Educate Hopkinton Blog

Petition to Keep Milford Casino-Free

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

An online petition has been started to “Keep Milford Casino-Free,” please click here if you would like to read more or sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/neighbors-for-a-casino-free-milford.

As you probably know, the casino bill has passed the legislature and been signed by the governor authorizing three resort-style casinos in three different regions of Massachusetts. Milford, Foxboro and East Boston are the top three contenders for the “Northeastern Region” casino. Organized opposition has already formed in Foxboro (No Foxboro Casino http://nofoxborocasino.com/) and East Boston (No Eastie Casino https://sites.google.com/site/noeastiecasino/). There are already over 1800 signatures on a petition against a Foxboro casino. The proposed Milford casino, would be nestled between Route 85 and Route 16 on the Hopkinton/Holliston side of Milford. Click here for a link to the exact location, if you would like to see how close it is to your house.
Please spread the word to residents of Milford and surrounding towns and continue to stay informed on this important issue. Again, here is the link if you would like to sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/neighbors-for-a-casino-free-milford.

Terry Property - Hopkinton has Right of First Refusal to Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0000

A developer has offered to buy 204 acres of property owned by the Terry family for $3 million. Because, through the Massachusetts Chapter 61A program, the land has been zoned as agricultural and has been receiving a discounted tax rate, the Town of Hopkinton has the right of first refusal to purchase the property now that a purchase and sale agreement has been signed. The land borders Lumber, West Main and Chamberlain streets, as well as the Hopkins/Middle School/High School property. The property has marbled wetlands throughout, so it is difficult to determine how much of the land is buildable yet. The various town boards having been reviewing the property this month in order to give feedback on whether the town should purchase the land. The School Committee asked Director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, Elaine Lazarus, several questions about the land at their February 2 meeting, including is there enough land without wetlands and without a conservation restriction to build an elementary school. Approximately 15 acres would be needed to build an elementary school and there is a section of about that size off Chamberlain Street close to Hopkins School. The Planning Board discussed the property at their February 6 meeting. Hopkinton’s Sustainable Green Committee has suggested the town buy the land to be a solar farm, and sell the portion of the land not needed to the developer. If the town decides to buy the land there would a vote on it at the next Annual Town Meeting (May 7, 2012).

Articles for further reading:

Hopkinton faces $3 million decision on land deal by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1368166927/Hopkinton-faces-3-million-decision-on-land-deal

Green group suggests Hopkinton buy land, use part for solar farm by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x306962273/Green-group-suggests-Hopkinton-buy-land-use-part-for-solar-farm

Town Election - Candidates Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:40:00 +0000

The Annual Town Election will be held on Monday, May 21, 2012. The deadline to submit nomination papers is Monday, April 2. Candidates may also be nominated at their party's caucus. Both the Republican and Democratic Town Caucuses will be held on Friday, April 13 this year. The following is the list of offices up for election and candidates that have pulled their nomination papers so far. Many candidates are still needed, for more information contact the Town Clerk http://www.hopkinton.org/clerk/elections.htm.

SELECTMEN, For 3 years, Vote for 2
Todd Cestari
Deb Thomas

BOARD OF ASSESSORS, For 3 years, Vote for 1
John Duffy

BOARD OF HEALTH, For 3 years, Vote for 1
Candidate Needed

BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS, For 3 years, Vote for 1
John Belger

BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS, Unexpired Term 2014, Vote for 1
Candidate Needed

BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS, Unexpired Term 2013, Vote for 1
Stanley Pulnik

CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS, For 3 years, Vote for 1
Candidate Needed

COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUND, For 3 years, Vote for 1
Candidate Needed

HOPKINTON HOUSING AUTHORITY, For 5 years, Vote for 1
Renee Gilson

HOPKINTON HOUSING AUTHORITY, Unexpired Term 2014, Vote for 1
Warren Johnson

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS, For 2 years, Vote for 2
Candidates Needed

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS, Unexpired Term 2012, Vote for 1
Candidate Needed

PLANNING BOARD, For 5 years, Vote for 2
Kenneth Weismantel
2nd Candidate Needed

SCHOOL COMMITTEE, For 3 years, Vote for 2
Jean Bertschmann
2nd Candidate Needed

Town Budget and Capital Project Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

According to the Town Charter, the Town Manager must submit the proposed budget to the Selectmen by March 1 of every year. The next Selectmen’s meeting is Tuesday, February 28 and, although the agenda is not yet posted, we expect that the budget presentation will take place at this meeting. The Selectmen must either adopt or amend the Town Manager’s budget by March 15, so we expect they will do so at their meeting on Tuesday, March 13. The budget message for fiscal year 2012-13 was level funding on operational costs, except fixed cost increases and strategic initiatives. The police and dispatchers are under a 2-year wage freeze and the DPW has already negotiated a 0.5% increase for FY13. The fire department agreed to a wage freeze last year, but are still in negotiations for FY13.

