Hopkinton Independent January 15 2020

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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 20 | No. 1 | January 15, 2020

Full day to honor MLK

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

S

PHOTO/TRICIA LACASCIA PHOTOGRAPY

tudents will have the day off on Monday, Jan. 20, to commemorate Martin Luther King Day. Members of the Hopkinton Youth Commission hope they will view the observance as a “day on” at the Martin Luther King Day of Service at Hopkinton Middle School.

Participants in the event can perform community service, explore their creativity and learn more about motivation and leadership.

“We hope to inspire the youth of our community,” said Natalie Langlois, vice chair of the Hopkinton Youth Commission, which sponsors the day’s activities.

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Activities are open to all young people in Hopkinton, including organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and National Honor Society.

Activities include a free Dunkin’ Donuts continental breakfast and service projects in the gym. Young people

HANDS-ON APPROACH

Seventh-grader Reese Goldweber tries to maintain possession of the basketball while two Concord-Carlisle defenders reach in during a recent travel basketball game at Hopkinton Middle School’s Brown Gym.

MLK | 3

Cozzens embraces community at HCAM

INSIDE NEWS

By Gethin Coolbaugh Contributing Writer

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HCAM | 7

Hopkinton K9 Titan honored for rescue

4

SPORTS PHOTO/HCAM

im Cozzens’ television career began with aspirations of being the next big Hollywood filmmaker.

Not long after getting his first job in the industry, he discovered that he could make a bigger impact in local living rooms than on the silver screen.

“I originally wanted to be the next Steven Spielberg,” said Cozzens, who helped found Hopkinton Community Access & Media (HCAM-TV). “Within six months, I realized [that] rather than make a two-hour movie that millions of people would enjoy, I would rather spend my career at a small television station that a town could use every single day, and I’ve never left access TV since.”

Cozzens, born in Dudley, graduated from Boston University with a degree in broadcasting and film and previously

Among the full-time staff at HCAM are (from left) Mike Torosian, Matt Clark, Tom Nappi and Jim Cozzens. Missing is Bob Hamilton.

HHS boys hockey rolls through early schedule

12

SCHOOLS

State passes on town’s reimbursement request

14

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

Hopkinton Independent

Essay contest seeks to raise awareness of local veterans

The Hopkinton Independent is published by Hopkinton Independent, LLC, 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of the ad that was in error if notified in writing within three business days of the publication date. All material is the property of the Hopkinton Independent.

Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material. The Hopkinton Independent is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to 100 percent of the homes and businesses in Hopkinton, reaching more than 7,200 addresses. It also is available at Hopkinton Public Library and Town Hall as well as dozens of other sites through town.

STAFF

Publisher: David Bagdon Dir. of Business Development: Susanne Odell Farber Founder: Sarah Lothrop Duckett

Managing Editor: Jerry Spar Editorial contributors: JEAN CANN, LYN CALKINS, MICHELLE SANFORD, MELISSA ORFF, CHRIS VILLANI, DEBORAH BURKE HENDERSON, Tricia LaCascia, John Cardillo, Ed Turner, John Buday, Sandy Quadros Bowles, Christine Strickland, Gethin Coolbaugh

contact us:

For advertising, contact Susanne Odell Farber at: Cell: 508-954-8148 or email: sue@sodellconsult.com

Among the judges for Hopkinton’s Military History Essay Contest are (from left) Korean War veteran Pat Lynch, World War II veteran Dick Brault and Vietnam War veteran Hank Allessio.

H

Or you may call the Hopkinton Independent at: 508-435-5188 (office), 508-366-2812 (fax) 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.

opkinton has a proud military history, and some individuals in town want to make sure it’s not forgotten.

Spurred by an idea from longtime veterans advocate Hank Allessio, a group has started a Military History Essay Contest for high school seniors from Hopkinton.

With sponsorship INDEPENDENT from Phipps Insurance Agency and UniTHOUGHTS Bank, and support JERRY SPAR from the Association of the United States Army, the contest will award scholarships of $1,000 for the winner, $500 for second place and $300 for third place.

“The level of veterans interest and activities in Hopkinton compared to my knowledge of similar towns in Eastern Massachusetts is very strong,” said Al-

lessio, a Vietnam War veteran. “It was a matter of staring at the ceiling and saying, ‘What can we do with this?’ The thought occurred that one of the unfortunate things in town is we think American history, particularly American military history, is not taught [thoroughly] in the schools. … So we want to get them to write essays on some key military subjects. We could put together some very believable and accurate stories.”

Among those evaluating the essays are Joseph DePinto, CEO of 7-Eleven and a civilian aide to the secretary of defense, and state Rep. Carolyn Dykema, along with Allessio and fellow Hopkinton veterans Pat Lynch and Dick Brault.

Local attorney Ted Hoyt, a West Point alumnus and retired Green Beret, is one of the contest’s organizers.

“These World War II guys aren’t getting any younger, Korean War as well. The idea is to see if we can get some of the kids to go out and talk to them,” Hoyt said. “I think part of it is Independent thoughts | 3

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The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 3 Independent thoughts | from page 2

a lot of the veterans think that military history isn’t covered very well, if at all, in the schools. They feel it’s very important, and they want to drum up a little interest, get these kids thinking.

“A lot of these people right here amongst them, their grandparents and even some parents, have made some sacrifices,” Hoyt added. “It’s something that they should be proud of.”

Essays are due by Feb. 1, and winners will be announced on Memorial Day. For more information, email hopmilhistory@gmail.com.

Town mourns Fredette Hopkinton lost a longtime town employee when Michael Fredette passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 30 at the age of 54. (See obituary, Page 21).

Fredette graduated from Hopkinton High School in 1983 and worked for the Water Department for 33 years.

Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone reminisced about Fredette at the Jan. 7 Select Board meeting.

“I worked with Mike, I played softball with Mike, I drank with Mike, I fought with Mike — I didn’t often win fights with Mike,” Tedstone said. “Mike was a great guy.”

Added Tedstone: “The town’s heart goes out to the remaining Fredette family. He was a great guy, and we will miss him for a long, long time.”

Department of Public Works di-

rector John Westerling called Fredette “irreplaceable.”

“It was a tragic loss, an awful thing to have happened,” Westerling said.

“Our hearts go out to the family. It’s a very difficult time for the DPW. We appreciate the support, and we’ll find a way to make it forward.”

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Turkey drive continues After 15 years helping and then running an annual Thanksgiving turkey drive in town, Hopkinton High School senior Dylan Johnson is passing the torch as he prepares to head off to college. The project, started in 1998 by Dan Merzel, consists of students soliciting donations of food and money to help feed local families.

With support from the Hopkinton Country Club Charitable Foundation, along with classmates including Keelan Boyle, Ally Bird and Seth Jenkins, Johnson and friends raised enough to provide assistance to more than 120 people this past Thanksgiving.

HHS sophomore Charlotte Cann helped organize this past year’s event and will take the leadership role for next fall.

“The Turkey Drive has been a major part of my Thanksgiving celebration for the past 15 years, we have helped so many families in MetroWest!” Johnson stated via email. “I am happy to report that this great Hopkinton tradition is in very capable hands with Charlotte stepping up.”

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Annual MLK Day of Service planned for Jan. 20 Hopkinton and reminding participants that they don’t have to look past their can work on a mural of Martin Luther hometown to find people who need supKing and can create “mindfulness water port and assistance. The theme is “How bottles,” which people can shake to ease can we help Hopkinton?” stress and gain perspective.

As the town grows, so do the numFrom 9-9:45 a.m., Hopkinton High bers of people needing help, Langlois School graduate Tom Coburn will talk said.

“People might not be vocal about to participants about motivation and their needs and they might not be obvileadership. He is the CEO and coous,” but needs exist, she said. founder of Jebbit and co-founder of She hopes participants will “be reEnjoy Life Education, which focuses minded of the needs in our community.” on youth leadership development and As part of that effort, several collections will take place on that day.

Community outreach includes a gift card drive, which collects gift cards to be distributed to through Hopkinton Youth and Family Services and the Hopkinton — Hopkinton Youth Commission schools. vice chair Natalie Langlois Donated gift cards can be brought to the event Jan. 20 or anytime throughout the providing middle/high school students year at the Hopkinton Police Station, with the curriculum and community to all Hopkinton public school guidance live a happy life. offices and the Hopkinton Youth and Youngsters can do Yoga for Kids Family Services office at Town Hall. from 10-10:30 a.m. A free pizza lunch Snow pants and snow boots are bewill be served at noon. ing collected for students at Marathon This will be followed by the anElementary School.

Ear buds are neednual basketball game between the HHS ed for students at all schools in town. freshman boys team and a local Special Participants are welcome to spend Olympics squad. the entire day or visit for brief intervals, “That’s always a highlight,” LanLanglois said. glois said.

“Usually it’s a very good crowd,” The event reflects the nationwide she said, “It’s always a very busy day.

Martin Luther King Day of Service, You won’t be bored, for sure.” when Americans across the country The day offers the chance for the serve their neighborhoods and their community to unite, she said, by “getcommunities. ting out of the cold” and “doing someThis year, Langlois said, the emphathing worthwhile for others.” sis will be on serving residents within MLK | from page 1

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

Hopkinton K9 Titan lauded for rescuing woman T

he Hopkinton Police Department’s K9, Titan, was commended at the Jan. 7 Select Board meeting for his work rescuing a woman in Milford.

Hopkinton Police Chief Edward Lee shared a letter from his counterpart in Milford, Michael Pighetti, which detailed the heroics of Titan and his handler, Officer Brian Sanchioni.

On Dec. 20, Hopkinton K9 Titan at approximately 10 p.m., the Milford Police DepartNEWS BRIEFS ment received a call about a female who had left her home and had not returned.

Wrote Pighetti to Lee: “Your K9 responded within minutes. At approximately 10:30 p.m. Officer Sanchioni and Titan located the female some distance away, lying under a tree, in obvious physical distress, as she was improperly dressed for the existing conditions.”

With the temperature at 17 degrees, the woman was transported to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia.

“If it was not for Officer Sanchioni’s immediate response to our call and the specific training of K9 Titan to search for the missing person the incident quite possibly may have ended with tragic results,” Pighetti wrote. “Therefore, on behalf of the entire Milford community I wish to commend Officer Sanchioni and K9 Titan for their swift actions which may have very well saved the life of a young female who was in desperate need of assistance.”

Lee lauded Sanchioni for his efforts training and working with Titan.

“He puts in a tremendous amount of hours and he is totally dedicated to this endeavor,” Lee said. “A lot of responsibility. He’s pretty much with the dog 24/7, the dog goes home with him at night. They are a great working team.”

Sanchioni deferred credit to his companion. noting, “It’s his nose that

Ferreira chose Hopkinton despite being offered a position in her hometown.

“Everyone I knew always said great things about [Hopkinton],” she said. “I never heard one negative thing.”

The board also confirmed the town manager’s appointment of resident Kimberly Carson as the outreach coordinator in the Senior Services Department.

Two committee positions were filled as well, as Steve Levandovsky was appointed to the Open Space Preservation Commission, filling an at-large vacancy that will expire in June 2024, and Teri Nelson was appointed to the Veterans Celebration Committee, filling a vacancy that expires in June 2022.

Scouts honored Eagle Scouts honored at the Dec. 17 Select Board meeting were (from left) Ryan Canfield, Andrew D’Alleva and Ethan Ritterbusch. They are pictured with Select Board members (from left) John Coutinho, Brendan Tedstone, Irfan Nasrullah, Mary Jo LaFreniere and Brian Herr.

works, not mine.”

“I just get to hold the leash,” he said.

“It’s an honor for me to be able to watch him work. It’s something we enjoy doing every day. Our department is very supportive of us. We are not always around, we have to spend a lot of hours for training. But that training is so when we go to calls like this, to me and him it’s just another training day.”

Hayden Rowe/Chestnut project advances The long-delayed project to improve the intersection at Hayden Rowe and Chestnut Street took a big step forward when Verizon finally adjusted the wires and removed the utility poles.

New full-service traffic lights were set up late in 2018, but the project suffered two lengthy delays while the town waited for Verizon to do some work.

Jersey barriers lined the intersection for months.

The town’s contractor was due to return earlier this week to remove the barriers and pave the shoulders where the road was widened.

