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News and Information for the Town of Hopkinton
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By MATT SCHOOLEY
The coldest months of winter may still be far away, but Hopkinton residents are already looking to help community members by using their legs, paddles and bikes. For the seventh consecutive year, locals will take part in the Contoocook Carry triathlon on Sunday, Sept. 27. The event is a 2-mile run, a kayak route down the Contoocook River and a 14-mile bicycle ride through the town. Proceeds will benefit the town’s fuel assistance program again this year. Last year the event raised about $14,000 through donations and race fees. “This year will probably be worse than last year economy-wise,” said event organizer Mary Congoran. “It’s one of the events that brings together families, athletes and people just coming out for the cause.” Following the event, which usually takes competitors about two hours to complete, many racers return to Hopkinton High School to receive prizes donated by residents. Many competitors perform the race in teams, often dressing up in costumes to match their team names. Congoran said volunteers in town also have contributed by helping prepare crates of wood for the wood bank, supplies that in the past have been almost completely used by the end of the winter. “It just feels good for people to do something good for others with their own hands and their own bodies,” said Congoran. “I’m really proud of our community in whatever amount they give. It’s about the money, but it’s also about seeing how many people are willing to come out and help.” The race begins rain or shine at 1:30 p.m. at the high school, and race day registration runs from 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Pre-registration information can be found at www.hopkinton-nh.gov under the Contoocook Carry link in the Resident Quick Links section. Due to the difficult economic times, Congoran said it’s difficult to set expectations for what she hopes to raise this year. Regardless of the total amount raised, Congoran said she is always surprised by the amount of participation. “These envelopes come in, and you can just tell people wished they could give more,” said Congoran. “But the point is they took the time. They took the time because they are saying that they want to do whatever they can to help.”
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Hopkinton Fair: Sept. 3 to 7; Hillsborough Fair: Sept. 11 to 13 By SARAH LEBRUN
As the cooler, autumn weather moves in, state and county fairgrounds come alive will the smells of fried foods and barnyard animals. The first such fair to take place is the 94th annual Hopkinton State Fair, Sept. 3 to 7. One of the biggest draws of the Hopkinton Fair is the demolition derby, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6, at 6:30 p.m. During this event, drivers will turn full-size cars into compact cars. There is a separate admission fee for this event – $7 for adults and $6 for children 2 to 12. In addition to the demolition derby, there will also be many 4-H shows and exhibits, including horses, goats, oxen, sheep, llamas/alpacas and more. Local band Jeff Dearborn and the Contoocook Blues Society will perform again this year, taking the stage Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Monday from noon to 5 p.m. The next fair takes place Sept. 11 to 13 at the Hillsborough County 4-H Fairgrounds in New Boston. This year marks the 52nd year this fair has been in operation. According to Jolee Chase, program associate for 4-H youth development, this fair has a bigger agricultural component than many other state and county fairs, but size-wise, it is one of the smaller fairs in the state. Chase said all of the favorite 4-H shows will be offered, including beef, goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, working steers, horses and more. In addition to 4-H events, there will also be an apple pie-baking contest, a doughnut- baking contest and a King Arthur flour recipe contest. Any apple pie recipe will be accepted, but specific recipes for doughnuts and the King Arthur flour recipe contest are available online at www.hcafair.com. Pies should be delivered to the youth center on Sept. 10 between 2 and 9 p.m. Hopkinton Fair schedule of events
Thursday, Sept. 3
• Stock farm tractor pull – 9 a.m.
• Gymkhana – 10 a.m.
• Horse pulling – 11 a.m.
• Open sheep show – 1 p.m.
• Magic of Ron Diamond – 2 p.m.
• Free Cycle bikes and skateboards – 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
• Horse pulling – 3 and 7 p.m.
• Moomania – 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Ron Diamond’s hypnosis – 7 and 9 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4
• Garden tractor pull – 8 a.m.
• 4-H horse show – 9 a.m.
