is a very reasonable cost, because the usual expense for one tree averages about $1,500.

Dog park progresses At the previous Parks & Rec meeting, Guelfi provided an update on the projects that are eligible to receive funding through the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

Ground is to be broken on the new dog park this month, he said. The contract for the EMC Park skate park was in negotiations regarding the drainage design, and the contract was expected to be signed soon.

There is a budget request at Town Meeting in May for $350,000 for funding for the skate park, Terry said.

Security cameras are going to be installed at the Fruit Street fields “in the next few weeks,” according to Guelfi.

Money also is requested for safety netting to be installed at EMC Park at a cost of $40,000 and playground equipment for $50,000.

Terry said Parks & Rec is “showing that it can move forward with proposed projects.”

One topic under discussion is the creation of pickleball playing courts in town because of the growing demand

for the sport. An initial site is the Center School gym, which already has been lined for it.

“That’s only gaining momentum in town,” Guelfi said. “More people want that than I ever realized, especially people over 50.”

Programming options expanded Another issue brought up by the committee is how its programming role is expanding because of COVID-19. One course coming up on May 1 is, “Demystifying Stocks — An Immersive Workshop Empowering Women and Teens.” However, it is open to anyone with an interest in learning about finance.

“With COVID, we were under such restrictions to offer any sort of traditional rec stuff, we branched out,” Guelfi said.

“And maybe that’s something we need to reevaluate as we come out of COVID, for sure.”

Programming that previously may have fallen under a traditional adult education program now could fall under the Parks & Rec Department if it chooses to head in that direction post-pandemic.

“I think it’s great that we’re offering more emotional enrichment things,” Liisa Jackson said. “I think during this time it’s really important to look at those ideas.”

“I wonder if there’s a need in town, and I wonder if we should be fulfilling it,” Terry noted.

Meanwhile, Guelfi announced that there is renewed enthusiasm for a summer adult softball league. While there is not enough interest for a women’s league, which usually is popular, there might be enough to make it coed.

Commission member Laura Hanson also announced that the Summer Concert Series will be held on the Town Common after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Summer programming is open for registration, Guelfi added. He wanted to make sure the public was aware that the playgrounds are open now that pandemic restrictions have lessened.

College Rock parking to be improved Peter LaGoy of the Trails Committee joined the April 12 meeting to discuss the resurfacing of the parking lot at College Rock Park. The committee approved the Trails Committee moving forward with the project by a 5-0 vote.

One of the initiatives of the Trails Committee, LaGoy said, is to increase parking at trail heads. Although College Rock Park already has a parking lot, it is “in pretty rough shape,” he said.

“Getting into it is a pretty ginger procedure,” he said, noting there are about six spaces. However the surface needs to be repaved because it is quite rocky.

“It is a relatively quick fix but a relatively painless fix,” LaGoy said. The base would be either crushed concrete or crushed asphalt with an inch or two or of stone dust from Blackstone Valley.

LaGoy said the Planning Board didn’t need to be consulted about this because no spaces were added, only resurfacing. Only the zoning enforcement officer needed to be consulted, and he gave his consent. The town planner and Planning Board chair Gary Trendel are aware of the project, which will cost about $5,000, according to LaGoy.

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12 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

Sports & Swim Summer Camp at Westboro Tennis & Swim Club

By Deborah Burke Henderson Contributing Writer

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Kinder camp is available for ages 3-5 and offers group swim and tennis lessons. Sports & Swim camp for children in Grades 1-7 also offers group swim and tennis lessons. There is a Tennis Only camp for children 8 years and older.

The counselor-in-training program offers adolescents the opportunity to learn American Red Cross CPR Basics and glimpse work as a future camp counselor.

“We know people are anxious to get back into being physically active, and we provide the safest possible environment for children and adults to participate in fun, healthy activities,” stated club owner Justin Lundberg.

With the club once again locally owned and operated, Lundberg is proud of his team’s complete transparency in implementing safety protocols. Numerous air quality and sanitization changes began last summer, and enhancements

continue as noted on the company’s blog.

Summer groups will remain small, with no more than a dozen participants and possibly even fewer, depending on the sport. Typical pool events featured again this summer include ice cream day, cupcakes served on the hour, and tie-dye day.

Tennis continues to be a big hit and is a sport naturally conducive to players being physically distanced.

Small groupings allow four children and a tennis pro on court at one time. Masks are required in group clinics or when playing doubles.

“Tennis provides a great socially distant activity, and swimming is inherently safe with the chlorinated water and limited contact,” Lundberg noted. “These two elements alone have allowed us to successfully service our members thus far.”

Kids Club offers babysitting by reservation only now. Kids Night Out is back for youngsters aged 4-12. Participants enjoy supervised gym games, arts and crafts, and pizza parties while parents enjoy a night out.

Group pickleball lessons are the club’s newest addition to its fitness lineup for adults. For more information or to register, visit thewestboroclub.com.

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HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 13

Education Station now exclusively virtual cess.”

Chapman noted an increase in families requesting a private, more personalized, one-on-one approach to learning, as well as private school placement assistance and graduate school placements through Education Station’s counseling services.

Staff are actively building an online, prerecorded course they hope to roll out this summer. This course will take college-bound students through the entire college process.

“Students will be able to work at their own pace,” Chapman explained.

“For me, this is a dream come true. My mission has always been to bring greater access to this kind of advice and guidance.”

Even for those who purchase the prerecorded course, everyone will have access to a free intake meeting with Chapman. She prides herself in personally meeting every student and family serviced.

For details about available programs and the summer schedule, visit educationstationhopkinton.com, or call 508-589-7088 to speak with a member of the Education Station team.

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

By Deborah Burke Henderson Contributing Writer

E

ducation Station cofounders Christine Chapman and Sims Yun are excited to see how successfully participants have engaged and progressed in their learning through today’s more sophisticated technology.

“As a result of the pandemic, we pivoted our business model to being fully online and prioritized our services. We’ve been thrilled with the results,” stated Chapman. “Over the past year, families have seen that because we offer strong teachers, counselors and practitioners, their children are still receiving a quality product, and in many cases an even better product now.”

