WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 02/10/26

SELECT BOARD 

Budget Request Review. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board began reviewing budget requests from town departments for FY27. Departments were encouraged to streamline their budgets and maintain level services. The board heard budget presentations from the following town departments: IT, Land Use, Health Department, Human Resources, Library, Parks & Recreation, and Youth and Family Services. The inclusion of a priority camera in the IT department’s capital expense request was questioned by member Matthew Kizner, who deemed it an operational expense. The department of Youth and Family Services is facing insecurity from the potential loss of three grants that have previously fueled the department, funding half of the staff. The presented department requests are outlined in the article cited below. 

Select Board hears first round of town department budget requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/04/26) 

License Renewal Process. The board also continued its license renewal process, unanimously voting to renew licenses for a number of town businesses which had no outstanding inspections, reports or background checks. The deadline for these applicants had been extended from December 31st due to outstanding town inspections and late submissions. An issue was raised with regard to the HCA’s alcohol license renewal due to an outstanding emergency lighting inspection scheduled for several days after the meeting. This inspection is part of a fire prevention state policy implemented in July 2025, requiring emergency lights to stay on for 90 minutes after power is shut down. The board voted 4-1 to review the license on the condition that “no events or activities will be required or conducted until the remaining fire and building inspections are resolved.” Member Kizner objected to this condition, raising safety and liability concerns and questioning the rational for the decision. Tempers were raised when member Brian Herr sought to move on, and Kizner requested a discussion about professionalism. The board also voted unanimously to grant CV license extensions until February 25th to Aramark and Starbucks at multiple town locations. 

Tempers flare during Select Board’s license renewal process (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/04/26)

Overdue tax refunds. The board also heard a joint statement from unions representing the town’s teachers, police officers and firefighters regarding issues with their W-2s over the past several years, as a result of which nearly 100 members still have not received their IRS tax refunds from 2024. The town has denied error on its part in causing these refund delays. The statement noted ongoing frustrations and concerns regarding the 2025 tax season, and requested assurances that the W-2s issued this year contain correct information. The town confirmed that W-2s were issued the week prior. 

Teachers, public safety unions lash out at town for overdue tax refunds (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/04/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard that Anne Carver, former Elmwood Principal, has been hired as a long-term substitute assistant principal at Marathon School. She will fill this position for the remainder of the school year. The committee also heard highlights from the annual program of studies at Hopkinton High School which includes the addition of three courses – Physics of Space, Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning, and Technical Theater – while several other courses were removed. At the Middle School, this year’s Outdoor Classroom travel to Freedom, New Hampshire has been approved for sixth graders. Donations assist in offering financial assistance to families who are unable to cover the $435 cost. In other Middle School news, eighth grader Abigail Neseim has been chosen as this year’s Project 351 ambassador, and plans to complete a clothing drive service project in April to benefit Cradles to Crayons. 

In other business, the committee approved student travel to Southbridge from March 6-8 for the Business Professionals of America state conference. 

Carver returns as long-term sub to fill Marathon School administrator vacancy (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 02/06/26) 

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board addressed a motion to reconsider a vote made at their last meeting on a request to allow the Board of Appeals to reconsider a plan to build a new home at 69 Hayward Street to replace a home destroyed in a fatal fire that took the lives of an elderly couple and their dog. Last summer, the Board of Appeals denied the family’s request for a variance to build a new home on the property due to concerns about the lot size. The new proposed plan cut down the square footage, increasing the setbacks; however, a new plan cannot be submitted to the Board of Appeals for two years without approval by eight Planning Board members. Although only six members approved advancing the plan at the board’s prior meeting, they voted to reconsider the motion and, in light of the tragic underlying circumstances, voted 8-0 to advance. 

The board also voted 8-0 to approve a proposed plan by REC Hopkinton for a one-story office and retail building off Lumber Street. 

Planning Board allows Hayward Street house proposal to go before Board of Appeals (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/10/26)

2026 ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

For anyone interested in running for local office or keeping up with the current list of candidates for the 2026 Annual Town Election, check out eHop’s Town Election Update page!

eHOP’S 2026 BOSTON MARATHON RUNNER 

Help support eHop’s 2026 Boston Marathon runner, Gregory Sobol!