WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 03/03/26

SELECT BOARD

Emergency preparedness plan. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board discussed the town’s emergency preparedness plan with the HFD and HPD chiefs and school superintendent.The parties discussed and supported an independent audit to assist in improving services by both identifying technology or training gaps to be addressed, and highlighting strengths that could be furthered upon. Board members discussed the schools being a primary area of focus. The Eversource LNG plant was also noted. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus will use the information discussed in a request for consultant proposals. 

Select Board, town leaders discuss emergency preparedness plan audit (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/25/26)

Continued budget review. The board continued reviewing town department budget requests for FY27. They heard from Amy Beck, director of Senior Services, who requested a 2% operations budget increase to maintain level services, and two capital requests to replace lobby carpeting which has become a tripping hazard, and to install a secondary exit door. The board heard also from the Community Preservation Committee who presented the requests it approved in December and January, including $2 million for the Center School rehabilitation project, as well as smaller requests for cemetery headstone restoration, floor restoration for the Ellsworth Conference Room at the library, limestone restoration at Town Hall, lighting for the Fruit Street courts, and tables and benches at the Common, Sandy Beach, and EMC skate park. They also proposed land purchases for property at the Carbone’s Restaurant and a small piece of property off Winter Street. Additional straightforward accounting and finance requests were reviewed. 

CV license renewal process. The board also continued with its CV license renewal process which is nearing completion. It approved license renewals for Starbucks, while the Aramark at Dell locations are awaiting emergency lighting tests and bulb/battery replacements if needed. The board also approved the transfer of the all-alcohol license for Orale Mexican Restaurant from Mauricio Bremermann to Victor Roman. 

Additional business. The board honored longtime volunteer firefighter and special detail officer Henry “Artie” Pyne, who recently passed away, and accepted several donations in his memory. 

Select Board resumes FY 27 budget work, reviews outstanding CV license requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/25/26)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission had an informal discussion about a proposed plan to repurpose 75 South Street, currently used for offices and manufacturing, into a warehouse. Applicant Lance LaFave was granted approval by the commission in November to test the soil between the property and I-495 for hazardous waste, intending to initiate soil borings and then address site changes. However, the weather has prevented soil boring plans, and the scheduled site planning review by the Planning Board was delayed due to snow. Once the weather cooperates, the boring installation can be performed in a couple weeks. The new plan adds two new locations for shipping and receiving. The parking lot will be regraded, repaved and restriped, but will remain the same size. Upon considering the applicant’s request for clarification on how the project should be filed, commission members noted that they are comfortable with amending the first plan with updated information, rather than requiring a new filing. 

In other business, the commission continued 12 North Mill Street hearings at the applicant’s request. 

Conservation Commission discusses use change plans for 75 South Street (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/26/26)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board also addressed the proposed 75 South Street use change plan discussed by the Conservation Commission and continued the hearing on the proposed site work until March 9th to enable the board to attend a site walk of the property this Saturday at 10am.  

The board also approved scenic road permits for two proposed plans by Eversource for tree removal and limb pruning, which include trees located on Pond Street, School Street, Spring Street, West Elm Street, and Wilson Street. The plans target trees that pose a public safety risk and a threat to power lines, as well as trees that are either unhealthy, dead, or have grown into the roadway. 

Planning Board hears 75 South Street plan, Eversource tree removal requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/03/26)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

School administrator openings / interview schedule.  At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard from Superintendent Evan Bishop about the plan to restructure his administrative team following the upcoming retirement of Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Susan Rothermich, and departure of Director of Student Services Jessica Beattie, realigning positions to establish clear lines between the areas of academics, operations, and finances. The current assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Jeff LaBroad, will take on the position of assistant superintendent / chief operating officer on July 1st when Rothermich retires, while a search is underway for a chief financial officer to take over the financial duties currently handled by Rothermich. The first round of interviews has been scheduled for March 11th. Another open position is that of assistant superintendent of teaching and learning / chief academic officer to handle academic focused duties currently managed by LaBroad. First round interviews for this position are planned for March 26-27, with finalist interviews scheduled for April 2nd. Additionally, first round interviews and a public “meet and greet” for candidates for the director of student services role left by Beattie are scheduled for March 5-6, with second round interviews by the full School Committee to be held on March 12th. Finally, the search for a HHS principal is expected to commence later in the spring. Justin Pominville has been filling in the role of interim principal for this school year. 

Schedule in place to interview school administrator candidates (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 02/27/26)

Hopkins School project.  The committee also approved several additional work items that widen the scope of the Hopkins School project which include Loop Road repaving and sidewalk replacement, full floor replacement throughout the existing building, tile and toilet partition replacements for bathrooms, and some additional furniture replacements. With this additional work approved, $674,205 is expected to remain in the construction contingency account.   

Measles presentation. In other business, the town’s health director Shaun McAuliffe and public health nurse Simone Carter gave a measles presentation and discussed the importance of vaccinations. It was updated that Hopkinton is currently at low risk for the disease, despite rising cases in locations around the country. The town’s vaccination rate exceeds 95%. It was noted that unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed should contact their doctor to receive a shot within 72 hours. The health department works closely with the school nurses to stay on top of data and contact tracing.  

Change orders widen scope of Hopkins School project (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 02/27/26)

FROM THE TOWN MANAGER’S OFFICE 

Included in the Town Manager Weekly Update – February 26, 2026 was the following section with information about the FY 27 town budget:

“FY 2027 Town Budget Process

The Town’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2027 (7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027) is underway. At the Select Board meeting on March 3, the following departments will be presenting their budgets: School Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Public Safety Communications Department, Engineering/Facilities Department, Department of Public Works.

Please see the comprehensive budget proposal on the Town website at the 2026 annual town meeting link here: Town Meeting & Budgets

Feedback and comment on the Town budget is encouraged. Please note your thoughts, recommendations and comments about the Town’s budget using this online form: FY27 Budget Listening Form. The Select Board will receive your responses.

If you would prefer to complete a paper form, they are available at the Library and the Senior Center, and collection envelopes are provided. You may also pass along your comments and recommendations to me via email at ela…@hopkintonma.gov. Thank you in advance!

Just a reminder that the Town’s FY27 budget will be voted at the Saturday, May 2 Annual Town Meeting. All registered voters are eligible to vote, and you must be present to vote. The meeting will start at 9:00 am. Please save the date!”

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! Residents interested in running for office must submit nomination papers by March 30, 2026 at 5PM.