Weekly News Update – 12/28/2022
Meet our 2023 Marathon Runner Anna Cybulski! • Elementary School Building Committee ponders space concepts, energy options • Elmwood replacement project update: Community involvement ‘critical’ as final decision nears; construction costs soar • Parks & Rec discusses CPC requests, progress on initiatives • CPC approves $1 million cricket pitch request for CPA funding • School Committee roundup: Grant funding could offset capital costs, cover SPED roles • Teachers union questions superintendent’s special education presentation • Planning Board approves Morse Lane family subdivision, sets up site walk for The Trails • Town of Hopkinton Accepting Applications from Local Small Businesses for Economic Recovery Support Grants • Conservation Commission releases units for development at The Trails • Select Board roundup: New police officer introduced; amendment to leash law proposed • Discussions continue about narrow Main Street roadway • HYFS December 2022 Newsletter • Town Hall & Municipal Offices closed for the Holidays • COVID-19 Holiday Season Reminder • Main Street Corridor Project Update
Meet our 2023 Marathon Runner Anna Cybulski!
Local civic engagement is important, now more than ever. Civic leagues like eHop provide valuable non-biased non-partisan voter information and engagement. eHop’s annual budget is small, approximately $5,000. A Marathon Invitational Entry Bib from the town of Hopkinton is our one major fundraiser of the year. For the 2022-23 year eHop projected expenses of $5,590.00.
Learn more and please consider making a donation today!
Elementary School Building Committee ponders space concepts, energy options
Elementary School Building Committee members on Tuesday looked at planning concepts for possible Grades 2-3 and Grades 2-3-4 buildings on Elm Street and Hayden Rowe as part of their work related to a potential replacement for Elmwood School. Robert Bell, the principal in charge/educational programmer at architectural firm Perkins Eastman, showed different space arrangements such as a Main Street/village style and other designs referred to as crossroads and pinwheel.
Energy options discussed
Committee members also were introduced to possible mechanical systems options, presented by representatives from Perkins Eastman and Vertex.
RELATED NEWS:
Elmwood replacement project update: Community involvement ‘critical’ as final decision nears; construction costs soar
While the cost for Marathon School was about $425 per square foot, Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) chair Jon Graziano shared, the town’s engineering consultant estimates the cost for a new building to be around $700 per square foot by the time ground is broken — which is anticipated to be in early 2025, if everything goes according to plan.
Parks & Rec discusses CPC requests, progress on initiatives
At its hour-long meeting Thursday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed its applications for funding before the Community Preservation Committee that met later that evening, noting the positive momentum for a cricket pitch at a reconfigured Pyne Field.
Progress made on pickle ball courts
Director Jay Guelfi said soil samples were taken at the proposed site off Fruit Street (across from the new dog park) by an engineering firm.
Fruit Street master plan study pulled
Commissioners voted unanimously to pull the $50,000 request for CPC funding for a master plan study of Fruit Street from consideration.
EMC bathroom project awaits bid
Guelfi said he will reach out to the company that expressed interest in bidding on the EMC bathroom construction project.
Summer concert series plans taking shape
Commissioner Laura Hanson announced that she has filled nearly every slot for the summer concert series on the Town Common.
CPC approves $1 million cricket pitch request for CPA funding
At a brief public hearing Thursday night, the Community Preservation Committee approved several applications for fiscal year 2024 funding via the Community Preservation Act, including a $1 million proposal for the redesign of Pyne Field to include a cricket pitch.
Pyne Field redesign funding request increased to $1 million
At last week’s meeting, members of the cricket community spoke about the skyrocketing popularity of the sport and the need for an appropriate field on which to play. While committee members expressed support, one concern raised was the availability of parking.
Parks & Rec pulls request for Fruit Street master plan study
While Parks & Rec gained money for the Pyne Field request, the Parks & Rec Commission decided at its meeting earlier that evening to pull its request for $50,000 for a master plan study for Fruit Street.
Conroy property funding request not included
Weismantel said the request for funding for the purchase of the Conroy property was being removed for consideration.
Marathon School playground, HHS items excluded
The CPC decided at the previous meeting not to include a funding request for $1 million for a playground at Marathon School.
School Committee roundup: Grant funding could offset capital costs, cover SPED roles
Continued discussion about the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and a presentation about a climate action strategy were topics at the School Committee’s last meeting of 2022 on Thursday. Director of Finance Susan Rothermich talked once again about a proposed FY24 net operating budget of $60 million, a total increase of 8.1 percent, and the district’s list of capital requests.
Consultant recommendations highlighted
Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, it was noted, will be meeting with speech, physical and occupational therapists to talk about proposed cuts in hours, a proposed measure that has created debate in recent weeks. Athena K-12 Consultants said in a report that professional training and coaching to develop co-teaching practices would be beneficial. The consultant indicated that instead of special education co-teaching being observed, she saw SPED staff interact with two or three students or remain “mostly passive” during lessons. Similarly, consultant Donna Simone’s executive summary said there is “inconsistent understanding and implementation of programs and practices.” The report also recommended providing SPED services in the least restrictive environment possible, “co-teaching and inclusion settings.”
