Weekly News Roundup – 09/06/2020

Covid-19 Updates & Precautions • List of Town Meeting Articles with Links and Details • Superintendent: District, teachers union ‘working really hard’ to finalize agreement • Town counsel: Select Board did not violate open meeting law with anonymous comments • Select Board roundup: Developer continues prep work around Legacy Farms Road North

Covid-19 Updates & Precautions

This page provides information, maps and resources about the coronavirus response in our local area.

Visit Hopkinton, MA – Coronavirus Response Hub

As of 9/4/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 140 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 0 of those cases are active, with 127 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard

The most recent update from Sep 4th includes:

• Annual Town Meeting – New Details
• Labor Day – Reminder
• BAA Postpones Registration for 2021 Boston Marathon
• Update from School Superintendent Dr. Carol Cavanaugh

The update from Sep 2nd includes:

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 weekly Public Health Report
• Annual Town Meeting – New Details

List of Town Meeting Articles with Links and Details

Town Meeting is Saturday, September 12 at 9:30 AM – Outside – at the High School

The Articles cover the following categories:

• Financial – Fiscal Yr 2020
• Capital Expenses and Projects
• Community Preservation Funds
• Zoning By-Law Ammendments
• Land Acquisition and Disposition
• Administrative

View Town Meeting Articles with Links & Details

View Town Meeting Warrant

More Useful Town Meeting Links:

• Annual Town Meeting Presentations & Supporting Information (Google Folder)
• 2020 Appropriation Committee Report with Recommendations
• Zoning Articles: Summary of Planning Board Articles 13-19 and 21
• Board of Health – Expectations for Town Meeting
• eHop’s “Know Your Vote” will be available on the HCAM YouTube Channel shortly. Stay tuned…

Superintendent: District, teachers union ‘working really hard’ to finalize agreement

Representatives for the Hopkinton Teachers Association and the school department have been “working really hard’’ on negotiations for a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the new school year, superintendent Carol Cavanaugh told School Committee members Thursday.

Two of the major issues under discussion include whether teachers will be required to teach onsite if the district goes to remote learning and whether lessons will be livestreamed, Cavanaugh said.

View Article

School Committee Actions Taken 9/3/20

RELATED REGIONAL NEWS: 

Red alert at Keefe Tech: Voke school switches to remote start

Keefe Regional Technical School has walked back its reopening plan, deciding to go with a 100% remote start in the fall. The switch is due to the city recently being classified as a “red” or high-risk community by the state.

MetroWest teachers concerned laws don’t keep them safe in the classroom

Bredberg teaches history at Marlborough High School, and worries that a return to the classroom later this month to start the district’s hybrid-model of education could put him at risk of catching COVID-19. And if that happens, Bredberg fears he could infect his daughter.

David Felper, a labor and employment lawyer at Bowditch & Dewey, which has offices in Boston, Framingham and Worcester, said the obligation to return to work begins with the employer. It sets conditions for returning to the classroom, subject to negotiations with teachers union regarding changes in working conditions.

Town counsel: Select Board did not violate open meeting law with anonymous comments

Responding to a complaint filed by a Hopkinton resident with the state Attorney General’s Office regarding anonymous public comment during the Aug. 18 Select Board meeting, town counsel Ray Miyares told the board at Tuesday’s meeting there was no violation.

Board members Mary Jo LaFreniere and Amy Ritterbusch said while they agree the law was not violated, they do not agree with the departure from how public comment traditionally has been handled.

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Select Board roundup: Developer continues prep work around Legacy Farms Road North

Legacy Farms developer Roy MacDowell checked in with the Select Board Tuesday night to discuss the status of Legacy Farms Road North, which the town is considering accepting as a public road for the primary purpose of allowing school buses to travel on it and make the situation safer for schoolchildren in that neighborhood.

View Article