HI LAYOUT 11.27.24_WEB

DIWALI DISPLAY

MBTA zoning gets OK from voters

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

After nearly 90 minutes of debate, Special Town Meeting members on Nov. 18 approved Article 8 in a 236-167 vote. The Planning Board recommended this proposal for Hopkinton to be compliant with the MBTA Communities Act.

This article was moved up to first, as it was anticipated to be the one prompting the most debate. The proposed zoning overlay district included The Preserve and Walcott Valley condominium developments as well as the downtown area.

This vote concluded an arduous process over the past two years by the Planning Board and the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) to bring forth a plan that would balance the competing needs of creating zoning for new housing without causing immediate impacts to the school system and traffic. Its passage also pre-

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

In a phone interview shortly after announcing her upcoming retirement, Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh said she considers it a “blessing to work in such a beautiful community.”

“I have enjoyed working here every single day,” she said on Nov. 15. Cavanaugh announced her intention to retire at the end of the school year, on June 30, 2025.

The superintendent said she made her decision known early to give the district ample time to find the best candidate as her successor.

She was hired as assistant superintendent in Hopkinton Schools on June 1, 2016, and served as acting superintendent from February 2018 to July 2018, when her role became permanent. Cavanaugh said she decided to retire partly because her husband has been semi-retired for some time and this would allow them to spend time together. She also wants to enjoy more time with her four grandchildren, all of

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Faith Church members provide help for holidays

As we head into the holiday season, there are reminders that not everyone has the means to celebrate the same way. But thanks to Faith Community Church’s Families Helping Families program and Project Just Because, some 600 children in the area will enjoy donated gifts this Christmas.

“It’s our small way to help our community,” said resident Sang Hwang, who serves on the planning committee. “Some of the recipients are people in our congregation [which, in addition to Hopkinton, includes a church in Framingham]. People are really engaged, all ages. It really puts things in perspective for everyone.”

The program, in its third year, stemmed from Neighbors Helping Neighbors, which the East Main Street church started in 2020 to help with grocery supplies during the COVID pandemic. FCC’s senior pastor, Mike Laurence, connected church members with PJB founder/president Cherylann Lambert Walsh.

him to the core, because he remembers when his mother could not provide gifts.”

With their pastor providing inspiration, the members went to work. In addition to Hwang, planning committee members included Margie Sellman, Sharon Setor, Carol Mitchell, Jim Tracy, Kathy Lee and Brett Walker.

They set their sights on helping as many children as possible.

“PJB delivers gifts to 6,000 kids in our community,” Hwang said. “To see our contribution scratch only 10% of that is humbling, something our people take to heart. They know what it’s like. This project is very special.”

“Mike grew up in poverty. His mother did everything she could to make ends meet,” Hwang shared. “So, this touches

PJB supplied the church with a wish list for each child. Some children specified which gifts they would like, while others identified their interests or hobbies. Organizers then put out the call to the congregation for help buying 3-5 gifts per child. Independent thoughts | 3

HRTC chair opposes NPVIC

Massachusetts is one of several Democrat-controlled states that have adopted the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). What does this mean? When fully enacted, Massachusetts will have given up its right to award its Electoral College votes based on how the voters of the commonwealth have voted. Instead, the will of the national voters would dictate who our Electoral College votes are awarded to. For 2024, it would be Donald J. Trump!

[Editor’s note: The NPVIC is an agreement to award a state’s Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote.]

As the chair of the town’s Republican Town Committee, you might think that I would be in favor of this. However, as a fierce defender of the U.S. Constitution, I believe in the letter and spirit of the Electoral College, which ensures that no sub-group of Americans can control the outcome of the presidential election.

Another example: Although I wasn’t old enough to vote, I do remember the 1972 presidential election won by Richard Nixon. I also remember the Massachusetts bumper stickers stating, “Don’t blame us, we voted for McGovern.” Again, our Electoral College votes would have been stripped from the voters of Massachusetts, and we would have added our Electoral College votes to Richard Nixon.

Independent thoughts | from page 2

“When people sign up, they can see profiles of children and they can either purchase gifts themselves or donate money,” Hwang said. “Sponsors could select a family, and they purchase items on the wish list and bring them back to the church. We’ll package it and deliver it. About 5%-10% of the sponsors will give cash donations, and we’ll assign shoppers to go and take care of the families.”

Organizers initially were short of their goal when they put out a final plea in early November.

“At the last minute, a couple of generous members heeded the call and delivered a couple of checks,” Hwang said. “We raised $6,000 that last Sunday to ensure we could take care of all the kids. Every child has been sponsored, and any money left over we donate directly to PJB to further their cause. It’s so amazing, people just stepped up.”

On Nov. 19, the planning committee packaged the gifts, loaded them in a truck and delivered them to PJB’s warehouse on South Street.

Recipients are anonymous, but they are invited to a Christmas service at the church, and, according to Hwang, many take them up on the offer. Either way, the program is something in which the congregation takes great pride.

“Here’s a practical need in the community,” Hwang said. “And you’d be surprised who needs help. We have people in the congregation who benefit.”

Added Laurence: “As a congregation, we are always looking to help our neighbors irrespective of their faith, background or traditions. Every day I am inspired by the generosity of our church community.”

Walsh noted that PJB will continue to provide assistance for people in the region, but as Christmas gets closer, the focus will be on Hopkinton residents. Local requests can be made until the offices close Dec. 19 for the holiday break. Visit projectjustbecause.org for more information.

Maybe this fall’s election motivates Democrats — and as importantly — independents to write to their state senators and representatives and ask them to repeal the state’s involvement in the NPVIC. Don’t the voters of the commonwealth deserve to have their voices heard and not be lumped in with the masses of the rest of the country?

By the way, for all fact checkers out there: Gov. Deval Patrick signed the NPVIC bill on Aug. 4, 2010, after the State Senate passed it with a vote of 28-9 and the State House passed it with a vote of 113-35, mainly along party lines.

— Jim Mirabile, Hopkinton Republican Town Committee chair

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.

Kilduff departs chamber

Tim Kilduff recently announced that he is stepping down as executive director of the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce to focus his efforts on the International Marathon Center and the 26.2 Foundation, for which he serves as president.

“After too many years of commitment and service to count, the time has come for [Kilduff] to step down from his role with us and shift his focus 100% to his passion project, the 26.2 Foundation, and bringing the International Marathon Center to life,” the chamber stated in its newsletter.

Kilduff told our Nick Schofield that “the chamber’s in good hands” with the “quality people” on the board of directors.

Meanwhile, he’ll focus on raising funds for the center, which is expected to cost around $30 million.

“There’s only so much time in a day,” he said.

Trails Club offers Black Friday option

The Hopkinton Trails Club is resuming its Black Friday walk, an opportunity for individuals and families to get out of the house and take in nature rather than fighting the crowds at the mall.

“It’s a great opportunity to get away from your annoying relatives … oh, sorry … to show your beloved relatives the beauty of Hopkinton’s open spaces!” joked the event organizers. “We used to lead these walks annually for several years, and they were always a popular and welcome pause in the hectic holiday season. It’s time to restart the tradition.”

The easy, family-friendly walk will take place at the Hughes Farm Trail at 192 Hayden Rowe Street. It starts at 10 a.m. on Nov. 29. Visit hopkintontrailsclub.com for details.

As drought continues, brush fires remain concern

The Hopkinton Fire Department responded to a brush fire Nov. 16 afternoon on Wildlife Drive.

“It was a half of an acre [fire],” said HFD Lt. John Sheridan. “We extinguished it. … There were no injuries.”

The Fire Department was looking into the cause of the fire, but the ongoing drought was cited as a factor.

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, last month was the second driest October on record in the state.

Southern New England now is 6-9 inches of rain below average, according to CBS News. Short-term forecasts show

no significant rainfall in sight, either. Fire risk remains high, so residents should do what they can to reduce fire hazards. Actionable steps include:

— Halting any outdoor burning; this includes the use of fire pits, outdoor stoves, chimneys, etc.

— Exercising caution while using any lawn equipment, as sparks, hot engines and gasoline can ignite leaf litter and other combustibles.

— Storing ashes from indoor fires into metal cans or buckets filled with water and avoiding dumping them outdoors or in the trash.

— Putting out any smoking materials in water or sand and abstaining from discarding them outdoors.

Newbury Glen subdivision gets permits

The Conservation Commission at its meeting Nov. 12 voted to release building permits for the Elmwood Farms III subdivision off Blueberry Lane, now called Newbury Glen, after hearing that the wetlands replication work is virtually complete.

Rich Kirby from LEC Environmental Consultants represented Toll Brothers, the applicant. The company was hired to oversee and monitor the wetland replication area work that the commission previously approved for a 7,800-square-foot expansion of an isolated wetland at the southern part of the site.

the area with straw for the winter. The seed was received on the day of the meeting and was expected to be installed Wednesday.

Because the work has been substantially completed, the board voted 6-0 to allow the building permits to be issued with the understanding that the wetlands replication work had not yet been completed. Photographs of the final work must be provided for the commission’s records. Chair Melissa Recos said the site will be monitored in the spring to ensure that plantings survived the winter.

Winter parking ban in effect

He explained that the plan was “modified slightly to preserve some large trees” that were not included on the previous plan. Kirby notified former conservation administrator Kim Ciaramicoli, of the change. She has been advising the commission while her successor, Judy Day, transitions into the role.

There now is about 8,500 square feet of wetlands replication due to the preservation of five trees, Kirby explained. Soils from the wetland alteration area were used for the wetlands replication area, as the commission had required. Because it amounted to a “thin veneer” of topsoil, an excavator was ineffective. Topsoil from the site was mixed with leaf compost to create the new, thicker soil covering.

The only item remaining before building permits could be issued was to plant the wetland seed and stabilize

The Department of Public Works is reminding residents about parking restrictions and snow removal bylaws as winter approaches.

In a recent press release, highway manager Mike Mansir laid out the bylaws governing both winter parking bans and pushing snow into the street or sidewalk.

The town’s traffic rules prohibit non-emergency vehicles to park on any street from 1-6 a.m., starting Nov. 15. The ban will be lifted April 1.

