WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 04/08/25

eHOP’S ANNUAL KNOW YOUR VOTE FORUM

eHop’s 13th annual Know Your Vote forum will be held on Wednesday, April 30th, 7:00-8:00 p.m., in person at HCAM TV Studios (77 Main St., Lower Level), and broadcast live on HCAM-TV and YouTube. Have your questions answered by town officials before Town Meeting. 

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.

For those unable to attend or watch live, the forum will be recorded and available for viewing after the event.  

Annual Town Meeting will be held on May 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School. eHop will be sharing information about articles up for a vote over the upcoming weeks. For more information, stay up to date on our website.

SELECT BOARD

Adaptive Playground to be recommended for funding at ATM. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board unanimously voted to recommend the 18 projects that the Capital Improvement Committee recommended upon a second review the night prior, as well as 7 capital projects relating to the Water and Sewer Department. The CIC’s review of their previously denied projects came as a result of the town’s enhanced financial position following streamlining by town departments and the receipt of more state funding than expected. On its second review, the CIC declined only to recommend the proposed adaptive playground at Marathon School for funding. Following discussion, the Select Board voted unanimously to recommend funding for this project at Town Meeting. The board also voted to recommend approval for all CPC recommended projects. 

In other business, the board removed a warrant article regarding PFAS education for owners of private wells in light of potential resulting liability concerns, and unanimously voted to create a Economic Developmental Advisory Board (EDAB). The board also discussed the process for changing town speed limits, however, agreed to hold off on further discussions until the Charleswood School has been built. 

Select Board votes to recommend funding toward $1.2M adaptive playground at ATM (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/02/25)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

New Superintendent Named. After deliberations at its Thursday meeting, the School Committee announced their unanimous choice for the next superintendent: Evan Bishop, current HHS principal. Once a contract agreement has been signed, Bishop will begin this role on July 1st. Bishop has worked in the district since 2005, as a school counselor and an assistant principal, before becoming principal at the high school in 2013. 

Updates on School Projects. The committee heard updates on the Hopkins and Charleswood School projects, with both projects reported to be running on schedule. For the Charleswood project, which is running $8.6 million under budget, the Conservation Commission approved the street improvement plan, and the construction contract is expected to be awarded in May, with work commencing in June / July. 

Unavailable grant money. The committee learned that a grant for the school libraries to purchase books in students’ native languages to read while learning English is no longer available. Superintendent Cavanaugh noted that they can reach out internally for alternative support, suggesting the Chinese American Association and HPTO as potential sources.   

HHS Principal Bishop named superintendent (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 04/03/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board voted to remove an article from the Town Meeting warrant to rezone property at South Street and Hayward Street from residential lakefront to rural business, for the benefit of relocating Marguerite Concrete headquarters there. Attorney for the applicant noted that they were not seeking to go forward. This proposed article was similar to one voted down unanimously at the 2023 ATM. 

The board also continued a hearing on a new subdivision proposal at Kathryn Drive seeking to extend a roadway from a cul-de-sac off Ash Street to access two additional properties and add a half-acre parcel at Hehn’s Farm Way to extend an infiltration basin located there. A site walk is scheduled for April 15th at 4:30 p.m. and the hearing has been continued to April 28th, allowing the Town’s engineering consultant the opportunity to review the plan.

Planning Board votes to remove South Street rezoning article from ATM warrant (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/08/25)

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Sandy Beach updates. The Parks & Recreation Department has announced some changes to Sandy Beach season passes. Residents must purchase passes through the Park & Rec website or directly at their office. Passes ordered through the website must be picked up at the Parks & Rec office or may be mailed directly to residents if ordered before May 19th. Passes will no longer be available for purchase or pick up at Sandy Beach. Additionally, family passes for a second car have increased to $25. Daily passes are $15 per family and daily boat trailer passes are $50. Revenue from the price increases will be used for beach maintenance and needed repair work. Parks & Rec Website

See also, Parks & Rec updates purchasing policies for Sandy Beach passes (Hopkinton Independent, 04/03/25)

FINAL DAYS TO SUPPORT eHOP’S MARATHON RUNNER!

We are less than two weeks away until the 2025 Boston Marathon, and there is still time to support eHop’s runner Nick Miller! Any donations are greatly appreciated!  

SAVE THE DATE: 

• 04/30/25 – eHop’s Know Your Vote forum 
• 05/05/25 – Annual Town Meeting 
• 05/19/25 – Annual Town Election