Through small-group tutoring in subject areas, personalized coaching and test preparation services, with an emphasis on study and organization methods, Education Station staff help students become empowered, more efficient and successful.

Education Station guides students through every stage of growth and development from early reading and mathematics skills to AP Bootcamps, ACT/SAT preparation, ACT/SAT Cram sessions, college admissions coaching, M pre-college prep programs and career counseling.

“We’re here for our students and families in whatever way they need Let everyone in Hopkinton know about us,” Chapman reyour Summer Programs! marked. “We also offer free services Advertise in the to college-bound students, providing Section support and guidin the Hopkinton Independent ance through the standardized test Reservation Deadline: Monday, April 26 prep and college Contact sales@hopkintonindependent.com or call 508 -954 -8148 admissions pro-

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

Town basketball camps return after pandemic-imposed hiatus

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

F

or nearly 40 years, the Hopkinton Summer Basketball Camp has been an annual fixture in town. Established by legendary Hopkinton High School coach Dick Bliss in 1983, it often is referred to as “Bliss Camp.” The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the sessions last summer, but the HHS basketball coaches and community are excited to bring them back this year.

“We are really looking forward to bringing the tradition of Bliss Camp back this summer,” boys coach Tom Keane said. “It has been an extremely worthwhile experience for Hopkinton students of all basketball levels and abilities. As coaches, we really missed the experience last summer, and we know that having missed it last year will make it all the more special to be back this year.”

The first camp session for the girls will run from June 28 to July 2 and the second from July 19-23. The boys clinics will take place from July 12-16 and July 26-30. Grades 4-6 will play at Doyle Gym at Hopkinton Middle School, while Grades 7-9 will be in the high school’s athletic center.

Sessions from daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each week costs $250.

“From a coaching standpoint, it’s

a great way to just get a basketball in kids’ hands,” said girls coach Mike Greco. “You never want them to go from the end of one season to the start of another without any practice. We do what we can to make it fun.”

The goal, Greco said, is to get players excited about hoops so they keep playing with their friends all summer long.

The program has been a longstanding tradition dating back to when Bliss ran camps in both Westborough and Hopkinton. Keane said he attended the Westborough camp every year through the eighth grade before being hired by Bliss as a counselor, then as a coach, then as a director. Keane started running the boys camp in 2006. Greco, another camp alumnus as a player and a coach, runs the girls camp.

“This camp was so popular that residents in Westborough would wait in line on the sidewalk in lawn chairs waiting for Bliss Camp registration to open at the Westborough Town Hall,” Keane said.

The camps originally were run independently by Bliss and then in affiliation with the Hopkinton Basketball Association. They now are under the umbrella of Hopkinton Parks & Recreation (registration is ongoing at the Parks & Rec website).

Last summer marked the first can-

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cellation in the camp’s 38-year run. In a normal year, attendance is strong, with the boys’ camps routinely selling out. Both coaches said they are not sure what to expect given the circumstances this year.

All campers will have to wear masks and will be placed in groups of 10 that will stay together throughout the week. The number of campers allowed in each session may change, depending on whether state guidelines continue to loosen heading into the

summer.

In addition to providing some fun and skill work for young players, getting the camp going again continues the cycle of participants who go on to coach. Greco, Jay Golden and Mark Sanborn all are former campers and current HHS staff who have worked the camp for years, and college students often return to coach the younger athletes.

“The camp generates a wonderful sense of community,” Keane said.

Summer Arts: Fun at the HCA

By Deborah Burke Henderson Contributing Writer

S

taff at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) have an exciting summer planned for the young and young at heart, with innovative programming in art, dance and theater. Registration is open, and needbased scholarships are available.

“This year marks the HCA’s 10th birthday, and summer promises to be stimulating and memorable,” stated HCA executive director Kelly Grill. “The Summer Arts Series includes an amazing roster of live outdoor concerts with headliners like Steve Specter, Ayla Brown and the Chris McDermott Band. No one will want to miss out.”

Children ages 4-7 will enjoy expressing themselves creatively in weeklong dance, art adventure or Broadway for Kids thematic programs. An After Arts extended-day program also is available.

The Fine Arts weekly academy caters to youngsters 6-13 who want to fully explore different visual art mediums, including watercolors, pastels, pencil drawing and more.

The Complete Artist is the perfect blend of exploring the visual arts and theater for ages 7-13, with a half-day program in both mediums. Each week culminates in a play staged and performed by the students for family and friends.

Half and Full Day Programs • Dance Adventures • Fine Arts Academy • Show In A Week • Jazz Band Intensive • ESL Theater Productions • Wheel Throwing • Dance Intensive • Movie Making Madness • AND MORE!

Enroll Now: HopArtsCenter.org 98 Hayden Rowe Street | Hopkinton HopkintonIndependent.com

Older children (10-13) may choose either a two- or three-week Jazz Band Intensive (for wind, string or percussion) or Dance Intensive designed for intermediate and advanced dancers looking to build strength and improve technique (ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, repertory and historical dance).

Drama lovers will work on two live outdoor performances of “Willie Wonka Junior” and this year’s Summer Stock show, “Firebringer.”

Teens and young adults interested in gaining summer stock experience can expect to audition in late May for these Enter Stage Left productions.

“We are so excited to welcome everyone back with music, art, theater and community activities in a safe, outdoor environment,” added Grill. “We feel like this is the perfect way to celebrate being together again!”

Class sizes will remain small and be led by HCA artist-instructors. Sessions will safely take place indoors and in tented spaces outdoors.

HCA family members and above receive a 5 percent discount on all summer programming. Visit hopartscenter.org to register, become a member, or donate. Call 508-435-9222 with any questions.

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

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 15

Sports

Are you concerned by today’s headlines?

Trust us to keep you informed & safe…

HHS athletes announce college plans

Because we care.

F

ourteen Hopkinton High School student-athletes celebrated their commitments to play college sports in a signing ceremony April 14 outside the school.

