WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 10/21/25

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Commission had initial discussions about applications received for CPC funding for FY 27. The commission stressed its plan to be more stringent with applicants who have made little progress on previously funded projects. Funding allocations are made with a two year project completion expectation; however, the CPC has granted extensions over the past few years. 

The largest request was for $6 million through FY 28 for the Center School project, requested as a “placeholder.” The HCA is in the process of raising $4 million as the expected private partner. The town has submitted a RFP for bids for the “arts floor” due in early November, and chair Ken Weismantel noted the possibility that the demo might be done in the next budget cycle. Further Center School project information will be available in December. 

Other requests discussed came from the Parks and Recreation Department, for lighting at the Fruit Street pickleball/tennis courts; picnic tables and benches for Sandy Beach, the Town Common, and the skate park; and an additional $1 for the cricket pitch/ball field for the Pyne Field redesign project. The need for court lighting was questioned, and concern was raised over allocating more money to the Pyne Field project which is currently 3 years behind. There were also several land purchase requests, as well as a limestone repair request for the Town Hall entrance, from the Open Space Preservation Commission, and a Department of Public Works request for a conceptual plan for improvements to the property at Ice House Pond. A $20,000 request by the Cemetery Commission for its headstone restoration project will be considered at the October 23rd meeting, although it was noted that their request for the same was denied for FY 26 due to lack of progress on the project.  

Chair: CPC to be stricter with applicants’ project completion deadlines in FY 27 budget cycle (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/17/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board voted 8-0 to continue the hearing for the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot expansion proposal to allow for the applicant to submit new plans in light of his decision to reduce the number of new spaces from two to one, or seek to restripe the lot. The applicant’s proposal has changed several times since it was originally presented in June, seeking four spaces. The board debated over the applicant’s request for an EV waiver, and questions were raised over the history of the site. The hearing has been continued to November 3rd.  

In other business, the board voted to approve a bond reduction request for the Deiana Farm subdivision at 6 Nebraska Street, and to release two lots for the Red Tail Circle subdivision located at 24 Chestnut Street. 

Planning Board continues Starbucks parking hearing as applicant modifies request (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/21/25)

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee unanimously voted to recommend to the Select Board that a 10 mph speed limit for electronic and standard bicycles be implemented on the town’s shared use trails: Center, Hughes Farm, and Echo. The primary reasons to support this proposal are safety concerns and trail damage by e-bikes. The committee suggests posting the speed limits at each trail. 

In other business, the committee also voted not to go forward with a proposed bridge reconstruction on the Woodville trail after deeming the trail dangerous, noting that purchased wood for the project could be used for the two boardwalks proposed to be built at the Berry Acres area. The boardwalk plan is planned for review at the Conservation Commission’s meeting on October 21st. The committee also discussed public outreach strategies and the creation of a trail master plan. 

Trails Committee proposes 10 mph speed limit for bikes on trails (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/16/25)

POLICE DEPARTMENT 

The HPD has been awarded a $35,000 federal grant to expand its traffic enforcement and safety initiatives. This grant will fund overtime traffic enforcement shifts, as well as a new radar sign to track and display vehicle speeds. The HPD also plans to participate in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sponsored driving safety campaigns. 

HPD awarded federal traffic safety grant (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/15/25)

HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

The Health Department and Public Library have partnered to offer additional fall flu vaccine clinics to individuals ages 2+. In addition to a clinic held today, clinics will be held on Tuesday October 28th and November 18th, from 3:30pm – 6:00pm. 

Registration is required. See their flyer below: 

Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, Oct. 21: Health Department opens flu clinics to general public (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/21/25)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

Check out the latest project updates here.