WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 03/24/26

SELECT BOARD 

Boston Marathon plans. At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board approved the Boston Athletic Association’s permit application for Hopkinton to host the start of the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20th, and discussed plans for marathon weekend activities and the race day. Race structure modifications were noted, including a change from the traditional four waves of runners to six to ease crowding and an alteration of the route for runners to go from the high school complex to the start line, via Maple Street and Church Street. The board also approved a permit for the 100-yard dash sponsored by the Marathon Committee to be held on April 18th. 

Select Board unanimously approves Boston Marathon permit as sponsor announces race modification (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/18/26) 

Update from state legislators. The board heard from State Senate President Karen Spilka and Rep. James Arena-deRosa on the state budget, which is facing “a difficult year” as a result of federal funding reductions of around $4 billion, impacting a range of services including health care subsidies and food programs. Despite these state budget deficiencies, Hopkinton has received funding increases for schools, special education, and road and bridge projects. Spilka also noted the $60,000 she secured for Hopkinton Public Library accessibility improvements, a $100,000 mental health funding grant for the town, and $850,000 obtained for a new YMCA building. Arena-DeRosa addressed issues that his office has grappled with, including resident complaints regarding high energy costs, immigration issues and due process concerns, funding needed for Senior Center improvements, and town water quality issues. 

Senior Car Parade. The board voted 4-1 to approve the Hopkinton High School Senior Car Parade on June 6, at 10am. Member Matthew Kizner voted against it, citing resident complaints that the parade is disruptive to town traffic. Other members noted that it has become a town tradition, anticipated by many. 

Warrant articles approved. The board also approved a number of routine, noncontroversial warrant articles for Annual Town Meeting, in addition to articles relating to driveway and utility easements for the new Charleswood School, as well as a PILOT agreement for the Frankland Road solar farm. Articles to be discussed at the next meeting on April 7th include civil fingerprinting for business owners, e-bike speed limits, and the acceptance of 3 private ways as town roads. 

Legislators explain federal impact on state budget to Select Board (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/18/26) 

TRAILS COMMITTEE 

At its Wednesday meeting, the Trails Committee discussed upcoming community events and prioritized projects. A trail networking event will take place at the Hopkinton Public Library on March 31st from 5:45-7:45 pm, and will include members from the library, Hopkinton Historical Society, Trails Club, Open Space Preservation Commission, Conservation Commission, Sudbury Valley Trustees, Department of Public Works, and the Town Manager. Another event is planned for May 31st at the library from 10am – noon. This drop-in event, “Intro to Trails,” will provide information about the town trail networks and will be followed by a two-hour walk along the Center Trail. 

The committee also discussed other ongoing projects. The Berry Acres Trail improvements project is moving forward, and a bid proposal for a project constructing a connector trail to Field 11 on Loop Road is expected by the end of April. Proposed parking areas for Berry Acres, Echo Trail and Center Trail have been reviewed with a consultant and plans for those areas will emerge soon. 

Finally, the committee addressed the proposed 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes and similar electronic vehicles that they will discuss at the April 7th Select Board meeting. The issue will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting. 

Trails Committee plans upcoming events, talks priorities (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/19/26)

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

At its Thursday meeting, the Community Preservation Committee addressed the Center School reuse project. In December, the CPC approved a $2 million request to fund the demolition of the two additions behind the front structure of the Center School building to be voted on at ATM in May. The second phase of the project will construct a new building to house the town’s Parks & Recreation and Youth and Family Services departments, as well as a HCA classroom space. The CPC learned that the anticipated project cost of $10 million has now increased by approximately $6.6 million. Some reasons for the price jump were addressed. CPC Chair Ken Weismantel suggested having another cost estimator review the project, to which members agreed. The committee approved raising the FY27 request “to an amount not to exceed $2.4 million” in a 7-0 vote and, in a separate vote, approved a condition that if the project does not ultimately move forward, the CPC has the first opportunity to convert the land to a recreational space. 

Center School total project cost estimate explodes to $16.6M, CPC learns (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/20/26)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

At the Elementary School Building Committee meeting on Tuesday, members addressed recent concerns raised by abutters of the Charleswood School project site regarding incidents over the past few weeks. These included disruptions caused by Verizon’s pole work in the area for which little notice was given and a damaged sewer line when placing a pole. These issues have been addressed and Vertex managing director Jeff D’Amico discussed a plan to establish a weekly email communication with neighbors as the roadwork begins in the months ahead to prepare them for what to expect. Also addressed were some neighbor complaints about water discoloration that was likely caused by work on the town’s water system, and a concern by a new homeowner in the Newbury Glen development regarding the number of trees left following the lot clearing. It was noted that the Newbury Gen lots were built after the Charleswood School plans were designed and approved and that the new abutters will have a view of the school. 

In other business, the committee voted to authorize Vertex to hire a resident engineer from Pare Engineering, the lowest bidder, to oversee Hayden Rowe Street roadwork. 

ESBC members discuss abutters’ concerns about Charleswood work (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 03/17/26)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board addressed the issue of whether to recommend Auciello Drive as a pubic road. Board member and Auciello Drive resident Parker Happ updated that an engineering study is being conducted on the road following discussion at the previous meeting regarding a 2025 condition that any private way’s acceptance as a town road would have to comply with current town standards. Happ argued that the requirements for “modern” standards were inaccurate and that the existing 1992 documentation on the subdivision layout should suffice, as it “hasn’t materially changed in any way.” While sympathetic to the residents’ situation, the board ultimately concluded in a 5-1 vote that because it has not yet received sufficient updated engineering and planning documentation, it could not recommend the road for acceptance at this time. Member Peter Mimmo gave a dissenting vote, with Happ and Vikasith Pratty abstaining due to conflicts of interest. 

The board also deferred voting on the acceptance of Whisper Way as a public road until its next meeting on April 6th, due to unresolved issues identified in a peer review, including conflicts between the approved plan and new Department of Public Works recommendations. Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and suggested further consultation before moving forward.

Finally, Mimmo, also a Charter Review Committee member, requested that the board discuss a questionnaire presented by the CRC and provide feedback. 

Planning Board votes not to accept Auciello Drive as public road, delays vote on Whisper Way (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 03/24/25)

2026 ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

Residents interested in running for local office in the 2026 Annual Town Election must submit nomination papers by March 30, 2026 at 5PM. For more information, check out eHop’s Town Election Update page.

BOSTON MARATHON 2026 

Help support eHop’s 2026 Boston Marathon runner, Gregory Sobol, here!