The School Committee has requested $2.6 million in capital projects for Town Meeting 2012, including a new Center School Feasibility Study, repairs to the High School track and Loop Road, a new roof for Elmwood School, emergency strobe lights for all schools, a new mowing tractor and new windows for the oldest 1928 section of Center School. We do not yet know the full capital request from the town for next year, but you can view the town’s Ten Year Capital Expenditure Plan at http://hcam.tv/sites/default/files/i_cic_schedules_fy12.pdf.

Articles for further reading:

$8.2 Million in Preliminary Capital Expenditure Plan for FY2013
http://hcam.tv/news/82-million-preliminary-capital-expenditure-plan-fy2013

Hopkinton selectmen weigh tax, spending options by Michael Morton, Hopkinton Crier
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x183257168/Hopkinton-selectmen-weigh-tax-spending-options

Hopkinton schools seek $2.6 million for projects, equipment by Michael Morton, Hopkinton Crier http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x219669599/Hopkinton-schools-seek-2-6-million-for-projects-equipment

Presidential Primary - March 6

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:20:00 +0000

The Massachusetts Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 6. All Hopkinton precincts vote at the Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym. Polls are open 7:00am-8:00pm. There will be no school in Hopkinton on election day due to a Teacher Professional Day. See below for a list of candidates on the ballot.

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BALLOT
Ron Paul http://www.ronpaul2012.com/
Mitt Romney http://www.mittromney.com/
Rick Perry http://www.rickperry.org/ (Candidate dropped out of the race 01/19/12)
Rick Santorum https://www.ricksantorum.com/
Jon Huntsman http://jon2012.com/ (Candidate dropped out of the race 01/16/12)
Michele Bachmann http://www.michelebachmann.com/ (Candidate dropped out of the race 01/04/12)
Newt Gingrich http://www.newt.org/

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT
Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/

GREEN-RAINBOW PRIMARY BALLOT
Kent Mesplay http://www.mesplay.org/
Jill Stein http://www.jillstein.org/
Harley Mikkelson http://harleymikkelson.com/

Upper Charles Trail, Fruit Street, Special Education and more

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000

LAND USE
Upper Charles Trail Committee Members Needed, HCAM
http://www.hcam.tv/news/upper-charles-trail-committee-members-needed

Board of Selectmen revisits Fruit Street master plan in Hopkinton by Michael Morton
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x50589583/Board-revisits-master-plan-in-Hopkinton

Hopkinton considers solar policy, facility sites by Michael Morton
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x1085186117/Hopkinton-considers-solar-policy-facility-sites

Legacy Farms submits plan for private sewage plant by Michael Morton, Hopkinton Crier http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x123147920/Legacy-Farms-submits-plan-for-private-sewage-plant

EDUCATION
Senator Spilka Votes for Improvements to Transitional Planning for Students with Special Needs
http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/

No Child Left Behind Waivers Change Progress Measurement by Sean O’Donnell, Hopkinton Patch
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/no-child-left-behind-waivers-change-progress-measurement

LIBRARY
Hopkinton Public Library Usage Rises in 2011 by Sean O'Donnell
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/hopkinton-public-library-usage-rises-in-2011

DOWNTOWN
Hopkinton Downtown Initiative meeting moved to Feb. 29, Hopkinton Crier
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1353875741/Hopkinton-Downtown-Initiative-meeting-moved-to-Feb-29

DISC Meeting Re-Scheduled, HCAM
http://hcam.tv/news/disc-meeting-re-scheduled

Find Us on Facebook - Follow Us on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Educate Hopkinton has 220 followers on Facebook, but we’d love to have more. Please click here to “Like” us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/educatehopkinton.

Educate Hopkinton has 94 followers on Twitter, but we’d love to have more. Please click here to follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/educate01748.

School Budget Update

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0000

A huge “Thank You” to everyone who came to the School Committee Public Hearing and/or wrote to the School Committee with your thoughts on the 2012-13 budget. Your voices truly do make a difference! A few days after the public hearing the School Committee sent the following press release. The budget has now been submitted to the Town Manager and may still go through many changes before Town Meeting (May 7) as it is reviewed by the Town Manger, Selectmen and Appropriations Committee. Please continue to stay informed.

PRESS RELEASE - HOPKINTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE FY13 BUDGET

On January 28, 2012, the Hopkinton School Committee voted a budget of $34,085,238, which is an increase of $1,127,516, or 3.42%, over the FY12 budget.

