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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 23 | No. 7 | April 6, 2022

Town shares details while critics rail about trail proposal

By Walter Bird Jr. Contributing Writer

“I

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

f you build it, he will come.” It’s the classic line from the Kevin Costner film “Field of Dreams.” Over time, the line has been changed to, “If you build it, they will come,” often used when referring to new development in a city or town. In Hopkinton, there’s no doubt that if the town completes the extension of the Upper Charles trail, they certainly will come — walkers, cyclists, joggers, people pushing strollers and walking with their kids along an eight-mile path stretching from Milford to Ashland.

Just where they will be walking is the question that is dogging a project that started almost 10 years ago. One plan under consideration by the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) has a portion of the path going along busy Hayden Rowe Street (Route 85). That has some residents expressing safety concerns and questioning why some committee members appear steadfast in their support of that plan.

Those opposed include one resident who has started a separate committee focused

SPECIAL DAY

Devin Giles takes a shot during the Hopkinton Special Olympics basketball team’s annual game against the Hopkinton Police Department on March 26 at Hopkinton Middle School’s Brown Gym.

Trails | 15

INSIDE

Gibney goes distance for Women’s Club

NEWS

Discussions continue about Lake Maspenock weeds

By Jane Bigda Contributing Writer

6

D

Gibney | 19

COMMUNITY

Initiative seeks to make town friendlier to those with dementia PHOTO

evon Gibney personifies two aspects that make the April 18 Boston Marathon a very special race. The Hopkinton native is running for the Hopkinton Women’s Club as the race marks the 50th anniversary of the first official field of women runners — eight athletes who competed in 1972.

“How symbolic is it, that I get to run in support to of the Hopkinton Women’s Club this year,” said Gibney.

Additionally, this year’s race is the first since 2019 that is being run on Patriots’ Day. Gibney ran her first Boston Marathon in 2019 and is running her second this year. She also has run marathons in Philadelphia and New York City but notes, “Nothing compares to the feeling of running in Boston, it has always been on my bucket list.”

As a youngster, Gibney said, she and her siblings “would be up early on Marathon Monday to get a good spot along the course

Hopkinton native Devon Gibney will run the 2022 Boston Marathon to support the charitable efforts of the Hopkinton Women’s Club.

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

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

STAFF

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, Michelle Sanford, Chris Villani, John Cardillo, Christine Strickland, Christie Vogt, Jane Bigda, Walter Bird Jr., Susan Gonsalves, Courtney Cornelius

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.

PREVENT PESTS FROM TRIGGERING INDOOR ALLERGIES THIS SPRING WPC Pest and Termite Control offers tips to keep allergy-inducing household pests outdoors

W

ith the welcome arrival of spring comes some universally unpopular side effects: asthma and allergy symptoms. Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) designates May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, coinciding with the peak season for allergy-related symptoms. WPC Pest and Termite Control reminds homeowners that even though many people associate spring allergies with the outdoors, household pests such as cockroaches and rodents are also known to trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, especially in children.

“Cockroach droppings, saliva, skins and other body parts contain potent allergens that can cause allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms,” said Jim Mazzuchelli, owner of WPC Pest and Termite Control. “Additionally, some species of stinging insects found in Hopkinton, such as bald-faced hornets, can cause serious reactions in people whose immune systems overreact to the venom.”

With plant-based allergens already making life harder for so many Americans this time of year, the last thing people need are triggers within their own homes. WPC Pest and Termite Control recommends the following tips for safeguarding homes against pests that cause asthma and allergies: • Keep food sealed and stored properly, and clean kitchen floors and counters daily.

• Dispose of garbage regularly and store in sealed containers.

• Seal cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes and in screen doors and windows.

• Keep basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

• Should you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as tongue and throat swelling, wheezing, dizziness, or shortness of breath, call 911.

• If allergic to stinging insects, learn how to use an epinephrine kit and carry it with you at all times.

• If you suspect an infestation or notice a hive or nest on your property, contact a licensed pest professional to safely remove the threat.

“A pest-free home is a happy home and taking a few simple steps to keep them out can make all the difference in improving day-to-day quality of life,” added Mazzuchelli.

For more information on pest prevention, please visit www.nobugsnopests.com.

Local farm fundraiser set to benefit Ukraine L

ike many people, Margaret Bower has been following the reports out of Ukraine, where neighboring Russia has embarked on a campaign to destroy much of the nation.

Unlike most people, Bower decided she wanted to get personally involved.

A retired FBI agent who was a bomb technician for almost 25 years, o w e r INDEPENDENT B started re- This miniature horse is one of the farm animals that THOUGHTS searching op- will be on hand at a Pond Street fundraiser for Ukraine on April 30. portunities to JERRY SPAR volunteer her services in or around the war-torn country.

“I’m used to being a first responder when catastrophes happen,” she said. “I’m used to showing up. It’s just in my DNA.” Aside from taking up arms and joining the fighting, Bower found the volunteer options limited.

“I researched it, but it was really hard to find anything,” she said. “Then I found something in Croatia [about 250 miles to the west of Ukraine]. I was accepted to be a driver [for fleeing refugees], because that’s what they need the most.”

However, when Bower explained her plan to her husband, it was not well received.

“He strongly objected,” Bower said. “He said, ‘There’s a war, there’s a pandemic, and you might not come back.’ My husband’s first wife died of cancer. I couldn’t do that to him.”

So, Bower looked for ways she could help locally. She researched charitable organizations and found a highly rated one called Direct Relief, which had started a Ukrainespecific fund, mainly providing emergency medical relief.

Owner of a farm at 199 Pond Street, Bower decided she would host a benefit featuring her farm animals — including a miniature horse, a full-sized horse and chickens — along with kids games, an art sale and a bake sale. There also will be live music from Joel Kahn, Shell Theory and Blonde Dog, all of whom are donating their time.

The event will be held Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person or $10 for a family.

Within a week of Bower posting the information in late March, more than $1,500 in donations poured in via her fundraising webpage (mightycause.com/story/Sisbgg).

The Hopkinton Women’s Club offered to donate baked goods, art and volunteer hours.

“It’s been a huge reaction and I’m really happy about that,” Bower said. “A lot of people are baking stuff and dropping if off. And I reached out to the high school, they Independent thoughts | 3

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The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 3

Local farm fundraiser set to benefit Ukraine

How can one person provide 24/7 service when you decide to sell your home?

Independent thoughts | from page 2

posted it and immediately we got about 25 kids reaching out offering to help. This town is so great like that.”

HHS grad hosts supercar exposition Two years ago, then-Hopkinton High School student Aditya Dutta was organizing a supercar exposition to be held in town, featuring a number of exclusive cars. The pandemic forced the event to be canceled.

Now a freshman at the University of Michigan, Dutta is giving it another try. He has partnered with Aston Martin Boston and will hold the show at the company’s Norwood location on May 15 from 9 a.m.-noon. Dutta refers to the event as “a dream brought to life in the form of an automotive exposition of the highest quality.”

Proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund for cancer research. For more information, visit hopkintonconcours.wixsite.com/carshow.

Chuck Joseph, Ann Clark and Mike Auen

HCA hosts newspaper exhibit, discussion A public reception was held March 18 for the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ free exhibition that highlights The Boston Globe’s Boston Marathon coverage through the years.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is hosting a free exhibition titled “Coverage: The Boston Marathon As Reported By The Boston Globe” until April 23 at the Lotvin Family Gallery.

The exhibition includes a collection of curated Boston Marathon images through the lens of The Boston Globe, now celebrating its 150th year of publication.

A public reception was held March 18, led by curators Kris Waldman and Arthur Dion.

The HCA also is hosting a conversation with Boston Globe sportswriters on Tuesday, April 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. The panel discussion, led by sports editor Matt Pepin and longtime writer John Powers, will share how Boston’s oldest newspaper has reported on the world’s oldest marathon over the years. The event is free, although attendees are asked to RSVP, which can be done via the HCA website (hopartscenter.org).

Volunteers recognized, more sought The Hopkinton Trails Club’s monthly volunteer day on March 5 focused on removing the invasive plants from the meadow of the Whitehall Conservation area. The Open Space Preservation Committee, which has worked on this project for some time, offered thanks to the volunteers, including Chuck Dauchy from Hopkinton Area Land Trust for providing the technical direction, Nate Eckman, Morrie Gasser, Peter LaGoy, Ken Parker, Linda Chuss, Michelle Hamlin, Mike Boelsen, Gary Trendel, Mike Reilly and some scouts from Troop 4. ….

The Friends of Whitehall organization is seeking people to help with its annual spring cleanup, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m.-noon. Participants will gather at the boat landing parking at Whitehall State Park on Wood Street and be assigned areas of trail and shoreline to clean. “This is a wonderful opportunity to help your community, and we hope you will join us,” the organization wrote in its press release. The Friends of Whitehall group also is looking for members to join the nonprofit organization, and membership is open to anyone, whether or not they live on or near the lake. Visit friendsofwhitehall.org for more information.

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

E

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

This week we feature 5-year-old Clyde.

Here is Baypath’s description of Clyde: “If you’re looking for a happy-golucky companion, then Clyde is your man! Clyde is about 5 years old but has the manners of a distinguished gentleman.

“Clyde can do it all! Go for walks?

Check! Snuggle on the couch? Check!

Play with his favorite squeaky toy? Check!

“His fosters down south said he is housebroken, and he has been great here, too!

“Clyde loves his dog friends and has passed his cat test!

“True to his goofy nature and large size, Clyde would do best in a home with no small children. Although he is gentle, he can be a little clumsy.”

For more information on Clyde and any of the other available pets at Baypath,

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

Property owners deserve better from town officials

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The Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) passed along a response from the town dated March 21, 2022, which states that property owners have been contacted but that our property is not an abutter at this time. This is inappropriate, especially considering that the UCTC is seeking $411,600 at May Town Meeting for an adjoining segment of its plan that makes our segment the only option.

We own the 200-year-old brick house at the corner of Hayden Rowe and Chestnut Street. We were similarly told that we were not abutters and there would be no land taking when the town added a third lane and sidewalks to the streets and installed equipment in our yard. And now they want to use another 17 feet for a bike path along our yard. Hikers and bikers will have to cross our driveway and LETTERS TO pass very close to our house. We will have to drive across the trail to or leave our property. How are we not abutters?

