WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 08/26/25

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission heard details from the Trails Committee on its proposal to create a trail from Loop Road at the schools to connect to the Chamberlain Street Extension. The director of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, Chuck Dauchy, represented the Trails Committee and gave a presentation on the project which would create a stone dust path 6-8 feet in width with a 22 foot timber bridge over a stream, going over wetlands but causing no further disturbance. Some questions were raised regarding the project which addressed missing or unintelligible flags along the trail, as well concerns over why the plan would be exempt from stormwater standards, potential drainage problems, and the use of stone dust. The hearing was continued until September 9th for requested information to be gathered. 

Several other hearings were continued including the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot expansion, a notice of intent and soil testing for a proposed single-family home at 12 North Mill Street, and a notice of intent for a one-story office / retail building off Lumber Street. 

Conservation Commission continues hearing on proposed trail connecting Loop Road, Chamberlain Street Extension (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/20/25)

WATER & SEWER ADVISORY BOARD 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Board addressed concerns regarding the potential impact of improperly contained salt on the town’s water supply. Specifically, they addressed an uncontained salt / sand pile at 66 Fruit Street near the town wells at Fruit Street used by the HFD and residents, as well as a resident salt pile at Marshall Avenue and an uncontained salt pile at Legacy Farms.  

The board also discussed the towns PFAS issue, noting the possibility that prior firefighting training with firefighting foam could have contributed to this problem. Other potential causes were discussed. The board further discussed their recent MWRA connection recommendation to the Select Board and forward movement on the issue. 

WSAB talks wellhead protection, PFAS concerns (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/21/25)

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee addressed an unintentional Open Meeting Law violation from its July 16th meeting, which had inadvertently not been posted to the town’s website, and revoted on items from that meeting. These included the reorganization of officers and approval of funds for a consultant to map out the Legacy Farms North trails. 

The committee also discussed future projects and what criteria should be considered when prioritizing projects going forward. Additionally, they heard a recap of the proposed trail to connect Loop Road and the Chamberlain Street Extension presented to the Conservation Commission. Finally, they discussed a change in the monthly trails workday projects, whereby the Trails Club has requested that the committee chose and schedule the areas for workdays and the Trails Club will publicize and gather volunteers for the events.  

Trails Committee focuses on organizing priorities (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/21/25)

SCHOOLS

A number of Hopkinton teachers have still not received their IRS tax refunds and have been working with Senator Ed Markey’s office and the IRS to resolve the issue. The president of the Hopkinton Teachers Association stated that over 100 Hopkinton teachers and School Department employees have been affected. Superintendent Bishop and Finance Director Kyla LaPierre have commented on the issue, with the latter noting that she is unaware of any town clerical error impacting this delay. A resolution is still forthcoming to date. 

U.S. Sen. Markey’s office intervenes to help HPS teachers get overdue federal tax refunds (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/25/25)

A U.S. News & World Report publication announced last week that Hopkinton Public High school has ranked 8th in the state in a survey of the best high schools in the country, receiving an overall score of 98.75/100. The most important factor considered was college readiness, while other factors included scores from state administered tests in math, science and reading; test scores for Black, Hispanic and low-income students; college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates. 

HHS ranks 8th statewide in U.S. News & World Report national high school survey (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 08/20/25)

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 

The DPW has been given a DER grant for $127,000 for the second phase of an ecological restoration project to repair and restore the Whitehall Brook culverts that pass under Fruit Street. This phase includes essential engineering and design work necessary to move the project forward. DPW Director Kerry Reed noted that culvert repair is expensive and expressed the department’s excitement over the grant to keep the project progressing. 

Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, Aug. 26: DPW earns ecological restoration grant (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 08/26/25)