“The majority of the work is com-

plete by the town’s contractor,” Department of Public Works director John Westerling told the Select Board on Jan. 7. “In the street we’ve been waiting for the poles to come down. The only work we have left to do is mill and overlay — to take off the pavement that’s there and put in new pavement — and re-stripe it. The lights are already up overheard, they’re already activated and ready to go.

“As soon as the weather breaks in the spring, then our contractor will remobilize … to complete that project.”

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Select Board set Monday, Feb. 3, as the date for a Special Town Election to vote on debt exclusions for the three capital articles related to the school expansion projects that passed at Special Town Meeting on Dec. 9.

Question 1 addresses the high school, Question 2 is for Elmwood School, and Question 3 deals with the Hopkins School.

Meanwhile, Feb. 3 also is the day the warrant will close for the Annual Town Meeting, which is scheduled for May 4.

New police officer welcomed

Greyhound Friends welcomes dogs

Jessica Ferreira was confirmed as the town’s newest police officer at the Jan. 7 Select Board meeting.

Raised in Attleboro, Ferreira graduated cum laude from Fitchburg State last spring with a degree in criminal justice.

She took part in the Fitchburg State Police Academy and is on schedule to receiver her master’s degree from the school later this year.

“Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to be a cop,” she told the board.

Greyhound Friends announced in mid-December that it had welcomed its first three adoptable dogs since the facility re-opened in the fall.

Amy, Atttie and Molly made their way to the Saddle Hill Road kennel on Dec. 15 in preparation for their transition to permanent homes.

“These three are former brood mamas, 8-9 years old and looking forward to the next phase of their lives as cherished pets,” the organization posted on its Facebook page. “They will all need some vetting before they can go home, so we expect that they’ll be with us for a little while.”

Greyhound Friends also announced that it reached its Reopening Reserve Fund goal, taking in $50,000 in contributions.

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Dog licenses available Dog licenses are available for the 2020 calendar year. All dogs over 6 months of age are due to be licensed for Jan. 1, 2020 (2019 licenses expired Dec. 31). Licensing must be done on or before April 1 to avoid paying a $25 late fee. Residents may license their dog online (hopkintonma.gov/departments/ town_clerk/certificates_licenses_fees. php), by mail (using the stub at the bottom of the annual census) or in person at the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall.

The fee is $15 per unaltered dog and $10 for all spayed/neutered dogs. Proof of rabies vaccination is required, along with a certificate verifying that the dog is spayed or neutered (unless that was already submitted).

For more information, email townclerk@hopkintonma.gov or call 508497-9710.

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 5

Hopkinton native starts company that sells metal straws Left: Hopkinton native Kevin Windheuser and his girlfriend, Julia Piri, founded UseMe LIFE, a company that sells metal straws.

By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

H

opkinton native Kevin Windheuser hopes to stir up enthusiasm for a cleaner environment, one metal straw at a time.

Windheuser and his girlfriend, Julia Piri, have created a business, UseMe LIFE, that sells metal straws to individuals and organizations. The straws can be used in place of plastic or paper versions.

The business was inspired by a trip that couple took to Ireland, where they were impressed by the cleanliness of the beaches and the surroundings in general.

“We wanted to bring a little bit of that back,” said Windheuser, a 2012 graduate of Hopkinton High School who now lives in Boston. “We knew we wanted to do something and thought this was something we could do to make a difference.”

They decided on a business that would offer metal straws as a replacement for environmentally harmful

Below: UseMe LIFE’s metal straws are designed to be an ecofriendly alternative to plastic straws.

We knew we wanted to do something and thought this was something we could do to make a difference. ­— Kevin Windheuser plastic ones.

Americans use an estimated 500 million straws a day, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

These small straws can do big damage to the environment.

As many as 70 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of turtles have ingested some form of plastic from the ocean, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums estimates.

Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of single-use plastic.

Many types of straws cannot be reused or recycled due to the chemicals from which they are made. Most plastic straws are not biodegradable and cannot decompose into non-toxic materials.

And because straws are small, pieces can be ingested by fish and could end up on someone’s dinner table, Windheuser noted.

As a result, some companies are phasing out the use of plastic straws.

Firms as large as Starbucks and Disney have announced plans to ban them at their locations.

“Giant companies are going away from plastic straws,” he said. “They have to have a replacement. This is our option for a replacement.”

Metal straws are sturdier than paper straws, which have become a replacement for the plastic variety in some settings. Paper straws can become soggy, Windheuser noted, and challenging to use.

Windheuser, who majored in mechanical engineering at the University of Hartford and now works as an engineer at Boston Scientific in Marlboro, considered a few manufacturers before settling on one in China.

He is taking steps to encourage people to take metal straws seriously by adding a personal touch.

He offers customized straws to individuals and to companies and

organizations that offer them as giveaways at conferences and other such events. These straws bear the name of the person using it or the organization distributing them.

Having their name attached to the products adds to its appeal, he explained, noting: “People want to use them.”

Windheuser said these have proven to be very popular, as companies know that eco-friendly items appeal to their customers, particularly younger generations. “It’s an easy sell,” he said.

He also hopes to convince restaurants to use metal straws with the eatery’s name on them, and they would then wash them as they would silverware.

The straws come with a wooden box where they can be stored safely and cleanly.

For individuals looking to purchase straws for their own use, a set of four in different colors, which includes a carrying case and cleaning brush, retails for $18.99.

In time, the business could expand into other eco-friendly offerings, possibly recycling bags that can replace plastic or paper ones. “That’s where the future of the company is going,” he said.

Being green matters, of course, but encouraging others to go green is the ultimate reward, Windheuser said.

The goal, he said, is “getting [metal] straws in people’s hands.”

Straws are not large items, but that doesn’t minimize the effect they can have on the world.

“It’s a small thing, but small things make a great impact,” he said.

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6 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

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All activities unless otherwise noted are at the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St. The Senior Center is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 508-497-9730 for more information or to register for a program. For a more extensive listing of programs check Ourseniorcenter.com/find/Hopkinton-council-onaging or www.hopkintonseniorcenter.com.

Tapfit Wednesdays, 4 p.m.

Tapfit is a total-body tap dance cardio fitness workout class. Tapfit combines tap dancing, cardio, resistance training and body sculpting moves to give participants maximum results for their mind and body.

Tapfit is a fun, fabulous and easy to follow fitness class for the whole body. Participants should wear flat-soled sneakers. See instructor Rebecca Tredeau with questions.

USSR/Russia Myths, Mysteries and Spying Thursday, Jan. 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

This is a presentation by Henry Quinlan, who has more than 30 years experience with the former USSR and the new Russia.

He made more than 60 trips between 1986 and 2018 and lived in Moscow for five years. From the tragedy of Chernobyl to the Mueller investigation, Henry Quinlan’s life has been impacted. This is a unique presentation that is both entertaining and educational. As a publisher in 1986 Henry signed a contract with a young Soviet diplomat to do a book contrasting living in Moscow and living in Washington D.C. He witnessed the fall of communism and the tanks in the streets. He toured Soviet space facilities with Wally Schirra, one of the USA’s original six astronauts. He represented President George W. Bush in organizing the publishing of the book “Make Way for Ducklings” in Russian in Moscow and the erection of the statutes of the ducks (the same as in Boston) in Moscow. These are just some of his stories.

Pound Class Wednesdays, 5 p.m.

Instructor Rebecca Tredeau leads the world’s first class jam session inspired by the infectious, energizing and sweatdripping playing of the drums. Designed for all fitness levels and any age. Pound sticks are available for 25 people, and some yoga mats will be available. Class size is limited. Seniors 55-plus take precedence.

Sign up in advance. The cost is $5 per class, or $3 per class if paid monthly. No child care services are provided.

Eat Smart, Get Active, Live Well Thursday, Jan. 23, 10-11 a.m.

Your life is filled with everyday choices about food, nutrition, physical activity and health. What and how much you eat and how much you move profoundly impacts your overall health and well-being.

In fact, healthy eating and active living are arguably among your best personal investments. What are you doing to invest in your health? Is it enough? Come learn how to make your food and lifestyle choices count as we begin the new year.

Pre-registration is required.

50-plus Job-Seekers Networking Group Monday, Jan. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

If you are 50-plus and unemployed, underemployed, returning to the workforce or seeking employment, you are eligible for this program. Learn the skills needed to obtain employment in the current job market, including resume writing that works, creating an elevator pitch, confronting ageism, managing stress and locating senior friendly employers. Ed Lawrence, a career coach, will facilitate each meeting.

There will be time for networking as well.

The multi-month series takes place the first and third Monday of the month. For more information or to register, contact Ashley Shaheen, co-facilitator, at 508-497-9730 or visit the website at www.mcoaonline. com/50plusregistration. This program is free thanks to a grant from MCOA.

Yoga: Slow Flow Wednesdays, 6 p.m.

This class is suitable for all levels of yoga practitioners, with or without yoga experience, looking to explore the asanas (l poses) through slow and clear alignmentbased practice. The focus is on building strength and stability through fundamental poses from the ground up. Fundamental standing poses, sun salutations, seated poses and twists, pranayama (breath control) and meditation will be taught in each practice. The instructor is Crystal Lee. The first class is free, then it’s $5 per class for drop-ins or $3 per class if paid monthly.

Call to register.

Chi Gong Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Chi Gong combines deep breathing with whole body movements to harmonize mind and body to promote energy, prevent illness and accelerate healing. The instructor is Linda Bellefeuille. The cost is $5 per class, or $3 per class if paid monthly.

Library Corner For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary.org. The library also can be found at Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @ HopkintonPLMA. Library Survey The public is invited to take a survey about the library’s website to indicate preferences for a planned site renovation.

The survey can be found at bit.ly/HPLwebsitesurvey.

Overdrive Update Those who use Overdrive should be aware that in early to mid-January there will a change in how users log in to Overdrive. The site will begin to require a password in addition to a library barcode number to log in. The password will be the same as the one used for the user’s online library account.

‘Lucky Day’ Collection of HighDemand Books Thanks to the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, beginning in January the library will have a “Lucky Day” collection of high-demand books. These books will remain available on the library’s shelves when returned and will not have holds placed on them or renewals allowed. It will be readers’ “lucky day” when they visit the library and find them available.

Chat ’n’ Chew Book Group Tuesday, Jan. 21, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

The library hosts an afternoon book group where participants can have their lunch while discussing a favorite book they’ve recently read (fiction or nonfiction). New members always welcome.

Get Started with Facebook Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Living on Earth Book Group Learn how to create an account, find Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:15-8 p.m. friends, post photos, manage your privacy This group comes together once a and more with Danielle Cook, Hopkinton’s month to thoughtfully examine a wide technology and reference librarian. If you range of ecological issues, seeking to deepalready have a Facebook account, be sure en the understanding of the human relato bring your login information, including tionship to Earth’s changes and cycles and your password, to ensure that you will be all living beings. The group’s first read will able to fully participate.

“The Big Picture in a Small Town”

be Naomi Klein’s pivotal assessment of the response to the climate crisis: “On Fire, The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal.”

Mass. Audubon: Birds of Prey with Kathleen Regan from Mass. Audubon Saturday, Jan. 25, 1-2 p.m.

Find out why hawks, owls, eagles, osprey and falcons are considered birds of prey, and discover their diversity while meeting live birds of prey native to Massachusetts. The presenter will share some tips to help attendees see these birds more often where people live. There are many more out there than one might think. This program, which is co-sponsored by the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, requires preregistration, and space is limited.

History Book Club Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The history book club meets once a month. New members are always welcome. Now reading “Barnum” by Robert Wilson. Books are available at the library.

Crochet Workshop for Teens Thursdays, Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, March 5, 12, 2:30-4 p.m.

This program is for Grades 6-12 only.

Meet six weeks to crochet a pom pom, a flower bookmark and a teddy bear. All materials are provided free. No experience is required. Participants must attend all six weeks. Sign up online. Limited to 10 people.

Teen Video Game Event Friday, Jan. 31, 12-3 p.m. (early release day) This event is for Grades 6-12 only.

One Up Games is back with video games and virtual reality. Snacks are provided.

Sign up or drop in.

YA for Adults Book Group Monday, Jan. 27, 7-8:15 p.m.

This group is for adults and students in Grades 11-12. The book is “Frankly in Love” by David Yoon. Copies of the book are available at the main circulation desk. New members are welcome. Bring snacks to share.