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Three Hillers are headed to Division 3 St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Elias Pereira and Cole Salyards will play football there, and Lillian York Three Hopkinton High School student-athletes will join the lacrosse team. announced plans to play at St. Lawrence University: Pereira said he chose the (from left) Elias Pereira (football), Lillian York (lacrosse) and Cole Salyards (football). school because “the coaches were heavily invested in their players and the program. Also, the campus is absolutely beautiful, and the alumni connections speak for themselves.”

Colin Norred is headed to Springfield College, where he will play lacrosse.

“I chose Springfield because the moment I stepped on campus for a prospect day going into my junior year I knew Springfield is where I wanted to go,” he explained. “I loved the campus and culture that the lacrosse team had and seemed like the perfect fit athletically and academically! I’ve also heard nothing but amazing things from [HHS lacrosse coach Dan] Norton, who is an alum from Springfield, and [HHS graduate] Seth Jenkins, who is currently a freshman on the team.”

Other Hillers recognized at the ceremony, either in person or virtually, were Nick Brown, who will run cross country at Bates, Ethan Champlin, who will run track at UMass, Pat Crantz, who will play soccer at Marquette, Alyssa Fischer, who will swim at Wheaton, Cam Jerrett, who will play baseball at Clarkson, Conor Kelly, who will play baseball at UMass-Lowell, Julianna Lucas, who will play lacrosse at RPI, Tiffany Mikulis, who will play lacrosse at Haverford, Ronnie Shamus, who will play baseball at Rollins, and Hailey Tolson, who will run track at Quinnipiac.

Meanwhile, former Hopkinton High School hockey standout Sean Walsh, who is spending a postgraduate year at Tilton Academy, recently announced he will play next season at St. Olaf College, a Division 3 school in Minnesota.

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Hillers football impresses at home Cole Salyards had quite a night in the Hopkinton High School football team’s 48-29 rout of Westwood on April 9, running for two touchdowns, passing for another and catching an 85-yard TD pass. Running back Cam Mulvaney continued his strong season, running for two touchdowns.

The previous weekend, the Hillers edged visiting Medfield 42-36 when Salyards scrambled into the end zone from 8 yards out for the winning score with 11 seconds left in the game. Mulvaney ran for three touchdowns. …

The HHS girls volleyball team capped its season April 6 and 8 with identical 3-0 victories over Norwood to finish at 8-2 (the team’s final two scheduled matches last week were canceled). In the final match, the Hillers were led by Melanie Gildea, who had eight kills, an ace and two digs. Cadyn Boyce contributed six kills, one ace and one dig. Kate Powers had four kills, one block, one ace and one dig. Cathryn Leighton finished with 16 assists, one kill, five aces and three digs. Sam Berenson shined on defense with seven digs, and she added two aces. …

The Hillers swimming and diving teams competed virtually against Holliston earlier this month. The girls dropped a 95-91 decision despite a sweep in the 50 free from Olivia Scalora, Elizabeth Mosher and Mia Carboni. The boys beat Holliston, 101-75, led by a 1-2 finish in the 400 free relay. …

The HHS unified basketball team closed its season April 13 with a 50-46 loss to Holliston. On April 8, the Hillers dropped a 65-46 decision to Bellingham despite close to 40 points from Jack Malone. …

Looking ahead to the spring, it appears that wrestling will be an approved sport, with some modifications.

Pucci gets grand moment

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PHOTO/WHEATON COLLEGE ATHLETICS

The women’s basketball team at Wheaton College in Norton only scheduled a few games this season due to the pandemic. But it provided just enough of an opportunity for senior Mikayla Pucci of Hopkinton to record her 1,000th career point.

Pucci, who began the year 40 points shy of 1,000, reached the mark in a March 31 game against Eastern Nazarene.

Right: Mikayla Pucci recently scored her 1,000th point as a member of the Wheaton College basketball team.

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 Sports Roundup | from page 15

LIBRARY CORNER

Hervol wins Minor League Golf tournament Hopkinton’s Jimmy Hervol won his first event on the Minor League Golf Tour, posting a 1-shot victory in a rain-shortened tournament at Indian Spring Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida, late last month.

Hervol shot a 7-under-par 65 in the opening round on March 29, taking a 2-shot lead. In the following day’s second round, which was delayed by a rainstorm, Hervol was at 11-under overall, without a single bogey in 32 total holes, when the tournament was cut short due to darkness.

Hervol picked up $2,100 for the win, and he received an additional $462 from the bonus pool and $440 in skins for an earnings total of $3,002.

Anderson Softball Field re-dedication May 1 The re-dedication of the Lauren Anderson Softball Field at Field 6 behind Hopkinton High School, delayed one year by the pandemic, will be held Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m.

Following the ceremony, which will feature members of Anderson’s family as well as the Field Restoration Project team, there will be a four-inning exhibition game pitting the HHS softball team against a Hillers alumni squad that will include some of Anderson’s former teammates.

Lauren Anderson died in a horseback riding incident in 1994, when she was a student and softball player at HHS. Organizers expressed appreciation for the commitment, generosity and efforts of the Anderson family, classmates, town residents, the school district and community organizations.

The event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Attendees are expected to follow health guidelines, including socially distancing and wearing masks.

1920

100th

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.

Announcements

In a few weeks, the library will be moving to a new way to book curbside pickups. The reservation system will be integrated into online catalog accounts and will allow patrons to book an appointment directly from the “Manage Your Account” library card portal. Users will need the account access information for the library card that the holds are placed on. Anyone who needs their card number or PIN should contact the library before the end of April.

Also, patrons of all ages now can check out DVDs from the library’s collection.

Previously, DVDs owned by the library could only be checked out on adult library cards.

Library Strategic Plan Information Session

Wednesday, April 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Zoom) Library director Heather Backman will provide an overview of the library’s strategic plan for Fiscal Years 2022-27, preview some of the library’s plans for the next fiscal year and answer questions. This presentation will be recorded and made available on the library’s YouTube page. Register in advance on the website calendar to receive the Zoom link.

