Hopkinton Independent 12/16/20 by Community Advocate

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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 21 | No. 25 | December 16, 2020

2020, you are muted!

Select Board adopts revised MAPC pledge By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

I PHOTOS/JERRY SPAR/JOHN CARDILLO/CHRISTINE STRICKLAND

Looking back at a challenging year By Jerry Spar, Managing Editor

MAPC pledge | 10

10. Carbone’s announces it will close

INSIDE NEWS PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

he year 2020 started out innocently enough, with a mild January, but when it hit the terrible twos, it did so with ferocity. It was late in February when we first started hearing about the novel coronavirus, eventually to become better known as COVID-19. Then in March everything fell apart. Schools told students to stay home. Restaurants were shuttered. Businesses told employees to work remotely. Hospitals became overcrowded. Sports took a hiatus. And what we all hoped would be a temporary situation — days or weeks — instead became the new normal for the rest of the year. Masks. Social distancing. Hand sanitizer. Zoom teleconferences. Things improved slightly when the weather improved in the warmer months, but in the fall, as cold and flu season arrived, we saw another surge of cases. Hopkinton dealt with the virus as well as could be expected. There were no major outbreaks in the schools or anywhere else in town. And unlike many other municipalities, the town’s finances remain in good shape and most business have managed to survive — at least so far. All that said, life did not stop during the pandemic. There were other big stories. Among them: Residents supported calls for social justice, voters turned out in big numbers for local and national elections, officials attempted to rein in commercial solar developments, and the schools looked to deal with a continued rise in enrollment numbers. Following is our top 10 list of the most impactful stories in Hopkinton this year. They were chosen by our editorial staff based on a number of factors, including page views at HopkintonIndependent.com.

n a brief meeting Dec. 8, the Select Board voted unanimously to adopt a modified version of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) pledge to address systemic racism. The new version eliminates specific references to police, which had been a sticking point. In the original MAPC pledge, two of the five principles address police, with one beginning, “We are committed to instituting an anti-violence approach to policing …” and another reading in full: “We will work to address racism within law enforcement in a proactive, intentional, and consistent manner.” In the version adopted by the board, there is no reference to an anti-violence approach to policing, and other references to police have been replaced by “municipal services.” In its previous meeting on Dec. 1, the three Democrats on the board — Amy Ritterbusch, Mary Jo LaFreniere and vice chair Irfan Nasrullah — said

Carbone’s owners announced in August the restaurant would soon be closing after an 87year run in town.

In late August, owners (and siblings) Peter Carbone and Mary Ann Lorentzen announced that they were planning to shutter the family-owned ItalianAmerican restaurant after an 87-year run. They put up the building and surrounding land, which totals about 12 acres (much of it undeveloped), for sale and said they received a lot of interest, although as of early December no announcement had been made about when the restaurant would serve its final meal.

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Year in review | 8

Freedom Team provides support, encouragement

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2 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

Resident’s cancer battle inspires call for screening

Hopkinton Independent

STAFF

Publisher: David Bagdon Dir. of Business Development: Susanne Odell Farber Founder: Sarah Lothrop Duckett Managing Editor: Jerry Spar Social Media director: David Bagdon Editorial contributors: Jean Cann, Lyn Calkins, Michelle Sanford, Chris Villani, Deborah Burke Henderson, Tricia LaCascia, John Cardillo, John Buday, Sandy Quadros Bowles, Christine Strickland

FOR ADVERTISING: Contact Susanne Odell Farber Cell: 508-954-8148 or Email: Sales@HopkintonIndependent.com FOR MAILED SUBSCRIPTIONS, Contact the Hopkinton Independent Office: 508 435-5188 or Email: Sales@HopkintonIndependent.com EDITORIAL COMMENTS AND INQUIRIES, including Letters to the Editor should be emailed to Editor@HopkintonIndependent.com

Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s name, address and contact information for verification. Letters should be no more than 400 words, and the Hopkinton Independent offers no guarantee that all letters will be printed. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event or thanking volunteers and sponsors.

PHOTO/HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK

The Hopkinton Independent is published by Hopkinton Independent, LLC, 32 South St., Westborough, MA 01581. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of the ad that was in error if notified in writing within three business days of the publication date. All material is the property of the Hopkinton Independent. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material. The Hopkinton Independent is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to 100 percent of the homes and businesses in Hopkinton, reaching more than 7,200 addresses. It’s also available at Price Chopper and Hopkinton Drug as well as at many other local businesses.

Officer Phil Powers, president of the Hopkinton Police Association, presents Diane Kelley with a check and a pink police patch during a ceremony outside the station on Dec. 2.

HopkintonIndependent.com

And that makes it so much more difficult.” Kelley said it has helped that she has experience going through treatment. “Having gone through cancer once, I at least have some semblance of what’s going to happen,” she said. “I don’t know how to explain that, but to go through it and know that it’s a scary thing — and you’re often times going through these things on your own because they can’t afford to have people in the hospital with all these COVID cases.” Kelley, a mother of three, said it also helps to live in such a close-knit and supportive town. “I have to say the community’s been great,” she said. “I’ve been in a book club in town since my oldest was a toddler. There’s like 10 women from Hopkinton and they have been phenomenal. My neighbors have been phenomenal. This community is wonderful like that. I have nothing but gratitude for friends, community, family. And this police donation — I can’t speak enough about how supportive people have been in trying to help in any way possible.”

Teen donates proceeds from dog treats to Baypath

PHOTO/BAYPATH HUMANE SOCIETY

hen Diane Kelley learned she had breast cancer in 2018, she chose not to share the news outside her immediate circle. This fall, when it resurfaced, she elected to take a different approach. “The first time I went through cancer — I’m a pretty private person — I didn’t let it out there. Family and friends knew,” she said. “When you go through this a second time, in some ways I don’t care who knows. INDEPENDENT I want people to know THOUGHTS that it’s important to get screened, to get JERRY SPAR checked. Nobody wants to go through this.” Earlier this month, Kelley was recognized by the Hopkinton Police Association, which presented her with a check as part of its annual Breast Cancer Awareness donation. “When this opportunity arose with the Police Department and they were kind to offer this donation, I thought now is the opportunity to speak up,” Kelley said. A longtime Hopkinton resident, Kelley said she is concerned that women are putting off mammograms — which is how she first learned she had cancer — due to the pandemic. That could lead to bigger problems, as the earlier the cancer is detected, the better chance there is to fight it. “If I can get one person to read this article or look at the [police] Facebook page and go, ‘Oh, wow, I am overdue to get my mammogram,’ then it will be well worth it,” she said. Kelley learned of her second diagnosis in September. In October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, members of the Hopkinton Police Association grew beards and sold pink police patches as part of their annual fundraiser. Some of the money raised is donated to charity, and the rest goes to an individual who is fighting breast cancer. “I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to use it, but I’m thinking maybe post-pandemic and post-treatment maybe there’s a little trip in my future — some sort of respite,” Kelley said. For now, travel is not a consideration. In fact, she said she rarely leaves her house other than to go to Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for consultations and treatment — which she is forced to do alone due to the pandemic. “Literally my husband was allowed to go to one visit with me with the doctor to learn what was going to happen for treatment, and he was allowed to go to one chemo treatment with me, and that was it,” she said. “Otherwise you’re alone.

Kate Calderwood stands outside Baypath Humane Society after making a donation of $1,000 following her dog treat fundraiser.

Kate Calderwood’s fundraising venture for Hopkinton’s Baypath Humane Society started with a school project earlier this year. The Shrewsbury High School junior was assigned to research some kind of social injustice. “Because I have two rescue dogs I decided to do it on animal rescue,” she said. “So I was looking at articles and different documentaries. As I was researching I decided I wanted to take it to the next step and do something to help. My mom helped me come up with the idea of baking dog treats.” Calderwood found recipes online, tested them at home on her three dogs (the two mixed rescues and a goldendoodle), and eventually settled on one of peanut Independent thoughts | 4

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 3

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4 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

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Viewpoint Support for MAPC pledge Working to dismantle the structures that have perpetuated systemic racism in our communities and replacing them with systems that encourage and sustain diversity and equity is hard and emotional work. Anti-racism work is about being human and doing what’s right for all humans, and emotion is ultimately what makes us human. Thus, I disagree that emotion should not be involved when making decisions for the town. Indeed, if we don’t feel emotion about social and racial justice issues, then we are not doing the work required to truly make positive change. I therefore ask the Select Board to embrace the emotion inherent in this issue, stand up for what is right for the Hopkinton community, and support the MAPC pledge.

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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.