• Open dairy show – 9 a.m.
• Open sheep show – 9 a.m.
• 4-H working steer – 10 a.m.
• Horse pulling – 11 a.m.
• Free Cycle bikes and skateboards – 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
• Open beef and cattle show – 2 p.m.
• Magic of Ron Diamond – 2 p.m.
• Horse pulling – 3 p.m.
• Moomania – 4, 6 and 8 p.m.
• 4-H llama/alpacas – 6 p.m.
• Horse pulling – 7 p.m.
• Ron Diamond’s hypnosis – 7 and 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5
• 4-H dog show – 8 a.m.
• Horse show – 8:30 a.m.
• Draft horse farm show – 9 a.m.
• 4-H working steer – 9 a.m.
• 4-H dairy goat show – 9 a.m.
• 4-H swine show – 11 a.m.
• Cattle pulling – 11 a.m.
• Noteable Decades – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Free Cycle bikes and skateboards – Noon, 2 and 5 p.m.
• Open dairy – 1 p.m.
• Magic of Ron Diamond – 1 p.m.
• 4-H dairy – 1:30 p.m.
• Cattle pulling – 3 p.m.
• 4-H sheep lead line – 6 p.m.
• Cattle pulling – 7 p.m.
• Ron Diamond’s hypnosis – 7 and 9 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6
• 4-H working steer – 8 a.m.
• Horse show – 8:30 a.m.
• 4-H sheep show – 9 a.m.
• 4-H dairy show – 9 a.m.
• Cattle pulling – 11 a.m.
• Moomania – 11 a.m., 3, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Free Cycle bikes and skateboards – Noon, 2 and 5 p.m.
• 4-H swine show – 1 p.m.
• Magic of Ron Diamond – 1 p.m.
• 4-H working steer – 1:30 p.m.
• Cattle pulling – 3 p.m.
• 4-H llama/alpacas – 3 p.m.
• 4-H beef cattle show – 3:30 p.m.
• Four ox working hitch – 5:30 p.m.
• 4-H dairy goat costume – 5:30 p.m.
• Cattle pulling – 7 p.m.
• Ron Diamond’s hypnosis – 7 and 9 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7
• 4-H dairy goat/pack trail – 8 a.m.
• Oxen show – 8:30 a.m.
• Horse show – 8:30 a.m.
• Moomania – 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• 4-H sheep show – 11 a.m.
• Pony pulling – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Free Cycle bikes and skateboards – 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
• Magic of Ron Diamond – Noon
• Ron Diamond’s hypnosis – 4 p.m.
Hillsborough Fair schedule of events
Friday, Sept. 11
• Stock farm tractor pull – noon
• Horse log-skidding – 1 p.m.
• Flag ceremony – 5 p.m.
• Giant pumpkin weigh-off – 6 p.m.
• Fireworks – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12
• Ox pulling – 9 a.m.
• Horsehoe-pitching contest – 9 a.m.
• Farm tractor pull – 9 a.m.
• Gymkhana – 9 a.m.
• 4-H working steers – 9 a.m.
• 4-H sheep show – 10 a.m.
• 4-H rabbit show – 10 a.m.
• Divine Intervention – Noon
• Audubon Center reptiles – 1 p.m.
• Cowboy shootout – 1 p.m.
• Sonic Boomers – 2 p.m.
• 4-H goat fit and show – 2 p.m.
• Square dancing – 3 p.m.
• New Boston Recreation Center dance recital – 4 p.m.
• 4-H beef show – 4 p.m.
• Compost Heap – 6 p.m.
• 4-H sheep lead line show – 6 p.m.
• Poetry slam – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13
• Horseshoe-pitching contest – 9 a.m.
• 4-H dog show – 9 a.m.
• Sheep block and trim – 10 a.m.
• 4-H goat classes – 10 a.m.
• 4-H dairy show – 10 a.m.
• Divine Intervention – 11 a.m.
