HI 1.28.26 LAYOUT_WEB by Community Advocate

WINTER WONDERLAND

Marathon VP charged after casino fight

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

An elementary school assistant principal recently placed on administrative leave by the Hopkinton Public Schools was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution in a criminal case last year.

Eric Mitchell, the Marathon School assistant principal, was accused of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on an elderly disabled veteran and disorderly conduct at a Plainville casino last year. Criminal charges against him were filed by the commonwealth in Wrentham District Court on Aug. 10, 2024, according to court documents.

Sismanis victim files suit against town, police chief

By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer

Court documents reveal that the victim in the case against former Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis has filed a lawsuit against Sismanis, the Town of Hopkinton, and Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett.

NBC10 Boston broke the story about the lawsuit on Jan. 12. Christopher Waterman, the victim’s attorney, told NBC10 the purpose of the lawsuit is to hold parties accountable “for their actions and inactions,” which the suit alleges resulted in the victim’s assault. Sismanis was convicted last June of indecent assault of a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. The charges stem from an incident in January 2023 when the Hillers Pizza owner grabbed and kissed the 16-year-old employee in the restaurant’s basement. After the teen attempted to leave the establishment with her mother, Sismanis repeatedly blocked them from leaving the 77 West Main Street plaza.

Eric Mitchell, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this month from his job as Marathon School assistant principal, recently was given probation for his role in a casino fight that left a 62-yearold veteran with severe injuries.

Diana, a 3-year-old, makes her way along Center Trail after a recent snowstorm.

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STAFF

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Select Board gets tough on license renewals; pickleball TIF stalls

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

The Select Board on Jan. 20 voted to renew licenses for several businesses. But it cautioned that those that have delayed in completing requirements will have to face the board at the next meeting on Feb. 3 to explain why.

I think at some point there does need to be a level of accountability, to say nothing of respecting the time and efforts of town staff.

— Select Board member Matt Kizner

This marked the third meeting where the board discussed common victualer (CV) and other associated license renewals. The following businesses were granted renewals in a 4-0 vote because they completed all licensing requirements:

— 110 Grill (approved for CV, alcohol and entertainment licenses);

— Pan Thai (approved for CV, alcohol and entertainment licenses);

— Woodville Rod & Gun Club (approved for club all alcohol license);

— Muffin House Café (approved for CV license);

— Crust & Company (approved for CV and entertainment license);

— The Vin Bin (approved for package store all alcohol license);

— Hopkinton Wine & Spirits (approved for package store all alcohol license);

— Main Street Service Center (approved for Class 1 and Class 2 auto dealer licenses);

— Able Limousine (approved for livery license);

— Bulldog Fire Apparatus (approved for Class 1 and Class 2 licenses).

Lazarus noted that some other businesses had their initial inspections but not their follow-up ones. Two others had not yet been inspected. She said the town is working with the business owners to complete the process.

Extensions granted with warning

The board voted 3-1 to approve extensions for the remaining venues. They must submit completed applications by no later than Feb. 4. Kizner voted no, while member Brian Herr was absent.

Restaurant all alcohol and associated license extensions were approved for Cornell’s Irish Pub, Hopkinton Country Club, Ko Restaurant, Rapscallion, Hopkinton Center for the Arts and Arcos Hospitality. A farmer brewery permit was approved for Start Line Brewing Company.

CV license extensions were granted for Aramark at Dell’s two locations, Blue Square Pizza, Starbucks at Price Chopper, Starbucks Coffee, Red Barn Coffee at Angel’s Cafe, Domino’s Pizza and Hop-Yo.

Lazarus added that the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) has a Feb. 6 deadline for submissions of local inspection and compliance documents for alcohol licenses. The board does not meet again until Feb. 3, leaving a short window for compliance to be finalized.

“They’ve always had a deadline,” she said of the ABCC. “But we’ve never had an issue with meeting the deadline before.”

If the licensees do not complete their applications by the next meeting, they will need to reapply, Lazarus stressed.

Kizner pointed out that the license renewals are supposed to be completed by the end of the calendar year. That is why he cast the dissenting vote.

“I think at some point there does need to be a level of accountability,” he added, “to say nothing of respecting the time and efforts of town staff.”

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan added that the town “instituted a new process” that included Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks. He questioned if this may have caused delays for some applicants.

Lazarus pointed out that the only new procedure this cycle is a “90-minute test that’s required now by code.” This has to do with Fire Department access, she explained.

Clark pointed out that the town’s growth, combined with the impact of the holidays, may have increased the burden on business owners to meet deadlines.

Said Lazarus: “Everyone is aware of what needs to be done.”

“I think we need to stress to applicants that these are important,” she added. “And they shouldn’t wait until the last minute.”

She suggested that outstanding applicants appear at the Feb. 3 meeting to explain why they are not ready. Board members agreed.

TIF does not make ATM warrant

The board discussed the articles it intended to submit for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Members agreed to advance all but the one on a proposed tax increment financing (TIF) agreement for a new pickleball/padel facility. Warrant articles are due to the town by Feb. 1, Lazarus explained. Residents can submit citizens’ petitions until that time to Town Hall. Town departments face the same deadline.

While many articles are routine submissions, the potential article that split members 2-2 was the proposed TIF agreement with Open Play Pickleball and Padel Club. The owner of the facility at 124 East Main Street is in negotiations with the town for a TIF. The facility is near completion and already is accepting applications on its website. Clark and Kizner did not support a warrant article for the TIF because it was not proposed up front. Ritterbusch suggested that an article be submitted as a placeholder. It could be removed before Select Board | 3

Pickleball TIF lacks support due to timing of negotiations

including the Carbone’s Restaurant property at 280 Cedar Street.

ATM if negotiations stalled, she said.

Mannan said he did not support the TIF as proposed, noting it was sought after the building was under construction. But at the last meeting, he recommended adjustments that would allow him to support it. The major one was a “clawback” policy for the town to recover money if Open Play was successful in the TIF’s initial years.

He added that TIFs would “incentivize” more businesses to come to Hopkinton. Clark countered that the money raised by the local meals tax is going toward economic development and would achieve the same result.

Police

Kizner suggested that the Open Space Preservation Commission appear before the board to explain the intended uses for the properties it is seeking to acquire.

FY 27 budget discussed

The Select Board also discussed the comprehensive budget for the upcoming fiscal year with members of the School Committee and the Board of Assessors.

Lazarus reported that the budget is balanced. Town departments were requested to submit level-service budgets. This caused some to make tough choices about items to trim from their requests to hit that goal.

She added that the budget fell “within the constraints of Proposition 2½.” This state law caps property taxes at 2.5% of the total assessed value of all taxable property, plus new growth from construction.

“The town is fortunate to have a robust amount of free cash again this year,” noted Lazarus. “But it’s not a sustainable or reliable revenue source over time.”

Free cash will be used to help fund capital projects, she explained, along with borrowing. Borrowing will occur for two proposed water projects as well.

Added Lazarus: “The tax impact continues to be an important concern, especially as we consider the challenges of seniors, young families and others struggling to stay in Hopkinton.”

Figures will be updated as new information is received in preparation for Annual Town Meeting on May 2.

need more transparency

Iam writing as a Hopkinton resident to share concerns about leadership clarity and transparency within the Hopkinton Police Department, and how recent events may be affecting public confidence.

Over the past year, Hopkinton has experienced several serious incidents involving harm to children, including a 5-year-old struck by a vehicle on Walnut Way and the conviction of a local business owner for assaulting a child. Public reporting on these matters has led many residents to ask reasonable questions about investigative processes, communication and oversight. While each incident is separate, together they have heightened concern about whether systems intended to protect the community are operating effectively.

