WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 01/13/26

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board reviewed a draft tax increment financing (TIF) agreement between the town and owner of Open Play Pickleball & Padel Club, a new business under construction on a vacant property at 124 East Main Street. A TIF agreement allows new businesses that will provide a benefit to the community to pay a lower tax rate when they first open, to be gradually increased as they become more established. The drafted negotiated terms presented for Open Play included a seven year real estate tax exemption that wouldl start at 90% and decrease to 30% for the last year, with a personal property tax exemption at 100% for five years. Upon review, board members raised concerns about the proposed terms. Chair Joe Clark noted how critical tax revenue currently is to the town budget, and members suggested a shorter-term agreement. Other suggested changes were discussed. A TIF agreement must be approved at Annual Town Meeting on May 2 and would go into effect on the date of occupancy. 

Select Board discusses shorter term for potential TIF agreement with pickleball/padel facility (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 01/07/26)

In other business, the board spent significant time addressing business licensing issues. During the comment period, Marie and John Laskowsky, Ashland residents and frequent participants during board meeting comment periods over the past several months, made accusations against Town Manager Elaine Lazarus regarding the CV license and CORI check for the former Hillers Pizza, and for unilaterally removing HPD input from the CV license approval process under recent policy review. Lazarus spoke with the Independent regarding these issues and noted that changes to the renewal process for this cycle were discussed at multiple meetings and that a new CV policy is in the process of being developed. During the public hearing regarding the transfer of an all-alcohol license for Orale Mexican Restaurant from current owner Mauricio Bremermann to Victor Roman, Marie Laskowsky requested that the board inquire whether there are other individuals with a financial stake in the applicant or business. The board noted that it did not opt to move forward on questioning financial business stakeholders during its discussions on establishing a new CV license policy, but that the issue would be reviewed by town counsel. The board voted 4-0-1 to support the transfer, with Matthew Kizner abstaining. The board also unanimously voted to approve license renewals to 6 businesses and granted extensions to 24 others that have yet to be inspected by the town.

Town’s licensing processes, town manager come under fire at Select Board meeting (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, with a contribution form Nick Schofield, 01/07/26)

In related news, per court documents, the victim in the case against Petros “Peter” Sismanis, former Hillers Pizza owner, has filed a civil lawsuit against Sismanis, the Town of Hopkinton, and Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett. Among the counts alleged in the complaint are that of negligence on the part of the town and Chief Bennett for a failure to act upon known complaints about Sismanis and his past unlawful actions thereby creating a “foreseeable risk” to his employees. The complaint also alleges a violation of the victim’s due process rights. The lawsuit was filed on on December 16th, and legal counsel for the town petitioned a change of venue from Middlesex Superior Court to federal court last week. 

Sismanis victim files case against town, police chief (Article by Nick Schofield, 01/12/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee held a public hearing outlining its proposed FY 27 budget of $71,836,488. Superintendent Evan Bishop noted the key areas of focus to include enrollment, meeting needs, transportation costs, contractual obligations, and compliance with special education. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Susan Rothermich broke down the budget, which is outlined in the article cited below. No questions were asked by the public. The committee will vote to adopt the budget at its meeting on January 22nd. 

Rothermich also discussed anticipated capital expenditures over the upcoming years and outlined requests for fiscal years 2027, 2028 and 2029. 

Hearing on school budget attracts no questions from public (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 01/09/26)

Also at the meeting, vice chair Susan Stephenson responded to public concerns expressed regarding her meeting attendance and remote participation over prior months, explaining that she has been undergoing cancer treatment since late summer / early fall. Members noted her participation in committee matters out of public view and urged community members with concerns to communicate them directly to the committee through the district website. 

School Committee vice chair Stephenson details battle with cancer (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 01/09/26)

In other school news, it was announced this week by Superintendent Bishop and Marathon School Principal Lauren Dubeau that Marathon Assistant Principal Eric Mitchell was placed on administrative leave “pending an investigation into an incident that occurred outside of school hours, unrelated to his work at HPS.” No further details were given regarding the incident, however, it was noted that there is “no information to suggest any impact on student safety at Marathon School.”

Marathon School assistant principal placed on administrative leave (Article by Hopkinton Independent, 01/09/26)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission approved a certificate of compliance for the Whisper Way subdivision, clearing the way for developers to seek approval at Annual Town meeting for Whisper Way to be designated a town road. 

Additionally, the commission continued two hearings regarding 12 North Mill Street until January 27th, to allow time to obtain updated plans. However, commission members expressed that they are amenable to the developer’s proposed plan to fill in a portion of the wetland to build a drinking water well at the location ahead of the Board of Health’s January 12th review of the proposal. The commission also voted to continue a hearing on a proposed trail revision to connect the Windsor housing development to Berry Acres at the Chamberlain Street extension. More details were requested describing the proposed trail and clearing work and identifying proposed items in a revised plan. 

Conservation Commission moves Whisper Way forward, allowing developers to seek approval for town road (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 01/08/26)

BOARD OF HEALTH

At its Monday meeting, the Board of Health reviewed developer Lou Petrozzi’s request for a well variance at 12 North Mill Street. Under his proposed plan, a part of the wetland at the rear of the property would be filled to allow a well to be installed. Petrozzi noted that this plan minimizes the impacts to the wetlands and that all alternatives not requiring a variance have been exhausted. Board members were unsure whether Conservation Commission approval of the plan was required before they could consider the variance. They also raised concerns over long term feasibility of the placement of the well and disruption of the wetlands for its future maintenance, and noted that the Health Department and Board of Health have not granted such variances since 2001. The board determined that more time was needed to review the request and seek further clarification on applicable town bylaws and regulations.  

Board of Health expresses concerns about North Mill Street well variance, continues hearing (Article by Nick Schofield, 01/13/26)

PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE

At its last meeting, the Permanent Building Committee addressed concerns regarding the age and condition of the former Center School roof raised during the ongoing review of plans for the Center School reuse project. Committee members will research the history of prior roof work, and will obtain a cost estimate for a full replacement in the event that it is needed.  

Concerns raised about Center School roof (Article by Sandy Quadros Bowles, 01/06/26)

EHOP’S 2026 MARATHON RUNNER

Learn more about eHop’s 2026 Boston Marathon runner, Gregory Sobol and make a donation here! Any showing of support is greatly appreciated.