• Horse pulling – 11 a.m.
• 4-H sheep block and trimming – 11 a.m.
• Compost Heap – Noon
• Truck pull – Noon
• 4-H market lamb show – Noon
• Sonic Boomers – 1 p.m.
• Bird of prey – 1 p.m.
• 4-H working steer show – 1 p.m.
• Police K-9 demonstration – 2 p.m.
• Horse pulling – 3 p.m.
• 4-H sheep market lambs auction – 3 p.m.
• Free-for-all horse pulling – 5 p.m.
• Awards program/raffle drawings – 5:30 p.m.
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By MATT SCHOOLEY The economy may be down, but attendance at the Hopkinton State Fair will likely remain up again this year. Though many families have been hesitant in recent months to plan vacations, the fair’s reasonable ticket prices may once again make it a destination for visitors from across New England when gates open on Thursday, Sept. 3, through Labor Day. “It’s really got huge value from an affordability standpoint,” said Hopkinton State Fair representative Brian Naro. “It’s one of the things that people in this economy just won’t give up. It’s a great way for families to get together and have an afforable mini-vacation.” Fair organizers have tried to focus on bringing in more musicians to perform throughout the weekend and have also added a woodsman show that will take place for three 40-minute shows on Monday, Sept. 7, with axe throwing, chainsaw-carving, racing and much more. Many of the events remain unchanged from previous years, including free bicycle and skateboard demonstrations, the demolition derby and tractor pulls. Local band Jeff Dearborn and the Contoocook Blues Society will perform again this year, taking the stage Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Monday from noon to 5 p.m. Naro said the crowds at the fairgrounds don’t only include members of the Hopkinton community, but also residents from far and wide, as the event has become a staple for them. “When you go to the fairgrounds and you see the different people, there are people who are local to the fair that come more than one day,” he said. “We get that, but we also get people from as far away as Boston. It’s very wide-reaching.” In addition to special events, there are also the regular agricultural competitions and a petting zoo for children. Naro said the wide range of things to see and do make the fair a unique experience. “You’ll see the kids who are in the strollers or just learning how to walk who love to go to the petting farm, all up to people in their 60s, 70s and 80s because there’s so much to do,” said Naro. There’s also one aspect of the fair that Naro said even he looks forward to each Labor Day. “Save up the calories for that weekend so you can have the fried dough, the onions rings, just about everything,” said Naro. “I find myself checking off all the items throughout the weekend. When the fair rolls around, you’ve just got to have it.”
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By MATT SCHOOLEYThe fruits growing at Gould Hill Farm and Orchards won’t be the only things new this fall. After previously being run by the Leadbeater family, Erick and Susan Leadbeater announced a local family has leased the Hopkinton property and has already begun to work toward this season’s opening. Amy and Tim Bassett, who live in Hopkinton with their three children, have been working closely with the Leadbeaters in order to get acclimated to the day-to-day operations while eyeing an Aug. 14 kickoff. The farm, which harvests peaches, plums, nectarines, pumpkins and more than 80 varieties of apples each year, is scheduled to remain open until around Christmas. “We are happy that we were able to find a young family to continue to run the farm,” said Erick Leadbeater. For the last 10 years the Bassett family has lived in Hopkinton, and part of the motivation for leasing the farm came from Tim Bassett’s upbringing on a dairy farm. “My husband grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont, and he loved the experience of being close to his family,” said Amy Bassett. “He wanted to give that back to our three children so they could have the experience of us being around.” Each year, Bassett said, she has brought her children to Gould Hill Orchard, taking in the view while picking apples. Work on the orchard started for the Bassett family several months ago, and the couple is planning renovations and changes in the layout, including a bigger retail store and the inclusion of ice cream, doughnuts and baked goods for visitors. “We intend to grow the business and the experience,” said Amy. “We want to eventually make it a year-round experience where guests can pick apples in the fall, pumpkins late in the season and continue through Christmas and maple sugaring. We want a hands-on experience.” She said she is most looking forward to interacting with community members and visitors who come from long distances to visit the Contoocook mainstay. Though the operators of the orchard have changed, the staff remains the same this year, and the Leadbeaters have been certain to make the transition as smooth as possible. “They want to see us succeed,” said Amy Bassett. “We couldn’t have done it without their willingness to help. We’re going into it blind. Having them be part of it, it means everything. It means we will be successful.”
