WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 05/05/26

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING RESULTS 

Annual Town Meeting was held on Saturday, May 2nd.

The video of Town Meeting can be viewed on HCAM’s YouTube page.

The full results of the 39 articles voted on at Town Meeting are outlined on eHop’s Town Meeting Results 2026 page.

See also, Annual Town Meeting complete results (Hopkinton Independent). 

Some articles that generated public interest and discussion included: 

CPC funds, including Center School and lighting for the Fruit Street pickleball fields (Article 20). The CPC’s funding requests were of interest, including the largest requests for: $2.4 million for the demolition and removal of hazardous materials of the two rear additions of Center School for its reuse project; $250,000 for lighting for the Fruit Street Pickleball courts; and a $185,000 contribution toward the town’s $2 million purchase of the Carbone’s Restaurant property, for 5 acres for open space. Following an approved motion to consider the pickleball court lighting separately, and debate on the issue, the request was voted down in a 85-81 vote. All other funding requests were approved unanimously. ATM passes CPC Center School reuse funding, denies lighting at pickleball courts (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/02/26)

CV license fingerprinting (Article 29). Following discussion on this article which would amend the existing civil fingerprinting bylaw to include common victualer licenses (the bylaw currently requires this of ice cream truck vendors), residents voted 72-51 to take no action, in line with the Select Board’s recommendation.  Annual Town Meeting votes to take no action on CV fingerprinting article (Article by Nick Schofield, 05/02/26)

Budget articles (Articles 6, 13-18) and the amended MBTA Communities overlay zoning district article (Article 21) passed by two-thirds majority voice votes, while the 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes and electric mobility vehicles on shared-use paths was approved in a 93-34 vote. Town Meeting recap: Budget, amended MBTA zoning, e-bike speed limit pass (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/02/26)

Citizens Petitions (Articles 18 & 38). Two citizen petitions generated significant discussion. The first sought drainage improvements for the Hawthorne Lane area, due to years long drainage failure, causing pooling water with algae growth near homes there. While the work is on the DPW’s 5 year capital plan, it is not due to be addressed until 2030. Residents approved the article in a 152-23 vote; however, it is nonbinding. An amendment was passed in the vote to request funding for the project in the FY28 budget, and the petitioners were encouraged to further pursue the issue at a future STM or ATM. The second citizen’s petition sought to have Auciello Drive accepted as a public road. The road had received plowing services by the town for 30 years until 2024 despite its being a private way. The DPW Director asserted that the road had to be brought up to town standards before acceptance, at a cost of approximately $170,000. The article failed in a 53-42 vote, needing a two-thirds majority to pass. A subsequent quorum count did not affect the vote as it had already been made. The meeting was dissolved at that point due to quorum not being met. ATM citizens’ petitions raise concerns about addressing longstanding town issues (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 05/02/26)

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

Annual Town Election 2026 will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026. Polls are open from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm at the Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym. 

Check out eHop’s Town Election 2026 page for more details and for the list of candidates. There are two contested races: the Board of Health and School Committee. 

Watch the Meet the Candidates Night footage to hear from the candidates. 

PLANNING BOARD 

At its meeting last Monday, April 27th, the Planning Board voted 7-0 to continue two related hearings regarding the development of a second home behind a historic home at 82 Clinton Street. The first hearing focused on special permits for 1) a proposed common driveway linking the two dwellings and 2) to permit the subdivision of the lot as required under the “lots with historic structures” bylaw. The second hearing dealt with a request for a frontage waiver for the existing historical home, as it does not conform to current zoning standards due to its prior date of construction. A revised plan dated April 13th incorporated feedback from town departments, and the town peer review consultant submitted feedback focusing on the proposed shared driveway, which the applicant deemed feasible to implement. However, some board members raised concerns regarding wetland impacts, limited frontage, and zoning circumvention. Questions were also raised as to whether the historical home lot bylaw would apply. A supermajority vote of six board members is needed to approve the two special permits. 

In other business, the board also continued the hearing on 75 South Street at the applicant’s request to receive the Conservation Commission’s feedback before proceeding. 

Planning Board continues Clinton Street hearings after discussion on bylaw application (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/28/26) 

BOARD OF HEALTH 

At its meeting last Monday, the Board of Health discussed recent state law changes allowing cannabis delivery across the Commonwealth, except for municipalities that prohibit cannabis businesses and that opt out of the program. The board was asked to give a recommendation to the Select Board on how to approach this change in law. Hopkinton previously voted to ban marijuana sales in town. Health Director Shaun McAuliffe informed the board that his department and the Hopkinton Youth & Family Services, intend to put together closely aligned arguments against allowing delivery. He noted that he will ask the Select Board to request a two-year waiver to opt of out delivery. Member Mary Jo Ondrechen expressed concern over the impact of banning delivery on residents’ private decisions. 

