Weekly News Update – 01/09/2022
COVID-19 Updates & Precautions January 7, 2021 update • School Committee discusses strategy for dealing with COVID surge: Case numbers ‘are a little bit alarming’ • Superintendent clarifies updated HPS COVID policy: 10-day isolation for positive cases • ‘We don’t have enough staff ‘: What we know about COVID cases among MetroWest students, staff • Town of Hopkinton Launches New Online Dog Licensing System for Residents • Town plans random selection for Boston Marathon charity numbers • Town of Hopkinton Welcomes New Library Services Director Nanci Hill • Planning Board approves bond release for Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision project • Hopkinton Freedom Team and HCAM Present MLK Day 2022 on January 17th at 10am • Translations Now Available for Senior Center January 2022 Newsletter • Meeting Notices – Fill Cemetery Commission and Housing Authority Vacancies Jan. 11, 2022 • 2022 Annual Town Meeting Notice
COVID-19 Updates & Precautions January 7, 2021 update
Hopkinton continues to see an uptick in the number of positive cases. As we are seeing the Omicron variate spreading more quickly and easily than past variants, we are also seeing less severe infections.
New updates include:
- CDC shortens the recommended time for isolation for individuals with COVID-19
- Vaccine Calendar updated – Click here for the calendar – registration is required and more info can be found on the calendar.
- Hopkinton Public Schools
RELATED NEWS:
School Committee discusses strategy for dealing with COVID surge: Case numbers ‘are a little bit alarming’
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preliminary data shows that the Omicron variant is three times more infectious than the Delta variant. A person generally does not contract symptoms until three days after exposure and remains able to transmit the virus “for a full 10 days after they develop symptoms, even if they are feeling better.”
For this reason, she advocated for continued mask use for those in school buildings. Because of new CDC guidelines (updated Tuesday), if a person is symptom free, does not have a fever, and wears a well-fitting mask, they can return to school after five days of self-isolation. However, some of the students have been wearing masks under their noses, which causes problems.
Superintendent clarifies updated HPS COVID policy: 10-day isolation for positive cases
With students returning to classes Monday, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh emailed Hopkinton Public Schools families Sunday to clarify the district’s policy on COVID isolation and quarantine.
‘We don’t have enough staff ‘: What we know about COVID cases among MetroWest students, staff
Across the state, school systems reported staggering numbers, as the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released on Thursday its first report on COVID-19 cases since school resumed after winter break.
State education leaders reported 38,887 new cases among public school students and 12,213 among staff. The data represents cases reported to the state from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5.
Town of Hopkinton Launches New Online Dog Licensing System for Residents
Town Clerk Connor B. Degan and Director of Information Technology Josh Grossetti are pleased to announce the launch of an online dog licensing system for Hopkinton residents. Owners can now visit this link to search for their dog to renew their license.
Town plans random selection for Boston Marathon charity numbers
The town announced Thursday that applications are being accepted from local organizations seeking to obtain a Boston Marathon charity number.
Numbers will be distributed to qualified organizations through a random selection. In order to qualify, an organization must either be a town department, board or committee that performs Marathon functions who then may distribute the numbers to organizations undertaking activities for the benefit of the town, or an organization undertaking public service activities within Hopkinton.
RELATED:
View Notice – 2022 Boston Marathon Invitational Entry Program Policy and Application
Town of Hopkinton Welcomes New Library Services Director Nanci Hill
Town Manager Norman Khumalo is pleased to announce the hiring of new Library Services Director Nanci Hill.
Director Hill began her new position as Library Services Director at the Hopkinton Public Library on Dec. 13. In this position, Hill will be responsible for overseeing and managing a wide spectrum of programs, services and resources at the library and will oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility and staff.
Planning Board approves bond release for Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision project
Luckner Bayas, president of civil engineering firm Bay Associates, told the board he adjusted some of the numbers previously submitted to the Planning Board to account “for items not included in the developer’s estimate,” including an increase in the amount of money for the cleaning of drains and the pond. The main item that increased, which caused some discussion, was the allocation for the number of trees to be planted.
Bayas said that the state standard calls for the trees on both sides of the street to be placed 40 feet apart. The original estimate called for trees on one side of the road, he explained, causing “a big difference in value.” The original estimate was for $36,400, while Bayas’s proposed change came to $72,800.
Hopkinton Freedom Team and HCAM Present MLK Day 2022 on January 17th at 10am
Follow the event page for agenda updates and MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
https://www.hopkintonfreedomteam.org/events/mlkday2022
Translations Now Available for Senior Center January 2022 Newsletter
Know a senior who needs a translated copy of our Senior Center monthly newsletter (The Hilltopper)? Please share this Google Doc with them!
Meeting Notices – Fill Cemetery Commission and Housing Authority Vacancies Jan. 11, 2022
Cemetery Commission Vacancy Notice
SELECT BOARD/CEMETERY COMMISSION MEETING
Remote Meeting
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 7:10 PM
Per Section 4-11(b) of the Town of Hopkinton Charter, the Select Board hereby gives notice that
the Select Board and the remaining members of the Cemetery Commission will vote to fill one
Cemetery Commission vacancy on Tuesday, January 11, 2021 at 7:10 p.m. The meeting will be
held remotely, using the Zoom links contained on the meeting agenda, posted on the meeting
calendar of the Town website at www.hopkintonma.gov.
Housing Authority Vacancy Notice
SELECT BOARD/HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
Remote Meeting
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 7:15 PM
Per Section 4-11(b) of the Town of Hopkinton Charter, the Select Board hereby gives notice that the Select Board and the remaining members of the Housing Authority will vote to fill one Housing Authority vacancy, on Tuesday, January 11, 2021 at 7:15 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely, using the Zoom links contained on the meeting agenda, posted on the meeting calendar of the Town website at www.hopkintonma.gov
2022 Annual Town Meeting Notice
The 2022 Annual Town Meeting will commence on Monday, May 2, 2022. Please be advised that articles may be submitted to the Select Board/Town Manager’s office at this time. In accordance with the Town Charter, the warrant will close on February 1, 2022. Article language must be submitted to the Select Board/Town Manager’s office by Feb. 1, 2022, via email as a shared Google Doc or in Microsoft Word format, to Elaine Lazarus at ela…@hopkintonma.gov, or on paper by mailing to Town Manager’s Office, 18 Main St., Hopkinton MA 01748. Please see the Guide for Citizen Petitioners on the Town website for information about submitting articles by petition, at https://www.hopkintonma.gov/Petitioners%20Guide%20Feb.%202020.pdf