WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 11/11/25

SELECT BOARD 

FY 27 Budget. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board discussed the FY 27 budget. They heard from the town’s chief financial officer that all capital requests have been submitted and will be reviewed by the Capital Improvement Committee over the next four weeks. Town departments have also submitted their operating budget requests, with some departments adhering to the guideline that they should not exceed a 2.5% increase, while the majority of others submitted requests that exceed that amount. While this leaves a $1.8 million shortfall, the board noted that this is not uncommon this early in the process. 

CV license process review. The board also continued its discussions regarding improvements to the common victualer license application and renewal process. The board will vote on new CV applications, as well as renewals, during two December meetings. The town will conduct Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks, in addition to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks. It was suggested that town counsel be involved in the process, and the Town Manager noted that the board would need to adopt a policy to establish when a CV license could be denied based on CORI and/or SORI reports. 

Marathon invitational entries. The board also heard that the town has received 50 invitational entries for the 2026 Boston Marathon. The application process for these entries begins on Wednesday, with information available on the town website. 

Select Board hears status of FY 27 budget requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 12/05/25)

E-bike safety discussion. The board also heard from Trails Committee chair Peter LaGoy on the issue of e-bikes in town and his committee’s proposal to impose a 10 mph speed limit. Concerns were expressed about speeding by e-bike users, as well as damage caused to the trails and safety concerns for trail users. The board questioned whether sufficient actions have been taken to inform and educate the public on this issue. They also heard from the Deputy Police Chief Scott van Raalten and Fire Chief Gary Daugherty on the issue. Van Raalten noted that from a legal standpoint the HPD is only able to enforce the helmet law and suggested creating an educational campaign with the schools. Board members also discussed putting sandwich boards with e-bike usage rules on trailheads, as well as a Town Meeting article to create an e-bike by-law. 

Honoring Mike Whalen. The board also honored Mike Whalen, longtime volunteer with town veterans committees, for his contributions.

Select Board talks e-bike safety, recognizes Whalen (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/05/25)

OFFICE HOURS FOR STATE REP ARENA-DEROSA

State Representative James Arena-DeRosa is planning to hold office hours at the Hopkinton Public Library, Ellsworth Conference Room, on Saturday, November 15th from 1 pm – 3 pm. 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission addressed the most recent stormwater management violations by Toll Brothers at the Newbury Glen subdivision in late October. These violations and future steps were addressed with Ted Merchant, land-development director for Toll Brothers. The commission expressed frustrations with the number of violations at this site over the past year. 

In other business, the commission praised the Nation developers for their quick actions to resolve issues when a tractor hit a tree on Wood Street near Whisper Way and caught fire. Erosion controls were installed, asphalt millings that were dumped into the wetlands from the overturned truck were promptly removed, and good communication was maintained with the commission throughout the process. 

Additionally, the commission approved a request by the Department of Public Works for a negative determination of applicability to replace Well 1 off Fruit Street, which is no longer capable of providing viable drinking water, with a similar well 15 feet away. 

Conservation Commission expresses frustration with Toll Brothers over latest Newbury Glen violation (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/06/25)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee addressed the Hopkinton Housing Authority’s handling of CPC funds and procurement procedures for its improvement project at HHA property on Davis Road. The CPC had appropriated $350,000 to the project to install ADA-compliant seating areas, shading structures, a covered bus shelter, and walkways, on which construction had commenced earlier this year but was halted following a notice of default by the CPC. The CPC’s concerns arose first from HHA executive director Hayley Fetrow’s attempt to invoice a 10% project management fee to her consulting firm for the project, which she subsequently voided, and also from potential conflicts of interest in the procurement procedures in hiring Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA), whom CPC chair Ken Weismantel deemed overqualified and likely costing much more than other qualified applicants. Fetrow was not on the HHA at the time GRLA was selected. Fetrow addressed the CPC, noting that she invoiced the project management fee based on misinformation that she’d been given and voided it when she learned that she was not eligible for the fee, and expressed her belief that the HHA was operating in compliance throughout the process. It was noted by an HHA member that there may have been some communication issues due to the transition of Fetrow’s onboarding while the project was already underway. CPC members agreed the project should be permitted to continue conditioned on greater oversight. They passed a motion to put together a draft letter with conditions and budget to be reviewed and voted upon at the next meeting on November 13th. 

CPC concerned about lack of ‘meaningful oversight’ on Housing Authority project (Article by Nick Schofield, 11/07/25)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard about the schools’ positive MCAS results, with a high percentage of students falling into the meeting or exceeding expectations categories across all grade levels. In math, for grades 3-8, Hopkinton had the highest percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations out of all public schools in Massachusetts. It was noted that these results can help educators analyze how students are doing and how they can help support those students falling under the meeting expectations mark. It was also clarified that the majority of students falling below the meeting expectations benchmark fell into the partially meeting expectations category, with very few not meeting expectations. The data also showed a generally positive student growth across grades. 

In other news, the Superintendent discussed the recent groundbreaking ceremony at Charleswood School and discussed topics addressed at Tuesday’s district professional development day. 

MCAS shows positive results, areas to improve (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 11/07/25)

 COMMISSION ON DISABILITY

 At its Monday meeting, the Commission on Disability discussed a spring event, in partnership with the Department of Public Works, to increase resident awareness of challenges that people with disabilities face in navigating the downtown area. The event, which will be “in the spirit of White Cane Day,” will have community leaders experience what it would be like to move from the Hopkinton Public Library to Town Hall if they had a mobility, hearing or visual impairment, or rely on assistive devices. In addition to creating awareness, it will help inform plans to meet ADA compliance for transportation and public spaces. 

The commission also discussed with DPW Director Kerry Reed challenges caused by insufficient snow removal on downtown sidewalk accessibility, and concerns over the low volume of the cross walk in front of Town Hall. It was also updated that the $600,000 allocated by the state for the library accessibility improvements have not yet been dispersed. 

Commission members agreed that future meeting will be fully remote to enhance accessibility due to poor sound quality at the hybrid meetings. 

Commission on Disability to partner with DPW for spring White Cane Day (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/11/25)

BOARD OF HEALTH

Monday’s meeting focused primarily on the Health Department’s FY 27 budget. Health Director Shaun McAuliffe reported that the department could operate as level-budgeted from last year, in line with the town’s FY 27 budget guidelines. Its proposed budget covers salaries, hourly wages, along with other expenses. A discussion was had regarding the feasibility of providing market competitive pay rates for the department’s nursing staff. It was noted that a persuasive case might be made at Town Meeting.  

The board also heard about the Health Departments’ actions in helping to assist residents impacted by food insecurity. It was noted that more food and volunteer labor would be needed to support Project Just Because in handling the increased need in the community. 

Health Department develops FY 27 budget, looks to address food insecurity (Article by Nick Schofield, 11/11/25)

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

The latest project update reports that due to weather conditions final paving on the west side of the project, from the Fire Station to just past Wood Street, has been rescheduled to next week, tentatively planned for Monday and Tuesday. Work hours are between 9 am and 3 pm. Detours will be necessary and residents should expect delays.