These concerns have been further amplified by reports that Hopkinton’s police chief has been named personally in a civil lawsuit filed by a minor, alleging a failure to protect her from sexual abuse. These allegations have not been adjudicated. However, Chief Bennett has been noticeably absent for an extended period of time — all of his duties seemingly taken over by [Deputy Chief] van Raalten. There is limited public information regarding departmental leadership, which has created uncertainty about decision-making and oversight — made clear by the Walnut Way incident. Trust between law enforcement and the community is essential for public safety and effective policing. Maintaining that trust requires clear leadership, transparency and open communication. Hopkinton residents deserve clarity about who is currently leading the department, how oversight is being maintained and what steps are being taken to ensure continued public confidence and safety.

— Leah Slade, Hopkinton

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

To Potential Home Sellers,

Buyers are Waiting!

It’s January and my buyers are actively looking. They are motivated, prepared and watching daily for new listings to hit the market. What this tells me is simple. There is pent-up demand and buyers are ready for the right homes to come on the market.

If you are considering selling, this spring could present a real opportunity. As of Jan. 22, Hopkinton single-family listings range from $1,150,000–$4,495,000. You know buyers are waiting for your home!

When you list with me, I create a clear, strategic plan designed to attract serious buyers and achieve maximum results.

If you’re thinking about selling and want an honest conversation about timing, pricing and strategy, let’s talk.

Sandy

Hopkinton man charged after alleged assault

By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer

AHopkinton man will appear in Framingham District Court in February for a pretrial hearing about an alleged assault that occurred in Ashland earlier this month.

Jadaius Figueroa, 23, was arrested after an incident that occurred at 330 Pond Street in Ashland on Jan. 9. Figueroa is charged with one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault and battery causing serious bodily harm after allegedly striking a 25-year-old man in the parking lot of a shopping plaza.

The Ashland Police Department reported that the 25-year-old was left with “serious head trauma.” He experienced a seizure on scene and was MedFlighted to a Boston-area hospital for treatment.

Figueroa’s pretrial hearing in Framingham District Court is scheduled for Feb. 5. He was unable to meet his $25,000 cash bail, so he was ordered to be held at the Middlesex Jail and House of Corrections.

Court records obtained by the Independent detail Ashland PD’s response to the scene and further details of the altercation.

Ashland Police officers arrived at 330 Pond Street around 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 9 after multiple callers reported a male suffering from a seizure in the shopping plaza’s parking lot. Officer Emanuele Toscano rendered initial aid while awaiting the Ashland Fire Department.

Other responding officers canvassed the area. Witnesses stated that two men had gotten into an altercation in the parking lot outside of Dollar Tree.

Footage from the nearby Cost Cutters yielded a description of the suspect.

“The video footage, while not perfectly clear, showed a male party positioned above [the 25-year-old], striking him in the face more than twice,” added officer Edward Sena.

Figueroa was located and stopped north on Pond Street, near a Speedway gas station. Officer Robert Araujo noted in his narrative: “Before I could say anything, he stated he was attacked and was defending himself.”

Further details from Figueroa, an employee of the Dollar Tree, revealed that he was on a break when the man visited the store. He stated that the two knew each other and “he (Figueroa) and [the victim’s] brother did not get along,” according to Piers’ report. Figueroa said he was recording the interaction on his phone when he was

charged by the man, causing him to strike him and knock him to the ground before fleeing the area, although he was unable to produce the video for officers.

In its press release regarding the assault, the Ashland PD noted that Figueroa was being held by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office “due to this incident and the impact of this arrest on open cases.”

Resident charged with bank fraud

A Hopkinton woman and a Boston man were charged in a bank fraud scheme that allegedly included the theft of $1.2 million over the course of several years.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rosemary Parks, 59, of Hopkinton and William Shaw, 67, of Boston were indicted on counts of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Shaw was arrested and arraigned in federal court on Jan. 21.

Parks was arrested Jan. 16 and released under special conditions, including orders not to drink or take illegal drugs and undergo a mental health evaluation, per reporting from The Boston Globe.

To withdraw the money, Shaw and Parks allegedly used fake driver’s license with customers’ information on them but with their own photos. They are accused of using customers names and account numbers to make the withdrawals at banks across Massachusetts, from West Roxbury out to Sturbridge. Shaw reportedly posed as a bank customer on 11 occasions and withdrew $674,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Parks impersonated eight

bank customers and withdrew $536,000 from customer accounts in the form of cashier’s checks and cash withdrawals.

The press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Shaw began the fraud scheme in December 2022 and continued through March 2025. Parks allegedly operated between August through October of 2024.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted in the press release that six men were charged in July 2025 in a related investigation. Those men allegedly were involved in a multimillion-dollar criminal conspiracy to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Tax relief fund opens aid applications

Hopkinton’s Tax Relief Committee spends time and effort tracking economic factors impacting the town as it supports people who are elderly and/or on fixed incomes.

“We keep track of what’s going on in terms of taxes, overrides [and] debt levies,” chair Sue Kurys explained. She added that the committee routinely looks at cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security and Disability, housing cost indicators from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and more.

This work is aimed at providing adequate tax relief to those Hopkinton residents who need it. The committee recently opened up its application period for this year, which extends to Feb. 20. The application form can be found online.

“When you apply that aid, there are a fair number of people in town whose tax bills represent a significant portion of their income,” she said.

The Tax Relief Committee relies solely on donations. According to Kurys, it lost a major donor a few years ago and is bracing for the impact of that lost money as need increases.

Sismanis victim files case against town, police chief

The civil complaint, obtained by the Independent, recounts the details of the assault and the emotional and psychological impacts on the victim. It goes on to level five counts against the defendants in the case.

Count 4 of the complaint alleges negligence on the part of the town and Chief Bennett. It argues that “the Town and Chief Bennett failed to act on known complaints about Sismanis and his past unlawful conduct, thereby allowing Sismanis continued access to minor employees.” It goes on to state this resulted in negligence that “created a foreseeable risk” to Sismanis’ employees.

Sismanis had prior convictions for sexual assault. He pled guilty to charges in 1998 for assaulting a female employee as his prior Hopkinton business, Jelly Doughnuts. That conviction resulted in him being placed on the sex offender registry. A complaint made against Sismanis in 2017 led to him being brought into an executive session with the Select Board the following year. The newly filed complaint also argues that another Hillers Pizza employee reported Sismanis assaulted her in 2016.

The final count of the complaint alleges that the victim’s due process rights were violated in this incident. “Defendants consciously disregarded known risks posed by Sismanis and failed to implement protective measures despite repeated warnings and the gravity of those threats,” the complaint claims. This, it concludes, is a violation of the victim’s 14th Amendment rights.

What the precise duties the town and the HPD had regarding Sismanis’ history as a sex offender remain unclear. The main flash point in town since Sismanis’ conviction is how Town Hall and the Select Board handle common victualer’s (CV) license applications and renewals.

Residents and individuals invested in justice for the victim have raised questions regarding why Sismanis’ sex offender status and other complaints received by the HPD were never disclosed during any of the CV renewals done for Hillers Pizza by the Select Board since 2016. They also have inquired as to why Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registration Information (SORI) checks were not conducted on the Hillers Pizza owner.

Both the town and the HPD have attempted to address these questions. In a letter to the Select Board sent in No-

vember, Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten asserted that due to domestic violence laws, the HPD is limited in what information it is allowed to disclose to the public. The letter asserts that the department was “legally prohibited from proactively informing community members about Mr. Sismanis’ sex offender status” as well.