THE EDITOR enterThe corner of Chestnut and Hayden Rowe contains the support for the stop light pole, the control box, the power pole, the new sidewalk and ramp, and signage. It took several years to get the power and telephone companies to move the poles, and they just finished it a year or so ago. If the bike paths are approved, this installation will need to be torn out. Our historic granite wall will likely need to be removed, and all of this equipment re-installed further into our yard. But the plan says there will be no land taking, and the town says we are not an abutter.

The town said we were not abutters when they put in the sewer line down Hayden Rowe, when they added a sidewalk along our property on Chestnut Street, and when they added turning lanes, sidewalks and equipment along our yard. How many times can they cut into our yard before it actually does become a land taking?

We are disgusted by the way decisions were, and still are, made without respecting the residents who are affected. We urge the town to find other routes for the trail that do not so severely damage our neighborhood and that are not so dangerous to hikers and bikers.

SCAN TO VISIT US ONLINE

— Nancy Haines, Hopkinton

Rally organizer’s arrest deserved more coverage

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Editor’s note: For clarification, this letter refers to Monica Cannon-Grant, who organized the 2021 Town Common rally for Mikayla Miller, and Cannon-Grant’s recent arrest on charges of fraud, which was covered in the March 23 issue of the Independent.

As a person who grew up in this town, I’m ashamed to see such a lack of coverage regarding the Violence in Boston activist who portrayed this town in such a negative light. That woman helped turn that young girl’s death into national news and vilified this town. To fail to truly report on this woman’s actions does a disservice to that child, this town and its residents.

You barely used 100 words in coverage of her transgressions yet had no problem pushing her narrative of this town being a racist community.

The fact that this paper failed to follow up on this story is disheartening at very least. My father contributed quite a bit to this paper for years and I’m confident that he would be beside himself to see this buried in the corner on Page 5.

That poor child was owed better as was this town.

— Sean Fitzpatrick, Hopkinton

Morand for School Committee It is with genuine excitement that I am writing to endorse Holly Morand for School Committee. Holly is a thoughtful, intelligent and well-informed candidate who I have the pleasure of knowing through her outstanding work with the Hopkinton Freedom Team. I have witnessed Holly help those in crises, calm a room, lead a large group, and ensure that all voices were heard in matters that impact our entire community. She is a fair and strong advocate committed to doing what is best for our schools.

Holly comes to the table with a wide breadth of experience, from her work as a community social worker while working directly with youth in our community, her time leading local organizations, her extensive applied science and analytical skills in her past and current careers, or her years volunteering her time to local government committees. Her professional and community experience will serve to ensure thoughtful and transparent collaboration with the community and Hopkinton Public Schools administration, and she has excelled in her other roles as a voice of experience, equity, and sincerity. The Hopkinton Public Schools, and indeed the entire community, stand to benefit greatly if Holly joins the Hopkinton School Committee.

— Stacia Friedrich Krozy, Hopkinton

‘My dream for peace’ Imagine: A day will come when those who have the power to destroy the world suddenly feel a transformational shift in their hearts to save the world.

Believe: A day will come when every heart on earth opens to the healing energy of love, kindness, compassion, empathy, diversity celebration and peace.

Dream: A day will come when no one is ever judged again based on their color, race, religion, creed, nationality, gender, age, ability, social status or sexual orientation.

Trust: A day will come when we see each other through the warm eyes of love.

Rejoice: A day will come when the Statue of Liberty stands tall once again and Letters | 5

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 5

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’ Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is Kaitlin Cali for this photo of her son, Joshua, on the first day of spring with newly sprouted daffodils behind him. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

UNDER AGREEMENT

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

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

74 Ash Street Listed at $865,000

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.

‘My dream for peace’ Letters | from page 4

greets all humanity back to its shores with love.

Envision: A day will come when the world chooses to cooperate, collaborate, and do what is best for the well-being of the collective whole.

Care: A day will come when we realize how important it is to stop our busy lives and listen to each other’s feelings, thoughts and life experiences without judgment.

We will simply listen from a place of love.

Visualize: A day will come when conflicts are resolved through nonviolent solutions, empathic listening, common ground compromise, and the healing power of love.

Celebrate: A day will come when a healing light shines through and around mother earth and the whole world makes a conscious decision to stand for love, unity, justice, equality and peace.

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To learn more about our unique listing strategy in this extraordinary sellers’ market, call 508-509-4236.

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— Cheryl Melody Baskin, 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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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

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Conservation Commission continues discussion about Lake Maspenock weeds

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I am not a proponent of herbicides every year. … It’s meant to be in the toolbox as a spot treatment when needed to bring the ecosystem back into balance.

t its March 29 meeting, the Conservation Commission again decided to continue its public hearing on the Hopkinton Department of Public Works’ request to have a “toolbox of options” to manage the invasive weed growth in Lake Maspenock.

— Lake resident Sabine St. Pierre A request was made for more information from town consultant and certified limnologist David Mitchell to help address concerns about the validity of a vote on the topic. The hearing is to be picked up on April 12.

The hearing has generated a lot of interest due to the fact that one of the “tools” is the use of herbicides, a plan that previously was voted down by the Conservation Commission as well as Town Meeting after numerous residents expressed concerns.

The other options are hand harvesting, benthic barriers, mechanical harvesting and winter water level drawdown. The drawdown has been practiced for several years, but DPW Director John Westerling said at the previous meeting that last winter’s drawdown was “essentially not effective in managing the weeds,” leading to this broader request.

Westerling said the DPW would appear before the commission again to discuss any plans before proceeding.

“The commission does a great job of placing conditions, but there may be conditions that are not thought of at the time that this is hopefully approved,” he said. “So we would come back to the commission after an inspection of the lake and the weeds in the spring, we would come back with our proposed tool that we are looking to use that season, have a discussion with the commission, and be open to any additional conditions that were thought of either from this approval or as we are moving forward, depending upon either which tool we’re using, where we’re applying it or any other factors.”

Member Ted Barker-Hook raised a question about the legitimacy of a commission vote on the matter.

“If I’m reading what I have in front of me correctly, we’re not allowed to approve weed removal if the goal is simply recreation and to remove nuisances,” he said. “And I don’t think I’ve heard evidence that the current weed problem is hurting the ecology of the lake and that removing them will improve — not maintain, but improve. And so that’s where I’m stuck right now with all of the tools in the toolbox.

I don’t know if I’m understanding what I’m trying to understand, that we’re in a place where we can approve those activities given what the act says.”

Mitchell acknowledged recreational improvement was the immediate effect but indicated there would be other long-term improvements affecting aquatic life and water quality, which are specifically mentioned in the act. He said he would provide additional information to validate the vote.

“Many, many towns in the commonwealth have used this method or the methods we’re using,” he said.

A number of residents spoke at the meeting in support of the entire toolbox.

Former Select Board Member John Coutinho noted that the town has been analyzing the issue for seven years and trying to address it, and the situation is not improving.

“We’re really backed into a corner to really do these spot treatments,” he said. “I just don’t want to get into such analysis paralysis so that we miss another season.”

Lake resident Sabine St. Pierre said her young children and other swimmers are scared of the weeds.

“There’s people that, they feel these weeds, they get entangled in these weeds, it becomes a safety issue,” she said. “People panic, they’re not used to it, and then someone takes in a gulp of water. Also the ecosystem, it’s not balanced.”

Added St. Pierre: “I am not a proponent of herbicides every year. … It’s meant to be in the toolbox as a spot treatment when needed to bring the ecosystem back into balance.”

Drew Logan, a 20-year lake resident, former Lake Maspenock Preservation Association president and member of the citizens input group that was appointed to study the matter, said he felt the controversy about herbicides “is a little bit overstated.”

“I can tell you that we surveyed the Lake Association membership and the vast majority is in favor of having that as an option,” he said.

On the other side, Carol Esler said she has lived on the lake for 40 years and swims daily in the summer. She said the weeds are not a major problem.

“They’re nothing more than a nuisance — an occasional nuisance at the end of the year,” she insisted.

Esler said she is not comfortable using herbicides and said the community should be allowed final approval. She requested that the herbicides option be removed from the toolbox.

“It is just a terrible idea that needs to be separated out because it’s controversial,” she said.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 7

Marathon spotlight: Mia Coutinho

L

eading up to the April 18 Boston Marathon, the Independent will profile local charity runners. This issue we highlight Mia Coutinho, who is running to raise funds for the 26.2 Foundation.

Coutinho ran in last fall’s event and is looking forward to her first race on Patriots’ Day. “I’ve lived in Hopkinton now 20 years and am proud to say I have witnessed MANY Boston Marathon starts.

But to be *running* the famous 26.2 miles to Copley Square is an absolute privilege and a dream,” she states in her fundraising appeal.

Coutinho notes that donations last year helped sponsor the creation of a sculpture depicting Bobbi Gibb, the race’s first-ever female competitor.

“Donations to the 26.2 Foundation Mia Coutinho will go towards bettering community health, encouraging marathon preservation and strengthening international ties,” she states. “The 26.2 Foundation will use funds to build the International Marathon Center and Center for Human Endurance — a museum that will be a hub for heart-healthy education, cardiovascular training and a beautiful gathering space in Hopkinton, my hometown.”

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Food for thoughtful: Resident takes pride in free ‘community suppers’

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For information contact: Sandy Lucchesi • 508-380-4405 SandyL@remaxexec.com

F

or the last six years, Brian Le Suer has spent almost every third Thursday of the month serving food to around 70 people from local communities.

Le Seur has been a resident of Hopkinton since 1992 and is CEO of Zeenyx Software, a small company that specializes in software testing tools. In the early 2000s, Le Suer was the leader of a youth group that included his sons, Jake and James. The group went on mission trips, volunteered at different soup kitchens and gained a passion for community service.

On one trip, Le Suer visited the St. Francis House in Philadelphia and was inspired by how organizers fed community members there.

“They had a different idea about serving the vulnerable community,” explains Le Suer. “They wanted to serve people in a dignified way.” St. Francis House serves food the same way a restaurant gives food to its patrons.

Adapting the St. Francis House philosophy, Le Suer and Miki Mitchell, members of the United Parish of Upton’s Faith in Action committee, started community suppers six years ago. A core belief of the program is preparing meals that volunteers’ own families would eat.

“The idea of our supper is that it is not a traditional kind of soup kitchen meal,” Le Suer said. “It is a really good meal. It is very hearty, healthy and delicious.”

The volunteers make the meal without using pre-packaged ingredients. The meal includes two entrees, including a vegetarian option, bread and dessert, often brownies or chocolate chip cookies.

The community supper typically serves 60-100 people at no cost to patrons, and anyone can attend.

