HI 6.15.22

PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron

HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 23 | No. 13 | June 15, 2022

Police chief: Officers prepared to protect schools

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

F

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

ollowing last month’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, Hopkinton officials attempted to assure local school families that they should feel safe.

On May 27, three days after the Texas tragedy, Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh issued a joint statement indicating there would be an increased police presence at the schools — especially during drop-off and pickup times — in the final weeks of this school year.

During an appearance before the Select Board on June 7, Bennett assured town officials his department would handle a similar situation better than emergency personnel in Uvalde, Texas. Police there have faced heavy criticism after reports emerged that they stayed in the hallway for about an hour while the shooter was holed up in a classroom with a number of fourth-graders, some who made 911 calls requesting help. A total of 19 children and two teachers died, with many more

GRAD TO BE HERE

Hopkinton High School senior Andrew Gaughan holds a school flag alongside his mother, Meg, as the HHS graduation car parade makes it way down Main Street on June 4.

School safety | 9

Center School property draws interest

INSIDE

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

Planning Board addresses issues with solar developer

NEWS

T

COVID

Masking recommended as cases in town rise

f Hf

Center School | 10

7

SCHOOLS

FILE PHOTO/STEVE MCGRATH

he former Center School at 11 Ash Street currently sits vacant, but there are discussions taking place about the future of the property across from the Town Common.

At the June 7 Select Board meeting, Dan McIntyre, chair of the Permanent Building Committee, provided the board with an update on the Center School reuse process.

McIntyre indicated the property covers about 12 acres and should allow the town to complete multiple objectives.

“It’s large enough to support the town needs as well as open up some of the property to private development,”

6

The former Center School sits unused on a prime piece of real estate in the center of town.

FOEMMEL

Local students shine at state science fair

8

Presented at $1,649,900 114 Saddle Hill Road, Hopkinton

Fine Homes

Kim Foemmel • (508) 808-1149 1 Lumber St., Hopkinton FoemmelFineHomes.com

Thinking of Selling? Give Kim a call!

Four bed, 3.5 bath, finished basement. On private ~5.5 acres next to Hopkinton Highlands and Hopkinton Country Club

2 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Allessio reflects on Senior Center legacy

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

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.

FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

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

Judi Allessio (center) poses for a photo while volunteering at a Veterans Breakfast at the Senior Center with Nancy Tarsi (left) and Ronnie Bicodeau.

W

hen Judi Allessio first started working for the Senior Center in 2007, the “center” was the basement of Town Hall — a far cry from the stand-alone facility on Mayhew Street that currently serves the town’s older residents.

“I started working at Town Hall about two months before we moved into the brand-new Senior Center,” Allessio recently recalled. “I was actually hired to be a receptionist, but they soon realized that I had more computer software knowledge than any of them, so I quickly became an office manager/administrative assistant. Although, now everyone there knows a lot more than I do.”

Allessio retired last fall after nearly 15 years on the job. Looking back on her time in the position, she said it’s the people that stand out — especially participants and volunteers.

“After we moved into the building, we had over a hundred INDEPENDENT people lined up as volunteers and then there was a whole big group THOUGHTS of teenagers as well that wanted to work in this brand-new Senior Center,” she said. “It’s kind of funny, because you want these JERRY SPAR people to come and participate, but they all wanted to come and do something and have jobs. That was probably one of the things that impressed me the most when we first opened our doors. And of course they all became active participants as well as volunteers.”

Allessio, whose husband, Hank, organizes the monthly Veterans Breakfast at the Senior Center, encourages residents to check out the facility and take advantage of the programs offered.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 3 “I wish more people understood what is available there,” she said. “It’s a community, it’s activities, it’s a very active place. I think people have the impression that everyone’s sitting in wheelchairs. That is absolutely not what it is there. You have to be independent to go there, or have an aide or family member with you if you’re not independent. As a matter of fact, I got involved myself with Zumba and tap dancing and other fun stuff.”

Senior Services Director Amy Beck indicated she’s pleased to see Allessio volunteer and participate in activities after retiring as an employee.

“Judi has played a large role in the day-to-day, smooth operation of the Senior Center for many years,” Beck stated. “While Judi’s role was not always visible to our participants, without her tireless commitment to the success of the Hopkinton Senior Center, her ongoing efforts putting together our newsletter and her institutional knowledge, we would not have been able to share our many programs and services with our seniors.”

Also recently leaving the Senior Center was Sue Stewart, the volunteer coordinator. Her position is being filled by Robyn Goldberg, who was approved by the Select Board at its June 7 meeting.

“Sue’s enthusiasm and joy showed through her work with our many volunteers,” Beck shared. “Every day she arrived with a smile and a plan to keep us running smoothly, as the Senior Center relies heavily on our volunteers to fill roles from helping at our reception desk to serving in our dining room and everywhere in between.”

Added Beck: “I am excited for both Judi and Sue as they embark on their next adventures — retirement and spending time with family and friends.”

Summer is Here — NOW is a Perfect Time for a Change These Homes Are NOW AVAILABLE 49 Hayden Rowe $775,900

9 North Street $849,900

Nguyen recognized by Girl Scouts

Emma Nguyen was recognized as one of the region’s top sellers of Girl Scout Cookies this year.

Congratulations to Emma Nguyen, who became a member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 500 Club for her success selling Girl Scout Cookies this year. She is one of 537 Scouts in the region to be so recognized, and she was invited to take part in a celebration at Canobie Lake Park on June 5.

Nguyen, a member of Junior Troop 67208, reports that she sold 605 boxes this year. She plans to use her cookie credits to fund activities and adventures with her troop, such as jewelry making and horseback riding.

7 Elizabeth Road $1,250,000

Whether you are buying or selling, call THE TEAM that gets results!

Please contact us for a NO OBLIGATION Market Analysis

Chuck Joseph 508-509-6169

Mike Auen

508-951-4951

Ann Clark

508-439-2728

Don’t be GREEN with Envy

HHS juniors remember Miller While the Hopkinton High School senior class traditionally leaves a gift for the school (this year it was a digital clock for the athletic center), this year’s junior class already has made a memorable impression. Back in April, the Class of 2023 planted a flowering bush to the left of the entrance of the school to mark the oneyear anniversary of the death of classmate Mikayla Miller. The flower will bloom every year around the middle of April “to remind our community of the pure joy and kindness that Mikayla brought to Hopkinton.”

Pride Parade returns Preparations are underway for the second annual LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, sponsored by the Hopkinton Freedom Team in collaboration with Hopkinton Youth & Family Services and the Hopkinton Youth Commission. This year’s event is scheduled for this Sunday, June 19, from 2-5:30 p.m. While last year the event was confined to the HHS track/football field, this year participants will parade one lap of Loop Road around the schools from 3-4 p.m. and then gather on Field 1 behind Hopkinton Middle School for a celebration from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit hopkintonfreedomteam.org.

Drive-up movie at HMS The annual drive-up movie at Hopkinton High School returns this month with the showing of Disney/Pixar’s “Luca” on June 18. The event was started in 2020, in the early part of the pandemic, and has proven to be popular. It’s put together

by Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP). For details and to register, visit hopkinton-youth — 4 family-services.ticketleap.com/hop-movie-night.

Bill Gassett can be your Realtor too!

One of the top RE/MAX agents in Massachusetts RE/MAX Executive Realty 22 South Street, Suite 203 Hopkinton / 508-509-4867

No Horribles Parade this year The Horribles Parade will continue its hiatus in 2022, but it’s not because of the pandemic. Dan McIntyre, one of the organizers, explained that the road conditions are the primary culprit. The July 4 parade traditionally starts at the Town Common and heads down Main Street, and that area is the focal point of the Main Street Corridor Project.

Bill Gassett

HopkintonIndependent.com

billgassett@remaxexec.com www.maxrealestateexposure.com www.sellmyhomeinmetrowestma.com

4 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’ Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is JoJo Mazza for this photo of Karma the dog enjoying a car ride to school, as seen through the sideview mirror. 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.

You can trust us to keep you informed and provide you with the best pricing.

Call Today!

Join our ! family

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.

Still Locally Owned & Serving Your Neighbors for Over 60 Years!

We accept most major credit cards

LOWEST PRICES • FULL-SERVICE • 24-HR EXPERT BURNER SERVICE

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.

508-753-7221 • ALSOILSERVICE.com

HOPKINTON Wine & Spirits Father’s Day Special!

Come get the perfect gift from our wide selection of whiskeys

DISCOUNTED PRICES! Johnnie Walker Blue Label

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Yr

750mL

750mL

750mL

$199.99

$55.99

$19.99

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch 30 Yr

WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Yr

The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch 14 Yr

750mL

750mL

750mL

$1,199.99

$45.99

$59.99

Larceny Small Batch Bourbon

77 W. Main St., Hopkinton | 508.435.1292 | hopkintonwineandspirits.com Mon–Thu: 10am to 9pm | Fri, Sat: 10am to 10pm | Sun: 10am to 8pm

Select Board gets update on Upper Charles Trail project

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

A

t the June 7 Select Board meeting, Upper Charles Trail Committee Chair Jane Moran updated the board on the group’s progress.

The committee has been tasked with presenting multiple options for Hopkinton’s section of the Upper Charles Trail, which is to connect to Milford and Ashland.

“As you can see, this process is long and arduous,” Moran said after a brief presentation. “However, we are confident that by continuing to strategize, gather public input and set reasonable goals, this trail will be built to the high expectations that our citizens have come to expect.”

Moran explained that there are 11 segments to the plan, and many of them still are being studied and considered.

Asked about the committee’s suggestion to run a segment down Hayden Rowe Street — which was the subject of substantial opposition from the public, primarily due to safety concerns — Moran said that piece “has been put on hold” due to questions about the locations of the town’s right of way on that street. She said until the committee receives survey details from the town about Hayden Rowe, which is likely to take at least a few months, it is focusing on a section from Hopkinton State Park to the future site of the International Marathon Museum off East Main Street.

“I’m happy to hear that the Hayden Rowe segment is on hold at least for the

moment, because I really don’t feel like there’s public support for that option at this point,” Select Board Chair Amy Ritterbusch said. “I know you’re studying it more.”

The board thanked Moran for her work and for sticking with it despite taking some criticism.

“I know a lot of people have looked at it negatively, but I always looked at the various conversations that have been taking place as a positive, in that it helped our townsfolk become more aware of the project,” Moran said. “We couldn’t have bought this publicity. I for one have been very grateful for it, because this is how we make the best product happen possible.”

New deputy fire chief introduced Gary Daugherty Jr. was introduced to the Select Board by Chief Bill Miller as the town’s new deputy fire chief.

Daugherty has been with the department since 2004, after serving more than five years in the U.S. Air Force. In 2011 he was promoted to lieutenant.

Daugherty noted the department has had a lot of turnover lately, with many young employees, and said one of the challenges is “hands-on experience.”

“I just look forward to leading these new kids and training them how I’ve grown up, and hopefully they come to love the community like I have over the past couple of years,” he said. “That’s what I’d Select Board | 5

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 5

.

Among those on hand at the June 3 Veterans Breakfast were (back, from left) Mike Arakelian (Air Force), Neil Svendsen (Army), Frank Fede (Navy), Robert Hole (Navy), Peter Redding (Army) and Ted Hoyt (Army), along with (sitting) Art Brooks (Navy).

Brooks and Redding hold a reminder of the Normandy action, Hole has an image of the preparation for a 1945 assault on Japan (as on June 3 no one knew the war was about to end) and Hoyt has a representation of the preparations for D-Day landings.

Veterans recognize D-Day anniversary Hopkinton military veterans gathered for their monthly breakfast June 3 at the Senior Center. The meal was sponsored by Fairfield Estates.

Monthly discussions of anniversaries of military events that occurred on June 3 were highlighted. Because of the proximity to the anniversary of D-Day, much of the focus was on happenings of 1944.

Additional discussion points included remembrances of recently passed veterans.

Comments were mainly from the Vietnam era, and all were personal and heartfelt.

The next Veterans Breakfast is scheduled for July 1, honoring the life of Joseph V. Pyne Jr.

— Recap contributed by Hank Allessio

New deputy fire chief introduced Select Board | from page 4

like to instill.”

Daugherty follows in the footsteps of his father, Gary Daugherty Sr., who worked for the Hopkinton Fire Department, including as chief, from 1997-2009, before leaving to become chief in Framingham. …

Two other new employees were introduced. Robyn Goldberg is the new volunteer coordinator for the Senior Center, while Carmen Cifuentes was promoted from a per diem employee to a full-time dispatcher.

“Volunteers are the backbone for anything,” Goldberg said. “I know how important it is to have volunteers participating.

I’m excited to be a small part of that.”

Pizza restaurant gets OK The Select Board approved a common victualler license and an entertainment license to Troy Sproul for Blue Square Pizza, a new restaurant at 30 Main Street that will offer pickup and counter service.

The entertainment license is for a radio.

The restaurant is situated in the location previously inhabited by Royal Pizza, which closed earlier this year.

“We would like to welcome the applicant to the community,” Town Manager Norman Khumalo said. “We are always looking for opportunities to fill vacancies along Main Street. With much gratitude to the owner of the property, they were able to find a new business to occupy that space sooner rather than later.”

Deal with Baypath approved The Select Board approved a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Baypath Humane Society and OK’d the town manager to sign the lease for 5 acres of land on town-owned property at

66 Fruit Street. Baypath, which currently has a small facility on Legacy Farms North Road near Cedar Street, will construct a new facility.