In an interview with the Independent earlier this month following a heated Select Board meeting, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus clarified that her office handles CORI/SORI checks for CV license applications and renewals. Those checks did not become part of the CV process until after Hillers Pizza began operating in town.

Addressing a 2018 entertainment license for which Hillers Pizza applied — and which would have required a CORI — Lazarus admitted that the check was not performed.

That entertainment license policy notes that the CORI requirement “may be waived at the discretion of the [Select] Board if the licensee holds a common victualer’s or liquor license.” Lazarus did not say whether or not the board waived the requirement, but she stated that it “acted in accordance” with a discussion that occurred in an executive session in January 2018.

Lazarus provided the Independent a copy of the Select Board’s executive session from Jan. 30, 2018. The minutes provide redacted details of a conversation between the board, Sismanis and his attorney regarding the 2017 complaints against him. “Mr. Sismanis stated that each complaint and charge was untrue and denied participating in any of the events described,” according to the minutes.

The discussion concludes with the Select Board telling Sismanis that CV license holders are “held to high standards,” and “the behavior alleged is unacceptable.”

The lawsuit against Sismanis, the town and Chief Bennett was filed on Dec. 16. The town’s legal counsel petitioned the case be moved from the Middlesex Superior Court to federal court last week. Who will represent Sismanis in the case is unclear. The former Hillers Pizza owner has been in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since at least November. The native of Greece could face deportation. As of this reporting, the ICE database put Sismanis at the Imperial Regional Adult Detention Facility in Calexico, California.

setts Office of Travel & Tourism. The grant is intended to fund part of the architectural and engineering schematic designs for the building.

“We definitely expect that in the next two years, we’re going to see more applications,” said Kurys. “There’s no doubt.”

HCA gets grant for Center School reuse

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts has received a six-figure grant that will help the nonprofit support the ongoing Center School reuse project.

In a press release, the HCA announced that it was awarded $110,000 in grant funding from the Massachu-

“The vision is to preserve the building’s historic exterior while reinventing the interior as a flexible, mixed-use space that will serve residents of all ages and strengthen Hopkinton’s cultural and civic life,” according to the press release.

The Center School project envisions the space held in a public-private partnership between the town and the HCA. If funded and completed, the renovated building would house the Parks & Recreation and Youth & Family Services departments. The HCA would have classroom space for arts programming, and the building would provide needed community meeting and activity space.

Sismanis | from page 1

BUSINESS

‘Million dollar service’ at Foemmel Fine Homes

Kim Foemmel loves her job and it shows. The Hopkinton real estate broker and Realtor, who has owned Foemmel Fine Homes at 1 Lumber Street for 15 years, has ranked as the town’s number one agent from 2022 through 2025 and has been among the top 1% of agents in Massachusetts.

“I own a boutique office that can provide marketing for my clients across the globe,” said Foemmel. “I love my job every day — its challenges, the ever-changing market and especially helping my clients achieve success with one of their biggest investments.”

Besides handling all the details of real estate transactions with professionalism and integrity, she assists her clients with updating their homes — including kitchens, bathrooms and painting — staging homes so they look their best and more. “I am a perfectionist with a great attention to detail,” she said. “I work to help my clients achieve the highest values for their homes.”

Since acquiring her broker’s license in 2013, Foemmel, who has sold more that $250 million in real estate, has always strived to find ways to be more effective at her job and more supportive of her clients.

“Time always seems to be a bottleneck, so I am incorporating AI into my business strategies so I can be more efficient and be in front of my clients more,” said Foemmel. She added that she hopes to expand her office with a few more agents this year so the business can help more buyers and sellers. “But I don’t ever want to get too big, because it takes my time away from my clients and the personalized real estate service I provide,” said Foemmel. “I am striving to keep a happy balance.” Foemmel said her entrepreneurial spirit comes from her parents, who have owned a couple of businesses over the years in Wisconsin. Her mom was only 17 and still in high school when she married Kim’s dad, who was 21. They bought, took over and

ran a successful dairy farm. “I was in a bonnet feeding calves at 22 months old, and my crib was in the barn,” said Foemmel. She still reflects on the values that her parents taught her including hard work, being innovative, and thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions.

Reflecting on those values and what it would have been like to run that dairy farm, Foemmel said, “The dirt is still very much in my blood. Much like farming, real estate is a 365, seven-days-a-week business. I work every holiday and have even put together a deal on Christmas Day.”

Her work ethic and enthusiasm for her business also is shown in her commitment and support of the community, which includes everything from donating to Hopkinton events to sponsoring scholarships for graduating seniors.

Anyone interested in more information about the “million dollar service” at every price point offered by Kim Foemmel and Foemmel Fine Homes can visit FoemmelFineHomes.com or call 508-808-1149.

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

Parks & Rec seeks solutions for EMC Park security cameras

By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer

The Parks & Recreation Commission on Jan. 13 discussed available options to finalize the installation of security cameras at EMC Park.

Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus led the discussion, explaining that he had discussed available options for camera installation at the park with the town’s IT Department. He noted that the initial goal was to install a hard-line connection.

“The hope was to use the doghouse [snack shack] and get it wired … so we can get highquality security footage of EMC Park, specifically the skate park and the lower baseball fields,” said Lewitus.

The IT Department reported to Lewitus in a recent email that the wired connection at the park was not possible. According to Josh Grossetti, the town’s director of information technology and innovation services, neither Verizon nor Comcast can provide the hard line. However, Verizon proposed an LTE/5G option that would use a cellular router to connect to the cameras.

In his email to Parks & Rec, Grossetti explained that the solution would rely on upload bandwidth. To avoid buffering, video quality from the security cameras would have to be reduced.

“We have the capability of getting security cameras there, but the feed will not be clear enough to really make out license plates or even ID faces,” Lewitus summarized.

Parks & Rec received Community Preservation funds to install the security cameras at EMC Park. Lewitus reported to the Community Preservation

— Parks & Rec vice chair Kyle Smith

Committee last June that camera installation was delayed due to the installation of the Hank Fredette Skate Park and needed upgrades to the baseball fields.

No cameras were operational when taggers spray-painted the new skate park back in November.

Commission members reviewed available options. Vice chair Kyle Smith wondered whether local storage could be implemented at the park, and the footage could be pulled from an SD card when needed. He also expressed concern over putting up cameras that would not catch meaningful data due to video quality.

“I think that just doing it to check a box that accomplishes none of the objectives of having them is very wasteful,” he said. “That doesn’t make sense to me.”

Left: Kim Foemmel

Below: Kim Foemmel, then 22 months old, tends to the cows in her family’s Wisconsin dairy farm.

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’

Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is Jasmine Lee for this photo of a deer snacking on a pumpkin on Whalen Road. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo (put “Photo Contest” in the subject line) along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

The Hopkinton Independent presents “A Slice of Hopkinton” photo contest, sponsored by BoMain. 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 BoMain.

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

Added Smith: “We might as well put ones out there that are fake.”

Chair Dan Terry pushed back, noting that even a low-quality video could offer more information than nothing. “I get that we don’t want to check the box, but knowing whether it was a pickup truck or a moped that was in there at 2 a.m. is useful info,” he said.

Terry also questioned whether Verizon had considered creating an access line from one of the nearby schools. Marathon School is about 1,000 feet away from EMC Park.

Members agreed more information was needed before a decision could be made. Smith clarified with Lewitus that should the commission choose the 5G option, the cost would be absorbed by the town’s IT Department.

Lewitus agreed to follow up with Grossetti and report back to the commission.

Hopkins gym change

‘unfortunate’

for Parks & Rec

During his director’s report, Lewitus informed the Parks & Rec Com-

mission that the Hopkins Elementary School gym renovations were complete. However, the new basketball hoops installed there pose a problem for Parks & Rec programs.

