WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 08/12/25

SELECT BOARD

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board voted 4-0 to schedule a public hearing regarding Hiller’s Pizza’s common victualer’s license (required in MA for an establishment with equipment to cook, prepare, or serve food on its premises), which could result in a revocation or suspension of said license. This follows the recent conviction of Hiller’s Pizza owner Peter Sismanis for indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and witness intimidation for an incident at the restaurant in 2023. The state law permits a license hearing in cases where the licensee “conducts his licensed business in an improper manner.” During public comment, several people noted Sismanis’ prior history of improper conduct at another business. An attorney for the Sismanis family noted that the business is currently attempting to transfer the license to Sismanis’ wife. 

The board also approved transferring the all-alcohol and common victualer’s licenses to the prospective new owners of Cornell’s Irish Pub, and approved an extended entertainment license, with the provision that fire safety and capacity enforcement conditions are met. 

In other business, Water & Sewer Advisory Board members made their recommendation for the proposed connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority through Southborough as being the best option to ensure Hopkinton’s future viable water supply. The WSAB Chair urged the town to take action, as the MWRA approval process and infrastructure construction can take 5-7 years. The board also appointed Water & Sewer Deputy Manager Jed Fenneuff to replace retiring Director Eric Carty, and addressed steps taken to increase Verizon’s planned work schedule on the Main Street Corridor Project.  

Select Board votes to hold public hearing on Hillers Pizza license after public outcry for revocation (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/06/25)

At its meeting tonight, the Select Board will be interviewing four law firms as part of their effort to consider options for the town’s legal counsel. The current town counsel’s appointment was set to expire on June 30th but was extended by the board. However, the board unanimously voted to initiate the process to solicit proposals from other firms.

Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, Aug. 12: Select Board to interview town counsel candidates (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 08/12/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At their meeting last Monday, the Planning Board addressed the proposal to add parking spaces to the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot at 85-89 West Main Street, hearing environmental and accessibility concerns. At a July 22nd hearing, the Conservation Commission had expressed concerns about the increase in impervious space and noted that when the lot was initially created it was asserted that no additional spaces would be added. At this meeting, the board heard a revised proposal for two additional spaces whereby the accessible space in front of UniBank would be moved to the side of the building to create room for one new space, while another space would be added near the Lumber Street entrance, both of which would fall outside the buffer zone, thereby no longer under the Conservation Commission’s jurisdiction. The applicant is seeking a waiver from the town’s EV-ready stalls requirement, asserting that its installation would cause environmental disturbance at the site and the cost would be prohibitive to the project. The board discussed the present small businesses’ requests for reserved customer spaces (a nail salon and Verizon offices),  concerns over the potential loss of those two small businesses due to insufficient parking, Lumber Street traffic concerns, the benefits of EV charging stations, and the accessible spaces. Following this discussion, the board voted 6-0 to continue the hearing to August 18th.   

The board also voted to continue a hearing for a special permit for 7 off-street parking spaces on Claflin Street, a narrow street prone to flooding, pending a site walk scheduled for August 16th. Additionally, they discussed traffic mitigation options for Chamberlain Street. 

Planning Board continues UniBank/Starbucks parking lot hearing despite space reduction (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission voted to continue a hearing for a notice of intent for the proposed construction of a one-story office and retail building off Lumber Street, with an access drive and parking area. The site is currently undeveloped, and stormwater and utility infrastructure would have to be installed. Portions of the building are proposed within the 100-foot buffer zone. The commission is awaiting a stormwater review and has requested the submission of a post-construction invasive species management plan, as well as a cumulative impact exhibit regarding the buffer. 

The commission also approved a DPW request to alter plans to improve drainage near its 83 Wood Street facility, and continued several hearings at the applicants’ requests. 

Conservation Commission continues hearing on proposed commercial building off Lumber Street (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/07/25)

OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

At its Thursday meeting, the Open Space Preservation Commission addressed a request by a homeowner to remove two trees on OSPC land so they can install solar panels on their private property. The homeowner’s land abuts OSPC property that came under their jurisdiction following a previous tension whereby they were not consulted when the land donation was proposed before the Planning Board in 2023. OSPC Chair Ed Harrow expressed some opposition to the request and proposed selling the homeowner the strip of land abutting their home, which would have to go before Town Meeting. Members questioned whether a conservation restriction was required for the land and noted the environmental benefit conflict of preserving trees and utilizing solar panels as a clean energy source. The commission agreed to look into the matter further and consult the director of the Department of Land Use, Planning & Permitting, John Gelcich, on whether the land is subject to a conservation restriction. 

The commission also voted to ask the Town Manager to conduct negotiations with the Faith Community Church regarding a parcel of land at Wood Street and Winter Street that it is willing to sell to the OSPC; approved payment for the annual invasive species removal plan for Whitehall Conservation Area; and approved the purchase of wildflower seed mix packets to be given out at Hopkinton Family Day. 

OSPC questions ability to allow removal of trees on its property to benefit homeowner (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/10/25)

WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT

Eric Carty, director of the Water & Sewer Department is set to retire this fall after four decades with the department. The Hopkinton Independent spoke to him about his reflections on his career and about the town’s future water needs. 

Carty reflects on 40 years of service with Water & Sewer Department as retirement approaches (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/06/25)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

Following the last posted update on the Main Street Corridor Project regarding a scheduling disagreement between the town and Verizon over Verizon’s plan to work on site only one to two days per week, it was reported that town officials and Verizon representatives have come to an agreement on a 4 day work week schedule for the project until its completion. 

Town, Verizon agree to 4-day work week schedule for Main Street Corridor Project (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/12/25)