WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 09/30/25

PARKS & RECREATION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed possible projects for Community Preservation Commission funding, ahead of the upcoming October 9th application deadline for FY 27. The commission voted to request additional funding for the Pyne Field project following an update from Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus that a recently submitted 90% submission plan estimated the total for the project as double what was initially proposed. Concern was expressed that expected tenants may not be aware of the fees to use fields, and the possibility of dropping the project was discussed; however, it was agreed that a funding request of up to $1.1 million would be submitted to the CPC. Also voted on to be submitted for CPC funding was the first phase of a lighting plan for the athletic complex at Fruit Street and the installation of benches at various Parks & Rec properties. 

Parks & Rec considers future of Pyne Field as it puts together FY 27 CPC requests (Article by Nick Schofield, 09/24/25)

SELECT BOARD 

At its meeting last Tuesday, the Select Board covered numerous issues. 

Dangerous dog determination. Following a hearing about numerous incidents regarding attacks by a dog at 50 Hayward Street, the board unanimously voted to determine that the dog is dangerous and subject to humane restraint. The owner is to appear before the board again on October 21st to discuss additional remedies. 

McFarland-Sanger House. The board unanimously approved issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to seek a buyer for the McFarland-Sanger House, one of the town’s 10 oldest houses, subject to a historical preservation restriction.  

Town counsel candidates. The board has ranked the four candidate firms vying for the town counsel position based on established criteria, eliminating Brooks & DeRensis, leaving Harrington Heep; KP Law; and Mead, Talerman & Costa. Board members and the Town Manager gave their top two choices out of these remaining firms, ultimately agreeing that all three would be included in the final round of interviews. 

Select Board deems Hayward Street dog ‘dangerous’; approves RFP for McFarland-Sanger House disposition (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/24/25)

Crust & Co. License Issue. The board also heard from the Town Manager that Crust & Co., the new pizza shop taking over the former Hillers Pizza location, opened before a building inspection was conducted. The shop’s common victualer license had been approved at the board’s prior meeting conditioned on all required inspections being completed prior to opening. The restaurant closed its doors upon being notified by the Town Manager of this violation, and the inspection was conducted the same day. Members debated whether a hearing should be held to discuss a possible fine. 

Tempers flare during Crust & Co. license discussion (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/24/25)

Town Hall Incident. The Town Manager informed the Select Board that due to the recent visit by First Amendment auditors videotaping in Town Hall, a formal employee training session has been scheduled for this week to ensure that all rights are being respected in any future similar encounters. Board members stressed the importance of employee safety and suggested more effective Health Department signage to ensure the protection of confidential medical records. 

Town Hall video incident prompts employee training (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/24/25)

Plaque honoring enslaved residents. Finally, the board reviewed a request by the Hopkinton Historical Society about installing a commemorative plaque on the Town Common to honor enslaved persons living in Hopkinton between 1715 and 1790. The Parks & Rec Commission, under whose jurisdiction land memorials fall, previously sought board input due to the sensitive nature of the historical period. The peer review process regarding the research was discussed; Hopkinton Historical Society archivist Linda Connelly defended her 10 years of research; and the need for board input was questioned by a member. All board members were supportive of the plaque being installed on the Town Common. 

Select Board hearing on plaque honoring enslaved Hopkinton residents generates discussion on jurisdictional issues (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/24/25)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its meeting last Tuesday, the Conservation Commission reviewed the proposed one-story office and retail building off Lumber Street. The applicant’s representative noted several site plan modifications and some proposed new language. The commission unanimously voted to continue the hearing until October 7th so as to review these updates. The commission also declined to issue a certificate of compliance for a tennis court at 42 Greenwood Road due to the applicant’s failure to meet the remediation plan’s requirement to plant shrubs on the property. Conservation administrator Judy Day noted her intention to reach out to the applicant to address the misunderstanding. 

In other business, hearings for the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot and trail continuation at Chamberlain Street and Loop Road were continued; and the commission approved the submission of a letter in support of the DPW’s request for CPC funds for an improvement design for Ice House Pond. 

The commission is seeking two new members to fill vacant seats. 

Conservation Commission reviews plans for proposed commercial office building off Lumber Street (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/25/25)

COMMISSION ON DISABILITY 

At its Monday hearing, the Commission on Disability elected new officers with Nancy “Punky” Drawe as commission chair, Holly Morand as secretary, and Amy Ritterbusch as vice chair. It was announced that $60,000 has been earmarked in the state budget to be allocated to Hopkinton for hand railings and a push-button entrance at the front of the library. The commission also discussed a grant in the works that, if received, will fund consultants to review town buildings to ensure their compliance with current legal and accessibility requirements. Also discussed was an upcoming event, “White Can Day,” scheduled for October 14th, from 6-7 p.m., during which a walk with simulated visual or physical impairments will be conducted from the library to the Select Board chambers in order to identify any issues that individuals with disabilities may face along the way. Additionally, the commission heard concerns from a visually and hearing impaired resident regarding the new traffic light at Town Hall, and noted future agenda items including snow removal and accessible parking spaces.  

Commission on Disability votes for new leadership, announces state funding for library accessibility improvements (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon 09/25/25)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard a presentation from representatives of CMTA outlining energy options with a “net zero” lens for the high school and middle school, reviewing audit results of conditions and utilities at both buildings. The consultants suggested options and discussed possible state rebates and federal reimbursement programs. The committee has been tasked with choosing an option or something different. Funding would be done through a debt exclusion that will require Town Meeting approval. Committee members noted current high expenditures and questioned the urgency of the timing. The committee also heard a presentation about the 10-year capital plan which is expected to be voted on at the next meeting on October 9th. 

School Committee considers debt exclusion request for HVAC (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 09/26/25)

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the committee heard presentations from all grade level principals on their school improvement plans. 

Principals outline improvement plans that emphasize transitions (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 09/29/25)