WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 06/03/25

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting to start its new term, the Select Board voted to elect Joe Clark as its new chair and Shahidul Mannan as vice chair. 

The board also voted to approve a $13,110 gift from the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation to the Public Library to fund Children & Youth Services activities and Reference & Circulation divisions. 

Select Board elects Clark as chair, Mannan as vice chair as new term begins (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/27/25)

PARKS & RECREATION 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation commission discussed options to repair fencing at Carrigan Park, following abutter concerns over the deteriorated condition of the fence between the field and private property. The fence is not intact in several places, a portion is buried several feet due to grading, and Little League players jump the fence to retrieve foul balls from abutters’ yards. The commission acknowledged town responsibility for repairs and discussed potential options for funding. Chair Lewitus intends to contact the town manager and town accountant to inquire about available funds. It was also noted that a conversation could be had with the Hopkinton Little League to deter players from retrieving balls from private property, citing safety concerns. 

The commission also discussed an idea of extending gate guard duty at Sandy Beach for next year from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to attempt to curtail non-resident visitors. While some commission members expressed interest in enacting the policy for this year, Lewitus had concerns as the mostly high schooler gate guards have already had their hours set and also would be attending the gates on their own without supervisors on hand for the additional hour, leaving them to handle potentially combative people they may have to turn away. Lewitus agreed to discuss the idea with the beach supervisors and will report back. 

Parks & Rec evaluates fence issues at Carrigan Park, extending gate hours at Sandy Beach (Article by Nick Schofield, 05/29/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board voted 7-0 to approve a Trails Committee proposal to remove three trees near 101 Ash Street to enhance an off street parking area at a trailhead there. While board members, as well as abutters, expressed concerns and opposition to the expanded parking area, the board’s decision was limited in scope solely to a determination of whether the trees could be removed in light of Ash Street’s scenic road designation. The Trails Committee chair noted his intent to have another meeting with abutters at the site to address their concerns. 

The board also heard a presentation from a sustainability consultant as part of a review of the town’s bylaws and regulations to pinpoint areas of improvement for “nature-based solutions and other sustainable types of development infrastructure.” 

In additional business, the board voted to reelect Rob Benson as chair and Matthew Wronka as vice chair. 

Planning Board approves Ash Street tree removal for improved trail parking spaces (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/03/25)

SCHOOLS 

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold its annual end-of-year reception on June 10th. The event will honor 60 educators and school staff for their “above and beyond” work with special needs students and recognize scholarship recipients. Elections for the SEPAC board will also be held. 

The event will be held in the Betty Strong Room at the Public Library at 6 p.m. on June 10th. RSVPs are appreciated, though not required. Anyone interested in running for a SEPAC board position should email sepachopkinton@gmail.com by this Friday.

Hopkinton Today for Monday, June 2: Special needs educators to be recognized at SEPAC reception (Hopkinton Independent, 06/02/25)

TOWN BOARD AND COMMITTEE VACANCIES 

Anyone interested in serving on a Town board or committee should check out the information on the Town Manager Weekly Update – May 29, 2005 about current and upcoming vacancies and how to apply!

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATE 

Per the Town Manager, the Main Street Corridor project is nearing completion. Telephone wires still need to be transferred underground. The anticipated completion schedule is as follows: Verizon will be working onsite this week, Comcast expects to complete work by the end of June, At&T expects to be onsite at the end of the month and finish its work within a couple weeks, and plantings are expected to be completed in early June. It currently remains unclear when old utility poles will be removed. 

As Main Street Corridor Project nears completion, utility pole removal date unclear (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/03/25)