Companion Planting and Design

Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 p.m. (Zoom) Location, location, location. Some plants just naturally grow better next to others, and, well, some don’t. Join Blackstone Valley Veggie Garden experts to learn what keeps the peace in a garden. Register in advance on the website calendar to receive the Zoom link.

Returning to the Moon: NASA’s Artemis Program

Friday, May 7, 5 p.m. (Zoom) National Space Day is the first Friday in May. To celebrate, join Patricia Moore from NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Division for a presentation and live discussion on the Artemis Program, whose goal is to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. Register in advance on the website calendar to receive the Zoom link. For more information on the Artemis Program, visit nasa.gov/specials/artemis.

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Please know that Pest Control Operators (Exterminators) are protectors of public health, food and property, we take our role in safeguarding your quality of life very seriously. The importance of the pest control industry to the nation as an essential service cannot be understated.

We at WPC Pest and Termite Control have developed a thorough inspection and treatment strategy that will protect your family inside without us ever having to come inside or ever meet the Technician. We are now offering disinfecting and sanitizing of all things you might come in contact with as well. Like your vehicle, inside your home or office, playground equipment, keyboards, phones…. etc.

“Springtime pests can quickly become headaches, especially when it comes to unappetizing food from ant infestations in the kitchen, mice in the house and costly property damage from termites,” said Jim Mazzuchelli, owner of WPC Pest and Termite Control. “That’s why it’s worth taking the extra precautions necessary for spring pest prevention. By simply following some quick pest proofing tips when spring cleaning, homeowners can better enjoy the warmer weather.”

To best pest proof the home, WPC Pest and Termite Control recommends homeowners follow these tips: • When de-cluttering and storing items, use durable, sealed containers that pests can’t easily infest or chew through instead of cardboard boxes or plastic bags.

• Remove all of the items from cabinets and pantry. Go through them and discard stale spices and other dated items such as flour and grains. These baking ingredients attract pantry pests, including several types of beetles, Indian meal moths and ants.

• Immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves.

• If you keep fresh fruit on the counter, check it often for signs of over-ripening or decay, which can attract fruit flies.

• Run the garbage disposal regularly.

• Don’t let dirty dishes pile up and stand in the sink.

• Don’t leave pet food and water bowls sit out for long periods of time.

• Take notice of any built-up moisture and eliminate these sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

• Get the outside of your home protected by a professional Pest Control Operator.

If you suspect you have any activity, get a FREE home inspection by contacting a licensed pest professional to identify any issues you might have and recommend a course of treatment.

For more information on spring pests, or sanitizing please visit nobugsnopests.com or call 844-435-2211

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HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 17

Video project seeks to welcome back marathoners with love “You never know what life is going to throw at you, something as big as this marathon that takes all this energy and then suddenly you can’t have it, it’s disappointing,” Canty said. “But as humans we are resilient, we keep going, we keep running. It’s just a parallel to what we have to do in our everyday lives, we keep pushing.”

Hopkinton Freedom Team member Cheryl Perreault said the filmmakers are hoping to achieve as much diversity as possible among those sending in messages to reflect the diverse population of Hopkinton. She encouraged all walks of life to contribute, including dogs and cats, and said there would be suggestions for props and different ways people can make their contributions as creative as possible.

“We are the starting line the whole world comes to one day a year,” Perreault said. “We want to send that love and feel the unity and show our love of this day and the people who come here.”

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

F

or the second straight year, Patriots’ Day will pass without throngs of runners lining up at the start line in Hopkinton and beginning the iconic 26.2 mile trek to Copley Square.

But the Boston Marathon will return. If all goes well, it will be held this October. And when the world comes back to Hopkinton, the Hopkinton Freedom Team is hoping to welcome everyone with messages of love from the town’s diverse residents.

I think the marathon represents unity, everyone comes together during that one event. I think last year people missed that, they missed the spirit of what this means to Hopkinton.

— Project organizer Charusmitha Ram

“I think the marathon represents unity, everyone comes together during that one event,” said Charusmitha Ram, one of the organizers of the project. “I think last year people missed that, they missed the spirit of what this means to Hopkinton. We want everybody to feel the love, the unity — that’s why it’s called Love Letters.”

The love letters will be presented in the form of a three-to-five-minute film using videos and photographs from the people of Hopkinton. The Hopkinton Freedom Team (hopkintonfreedomteam.org) is working with HCAM, the 26.2 Foundation and filmmaker Karen Webb to put the film together.

Webb said the film will touch on the significance and importance of Hopkinton in the Boston Marathon as well as the Boston Athletic Association having to cancel the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rest of the film will be created by the people of Hopkinton, who are encouraged to send in photos of encouragement or fivesecond video snippets with messages for the runners.

“We’d like to send this message, this love letter, out to the runners with all of the positive images and best wishes and generate some excitement,” Webb said.

“I do believe the core message of this project is love and unity and acceptance,” said Hopkinton Freedom Team member Freya Proudman. “What’s powerful is that we are able to present so much diversity, it’s an inclusive way to represent everyone.”

The Marathon Love Letters project began taking contributions from the community on Patriots’ Day, April 19, and will continue through May 30. Webb said the plan will be for the finished film to be done by around Labor Day, a little more than a month before the planned Oct. 11 Boston Marathon date.

Among those organizing the project is Lynn Canty, who ran Boston in 2017.

She likened the struggle to overcome the disappointment of missing the race to the challenge presented in running the race itself.

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Most recently, she organized and was the Team Captain of the Polar Plunge fundraiser where her efforts resulted in $5,000 for the Massachusetts Special Olympics.

In addition to Bianca’s volunteer work with the Special Olympics Youth Activation Council, she has also been a member of Unified Sports for the past three years, and she was chosen by her Unified Coaches to represent Hopkinton High School within the Special Olympics. She intends to continue working with people with special needs throughout college and beyond. Bianca is also a member of the National Art Honors Society.

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

Schools School officials criticize website that ranks HHS girls

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

A

website posting that ranked freshman female students at Hopkinton High School based on their physical appearance has been removed from the site and received sharp criticism from school officials.

