WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 06/09/26
BOARD OF HEALTH
At its meeting last Monday, the Board of Health approved a motion for the Health Department to recommend to the Select Board that the town opt out of new state laws permitting cannabis delivery to resident addresses. Due to the town’s voting history prohibiting cannabis businesses and against the legalization of marijuana, it is permitted to apply for a two-year waiver from these new policies. The board approved this motion in a 2-1 vote, with an emphasis on protecting the younger, more vulnerable residents. Member Mary Jo Ondrechen gave the dissenting vote, noting that public opinion could have changed from the town’s past votes regarding marijuana, and reiterating her prior objections on regulating the private actions of adult residents.
In other news, public health nurse Simone Carter addressed resident concerns regarding Ebola as the disease has ramped up in other parts of the world, recommending that residents cancel travel plans to affected regions and keep an eye on current media coverage.
Board of Health votes to recommend cannabis delivery opt-out (Article by Nick Schofield, 06/02/26)
SELECT BOARD
At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board addressed the issue of possible actions that could permit private ways access to town plowing services, following the Auciello Drive article at Town Meeting, seeking acceptance as a public road, that failed to meet the two-thirds majority requirement in a 53-42 vote. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus outlined town road classifications for the board, noting that an estimated 10-20 private ways could be eligible for acceptance as town roads presently, and more if the Planning Board removed restrictions from other private ways. Board members discussed the process and implications of policy changes, weighing the desire to alleviate the financial hardship and safety concerns for private way residents whose town plowing services had been cut off against the significant cost and maintenance obligations on the town’s part to provide services to private ways if accepted as town roads. DPW Director Kerry Reed noted that plowing alone for these private ways was estimated to cost around $200,000 annually. Board member Brian Herr also raised potential conflict of interest concerns with Auciello Drive resident Parker Happ, who is pursuing the matter, being on the Planning Board. Town Clerk Connor Degan spoke as a private citizen noting that the town could petition the state under Chapter 40, Section 6C to allow the town to appropriate funds for snow removal from private ways without requiring them to be accepted as public roads. It would require a ballot initiative. The board was open to this avenue.
Select Board discussion on private way acceptance opens up avenues for solutions (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/03/26)
In other business, the board voted to request that the town opt out of the new statewide cannabis delivery policy, at the recommendation of the Health Department; discussed consultant proposed options for water and sewer rate increases, leaning toward the Water & Sewer Advisory Board’s recommendation of a 15% water bill increase and 30% sewer bill increase starting on July 1; voted to approve short-term and long-term financing to support $117,277,500 approved at Town Meeting for capital projects; and approved the parade permit application for the PolyArts festival scheduled for September 12th.
Select Board votes to opt out of state cannabis delivery policy (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/03/26)
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
At its Monday meeting, the Commission on Disability met with the town’s ADA coordinator, Christopher McWhite, to discuss accessibility issues in town, particularly with regard to curb cuts, sidewalk obstacles, and other accessibility barriers along Main Street. McWhite noted that Main Street accessibility improvements may not be completed until construction work in the area is finished. When asked if Main Street would be ADA compliant once construction is done, McWhite clarified terminology and explained that accessibility in Massachusetts is governed primarily by the state’s 521 CMR code in many situations instead of directly by the federal ADA.
In other business, the commission discussed the DPW’s implementation of a $45,000 state grant to the commission to hire an assessment company to evaluate town buildings, parks, sidewalks and parking areas and create a corrective action plan to increase accessibility in these areas. It also reviewed feedback from an accessibility specialist on lapses in accessibility requirements during the Boston Marathon weekend festivities at the Town Common. Additionally, commission members elected Praveen Hariharan as secretary. One open seat remains on the commission for a person with a disability interested in applying.
Commission on Disability talks policy with town ADA coordinator (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/09/26)
WATER-SEWER DEPARTMENT – NOTICE
Water-Sewer Manager Jed Fenneuff announced that water service will be interrupted temporarily next week for utility construction at the former Hopkinton Drug site. The work is scheduled to occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on June 15-16. The affected area runs along Cedar Street from Main Street to A Street.