“You don’t have to be living in Upton, and you don’t have to be a Christian,” said Le Suer. “Everybody is always welcome.”

A patron favorite is the chili meal that is served in October. The volunteers make two to three different kinds of chili, including one with the surprise ingredient of sweet potatoes.

The cooking process begins with volunteers shopping for ingredients on the Tuesday before, and they make some

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Brian Le Suer prepares a meal during a recent community supper.

of the meal at their own home the night before. They also take half a day off of work on Thursday to finish preparing the dinner at the church.

The community supper does not solicit donations, but some choose to donate money anonymously. Panera Bread in Westborough donates excess bread and pastries, and at 6:30 on the morning of the supper, Le Suer goes to pick up the food.

Before COVID, community members, often those who suffered from food insecurity and congregation members, were invited into the church. The guests would sit down and eat a meal together.

Volunteers enlisted the youth group to help set up the lower vestry, a community room, and serve food.

“People from our church would come, and it gave them an opportunity to share a meal with folks they didn’t know,” explained Le Suer. “Over the years, we really got to know quite a few of our patrons.

People feel comfortable and welcome in the community suppers, and nobody is a stranger.”

In March 2020, when the COVID lockdown started, community suppers had to stop for almost a year.

“We just didn’t feel like it was safe for us to provide a meal to someone who might be vulnerable,” explained Le Suer.

“As soon as we were vaccinated, the very next Thursday we started our meals up again.”

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

Planning Board discusses economic development officer, OK’s Marathon School site plan

By Walter Bird Jr. Contributing Writer

A

proposal to hire an economic development officer, raised by the Hopkinton Growth Study Committee in 2020, is inching forward, with Planning Board Chair Gary Trendel calling for a meeting between some town officials and the Chamber of Commerce.

Hiring an economic development officer would be done beyond the Planning Board level, but Trendel said he wanted to “get it on the radar” and reengage conversation.

“I want to be clear that the economic development officer is not under the Planning Board, but it is something we could potentially support,” Trendel said during the board’s meeting March 21.

At least two members of the board indicated some reservations, while member Fran DeYoung, who served on the Growth Study Committee, said that group’s recommendation was born of an analysis and review of other regional towns employing

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an economic development officer or group.

“We did identify positive, non-residential — let’s call it commercial — activity as a result of that,” DeYoung said. “We were in favor of making a recommendation to the Planning Board [of hiring an economic development officer]. It was also vetted through the Select Board.”

DeYoung said one aspect the committee examined was how to broaden the revenue coming into the town from the non-residential sector. He mentioned the towns of Ashland and Hudson as examples.

“We thought the economic development officer over the course of time was able to increase the base of non-residential activity in towns that had an individual or group that was responsible for … trying to develop that commercial aspect, and were successful in doing that.”

Responding to a question from fellow Planning Board Member Ron Priefer, DeYoung said the position could be either a full-time or contracted position, with obvious differences on funding each position.

Member Rob Benson called for more input from people on “all sides” of the issue.

“I know it came out of the Growth Study Committee, but I thought at the time the Select Board didn’t move forward because they couldn’t justify the cost for this over, say, a new teacher,” Benson said.

“We can say we support it, but I don’t see how we can really move it beyond saying we support it. Number two, just as much as anyone in town wants to minimize their own taxes, there probably are a lot of people who want Hopkinton to be a bedroom community.

“Having an economic development officer obviously is going to drive businesses some people don’t want. I feel like it’s a one-sided conversation right now. I’d like it if we had more input from all sides.”

Member David Paul counts himself among those who want to maintain Hopkinton as a “quiet, bedroom community.”

“When the [Town Meeting] article came up as far as building a car wash or storage facility, I voted against that,” he

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Continuing a public hearing from its last meeting, the Planning Board issued its unanimous approval of a major site plan for a $3.6 million project that will add four classrooms and 6,400 square feet to Marathon Elementary School.

There wasn’t extensive discussion about the project itself, with Phil Paradis of BETA Group, the town’s consultant, noting most of his agency’s issues had been addressed. There needs to be an updated operation and maintenance plan for the school with the addition. Paradis also cited the need ensure the prevention of runoff leaving the stone dust surfacing area.

Finding the site plans conform to site plan standards, and that they were sufficient to adequately review the proposed project, the board voted 9-0 in favor.

“I look forward to seeing this [project] progress over the next year-plus,” Trendel said.

April 25 meeting added While the board meets again on April 4, its following meeting would have conflicted with the May 2 Annual Town Meeting. That was rectified with the addition of an April 25 meeting. After that, other scheduled meetings are May 16 and June 6.

One item on the April 4 agenda will be the discussion of increasing the maximum gross floor area of buildings in the Industrial A district from 50 percent to 80 percent. The board on March 21 continued a public hearing on that matter, which will appear at Town Meeting.

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Food for thoughtful: Resident takes pride in free ‘community suppers’

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noted. “I like the idea of a quiet town.”

Trendel acknowledged the board would not be voting or making a decision on the issue.

“It’s up to the Select Board. It’s also likely a Town Meeting article,” he said.

“There’s a lot more discussion to be had here. Our goal isn’t to solve it all right here. … The Growth Study Committee was a subcommittee of this board. … There is no perfect solution. But in general, the discussion side is to begin talking about how we’re going to move this forward.”

“We’re not making decisions,” Trendel added. “We’re just taking the next step to explore this.”

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However, the community supper now looks different than it did pre-pandemic.

Instead of sit-down meals inside the church, the volunteers prepare takeout bags for all of the patrons, and they have runners go out to the parking lot at the church to deliver the food to cars. Patrons order food the Friday before.

“We are happy that we’re still able to offer a meal even though we can’t offer the fellowship that comes when we’re able to eat together,” said Le Suer. They hope to resume sit-down meals again in the spring.

“When we created our supper, we wanted it to be a meal just like the one we serve our own families, and it really is,” said Le Suer. “It is delicious. We eat the same meal.”

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 9

Hopkinton aims to become Dementia-Friendly town

The Smart Call for Heating & Cooling

By Jane Bigda Contributing Writer

H

opkinton has begun a new marathon. Not a run to Boston, but the Hopkinton Age-Friendly and DementiaFriendly Initiative, a multiyear project to make the town a safer and more respectful and inclusive place As part of the Hopkinton Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly for seniors and Initiative, and with support from Friends of the Senior Center, t h o s e l i v i n g the Hopkinton Public Library has started distributing memory with dementia. kits for individuals with memory or cognitive concerns and their The initia- caregivers. Each kit has a theme — such as a holiday or a tive began last specific decade — and may include a book, puzzle, craft, music fall under the and more. direction of Senior Services Director Amy Beck when a group of Team, they are conduits to other organiCouncil on Aging (COA) members and zations … bringing back information.”

Senior Services staff were recruited He said the team still is looking for along with an Action Team composed members from the business and faith of representatives from town governcommunities. Volunteers may contact ment and the Hopkinton Center for him at sdocknevich@gmail.com or the Arts. Following the signing of the 508-259-4839, or call the Hopkinton Hopkinton Dementia-Friendly MasSenior Center at 508-497-9730. sachusetts Pledge in mid-February, Also during the discovery phase the team is submitting an application the team is “having dementia-friendly for nationally recognized dementiasessions, which are basically informafriendly certification. tion sessions … and push out the mesBut certification does not mean the sage that this is where we are heading work is done. Instead, as team and COA and this is something we care about as member Sam Docknevich said, the a community,” said Beck. work is just beginning on this “longThe first two Dementia Friends term project, a marathon. We want it to Information Sessions, sponsored by the be sustainable forever.”

COA, will be Tuesday, April 12, from The initiative will have an impact 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hopkinton Center on Hopkinton since the senior populafor the Arts and Wednesday, April 27, tion is projected to increase by 65 perfrom 1-2:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. cent from 2020 to 2030, and currently Participants will explore different types about 11 percent of those over age 65 of dementia, what it feels like to live have some form of dementia. While the with the disease and how to make a initiative aims to make Hopkinton more difference. RSVP or request more ininviting for residents to age in place, formation by calling the Senior Center. it also “makes the entire community stronger and better,” said Beck.

The team currently is in the discovery phase, working to explore what Hopkinton needs to make it more supportive for the aged while raising The following are ongoing proawareness of dementia and erasing grams aimed at helping Hopkinton stigmas associated with the disease. residents living with dementia and their “One of the prime stigmas we are caregivers.

To participate, register at trying to break down is once you are 508-497-0108, 508-497-9730 or info@ diagnosed you have to be cloistered, ourtimememorycafe.org. you can’t enjoy activities. … It is so Caregiver Support Group — untrue,” said Docknevich.

Held in person at 10:30 a.m. on the Another COA and team member, third Thursday of the month and virtuPat Srodawa, who helped establish ally every other Friday, this program is the monthly Memory Cafe, now in an opportunity for caregivers to share its fourth year, as well as the Careand learn with those facing similar giver Support Group, said family and challenges.

To help caregivers, the friends attending the cafe frequently Senior Center can provide care for the are surprised by what the person with person living with dementia.

Registradementia can do. She added that those tion is required for this service. with the disease should not be defined Memory Cafe — Held monthly by it; instead they are “people living on the first Thursday of the month at 1 with dementia.” p.m., this welcoming gathering is for As the team works to build on exthose experiencing forgetfulness or isting services in Hopkinton, it also is mild cognitive impairment and those trying to discover what the town still living with dementia, caregivers and needs so it can build a long-term plan. friends.

Participants can socialize and “We want to engage the community share with those going through similar in different ways and get much more experiences. Sponsored by the Senior information and feedback, to find out Center and Hopkinton Public Library, what we don’t know,” said Docknevit features music, activities and more. ich. “That is why we have this Action

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10 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

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2. Hugh has a tree fall in his backyard. The tree is not touching any structures or paths, but it is 50 feet long and will need to be cleaned up by professionals. Will Hugh’s homeowner policy help with the cleanup?

3. Tom and Daisy have a second home in Florida, and for a few months each year they take their vehicle there. Would their Massachusetts auto policy pay for a claim while the vehicle is in Florida?

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Alyssa and Christopher Thompson of Hopkinton joyfully announce the engagement of their daughter, Jacqueline December Thompson, to Timothy Francis Kane, son of Michele and Thomas Kane of Reading. Jackie, a 2015 graduate of Hopkinton High School and magna cum laude graduate of the University of MassachusettsAmherst, is in her second year at Boston College Law School. Tim graduated from UMass in 2019 with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting and works as an audit and assurance senior at Deloitte, LLP, Boston. A December wedding is planned.