Teen donates proceeds from dog treats to Baypath

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Season’s Greetings Uncertain times make you appreciate the things that matter. That’s certainly true for us here at Cabinet Gallery. As we celebrate our 36th year in business and 5th year in Hopkinton, we’re so grateful for the people of this community. Thank you for your continued support as we wish all of you a healthy and joyful holiday season.

Please Support Your Neighbors Over the next few weeks, we urge you to support the good work of Project Just Because, a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other supplies to our neighbors in need. PJB welcomes new or gently used items as well as cash donations. Visit projectjustbecause.org 1 Lumber Street, Suite 104, Hopkinton, MA | cabinetgalleryltd.com

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Independent thoughts | from page 2

butter and another of cheese. She called them “Winnie’s Treats” and pushed out the information to friends and family and on social media. It quickly took off. “It ended up spreading way more than I thought it would, and I was able to raise $1,000,” she said. “All my customers would send me pictures of their dogs and said they were obsessed.” Calderwood then did some more research and decided that Baypath Humane Society would be the organization that would benefit from her successful venture. “It seemed like a really good rescue place to donate to, so I contacted them and I was able to meet them and talk about what they were going to do with the money,” she said. “And I’ve stayed in contact with them. My next step is I’m going to make dog blankets. I’ve already said any extra I have that I don’t sell I’ll donate to them, and hopefully I’ll make some money to donate as well.” Calderwood said she also hopes to create another round of the dog treats, but because that’s very time-consuming she’ll likely wait until she’s less busy with school.

Resident’s company transforms DCU Center Hopkinton resident Bob Dobinski’s company, Corp-Events New England — which was featured in the Independent back in April when it transformed the Boston Convention and Exposition Center into a COVID-19 field hospital — was called back into action last month. This time the company turned the DCU Center in Worcester into a COVID-19 treatment center. Working on short notice, the crew, featuring a labor force from Teamsters Local 25, quickly constructed partitions and created treatment areas that will be supervised by a team from UMass Memorial Medical Center. Corp-Events New England normally focuses on installing and dismantling facilities for trade shows, but that industry has been stalled due to the pandemic. “We are proud that there are people ready to step forward and serve at a moment’s notice,” Dobinski said.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 5

Freedom Team provides support, encouragement By John Buday Contributing Writer

he Hopkinton Freedom Team provides a safe place for those who have experienced abuse or violence based on characteristics like race, gender and sexual orientation, and seeks to educate the community on issues of bias. Formed this past June, the organization urges residents to report abuse by calling the town hotline (774-278-4455). The Hopkinton Police Department monitors the hotline and determines whether a report necessitates legal action. When it does not, the HPD passes on information about the call to the Freedom Team. HFT organizer Cathleen Dinsmore said the group will reach out to victims with the promise of a confidential, nonjudgmental and nonpartisan environment where they feel they can be heard. “I think a lot of times when people want to talk, others are very quick to try to solve the problem, and that might not be what the person is looking for,” Dinsmore said. “They might just want to have somebody listen and empathize with them.” The Freedom Team created a transformative justice model to affect change and spread awareness of social injustice within the community, primarily through educational events and programs. HFT is planning its next event for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18), although details still are being finalized. The group’s most recent event occurred over a three-day period: a pride celebration coordinated with the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton during the SACH’s ongoing lights show, Hopkinton Lights Up As One. HFT also co-hosted a Zoom presentation with SACH and Hopkinton Youth and Family Services on Nov. 17. “LGBTQ+ Basics and Beyond” featured Julie Blazer and Kay Gordon from the nonprofit youth organization OUT MetroWest as speakers. They covered topics including sexual orientation, gender and how adults can support LGBTQ+ children. “I thought the two presenters were really very warm and informative,” Dinsmore said. “It was a safe space to learn some new things and have your memory refreshed. … I think that people would like more support and resources for what adults and parents can do to help their children.” The presentation ran as part of the Freedom Team’s Community Connections series, whose tagline on the HFT website (hopkintonfreedomteam.org) advertises “better ways to connect with your community members.” Members of HFT and SACH are planning to work with one another on future projects. Dinsmore called the groups like-minded in how both seek to collaborate with others in the community. HFT member Freya Proudman, a college student studying history and politics in London, appreciated the opportunity to meet new people through the

May Peace and Joy Be With You and Your Family Throughout the Season

It’s basically bringing all points of the town together so that you can be prepared for whatever situation might arise. — HFT organizer Cathleen Dinsmore lights show collaboration with SACH. It helped her see the diversity of the community in terms of personal stories and how people believe they can help one another. “Everyone sort of has a vision of the fact that we need change,” Proudman said. “Getting a bunch of people who are really enthusiastic about making a difference together and giving them a project to work on — just the collaboration is really what blows me away because — I know it’s cliche — but you’re stronger in numbers.” Proudman named the Hopkinton Diversity Club and the Gay Straight Alliance as two organizations she would like to see HFT collaborate with in the future. HFT took its inspiration from the Natick Freedom Team, founded by Jamele Adams in 2016. Dinsmore met with Adams, who talked about racial incidents in Charlestown leading to the founding of the Waltham Freedom Team. “He wanted an organization that would be prepared to react, not so much from an emergency standpoint with police, but more dealing with victims,” Dinsmore said. “It’s basically bringing all points of the town together so that you can be prepared for whatever situation might arise.” Before Dinsmore officially formed the Hopkinton Freedom Team she sent out invitations to various community officials to join and support the organization, beginning with Hopkinton Public Schools superintendent Dr. Carol Cavanaugh and Police Chief Joseph Bennett. Both immediately said yes. Dinsmore credited her team for making a lot of progress in a very short period, saying the passion, excitement and dedication made this progress possible. For how community members can promote values of love, inclusion and trust outside of working with HFT, Dinsmore talked about variety of small ways of making a difference. “You have to start somewhere,” she said. “It could just be reading a book. For instance, Ibram X. Kendi’s ‘How To Be An Antiracist.’ … It could be talking to one’s children about social injustice. It could be getting on an email list for a social justice group. There are a lot of things that don’t take a lot of energy.”

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6 â€˘ The Hopkinton Independent â€˘ December 16, 2020

With Thanks

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Town Hall Q&A: Principal planner John Gelcich By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

nyone who has watched a Planning Board or Zoning Advisory Committee meeting likely is familiar with John Gelcich, who has been Hopkintonâ€™s principal planner since April of 2019. During those meetings Gelcich is the go-to person for information and advice. Gelcich previously was a senior planner for Beals and Thomas, a civil engineering firm in Southborough. Prior to that he worked for a few private and public organizations. A native of Connecticut, Gelcich went to college at Virginia Tech for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He lives in Westborough and sits on his townâ€™s Master Plan Advisory Committee and Open Space Preservation Committee, and he formerly was on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

JENNIFER FRENCH 617-997-2207

Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous New Year! jenniferfrench.re@gmail.com | www.jenniferfrench.com

John Gelcich is the townâ€™s principal planner.

Hopkinton Independent: When did you develop an interest in becoming a principal planner?

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John Gelcich: â€œDuring college. My bachelorâ€™s was science focused â€” wildlife science â€” but it was more general in terms of habitat science. So Iâ€™ve always been interested in environmental-type stuff. Taking those courses that were associated with that, I ended up taking environmental policy and urban planning classes and that introduced me to the field and really piqued my interest. I ended up going to grad school for [urban and regional planning].â€? HI: How did you end up in Hopkinton?

JG: â€œMy first job out of college was my internship in college, near where I grew up. Then during the downturn in 2008, 2010, they downsized and I ended up losing my job. So my wife and I decided to relocate. We decided to move up to Massachusetts; I always wanted to live here. So Iâ€™ve been working in Massachusetts since then, kind of bouncing around. I live next door in Westborough, so Hopkinton was kind of the perfect opportunity to get back into the public sector. I was familiar with Hopkinton at that point and it seemed like a great opportunity.â€?

HI: You serve on some town boards in Westborough. Does that help you better do your job in Hopkinton, where you sit in on meetings and advise similar boards? JG: â€œIn Westborough itâ€™s not quite the same. The boards in certain situations are kind of more independent. There is the staff person that we can reach out to, but they donâ€™t generally attend meetings all the time. But thatâ€™s not true for all the boards. â€Ś So itâ€™s similar but itâ€™s not quite the same. But it definitely does help. The experience does help on both sides â€” being the principal planner in Hopkinton helps my efforts in Westborough, and my efforts in Westborough give me a good perspective for my responsibilities in Hopkinton.â€? HI: What are your primary responsibilities?

