Weekly News Roundup – 01/03/2021
Covid-19 Updates & Precautions • Public Notice: Water Break and Water Discoloration • Assistant superintendent Parson finalist for Wayland position • ZAC continues solar zoning discussion, narrows focus as time becomes factor • Khumalo, Shingleton join 495/MetroWest Partnership board
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 12/21/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 405 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 67 of those cases are active, with 321 recoveries and 17 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard
The most recent update from Dec 30th includes:
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 weekly Public Health Report
- 2021 Boston Marathon
Public Notice: Water Break and Water Discoloration
Please be advised that crews are responding to a major water main break in the Woodville area. This break will cause discoloration throughout the water system. Please check your water before using it and you may need to flush your cold water lines before using them.
Please be advised that the water main break has been repaired and water restored to the area. Please check your water before using it and you may need to flush your cold water pipes before using it. Due to the large nature of the break, there could be several pockets that move back and forth through the system for several days as pumps turn off and on. Crews will be monitoring the situation and flush hydrants in the problem areas.
Due to the severity of the water break it may still take several hours for the water to clear. There could also be pockets that move back and forth through the system for several days as pumps turn off and on and the water flows reverse direction. We thank you for your patience as the department has dealt with multiple breaks in addition to this one in the past few weeks.
Hopefully 2021 will be kinder to us all! Crews are still flushing hydrants for any remaining discoloration. There could still be some occasional smaller pockets that are still working their way through and settling out.
Select Board – Did you Know?
The Select Board consists of five members elected for three-year terms on a rotating basis.The Select Board typically meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Check the town calendar for exact dates, times and locations. A public forum is typically held at the beginning of each regular meeting where the residents are invited to share ideas, opinions or ask questions regarding town government.
Assistant superintendent Parson finalist for Wayland position
Hopkinton assistant superintendent Jennifer Parson was named one of three finalists for the superintendent position in the Wayland School District, and she was interviewed by the Wayland School Committee on Tuesday night.
“I feel that at this time it may be the right time for me and perhaps for a district to bring me on and to serve another group of students and service another community in this kind of capacity,” Parson told the committee during her interview, which lasted a little over an hour.
ZAC continues solar zoning discussion, narrows focus as time becomes factor
The Zoning Advisory Committee continued its discussion of solar zoning at its meeting Monday night, working on language that could be added to the town’s bylaw to restrict commercial ground-mounted solar arrays.
While the committee made progress toward proposed changes/revisions, the discussion was continued to the next meeting on Jan. 11. With the 2021 Town Meeting warrant set to close Feb. 2, the committee is attempting to get something to the Planning Board in time for it to be considered and then placed on the warrant for residents to vote on at the May 3 Town Meeting.
Khumalo, Shingleton join 495/MetroWest Partnership board
Norman Khumalo, Hopkinton’s town manager, and Estela Shingleton, bank manager for Webster First Federal Credit Union’s Hopkinton branch, were elected to the 495/MetroWest Partnership Board of Directors for terms to begin in 2021.
The 495/MetroWest Partnership, headquartered in Westborough and serving 36 cities and towns across the region, is a public-private collaboration with businesses, municipalities and other stakeholders focused on creating an environment that prepares for and cultivates sustainable growth. The partnership focuses on providing coordination, education and advocacy for solutions to regional constraints and limited natural resources.