The rankings were posted on Challonge.com, a website that uses SCHOOLS an NCAA basketball tournament-like NOTEBOOK bracket to allow participants to vote on their favorites in various categories, such as most popular Star Wars characters or Hot Wheels vehicles.

In this case, the bracket listed female members of the freshman class, based on physical appearance.

High school principal Evan Bishop, athletic director Richard Cormier, assistant principal Justin Pominville and interim assistant principal Laura Theis strongly criticized the material in a March 31 email sent to the school community.

“Words cannot describe how disappointing and unacceptable this is,” the email reads. “We strongly condemn this behavior, which is damaging and disparaging to all young women in the freshmen class but also to all Hopkinton students and indeed, all women.”

The situation is under investigation to determine which students were involved in creating the website, according to the email. “Any student found to be participating or involved will be held accountable,” the email reads. “Any act that negatively targets a group based on gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual-orientation, learning difference

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or any other distinguishing characteristic will not be tolerated at HHS.” In an email to the Independent, superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and Bishop did not identify those responsible for the site posting and said they “cannot share the consequences imposed upon students.”

The email said the administration does “not fully know the role” of Hopkinton Police in the case and referred the Independent to the Police Department for more information.

Representatives of the HPD did not immediately respond to questions about the case.

“As a school, HHS is supporting — and will continue to support — all of our students, socially, emotionally, behaviorally and educationally,” Cavanaugh and Bishop wrote in the email. “Hopkinton High School prides itself on striving for everyone to feel safe, supported and empowered in school. HHS administration is looking into what the school can do as a community to provide education around this topic.”

The Challonge.com website’s terms of services prevent the posting or transmission of “any unlawful, fraudulent, libelous, defamatory, racist, obscene, pornographic, profane, threatening, abusive, hateful, offensive or otherwise objectionable information of any kind.”

A Challonge.com spokesperson said the “the team immediately took action to discover, remove and ban the account” because it was “in violation of the Challonge terms of service.”

The spokesperson said the company “take[s] our terms of service incredibly seriously” and has “a support team that regularly acts on, investigates and responds to activity on the platform.”

The email sent to the school community said this incident must be addressed and used to “teach the important lessons that come from the unfortunate choices of a few.”

“The strong reaction to this event by members of the Class of 2024 underscores the values that we collectively hold as a Hopkinton community,” the email states.

Schools, teachers have agreement School Committee members on April 8 unanimously supported a memorandum of agreement with the Hopkinton Teachers Association that agrees on conditions to reopen the schools on a full-time basis.

The vote was taken at a special meeting with only two items on the agenda.

Kindergarten through grade 5 reopened fully Monday, April 5. Middle and high schools are scheduled to reopen April 26.

“We’re very excited about that,” Cavanaugh said.

The agreement runs through June 30 and was ratified by the teachers association in early April.

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 19

SENIOR SNIPPETS

The Hopkinton Senior Center staff continues to be available to seniors and residents during this pandemic. 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

Lunch Program

The Senior Center has 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. Anyone who knows of a senior who might benefit from this program can call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730. The menu is refreshed monthly. Cost is $2 per meal.

Transportation Program

The Senior Center has been awarded a generous grant from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council in partnership with MassDevelopment to provide much needed transportation assistance for medical appointments and essential shopping needs such as prescription pickups and grocery shopping utilizing taxi companies.

Residents 60 and older, veterans and individuals who are homebound due to a disability can call the Senior Center Outreach Department (508-497-9730, ext. 1615) at least three business days in advance of an appointment for assistance in scheduling a ride Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Strict safety guidelines are followed for sanitizing cabs, and mask wearing is required by both driver and passenger. This program will operate as funding permits. Rides are limited to twice a week. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive or is awaiting test results may not use the program.

Our Time Memory Cafe

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

TED Talks

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.

Exercise Classes via Zoom

Waste Removal and Recycling

Call to register Chair yoga, Mondays, 9 a.m.

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Books, Books and More Books

Friday, April 23, 12:30 p.m.

Seniors are invited to participate in a book club being held virtually (phone, laptop or iPad) to share what they have been reading and to get reading suggestions.

Participants should call the Senior Center for the call-in number or Zoom meeting invitation link.

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Fashion and the First Lady

Friday, May 7, 12:30 p.m.

During the course of history, America’s first ladies have been watched, admired, copied, sometimes criticized and followed for their fashion and style. This presentation will look at the clothing and accessories worn by the presidents’ wives, from the earliest first lady to the current president’s wife, Jill Biden. Call the Senior Center to register.

Seniors get free rides as part of MAPC program

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

S

ince the pandemic started, many seniors in town have found getting to doctor’s appointments to be a challenge, as the town’s volunteer medical drivers have been sidelined.

“Right up until COVID hit and we had to close the Senior Center, we had about 33 medical rides a month,” outreach coordinator Kim Carson explained. “I kept getting calls, ‘Is anyone going to drive anymore?’ Our volunteers are all seniors and they are high risk. So we had to suspend the program. It still isn’t running.”

Carson started looking for other options, and last fall she found one: a transportation grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Because the organization was overwhelmed with applications, Hopkinton only recently was approved, Carson said. Starting April 1, the town will receive $40,000 to cover taxi/livery service for seniors (60 and over), veterans and those who are homebound due to a disability. Transportation can be not only to medical visits but for essential shopping as well.

Carson said the grant will be a huge help to those in need of assis-

tance, especially with limited public transportation options in town.

“There was a tremendous void,” she said. “I had people with chronic illnesses, chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiac pulmonary issues that required monthly management and they weren’t able to get to their doctors. And they don’t Zoom, because they don’t have the technology and some people are afraid of the technology. There are just a lot of factors that made it complex.”

The Knights of Columbus have stepped up to help, Carson said, and some seniors have been able to get rides from neighbors.

“But it’s just not been a great fix,” she said. “Some of them also haven’t seen their doctors in a while, or have stretched it out or talked over the phone when they should be seen in-person.”

Carson noted that the program also will help the taxi/livery companies and employees, many of whom have seen business decline during the pandemic.