“The hoops don’t lower [below 10 feet], and that’s where we had our [kindergarten/first grade] program,” Lewitus said. “It’s unfortunate.”

Members discussed ways to ensure the needs of the Parks & Rec Department are made known to the town on future projects. In particular, members focused on the ongoing Charleswood School project and whether its gym could accommodate some of the department’s needs.

“How do we facilitate a warm invitation into friendly discussions about what could be beneficial to members of the town who use Parks & Rec services and programs that would ultimately be run there?” asked Smith.

“We’re not asking to change the layout or add a gym or something like that, which seems reasonable,” he added.

Lewitus agreed. “Even if the grade doesn’t call for lower hoops, who else uses this gym?” he said, adding that advocating for a hoop system Parks & Rec could use likely would not change the cost of the multi-million dollar project.

Marathon administrator given probation after casino brawl

Mitchell | from page 1

Charges leveled after fight

Mitchell was officially charged with assault and battery on a person over age 60 or with a disability with injury to Bryan Gallagher. Gallagher claimed that Mitchell assaulted him on Feb. 19, 2024, at the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville by striking his face and pushing his body and head into a slot machine.

On May 14, 2025, Thomas L. Finigan, first justice of the Wrentham District Court, ruled “sufficient facts found but continued without a finding until 5/12/27.” According to the state website, “continuance without a finding” means that “criminal case is continued to a date certain without the formal entry of a guilty finding.” in cases where there is a probation violation following this ruling, the defendant can face revocation of the continuance, entry of a finding of guilty and a sentence imposition, according to mass.gov.

This charge carries a more severe sentence than a typical assault and battery charge because of the victim’s status as a protected person (over 60 years old and/or disabled). If imposed, the sentence can be “imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment in jail for not more than two and one-half years,” according to state law.

Finigan also ordered Mitchell to pay $826.78 in restitution to Gallagher. result of the ruling, Mitchell was placed on probation.

The second charge of disorderly

conduct was dismissed at the request of the commonwealth, according to court records.

Trooper details encounter

In the case file, Trooper Gregory Hayes of the Massachusetts State Police provided his account of the incident between Mitchell and Gallagher. A casino

Bryan Gallagher said he was “permanently maimed” after a casino altercation with Marathon School Assistant Principal Eric Mitchell.

offered more details about the incident. Gallagher recounted that he went to the Plainridge Park Casino on Presidents Day in 2024. He said he often enjoyed watching sports on the big-screen television from the horseshoe-shaped bar.

“There was a card in the machine I was going to play on,” he explained. “In casinos, if someone leaves their card behind, you leave it on the stand next to the machine. Then the person can get it back”

After winning a jackpot, Gallagher said he moved to a different slot machine. At that time, Gallagher said Mitchell yelled at a young Latino man and his mother for stealing his “[expletive] machine.”

emergency medical technician, but Mitchell refused medical treatment from the Plainville Fire Department.

Hayes took Mitchell’s statement. Mitchell “stated that Gallagher attacked him” and that “they took his money.” Mitchell did not specify to the state trooper who “they” were.

In his report, Hayes recounted Gallagher’s description of the events. Gallagher told him that Mitchell had knocked over his drink. After that, the report stated that “he ended up punching him in the face and the two began to fight.”

The trooper noted that surveillance footage of the incident showed Mitchell knocking a drink off Gallagher’s drink stand. Gallagher then approached Mitchell.

“[At] that time Mitchell strikes Gallagher in the face with a left hand,” the trooper stated.

“The two intermingle and Mitchell gets his left hand and arm on the back of the neck of Gallagher,” Hayes continued. “Mitchell slammed Gallagher’s body and head into a slot machine several times before Mitchell ended up falling back into a chair and was restrained by another patron.”

Gallagher was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro “for treatment of head and shoulder injuries,” according to the report. Mitchell decided to seek medical treatment on his own.

Hayes charged Mitchell with the two charges filed by the commonwealth as well as assault and battery with serious bodily injury. In his statement, Hayes said Plainville Police Detective David Smolinsky “informed Mitchell that he would be issued a criminal complaint/summons.”

Mitchell also was issued a 30-day trespass order barring him from casino property.

Accuser describes injuries

In recent emails to the Independent, Gallagher shared information about the injuries he sustained during the incident.

“Eric Mitchell put me in the hospital for 25 days,” he stated. “[He] broke my arm and [my] shoulder had to be rebuilt.”

Gallagher described himself as a 62-year-old disabled veteran. He stated that he served for 26 years in the Massachusetts National Guard and went on seven combat tours.

“[Mitchell] has permanently maimed me,” he said, noting that he received care at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center. “My arm still hurts to this day.”

In a later phone interview, Gallagher

“I was like, ‘Hey buddy, I took the card out,’ ” said Gallagher. “ ‘If you have something to say, go to me.’ ” Gallagher said he saw Mitchell approach the pair two more times.

“I said, ‘Why don’t you just go talk to the manager?’ the third time,” he said before returning to his machine.

“[Mitchell] knocked my beer off the drink stand when he walked past me,” said Gallagher. “I walked up to him and said, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’”

He added that both of his palms were outstretched.

“Mr. Mitchell sucker-punched me with his left hand,” Gallagher said. “Then he threw my head and shoulder into the slot machine three times.

“The Spanish guy is the one who pinned him to the floor until the police arrived,” he recalled. “He saved me from my head being crushed.”

Process leads to frustration

Mitchell was arraigned on June 5, 2024. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, according to court records. Pretrial hearings began last July.

“At the March 12 hearing, Mr. Mitchell and his lawyer talked to the court magistrate,” said Gallagher.

The following and final hearing was held on May 12. At that time, the case was continued without a finding. This means that there was enough evidence for a guilty verdict, but the judge offers the defendant probation.

“A few days before the [May 12] hearing, I was contacted by the victim advocate,” said Gallagher. “She said the charge of assault with a deadly weapon — the slot machine — had been dropped. She said there was going to be a plea and that I wouldn’t be testifying.” Gallagher said that call left him “stunned.”

“I thought I would get to tell my story,” Gallagher continued. “I thought we could show the video of what he did to me. They hadn’t even gotten to the evidence because [Mitchell] basically pleaded guilty.”

Added Gallagher: “It’s wicked fishy, all of it. They brushed it aside, like Mr. Mitchell was an entitled person.” Gallagher said he was notified that Mitchell has been taking anger management classes.

This past December, Gallagher started posting on Hopkinton social media pages about Mitchell. Shortly thereafter, he learned that Mitchell was placed on administrative leave.

“I thought I was going to die,” Gallagher said. “I wanted to get my story out about what Mr. Mitchell did to me. I don’t think he should be working around kids.”

For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary. org. Visit the library’s website calendar for event registration information. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary.

ALL AGES PROGRAMS

Coffee House: The Music of Stephen Sondheim

Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Attendees will experience the genius of one of Broadway’s most revered composers in A Place for Us: The Music of Stephen Sondheim. Pianist and vocalist Jay Daniels pays tribute to Sondheim’s extraordinary legacy with heartfelt interpretations of songs from “Gypsy,” “A Little Night Music” and more. The concert also features a special sing-along portion, inviting the audience to join in beloved selections from “West Side Story.”

ADULT PROGRAMS

Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures

Thursday, Feb. 5, 7-8 p.m.

Author Vanessa Riley will host an online discussion about her newest book, “Fire Sword and Sea.” The novel is based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

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

Winter Weather Policy

The Senior Center is closed to the public when the Hopkinton Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather. Those interested in visiting should play it safe — watching the news and checking for school closings. Individuals also can call the Senior Center or check out the Facebook page for closing updates. Transportation assistance could be impacted by inclement weather as well.