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JG: â€œI help the boards that I staff do their job effectively. Part of that is reviewing development proposals before they get to the Planning Board and trying to figure out how to best present them to the Planning Board, to make sure that they are conforming with the laws and regulations that they need to conform with. And generally just kind of help developers and applicants go through the process for permitting, whether itâ€™s Planning Board, Design Review Board. ZAC [Zoning Advisory Committee] doesnâ€™t do any permitting but kind of helps with the Planning Board process. â€œThe other things that I do are the long-range planning-type things. The master plan was done in 2017 so obviously I didnâ€™t have a hand in that, but the implementation of the master plan is something I assist with. Open space and recreation plans are something that the town does on a five-year or seven-year rotating timeline, and thatâ€™s coming up soon. â€Ś If the town wanted to undertake any kind of themed or neighborhood plans those would be something I would do as well. And then also, on top of that, weâ€™re trying to expand the GIS [geographic information system] capabilities, which is [highly detailed] mapping in town, and I have a hand in that as well.â€? HI: How much input do you have on decisions made by the Planning Board? JG: â€œI am involved in the discussions and I try to set myself up as a resource rather than somebody whoâ€™s kind of involved in the decision-making process. â€Ś Itâ€™s not for me to decide what people in Hopkinton want to do. Thatâ€™s Town Meetingâ€™s responsibility. So I will advise the board or the committee on whatâ€™s allowed, either by the bylaws or state regulations. I will do some research as to whatâ€™s being done elsewhere, whether itâ€™s in Massachusetts or somewhere else in the country. I will try to provide some technical information. Iâ€™m hopefully going to be doing a map that will show developable land in Hopkinton, which helps inform both boards to make a better decision. So thatâ€™s kind of how I position myself. And I think ZAC uses me in that way, theyâ€™ll use me more as an adviser than a decision-maker. â€Ś I really try to encourage the board members to make the decision, because itâ€™s their responsibility and itâ€™s what theyâ€™re on the board for â€” both on the Planning Board and ZAC.â€?

HopkintonIndependent.com

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 7

COVID concern remains, but ‘no evidence of community spread’ sisted living facility residents tend to be healthier than those at a nursing home, and that often means those with COVID are asymptomatic, showing few if any outward signs that they have the virus. Overall, McAuliffe said the high number of asymptomatic cases has made it challenging to detect the disease early. “Right now one of the biggest problems with COVID is we’re seeing a lot of asymptomatic spread,” he said. “I spoke to five or six families on [Dec. 4] and the only symptom they experienced was a loss of smell. And that was a gradual loss.” Looking at sports, McAuliffe said he met with Hopkinton Public Schools administration, including principals and high school athletic director Rich Cormier, on Dec. 7. “We had one incident with one program [in the fall], it was a potential contact from another team. We put the team out and had everyone tested, and no one was infected from that contact. So we’ve done well there,” McAuliffe said. “The athletic director, he’s got a good program. The Tri-Valley [athletic directors], they meet regularly. They’ve done a good job of modifying the sports to reduce potential exposure. They’ve introduced attestation. They’ve just done a good job at managing their risk. “They just had a meeting with all of the coaches and sports captains to discuss, ‘These are the expectations, these are the sacrifices we’re going to have to make in order for you to play.’ And they’re not huge sacrifices. It’s just, you go there and you play, you don’t hang out. If you’re out partying or congregating or doing things that introduce risk to

By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

opkinton health director Shaun McAuliffe, during an appearance on the Dec. 7 Hopkinton Hangout Hour on HCAM, continued to sound the alarm regarding the post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases in town. “We’re in a surge,” McAuliffe said, noting there were 42 active cases in town. “Hopkinton, like everybody else around us, is seeing a significant increase in the rate of illness.” That said, McAuliffe noted that Hopkinton has been more successful than most towns in controlling the spread of the disease. “We’re one of the few communities that — knock on wood — we have no evidence of community spread,” he said. “We have no evidence of school spread. And we think if we can continue to buckle down and focus on the basics — staying home when you’re sick, wearing a face covering, social distancing — we’re going to be able to get through the holidays without any negative impact to the schools. That’s the goal that [superintendent Carol Cavanaugh] and I have laid out. What is it going to take to get us through the end of the year doing this hybrid model, and what new programs can we bring to help sustain this hybrid model through the end of the school year, until we get vaccinations going.” McAuliffe said there were 18 active cases at Golden Pond, although the assisted living facility “has done a good job managing the issue.” Part of the problem, McAuliffe explained, is that at an as-

the team, the consequence could be that the team gets put into quarantine and you don’t get to play. So it’s really upon all of the kids to take ownership of this responsibility, knowing if they do a good job they’re going to get a full season.” Regarding younger children’s sports programs, McAuliffe said if kids stay in town it’s less of an issue. “The majority of the other sportsrelated illness we’re seeing in town is related to travel,” he said. “The traveling teams are what’s killing me. I’ve got several out right now. We live in a fairly safe and kind of controlled environment here. And that’s because of the effort that we all put in as a community back in the summer. But you step outside and

there’s community spread just about everywhere.” Vaccinations are expected to start later this month, starting with health care workers, with the general public expected to have availability in the spring. McAuliffe said he already has received some equipment and his department is lining up staffers as they prepare for mass vaccinations — “a huge logistical endeavor” — in a few months. “I believe we’ll have the manpower, we’ve got a couple of facilities. … We’ve got a good plan together,” he said. “Right now I just want to know when it’s going to be here. We just want to finalize this plan, and we need these details to help get us there.”

Thank you to our readers and advertisers for your support in 2020! We wish you a joyous holiday season and a very healthy New Year! From the entire team at the Hopkinton Independent

Thank you to all our clients who listed with us in 2020! Property Address

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8 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

Hopkinton’s top 10 stories of 2020 In the lead-up to the presidential election, there were accusations of people stealing or vandalizing signs on residents’ lawns. In the end, the town supported Joe Biden overwhelmingly, helping the Democrat capture the White House. Donald Trump refused to accept the national result, claiming fraud despite lacking any lawful evidence. Select Board member Brian Herr, a former Republican who now is independent, ripped the president for his “endless ignorance.”

Year in review | from page 1

9. Main Street project moves forward

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The project to improve the Main Street downtown corridor went out to bid in the spring. Then in May town manager Norman Khumalo announced that the project, expected to cost around $13 million, was fully funded. Also in the spring, abutters were officially notified and compensated for easement-taking. Earlier this month the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that Worcester-Based A.F. Amorello & Sons was selected as the contractor. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2021.

5. Select Board revises rules after public comment controversy

8. Bennett takes over as police chief

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4. Town tries to slow commercial solar

Edward Lee tendered his resignation after a sixyear tenure in late March, right when the pandemic was starting to hit hard. The town moved quickly to hire his replacement, staying in-house to promote Deputy Chief Joseph Bennett, a veteran of more than 25 years with the department. Pandemic or not, Bennett said he was ready for the challenge. “With this happening now, there is no other place I would rather be than here, doing this job, during these times,” he said.

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7. Schools start expanding This solar array off Lumber Street, which is not well screened from neighbors on Alexander Road, is an example of the type of project the town would like to avoid going forward.

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During the public comment portion of the Aug. 18 Select Board meeting, four individuals called for Planning Board member Muriel Kramer to step down due to her volunteer work with the Massachusetts Bail Fund. Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone allowed the commenters to remain anonymous, whereas normally speakers are asked for their name and address. This did not sit well with the three Democrats on the board and it infuriated some residents, one of whom filed a complaint with the attorney general’s office. Town counsel eventually determined the chair did not violate the open meeting law, as there was nothing in the Select Board Rules of Procedure requiring speakers to identify themselves. But this led to the board updating and revising the regulations, and a rule was inserted requiring a name and address before public comment.

Work started on the addition behind Hopkinton High School in August.

In a special election on Feb. 3, residents voted to allocate funds for modular classrooms at Hopkins and Elmwood as well as a permanent addition to the back of the high school, to address the continued surge in enrollment. This might only serve as a temporary fix, as families continue to move to town, bringing more and more schoolchildren. Meanwhile, after being passed over in January — for the sixth time in 12 years — the district again applied for state reimbursement to replace Elmwood. There’s a reason families keep coming: In November, the website Niche rated Hopkinton as having the No. 1 school district in Massachusetts.

6. Elections become testy This headline applies nationally, but also locally, most notably when Amy Ritterbusch handily defeated incumbent Republican John Coutinho for a seat on the Select Board, giving Democrats three of the five seats on the town’s most powerful board. Coutinho held Ritterbusch responsible for what he said were “vicious attacks” online by her supporters, while Ritterbusch said she was not aware of any personal attacks.