The budget includes support for the following concerns highlighted by the community:

6 classrooms of Full Day Kindergarten and 4 sections of Half Day Kindergarten, each with a full time teaching assistant;
Average class sizes of 20 students or less in all Kindergarten and 1st Grade class rooms;
An additional classroom teacher in 4th grade and in 5th grade, resulting in average class sizes of 22 at each grade level;
Reinstatement of the Middle School Drama Related Arts course;
Funding for curriculum alignment to the new state mandated Common Core frameworks in Mathematics, including increased student and staff support as well as some textbooks;
Support for Strategic Plan initiatives in foreign language (funded by the F-1 Visa program that allows foreign students to tuition into the district); and
Needed maintenance at Center, Elmwood, Middle School, and High School, as well as the Special Education offices.

To support all of the items listed above, the School Committee:

Reduced technology requests;
Reduced funding for supplies;
Increased athletic fees at the Middle School and High School from $125/sport to $150/sport;
Implemented a $25 activity fee for Middle School and High School non-athletic extracurricular activities (one annual fee/student covers as many clubs as the student participates in);
Increased Full Day Kindergarten tuition from $3,700 to $4,000; and
Implemented a $100/student transportation fee to local daycare/afterschool program providers.

With this budget, the School Committee is able to protect the classroom experience provided to students, continue to work toward Strategic Plan initiatives, and be fiscally responsible to the community. There was a tremendous amount of feedback offered by the community throughout the budget process, and the School Committee would like to thank all who shared their comments and perspectives. Understanding what the community values and prioritizes helped guide the School Committee through difficult choices between many valued programs and initiatives, and the current economic challenges faced by residents. The School Committee would also like to thank the administrative staff for support in revising the budget to meet community desires.

Downtown Initiative and Revitalization - Meetings to get Public Input

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0000

Would you like to learn more about what changes the Town of Hopkinton is considering for the downtown revitalization project (Main Street, between Ash St. and Wood St.)? Do you have comments and recommendations to offer? Aesthetic improvements, pedestrian safety, parking, changes to the major intersections and the possible placement of utility lines underground are all being discussed.

The Town is providing an opportunity for those who are interested to learn more about the Project and discuss aspects of the Project with the Town Engineer, DPW Director and Director of Land Use Planning and Permitting. They will be available to provide a brief summary of the key elements of the Downtown Revitalization Project and answer any questions. Your comments and recommendations will be conveyed to the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee.

The purpose of the meetings is to provide an update to the public and to gather additional input for DISC. With town meeting deadlines on the horizon, this will help to inform and shape the decisions that will be made as to how the Town will proceed with the various elements and the overall Project.

Please consider attending one of the two daytime meetings, which will be held in Room 215 (Board of Selectmen meeting room) at the Hopkinton Town Hall, 18 Main Street, on:
Thursday, February 9 @ 10:00-11:00am
Thursday, February 16 @ 12:00-1:00pm

Please see the following articles from the Town Manager’s office for more information on the Downtown project:
1 The History and Mission of the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee (DISC)
2 Background for the Roadway Project – The Conway Report
3 Pedestrian Safety and the Challenges of a the Downtown Roadway
4 The Hayden Rowe/Main Street Intersection

Recent News Article after Monday's Planning Board Meeting:
Hopkinton downtown parking plan evolving by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x1085184115/Hopkinton-downtown-parking-plan-evolving#axzz1lhCydPc8

Educate Hopkinton Event This Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0000

Let's Talk About School and Town Budgets, Center School, Legacy Farms and More
Sunday, February 12 @ 7:00 p.m.
Vineyard Church of Hopkinton, 84 South Street

Have you been following the school and town budget process? Do you know what might get cut and what might get added to the 2012-13 budget? Want to know what the next steps are in the process to finding a Center School solution? Did you hear about the Legacy Farms land available for municipal and recreational use? Join Educate Hopkinton in a casual setting to learn more about what's been going on with these town issues. Guests include Selectman John Mosher, Center School Survey Analyst Paul Flaxman, Parks and Recreation Committee Chair, Ken Driscoll and School Committee Member Nancy Burdick. We want to hear from you on what school and town budget topics are of most interest to you this year. For planning purposes please Click to RSVP Online. Questions? Amy Ritterbusch amyritterbusch@educatehopkinton.com 508.625.1264

School Choice Update

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:35:00 +0000

At its January 26 public hearing on School Choice, the School Committee voted not to accept students into Hopkinton schools via the Massachusetts School Choice program. Every year they must decide by June 1 if Hopkinton will accept school choice students the following year. We have NOT accepted school choice students for several years, however Hopkinton students may still go out of district to other towns that accept school choice students. This year 13.5 students attend out of Hopkinton via School Choice and 29 students attend public charter schools out of Hopkinton. The number of Hopkinton students opting to go out of district via School Choice and Charter Schools had been slowly but steadily increasing since the 2005-06 school year, but is now down slightly from last year.

