WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 07/08/25
WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT
Water & Sewer Advisory Board
At its last meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Board heard a presentation from consultant Timothy Thies about the rationale behind and necessary next steps for the town’s connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Per Thies, the connection would alleviate the quality and quantity issues that the town currently faces with its water supply, particularly in light of the significant strain during times of drought and the fact that only 5 of the town’s 8 wells are online. Thies further noted that additional steps must be met before a connection could be achieved, including infrastructure improvements in Hopkinton and Southborough, and that a number of permits and approvals must be obtained. To date, project design elements are at 30% completion. WSAB members raised some questions about the process and skepticism over whether local alternatives were sufficiently explored, which Theis addressed.
WSAB receives update from engineering consultant on potential MWRA connection (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/26/25)
Water Use Restrictions
The Water-Sewer Department is reminding residents to adhere to the town’s water restriction orders. Specifically, lawn watering and non-essential outdoor water use is prohibited at this time to allow the water tanks to be filled and recharge.
Additional information can be found at the town’s website.
Town reinforces warning on water restrictions (Hopkinton Independent, 06/26/25)
SELECT BOARD
At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board heard a water update from DPW Director Kerry Reed. She stressed the need for residents to heed water restrictions, as the recent water demand and heatwave have strained the town’s wells severely. Although the state drought status has been downgraded, the wells are still attempting to catch up and keep up. Reed additionally updated the board about the MWRA connection project status and the steps needed to be completed before moving forward. Members discussed the current water volume estimate of 2.7 MGD that the town is requesting from the MWRA. Reed emphasized that Hopkinton will only be charged for the amount of water it uses, however, the infrastructure needs to be in place regardless of the amount of its water supply the town will actually obtain from the MWRA. Chair Joe Clark noted that the board would be focused this year on moving the project along.
In other business, the board confirmed John Gelcich’s title as Director of the Land Use, Planning and Permitting Department, and approved the appointment of several uncontested appointments of residents to town committees. The board also approved the RFP for 28 Knoll Road.
Select Board gets update on town’s water issues (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/02/25)
HOPKINTON POWER CHOICE
Hopkinton Power Choice, a municipal aggregation plan approved by the Department of Public Utilities, will launch in September. This plan will allow town residents who wish to participate to purchase at negotiated group rates sustainably produced electricity. Residents should have received mailings with information about the plan over the past few weeks.
For more information or to ask questions about this program, there will be two public information sessions on Wednesday, July 17th:
- 2:30 pm at the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St. AND
- 6:00 pm at the Hopkinton Public Library, 13 Main St.
For additional information, check out:
See also, Hopkinton Green Committee’s Municipal Aggregation Plan Update.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission approved, in a 6-0 vote, a certificate of compliance for life sciences company Revvity at 68 Elm Street. Revvity plans to renovate its two buildings, with significant updates planned for the lab building. The engineer spoke about steps taken to remove various areas of debris previously noted by the prior conservation administrator and addressed recent feedback from a wetlands consultant. The current conservation administrator will work with the Revvity project engineer to address stone by the weland and invasive species management on site.
The commission also approved the Trails Committee’s request to support the construction of four proposed boardwalks at Berry Acres Trail. Additionally, the hearing on the UniBank / Starbucks parking lot was continued to July 22nd at the applicant’s request.
Conservation Commission moves Revvity forward, approves Berry Acres Trail improvements (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/02/25)
PLANNING BOARD
In a brief Monday meeting, the Planning Board continued the minor site plan review hearing on the UniBank / Starbucks parking lot until July 21st at the applicant’s request, and elected board member Parker Happ as the Planning Board representative on the Economic Development Advisory Board.
Planning Board continues UniBank/Starbucks parking lot hearing (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/08/25)
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Road Construction Update. The Department of Public Works has announced a construction schedule for multiple roadways over the upcoming weeks.
The schedule and further information is outlined HERE.
MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATES
The most recent Main Street Corridor Project updates report that Comcast and AT&T are on track to complete work by mid-July.
The latest updates can be found HERE.