HopkintonIndependent.com

The ongoing saga of commercial ground-mounted solar in Hopkinton continued throughout 2020. In the early part of the year it appeared the Planning Board had a strategy to gain better control of future proposals, but confusion over the most appropriate method — via a zoning map — and then the postponements and eventual shortening of Town Meeting led to the issue getting pushed into 2021. Meanwhile, Seaboard Solar was granted a special permit to build an array in the wooded area off Frankland Road (the former Liberty Mutual property). A couple of abutters sued the town after the permit was granted. Another resident proposed the town look into purchasing the land, but Seaboard Solar has declined to meet with the town manager about it. The Zoning Advisory Committee has been discussing the matter at recent meetings and is expected to offer the Planning Board some fresh ideas in the coming weeks.

3. Schools, teachers lack agreement Teachers were not satisfied with the proposal from the district regarding the pandemic-related strategy for the 2020-21 school year. The primary objection was related to a plan to livestream certain in-person classes for some remote learners. “The district’s desire to utilize widespread use of livestreaming classes to students in remote settings was a final component to an overall flawed approach to safe and effective learning during the pandemic,”

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 9 stated Hopkinton Teachers Association chair Becky Abate. Leaders for both sides appeared to have an agreement in place a week before school began on Sept. 16, but the HTA did not vote in favor of supporting the deal. So, teachers went to work without a contract. And there is another contract negotiation coming up. It remains to be seen if there will be a carryover effect.

2. Social justice rises to forefront

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Residents turned out in force at the Town Common in June to protest racism and social injustice.

HONORABLE MENTION

As the Black Lives Matter movement grew nationally, Hopkintonians took note, showing up at the Town Common to protest racial bias and social injustice. Then some incidents brought the issue home. In one notable stretch in late June there were “offensive and racist comments on social media” by some students from Hopkinton Middle School and Hopkinton High School, according to the district. Racist and homophobic graffiti was found at Sandy Beach. And a Hayden Rowe Street resident received a written lecture for having an LGBTQ+ sign in her yard. In August, during an India Day event at the Town Common, a resident drove his motorcycle around the common repeatedly in order to create a distraction, leading to accusations of racism in town. While this story had a generally happy ending — the motorcyclist apologized for what he said was a misunderstanding about how the American flag was to be treated and had a positive meeting with one of the event’s organizers — other issues were not resolved as amicably. More recently, some residents pushed for the town to adopt the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) pledge to address systemic racism, but there was pushback by two board members due to concerns about offending the police. Eventually references to the police were removed — in some cases replaced by the more general “municipal services” — and the revised pledge was supported unanimously by the Select Board earlier this month.

Below are some stories that did not make the cut for our top 10 list but were deemed worthy of acknowledgement.

LOCAL NEWS: A fire damages a Main Street apartment/business building. … Residents express concern about the MassDOT 1-90/I-495 Interchange Improvement Project, which includes replacement of I-495 Fruit Street bridge. … Unemployment fraud cases surge in town (and nationwide). … The Conservation Commission votes against using herbicides in Lake Maspenock; eventually a drawdown is approved. … A naked couple out walking the dog early one summer morning is arrested after allegedly becoming combative when approached by police. COMMUNITY: Hopkinton is voted the No. 2 safest city in the nation. … Baypath Humane Society announces plans to eventually relocate to a new home off Fruit Street. … Start-up Lykan Bioscience opens a new state-of-the-art facility in Hopkinton. … Legacy Farms Road North gets early acceptance as a town road so school buses can use it. … Marie Smith is named Women’s Club of Massachusetts Clubwoman of the Year as the Hopkinton organization celebrates 100 years. … Residents place blue balloons around town in memory of 13-year-old Mason Lee, who died Sept. 1. EDUCATION: Hopkinton is rated as the

top school district in the state by the website Niche. … Hopkinton High School robotics/engineering/technology teacher Doug Scott receives the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. … HHS students Sreeja Bolla and Archita Nemalikanti take first place overall at the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair.

1. Pandemic changes everything

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Hopkinton High School student Liam Finnegan receives a well wisher during his drive-by birthday celebration in June, one of many such events held during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic was the top story of the year in the town, state, country and world. It changed our lives dramatically, primarily for the worse. But

we found ways to adjust. When high school graduation was postponed, the schools organized a caravan through the center of town that proved so memorable there was talk about making it an annual event. Town meeting was twice postponed and then moved outside and shortened, and it went off without a hitch. Road races — including the Boston Marathon — and other charity events went virtual, allowing for people to still be involved in some way. Police and fire personnel joined residents for drive-by birthday celebrations. Hopkintonians did their part to make the situation more bearable not just for themselves but for others. Residents produced or purchased masks to be donated, provided free meals to first responders and health workers, and found other ways to make sure those in need were able to benefit from their generosity in the form of financial, emotional or other kinds of support. Said Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone after one such show of communitywide support: “Our faith in our town is as high as ever.”

SPORTS: The Hopkinton High School

girls indoor track and field team wins the MIAA Division 3 championship. … HHS boys ice hockey sets a school record with a 19-1 regular season. … HHS boys basketball coach Tom Keane returns from a hiatus to battle cancer and leads to the Hillers to the sectional championship game. … Hopkinton native Sean Farrell is selected in the fourth round of the NHL draft. … The Boston Marathon goes virtual for 2020 and postpones the 2021 event. … The International Marathon Center project moves forward.

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10 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

Select Board adopts modified version of MAPC pledge MAPC pledge | from page 1

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

they were willing to sign the original pledge, although they wanted to hear from the police. The two independents — Brian Herr and chair Brendan Tedstone — said they already had received feedback from police indicating the pledge was offensive, creating concern that some officers might decide to seek employment elsewhere. At the Dec. 1 meeting, Tedstone had suggested setting up a meeting with members of the police to get their input directly, which all board members supported. In an interview after the Dec. 8 meeting, Tedstone said town manager Norman Khumalo and town counsel Ray Miyares worked on the new version after getting input from police and other town departments. Because the references to police were removed, Tedstone said no meeting with police was needed. “I think just by not singling them

The town’s pledge to address systemic racism is more police-friendly than the original MAPC version that had been proposed.

out, I think that eliminated any potential off-putting language to the rank and file of the departments — police and fire,” Tedstone said. Unlike previous board discussions about the pledge, on Tuesday there

was no back-and-forth, as all members showed support for the modified version. Ritterbusch was the only one to suggest a possible modification, as she noted that several residents requested — and she supported — adding the word “police” along with municipal departments. However, that suggestion was not brought up again before the vote. “I really like the new version,” Ritterbusch said. “I like that all departments are included, because I think there is work to be done in many areas. We all try to be perfect, but we’re not perfect.” During public comment, nine residents all spoke in support of adopting the pledge. Brad Fenn and Bradley Kohl indicated they started a petition supporting the pledge a few days earlier and said they had more than 500 signatures, about half of which were Hopkinton residents. “I understand the concerns of the members of the community saying that we should just go with the MAPC pledge,” Nasrullah said. “But when we

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address this issue, we have to understand that it is systemic. It is throughout town government. It’s not just the police. We don’t want to single out the police. It’s everybody. And we need everybody’s help. So if we are to address this, we need everyone in town to come together and to act together when they see racism — whenever they hear a racial slur or anything.” Said Herr: I think this is a really good clear message, not only to ourselves and our professional teams, but our community as a whole, how we as a community should go forward and address what I believe is systemic racism in our community, as I think it exists in the state and certainly in the United States of America. So I think this is a really clear message.” LaFreniere said while she supported the pledge, she hopes this is only the start of the town’s new commitment to anti-racism. MAPC pledge | 11

Former resident sentenced for embezzlement A former Hopkinton resident was sentenced to 41 months in prison plus three years of supervised release for embezzling more than $348,000 from a Greater Boston dental office. Yuliya “Julia” Vaysglus, 36, was senNEWS BRIEFS tenced in federal court on Nov. 17. She had pleaded guilty in June to eight counts of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identify theft and three counts of filing false tax returns. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts: “From 2009 until she was terminated in February 2015, Vaysglus was the office manager of a Boston-area dental practice where her duties included tracking client invoices, depositing insurance payments into the practice’s bank account, and recording those deposits for accounting purposes. Between 2009 and December 2014, Vaysglus embezzled more than $348,000 from the dental practice by diverting to herself at least 276 checks from various insurance companies for services rendered to patients. As part of the scheme, Vaysglus made the checks payable to herself, forged the signature of the dental firm’s owner on the checks, and deposited them into her bank account. Vaysglus failed to report the embezzled funds on her federal tax returns.” Vaysglus lived in Hopkinton at the time of the crime, although she has since relocated to California.

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The Outreach Department at the Hopkinton Senior Center is assisting residents of all ages with applications to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) for the home heating season, which is from November to April. State income guidelines must be met — for a household of one it’s $39,105, for two it’s $51,137, etc. For more information or to make an appointment, call 508-497-9730.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 11

Presents

‘A SLICE OF HOPKINTON’ Hopkinton Independent Photo Contest

MAY YOU CELEBRATE THIS BEAUTIFUL SEASON WITH LOVE IN YOUR HOME AND PEACE IN YOUR HEART.