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 7

Turning Life On promotes healthy technology practices for families

By Michelle Sanford Contributing Writer

A

ccording to one of the latest reports from Common Sense Media, kids younger than 8 years old are spending an average of more than two hours each day glued to screens, and roughly 30 percent of that time is on mobile devices, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization that helps kids and parents navigate media.

The organization also reports that teens spend an average of more than seven hours per day on screen media and tweens spend approximately five hours; that doesn’t include any time at school or for homework. The uptick in mobile device use among young children as

We’re not anti-technology. Our aim is to help create healthy boundaries. ­— Ann Salerno of Turning Life On Hopkinton well as the overall hours of screen time for tweens and teens is raising alarms.

It is because of this data and their own experiences as parents that residents Ann Salerno and Christina Hannigan are bringing Turning Life On to the Hopkinton community. It’s an initiative that informs and brings together parents and other local groups to encourage healthy technology use for children and teens.

The two Hopkinton moms first got

together to establish a monthly support group for mothers to openly discuss the challenges of parenthood.

“When we were meeting, the subject of technology came up and the struggles around screen time,” explained Salerno, and thus, Turning Life On Hopkinton came to fruition.

Its premise initially came out of a support platform in Concord called Concord Promise that urges parents to delay purchasing smartphones for their

HCAM has it covered in Hopkinton HCAM | from page 1

PHOTO/HCAM

worked as a production assistant and then public access director in Westborough before shifting his focus to Hopkinton.

Before there was HCAM, there was HOP-TV. Cozzens volunteered at HCAM’s predecessor, covering school committee meetings, developing the station’s first website and resurrecting the classic “All About Hopkinton” program.

Once Comcast decided it was no longer interested in the day-to-day operations of HOP-TV, the Select Board voted to create a non-profit organization to run the community access channels, and thus HCAM was born.

As the chair of the cable committee at the time, Cozzens knew there was an opportunity to create something special.

“Very succinctly, HCAM’s mission is to connect community, and that is all aspects of community,” he said. “Nonprofit corporations, government entities, business owners and the residents of town. We connect people with information they can use everyday.”

Today, HCAM is 15 years old and features a stable of nearly 20 shows on its production slate. The station airs a half-hour weekly Hopkinton news program called HCAM News, as well local government meetings and high school sports games among other Hopkintonbased programming.

For Cozzens, there is no greater passion than community information. Over HCAM’s nearly two-decade lifespan, he feels that passion has been well-received — and reciprocated.

“People call me, thanking me that we’re airing our sports games because they’re out of town and they get to see their child play,” he said. “People tell me that they really love particular shows because of the people who are on there. Other people love the fact that we cover seasons worth of sports, and I always love when people contact us and say, ‘Oh, you should cover something. You should create a show about something.’ ” In an ever-evolving digital world, the roles of community access stations are constantly changing. Cozzens believes that the key to success for stations like HCAM is to embrace the digital age — but more importantly, to embrace the people they serve.

“I think [HCAM is] so important to the town because video is so important in our culture. A community television

HCAM’s Jim Cozzens leads a workshop that teaches residents about all aspects of television production.

station impacts all areas of that,” Cozzens said. “When I was running Westborough, it was run by a cable company.

When I came to Hopkinton, it was a non-profit corporation, and the focus was so much more sharply defined on serving our community.”

HCAM is far from a one-man band, as Cozzens has a dedicated five-person staff at his aid.

Mike Torosian is the station’s production coordinator, making sure that HCAM’s regularly scheduled programming is produced on time.

News director Tom Nappi is the man in charge of HCAM News. Master control operator Matt Clark schedules the on-air programming and handles the station’s promotions, and Bob Hamilton is the point man for coordinating government meetings. “[We ask], ‘What does the community want to see?’ ” Cozzens said.

“We’re trying to let people know, here we are, and here’s what we have, and here’s what we can do here.”

Unlike network stations, HCAM’s focus is twofold: entertaining and educating the viewer, in more ways than one.

HCAM offers a free, five-session series of workshops to learn about all aspects of television production for Hopkinton residents. Cozzens said the station is always happy to welcome new members to the team, both on and off camera.

“It is a lot of fun getting involved with HCAM, and you want a piece of this action,” he said. “Whether you would like to run a camera, or be involved in the control room, or produce

or direct a show, whether you’d like to host a show, [or] whether you’d have information that you would like the community to know about.”

Cozzens hopes that, in an increasingly divided world, HCAM can offer a way for people to come together, while having some fun along the way.

“I find not only is it exciting making television, but when we’re making local television, it’s really exciting too because we’re really impacting our community,” Cozzens said. “The one thing that really binds us is that everything is Hopkinton-centric.”

children until the eighth grade. That’s an initiative Turning Life On Hopkinton is encouraging parents to support through a public pledge.

“The pressure on parents to purchase smartphones is so intense. You don’t want your kids to be socially isolated, but if parents all ban together and act together, there’ll be less social pressure on children to feel they have to have them,” said Salerno, a pediatrician and mother of an 8-year-old and 6-year-old, as well as stepmother to two college-aged kids.

There are smartphone alternatives she says that provide children the ability to call and text but do not have Internet access, and therefore no screen time on phones.

Turning Life On (turninglifeon. org/hopkinton-ma) is not only about delaying smartphone purchases but also promoting healthy technology practices for families. Research has indicated too much screen time can increase the change of obesity, sleep problems, anxiety and educational and behavior problems.

“Just to be clear, we’re not antitechnology. Our aim is to help create healthy boundaries,” said Salerno.

Local support for the organization is growing and includes Director of Youth and Family Services Dawn Alcott, Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Cavanaugh, and executive director and founder of Mental Health Collaborative Abbie Rosenberg.

Turning Life On Hopkinton held its first discussion groups on Dec. 4 and Turning Life On | 8

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

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

HCA HOLIDAY SPECIAL

HCA artists exhibition opens Jan. 15

HCA annual faculty concert Jan. 18

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ annual faculty concert, “Beatles to Bach,” will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening filled with a variety of musical genres and talents.

Proceeds benefit the HCA Private Les-

PHOTO/KRISTINE WALDMAN

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts presents “Eviction, Destruction, Renewal,” an exhibition about resiliency, from Jan. 15-March 14 at the Lotvin Family Gallery. Three artists, Susan Greer Emmerson, Tatiana Flis and Rebecca Skinner, share their views on darkness, loss and renewal of the human condition.

The public is invited to meet the artists and hear their talks during a reception on Feb. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Hopkinton Center for the Arts website at hopartscenter.org.

son Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For more information, visit the Hopkinton Center for the Arts website at hopartscenter.org.

Garden Club spring pruning Jan. 21

The Hopkinton Garden Club, in conjunction with the Hopkinton Cultural Council and the Massachusetts

Cultural Council Program, presents “Spring Pruning,” a presentation by J.R. Gable, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Hopkinton Public Library’s large event room. This presentation will provide individuals with the information needed to help ensure that trees and shrubs grow and flourish for years to come. The Hopkinton Garden Club’s general meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., and the speaker portion is at 7:30. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit hopkintongardenclub.com.

Turning Life On promotes healthy technology practices for families Ann Salerno (left) and Christina Hannigan of Turning Life On Hopkinton promote their organization at the Town Common.

Turning Life On | from page 7

Jan. 11 at the Hopkinton Public Library.

The next meeting is Feb. 6 from 7-8 p.m., also at the library. “[The meetings are] open to all parents, educators and community members who are interested in discussing how we can work together to help promote healthy technology practices for children and families,” Salerno said.

“We welcome parents who are looking for support and guidance about how to navigate the challenges of parenting in a digital world.”

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Dancers from the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ production of “The Nutcracker” perform along with the Claflin Hill String Quartet during a family concert on Dec. 14 at the HCA.

ESL’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ Jan. 24-26

Enter Stage Left Theater presents four performances of “The Wizard of Oz” on Jan. 24-26 at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For more information, visit the Hopkinton Center for the Arts website at hopartscenter.org.

K of C free throw competition Jan. 24

The annual Knights of Columbus free throw championship competition will be held on Friday, Jan. 24, at Hopkinton High School after the AshlandHopkinton varsity boys basketball game. The event, started in 1972 and sponsored by the Ashland/Hopkinton Bishop Rice Council 4822, is open to boys and girls ages 9-14. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each division, and the division winners advance to the district competition.

JP and Friends at HCA Jan. 31

JP and Friends, an established eightpiece pro-level band covering rock, soul, blues, funk and pop, will perform at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Local Scene Music Series. The band is led by British guitarist Jeff Purchon, who has played some of music’s greatest, including Robert Palmer, Noel Redding, Ginger Baker, Vernon Reid and Buddy Miles. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit the Hopkinton Center for the Arts website at hopartscenter.org.

Friends of Hopkinton family dinner Feb. 1

The Friends of Hopkinton will host an enjoyable and affordable family dinner and night out on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. at the Woodville Rod & Gun Club.

This “time out” is being offered as a pleasant evening to connect with family, friends and neighbors, and refresh after the busy holiday season. It also serves as a fundraiser for 2020 Family Day. Tickets are $20 per person or $50 per family.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit friendsofhopkinton.org.

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 9

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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.

This issue’s winner is Arun Kumar, for this photo of a snowy sunset in Hopkinton. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent.com.

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Garden party The Hopkinton Basketball Association held its fifth annual Hopkinton Night at the Celtics on Dec. 27, when the C’s played the Cleveland Cavaliers. Groups of Hopkinton youth basketball players got the chance to play on the TD Garden’s famous parquet floor before the game and at halftime.

“The Big Picture in a Small Town”

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 11

Hopkinton captains lead girls hockey co-op team Left: Hopkinton residents (from left) Julia MacDonald, Kristin McCluskey and Keelan Boyle are captains for the Dover-Sherborn coop hockey team, which draws players from six schools.

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

W

Below: Julia MacDonald was named Player of the Game after leading her team to its first win of the season on Jan. 4.

PHOTOS/CHRISTINE STRICKLAND

alking into the locker room for the first time earlier this season, first-year coach Steph Jahnle was not sure what to expect, and she admitted to being a little nervous. Her roster consists of 27 players from six schools: DoverSherborn, Hopkinton, Bellingham, Tri-County, Nipmuc and Blackstone Valley Tech.

But the team has been able to gel to the point where the lines between schools are blurred. Three Hillers, captains Kristin McCluskey, Julia MacDonald and Keelan Boyle, have helped lead the way.

“I met with them before the season began and I was amazed, they were so organized,” Jahnle said. “They had everything laid out in a binder for me so I knew what was going on. I got really lucky.”

The three have been strong on the ice as well. McCluskey is the starting goalie and has made a number of great saves, even in games where the score has been lopsided. MacDonald earned Player of the Game honors in the team’s first win of the season, doing the dirty work needed to create the winning goal.

Boyle has bounced back from surgery to show herself as one of the squad’s top defensive players. The trio has anchored a team focused on improving throughout the year.

“The first game, I didn’t know what to expect and we came out flat,” Jahnle

said. “They didn’t engage. But the next game, it was like a different team. Each period they got better, and now each game they are getting better. It’s part of the confidence that comes with playing with each other.”

The co-op plays under DoverSherborn colors, as D-S is the host school. But the roster features a total of 10 Hopkinton players, more than any other school. In addition to the three captains, Sofia Bilodeau, Hailey Cox, Morgan Fraser, Kaley Merkle, Bianca

Musgrave, Emerie Peterson and Gillian Wenrich represent the Hillers.

The team lost its first eight games of the season before picking up its first victory. For many of the girls, winning

a game was a goal they set and one they were happy to cross off the list.

“It was awesome, the kids were so excited,” Jahnle said. “We have so many kids that a handful can’t dress and a handful do not get much ice time, but they were all still so supportive of the kids that were playing.”

Complicating matters for Jahnle and the coaching staff is the fact that the large roster is limited to only 50 minutes of ice time for practices, leaving Jahnle relying on her assistant coaches and captains to make sure the time is used effectively.

“We break into smaller groups and keep everyone engaged,” she said, adding that she would like to see the team’s skills continue to sharpen as the year progresses.

“I would like to break the puck out cleaner, have the girls looking up and making stick-to-stick passes,” Jahnle said. “I want to see them get a little more creative.

