WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 05/27/25

WATER & SEWER ADVISORY BOARD

At its Wednesday meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Board voted unanimously to approve its recommendations to the Select Board for water and sewer rate increases for FY26, from the three options for both presented by a consultant at its prior meeting. The rate increases that the board opted for was a 10.5% water rate increase and 10% sewer rate increase. The board’s obligation to make annual recommendations to the Select Board allows for flexibility for changed circumstances in the upcoming years. Options for lower-income residents were noted. The need to replace town water meters was also addressed, however, DPW Director Kerry Reed noted that this expense could not be included in the FY26 budget due to DPW capital expenses and the town departments’ required budget constraints. Additionally discussed at the meeting was a plan to give the Select Board an update on the board’s recommendations with regard to the MWRA connection. 

WSAB votes on Select Board recommendations for water, sewer rates (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/22/25)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE

At its Tuesday meeting, the ESBC moved forward on awarding contracts for the Charleswood School project. Brait Builders Corporation was awarded the construction contract, pending successful negotiations, for their $102,270,000 bid for construction and street improvements, coming in $19.6 million under budget. Hanover Insurance Company was chosen for the builder’s risk insurance, and Yankee Engineering as the subcontractor to Vertex for testing and inspections. Additionally, the committee unanimously voted to name Susan Rothermich, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, as the authorization authority and ESBC liason, with committee chair Jon Graziano and committee member Mike Shepard as ESBC approvers. 

ESBC awards Brait Builders $102M contract for Charleswood School project (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 05/21/25)

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee reviewed its recent efforts toward public outreach and awareness which included appearing before the Planning Board to request the removal of three trees to enhance access to a trailhead near 101 Ash Street, and appearing before the School Committee to discuss creating a stone dust path from Loop Road to the Chamberlain Street Extension as well as future paths to increase connectivity to the schools. The latter raised some safety concerns among the School Committee and the Trails Committee noted that community feedback regarding safety features would be an important consideration. The committee also noted its efforts to comply with advice from the Select Board and Town Manager with regard to its proposed trail sign project, and plans to meet with local realtors to discuss promoting trail access as part of their marketing of homes. Additionally, the committee reviewed different potential apps to share Hopkinton trail information. 

A working group meeting to discuss project prioritization will be held on June 4th. 

Trails Committee stresses positive efforts to encourage trail use (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/22/25)

TOWN BOARD AND COMMITTEE VACANCIES

Interested in serving on a Town Board or Committee? Included in the Town Manager Weekly Update – May 22, 2025 was the following: 

Many of the terms of town board and committee members expire at the end of June each year. There are current or upcoming vacancies on the boards and committees listed below. If you would like to serve on a board or committee, please check out some of the opportunities. The Town website has information about the duties of specific Boards and Committees here: Town of Hopkinton, MA: Boards. Interested residents must apply via the Online Volunteer form on the Town website here: Town of Hopkinton, MA: Board Application

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board

Appropriation Committee

Board of Appeals

Commission on Disability

Capital Improvement Committee

Community Preservation Committee

Council on Aging

Cultural Council

Design Review Board 

Economic Development Advisory Board

Historical Commission

Hopkinton Historic District Commission

Marathon Committee

Marathon Fund Committee

Permanent Building Committee

Personnel Committee

Sustainable Green Committee

Tax Relief Committee

Trails Committee

Veterans Celebration Committee

Water & Sewer Advisory Board 

Woodville Historic District Commission

Youth Commission 

Zoning Advisory Committee