Making Social Security Secure

Thursday Jan. 29, 1 p.m.

Attendees will learn how Social Security is funded, about its current and future financial health, and the options to ensure the stability of the program. Social Security faces a long-term financial shortfall unless Congress acts. This presentation will cover the pros and cons of the five most common solutions to ensure that Social Security can continue to pay the full payments that Americans have earned. AARP is advocating to protect the long-term future of Social Security. This presentation will provide the information individuals need to make their voices heard. Everybody who is receiving or planning to receive a Social Security payment is invited and encouraged to at-

CONVERSATION CIRCLES

ELL Conversation Group:

Intermediate Wednesdays, Feb. 4 and 11, 10-11 a.m.

This English Language Learners (ELL) group is for those who have mastered basic vocabulary and simple grammar. The group prioritizes components of grammar, vocabulary expansion, reading comprehension and group discussion. Reading together helps to expand vo cabulary and provides a focus for group discussion and increased understanding of the complexities of language.

ELL Conversation Group:

Conversation and Culture

Thursdays, Feb. 5 and 12, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Under the direction of a leader, par ticipants focus on English fluency. Topics of interest will be identified for discussion, which often is led by local community experts. This group will help participants to enrich vocabulary, practice commu nication skills and learn about the local community.

ELL Conversation Group:

Beginning Learners

Fridays, Feb. 6 and 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

NEW YEAR NEW CABINETS

This group is appropriate for individuals with limited experience with the English language. It provides an opportunity to build English vocabulary and practice grammar and reading in a supportive setting. Meetings emphasize new vocabulary, common idioms and basic rules of grammar, along with improving conversation skills.

tend. This presentation is free and open to residents of all towns. Registration is request by calling 508-497-9730.

Our Time Memory Cafe at the Senior Center

Thursday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m.

This is a welcoming gathering for those experiencing forgetfulness or mild cognitive impairment, or living with dementia, and their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, share experiences and form friendships. This month’s activity is a live piano performance from Sylvia Studer-Woodard. This is a joint venture between Senior Services and the Hopkinton Public Library. For more information, call the Senior Center.

Valentine’s Day

Cookie Decorating

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.

The Senior Center will provide all of the cookies and decorating options, while participants provide their creativity and sweet presence in the facility’s dining room. Advance registration is required.

AARP Income Tax Assistance

Tuesdays in February and March

AARP Foundation tax-aide volunteers (IRS certified) will help individuals prepare and file their returns for free. While this program is focused on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income, it is open to anyone of any age. Appointments begin Feb. 10 and continue each Tuesday through the end of March. Anyone interested in more information or scheduling an appointment can call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730. Individuals can begin signing up for appointments on Jan. 20.

Our experience is your peace of mind Hopkinton, MA | Woonsocket , RI CabinetGalleryltd com

South Street called ‘golden goose’ for economic development

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

Two area realtors spoke at the Jan. 13 Economic Development Advisory Board meeting about Hopkinton’s potential for commercial development, pinpointing South Street as the key target.

Guest speakers Nick Slottje, Charlesbank Realty Group’s president/chief executive officer, and Marilyn Santiago, a senior advisor at Parsons Commercial Group, discussed Hopkinton’s place in the MetroWest real estate market. They agreed that South Street has untapped potential and said the town should tout its status as a platinum community for life science companies.

Chair Jordan Thayer served as the facilitator. He stressed the commitment from the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) to outreach and its goal of incentivizing businesses to locate in Hopkinton and increase the commercial/ industrial tax base.

Town has selling points, drawbacks

Santiago has a 15-year background in industrial, office and retail real estate. She shared that Hopkinton’s proximity to Interstate 495 makes it attractive. The town also has a “positive persona in MetroWest” despite being a smaller market.

“People want to be in Hopkinton,” she said. “One of the challenges depending on the product type is the supply.”

Santiago pointed out that downtown space is “very, very limited,” making South Street a logical area for business development.

Slottje added that industrial vacancy rates are extremely low. On the downside, he said some huge industrial buildings on South Street “still sit vacant.”

One positive is that Santiago called the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce “super robust.”

Smaller “flex space” properties of 12,000 square feet or smaller are in demand

now. Slottje stressed that “you could literally put a million different uses in them.”

Office vacancy rates are a hurdle the town needs to overcome, Santiago noted.

Focus turns to South Street

Slottje questioned how to promote either the redevelopment of the six main vacant South Street commercial properties or get businesses to “use them as is.”

Added Santiago: “That’s not a big challenge at the end of the day.”

Zoning is amenable to businesses, added Slottje, but the town does not “entice” businesses to locate here. He noted that Moderna originally scoped out a South Street building for its headquarters. The town’s platinum status for life science companies should be pushed to attract similar companies, he said.

Stressed Slottje: “We’re sitting on a golden goose with South Street.”

Water and electrical redundancy in those buildings make them valuable to

investors, he added. Elmwood Park also would be a good business location.

Bose Professional opened its headquarters at 117 South Street last May. The problem is that most residents aren’t aware of it, Slottje said.

Another detractor that keeps businesses away from Hopkinton is the “red tape,” Slottje added. Site plan reviews are required by the Planning Board for businesses with properties an acre or larger. Conservation Commission appearances and peer review consultant reviews tend to deter interested parties from a somewhat arduous and costly approval process.

“We’re in much better shape if the town has this kind of personal [feeling] that we are pulling instead of pushing,” he stressed.

Smaller businesses tend to locate in Ashland, Santiago said. That town has rental subsidies for small businesses of up to $20,000. This could be a strategy Hopkinton could employ, along with other economic incentives.

AI in personal finance: The promise and the limits

Your smartphone buzzes with an alert: Your budgeting app has spotted an unusual spending pattern and suggests transferring $50 from your savings account to your checking account. Later that day, a roboadvisor automatically rebalances your investment portfolio. Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence (AI) in personal finance, where technology is reshaping how we manage money.

What AI can do for your wallet. From tracking every latte to forecasting next month’s bills, AI-powered tools are making financial management more accessible than ever. Some apps categorize transactions automatically, while other platforms offer conversational financial advice through text messages. These tools can monitor your credit score, suggest budget adjustments and even negotiate lower bills on services like cable and internet.

The investing landscape has transformed as well. Robo-advisors use algorithms to build diversified portfolios, automatically rebalance holdings and apply strategies to minimize tax bills. Educational tools powered by AI can explain complex concepts through interactive games and simple questionand-answer formats, making financial literacy more accessible.

Where AI falls short. Here’s what the algorithms can’t do: understand what truly matters to you.

AI doesn’t know whether you value sustainable investing over maximum returns. It can’t weigh the emotional complexity of saving for a child’s educa tion versus retiring early. When sudden illness strikes or a job change upends your plans, AI lacks the context and em pathy to guide you through those human moments.

finances on their own, according to 2025 research from Edward Jones and Morning Consult.

Find the right balance. The future likely lies in a hybrid approach: combining data-driven AI insights with the human wisdom of a financial advisor who understands your values, priorities and life’s inevitable curveballs. Think of AI as a powerful calculator and your financial advisor as the mathematician who knows which equations to use.

As these technologies evolve, the key is treating AI as a tool, not a guide.

Stay curious about what technology can do for your finances. Stay critical of its limitations. And remember: What matters most in your financial life is something only you can define.