They are starting now to drive to the net, so I want to see a little more flow in the offensive zone.”

The first-year coach’s biggest hope is that her players, from a half-dozen schools, all come together to have a positive experience.

“I want these kids to learn something and have fun doing it,” Jahnle said. “And to want to come back next year and play again.”

HHS boys hoops starts year strong T

he Hopkinton High School boys basketball team returned from the winter break and continued its strong start, improving to 5-1 after earlyJanuary league wins over Westwood (in overtime), Holliston and Millis.

Chris Banks, with help from SPORTS ROUNDUP fellow assistant coach Jay Golden, stepped up to lead the Hillers as head coach Tom Keane took a medical leave to start the year. Keane was hoping to return before the end of the month.

Seniors Elan Rosen, Travis Finfrock and Tommy Ambrosone have led the way for Hopkinton — Rosen with his inside play (averaging 16 points per game), Finfrock with his long-range shooting (12.8 ppg) and Ambrosone with his defense and ball-handling — but it’s been a balanced attack that has made Hopkinton so dangerous. …

Girls basketball won its first three games, including an impressive onepoint win over Framingham just before the break, but opened 2020 with losses to TVL foes Westwood and Millis.

Sophomores Lexy Trendel, Kiki Fossbender and Lauren Cho have stood out, along with junior Caroline Connell. …

The HHS wrestling team went 2-2 at the Natick dual meet on Jan. 4, with Luke Dionne (113) and Jake Sokol (170) winning individual titles. …

In indoor track and field, sophomore Kate Powers won the shot put at the Freshman/Sophomore Meet at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston on Jan. 4. …

In swimming, all three boys relay teams qualified for the state meet with their performances in a meet vs.

Waltham and Wayland on Dec. 31. One girls relay qualified for sectionals the same day. Both teams split their meets, routing Waltham but narrowly losing to Wayland.

Grabmeier receives top honor HHS girls volleyball coach Margie Grabmeier was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Region

1 Coach of the Year. Grabmeier led the Hillers to a 20-1 record and an appearance in the Central/West sectional final.

Finnerty shines at Bowdoin Hopkinton’s Kara Finnerty, a senior captain for the field hockey team at Bowdoin College, was named a firstteam All-American as well as first-team All-Region after helping the Polar Bears

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go 14-2 overall and 9-1 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

A forward, Finnerty started all 16 games and recorded seven goals and seven assists. A third-team All-American in 2018, she started every game of her college career and ranks 10th alltime at Bowdoin with 94 career points.

Finnerty, who attended high school at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, also plays lacrosse at the Maine school and was named first-team All-Region in that sport last spring.

12 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

HHS hockey hungry after deep tourney run

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

T

he Hopkinton High School hockey team returned to the ice this season with several goals in mind after coming up just short in bids for a league and state title last winter.

The Hillers are looking to build on some of the lessons learned during a run to the state final a year ago and take another step forward this season.

“They are a hungry group, I can tell you that,” said coach Chris MacPherson.

The drive has shown in the early results. Hopkinton won its first seven

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games of the season and captured the MetroWest Daily News Cup, another title that eluded the team a year ago.

The Hillers rolled to a pair of victories in the winter break tournament, beating Hudson and Algonquin by a combined score of 13-3.

“The hunger showed, we wanted to get the Daily News Cup back,” MacPherson said, noting that Hopkinton won that crown along with the Tri-Valley League title two years ago.

“Now we are back into league play and we know every point counts in the league,” the coach said. “That’s the next step for the guys, they are hungry to

Senior Gray Bailey has been stingy between the pipes for the Hillers, allowing fewer than two goals per game through the first month of the season.

get the TVL title. Once that comes, if it comes, then we can turn the page to the state tournament.”

The Hillers’ 7-0 start included five league wins. Two of those victories came against Division 2 foes, one division above where Hopkinton competes, in Medfield and Westwood.

Hopkinton came into the season with high expectations and an experienced roster. The first line of seniors Sean Walsh, Kyle Rogers and Tommy Hamblet has been difficult for opponents to contain, MacPherson said.

Freshman Pavit Mehra has added an offensive spark, recording a hat trick against Algonquin in the final of the Daily News Cup on Jan. 1.

The Hillers brought back plenty of experience on the blue line as well.

Juniors Andrew Gilbert and Ronnie Shamus and senior Drew Saporoschetz have all been solid in front of senior goalie Gray Bailey. MacPherson praised Bailey for his play and his “fantastic” goals against average, which through five games was below two.

“I knew that we had some real nice depth on defense and we had a lot of forwards coming back from the state

final team, so I knew we would hopefully be able to get a lot of offensive zone time,” MacPherson said. “That has held true. I think our identify is always first to be a strong defensive team and be opportunistic in the offensive zone.”

MacPherson said his goal is to qualify for the sectional tournament and go from there, but he said he knows the team has its eye on the TVL title after winning it two years ago and coming up short last winter.

“Ultimately, we need to focus on the our next game,” he said. “We aren’t looking too far down the road.”

But MacPherson said the experience gained from the past two years, both the successes and the failures, should have his team ready to play its best hockey this season.

“We saw some of that coming through in the Daily News Cup, we were trying to bring some hardware home and every game really does matter,” he said. “In each game in the tournament, we didn’t play our best hockey in the first period and then played fantastic in the second and third periods. I think our experience helps in those tight games that matter.”

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The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 13

Schools Teachers Association expresses concerns about staffing shortages

By Melissa Orff Contributing Writer

Teachers are stretched in a way that does not benefit our students, and they are seeing the impact of reduced support reveal itself in student behaviors.

D

PHOTO/HCAM

uring the Jan. 2 School Committee meeting, the president of the Hopkinton Teachers Association (HTA) voiced her concerns about staffing in the district before the FY21 budget was set to be presented at a public forum on Jan. 9.

Over the past five years Hopkinton has seen unprecedented enrollment growth, with more than 500 students coming into the district. That rate of enrollment is expected to continue, with a projected increase of an additional 1,000 students over the next 10 years.

Reading a lengthy prepared statement to the School Committee, HTA president Becky Abate spoke about what the HTA members felt was “a more accurate depiction of our needs and the concerns of the Hopkinton teachers as we try to maintain the excellence of Hopkinton Schools in the face of what we believe are very real threats to the quality of education for our students.”

Each of the individual schools in the district are feeling the impact of the enrollment growth, said Abate, who said that there already was a staffing shortage before the recent surge of new students.

At Marathon Elementary School, Abate said that many of the youngest learners in the district come to the school as unknowns.

“I hesitate to talk about class sizes because, again, it’s not just about the numbers of students, it’s about their needs,” she said.

“But I must admit that it is alarming to hear that there are frequently 23 and 24 students in our lower elementary classrooms.”

Abate said that many of the students, especially in first grade, require reading services but don’t yet have access to the services because of the “staggering drop” in staffing of both reading specialists and paraprofessionals.

“Without enough paras and counselors, teachers are stretched in a way that does not benefit our students, and they are seeing the impact of reduced support reveal itself in student behaviors,” she said.

At Elmwood Elementary School, Abate said that the teachers are seeing an uptick in the diverse learning needs as well as in the social and emotional needs of their students.

“Teachers in Elmwood feel the stress

Hopkinton Teachers Association president Becky Abate spoke at the Jan. 2 School Committee meeting.

of needing to not only teach curriculum but to serve as data collectors, social workers and counselors as well,” she said.

“No teacher would ever suggest that our job is to only teach reading, writing and arithmetic, we are here to teach the whole child. However, there reaches a tipping point when the social emotional needs are so high that the focus on academics is hindered, especially when outside supports are also stretched or diminished.”

Space is at a premium and class sizes are pushing close to 25 students at Hopkins School, said Abate.

“Hopkins teachers want you to know their concerns are not about the number of students, but about the needs of students,” Abate said. “Hopkins teachers, counselors and specialists don’t want to provide anything less than excellence for the students of Hopkinton but have real concerns that this is and will continue to be the case without adequate staffing.”

At the middle school, recent staffing additions were more about restoring positions that were reduced prior, rather than alleviating the increase in enrollment.

“This year we lost two core academic teachers whose positions were not filled and next year we will still be down one in history,” said Abate, who is a Grade 8 English teacher. “This has had a deleterious effect on the tried and true ‘team teaching’ model that HMS and countless other high-performing middle schools utilize.”

Just like the middle school, said Abate, the high school is a place where basic class size calculations based on enrollment don’t tell the full story.

“Next year’s budget will not allow for a social emotional learning director,

— HTA president Becky Abate which would have helped to alleviate and even prevent some of the mental health challenges of Hopkinton High School students,” she said. “Teachers remark on how they have never seen students exhibit such heartbreaking symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

Another issue the district is facing is the growing number of English Learner (EL) students.

“Our EL teaching staff is stretched so thin, some with caseloads of as many as 40 students,” she said. “EL teachers have no time in their schedules to meet with content area or classroom teachers to provide support to them as they work with the very individualized needs of our EL population.

To address staffing concerns, we have EL teachers spread across multiple buildings and we have non-licensed tutors working with these students. All of this results in students not meeting language goals and only adds to the stress all teachers feel.”

In an interview after the meeting,

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chair Meena Bharath indicated it was the first time the School Committee had heard from the HTA. “In the face of the growth we are experiencing as a community, the School Committee is committed to keep a keen eye on the various and changing needs of our students, our teachers, our staff and our administration,” Bharath said. “I deeply respect Ms. Abate’s and all the teachers’ sentiments to continue to provide excellence as our district expands. Identification and fulfillment of the district’s educational needs is a work in progress, and something we will continue to work on with our superintendent and all stakeholders, including our teachers.”

In a follow-up interview, Abate voiced support for the administration and School Committee, adding: “As always, the HTA looks forward to working as partners with both the superintendent and School Committee to ensuring Hopkinton remains as strong as ever.”

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14 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

MSBA passes on Hopkinton school project Superintendent disappointed but hopeful for inclusion next year

By Melissa Orff Contributing Writer

T

he Hopkinton school district’s statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) was declined this month, causing the district to reevaluate the next steps for the future of its school buildings.

“We were very hopeful that we would be invited in to be able to start a building project that would address some of our elementary building needs,” said superintendent of schools Dr. Carol Cavanaugh.

According to the MSBA, said Cavanaugh, 61 communities in Massachusetts applied this year, and 11 were invited into the process of getting reimbursement from the state for new or refurbishment school building projects.

“I asked why, because with our enrollment issues, I felt we had a pretty good chance [of being chosen],” Cavanaugh said. “We were told that the invitations are based on ‘need,’ and we were not as needy as those who were selected.”

With the rapid enrollment growth in the district over the past few years and the potential for an additional 1,000 students over the next 10 years, the district has been looking at future plans for the school buildings. During a Dec. 5 public forum, the results of a recent capacity study and recommenda-

We were told that the invitations are based on ‘need,’ and we were not as needy as those who were selected.

— Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, on the MSBA’s decision not to include Hopkinton into its reimbursement program tions for restructuring the schools were presented. The proposals included a new three-story Grade 2-5 school built on the Todaro land that would replace Elmwood School, a renovation of Hopkins Elementary School, which would hold Grades 6-7, and a renovation to connect the middle and high schools, having Grades 8-9 be taught on the middle school side and 10-12 on the high school side.

The second option proposed was to build two new separate elementary schools — one for Grades 2-3 and one for Grades 4-5. Although it would mean that the grades could have separate spaces, it would increase initial capital and ongoing operational costs as they wouldn’t be able to share resources due to being in different buildings.

The projects would have been funded partially by MSBA reimbursement, if Hopkinton had been invited into the program. The time from being invited into the program to the time the doors are opened would be approximately five years, according to Cavanaugh.

Family Night (FUNDRAISER FOR 2020 FAMILY DAY) Hopkinton Family Night is an enjoyable and affordable Family Dinner. It’s a great time to spend a pleasant evening connecting with friends and neighbors.

There will be some fun activities including a group sing along and perhaps a few surprise guests.

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“It will now be a six-year window,” she said, now that Hopkinton was rejected for this year. “There will need to be some serious decision-making in the town of Hopkinton.”

The town used MSBA funding to help build the Marathon Elementary School, receiving $13,779,363 in reimbursement on the total construction costs of $47,129,373, or 29.2 percent reimbursement. There is no rule that a district would have to use MSBA funding for a school building project, but that means it would bear the full cost

of the project.