Town bylaws give the highway manager the authority to remove vehicles that violate these rules if they prevent DPW crews from plowing snow or removing ice. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The bylaws also prohibit the placement of snow onto any public roadway or sidewalk. Residents found in violation will receive a $25 fine per offense.

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’

Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

This issue’s winner is Veena Guni for this photo of turkeys wandering in the Rocky Woods neighborhood. 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.

Baypath Adoptable Animal of the Week

Each week, the Independent highlights an animal available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton. This week, we feature 5-month-old Brock.

Here is Baypath’s description of Brock:

“Meet Brock, a playful and loving puppy ready to join his forever family! With his stunning brindle coat and friendly personality, Brock gets along great with dogs, cats and kids, making him a perfect match for any home.

“He’s already showing off his leash skills and is eager to keep learning. Brock can’t wait to fill your days with snuggles, kisses, and fun.

“Ready to add a bundle of love to your family? Brock is waiting for you!”

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

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

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Select Board receives positive report on town’s financial accounts

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

Town Treasurer/Collector CJ Paquette updated the Select Board on the status of the town’s investments and bank accounts at its Nov. 19 meeting, demonstrating financial stability. Paquette noted that the general fund deposit balance as of Sept. 30 was $78,282,281. Interest income for the three months of the reporting period was $973,143, a slight decrease of $1,328 from the prior quarter. He explained that this was due to the decrease in the interest rate of the town’s money market accounts, adding that this is “pretty standard across the board.” The town’s general fund balance increased by 1.24% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, he noted, and by 5.05% on an annual basis.

While the town’s largest cash account, the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust (MMDT) account, decreased during the quarter, it still generated $630,668 over that period, he added. This accounted for 64% of the total interest earned over the quarter.

The town’s investments experienced first-quarter gains, in line with current market trends. All general fund investments are invested in accordance with the town’s policy of safety, liquidity and yield, in accordance with state law.

“In total, investments were up 3.9% for the quarter and 15.61% annually,” said Paquette. “While all of the returns were positive, the income is not as high as we’ve seen in the past.”

Declining interest rates also affected the town’s bank partners, according to Paquette. He continually monitors the interest rates to “let them compete a bit” so that the town can get the best rate.

Chief Financial Officer Kyla LaPierre added that the banks have been calling the Finance Department to decrease the rates they had previously given to the town. Prime rates and interest rates have been falling slowly, Paquette commented.

Paquette also said that if a Town Meeting article on prudent investment passes in May, the town can diversify its investments outside the parameters of a legal investment list that restricts the town to investing from a list of 22 stocks. These investments are reviewed on a monthly basis.

Chair Brian Herr asked LaPierre and Paquette if they were looking into a town investment committee. Because of the limited investment list, Paquette said a committee would not be advisable at this time.

“I’m impressed with the diversity of accounts,” said vice chair Mary Jo LaFreniere. “I think you two are spot-on together.”

Board talks taxes, keeps single rate

With a significant residential tax increase looming over the next five years, the Select Board at its meeting Nov. 12 discussed the challenges faced by the Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Committee and voted 4-0 to keep the residential and commercial tax at a single rate.

Sue Kurys, the Tax Relief Commit-

tee (TRC) chair, explained that the tax relief program provides assistance to qualified homeowners who are seniors or are living with a disability who have exhausted other measures of assistance. If eligible for aid, they receive tax credits to help partially offset their property tax bills. A typical recipient lives on a total gross annual income of $34,000 and has lived in Hopkinton for about 30 years.

“It helps our community stay diverse and vibrant and gives us a broader base of types of homeowners,” she said. “We’re unique in that we’re controlled at the local level.”

One challenge the committee faces is that the program is “completely funded by voluntary donations from the community.” Given the tight economy, Kurys said she expects the number of qualified applicants to increase while donations subside. Last year, the number of qualified applicants rose by 45%, and Kurys expects the number to increase by 35%40% this year.

There is a box on the form included with the tax bill if residents would like to contribute. But LaFreniere pointed out that people may not be inclined to donate if they are paying a hefty bill. As a former TRC member, she called the amount of awards and donations given over the years “an up-and-down sleigh ride.”

Also, a major unnamed corporate donor has decided not to contribute to the program this year, which likely will decrease the amount of money available to the program by 50%. This shortfall will cause the amount of tax relief awards to decrease by 27% from fiscal year 2024.

“The conundrum, of course, is that we’re a town committee,” Kurys explained. “We cannot draw on taxpayer dollars. We do receive donations from the community, but we can’t ask for them.”

Consequently, the program will shrink over time, and the amount of awards will not be able to keep pace with changing economic conditions, she added. If the program stays at FY 24 levels and does not receive more donations, the average recipient will get an average award of $350 toward a tax bill of about $7,900.

Kurys suggested going back on a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program. A past issue with that was reliance on a single donor.

Herr suggested increasing public awareness of the ability to contribute to this program.

“If we explain that over and over again to the town, I think we might get a little bit more traction,” he said.

Member Joe Clark pointed out that his tax payments are paid through the mortgage payment, so he never saw the form Kurys described. He speculated that many homeowners aren’t aware of the form or the ability to donate.

Member Amy Ritterbusch asked about the ability to donate online. Kurys said the link is on the TRC page of the town website.

Meanwhile, the board voted 4-0 not to split the tax rate for residential and commercial properties, saying it would hurt the commercial base and deter new businesses from coming to town.

CPC wants guidance on Center School

tee chair Ken Weismantel requested that the committee appear before the Select Board at its next meeting on Dec. 3 to discuss the potential to allocate Community Preservation Act funds for the rehabilitation of Center School.

He noted that the Dan McIntyre, the chair of the Permanent Building Committee, would be appearing along with CPC members to discuss the Center School building’s future. McIntyre has spoken previously about potentially rehabbing the building for use in a public/private partnership between the town and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, which is looking to expand. In addition to the building hosting HCA programming, there could be a public meeting area as well as space for the Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services. McIntyre proposed that the façade of the 1928 structure be retained.

There is a CPC request under review for $600,000 to fund a feasibility study for the project. The CPC is meeting Thursday to continue its review of FY 26 funding requests.

“If CPC borrowing for the construction phase is not supported by the Select Board, which would be in a couple of years or a year or two,” said Weismantel, “then CPC would not support funding the architectural costs at this Annual Town Meeting. So we’re looking for your input on what we’re going to do with Center School.”

Herr asked Town Manager Elaine Lazarus to put this on the next agenda.

Misc.: New employees approved

The board approved the recommendation by Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett presented for Lucille Creedon to be offered an HPD contract on her completion of police academy training. The Milford resident had been working as a police officer in South Burlington, Vermont, for about 16 months but wanted to work closer to home.

Lieutenant Scott van Raalten said that the department attempted to get Creedon’s certifications transferred from Vermont to Massachusetts. Because of a two-year minimum service requirement, Creedon must attend police academy training here. Van Raalten noted that Creedon was enthusiastic about attending the police academy for 22 weeks. She is slated to start training Dec. 9.

The board also confirmed Lazarus’s appointment of Len Kopec as a part-time van driver for the Senior Center.

Lazarus noted that there are vacancies for a full-time administrative assistant at the library and a full-time procurement and grants manager for the town. The board voted 3-0-1 to post these positions. Ritterbusch abstained, saying that she believed voting on this was “micromanagement” because they are budgeted one-to-one replacements. …

Member Shahidul Mannan told the board that only one person has applied for the new Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Because of the town’s pending projects, he encouraged people to become involved. He also suggested loosening requirements for applicants and allowing for representatives from stakeholder committees to join.

Ritterbusch agreed, saying that

the momentum for the committee has languished for six months. The town is considering a connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and could use input from this committee. …

The board appointed Latha Kalpana, Jacquelyn Murphy and Dave Roberts to the Sustainable Green Committee. They will serve three-year terms expiring on June 30, 2027. The board also approved changing member Thomas Donahue’s term to the one-year youth term ending in June 2025 from his current three-year term as a full member. Board members complimented the candidates for their enthusiasm and willingness to serve.

The board also accepted the resignations of Gale Leone from the Council on Aging and Stacy Spies from the Historical Commission and the Hopkinton Historic District Commission, thanking them for their service.

VETERANS DAY

Attendees stand as Scouts carry the American flag into the Woodville Rod and Gun Club Nov. 11 for the Hopkinton Veterans Appreciation Dinner.

CPC faces ‘tough decisions’ as it reviews FY 26 applications

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

The Community Preservation Committee at its meeting Nov. 14 continued to review projects requesting fiscal year 2026 funds, acknowledging the challenge of allocating money in a tight economy.

Under the Community Preservation Act that was signed in 2000, Massachusetts communities may add a surcharge on top of their local property taxes to fund open space, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and affordable housing projects. The current rate for Hopkinton is 2%. At least 10% of CPA funding must be spent on each of these four categories, with the rest available for any category. The CPC administers the allocation of these funds based on submitted proposals.

Funding allocation explained

Chair Ken Weismantel reviewed the funding available in each bucket at the start of the meeting. The total amount available is $8,312,494, with the money available for open space projects equaling $1,300,610. The historic preservation fund has $1,061,782, while the recreation fund has $636,143 available. Undesignated funding totals $4,066,219. There have been no applications for affordable housing, but its bucket contains $1,247,740.

Weismantel pointed out that the proposed accessible play-

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ground, which will be discussed in detail at the Nov. 21 CPC meeting, would create a deficit in the recreation bucket if no undesignated funds were used. The project is currently estimated to cost $2,130,000.

He added that there was enough money to fund the historic projects if they are all approved.

Later in the meeting, committee members questioned whether the Cemetery Commission’s request for $20,000 from the historical bucket for headstone restoration should be granted because the previous grant amounts were not totally spent. The person who performs the restoration only works three months out of the year.

Also, the specific headstones were not mentioned in the request. Cemetery Commission member Linda Kimball said it would be “an incredible amount of work” to document which individual headstones need to be repaired and which were previously completed.

Weismantel added that the open space request for $8,000 for a conservation restriction for Colella Farm would be funded. The Open Space Preservation Commission requested money to purchase the Canty, Casucci and Phipps properties, but the purchase amounts have not yet been determined. Because the parcels are small, Weismantel said he was “confident” that the land purchases could be funded.

degenerative issues.”