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By MATT SCHOOLEY When school stops for the summer, the learning doesn’t. That’s the hope of local libraries at least, as Bow and Hopkinton’s summer reading programs are geared to keep young minds fresh. “It’s extremely important to read during the summer,” said Baker Free Library director Lori Fisher. “If you introduce it early, these kids will develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. We encourage kids to read whatever they can read. It doesn’t have to be chapter books. The only criterea we have is that they read the book themselves.” The Bow library’s theme for younger readers is “Birds of a feather read together,” and more than 50 people came in for a recent program about birds and their habitats. Fisher has also helped organize events like rock painting, separate boys and girls book discussion sessions and an upcoming series where teens will have an opportunity to create a mural, eat pizza and play bingo for books. The teen create-a-space program will take place on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m., and there will also be a session where Squam Lake representatives bring owls to the library on Thursday, July 30. Though the majority of New Hampshire residents grimaced at the rainy weather that ushered in the summer, Hopkinton Town Library director Donna Dunlop said she was not among them. “The rain helped in a way,” said Dunlop. “We were a haven for a lot of families who wouldn’t have had anything else they’d be able to do. It’s gorgeous out and sunny now, but the library is still full of kids. Rain or shine, people are finding their way to the library to enjoy the programs.” During a recent Hopkinton Town Library program, more than 150 residents attended a hot air balloon program where the balloons were displayed glowing at night. The hot air balloon has also served as a logo for the library’s summer programs. On Sunday, July 26, the library is hosting a slumber party at the library for children. Dunlop said she has been impressed to see the turnout at the facility so far this summer. “It really has been a rallying point for members of the community,” said Dunlop. “It’s clear a lot of people may not be going away, they’ve really valued being able to come here for theater, music and fun activities. Even if people are going away, they still want to come here.” When school stops for the summer, the learning doesn’t. That’s the hope of local libraries at least, as Bow and Hopkinton’s summer reading programs are geared to keep young minds fresh. “It’s extremely important to read during the summer,” said Baker Free Library director Lori Fisher. “If you introduce it early, these kids will develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. We encourage kids to read whatever they can read. It doesn’t have to be chapter books. The only criterea we have is that they read the book themselves.” The Bow library’s theme for younger readers is “Birds of a feather read together,” and more than 50 people came in for a recent program about birds and their habitats. Fisher has also helped organize events like rock painting, separate boys and girls book discussion sessions and an upcoming series where teens will have an opportunity to create a mural, eat pizza and play bingo for books. The teen create-a-space program will take place on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m., and there will also be a session where Squam Lake representatives bring owls to the library on Thursday, July 30. Though the majority of New Hampshire residents grimaced at the rainy weather that ushered in the summer, Hopkinton Town Library director Donna Dunlop said she was not among them. “The rain helped in a way,” said Dunlop. “We were a haven for a lot of families who wouldn’t have had anything else they’d be able to do. It’s gorgeous out and sunny now, but the library is still full of kids. Rain or shine, people are finding their way to the library to enjoy the programs.” During a recent Hopkinton Town Library program, more than 150 residents attended a hot air balloon program where the balloons were displayed glowing at night. The hot air balloon has also served as a logo for the library’s summer programs. On Sunday, July 26, the library is hosting a slumber party at the library for children. Dunlop said she has been impressed to see the turnout at the facility so far this summer. “It really has been a rallying point for members of the community,” said Dunlop. “It’s clear a lot of people may not be going away, they’ve really valued being able to come here for theater, music and fun activities. Even if people are going away, they still want to come here.”