“There is never a guarantee that Hopkinton will even be invited in [to the MSBA program], but in the meantime there are many, many kids at our doorstop and we are predicted to have many, many more over the next decade,” Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh recommended that the district continue on with the feasibility study that would have been done as a first step of the MSBA process.

“This way in the event we are not invited in next year we will know what are the costs of some of our options,” she said.

Several School Committee members commented on the importance of involving the community in the process.

“This is going to be a big project and it is important that we bring the community along with us from the very start,” said School Committee chair Meena Bharath.

HPS settles on 9 percent increase for budget

By Melissa Orff Contributing Writer

T

he Hopkinton Public Schools put the finishing touches on a $52.4 million preliminary FY21 budget.

The budget, which is a $4,324,871 — or 9 percent — increase over FY20, was presented by superintendent of schools Dr. Carol Cavanaugh and director of finance Susan Rothermich at the Jan. 2 School Committee meeting.

“This budget was built to provide a level service for Hopkinton’s exceptional academic and extracurricular programs,” Cavanaugh said. “What we have in the budget will make sure the kids are getting what they are getting today.”

The budget has been a topic of conversation over the past few months, with school officials warning that they would need to exceed the town’s guidance of less than a 5.4 percent increase.

“Just to be able to fulfill our contractual obligations is 4.7 [percent],” said Rothermich. “The needs of the schools are substantially greater than that.”

With the increased enrollment over the past few years (close to 400 additional students since the 2015-16 school year), the district was faced this year with increased transportation needs, additional social emotional learning program needs, and staff needs to fill the 14 new classrooms that were approved at the Special Town Meeting in December.

Because staffing is 80 percent of the school district’s budget, the salary increase alone for FY21 is $3,649,793, or 7.6 percent. The other 20 percent of the budget is the expenses, which are proposed to increase by $675,078, or 1.4 percent, and includes increases to transportation contracts, out of district tuitions, and buildings and grounds contracts.

“We are trying to keep pace with the growth,” Cavanaugh said.

The district is planning to add 13.5 full time equivalent (FTE) classroom teachers, 8.6 staff in the Student Ser-

“The Big Picture in a Small Town”

This budget was built to provide a level service for Hopkinton’s exceptional academic and extracurricular programs.

— Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh vices Department, 1.5 staff to administration, 1.2 members to the social emotional learning department, four support staff, three staff to Buildings and Grounds, and one to the Technology Department, in addition to the staff that were approved this year due to the unplanned increase in student enrollment.

Although the $52,370,718 included numerous additional staff members, the question still was raised if it was enough.

“I felt you have gone through the process and made the best proposal possible,” commented School Committee chair Meena Bharath, who asked the administration if the teachers were involved in the budget process. Cavanaugh answered that along with the building principals, the student councils and subject matter leaders were involved in creating the budget.

“We are where we are because we have made some thoughtful choices, but in our heart of hearts we feel that this is what is right for the students,” she said.

The budget was to be presented at a public hearing on Jan. 9. From there, it will be presented to the Finance Department and Select Board before the Annual Town Meeting in the spring.

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 15

HHS senior honored for helping homeless their post-secondary education options.

Students are required to complete 60 hours of work over four consecutive weeks during the summer.

Interested students and families are invited to attend an information session over the next three months in various Metrowest locations.

The Education Cooperative is a Massachusetts educational collaborative and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that serves 15 area towns, including Hopkinton.

For more information, visit teccoop.org and follow the link to “internships� or email Emily Manz at emanz@ tec-coop.org.

By Melissa Orff Contributing Writer

H

opkinton High School senior Thrusha Puttaraju was recognized by the School Committee during its Dec. 5 meeting for her work to bring some warmth and comfort to homeless individuals in Boston.

Last year while visiting SCHOOLS Boston with her NOTEBOOK family, Puttaraju encountered a number of homeless people living on the streets in the cold New England winter. “It really empowered me to do something about it,� she told the School Committee.

Puttaraju took it upon herself to contact sock companies asking for donations for this worth cause. It wasn’t long before one company — Bombas — responded with a donation of 1,000 pairs of socks.

Bombas is a company that strives to “make an impact on our community by donating a pair of socks for every pair sold� according to its website.

Although she was hoping for the donation, Puttaraju said she was shocked when she received the shipment. “I was a little overwhelmed,�

Puttaraju said of the large donation.

She then contacted the Boston Police Department in order to help distribute the socks to people in need. “I knew that by giving them to the Boston Police Department, they would have the resources to distribute them to homeless individuals and families,� she said.

Now that the socks have been sent to Boston, Puttaraju hopes to continue to help those who are in need by gathering other essential items such as toothpaste and soap.

School Committee members and Superintendent Dr. Carol Cavanaugh commended Puttaraju for her good work and efforts.

Residents on Keefe Tech honor roll Keefe Tech announced its honor roll for Term 1, and a number of Hopkinton residents were recognized. Receiving honors were: seniors Francesca Shay and Erika Williams, junior Gabrielle Buentello, sophomores Michael Duffy, Evan Larson, Alexis Manchester and Jake Shepard, and freshmen Delia Avery and Nicholas Souza.

Keefe Tech is a public regional technical high school in Framingham that serves students from Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick.

Integrated Preschool lottery Feb. 6 Applications for the Hopkinton Integrated Preschool are due by Feb. 1. The preferred method is to complete the application online. The link is on the preschool homepage. If needed, applicants can print out the form and mail it to Kim Sullivan at Hopkinton Integrated Preschool, 129 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

The lottery will take place prior to the Feb. 6 School Committee meeting,

Thrusha Puttaraju was recognized by the School Committee for her efforts to distribute socks to homeless people in Boston.

and will be televised live by HCAM. Results will be posted on the preschool website within 24 hours of the drawing.

Families will have one month from the notice of acceptance to secure their spot with a non-refundable deposit.

Applications received after Feb. 1 will not be part of the lottery but will be added to the waitlist in the order received.

Applicants must be Hopkinton residents and abide by preschool age guidelines.

For more information, email kisullivan@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

Military History Essay Contest The Association of the United States Army is joining with local sponsors Phipps Insurance Agency and UniBank to hold a Military History Essay Contest for high school students who are residents of Hopkinton.

Winners will receive scholarships worth $1,000 (first place), $500 (second) or $250 (third).

The essays will be evaluated by a distinguished panel that includes Joseph DePinto, CEO of 7-Eleven and a civilian aide to the secretary of defense, state Rep. Carolyn Dykema and local Vietnam veteran Hank Allessio. Essays are due by Feb. 1, and winners will be announced on Memorial Day. For more information, email hopmilhistory@gmail.com.

TEC internship info sessions Registration for The Education Cooperative’s summer 2020 Internship and Career Exploration Program opens Jan. 15. Applications will be accepted through April, with internship placements distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The program, open to students who have completed at least two years of high school as of summer 2020, is for individuals looking for an opportunity to explore a career while considering

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12:56 a.m. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer William Buckley responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a car and a tree on Pond Street. The DPW was contacted about damage to a guardrail. A tow truck was requested. Adriana V. Gomez, 22, of 66 Milk Street, Westborough, was arrested and charged with OUI liquor and failure to drive in right lane.

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11:54 a.m. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Ryan Polselli assisted the Upton Police Department on Hopkinton Road and subsequently arrested Maria V. Bruno, 36, of 5 Rugby Street, Worcester, and Maritele Burgos, 46, of 5 Rugby Street, Worcester, on warrant charges.

December 20

8:58 a.m. A Valleywood Road caller reported he lost his wallet and wanted it logged.

2:00 p.m. A Pinecrest Village walk-in reported her hearing aid was missing and wanted it logged.

2:50 p.m. Officers Preston Mucciarone and Brian Sanchioni assisted the Southborough Police Department in searching for a brown Jeep with heavy front end damage that was involved in a hit and run in Southborough. The officers checked Cedar Street and the State Park with a negative find.

3:54 p.m. A caller reported a scam in progress. Officer Preston Mucciarone assisted the caller.

5:04 p.m. A caller reported two people sleeping in a red pickup truck on West Main Street.

Officers Tyler Brabham, Brian Sanchioni and Preston Mucciarone responded and reported both parties came from New York and there were no signs of impairment. All was OK. 10:13 p.m. Officer Brian Sanchioni and K9 assistance responded to Milford to assist the Milford Police Department in searching for a female.

The person was subsequently located.

December 21

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9:43 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street resident reported his mailbox was damaged. Officer Jay Deiana responded and reported the person who struck the mailbox was on scene. After speaking with both the homeowner and the person who hit the mailbox, Officer Deiana reported they agreed to work out a solution.

12:11 p.m. A pedestrian reported she was nearly run down by a vehicle while crossing Lumber Street. She provided the license plate number. Officer Ryan Polselli contacted and spoke with the operator.

12:46 p.m. A Meserve Street business owner complained of a parked vehicle blocking access to his business. Officer Jay Deiana responded and spoke with the owner, who moved the vehicle.

12:49 p.m. A motorist reported he witnessed ice fall off the roof of a vehicle and smash the windshield of another vehicle on Interstate 495 between Exits 20 and 21. The caller provided a license plate number. The State Police were notified.

1:11 p.m. A Walcott Valley Drive caller requested information about the eviction process.

“The Big Picture in a Small Town”

Officer Jay Deiana assisted.

5:02 p.m. Several calls were received about a deer that was struck on Ash Street and was lying in the roadway. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and moved the animal to the side of the road and notified the animal control officer.

9:05 p.m. Officer Tyler Brabham checked on and spoke with an operator on Wood Street who was looking for directions.

10:15 p.m. The Holliston Police Department requested assistance with a disturbance in Holliston. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded.

10:27 p.m. A bartender at a Hayden Rowe Street establishment requested an officer to remove an unwanted patron. Officers Preston Mucciarone and Tyler Brabham responded and found the patron leaving and determined there had been a miscommunication.

December 22

10:59 a.m. A walk-in sought advice about a harassment incident that took place in Worcester.

Officer Tyler Brabham assisted and took a report.

11:12 a.m. Officer Tyler Brabham took a report of fraud and theft of a social security number.

1:23 p.m. A Cross Street resident reported the odor of natural gas outside. Officer Tyler Brabham responded along with the Fire Department. No odor was detected.

2:07 p.m. A walk-in reported several youths on what he believed was unsafe ice on West Main Street. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and checked on several people on the ice.

2:25 p.m. A Stone Crossing Way caller reported she saw and videotaped what she believed was a bobcat in her backyard. The animal control officer was contacted and given the video.

4:19 p.m. A caller reported unusual activity at a Frankland Road property that has been abandoned for about a year. Officer Philip Powers responded and reported the person who just purchased the property was doing work there.

All was OK. 3:10 p.m. A Front Street walk-in reported losing a gold bangle bracelet and wanted it logged.

5:16 p.m. Officer Philip Powers responded along with the State Police to a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 495 involving a car and a tree. An ambulance transported one person to the hospital. A tow truck removed one vehicle.

5:48 p.m. The Westborough Police Department requested assistance in locating a Parker Point Road resident involved in a road rage incident in Westborough. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded attempted to make contact, but nobody answered the door.

10:59 p.m. Dell security on South Street requested the removal of a homeless man from the property. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Robert Ekross responded and provided a courtesy transport for the man back to the station.

December 23

6:03 a.m. A Wilson Street caller complained of noise coming from the woods all night and waking up her dogs. Sergeant William Burchard responded and checked the area with a negative find.

7:32 a.m. A caller reported a small white dog running loose on Summer Street. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and checked the area with a negative find. The animal control officer was notified.

10:49 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan assisted a disabled motor vehicle that was overheating on Ash Street.

12:55 p.m. Officer Philip Powers assisted the State Police in responding to a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 495. One person had a head injury, and another person had a lower back injury. One patient was transported in an ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center while the other person refused medical attention.

6:30 p.m. A caller reported a white pickup truck in a Wood Street parking lot with its door

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 17

Police Log and hood open and nobody nearby.

Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and found people in the area working.

December 24

1:30 a.m. Officer Brendon Lyver issued a winter parking ban warning on Walcott Street.

8:54 a.m. A caller reported fallen wires on Clinton Street. Officer Jay Deiana responded and notified Eversource.

