WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 06/02/26

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board elected Shahidul Mannan as chair, with Matthew Kizner as vice chair, in unanimous votes. Both were nominated by prior chair Joe Clark. 

Annual Town Meeting. The board heard a mostly positive review of the May 2nd Annual Town Meeting from Town Clerk Connor Degan and Town Moderator Zachary Kosan. Older residents and people with disabilities noted greater ease in attending on a Saturday morning, while some parents indicated conflicts with sports or religious events. Potential improvements for next year were discussed, including babysitting services, food and transportation availability, and better advertising. 

Citizens’ Petition. During the public comment period, Parker Happ announced that he was gathering signatures for a citizens’ petition requesting a Special Town Meeting to address the issue of acceptance of private ways as town roads. Happ presented a three-motion citizens’ petition at the May 2nd Town Meeting requesting the acceptance of Auciello Drive, the first of which failed to meet the two-thirds majority in a 53-42 vote. The remaining motions were not considered as the meeting dissolved due to the lack of quorum. 

FY25 Audit. The board heard that Hopkinton received a good review in its FY25 annual audit. The town’s finances were fairly presented, with no violations in its use of federal funds. The town was praised for maintaining its AAA bond rating, although the auditor cautioned that the town’s bond rating could potentially be affected in future by school construction costs, future capital expenses, and long-term personnel obligations straining finances. A $1.9 million surplus in the school lunch program was noted.  

New HPD officer. The board unanimously approved the hiring of new HPD officer, Victoria “Tori” Fullager, previously employed with the federal Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Capitol Police. 

Public Safety Assessment. The board approved the posting of a request for proposals for a public safety assessment. $24,000 was approved at Annual Town Meeting for this assessment. 

Mannan elected chair of Select Board; Town Meeting recapped (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/27/26) 

CV License Policy. The board also heard answers from town counsel on questions raised at the board’s last meeting regarding the common victualer license policy it has been working on over the past few months. Counsel noted that the town has “standard-level access” to CORI information, limited to crimes in Massachusetts. The town can see certain recent misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as convictions for murder, manslaughter, or sex offenses, but cannot see arrests without convictions, active investigations, or crimes committed outside the state. Counsel also noted that plea agreements appear as the lesser offense on a CORI report. It was further noted that as the town voted to take no action on an article requiring civil fingerprinting for CV licenses at Town Meeting, it has no authority to fingerprint applicants and therefore cannot conduct a nationwide background check. Counsel also explained that the police department is prohibited from sharing with the Select Board criminal justice information that is not publicly available or would not come up in a permissible background check, and that SORI check information does not include Level 1 sex offenders or past registrations that are no longer active. Counsel further advised that any license restrictions must be reasonable and tied to public safety. Board members said they will continue to refine the policy, which town counsel suggested could become a model for other communities. 

Select Board receives input from town counsel regarding CV license policy (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/27/26)

PARKS & RECREATION 

At its Thursday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed potential future plans for Pyne Field, following Town Meeting approval to allow the commission to consider alternate locations for the cricket pitch and baseball fields intended for that location. Alternative sites such as the Carbone property, Center School, and the Fruit Street athletic complex had been proposed. Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus expressed his opinion that Pyne Field remains the best location, and that they could explore separating the two fields to address concerns with prior designs. It was noted that designing fields for multi-use purposes was preferable.   

The commission also welcomed returning member Lynn Taylor and new member Brad Fenn, following Town Election. Kyle Smith was voted to serve as the new commission chair, with Dan Terry to serve as vice chair. 

Parks & Rec revisits plans for Pyne Field, considers alternate locations (Article by Nick Schofield, 05/29/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee welcomed recently elected new member Sandra Irwin and returning member Kyla McSweeney. McSweeney was chosen to remain committee chair, with Jamie Wronka serving as vice chair. 

The committee heard an update from the Hopkinton Trails Committee about the planned shared-use path between Loop Road by Field 11 and Chamberlain Street, to provide students a safer route to school, as well as a new on-campus cross-country course near Field 13, which is expected to provide a better racing surface than the current course at the state park. Path construction is expected to begin on June 1. 

The committee also approved technology leases for student laptop programs, and recognized 12 students who qualified for the upcoming national HOSA competition to be held in Indianapolis next month. 

School Committee reorganizes, hears about shared-use path (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 05/29/26) 

Transportation & School Schedule Feedback Survey

Superintendent Evan Bishop is seeking community input on transportation and scheduling changes for the 2027-28 school year in anticipation of the early opening of Charleswood School and associated grade reconfigurations (with fourth graders moving to Charleswood and sixth graders to Hopkins). The district is considering adding to the number of buses or staggering school start times. A survey has been sent out to staff members and parents, and is available to the general public as well. It will be open through June 12.  

Fill out the survey here: Transportation & School Schedule Feedback Survey

Survey seeks input on school transportation, start times (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 05/29/26) 

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board unanimously voted to elect Matthew Wronka as chair, to succeed Rob Benson, and Lucia Lopez as the new vice chair. 

The board voted to approve the minor project site plan for 75 South Street, along with 17 conditions. The plan had received prior approval by the Conservation Commission in May. A discussion centered around whether to require a sidewalk on South Street in front of the property, with some board members in support of one for future pedestrian connectivity and safety, while the property owner noted the high cost of environmental remediation and the presence of a sidewalk on the other side of the street. The board ultimately voted 6-1-1 in favor of the sidewalk waiver. 

The board also continued the hearing on stormwater management and earth removal permits at Eversource’s liquified natural gas (LNG) facility at 55 Wilson Street for proposed work for a “climate resilience project.” The facility has been a subject of concern due to a December 2025 gas leak and its proximity to nearby residents. The project is undergoing peer review and the board has tentatively scheduled a site walk for June 20th at 9 am. 

In other business, the board tabled discussions on Auciello Drive and the acceptance of private ways as town roads. 

Wronka new chair of Planning Board; 75 South Street project approved (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/02/26) 

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT

The most recent Main Street Corridor Project Update shared the following: 

“Project Status/Anticipated Work

Amorello has delayed the work originally planned for the week of June 1st which included:

• Installing conduit under Marathon Way
• Driveway reconstruction at 35 Main Street

Final paving on the east side is tentatively scheduled for the week after the 4th of July.”