“Taking care of animals is really an essential part of being a person, being a human being,” Mary Jo LaFreniere said.

“How we take care of our animals is as important as — well, not as our people, but it’s right up there. I think Hopkinton is blessed to have a facility like Baypath here.”

Misc.: Cultural District idea introduced Members of the Hopkinton Cultural Council appeared before the Select Board to introduce its idea for creating a Cultural District in town. HCC Member Amy Groves indicated that the whole district has to be walkable and accessible, and she added that the hope is to have the district run from the forthcoming International Marathon Center to downtown and over to the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

HCC Member Ilana Casady noted that one advantage of having such a district is it could help the Cultural Council obtain more funding from the state. …

The board approved a parade permit application for the annual Wicked 5K Road Race to be held at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Oct. 30. The course follows Loop Road and uses the Center Trail and Center Trail extension. No road closures are requested. …

The board approved a request presented by treasurer/collector Christopher Heymanns for $5,297,501 in bond anticipation notes and $4,881,543 for long-term general obligation borrowing to fund previously approved projects. …

The board approved a license for the underground storage of 42,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline and 12,000 gallons of diesel fuel at the gas station that is being reconstructed at 92 West Main Street, owned

by Global Montello Group Corp. …

Sue Pearson’s resignation as an associate member of the Council on Aging was accepted with appreciation for her service.

www.bluesquarepizza.com

30 Main St. HOPKINTON

A sourdough pizzeria offering Detroit-style, Grandma-style, and NY-style round pies.

Marketing & Experience Matter 13ELIZABETHROAD.COM

22SMITHROAD.COM

UNDER AGREEMENT!

UNDER AGREEMENT! 22 Smith Road, Hopkinton

13 Elizabeth Road, Hopkinton

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $1,350,000

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $1,149,000

4COMMONWEALTHAVENUE.COM

23FALCONRIDGEDRIVE.COM

UNDER AGREEMENT!

UNDER AGREEMENT!

23 Falcon Ridge Drive, Hopkinton

4 Commonwealth Avenue, Hopkinton

188WHITNEYST.COM

7BRIDLEPATH.COM

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $1,275,000

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $789,000

UNDER AGREEMENT! 188 Whitney Street, Northborough

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $549,000

UNDER AGREEMENT! 7 Bridal Path, Hopkinton

UNDER AGREEMENT – LISTED AT $1,175,000

Allow me to represent you. Call or text me at 508-509-4236!

HopkintonIndependent.com

508.435.8000 HopkintonMoves.com | Trina@TrinaMacchi.com 11 GROVE STREET | HOPKINTON | MA 01748

Follow us on

6 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

MAIN STREET SERVICE CENTER

Planning Board addresses concerns with Wilson Street solar developer

Complete Auto Service

The Planning Board is trying to finalize a revised screening plan with Grasshopper Solar for the new array off Wilson Street.

Computerized Diagnostics Foreign & American . Wheel Alignment Complete Air Conditioning Service Road Service . Towing Tune-ups . Brakes . Tires Massachusetts State Inspection Station PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

508-435-9038 96 MAIN STREET, Hopkinton (Rte 135) 39 years in business 1982-2022

CHRISTINE’S NAILS of Hopkinton

Just wait for the compliments

Book online at christinesnail.com or call for an appointment Walk-ins welcome

508-435-0222

22 South Street, Hopkinton

ASHLAND MOTORS Integrity. Reliability. Customer Service.

Foreign & Domestic Cars Complete Repair Service Specializing on Volvo

A

t the June 6 Planning Board meeting, the developer of a solar array at 17 Wilson Street was told to present an amended screening plan before the Planning Board decides whether to approve it.

The board previously expressed NEWS frustration with work by the developer, BRIEFS Grasshopper Solar, on the project. At a recent site walk, the two sides discussed some of the issues board members would like to see addressed, and the developer on June 6 presented a revised plan. However, the board saw the changes as significant enough to warrant a more formal amendment to Grasshopper’s original plan.

“My recommendation here is that the applicant come back with an amendment to the plan,” Chair Gary Trendel said. “At the end of the day, you’re asking us to react to things that aren’t even presented on paper. There’s just not a way we can review and approve something that isn’t even represented in some capacity.”

The board did listen to a presentation by Ahmed Hafez, representing Grasshopper, that went over several points of concern. Among them was a plan to seed the area disturbed inside a 75-foot buffer with wildflower mix; seeding and stabilizing buried electrical lines and berm; seeding, stabilizing and cutting grass in the lawn reclamation area; adding 19 boxwood trees around the transformer area; adding five green giants to fill in holes and improve screening; and installing a decorative gate with a “barn-like look” near the entrance.

The board and developer also discussed the placing of additional green giants. A representative for the general contractor on the project said those plantings would intertwine and grow in a hedge formation, which he said would accomplish what the initial screening plan called for.

Board Member Fran DeYoung, echoing Trendel’s reference to the plan as being significantly changed from the original proposal, said it should be brought back in front of the board as an amendment, with fellow Member Jane Moran agreeing.

“This is just part of the process and it’s just what happens,” Moran said. “You have to go through it.”

“I know this is stretching out longer than you hoped,” Trendel told the developer. “We have a process we need to follow.”

Check HopkintonIndependent.com for more from the Planning Board meeting.

Town maintains AAA bond rating

508-435-7776

Master Technician – Dean James

84 Wood Street, Hopkinton

Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Chief Financial Officer Tim O’Leary recently announced that Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P) Global Ratings has affirmed the town’s strong AAA credit rating.

The AAA bond rating represents the highest level of creditworthiness a municipality can achieve and reflects the excellent and stable financial condition of

HopkintonIndependent.com

the town.

“Hopkinton retained its top-tier AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, reflecting very well on the town’s management through the COVID-19 emergency,” O’Leary stated. “The rating agency specifically noted Hopkinton’s very strong financial management practices and prudent budget management as key factors supporting our rating.”

The high rating also allows the town to borrow money at the lowest commercial interest rates possible. The town has retained its AAA credit rating for an issue of $4.9 million in long-term bonds and $5.3 million in short-term bond anticipation notes planned for June 2022.

The borrowings will support nine capital projects and acquisitions for the Hopkinton Public Schools and other town departments. These were approved by voters at Hopkinton’s 2022 Annual Town Meeting in May and at previous Annual Town Meetings.

Khumalo remains in town The Cambridge City Council on June 6 voted to offer its city manager position to Yi-An Huang, meaning Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo will remain at his current job, at least for the time being.

Khumalo was among the four finalists and was praised despite not receiving a vote from any of the nine council members.

“Norman Khumalo really impressed me with his style, his grace, his humility, his knowledge,” said Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon, who also credited Khumalo for his leadership skills.

Huang currently serves as the executive director of Boston Medical Center Hospital Clinical Operations.

He is a 15-year Cambridge resident.

The other two finalists were Iram Farooq, who serves as assistant city manager for the Community Development Department in Cambridge, and Cheryl Watson Fisher, Chelsea’s city solicitor and a partner in the Cambridge based law firm Galluccio & Watson, LLP. Khumalo previously was a candidate for city manager in Watertown, but the position was offered to one of the other three finalists last month.

Road work starts in July As part of the town’s Pavement Management Plan, road work is tentatively scheduled to begin sometime after July 4, the town’s Department of Public Works announced.

Each street that is on this year’s list has been inspected and evaluated to determine which treatment method is best based on the street’s current condition, the DPW stated.

Under the town’s road opening permit policy, News briefs | 7

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 7

Officials encourage masking as COVID spike continues

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

T

he recent spike in COVID cases has shown no letup. In fact, it continues to get worse. The good news is the illnesses have not been as severe.

The bad news is the absences caused

by COVID have put a major strain on town services — especially the schools.

“All of our metrics have significantly increased over the last month,” Health Director Shaun McAullife reported at the June 1 Board of Health meeting. “Our percent positivity as reported by the DPH is 13.7, so it’s almost double since May 5th. Our 14-day incidence rate went from 34 on May 5th to 75.4. Our 14-day case count went from 78 on (May 5) to 173.”

McAuliffe indicated that while the Department of Public Health reported 324 cases in town in May, the actual case count was “roughly 1,200 or 1,300,” as many cases don’t get reported through official channels. He added that there was one COVID death and three hospitalizations last month.

Focusing on the schools, McAuliffe said it’s been a challenge due to the large number of absences of both students and staff.

“We had 470 kids out, so that’s roughly 12 percent of the school district

Road work starts in July News briefs | from page 6

no permit will be granted for a period of five years on newly paved streets except in the case of an emergency. Residents who are considering any utility work that requires excavation within the town’s right of way on any of the streets listed below should make sure that work is completed

by July 4.

Following is a list of streets that are scheduled to be resurfaced this year.

Daniel Shays Road — Full length North Mill Street — Full length South Street — West Main Street to 710 feet south of West Main Street South Street — No. 176 to the Milford town line Westcott Drive — Pond Street to 760 feet south of Pond Street (the old section) West Elm Street — Barbara Road to the dead end West Main Street — 100 feet east of South Street to 900 feet west of South Street The DPW advises that once work begins on each project residents should expect delays, seek alternate routes when possible and avoid parking on the street, as that will interfere with the contractor’s ability to complete the needed work.

This gets to this whole issue where it’s not necessarily the virulence or the severity of the illness that’s the issue, it’s just an operational issue.

— Health Director Shaun McAuliffe population that was out sick with COVID,” he shared. “Eighty-six teachers were out, which is roughly 31 percent of the school district which was out.

“So again, this gets to this whole issue where it’s not necessarily the virulence or the severity of the illness that’s the issue, it’s just an operational issue. The superintendent and I were discussing how do you operate a school where you’re having trouble getting substitute teachers and you’re missing 31 percent of your staffing for 5-10 [days]; there were several teachers who were out for at least three weeks. So our concern is that we should be taking steps to protect the operational integrity of not just the school district but the municipal offices. When we bring this up with DESE [the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] of the Department of Public Health, their verbal recommendation is that we consider masking, distancing, increase hygienic activities, try to limit the size of our events — basically all the preventive barriers that we had been

implementing early on in the pandemic.

“In the school setting or even in Town Hall over the last couple of weeks, what they would have recommended is that we consider recommending face coverings on the floors where we were experiencing illness until the spike subsided. In the schools they recommended that in the classrooms that experience an increase in cases we recommend an increase in face coverings.

“As a department what we’re trying to do is — we’re discussing these issues. We have the face coverings if they’re needed. On top of that, we obtained a significant number of home tests kits to help with the assessment of illness.”

Part of the problem, McAuliffe added, is that the current variants making their way through town appear to last longer, while people continue to follow the guidelines based on an earlier variant.

“The issue is being exacerbated by the fact that there are anecdotally,

DADS DON’T LIKE COOKOUTS – THEY LIKE TO DINE OUT!

Make your Father’s Day Reservations NOW!

Kitchens • Baths Additions • Remodels

9 SEATING TIMES AVAILABLE:

12:00 noon 2:30 pm 5:00 pm 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 1:00 pm 3:30 pm 6:00 pm Route 16, Mendon 508-473-5079 www.nesteakandseafood.com

Insured & Licensed

Lic.# CS071977

#1 DENTIST

Multi-Year Hopkinton Reader’s Choice Winner!

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Relaxed, Friendly Atmosphere

Water quality report released The Water Department has completed the annual drinking water quality report.

This consumer confidence report is a requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will be distributed

by July 1 for the previous calendar year reporting period.

Copies will be made available on the Water Department webpage (bit.ly/ HopWater2021) as well as at the Water Department office (83 Wood Street), Town Hall and the Hopkinton Public Library.

For more information, call the Water Department at 508-497-9765.

New England Steak and Seafood

Mark Underdah Remodeling

508.341.1810

and there are reports coming out just this week, that people contracting the Omicron BA.2 and BA.2.12 variants are experiencing a longer period of contagiousness. So the recommendation is that people be testing beyond Day 5 to make a determination when they’re no longer contagious and that they wear face coverings for as long as they’re contagious.

“Given all that, and having discussions with the school district, our recommendation is to make recommendations to wear face coverings.

We’re not mandating … but we’re just trying to figure out how do we make it through the next three weeks running a school? And then we’re working on how we operate the extended school year. And then outside of the district we’re trying to figure out what things can we do operationally to keep the camps and the Parks & Rec programs going?”

Board of Health Chair Lisa Whittemore said mask-wearing has “totally fallen off,” but she supported the department recommending rather than mandating masks.

“I think as a board, we should continue the efforts that [the department staff], all of you have been doing, which is education and recommending masks,” she said. “I think a mask mandate will go nowhere for all sorts of reasons.”

Added Public Health Nurse Simone Carter: “I think at this point in this pandemic/endemic, we take our lead from the state and the fed, which is we recommend [rather than mandate].”

2013

2014

Cleanings & Exams Children Welcome  Fillings Invisalign ® Periodontal Care  Bridges Dentures  One-Day Crowns

2015

508-435-5455

John C. Park DMD Accepting new Patients

HopkintonIndependent.com

2016

2017

2018

Visit us at hopkintondmd.com

77 West Main Street, Suite 210, Hopkinton Additional location in Hopedale • Park Place Dental Associates

8 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Graduation is no time to learn you haven’t saved enough for college.

For a free, personalized college cost report, contact your Edward Jones financial advisor today.

Schools HHS teams excel at state science fair Among the Hopkinton High School students who participated in the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair after winning awards at the HHS fair were (from left) Vania Gautam, Ishita Khurana, Sahithi Pogula and Simran Kaur.

