News Update – Welcome Fall Edition: 09/29/24

Sorry our news updates have been MIA over the summer, but now that we are settled into fall here’s a recap of what happened this summer in town government…

Save the Date: Hopkinton Special Town Meeting coming up Monday, November 18, 2024

Presidential & State Election with 5 Ballot Questions coming up Tuesday November 5, 2024

• Early voting begins October 19
• Last day to request an absentee ballot is October 26
• Last day to register to vote is October 26

State primary election: Despite support in town, Kramer comes up short for Governor’s Council (9/4/24 by Jerry Spar)

Special Town Meeting date set for Nov. 18, budget articles are not welcome (9/17/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board votes to disband both trails committees, ‘start fresh’ (9/17/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board unanimously approves 3-year contract for Lazarus, begins discussing budget process (9/10/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Town’s financial burden spurs discussion of budget-cutting tactics (8/27/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board reviews redaction policy draft (8/27/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board voices support for International Marathon Center (8/27/24 by Nick Schofield)

Main Street Corridor Project update: All 12 transformers installed (8/23/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board votes to approve licenses for Michael’s Run/Walk plus event at Weston Nurseries (8/6/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board receives updates on town municipal aggregation plan, proposed cultural district (7/16/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Town Manager finalists shine during Select Board interviews (7/6/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board votes unanimously to appoint Lazarus as town manager (7/6/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Town counsel apologizes for redacted document snafu, discusses fixes (7/6/24, Hopkinton Independent)

Select Board decides to slow deputy police chief hiring process, announces town manager finalists (6/18/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Select Board tackles water issues, discusses Center School reuse (6/18/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Herr pushes for action on Main Street Corridor transformers, creates liaison role (6/18/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Town counsel: Brennan case headed to arbitration barring Select Board action (6/4/24 by Jerry Spar)

Select Board decides to defer to fire chief for deputy hiring; water rates to spike (6/4/24 by Nick Schofield)

Herr voted Select Board chair after public outcry supporting his leadership (5/21/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Herr urges Select Board to take slower pace with new town manager hire (5/21/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

School Committee reviews capital plan, goals, risk insurance (9/26/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee talks finances, Hopkins project costs (9/12/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

Hopkinton welcomes new school administrators (9/3/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

Policies on civil rights, harassment reviewed by School Committee members (8/22/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee discusses Hopkins construction, policy updates (8/22/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee reviews superintendent’s goals (8/8/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

McSweeney appointed to fill School Committee vacancy (7/11/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee focuses on Hopkins project kickoff (6/21/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee approves 3-year contract for paraprofessionals (6/14/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

Munroe sends letter of resignation to School Committee (6/10/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

School Committee reorganizes; Munroe absent again (6/6/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

Planning Board, Zoning and Land Use Updates

Planning Board meets briefly as applicants request continuances (9/23/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

ZAC votes to recommend 3 plans to Planning Board for MBTA Communities Act zoning consideration (9/16/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Planning Board expresses concerns about proposed Charleswood School traffic plan (9/9/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Historical Commission expresses support for mixed-used development at former Hopkinton Drug property (9/3/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Hearing on proposed West Main Street gas station postponed; residents express concern (8/28/24 by Nick Schofield)

ZAC votes to move South Street rezoning proposal forward (8/26/24 by Nick Schofield)

Planning Board reviews tweaks to Charleswood School plans (8/19/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Planning Board reviews Charleswood Elementary School’s major project site plan (8/5/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Zoning Advisory Committee considers several alternative properties for town’s MBTA Communities proposal (7/26/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Planning Board debates merits of current plan to comply with MBTA Communities Act zoning requirement (7/15/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Planning Board schedules site visit to The Trails to assess runoff in light of DPW road damage claim (7/1/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Planning Board works on new MBTA Act strategy (6/18/24 by Matthew DiPesa)

Planning Board discusses MBTA Communities Act compliance in light of ATM defeat; indoor pickleball/padel facility proposed (6/3/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

ESBC approves upgrades to Charleswood air units, rejects large mock-up for testing (9/24/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

ESBC discusses changes to Charleswood School parking plans (8/13/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

Passive House registration, MSBA reimbursement on ESBC’s agenda (7/25/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

ESBC gets design updates about Charleswood School furniture, exterior materials (7/9/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

ESBC gets closer to hearings with planning, conservation boards about Charleswood School (6/18/24 by Susan Gonsalves)

PFAS Update

MassDEP approves Well 6 PFAS treatment system (6/28/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Town officials update residents on PFAS at public forum (5/31/24 by Nick Schofield)

Lake Maspenock weed treatment deemed successful by officials, slammed by critics (9/16/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)

Hopkinton beaches open as sweltering weekend approaches; Lake Maspenock herbicide application ‘successful’ (8/2/24 by Mary Ellen Gambon)