This issue’s winner is Tom Sloan for this photo of Lake Whitehall just after sunset. To enter next issue’s contest, email your photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to editor@hopkintonindependent.com. Photos with people or pets in them are encouraged. Photos that are not selected as winners might be posted on our website.

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

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

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Select Board adopts modified version of MAPC pledge MAPC pledge | from page 10

“When it says that we are in it for the long haul, I hope that once we pass it that we will continue the discussion as things arise and that we will remind people constantly of our pledge,” she said. Tedstone said he was pleased that a compromise was reached. “This is something that I’m glad that we were able to get together, collaborate

on as a board, as a town, and come up with a very nicely worded document that we can proudly put on our website and take to heart and turn it into each person’s personal credo,” he said. “I know that with us, me personally, all my children are very well taught on what’s right and wrong and the repercussions for being right and wrong, and it all starts at home and travels upward.”

Principles address systemic racism Below are the five principles as stated in the town’s pledge to address systemic racism. To read the entire document, check the Hopkinton Independent website (HopkintonIndependent.com). 1. We agree that systemic racism is a public health emergency. It must be addressed by strong and decisive actions over the coming weeks and months and by patient and determined efforts years into the future. We are in this now; we are in it for the long haul. 2. We acknowledge that racial biases, social injustice, and inequities exist. We are committed to achieving racial equity and identifying disparities in local municipal services, education, health, housing, transportation, jobs, law enforcement, and youth programming, among others. We are committed to providing safe spaces for community input and dialogue around these issues and we will continue to work together to share best practices and to make progress. 3. We are committed to instituting an approach to municipal services that prioritizes the safety, health, and well-being of all community members as its primary goal. We will incorporate practices that seek to de-escalate conflict, minimize the use of force, enhance trust, foster dialogue and promote community engagement with all residents, especially communities of color, into all decisions about the delivery of municipal services. 4. We will continue to address racism within all local municipal services, administered through all Town departments, boards, committees, and officials in a proactive, intentional, and consistent manner. 5. We will make it a priority to take action now, not later. We will also advocate for state and federal policies and funding to enable all cities and towns to accomplish the goals of this pledge.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season and a healthy New Year!

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HopkintonIndependent.com

12 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

Hopkinton shows generosity in Toys For Tots donations By John Buday Contributing Writer

PHOTO/HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK

he U.S Marine Corps Reserves’ annual Toys For Tots program provides Christmas gifts to children of low-income families in Hopkinton and other communities in Middlesex and Essex counties. The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation, the nonprofit charity founded by the Marine Corps in 1991, relies on community donations of money and toys to fulfill its three-month-long program. The donation period began in October and ended Dec. 11, during which time donated toys were delivered to designated drop-off locations. In Hopkinton, the Police Department served as the primary location, easily accessible in the middle of town. People still can donate to the foundation’s program in one of four ways: through the nonprofit’s website (devensma.toysfortots.org), by mail, through crowdfunding or through the In Honor/ In Memory program. This year, only organizations, churches and nonprofit agencies could request toys up until the day before the collection ends. Due to the pandemic, Middlesex and Essex counties refused to manage toy requests for individual families in order to prevent a large number of people from entering the nonprofit’s warehouse. American Legion Post 202 adjutant Michael Whalen, a veteran living in

Mike Whalen (left) joined Officer Ben Stickney, daughter Sarah Whalen and police dispatcher Evan Brooks at the Hopkinton Police Station’s Toys for Tots drop box last month.

Hopkinton, has volunteered for the program for more than a decade. He learned about it as part of the Marine Corps. “We get the boxes, we set them out, we collect them, we bring them to the distribution center, and people [sort] them according to age, gender, etc.,” Whalen said. “It’s something we look forward to every year.”

Whalen’s daughters also began volunteering with the program at a young age. They enjoy the atmosphere of collecting toys for what amounts to a large local operation, bringing them to the distribution center and putting them in piles. “It just seemed natural to include them in this type of activity, which is

what Christmas is all about: giving, the joy of helping those less fortunate than you,” Whalen said. Per the foundation’s website, that sentiment aligns with its mission “to assist the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.” Whalen considers the foundation a good charity, one heavily reliant on, and near-fully funded by, donations. The nonprofit puts over 97 percent of its donations toward buying toys, books and other items for financially disadvantaged children, less than 1 percent to overhead and the rest to fundraising. The program distributed more than 70,000 toys to over 33,900 children in Middlesex and Essex counties last year. Whalen described Hopkinton as a very generous community. His own box of toys at Hopkinton Police Station normally fills up between 15-20 times within the three-month period. Whalen also said that participating in Toys for Tots helped him improve as a parent, an aspect he appreciates most about the program. “I look at these toys, and people are spending money,” he said. “It’s not just inexpensive, go-through-the-motion toys. I’m talking about things like bicycles and that kind of stuff. … It just never ceases to amaze me the things that people donate.” A thankful Whalen said every donation makes a substantial difference for the families receiving these gifts, especially the children.

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The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 13

Planning Board puts hold on Lincoln Street-area plan By Jerry Spar Managing Editor

uring its Monday night meeting the Planning Board raised objections to the plan for a two cul-de-sac development in the Cedar Street area, sending it back to the drawing board after not approving a waiver request. The proposed open space and landscape preservation development (OSLPD) concept plan for Deer Ridge Estates called for a waiver from the 100-foot buffer zone, but some board members felt there were too many affected areas, and more effort should be made to conform to town regulations. Concerns also were raised about the ability to access a large parcel of open land on the northern portion of the property, bordering the Sudbury River. “I generally like the concept they put forward, but I have some reservations with it,” Planning Board chair Gary Trendel said. “One is to reduce the number of locations where the buffer zone is less than 100 feet and really to minimize the decrease from 100 feet as much as possible. I’d like to see the total number of impacted parcels in half, or something to that effect. “And then secondly, something in the designs that … gives some option for the public to access those large parcels that literally create the justification to design for less than 100 feet for buffer. And I think there’s some particular emphasis on the Cedar Street Extension side.” The applicants, Courtney and Kyle Derderian, were seeking a special permit for the plan, which would extend Lincoln Street, a dead-end road off Cedar Street, and add a cul-de-sac there with four new house lots, as well as construct a new cul-de-sac off Cedar Street Extension with four house lots. The proposal included an emergency access road between the two cul-de-sacs. The road would be closed to vehicular traffic via gates but allow pedestrian and bicycle access. The plan was the original version that was presented to the Planning Board in September. The applicant presented two variations last month following feedback from the board, but eventually returned to the first plan following a determination from the town’s zoning enforcement officer. Lincoln Street is a 1,700-foot-long dead end road off Cedar Street (across from Carbone’s restaurant). While the town has a bylaw limiting dead-end roads to 1,000 feet, zoning enforcement officer Chuck Kadlik indicated that the board should only ensure that the extension of the road falls within that 1,000 feet limitation — disregarding the existing portion of the road. This means no waiver would be needed to extend the road about 400 feet, as the plan proposes. The original concept plan was approved for a special permit by the town in 2003 by a different developer. The Derderians, who live on Lincoln Street, recently purchased the property in hopes of developing the property to their liking. The design includes setting aside approximately 50 percent of the plot for open space, primarily 3.5 acres next to the Sudbury River and 5.9 acres on the southerly side of the parcel. The development would have private wells and private septic, as town

water is not available. The board voted 4-4 with one abstention on the waiver request. Because the waiver request was not granted, no vote was taken on the special permit. Had the permit been granted, more specific details about the plan would have been addressed in a later subdivision review. Design consultant Joe Marquedant thanked the board for its candid criticism and said he would meet with the applicants and work on an adjusted plan. The hearing was continued to Dec. 21.

0 Hayden Rowe discussion continues

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The board continued a hearing on 0 Hayden Rowe. Developer Ron Nation has proposed a nine-home cul-de-sac in a wooded area off Hayden Rowe Street, with the access road at the open field near the corner with College Street (the field that has a billboard on its north end). The Planning Board took a site walk on Nov. 14, following the introduction of the plan 12 days earlier. Project landscape architect Larry Greene said input was taken from the board and changes were made to reconfigure the roadway, making it shorter and wider, add some additional perimeter landscaping buffering, and reconfigure lots to address wetland/upland calculation errors. Some concerns were raised, most notably about whether there are one or two crossings of wetlands, as two crossings would lead to an issue with the Conservation Commission. The hearing was continued to Dec. 16. … The board also granted NESI Realty LLC a new permit to continue earth removal at a granite quarry located at 253 Lumber St. The quarry is a source of Milford pink granite, which is used in restoration of historic buildings around the country. … The board also OK’d slight changes to the plan for the Chamberlain Street/ Whalen Street subdivision, and discussed plans for construction of a commercial building and associated parking at 0 South St. A site walk was scheduled for the South Street project on Dec. 19, and that hearing was continued to Dec. 21. The developer for both those projects is REC Hopkinton LLC.