Mark Freeman Financial Advisor 508-293-4017 Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com

Christopher D Stevenson Financial Advisor 774-991-0781 Christopher.Stevenson@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com Member SPIC

77 W Main Street Suite 206 Hopkinton, MA 01748

Preschool – High School Math and Reading Program LEARNING CENTERS

FREE Registration!* Up to a $50 Value for a limited time only

Set your sights on success this summer. practice makes possibilities™ Give your child an academic advantage in school and beyond. Enroll today.

Kumon Math and Reading Centers of Hopkinton Hopkinton Street Mall, Mall,77 77Main MainSt. St. Main Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 Hopkinton, 508.435.0273 508.435.0273 Westborough Westborough St. Store Store#700 #700 18 Lymon St. Westborough, MA 01581 Westborough, 508.870.3133 508.870.3133 Enroll between June 1-30, 2022, waive the Fee of fees up to **Enroll between June 1-30, 2022, to waive theto Registration FeeRegistration of up to $50. Additional may$50. apply.

Additional feesdetails. may apply.

See Center for more details. ©2022 Kumon North See Center for more ©2022 Kumon North America Inc. All rights reserved.

America Inc. All rights reserved

YOUR BACKYARD PARADISE

WITH PROPANE AWAITS Fireplaces & Fire Pits • Grilling • Generators Pool & Spa Heating • Outdoor Kitchens Patio Heating & Lighting

Call today to make your life better with propane!

508.533.6561

medwayoilpropane.com

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

T

en Hopkinton High School teams earned prizes at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair, including a group of Grade 9 students who brought home numerous awards.

Additionally, sisters Eva and Esha Bennet qualified to compete at last month’s Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held virtually from Atlanta with their project, “Development of An Innovative Alternative Model to Study Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Abuse Potential.”

Hopkinton science fair coordinator Kristen Murphy, who is a chemistry teacher, noted that with the support of administration and the HPTA, almost 50 independent research projects were funded this year in support of more than 90 students.

Murphy explained that this is the 33rd year of the program and about 100 kids in Grades 9-12 work on science projects from September through March. The top 12 finishers at the school fair go on to compete at the regional contest. From there, Hopkinton had 11 teams qualify for the state competition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, held virtually.

She said that the fun part of the process is when the kids think about their passions and interests and look for problems to solve. They work with a mentor at school on engineering a solution and have numerous opportunities to try and fail as they attempt to fine-tune their projects.

Grade 10 student Evanya Mathur said that she and partner Srilakshmi Venkatesan came up with their project because of similar experiences their families had in rural hospitals in India.

They both have non-verbal family members with whom it is difficult to communicate.

“We wanted to create some sort of alternate iPhone application that would help non-verbal patients use their non-motor skills and abilities to communicate with their loved ones through eyegazing tracking and machine-learning technology,” Mathur explained.

She said that their project, titled, “PatientConnect: Bridging the Communication Gap for NonVerbal Patients in Hospital Settings,” was important to them as it was something that could be used within their own families.

Their project placed third at the state fair.

Mathur said she most enjoyed the results of the experience. “You really do not know the feeling of success and achievement unless you have gone through bouts of self-doubt, sleepless nights, nerves and so much more,” she said. “It makes the placement and the award so much more fulfilling and impactful.”

Second-place winner Simran Kaur is a senior who wanted to do a project related to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease.

HopkintonIndependent.com

Sisters Esha and Eva Bennet qualified to compete at last month’s International Science and Engineering Fair.

“To me, neurodegenerative diseases are devastating to patients and families and should be heavily researched in order to find treatments and a potential cure,” Kaur said.

The school fair’s top scorer, Kaur said the most challenging part of the project was coming up with dosages for the animal model she was using, known as brown planaria, which she described as “delicate organisms.”

“It was definitely a hassle trying to find the correct dosage that would not harm but cause a response in the planaria, but it was a worthwhile process in my experimental design,” Kaur said.

“Coming up with control groups, experimental groups and other variables to test is a crucial part of the experimental design, and no two experimental designs are the same,” Kaur said. “Using creativity and innovation to propel an experiment is an enjoyable process of science fair.”

Ninth-grader Kaizar Rangwala and teammates Arin Upalekar and Alex Stephan wanted to come up with “a simple, inexpensive and efficient solution” to combat the problem of microplastic water pollution.

Rangwala explained that they researched water treatments of the past to see if they could be applied.

“We discovered several variants of coagulant chemicals, powder-like compounds that can be mixed with contaminated fluids to make the pollutants easy to remove, and from there, our project bloomed,” Rangwala said.

“A Coherent Solution to Microplastic Pollution” received an honorable mention award at the state fair.

Rangwala said the most fun part of the experience was “trying to handle all of the weird chemicals we were working with,” adding, “Once, when we were conducting a trial, a chemical disintegrated our plastic equipment. One of them was treating the water really well ... until we realized that it turned all the water yellow.”

Science fair | 9

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 9

Schools HHS teams excel at state science fair Science fair | from page 8

The team also faced the challenge of considering numerous factors when designing a solution.

“We had to weigh cost-effectiveness, performance and danger to infrastructure and people,” Rangwala said.

“No matter how good a chemical is at cleaning water, you don’t want it to melt your house down.”

At the state fair, the students presented to 30 judges comprised of scientists, researchers, engineering and business personnel who asked them questions.

Mathur noted, “Once you see how enthusiastic and truly impressed the judges are, regardless of how many questions they ask or the notes they give you, it feels enriching and unbelievably exciting. Personally, we were lucky that our own judges saw life connections within our project, making it even more fulfilling for us.”

Murphy said it was rewarding to see projects spanning environmental, medical, engineering, technological and computer science realms. She said the projects demonstrate the students’ curiosity about real-world problems.

“They really focused on using their intelligence and passion for science” to develop solutions for issues that matter, Murphy said. “That’s my favorite part of the program.”

Following are the results for HHS students at the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair.

Second place: B-Vitamin Overconsumption on Diet-Induced Obesity in Danio rerio (Zebrafish), by Ishita Khurana; Treating 2,4-D-Exposed Planaria with Drug-Supplement Interactions to Palliate Parkinson’s Disease, by Simran Kaur; Negative Effects of Food Dyes and Sodium Benzoate on Caenorhabditis Elegans, by Shrija Kumar and Garima Chauhan; Development of An Innovative Alternative Model to Study Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Abuse Potential, by Eva Bennet and Esha Bennet.

Third place: PatientConnect: Bridging the Communication Gap for Non-Verbal Patients in Hospital Settings, by Evanya Mathur and Srilakshmi Venkatesan; Effect of Car Exhaust Carbonated Water on Ocimum Basilicum, by Dylan Striek and David Priefer; Urban Wind Turbines, by Neil Abraham, Brian Gu and Bharat Mekala.

Honorable mention: A Coherent Solution to Microplastic Pollution, by Arin Upalekar, Kaizar Rangwala and Alex Stephan; Asynchronous Lidar-enabled 3D modeling for interior navigation, by Saahil Minocha; In Silico Drug Target Identification via Methylation Factors with Implementation in TP53 Liver Cancer Gene, by Sahithi Pogula.

Police chief says ‘very robust response plan’ in place for schools School safety | from page 1

injured, before the shooter was killed.

“We — meaning the town, the schools, police, fire — have a very robust response plan,” Bennett told the Select Board. “In fact, this morning we met with about 125 teachers at the school to discuss where we are, where we’re going, and it was very well received.

“Just know that we are ready. Minutes will not tick away. We will address any threat to our schools wherever they are, very quickly. We stand ready.

“But that doesn’t end it. We have work to do, and we’re going to continue to work, and we already have plans in the making for things we can do this summer to continue to bolster the program.”

In the May 27 statement, Bennett and Cavanaugh expressed their shock and grief concerning the Texas incident. They

indicated their departments have a “positive and collaborative relationship that is centered on providing an environment for students and staff that prioritizes their safety, security and well-being.”

The statement continued: “Each school building has its own trained crisis response team and a developed crisis response guide providing procedures for administrators and staff to follow in an emergency, as well as guidelines for and information about the prevention of and preparation for emergency situations.

“All administrators, faculty and staff are also trained in ALICE active shooter response protocols — a combination of infrastructure, technology and personal action — as a response to any potentially armed intruder in a school building.

“Additional security measures at the schools include policies requiring all exte-

rior doors to be closed and locked during the day, and double protection entryways in each building.

“District safety and security measures are reviewed regularly by a town-wide emergency management team and the district’s crisis response team. Hopkinton Police officers and school officials also regularly evaluate and practice emergency response plans to ensure they are comprehensive and functional. Officers are well-equipped and well-trained to immediately respond to and act during any active emergency event.

“The Hopkinton Public Schools and Hopkinton Police Department will work to support the community in any way possible in the aftermath of the tragedy in Texas. Anyone with concerns about school security is encouraged to contact police or school leaders.”

Celebrate Father’s Day with Us! Sunday, June 19th

Open at Noon • Specials & Regular Menu All Day • Reservations Available

FATHER’S DAY SPECIALS

FATHER’S DAY CATERING

Surf & Turf

33

Complete Roast Turkey Dinner 12oz Roast Prime Rib Open Steak Sandwich & French Fries

21 2799 1899

99

(12oz Prime Rib & Six Grilled Shrimp)

99

(Topped with Mushrooms and Onions)

MONDAY CRUISE NIGHTS

Classic Cars Food Trucks

SCAN FOR MENU

LC SPORTS TENT 7 Widescreen TVs Sit-Down Bar Pitchers of Draft Full Menu Late Night Menu

LC Parking Lot Weather Permitting

SUMMER SPECIALS

APPETIZER Caprese – $14.99

Prosciutto di Parma, Burrata, Sliced Tomato & Basil

SANDWICH Lobster Salad Roll – $23.00 Lettuce, Tomato & French Fries

ENTREES Fresh Tomato Basil Summer Sauce – $17.99

Wild Mushroom Ravioli – $19.99 Spinach, Tomato & Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

JOIN OUR EMAIL CLUB

Menu discounts for Email Club members only.

Be in the know about our events.

A La Carte Catering Available Tuesday - Sunday. Book your Next Event in our Function Room!

508-879-7874 | GOLACANTINA.COM 911 Waverly Street (Route 135) | Framingham

OPEN 3:30 pm TUESDAY – SUNDAY | TENT OPEN 4:30 pm | CLOSED MONDAY HopkintonIndependent.com

10 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Schools Future of Center School property discussed Center School | from page 1

he said. “This would have benefits both economically and socially. Economically it will help offset some of the cost of the town needs. It also will bring more life into the downtown area, more people, more pedestrian-friendly area that will support our downtown revitalization.”

The town asked developers for requests for information (RFIs) and received 17, with three submitting details about what they might do with the property, McIntyre shared.

McIntyre said the preference for the back part of the property is to construct multi-family homes, although that would require a change in zoning.

The front part of the property includes the former Center School building. The idea would be to retain the front portion of the school, constructed about 100 years ago, while the two back portions, added in the 1950s and 1980s, would be torn down.

Board Member Mary Jo LaFreniere said she would like to see senior housing as a part of the project, noting the importance of having the units be accessible.

Board Member Muriel Kramer requested public input before a more formal request for proposal (RFP) goes out to potential developers.

“I think that this is a sea change for what we might do with that property,”

c

e Liv

o

td Ou

si u or M

Kramer said. “It’s a substantial town asset and it’s dead-center in town. So I think that for me it’s going to be important to first get a rigorous input from the town to make sure that we’re aiming in the right direction.”

Kramer also expressed concern about potential spot zoning changes.

“I think that there’s a reason for the spot zoning to be a less amenable, because people don’t want things that are unexpected to drop in next to them, even if it has some financial benefit for the town,” she said.

Select Board Chair Amy Ritterbusch questioned whether the town would sup-

port 100 housing units, which she said some of the RFIs indicated could be part of the plan.

“I don’t think anybody wants to really overcrowd that area, because it’s a residential area,” McIntyre responded.

“But we want to at least explore the opportunity there.”

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 Max and Maia.

Here is Baypath’s description of the pair: “Are you looking for a duo that will make you proud and constantly smiling? These two will need a loving home with some patience to get them used to the world. Max the Raccoon and Maia have already grown so much with their time here.

“They arrived at the shelter after a long trip from the meat markets in Korea. Handsome Max, 2, and beautiful Maia, 3, have found comfort in each other and have overcome so much together.

“Max and Maia are truly a bonded pair, enjoying their playtime and rest together. We want to find them a

home that will accept both of them. What you will get in return are two dogs that will be very loyal, play with you and each other, and then happily take a snooze. They both love puppies and have been great mentors to them.

“We hope to find Max and Maia a family ready to open their heart and home to these two incredibly loving dogs in return for lots of wet kisses, snuggles and watching them grow and learn.”