COVID safety precautions (masks, sanitizer, social distancing) will be in effect.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of this service should contact the Senior Center.

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Health Department opens local COVID vaccination clinic

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

H

opkinton health director Shaun McAuliffe, during his most recent update to the Select Board, delivered some good news and bad news, noting a high number of residents had been vaccinated for COVID-19 but cautioning that the town was in the midst of a surge that had its positivity rate above the state average.

“The Health Department has completed its 75-plus clinic with the Pfizer vaccine, its senior housing clinic with the Moderna vaccine, and we’re currently vaccinating homebound seniors with a very limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine,” McAuliffe said April 6. “When completed, our department will have vaccinated over 1,360 people, a significant number of those residents of Hopkinton.”

We believe the British B117 variant is at least partially to blame for the outbreak, but the outbreak is dependent on exposure. So we really need to limit our exposure if we’re going to get out of this mess.

— Health director Shaun McAuliffe McAuliffe credited the Fire Department, Senior Center staff, Police Department and resident volunteers in the Medical Reserve Corps for their assistance with the clinics.

The town recently announced a municipally operated mass vaccination clinic with the towns of Ashland, Boylston, Holliston, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough that is being held at a hotel in Westborough.

Residents can register for an appointment online (check the town website or HopkintonIndependent.com for details).

“That will put our local communities at a significant advantage,” McAuliffe said.

As is, “Our efforts have contributed to our community’s above-average vaccination rate,” he added.

Regarding the surge in cases, McAuliffe said it was being driven by younger residents, with half of the early-month cases under the age of 20. However, while youngsters have been “affected disproportionately,” McAuliffe was quick to note there was “no evidence of school-associated outbreak,” despite students returning to school full-time.

McAuliffe said he is asking the state to look at local cases to determine if any are the B117 variant, which appears to be more contagious and more lethal, according to research from the United Kingdom.

“We believe the British B117 variant is at least partially to blame for the outbreak, but the outbreak is dependent on exposure,” McAuliffe said. “So we really need to limit our exposure if we’re going to get out of this mess.”

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 21

Obituaries Thomas Sullivan Thomas Joseph Sullivan, 84, of Hopkinton and previously a longtime resident of Framingham, passed away on April 1.

Born Aug. 16, 1936, in Boston and raised in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Lillian (Caswell) and Edward Sullivan. He is predeceased by his siblings, Edward, Gloria, Jack, James, Patricia and Lillian.

Tom grew up in Cambridge as one of seven children in a typical Irish Catholic family — loud, loved and a whole lot of fun, as was told in the many stories throughout the years. He married Patricia (Lowd) in 1962 and they had four children.

He served in the Army and was stationed in Germany where he returned many times for business and pleasure. He enjoyed his work as a numismatist. Tom was an avid runner — he ran several marathons across America and abroad as well as the Boston Marathon 13 times.

Tom is survived by his children, Sharon Crowley of Milford, Shelly Sullivan of Holliston, and Tom Sullivan and longtime girlfriend Hilary Bentley of Hopkinton.

He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Nicholas and wife Brittany (great-grandchild due in August), Joseph, Sean, Jada, Johnny, Sydney and Lilly.

A funeral service was held April 10, followed by burial in Lake Grove Cemetery, Holliston. Arrangements were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to michaeljfox.org in support of Parkinson’s research.

Donald Moberg Donald Larson Moberg of Hopkinton passed away on April 4 at the age of 93 after a long and wonderful life. He was born in Worcester on May 13, 1927, to Arthur and Adeline Moberg. He was the beloved husband of Beverly Elian Moberg. The couple celebrated their 69th anniversary on Oct. 14, 2019, before Beverly’s passing in 2020. He was also predeceased by his two brothers, Russell and Paul, and his sister, Marion.

Donald was a graduate of South High School in Worcester and the Progressive School of Photography in New Haven, Connecticut, and he attended Worcester Junior College. He joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. His last station was Bikini Atoll, a large U.S. atomic bomb testing site. After leaving the Navy, he worked for the New England Telephone Company (now Verizon Communications) as a central office technician. He worked there for 37 years before retiring in 1989.

He was the loving father of four children, including: Richard P. Moberg, married to Sandra (Gingolaski), of Hopkinton; Robert S. Moberg, married to Wendy (Wheeler), of Bluffton, South Carolina; Janet Beck, married to John Beck, of Northboro; and Ronald G. Moberg of Worcester. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Amie Thomas, Andrea Joinville, Michael Moberg, Jeff Moberg, Kim Bourassa, Dan and Tom Beck, and Tim and Chris Moberg; as well as nine great-

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grandchildren, Javaun, Chase, Angelise, Mac, Ace, Easton, Jordynn, Allie Mae and Eli. He was affectionately known as Pop-Pop to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donald lived in Grafton for many years before retiring in 1989. Upon retirement, he and Beverly moved to East Sandwich on Cape Cod. They traveled extensively to a number of U.S. states, including Hawaii, and to foreign destinations such as the Caribbean, Scandinavia, Iceland and the Panama Canal. They spent many winters on Marco Island, Florida. He enjoyed photography, hunting, fishing and golfing. But mostly, he enjoyed telling jokes because he loved making those around him happy. He was a member of the Sandwich Friday Men’s Club, the NRA, Sandwich Hollows Golf Course, the Mended Hearts organization, and the First Church of Christ. In 2017, he moved to Golden Pond Assisted Living in Hopkinton.

There will be a celebration of his life on a later date. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) would be appreciated.

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2. Chris plans to buy his wife, Dawn, a new sports car for Mother’s Day. After Chris trades in the old vehicle, he’ll put the license plates on the new car.

Will Chris and Dawn’s auto policy cover them if they drive off the lot with the new car?

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12:32 a.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield conducted a motor vehicle stop on West Main Street and Officers Tyler Brabham and Stephen Buckley responded to assist. A 35-year-old Mendon resident was arrested and charged with speeding in violation of special regulation, OUI liquor, license not in possession, and registration not in possession.

April 5

12:55 a.m. On West Main Street, Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Brittany Firth arrested a 40-year-old Mayhew Street resident on a warrant.

