WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 11/26/24

<b>WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 11/26/24</b>

SELECT BOARD 

The following issues were addressed at the Select Board’s meeting last Tuesday evening. 

Financial accounts update. The Town Treasurer / Collector CJ Paquette updated the Board on the town’s investment and bank accounts, showing financial stability. While investments were up, the income is not as high as the town has seen in the past. Paquette noted that if the town passes an article on prudent investment at Town Meeting in May, investments can be diversified beyond the current parameters of a legal investment list restricting the town to 22 stocks from which to invest.  

Guidance Sought on Center School Rehabilitation.  The chair of the Community Preservation Committee requested that the Board hear the CPC at its December 3 meeting to provide guidance on allocating Community Preservation Act funds for the Center School rehabilitation. It has been previously proposed that the school be rehabilitated for potential joint public / private use as a space for the Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services, along with an expansion space for HCA programming, and a public meeting area. A CPC request for funds to conduct a feasibility study for this project is currently under review. 

New Employees Approved. The Board approved Police Chief Joseph Bennett’s recommendation to offer an HPD contract to Lucille Creedon upon completion of police academy training, and confirmed Town Manager Elaine Lazarus’s appointment of the position of part-time van driver for the Senior Center to Len Kopec. 

Water/sewer committee in need of applicants. Applicants are sought for the new Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Only one person has applied and more involvement is needed in light of pending town projects. 

Appointments and resignations approved. The Board appointed 3 new members – Latha Kalpana, Jacquelyn Murphy and Dave Roberts – to the Sustainable Green Committee, and accepted resignations from Gale Leone (Council on Aging) and Stacy Spies (Historical Commission and the Hopkinton Historic District Commission). 

Conservation restriction approval. A conservation restriction was approved for Echo Trail. 

Select Board receives positive report on town’s financial accounts (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/20/24)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Commission continued its review of applications for fiscal year 2026 funding, focusing primarily on the adaptive playground and Center School rehabilitation proposals. 

Adaptive Playground Proposal. CPC members were mixed on the adaptive playground proposal. While the projected cost of the project is less than originally thought, there were some questions raised as to the need in light of current playground space in town, and concerns regarding its proposed proximity to Marathon School, noting its potential primary use as a school playground. The playground is intended as an accessible space for people of all abilities, and expected to include adaptive play structures and sensory play elements. 

Center School Rehabilitation Proposal. CPC members were more receptive to the proposal for rehabilitating Center School into a public / private use space in a partnership between the HCA, for classes and a potential dance studio, and town departments, namely Parks & Recreation and Youth & Family Services, including a community meeting room. The request before the CPC is for $600,000 for a feasibility study. The CPC is seeking Select Board input as to their potential support for this proposed building concept.

CPC members will discuss their funding recommendations at their December 12th meeting. 

CPC reviews funding requests for Center School, adaptive playground (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/22/24)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATE 

Elementary School Building Committee update on Charleswood School. The ESBC voted unanimously to select Firepoint Consulting Inc. as the third-party reviewer under the Fire Department and Building Department until Charleswood School’s completion. Also, scheduling changes were outlined, with a final bid package expected for issuance on Mary 20th, and a “substantial completion” date for the school adjusted to October 31, 2027, with two additional months needed beyond that to move into the new building. Potential “site uncertainty” with regard to the soil, based on infiltration testing recently completed, was cited as the biggest risk regarding timing. Proposed road improvements were also discussed.  ESBC reviews schedule changes, potential risks for new school (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 11/19/24)

School Committee Reviews Budget. At its Thursday night meeting, the School Committee reviewed the 2026 Fiscal Year budget. Budget requests included increases for technology support and infrastructure, building and ground maintenance, special education staffing, support and transportation, curriculum and instruction, and salaries. School Committee reviews proposed FY 26 budgets, grapples with requests (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 11/22/24)

School Committee addresses search for new superintendent & school calendar.  Also at its Thursday meeting, the School Committee discussed the process and timeframe for hiring a new superintendent. In past searches, the School Committee utilized guidance from consultant NESDEC and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and relied on a screening committee. It was noted that if the screening committee starts its search in December, someone could be hired by March or April. The School Committee also revisited the issue of the school calendar, ultimately voting to send out a survey after Thanksgiving to give families the opportunity to give their opinions regarding holidays and school vacations.  School Committee addresses superintendent search, school calendar (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 11/22/24)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR UPDATE

During this week, Eversource will be working on underground services, and outdoor light work will take place at 77 Main Street. No work will take place on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

See project updates.