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

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

SummerArts Series HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Outdoor Happenings in Music, Theater, Art, and Dance

Summer Kick-Off Concert Sponsored by:

Presenting Sponsors: PHIPPS and MAPFRE Insurance

06/18

Rumblekats | Hopkinton Day

Residents On Town Day Receive A FREE Gift

06/24

Hot Acoustics | Milford Day

07/22

Evan Goodrow | Ashland Day

06/25 Bob Wolfman Band

07/23

Din Check

07/01

Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers

07/29

Chris Fitz Band

07/30

Bird Mancini | Holliston Day

07/02

Tokyo Tramps

09/02 Neal and the Vipers

07/08

Cindy Lou Band I Upton Day

09/03 Blonde Dog

07/09

Gary Backstrom Band

07/15

Willie J. Laws | Southboro Day

09/09 Motherless Children

07/16

Racky Thomas Band

09/10

Bruce Marshall Group

Enter Stage Left Theater 08/05 & 06 Youth Summer Stock Seussical The Musical, Jr. 08/12 & 13 Summer Stock: Little 08/19 & 20 Women The Musical 08/27

A Play, A Pint & A Pie Festival

Town Day Sponsor

Friday & Saturday Night Concerts | 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Pay what you can when you reserve your tickets

Reserve Your Tickets @ www.HopArtsCenter.org | 98 Hayden Rowe Street | Hopkinton, MA | 508.435.9222 HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 11

Schools Griffin finds path to success at MassBay

Cam Griffin overcame some major challenges before finding success in community college at MassBay.

Cam Griffin of Hopkinton found his passion for helping others when he struggled to find his own path, and people around him provided a caring and supportive network.

“From 2016 to 2020, I went to rehab every COLLEGE year to treat my bipolar HONORS and severe cannabis use disorders,” Griffin said.

“In June 2020, I entered a residential treatment program, which provided me with the stability and sobriety I needed to get better. I learned a great deal about myself, and it gave me time to focus on my mental health. In rehab, I realized I was the only person who could change my mindset. That is where I found myself a solid support system and figured out what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I’m the happiest and the most driven I have ever been.”

Added Griffin, “After I graduated from Hopkinton High in 2016, I went to Framingham State University, but, due to my depression and anxiety, I stopped going to classes and dropped out after my first year. I jumped from job to job, believing college wasn’t for me.

I was never a good student, but that all changed when I came to MassBay [Massachusetts Bay Community College].”

Griffin, who is celebrating two years in recovery this month, became a dedicated and active student while at MassBay. He was part of MassBay’s Commonwealth Honors Program, earned a spot on the dean’s list every semester, was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Psi Beta Honor Society, and carried a 3.8 GPA. He specifically thanks MassBay professors Jeanie Tietjen and Carolyn Guttilla for “helping me realize my true potential and for supporting me,” and professor Brian Keegan for making math enjoyable and fun — all of which helped him accomplish his academic success. Griffin also was elected vice president of the Academic Affairs Committee for the Student Government Association and was a member of the Biotechnology Innovation Club.

“I often questioned myself as to why I didn’t start at a community college right out of high school,” he said. “I think that the strong human connections I have experienced at MassBay, along with small class sizes and the supportive faculty, have made all the difference for me in my time here. It’s actually bittersweet to be leaving.”

Griffin graduated from MassBay last month with his Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts-psychology and will transfer as a junior to the University of Massachusetts Boston to study in the prestigious Commonwealth Honors College in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree. His future plans include earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology to study bipolar disorder.

“It feels amazing to be accepted to UMass Boston, especially because I didn’t get in when I graduated from high school,” he said. “One message I would share with others is to try to figure out what your passion is and follow a path to help drive your career. It’s incredible how far I have come. MassBay has helped me with my upward trajectory, and now I feel as if the sky’s the limit.”

Help Make

Family Day

Locals shine at Vermont The University of Vermont announced its dean’s list for the spring semester, and three Hopkinton residents are on it: Katherine Graham, who is majoring in Chinese, Madeleine Holden, an English major, and Landon York, who is majoring in psychological science.

Also at UVM, Marlene Mathon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, and Dana Rafikova graduated with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience. …

Named to the dean’s list at Clarkson were Jake McDonald, a senior majoring in financial information and analysis, Cam Jerrett, a freshman majoring in psychology, and Aidan Sullivan, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering/mechanical engineering. …

At Stonehill College, Lydia Rudden, Ian Cann and Brooklyn McDermott-Hyland were named to the dean’s list. …

Tess Greenwood was inducted into Quinnipiac University’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s official honor society, during a recent ceremony. …

Graduates from the College of the Holy Cross include Emily Taylor (summa cum laude), William Moore (magna cum laude), Anne Comcowich (cum laude) and Kent Berlin. …

At the College of Charleston, Jessica Beck graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and a Bachelor of Arts in political science, while Caitlin Dean graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. …

Megan Halloran was named to the dean’s list at Assumption University, where she is a junior. …

A number of local students graduated from the University of New Hampshire last month: Jacqueline Lupinski, Philip Restifo, Peter Mitchell, Elizabeth Liberta, Abigail Meyers, Eliza Westbury, Isabella Houley, Cole Stukel, Ivy Gogolin and Galen Graham.

Editor’s note: Information for college honors is provided by the schools.

Those interested in being included in this section should forward the official notification or request for the school to email it to editor@hopkintonindependent.com.

a Community Success!

Be a Sponsor!

Hopkinton Family Day September 17, 2022 For more information: FriendsofHopkinton.org

Happy

Father’s Day

Summer Claims

1. Matt accidentally “skulls” a golf ball in his backyard and it shatters his big bay window. Would Matt’s homeowner policy cover the damage even though it is his fault?

2. Dick and Gemma buy fireworks for the Fourth of July. Deciding to test a few before the holiday, they set one off in their neighborhood. One lands on a neighbor’s house and starts a fire. Would Dick and Gemma’s liability coverage cover the claim even though fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts?

3. Jeff’s mom calls their insurance company to see if their premium will cost less when Jeff turns 25 years old, which will happen on the Fourth of July. Will their price go down?

Answer 1: Yes, minus the deductible. Matt’s home has all-risk coverage.

Answer 2: Yes, since they did not intentionally start the fire, coverage would apply.

Answer 3: No, there is no discount when a driver turns 25.

Paul Ostrander - Proud to call Hopkinton my home for 31 years!

Paul@OstranderInsurance.com 508.966.1116 OSTRANDERINSURANCE.COM

HopkintonIndependent.com

12 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Schools Time woven through HHS graduation ceremony

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

T

he concept of time was woven through the speeches at the June 3 graduation ceremony at the Hopkinton High School football field.

Class president Manoli Barris reflected on the various periods of high school life.

Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh talked about the emphasis placed on time and how perceptions change as years pass.

Valedictorian Celia Jenkins urged classmates to live in the moment and focus on what brings them joy rather than always seeking perfection and projecting into the future.

And finally, Principal Evan Bishop challenged the graduates to take a break from social media, unplug and dedicate time and energy toward their mental health.

Barris kicked things off by remembering how “scary” it was as a freshman and sophomore to enter a new school, try to make friends and navigate as an underclassman in a sea of larger, intimidating older kids.

He noted that things start falling into place as a junior with privileges and culminates when they are seniors and “the school is ours.” Barris said that by the time senior year comes,

THE NEW GENERATION OF HOME SERVICE REPAIRS

Valedictorian Celia Jenkins shares her thoughts with the crowd.

Handyman Services

Stone Work Specialists

508.435.3911 Office/Fax

ENJOY PEACE OF MIND WITH FIX IT!

5-YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL REPAIRS

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

Office: 508-305-2055 www .FIXIT-ASAP.com

Insured coverage up to $1 Million. Licensed - MA-CSL #104953 / MA-HIC #169636

Less Wait Time, More Face Time.

We can see you first at Northeast Dermatology Associates!

Accepting new patients of all ages.

Call 508-625-0606 or visit nedermatology.com to schedule.

22 South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Design, Maintenance & Construction

www.scottslandscaping.org

Attention Athletes!!

Looking for rehab with professionals who understand the movement demands of your sport?

Let us help you get back to the sport you love sooner!

Call to schedule an appointment today:

508-544-1540

1 Lumber Street, Suite 201, Hopkinton 196 E. Main Street, Milford (in The Gym) 15 West Union Street, Ashland www.platinumptma.com HopkintonIndependent.com

“students look up a little less and we’re more and more looked up to.”

He said seniors are role models because they have matured and learned from their mistakes.

Barris asked whether graduating and going out into the world — to the workforce, military or higher education — feels like middle school again with that uncertainty.

He urged his classmates not to be scared because “stages are just a part of life.” Now that they are leaving the tight-knit Hopkinton school environment, Barris said, they have a clean slate, the ability to reinvent themselves and the opportunity to change and try new things.

The superintendent noted this milestone day is the culmination of 13 years of work or 72 percent of the graduates’ lives. She expanded by saying the graduates spent close to a million minutes in Hopkinton schools or elsewhere learning.

Quoting L. Robert Cole, Cavanaugh talked about the American culture’s obsession with time and how people have developed a “complex lexicon” about it — whether it is keeping time, worrying about losing time, delighting when saving time and understanding that time is a commodity not to be wasted.

Cavanaugh joked that when there is extra time “to kill … we call it senior privileges.”

Continuing the theme, she said that every day or single moment is perceived differently by each person, something the graduates will discover at future class reunions as they reflect back on their school experiences.

“Every unique, distinctive, idiosyncratic, quirky one of you has ex-

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 13 SHOP SMALL SHOP SMALL

Schools

|

|

SHOP LOCAL SHOP LOCAL

design | cabinetry | installation design | cabinetry | installation

CABINET CABINET GALLERY GALLERY FAMILY OWNED AND O PF EARMA ITLEYD OSWI NN CE ED 1A9N8D4 OPERATED SINCE 1984

Annalise Curl receives the Marion T. Harris Award from English teacher Andrew Frey.

Forge your own path. …

It doesn’t matter where you go. What matters is what you do when you get there. Please continue to be the good, kind people that you are.

perienced high school differently,” Cavanaugh said.

She said during the nearly one million minutes they’ve spent in school, they have been “individually and markedly shaped … academically, socially, emotionally, behaviorally and philosophically,” with help from educators.

Cavanaugh urged the students in the days ahead to reach out and tell teachers how they influenced their lives. She also said graduates can expect to ­— Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh see “more greatness in the world and in humanity.”

Cavanaugh added, “Forge your own path. … It doesn’t matter where you go. What matters is Bishop encouraged graduates to what you do when you get there. Please place the same energy on their mental continue to be the good, kind people health that they do on physical health. that you are.”

He said life is sometimes unfair and it Jenkins spoke about how as a kid, is important the graduates ask for help she sectioned off her food into parts when they need it and understand that and when there was “one perfectly it is “OK to be vulnerable, OK to not crafted bite” left, she was unable to be OK.” fully enjoy it because she was full.

He concluded his remarks by sayShe likened the experience into ing, “Be kind to one another, be posiher adolescence and adulthood when tive and keep smiling.” she was always looking forward to Also during the ceremony, Annalvacations or perfect moments of peace ise Curl received the Marion T. Harris during the school year. Jenkins said by Award. English teacher Andrew Frey overestimating those moments, by the praised her, calling Curl “an absolute time she got to them, she was burned force in the classroom and arts comout and couldn’t enjoy them. munity.” He used the words “insightInstead of focusing on what she ful,” “passionate,” “honest,” “kind” loved most, Jenkins said she “endlessly and “brave” to describe her. was reaching forward,” and striving Class treasurer Luciano Duca anfor perfection, thereby making it hard nounced that the yearbook was dedito appreciate the little things in life. cated to the technology staff. Secretary “Do your best to be kind to yourAn-Wen Huang announced the class selves,” she told her classmates. gift was a large red LED clock in the “Don’t obsess over superficial things.” athletic center. Vice president Sarah Instead, the valedictorian said her Furlong presented gifts to class advipeers should focus on the present, the sors Samantha Breen and Jay Golden. people they love and find out what For a complete list of graduates, brings them joy. check HopkintonIndependent.com.

Woonsocket, RI | Hopkinton, MA Woonsocket, Hopkinton,MA MA Woonsocket, RI RI || Hopkinton, Come visit our Come visit our Come visit our local showrooms local showrooms local showrooms C CA AB BI N I NE ET TG GA AL LL LE ER RY YL LT TD D. C. COOMM CABINETGALLERYLTD.COM

HAPPY JUNE 19TH

Stop in for the perfect Cards & Gifts

52 Main Street, Hopkinton • (508) 435.4441

HopkintonIndependent.com

14 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Schools HHS Girl Scouts take action for mental health Girl Scouts (from left) Charlotte Schuster, Holly Thompson, Sabrina Russo and Ava Pappalardo pose with some of the available titles in the Little Free Library created by the group.

Family Owned & Operated Since 2009

www.LCTRoofing.com Hopedale, MA

Licensed and insured Contact us for a free inspection

Waste Removal and Recycling

A

Call us for all your waste removal and recycling needs E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc 800-321-3002 • www.elharvey.com

Keeping your eyes happy & healthy!

Welcoming New Patients

Dr. Perryman Leah

Marilee

Brittany

Sarah

Dr. Steven Perryman and the office team Serving Hopkinton Since 1999

• Quality/Detailed Eye Exams

• LASIK Consultations

• Contact Lens Fitting

• Emergency Eye Care

• Optical Shop and Lab

• Accepts AllWays™ Insurance

• Dry Eye Specialist

Schedule an appointment today!

10 Cedar Street, Hopkinton (across from Post Office)

HopkintonVision.com | 508.435.4711

n often misunderstood and underappreciated aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been its negative impact on mental health and well-being. Inspired to help people better navigate these challenges, Hopkinton Girl Scouts Troop 68243 decided to take action to make mental health and stress management resources more accessible for every age group.

