WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 09/09/26

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board heard results from a town-funded communication and engagement outreach assessment and discussed ways to improve resident communication. Surveyed residents indicated that town information is often difficult to find, with 30% of respondents feeling poorly informed about town policies and planning. Board members discussed improvements to the town website and social-media presence, while continuing print outreach for older residents. Suggestions were also made to create a more consistent town brand, hold community events with boards and committees, and possibly hire a public information officer.

The board also heard that the October 26th Special Town Meeting draft warrant has been compiled, which includes 25 articles. Town sponsored articles include the Charter Review Committee’s presentation on proposed changes, and financial articles relating to supplemental appropriations measures and capital requests by the DPW. The remaining majority are citizens’ petitions, the proponents of which will appear at the September 15th meeting to speak on them. The board stressed town counsel review of these articles. 

The board also heard an update from the Charter Review Committee on its discussions on potential changes. A forum on the charter review process will be held on September 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the HCAM-TV studio, located at 77 Main Street. The committee stressed that they are seeking community engagement and feedback. 

The board also discussed staff-retention efforts following the recent departure of several department leaders, and unanimously approved a 200% means-tested senior tax exemption of the calendar year circuit breaker income tax credit for the current fiscal year and voted to extend the exemption for the next three years. 

Select Board focuses on improving town communication strategy (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/09/26) 

In other business, the board held a public forum regarding the town’s recent decision to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, following significant resident concern about privacy and transparency. An overriding concern by residents and board members was that the board did not receive information from the HPD before the Flock cameras were installed. Questions were raised about the procurement process. No representative from the HPD attended the forum.  Board members agreed that future surveillance technology should involve greater transparency, legal review, privacy protections and public input. The town expects that the remaining Flock cameras will be removed by the end of September. 

Flock camera/surveillance technology hearing prompts strong public feedback to Select Board (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/09/26)

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES 

At its Thursday meeting, the Board of Library Trustees unanimously voted to approve a plan for hiring a new director and assistant director, in conjunction with the Human Resource Department, following the upcoming departures of Nanci Hill and Jak Miller. The director position was posted today. The HR department will lead candidate screening and interviews, and Susan Porter was chose as the board’s representative on the interview panel. The board plans to wait until the new director is hired before recruiting the new assistant director. A interim director may be hired for coverage, while two current supervisors will be paid a stipend to split the assistant director’s duties until a candidate is hired. It was noted that the vacant director and assistant director positions will result in staff shortages that could result in temporary reduced library hours. Potential reduction options were discussed. 

Board of Library Trustees discusses new director search, reducing hours amid staff departures (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/04/26)

See the Library Services Director job posting here. 

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed the details of director Jon Lewitus’ departure and the department’s coordinated effort with the town’s HR department to begin the search for his replacement. Commission chair Kyle Smith was unanimously chosen as the HR liaison to help lead the hiring process. Lewitus will stay on per diem, for an anticipated 12–14 hours weekly, to help with budgeting, staff training and capital projects during the transition.

The commission also revisited a request by the Hopkinton Girl Scouts to hold a family campout on the Town Common. Some reservations were raised by members regarding safety, traffic, capacity and permitting concerns. The commission opted to explore alternative locations, including Pyne Field, Victory Field, EMC Park and Fruit Street, before revisiting the proposal at its next meeting.

Lewitus to stay on in per diem role as Parks & Rec starts new director search (Article by Nick Schofield, 09/09/26)

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 

A Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 

• For updated information about STM and the articles to be voted on, check out eHop’s Special Town Meeting information page.