In other business, the board closed a hearing on a resident’s complaints about housing code violations on the property where he lives at Woodview Way apartment complex in the Legacy Farms South neighborhood. The board maintained that it performed its due diligence in addressing the matter, and that corrective measures had been taken to meet code at this time. 

McAuliffe also noted that his department was working with state health officials to monitor a new COVID-19 variant in the country. People over 65 could benefit from a spring vaccination. 

Board of Health tackles cannabis delivery concerns, housing complaint (Article by Nick Schofield, 04/28/26) 

PARKS & RECREATION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission addressed booking structure and rate changes for the Fruit Street athletic complex. The commission voted to adopt a new booking system which would further break up the fields from three into five, with the rate per field to be dropped from $25 to $15, for more flexible reservations, and would introduce seasonal booking periods. It also voted to increase field rates for in-town users by 10%, and to adjust turf field rates from $90 to $100 per hour. It also discussed how to raise the current 40% usage rate, noting that even at a 50% rate the department is still losing money on the high turf field maintenance costs. 

The commission also reviewed a draft agreement of a memorandum of understanding with the Hopkinton Youth Soccer league whereby the HYS would receive a $1,000 credit for the use of the goals and nets, while Parks & Rec would cover repair costs beyond reasonable wear and tear. Commission members supported the agreement but suggested added provisions for equipment quality standards and financial transparency. 

 Parks & Rec increases fees for Fruit Street soccer fields (Article by Nick Schofield, 04/30/26) 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Conservation Commission voted 4-1-1 to seek guidance from town counsel following concerns about significant water flow from the Charleswood School construction site onto commission owned property off Briarcliff Drive. Large quantities of water, some mixing with sediment, were seen being pumped on to the land due to geothermal well drilling. This raised questions about whether proper permissions had been granted and whether sufficient site controls were in place. Brait Builders’ project manager asserted that the land in question is “within the limit of work” and that although water output was higher than anticipated, it is now being managed with treatment systems in place and the current discharged water meets environmental standards. Vertex property manager Chris Eberly noted that the high water table was known in advance and that the contractor should have been better prepared. Concerns were also raised about the contractor’s past violations on the project, and impacts on abutters, including flooding. While one member wished to halt the project, the commission noted the significant cost of delays on the project and voted to have town counsel review whether proper approvals were in place and what corrective actions may be needed. 

In other business, the hearing on modifying the 75 South Street parking lot was continued following discussion as additional details regarding a rain garden were requested, and the applicant was instructed to document off-site work in the plans and share with abutters. Hearings on 12 North Mill Street were continued at the applicant’s request, and a certificate of compliance for REC Hopkinton’s property at 77 South Street was approved. 

Conservation Commission to consult town counsel about water running off Charleswood School site (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 04/29/26)  

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Elementary School Building Committee unanimously voted to partially fund a sewer capacity engineering study, requested by the Department of Public Works, to take a deeper look at the area serviced by the Hayden Rowe pump station. The approved total is not to exceed $23,000, with the town providing the remainder of the cost for the study. It aims to identify short, medium, and long term solutions to ensure that the system can handle existing issues, including stormwater infiltration, and the increased demand from the Charleswood school. Committee members emphasized that funding for necessary fixes would need to go through Town Meeting, and that timing was a concern to ensure completion of the study, funding approval, and necessary fixes prior to the school’s opening.  

DPW expresses concern about Charleswood School’s effect on sewer (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 04/22/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At the Thursday School Committee meeting, Superintendent Evan Bishop announced that Sarah Ellam was chosen as the district’s new assistant superintendent of teaching and learning/chief academic officer. The committee also heard an update on the Hopkins School project that a contractor bid for the Loop Road repaving came in under the $1.8 million cap, at approximately $1.43 million, bringing the total project cost to $1.56 million with a recommended contingency. This contingency includes funds for LSP services and sets aside money for potential issues with the structural integrity of a wooden bridge on the road, which will be assessed more closely as construction gets underway. The committee authorized $283,188.61 to replace worn down remaining furniture at the school. 

The committee also adopted the zero emission vehicle policy, which involves choosing the most fuel-efficient vehicles when purchasing new vehicles going forward. In the School Department, this policy would apply to three special education (SPED) vans used locally. The district is presently in the process of replacing a SPED van, which will be an electric vehicle. 

Ellam appointed HPS chief academic officer (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 05/01/26) 

Finally, the committee gave Superintendent Bishop a “proficient” rating during his annual formal evaluation. He met his goals, which fell under the areas of data-informed decision making, fiscal systems, communication, and a shared vision. Committee members felt that his first year was strong, citing positive feedback from staff and the community, and praised his ability to adapt to unexpected financial challenges. 

Superintendent rated as ‘proficient’ in School Committee evaluation (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 05/04/26)