WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 10/14/25

SELECT BOARD 

FY 27 Budget. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board discussed the budget for FY 27. They voted 4-1 to approve a message of financial restraint for town department budgets, mirroring the FY 26 level-service message. Dissenting member Matt Kizner wished for a more conservative approach. Chief Financial Officer Kyla LaPierre noted that this preliminary level-service budget was based on a 2.5 % tax increase, assuming that expenses for town departments will increase by 2%, except for the school budget which will require a 7.6% increase due to the school building projects. LaPierre cautioned that there will be less free cash available than in prior years. 

Pickleball/padel club. The board voted unanimously to allow the Town Manager and town counsel to commence negotiations with the owner of the new Open Play Pickleball & Padel Club, under construction at 124 East Main Street, for a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement. 

New town counsel. The board voted 4-0 to appoint Mead, Talerman & Costa, a firm headquartered in Newburyport, as new town counsel to replace Harrington Heep. Brian Herr recused himself from discussions. 

Church Street. The board approved a plan to make a section of Church Street, from Main Street to Church Place, a one-way. This change was previously proposed as part of the Main Street Corridor Project and will not happen immediately. 

Pine Island Road. The board approved a DPW request for town funding to repair Pine Island Road. While not a publicly accepted town road, it is in great disrepair. Repair costs are $474.73. 

Select Board delivers FY 27 budget message, chooses new town counsel (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/08/25)

Crust & Co. The board also voted to fine the owner of Crust & Co. $1000 for opening its restaurant prior to all required inspections being completed. The owner apologized for his actions, noting that he thought he was clear to open. Hearing testimony raised questions about similarities between Crust & Co. and the former Hillers Pizza, and alleged possible connections between the new owner, landlord, and former owner of Hillers Pizza, “Peter” Sismanis. Chair Joe Clark questioned whether the board was allowed to investigate whether Sismanis is in any way involved with the new business, to which Town Manager Elaine Lazarus noted that it was typically outside the board’s purview. Clark deemed the new information “very concerning. The matter will be discussed further at the board’s next meeting. 

Crust & Co. fined for opening early; new details emerge questioning former owner’s involvement (Article by 10/08/25)

OIG investigation into former Parks & Recreation Director. The board also heard from Lazarus regarding a letter from the state Office of the Inspector General regarding conduct by former Parks and Recreation Director Jay Guelfi deemed illegal. This conduct included a “handshake agreement” with a food truck vendor, in violation of state procurement laws, and the keeping of cash from this deal in his desk to use as “petty cash” for the department. Lazarus noted that the OIG recommended actions for the town to implement, which a team is working on executing. Board member Kizner questioned whether an audit should be conducted for similarly structured departments. Lazarus noted that only the Board of Health had a similar structure, and questioned an investigation into their operations, as did other board members. It was suggested that the matter be put on a future agenda. 

OIG investigation into former Parks & Rec director prompts call by Select Board member to look at other departments (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/08/25)

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

In a brief Friday special meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to accept and sign a memorandum of understanding with the town with regard to procurement and cash handling, at the recommendation of the OIG following its recent investigation into former Parks & Rec Director Guelfi’s violations of state procurement laws. Current Director Jon Lewitus further noted steps his department has taken with regard to these issues since his tenure began in September 2023. 

Parks & Rec votes to sign memorandum over cash handling, procurement (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/10/25)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission approved an exemption request by the DPW for thirty-three borings needed for an East Main Street water main replacement project. The work is expected to start at the end of October. The commission also approved the DPW’s planned drainage work near 34 Spring Street in response to complaints about sinkholes. This work is expected to be conducted on October 20th, during which time Spring Street will be closed to traffic. 

In other business, the commission opted not to vote on a Trails Committee request to install two boardwalks on the Berry Acres trail as certain project specifications had not been submitted with the application. Several hearings were also continued to the October 21st meeting, including the Chamberlain Street / Loop Road proposal, two NOI requests for homes on North Mill Street, and the proposed commercial building off Lumber Street. 