Hopkinton School Choice Trends from Mass DOE FY12
Hopkinton Students Attending Charter Schools from Mass DOE FY12

Hockey Rink, Casino, Land Use, Capital Projects and more

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:29:00 +0000

HOCKEY RINK
Hopkinton residents like ice arena proposal by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x739236043/Hopkinton-residents-like-ice-arena-proposal

Residents Support Hockey Arena Proposal by Sean O'Donnell, Hopkinton Patch
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/many-residents-support-hockey-arena-proposal

CASINO UPDATES
At Casino Forum, Lawmakers Ask Residents to Compromise by Justin Saglio, Hopkinton Patch
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/at-casino-forum-lawmakers-ask-residents-to-compromise-17f42f9d

Coakley says casino law repeal is not eligible for ballot by Matt Murphy, Statehouse News Service
http://www.wickedlocal.com/bridgewater/news/x828553530/STATE-HOUSE-NEWS-Coakley-says-casino-law-repeal-is-not-eligible-for-ballot#ixzz1lo8b35JO

LAND USE

Board of Selectmen revisits Fruit Street master plan in Hopkinton by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x50589583/Board-revisits-master-plan-in-Hopkinton

Hopkinton faces $3 million decision on land deal by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1368166927/Hopkinton-faces-3-million-decision-on-land-deal#ixzz1lo7528hD

New Hopkinton plaza lands bank, restaurant as tenants by Michael Morton, Hopkinton Crier

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x739236027/New-Hopkinton-plaza-lands-bank-restaurant-as-tenants#ixzz1lo7rWeET

CAPITAL PROJECTS
Hopkinton board considers Capital projects by Michael Morton, Metrowest Daily News

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2062852355/Hopkinton-board-considers-projects

$8.2 Million in Preliminary Capital Expenditure Plan for FY2013 by Michelle Murdock, HCAM News

http://hcam.tv/news/82-million-preliminary-capital-expenditure-plan-fy2013

THE ECONOMY

Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Drops to 6.8%...Jobs Decline in December by 6,200 via HCAM-TV

http://hcam.tv/news/massachusetts-unemployment-rate-drops-68jobs-decline-december-6200

Find Us on Facebook - Follow Us on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Educate Hopkinton has 219 followers on Facebook, but we’d love to have more. Please “Like” us at http://www.facebook.com/educatehopkinton.

Educate Hopkinton has 92 followers on Twitter, but we’d love to have more. Please follow us at http://twitter.com/educate01748.

Hockey Rink, Casino, School Choice and School Budget Public Hearings

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Parks and Recreation Hearing on Legacy Farms Land / Hockey Rink
Mon. January 23 @ 7:30-8:30pm
Hopkinton Town Hall, Room 215
Read previous EH blogs on this topic.

Regional Forum on Casino Legislation
Thurs. January 26 @ 7:30pm
Adams Middle School Auditorium, 323 Woodland St, Holliston
Please join members of your local Boards of Selectmen as we meet with legislative leaders to discuss the recently passed Gaming Legislation. The discussion will outline the legislation and the options for surrounding communities impacted by the new law. Senator Karen Spilka and Representative Carolyn Dykema will be in attendance. Audience members may ask questions and make comments. Read previous EH blogs on this topic.

School Committee Public Hearing on School Choice and the 2012-13 School Budget
Thursday, January 26 @ 7:00pm (Not Televised)
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Public Hearing – FY13 Budget and School Choice
ATTENTION! If you can only attend one school committee meeting a year, this is the most important one to attend. It is your chance to voice your opinion on the budget.
Read previous EH blogs on these topics.

REMINDER - Preliminary 2012-13 School Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Click to view a pdf file of the Superinendent’s Preliminary 2012-13 School Budget Presentation.

Or on HCAM-TV you can watch a brief 7 minute summary of the budget presentation or watch the whole meeting. Follow this link:
hcam.tv/videos/superintendent-landman-presents-preliminary-budget

Please note that school budget discussions are NOT televised. So far no one has come to speak during the public comment portions of the school committee meetings to speak up about fees, class size or any other topic. As always you should feel free to contact the School Committee hpsschoolcommittee@hopkinton.k12.ma.us and Superintendent jlandman@hopkinton.k12.ma.us at any time with questions or concerns. You may also voice your opinion publicly at the School Budget Public Hearing coming up on January 26.

School Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 19 @ 7:00 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Regular Meeting/Working Session - FY13 Budget Topics:
Middle School, High School, Athletics, Town Meeting Articles, Athletic Fee, Parking Fee, F1 Visa Tuition, Walking Zone, 1:1 Laptop Initiative, Bus Parking Lot (The Budget Portion of the Meeting is Not Televised)

School Committee Public Hearing on School Choice and the 2012-13 School Budget
Thursday, January 26 @ 7:00pm (Not Televised)
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Public Hearing – FY13 Budget and School Choice
ATTENTION! If you can only attend one school committee meeting a year, this is the most important one to attend. It is your chance to voice your opinion on the budget.

Budget Overview - 3.95% Increase from Last Year
Superintendent Landman presented his preliminary 2012-13 (FY13) school budget at the December 20 School Committee meeting. Some highlights are included below. Please note that nothing is final at this point, this is just the beginning of a process. The School Committee will provide feedback to the Superintendent who will then refine the budget before the School Committee votes on a budget to submit to the Town Manager by the February 1 deadline.

Thumbs Up:

Maintains close to level services for 2012-13
Continues to work toward Strategic Plan goals such as:

Aligning our math curriculum with Common Core standards
Intervention Pyramid for struggling students
21st Century Learning (such as online classes at the HS)
Technology Infrastructure Updates, such as replacing teacher laptops that are more than 5 years old
Critical Language (Mandarin) at the HS
Exploration of how to add the study of world languages to grade 6 and below

Create a school bus parking lot in town to save fuel, as well as save on excise tax paid to the other town where our buses currently park.

Thumbs Down:

$707,268 Decrease in budget offsets from last year such as state circuit breaker special education funding and education job grants
Increased class sizes in grades K, 1, 4, 6 and 8 (see chart below)
More high school classes with over 25 students (17% this year vs 20% next year)
A net cut of 2.6 Staff Members compared to last year (a net cut of 20.4 staff members since the 2006-07 school year)

Proposed Class Sizes:

Grade	Strategic Plan Guideline	2011-12	2012-13	Proposed Change
PreK	n/a	19	18	Decrease
K	19-21	21	22	Increase to above guideline
1	19-21	21	22	Increase to above guideline
2	22-24	24	24	Same
3	22-24	24	20	Decrease
4	22-24	22	24	Increase
5	22-24	25	25	Same but still above guideleine
6	n/a	19	22	Increase
7	n/a	23	18	Decrease
8	n/a	17	23	Increase

Mixed Bag:

Increase student bus fees from $210 to $250 per year
Increase student athletic fee from $125 to $200 per sport
Increase student parking fee from $210 to $250 per year
Assess a daycare drop-off bus fee of $100 per student
Creation of a “walking zone” and elimination of the bus for Middle School and High School students living close enough to walk to school.

New Non-Profit Formed to Help Fund Expansion and Improvement of Hopkinton Public Library

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Fundraising to be Kicked Off with a Princess Tea Party on January 22. Read more at hopkintonlibrary.org/hopkinton/documents/mother_daughter_tea_poster3.pdf

Press Release - January 4, 2012
The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc. today announced its formation as a new non-profit entity designed to support the Hopkinton Public Library.

Founded in September 2011, the Foundation will spearhead efforts to raise private funds for the expansion and state-of-the-art renovation of Hopkinton Public Library, pending receipt of a Library Construction Grant from the state and final approval from the Town of Hopkinton. Following the expansion, the Foundation will provide ongoing funding for long-term enhancements of the library, such as print and electronic collections and community-responsive programs for children, teens and adults. This expansion and improvement will make Hopkinton Public Library truly the educational and cultural center of Hopkinton, offering all residents enhanced access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. In May 2011, Hopkinton Annual Town Meeting approved the proposed plan for renovation and expansion. These plans, and a virtual tour, are available online at hopkintonlibrary.org.

In July 2011, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded a grant to the Town of Hopkinton for the planned expansion and renovation of the current library building. The MBLC grant of $4.5 million, available as soon as July 2014, will offset the project’s total estimated cost of $10.2 million. The initial purpose of the Foundation is to raise private funding to further defray cost to the town.

To begin its fundraising effort, the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation will host a Mother & Daughter Princess Tea. The event will include live performances by Disney®’s Belle, Cinderella and Rapunzel, and a delicious sundae bar, specialty pastries, tea and light refreshments. The Mother Daughter Princess Tea will be held on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree Inn, Westborough, MA. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by contacting Lindsay McDermott at Lindsay.mcdermott@yahoo.com.