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opkinton Youth & Family Services announced that it will host a free program focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention on April 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

The event is being billed as “an evening to generate hope by bringing parents and careNEWS givers together to learn action steps that comBRIEFS munities can undertake to strengthen youth mental health and prevent suicide.”

Speakers include Dr. Nadja Lopez Reilly, senior director of the Freedman Center for Equity, Leadership and Behavioral Health in Schools at William James College, and James McCauley, assistant program director and co-founder of the Riverside Trauma Center.

To register and reserve tickets, visit the Hopkinton Youth & Family Services page at the town’s website (hopkintonma. gov). Seating is limited. There will be limited babysitting by adult and youth volunteers, for which preregistration is required.

The event will be livestreamed on HCAM.

Cannon-Grant pleads not guilty Community activist Monica Cannon-Grant, known locally for leading a Town Common rally last year following the death of Hopkinton teenager Mikayla Miller, pleaded not guilty March 29 at her arraignment in Boston federal court on fraud and conspiracy charges.

Cannon-Grant and her husband,

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Clark Grant, are accused of defrauding donors to Violence in Boston (VIB), the nonprofit Cannon-Grant founded and runs, by using donations for personal expenses. They also are accused of fraudulently obtaining pandemic-related unemployment benefits and making false statements to a mortgage lender.

According to the federal indictment filed March 14, Violence in Boston took in more than $1 million in donations and grants between 2017-21, and the couple “diverted VIB monies to themselves through cash withdrawals, cashed checks, wire transfers to their personal bank accounts, and debit purchases, among other methods.”

Cannon-Grant and Grant entered not guilty pleas to all 18 counts. A status hearing is scheduled for May 23.

“VIB and Monica have been fully cooperating and their production of records remains ongoing,” Cannon-Grant’s attorney, Rob Goldstein, said in a statement when Cannon-Grant was arrested earlier last month. “Drawing conclusions from an incomplete factual record does not represent the fair and fully informed process a citizen deserves from its government, especially someone like Monica who has worked tirelessly on behalf of her community. We remain fully confident Monica will be vindicated when a complete factual record emerges.”

Upper Charles Trail workshop April 13 The town is offering a public workshop on Wednesday, April 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center to News briefs | 11

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 11

Will your money last as long as you do?

Mark Freeman

Christopher Stevenson

Professional Insights PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

W

e all hope for long, healthy lives. But there’s a serious “side effect” of longevity – the possibility of outliving our money. How can you help prevent this?

It’s useful to know the seriousness of the threat. Consider this: About 41% of all U.S. homes in which the head of the household is between 35 and 64 are projected to run short of money in retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

While this statistic indicates a cause for concern, it certainly doesn’t mean that you are necessarily headed for trouble – because there’s a lot you can do to help build and manage enough resources to last a lifetime. Here are a few suggestions: • Consider your estimated longevity. On average, a 65-year-old man can expect to live another 17 years, while a 65-year-old woman can anticipate about 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Of course, you’ll want to take into account your health and family history of longevity to arrive at a reasonable estimate. You can then use this figure to help determine how much money you’ll eventually need. To play it safe, you might even want to try to build an income stream that can last beyond your estimated lifespan, possibly up to age 90.

• Don’t overlook health care costs. When budgeting for retirement, allow enough for your health care expenses, which can be considerable.

Even with Medicare, you can expect to spend anywhere from $4,500 to $6,500 per year, per person, for traditional medical costs. Also, you may want to prepare for two to three years of long-term care expenses, which currently range from about $50,000 per year for home health

care to over $100,000 per year for a private room in a nursing home.

• Keep building assets for retirement. While you’re working, constantly try to put away as much money as possible for your retirement years.

Each year your salary goes up, increase your contributions to your 401(k) or similar employersponsored retirement plan. You may also want to contribute to an IRA, depending on your goals.

And within your retirement savings, make sure you devote a reasonable percentage of your investment dollars to growth-oriented vehicles that align with your goals and risk tolerance.

• Seek out sources of guaranteed income. As a retiree, you will receive Social Security benefits – and the longer you wait before claiming them, the bigger your monthly checks will be. But you might also consider investments that can provide a source of income you can’t outlive, such as annuities.

• Revisit your strategy before you retire. As you near retirement, you may want to review your investment strategy, possibly adjusting your risk level so that your portfolio would be somewhat less susceptible to market volatility. This is also a good time to review your spending needs in retirement.

• Maintain a reasonable withdrawal rate.

Once you are retired, you’ll likely need to start withdrawing from your 401(k), IRA and other investment accounts. To avoid taking out too much money too early in your retirement, you’ll need to set a reasonable, sustainable withdrawal rate based on your assets, age and retirement lifestyle.

A financial advisor can help you determine an appropriate rate.

It will take dedication and determination to help ensure your money doesn’t run out during your lifetime. But you’d probably agree that it’s well worth the effort.

provide information about the Upper Charles Trail project. The goal of the workshop is to provide residents an opportunity to view and provide feedback on the proposed trail alignments evaluated by or presented to the Upper Charles Trail Committee.

Individual stations will be set up for residents to ask questions of town staff and shared-use design professionals. Members of the Upper Charles Trail Committee will be in attendance as well.

A Google Meeting Room will be provided for residents who are not able to attend in person. The link will be posted on the web meeting calendar at the bottom of the homepage at the town’s website (hopkintonma.gov).

Republican town caucus April 7 The Hopkinton Republican Town Committee will hold its nominating caucus for the May Town Election on Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. at Hopkinton Town Hall, Room 215.

The caucus is open to all Hopkinton registered

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As previously announced, the Democratic town caucus is Friday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m., also at Town Hall.

The Annual Town Election is scheduled for May 16.

State representative race adds candidate James Arena-DeRosa, a longtime Holliston resident, announced his candidacy for the state representative seat that includes Hopkinton, recently vacated

by Carolyn Dykema. Among his many community positions, Arena-DeRosa served as chair of the Holliston Democratic Town Committee, helped create the Metrowest Democratic Alliance, and served as an elected member of the Holliston Finance Committee.

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School Committee addresses advanced learners A presentation about the efforts being made to address the needs of highachieving learners in the district dominated the March 17 School Committee meeting.

Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh noted that SCHOOLS knowing each child as NOTEBOOK an individual learner is a priority in the district and shapes and drives how instruction is delivered.

She said over the last five years in particular, Hopkinton educators are constantly revisiting data to see where students are growing and moving ahead along with areas where they may be struggling.

“We’ve made a strong concerted effort to have differentiation in the classroom,” Cavanaugh said. She noted that standardsbased instruction is supplemented by extracurriculars that help students grow “intellectually, socially and emotionally.”

Vanessa Bilello, principal at Hopkins Elementary School, took the lead in much of the discussion. She noted that her staff wants to ensure students are “supported but challenged,” and emphasized the importance of taking different approaches in the classroom in order for all students to develop.

Talking about testing, Bilello said certain students can score in the very top percentile for reading, for example, but may not be able to truly understand more mature concepts. Data is collected from a variety of methods — silent reading, answering comprehension questions orally and multiplechoice questions — among other means to get a complete picture.

Bilello outlined some scenarios using January STAR test scores — she noted that 13.5 percent of fourth-graders are reading above the 90th percentile. That translates to 41 students across 14 classrooms, a high enough number to build a curriculum to meet that population’s needs.

Cavanaugh shared a statistic for firstgraders that showed 41 percent of students reading above the 90th percentile. She credited the changes made to elementary literacy

instruction with bringing about that result.

“That’s outstanding,” the superintendent said. “I don’t think that happens in a lot of places.”

School Committee Member Lya BatlleRafferty questioned what happens when kids get to the middle and high school, where lessons are less flexible and more “rigid.”

In higher grades, the superintendent replied that it is possible for students to give a certain level (i.e. AP class) a try for a while and move up or down depending on how it is working for them.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Parson said there is a lot of “connectivity” between the middle and high school curriculum as well and opportunities where students have choices and can follow their interests.

“Teachers knowing them as students, people and learners are all part of an important equation,” Parson said.

Relay for Life set for May 27 The Hopkinton Relay for Life is scheduled for Friday, May 27, at the Hopkinton High School football field. The event runs from 5-9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, visit acsevents.org. …

The Polar Plunge, held March 18 behind Hopkinton High School, raised $2,455 for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Local collegians recognized Junior Evan Sisitsky and sophomore Julia Viveiros were named to the dean’s list at Loyola University in Maryland. …

Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school student or students from Hopkinton whose intent is to major in a field related to conservation, ecology, natural resources/ wildlife management or the environmental sciences. For more information, email kenneth.parker@simultof.com or contact the Hopkinton High School Guidance Department.

TAKE THE BACKYARD PLUNGE! HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 13

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary.org.

The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @HopkintonPLMA.

LIBRARY CORNER

Movie streaming Hopkinton Library cardholders now have access to the Kanopy movie streaming service.

Patrons can watch free movies that they might not find on other streaming services. Check the library website for details.

Abraham Lincoln by Lou Del Bianco Tuesday, April 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Zoom) In this interactive, dramatic program, actor-storyteller Lou Del Bianco portrays Abraham Lincoln as Civil War president, frontiersman and storyteller. Lincoln’s values — honesty, education, equity, inclusion, social justice and perseverance — shine through this dynamic new presentation. Authentic historical

quotations are used throughout. This event is supported by the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library. Register via the library’s website calendar for Zoom info.

LGBTQ+ Book Club Thursday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (in-person) Attendees will discuss a range of books across all genres. All LGBTQ+ adults and teens 14 and over are welcome, as well as allies. The group meets the second Thursday of each month. Books will be available at the circulation desk. Register via the library’s website calendar.

Chat ’n’ Chew Book Group Wednesday, April 20, 12:30-2 p.m. (Zoom) Instead of assigning a book for all participants to read, each person reviews something they read in the past month. All are welcome, including newcomers. Register to receive an email with the Zoom link. For more information, email aspeicher@hopkintonma.gov.

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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.

CALENDAR

Women’s Club monthly meeting April 11 The Hopkinton Women’s Club’s next monthly meeting will take place on Monday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the Hopkinton Public Library. This is the last regular meeting until September. New members from Hopkinton and the surrounding communities are always welcome. For more information, check the club’s website at hopkintonwomensclub.org or contact Judith Weinthaler at 508-435-3287 or HopkintonWC@gmail.com.

