WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 07/22/25

CLIMATE RESILIENCE OPEN HOUSE 

The town will be holding a Climate Resilience Open House this week for all interested residents. The following is posted on the Town’s website: 

“Come join us at the Hopkinton Public Library for an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and get involved in the Town’s ongoing climate action planning. For our community to see the benefits of sustainable practices that protect residents from flooding and preserve green open spaces, we have to encourage them in our land use bylaws and regulations. At this event, town staff and climate resilience experts will teach you about policies that build climate resilience and how to build support for them in Hopkinton.

Thursday, July 24th
5:30 – 7:30PM
Hopkinton Public Library, 13 Main St.

Please RSVP if you’re planning to join. This community–wide open house is a family friendly pop–in event. There will be food and fun for all ages.”

See also, Hopkinton Today for Friday, June 18: Open house about climate bylaws set for July 24 (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 07/18/25)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Elementary School Building Committee heard from Charleswood School project manager Chris Eberly who updated that the project was currently running $31 million under the anticipated budget. It was explained that original estimates were conducted during times of inflation at the height of COVID. Eberly cautioned, however, that there is still a long way ahead for the project, and the lower than anticipated construction costs means that the total reimbursement grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority will correspondingly be lower than originally thought. 

It was further updated that the street improvements contract was awarded to J.H. Lynch & Sons to handle the Hayden Rowe Street improvements for the project. Contractor Brait Builders Corp. is set to commence work but must first address restrictions imposed by the Conservation Commission regarding issues including erosion control and invasive species management. At this stage, the project is on schedule. 

Charleswood School project $31M under estimates (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 07/16/25) 

PLANNING BOARD 

In a brief Monday meeting, the Planning Board voted to continue the hearing for the minor site plan review of the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot property at 85-89 West Main Street for the second time at the applicant’s request. The hearing was pushed to August 4th. 

The board also made its annual appointment of members, for uncontested seats, to the Design Review Board. The following people were appointed based on their interests and skills: Purvi Avlani, Jacqueline Crowe, Sue-Ellen Stoddard, Jefferey Doherty, and Jeanette Thomson. The board also appointed to the Zoning Advisory Commission, Avlani and Crowe as alternate members, and Khwaja Ehsan and Adam Farkes for the at-large seats. The ZAC Planning Board representative will likely be chosen at the next meeting on August 4th. 

Planning Board continues UniBank/Starbucks parking lot hearing to Aug. 4 (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/22/25)

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee discussed project updates and corresponding meetings with town departments. A meeting with Town Manager Elaine Lazarus covered an easement issue at the entrance of a trailhead parking area planned on East Main Street owned by Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation, who expressed some reservations. Also discussed with Lazarus was a construction project to build bridges to facilitate crossing over Indian Brook and a channel from Duck Pond on DCR land, and a plan to protect landowner liability at trail crossings through private property.  

A meeting with the DPW resulted in the approval of the committee’s roadside trail sign project whereupon the DWP will install Trail Committee funded signed at trailheads at Hughes Farm Trail, Hopkinton Town Forest at Pond Street, a new Main Street parking area, and on Fruit Street near Whitehall Brook. The committee will address maintenance of these trailhead parking areas. 

Following attendance at an Open Space Preservation Commission meeting, the committee discussed the issue of imposing e-bike speed limits on the trails. Research on the issue will be conducted before a recommendation will be brought to the Select Board. 

Other meeting business addressed next steps in creating a Loop Road to Chamberlain Street Extension trail, moving the planned parking area at 101 Ash Street closer to 97 Ash Street in response to property owners’ concerns, and approving funds for a consultant to map out trails at Legacy Farm North.  

Trails Committee discusses project progress with town officials (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/17/25)

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 

Continued Roadway Construction. The Department of Public Works will continue roadway construction through the rest of this month and into August. The following roads will be affected: Chamberlain Street, Angelo Drive, Colella Farm Road, Nicholas Road, and Whalen Road. Work hours will run between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Residents should avoid parking on these streets. Delays may occur and alternate routes should be sought if possible. 

DPW to continue construction on multiple streets through August (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 07/18/25)

  A full schedule of work can be found on the Town’s website.

Beaver removal at Bloods Pond dam. The DPW last month obtained an emergency permit to contract animal control to trap and remove beavers at a dam at Bloods Pond. The removed beavers were subsequently euthanized. The permit was obtained following a site investigation in response to a resident call about water flow irregularity out of the pond. DPW Director Kerry Reed noted that debris accumulation in the dam’s spillways, exacerbated by the beavers, created a risk of dam failure which would be a significant safety concern. The Health Department issued the emergency permit to remove the beavers, noting that a dam collapse could compromise several roadways and homes in the area. Residents in the Bloods Pond area expressed frustrations and opposition to the removal and euthanization of the beavers. Residents also expressed concerns about the trapping practice and complaints that no resident permission or notification took place before traps were set up on their private property. Health Director Shaun McAuliffe explained that the entrance on private property was authorized by the emergency nature of the threat to public health and safety. McAuliffe and Reed further noted that euthanasia of the trapped beavers was the only option, as it it illegal in Massachusetts to relocate a captured beaver. While a beaver deceiver is instilled in the pond to assist with water flow, a resident suggested it was insufficiently maintained. McAuliffe has initiated efforts to obtain interceptors or diverters to help prevent a similar situation in the future. Reed has asserted that the DPW will likely need to go back to Town Meeting to approve additional funds for dam repairs, and emphasized that public safety is the department’s primary priority. 

Town, residents at odds over beaver removal at Bloods Pond (Article by Nick Schofield, 07/10/25)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

The latest update in the Main Street Corridor Project shows a delay in Comcast’s cut over services; however, they are still on track to complete work this month. AT&T is on track to complete work mid-July, and Verizon is expected on site this week. Amorello is expected onsite on July 24th to assist with utility work at Meserve and Main Street, and MassDOT is reviewing landscaping changes.

See the full update HERE.