Weekly News Update – 10/15/24

Here are the highlights of town government happenings in October to date: 

Main street corridor project

Sidewalk excavation will take place this Tuesday, closing the entrance driveway to Town Hall while work is being done. Walkway and sidewalk work at 35 Main Street, overhead utility line work, and brick strip installation work will be ongoing over the upcoming week. Main Street Corridor Project update: Sidewalk in front of Town Hall to be excavated Tuesday (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/11/24)

west main street gas station

Residents turned out at the Hopkinton Senior Center last Wednesday night to speak out about a variance request on 290 West Main Street. Rte 85 Realty Corp. is seeking a use variance to develop a store and gas station on this property, which is currently zoned for agricultural use. The Board of Appeals must decide whether to grant this variance. The hearing is continued to November 13, 2024 at the Hopkinton Senior Center. Residents turn out to discuss, question proposed West Main Street gas station (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/10/24)

Yard signs posted by residents in opposition to the proposed gas station at the corner of School and West Main Streets were removed by town “zoning enforcement officials” due to their proximity to the roadway. Town Manager: Anti-gas station signs taken by ‘zoning enforcement officials’ (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/11/24)

MBTA ACT UPDATE

The Planning Board unanimously voted to put the MBTA Communities Article on the Special Town Meeting warrant for meeting on November 18, 2024. Voting will determine whether Hopkinton will submit a plan in compliance with the state’s multifamily housing zoning statute. Planning Board votes to put MBTA Communities article on STM warrant, plans Oct. 28 hearing (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/08/24)W

Save the date: November 18th Town Meeting

Arguments were heard by the MA Supreme Judicial Court in the Milton MBTA case. The primary issue argued before the court is whether the state has authority to enforce the zoning law in towns, or whether the state’s recourse for noncompliance is solely limited to financial penalties through the loss of grant money. A decision could take months.  Will Massachusetts’ high court overturn a multifamily housing law? What was said in court (Article by Hannah Morse, 10/07/24)

Select board

The Select Board stresses the need for frugality in the budget in light of the town’s increasing tax rate over the upcoming years as the town budget process commences.  Select Board stresses frugality in budget message as process kicks off (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/02/24)

The issue of Friends of Hopkinton Seniors volunteers no longer being eligible to receive a tax exemption benefit for their thrift store volunteer hours is addressed before the Select Board. Thrift shop volunteers upset that hours no longer count toward senior tax credit (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/14/24)

Public health

The Board of Health reviews its strategic proposed plan to present to the Select Board, including expansion of the board and the public health nursing team. The plan addresses Health Department priorities of increased communication, public outreach, care for seniors, and collaboration with other departments.  Board of Health reviews strategic plan ahead of Select Board presentation (Article by Nick Schofield, 09/17/24)

Children’s Vaccine Clinic. The Hopkinton Health Department will be holding a children’s vaccination clinic on October 22, 2024 at the Hopkinton Middle School, ages 6mo – 18 yrs. Limited supplies available for COVID-19, MMR, and FLU vaccines. Book Here 

Hopkinton police department

There is an ongoing HPD investigation into a string of automobile break ins / theft on the Hopkinton / Holliston border which appear to have been perpetrated by an “active and organized theft ring.” HPD: Vehicle break-ins in Hopkinton, Holliston point to ‘active and organized theft ring’ (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/11/24)

OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 

Frustrations were aired at the OSPC’s meeting last Thursday about exclusion from town committee and board discussions about open space. An article is intended to be on the warrant at the November 18th Special Town Meeting to designate the oversight of the Hughes Farm Trail Property to the OSPC. The issue of a kid-friendly play area at the Hughes Property, and ideas of what that could look like, was discussed. Frustrated with ‘silo management,’ OSPC discusses idea for kid-friendly play area at Hughes Farm Trail (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/11/24)

Hopkinton public schools

Elmwood / Charleswood School Project Update. Here is the latest update on the Elmwood / Charleswood School Project. The next meeting of the Elmwood School Building Committee will be held on October 29th.  ESBC considers future steps for Charleswood School project

Students’ emergency cell phone use is reviewed following the recent swatting incident at HHS. Hopkins Project update is given. In wake of swatting incident at HHS, emergency cell phone use reviewed (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 10/11/24)

ELECTION & TOWN MEETING REMINDERS: 

Save the Date: Special Town Meeting, Monday November 18, 2024, 7:00pm, at Hopkinton Middle School.

Presidential & State Election: Tuesday November 5, 2024. Presidential & State Election with 5 Ballot Questions

• Early voting begins October 19
• Last day to request an absentee ballot is October 26
• Last day to register to vote is October 26