Sonnett said “the majority of your people come through the side” because that’s where the two accessible parking spaces are.

Responded Morand: “As a commission, we said if we don’t address this, we’re not really doing what we’re supposed to be doing within the community.”

COD member Nancy “Punky” Drawe spoke as a private citizen with a disability. She explained how hard it is for her to find an available accessible space when she uses the library. She also said she was “terrified” of using the sloped pathway, especially during inclement weather.

“God forbid something happens to me,” she stressed. “If I slide, I could go right off the edge. That would not be a good thing for the library or the town, believe me.”

Cook added that there are several requests made each day at the library for help with the front door. A recent survey showed that one-sixth of the 65,000 library patrons used the front door over the past year. She also said the sloped pathway is just short of being classified under the Americans with Disabilities Act as a ramp that requires a handrail, and “it is very slick.”

Parks & Rec requests prioritized

Accessibility improvements to library debated

Weismantel noted that he has not been advised by town counsel as to whether the request for accessibility improvements for the Main Street entrance of the Hopkinton Public Library could be funded through the historical bucket. The $47,114 request included $27,114 for a handrail for the sloped walkway and $20,000 for push-button accessibility for the front door.

The request was made jointly by the Commission on Disability, the library and the Historic District Commission. While the building is historic, Weismantel said it “may be a bit of a stretch” to allocate money from that source.

Member Eric Sonnett was adamant that the request should not come out of the historical bucket. Danielle Cook, the Hopkinton Public Library’s reference and technology supervisor, countered that the front of the library was built in the late 1800s, while the former church that was incorporated into the library was built sometime in the 19th century.

COD chair Holly Morand said this initiative was the top request made in a resident survey and public forum the commission conducted over the past two years on accessibility improvements needed in Hopkinton. It would also give people with disabilities a second emergency egress.

“The pathway is very beautiful but dangerous,” she said. “The front doors are extremely heavy for folks that don’t have any mobility problems or neuro-

Parks & Recreation Department director Jon Lewitus explained that the department’s top priority is funding for three water fountain/refill stations. They would be constructed at a cost of $24,300 at the Town Common, the Sandy Beach bath house and the Fruit Street dog park.

CPC member Steve Levandosky noted that they would be appreciated by runners year round.

A $412,500 request for a driveway to be planned and constructed from Fruit Street to the proposed parking lot for the new Pyne Field cricket and baseball athletic fields was the most costly item requested. Less crucial requests included $10,000 for a feasibility study for a splash pad at Sandy Beach and $18,000 to study the layout and use of Reed Park. This funding would allow Parks & Rec to make more complete requests in following years to complete these projects. Lewitus noted that the access road to the park is poor, but the site “has a lot of potential.”

Weismantel said Parks & Rec had a “big backlog” of projects that are in various stages of completion. They include the skate park at EMC Park, a cricket pitch and a boat dock, among others. Lewitus explained that these projects would be completed by the beginning of the next funding cycle, if not sooner.

At the meeting’s end, Levandosky said CPC funding “is starting to get used as a cleanup for other messes.”

Added Parks & Rec chair Dan Terry: “We’re going to have some tough decisions.”

Holiday Stroll to light up Hopkinton

By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer

“Hope” will light up the Town Common at this year’s Holiday Stroll.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is partnering with the Hopkinton Freedom Team, the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton and the Hopkinton Chinese American Association to present a festival of lights celebration during the stroll on Dec. 7.

“It’s a community project,” said Kelly Grill, executive director of HCA.

These groups, along with representatives from area religious organizations, will be set up at the library and the Town Common during the holiday stroll.

At these booths, people will have the chance to create and decorate their own paper lanterns while learning about the different traditions and celebrations each group in the coalition represents.

Grill said the idea for the project came from the fact that there “seems to be a through-line about light” across multiple religious and cultural traditions during this time of year — whether it be Hanukkah menorahs, lights on Christmas trees or lanterns for Diwali.

Later in the evening, people who made lanterns

are encouraged to take them up to the Town Common.

“We’ll take a drone photo from above of all the lanterns made throughout the day,” Grill explained. Participants will be arranged with their lanterns to form the word “hope.”

The HCA also will be hosting a holiday market during the stroll. It will feature over 25 artisans selling handmade goods.

Santa will stop by between 1-2 p.m., and country musician Ayla Brown has been invited to sing at the tree lighting ahead of her concert that night at the HCA.

Other activities on the Town Common will include caroling by the Girl Scouts and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Several local businesses across town will be participating in the Holiday Stroll this year, including Alltown Fresh, BoMain Pizza Bar + Grill, Start Line Brewing, Goldfish Swim School and others.

Stroll participants who have this year’s Holiday Stroll passport stamped from a minimum of four businesses in each of the five sections can enter for a chance to win a $300 cash prize.

More information on the stroll and how to participate in the passport raffle can be found on the Chamber of Commerce’s website (hopchamber.com).

Police chief credited for improving engagement

By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer

The Select Board at its meeting Nov. 12 reviewed the performance of Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett over the past six months, commending him on hiring new officers to fully staff the department and increasing community outreach.

Select Board chair Brian Herr noted at the start of the review that this was termed an annual review in the agenda, but that the previous board failed to complete the previous fiscal year’s sixmonth review. Bennett noted that this is the third time he has appeared before the Select Board this year to finish this process.

Bennett explained to the board that he has made significant progress on his three goals of community engagement, recruitment and professional development. He noted that it is important for the community to get to know the officers and establish trust with the department. A “common theme” shown in all three goals was how officers have “stepped up” to take on new responsibilities and support recent hires.

Social media use touted

One way Bennett said he has increased public knowledge of the department’s activities was by creating a greater social media presence. The department’s social media team has grown into a “self-running organization.” With a couple of posts each week, the HPD has been able to maintain 7,500 follow-

ers. One post, he noted, received about 130,000 views.

Detective Sgt. Gregg DeBoer has used the department’s drone to create a “Where in Hopkinton” series of posts on the HPD Facebook page, which has increased community engagement.

The social media team also guided the direction on posts geared toward recruitment, he added. Bennett said he previously “shied away from” posts of tactical trainings until the team convinced him that they would help attract new officers to the HPD. The strategy was confirmed as a success by candidates interviewing for officer roles.

“We needed to show that we do it all,” he explained. “That we actively train, that we develop our officers tactically as well as engage with the community. And it worked.”

A video series that originally was focused on recruitment will be repurposed as “an expression of our culture and our values,” Bennett said, noting that there currently are no HPD openings.

At the end of his remarks, Bennett said a key lesson he learned over the past two years was the importance of communication with the public and sharing what information he can make public as soon as possible after a situation arises.

Second SRO position created

Bennett announced that Augusto Diaz will become the HPD’s second school resource officer, joining SRO Sgt. Matt Santoro. Diaz spearheaded

the “Operation Sweet Rewards” initiative, where officers distributed free ice cream vouchers to kids observed preforming acts of kindness. Diaz will assume this position as soon as an incoming officer can take over his current position.

Sgt. Shannon Beloin already is SRO certified, Bennett noted, and she may be placed in that role as more recruits enter the department.

The chief added that officers are seeking opportunities for community engagement rather than being “voluntold” to do it. This has been shown by events such as a fishing derby, a first responder coffee hour and the Special Olympics basketball game.

“I think it’s been very evident, seeing all the work they’re doing in the community,” said Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch. She mentioned the impact of the half-day pizza party as one example. Vice chair Mary Jo LaFreniere agreed, saying that “it was an amazing feat” to watch how students connected with officers.

Member Joe Clark added that he has personally witnessed officers’ engagement with residents at several community events, calling it “a great sign of where the department’s going.”

“Appreciation is what keeps them going,” Bennett said of the officers.

Staff numbers increase

Bennett noted that recruitment efforts this year have led to seven hires. Three offers were made to candidates a couple of weeks ago, two of whom will

attend the police academy. One officer is a lateral transfer.

He added that three officers are graduating from the academy within the next few weeks. If the new hires complete the academy training and have successful background checks, the HPD will be fully staffed at 29 officers.

Said Herr: “I do think we’ve made some great progress on this particular front.”

Cross-training has been implemented so that officers will be able to work in a variety of roles, something that Bennett said new recruits found attractive. Training also allows for officer advancement to command staff roles.

Said Bennett: “This is the time to invest in the people. I can’t stress that enough.”

While the deputy chief position remains vacant, Bennett said four candidates have gone through an assessment center review. Herr said filling this role should be a priority, and Bennett agreed.

Bennett said his goals for fiscal year 2025 include continuing to focus on community engagement, investment in new employees and professional development and training opportunities. He will refine these goals and present them at a December Select Board meeting.

Clark noted that a discussion on the response to potential active shooter situations in the schools will be on the Nov. 19 Select Board agenda. A swatting incident occurred at the high school on Oct. 1.

Said Clark: “When it comes to our children’s safety, we can’t do enough.”

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS in

Developer withdraws gas station request

By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer

As quick as it started, the Nov. 13 Board of Appeals meeting was over in the blink of an eye.

Neal Bingham, attorney for Rte 85 Realty Corp, requested that his client’s owner — Kevin Meehan — make an address to the board after chair John Coutinho opened the meeting.

Meehan and Rte 85 Realty first appeared before the Board of Appeals in August to obtain a use variance for a gas station and country store at 290 West Main Street.

Approval of the use variance would have allowed the developers to put a gas station on land zoned for agriculture.

Residents have been fighting against the request, citing environmental concerns and traffic issues as undue burdens to abutters of the property.

Meehan’s remarks were brief.

“We’d respectfully ask the board to withdraw [our application] without prejudice,” he said.

He said he recognized that residents and the board were offering some room to develop the land so long as a gas station was not part of the development, but according to him, “That wouldn’t work for us.”

“[We] don’t want to prejudice the O’Connors [the current owners] from doing something with their land,” he added.

He closed his remarks by saying he hoped his company could come up with something people would like better in a different part of town.

Said Meehan: “Maybe we can find a better spot in Hopkinton we can come visit.”

After the meeting, residents who had opposed the project congregated in the lobby of the Hopkinton Senior Center — where the meeting had been held — to congratulate each other.

