WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 02/11/25

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board reviewed public safety FY26 budget requests. The “dire need” to upgrade the infrastructure of the radio system to reach emergency responders was presented – a request that has been made for four years – as well as the need to hire an assistant to the Hopkinton Police Department’s communications director. Personnel funding makes up the majority of the HPD budget, and a significant capital request for three new hybrid cruisers, each costing $76,000, was made to account for newly hired officers. The Hopkinton Fire Department’s $4,103,358 operations budget is comprised primarily of salaries, and new circuit boards and electric panels, while its capital requests include a bathroom upgrade, and mechanical respiratory ventilators for ambulances. The Town Manager noted that the town’s current budget gap is now at $1.1 million, an improvement from the start of the budget review process which saw a shortfall of $4 million. Local aid included in the state budget is expected to assist with the financial burden. Presentations from other town departments will continue throughout upcoming meetings. 

Also at the meeting, the board unanimously approved the promotion of two HPD officers to the rank of lieutenant, and reviewed the four articles submitted for Annual Town Meeting. 

Select Board hears FY 26 public safety budget requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/05/25)

HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

Health Director Shaun McAuliffe reviewed the Health Department’s revised FY26 operating budget with the Board of Health, after negotiations with the town manager and chief financial officer to ensure that critical health services would not be negatively impacted. Under the revised budget, the Health Department will be able to hire 1-2 additional per diem nurses, and could potentially collaborate with the state to develop a regional testing lab. 

Health Department continues fight for funding nurses, critical health programs (Article by Nick Schofield, 02/11/25)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board unanimously voted to have the engineering consultant for the town provide a monetary amount for damage to Wilson Street that the Department of Public Works has asserted was caused by stormwater runoff from The Trails. This amount will be presented at the February 24th meeting to the Planning Board, DPW Director, and the owner of The Trails, and the board will determine whether the bond amount should be increased to cover the repairs and whether further construction at The Trails should be halted.  

The boarded also unanimously endorsed Approval Not Required requests for properties at Wilson Street and Winter Street. 

Planning Board gives The Trails final chance to resolve town’s claim of stormwater damage to Wilson Street (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/11/25) 

HISTORICAL COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Historical Commission approved a motion regarding the proposed memorial plaque to honor enslaved residents, to encourage the relocation of its planned location at the Town Common to the Hughes / Colella properties at Hayden Rowe. The rationale behind this proposed relocation is to give the plaque more visibility, given the abundance of signage presently located at the Common.

Also at the meeting the commission voted to allow their chair to begin a dialogue with the Select Board about the sale of the historical McFarland-Sanger House property to an interested buyer. Commission members discussed concerns over maintaining the historical integrity of the building, and have proposed setting a deed restriction to this end.  

Historical Commission debates location for plaque honoring slaves, discusses McFarland-Sanger House sale (Article by Nick Schofield, 02/05/25)

OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Thursday meeting, the Open Space Preservation Commission discussed a potential open space donation from property on Frankland Road owned by Agilitas Energy. Agilitas recently completed a solar development project on the property and agreed, as a requirement to obtaining a special permit, to designate a portion of the property for open space use by a nonprofit town entity. A project developer for Agilitas requested that the OSPC approve the land donation; however, the OSPC had a number of questions regarding the land requiring further discussion at its March meeting. As a placeholder article for Annual Town Meeting had been previously voted on, there was no time pressure to decide the matter immediately.

Also at the meeting, Historical Commission member Brian Colella updated the OSPC on proposed language and images for planned signage at the Hughes Farm and Colella trails and requested the commission’s feedback. 

OSPC requests specifics on potential Frankland Road open space donation (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 02/09/25)

WATER & SEWER ADVISORY BOARD 

Following the initial meeting of the newly formed Water & Sewer Advisory Board, town officials anticipate progress on top water priorities; namely, moving forward with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority connection project, and enhancing public awareness and education. 

Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, Feb. 11: Water & Sewer Board to focus on MWRA connection, says Mannan (Hopkinton Independent, 02/11/25)

TOWN ELECTION 2025 UPDATE

Keep up with the latest on the 2025 Town Election at eHop’s election information page! There is still time to run for office, and there are several open positions.