Project Just Because Easter basket program Project Just Because will have Easter baskets for children age 12 and under whose families are in need. The baskets are available for pickup at PJB’s office at 109 South Street on April 11-14 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (extended to 6:30 p.m. on April 13). No appointment is necessary and there are no forms to fill out. For more information, visit projectjustbecause.org.

Garden Club Online Speaker Series April 19 The Hopkinton Garden Club’s Online Speaker Series presents “Healthy Lawns and Lawn Alternatives” with Gretel Anspach, a trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a lifetime master gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and a recently retired systems engineer for Raytheon. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit hopkintongardenclub.org or email register@hopkintongardenclub.org.

Friends of Whitehall spring cleanup April 23 The Friends of Whitehall’s spring lake and trail cleanup will be held Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m.-noon. Participants will gather at the boat landing parking lot at Whitehall State Park on Wood Street (Route 135) and be assigned areas of

trails and shoreline around the lake to clean up debris and refuse. Gloves, trash bags, tools, bug spray and water will be provided, along with coffee and donuts for volunteers. This cleanup is being done with the approval of the Department of Recreation. For more information, visit friendsofwhitehall.org.

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

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

Hopkinton PolyArts festival Sept. 10 The 2022 Hopkinton PolyArts festival will be held at the Town Common on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The event, established in 1974, features regional artisans, crafters and local nonprofits. Now a subcommittee of the Hopkinton Cultural Council, it is managed by a small committee of volunteers. Proceeds fund multiple scholarships to local high school graduates majoring or minoring in the arts.

For more information, including a vendor’s application, visit cozzens.net/polyarts.

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

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Nevaeh’s Brother is a tragic story about the familial love between a sister and her younger brother that explores themes of black identity and incarceration.

Demographic: 16+ (mature themes).

Trigger warning: gun shots. In an effort to make the arts affordable for all, HCA will be offering this play on a pay-what-youcan basis.

Project Empathy | April 29 & 30 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Project Empathy is a performance piece in which people are tasked with telling one another’s true, life-changing stories.

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Mike The Bubble Man | April 30 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. | FUN for Kids!

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The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 15

Town offers workshop to discuss controversial trail proposal Trail | from page 1

on ensuring the adoption of a safe trail plan.

A process that started in 2012 when the Select Board appointed the UCTC to plan, design, engineer and build the multi-use path is not done yet, the committee insists. Indeed, with a public hearing in December already in the books, another — in the form of a oneon-one workshop — is planned for Wednesday, April 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center.

The town also has released a fact sheet addressing frequently asked questions, although at least one opponent of the Hayden Rowe segment claims there are “some substantial inaccuracies” in the document.

“It’s too bad it’s controversial, it really doesn’t have to be,” UCTC Chair Jane Moran said of the debate over trail options. “Our feeling is this town loves trails, and currently most of trails in town, you’re coming up over 40 different trails, are all single- or double-use paths.

It’s not at all what our perception is.”

The committee’s perception, she said, is a Class 5 trail similar to the Milford Trail. To build that type of trail, she said, “you have to conform to all federal and state guidelines. It’s like building a road. If you want them to pay for it, you have to follow their guidelines.”

The state, she said, wants as many people as possible using the trail.

“People in wheelchairs, rollerbladers, kids on tricycles, plus runners, plus pedestrians,” Moran said.

“They want everybody using these trails to cut down on traffic and get people outside.”

Whether that is best accomplished by having a segment of the trail — the project is broken up into a series of 11 segments — run along Route 85, however, has become the center of much debate and discussion.

Prominent voice rises in opposition One of the most vocal opponents to the Route 85 plan also is one of the people who has had a huge hand in constructing some of the trails already used by many residents in town.

Peter LaGoy chairs the town’s Trail Coordination and Management Committee and also leads the Hopkinton Trails Cub, a private organization. It is in the latter capacity that LaGoy has become involved with the discussion about the Upper Charles Trail.

LaGoy opposes the Hayden Rowe segment and has championed an alternative location farther west, in a wooded area behind Charlesview Estates (the Teresa Road neighborhood). That would necessitate the town acquiring private land, something the committee has said it would like to avoid. Just last month, however, Town Engineer Dave Daltorio revealed that running the trail along Hayden Rowe might require a complete overhaul of the street layout in order to avoid having to take private property.

As LaGoy sees it, priorities and visions for the trail seemed aligned when the effort first started.

“Folks seemed to be moving the same direction that I thought the trail should be moving in,” said LaGoy, who has worked on a number of trails in town, including Center Trail. “We were looking at that point as going into open space as much as possible, and making some key purchases. For example, a trail that is now called Echo Trail, that was private land that [UCTC] ended up buying. … Some of those steps seemed to me to be reasonable.”

“Things kind of changed around 2016, when different management, someone else, the current chair, took over the committee,” LaGoy continued. “I think you got some slightly different direction as a result of that, which was fine. The committee then moved into, rather than looking at the whole path, they started looking at individual segments, and having the engineering firm do a more detailed analysis, something more consistent with the MassDOT [Massachusetts Department of Transportation] process.”

When the committee released a map showing the total route last November, the Trails Club looked at it and said, “We really have a problem with this,” LaGoy said. “Some of this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

That’s when the conflict really started.”

Working piecemeal is necessary, according to UCTC Vice Chair Eric Sonnett.

“We’ve been working on this for nine years. We

Keeping your eyes happy & healthy!

don’t have a rail bed through town that can be used,” he said, referencing the original plan to incorporate the old railroad bed, as was done with the Center Trail. Much of that now is owned by private residents. “We have to do it the way we’re doing it in patches, and address which [option] to come up with the best situation we can. Everything we’ve done so far has been approved by our board unanimously, so we’re all in agreement on this.”

The news from Daltorio at the committee’s September meeting, however, sparked much discussion among the committee, with some members expressing that the Hayden Rowe option should be reconsidered.

“What was considered a ‘bombshell’ was really providing the facts,” Daltorio said, referring to the Hopkinton Independent’s characterization of the news.

“The information the committee and the town has right now isn’t enough to determine what the impacts would be to private property. A line shown on the plan in December is just a line on the plan. That is where they were showing a possible trail could go. Further details are unknown at this point, if they’re going to impact private property or not. The feedback the committee heard at the meeting and after is there was significant concern with [the Route 85] segment of the plan.”

Moran and Daltorio insist the town is committed to transparency and involving the public throughout the process. The fact sheet released on March 17 seemed geared toward that, but LaGoy, for one, thinks much of the information is inaccurate.

Questions arise about fact sheet, committee

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The FAQs touch on nine areas, addressing, among other things, concerns with the multiple crossings of Hayden Rowe, the proposed alignment along Hayden Rowe impacting private property, and using the Trails Club’s proposed alignment instead of the UCTC alignment. Another, longer fact sheet, addressing additional issues and concerns, is forthcoming, Daltorio said.

LaGoy was not impressed with the initial list. The Trails Club responded to each of the items. Regarding the crossings of Hayden Rowe, the Club notes the UCTC plan appears to propose three crossings of Hayden Rowe: one at EMC Park, one at Granite Street, and a third at either 147 or 192 Hayden Rowe. The Trails Club points out that two car accidents involving pedestrians already have occurred on this stretch of Hayden Rowe, one of them claiming the life of a middle school student.

“Good safety practice is to avoid risks whenever possible, and to mitigate risks only as a last resort,” the Trails Club states in its response. “The Trails Club alternative in the woods to the west of Charlesview avoids the three crossings of Hayden Rowe and, therefore, is much safer than the UCTC’s route.”

The fact sheet states, “The UCTC is aware of the history of pedestrian/vehicle accidents on Hayden Rowe. The police chief has summarized the findings of two specific accidents that have been raised by the public. For both incidents, the drivers were charged with negligent driving, among other charges.”

LaGoy called that statement “immaterial.”

“What’s material,” he said, “is the people hit were walking, which is exactly how the people using this crosswalk would be walking.”

Regarding the impact on private property, the FAQ fact sheet states, “The UCTC prefers not to impact private property and has gone to great lengths to evaluate other alignments when private property was found to be impacted. They will continue to evaluate other possible alignment alternatives to make trail connections from Center Trail to the Milford trailhead parking lot.”

In its rebuttal, the Trails Club notes existing boundary markers are 12 feet off the existing roadway. The Trails Club questions the UCTC’s plan for a 17-foot trail plus buffer, saying it “simply cannot fit in the right of way and will require property takings or extensive, costly, and extremely disruptive major realignment of Hayden Rowe.”

Apprised of LaGoy’s questions of the fact sheet’s accuracy, Daltorio said, “The town stands by the information in the FAQ. I don’t want to comment on what Trails | 16

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

Town offers workshop to discuss controversial trail proposal streets in that area as a parking lot. You would have a situation where people with small children would have people in parked cars literally in front of their house, especially at school time and whatever, that may abduct children. You’d have no way of knowing who’s there. … All you’d be doing is creating the most unsafe situation for children in a neighborhood.”

Trail | from page 15

other people’s questions are.”

Sonnett, too, stood by the fact sheet, saying, “I thought it captured everything that’s going on. [LaGoy] can have any opinion he wants. My opinion is it was professional, factual and of the highest quality.”

Sonnett, himself, is taking some heat for his role on the UCTC, as he lives in the Charlesview neighborhood.

“I think the person who’s the vice chair got involved in the [UCTC] to avoid that trail going near his house,” LaGoy said. “I think he’s got the chair willing to essentially go along with that as one of his main desires.”

A Hayden Rowe Street resident, Scott Knous, who has started his own group, Hopkinton for a Safe Upper Charles Trail, said he believes Sonnett has opposed alternatives to the current trail plan that are safer and more conducive to the recreational purpose of the trail.

For his part, Sonnett said any suggestions of a personal interest in championing a plan that includes Hayden Rowe Street are off base. He said LaGoy’s initial plan had the trail going by 106 houses in the Charlesview subdivision.

“The neighbors went cuckoo,” he said. “The bottom line is that, in the opinion of our committee, any disruption like that should be avoided if at all possible.

That’s where we are.”

While opponents raise safety issues concerning the crossing of Hayden Rowe Street, Sonnett raised his own safety concerns for the Charlesview neighborhood.

“Think about it this way,” he said. “If the trail went through a highly residential area, it would attract people to use the

Chris Fitz

Time for Select Board to ‘take charge’

The Upper Charles Trail Committee has been pushing a plan to have a segment of the proposed Upper Charles Trail run along Hayden Rowe Street and cross the busy road multiple times, while some critics of that plan are pushing an alternative route through the Charlesview neighborhood.

