WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 1/21/25
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Budget cuts discussed. At its meeting last Tuesday, the Parks & Recreation Commission addressed budget cuts for fiscal year 2026 in light of town directives, whereupon the commission has been requested to cut approximately $37,000 from its initial budget. Recommended existing items to be cut include Town Common services such as the annual holiday lights, Hopkinton Garden Club reimbursements, and Claflin Memorial Fountain maintenance. Commission members pushed back at a recommendation for financial aid cuts, and discussed a potential idea of increasing program fees to help fund aid through their revolving fund.
Parking lot size for Pyne Field. The commission also discussed the progress of the Pyne Field project and debated the number of parking spaces needed. Developers will be asked to develop two plans – one with 75 spaces and the other with 100.
Parks & Rec faces cuts under town’s FY 26 budget directives (Article by Nick Schofield, 01/15/25)
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
At its Thursday meeting, the Open Space Preservation Commission unanimously approved a request to move an existing trail off Whisper Way onto adjacent donated OCPC property, approved last September following a jurisdictional debate with the Planning Board. The commission also heard that property at 61 Winter Street had been surveyed following discussion at a prior meeting as to whether a stone wall at that location encroached on town land; and the commission unanimously voted to accept a land donation near Tim’s Trail.
Additionally, the commission voted to put a placeholder article on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting for the potential acquisition or leasing of property for open space use to permit the commission time to consider options prior to the May 5th Annual Town Meeting date.
OSPC votes to approve relocating Whisper Way trail (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 01/17/25)
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Competency Determination for Graduation Proposal. At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee heard from Evan Bishop, Hopkinton High School principal, in a discussion about competency determination that complies with state law, in the wake of the November vote to remove MCAS test results as a graduation requirement. Bishop presented proposed new language that, in addition to current credit requirements, students must complete ninth and tenth grade English and mathematics (to include geometry and Algebra 1 and/or 2) with passing grades (of 60 or higher), as well as complete one of three core science classes of biology, chemistry or physics. This proposal correlates with what other area schools are adopting. Students who do not meet that requirement will be monitored and will receive support in grades 11 and 12 to achieve passing grades prior to graduation. The committee opted to wait until its next meeting to vote so that parents and interested community members can ask questions if desired.
Budget. There were no participants to the open public hearing on the FY26 proposed school budget. The board is prepared to vote at its next meeting on the budget before sending it to the town manager. The superintendent noted that no changes have been made to the budget proposal of $67.1 million that was presented at the previous two meetings.
School Projects Updates. Updates were also given on the Hopkins addition and new Charleswood School. At Hopkins, the district was allowed to proceed with structural steel installation and expects to complete underground plumbing and electrical installation, structural steel installation, and concrete pouring in February. For Charleswood School, the Conservation Commission will be reviewing the street improvement plan, 90% completion construction documents will be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and MSBA reimbursement funding is expected to be executed.
Superintendent Search Committee. The committee approved a recruiting letter draft as the district commences the process of finding a new superintendent, and agreed with the superintendent’s executive administrative assistant’s suggestion that her spot on the search committee for the next superintendent be given to a director of curriculum.
HHS principal presents competency determination plan for graduation (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 01/17/25)
TOWN BUDGET
The town’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2026 is underway. The Town Manager’s comprehensive budget will be presented at the Select Board meeting tonight and then will be under Seelect Board review. The board will hear budget requests from down departments throughout February and early March and is expected to adopt a budget on March 11th to be forwarded to the Appropriation Committee for their review and public hearing.
Any public feedback and/or comment on the town budget at this time is welcome and can be submitted through online form here: https://forms.gle/uwv62WPtMc2PZ5xr6
Town Manager Weekly Update – January 16, 2025
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