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Resident chronicles historic Hopkinton event in new book By Evanya Mathur Contributing Writer

ne day in 1919, Hopkinton High School teacher Ellen Duffey timidly waved her handkerchief at her boyfriend, who watched her from the town center. Little did she know, that gesture would turn out to become a key factor in her termination and the beginning of a protest that put Hopkinton on national display. Fast-forward a century, and Hopkinton Historical Society member John Palmer has published “The Story of Miss Ellen Duffey,” in which he details the events that transpired that winter. This book allows Hopkinton history buffs and people of all ages to be a part of history, and take a look at the several perspectives of local government. “I joined the Historical Society because I wanted to get to know the history of this town after living here for so long,” said Palmer, 81. “While browsing, I stumbled upon newspaper clippings about Miss Duffey and was instantly fascinated.” Those newspaper clippings led to a fascinating story that captivated the town. Ellen Duffey had previously supported the presiding superintendent in a vote against the chairmen of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee. Soon after, Duffey was terminated under indictments that included flirting during class time, insubordination and abusing a parent. The “flirting” was Duffey waving her handkerchief at her boyfriend, who worked as a motorcar driver. The “abuse of a parent” was Duffey’s suggestion to a student to place their mother in a lower motorcar so it would be easier for her to sit comfortably. The student and family insinuated that it was Duffey’s way of calling the mother overweight. “She was a well-respected woman,” Palmer said. “She had many credentials and abilities, which made this case even more interesting.” A suggested motive to falsely accuse Duffey of these allegations was in relation to a vote that was taking place. Duffey defended the superintendent on a public issue, which made the vote on the matter equal. Termination gave the chairmen an opportunity to establish their power and take away the credibility of Duffey’s vote. “When you think about the basis for her firing, it was based on mainly politics,” Palmer said. The book highlights the social and political time period of the 1920s to now, and the shift from a very male-centric society to a more balanced society for men and women in politics, locally and nationally. One of the key events in the book gives light to the first time women were authorized to vote in local town meetings. Duffey also is looked at as a prominent figure for women’s empowerment and equality.

HopkintonIndependent.com

Following Duffey’s termination, the subsequent protest by students and parents was unexpected for the small town of Hopkinton. More than 90 percent of students went on strike and refused to return until Duffey was reinstated. Meanwhile, warrants were filed against Duffey and six other well-known Hopkinton citizens for assault and inciting assault after a protest in the center of town. Their case eventually was taken to trial at the Framingham Courthouse. These disputes were not settled until late February of 1920, but unrest still was very much prominent back home. Citizens of all backgrounds, including veterans, housewives and children, came out in support of Duffey, who eventually was reinstated following a court ruling. This garnered media attention nationally. A R a d c l i ff e College graduate, Duffey was a well-liked English teacher who eventually became principal. She began teaching at age 26 and remained in the school system for the next 47 years. After she retired in 1954, she went on to be a member of the Hopkinton Historical Society, and, later on, president of the Women’s Club of Hopkinton until her death in 1964 at the age of 77. “She was the equivalent to any woman in charge today, and very well qualified,” Palmer said. “The Story of Miss Ellen Duffey” has an interesting format. Each chapter takes its title from an actual newspaper article created at the time of these events. This gives the reader the opportunity to read the entire book as if they are experiencing these heated moments firsthand and learning new developments at the same pace as people in 1919-20. “It was confusing to me because I did not know the background and I had to read them all to understand, and I had to read them many times, actually,” Palmer said. “Finally, I put them in sequential order, which took quite a while.” After publishing the first 50 copies of the book, Palmer distributed them to people who as youngsters had Duffey as a teacher during her almost five-decadelong career in education. Palmer then printed 125 more copies and decided to make it available to a bigger audience. “This was just going to be a paper, but it kept going because the actual story of the events took so long and there were so many aspects to it,” Palmer said. The book costs $10, and proceeds go to the Hopkinton Historical Society (visit hopkhistsoc.org for purchase information). Asked what advice he would give an aspiring nonfiction writer, Palmer had a simple message: Find a good story. This he certainly accomplished through “The Story of Miss Ellen Duffey,” which chronicles an important event in Hopkinton’s history.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 15

Growth Study Committee pushes for economic development office

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embers of the Hopkinton Growth Study Committee propose creating an economic development office within the town to bring in new economic opportunities and work closely with the business community. This proposed post would initially be a one-year contract position within the town manager’s office, committee chair Fin Perry said. The salary would be $70,000 per year, with two $10,000 bonus opportunities. This position could potentially convert to a full-time post with a full benefit package if successfully reviewed by Town Manager, he said. This is strictly a proposal, Perry said, with its future to be determined potentially by town officials and residents. By supporting businesses and encouraging new growth, “The argument would be that the office would pay for itself,” Perry said, by bringing in new growth and preventing “a significant loss of tax revenue when businesses leave, close, or downsize.” The individual hired would essentially “be the sales and marketing department for the town of Hopkinton,” according to a proposal developed by the committee. The position would assist the business community in official dealings with community boards, committees and permitting authorities. A key aspect of the post would be to “establish regular outreach and connection with Hopkinton’s business, industrial, and commercial citizens,” the proposal states. Committee members also want the person to “develop collaborative relationships with area-wide business development entities, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the 495/MetroWest Partnership, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.” This position would be especially important in response to the COVID-19 health crisis, when needs for office space are changing as people work from home rather than come into an office building, the committee said. “Hopkinton needs to be poised to react and attract new businesses to fill the gaps when existing businesses reduce their physical footprints,” committee members wrote. “During these times of pandemic many residents are struggling financially and cannot afford to take on much more

The argument would be that the office would pay for itself.

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— Growth Study Committee chair Fin Perry of the tax burden if too many businesses leave and are not replaced promptly with others,” the proposal reads. Hiring the right person who is a “gogetter” and aims to make the bonuses could highlight the potential effectiveness of the job, Perry said. The idea was to have a oneyear person to start “rather than burden the town with a full-time position,” he said. The individual could “do enough to impress the town manager,” who could renew the contract and possibly expand the economic development office, Perry said. This is not the first time such a position has been conceived, but previous proposals were pulled from Town Meeting consideration because of financial concerns, he said. The Growth Study Committee was formed about a year ago to proactively manage growth, enable better planning for town services, and identify parcels or zones that may have a significant impact of future growth patterns to ensure continued use in the best interest of the town. Hopkinton currently is 84 percent residential and 16 percent industrial/commercial. The town “needs to pay attention” to and support the commercial base, Perry said. The town is “a great place to live,” he said. Hopkinton consistently is rated as having one of the state’s best school systems and among the safest places to live in the country. But the tax burden has been challenging for some, who feel like they are being “forced out of town” by high costs, Perry said. The town’s ratio of 84 percent residential and 16 percent commercial/industrial can’t be changed, Perry said. But the ratio should be maintained, he said, to “balance growth with income.” By developing the best strategies for how and where to develop, he said, “You get to keep the town you want to have.”

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16 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

LIBRARY CORNER

For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary.org. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @ HopkintonPLMA.

Schedule Update

The library will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Check the library website for any change in hours on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Passes Available

Even in this very strange season, there are passes to local “adventures” available, purchased by the Friends of Hopkinton Public Library. Check the library website for available passes. School vacation might be the time to visit a Trustees site, the Discovery Museum in Acton, or the New England Aquarium. Passes may be reserved one month in advance, and there are special instructions listed for each of the currently active passes. For more information, visit hopkintonlibrary.org/museums2.asp.

December StoryWalk

Stop by the library anytime to visit the outdoor StoryWalk. It will remain displayed through December as long as the materials last the weather. The StoryWalk is located on the back wall of the library (adjacent to the parking lot). The featured story is: “While We Can’t Hug” by Eoin McLaughlin. The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Smart Holiday Treats Workshop (Zoom)

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Looking for some new holiday dessert recipes that are not filled with processed ingredients? Cook some seasonal desserts that are actually good for you. Join Nancy Wind to explore some superfoods and learn a little about Ayurveda. Register on the library’s website calendar.

Board of Library Trustees (Zoom)

Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. The Board of Library Trustees usually meets on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. For information on accessing the meeting, contact the library director at hbackman@hopkintonma.gov, or refer to the town’s meeting calendar.