Knous said his new group, which he said formed after the Dec. 8 public hearing, simply wants to look at all the options.

“Once we became aware of what the plan was and I saw overwhelming community opposition and concerns about the safety of the trail, I thought it was important to try to do the right thing,” Knous said. “[We want to] make sure the [UCTC] follows the process, gathers the facts and that a decision is made that is the safest and in the best interests of the Town of Hopkinton.

“At the end of the day,” he continued, “if they follow the process, gather the facts, inform the town … and we end up with this exact same trail and the town wants it, and it’s safe, we’ll support it. But at the end of the day, it is not the safest option available to the town.”

Knous said it is time for the Select Board to “step in and take charge.”

“It’s not about slapping people on the wrist,” he said, “it’s about people trying to jam things through. Why not do your homework, gather the facts and make the best decision?”

That, said Moran and Daltorio, is precisely what the UCTC is doing, with efforts such as public hearings and fact sheets. In addition, Daltorio said, a town webpage soon will go live to allow people to access information about the project and receive email notifications. It is, he said, all about public outreach.

Said Moran: “We worked very hard to come up with these various segments, and within these segments there are various routes. At the end of the day, the Select Board will have the final say. That’s perfectly fine and obviously right.

“It doesn’t have to be controversial. My feeling is we can have it all. We can have this major trail and have all these other, lesser trails that aren’t established as well, shooting off, going into neighborhoods, going around. There’s no limit to the amount of trails we have in this town. I think we can have it all.”

Saturday, April 9 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

In the spirit of HeatherFest, HCA is excited to bring these amazing performers together for the HCA Bluesfest 2022!

Ken Clark

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Coming to our stage is the Chris Fitz Band with special guest Ken Clark, the Racky Thomas Band, and Sonya Rae and Ryan Taylor!

Get ready for a night of extraordinary music and talent.

Wine and beer will be available for purchase, including food from Larry Joe’s New England Fire Pit—voted best hot dog in Massachusetts by People Magazine.

Judy Collins Image by Brad Trent

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The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter.com. Anyone with questions can call 508-497-9730.

The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

Thrift Store The thrift store is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Transportation Programs for Seniors The Senior Center offers transportation to and from the Senior Center as well as local shopping Tuesdays through Fridays for Hopkinton residents. The Senior Center also can help residents find transportation assistance for medical appointments and essential shopping. Anyone interested should call the Senior Center to learn more about the transportation options.

Lunch Program The Senior Center website has a full lunch menu. Individuals should call to sign up at least two days in advance. The cost is $5 per meal, or a prepurchased ticket for five meals is $20.

Outreach Services The Senior Center has an Outreach Department. The department can help identify assistance programs (including fuel assistance), loan durable medical equipment, help with transportation and much more. Anyone looking for assistance or more information about services should call to make an appointment.

Lunch Break Learning with Great Courses: How to Plan for the Perfect Retirement Tuesday, April 12, 12-12:30 p.m.

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successful retirement. Participants can show up in person to watch the video or call for the Zoom link. Each week will cover a new topic. Individuals can sign up for the whole 12-week series or just the topics that interest them.

Dementia Friends Information Session Tuesday, April 12, 7-8:30 p.m., at Hopkinton Center for the Arts Wednesday, April 27, 1-2:30 p.m., at Senior Center Becoming a Dementia Friend is easy — individuals simply attend a one-hour Dementia Friends information session offered by a Demential Friends champion. Participants can turn their new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone with dementia in the community. These information sessions are suitable for people of all ages; families are welcome. Call the Senior Center to reserve a seat.

Art Appreciation: Why So Famous Thursday, April 14, 1-2 p.m.

Art For Your Mind is an engaging, educational, art observation experience designed to broaden the minds of its participants. Programs are for people of all backgrounds — artists and nonartists alike. This presentation will discuss why certain works of art have captivated observers through time.

From medieval images to abstract art, discover what’s special about many famous creations by artists such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Velasquez, Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe, Warhol and others. Through time and around the world, see how art and its meanings have evolved. The cost is $3 per person.

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“DO I NEED A WILL?” Many individuals do not think they need a will because they have their child on all their bank accounts and already have beneficiaries on their life insurance policies and IRA account.

If you do not have a will, there are some circumstances under which the State’s statutes would decide how your estate is administered and distributed.

With a will, you designate your personal representative, and you decide who is to receive your estate upon your death.

Cornhole Mondays, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

The Senior Center recently purchased two cornhole games. This is fun, beanbag toss game, typically played in pairs, that is popular at picnics and social gatherings. Every Monday afternoon in the great room, there will be instruction and friendly competition.

New players are welcome. No prior knowledge of the game is necessary.

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

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“T

here’s a well-known saying that I use over and over again: Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it,” says Hunter Chaney, director of marketing and communications for the Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum.

“There are certain human conditions that are easily identifiable through the course of history — tyrants, fascism, wars, suffering — we know how these things start, and it’s right there in front of us,” Chaney explains. “The challenge that all of us have is how to effectively engage people to better understand our history and engage them to want to learn more.”

The American Heritage Museum, located at the Collings Foundation’s headquarters in Stow, strives to meet that challenge by preserving and exhibiting rare large-scale artifacts and hosting “living history” events. While the pandemic impacted its late 2019 debut, Chaney says the museum now is being recognized as “a real treasure to the Northeast, in addition to the country as a whole.”

The idea for the museum was conceived after the foundation was selected in 2013 to receive Jacques M. Littlefield’s collection of tanks, armored vehicles and military artifacts.

Fascinated with military vehicles, Littlefield amassed the

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world’s largest privately held collection of such objects — over 200 major artifacts — prior to his death in 2009.

Today, Littlefield’s pieces constitute the majority of the American Heritage Museum’s displays.

The collection winds chronologically through a 65,000-square-foot building that features not only artifacts but also multimedia displays designed to provide “a truly moving experience,” Chaney says. The visit begins with the Revolutionary War and then proceeds through the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the war on terror.

Of the 80 tanks and vehicles, four are the only pieces in North America and two are the only pieces remaining in the world. Rare aircraft like a P-40 Warhawk that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor also are on display. “When people come here,” Chaney says, “they just can’t believe what we have.”

The majority of the museum’s docents are veterans, so “most of them have a very deep knowledge of the history being represented, and many were actual tankers,” Chaney says. “It’s like going to an art museum and then being able to speak with the artists.”

Starting in May, the museum also hosts interactive history events. “We have a motto,” Chaney says, “that if you read about history, you might remember it, but if you experience something from history, you tend not to forget.”

Upcoming events include tank demonstrations, a classic automobiles event, a Revolutionary War reenactment, a WWI aviation event and a WWII battle reenactment.

“When people see these things, at first, it’s entertaining, it’s exciting, it’s fun,” Chaney says. “But in the end, what’s really neat is that all of these things are learning moments. Through being entertained, people will want to learn more about American history.”

The American Heritage Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit americanheritagemuseum.org for more information.

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

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 19

Sports

Hillside School www.hillsideschool.net

Gibney set for special Boston Marathon run Gibney | from page 1

so we could cheer on the runners. There was always so much excitement in town.” This year, her parents, Jim and Kathy, along with other family members and her husband, will attend the race to cheer her on.

Gibney, who now calls New York City home, always has been a competitive person. During her years at Hopkinton High School she was a standout lacrosse player who was recruited to play the sport at Quinnipiac University and was named team captain. Also at Quinnipiac, she was asked by the coach to be on the golf team. Following graduation she turned to running. “I love to run, and that is why I chose to get into the marathon,” Gibney said.

Since she received her race number in late January, Gibney has been training by running throughout New York City, especially Central Park, so she can build up her stamina for the hills she will face on April 18.

“My husband rides his bike with me as I do my longer weekend runs.

He acts like my trainer and carries the water bottles, too,” said Gibney. They also visit Hopkinton occasionally so she can practice running the course.

Gibney’s first Boston Marathon was in support of the Hopkinton Senior Center. Doris Early, who had helped Gibney get the Senior Center bib in 2019, was among the women who helped her to get the one for the Women’s Club this year.

“It really is a small world, some of the women who helped me get the bib knew me from high school,” said Gibney, noting one woman was her high school guidance counselor. “I feel

he Tri-Valley League recently announced its awards for the winter season, and Hopkinton High School was well-represented.

In boys track and field, Sean GolembiewsSPORTS ki was named league ROUNDUP MVP, while Colin Davan, Declan Mick and Wyatt Ruff were recognized as AllStars. Additionally, Mike Donahue was TVL Coach of the Year.

In girls track and field, All-American Kate Powers was an All-Star along with Ellie Driscoll, Steph Johnson, Keira O’Connor and Autumn Tumbleton. Powers ended her indoor season by setting a state record at the USA Track & Field Youth Nationals in New York in late March. Competing in the weight throw, Powers recorded a distance of 52 feet, 7.75 inches.

For swimming, Tess Weatherhead was named Diver of the Year, while Eve Weatherhead, Tyler Fallon and Kevin Gu were All-Stars.

In wrestling, Sebastian Losada and state finalist Justin Sokol were named All-Stars, and the team won the TVL Sportsmanship Award.

Nate Kasper and Evan Mirazimi were All-Stars in boys basketball.

In girls basketball, Kiki Fossbender was an All-Star, while Lauren Cho, Brook Dougherty and Lexy Trendel received honorable mention.

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honored and excited to be running for them.”

As part of her run, Gibney will be raising money for the Hopkinton Women’s Club scholarships presented annually to local students, as well as the community causes the club supports, such as Baypath Humane Society, the Hopkinton Historical Society, the Hopkinton Food Pantry at Project Just Because and the Hopkinton Public Library.

As Gibney says on her fundraising webpage (GoFundMe.com/f/devonsboston-marathon-run-for-the-womensclub), “This group of women and their initiatives provide meaningful community outreach that quietly improves the lives of many in the Hopkinton community. Many of the women involved in this organization supported me while I was a student in Hopkinton, and it is my privilege to give back.”

HHS athletes receive league recognition

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Alpine skiing All-Stars in the Central Massachusetts Conference Ski League were Klara Niss, Lila Mato and Libby Herlihy for the girls, and Jake Lacoche for the boys.

In boys hockey, Joey Carraza was an All-Star, and Michael Berman, Jack Lang, Drew Morse, Joseph Scardino and Ryan Teitel received honorable mention.

