December 17, 2024

WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 12/17/24

PLANNING BOARD

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board discussed the proposed multifamily mixed-use development at the former Hopkinton Drug property, raising concerns about the potential impact of emission fumes, light and sound from the two-story open-air parking deck on the abutting properties. While maintaining that the open-air concept is considered safe, development team members were agreeable to conducting further research on emissions testing. The board unanimously voted to continue the hearing until its January 6th meeting. The board also approved a special parking permit for off-street parking at the corner of Cedar Street and A Street for a proposed four-unit development at 18 Cedar Street. Planning Board raises concerns with parking emissions at proposed Hopkinton Drug redevelopment (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 12/17/24)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

CPC Funding Recommendations. At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee voted on its recommendations for Community Preservation Act funding among the 15 proposals received and reviewed, to be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in May. Most notably, it voted unanimously to recommend $600,000 for the reuse planning study for the Center School rehabilitation project, and voted 6-1 to allocate $300,000 for the adaptive playground project, which had generated some debate due to its proposed location at Marathon School, resulting in some members questioning whether it was more of a school project. Other requests unanimously voted to be recommended include funding for building restoration at Mount Auburn Cemetery; three water refill stations at the Town Common, Sandy Beach, and the Fruit Street dog park; a splash pad feasibility study; Hopkinton Historical Society building restoration; floor restoration of the the library’s Ellsworth Conference Room; and a conservation restriction for the Colella property. Before voting on a proposed driveway to access parking at Pyne Field, it was noted that a less expensive alternative parking option had been presented at the last Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. Therefore, a placeholder article would be put on the warrant pending future consideration of that proposal. CPC votes to recommend Center School funding to Town Meeting, makes compromise on adaptive playground request (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 12/13/24)

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Pyne Field parking. At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission addressed the issue of a parking lot for Pyne Field and is considering a new parking plan, pitched by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) chair and vice chair. In October, Parks and Rec commission chair Dan Terry requested funds from the CPC to construct a driveway from Fruit Street to the proposed Pyne Field parking lot. CPC chair Ken Weismantel indicated at Tuesday’s meeting that this project would not receive CPC funding in light of Center School rehabilitation priority, but proposed putting a parking lot to the south of the fields in a wooded area, which would require no additional funds. After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to move forward with Phase 1 of the Pyne Field project, conducting field surveys and assessing project designs, following which both the driveway option and Weismantel’s parking lot proposal will be evaluated. Parks & Rec Commission hears new proposal for Pyne Field parking (Article by Nick Schofield, 12/11/24)

BOARD OF HEALTH

At the last Board of Health meeting, public health nurse Simone Carter was acknowledged and praised for her work both locally and for the state. In addition to her nursing duties for the town, she was selected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to assist in drafting state-wide nursing standards.

The board was also updated on the Health Department’s budget and plans for staffing. New nursing positions will be funded by the department’s revolving fund, approved at Special Town Meeting last month, which will go into effect in fiscal year 2026. The department is prepared to commence work on staffing new nursing roles. The Board of Health chair expressed satisfaction with the department’s progress on funding and staffing. Carter praised for public nursing work by Board of Health (Article by Nick Schofield, 12/10/24)

Hopkinton Health Services Department’s innovative Healthy Brain Initiative program, developed by Simone Carter and Kasey Mauro (Hopkinton’s former public health nurse), has also been noticed and praised by the Massachusetts Office of Local and Regional Health. The program provides residents with access to cognitive screenings, workshops on brain health, and connections to local organizations. Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, Dec. 17: Health Department praised for brain health program (Hopkinton Independent, 12/17/24)