10:53 a.m. A caller reported his vehicle was keyed while he was shopping on West Main Street. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and took a report of vandalism.

2:02 p.m. A Granite Street walkin requested to speak with an officer about ongoing speeding by two youths in the neighborhood. The reporting person had to leave before speaking with Officer Philip Powers.

11:52 p.m. A Mayhew Street resident reported an altercation between her and her upstairs neighbor after the neighbor complained that her music was too loud. The caller requested that the altercation be logged. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded to check the complaint.

December 25

12:45 p.m. A caller reported a lost dog wandering on Fruit Street. Officer Derek Morton checked the area with a negative find.

1:48 p.m. An Overlook Road caller reported the odor of gas inside along with a hissing sound. Officer Derek Morton responded along with the Fire Department. Eversource responded.

2:52 p.m. A Canterbury Lane caller reported a loose dog in the area.

Officer Moira McGaffigan responded.

The dog was located and returned home.

3:29 p.m. A caller requested to speak with an officer about an incident with her daughter. Sergeant Matthew McNeil assisted.

7:34 p.m. A caller reported a black Lab wandered on to her South Mill Street property. The animal control officer was notified and was en route to pick up the dog.

8:46 p.m. A Sanctuary Lane resident reported hearing what sounded like gunshots in the area. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and checked the area with a negative find.

December 26

12:49 p.m. An East Street business requested youths be removed from a small pond on the property. Officer Benjamin Stickney responded, spoke with the youths and removed them.

1:37 p.m. A walk-in reported a case of fraud. Officer Benjamin Stickney took a report.

2:47 p.m. A motorist reported witnessing a vehicle tailgate another vehicle and drive aggressively on West Main Street. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and checked the area with a negative find.

4:03 p.m. A Locust Lane walk-in reported a missing package that was delivered by FedEx. Officer Brian Sanchioni assisted.

9:13 p.m. A caller reported an intoxicated male attempting to purchase alcohol on Main Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Pres-

ton Mucciarone and Tyler Brabham responded and caught up with the individual. Officer Brabham spoke with the individual’s mother, and she was to pick him up.

10:19 p.m. A 911 caller hung up, and on the call back she stated a suspicious individual was walking near her vehicle in her driveway on Lincoln Street. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officers Preston Mucciarone and Tyler Brabham responded and found a group of people playing a game and reported a misunderstanding. All was OK.

December 27

9:44 a.m. A walk-in requested to file a complaint. Sergeant John Porter spoke with the walk-in, and a report was to follow.

12:54 p.m. A caller requested to speak with an officer about an issue with an ex-girlfriend. Officer Moira McGaffigan spoke with the caller, and a report was to follow.

3:24 p.m. A walk-in reported fraudulent activity on his bank account. Officer Tyler Brabham took a report.

8:26 p.m. A caller at a West Main Street store reported a scale in the deli department was smoking. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Preston Mucciarone responded along with the Fire Department. A circuit was determined to be the cause. The health and wiring inspectors were contacted.

10:02 p.m. Officer Tyler Brabham checked on a person in a vehicle on Hayden Rowe Street. All was OK. The person was playing on a phone app.

December 28

12:00 a.m. Officer Brian Sanchioni checked on a abandoned vehicle with a missing window parked on West Main Street and subsequently contacted the Plymouth Police Department.

12:44 a.m. Officer Brian Sanchioni and K9 assistance responded to Turnpike Road at the request of the Westborough Police Department.

8:46 a.m. Officer Moira McGaf-

figan found property on Hayden Rowe Street and returned it to its owner.

8:59 a.m. A caller reported a dog bite on Williams Way and a subsequent trip to the emergency room a few days earlier. The incident was logged and the animal control officer was notified and was to handle it.

9:59 a.m. A Teresa Road resident reported her mailbox was damaged overnight. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and took a report.

11:22 a.m. Officer Moira McGaffigan discovered a deceased opossum on the roadway of Pleasant Street and left a message for the DPW. 2:29 p.m. A Wilson Street resident reported several hunters parked near his residence and went into the woods in the area. Officers Moira McGaffigan and Tyler Brabham responded and reported the hunters were in the woods and the vehicles were not a hazard.

7:06 p.m. A Grubhub delivery driver reported a suspicious incident in the Fruit Street fields. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and took a report.

8:20 p.m. A concerned Saddle Hill Road caller reported his neighbor saw on camera two people with headlamps coming out of the caller’s yard. Officers Preston Mucciarone and Brian Sanchioni responded and checked the area with a negative find on anything out of the ordinary.

December 29

8:14 a.m. A caller reported a man passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle on Chestnut Street. Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officers Moira McGaffigan and Tyler Brabham responded and escorted the man into the house. No EMS was needed. Officer Brabham took a report.

9:31 a.m. A caller reported a man burning furniture in a common area fire pit on Roosevelt Road. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded along with the Fire Department, and the fire was extinguished. The man was advised on burning rules.

10:21 a.m. Officer Tyler Brabham checked on a person in a vehicle on Main Street. All was OK. The individual was napping in between church services.

2:23 p.m. A caller spoke to Officer Matthew Santoro about a fraudulent charge on his Amazon account.

4:09 p.m. A caller reported losing a bag of cash and passports on the MassPike. The State Police were contacted and reported they had the bag and delivered it to the caller.

6:03 p.m. A caller reported suspicious activity at a Hayden Rowe Street residence. Officers Derek Morton and Preston Mucciarone responded to the location and took a report.

December 30

10:39 a.m. Officer Philip Powers requested a tow truck to remove a vehicle from a ravine on West Main Street after a motor vehicle accident.

No injuries were reported.

11:30 a.m. An asset protection manager on West Main Street reported a past theft. Officer Matthew Santoro responded and took a report.

1:58 p.m. A Main Street caller reported the inside odor of gas. Officer Ryan Polselli responded along with the Fire Department. Eversource was notified. The odor was coming from a paper shredder. All units were cleared.

5:16 p.m. A Woodview Way resident reported stolen packages. Officer Benjamin Stickney responded, and a report was to follow.

December 31

1:02 a.m. The DPW reported an abandoned vehicle on Ash Street after an accident. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded, and the vehicle was gone upon his arrival. A report was to follow.

11:05 a.m. A caller spoke with Officer Matthew Santoro about a stolen laptop computer. A report was to follow.

12:30 p.m. A caller reported a Police Log | 18

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020

Police Log Police Log | from page 17

dead turkey in the roadway of West Main Street. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and removed it.

12:45 p.m. A caller reported something suspicious was done to her motor vehicle on East Main Street.

Officer Jay Deiana responded, and a report was to follow.

January 1

2:44 a.m. A Constitution Court resident complained of a dog barking in the neighborhood for over an hour.

Officer Stephen Buckley responded and found all quiet.

10:04 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported her dog ran off while she was hiking. Officers Moira McGaffigan and Ryan Polselli responded but were canceled en route when the caller reported the dog returned home.

12:38 p.m. An Ash Street resident reported his house appeared to have been vandalized, possibly by BB guns. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded, and a report was to follow.

4:34 p.m. A caller reported a golden retriever was wandering around loose in the neighborhood. Officer

Derek Morton responded and did not locate the dog. The animal control officer was notified.

5:35 p.m. A Revolutionary Way caller reported a traffic complaint of a motor vehicle parked between two spaces. Officer Preston Mucciarone responded and issued a ticket.

9:30 p.m. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Preston Mucciarone responded to a report of a motor vehicle hitting a deer on Lumber Street.

No personal injuries were reported. A report was to follow.

January 2

7:03 a.m. The school bus company reported a bus was stuck on a patch of ice on Ash Street. Officers Philip Powers and Moira McGaffigan responded along with the DPW, and the bus went on its way.

8:31 a.m. A motorist on Hayden Rowe Street reported she had a flat tire on Hayden Rowe Street and was in a hazardous spot. Officer Moira McGaffigan responded and stood by while AAA was en route.

1:53 p.m. An Old Farm Road caller reported she was missing her

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dog. A message was left for the animal control officer. The owner later reported locating the dog.

3:51 p.m. A caller reported a van was parked in a hazardous spot on Walcott Street. Officer Derek Morton responded and reported the vehicle was not in a hazardous spot.

January 3

1:45 a.m. Officer Robert Ekross discovered the outer pane of a doublepane window broken at an Ash Street building and notified those in charge of facilities of the vandalism.

2:25 a.m. A Constitution Court resident complained of loud music at a neighboring apartment. Sergeant Arthur Schofield responded, but no one answered the door.

8:58 a.m. A Grove Street caller reported it appeared a deadbolt on his door may have been tampered with.

Nothing was stolen. The caller wanted the incident logged.

1:59 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator in a blue RAV4 on Hayden Rowe Street. Officer Brian Sanchioni responded and checked the area with a negative find.

2:47 p.m. The Milford Police Department requested a check of a vehicle that hit two cars in Milford.

Sergeant Timothy Brennan and Officer Brian Sanchioni responded to Ash Street with a negative find.

9:36 p.m. A Hidden Brick Road caller reported a person in a passing vehicle shot paintballs at her home.

Officers Tyler Brabham and Preston Mucciarone responded and checked the area for the vehicle with a negative find. A report was to follow.

10:21 p.m. A Main Street caller reported the windows of his truck were smashed. Officers Brendon Lyver and Tyler Brabham responded, and a report was to follow.

11:01 p.m. A caller reported a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on Hayden Rowe Street with no injuries.

The other vehicle sped away toward

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Ashland. The Ashland Police Department was advised to be on the lookout.

Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Robert Ekross responded and took a report.

January 4

9:07 a.m. The Milford Police Department requested an officer to make contact with the owner of a vehicle involved in a hit and run the day before in Milford. Officers Brian Sanchioni and Moira McGaffigan responded to an Ash Street home and spoke with the homeowners, who stated no one by that name lived there. The Milford Police Department was advised.

9:37 a.m. An Ash Street caller reported her mailbox was knocked down.

Officers Brian Sanchioni and Moira McGaffigan viewed the vandalism, and a report was to follow.

12:04 p.m. A Benson Road resident reported her children went for a walk in the neighborhood and returned scared and stating that there was a male following them and then hiding in the woods. Officers Matthew Santoro and Moira McGaffigan responded and searched the woods with a negative find. A report was to follow.

6:37 p.m. A Pine Island Road resident complained of Amazon drivers constantly turning around in his driveway. Sergeant Matthew McNeil assisted the caller.

January 5

2:45 a.m. Sergeant Arthur Schofield and Officer Robert Ekross checked on a motor vehicle on South Street and found an operator with a Brazilian driver’s license who subsequently made his own transportation arrangements.

4:32 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident on Spruce Street involving two cars. Officer Tyler Brabham responded. No injuries were reported. A report was to follow.

4:56 p.m. A Hearthstone Road resident reported finding a black Lab and attempting to contact the owner using the phone number found on the dog’s tag. The caller was advised whom the dog belongs to, and she was to return the dog to that address.

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10:06 a.m. Officer Ryan Polselli assisted the DPW while workers fixed a manhole cover on Main Street.

10:43 a.m. A Curtis Road caller reported her neighbor’s dog was barking. Officer Ryan Polselli responded and reported the owner was not home and the dog appeared to be OK. 1:30 p.m. A Mechanic Street caller reported losing his boxer, who was wearing an orange collar. He wanted the incident logged.

2:08 p.m. A caller reported he was almost run off the roadway of West Main Street by a DPW sander truck.

The caller wanted the incident logged.

7:58 p.m. A Main Street caller reported someone hit her vehicle while it was parked on her property. Sergeant Matthew McNeil and Officer Benjamin Stickney responded and took a report.

8:52 p.m. A Nazneen Circle resident reported hearing screaming in the woods. Officer Tyler Brabham responded and checked the area with a negative find.

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 19

Obituaries Betty Fowler Betty Jean Fowler, a resident of Sudbury, passed away peacefully on Nov. 17 in Framingham.

She was born July 14, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, to Eugene McKinley Fowler and Bernice Fowler. At 15 years old, Betty and her family moved to Hollywood, Florida, where Eugene “Bud” Fowler opened the famous Fowler’s Fine Food on the Circle. He would go on to open another very successful restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, where the entire family was involved in the business for many years. As a teen, Betty attended Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale.