For girls hockey, Liana Patrick was an All-Star, Sophia Mazzuchelli and Avery Bent received honorable mention, and the team won the TVL Sportsmanship Award.

Emma DiNicola and Lizzie Schneider were named All-Stars for cheerleading.

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Through seven games, Rudden was leading the team with 47 points on 18 goals and 29 assists.

Rudden helped the Skyhawks to a 6-1 start, including a 17-14 victory over No. 2-ranked Le Moyne on March 19, when Rudden had three goals and two assists.

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20 • The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022

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

ARRESTS March 18

11:24 p.m. Officer Brittany Firth conducted a motor vehicle stop on West Main Street. Officers Benjamin Stickney and Robert Ekross responded as backup and with a portable breath test. Angel J. Lopez, 22, of 68 Highland Street, Whitinsville, was arrested and charged with marked lanes violation, failure to stop/yield, and OUI liquor.

March 20

6:28 a.m. On Rosewood Lane, Officers Benjamin Stickney and Cody Normandin arrested William Goff, 20, of 11 Rosewood Lane on a warrant.

March 25

10:19 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator traveling down West Main Street toward Winter Street.

Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officers Matthew LaTour and Robert Ekross responded and caught up with the vehicle. Joseph P. Centola, 68, of 113 Winter Street was arrested and charged with OUI liquor, second offense.

March 15

8:55 a.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield reported a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

9:42 a.m. A caller reported a male standing outside his vehicle with his pants down on Cedar Street. Sergeants Aaron O’Neil and Arthur Schofield responded and checked the area with a negative find.

10:37 a.m. An Elizabeth Road resident reported jewelry was stolen from her home. Sergeant Joseph Bennett responded and took a report.

12:59 p.m. A Hayward Street caller reported she was scammed out of a lot of money. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded and took a report of fraud.

3:30 p.m. The Chatham Police Department requested a check of a vehicle on Pond Street as part of a hit and run in Chatham. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and spoke with the owner/ operator, who was to contact the Chatham Police Department.

7:04 p.m. The Milford Police Department requested Hopkinton block off Granite Street. Officers Jessica Ferreira and Matthew LaTour responded and assisted with the roadblock.

9:27 p.m. Officer Matthew LaTour responded along with the Fire Department to a fire alarm on MacAdam Road.

March 16

11:38 a.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil assisted a disabled motor vehicle on West Main Street and provided the operator

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3:51 p.m. A caller complained of a white Tesla with no placard parked in a handicapped parking spot on Hayden Rowe Street. Officers Matthew Santoro and Matthew LaTour responded and checked the vehicle and found the placard in the front window.

4:51 p.m. A caller reported a needle under the tire of a blue Lexus in a Wood Street parking lot. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and retrieved the item.

7:23 p.m. A West Main Street resident reported someone parked in his yard and wouldn’t leave. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded. The person was gone upon his arrival.

7:42 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious male in a blue raincoat knocking on doors on 2nd Road. Officer Jay Deiana responded and checked the area with a negative find.

8:31 p.m. Officer Jay Deiana responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street, where a vehicle struck a deer.

9:48 p.m. The Upton Police Department reported a silver van was parked on a dirt road on West Main Street for a few days, and the reporting person was concerned that someone was in the woods. Officer Jay Deiana responded and reported the car was registered to a Hopkinton resident who was home from school.

March 17

8:01 a.m. Multiple callers reported a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment on West Main Street. Officers Moira McGaffigan, Brendon Lyver and Matthew LaTour responded along with an ambulance. No personal injuries were reported. A tow truck removed both vehicles.

A report was to follow.

9:09 a.m. A caller reported a tractortrailer took down wires on Elm Street.

Officers Brendon Lyver and Matthew LaTour responded, took a report and notified Verizon.

11:58 a.m. A caller reported a hit-andrun motor vehicle accident that resulted in a damaged mirror. No license plate number was provided. Officer Jay Deiana responded and took a report.

12:56 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious white van with two Spanishspeaking males that may have been lost on Emerson Way about 30 minutes earlier.

The caller wanted it logged.

5:32 p.m. A walk-in reported he believed he was just shot with a BB gun. Officer Cody Normandin assisted the walk-in and took a report.

6:23 p.m. A caller reported an open manhole cover in a Hayden Rowe Street parking lot. Officer Robert Ekross responded and placed cones around it and notified the Highway Department.

7:18 p.m. On Main Street, a motorist reported an erratic operator slamming on brakes and waiting for the caller to get closer, then accelerating. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Cody Normandin responded. The vehicle was gone upon their arrival.

11:12 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked on North Mill Street.

Officer Brittany Firth responded and spoke with a Lyft driver, who was waiting for a customer. All was OK.

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8:31 a.m. A person on West Main Street reported a hit-and-run motor vehicle

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accident to Matthew Santoro. Officer Santoro took a report.

11:29 a.m. A caller reported her handicap placard was stolen from her car two days earlier. Sergeant Matthew McNeil spoke with the caller.

12:11 p.m. A caller complained of vehicles driving erratically on Loop Road.

Officer Jay Deiana responded and checked the area with a negative find.

5:31 p.m. A caller reported people on motorbikes drinking by the lake on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Robert Ekross responded. The bikes were gone upon his arrival.

7:37 p.m. A caller reported fallen power lines on Fruit Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and reported the wire was severed from both ends. He moved it to the side of the road. The DPW was notified.

8:43 p.m. A caller reported hearing a “boom” and seeing fire on Ash Street.

Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and spoke with a person who had a fire pit burning.

11:15 p.m. Multiple callers reported individuals ringing doorbells in the neighborhood.

March 20

1:24 p.m. A motorist reported a man was throwing cigarettes at her car and yelling and screaming at her on Main Street before he sped away in a vehicle. Officers Cody Normandin, Brittany Firth and Shannon Beloin responded and caught up with him on South Street. Officers spoke with both parties and watched the dash camera.

A report was to follow.

5:49 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle crash involving two cars on Main Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officers Matthew LaTour and Robert Ekross responded and took a report. No personal injuries were reported.

8:15 p.m. A Pine Island Road resident reported hearing a boom and seeing fire across the lake on Crocket Road in Upton.

The Upton Police Department was notified and had police and fire personnel on scene at a vehicle fire.

March 21

9:46 a.m. Officer Brendon Lyver responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Constitution Court and took a report.

3:09 p.m. Multiple callers reported a motor vehicle crash involving two cars on West Main Street. Officers Brendon Lyver and Jessica Ferreira responded and took a report. No personal injuries were reported.

March 22

12:09 a.m. A crash notification from a Porsche on Wood Street was called in to 911. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Stephen Buckley responded and reported the vehicle struck several trees, and airbags were deployed. Officer Buckley requested assistance from the Fire Department. Multiple calls were made to contact the parents of the driver. Sergeant Schofield went to the residence and notified the parents of the accident, and they responded to the scene.

The driver was evaluated and refused treatment and was taken home by the parents. A flatbed truck removed the vehicle. Officer Buckley took a report.

11:33 a.m. A walk-in reported his vehicle was keyed while parked at Price Chopper on West Main Street. Officer Moira McGaffigan checked the vandalism.

6:27 p.m. A caller reported she re-

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 21 ceived threats from a former employee.

Officer Moira McGaffigan took a report.

March 23

12:15 a.m. The manager of a West Main Street store reported a male party was being disruptive and refused to leave the store. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Brittany Firth responded and removed the involved party and took a report.

3:20 p.m. A caller reported a tree hanging on wires that looked like it was about to fall on Fruit Street. Eversource was notified.

March 24

9:05 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on Hayden Rowe Street.

Officer Brendon Lyver responded and took a report. No personal injuries were reported.

9:40 a.m. A Stoney Brook Road resident requested to speak with an officer about a person in a vehicle taking photographs of children. Officer Brendon Lyver responded and spoke with the caller about the suspicious activity.

11:40 a.m. Officer Matthew Santoro took a report of a disturbance on Hayden Rowe Street.

1:57 p.m. Officer Matthew Santoro took a report of a suspicious vehicle on Hayden Rowe Street.

2:29 p.m. Officers Cody Normandin and Moira McGaffigan responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Granite Street. No personal injuries were reported.

2:44 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

March 25

12:58 a.m. Officer Brittany Firth responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in a ditch off Interstate 495 southbound just past Ramp 4. No personal injuries were reported. A tow truck removed the vehicle.

11:47 a.m. A Saddle Hill Road caller reported a Medicare scam in which the scammer attempted to get personal information. The caller wanted the incident logged.

11:50 a.m. A caller reported a lowhanging wire in the roadway of Cunningham Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and reported a truck just pulled them down. Comcast was notified.

12:19 p.m. A North Mill Street caller reported a fraudulent phone call in which the scammer claimed to be from Border Patrol and threatened the caller by stating he would be arrested by Hopkinton Police if he did not cooperate. The scammer gave badge numbers and case numbers.

The caller then received another call from someone claiming to be a Hopkinton police officer. When asked for his sergeant’s name, the scammer hung up. The caller was asked to stop by the station to file a report, but he only wanted the incident logged.

2:28 p.m. A caller requested an officer keep an eye out on his Grove Street parking lot in order to prevent non-customers from using it. Officer Shannon Beloin responded and assisted.

2:46 p.m. Officer Shannon Beloin reported a minor motor vehicle accident on Hayden Rowe Street. No personal injuries were reported.

6:12 p.m. A Grove Street caller reported two teenagers went on his property, and when he used audio from his Ring camera, they ran away. Officers Matthew LaTour and Robert Ekross responded and checked the area with a negative find.

6:58 p.m. A caller complained of a vehicle driving dangerously and at high speeds on Hillcrest Drive. Officers Robert Ekross and Matthew LaTour responded and took a report.

March 26

3:07 a.m. A Connelly Hill Road resident reported someone rang his doorbell and left empty liquor bottles on his porch.

Officer Stephen Buckley responded and checked the area with a negative find.

1:10 p.m. A caller reported a street sign on Chamberlain Street was damaged.

Officer Shannon Beloin responded and notified the DPW. 5:14 p.m. A caller reported that the same person who showed up to his house a year ago reappeared via social media on his daughter’s account. The suspicious incident was logged.

8:21 p.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded to a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on West Main Street and took a report.

9:56 p.m. A caller reported the Middlesex Savings Bank ATM on Main Street kept her card after she used it. She wanted it logged.

March 27

4:36 a.m. A Davis Road resident reported hearing someone knocking on her door every 10 minutes or so, and when she went to the door, no one was there. Officer Stephen Buckley responded and checked

the area with a negative find.

