Weekly News Update – 07/23/23

Trails Coordination and Management Committee Update • Conservation Commission Updates • New DPW Director • Center School Permanent Building Committee Update• Community Preservation Committee Project Updates • Select Board Working Session • Elmwood School Forum #8 Recap • Main Street Project Update • HCAM Actions Taken Video Series

TCMC (Trails Coordination and Management Committee) Updates

• Committee recommends changes to name, composition and charge
• Trail volunteer activities discussed
• Upper Charles Trail western alternative’s future unclear
• Hughes Property project updates

Read “TCMC votes unanimously on new name, recommends Upper Charles Trail Committee become subcommittee” on the Hopkinton Independent website

Conservation Commission Update

• Proposed subdivision off Blueberry Lane
• Stormwater issues at The Trails (Legacy Farms North)
• Stormwater issues on Leonard Street

Read “Conservation Commission discusses proposed subdivision off Blueberry Lane, addresses new stormwater issues at The Trails, Leonard Street” on the Hopkinton Independent website

New DPW Director

Town Manager Norman Khumalo is pleased to announce that the Town of Hopkinton has welcomed Kerry Reed as the new Director of Public Works.

Read the “Press Release: Kerry Reed Joins the Town of Hopkinton as New Director of Public Works“

Permanent Building Committee Update

Town Manager Norman Khumalo, on behalf of the Permanent Building Committee, wishes to provide an update on the ongoing facilities planning work to evaluate how town properties, including Center School and Elmwood School, can meet municipal and community space needs now and in the future.

Read the “Press Release: Town of Hopkinton Shares Update on Ongoing Facilities Planning Work“

Community Preservation Committee Update

• Trail Coordination and Management Committee requests extensions for three projects.
• Upper Charles Trail western alternative route discussion about Gorman property permission
• Parks & Recreation Department requests discussed
• Historical Commission extensions granted
• Cemetery Commission’s headstone project request approved
• HALT requests approved
• ‘War on Japanese knotweed’ proposed by resident
• Larson-Marlowe thanked for her service
• Kelleigh property to be discussed at July 20 meeting

Read “Community Preservation Committee roundup: Project extensions approved; ‘War on Japanese knotweed’ discussed” on the Hopkinton Independent website

Select Board Working Session

The Select Board met for nearly two hours on Thursday night to discuss members’ most pressing priorities, reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and brainstorm about overarching town goals. Police Chief Bennett also gave an update on a special projects consultant hired.

Read “Select Board discusses priorities for upcoming fiscal year” on the Hopkinton Independent website

Elmwood School Project Update

Elmwood ESBC public forum #8 Held on July 18

The Elementary School Building Committee still has major decisions to make before finalizing its schematic design phase for a proposed new Elmwood School on Hayden Rowe Street.

• Future timeline provided
• Stormwater, mechanical system outlined
• Parking, outdoor learning discussed
• Building, savings measures highlighted

ESBC vice chair Tiffany Ostrander encouraged people to “stay engaged” with the proposed school project and reach out by email at esbc2@hopkinton.ma.gov with questions or for more information.

Read “Proposed New School Design, Features Highlighted at ESBC Public Forum” on the Hopkinton Independent website

Watch the video of the Elmwood School Building Forum on the HCAM YouTube Channel

Elmwood School Building Project Website

Contact Info: esbc2@hopkinton.ma.gov

Next Elmwood Community Forum #9: August 2023, date TBD

Main Street Corridor project update

What to Expect for the Week of July 24, 2023

Detours

• The eastbound detour from Pleasant Street to Maple Street to Grove Street will be used on Monday, July 24th starting at 7am.

East Side of Project

• Installation of conduit and bases for site lighting from the Muffin House to Ash Street (work will take place in the excavated sidewalk area)
• Installation of the granite curb from the Muffin House to Ash Street
• Grade and pour concrete sidewalks from the Muffin House to Ash Street

West Side of Project

• Grade and pour concrete sidewalks

See hopkintonmainstreet.com for details

View live video feeds of traffic on YouTube

HCAM Actions Taken Video Series

Don’t have time to watch committee meetings? Did you know you can watch short recaps of recent Hopkinton board and committees on the HCAM YouTube Channel? Updated weekly, save the playlist on YouTube for future reference.