Senior Troop 68243 is comprised of Hopkinton High School sophomores Ava PapSCHOOLS palardo, Sabrina Russo, NOTEBOOK Charlotte Schuster and Holly Thompson. In their 10 years working together under the leadership of Alyssa Thompson these Scouts have many achievements, including their Bronze and Silver Awards.

For the Bronze Award, they learned about the connection between one’s physical and emotional well-being, shared this with their school community, and ultimately raised enough money to give students at Hopkins School more access to playground equipment and a troopdesigned, laminated book of recess games.

For their Silver Award project, titled An Attitude of Gratitude, they shared how maintaining a grateful heart can impact one’s life, and found many creative ways to share this knowledge with the middle school and throughout Hopkinton. Their project was highlighted at a meeting of the Select Board and displayed at Town Hall during elections.

These Scouts now have set their sights on achieving the highest award in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award. A prerequisite to the Gold Award is to first complete a Take Action Project.

A Take Action Project is the culmination of any Girl Scout award journey. Last year in their journey titled Mission Sisterhood, the troop learned about the importance of acknowledging and validating one another’s feelings. As teenagers, they noticed that sometimes when it comes to mental health, body image and managing stress, teens feel they are not heard. Creating a safe community requires that issues like these can be discussed openly, and that resources are easily accessible to help navigate these challenges. This would become the basis for their Take Action Project. The troop intentionally chose an implementation date in May, Mental Health Awareness Month, and set out to develop a Little Free Library, conveniently located, appealing to all ages, sustainable and entirely devoted to mental health.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Scouts began to network, contacting many organizations in the Hopkinton community. Their first stop was the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA). The HCA was quick to respond, offering the perfect venue to reach their target audience — a mindfulness garden accessible to a wide range of people throughout the year.

Next, the Scouts sought support and book recommendations from administrators, counselors, librarians and health teachers throughout the Hopkinton Public School district, local psychologists and other groups such as Hopkinton’s Mental Health Collaborative, Senior Center and Youth & Family Services. From there, they created and shared an Amazon wish list with the community via local Facebook pages and the Hopkinton High School student memo.

Troop 68243 invites residents to stop by the beautiful mindfulness garden at the HCA. The Little Free Library offers more than 100 books on mental health for children, teens, adults and seniors covering topics like healthy relationships, self-esteem, body positivity, mindfulness and so much more. The troop also launched its first website, Bee-YOU-tiful!, a comprehensive guide to mental health resources in Hopkinton and beyond. This website (sites.google.com/hillers.org/littlelibrary-gs-troop-68243) offers more about this troop’s mission, its books and how someone can help, as well as acknowledging the amazing people and community organizations whose support helped make this a sustainable, powerful resource for years to come.

Art students honored Salem Bradley (Transgender Youth in an Unforgiving Society, Topics in Art History), Sienna Van Buren (Red Light, SmartPhone Photography), Connor Grady (Anesthesia, AP Art & Design) and An-Wen Huang (Rib Cage, AP Art & Design) were named Principal’s Award recipients for their work in last month’s Art Show at Hopkinton High School. …

The Hopkinton Women’s Club again sponsored a Hopkinton High School student at the Mass STAR conference, a three-day gathering of sophomores from across Massachusetts for leadership training, civic education and personal development. This year’s recipient, chosen by the guidance council, is Sean McCann. …

Hopkinton’s Asma Al Ashabi, a Schools notebook | 15

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 15

Schools

The Smart Call for Heating & Cooling

Repairs, protocols among School Committee discussion items

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

A

t the May 26 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh shared details about a flood earlier this week in the basement at Hopkinton Middle School that resulted in 3-4 inches of water consistently and water up to 4 feet high in the elevator shaft.

The flood originated in a pipe that connects to an eye-washing station.

She said the Fire Department and ServiceMaster were called in for cleanup, and the area was “pretty well-drained” on the afternoon of May 24.

Cavanaugh added that although the basement is a lot drier, there are some classrooms that have to be gutted. She is waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster as to whether the students can “re-inhabit,” any of the six classrooms in the basement before the end of the school year. “The jury is still out,” the superintendent said.

Moment of silence held A moment of silence was held early in the meeting in memory of the 19 students and two teachers lost in the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh said thoughts are with the community and families of the victims, adding, “It’s a tragedy for their school but also for all schools to have that kind of fear.”

Protocols and Best Practices adopted The committee adopted its Protocols and Best Practices report.

Among its contents is the need for committee members to set aside time for self-evaluation, make an effort to promote a positive image, stress the importance of proactive communication, and refer questions and concerns they receive to the chair or superintendent.

There also is a section where members agree to respect individual differences during the course of debate. Vice chair Amanda Fargiano added an amendment that the committee acknowledge a “unified commitment to best serve students”

Art students honored Schools notebook | from page 14

sixth-grader at Al-Hamra Academy of Shrewsbury, received top honors in Level 1 for her letter to author Pam Munoz Ryan about “Esperanza Rising,” part of the 2022 Massachusetts Letters About Literature Program.

Keefe Tech students shine Keefe Regional Technical School students won more than 30 medals at the District SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference held March 2 at the Framingham school.

despite disagreements on how it should be accomplished.

888-818-2028

Roof projects nearing completion The superintendent gave an update on the roof projects at Hopkinton Middle School and Hopkins School. The flat roofing areas are complete on both buildings, she said.

The roofers still were working on metal flashing on all protrusions at the middle school but only the edges at Hopkins, Cavanaugh said. Both projects were expected to be completed before the end of May.

www.coanoil.com

Gas, Oil and AC Equipment Sales & Service

ASHLAND LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Bark Mulch • Pure Hemlock • Hemlock Blend • Black Forest • Dark Pine • Red Cedar • Playground Chip

Grant, donations accepted

Loam & Stone Propane Tanks Filled

The committee accepted the following donations: $6,450 from the Galanek family for instruments and other supplies for the middle and high school music program; $600 from the Knaiger family for musical instruments for the high school band; and $750 from the Scott family for an alto saxophone for the high school.

The committee also approved a Hopkinton Education Foundation grant amounting to $52,775 for an Anatomage table (anatomy visualization system) for the high school Science Department.

WE DELIVER!

$2 OFF

propane tank fill

Mention ad for discount. One offer per customer. Not combinable with other offers. Expires 7/15/22

The District Level SkillsUSA Conference featured skills and leadership competitions in career and technical areas including information technology, first aid/CPR and criminal justice. Keefe Tech students swept several categories, taking home gold, silver and bronze in the cabinetmaking, criminal justice, information technology service and internetworking competitions. In total, Keefe students took home 35 medals. All gold and silver medalists advanced to the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference that was held in April.

Among Keefe Tech’s winners were two students from Hopkinton. Bennett Kazanjian won a silver medal in information technology service, while Alexis Manchester earned a silver medal in restaurant service.

18 Waverly St., Rte. 135, Ashland

HAPPY

Father’s

Misc.: Chair, vice chair reelected Now back to five with the addition of newly elected members Holly Morand and Jennifer Devlin, the committee unanimously re-elected Cavanaugh as chair and Fargiano as vice chair. …

The committee spent some time looking at a proposed calendar for the next year of meetings and will finalize the dates at a future meeting. …

Member Lya Batlle-Rafferty asked about scheduling of MCAS for students who were out sick with COVID-19. The superintendent reported that numbers were decreasing and that the students and their parents don’t have to worry if they couldn’t participate in the testing.

(508) 881-0001 ashlandlandscape.com

DAY!

PROUD SPONSOR

Hopkinton Music Association & Hillers Robotics

HopkintonIndependent.com

In today’s market, the stakes are high, decisions are swift, and there is immense pressure on everyone. Want your offer to stand out?

Call me! I would be happy to answer all of your questions.

(508) 245-4334 508fitz.com

508fitz@gmail.com

16 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Business BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Guaranteed Rate devoted to clients, community Branch manager Bryan Brown and his wife, Kristen, are raising their children in Hopkinton.

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

B

ryan Brown, branch manager at Guaranteed Rate, is all about the big picture. Day to day, he and his team at Guaranteed Rate are committed to finding mortgage solutions for their clients, but Brown also is focused on what his work will mean decades from now.

“I’m very passionate about the community, and as somebody who manages a business, I think I can have a lot of impact,” Brown says. “I want my kids to look back 30 years from now and tell me, ‘Dad, Hopkinton was an amazing place to grow up, and some of the stuff you did in the business community had a lot to do with that.’ ” In addition to managing Guaranteed Rate, Brown is the vice president of the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, for which he recently spearheaded Restaurant Week, and the former president and co-founder of the Hopkinton chapter of the networking group BNI. He has also been involved in Hopkinton schools and sports, including coaching all three of his children’s teams.

Guaranteed Rate is a direct mortgage lender that offers a variety of services, including refinance and purchase loans,

home equity loans and lines of credit, interest-only loans, debt consolidation, reverse mortgages, commercial loans and investment property loans. The company’s attractive interest rates are one of the things that set it apart, Brown says, in addition to its use of technology.

“People feel like it’s a ton of paperwork to get a mortgage,” Brown explains, “but technology has changed that. Now we can close loans in less than 10 days, when it used to be a painstaking

Let me help you look your best this year!

Gardener Plus

BOTOX & DERMAL FILLERS

Your old-fashioned perennial gardener

SPRING & FALL CLEAN-UPS

Free consultation

Planting Pruning Weeding Mulching mention this ad and receive

David Brunelle, RN

process that would take 60 days.”

The team’s attention to customer service also distinguishes Guaranteed Rate. Clients have 24/7 access to Brown and also receive a mortgage concierge who proactively reaches out to them throughout the process. “We work tirelessly on service and are actively talking about client experience each day,” Brown says.

For those who are considering purchasing this year, Brown confirms that

10% off first treatment

508-797-7471• Medspa.service@gmail.com

new clients only

~ Call for our full list of services ~

Washington Bar b alho

508.881. 2 2 64

Special Event! Father’s Day Weekend: Tanks, Wings and Wheels Featuring American Elegance MUSEUM OPEN: WED. TO SUN. 10 AM TO 5 PM

June 18th & 19th - Tanks, Wings & Wheels

Join us at the American Heritage Museum for a special living history weekend. WWII tank rides available. Classic car show and more!

568 Main Street, Hudson, MA (978) 562-9182 www.AmericanHeritageMuseum.org HopkintonIndependent.com

it’s a difficult market, but he encourages clients to be persistent and patient and not get discouraged. “It could take a while, but the home of your dreams is still attainable,” he says.

Despite the challenges, Brown is motivated by his clients’ success stories. “[Recently] we closed a loan for a veteran in 10 business days, and the client put no money down. It made me feel really good,” Brown shares. “He is now happily living in a home that he thought he was going to lose.”

Brown was nervous when he relocated to Hopkinton from Waltham in 2015, but he was quickly welcomed into the fold. “I never felt a sense of community until I moved to Hopkinton.

I finally felt rooted,” he shares. “I’m so appreciative of everyone for supporting my business and my family. I also want to thank our town leadership and all the people who make the community as safe and strong as it is.”

Guaranteed Rate is located at 22 South Street, Suite 201. To learn more, call 978-870-7138 or visit rate.com/ BryanBrown.

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

Local company acquired Hopkinton-based United Solutions, a construction software reseller, recently was acquired by Aktion Associates, Inc. United Solutions, located at 77 Main Street, has BUSINESS been in business for more BRIEFS than 37 years, advising and providing services to thousands of construction companies, according to a May 1 press release from Ohiobased Aktion announcing the transaction.

“On behalf of the team at United Solutions and our Sage CRE [construction and real estate management software] customer base, I am thrilled to be joining forces with one of the most respected Sage business partners in North America, Aktion Associates,” United Solutions owner Greg Kirshe stated. “I have known [Aktion CEO] Scott Irwin for over 25 years and have admired the way he managed and grew his business but most importantly was always impressed with the quality of the people with whom he surrounded himself. … After 37 years of running United Solutions, I look forward to becoming a member of a larger team, continuing to serve our clients and finding new construction companies in search of improving their company through our technology, services and expertise.”

MRMC receives top safety grade Milford Regional Medical Center (MRMC) received an ‘A’ safety grade from Leapfrog Group in its spring 2022 rankings, recognizing the hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error. This marks Business briefs | 17

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 17

Business BUSINESS PROFILE: AN ADVERTISER FEATURE

Under Pressure puts the sparkle back in homeowners’ eyes it” in order to stop problems before they evolve.

“Spring and summer feel short in New England,” Mercer says, “and the beautiful part about what we do is it helps homeowners enjoy the outdoors more — your decks, your patios, your pool decks. When your outdoor space is cleaned properly, it’s like a magnet for gatherings.”

Having a successful business is great, Mercer says, but it’s the feel-good results that really motivate him. “When people come home and feel pride in their house again, that’s what I love. We’re all in this together, right? The good-feeling vibes are what we’re all after, and we’re happy to offer that.”

To learn more, visit underpressurewash.com or call 508-422-0700.

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

By Christie Vogt Contributing Writer

E

xterior cleaning company Under Pressure is celebrating its 22nd year of “helping homeowners and business owners love and revive their properties,” says owner Mark Mercer. “Even after all this time, we still love what we do.”

The Hopkinton-based company has seen impressive growth in recent years, which had led Under Pressure to expand its team and franchise its business; a northern Georgia division of the company is set to launch this year.

“When the pandemic hit and homeowners were working from home and noticing exterior issues, we were absolutely slammed with work,” Mercer explains. Under Pressure’s services include hot and cold pressure washes in addition to soft washes. From roofs to siding, windows, gutters, solar panels, decks and patios, the company does it all when it comes to exterior cleaning.