“We’re ecstatic,” said resident Becky Smith. “[Meehan] took it all into consideration and made an educated decision.”

“I think we’re all surprised it ended so quickly,” added her husband, Nick Smith.

The Smiths, who live on West Elm Street, were part of the contingent of residents who organized to oppose the project when it first was introduced to the Board of Appeals.

Other residents from that group weighed in on the results of the brief meeting, including Steve West.

“We support the proper place for the proper needs of the town and the community,” said West. “This was just not a proper location for this.”

“[It] did not fit in that neighborhood, period,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, whose property directly abuts the 290 West Main Street lot.

While the fight over this project has concluded, residents say they are hopeful something “more appropriate” will be developed at 290 West Main Street.

“We’re all hoping that [the O’Connors] get a very good price and offer for that location,” said West.

Said Becky Smith: “We’re not opposed to everything.”

Special Town Meeting supports MBTA zoning proposal

Town Meeting | from page 1 vented the threat of a state lawsuit against the town if it did not submit a proposal to the state by year’s end.

History of process described

Under the MBTA Communities statute, also referred to as 3A, 177 cities and towns that are in the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s service area need to approve new zoning to permit as-of-right multifamily housing near public transportation options. The denser housing, in theory, would encourage more people to take the T and depend less on cars. It also would help meet the state’s demand for more housing.

Hopkinton has been designated as an MBTA-adjacent community because of its proximity to the Southborough commuter rail station. It would be required to zone for 750 housing units, a density of 15 units per acre for 50 developable acres. There could be no restrictions on age or the number of bedrooms in these units.

In his presentation to voters, Planning Board chair Rob Benson described the steps taken to reach this point. He stressed that this is a zoning measure and does not require housing development. The town is not required to provide any water and sewer infrastructure in the event that units are developed.

Benson also noted that there have been 22 meetings held by either the Planning Board or ZAC on the topic over the past two years.

“We wanted to develop a plan where [the zoning overlay district is] not likely to be developed in the near future,” he explained, saying that immediate development would strain the school system and police and fire personnel. “They are viable areas, and we wanted to comply with the law.”

The inclusion of The Preserve, Walcott Valley and the downtown area in this overlay district brought it size to 54.6 acres with a unit capacity of 782, exceeding the state’s mandate.

Initial discussion not supportive

Initially, several Town Meeting members spoke negatively about the article. Eric Weiland, a resident of The Preserve who has been critical of its inclusion in the zoning overlay district, noted that more than 100 residents of The Preserve and Walcott Valley would be affected. He stressed that they are private homeowners with mortgages living in developments that include multiple generations.

The Preserve had also been included in a similar proposal that was narrowly rejected at May’s Annual Town Meeting by eight votes. Some residents balked at their community being considered a second time.

Benson said he didn’t believe developers would find it financially feasible to buy all the condos, raze them and redevelop them in the near future.

Ken Weismantel, a former Planning Board member, criticized the plan. He said the article as written “is so bad that it’ll harm the future of Hopkinton.” He asked that the body take no action on the proposed article, saying it was poorly constructed. The vote to this effect failed, with 111 in favor and 269 opposed.

Momentum shifts toward approval

Proponents spoke about the cost of a lawsuit against the state if another proposal could not be generated in time.

They also said the Planning Board did due diligence by picking properties that would not be redeveloped for years, if at all.

Residents expressed concerns about losing state funding for the town’s potential connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system as well as the threat of being sued by the state for noncompliance. Jamie Wronka pointed out that Burlington received $3.5 million in state funds for a similar water utility connection. She added that taxpayers would have to fund the MWRA connection as well as fund a potential defense against a state lawsuit if Hopkinton voted not to comply with the state mandate.

Geoff Rowland, chair of the Sustainable Green Committee, indicated the SGC’s support. He noted that dense, multifamily housing would minimize environmental impacts and use less building materials. It eventually also would lead to the use of public transportation rather than cars.

Nate Eckman commended the Planning Board for its work on the plan, saying that if development occurs, it will not “come as a giant tidal wave that’s going to overtake the town.”

Mason Haber questioned if the pushback against approving the plan was “some form of NIMBYism.” He added that approving the article seemed like “the least we could do” to help alleviate the state’s housing crisis.

Meals tax, other articles pass

Voters approved all eight articles on the warrant, dedicating most of the debate time to the MBTA zoning proposal and an article about a meals excise tax.

Select Board member Joe Clark presented the excise tax to voters with the help of Chamber of Commerce member Paul Ostrander.

Clark and Ostrander pointed to lagging economic activity in town and higher rates of property tax as drivers behind pushing for the tax.

Funds raised could pay for a full-time economic development officer and grants to encourage businesses to set up shop in Hopkinton. Clark said the town will bring a motion about how to use the funds to Annual Town Meeting in May 2025.

Residents expressed concerns over the tax and lack of specifics regarding where the money will go, worrying it was “putting the cart before the horse.”

Multiple meeting attendees recommended the town delay the vote until May, citing impact on businesses dealing with factors like the Main Street Corridor Project and being unsure of how the money will be used.

Clark explained implementing this tax now would allow the town to start collecting revenue and get a sense of how much income might be generated annually.

“We’ll lose out on six months of revenue [if we wait],” said Clark. “If this goes through, it goes into effect Jan. 1.”

After further discussion, residents approved the article by a margin of 186-113.

All other articles on the STM warrant, with the exception of the MBTA zoning article, passed either unanimously or by overwhelming majority in voice votes.

(Nick Schofield contributed to this report.)

THANKSGIVING

Hillers seek T-Day win after challenging season

By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

After the Hopkinton High School football team suffered a 28-13 setback against Oliver Ames on Nov. 15, coach Mark Sanborn had a message for his team leading into the final game of the season: Forget about everything that’s happened through the first 10 games.

“We told them to forget the records, put the injuries aside, it’s one game and two towns that know each other really well,” Sanborn said ahead of the annual Thanksgiving Day showdown with Ashland.

This year’s tilt marks the 100th meeting between the two border towns. Hopkinton has 54 wins in the series, but the Clockers got the better of the matchup in 2023. Sanborn said he is impressed with what he has seen from Ashland.

“They are really well coached, very physical, very aggressive,” he said. “We are going to have to be prepared and be

Hopkinton High School junior Ryan Lang (11) gets a push from teammate Jon Winslow as he prepares for a hit from a Medfield defender during a game in September.

HOPKINTON HILLERS CHEER

They have worked so hard and given it everything they have. They would love to go out with a win on Thanksgiving, and I know they are going to prepare as hard as they can.

— Mark Sanborn HHS coach

organized and put our best players in positions to help them succeed.”

Sanborn said that Hopkinton will have to be disciplined on both sides of the ball and get stops on defense while controlling the time of possession on offense.

The Hillers will look to finish the season on a high note after posting a 2-8 record through the first 10 games. Sanborn said the team has seen its share of struggles, including having a small senior class, a number of season-ending injuries and a challenging schedule. But the players have not lost their spirit even amid the losses.

“I tell the guys every day that they are a great group to coach and to be around,” Sanborn said, praising the squad’s senior leadership.

“It’s a small class, but we knew coming into this season it was a quality group of kids,” he added. “They have set the tone, and we have never questioned their effort. Even though we haven’t seen the results we wanted, going out to the football field every day is my favorite part of the day.”

Hopkinton has had a number of bright spots this fall, including offensive standout Nick Pedroli. Due to injuries throughout the lineup, the senior has played wide receiver and running back and has even taken snaps at quarterback in recent weeks. He is leading the team in touchdowns and overall yards.

“He has grown into himself this year,” Sanborn said. “He has gotten more physical and more confident.”

Josh Buentello is another top weapon who has seen time at both wide receiver and running back.

“Those two have driven the offense,” Sanborn said.

On defense, senior Evan Fitzpatrick is leading in both tackles and sacks, and Sanborn said he also has seen more time on offense in recent weeks. The coach is hoping the team’s leadership and steady improvement will pay off in a much different environment than Hopkinton’s typical games. Instead of playing on a Friday night, the Hillers and Clockers will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday and, this season, Hopkinton will be the host. Sanborn said a win on Thanksgiving would “mean the world” to the team’s seniors.

“They have worked so hard and given it everything they have,” Sanborn said. “They would love to go out with a win on Thanksgiving, and I know they are going to prepare as hard as they can.”

THANKSGIVING DAY GAME

HOPKINTON HILLERS FOOTBALL

COACHES AND STAFF

School Committee plans superintendent search, talks school calendar

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

The School Committee on Nov. 21 discussed plans to search for a new superintendent in the wake of Carol Cavanaugh’s impending retirement in June 2025 (see Page 1).

Members also addressed possible changes to the school calendar and the process they should undertake to gauge public opinion.

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh said hiring a superintendent is one of the School Committee’s “biggest duties. Unlike other positions, we are the deciding body.”

She said she reviewed the last four search processes, with emphasis on the 2016 search when Carol Cavanaugh was hired.

The process took 3 1/2 months that time.

Nancy Cavanaugh said the committee had used the services of consultant NESDEC, and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) is another resource. She will bring three proposals forward before the next meeting for members to consider.

“They help guide us in the process, but we are the driving force,” the chair said of the consultant.

She explained a screening committee generally sorts through resumes, recommending three or four finalists for them to interview.

Site visits, tours of Hopkinton schools, a community forum and School Committee interviews all are part of the process, Nancy Cavanaugh said.

The last time, the screening committee had 15 members, with the School Committee representative serving as chair. Members included a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) representative, community members, teachers, a secondary and elementary school principal, and individuals from groups like the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization (HPTO).

Past searches resulted in three superintendents who were short-term and Carol Cavanaugh, who stayed longer, Nancy Cavanaugh added.

If the committee starts the search in December, she said, the district could hire someone in March or April.

The cost for NESDEC in 2017 was $9,000.

“Search firms cast a broader net na-

tionally,” the chair said.

Calendar survey requested

Revisiting the topic of the school calendar, non-federal holiday observances were brought up.

Committee member Kyla McSweeney said she thought repeating a community survey would not bring about “wildly different results.” She said the calendar should reflect the values of the town and allow everyone to “see themselves.”

