WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 11/18/25

CEMETERY COMMISSION

At its Wednesday meeting, the Cemetery Commission heard about early conceptual plans to expand Mt. Auburn Cemetery from DPW Director Kerry Reed. A placeholder for the project was put in for 2030. The plan will expand the property to 1,240 full body lots, the initial design plans for which were released on the town website in July. Reed has informed that Mt. Auburn is expected to sell out of its lots within the next decade, and state law requires the town to provide burial places for residents. Preliminary estimates for the project run in the $1.4-1.5 million range. A vote at a future Town Meeting will be required to appropriate the funds for the project.   

Cemetery Commission reviews early plans for Mt. Auburn expansion (Article by Nick Schofield, 11/13/25)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday joint meeting with four members of the Hopkinton Housing Authority, the Community Preservation Committee approved a draft letter to reinstate funding for the recently halted HHA project on Davis Road properties after questions were raised about its financial management on the project. Budget, additional conditions for project oversight, and a completion date were agreed upon so that the project can move forward. 

In other business, the committee heard an update on the Cemetery Commission’s CPC funded headstone restoration project. The consultant for the work visited recently and agreed to complete the work by June 30, 2026. The Cemetery Commission chair noted that she has a 10 page document of headstones in need of restoration, in response to questions about its FY 27 request for $20,000, despite having $19,000 left over. The committee also discussed the town’s application for CPC funds to restore or repair the original limestone at the two entrances of Town Hall, which have deteriorated.   

CPC votes to reinstate funding for Housing Authority project with conditions (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/14/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board continued discussions about the redevelopment plans for Pyne Field following a recent sitewalk. Members continue to have safety concerns regarding the location of the proposed parking lot which will require crossing an access road to get to the fields. Members discussed why previous plans for a parking lot on the same side as the field were rejected, and questioned whether a drop-off area could be designed. A straw poll taken on the safety of the currently proposed parking area showed five out of eight members deeming it unsafe. Additional straw polls showed five members voting for a permeable parking lot surface, and six members voting against waiving the EV-ready infrastructure requirement. This feedback will be reviewed at the next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. The board voted 8-0 to continue the hearing on this matter to December 1st. 

In other business, the board addressed the ongoing Starbucks/UniBank parking lot proposal, hearing that the applicant is no longer seeking additional spaces but lot restriping instead. This puts the project out of Planning Board purview, and under the jurisdiction of either the zoning enforcement officer or building inspector. The board had to continue the hearing pending their receipt of a letter stating that the proposal has been withdrawn from its consideration.

Planning Board questions safety of proposed parking lot in Pyne Field redesign (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/18/25)

HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Hopkinton Police Department Deputy Police Chief Scott van Raalten submitted a letter to Town Manager Elaine Lazarus and the Select Board in response to public comments at the November 4th Select Board that the HPD withheld information regarding the sexual assault history of former Hillers Pizza owner Petros Sismanis and questioning why he was allowed to obtain and renew his common victualer license given this history. In light of this situation, the Select Board has been working over the past month to implement a more rigorous review process for CV license applications and renewals. Raalten’s letter addressed the restrictions of state law regarding the public release of information regarding sexual assault incidents. He emphasized the lack of discretion in withholding such records and the strict penalties for violating this law. He further emphasized the HPD’s commitment to transparency and noted the department’s collaboration with town counsel to assist residents in understanding what information can be lawfully shared with the public and how they can request additional records. 

HPD counters ‘inaccurate and misleading statements’ regarding Sismanis case (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 11/14/25)

Regarding this situation, a group protested outside Town Hall on Saturday against “questionable municipal leadership” and to demand HPD accountability. The groups is advocating for an independent investigation into the HPD and Chief Joseph Bennett, and plans to speak at tonight’s Select Board meeting. 

Hopkinton Today for Monday, Nov. 17: Protesters ask for HPD accountability (Hopkinton Independent, 11/17/25)