RELATED NEWS:
Teachers union questions superintendent’s special education presentation
Climate action strategy outlined
Representing the Sustainable Green Committee, Geoff Rowland and Nicole Simpson talked about the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Planning Board approves Morse Lane family subdivision, sets up site walk for The Trails
The Planning Board at its Monday night meeting voted 6-3 to remove a 1992 condition that restricted the number of allowable lots on the Capobianco family subdivision to four on Morse Lane, paving the way for a fifth lot to be configured on the property.
The Trails hearing continued
Another complicated case that came before the board again at this hearing was the open space mixed-use development (OSMUD) site plan for The Trails. Peter Bemis, the project’s engineering consultant, appeared before the board regarding the 55-and-over housing development located off Legacy Farms North Road.
Town of Hopkinton Accepting Applications from Local Small Businesses for Economic Recovery Support Grants
$5,000 Grants Available, Applications Due by Jan. 19, 2023 HOPKINTON — Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus are pleased to share a new grant opportunity for local small businesses that were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $100,000 in funding is available through the Town of Hopkinton Economic Recovery Support Grant. Individual grant amounts for awardees will be $5,000.
Conservation Commission releases units for development at The Trails
The Conservation Commission at its two-hour meeting Tuesday night voted 4-1 to release two units on the open space mixed-use development (OSMUD) site plan for The Trails after some prolonged debate. The hearing was continued because the commissioners continued to stress that there still are incomplete plans for drainage improvements for the site, where sedimentation had filtered into Hopkinton and Ashland reservoirs during the summer of 2021.
Select Board roundup: New police officer introduced; amendment to leash law proposed
Nicholas Walker was introduced as the town’s newest police officer at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting. Walker, 27, is set to graduate later this month from the Boylston Police Academy.
Amendment to leash law proposed
The board voted to open the Town Meeting warrant Jan. 1 and close it on Jan. 31.
Tennis Club gets alcohol license
A general all-alcoholic license was issued to the Hopkinton Tennis and Swim Club, which is planned for a location off Lumber Street. A representative from the company indicated via a letter to the board that site work recently began, although Town Manager Norman Khumalo said he did not believe any building permits had been issued.
Hoyt Memorial 5K planned for May
A parade permit was issued to the Hoyt Foundation for the first Dick Hoyt Memorial 5 Mile Road Race, which is scheduled for May 27 at 10 a.m.
Misc.: Budget work continues; appointments approved
Regarding the town budget, which is to be presented to the Select Board in January, Khumalo noted that following an updated budget from the School Department, the town now needs to trim $2.8 million to reach a balanced budget.
Select Board Actions Taken 12/20/22
Discussions continue about narrow Main Street roadway
During Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, board member Shahidul Mannan asked Town Manager Norman Khumalo for an explanation about the narrow roadway on the western portion of the Main Street Corridor Project. The town elected to widen the newly reconfigured roadway this fall following complaints from residents and concerns that emergency vehicles would not be able to pass easily through traffic.
HYFS December 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to the HYFS first newsletter! A lot has changed at HYFS over the past year. In this edition, we share more about who we are and our roles at HYFS. Through prevention grants and the hiring of new staff our department has grown. We are excited to introduce the team!
Town Hall & Municipal Offices closed for the Holidays
Hopkinton Town Hall & Municipal Offices will be closed on 12/26/2022 & 1/2/2023 in observance of the Holidays. The Public Library will also be closed on Saturdays 12/24/2022 & 12/31/2022.
COVID-19 Holiday Season Reminder
This Holiday Season let’s reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by following these important tips when gathering…. unless you’re eating or drinking wear a mask when in close proximity to others. Be sure to self monitor for symptoms and refrain from gatherings when feeling ill. Stay in well ventilated spaces. Register to receive your COVID booster! The Hopkinton Health Department wishes you and your family a happy holiday!
Main Street Corridor Project Update
Operations suspended on 12/22/22
- The contractor, A.F. Amorello & Sons, Inc. finished work for the season on Thursday, December 22.
- Marathon Way will be used for material storage throughout the winter shutdown.
Project Status
Phase 1 and 2 of the Main Street reconstruction have been completed. This work focused on the area from West Main to the Fire Station and the 135/85 intersection and included the full-depth excavation of these sections of Main Street and the installation of 2 of the 3 final paving courses. Winterization of the project is complete, including asphalt for driveways, sidewalks and wheelchair ramps. A base coat of asphalt has been placed for the shared-used path which will be plowed and used by all users during the winter. Traffic signals at the Wood Street and the 135/85 intersection have been completed. MassDOT will continue to coordinate with Eversource for utility work throughout the winter. In addition, MassDOT will continue to coordinate with subcontractors, including Premier Fence, who will be onsite in January to install the guard rail at CVS.
Anticipated Work – Spring 2023
- Phase 3 of the Main Street reconstruction, from the 135/85 intersection to Ash Street, will be started after the 2023 Boston Marathon
Read more details about the Main Street Corridor Project
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