Committee member Chris Masters spoke in favor of repeating the survey if there is time to do so.

Nancy Cavanaugh said the survey is “not a stand-alone process,” and it has taken a few months historically.

Carol Cavanaugh said families are interested in knowing the calendar at this time of year because they are looking at summer camps and other plans.

At the last meeting, she said observing certain holidays at home while missing a school day is upsetting for many students.

“They are stressing that someone is learning something they are not,” she said.

Student representative Savannah Rivera confirmed it makes things difficult because of having to make up missed classwork and homework “on your own.”

“Anecdotally,” Masters said, he has noticed a “very split reaction” from the public. “It’s worthwhile to give everyone the opportunity to give feedback and voice their opinion.”

Masters recommended editing the survey and sending it to families quickly.

Nancy Cavanaugh said she would not want to “short cut” the process. In the past, she said, religious leaders came in to speak about why certain observances are important to them.

“Let the results of the survey steer where we go from here,” Masters suggested.

The superintendent noted that the last survey for the 2021-22 calendar had 1,490 responses. Surveys are kept open for 10-14 days, she said.

At the last meeting, committee member Susan Stephenson asked about consolidating or shortening the two school vacations to make the last day of school earlier. Currently, it is set for June 18. She noted in Pennsylvania (where she used to teach), the school year finished at the end of May. Both Hopkinton and that

ScHoolS

district started at the end of August.

“If [we] took those two vacation weeks away, will the community come after me with hatchets?” Stephenson jokingly asked at the previous meeting.

McSweeney suggested putting a question on the survey about the two-vacation issue.

No matter what decision is made on this calendar, Nancy Cavanaugh said, “there is value to having a larger community conversation over the summer” regarding future calendar cycles.

“No matter what we do, we are going to generate some happy people and some very angry people for reasons that all of us can understand,” Nancy Cavanaugh said.

Vice chair Jamie Wronka said she saw no downside to sending out a survey so long as its intentions are clear, “so [people] don’t think if 53% want removal of everything, that will be the case.”

Working collaboratively with a subcommittee (in the future) would be a benefit, Wronka said.

The committee ultimately voted to send out a survey as a starting point.

Carol Cavanaugh said her office would do so after Thanksgiving so that it could get the full attention by families it deserves.

Hopkins work on schedule

Work on the Hopkins School addition/ renovation is on schedule, and the new Charleswood School’s cost is running $1.2 million under budget. On Nov. 14, Susan

Rothermich, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, gave the School Committee an overview of the processes for both projects, which are happening simultaneously in the district.

From the Hopkins School total of $52.4 million, commitments to date amount to $45 million, or 86%. The expanded building will be ready for students to occupy by August of 2026, Rothermich said.

The presentation included photos of the work such as grouting of the geothermal wells, ledge removal in the geothermal well field, excavating of trenches for piping and creating foundation walls pending a concrete pour.

Some of that work will continue over the next month along with damn proofing

and backfilling at foundation walls and more.

Rothermich’s report noted the architect’s expenditures to date are at 64%, or approximately $2.3 million, while the owner’s project manager (OPM) contract value is 24%, or $489,384.

Update on new school provided

The 60% construction documents for the Charleswood School have been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Both the Hopkinton Planning Board and Conservation Commission have given the project approval. The Conservation Commission is expected to hold a public hearing in

the future about the street improvement, Rothermich said, and some of those issues may have to be approved by the Select Board as well.

A significant milestone is that an environmental impact report was submitted last month to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) office. A certificate from that agency is expected in December. Once that happens, she said, the town will start getting reimbursement from the MSBA.

Target dates include a final estimate at 90% construction documents in January 2025, bidding of documents in March/ April 2025 and awarding of a contract in May 2025.

The new school is expected to open in 2028.

SEPAC gives presentation

Representing the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) at the Nov. 14 meeting were Jen Halliday (chair), Melissa Scherer (vice chair) and Erica Seekell (events coordinator).

Halliday spoke about how the organization creates a “safe space” for parents of special needs students, where they can chat and share stories without judgment.

“Parenthood is hard enough,” Halliday said. “[Having] a special needs child adds a whole layer of challenges.”

Stephenson, who serves as SEPAC liaison, noted there was “acrimony” in the relationship between the School CommitSchool Committee | 16

ScHoolS Superintendent Cavanaugh announces upcoming retirement

whom are under the age of 4.

Following retirement, the superintendent said, a lot of people take on part-time roles related to their professions. She does not rule out working in professional development in local school districts, “especially around literacy, where my passion lies.”

When asked what she would miss most, the superintendent said it was the “teaching and learning that occurs at high levels” thanks to her central office colleagues, teachers and staff.

“I have the luxury of having an assistant superintendent for finance and operations, an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, a human resource director and director of student services — a nice infrastructure for me so I can dig down deep into things like test score data and work along with principal and teachers,” she said.

“I’m lucky to continue to follow my passion to educate kids at a high level.”

Cavanaugh admitted she is a bit worried about leaving the professional life, saying a huge part of her always will be an educator, a superintendent immersed in curriculum and a former high school English teacher.

“I’m not sure how I’ll feel when I don’t have that,” she said.

In a letter to school families, Cavanaugh called the decision a “difficult one.”

“I began my tenure here in Hopkinton on June 1, 2016, as assistant superintendent and will culminate my work having served as your superintendent for more than seven years,” she wrote. “I have enjoyed every day here in Hopkinton — it is amazingly gratifying work! — and I am thankful for the opportunity to have marched alongside a team of talented, dedicated administrators and unparalleled faculty and staff.

“The decision to retire was not an easy one. The difficulty

came, in part, because the work is never done. New literacy research emerges, enrollment increases drive the need for new schoolhouses, policies require revision, technologies alter the landscape of education, one budget season ends and another begins. The dynamics of the job prove challenging and rewarding. At every step, the town of Hopkinton has maintained unwavering support for its public schools, for which I am grateful, and I extend that gratitude to my partners in all municipal departments as well as to the many, many School Committee members with whom I’ve served. Hopkinton is among the highest-performing school districts in the commonwealth and is well poised for its new leader.

“I’m not sure what September 2025 will look like for me, as this will be the first time in well over 30 years that I will not experience the anticipation, excitement and joy of the first day of school. However, I do know that I will miss the administrators, faculty and staff as well as the scores of future Hillers who will continue to propel this district to excellence.”

Under Cavanaugh’s tenure, the town replaced Center School with Marathon School and is planning to replace Elmwood School with Charleswood School, which is to be built next to Marathon School. Additionally, a renovation and expansion of Hopkins School is underway to handle a surge in student population.

Cavanaugh added that she expects the remaining months of her tenure to “fly by” and that she “feels truly blessed to have served as the superintendent in the Hopkinton Public Schools for so many years.”

In an email, School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh wrote that it has been an honor to serve with the superintendent.

“While I would have loved to have had her for more years ahead, I am excited for her for the next chapter in her life,” she noted.

Nancy Cavanaugh said there would be time in the months ahead to celebrate the “meaningful impacts” on the district, students and staff the superintendent had.

With the announcement so recent, the chair noted the School Committee has yet to have the opportunity to discuss the specifics of a search for her successor.

She added the community should expect to see work on the search begin immediately.

Nancy Cavanaugh said the School Committee in the past has used the services of consultants such as the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to assist in superintendent searches.

“I would expect that would be considered for this search as well,” Nancy Cavanaugh wrote.

“The process itself will rely on multiple levels of community involvement and engagement, some of which will be discussed at our School Committee meeting next week,” she added.

tee and SEPAC in the past, and they have been working on improvements.

Halliday said the communication and relationship with the School Committee is much better as they rebuild trust.

“That’s part of what this is supposed to do. … If there are rough edges, they get smoothed out,” Stephenson said, referring to the connection between the entities.

The SEPAC representatives also spoke about the various activities and initiatives they have, including Project SHARK (SEPAC Helps Add Resources for Kids). The project involves a wish list that SPED educators need like equipment and therapy supplies “that transcend the budget,” Halliday said.

The goal is to support educators and build awareness on the different needs of students with disabilities, she said.

The wish list is available on Amazon via “Hopkinton SEPAC.”

The organization is also accepting gently used items and is developing a donation list.

Budget discussions continue

Budget presentations for fiscal year 2026 dominated the Nov. 21 meeting.

Rothermich introduced the process, showing data from previous years, including ‘actual spending’ numbers and how historical trends are used in projections.

Rothermich advised the committee that the town’s guidance on budgets recommends increases of no more than 5%.

For full details on this discussion, visit HopkintonIndependent.com.

Paraprofessional position approved

The committee approved a full-time ABA paraprofessional position (about $30,000) to meet the needs of students with intensive needs who moved into the district after the budget process was completed.

The position will be supported by a grant as well as partially by circuit breaker funds in FY 26, according to Abby Hanscom, director of student services.

The board also approved a $1,000 stipend for a Hopkins Memory Book coordinator.

ESBC reviews schedule changes, potential risks

By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer

By unanimous vote, the Elementary School Building Committee on Nov. 19 selected Firepoint Consulting Inc. as a third- party reviewer to work under the town’s Fire Department and Building Department until the Charleswood School is completed.

We’re OK with the move to push the bid date back that extra week and make sure we have time to get everything to MSBA and everything to this body so that you know what you are approving.

— Chris Eberly Vertex project manager

Firepoint was one of four consultants to bid. The others were Code Red, JS Consulting Engineers and Jigsaw Life Safety.

Chris Eberly, Vertex’s project manager, said Firepoint’s bid ($6,800) came in “overwhelmingly low” compared to the others options. The other bids were more than double, Eberly said, even with Firepoint having $500 per additional inspection and a $75 per hour consulting charge.

Eberly said it is an advantageous approach to sign on for these services early so that directions can be written about fire alarm and protection issues to help the designer.

Changes to schedule outlined

Scheduling for milestones was another topic of discussion.

Eberly explained that some key dates had to be slightly changed to accommodate the holidays and ensure full attention is given to the work at hand.

“We’re talking about the path to bidding,” Eberly noted.

The schedule would include as follows: 90% construction documents (CD) to estimators on Jan. 10; estimates due from estimators on Feb. 3; 90% CD estimate reconciliations by Feb. 5; and 90% CD sent to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Feb. 14.

