WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 11/04/25

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board reviewed the Pyne Field redesign plans which include cricket and baseball Little League fields, a 95 space parking lot, and a walkway on the access road. $1 million for this project was approved by the CPC in 2022, although project costs have recently doubled to $1,939,000. Plans were presented by Parks & Rec director Jon Lewitus and project manager Colleen Fowler. The legal representative for the abutting sawmill business objected to the plans on the basis that the project interferes with their easement rights on the access road and raising safety concerns for pedestrians and vehicles along the access road due to the business’s large truck use. Lewitus asserted that the sawmill’s representatives have been participants in every Parks & Rec meeting dealing with the project and that their feedback was taken into account in updated design plans. The board voted 8-0 to continue the hearing on this matter, and a site walk is planned for November 15th at 8:30 am. 

In other business, the board continued the hearing on the Starbucks/UniBank parking lot at the applicant’s request for continued design work. 

Planning Board continues Pyne Field redevelopment discussion after safety concerns emerge (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/4/25)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Economic Development Advisory Board heard a report from chief financial officer Kyla LaPierre about the town’s finances in upcoming fiscal years. She informed that upcoming capital projects could prompt talks of an override. While it appears that the town should be ok for FY 27 without additional debt, increasing expenses over the next couple years, including school projects and town infrastructure needs, will cause strain. The possibility of creating a split tax rate for residential and commercial taxes bases was discussed, as were the pros and cons of tax increment financing (TIF) agreements to encourage new businesses. The board also learned that the meals tax implemented at the start of the year has generated $200,000, which the Chamber of Commerce has recommended be used to fund a full-time economic development director position.   

EDAB hears frank report on Hopkinton’s financial future from town CFO (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/29/25)

WATER & SEWER ADVISORY BOARD 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Board heard from a water expert resident, Ken Weismantel, on a proposal to increase the town’s in-basin water supply by enacting a policy change for the timing of the Hopkinton Reservoir drawdown from June 1st to August 1st to allow the reservoir more time to capture rain water during hurricane season. Members showed interest in the idea and suggested reaching out to state Senate president Karen Spilka and state Rep. James Arena-DeRosa for feedback.  

The board also reviewed the town’s PFAS forum held in September; noted the state’s recent downgrade of the region’s drought status to mild; and noted DPW Director Kerry Reed’s application for a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection grant to fund a water conservation audit to detect unaccounted-for treated water lost through means such as leaks and water main breaks.   

WSAB hears idea for increasing in-basin water supply (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/30/25)

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed expenses related to the Fruit Street Athletic Complex, reviewing the income generated by the grass and turf fields versus the high maintenance costs. Following discussion, the commission decided it was not prepared to make decisions at that time regarding user fee increases. They agreed to review more detailed cost and field usage information and consider ways to reduce expenses. 

The commission also addressed the holiday lights on the Town Common, which had been eliminated from the Parks & Rec FY26 budget. At that time, the contractor’s quoted price had increased significantly from prior years; however, the contractor has since reached out willing to do it at the lower price previously charged. Although there is presently no funding for it, it was noted that several organizations have expressed an interest in covering the costs through donations. It was explained that a donation would require Parks & Rec and Select Board approval. 

Parks & Rec debates Fruit Street fees, funding for holiday lights (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/30/25)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard that the Hopkins School project is running significantly ahead of schedule with the addition expected to be at substantial completion by December 19, 2025, rather than the expected date of February 4, 2026. The committee accepted a revised schedule for the project in light of this information. The committee discussed whether to turn back unused money (approximately $4 million) to the town or spend it on additional needed replacement work, thus avoiding future capital project requests. The committee did not authorize any funds for these added expenditures at that time. They also heard an update on the Charleswood School project, which is running on schedule with an anticipated opening date of January 2, 2028.  

In other business, the committee also approved a request for a full-time equivalent ABA paraprofessional at Marathon School to meet an IEP for a newly registered student, and heard additional requests including a reallocation of funds in an existing stipend account to pay advisors for four new clubs at the high school, and for an assistant advisor for an existing club (Health Occupations Students of America / Future Health Professionals) with 190 members. Also, the superintendent announced upcoming budget hearing dates, and the committee will vote on the school calendar on December 4th. 

Hopkins project ahead of schedule; potential of scope additions suggested (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 10/31/25)

School Rankings 

In other school news, recently released statewide rankings of public schools for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report listed Hopkinton Middle School 7th statewide for Massachusetts middle schools, while Hopkins was ranked 11th and Elmwood 21st for elementary schools. 

Hopkinton schools receive high ranks in U.S. News & World Report survey (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/28/25)

HOUSING AUTHORITY 

At a special meeting of the Hopkinton Housing Authority on Thursday, the board held an inquiry regarding executive director Hayley Fetrow’s handling of Community Preservation Committee funds, in response to concerns raised by the CPC that the House Authority was not in compliance with its grant requirements with regard to providing budget information and failing to provide quarterly reports. The project in question was a beautification project at the Housing Authority’s Davis Road properties. Following an extensive presentation by Fetrow regarding two years of communications with the CPC and an explanation of the allegations, board members voiced their support for Fetrow, with the vice chair deeming the matter “an unfortunate miscommunication and administrative blunder.” The board voted 4-0-1 in favor of supporting Fetrow, with chair Nancy “Punky” Drawe abstaining from the vote. Fetrow would submit the documentation she shared with the board to the CPC and will meet with them for a public hearing on Thursday. 

Housing Authority backs executive director after CPC questions finances (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/31/25)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

See the latest project update reflecting schedule changes for paving and curb and sidewalk work due to recent delays.