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By MATT SCHOOLEYHopkinton town officials will once again begin the search for a town administrator, as Leon Kenison has announced his resignation. Kenison, who accepted the job last fall, will serve his last day in Hopkinton on July 17 before taking over as the Nashua Public Works director. In recent years, the town has gone through several permanent and interim town administrators. Board of Selectmen Chairman Scott Flood said that while the board hadn’t yet met to discuss the process, he believes the town will handle it similarly to how it did when Kenison was hired. “I think the process we employed last time worked well where we had assistance from an outside organization and internally had a committee as well to screen the applications before they got to the selectmen,” said Flood. “Personally, I look for someone with management skills, as those are critical.” In addition to being the Board of Selectmen chairman in Bow, Kenison also has a background in engineering, and he has previously spent 37 years working for the state Department of Transportation. “It’s going to be more challenging and perhaps incorporate my background in engineering more than being a Town Administrator does,” said Kenison. “There are many things I may be able to help them with.” Flood said it was Kenison’s wealth of experience in multiple areas that made him a good town administrator, and that he will be missed by the town. “This did come as a surprise to me,” said Flood. “While it’s a loss for Hopkinton, I can certainly understand where Leon was coming from in wanting to move on to a better position.” While searching for a replacement for Kenison, Flood said the board would ideally find someone who could bring longevity and stability to the position. Kenison said he knows what he will miss about his months in Hopkinton. “It will definitely be the people,” said Kenison. “The staff, the board and just about everyone I met have been great. I met a lot of people since last fall, and I consider it an outstanding staff. It meets the needs of the town and they’re all great people.”
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At a recent Hopkinton selectmen meeting, part-time Fire Chief Richard Schaefer was appointed full-time acting fire chief. He will assume the full-time duties July 13. Schaefer has been a member of the Hopkinton Fire Department and ambulance squad for 30 years. He served as the part-time chief in 1999 and also served as full-time facilities director for the Hopkinton School District since 1999. The full-time deputy fire chief position has been vacant since the retirement of John Pianka. Funding will be transferred to support the full-time acting chief’s salary. Two part-time call firefighters with the deputy chief designation will assist Schaefer with command and administrative duties. The total 2009 budget for the Fire Department remains unchanged.
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY The Hopkinton and Fall Mountain girls track teams weren’t in much of a mood for sharing during the Class M & S state championship meet. In the end, it was the Hawks who shared least and gained most, earning 148.5 points and a third consecutive title on Saturday, May 30. The two teams ran away from the competition, but Fall Mountain’s 108 points weren’t enough to topple the Hawks. Third-place Somersworth managed 49 points. Hopkinton entered the meet without its team captain, Quin Nichols, lost a week prior to the event with mononucleosis. Carolyn Maynard helped make up for Nichols’ absence, winning three events, and the Hawks swept the three relay events to pull away after the two-team race was in a near dead heat midway through the meet. “We have good depth for a school of our size,” said Hopkinton head coach Rick Welch. “Last year we had it won halfway through. This year when you have two teams who score over 100 points, there isn’t much left for everyone else.” Amelia Paquette won the shot put, Jacqui Foti did the same in pole vault, Elise Ewing was second in the triple jump, and Libby Wetterer was third in the 100- and 300- meter hurdles, all qualifying for the Meet of Champions on Saturday, June 6, at the University of New Hampshire. Emily Cousens joins her teammates after earning second place in the 800-meter run, third place in the 1,600 and fourth in the 3,200. Ali Grise was fourth in the 100- and 200-meter dashes to qualify for the MOC. “We’re back practicing (immediately),” said Welch. “It seems like almost the entire team still has some season left.” The boys team scored 20 points to place 13th among 27 teams. Garlow Oakley represents the Hawks in an individual event at UNH after he came in third in the pole vault. Sam Helrich and Mike Klinker placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the same event. Hopkinton’s 4x800 relay team earned first place, while the 4x400 team took sixth.