9:48 p.m. A caller reported a drunk driver on the road. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Robert Ekross responded to Wood Street along with assistance from the Westborough Police Department. A 36-year-old Winter Street resident was arrested and charged with OUI liquor, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and child endangerment while OUI.

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.

8:42 a.m. A detail officer on East Main Street reported the cable on the traffic lights came loose. Sergeant William Burchard responded and reported one of the sides of a sign came loose. The DPW was notified.

9:25 a.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil, Officer Jay Deiana, and the animal control officer assisted the Health Department in gaining access to a Valleywood Road residence in order to recover animals.

10:40 a.m. Sergeant William Burchard found two white dogs on North Mill Street running in and out of the roadway. He was unable to wrangle the canines and notified the animal control officer.

3:33 p.m. A caller reported a road rage incident involving the driver of a white van on North Street. Officer Tyler Brabham attempted to contact the company owner.

6:30 p.m. A walk-in visited the lobby on two separate occasions screaming and swearing. Sergeant William Burchard took a report.

8:16 p.m. A Fenton Street caller reported the outside odor of natural gas.

Officer Preston Mucciarone responded along with the Fire Department. Eversource was notified and responded. A furnace reportedly required maintenance.

April 3

1:57 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on Main Street involving two cars. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Jay Deiana responded. An ambulance and a tow truck were requested.

One driver received a courtesy transport.

No personal injuries were reported.

3:02 p.m. A caller reported an illegal burn on Lakeshore Drive. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded along with the Fire Department, and all illegal items were removed from the pile.

4:54 a.m. Officer Stephen Buckley responded along with the Fire Department to a Briarcliff Drive residence, where a CO detector was activated and a female felt dizzy. A low battery in the detector was found, and the resident checked out OK. 11:28 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident with no personal injuries on South Street. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and took a report. A tow truck removed one vehicle.

5:52 p.m. A caller reported a loose dog on Wood Street. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and assisted.

March 31

April 4

March 30

6:35 a.m. A Grove Street caller reported her house and car were egged.

Officer Stephen Buckley responded and took a report.

1:04 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported a staff member was harassing her. Officer Cody Normandin spoke with the caller and took a report.

5:14 p.m. A caller reported vandalism after finding his truck with smashed windows and missing parts. Officer Ryan Polselli assisted and took a report.

6:26 p.m. A caller reported an oil tank was leaking on Downey Street. Officer Jessica Ferreria responded along with the Fire Department. A technician was to respond to repair the oil tank.

April 1

6:33 a.m. A Sanctuary Lane resident reported hearing intermittent beeping noises, possibly from Hopkins School.

Sergeant William Burchard responded and found school buses pulling up and drivers completing safety checks.

April 2

5:46 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded along with the Fire Department to an unknown alarm activation on Briarcliff Drive that activated when the furnace turned on. A faulty detector was discovered.

HopkintonIndependent.com

9:18 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded along with the Fire Department to a commercial fire alarm activation on West Main Street. The activation was determined to be accidental.

8:55 p.m. A Lincoln Street resident reported hearing four gunshots. Officers Tyler Brabham and Jessica Ferreira responded and checked the area with a negative find.

April 5

7:02 a.m. Sergeants William Burchard and Matthew McNeil responded to a motor vehicle accident on Pond Street.

An ambulance and a tow truck were requested. Verizon was contacted about pole damage. One person refused medical treatment. A report was to follow.

6:29 p.m. A caller reported gates were left open at the construction site on Marshall Avenue. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and notified Eversource.

10:31 p.m. A Constitution Court caller complained of noise coming from his upstairs neighbor. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and spoke with the neighbor, who was to quiet down.

April 6

8:37 a.m. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Jay Deiana responded along with the Fire Department to a stove fire

The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021 • 23 on Ursla Drive. Upon their arrival, the fire was extinguished and no smoke was present.

9:07 a.m. A caller reported a homeless man sleeping on one of the trails in the State Park in Ashland. The Ashland Police Department was notified.

5:16 p.m. A caller reported fallen wires on Pond Street. Verizon was contacted.

April 8

12:03 a.m. A caller reported two suspicious males with flashlights walking around Constitution Court. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Stephen Buckley and Brittany Firth responded and spoke with the men, who were with J&M Towing.

5:30 a.m. Officer Stephen Buckley responded along with the Fire Department to a fire alarm activation on Constitution Court. The apartment was evacuated and a faulty detector in a bedroom was subsequently found.

8:30 a.m. An Apple Tree Hill resident reported a disoriented-looking female was knocking on her door. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and spoke with the woman, and all checked out OK. 1:37 p.m. A caller reported an abandoned vehicle on South Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Jay Deiana responded and checked the vehicle, which was determined to have been stolen.

The Providence Police Department was notified.

A tow truck was requested. A report was to follow.

2:07 p.m. A West Main Street caller reported a raccoon was wandering in her yard. The animal control officer was contacted.

3:58 p.m. A caller reported a disabled motor vehicle blocking the roadway of Wood Street. Officer Brendon Lyver responded and reported the truck was able to start up again.

6:12 p.m. A caller reported a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on Spring Street. Officer Tyler Brabham responded. No damage was incurred on the caller’s vehicle. Officer Brabham took a report.

April 9

7:36 a.m. A caller reported traffic lights on Hayden Rowe Street were not operating correctly.

Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and checked the lights and notified the Highway Department.

8:37 a.m. School Resource Officer Philip Powers and Officer Moira McGaffigan completed a well-being check of a Hopkins School student on Benson Road and reported the father was driving the child to school.

10:36 a.m. A caller reported pumps at a West Main Street gas station were spraying gas all over the ground and on cars, and the employee inside refused to attend to the pumps. Officer Ryan Polselli responded along with the Fire Department to check the pumps.

10:38 a.m. A customer at a West Main Street gas station reported the pumps were spraying gas on to the ground. The Fire Department responded and the pumps were turned off and the area was coned off.

12:43 p.m. A Davis Road resident requested the animal control officer to pick up a deceased rabbit.