She married John Gibney in 1947 and moved north, where she began a new life.

Betty is survived by sons James Stephen Gibney (wife Kathy) of Hopkinton and John David Gibney (wife Mary) of Stow, and daughter Patricia Webster (husband Chris) of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Betty was very close to her seven grandchildren: Christopher R. Webster Ill of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Whitney O. Webster (husband Matt) of Marina Del Rey, California, Cameron W. Stewart (husband Wes) of Denver, James Stephen Gibney Jr. (wife Leila) of Framingham, Devon E. Gibney of New York, Hannah M. Gibney of New York, and Brendan McKinley Gibney (wife Ashley) of Boston. Betty was blessed with three greatgrandchildren. She also is survived by her siblings: James Fowler, Peggy Garrigues and Nancy Bork, all of Florida and North Carolina, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty spent many happy days picking up shells on beaches from Florida to Cape Cod. She was an accomplished knitter, a championship golfer and excellent cook, traits that she passed along to her children and grandchildren. Betty remained mentally acute her entire life, thanks in large part to her continual letter writing to her family and grandchildren and her uncanny ability to win at Scrabble. She remained devoted to her family until her last breath. The family asks you to remember Betty when you are walking along the seashore.

Private services were under the care of the Acton Funeral Home (actonfuneralhome.com).

Carole Haring Carole W. Haring, 70, of Cambridge, Maryland, passed away on Dec. 23 at Talbot Hospice House in Easton, Maryland. She was born on June 11, 1949, in Cambridge, Maryland, to the late Charles Wroten and Marcella Pritchett Wroten.

Carole graduated from Cambridge High School, class of 1967. She worked for many years with R. Brooks and Son in her hometown. In 2001, Carole married Michael Haring, who passed away on Aug. 2, 2010.

She enjoyed gardening and traveling. She was very artistic, and took part in many different forms such as water colors and stained glass. Carole loved to cook, especially seafood, and collected every recipe she could find. She also enjoyed fishing, crabbing and just being on the water. Carole was always taking care of others, from taking people to doctor’s appointments to cooking pots of soup for people, while also volunteering with the Iron Man every year. She was an avid Ravens fan. She was a member of the American Legion Post 91 and the VFW Post 7460.

Carole is survived by her children, Stephen Andrews and wife Dawn of Easton, Maryland, Jennifer Sullivan and husband John of Natick, and Michael Andrews of Hopkinton; grandchildren Alex, Berkley, Matthew, Colby and William An-

Achieve Clear Skin drews, Cheshire and Braeden Sullivan, and Addison and Rylan Andrews; sister Charlotte Ann Willey of Cambridge, Maryland; special friend Ed Miller of Hudson, Maryland; and several nieces. In addition to her parents and her husband, she is preceded in death by a brother, Charles Wroten.

A memorial service was held Jan. 3 at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. (thomasfuneralhomepa.com) with Rev. Mary Ann Farnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, Inc., 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.

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Charles Lowell Charles Francis Lowell, 76, of Hopkinton, passed away Dec. 10. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Evelyn (Hamm) and Charles Theodore Lowell. He was married to the love of his life, Donna Irene (Wright) Lowell, for 53 years.

Charlie graduated from Hopkinton High School and then went on to serve as a paratrooper in the Army’s 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam War era. After his time in the military, he returned home to meet his wife, Donna, whom he had only known in school growing up and coincidentally had marched beside in their junior prom promenade. Together, Charlie and Donna built a life together filled with love, friends and family. While Charlie started out working at General Electric in Ashland, he then moved on to become a union arbitrator at United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America in New York City, where he honed his skill and passion for advocating for the needs and rights of others.

After many years in New York, Charlie returned home to open his own businesses. He started out with Lowell’s General Store in Holliston and then expanded from there. Throughout the years, Charlie met many customers who would go on to become close friends.

Charlie enjoyed retirement with traveling, most often to his home away from home, Aruba, playing golf and becoming a park ranger at Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, meeting his friends for coffee club, rooting for his favorite sports teams, watching Phil Mickelson compete, most notably on a lifetime dream trip with his friends to The Masters, walking his dog, Fella, around town and greeting everyone on their way, taking trips to the casino and scratching lottery tickets, becoming active in both local and national politics, and most especially spending time with his family and friends. One special event in his retirement was being honored by a group of young men that he held in high esteem, his Babe Ruth baseball team that he led to win the American League championship in 1967. There were many members of this team that remained in contact with him throughout the years.

Charlie was a people person. He greeted everyone with a smile and always had a helping hand out for anyone in need, expecting nothing in return. Wherever he went, Charlie was loved. His spirit of positivity, his proclivity to create fun, and his genuine desire to see others succeed endeared him to all.

Charlie was the father of the late Charles Edward Lowell, who passed away in 1987. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Donna Marie Lowell-Bettencourt and her husband, Troy, of Edgartown; two sisters, Elizabeth Anne Tombs of Torrance, California, and Janice Olsen of Palm Springs, California; five grandchildren, Holly White and her husband, Will, Alex Bettencourt, Luke Bettencourt, Charlotte Delasin and her husband, Zach, and Jovanna Lowell-Bettencourt; and three great-grandchildren, Charlie, Juliet and Maddie White; his brother-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Donald Wright, Debbie Peddle and Darlene Obituaries | 20

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Montville; and many special nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his brother-in-law Douglas Wright.

A funeral service was held Dec. 13 at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome,com). Interment was to be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or Boston Medflight (bostonmedflight.org).

Doris Benoit Doris M. Benoit of York, Maine, and formerly of Hopkinton, passed away Dec. 28.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Sigmond and Minnie (Plasse) Kaliszewski. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Raymond Benoit.

Doris is survived by her loving daughter, Michelle and her husband, Brian LaFlamme. She is known as “Dee Dee” to her five grandchildren and their spouses, Christopher, Matthew and his wife, Kathy, Michael and his wife, Nicole, Joseph and his wife, Shawna, and Emily and her husband, Chris. She also leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her sisters, Gladys Henry and her husband, Russell, Pauline Rana and Mildred and her husband, Maurice Brown.

A funeral mass was held Jan. 4 at St. John the Evangelist Church of Hopkinton, followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Hopkinton. Funeral services were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome. com) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent De Paul, 18 Canton St., Stoughton, MA 02072 or svdpboston.com.

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Doris S. Cyr, 94, of Hopkinton passed away Jan. 1 at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Maud (Jennison) and James Stewart. She was the wife of the late Howard Cyr, who passed in 1984.

Doris was raised by her mother’s brother and his wife, Everett and Louise Jennison, after her mother passed away when she was 2 years old. Doris enjoyed traveling and was an animal lover, especially of dogs. She volunteered her time at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton and for over 14 years she walked dogs there five days per week. She rode her bike all over Hopkinton and took pleasure in taking pictures of nature along her travels.

Doris leaves behind many cousins who all remember her as a person who lived life with enthusiasm.

Funeral services were held privately with family and were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome. com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baypath Humane Society, 500 Legacy Farms North, Hopkinton, MA 01748 (baypathhumane. org) or Bethany Health Care, 97 Bethany Road, Framingham, MA 01702.

Earle Pratt Earle E. Pratt passed away peacefully in the late evening of Dec. 25. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Jane Pratt, brother, Al Pratt, and sisters, Laura Small and Lorraine Cady. He leaves behind “The Big Picture in a Small Town”

his son, Bruce Pratt and wife Betty, his daughters, Debbie Patwin and husband Mark, and Patricia Uhlman and husband Dennis. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Jackie Pratt and wife Melissa, Gregory Pratt and wife Crystal, Shawn Crane, and Dennis Uhlman and wife Stacey. He was the proud great-grandfather to six beautiful great-grandchildren, Mary Jane, Liam, Willa, Timmy, Jacob and Ruthie.

He worked for 70 years as a barber until he retired at the age of 89. He was the owner of Earle’s Barber Shop in the Framingham village of Saxonville and for the last 40 years worked at the Saxony Barber Shop. You may have heard of him as “Earle the Barber” on the radio. He served in the Navy in the 40 and 39s on the USS Boxer.

He was a lifetime member of the Woodville Rod & Gun Club in Hopkinton. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman and was very proud of his accomplishments.

His funeral service was held Dec. 31 in the Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home (westboroughfuneralhome). In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.

George Crisci George Arthur Crisci, 75, of Hopkinton passed away Jan. 1 after a period of declining health.

George was the son of the late Victor E. and Agnes (Frole) Crisci. He was born in the Bronx, New York, raised in Leominster and as a young adult returned to the Bronx where he launched his career in the garment industry that led him to travels around the world, including several years in Durbin, South Africa, before creating his home on Lake Maspenock in Hopkinton with his soulmate, Julie.

George was the ultimate host, loved his family and friends deeply and was generous to all he met in his path. He truly lived every moment to the fullest, enjoying legendary pirate-themed parties, decorating his boat for the Fourth of July parade (which he won twice) and becoming an award-winning meatball maker. He especially loved hosting his family and the extensive community of friends who became like family at his lake home, where a generation of children knew him as Uncle George, with fresh popcorn, hot dogs, fishing on his docks, being entertained to music by the Rat Pack from his vintage jukebox, and his legendary storytelling.

George was very active in the community, with memberships in the Montgomery Masonic Lodge, Allepo Shrine, Woodville Rod & Gun Club and the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Julie (Grebowicz), with whom he shared an amazing life full of adventure and merriment.

He was predeceased by a son, Steven M. Crisci, and a brother, Victor E. Crisci Jr. He is survived by his stepmother, Maddalena Crisci of Florida, his son, John A. Crisci of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his daughter, Arlene Bovee of Buford, Georgia, his four brothers, Danny and David Crisci of Leominster and Wayne and William Aho of Fitchburg, and his five sisters, Susan Doirion and Sharon Aho of Fitchburg, Nancy Samrow of Metairie, Louisiana, Virginia Elliot, who resides in Germany, and Melanie Patterson of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Kyle, Kurtis and Katelynn Crisci and Danielle and Laura Bovee, many nieces, nephews, his sister-in-law, Kristine Grebowicz, and a community of friends who all

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 21

Obituaries will miss George dearly.

In lieu of traditional services the family encourages friends to raise a glass to George and appreciate the moments with loved ones. In late spring there will be a celebration of life party — and if you knew George, he loved a good party.

Kerwin Stingley Kerwin Frank Stingley, 77, of Hopkinton died Dec. 27 after a brief period of declining health. Born in Watertown, he was the son of the late Harry and Gladys (Boehne) Stingley.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Judi, and his five children, Tracey Stingley and her husband, Ronald Nathan, of Florida, Melissa O’Rourke and her husband, Dan, of North Carolina, Todd Stingley and his wife, Michelle, of North Carolina, Keith Wetzel and his wife, Michelle, of Auburn, and Keryn Franks and her husband, Steve, of Hopkinton. He also is survived by his six beloved grandsons, Drew and Lee O’Rourke, Jace and Zack Wetzel, and Jarod and Remy Franks. He also is survived by his sister, Anne Wynne-Willson, and was predeceased by his brother, Harry Bud Stingley.

Raised in Medway, Kerwin worked for many years at Draper Corp. in Hopedale and Dennison Mfg. Co. in Framingham. He then worked at his own business in sales for 30 years until he retired.

He and Judi spent their retirement traveling around this country and the United Kingdom, visiting over 25 states as well as England, Scotland and Ireland.

He loved taking long road trips and exploring new places. At home he took up bicycling after retirement and sometimes rode 50 miles on a trip. He was the ultimate handyman and loved working around the house. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and close friends.

A funeral service was held Dec. 30 in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home in Ashland (mataresefuneral.com), followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Hopkinton Music Association, P.O. Box 242, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or the Auburn Rockets Booster Club, 99 Auburn St., Auburn, MA 01501.

Kevin Comeau Kevin R. Comeau, 55, died Dec. 21 at The Reservoir Center for Health & Rehabilitation after a long illness. He was the husband of Catherine (Slater) Comeau, to whom he was married for 31 years. Born in Framingham, he was the son of Roy Comeau of Hopkinton and the late Joan (Dumas) Comeau.

Kevin grew up in Hopkinton and graduated from Keefe Regional Technical School in 1983. He was employed by Brigham-Gill Automotive for many years.