Mark Freeman, CEPA

Edward Jones Financial Advisor 77 W. Main Street Hopkinton, MA (508) 293-4017

Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

THE ADVERTISER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

Technology can crunch numbers brilliantly, but it can’t offer wisdom. It can’t replace human judgment, experience or ethical reasoning. Robo-advisors’ predetermined algorithms may not suit investors with complex financial needs like estate planning or comprehensive tax planning.

The human touch still matters. This is where human financial advisors remain indispensable. They provide what technology can’t:

• Long-term perspective: Help you maintain focus when markets get volatile and emotions run high

• Goal coordination: Balance competing priorities, help partners merge their financial visions and remind you of goals you’ve tucked away and didn’t know still mattered

• Accountability: Keep you on track with your financial strategy through life’s inevitable changes

• Emotional support: Offer reassurance and wisdom during major financial decisions

Research validates it: Those who regularly work with a financial advisor and have a financial strategy are more likely to feel optimistic about their financial future than those who manage

According to Hopkinton High School visual arts teacher Christine Enos, senior Eleanor VanDeusen exemplifies humility and mastery in her art “She has consistently demonstrated the ability to imagine complex artistic ideas and fabricate them with meticulous craftsmanship and perseverance, ” said Enos VanDeusen has taken a variety of art classes in her high school career and is enrolled in an independent study in ceramics. She received a 2025 Scholastic Art Award, honorable mention in architecture “Her work is sophisticated, thoughtful and some of the most technically impressive that I have seen at a high school level,” added Enos

Her work is sophisticated, thoughtful and some of the most technically impressive that I have seen at a high school level.

Mark Freeman, CEPA

ScHoolS

HMS teacher/coach makes strides in recovery from accident

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

At the beginning of a new year, many people make resolutions to improve their lives. Bill Mingace, a civics teacher and baseball coach at Hopkinton Middle School, had one resolve — to go home from a rehabilitation center after months of excruciating pain and multiple operations.

Mingace was sidelined from teaching by a devastating motorcycle accident on Oct. 6. At that time, his cousin, Vinny Collotta, shared information about the incident with the Independent. Collotta said Mingace was on his way from work to visit him at his Grafton home when his motorcycle was struck by a truck. The pair had planned to ride their motorcycles to dinner together that evening.

In response, Collotta created a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help Mingace with home care and other expenses. As of Jan. 20, $10,823 of the $15,000 goal had been raised, which is 73% of the goal amount.

First steps taken since accident

In recent emails to the Independent, Mingace reflected on his arduous recovery and the strength he gained from community support.

“I was released on [Jan. 9] and acclimating to being back home,” he shared on Jan. 12.

Four days earlier, Mingace took his first steps in months “with the help of the walker.” Earlier that day, he received permission from his doctor to engage in full weight-bearing activity.

Mingace added that he purchased his first home in November 2024. He has been “anticipating returning to it and sleeping in my own bed” for the past few months.

He added: “I haven’t cried out in pain much at all, and I had decided to stop the painkillers weeks ago, all while pushing my body during physical therapy sessions.”

Rehab, holidays challenge optimism

“It has been difficult at times to cope with the situation that I find myself in,” he noted. “It has helped a lot to have people who have been here for me.”

Mingace’s family has been incredibly supportive. His parents, stepparents and two brothers have been frequent visitors. Collotta, who he described as being like a brother, has been by his side throughout his healing journey.

The holiday season was both heartwarming and challenging for Mingace.

“I’ve tried to get into the holiday spirit by shopping for gifts online and decorating my room with a small Christmas tree and lights,” Mingace stated. “Christmas is my favorite holiday, and it has been hard to watch everyone participate in holiday activities through social media. I am doing my best to participate, and the staff at my current facility [did] a great job of spreading holiday cheer.”

At the rehabilitation facility, Mingace spent time reading, solving crossword puzzles and streaming movies during his more mundane moments. Watching the New England Patriots play football each week and shopping online for holiday gifts occupied his time outside of physical therapy and doctors’ appointments.

Hopkinton help heightens hopes

The support Mingace has received from Hopkinton has been overwhelming, he shared.

“I still have a long journey with PT coming up,” he stated, “but this was a big step forward, literally.”

Despite surgical complications, Mingace has remained optimistic about his recovery. While he faces medical and financial challenges, he shared that his spirits have been buoyed by community support.

Recovery process detailed

“I’ve always known Hopkinton to be a wonderful community,” stated Mingace. “But I fully realized it when I experienced the outpouring of support from former students, families, friends and individuals who came across my story.”

Mingace described gifts he received, including “a handmade blanket that I use every day.”

“In the first two days after the accident, I had multiple surgeries,” Mingace recounted. “I had the tendon connected to my knee reattached, two screws inserted above the knee and a metal rod inserted where my femur had broken. I had metal wiring put around my pelvis to help reshape where it was broken and two metal screws put into the side of the pelvis.”

Added Mingace: “All of that hardware is permanent.”

More surgery followed in the ensuing weeks, including the reconstruction of a toe and his left hand.

“I have half a toenail on that toe,” he stated. “I was told that my toenail might never grow back.”

“I had surgery on my left hand where my thumb and pointer finger meet,” he continued. “Three metal pins were put into that hand to keep the bone growth straight. I had surgery on my right forearm in which a metal plate was inserted and one of my main tendons reattached.”

In addition, a metal pin was placed into Mingace’s wrist horizontally to stabilize it. It remained for several weeks, which he described as “painful.”

Despite these efforts, Mingace required subsequent operations on both hands, “as they were not healing 100% as intended.”

Since these surgeries, Mingace shared that his medical appointments “have been positive.”

“I have been participating in daily physical therapy and feel myself getting stronger,” he stated. Mingace conceded that while he has “kept a positive attitude for most of this experience,” he had “only one bout of frustration and negative emotion that lasted a few days.”

“I’ve made friends with a Hopkinton resident who reached out after the first week of recovery and who made it in each week to have lunch with me,” he added. “Many others have reached out or visited me, and it has made a huge difference in keeping my morale up.”

Mingace added that he is grateful for the dozens of messages of encouragement he has received and financial support from a work fundraiser.

“I have always felt supported by the Hopkinton community, but this experience has solidified my understanding of how valued I am by the community,” he stated.

Introspection grows as road ahead beckons

On a deeper level, Mingace used this period to reflect on his life, leading to greater introspection and motivation.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself and the community of Hopkinton through this experience,” stressed Mingace. “I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I realized, both mentally and physically.”

Mingace has focused on improving his physical and mental health in other ways. Eating healthfully and connecting more with loved ones are two priorities.

“I’ve learned to take care of the important things and to not waste my time,” continued Mingace. “[I’m] focusing my attention to staying caught up with developments at work and personal pursuits, such as writing and historical education.”

Mingace’s current project is writing and hopefully publishing his story.

Said Mingace: “It helps, even if my work simply leads to a sense of catharsis.”

HHS club becomes nonprofit to address homelessness

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

What started as a high school club has transformed into a nonprofit organization that aims to help the unhoused.

Called Hopkinton Advocacy for the Unhoused (HAU), the initiative is the brainchild of HHS senior Madhav Saxena.

Saxena serves as president of the 26-member student group, whose fundraisers late last year bought in $1,200 used to purchase clothes, blankets and hygiene products like toothbrushes and toiletries for Rosie’s Place, a Boston-based women’s shelter.

Saxena said other fundraisers included hosting a 5K, selling baked goods and candles, and selling earrings made by a club member. Significantly, members were able to raise awareness and money by visiting homes in town to tell residents what HAU is about.

“Going door to door, I learned so much about the community and the personal connections many people have to homelessness — knowing someone who is or was unhoused,” he said.

Saxena said there is “100%” still a stigma about individuals who do not have a roof over their heads through no fault of their own.