Finally, the commission addressed its two vacant seats, and discussed outreach efforts.  

Conservation Commission approves DPW exemption requests for work on East Main, Spring streets (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/09/25)

BOARD OF HEALTH 

At its Monday meeting, the Board of Health discussed updates relating to the First Amendment audit that occurred at the Health Department office last month. The Health Director Shaun McAuliffe clarified that the Town Hall public nursing office remains open, and explained that during the incident in question public health nurse Simone Carter had been on a medical call and had records out on her desk. Recording is not permitted during such calls due to patient privacy. McAuliffe further addressed harassment endured by himself and Carter, expressed frustration over the time and resources spent responding to the audit aftermath, and noted his staff’s completion of training with a First Amendment consultant. 

The board also heard an update on two new hires to be sworn in by the Select Board: Yamilet Marroquin and Cheuk-Lam “Cheucky” Lo. 

Board of Health gets updates in wake of First Amendment audit controversy (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/07/25)

Flu Vaccine Clinics 

The Hopkinton Health Department will be offering the following flu vaccine clinics:

• Residents aged 65+ – Wednesday, October 15th, 9:00-1:00, Drive Through at the Senior Center
• Residents aged 2-18 – Thursday, October 16th, 3:30-5:30, Hopkinton High School Library 

Registration is Required. Sign up here.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee continued its listening tour regarding the school calender, hearing from residents and students about potentially removing some of the currently observed religious holidays. No vote was taken. 

The Superintendent reported that Hopkinton students in grades 3 through 8 had the highest meeting or exceeding expectations MCAS scores in the state among public schools, and that Hopkinton was one of 63 districts statewide whose math scores returned to or surpassed their pre-pandemic levels. Superintendent Bishop also noted the athletic department’s wish to host an existing gymnastics co-op this winter, as current host Medway has withdrawn due to having no participants. Holliston and Millis will remain in the co-op. There is a facility and coach in place, and costs will come from the contracted services account, athletic revolving account, and student athlete fees. 

The committee also approved a contract with the bus transportation company, Michael J. Connolly & Sons, for two one-year extensions beyond its current contracts, for FY 27 and 28. 

Discussion continues on school calendar issue (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 10/10/25)

The committee also discussed timing for the HVAC projects at the middle school and high school, and gave direction on how to proceed with and accomplish these projects without creating additional debt and tax burdens on the community. 

Additionally, the committee approved FY 27 capital requests including a handicapped accessible vehicle for the special education program; desks and chairs at the middle school; and multiple technology requests. 

School Committee looks at timing on HVAC projects, approves capital plan (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 10/10/25) 

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

The latest updates on the Main Street Corridor Project show that Verizon is on track for work completion by the end of October, and Amorello is set to start curb and sidewalk work on the west side of the project next week. Landscaping is scheduled to start around October 20th.  

LAKE MASPENOCK WEED MANAGEMENT & CONTROL ADVISORY GROUP

At its meeting on October 2, the Lake Maspenock Weed Management and Control Advisory Group discussed the planned extended drawdown of the lake this winter, an action that occurs regularly every three years, and herbicide use to control weed growth. It was noted that the weeds had “noticeably diminished” after targeted herbicide use last summer, however, the weeds have significantly returned. While concern over chemical use was expressed, it was noted that an herbicide treatment may likely be needed in the spring even with the extended drawdown. Members voted 4-0 for the herbicide treatment if the extended drawdown does not yield optimal results. DPW Director Kerry Reed stated that she will include $40,000 in the DPW budget request for the treatment, and recommended that the group make its treatment recommendation directly to the Select Board and then, if approved, appear before the Conservation Commission to explain its necessity.

Lake Maspenock Weed Management Group discusses extended drawdown, herbicide use plan (Article by May Ellen Gambon, 10/13/25)