The animal control officer was notified.

1:22 p.m. A concerned Cedar Street resident reported a large burn pile in a neighbor’s backyard.

Officer Ryan Polselli responded along with the Fire Department, and the homeowner was advised of burning regulations.

1:46 p.m. A Winter Street resident reported a woman in a silver Honda Accord drove by the caller’s home a few times and appeared to have taken photos of the residence. The incident was logged.

5:08 p.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on Park Street. No personal injuries were reported.

5:12 p.m. Officer Ryan Polselli responded to a motor vehicle accident on South Street with minor damage. No personal injuries were reported.

9:17 p.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Jessica Ferreira responded to a noise complaint on Daniel Road and checked the area with a negative find.

April 10

12:11 a.m. A caller reported his ankle monitoring device had a low battery and he was seeking advice.

He was advised to contact his probation officer and report the issue.

10:15 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan reported possible illegal dumping on Lumber Street.

11:44 a.m. Officers Brendon Lyver, Moira

McGaffigan and Ryan Polselli responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a car and a motorcycle on Main Street. A head injury and difficulty breathing were reported. Three people were transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center. A report was to follow.

1:57 p.m. Officers Moira McGaffigan and Brendon Lyver attempted to serve a warrant to a Rosewood Lane resident, but no one answered the door.

8:34 p.m. A Stagecoach Way resident reported a group of youths harassed her son and was driving around her neighborhood. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and checked the area and found all clear.

8:47 p.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira assisted the Milford Police Department in responding to a noise complaint on Walden Way. 11:01 p.m. A Spring Street resident reported hearing what sounded like six rounds of shotgun fire.

Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Brittany Firth responded and checked the area with a negative find.

11:21 p.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield found road kill on Wood Street and left a message for the DPW. 11:48 p.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield noted a dead deer on Forest Lane and left a message for the animal control officer.

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1:55 a.m. A caller reported he attempted to move a tree from the roadway of Saddle Hill Road, and he found wires on it. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Brittany Firth responded and notified Eversource and Verizon and reported the road was passable.

9:45 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported trespassing. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and reported issuing a no trespass order to the individual involved. A report was to follow.

12:06 p.m. Multiple callers reported a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street and personal injuries to the head and neck. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Brian Sanchioni and Ryan Polselli responded along with an ambulance.

1:54 p.m. A Pendulum Pass resident reported a large fire in the woods in between houses. The Fire Department responded and reported it was a permitted burn.

2:44 p.m. A caller reported witnessing a hit-andrun motor vehicle accident on Main Street. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Ryan Polselli responded and checked the area with a negative find on the vehicle.

6:35 p.m. A caller reported orphaned raccoons on Saddle Hill Road. A message was left for the animal control officer.

7:53 p.m. A Rosewood Lane caller reported two women prying into a home. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officers Robert Ekross, Jessica Ferreira and Ryan Polselli responded and found a person locked out of her home. The Fire Department responded to assist in gaining access.

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12:07 a.m. The Ashland Police Department reported a motor vehicle crash on East Main Street, where a car struck a pole and a male was on the ground, conscious and alert. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Robert Ekross responded along with an ambulance. Three people were transported to UMass Medical Center.

9:19 a.m. A Lakeshore Drive caller complained of a truck pumping water out of the lake. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and spoke with the involved party, who stated he had permission to fill up at the lake by Eversource.

1:15 p.m. A caller reported an injured squirrel on Gassett Road. The animal control officer was notified.

2:25 p.m. A Grove Street caller reported someone threw an egg at his car and wanted the vandalism logged.

3:39 p.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported someone trespassing on his property. Officer Ryan Polselli took a report.

6:00 p.m. A caller reported a truck damaged a mailbox on Saddle Hill Road and left the scene. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and took a report.

6:12 p.m. A Marshall Avenue caller reported Eversource left the gates open to its materials on Marshall Avenue, and the caller was unable to reach anyone through customer service.

6:48 p.m. A caller reported a person walking in the roadway of Lumber Street with a shopping cart.

Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and spoke with the individual, who declined all offers of help.

HopkintonIndependent.com

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24 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 21, 2021

District seeks support for Elmwood School replacement plan

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methodology, grade configurations and program offerings and confirm community authorization and funding, among other requirements.

The 270-day period ends in January, and next month’s Special Town Meeting — which is being held within the Annual Town Meeting — is the only meeting before then. This adds “urgency” to the issue, superintendent Carol Cavanaugh said.

Elmwood School was built in 1964, and its age “makes it very difficult to offer students state-of-the-art technology,” Cavanaugh said.

Photographs displayed at the meeting and taken before the pandemic showed crowded conditions, with instruction taking place on the stage and at the top of a staircase.

“Some of the common spaces in the building, for example the library and the cafeteria, are markedly too small for the ever-expanding student body,” Cavanaugh said.

There was some discussion at the meeting about whether the funding for the feasibility study should come from the HCA rather than general taxation.

Committee member Joe Markey argued that the need for the Elmwood project reflected the building’s age and not projected population growth and related school enrollment increases, which is what the HCA was created to address.

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He also questioned Cavanaugh’s contention that using HCA money would not impact taxpayers. The HCA fund is limited, he said, and as enrollment increases in the years ahead, “we will be going back to the taxpayer” for money, he said.

“It’s very tempting to use that for every little thing that comes up,” he added. But the time will come, he said, when the fund will be tapped out and “we’re going to wish we had it. Wherever possible, let’s not use it.”

Committee member Nancy Cavanaugh said that while the school have may needed work even before enrollment growth, “the scope of the work is affected by population” increases.

The study cost is a “one-time investment to build capacity,” committee chair Amanda Fargiano said. She said this was a “good use of the funds.”

In today’s climate, “people are hurting,” committee member Lya BattleRafferty said.

She said she would support “not adding more burden this year” on taxpayers and instead using HCA funds for the study.

The superintendent said the time has come to look at the overall growth needs at all grade levels. The Elmwood proposal, she said, is “a growth-related project in very large part.”

The earliest the project could begin is July 2023.

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