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY Doug Maynard knows what is going to earn his team a spot in the Division III postseason, and he reminded his group during every huddle. The Hopkinton boys lacrosse coach stressed to his team the importance of winning ground balls during each break in the action, and it paid off during a 13-2 victory over shorthanded Pembroke Academy on Friday, May 1. Attacker Duncan Sweny had a career day, finding the back of the net five times, and Billy French notched a hat trick for the Hawks, who took a 6-1 lead into the break and continued to pull away. “We played with intensity the whole game, and our throwing, catching and ground-ball skills were very much improved,” said Maynard. “That’s what’s going to win us these games, is outworking our opponents to ground balls and having that get things going on offense.” With the win, Hopkinton improved to 2-4 on the season, with single wins stopping twogame losing streaks twice. Maynard said his team has lacked consistent offensive firepower, but he saw improvement in that area against the Spartans. “They know where to shoot and how to shoot, but they need to be able to just do it automatically,” he said. “The last two or three games our wing play has been the strongest aspect for us, and we are hoping that will carry over.”
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY Hopkinton school officials decided to stay in house when looking for a new superintendent, recently naming high school Principal Steve Chamberlin to the position. Current superintendent Brian Blake recently resigned, and on Tuesday, April 7, board members announced that Chamberlin will fill the vacancy beginning July 1. “Steve embodies the qualities we are looking for in our district’s educational leader, and our board is looking forward to working with him,” said School Board Chairman David Luneau in a statement. Chamberlin has been the school’s principal since 2003, and before that he was an assistant principal after a stint as a math teacher at Hollis-Brookline High School. “I think for continuity’s sake it helps (having chosen an inhouse candidate). I see it as having been in an extended job interview,” said Chamberlin, who also said he is both excited and nervous about taking on the role. “They know what they are getting with me, and I know what I’m in for.” The selection process brought together faculty, operations staff, administrators, parents and community members in order to conduct interviews, and Chamberlin was unanimously chosen at the end of the process. “I suspect it’ll be a huge learning curve, and that’s something that really excites me. It’s a different skillset and a different area,” said Chamberlin. “I’ve lived close to the heartbeat of the school district for some years.” Chamberlin has two masters degrees in education from the University of Massachusetts and Notre Dame College in addition to a degree in mathematics from Springfield College. Having worked closely with the School Board already as principal, Chamberlin said he knows what direction he wants to keep the district moving in. “The community wants quality schools,” he said. “The groundwork has been laid for a real evaluation. We’re trying to make sure we’re high quality and can support this type of education. We want to have a real look at what we’re doing to make sure we can sustain it.
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY It isn’t uncommon to see employees state their case for a pay raise, but it’s rare for workers to stand up and say they just don’t need one. That’s what happened at Hopkinton’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 14, as Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Steve Clough stood at the microphone to address residents while speaking on behalf of town employees. “We haven’t questioned your judgment in the past, and we won’t question it now,” said Clough. “We don’t want to cut services further to deal with (raises) if you don’t want them.” Selectmen decided in the week leading up to the meeting to lower their suggested budget by approximately $80,000 to reach the Budget Committee’s recommended figure. However, board members wanted to leave in the budget a 3 percent cost of living increase, and said they would make up the difference by making cuts in other areas. Clough told the crowd at the meeting that the town employees had not asked for the raise, and they would accept the decision if residents decided against it in order to leave the money in other departments. Marion Paxton suggested an amendment to restrict selectmen from giving raises from the budget, an amendment that was passed by voters. Overall, the operating budget of $5.43 million passed following the amendment, which will result in a decrease of 13 cents per $1,000 on the town portion of the tax rate. Residents also approved an amendment to put an additional $12,000 in the budget for the town’s summer camp, which sent mixed messages according to Patricia Finnerty. “I am having a hard time thinking that people just voted $80,000 out that would fund people who work in this town, keep this town safe, and we are talking about putting money in for people to play,” said Finnerty. “I just don’t get it.” The longest debate of the meeting came over the pay as you throw program, also known as “SMART.” Many residents felt that the program would benefit the environment and also help save the town money, but others did not believe it was in the best interest of the town. Town officials had to count ballots twice before deciding that it had been defeated by a 215-212 vote. Every article other than the SMART program was passed during the meeting, including approval of the sale of Columbia Hall.