Proper technique and products are integral to the company’s customer-approved work, Mercer says. He cautions that anyone can go and buy a pressure washer, but without skilled training, property damage may occur. “People think the pressure is what cleans, but

MRMC receives top safety grade Business briefs | from page 16

the eighth consecutive period in which MRMC has received the top grade.

“Patient safety is our highest priority. Our ability to maintain exemplary performance on this front is only possible due to a commitment by many throughout our inpatient and outpatient settings,” said Milford Regional President and CEO Edward J. Kelly. “We take great pride in our comprehensive safety efforts.”

In other MRMC news, Kelly was selected as one of Central Massachusetts’ “Power 50” by the Worcester Business Journal. The list reflects the editorial team’s determinations of the most influential professionals to Central Massachusetts’ economy in the last 12 months. The 2022 Power 50 list was published on May 2.

Kelly, who has served the hospital industry for nearly 40 years, was honored in the category of health care.

“The entire Milford Regional community is proud of Ed’s selection to this influential list,” said Milford Regional Board of Trustees Chair Laura A. Mann.

“We are grateful for Ed’s many years of leadership at Milford Regional, and his talents have particularly shone during the past two years of COVID-19 challenges.

Ed is a thoughtful and compassionate leader who has successfully leveraged his steady business acumen to lead our community to new and innovative growth.”

Kelly was appointed as president and CEO at Milford Regional in 2016, following eight years as president. He also served as executive vice president from 1998-2008 and chief financial officer from 1993-98. He holds an MBA from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Science from Babson College.

Mark Mercer poses with his children at Under Pressure’s facility in Hopkinton.

it’s actually eco-friendly chemistry that does the cleaning,” Mercer explains. “For example, we do not pressure wash houses; we offer a soft washing process that is very gentle on siding and does not remove paint.”

Pressure washing, which the company uses for areas like decks and patios, can be dangerous, Mercer adds. Homeowners might etch surfaces or force water under their siding.

As for pressure washing off a ladder? “That’s a recipe for disaster,” he says.

“Learning the craft takes time,” Mercer explains. “Our assistant technicians spend about a year working to understand the craft and skill necessary to become a lead technician.”

Mercer, who has lived in Hopkinton with his family for 12 years, says that customer relationships and trust are one of the biggest takeaways of his many years in business. “All we do is exterior cleaning. We’re not handymen who also do power washing. This gives customers peace of mind that they have hired the right professionals to touch their house.”

Eager to thank the town of Hopkinton for its support, Mercer says he does not take residents’ business for granted.

Happy customers also have prompted the company to offer an automated maintenance plan with annual service visits.

Homeowners often wait until they have an issue to call Under Pressure, Mercer explains, so the goal is to “set it and forget

Invites you to celebrate with us Our New Company Name Same great service! & Our Expanded Facility June 29 at 4 pm Ribbon Cutting & Refreshments 1 Lumber Street, Suite 207A Hopkinton Darcy Repucci, MS, CCC-A Licensed Audiologist

HopkintonAudiology.com

PLUMBING - HEATING - COOLING Residential

Assisting the Affluent With Key Financial Concerns • Investment Consulting • Wealth Enhancement • Wealth Transfer • Wealth Protection • Charitable giving

Investable Assets: $1,000,000+

508-435-1281

www.blackstonevalleywealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group and Blackstone Valley Wealth Management, LLC. are separate entities from LPL Financial.

HopkintonIndependent.com

Commercial

Industrial

Stay Cool This Summer Check Your AC Now! Call Today for Service Service Work • Repairs • Boilers Water Heaters • Remodeling • New Construction Air Conditioning • Heat Pumps • Mini-Splits We offer 0% interest for 7 years under Mass Save.

508-875-3413 • ShahoodPlumbing.com 35 Main Street-Rear, Hopkinton Fully licensed and insured

18 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

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.

Steven Beck It is with our family’s great sorrow that we announce the passing of Steve Beck on May 21. Steve is survived by his wife, Diana, daughter, Natalie, and son, Andrew; his father, William Beck and wife Yong Hui of Gardner; brother Gerald (Jerry) Beck and wife Judy of Holderness, New Hampshire; brother Timothy Beck and wife Robin of Boothbay, Maine; brother David Beck of Hopkinton; sister Sharon Beck of Hartsville, South Carolina; stepsister Kathy Zimmerman and husband Tim of Hudson; and many nieces and nephews.

Steve died by suicide after a long and painful battle with depression. He was 59 years old.

Steve was born April 18, 1963, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, the fifth child of William C. Beck Jr. and the late Virginia Shea Beck. In addition to Bradford, Steve spent time in Wellesley and Yarmouth.

After graduating from the George School in 1982, he received a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in 1986 and a master’s from UMass Boston in 1991.

Steve’s career was rooted in service to others. After college, he worked with adolescents and adults with disabilities as well as with adults in prison. As a licensed psychotherapist, Steve worked at Northeast Health Services in Taunton from 1998-2019 and started a private practice in 2000. He was committed to providing quality and affirming care to his clients, dedicating himself to improving the emotional well being of others. Steve trained in the Advanced Training Program in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute. There he learned in depth about intensive long-term psychotherapy, through three years of classwork and supervision from senior clinicians. He had completed almost all of the requirements for graduation and hoped to graduate in the coming year.

For the past several years, Steve belonged to the Hopkinton Running Club, participating in 5K races and weekly runs with friends. He enjoyed playing tennis, biking and hiking around Lake Whitehall and swimming and kayaking at Sandy Beach in Hopkinton. He especially loved annual summer vacations with family at Doolittle Lake in Norfolk, Connecticut, where he and Diana married on Aug. 5, 2000.

Together he and Diana raised their family in Hopkinton, developing close friendships with many families in the community. Steve’s dedication to his family was immense. He loved his time with his children, caring for them when they were young and showing them the joys of nature and music and the importance of fun as they grew. As part of two close families, Steve and Diana hosted large gatherings for Thanksgiving and

Christmas, bringing family together through love and laughter. Since 2008, they have been members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Westborough, where Steve was a volunteer in the religious education program.

Steve was a thoughtful and compassionate listener and enjoyed time spent with family and friends. Steve was sincere, kind, intentional and funny. His sense of humor was infectious. He was deeply loved by his family and will be forever missed.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 11, at noon at the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society in Westborough. Attendees are required to wear masks and be vaccinated. There will be a virtual option; link is available at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home website. Private burials will take place in Newton on Friday, June 10, and in Norfolk, Connecticut, on Thursday, July 28.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Steve to the Pastoral Counseling Center of Westborough (pccofma.org/donate).

Joseph Kelley Joseph M. Kelley, son of the late William and Gertrude Kelley, passed away at Taylor Community in Laconia, New Hampshire, on May 29.

He graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in electrical engineering after serving in the United States Air Force. He spent over 30 years of his career working for Raytheon, principally in Wayland and Sudbury, and was a noted specialist in EMI/TEMPEST. He is survived by his wife, Helen S. Kelley, their two children, John J. Kelley and Patricia A. Kelley, and their granddaughter, Alexandra A. Kelley.

A graveside service was held June 3 in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton.

Services were under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home.

Kevin Power Kevin Michael Power, 54, of Hopkinton passed away at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer. Kevin was the husband of Kerry (Williams) Power, with whom he celebrated 30 years of marriage in October.

He was the devoted father to Michael C. Power, Brittany J. Power and Alexandria E. Power, all of Hopkinton.

For the past 15 years, Kevin worked for USAA. An avid Patriots fan, he was a season ticket holder and took pleasure in attending the games with his brother, Mark. Kevin loved family vacations in Wells, Maine. He was a volunteer for the Boston Marathon and the BAA Half Marathon for the Jimmy Fund. Kevin spent some of his free time at the driving range, learning the game of golf with his children and wife.

In addition to his wife and children, Kevin is survived by his parents, Patrick and Elizabeth (Myette) Power of Somerville; his siblings, Mark J. Power and wife Bianica of Grafton, Steven P. Power and partner David Hautanen of Dorchester, Deborah Power and Lynne Power both of Somerville. He also is

survived by his mother-in-law, Florence (Honey) Williams of Arlington, sister in law, Maura Carlino and husband David of Burlington, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated June 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkinton. Services were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or jimmyfund.org.

Anna Lambert Anna M. (Volpe) Lambert, age 85, of Hopkinton and formerly of Holliston and Milford, passed away May 29 after a period of declining health.

She was the wife of the late Clement T. Lambert.

Anna had been the office manager for 42 years at her husband’s CPA firm, CT Lambert and Associate in Framingham. She previously had worked at the former Draper Corporation for 10 years.

She was born July 27, 1936, in Milford, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary (Cassanta) Volpe and was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, class of 1950.

Anna was a member of the Sons of Italy-Loggia in Milford and was a board member and volunteer at Project Just Because, Inc., in Hopkinton for 20 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna and husband Timothy Macaulay of Maine and Cherylann Lambert Walsh of Hopkinton; and her grandchildren, Amanda, Collin, Amber and Marissa.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Lawrence Volpe, Grace Noferi, Neta Anatelli and Connie Volpe.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held June 10 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Milford, followed by a celebration of Anna’s life at the family’s home in Hopkinton. Interment was private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Anna’s name may be made to Project Just Because, Inc., 109 South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

Leonard Robbins Leonard S. Robbins of Hopkinton entered into rest on May 31 at the age of 78.

He was the dear son of the late Maurice and Matilda (Trager) Robbins, loving brother of the late Cheryl Kaplan, Phyllis Robbins and Jeffrey Robbins, and cherished uncle of Scott and Ross Kaplan.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, Canton, followed by burial at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Leonard may be made to Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, 500 Legacy Farms North, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or baypathhumane.org/support.

HopkintonIndependent.com

Deborah Nappi Deborah Anne Nappi (Franks) passed away on May 30 at home. Debbie was born March 2, 1960, in the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea, daughter of the late William C. and Elizabeth A (Willis) Franks. She grew up in Milford and Hopedale. She graduated Hopedale High School in 1978 and was granted a technical scholarship attending Leo’s Beauty Academy in Worcester, earning a hairdressing license. She became an accomplished hairdresser, working in area shops. She married Martin Vincent Nappi in 1982 at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Milford. She left hairdressing after five years and went to work for Data General as an administrative assistant until it closed. She gave birth to her son, Thomas Vincent Nappi, in June 1987, and her daughter, Amanda Pamela Nappi, in January 1989. The children attended Milford schools.

In 1992, Debbie went back to school at Newbury Junior College and earned a degree in culinary arts. For nearly two years she was the only female chef at Vidalia’s Restaurant in Milford. In 1998, the family moved to Plaxtol, England, living there for two years as Martin established the European division of a company called Green Hills Software. Debbie was essential in using her skills as an administrative assistant in organizing these efforts while raising her family. They moved back to Milford in 2000, and both children graduated Milford High School. Thomas attended Dean College, where he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in communications, and now is the news director at Hopkinton Community Access & Media (HCAM). Amanda attended Worcester Community College and studied advanced photography.

Debbie was a wonderful mother and a fantastic wife! She excelled at caring for her family and being there in every situation — not to mention the magnificent meals she fed her family every day!

Deborah leaves behind her beloved husband of 40 years, Martin Nappi, and son, Thomas Nappi. She was predeceased by her daughter, Amanda Nappi, and leaves behind her three grandchildren, Chloe, Cameron and Colby Nappi, whom she loved dearly! Deborah also leaves behind three sisters, Katherine and husband Frank Trufant of Franklin, Marie McCann of Mendon, and Caroline and husband Gerry Wilson of Hopedale, and one brother, Norman Franks and wife Amy (Phillips) of Hopedale.

She was predeceased by two brothers, William Franks, formerly of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and John Franks, formerly of Milford. Deborah also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their extended families as well as numerous friends who loved her dearly. Debbie was known for her kindness, her understanding and her loving ways. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. May her sweet, beautiful soul rest in peace.

A funeral Mass was held June 7 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Hopedale.

Services were under the care of Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home, Milford.

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 19

Calendar

SAFE IN YOUR HANDS WITH WI-FI ®

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.

at 45 South Street, as well in front of homes at 8 Price Street, 1 Ledgestone Drive and 31 Valleywood Drive. Donations also will be accepted at the Timlin 5K on June 18.

For more information, email carolynajohnson68@gmail.com.

HOP Movie Night at Hopkinton Middle School June 18

MBCC Against the Tide at State Park June 18

Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) will host a free family-friendly drive-up movie — Disney/Pixar’s “Luca” — for the Hopkinton community on Saturday, June 17, from 6:45-9:30 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School parking lot. Attendees also can walk up with a blanket or chairs. Complimentary frozen treats from Hop-Yo and popcorn will be available from 6:45 until the movie starts at 7:30, and moviegoers are invited to bring their own snacks and drinks as well.

For more information and to register, visit hopkinton-youth--family-services.ticketleap.com/hop-movie-night.

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) will host its annual Against the Tide event on Saturday, June 18, at Hopkinton State Park. The event features multiple competitions and recreational activities, including a half-mile or 1-mile swim, a 5K or 10K run and a 3-mile fitness walk. There also will be a virtual component from June 11-18. Proceeds benefit MBCC’s work toward breast cancer prevention, locally and nationally.

For more information and to register, visit mbcc.org/swim.