10:58 a.m. A caller reported a dog, a light brown Boxer, off leash on Main Street. Officer Shannon Beloin responded.

The dog was gone upon her arrival.

12:10 p.m. A caller reported a group of teens throwing small stones at passing cars on Main Street. Detective Gregg DeBoer responded and checked the area with a negative find.

3:00 p.m. A motorist reported she struck a dog on West Main Street and thought it was injured. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and took a crash report. The dog was not found.

4:57 p.m. A caller reported a case of fraud in which someone in Texas attempted to open a credit card in the caller’s name. The incident was logged.

5:30 p.m. The State Police received a call from Constitution Court that consisted of just screaming and yelling. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officers Jessica Ferreira and Moira McGaffigan responded to Constitution Court to a disturbance and took a report.

5:33 p.m. The Upton Police Department requested assistance with an Exchange Street resident who was in custody.

Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and assisted.

7:41 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious silver Toyota RAV4 on Mount Auburn Street. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded. The vehicle was gone upon her arrival.

10:23 p.m. The Milford Police Department reported a vehicle belonging to a Colella Farm Road resident parked at the bike path for several hours, and they requested a check of the owner. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and found the owner was OK and was going to move the vehicle.

March 28

12:34 p.m. A caller reported someone attempted to break into his van on South Street. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and took a report.

2:17 p.m. A driver reported she hit a parked car on South Street. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and assisted with a paper exchange.

7:18 p.m. On West Main Street, Officer Brendon Lyver checked on a motorist who lost a tire on the highway. AAA was on the way.

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

Edward Downey Edward J. Downey of Framingham and Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by

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his family, on March 10. He was 91.

The son of John and Bertha (Neubert) Downey, Ed grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from Crosby High School and Fairfield University. He was born under a lucky star, and family lore includes many stories of how he won whatever contest in which he was a participant. He was a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and pulled tough duty in Hawaii, San Diego and Japan; he was on a plane on the way to battle when the armistice was signed. He had a long, successful career with the food brokerage Morris Alper & Sons, where he won most of the office pools.

Married for 63 years to Cecelia (Kakowski) Downey of Thomaston, Connecticut, Ed was a present, engaged and devoted husband and father. He was known for his even temper, calm demeanor, and infectious laugh; he often reminded his children that no matter how bad things seemed, there was always someone worse off than you.

A great storyteller, Ed found humor in most things, and once you heard his laugh, you would do or say whatever it took to hear it again. Ed was kind and generous and gave everyone he met the benefit of the doubt. He liked most people but had trouble liking bankers and insurance salesmen. He was intellectually curious by nature and once said that he knew a little about a lot of things. Ed and his wife, Ceil, shared a love of homemade food, the natural world, Boston sports teams and good music — they had a special fondness for Beethoven and owned an outsized bust of him that accompanied them back and forth to Florida. Ed was endlessly entertained by the exploits of his four children and appreciated the fact that they contributed to his collection of stories.

Ed is survived by his wife, Ceil; two daughters, Anne Downey and husband Bob McKenna of Eliot, Maine, and Nancy Downey and husband Jim Kavanagh of Belgrade Lakes, Maine; two sons, Paul Downey of Hopkinton and David Downey of Jamaica Plain; and two grandchildren, Maren and Caroline McKenna of Eliot, Maine, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers and their wives, Jack and May (Santa Lucia) of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Tom and Arline (Duphiney) of Oakville, Connecticut, and his sister, Bernice Downey of the Maryknoll Sisters of Ossining, New York.

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian burial were private, and entrusted to the care of Norton Funeral Home, Framingham.

Mark Lumbra

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Mark Albert Lumbra, 73, of Southbridge and formerly of Hopkinton, passed away after a brief illness at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.

Born in St. Albans City, Vermont, he was the son of the late Doris (Wright) and Leonard Lumbra.

Mark was a retired corporal in the Marine Corps. In the early 2000s, he went to Iraq as a civilian electrical contractor. While there he traveled to many countries and was able to experience many new cultures. He was the

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owner and master electrician at Lumbra Electric. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle around New England, visiting the casinos, and always had time to enjoy a coffee and conversation with everyone, among many other hobbies.

Mark is survived by two children, Kerry Creswell and husband Chip of Hopkinton, and Gary Lumbra and wife Cheri of Webster. He also leaves behind his siblings, Carol Nelson of Milford, Ann Sellew and husband Brent of Charlton, Susan Constanza of Hopkinton, and Joseph Irvine and wife Karen of Milford; six grandchildren, Kate-Lee Lumbra Reyes, Brenna Creswell, Valerie, Kevin and Angela Lumbra, and Hailey Gentile; two great-grandchildren, Harper Reyes and Gianna Lumbra; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org) or to Baypath Humane Society, 500 Legacy Farms Road North, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Marcel Remillard

Marcel L. Remillard, 72, a longtime resident of Westborough, formerly of Millville, passed away peacefully at home, with loved ones by his side, on March 16.

He leaves his wife of 35 years, Karen (Pachico), son James and fiancée Diane Wright, son Thomas, son Andrew and wife Melissa, and daughter Jessica Werme and husband Joshua. He also leaves behind uncle Omer Ethier and wife Donna, brother Richard Remillard and wife Nicole, and sister Evelyn McNamara and husband Michael. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

He was the son of the late Lionel

The Hopkinton Independent • April 6, 2022 • 23

Obituaries and Claire (Ethier) Remillard. His greatest joy over the years was his family and being able to take care of his grandchildren when they were young.

Marcel did his patriotic duty and enlisted as an airman in the U.S. Navy in January 1969, stationed in California at the U.S. Naval Air Station, under Fighter Squadron 124, and trained as a plane captain. He deployed to Vietnam for sea duty on the USS Kitty Hawk in November 1970, right after the birth of his first son. Returning from his tour, he was disabled and placed on the retired list with an honorable discharge. He was a life member of Upton VFW Post 5594 and American Legion Post 234 in Northborough.

He was a life member at the Woodville Rod & Gun Club in Hopkinton, where he enjoyed many lifelong friendships, fishing and shooting when he could, but mainly cooking was his passion, and he put out some amazing meals. His favorite event was the chicken BBQ, of course. But each spring he’d get very excited looking forward to the Kids Fishing Derby, as he was fortunate that many grandchildren and special friends’ children attended over the years, and Marcel would show them how to fish.

His other love was NASCAR racing. He always had to head to Thompson Speedway early so he was there when they opened at 3 p.m., even though the race didn’t start until 6. It’s all about getting the best seat, he’d say.

His favorite times were when he was able to be in the pits with his dear friend Jim and his boys who raced there.

Marcel was a man of many talents.

He was a great carpenter and so proud of his displays he built for the home shows in Boston that Somerville Lumber attended. He also drove a truck for the company and always managed to find a VFW upon his destination. He worked for Bartlett Tree Service for many years and returned home one day with a family of raccoons that just lost their mom. He put his heart and soul into all he did. He would do anything for anyone.

A celebration of life was held April 2 at the Woodville Rod & Gun Club. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider making a memorial donation in Marcel’s name to Fishing with Warriors, Inc., P.O. Box 621, Westborough, MA 01581.

The Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Robert Hamilton

Robert James Hamilton, 77, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, passed away on March 19 after a period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Sheila Hamilton, and was raised in Hopkinton by the late William and Evelyn Hamilton.

Robert, better known as Bob, attended Babson and graduated from Northeastern University. He had an interesting professional career that started with the book publisher Laurette’s and concluded as the general manager for Ob-Gyn Associates of Rhode Island. When he “retired” in 2010 Ob-Gyn Associates had grown to become Rhode Island’s largest and premier OB-GYN clinic.

Bob never “retired.” In addition to his professional career, Bob loved hard work. After he and a friend clear cut their house lots in Southborough, he was inspired to start H&L Firewood.

He went on to have a successful career as a part time lumberjack for 10-plus years! In later years he supported both Bob Jr. and Tom in their car business, towing cars and handling paperwork.

Yes, he was transporting cars a few months ago!

Other accomplishments included completing three separate addition projects on three different houses, building a two-story barn, and countless roof and porch projects! His commitment to helping friends and family didn’t stop there, as he was a proud Mason and a member of the John Warren Lodge of Hopkinton. We will all certainly have stories about how Bob was always willing to lend a hand; that is how he would want to be remembered.

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his children, Robert Hamilton Jr. and wife Jennifer of Franklin, Scott Hamilton and wife Laurie of Marlborough, Thomas Hamilton and wife Amy of Laconia, New Hampshire, and Kenneth Hamilton and wife Ashley of Gilford, New Hampshire, and his five grandchildren, who called him Grandpa, and whom he loved dearly —

from eldest to youngest: Emily, Jared, Skylar, Ariel and Thomas.

A graveside service was held March 26 at Southborough Rural Cemetery, with the Hon. Rev. Dennis J. Robinson officiating. Services were under the care of Morris Funeral Home, Southborough.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider both donating a tree and planting one yourself. God knows he cut enough of them down!

Agustina Gonzalez

Agustina Gonzalez, 79, died March 24 at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham after a brief illness. She was the wife of Luis Gonzalez, who died March 11. They were married for 61 years.

She worked for many years as a lunch lady in Hopkinton schools.

She is survived by her son, Lou Gonzalez of Hopkinton, and her daughters, Martita Gonzalez of Hopkinton and Evelyn Gonzalez of Milford. She also leaves her grandchildren, Joseph Gonzalez of Milford and Gina and Kayla Gonzalez of South Grafton.

The funeral was held April 1 from the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church.

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Gary Alan Gassett, 71, of Hopkinton passed away at Milford Regional Medical Center on March 25. Born in Natick, he was the son of the late Helen (Parker) and John Gassett. He was the husband of the late Cindy Ann (Wood) Gassett.

A lifelong Hopkinton resident, Gary was the manager of Marathon Construction. He enjoyed woodworking and playing horseshoes. Most importantly, Gary loved helping others and enjoyed making everybody laugh.

Gary is survived by three children, Heather Hurst of Hopkinton, Gary Gassett Jr. and wife Lakecia of Connecticut, and Jessica Morin (Jay Collins) of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; three brothers, Ronnie Gassett and wife Patricia of Bellingham, John Gassett and wife Mary of Milford, and Brian Gassett and wife Linda of Hopkinton.

He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held April 1 at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, followed by a reception at the Woodville Rod & Gun Club. Interment was to be held privately with family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or dana-farber.org.

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