The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation is led by a Board of Directors comprised of eight Hopkinton volunteers. Directors are Scott Richardson, John Ferrari, Laura Barry, Ron Eldridge, Katie Davenport, Amy Montalto, Joe Markey and Lindsay McDermott. Ex Officio Board members are Rownak Hussain, Director of Hopkinton Public Library, Christine Clifford, on behalf of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library, and Mike McNamara, on behalf of the Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees. In addition to the Directors, the Foundation already has recruited the assistance of countless volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, or would like to volunteer, please contact the Foundation at info@hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

Hopkinton Public Library Foundation wishes to thank the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library and the Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees for their support and contributions to Hopkinton Public Library Foundation. All three groups play a critical role in supporting the Hopkinton Public Library. The newly formed Hopkinton Public Library Foundation exists to address long-term library funding needs including facility renovations, expansion and resource enhancements. The Friends of the Library is a non-profit, membership organization that generously supports the immediate needs of Hopkinton Public Library through its important activities such as the library books sales and its annual apple crisp sale at PolyArts. Both the Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library provide financial support to enhance, but not replace the Town’s budget. Finally, Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees, consisting of five elected members, oversees the public administration and management of Hopkinton Public Library on behalf of the Town. Hopkinton Public Library Foundation looks forward to working with both the Friends of the Library and the Trustees to realize its shared goal of providing Hopkinton residents with a library facility that will better serve all residents, and provide Hopkinton with the educational and cultural center it deserves.

Center School Survey Results

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:33:00 +0000

On Wed., January 4, the results of the recent community survey regarding criteria for an elementary school building project were presented to a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. At this meeting the two boards voted to withdraw the original MSBA Statement of Interest for Center School and also voted to submit two new Statements of Interest to the MSBA. The first priority Statement of Interest is for Center School and the second priority Statement of Interest is for Elmwood School. At this time the Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee members were thanked for their service and then the committee was dissolved. It is anticipated that a new committee will be formed in conjunction with a new school building project.

View the results on the school website:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=aG9wa2ludG9uLmsxMi5tYS51c3xoZXNiY3xneDoxYzVhYTc2ODI4NWM0Yzc0

Recent Articles on this topic:

Survey Results Provide No Clear Cut Option for Center School
By Michelle Murdock, HCAM News Director
http://www.hcam.tv/news/survey-results-provide-no-clear-cut-option-center-school

Survey: Hopkinton's Center School is an urgent issue
By Michael Morton, Hopkinton Crier
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x987654173/Survey-Hopkintons-Center-School-is-an-urgent-issue#ixzz1jozvNGSF

Hopkinton Residents In Favor of Town-Wide Schools
By Sean O'Donnell, HopkintonPatch
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/town-officials-discuss-center-school-survey-results

Other Town and School Budget Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Find Us on Facebook - Follow Us on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Educate Hopkinton has 216 followers on Facebook, but we’d love to have more. Please “Like” us at http://www.facebook.com/educatehopkinton.

Educate Hopkinton has 84 followers on Twitter, but we’d love to have more. Please follow us at http://twitter.com/educate01748

Center School Survey Results Wed Jan 4 @ 6:30pm at HHS

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:21:00 +0000

On Wed., January 4, the results of the recent community survey regarding criteria for an elementary school building project will be presented to a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. More than 1200 voters responded to the survey. The meeting will be held in the High School Auditorium at 6:30 pm, and will be broadcast live on HCAM-TV (Comcast 8/Verizon 30). The community is encouraged to attend.

At 6:30, Paul Flaxman, Vice President of Boston Research Group, will present the survey methodology, data, and results, followed by questions and answers from both boards. At the conclusion of the discussion, the meeting will be opened up to community members who would like to ask questions regarding the survey.

The survey presentation and public discussion will end promptly at 8:30, at which time the Board of Selectmen and School Committee will consider and vote on potential Statements of Interest for the Center School and the Elmwood School, in order to meet the January 11 deadline for submission to the MSBA. A vote of both boards is required. The boards will also discuss the Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee (HESBC).

Preliminary 2012-13 School Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Superintendent Landman presented his preliminary 2012-13 (FY13) school budget at the December 20 School Committee meeting. Some highlights are included below. Please note that nothing is final at this point, this is just the beginning of a process. The School Committee will provide feedback to the Superintendent who will then refine the budget before the School Committee votes on a budget to submit to the Town Manager by the February 1 deadline. If you have an opinion, question, comment or concern about any part of the budget you should feel free to contact the School Committee hpsschoolcommittee@hopkinton.k12.ma.us and Superintendent jlandman@hopkinton.k12.ma.us at any time. You may also voice your opinion publicly at the School Budget Public Hearing coming up on January 26.