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY Hopkinton residents voted down raises for the district’s educators and support staff before approving a budget lowered by the School Board during the annual School District Meeting. After seeing voters deny two collective bargaining agreements that would have resulted in a total of about $330,000 in increases, board members decided to back the Budget Committee’s proposed operating budget during the Saturday, March 7, meeting. Despite a motion to trim the budget even more, residents approved the Budget Committee and School Board’s recommendation of about $15.6 million by a 371-106 vote. In total, the meeting lasted about five hours, with the majority of the discussion centering on the teacher and support staff contracts. Resident Ian Tewksbury said during the debate that he does not believe voting down the contracts was in the school’s best interest. “If we don’t support this contract, I won’t be surprised if we lose some teachers. There’s nothing to stop them from going to other districts if we do,” said Tewksbury. “I’m very disappointed in the Budget Committee.” Alan Bloomquist was against the articles because of the current level of pay for educators and the state of the economy. “I just think this is the time to say, ‘Hey, if you’re a teacher, be happy you’re employed because your neighbors are losing their jobs,’” Bloomquist said. “Let’s just try to take a breather here.” School Board Chairman David Luneau told residents that the contract was a key part in continuing the highquality education that Hopkinton provides. “As we pay our teachers, we’re investing in our teachers,” said Luneau. “We need the contract to attract the best teachers to Hopkinton, and also to keep them here.” Voters did approve a new contract for the custodial staff that will result in a 1.94 percent increase in salary and benefits during a five-year contract. Hopkinton educators are currently paid at an above-average rate, board members said during the meeting, with 59 percent making more than $60,000 and 19 percent coming in above $70,000. When it came time to discuss the operating budget, Luneau said the board was willing to support the Budget Committee’s suggested increase of $98,691, an increase of less than 1 percent over last year’s figure. “We have seen today that voters are not in favor of increase, so we are willing to move ahead with the Budget Committee’s figure,” said Luneau.
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BY JASON SCHREIBER The Coast Guard called off its search on Sunday, March 1, for a missing kayaker, one day after his boat was found near an island off the Maine coast. More than 200 rescue personnel spent the weekend searching the waters off the Maine and New Hampshire coasts in hopes of finding 59-year-old Hamilton “Toby” Wood of Contoocook. After covering 400 square miles and finding only Wood’s kayak near Boon Island -- several miles northeast of the route he had taken -- the Coast Guard decided to suspend the search at 9:45 a.m. on March 1. Wood’s family was at the Coast Guard station in New Castle when the announcement was made. “They were disappointed we were unable to find him, but understand our decision and are appreciative of everyone’s search efforts,” said Chief Petty Officer John Roberts, the officer in charge of Station Portsmouth Harbor. Roberts said the search couldn’t continue indefinitely and that a “difficult decision was made.” Friends and family held out hope that he might be found, but that hope turned to grief as the search continued with no sign of Wood. “He was a wonderful man, a wonderful father and a great outdoorsman,” said Amy Metcalf, a longtime friend, neighbor and business partner. Wood went missing Friday, Feb. 27. while returning from a kayaking trip to the Isles of Shoals. Metcalf described Wood as a highly experienced kayaker who had made the trip to the Isles of Shoals many times before, even during the winter. At one point the Coast Guard had checked on him during the trip when someone who saw him head out in the kayak was concerned that the seas were too rough. The Coast Guard offered to bring him back to shore, but said Wood declined and decided to make the trip alone. Wood had lunch on Smuttynose Island on Friday, Feb. 27, and notified the Coast Guard around 3 p.m. that day that he was on his way back to Odiorne Point in Rye, which is where he had parked his Subaru Outback. When the Coast Guard had not heard from Wood by 5:15 p.m., it became concerned and quickly organized the search with crews from Station Portsmouth Harbor, Air Station Cape Cod and