Weekly News Update – 12/29/23
Board & Committee Updates • Select Board • School Committee • FY25 Budget • Planning Board • DPW • Health Department • Police Department • CPC • Parks & Rec • TCMC • Conservation Commission • Open Space Preservation • Youth & Family Services • Business Updates
Boards and Committee Openings – 2023-24
Updated 12/19/23: The following Town boards & committees will have one or more anticipated vacancies.
Select Board Updates
Select Board Actions Taken 12/19/23
- Carly Moniz, Hopkinton Public Library Children’s Librarian
- Augusto DeOliveira, Custodial Maintenance Worker
- Maureen McKeon, Procurement and Grants Manager
- Officer Brian Ziniti, Hopkinton Police Department
- Rachel “Ray” Stephenson, Hopkinton Public Library Senior Library Assistant
- Daniel Boudreau, Hopkinton Public Library Adult Services Librarian
- Jonathan Lewitus, Parks & Recreation Director
- Andrea Colibri, Hopkinton Public Library Youth Services Supervisor
- Officer Noah Buentello, Hopkinton Police Department
- Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Beaudette, Hopkinton Fire Department
- Charles “CJ” Paquette, Assistant Treasurer/Collector
- Firefighter/Paramedic Cameron Tracia, Hopkinton Fire Department
- Seth Ledoux, Hopkinton Public Library Senior Library Assistant
Read “Select Board hears options for town buildings presented in facilities study” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
- Dan McIntyre, chair of the Permanent Building Committee, presented a facility planning update to the board on the potential reuse of Center School, the current Elmwood School building, Town Hall and the town’s Fruit Street property.
- Board unanimously approves appointments to Board of Appeals and Fire Chief Screening Committee
- Town considers requests for parcels near Lake Maspenock
Select Board Actions Taken 12/05/23
Read “Select Board roundup: Marathon invitational entries awarded, federal trademark requested for Marathon Committee slogan” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Read “Town addresses ‘fraudulent invoice’ from HopNews, media advertising policy” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Read “Domino’s Pizza gets approval for Main Street location; owner aims to open by early January” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Read “Domino’s Pizza considered for 70 Main Street location” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
School Committee Updates
12/21/23 Meeting: Read “School Committee continues review of $63.1M budget proposal” by Susan Gonsalves in the Hopkinton Independent
12/14/23 Meeting: Read “School Committee adds Nickerson, works on budget plan” by Susan Gonsalves in the Hopkinton Independent
12/07/23 Meeting: Read “School Committee talks Hopkins addition project, building budgets” by Susan Gonsalves in the Hopkinton Independent
Planning Board Updates
- The Planning Board at its joint meeting with the Select Board voted 9-1 for Parker Happ to become its newest member.
- Release of Emerald Drive lots approved
- St. John welcomed to Land Use Department
- Planning Board will continue to meet virtually
Read “Open Planning Board seat goes to newcomer Happ” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
DPW Updates
Fruit Street Bridge Reopens 12/15/23
Read “Fruit Street bridge officially reopens” by Jerry Spar in the Hopkinton Independent
Hayden Rowe St @ Chestnut St Traffic Lights
Update from Mike Mansir, Hopkinton Highway Manager:
“The traffic light control cabinet at the intersection of Hayden Rowe St & Chestnut St sustained severe damage due to a power line that came down around 11:30 pm on 12/13. Almost all of the electrical equipment, wires, vehicle detection system & cameras have been permanently damaged. The lights are working but not correctly. Because of this it will take longer than usual for each direction of travel to get a green light. We are working with our traffic light repair company to obtain all of the needed equipment and to make the needed repairs as soon as possible. Please seek alternate routes when possible.”
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Board of Health Updates
Narcan Training Community Harm Reduction Every 2nd Tuesday at the Library (View Calendar or read more on HCAM)
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – 5:30 – 6:30 PM, Hopkinton Library
- Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – 5:30 – 6:30 PM, Hopkinton Library
- Tuesday, March 12, 2024 – 5:30 – 6:30 PM, Hopkinton Library
12/18/23 Meeting: Read “Board of Health discusses plastic bag usage, vaccine vendor partnership” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
12/04/23 Meeting: The state’s Department of Environmental Protection in early November cited the private wastewater treatment plant at Legacy Farms for having a higher than permitted level of nitrogen discharge in the groundwater. The problem has been corrected and nitrogen levels are within regulatory limits, according to a Nov. 30 letter from the water engineering consultant working with Legacy Farms.
Read “Legacy Farms wastewater treatment plant addresses high nitrogen levels” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Hopkinton Police Updates
Read “Judge compels town to release police internal investigation records in Porter case by Jan. 9” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
“Hopkinton Police Department Shares Guidance to Help Prevent Package Theft,” read the press release
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Updates
12/19/23 Meeting: Read “CPC inquires about property data, reviews ongoing projects” by Susan Gonsalves in the Hopkinton Independent
12/14/23 Meeting: Read “CPC votes against $1M funding request for Marathon School accessible playground but approves $100K for study” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Other requests passed unanimously:
- $5,900 from the housing reserve for the surveying of a parcel on Fruit Street;
- $10,210 for the Hopkinton Area Land Trust’s request for a conservation restriction on the Rice Woods property, also known as the Jenner property;
- $10,000 for a conservation restriction to be placed on the Hughes property requested by HALT;
- $20,000 requested by the Cemetery Commission for the restoration of historic headstones to come from the historical preservation reserve;
- $240,897 for restoration of the Historical Society building from the historical preservation reserve;
- $30,000 requested by the Parks & Recreation Commission for a permanent storage shed at the Fruit Street fields;
- $60,000 requested by the Trails Committee for the second phase of the Chamberlain Trail.
Parks & Recreation Updates
Read “Parks & Recreation Commission defines need for written policies, approves gaga pit” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Read “Sandy Beach Subcommittee outlines safety, other concerns” by Susan Gonsalves in the Hopkinton Independent
Trails Coordination & Management Committee (TCMC) Updates
Read “Trails Committee prioritizes bridge repair work at Berry Acres Trail” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Conservation Commission Updates
Read “Conservation Commission roundup: Town receives climate resiliency grant; Whisper Way concerns addressed” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Open Space Preservation Commission Updates
Read “Open Space Preservation Commission seeks updated documents for development off Whisper Way” by Mary Ellen Gambon in the Hopkinton Independent
Hopkinton Youth & Family Services Updates
Business Updates
Read “Business Briefs: New building on Elm Street near completion” by Jerry Spar in the Hopkinton Independent