Friends of Hopkinton Library Annual Meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend. The agenda will include the election of officers, approval of the dues structure, and affirmation of regular business. The annual meeting will be followed by the January board meeting. Anyone interested in attending should email Beth Mezitt at bethm@westonnurseries. com to get on the list for the Zoom link.

The New Normal New England Road Trip (Zoom)

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. During a challenging time when most people are limiting their travel, this talk takes folks along on a rollicking ride around New England — all in just one hour, and all from the comfort of their own home. Author of three books about New England and longtime “Chronicle” reporter Ted Reinstein is your tour guide as you go from Maine to Rhode Island, Mount Washington to Mount Mansfield, and Berkshire foliage to Fenway Park. Prepare to meet colorful characters who’ve done the darndest things, learn odd facts about familiar places, and of course — this being a Ted talk — expect to visit at least a few fabulous classic diners. (Spoiler alert: Ted reveals where to find THE best clam chowdah in America — and it’s right here in New England!) Ted will take questions following the talk.

Wishing you a safe and healthy

Holiday Season and a brighter New Year.

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FEATURED FENCE The Hopkinton Cultural Council held an unveiling ceremony Dec. 6 for its mural project on the fence leading to EMC Park. Artists (from left) Tej Dalvi, Charusmitha Ram, Sushma Tammareddi, Sophie Buer, Dora Lu, Kaylean Tang and Cindy Yang stood in front of their handiwork, while Hopkinton Cultural Council chair Ilana Casady spoke to the crowd.

Resident pens children’s book about spreading positivity By Michelle Sanford Contributing Writer

ennie Renshaw is a busy wife and mother of two small children and a territory manager for a medical sales company, and now the Hopkinton resident can add author to that list. Renshaw recently penned the children’s book, “Contagious: Spread Love not Germs.” Like so many other parents these days, Renshaw said it hasn’t been easy explaining to her young children, particularly her 3-year-old son, all the challenges associated with pandemic. “I’d be speaking to him about germs and why we can’t spread our germs to nana and papa because it might make them sick, that being contagious and spreading germs is a bad thing,” Renshaw explained. She said she wanted to put a positive spin on the word “contagious” and came up with the idea to write a book for small children explaining there also are good things to spread these days. “Contagious: Spread Love not Germs” follows a family of bears and initially discusses the importance of being careful and not spreading germs when sick. The rhyming book then talks about spreading positive things such as kindness, sharing and laughter. “I just thought it would be a cute little message for kids to hear right now,” Renshaw said. “We can make people laugh and be nice and that’s a good thing to spread.” The last couple of pages of the book are blank to provide little ones an opportunity to color pictures. Renshaw said she intentionally kept the 16-page book “short and sweet,”

HopkintonIndependent.com

Hopkinton resident Jennie Renshaw is the author of the children’s book “Contagious: Spread Love not Germs.”

understanding all too well a toddler’s attention span. When the book was complete, Renshaw contacted a company that assists with self-publishing. The company also completed the illustrations. She said it was about seven months until she finally saw her work published. “When I knew it was on the final step and was waiting for it to be available online to order, I searched for it on Amazon about twice a day,” Renshaw said. “Finally, one day it appeared in my search and I literally Book | 18

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 17

Waldman ready for new challenge after 15 years at HCA

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By Chris Villani Contributing Writer

fter a decade-and-a-half building Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Kris Waldman will step down as the nonprofit’s co-director at the end of this year. “I am ready for a fresh challenge in my life,” Waldman said. “I have been with the center for 15 years in various capacities and seen it grow and thrive and now I am ready to explore something else.” Waldman has been immersed in the arts and bringing them to the community since she was executive director of the Cultural Arts Alliance. Her partnership with Kelly Grill of Enter Stage Left led to the current HCA, which now offers hundreds of arts classes to thousands of students each year. “Kelly and I always had these huge aspirations and many people thought we were crazy,” Waldman said. “At the time, we were in the farmhouse and we talked about wanting to build out and create a professional theater and a gallery and have these beautiful classrooms.” Those goals came to fruition with the expansion of the HCA barn, which was largely driven by Waldman’s efforts in marketing, fundraising, grant writing and managing the capital improvement project in 2014 and 2015. “That was the dream of many, many people but they couldn’t quite, I think, wrap their minds around the fact that this might actually happen,” she said. “Not only did it happen, it’s exceeding my expectations.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the increase in student participation over the past nine years. Just 66 students participated in HCA programs in 2011. Now, that number is over 2,200 annually, with visitors from more than 340 communities in the United States, Canada and even Europe (via online programs). “I am astounded by the number of people who call HCA their second home,” Waldman said. “What is most rewarding to me is witnessing the number of people, young and old, who have been transformed by their experiences at HCA.” Waldman said she has seen young people become more confident through their time at HCA. “I can see that their lives are changed,” she said. “They come to HCA and they find this outlet for expression and happiness and they make friends. It’s really life-affirming for them.” And it’s not just young people who have realized the benefits of spending time at HCA. “I can recall one woman who said that discovering and building skills to express her creativity totally changed her outlook on life,” Waldman said. “She told me it actually changed her relationship with her husband. It changed her work and affected her friendships.” Waldman said she hopes to focus on her own artwork. She said that, given her penchant for creativity, she gets “restless” every decade or so and is curious to see what new challenge may wait for her around the next corner. But the COVID-19 pandemic also has called into sharp focus just how precious life is, she said, and stirred her desire to take

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508-272-0168 | Hopkintonskincare.com Kris Waldman has helped guide the transformation of Hopkinton Center for the Arts for the past 15 years.

What is most rewarding to me is witnessing the number of people, young and old, who have been transformed by their experiences at HCA. — HCA co-director Kris Waldman time to explore her own creativity. “When Kris first told me and our Board about her decision to move on, we were sad to learn this news, but understood it was borne of her yearning to expand her experiences and apply her creativity in new ways,” HCA board chair Janet Ceddia said. “Kris explained that after much thoughtful consideration, she wants to reconnect to her own art and that this pandemic has stirred within her a desire to apply her creativity to help those most severely impacted, particularly on issues related to hunger,” Ceddia added. “With such noble ambitions, we are thrilled for Kris and her next adventure.” Waldman said she will paint, take photographs and sculpt, among other artistic outlets. She leaves with a great sense of gratitude for many who helped build HCA along the way. In addition to Grill, the list includes Chuck Joseph, whose organization served as a fundraising arm for HCA’s expansion in 2015. Sandra and Kevin Delbridge, who funded the performance space, and Lorelei and Alan Lotvin, who funded the gallery space, also were instrumental, Waldman said. “I want to express my immense gratitude for HCA’s rock-star staff, our dedicated and passionate teachers, volunteers, and boards of directors, and the tremendously supportive and generous community of Hopkinton,” she said. “Also vital to HCA’s success has been the Hopkinton Community Endowment, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Hopkinton Community Preservation and ADA Committees. Last but not least, I am thankful for the founders of the Cultural Arts Alliance and Enter Stage Left Theater, who planted the seeds for HCA many years ago.”

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18 • The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020

BOX IT UP

The Hopkinton Senior Center remains closed to the public, but the staff remains available to assist residents. Call 508-497-9730 if in need of assistance, with questions or just to say hi. For a more extensive listing of programs check Ourseniorcenter.com/find/Hopkinton-council-onaging or hopkintonseniorcenter.com.

SENIOR SNIPPETS

Lunch Program

The Senior Center, partially funded by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation, is running a limited takeout lunch program (Tuesday-Friday) for Hopkinton seniors, particularly those who are homebound and/or have relied on the center for their daily main meal in the past. While there are limited quantities, anyone who knows of a senior who might benefit from this program can call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730. Cost is $2 per meal.

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Monday, Jan. 11, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For those who are tired of the same puzzles and would like a new one, the Senior Center is offering a puzzle pickup day. Participants should pre-register so the center can make sure to have the correct number of puzzles to share. Puzzle donations are welcome.

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Our Time Memory Cafe

Call for dates (virtual) Our Time Memory Cafe is a welcoming gathering for those experiencing forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment or living with dementia, and their care partner, family and friends. The cafe is a place to socialize, share experiences with others going through similar changes, and form friendships. A care partner must accompany anyone who requires assistance. The program is a joint venture between the Hopkinton Senior Center and Hopkinton Public Library. For more information or to register, call (508) 497-0108 or email info@ourtimememorycafe.org.