the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance. Coast Guard units and the Maine and New Hampshire Marine Patrols performed air and surface searches of the waters and coastline from Rye to Kennebunkport, Maine. Police and fire departments from New Castle and Rye; and Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells, York and Kittery, Maine, joined in the search by scanning the shoreline. The Coast Guard praised the tireless efforts of the searchers who endured rough and frigid conditions. “I am obviously saddened we did not rescue Mr. Wood, but I am grateful for the tremendous coordinated effort with our local first responders,” said Capt. Jim McPherson, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. The decision to end the search brought little closure for those who knew Wood. A father of two boys, Wood was a social worker at Warren Street Family Counseling Associates Inc. in Concord. Metcalf, a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the agency, called Wood a “tremendous therapist.” Wood often worked in schools, was active in the community and enjoyed coaching youth sports. “Toby was full of life and energy. People loved him very much,” said Metcalf, who remained with Wood’s family throughout the search.
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BY SARAH LEBRUN When Hopkinton voters go to the polls on March 10, they can expect to see a warrant article asking voters to adopt official ballot law, or SB-2, in the school district. Arnold Coda, along with three other residents – Diane LaChance, Beth Bloomquist and Beth Taylor – collected 112 signatures in four days. Only 25 were needed for it to be placed on the ballot. “I think that’s an indication of the dissatisfaction of the people here in town,” said Coda. “In the minds of a lot of people in this town, the School Board and administration do not listen to the townspeople. The townspeople feel shut off. The older people are not going to School District Meetings because they feel it’s useless.” Coda feels costs within the school district are out of control, as the Budget Committee’s proposed budget on this year’s town warrant is $15,620,642, an increase of $98,691 over the current year’s budget. “People are saying they’re not getting any explanations from the School Board or administration about why the cost is going up this year,” said Coda. Hopkinton School Board Chairman David Luneau said the district is in the middle third of districts throughout the state in per pupil spending. “We’re not speaking out against education, we’re speaking out against the cost of it,” said Coda. “I do not support SB-2 because it takes away from the meeting where the voters deliberate and come to a decision,” said Luneau. “One of the problems I see with SB-2 is rather than a district meeting, you have a deliberative session a month before the vote, and very very few people show up. These deliberative sessions determine what is on the ballot.” “No system is perfect,” said Coda. “The School District Meeting is not perfect. SB-2 is not perfect.” The School Board plans to discuss the article at its March 3 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Maple Street School and will make a recommendation for or against the article then. This article requires a threefifths ballot vote. Voting day is Tuesday, March 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Hopkinton High School. The School District Meeting is Saturday, March 7, at 9 a.m., at Hopkinton High School.
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BY SARAH LEBRUN While the Hopkinton School Board and administration crunch numbers during this busy time of Town and School District Meetings, one more task has been added to their agenda – finding a new superintendent. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Blake has resigned from his post, effective at the end of the school year, June 30. The School Board officially accepted his resignation Jan. 20. “The Hopkinton School Board is looking forward to working with the educational leaders and members of the community as we work to find our next superintendent,” said School Board Chairman David Luneau. “At the moment, we are meeting with internal candidates. Depending on what we find, we’ll either make a selection or open the process to outside candidates. Blake is currently making $101,000 per year. “We’re interested in getting a candidate that fits with the educational priorities we have in Hopkinton, and we want to pay that candidate a competitive salary,” said Luneau. Blake was not available for comment as of press time.
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