WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 04/01/25

SAVE THE DATE: eHOP’S ANNUAL KNOW YOUR VOTE FORUM

eHop will be holding its 13th annual Know Your Vote in-person forum Wednesday, April 30th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at HCAM TV Studios (77 Main St., Lower Level). It will also be broadcast live on HCAM-TV and YouTube. This is a unique opportunity to get the answers you need from town officials before Town Meeting.

This year, Town Meeting will vote on an FY2026 operating budget as well as many other issues and projects including:

• Center School Re-Use
• Economic Development Special Revenue Account
• MWRA Connection Design Work
• Adaptive Playground
• Change Day and Time of Annual Town Meeting
• Prohibition on Use of Engine Compression Brake

Residents are encouraged to attend in person or watch live on HCAM-TV (Comcast 8/ Verizon 30) or on HCAM’s YouTube channel, and to submit any questions during the forum via email (knowyourvote@ehop.org) and via Facebook@ehop01748.

Stay tuned! Over the next weeks eHop will be sharing information about many of the articles that are up for a vote.  For more information, please visit our website.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 

Mandatory Water Supply Conservation. Per the Department of Public Works, the town has enacted a mandatory state of water supply conservation, effective April 1st, for all customers connected to the municipal water system, as the town is currently in a critical drought category with an elevated fire risk. All non-essential water use is prohibited until the restriction is lifted, including watering lawns, washing vehicles, and filling pools. Violations of this restriction could result in written warnings and fines, and suspension of water service for repeated violations. 

Department of Public Works Public Notice: Mandatory State of Water Supply Conservation

Also see, Town Website

The Town Manager’s Weekly Update – March 25, 2025 has included a list from the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection of things that residents and businesses can do to help conserve water. You can find the list HERE.

COMMISSION ON DISABILITY 

At its Monday meeting, the Commission on Disability discussed means to fund several key projects on its agenda, including a long addressed need for push button doors and a handrail on the sloped entrance at the Public Library. The issue has been addressed with state Representative James Arena-DeRosa who intends to get funding earmarked in next year’s budget cycle to assist with those improvements. The commission chair also discussed pursuing grant funding for these improvements, as well as for accessibility improvements for other public buildings. Also addressed was the proposed adaptive playground, which will be re-reviewed by the Capital Improvement Committee following their prior vote not to recommend it for funding, in light of the higher amount of available free cash than anticipated. A Town Meeting vote will be needed to use free cash for this project.  

Additional issues discussed were the proposed Handle with Care Initiative and the need for accessible public transportation in town.  

Commission on Disability discusses funding opportunities, transportation needs (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/26/25)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission heard DPW’s annual update on weed management for Lake Maspenock, which will not include the use of herbicides this year, following last year’s treatment which was met with conflicting responses among residents. It is hoped that last year’s treatment, combined with the cold winter weather will have a continuing effect on weed management. An extended drawdown of the lake is planned for next year, with regular drawdowns continuing, and needed repairs on the property are underway.  

The commission also heard an update on improvement efforts made to stormwater management by Toll Brothers at Newbury Glenn following previously addressed violations, and approved a guardrail replacement plan at Hopkinton State Park.  

Conservation Commission hears Lake Maspenock weed management plan (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/26/25)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee heard status updates from the Parks & Recreation Commission at a quarterly review on 7 projects which had received CPC funding. The CPC expressed frustration with the lack of forward momentum on the projects relating to the Pyne Field redesign, which includes an irrigation project, cricket pitch and baseball field construction, and a parking lot construction. CPC chair Wesmantel expressed that Parks & Rec projects should be “caught up” prior to new requests being made. 

Updates and timelines for completion on remaining CPC funded Parks & Rec projects were also given. 

CPC gets testy with Parks & Rec over funding requests, current project status (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/28/25)

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee heard a presentation from former Planning Board chair Gary Trendel about a connectivity survey undertaken in 2021 focused on pedestrian patterns to determine where pedestrian connectivity would make the best sense. The Committee also continued discussions about public outreach and the best, most cohesive way to make residents aware of the different trails in town, as there is currently no one place offering comprehensive information in this regard. 

Trails Committee talks connectivity, outreach (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/27/25)

HOPKINTON SUSTAINABLE GREEN COMMITTEE 

In a partnership with Green Team Junk Removal, Town of Ashland, and Eversource, the Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee will be holding a Community Recycling and Reuse Day on Saturday, April 12th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Marathon School. For more details, see their flyer below:  

STATE NEWS

Continued Virtual Access to Public Meetings. The state Legislature recently passed legislation to continue to allow municipalities to offer a remote participation option to public meetings. This rule first came into effect during the COVID era, and is thought to allow for increased public participation due to the flexibility in attendance. The governor will review this bill, which will permit hybrid public meetings until January 2027.  Hopkinton Today for Friday, March 28: State ruling extends hybrid public meeting option (Hopkinton Independent, 03/28/25)

TOWN ELECTION 2025 

Stay up to date on Town Election 2025 at eHop’s election information page.

Annual Town Election will be held on May 19th. 

HELP SUPPORT eHOP’S MARATHON RUNNER 

It’s not too late to support eHop’s marathon runner Nick Miller! Any showing of support to him and eHop through a donation is greatly appreciated!