WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 06/23/26

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Our mission is to provide timely and factual information about key town matters with the goal of increasing government transparency and fostering civic engagement. We’re looking for volunteers to help with public outreach, share ideas, and/or help out with our annual Know Your Vote forum before Annual Town Meeting. It’s a low pressure way to get more involved in town. We would love to have you join us! 

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PLANNING BOARD

At its meeting last Monday, the Planning Board focused primarily on the issue of private roads. It reviewed disputes over private road Morse Lane, including concerns about road maintenance, tree removal, and compliance with past subdivision approvals. This matter will be revisited at a future meeting after additional documentation is provided by surveyors. The board also tabled discussion on Auciello Drive and instead reviewed broader policy for public road acceptance, focusing on standards, safety, and maintenance costs. It intends to seek Select Board guidance on criteria to be included in its recommendations. 

In other business, the board continued a hearing on stormwater management and earth removal permits for 55 Wilson Street until July 6, as plans are being updated to incorporate the input from a peer review consultant. It also approved three motions relating to the development of a second home at the rear of a historic home at 82 Clinton Street, and heard from Parks & Recreation on a preliminary redesigned plan for a cricket pitch and baseball field at Pyne Field. 

Private road policy dominates Planning Board meeting (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/16/26) 

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board reviewed the final candidates for a search committee to assist in the hiring of the next police chief following the retirement of current HPD chief Joseph Bennett and selected its members. The approved committee will be composed of six residents (Mike Whalen, John Graziano, Bill Flannery, Beth Malloy, Dana Babbin and Sabine St. Pierre); six town employees (Josh Grossetti, Holly Morand, Lance DelPriore, Tom Poirier, Evan Brooks and Amy Beck); a Select Board screening committee liaison (Matthew Kizner); and a School Committee member (Kyla McSweeney). The board also voted 4-0-1, following discussion, to appoint Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten as the interim chief. 

In other business, the board approved uncontested annual appointments for candidates for seats on various town boards and committees, as well as Historical Commission appointments following input from the commission chair. It also voted 4-0 to increase water bills by 15% and sewer bills by 30% starting July 1, at the Water & Sewer Advisory Board’s recommendation. Additionally, the Town Manager informed the board that the state approved the town’s zoning plan to conform fully with the MBTA Communities zoning law. 

Select Board appoints van Raalten to fill interim HPD chief role (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/17/26) 

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee received an update on the Center School reuse project’s positive progress. The project’s projected costs have been reduced through design changes and it is moving into the detailed design phase. The HCA’s $4 million federal grant application has advanced past the first stage of review, and the town is finalizing a 50 year lease with the HCA. 

The committee also heard updates on several Parks & Recreation projects, including a redesigned plan for Pyne Field; security camera installations; water refill stations; and boat dock enhancements and a proposed splash pad at Sandy Beach. In addition, the commission heard that the Hopkinton Housing Authority’s site improvement project is nearly complete, and voted to close out finished projects while extending deadlines for those still in progress.

 Center School reuse project ‘looking good’ (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/19/26) 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

At its last meeting, the Elementary School Building Committee approved hiring a third-party engineering firm to determine why soil at part of the Charleswood School construction site is failing infiltration tests. It is disputed whether construction activities caused the problem. The findings could affect costs and scheduling, though it is deemed too premature to know if the project will be delayed. The committee also discussed potential conflicts between planned roadwork and delayed utility relocation by Eversource.

Third-party opinion sought on Charleswood site infiltration issues (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 06/17/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard from Superintendent Evan Bishop about responsive measures to air quality complaints at the middle school. He informed the committee that multiple rounds of testing were conducted which found no significant air quality or mold issues in the classrooms where concerns had been raised, and the district took additional steps to improve ventilation and cleanliness. The health director and committee members expressed confidence that the matter was handled appropriately. The committee also recognized retiring school staff and outgoing student representatives.  

Measures taken to improve air flow at HMS (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 06/19/26)

The committee also heard the results from a recent community survey regarding transportation with the anticipated grade reconfiguration with the planned 2027 opening of the Charleswood School. The survey showed broad agreement on priorities such as student sleep and health, consistent bus drivers, traffic reduction, and minimizing age gaps on buses, but no consensus on the best solution. School leaders are weighing two- and three-tier bus schedules / start times and plan to gather more public feedback before making a decision later in 2026.

Survey on school schedule changes shows mixed results (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 06/20/26)

The committee also heard about three new literacy programs that the district will pilot this year in grades kindergarten through 5, with the intent of adopting one for the 2027-28 school year.  

Literacy pilot programs adopted at elementary level (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 06/23/26) 

ELMWOOD SCHOOL REUSE PLAN COMMITTEE – SURVEY OF RESIDENT INTEREST 

STAR. With the planned opening of the new Charleswood Elementary School in 2027, the town must decide the future of the Elmwood School building and land. The town manager’s office is determining whether there is resident interest in serving on a committee to consider the options for Elmwood.

If interested, please fill out this form: Elmwood School Study – Resident Interest

WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT – NOTICE 

  Per notice from the Water & Sewer Department, Wells #7 and #8 have been taken offline due to a mechanical failure as of Monday June 22nd, and are expected to remain out of service for approximately 6 days while a new pump is installed. It is critical that residents comply with all water restrictions to ensure an adequate water supply for essential use. 

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR UPDATE

The latest Main Street Corridor Update shared the following: 

What to Expect for the Week of June 22nd to June 26th, 2026

• Driveway work at 25/35 Main Street will continue – the driveway by the Muffin House will be closed; there will be alternating traffic in and out via the east side driveway.
• Sidewalk and curb repairs on both the east and west side of the project.

Detours or Alternating Traffic will be used as needed for project work.