WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 09/23/25
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee noted the upcoming October 9th deadline for applications for proposed project funding for FY 27. The hearing process on submitted applications will begin on October 16th. Additionally, the CPC heard updates on the progress of its previously approved projects. The Parks & Recreation Department’s Pyne Field redesign project is said to likely need additional funding beyond the $1 million approved in December 2022. It was noted that the project has been met with a great deal of opposition from abutters, and that the scope of the project has expanded from what was originally proposed. Additional funding could be sought through a Town Meeting article. Other Parks & Rec projects have either been completed to date or making forward progress. Approved projects from other committees are on running on target.
In other business, committee chair Ken Weismantel and vice chair Eric Sonnett were unanimously reelected to their respective positions.
CPC recaps project progress as FY 27 application deadline approaches (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/19/25)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
At its Tuesday meeting, the Elementary School Building Committee discussed an issue at the Charleswood Elementary School site whereby the contractor began foundation work ahead of the issuance of a formal permit. This foundation work was suspended by the building inspector pending this formal approval, and the Vertex Project Manager noted that steps have been taken to enhance oversight and monitoring.
Additionally, the committee voted to approve funding for 20 site visits by a consulting engineering firm Tighe & Bond, who is being brought on as a third-party reviewer acting as the “eyes and ears” for the Planning Board and town planner for this project. The committee also reviewed site photos and heard that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s payout to the town through May 2025 is $4,347,001, from an eligible amount of $8.8 million for reimbursement costs.
Charleswood subcontractor to serve as Planning Board’s ‘eyes and ears’ (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 09/17/25)
TRAILS COMMITTEE
At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee heard a plan for two proposed trails at Cameron Woods and the Hopkinton Town Forest. It was noted that the plan would require work in the buffer zone which would necessitate Conservation Commission approval. The committee vice chair suggested putting the idea on the committee’s list of prioritized projects. The committee also discussed proposed improvements at the Lake Maspenock Causeway Trail following a resident’s expressed concern for safety due to the area’s overgrown weeds, shrub trees and debris, suggesting area clearing and a sidewalk.
In other business, the committee discussed e-bike usage and regulations on the trails, addressing speed related dangers to trail users and damage to the trails themselves. The committee noted that e-bike policy and enforcement would require involvement by the town and police department. Additionally, the committee created 3 ad hoc action groups under which to categorize its projects: a physical trail development group, a public outreach group, and a group for broader trail issues. These groups were created on a trial basis for two months.
Trails Committee reviews new trail proposals, talks e-bike use (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/18/25)
PLANNING BOARD
In a brief Monday meeting, the Planning Board heard that the town’s new principal planner, to succeed John Gelcich, now Director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, is Aneri Patel. Patel, previously the land use coordinator for Wayland, will start on September 29th.
The two public hearings scheduled for the meeting – the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot and special permit for parking in the downtown business district for a Claflin Street development – were continued to October 20th and October 6th, respectively. Additionally, discussion regarding road damage to Wilson Street attributed by the DPW to The Trails owner Vin Gately was also continued, as Gately was unable to attend.
Planning Board: New principal planner named; Starbucks parking hearing continued (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/23/25)
PFAS / MWRA CONNECTION
Last Tuesday, the town held an hour-long forum at the Hopkinton Public LIbrary to inform residents about PFAS and the town’s water system, and efforts to keep town water PFAS levels below state maximum contaminant levels. The discussion was led by Health Department Director Shaun McAuliffe, along with Department of Public Works director, Kerry Reed. The town is reported to be “in a good place” with current PFAS levels. Exposure causes were addressed, as well as issues arising from private wells testing over state limits. An update was also given regarding the town’s progress toward the MWRA water system connection.
PFAS forum educates residents on potential sources, MWRA connection process (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/17/25)
Watch the forum HERE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
At a Sunday evening Zoom listening session, the School Committee and Superintendent heard public comment about the school calendar for future school years. Specifically, opinions were given as to whether the calendar should include only the mandated state holidays or the more inclusive list of holidays presently given to provide more religious and cultural inclusivity. An in-person listening session will be conducted on October 9th.
Residents offer input on school calendar (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 09/22/25)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
State procurement law violation by former Parks & Rec Director. An investigation by the Office of the Inspector General regarding former Parks & Rec director Jay Guelfi, who served in that position from 2015 until his retirement in 2023, has determined that Guelfi violated state procurement laws related to cash handling during his tenure. It was asserted that Guelfi failed to turn over cash generated from a concession stand to the town treasurer, as required, but kept some cash in his desk and used some to reimburse employees for department purchases. When asked about the issue, Select Board Chair Joe Clark noted the town’s cooperation during the investigation and measures taken to prevent something like this from occurring again. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus stated that the town is “reviewing the Inspector General’s recommendations and will move forward with implementing the necessary policy and oversight changes to ensure full compliance with state law and to safeguard public funds.”
‘Handshake deals and desk drawers’: Investigation shows former Parks & Rec director violated state procurement laws (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/22/25)
TOWN HALL
“First Amendment auditors” Town Hall video. A YouTube video taken on Friday by “First Amendment auditors” shows public health nurse Simone Carter pulling a fire alarm in Town Hall following a confrontation during which she attempted to get one of the auditors to leave her office, and making a phone call for police assistance, during which she is heard stating that she had private medical information in her office. The auditor alleges that the pulling of the fire alarm was a state law violation and an attempt to stifle his first amendment rights. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus has asserted the town’s commitment “to transparency and respecting the public’s right to access public spaces,” and noted the town’s responsive measure of implementing municipal employee training for handling these types of interactions, which can feel stressful, going forward. While the auditor in question has asserted that the goal of his visits is educational and not to elicit negative reactions, coverage of prior his audits at other locations, as well as prior criminal history, as been pointed out to call this assertion into question.
Video of Town Hall fire alarm incident leads to calls for termination, training (Article by Nick Schofield, 09/17/25)
See also, Town measures response to ‘First Amendment auditors’ as new details on auditor emerge (Article by Nick Schofield, 09/19/25)