In addition to his wife, Kevin is survived by his son, Christopher, and his fiancee, Chelsea Allinson, of Marlborough. He also leaves his siblings, Gary and wife Kate of Ashland, Wayne and wife Melissa of Hopkinton, Dale and wife Marcia of Framingham, and Theresa Roy and husband Donald of Uxbridge. In addition, he leaves his brothersin-law, James Slater and wife Angie of Texas, and Robert Slater and wife Patricia of Ashland, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Jan. 3 in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Funeral services were under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home (callanancronin.com) in Hopkinton.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or cancer.org.

Michael Fredette Michael A. Fredette, 54, died unexpectedly Dec. 30 at his home in Douglas. He was the husband of Angela (Breau) Fredette, to whom he was married for 15 years. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Henry and Eileen (McDonough) Fredette.

He was a 1983 Hopkinton High School graduate and was employed by the Hopkinton Water Department for 33 years. Mike was a big guy with a large heart who brought smiles to everyone’s face when he walked in a room. He would drop whatever he was doing to help someone in need. He loved his family and was just an all-around great guy.

In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his son, Shane Fredette of New York, his sisters, Donna Killam and husband John of Brookfield and Michelle (Fredette) Stevens and husband Joel of Hopkinton, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held Jan. 24 from 4-8 p.m. at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club in Hopkinton. Services are under the care of the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home in Hopkinton (callanancronin.com). Donations may be sent to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp. org/take-action/give-a-gift).

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Newton Thompson Newton H. Thompson, 93, of Hopkinton, formerly of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, East Windsor, Connecticut, and New Port Richey, Florida, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 10 at the Stanley R. Tippett Hospice Home in Needham.

Newton was born Jan. 28, 1926, in Hartford, the son of the late Newton Thompson and Irene Smith. He was the loving husband of the late Christine M. Thompson.

He retired at age 62 from the Connecticut Natural Gas Company after 33 years in sales. He was a longstanding member and deacon at the Windsor Locks Congregational Church. A sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII, Newton was a member of the Masons and American Legion. He enjoyed reading and the daily crossword, family gatherings, traveling with family and friends, attending the theater, racquetball and card games.

In addition to his late wife Christine, to whom he was married 63 years, he is survived by their four sons, Newton H. Thompson III and his wife, Kathleen, of Medfield, Jeffery S. Thompson and his wife, Judith, of Williamsburg, Virginia, Mark C. Thompson of Hartford, and Christopher D. Thompson and his wife, Cynthia, of Dover, New Hampshire; his five grandchildren, Ryan C. Thompson and his wife, Kate, of Dracut, Benjamin B. Thompson and his wife, Amanda, of Northborough, Aaron D. Thompson of Farmington, New Hampshire, Kristina M. Thompson of Utrecht, The Netherlands, and Philip N. Thompson of East Boston; two great-grandchildren, Jack C. and Ivy G. Thompson; his sister, Norma Cahill of Bristol, Connecticut; sisters-in-law Dorothy Donato of Hyde Park and Rose Ann Thompson of Waveland, Mississippi; former daughter-in-law Cynthia B. Thompson of Bear, Delaware; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Irene Weigert, Nancy Monroe and Clayton Thompson.

A funeral service was celebrated Dec. 16 at Windsor Locks Congregational Church in Connecticut. Committal followed at Grove Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Newton to the American Diabetes Association, Obituaries | 22

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Pamela Peters Pamela A. Peters, 68, of Hopkinton passed away Dec. 30. Born in Amesbury, she was the daughter of the late Irene (Gray) and William Lucier. She was the wife of George G. Peters of

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Rita Davis Rita E. Davis, 95, died peacefully Dec. 21. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Charles E. and Annie M. (McNeil) Leonard and was a graduate of Watertown High School.

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Pamela grew up in Amesbury and enjoyed time spent playing tennis with her husband and son.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her son, Gregory Scott Peters of Auburndale, and her granddaughter, Madlyn Smith.

Funeral services were held privately with family and were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome. com).

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she enjoyed many years singing in the choir. She was deeply devoted to her family and the Catholic church. One of her many highlights was a trip to Ireland and the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. She was the last of the Kruger Road “old-timers.”

She is survived by her children, Judith Vohden and husband Allen of West Simsbury, Connecticut, Kenneth Bates of Framingham, John Davis and Joseph Davis of Hopkinton and Sara Deeb and husband Carl of Fort Washington, Maryland. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and numerous greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by William J. Bates and Stanley J. Davis and also her son William J. Bates.

The family extends its appreciation to Jason and the Reflections staff at The Residence at Valley Farm, Ashland, for the wonderful care she received in her final years.

A funeral service was held Dec. 27 in the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home (callanancronin.com), followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery, Hopkinton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118.

Robert Petracca Robert Frank Petracca died Dec. 19 at the age of 83. He was born Oct. 30, 1936, in Milford, the son of Anthony Ralph Petracca and Marie DeLuzio Petracca.

He graduated from Hopkinton High School, attended Newman Prep School in Boston and graduated from the University of Florida Forest Ranger School.

Robert began his career with J.W. Sewell Company, Consulting Engineers in Old Town, Maine. He later joined the United States Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment Station in Asheville, North Carolina, conducting forest inventories of five of the southeastern states. While conducting a forest survey of South Carolina’s Berkeley County, he met and married his beloved wife of 59 years, Inez Metts Petracca. After moving to Berkeley County, Mr. Petracca accepted a position with Santee Cooper and retired after 30 years of service as vice president of property management, environmental resources, transportation services and building services.

He loved traveling with his family and enjoyed many wonderful experiences touring North America, Canada and various European and Mediterranean countries. He was a true outdoorsman from a boy; the forests, fields, mountains and streams were his passion. He loved the sport of hunting and fishing and he never ceased to tire of nature’s beauty and all it had to offer.

Mr. Petracca, a veteran of the U.S. Army, was a member of the Moncks Corner American Legion Post 126, the Moncks Corner Lions Club, the Moncks Corner Rotary Club, the Berkeley County Forestry Committee, the Moncks Corner Zoning Commission, Woodmen of the World and the South Carolina Forestry Association.

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In addition to his wife, he is survived by his devoted daughter and the pride and joy of his life, Susan Petracca Murtagh, her husband, Dan, his wonderful, loving and caring sister, Mrs. Terri Moschilli, numerous nieces and nephews, great-niece Joanna Villeponteaux and great-nephew Jackson Villeponteaux. He was preceded in death by brothers John M. Petracca and Anthony R. Petracca.

His funeral service was held at Russell Funeral Chapel (russellfuneralchapel.net) in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, on Dec. 23, followed by interment in St. Johns Baptist Church Cemetery in Pinopolis, South Carolina.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Donation Center, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 73123 or cancer.org.

Roger Butler Roger J. Butler, 73, of Douglas died Dec. 19 at home surrounded his loving family. He was predeceased by his adored wife of 49 years, Robin J. (Furno) Butler, on Nov. 20, 2019.

He is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline “Jacki” Vilandre and her husband, Vance, of Johnson City, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Joey, Sophie and Ronan; a brother, Rhett Butler and his wife, Mary, of Canisteo, New York; many in-laws and many nephews and nieces, including Ashley Tuttle and her family, with whom he lived and were his primary caregivers.

Born in Otsego, New York, on Oct. 31, 1946, he was the son of Donald Butler and Mildred (Stansbury) Rejko and grew up in Millbury, graduating from Millbury High School. Roger worked for many years as a welder/ fabricator for E.J. Murphy Co. in Hopkinton, building fire engines, until his retirement in 2008. Roger loved fishing and having fish tanks and aquariums in his home. He was an animal lover, especially dogs, an avid NASCAR fan, and a fan of bluegrass music. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, serving in Naples, Italy, Newport, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico.

According to Roger’s wishes he will be cremated. A celebration of his life and burial will take place on a date in the spring to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the Bosler Humane Society, P.O. Box 12, Baldwinville, MA 01436 or to Dog Orphans, 90 Webster St., Douglas MA 01516. To leave a condolence message for his family, visit Jackmanfuneralhomes.com.

Ronald Cobb Ronald Benjamin Cobb, 71, of Milford, passed away Nov. 30 at Milford Regional Medical Center.

Born at Fort Benning, Georgia, he

The Hopkinton Independent • January 15, 2020 • 23

Obituaries was the son of the late Nettie “Marie” Guerin (nee Kearce) and Johnnie Benjamin Cobb. He is survived by his wife, Julia (Beverage) Cobb of Milford.

Ron grew up in Columbus, Georgia, graduating from Jordan Vocational High School in 1966.

Not long after graduating he moved to Massachusetts to be near his mother and stepfather. An avid CB radio enthusiast, Ron combined that hobby with monitoring first-responder frequencies and volunteering with the Red Cross at fire scenes.

His interest in public safety issues led Ron to establish a career at the Massachusetts State Police General Headquarters, then located at 1010 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston, beginning in the ident bureau and ultimately working on the plan to modernize the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program in conjunction with the FBI. Following the election of Ed King as governor, Ron accepted the position as special assistant to King’s secretary of public safety, George Luciano. During that period he also served as the state’s liaison with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). When Gov. King lost his bid for re-election, Ron left public service, and after a period of trying different occupations related to public safety, took a totally different direction to work in the restaurant business.

Demonstrating a latent gift with and love for food, he worked at learning his craft to become a chef. He worked in that industry until his retirement. But his interest in public safety remained.

He continued to support first-responders and often would be found monitoring fire and police channels, still recognizing what the various codes indicated.

Besides his wife, Ron leaves behind his sons, Eric Dustin Cobb and Justin Alexis Cobb, both of Milford; his brother, Lennie Guerin and his wife, Darlene, of Las Vegas; and his stepfather, Lawrence Guerin of West Newton and County Wessex, Ireland. He also leaves a son and a daughter from an earlier marriage: Douglas Marshall Cobb of Maryland, and Melissa Ruth Bailey of Virginia.

A memorial service was held Dec. 21 at Faith Community Church of Hopkinton, where Ronald was a longtime member. Arrangements were under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome.com).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica. org) or the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org).

MULCH FIREWOOD PAVERS MULCH LOAM PAVERS Seasoned • Screened

Willie Smith Willie J. Smith, 78, of Milford and formerly of Bedford passed away Dec. 30 at Genesis Milford Center. Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was the son of the late Delma (Butler) and Booker Smith. He was the husband of the late Claudia (Emerson) Smith, who passed away July 2003.

An Army veteran, Willie was a graduate of Tuskegee University with a degree in electrical engineering and held an MBA from Suffolk University. Willie moved from St. Louis to Bedford with wife Claudia, and he worked at Raytheon Corporation in Bedford to help develop missile guidance systems. He worked briefly at the MIT Research Corporation in Burlington before taking on a position at Analytical Systems Engineering Corporation (ASEC) in Burlington. At ASEC, he rose from engineering project manager, working on such projects as missile defense systems for the government of Saudi Arabia, and eventually was chosen as vice president of the company.

He was a member of the Frank W. Thompson AFAM Masonic Lodge in Bedford. He was on the Board of Trustees at Middlesex Community College in Bedford. He taught curriculum at Middlesex Community College, Northeastern University and Suffolk University. He also was the Director of Administration in the Essex Correctional Facility in Middleton.

Willie is survived by his two sons, Christopher Edward Smith and his wife, Stephanie, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and Brian Emerson Smith and his wife, Heather, of Hopkinton. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Ashley Denisse Magana, Marissa Ann Smith, Christopher David Smith, Olivia Marie Smith, Kimberly Guapalupe Smith and Kylie MacKenzie Smith; his half-brother, Charles J. Smith and his wife, Eunice, of Jackson, Michigan; his sister-in-law, Nettie Smith of Macon, Georgia; his brother and sister-in-law Andre and Marie Mitchom of Centreville, Illinois; and nieces Rene Butler and Monique Nichols. He is predeceased by two brothers, Booker Smith Jr. and Alphonse Smith.

A Masonic service was held Jan. 4 at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton (ChesmoreFuneralHome.com). Interment was held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America, dementiasociety.org.

Holiday hounds Australian shepherd therapy dogs Rocki and Raisin visited the Golden Pond Assisted Living Community in Hopkinton on Christmas Eve to spread some holiday cheer.

PHOTO/ALLISON RUGGERI

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