Thumbs Up:

Maintains close to level services for 2012-13
Continues to work toward Strategic Plan goals such as:

Aligning our math curriculum with Common Core standards
Intervention Pyramid for struggling students
21st Century Learning (such as online classes at the HS)
Technology Infrastructure Updates, such as replacing teacher laptops that are more than 5 years old
Critical Language (Mandarin) at the HS
Exploration of how to add the study of world languages to grade 6 and below

Create a school bus parking lot in town to save fuel, as well as save on excise tax paid to the other town where our buses currently park.

Thumbs Down:

$707,268 Decrease in budget offsets from last year such as state circuit breaker special education funding and education job grants
Increased class sizes in grades K, 1, 4, 6 and 8 (see chart below)
More high school classes with over 25 students (17% this year vs 20% next year)
A net cut of 2.6 Staff Members compared to last year (a net cut of 20.4 staff members since the 2006-07 school year)

Proposed Class Sizes:

Grade	Strategic Plan Guideline	2011-12	2012-13	Proposed Change
PreK	n/a	19	18	Decrease
K	19-21	21	22	Increase to above guideline
1	19-21	21	22	Increase to above guideline
2	22-24	24	24	Same
3	22-24	24	20	Decrease
4	22-24	22	24	Increase
5	22-24	25	25	Same but still above guideleine
6	n/a	19	22	Increase
7	n/a	23	18	Decrease
8	n/a	17	23	Increase

Mixed Bag:

Increase student bus fees from $210 to $250 per year
Increase student athletic fee from $125 to $200 per sport
Increase student parking fee from $210 to $250 per year
Assess a daycare drop-off bus fee of $100 per student
Creation of a “walking zone” and elimination of the bus for Middle School and High School students living close enough to walk to school.

Summary of the Preliminary 2012-13 Budget:
$32,957,722 This Year’s Approved Budget 2011-12
+$1,518,755 Fixed Cost Payroll Increases (contractual obligations)
+$62,401 Other Fixed Cost Increases
___________
$34,538,878 Level Services 2012-13 Budget
+$285,425 Strategic Initiatives
+$71,000 Extraordinary Maintenance
-$69,342 Cost Cutting Measures
-$208,368 New Revenue (Fees)
-$359,608 Net Staff Positions Cut
_________
$34,260,733 Total Preliminary 2012-13 Budget

Recent Articles:
Hopkinton Crier: 2013 Hopkinton school budget proposed
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/mobiletopstories/x2140451562/2013-Hopkinton-school-budget-proposed

HopkintonPatch: 5 Preliminary Budget Recommendations
By Sean O'Donnell
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/5-preliminary-budget-recommendations-for-hopkinton-schools-in-fy-13

Hopkinton Crier: Hopkinton may revive high school laptop plan
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/news/x987651427/Hopkinton-may-revive-high-school-laptop-plan

Hopkinton Crier: Hopkinton school budget meeting is Jan. 5
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/mobiletopstories/x1895997901/Hopkinton-school-budget-meeting-is-Jan-5

Save the Dates - January School Budget Discussions & Public Hearing

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

School Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 5, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Regular Meeting/Working Session - FY13 Budget Topics:
Center School, Elmwood School, Hopkins School, Draft Town Meeting Articles, Daycare Drop-Off Fee, Bus Fee, Full-Day Kindergarten Fee

School Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Working Session/FY13 Budget Topics:
Special Education, Buildings and Grounds, Central Office, Curriculum, Technology, Town Meeting Articles

School Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 19, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Regular Meeting/Working Session - FY13 Budget Topics:
Middle School, High School, Athletics, Town Meeting Articles, Athletic Fee, Parking Fee, F1 Visa Tuition, Walking Zone, 1:1 Laptop Initiative, Bus Parking Lot

School Committee Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 @ 6:30 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen

School Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Middle School Library, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Public Hearing – FY13 Budget
ATTENTION! If you can only attend one school committee meeting a year, this is the most important one to attend. It is your chance to voice your opinion on the budget.

Downtown Initiative Design and Construction Project

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Hopkinton's Downtown Initiative Steering Committee (DISC) continues to work with Beta Group on the downtown design. Hopkinton residents voted in 2010 to fund the design process ($400,000) with the construction to be funded by a state roadway construction grant of approximately $4,000,000. The initial design was presented to the public for their feedback at two presentations in November. The DISC committee also made a presentation to the Selectmen in December. No final decisions have been made at this point and feedback from residents is welcomed. If you have questions or comments about the project, please contact Hopkinton’s Facilities Coordinator/Town Engineer, David Daltorio at
508-497-9738 or ddaltorio@hopkinton.org.