A final bid package is expected to be issued on March 20, Eberly said.

He said the slight alterations on timing do not concern him and amount to about a one-week difference. It pushes the end date for “substantial completion” of the school to Oct. 31, 2027. That date will be followed by two months devoted to moving into the new facility.

“We’re OK with the move to push the bid date back that extra week and make sure we have time to get everything to MSBA and everything to this body so that you know what you are approving,” Eberly said.

He said that a total of two years, four months is “a good position from a construction standpoint.”

‘Site uncertainty’ could be

risk

When ESBC chair Jon Graziano asked what the biggest risks could be related to timing, Eberly replied overall they would be associated with site uncertainty.

He explained that infiltration testing was completed over the last two weeks

with results back on Monday showing “numbers much higher than the conservative numbers used in the stormwater permitting filing.”

Eberly said that means the ground takes water at a much higher rate than the assumption that was made.

“We’re obviously in drought conditions, so it will move quicker,” he said.

The Vertex representative added there is a “factor of safety” if that much soil is removed.

“There is a soil risk … that we will continue to watch,” he said. “If it becomes very wet, the contractor is going to have some logistics.”

Eberly said so far, the process through the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) office is going smoothly, and there is a good plan for soil in place.

Having extra time for the contractor should be helpful, although Eberly added the contractor may want to hit an earlier target date because there are incentives built into the contract if that should happen.

Road improvements deemed ‘last hurdle’

Regarding proposed road improvements, Eberly said the “last hurdle” is to go before the Conservation Commission to have members address the portion of Hayden Rowe Street that affects wetlands. This portion is northwest of Marathon School, he said.

The plans, as they have all along, include preparation for vegetation, the addition of a turning lane, new guard rail, traffic signals and more, Eberly noted.

They also show the addition of a catch basin tying to street drainage.

He expects to go before the Conservation Commission on Dec. 17 following a Nov. 26 submission date.

Meetings that follow likely will go into January.

The street improvements are going out around the same time as the general bid package, Eberly added.

Eberly said he is trying to get clarification from the Department of Public Works as to who reviews the stormwater related to street improvements, knowing the Planning Board and Conservation Commission often “work hand in hand.”

He said he is anticipating street improvements to take place in the summer of 2026, giving lead time for pole relocations.

In other business, the ESBC approved invoices totaling $355,969, with the majority ($320,000) going to architect Perkins Eastman.

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Grant was the team’s strong second runner for the championship section of the season and “had a phenomenal finish in the final dual meet of the season, beating Westwood’s second runner to the line,” according to coach Jean Cann. “She put in consistent summer training and it has really paid off.” Grant’s 13thplace finish at the Tri-Valley League Showcase secured her a spot as a TVL All-Star.

Pest and Termite Control and the National Pest Management Association are sharing the top seven signs that rodents have taken up residence in your home

It’s that time of year again — football season, trips to your local farm, and crisp, fall weather. But before you break out your favorite pumpkin spice-flavored treats, it’s important to remember to keep alert for uninvited guests looking to join in on the fun. As temperatures begin to cool, WPC Pest and Termite Control, in partnership with the National Pest Management Association, is sharing signs homeowners should look out for that could signal a rodent infestation.

“Disgusting odors that permeate from insulation in attics and basements are a sure sign that rodents are present,” said Jim Mazzuchelli, owner of WPC. “While rodent infestations are common throughout the year, they are particularly troublesome as colder weather arrives and food sources diminish. These stark changes to their environment make homes the ideal spot for them to hide out in.

Rodents are able to transmit more than 35 diseases to humans, posing a serious health threat to you and your family should they find their way into your homes insulation. Contamination from urine and droppings will cause serious respiratory issues, such as the deadly Hantavirus.

To help keep your family protected this fall, WPC is offering FREE rodent inspections and suggestions on decontaminating your home.

WPC and the NPMA have identified the following top seven telltale signs of a rodent infestation:

• Droppings: Finding droppings in the home is one of the most common signs of a rodent infestation. Homeowners often find these where food is stored, such as kitchen cabinets or pantries, as well as under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes and along baseboards.

• Gnaw marks: Rodents will chew through almost any type of material to obtain food or water, causing serious damage to a home. Rats are also known to gnaw on wires behind walls, potentially resulting in dangerous house fires.

• Nests: Rodents prefer to hide in dark, secluded areas of the home and will use any materials available to build their nest. If you see items such as paper products or cotton strewn about, it might be a sign of a rodent infestation.

• Tracks or rub marks: As rats follow a trail between their nest and food sources throughout a home, they will often leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards.

• Strange noises: Hearing strange noises at night could be attributed to a family of mice scurrying about the house, between the walls and up in attics and crawlspaces.

• An actual rodent: Mice are known to reproduce quickly, as a female house mouse can give birth to a half-dozen babies every three weeks or up to 35 young per year. Chances are, if you see one mouse in the house, there are more hidden behind the walls!

• Contamination: Odors and staining of ceiling tiles and basement insulation is a sign of what could be droppings and urine caused by nesting rodents having their young.

For more information about rodent infestations, visit www.nobugsnopests.com or CALL 508-435-2211 or contact a licensed pest control professional.

A top runner for the Hillers since his freshman year, Leighton won the Tri-Valley League Showcase Meet this fall. He the helped lead his team to a fifth-place finish in the Division 1C meet and 17th-place finish in the Division 1 Meet of Champions. “Stephen is humble and a no-nonsense, hard worker,” shared coach Laura McKenzie. “He shows up to practice to work hard and races to race!”

Sponsored by Laura at laura@customhomerealty.com

HHS cross country teams shine at state meet

Hopkinton

High School’s cross country teams wrapped up their seasons Nov. 16 with impressive performances at the Division 1 State Championship meet at Devens.

The boys finished 17th, led by Sean Finnegan’s 28th-place finish.

The girls were 19th. Elyse Srodawa led the way by coming in 28th.

Girls soccer bows out

HHS girls soccer suffered a 1-0 loss to Newton North on Nov. 8 in the Division 1 Round of 16. The visiting Tigers scored the game’s only goal on a scrum in front of the net. That came with 13:33 remaining in the first half. While Hopkinton controlled much of the play, the Hillers were unable to break through.

Seventh-seeded Hopkinton’s season ended at 16-2-2. Newton North (11-7-2), the 10th seed, advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Wellesley.

Volleyball loses TVL showdown

HHS volleyball lost to Tri-Valley

League rival Westwood in straight sets in the Division 2 quarterfinals on Nov. 8. After falling behind 12-6 in the opening set, the Hillers rallied to take a 20-16 lead. But Westwood had the answer, closing with a 9-1 run to take a 25-21 decision.

Westwood also closed the second set in strong fashion, turning a 17-14 lead into a 25-18 win.

The Wolverines jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the third set. Hopkinton closed to within two points at 8-6 and kept it close the rest of the way, but Westwood had enough for a 25-20 clinching win.

The fourth-seeded Hillers finished with a record of 18-5. Fifth-seeded Westwood (18-3) moved on to the semifinals, where the Wolverines lost to eventual state champion Westborough.

Field hockey falls in quarters

On Nov. 10, the HHS field hockey team’s run through the Division 2 tournament ended with a 6-1 loss to host Canton. The Hills were down 1-0 at the midpoint and could not keep pace in the second half.

The 13th-seeded Hillers finished at 11-8-2. Fifth-seeded Canton (19-3) lost in the semifinals to Norwood, which went on to win the title.

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.

Trails Club Black Friday Walk at Hughes Farm Nov. 29

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host a group walk at the Hughes Farm Trail on Friday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. It’s an easy walk that the whole family can enjoy. Participants can meet at the parking area at 192 Hayden Rowe Street. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

Become a Dementia Friend Dec. 4

Residents of all towns are invited to become a Dementia Friend by attending an informational program at St. John’s Church (20 Church Street) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 7-8:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about dementia, how it impacts the person, what people can do to support them, and the extensive resources and information available. To reserve a spot, call the Hopkinton Senior Center at 508-497-9730.

Trail Volunteer Day at Center Trail Dec. 7

The Hopkinton Trails Committee and the Hopkinton Trails Club have created a monthly trail volunteer day on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon. The next workday is Dec. 7 at the Center Trail’s Chamberlain extension — a continuation of the November workday. Volunteers will do trail clearing. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

Chamber of Commerce

Holiday Stroll Dec. 7

The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce Holiday Stroll is Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. People will race between businesses to get their Holiday Stroll passports stamped in order to be entered into one of 10 drawings for $300 each. Businesses will share holiday cheer with raffles and goodies like hot cider, coffee and chocolates or offer special deals and discounts. The event will culminate

The Edwards Twins: Vegas’ Top Impersonators | Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Don’t miss a legendary evening with your favorite stars! Remember those heartwarming TV specials we all grew up with? The memories of gathering around the TV set to watch the superstars of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and more sing some of our treasured hits. All these songs will be performed and sung by Las Vegas legendary performers The Edwards Twins AS…Dolly Parton, Sonny & Cher, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Neil Diamond, Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Frankie Valli, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Billy Joel, Tom Jones and many more.

Ayla Brown Christmas | Dec. 6 & 7 Shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with our third annual Christmas concert featuring the incredibly talented Ayla Brown! Ayla is set to dazzle you with a mix of your beloved holiday classics and a delightful original Christmas song. From catchy tunes that will have you tapping your toes to heartfelt melodies that warm your soul, Ayla’s music promises to fill your heart with joy and cheer.

with Santa arriving by fire truck to the Town Common as well as holiday songs and the town tree lighting. For more information, visit hopchamber.com/holidaystrollcurrent.

Trails Club Monthly Meeting Dec. 11

The Hopkinton Trails Club will hold its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hopkinton Public Library. The club meets on the second Wednesday of each month to plan activities and discuss trails-related matters. The meetings are open to all, and anyone with an interest is encouraged to attend. For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

Trails Club Walk at USF/ Tamarack Farm Dec. 14

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host a group walk at Upton State Forest/ Tamarack Farm on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. These trails go through a mix of public and private lands, including a lesser-used section of Upton State Forest. Participants can meet at the pullovers on Pond Street at the southern end of Lake Whitehall (between School Street and Christian Way). For more information, visit hopkintontrailsclub.com.