“Many people couldn’t do anything else,” he said. “They lost their jobs, their rents went up or they had no cushion of money when these things happened.”

Inflation, cost-of-living increases and stagnant wages have contributed to the problem.

The organization strives to fight the discrimination that exists for people who are less fortunate, Saxena said.

In Massachusetts, an estimated 190,000 people are unhoused.

Saxena said he began the school club because he always had a desire to assist homeless people. The process to submit paperwork and become a nonprofit took approximately four months.

Managing teams, conducting community outreach, designing a website (hauhelps.org) and working with fundraising and finances will help him in his future career in business, Saxena said.

The best ways people can help HAU achieve its goals — advocacy, awareness and action — is by donating money, new items or food, or becoming a volunteer, he noted.

Examples of needed donations for Rosie’s Place include body wash, deodorant, socks (new in original packaging), underwear and sports bras.

This year, the organization is planning to organize a 5K in the spring as well as a soccer fundraiser in the middle school gym.

The other officers of the nonprofit organization are treasurer Dilpreet Gill, clerk Yaashwanth Narendran and branch manager Maanya Shettigar.

Serving on the board of directors are Aarush Naik, Madhav Warrier and Raghav Saxena.

In December 2025, another branch was established in Westford, and one is in the works in Holliston.

Saxena said the group’s work is grounded in the belief that no one should face these societal pressures alone.

“Shelter is one of our basic human needs. Communities have a responsibility to support those most affected by economic instability,” he said. “It’s on us.”

Local collegians recognized

Hopkinton’s Emily Jurasek graduated with a B.S. in hospitality management from James Madison University during commencement exercises in December. She also was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

Also at James Madison, Olympia Deisenroth was named to the president’s list. …

Charles Petruney and Dylan Ruff, both majoring in business administration with management concentration, were named to the dean’s list at Saint Anselm College. …

At Assumption University, Nicholas Paharik and Giovanna Freitas were named to the dean’s list. …

At Southern New Hampshire University, Jennifer Townsend, Elizabeth Demont and Naeem Sutton earned spots on the president’s list, while Valerie Tapanainen was named to the dean’s list. …

At the University of Wisconsin, Nathan Hung (College of Letters and Science), Anagha Kulkarni (School of Education) and Cathryn Leighton (School of Business) were named to the dean’s list, while Prithvi Venkatesh (College of Engineering), Cullan Wickramasuriya (College of Engineering) and Benjamin Yang (College of Engineering) earned spots on the dean’s honor list. …

Brayden Jochim was named to the dean’s list at Purdue University, where he is an engineering student. …

Lily O’Hara was named to the dean’s list at the College of Charleston. …

Sophia Matsoukas earned a spot on the dean’s list at SUNY New Paltz.

Editor’s note: Information for college honors is provided by the schools. Those interested in being included in this section should forward the official notification or request for the school to email it to edi tor@hopkintonindependent.com.

Marathon Committee offers scholarships

The Marathon Fund Committee will award eight $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Hopkinton. Applications are avail able at the Town Manager’s Office in Town Hall, the Guidance Department at Hopkinton High School, on the town website at hopkintonma.gov, or by calling the Town Manager’s Office at 508-497-9701.

Applicants must be planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university and have earned at least one high school varsity letter. Applicants also must have demonstrated a willingness to give their best effort in academics and extracurricular activities. Completed applications should be turned in to the Town Manager’s Office by Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m.

HAU members pose with items they donated to Rosie’s Place, a homeless shelter in Boston.

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781.801.3576

PeerArboricultural.com Kevin@peerarboricultural.com

ScHoolS Keefe Tech admissions policy change affects Hopkinton spots

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

TheSchool Committee on Jan. 22

heard an update on the admissions policy for Keefe Regional Technical High School. A new state mandate means a lottery system will be used.

Attending on behalf of the Framingham-based technical school were Keefe Tech Superintendent Jonathan Evans and Keefe Tech School Committee members (and Hopkinton residents) Sabine St. Pierre and Brendan Tedstone.

Evans explained that a Department of Education (DOE) change state-wide means the school’s five member communities will participate in a lottery for ninth grade admissions.

The communities in addition to Hopkinton are Framingham, Ashland, Holliston and Natick.

Students are eligible for up to four entries into the lottery if they show interest in Keefe, have not had significant disciplinary issues and don’t have significant problems with attendance, Evans said.

Hopkinton will have eight designated slots for the ninth grade class “to have the ability to be part of our great high school experience,” said Keefe’s superintendent.

The town generally has 20 applications or less, although this year there are 21 applicants.

By comparison, Framingham has 500-plus applicants and 172 slots, according to Evans.

He noted that Chapter 71 funds cover transportation costs, so families are not charged for that.

Susan Rothermich, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said that Keefe “is carried on the town side of the budget.”

dersized and the electrical system needs upgrades. “We want to do better,” he said.

The possibility of a 1,200-student high school (900 currently), would mean the waiting list could be cut in the future, according to Keefe’s superintendent.

“But we have another generation of kids who have to graduate before a [new] building,” Evans added.

In response to a question from Hopkinton School Committee member Nancy Cavanaugh, Evans said there are no plans to fix and reopen its pool, which in the past was used by Hopkinton students.

Evans said the pool is not a reimbursable cost by the MSBA, and the district is more focused on its educational mission.

Contract OK’d for adaptive playground

The School Committee approved contracts for an adaptive playground project at Marathon Elementary School as well as energy management services at the high school. The committee heard from Rothermich about the selection process for the playground.

Rothermich said the district received 16 bids. The lowest bidder, Pro Built Designs, was at $599,700. The other two lowest bidders were Campora Construction Company at $612,875 and Sunshine Paving Corporation at $645,000.

The companies were reviewed for “responsiveness, responsibility and eligibility,” with Pro Built Designs ultimately receiving the contract with unanimous School Committee approval.

Hopkinton School Committee member Jamie Wronka said she found the number of slots “really restrictive” and expressed concern for students who struggle in the traditional high school environment.

Vice chair Susan Stephenson said with the high percentage of students hailing from Framingham (75%), it seems like the other member towns are “afterthoughts.”

Member Chris Masters questioned how the number of slots is decided. Evans explained that an average from the last three Oct. 1 figures was taken to determine the percentages.

Evans said he was pleased to get an “apportion” piece from the DOE to protect all member communities in the process, even those with the smallest enrollment. Without that protection, Hopkinton applicants would have been “thrown in with the other 600” in the lottery, he noted.

The superintendent acknowledged that Keefe is in the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) pipeline for either a major renovation or new school project. The plan is just approaching the feasibility phase, so modernizing the building would not happen for several years.

Evans said the school was built in the 1960s and “looks good for its age.”

However, he noted shops are un-

Last May, voters at Annual Town Meeting approved funding for the project by free cash and Community Preservation funds. The Community Preservation Committee allocated $300,000 and cited concerns about the playground’s location. Because it is at a school, some members objected to the fact other community members could only use the playground during off-school hours.

Rothermich explained that starting in 2024, the Adaptive Playground Committee evaluated 198 town-owned parcels before choosing the Marathon School site.

The assistant superintendent said the installation is expected to take place over the summer months, with the project’s completion date by September 2026.

“The hope is for it to be done when students come back to school,” she said.

School budget adopted

In other business, the School Committee adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget of $71,836,488.

The vote took place following several meetings and a public hearing on the proposal, with members of the Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital Improvement Committee present.

The budget is 5.84% or $3,966,833 more than in FY 26.

Staffing requests in the budget total $535,762, with $87,856 of that amount previously approved by the School Committee.