Items included in the state grant are:

Rehabilitate Pavement
Upgrade Storm Drainage Facilities
Reconstruct and Improve Sidewalks
Reset / Install New Curbing
Provide ADA Compliant Wheelchair Ramps / Access
Traffic Signal Upgrades
Possible New Signal(s)
Streetscape Enhancements
Landscaping/Plantings
Reduce Crosswalk Lengths & Improve Markings

Related Items NOT included in the state grant (The Town of Hopkinton may opt to go forward with and fund some of these items its own):

Upgrade Water Main on Main St
Possible Undergrounding of Utilities ($2.6 million from Cedar St to Ash St OR $6.6 million from Wood St to Ash St)
Possible Period Lighting
Coordination with Legacy Farms’ Improvements

Hot Button Topics (see images and news articles below):

135/85 Intersection - Whether or not to straighten the intersection at Rt 135 and Rt 85, which would involve taking some of Colella's Supermarket's land.
Main St/Wood St Intersection - Whether or not to increase the turn angle for vehicles headed Eastbound on Main St and turning left on Wood St (Rt 135), which would involve relocating or tearing down the house at 2 West Main St.
Cost - Although burying the power lines would be aesthetically pleasing and would give more flexibility in designing the sidewalks and lanes, it would be expensive and not covered by the state grant. The cost estimate is $2.6 million from Cedar St to Ash St OR $6.6 million from Wood St to Ash St.

Documents and Images of the Design for your Reference:

Current Conditions: http://www.educatehopkinton.com/pdf/downtown/DowntownHopkintonPreliminaryConceptualGeometry8-23-11.pdf
Proposed Design: http://www.educatehopkinton.com/pdf/downtown/DowntownHopkintonRedesignProposal11-02-11.pdf
Possible Wood Street Alternative: http://www.educatehopkinton.com/pdf/downtown/ConceptualDesignWoodStreetAlternative1.JPG
A summary of what is covered by the grant prepared for the 2010 ballot question by Peter LaGoy, Chairman, Downtown Revitalization Committee. http://www.educatehopkinton.com/pdf/may2010-downtowndesign-ballotquestion2.pdf
Downtown Initiative Community Meeting Powerpoint Presentation Nov. 2011 http://www.hopkinton.org/disc/files/DISC-MTG-11-03-11.pdf

Recent Articles on this Topic:

Hopkinton Crier: Committee tweaks Hopkinton downtown improvement proposal
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/features/x2023106361/Committee-tweaks-Hopkinton-downtown-improvement-proposal

Hopkinton Crier: Downtown talks get thorny in Hopkinton
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1626871886/Downtown-talks-get-thorny-in-Hopkinton#ixzz1gX7PWPwG

HopkintonPatch: Old Intersections Create New Problems
At its bi-weekly meeting, selectmen discussed the next step for the Main Street redesign.
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/residents-worry-about-impact-of-main-street-improvements

Other Winter Town Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Hopkinton Crier: Proposed group could provide boost for regional rail trail
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2140451266/Proposed-group-could-provide-boost-for-regional-rail-trail

Hopkinton Patch: MAPC Outlines Casino Challenges
A statement released by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council outlines the stresses big casinos could place on communities.
By Sean O'Donnell
http://hopkinton.patch.com/articles/planning-council-addresses-casino-challenges

Hopkinton Crier: Foxborough's finance director changes mind about Hopkinton job
http://www.wickedlocal.com/foxborough/news/x550227303/Foxboroughs-finance-director-changes-mind-about-Hopkinton-job

School Budget Presentation - Tues Dec 20

noreply@blogger.com (Educate Hopkinton) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:26:00 +0000

School Budget Presentation - Tues Dec 20
TONIGHT, Superintendent Landman will present his preliminary 2012-13 budget (FY13) to the School Committee. This is usually a very informative presentation and is your chance to see what might get cut and what might get added to the budget. Nothing will be final at this point. This is just the preliminary presentation and it will likely go through many changes before we vote on it at Town Meeting in May. If you are unable to attend during this busy holiday season, feel free to watch at home on HCAM-TV http://www.hcam.tv/ (Comcast 8/Verizon 30) or record on your DVR. Throughout the month of January there will be many more budget discussions at the School Committee meetings and working sessions. Then on January 26 there will be public hearing on the budget, where you can come in person and voice your opinion on the budget.

School Committee Meeting - Superintendent’s Budget Preliminary Presentation
Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30pm
Middle School Library,
HCAM-TV Comcast 8/Verizon 30
Read the agenda at http://www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/newweb2/schoolcommittee/agenda_minutes/12-20-11_REGULAR.pdf