Veterans Breakfast First Friday of Each Month

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

Al-Anon Weekly Meetings Thursdays

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

Toni Lynn Washington Album Release Party | Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.

It’s a double-celebration birthday and album release party for Ms. Toni Lynn Washington, Boston’s Queen of the Blues! Ms. Washington is releasing her Gospel / Blues album entitled “FAITH,” produced by Brian Templeton and released on the Regina Royale Records label. She will be joined on stage by some of Boston’s finest musicians, who also performed on the album. Join us for an inspirational afternoon of soul-filled music! Also featuring: Diane Blue, Kit Holliday, Lisa Marie, Ed Scheer, and Brian Templeton. Treblemakers Holiday Concert: Holiday Movie Magic Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.

Get ready to deck the halls and fa-la-la your way into the season’s spirit with the Treblemakers. This winter concert, “Holiday Movie Magic,” under the direction of Sharon Broadley-Martin, is a dazzling trip down memory lane where the cherished melodies of classic holiday movie musicals come alive once more. Picture yourself humming along to iconic tunes that have warmed our hearts for generations while surrounded by a joyous community that embraces everyone!

The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-

2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs and services, including lunch program menus as well as a newsletter, check hopkintonseniorcenter.com. Anyone with questions can call 508497-9730. The Senior Center also has a Facebook page that provides updates on resources, programs and events.

Senior Center Book Club

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m.

One of life’s pleasures is a good book. Another is the time to read it. At this meeting, attendees can relax and bring something to drink, all while enjoying book reviews and socializing. This month, the club will discuss “Tell Me Everything” by Elizabeth Strout. New participants are always welcome.

Our Time Memory Cafe Featuring ‘The Rob Show’

Thursday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m.

This is a welcoming gathering at the Senior Center 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. Live music and refreshments usually are offered. This is a joint venture between Senior Services and the Hopkinton Public Library. For more information, call the Senior Center.

Styling with Vintage and Thrifted Fashion

Thursday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m.

Individuals can create a unique wardrobe that suits their “style personality” without breaking the bank. In this fun styling workshop, participants will explore ways to treasure hunt for vintage and secondhand clothing and accessories to inspire a new way of dressing.

Garden Therapy: Holiday Greens

Monday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.

Members of the Hopkinton Garden

Club will lead this program, showing attendees how to create beautiful arrangements.

Let’s Run Away to the Circus

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m.

The Ringling Museum will lead this virtual presentation, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the early 20th century circus. This program will use historic photographs and other objects from the Circus Museum collection to illustrate stories of performers, managers, animals, spectators and everyone in between. Attendees will be invited to share their own circus memories as well.

Be Red Cross Ready: Emergency Preparedness

Monday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m.

Floods, hurricanes and wildfires are becoming more frequent and can be devastating to loved ones, homes and communities. Participants in this program will build confidence by learning simple steps to take now to help prepare and protect one’s family. Hosted by the American Red Cross, Be Red Cross Ready is a national, standardized, free preparedness education curriculum for adults taught by certified presenters. The program is designed to help people understand, prepare for and respond appropriately to disasters.

library corner

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, and on X, @HopkintonPLMA.

Schedule Update

The library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 1, for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Young Adult Crafternoon

Monday, Dec. 2, 3-5 p.m.

Teens and pre-teens — Grade 5 and up — are invited to the Young Adult Room every other Monday to hang out, listen to music and make some art. There will be a different theme craft every meeting as well as extra materials for individuals to make their own creations.

Grade 3-5 Book Club

Monday, Dec. 2, 4:15-5 p.m.

Third, fourth and fifth graders are invited to chat about all things books and reading. Each meeting, kids can share about a book they have read or are currently reading. The group will talk about favorite genres, and participants will hear what their peers are reading.

Scrabble Club and Mahjong Club

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6-7:30 p.m.

Scrabble sets will be provided, but the library does not yet have a mahjong set. Participants are encouraged to bring a set if they have one. No registration is required.

English Language Conversation Group: Intermediates

Wednesdays, Dec. 4 and 11, 10-11:30 a.m.

Intermediate learners have mastered basic vocabulary and simple grammar and are focused on greater comfort level in everyday conversations. At the intermediate level, this class will prioritize components of grammar, vocabulary expansion, reading comprehension and group discussion.

The Genealogist Is In

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2-3:30 p.m.

Attendees can join other amateur family historians in a casual atmosphere to share resources and brainstorm ideas for further investigation. Librarian Allison Keaney will be available to help with research, whether someone is just starting out or needs help knocking down a brick wall. Registration is not required.

Smithsonian National Gem Collection

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2-3:30 p.m.

This virtual presentation is with the emeritus curator of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection, Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, who will talks about the collection.

Career Options Workshop for Teens

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join career coach Ed Lawrence for an eyeopening session on career possibilities. This program is designed to help young people figure out their “What do you want to be?” options through some easy assignments and fun assessments. This program is open to ages 13-18.

Animanga

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 6-7:45 p.m.

Animanga, anime and manga fans will meet in the Young Adult Room to discuss manga, watch Crunchyroll, draw characters and eat fun snacks. This program is open to teens and pre-teens in Grade 5 and up. Note: In this program, participants may watch and/or discuss material that is rated TV-14 or unrated.

English Language Learning Conversation Group: Conversation and Culture

Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Conversation and Culture provides an opportunity for the advanced learner to meet and practice conversation in a relaxed, social setting with trained leaders. The members of this group are comfortable with everyday vocabulary and grammar and are seeking an opportunity to practice their skills. Registration is required.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cash, checks and credit card (via PayPal) pay-

ments will be accepted at this Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library Pop-Up Book Sale, coinciding with Saturday’s Holiday Stroll. A bag of books will be $10 for the final hour on Saturday. There will be books for all ages, in good to excellent condition.

English Language Learning Conversation Group: Beginners

Friday, Dec. 6, 10-11 a.m.

This class is appropriate for someone with very limited experience with the English language. This learner may be familiar with basic vocabulary and simple phrases but is struggling with everyday conversations. The beginner group provides an opportunity to build English vocabulary and practice grammar and reading in a supportive setting. Registration is required.

Dungeons & Dragons Adult Group

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-4 p.m.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Dungeons & Dragons, and participants in this program will play the game the way people used to.

Kids Creative Writing Club

Monday, Dec. 9, 4:15-5 p.m.

Children in Grades 3-5 will explore the world of writing, imagination and storytelling with their friends. Each meeting will include creative activities like interactive games, poetry prompts, group storytelling and more.

Narcan Training and Community Harm Reduction

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Narcan, the brand name of the generic drug naloxone, is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. This free training from the Hopkinton Health Department will provide participants with brief instruction on how to recognize an opioid overdose, when and how to use Narcan, and a free kit to take home.

Teen Yoga Class

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4-5 p.m.

Katie Aissis from Sprouting Tree Yoga will lead this free, teens-only yoga class at the library. This program is open to ages 14-19 only, and registration is limited.

Women and Money Round Table

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1-2 p.m.

In this virtual program, individuals will learn all about today’s financial markets from two women who watch it closely: financial advisors Julia Strayer and Liz Maccarone. This series is a virtual, monthly financial literacy program designed to educate women in all walks of life learn about financial matters in a welcoming environment where they can ask questions and share financial experiences.

Author Talk: Pulse-Pounding, Family Driven Mysteries

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2-3:30 p.m.

This virtual conversation is with the New York Times bestselling author of “The Last Thing He Told Me,” Laura Dave. She will chat about her newest book, “The Night We Lost Him.”

YA RPG Club

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-7:45 p.m.

Every other Wednesday is an evening of imagination and skill. Participants will play Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering and other dice, card and tabletop role-playing games. This program is open to Grade 5 and up. Registration is appreciated. New players are always welcome.

obituarieS

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

Susan Moschini

Susan Marie (Gardner) Moschini, 64, of Hopkinton and formerly of Whitinsville, passed away peacefully on Nov. 6, at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, surrounded by her loving family.

Her vibrant spirit is carried on by her two daughters, Nicole C. Moschini and Stefanie S. Moschini, both of Hopkinton, four siblings, including her twin sister, Sharon M. Searles and husband Benjamin of Milford, her brother, Richard Gardner and wife Donna of Spencer, her sisters, Lorraine Eddy of Hopedale and Lisa Harrigan of Whitinsville, along with many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family too numerous to name but not forgotten.

Born in Whitinsville, on June 10, 1960, Susan was daughter of the late John and Lillian (Henault) Gardner of Uxbridge. She was a graduate of Northbridge High School class of 1978, and had lived in Hopkinton the past 30 years.

Susan enjoyed a 42-year career at Fitts Insurance Agency in Southborough as operations director. She also dedicated many fulfilling years as a CCD teacher at St. John’s Parish in Hopkinton and served on the Board of Directors at the MetroWest YMCA.

Susan was a loving, courageous, thoughtful and tenacious mother, sister, aunt and friend. Her charismatic humor, compassion, and quick wit helped her to successfully lead the pack in many areas of her life, starting at a young age. Delighted by nature, Susan found joy in watching the colorful hummingbirds and many other seasonal backyard visitors. She often soaked in the warm sunshine and sea breeze at Nantasket Beach and Cape Cod, and enjoyed smelling the sweet flowers and crisp, fresh veggies in her heirloom garden beds. Her favorite hobbies included traveling, bike riding, kayaking, camping, cooking and staying active.

Susan loved spending time with her family and friends. She was well known for her ability to invoke belly laughter and uplift the hearts of others with her frequent jokes. She had a keen attention to small details and a bright perspective on life. Susan brought unending inspiration and encouragement to all those who were fortunate enough to cross her path. Her transition from this life came too soon, and her loving presence is already so dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Susan’s spirit will live on in our hearts, reminding us to find joy in the little things, like a good cup of coffee, the warmth of family gatherings and cheering on all New England sports teams.

A celebration of Susan’s life was held Nov. 16 in Jackman Funeral Home, Whitinsville. Burial was to be privately held at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, donations to help her family alleviate funeral expenses can be made to her GoFundMe account. For the link, visit Jackmanfuneralhomes.com.