Timlin Event at HHS June 18 Registration is open for the 19th annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Event, which is returning in person to Hopkinton High School on June 18. The event, also called A Race to Cure ALS, will retain a virtual component this year. The 5K road race and family fun day is a fundraiser for The Angel Fund for ALS Research. The 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the family fun day activities with live music, food, games, raffles, a silent auction and other activities until noon. For more information or to register, visit sharontimlinrace.org.

Girl Scouts host sneaker donation drive Hopkinton High School Girl Scout Troop 65294 is holding an athletic shoe drive through the summer. New and used sneakers are being collected and sent to GotSneakers, an organization that repurposes footwear that otherwise would be thrown away. Donation bins in Hopkinton can be found at Resilience Fitness, located

LiftMaster© 87504 Garage Door Opener

JOLICOEUR OVERHEAD DOORS 745 South Main St., Bellingham, MA 02019 508-883-4522 • w w w.m yg a ra g e d oor.co m ©

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

The second annual LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, sponsored by the Hopkinton Freedom Team and in collaboration with Hopkinton Youth & Family Services and the Hopkinton Youth Commission, is scheduled for Sunday, June 19, from 2-5:30 p.m. Participants will parade one lap of Loop Road around the schools from 3-4 p.m. and then gather on Field 1 behind Hopkinton Middle School for a celebration from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit hopkintonfreedomteam.org.

Weekly Farmers Market Sundays at Town Common The Hopkinton Farmers Market returns to the Town Common on Sundays from 1-5 p.m., starting June 12 and running through Oct. 16. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers again will receive a $10 incentive for a $10 purchase, and there will be Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) benefits as well.

For information, including a list of vendors for each week, visit hopkintonfarmersmarket.com.

HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Music For Memory Concert | June 24 | 1:00 p.m.

A concert for individuals with memory issues and their families/caregivers. Join Ken DoRosario for a fun hour of music.

Ken is a music therapist from the Greater Boston area. He will not only entertain but encourage audience participation in both singing and playing instruments along with him. This is a FREE event but registration is encouraged.

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

Freedom Team Pride Parade June 19

Event Calendar Sponsored by The Barbara Corbett Memorial Summer Kick-Off Concert | June 18 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | RUMBLEKATS Experience the retro sound of the RUMBLEKATS rooted in rock and roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues music of the 1950s. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and snacks and get ready to have a great time. Wine, beer, and food available for purchase.

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

Summer Arts Series Concert: June 24 Hot Acoustics | 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Hot Acoustics is a high-energy dance band that is always a crowd pleaser! Our friends from Cocktails will be on hand serving wine and beer for purchase. Larry Joe’s New England Firepit will also be here serving up the best hot dogs, sausages, and pastrami sandwiches around. This concert will be held inside The Delbridge Family Performance Space. Sponsored

by Phipps and MAPFRE Insurance and DELL Technologies.

Summer Arts Series Concert: June 25 Bob Wolfman Band | 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The Bob Wolfman Band brings its blues and rock guitars showcased across New England for well over 25 years. Don’t miss this Jimi Hendrix Tribute! This concert will be held inside The Delbridge Family Performance Space. Wine, beer, and food available for purchase. Sponsored by Phipps and MAPFRE Insurance.

In an effort to the make the arts accessible for all, our Summer Arts Series Concerts are on a Pay-What-You-Can basis when you reserve you tickets!

MERCURY RECOVERY PROGRAM Mercury is an element that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly.

Mercury is found in products such as:

Thermostats

Thermometers

Mercury Switches

Please contact your local Board of Health or Department of Public Works for information on where to safely dispose of these items. keepmercuryfromrising.org

Your Arts Center | Tickets & Details at HopArtsCenter.org HopkintonIndependent.com

Fluorescent Lamps

SPONSORED BY

20 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

Sports HHS unified track wins D2 championship T

he Hopkinton High School unified track and field team ended its season on a high note late last month, winning the Division 2 state championship meet.

Dylan Gedman finished first in the javelin and Chase Dickson won the 400 meters. Those two then joined Jonah Stone and Anthony Nicolazzo to win the 4x100 relay.

In the long jump, John Murray took first, Ciaran Halliday finished fourth and Jack Malone took fifth.

Powers takes discus title

PHOTO/HHS ATHLETICS

Senior Kate Powers won the discus at the Division 2 state track and field championships over Memorial Day weekend, setting a meet record in the process with a heave of 139 feet, 6 inches. Powers also finished third in the shot put. …

On the boys side, junior Sean Golembiewski finished second in the 110-meter hurdles. Golembiewski was back at it the following weekend, when

The HHS unified track and field team celebrates its Division 2 state title during a banner ceremony June 1.

Antiques Purchased Cleaning Out? Downsizing?

Looking to declutter?

Let me help you find value in your possessions.

Wanted: items of interest and curiosity - Free Housecalls - 7 Days a Week - Friendly Prompt Service Buying since 1984

Call Bert 617-733-8863

he broke his own school record as he finished third in the 110 hurdles at the Meet of Champions.

Tennis teams have early success HHS boys tennis advanced to the Division 2 quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over Wakefield on June 8. Lex Kaye won his match at first singles, 6-0.

6-4. Pranav Kapur won at third singles, 6-1, 6-4. Spencer Smith and Rishit Shekhar pulled out an exciting win at first doubles, 6-3, 5-7, 10-8. At second doubles, TJ Weeden and Andrew Palacios cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 decision.

The Hillers, who opened postsea-

son play June 6 with a 4-1 victory over Beverly, were to face Duxbury in the quarterfinals late last week. …

HHS girls tennis, the No. 5 seed in Division 2, hosted North Attleboro on June 7 and walked away with a 5-0 victory. Singles matches were won by Paula Sendele (6-0, 6-1), Riley Krattenmaker (6-2, 6-1) and Victoria Allen (6-0, 6-3). Hailey Kessler and Romy Zinman won at first doubles, 6-0, 6-2, while Evanya Mathur and Aarushi Kamra won at second doubles, 6-3, 6-1.

The Hillers were to host Westwood late last week.

Baseball wins thriller Joe Carrazza ripped a run-scoring

HOPKINTON HOMEWinterIMPROVEMENT Services Snow Plowing & Roof Snow Removal

• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Winter Services •Snow DeckPlowing Replacement RepairRemoval & Roof&Snow CARPENTRY•INTERIOR&EXTERIORPAINTING • Window & Door Replacement CARPENTRY•INTERIOR&EXTERIORPAINTING • Wood Flooring Installation & Refinishing • Window & Door Replacement • Basement Finished • Kitchen & Bathroom •Remodeling Siding - Roof Masonry – • Decks ••Wood Flooring Walk Way & Patio • Siding • Roofs • Masonry • Power Washing • Power Washing • Painting • Gutter Repairs & Cleaning • Carpentry • Basement Finishing

Detailed & Meticulous Reasonable Rates Reasonable Rates Call Mauricio Call Mauricio

508.202.8602 508.202.8602 FULLY INSURED MA HIC.#169427

FULLY INSURED

MA HIC.#169427

single down the right field line in the ninth inning to score Joe Scardino and give the HHS baseball team a 1-0 walkoff victory over Norwood on June 8 in the Division 2 state tournament.

The game was a pitcher’s duel between Hopkinton’s Andrew Gaughan and Norwood’s Jack Cropper, who both pitched outstanding until giving way to relievers late in the game.

The sixth-seeded Hillers, who opened tournament play with an 11-5 victory over Holliston on June 6, advanced to the quarterfinal round to play third-seeded Mansfield on June 11.

HHS softball, seeded 36th in Division 1, lost to Wachusett, 12-0, on June 6. One day earlier, the girls traveled to 29th-seeded Marshfield and took home a 9-1 victory in the preliminary round, led by pitcher Charlotte Cann.

Boys lacrosse bows out Chinese Restaurant & Lounge

Celebrate Father’s Day With Us!

HHS boys lacrosse saw its season come to an end June 8 with a 15-3 loss to host Marblehead. The Hillers, the No. 23 seed in Division 2, did not score their first goal until there was 85 seconds remaining in the third quarter. At that point, Marblehead, the 10th seed, already had 11 goals. Owen MacDonald scored two of the Hopkinton goals …

Emma Canestrari and Lindsay Hong competed in the girls golf sectional championship June 1. Canestrari shot 92 while Hong shot 94, both missing the cut by a few strokes.

Diving coach honored

OPEN LUNCH & DINNER

DINE-IN • BAR • TAKEOUT • DELIVERY 77 West Main Street, Hopkinton DynastyChineseMA.com

508-435-8088 HopkintonIndependent.com

Longtime HHS diving coach Jim Brainerd recently was recognized at the Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association banquet for his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Since he started working with the Hillers in 2007, Brainerd has coached 14 league champions, eight sectional champions and four state champions as well as three All-American divers.

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 21

The library will be closed June 18 and June 20 in recognition of Juneteenth.

Guided Trail Walk with HPL/Hopkinton Trails Club Thursday, June 16, 6-7:30 p.m., Hughes Trail The Hopkinton Public Library and the Hopkinton Trails Club are combining for a summer series of easy guided trail walks in Hopkinton. Participants will experience the trails while learning about the green spaces in town. No walking or hiking experience is needed. Walks will last 1-2 hours and cover roughly 1.5-2 miles. Participants should bring water, wear sneakers or hiking shoes and wear bug spray. Walkers will gather at 6 p.m. at the designated trail parking area. The first walk is the Hughes Trail, which starts at 192 Hayden Rowe Street. Visit the library’s website calendar for more info.

Summer Reading Starts June 23 Summer reading programs for adults, young adults and children start June 23.

Participants can earn points to be eligible for prize drawings while reading great

The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter. com. Anyone with questions can call 508497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

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.

Outreach Services The Senior Center has an Outreach Department that can help individuals identify assistance programs, borrow durable medical equipment, get transportation help, learn about SMOC fuel assistance applications and more. To make an appointment or learn more about how the Outreach Department can help, call the Senior Center.

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

Cornhole is a fun, beanbag toss game,

Birds of Prey

Single Item to Complete clean-outs

Schedule Update

books, attending great programs and more.

The online registration link at the library website will be live on June 23.

Monday, June 27, 2-3 p.m.

Get up close with some feathered friends. Find out why hawks, owls, eagles, ospreys and falcons are considered birds of prey, and discover their diversity while meeting three species native to Massachusetts. Animal experts will share some tips to help spot these birds in the area.

This program is targeted for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers. Registration is required and will open one week prior to the event.

“Made You Look!”

YOU POINT. WE REMOVE.

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

Terrific Turtles with Joy Marzolf Tuesday, June 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Joy Marzolf of The Joys of Nature will lead an informative presentation for all ages. Attendees will learn about turtles in New England from tiny musk turtles to seasonal sea turtle visitors, as well as how to help some of the most endangered turtles.

IT’S TERMITE SWARM SEASON LET US KEEP YOUR HOME TERMITE FREE Licensed & insured.

All work guaranteed.

Our Coyote Neighbors with John Maguranis

Family Owned & Operated

WPC Pest & Termite Control

Thursday, June 30, 6-7:30 p.m.

This program focuses on learning to coexist with coyotes. John Maguranis has a great ability to distill information from scientists, researchers and biologists and present it in a way that is meaningful and memorable.

Call today 508-435-2211 nobugsnopests.com

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.

J.M.W. Turner: The Pride of Great Britain Thursday, June 16, 1-2 p.m.

J.M.W. Turner is one of Great Britain’s most controversial and beloved 19th century painters. Participants will explore his light-infused images with bright colors and unusual brushwork, which were a mystery to many of those around him and a powerful inspiration to those who followed.

Antarctica and its Penguins Thursday, June 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (virtual program) Antarctica is known as the coldest, windiest and driest continent in the world.

It also is home to many of the world’s penguin species. Attendees will learn all about these incredible birds while also visiting Antarctica and Patagonia in this exciting armchair lecture.

Music for Adults With Memory Issues Friday, June 24, 1-2 p.m.

This special musical concert for individuals living with memory issues and their families and caregivers will be held at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (98 Hayden Rowe Street). Ken DoRosario is a music therapist who will not only entertain but encourage audience participation, both singing and playing instruments with him.

Registration for this free event is available at HopArtsCenter.org.

Whether you’re building or buying a new home, want to make improvements to your current home or looking to refinance, we have

the loan you need.

Our experts have been serving the financial needs of the community for over 150 years!

Call or email Dave for competitive rates for conventional and jumbo mortgages today!

Dave Sampson

VP, Mortgage Consultant David.Sampson@unibank.com 508.849.4323 • NMLS #688948

Connecting all offices: 1.800.578.4270 • www.unibank.com UniBank NMLS #583135 • Member FDIC/Member DIF

HopkintonIndependent.com

22 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 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.

May 24

11:00 a.m. The Middletown, Rhode Island, Police Department requested assistance locating an Everett Circle resident involved in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident in Middletown. Sergeant Scott van Raalten attempted to make contact and delivered the message.

7:27 p.m. A caller reported she was out

for a walk on Lilac Court when a German shepherd and two Rottweilers ran at her.

Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Basit Dennis responded and no dogs were found.

May 25

8:51 a.m. Sergeants Arthur Schofield and Scott van Raalten and Officer Matthew Santoro responded to a motor vehicle crash on Grove Street. A civil citation was issued to the driver.

4:02 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Main Street and took a report.

4:20 p.m. A caller reported a loose dog

on Woody Island Road. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Basit Dennis responded.

The dog was gone upon their arrival.