Books, Books and More Books

Hopkinton’s Women’s Club president Nancy Tarsi (left) and former president Barbara Buckner put the finishing touches on a time capsule that will be housed in the Hopkinton Public Library, to be opened in 50 years. The box contains pictures of Hopkinton landmarks, social and cultural memorabilia such as concert tickets from the Greater Boston area and Hopkinton Arts Council programs, HWC members’ pictures and bios, information about the club’s pandemic response, which included donated masks and cans of food, and information about the club’s community outreach programs, of which scholarships to Hopkinton High School students make up a large portion. The time capsule marks the final event as part of the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration.

safety should join Robin Putnam, events and outreach manager from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, for this presentation. In addition to providing information about the Office of Consumer Affairs, it will cover how to be safe online whether it be on a smart device, social media or online banking, as well as phishing emails and general protection from scams and identity theft. Attendees also will learn about expressed and implied warranties, return policies, defective merchandise, pricing discrepancies, and shopping online, through the mail or via television. Participants should pre-register by calling the Senior Center.

Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment (walkers, bath seats, canes, crutches — but no longer commodes), for Hopkinton residents’ use only, is available to be loaned out free of charge. Wheelchairs, both standard and transport, require a $25 refundable deposit and are limited to two months.

Resident pens children’s book Book | from page 16

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Mondays, 12:30 p.m. In 1984 TED Talks were created to bring technology, entertainment and design information to the curious and open-minded public. These videos cover a wide array of subjects and always lead to lively discussion and conversation. The Outreach Program at the Senior Center will have casual TED Talks group meetings over Zoom for one hour every Monday at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will consist of viewing a video and then discussing it. The program is free. Register by calling the Senior Center at 508-497-9730.

screamed out loud and jumped up and down. It was surreal to see it there after so many months of making small baby steps. It was an overwhelming feeling of excitement and pride for finally achieving this accomplishment.” Renshaw had intended to write professionally for a living, studying journalism in college. However, her career path took a different turn. “I still always wanted to do something involving writing,” she stated. And now she can check that achievement off her list. “Contagious: Spread Love not Germs” can be purchased online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and is available in hardcover and paperback.

The Hopkinton Independent • December 16, 2020 • 19

Schools Schools present tentative budget of $54.3M By Sandy Quadros Bowles Contributing Writer

he Hopkinton school district presented a tentative budget of $54,307,442, an increase of a little over 6 percent from the current budget, at a joint meeting Dec. 10 with the Select Board and Appropriations Committee. This was the first look at a projected school budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The current budget stands at $51,206,402. Of the projected figure, $2,141,775, or 4.18 percent, maintains current services. Also requested were special education increases of $277,867 for 7.4 fulltime equivalent (FTE) positions, which adds .54 percent to the budget; instructional cost/enrollment growth-related requests of $362,189 for 5.4 FTEs, which adds .71 percent to the budget; instructional program enhancements of $130,336 for 1.6 FTEs, which adds .25 percent to the budget; and administration support and facility enhancements of $188,874 for 4.2 FTEs, which adds .37 percent to the budget. This budget allows for current class sizes to remain intact, superintendent

We get a lot of value from the dollars we invest. — School Committee chair Amanda Fargiano Carol Cavanaugh said, and offers “a little elasticity.” Three major unknowns drive the budget request, she said. The cost of personal protective equipment at about $187,000 is included in the budget, although there is a chance that state funding could cover at least some of that, schools director of finance Susan Rothermich said. Teachers, nurses and paraprofessional contracts will factor into the bud-

Task force would consider start time changes At the Dec. 3 School Committee meeting, superintendent Carol Cavanaugh said there could be a task force formed to have a “serious conversation” about a potential start time change in the schools. If a two-tier busing schedule is implemented, the schools could offer new start times, with the high school and middle school looking at a possible schedule of 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while all three elementary schools start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The task force would look at various issues, such as the impact on families, including those with students in multiple buildings; possible interference with afterschool activities, including sports, extracurriculars and work, and potential positive impact of extra sleep for teenagers. This is a “complicated piece,” Cavanaugh said. No official vote was taken on the subject.

get. Cavanaugh repeated her comments from earlier meetings that maintaining a 2.5 percent increase, which some support, will require personnel cuts. About 300 teachers of the 350 districtwide are scheduled to receive either a 4.22 percent raise, a 4.73 percent raise or both, she said. Future enrollment remains another factor. Particularly after the pandemic, there is uncertainty about how many students who have left the district could return, while the housing market continues to be strong. The town’s highly ranked school system and other strong town services attract new residents. The rapid rate of growth will slow, but construction will continue and people will find small parcels to build on if they want to move into town, Cavanaugh said. Town manager Norman Khumalo said having a budget meeting this early represents a “step in the right direction” toward reaching a final figure. “We do understand we are early in the process,” he said. Select board member Brian Herr said that the budget seems “reasonable” but that overall town budget figures remain unknown. “I don’t know how it will impact the overall budget,” he said. “Then it might be unreasonable.” He urged officials not to be “tone

deaf” to current conditions, which he said has happened before. “This is not the year for big raises,” he said, which could “alienate” the community. “Nobody’s getting them in the private sector.” School Committee member Meg Tyler praised the budget as “tight and tidy.” Chair Amanda Fargiano agreed. “We get a lot of value from the dollars we invest,” she said. In other issues, Fargiano presented portions of a letter sent Dec. 10 to Gov. Charlie Baker from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The letter notes that while everyone would prefer in-person learning, there are logistical challenges that individual districts face, and it called for support and clarity. “Now more than ever we need elected officials at all levels of government to deliver a unified message about the complexity of this public health situation,” the letter reads in part. “Instead our members find themselves continuously trying to correct misinformation and educate their constituents about the unique circumstances in each community and the complex set of factors that contributed to the learning model adopted in each district.”

SCHOOLS NOTEBOOK

HHS first semester end date changed

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School Committee members unanimously approved a change to the end of the first semester at the high school. The schedule change would eliminate the formal midyear and finals assessment days for the school year to allow for more classroom time, which principal Evan Bishop said was particularly important during a year when such contact has been limited. The new schedule will end the first semester on Jan. 29 and eliminate midyear exams, which had been scheduled for Feb. 2-5. Although students would not have formal midyear assessments on specific days, teachers still will assess students as they wrap up units and semesters, Bishop said. … Cavanaugh also reminded parents that they are required to show proof that every child has had a flu vaccine by Dec. 31. She encouraged this to be handled “sooner rather than later” to avoid a last-minute rush.

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Music students honored The Hopkinton High School Music Department announced that the following students have been selected to participate in the 2021 Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Senior Festival: senior Andrea Liu (violin), juniors Caroline Ozmun (cello), Aaditya Saini (violin), Jacob Chastain (alto saxophone), Kira Sward (alto saxophone), Luciano Duca (chorus-bass) and Meher Kaur (chorus-soprano), sophomores Allison Chen (violin), Hana Ruran (chorus-alto), Chloe Baril (chorus-soprano) and Brian Gu (trumpet) and freshman Abigail Baskin (cello). Liu, Ozmun, Saini, Chastain, Sward, Duca, Kaur, Chen, Ruran and Baskin earned a recommendation to audition for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Festival to be held virtually in March 2021. Additionally, this fall the Hopkinton High School Chapter of the Tri-M Music National Honor Society welcomed four new members who met both local and national requirements: Baskin, Ruran, Cristina Porzio and Sreya Ravi.

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

CALENDAR

Arts in Bloom at HCA through Jan. 28

The 15th annual presentation of Arts in Bloom runs from Nov. 13 through Jan. 28 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ Lotvin Family Gallery. The public is invited in person (with masks and social distancing). Gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Juried by Marie Craig, director of Boston’s Fountain Street Gallery, this year’s event presents work from 35 artists from California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including four from Hopkinton. For more information, visit hopartscenter.org or call 508-589-4409.

Red Cross blood drive at Faith Church Dec. 31

There will be an American Red Cross blood drive on Dec. 31 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Faith Community Church (146 East Main St.). Anyone who donates will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt (while supplies last). Donors are asked to make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

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Arts in Bloom 2020 Exhibit | Ends Jan. 28 Visit the HCA in-person and view the artwork of 40 artists on display in the Lotvin Family Gallery. The annual show is in its 15th year and was juried by Marie Craig (Fountain Street Gallery Director). Free and open to the public. Gallery hours: www.hopartscenter.org

Let it (2020) Go!—Outdoor New Year’s Eve Family Event | 3 to 6 pm On Dec. 31 join us a the HCA for this free event, featuring Brilliant Ice Sculpture, Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, and some yummy treats. Free, but timed tickets must be reserved in advance at www. hopartscenter.org.

The Nutcracker Story | Online Event Adapted from the Nutcracker ballet, the The Nutcracker Story is the perfect online Holiday performance for families to enjoy from home. Featuring the dancers of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts dance studio under the direction of Jessica Wilson. Dec. 18–20. Free event. Get your tickets at www.hopartscenter. org

Let It