Gerald Cassidy Jr.

Gerald (Jerry) Cassidy Jr., 86, formerly of Edgewood, Rhode Island, passed away on Oct. 19 in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was the husband of the late Eileen (Halpin) Cassidy. They had been married for 55 years. Jerry had been a seasonal resident in Bonita Springs since 2002, living in York Beach, Maine, during the summer. He was the son of the late Gerald J. and Rita M. (Dailey) Cassidy.

Born in Hopkinton, Jerry filled his youth playing football, basketball and baseball. He was team captain of all three sports in his senior year, going undefeated in football in 1955. Following his days in Hopkinton, he played football and baseball at the University of Vermont. He continued playing baseball as a Minnesota Twins farmhand for two years in the Appalachian League and the New York Penn League. He was inducted into The University of Vermont Hall of Fame in 1989, and the Hopkinton High School Hall of Fame in 1993. An insurance executive with over 50 years of experience, Jerry served in managerial roles at St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company and the Phoenix of Hartford Insurance Company. He served as the president and CEO of Hospital Underwriters Mutual Insurance Company and was a founding member of the Board of Directors in 2008.

Jerry is survived by three children, G. Joseph Cassidy III of Bonita Springs, Florida, Stephen Cassidy and wife Dena of Greenville, Rhode Island, and Susan Petrini, of Buzzards Bay. He was the brother of John Cassidy of Michigan and the late James Cassidy of Florida. He had three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass was celebrated Nov. 23 at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz. org).

police log

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

November 5

7:11 a.m. Officer Nicholas Walker responded along with the Fire Department to a possible transformer explosion on Ash Street.

Eversource was contacted.

10:02 a.m. A Maple Street resident reported several political signs were stolen from her property and her neighbors’ property. The caller wanted the incident logged. [Editor’s note: Reports of political signs being stolen also came from Erika Drive, North Mill Street, Pond Street and Wood Street.]

3:14 p.m. A caller reported a tractor-trailer

unit hit a tree on Pond Street, and power lines were down. Sgt. Arthur Schofield and Officer Nicholas Saletnik responded and closed the road. Eversource was contacted. A tow truck removed the tractor-trailer. A detail officer responded to the scene.

7:46 p.m. A walk-in reported he struck a cat on Wood Street, and it ran into the woods. The incident was logged.

9:05 p.m. A motorist reported a vehicle traveling behind her on Ash Street had been flashing its high beams for over a mile and went through a red light. Sgt. William Burchard and Officer Justin Cappuccio checked East Main Street up to the Ashland town line with a negative find.

November 6

4:28 a.m. Sgt. Shannon Beloin took a report of vandalism on Ash Street.

7:46 a.m. A caller reported the stop sign on Granite Street appeared to have been hit. Sgt. Cody Normandin responded and notified the DPW.

8:54 a.m. Officer Augusto Diaz checked on a person in a vehicle on Ash Street. All was OK. He was playing Pokémon.

10:48 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle crash on East Main Street. Officers Noah Buentello, Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Walker responded and requested two tow trucks. Courtesy transports were provided to the operators.

7:02 p.m. A motorist reported a domestic incident in a vehicle on Cedar Street that was traveling behind the caller. Yelling was heard

and the driver was tailgating the caller, then braking. The caller pulled over in order to let the vehicle pass. Sgt. William Burchard and Sgt. Arthur Schofield responded and checked the area with a negative find.

November 7

8:38 a.m. A Benson Road resident reported his mailbox was damaged overnight. Officer Noah Buentello viewed the mailbox and took a report of vandalism.

11:30 a.m. A motorist reported a tree struck his vehicle while he was driving on Legacy Farms North. Sgt. Cody Normandin and Officers Brian Ziniti and Noah Buentello responded along with the Fire Department and took a report. 11:49 a.m. A Hayden Rowe Street caller reported her lawn mower caught on fire and it was spreading in the backyard. Sgt. William Burchard and Officer Brian Ziniti responded along with the Fire Department, and the fire was extinguished.

4:08 p.m. Multiple callers reported a gasoline tank spill on South Street. Officers Justin Cappuccio and Nicholas Saletnik responded along with the Fire Department.

5:56 p.m. Officer Brian Ziniti responded along with the Fire Department to a report of a 75-year-old woman stuck in an elevator between floors on Weston Lane. She was subsequently freed.

ARRESTS

Editor’s note: The Hopkinton Independent’s new policy for the arrests section is not to include the names of individuals who have been arrested.

November 15

4:20 p.m. Sgt. Cody Normandin and Officer Nicholas Walker conducted a motor vehicle stop on West Main Street and subsequently arrested a 57-year-old resident of Susan Drive in Hopkinton and charged him with speeding in violation of special regulation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, OUI drugs and OUI liquor.

8:05 p.m. A caller reported an erratic operator crossing lanes of travel on School Street. Sgt. Cody Normandin and Officer Brian Ziniti responded and attempted to pull the vehicle over on West Main Street near Interstate 495, but the operator got on the highway. Officers followed the vehicle, which was going 40 mph. The State Police and police in Westborough and Marlborough were notified of the vehicle’s failure to stop. The vehicle subsequently pulled over a quarter-mile before the Route 9 exit. A 41-year-old Marlborough resident was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for police. His vehicle was towed.

November 8

8:43 a.m. A Stoney Brook road walk-in brought in a rock that a child threw at his vehicle. Sgt. William Burchard took a report of vandalism.

8:12 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle hit a deer on West Main Street. Officers Nicholas Saletnik and Justin Cappuccio and Sgt. Cody Normandin responded and took a report. A tow truck removed the vehicle.

November 9

1:59 p.m. Officer Augusto Diaz took a motor vehicle crash report on Elm Street.

11:25 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle hit a deer on Legacy Farms North. Officer Sean McKeon assisted and took a report.

November 10

9:24 a.m. Officers Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Walker responded along with the Fire Department to a brush fire on Longwood Drive. Residents were evacuated.

2:34 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle struck a pole on Ash Street. Officers Augusto Diaz and Nicholas Walker responded and contacted Verizon about a broken pole. A tow truck removed the vehicle.

November 11

3:39 a.m. A caller reported she was hit by a vehicle while in her wheelchair on West Main Street. She stated she was uninjured, but her wheelchair was damaged. Sgt. William Burchard responded and took a report.

9:06 a.m. Officers Noah Buentello and Nicholas Walker responded along with the Fire Department to a rekindled brush fire on Longwood Drive.

9:10 p.m. An Ash Street resident reported hearing a loud bang and crash outside. Sgt. Cody Normandin, Sgt. Shannon Beloin and Officers Matthew LaTour and Justin Cappuccio responded and reported a vehicle hit a deer. No personal injuries were reported. A tow truck removed the vehicle. Sgt. Normandin dispatched the deer, and the animal control officer was notified and was to pick up the dead animal in the morning.

11:40 p.m. Sgt. Cody Normandin and Officer Tyler Staback responded along with the Fire Department to a power outage on Ash Street. A popped fuse on a pole was discovered, and Eversource was contacted.

November 12

5:10 p.m. A Whirty Circle resident reported she received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. The person said she was being subpoenaed, and if she broke communication, she would be detained. The incident of fraud was logged.

6:13 p.m. A caller reported her contractor stole $30,000 from her Home Depot account. Sgt. Cody Normandin assisted and took a report of larceny.

November 13

10:11 a.m. A detail officer reported a tractortrailer struck a telephone pole on Grove Street and drove away. A license plate number was provided. Officer Noah Buentello responded, viewed the significant damage and took a hit-and-run report. Verizon was contacted.

3:32 p.m. Sgt. Matthew Santoro assisted the Fire Department in freeing two students stuck in the elevator at the high school on Hayden Rowe Street.

November 14

2:37 p.m. A walk-in reported that she was kayaking in the State Park and a man grabbed her kayak and pulled her into the water. The Ashland Police Department was notified, as the incident occurred in Ashland.

7:38 p.m. Sgt. Cody Normandin assisted the Fire Department in responding to the strong odor of an electrical burn on Knoll Road.

November 15

9:53 a.m. A walk-in reported her computer was hacked and all her credit card information was stolen. Officer Brian Ziniti took a report of fraud.

2:22 p.m. A dog walker reported being concerned for a youth on a scooter on Bowker Road. Officer Nicholas Walker responded, and the child was gone upon his arrival.

November 16

8:35 a.m. A caller reported three or four horses were running loose in the middle of the roadway on Cross Street. Officers Brian Ziniti and Nicholas Walker responded and notified the animal control officer. The horses were found on

Brook Hollow Road and were corralled.

12:43 p.m.Acaller reported a brush fire on Clinton Street. Officers Brian Ziniti and Nicholas Walker responded along with the Fire Department.

4:24 p.m. A Canterbury Lane resident reported returning home and finding an attempted breaking and entering. Sgt. Cody Normandin took a report.

10:03 p.m. A motorist reported he hit a deer on Legacy Farms North, and the deer ran off. Officer Augusto Diaz responded and reported minor damage to the vehicle.

November 17

1:10 a.m. Sgt. Shannon Beloin and Officers Sean McKeon and Nicholas Saletnik responded along with the Fire Department to an uncontained microwave fire on Teresa Road.

10:12 a.m. A caller reported an active boat fire at the State Park. Officers Augusto Diaz and Noah Buentello assisted the Fire Department and shut down Cedar Street. A tow truck responded.

November 18

6:53 a.m. Multiple callers reported a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment on Granite Street. Sgt. William Burchard and Officers Augusto Diaz and Tyler Staback responded along with the Fire Department and an ambulance. No personal injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

7:13 a.m. A motorist on South Street reported a road rage incident that took place on Interstate 495. A male driver threw a water bottle at her and made threats. Officer Tyler Staback spoke with the reporting person.

2:28 p.m. A caller reported an opossum on Hayden Rowe Street in front of the high school. Officer Augusto Diaz responded and reported the animal moved back into the woods.

4:46 p.m. A walk-in from Davis Road reported her daughter was being threatened. Sgt. Matthew Santoro spoke with all parties involved and took a report.

FALLING LEAVES, RISING GRATITUDE

a time to reflect, a time to give thanks

Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Woonsocket, Rhode Island