4:37 p.m. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Basit Dennis responded to a motor vehicle crash on Fruit Street. No personal injuries were reported. Eversource was notified about a snapped pole.

5:54 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator of a yellow school bus with children on it on West Main Street. The Upton Police Department was notified.

8:13 p.m. A Lakeshore Drive resident reported someone vandalized his vehicle.

Officers Jessica Ferreira and Robert Ekross responded and took a report.

9:50 p.m. A detail officer reported an erratic operator on West Main Street. Officers Jessica Ferreira and Robert Ekross responded and checked the area with a negative find.

May 26 INSTALLED CLEANED REPAIRED

$10 OFF

SEPTIC TANK CLEANING with same day payment.

Licensed Title 5 Inspector Family owned & operated since 1920

24 Hr Emergency Support • 508.435.3381 • Hopkinton • JCParmenterSeptic.com

Because Because Because Your Your Your Family's Family's Family's

6:33 a.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded to a motor vehicle crash on Main Street and located one vehicle in the CVS parking lot and the other at the Shell station.

No personal injuries were reported.

6:46 a.m. A caller reported two small dogs loose on Blueberry Lane. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and located the dogs and contacted the owner for pickup.

8:04 a.m. Officer Matthew Santoro assisted a disabled motor vehicle on East Main Street and helped pushed it off the roadway. A tow truck was en route.

9:29 a.m. A caller reported while out for a run around Lake Whitehall earlier in the morning, two dogs attacked his dog.

Officers Matthew Santoro and Nicholas Saletnik responded and took a report.

10:32 a.m. A Glen Road resident reported a sickly looking fawn in his driveway. The animal control officer was contacted.

5:16 p.m. Officers Jessica Ferreira and Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle accident involving two cars on West Main Street. No personal injuries were reported.

6:04 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle almost hit her on West Elm Street and she wanted the incident logged.

8:18 p.m. A caller reported she picked up a stray dog on Spring Street. The animal control officer was notified and made arrangements for pickup.

8:41 p.m. The Hartford Police Department in Connecticut requested an officer to deliver a message to a Marshall Avenue resident about a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident. Sergeant Matthew McNeil assisted and delivered the message.

Health Health Health & Safety &Because Safety & Safety Matters Matters Matters Most Most Most To Us To To UsUs Your Family’s Health & Safety Matters Most To Us

Because Your Family's

Health & Safety Matters Most To Us

May 27

2:22 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin checked on a person in a motor vehicle on Lakeshore Drive. The individual had been fishing, and he was moved along.

7:47 a.m. A caller reported suspicious activity on East Street, where a male in a white pickup truck attempted to open the front door of the caller’s home. He subsequently drove away. Officer Shannon Beloin responded and spoke with the caller and a child at the house and reported the man was a family friend dropping off some items. All was OK. 11:28 a.m. A Clinton Street resident reported an ongoing speeding complaint in the neighborhood at all times of the day, in both directions. Officer Shannon Beloin amily Family Owned Family Owned &Owned Operated & Operated &Operated Operated Serving Serving MetroWest Serving MetroWest MetroWest Boston Boston Since Boston Since 1968 Since 19681968 Family Owned & Serving MetroWest Boston Since 1968 added the street for extra enforcement.

12:03 p.m. The Upton Police Department reported an erratic operator crossing

SCOTT SCOTT SCOTT SEPTIC SEPTIC SEPTIC SCOTT SEPTIC www.scottseptic.com www.scottseptic.com www.scottseptic.com | 508.435.4168 | 508.435.4168 | 508.435.4168 www.scottseptic.com | 508.435.4168

2021

MetroWest 69

HopkintonIndependent.com

into Hopkinton on West Main Street in a black Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle was operating on the wrong side of the road for a good distance. Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and checked the area with a negative find.

12:07 p.m. A caller with an ongoing speeding complaint on Cedar Street Extension spoke with Officer Shannon Beloin, who added the street to the list for extra enforcement.

1:16 p.m. A walk-in reported a vehicle complaint on Hayden Rowe Street and provided Officer Shannon Beloin with a license plate number. Officer Beloin was to speak with the involved operator.

5:51 p.m. A Stoney Brook Road resident reported a sick fox in the area. The animal control officer was notified.

11:12 p.m. A Lumber Street caller reported an unknown woman was screaming at his residence. She subsequently took off in her car. Officers Matthew LaTour and Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

May 28

1:00 p.m. Officer Robert Ekross assisted a disabled motor vehicle that lost a tire on West Main Street and stood by while the tow truck responded.

1:42 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin responded along with the Fire Department to Ursla Drive, where smoke was found in a group home. The residents were evacuated.

May 29

12:48 p.m. A caller complained about the traffic backed up by the State Park on both sides of Cedar Street. Officer Shannon Beloin responded and reported the traffic was backed up inside the park but was flowing fine on Cedar Street.

2:24 p.m. Officers Cody Normandin and Shannon Beloin responded to a parking complaint on Cedar Street and removed a vehicle.

3:17 p.m. Officers Robert Ekross and Brennan Grimley responded to Cedar Street to assist the State Police with traffic control.

May 30

12:04 a.m. A Pond Street caller reported individuals flashing lights into his residence from the waterside portion of his property. The caller believed the individuals were on land, not on the lake. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Robert Ekross and Brennan Grimley responded and checked with the homeowner and the person with the flashlight.

12:20 a.m. A Thayer Heights Road resident complained of a dog barking in the neighborhood. Officer Sean McKeon responded. The caller called back and stated the dog was taken inside.

3:14 a.m. A motorist reported an erratic operator in a black Honda Civic on Main Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Sean McKeon responded, located the operator and advised him of the complaint.

10:41 a.m. A caller reported a vehicle pulled off into the wetland area on Dogwood Way and a young man poured something into the soil. The caller found it suspicious. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and spoke with the person, whose vehicle was disabled.

11:14 a.m. A caller complained that vehicles were parked on the side of Cedar Street by the State Park entrance, causing other motorists to drive around them and create a dangerous situation. Officer Matthew LaTour responded and reported he was speaking with DCR and the Environ-

The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022 • 23 mental Police to come up with a solution for the traffic and parking issues near the State Park.

1:58 p.m. A DCR employee reported a male caused a disturbance at the main gate of the State Park on Cedar Street and drove his car into the exit gate, then drove and parked his car at Carbone’s and took off on foot through the State Park without permission. Officer Matthew LaTour responded along with an Ashland police officer, DCR, and the Environmental Police.

3:20 p.m. A caller reported a back window was smashed at the former Center School on Ash Street. Officer Basit Dennis responded, viewed the vandalism and notified the facilities manager.

May 31

8:42 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street resident reported finding a boxer dog in her yard. The animal control officer was notified.

2:37 p.m. Officer Jessica Ferreira, Nicholas Saletnik and Matthew Santoro responded to a motor vehicle crash on Hayden Rowe Street that involved airbag deployment. No personal injuries were reported.

June 1

9:35 a.m. A caller reported an Amazon scam in which personal information was given. Officer Brittany Firth assisted and took a report.

1:17 p.m. A caller reported a lowhanging wire on Ash Street. Officer Matthew Santoro responded and confirmed the wires were hanging but were not a hazard.

Verizon was notified.

4:30 p.m. A caller complained of three motorcycles driving erratically on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Cody Normandin responded and checked the area with a negative find.

4:59 p.m. A caller reported her car tire was slashed the previous night around 8:30. Officer Cody Normandin responded and viewed the damage and took a report of vandalism.

5:47 p.m. A caller reported a road rage incident on Ash Street, where the other driver threw a soda can at the caller’s car.

Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Cody Normandin responded, caught up with the vehicle and took a report.

June 2

12:53 p.m. A walk-in reported some of her belongings were stolen. Officer Brittany Firth took a report.

7:26 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle on Constitution Court was on fire and smoking.

Officer Jessica Ferreira responded along with the Fire Department.

June 4

10:50 a.m. The Holliston Police Department reported a domestic assault in its town and stated the offender fled the scene and headed to Hopkinton. Officers Brendon Lyver, Sean McKeon and Basit Dennis responded to Ash Street and checked the area with a negative find.

4:03 p.m. A Holt Street caller complained of a neighbor having a party and multiple vehicles parked on both sides of the street, preventing cars from passing through. Officers Robert Ekross and Brennan Grimley responded and spoke with the homeowner. The vehicles were removed.

8:45 p.m. The Milford Police Department reported a motor vehicle crash on South Street in Hopkinton. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Cody Normandin responded and took a report.

June 5

12:44 a.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield checked the cemetery on Mayhew Street for a missing person. Officer Sean McKeon checked Sandy Beach with a negative find. The State Police were contacted for K-9 and trooper assistance. A report was to follow.

12:49 a.m. Officer Sean McKeon checked Lumber Street for a missing person with a negative find.

5:36 a.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Sean McKeon responded to Clinton Street to a call including numerous people in the background yelling. Sergeant Schofield reported an assault took place and the victim refused emergency medical services.

He took a report.

8:30 a.m. A Legacy Farms North resident reported construction equipment being operated on a Sunday in violation of town bylaw. The caller also stated the workers have been using the equipment earlier than 7 a.m. on weekdays. Officer Basit Dennis responded and spoke with the person operating the equipment and advised him of the bylaws, and he ceased operations.

10:28 a.m. Officer Cody Normandin assisted the Fire Department on Daniel Shays Road.

10:31 a.m. A walk-in reported a male approached her in the Price Chopper parking lot on West Main Street and asked several questions about her vehicle. He then took photos of a logo on her vehicle and left. The incident was logged.

11:13 a.m. A Granite Street resident reported vandalism. Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and took a report.

2:26 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious vehicle followed her on her walk on Clinton Street 15-20 minutes earlier. Officer Basit Dennis responded and checked the area with a negative find.

6:32 p.m. A caller reported what looked like a mother wrestling

Puppy Training Behavioral Issues Dog Walking

her son on Cedar Street. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil and Officer Jessica Ferreira responded and checked the area with a negative find.

7:03 p.m. Multiple callers reported two dogs running loose in and out of traffic on Wood Street. Officer Brennan Grimley responded and reported the owner took possession of the dogs.

June 6

4:15 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported hearing a couple of knocks on her window in the past 30 minutes and she requested an officer to check the area. Sergeant Matthew McNeil responded and checked the area with a negative find.

8:43 a.m. Officers Matthew Santoro and Nicholas Saletnik responded to a motor vehicle crash on Wood Street. No personal injuries were reported.

10:12 a.m. Officer Matthew Santoro investigated a harassment case on Hayden Rowe Street and took a report.

12:16 p.m. A business owner from Elmwood Industrial Park complained of construction vehicles parked on both sides of Elm Street making it difficult for cars and delivery trucks to pass.

Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Matthew Santoro responded and reported two vehicles were moved.

1:20 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle hit a stop sign on Prestwick Drive. Officer Basit Dennis responded and reported no personal injuries. The DPW was notified about the sign. A tow truck was requested.

2:19 p.m. A caller reported a lost dog running around on Hayward Street. The animal control officer was contacted.

4:45 p.m. A caller reported a landscaping truck drove past a bus with blinking lights and a stop sign out on Main Street. A message was left for the landscaping company.

DECK CABLING INSTALLED EXISTING AND NEW DECKS Stainless Steel Cable and Fittings Before & After photos at www.OffTheList.biz Call Paul 207-730-1529

Hopkinton, MA deckcabling@yahoo.com

Contractors and Realtors welcome. Fully insured.

PLUMBING • AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING Residential and Commercial

JOYCE

Fully Insured Barbara Carroll, Trainer

508.361.4409

DogHikesCatCare.com doghikescatcare@gmail.com

June 3

9:08 a.m. A caller reported speeding cars on Wedgewood Drive and wanted the complaint logged.

9:11 a.m. A caller reported vehicles speeding on Hayden Rowe Street.

9:27 a.m. A high school employee reported a sedan parked by the school entrance. Officer Basit Dennis responded and the vehicle was gone upon his arrival.

4:46 p.m. Officers Robert Ekross, Brennan Grimley and Cody Normandin responded to a motor vehicle crash with personal injuries on Overlook Drive.

Fire Department personnel evaluated the driver, who had a bruise on his forehead.

A tow truck was requested and removed the vehicle. The driver was picked up by a family member.

5:01 p.m. A security guard on South Street reported kids riding dirt bikes on Dell property. They were asked to leave the previous day. Sergeant Aaron O’Neil responded and reported the youths were gone upon his arrival, but he located them near Lake Maspenock and spoke to them and one of their parents.

HopkintonIndependent.com

FRtimEateEs

Es d& Licensreed Insu

508-497-6344

joyceplumbingandheating.com

24 • The Hopkinton Independent • June 15, 2022

CA R I N G L I V E-I N M A N AG E R S AVA I LA B L E 24/7

n

M O N T H-TO-M O N T H R E N T

n

N O B U Y-I N F E E S O R L E A S E S

UP TO $1,500*

FREE MOVE

FREE MOVING COSTS

Only a few apartments left.

Move to Fairview Estates by July 31, 2022, and a professional moving team will pack all of your belongings and move them for free.* Don’t miss this limited-time exclusive offer. When you make our friendly senior living community your home, you can relax and spend more time with new friends and family.

Call today to take advantage of this exclusive offer before July 31, 2022: 508-231-4950

Fairview Estates | 132 E. Main St., Hopkinton, MA 01748 Independent Living | retirementlivingmass.com

HopkintonIndependent.com

*Restrictions apply. Cannot be combined with other offers.