WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 03/31/26

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

New district hires. At the School Committee’s Thursday meeting, Superintendent Evan Bishop announced the new hire for Hopkinton High School principal: Amy Davenport. Davenport has been principal of Westwood High School since 2020, and was dean of students for Westwood Public Schools from 2014-20. Davenport is deemed to be highly credentialed and aligned with the district’s values. Also appointed into school administrator roles were Helene Desjardins, as the new director of student services, and Cynthia Mahr, as director of finance/chief financial officer. 

Westwood’s Davenport announced as new HHS principal (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 03/27/26)

Select Board on Loop Road project. The Select Board was also present at the School Committee meeting to address the committee’s recent approval of a change order on the Hopkins School project, not to exceed $1.8 million, to repave a larger area of Loop Road and replace sidewalks. Some Select Board member felt that expanding the scope of the project requires a vote at Town Meeting. The committee’s position, however, was that this expanded scope was not put on the ATM warrant because it fit within the four corners of the previously authorized project. Both town counsel and school counsel were in agreement with the committee’s oversight of the project’s scope and fund distribution. Board member Matt Kizner requested that a vote be taken to record board members’ views on the issue. Board members Amy Ritterbusch and Shahidul Mannan voted in support of the committee’s use of previously approved existing funds, while Joe Clark, Kizner and Brian Herr voted their lack of support of the committee’s action. The board will look into the feasibility of having a Special Town Meeting on the same date as the annual session to vote on the expanded scope. 

Select Board questions process used for Loop Road paving (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 03/27/26)

WATER & SEWER ADVISORY BOARD 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Board heard from engineer Tim Thies of the town’s consulting firm, Pare Corporation, on an alternatives analysis regarding the town’s proposed MWRA connection, as a required step in the environmental review process to ensure that all options have been explored. A presentation of four options was set forth, with the first option of doing nothing deemed the least viable due to the town’s current critical drought status, and the second option of maximizing the town water supply and installing additional wells deemed the least environmentally sound and likely to dry up local water bodies and stress already tapped-out basins. The third option of a full connection to the MWRA system through Southborough would be more cost-effective and eliminate groundwater use, but would depend on a single external source, while the fourth option of a “blend” of obtaining some water from the MWRA connection and the rest from the Ashland water treatment plant that the town currently purchases from would likely be the most acceptable option. While a concern was raised about whether Ashland would continue to hold an IMA with the town after its current agreement expires in 2027, DPW director Kerry Reed noted that she has received every indication of Ashland’s willingness to extend the current agreement from their town’s DPW director. 

In other business, the board reviewed a proposal to establish a formal water and sewer enterprise fund policy with a minimum baseline amount to avoid deficits and ensure sufficient and reliable funding for infrastructure projects. The lack of an established policy has previously caused problems, where the town had to re-vote on ATM articles that had previously been approved but had insufficient money to fund them. Board members expressed their support for the proposed policy. 

WSAB receives alternatives analysis for proposed MWRA connection (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/26/26)

BOARD OF HEALTH 

At its Monday meeting, the Board of Health reviewed proposed regulations to restrict the sale of certain THC products in town, specifically kratom and synthetic cannabinoids. Health Director Shaun McAuliffe deemed these products “completely unregulated” and a risk to consumers. The proposed change would modify the wording of existing regulations to permit stores with tobacco permits to sell products that have been approved at local, state and federal levels, thus preventing the sale of unregulated products. Board members agreed to review the amended regulation language and vote on the matter at a later time. 

In other business, the board agreed to begin reviewing completed complaints in the department’s complaint log on a monthly rather than annual basis. This log addresses potential health code violations submitted by concerned residents for the Health Department to look into and take any needed action. 

The board also agreed to continue a hearing over a drinking well variance request for 12 North Mill Street due to the developer’s failure to attend the meeting, noting that no future extensions will be granted for another failure to respond or appear. 

Board of Health to review regulations limiting sale of kratom, synthetic THC (Article by Nick Schofield, 03/31/26)

BOSTON MARATHON 2026 

With just weeks left until the 2026 Boston Marathon, please help support eHop’s runner, Gregory Sobol reach his fundraising goal!