WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 07/15/25

HOPKINTON POWER CHOICE 

Public Information Sessions 

Hopkinton Power Choice, a municipal aggregation plan, will launch in September. Ask your questions and get more information about this program at one of two public information sessions tomorrow Wednesday, July 17th: 

• 2:30 pm at the Hopkinton Senior Center, and 
• 6:00 pm at the Hopkinton Public Library.

OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

At its Thursday meeting, the Open Space Preservation Commission discussed Whitehall Conservation Area and the efforts by landowners of four parcels there, owned through the Sudbury Valley Trustees, to assemble a conservation restriction package. OSPC liaison and Select Board chair Joe Clark noted that he would obtain clarification from the Town Manager on whether Select Board approval would be warranted for its approval. The board subsequently voted 5-0 to donate $1,000 of OSPC funds for the conservation restriction, “pending necessary Select Board and town council approvals.” 

In other business, the commission voted to approve the removal of two small trees obstructing trails at Whitehall Conservation Area, deemed a safety hazard, provided the cost falls under $1000. Chair Ed Harrow noted his anticipation of a quote for japanese knotweed removal in the area for the meeting in August. 

The commission also heard from trails representatives about the upcoming Trails Day celebration on July 19th, and heard a request from the Hopkinton Area Land Trust seeking OSPC approval for upgrades on part of a trail leading to the Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision. Vice chair Steve Levandowsky was also appointed as the OSPC representative to the CPC. 

OSPC focuses on Whitehall Conservation Area maintenance (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/11/25)

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 

Sidewalk repairs. Sidewalk repair work on Grove Street and Hayden Rowe Street is scheduled to start on Wednesday and will continue until July 25th. Work hours will be between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

Sidewalk repair work begins Wednesday (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 07/14/25)

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Water Advisory at Hopkinton State Park. On Monday, the Department of Public Health notified the Hopkinton Health Department that cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms were found in the upper reservoir of Hopkinton State Park. This algae can cause health issues, which could include gastrointestinal problems, neurological or liver damage, irritation of the skin or eyes, or asthma-like symptoms, particularly in small children and pets. Residents and their pets are advised to avoid contacting or ingesting the water in this area until the advisory is lifted. The DPH, in coordination with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, will continue to monitor and evaluate the blooms. 

DPH, DCR warn of harmful algal blooms in Hopkinton Reservoir (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 07/14/25)