HHS boys track boasts unrivaled depth, talent

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Hopkinton High School boys indoor

track and field coach Mike Donahue is not sure he has seen a better team than the one he has this year. Just days into the new year, the Hillers already had locked up the Tri-Valley League title with a string of lopsided victories and are hoping to compete at the state level as well.

The Hillers showcased their talent and depth during the MTSCA Kalperis Relays in mid-January, finishing first overall and establishing themselves as one of the favorites for the Division 2 state title. The Hillers’ total of 54.5 points left them nearly 10 points clear of second-place North Andover, and more than 20 points ahead of third-place Woburn.

“This is probably the best team we have ever had since I have been here,” Donahue said. “We have a really strong group of seniors, and we’ve handled the competition pretty comfortably.”

Driving the Hillers’ success this winter is the team’s depth. Nowhere is that more evident than in the hurdles, where Hopkinton may have one of the best crews in the nation. Harry Millar, Jacob Logan, Max Keeler and Braden Lu are the top four hurdlers in the TVL.

“This hurdle group is going to compete in the nationals in the hurdle relay, they have a chance to win,” Donahue said. “This is as strong a group as we have ever had.”

Hopkinton also has a pair of strong sprinters in Iago Ferreira and Ian Weilding, the latter of whom Donahue said probably

is the team’s strongest sophomore.

“He is an exceptional talent, and he is fast,” the coach said.

Senior captain Jack Knutson is among the top middle distance runners in the TVL and figures to be a factor in both individual races and the Hillers’ 4x400 and 4x200 relay teams. The Hopkinton distance crew has been paced by Matt Fitzgibbons and Darian Leo.

Hopkinton is strong in the field events as well. Ryan Morin is the top shot putter in the TVL. The Hillers also have several strong long jumpers, including Mason Barros and Daniel Jun, along with Logan and Lu. Barros and Logan also lead the way in the high jump, and Donahue said Logan is probably the strongest junior on the roster “across the board.”

With talented athletes in so many events, Hopkinton is setting a high bar for the rest of the campaign.

“Our main goal is that we want to be a good team, work hard and see where we can go,” Donahue said. “With this group, we can push a little harder. Our goals can be a little more lofty.”

Donahue admitted he does not know enough about the rest of the Division 2 competition to know for sure whether his team can compete with the best in the state. But the fact that Hopkinton does not only rely on its stars should help the cause.

“We are good at developing our talent and pulling guys up, our second group is really strong,” Donahue said. “What we want is to develop a culture where they believe they can be as good as the guys they see compete at the highest level, and that’s what has happened with this team.”

State title aspirations for HHS girls track

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

Hopkinton High School girls indoor track and field coach Jean Cann said a longtime coach told her that a victory at the state relay meet can be a harbinger of good things to come in the divisional state competition. The competition is the same, and winning the relay meet showcases a team’s depth.

In mid-January, the Hillers took home the Division 2 MSTCA Kalperis Relays for the first time since 2020, when they also went on to win the D2 states.

“We are a balanced team,” Cann said. “We have a good mix of sprinters, field events, hurdlers and distance runners. There is no one area that really outshines the other.”

Hopkinton outlasted challenges from Algonquin and Wellesley to win the relay meet, thanks to numerous standout efforts. Bella Walkiewicz anchored a pair of winning relay teams, and Cann said she has been a strong addition to the winter team after previously only competing in the spring.

“She started to really improve in track and she decided to focus on it,” Cann said. “It has been a good decision for her — and us.”

Senior captain Abby Burke is another consistent point scorer and one of the most versatile athletes on the team.

“She can help in any area,” Cann said. “It’s hard to know where to use her because she is so versatile. She can throw the shot,

high jump, she has one of the fastest legs in the 400 relay, she can hurdle, she can do everything.”

The Hillers have a deep bench of sprinters and middle distance runners. Callie Owens is among the team’s top sprinters. Kaelyn Geremia, Addie Morrissey and Chloe Tumbleton are strong runners as well. Meaghan Burdulis is another versatile runner. In addition to aiding the distance medley relay, she also teamed up with Phoebe Klein, Sofia Castonguay and Morrissey to run a strong 4x400 relay that helped seal the meet victory for Hopkinton.

Kaelyn Faber has the team’s top mark in the shot put and helped that relay team place at the state meet. She is one of the team’s captains along with Burke, Mary Finnegan and Wafiya Syeda. Cann praised all of her captains and cited Finnegan for her leadership.

“She is really good at encouraging the younger runners and making sure everyone knows what to do during practices and meets,” the coach said.

Sophomores Clara Bransfield and Emily Miller, junior Kylie Rogers and freshman Grace Getchell are scorers and key cogs on a team that has more pep in its step after capturing the relay meet. The Hillers are believers that they have a chance to win it all again when the state meet rolls around.

“I would certainly say that we have a shot,” Cann said. “I think winning this gives us confidence. It shows us what we can do.”

O’Connell ran three events at the Division 2 state relays on Jan. 18, most notably a leg on the 4x400-meter relay that finished second and clinched the meet title for the Hillers. He ranks in the top 15 in the TriValley League in the 300 and shot put and is on the 4x200 and 4x400 relays, both of which rank among the best in Division 2. “He shines even more as a teammate and captain,” coach Mike Donahue stated. “Always team-first, he cheers his teammates and encourages them to embrace the challenge.”

A forward, Chatten played a key role in helping the Hillers to a 9-2 start with her unselfishness and toughness. “Her leadership on and off the court this season has been invaluable,” coach Mike Greco shared. “Her contributions to our season go so far beyond the box score. She does such a good job of communicating, holding her teammates accountable, leading both vocally and by example, and making sure everybody is on the same page. In short, her presence elevates our level of play in a way that doesn’t show up in statistics.”

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HHS Athlete Spotlight

Athletes are selected after consultation with HHS coaches.

Jason O’Connell Senior Boys indoor track

Julia Chatten Junior Girls basketball

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legal noticeS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town of Hopkinton

Charles Paquette, Treasurer/Collector Notice of Tax Taking

To the owners of the hereinafter described land and to all others concerned You are hereby notified that on February 12, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. at the Collector’s Office, Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748, pursuant to the provisions of General Laws Chapter 60, Section 53, the following described parcels of land will BE TAKEN FOR THE Town of Hopkinton for non-payment of taxes due thereon, with interest and all incidental expenses and costs to the date of taking unless the same shall have been paid in full before that date. Please note that the below listed amounts represent only unpaid principal tax for the specified fiscal year(s).

Assessed Owner(s): Hopkinton Industrial Realty Trust Property to be Taken: 80 South Street Map/Block/Parcel: R29-004-000

Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 1599, Page 10, Cert. 281342, Doc. 1931670

Fiscal Year Delinquent: 2025

Tax Amount Owed: $67.63

Assessed Owner(s): The Louback Brothers, LLC

Subsequent Owner(s): TSL Realty Hopkinton LLC Property to be Taken: 71 South Street Map/Block/Parcel: R29-005-000

Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 63258, Page 431

SUBSEQUENT: Book 82407, Page 162

Fiscal Year Delinquent: 2025

Tax Amount Owed: $58.53

Assessed Owner(s): 31 Lawrence Street LLC

Property to be Taken: 50 Blueberry Lane Map/Block/Parcel: U20-107-000

Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 79635, Page 223

Fiscal Year Delinquent: 2025

Tax Amount Owed: $44.63

Assessed Owner(s): 31 Lawrence Street LLC Property to be Taken: 38 (40) Blueberry Lane Map/Block/Parcel: U22-081-000

Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: Book 79635, Page 223

Fiscal Year Delinquent: 2025

Tax Amount Owed: $1,428.63