WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 04/22/25

SEND US YOUR TOWN MEETING QUESTIONS! 

eHop’s annual Know Your Vote forum is next Wednesday, April 30th, at 7:00 p.m. at HCAM-TV Studios. Please attend and ask your questions live, or send us your questions via email (knowyourvote@ehop.org) or social media.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 

Get ready for Annual Town Meeting by checking out eHop’s reference guide. 

Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School Auditorium.

TOWN ELECTION 

Last Wednesday, candidates running for town government positions in the 2025 town election spoke at the Hopkinton Women’s Club’s Meet the Candidates Night. You can view the event HERE.

See also, Meet the Candidates Night highlights contested races (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/17/25)

Town Election 2025 will be held on May 19th.

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, Trails Committee members debated over committee-wide information sharing after the chair informed of his reaching out to the School Committee to discuss two projects approved years prior to creation of the newly formed Trails Committee. Committee members expressed a desire for full plan sharing and input. Also at this meeting, it was noted that the committee chair would appear before the Select Board to obtain their support for the committee’s trail sign initiative, and the Open Space Preservation Commission would like appear before the Trails Committee to propose a “no motorized vehicles” sign on land within its purview due to ATV damage. Also discussed was a meeting of local realtors about a proposed townwide trail map and reaching out to AllTrails about including Hopkinton trails on its trail identification app. 

Trails Committee chair’s School Committee outreach sparks debate (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/17/25)

WATER/SEWER ADVISORY BOARD

At its Wednesday meeting, the Water/Sewer Advisory Board discussed the town’s water demand and addressed local alternatives to connecting to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system. While a connection to the MWRA is estimated at a $30 million cost, a proposed less expensive alternative was presented to buy water from Ashland while updating town wells and building a water treatment plant. It was also addressed that the town wells are currently being taxed by the increased water demand and present draught conditions. Residents are being urged to take sustainable measures. 

WSAB talks local alternatives for more water, veering away from potential MWRA connection (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/18/25)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

Elementary School Building Committee 

At its Tuesday meeting, the ESBC approved a proposed risk mitigation approach for property owners around the Charleswood School construction site, which will involve offering to conduct a pre-construction survey of the condition of these neighboring properties. Additionally, the committee reviewed upgraded plans to make the north playground at the new school accessible for all children, and agreed to potentially adding a turf field to the play area. 

ESBC approves pre-construction property survey option (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 04/16/25)

School Committee

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee addressed the Hopkins School construction and voted to approve pursuing a lease with a temporary kitchen vendor to install a trailer during the final construction phase at the school in spring 2026 while the existing cafeteria and gym will be closed. The committee also agreed that proposals should be sought for Loop Road improvements, and discussed the planned move of four modulars to Hopkins School once the Charleswood School is complete. An update was also given on spending to date. The next meeting will be held on May 1st and will include a public hearing on school choice. 

School Committee addresses Hopkins School project issues (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 04/18/25)

Also at its last meeting, the superintendent presented results from student responses to the Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey, taken in the fall of 2023. They will be surveyed again in the fall of 2025. The committee also voted, in light of the superintendent’s upcoming retirement, to forego the usual lengthy evaluation process and just submit a proficient rating to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Additionally, the committee ratified the new contract for cafeteria workers for 20025-2028. 

Highlights from student mental health survey shared with School Committee (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 04/19/25)