WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 06/16/26

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday hearing, the Conservation Commission heard an update on the water runoff issues at the Charleswood School construction site due to geothermal well drilling, which saw high volumes of sometimes turbit water running onto commission owned property. The contractor has diverted more than half of the water flow to a different parcel of land not owned by the commission and has put a new erosion control barrier in place at the property line, which will remain until a restoration plan is completed by Lucas Environmental. 

The commission also voted 4-0 to approve a town-wide Department of Public Works maintenance plan to improve notification procedures for work conducted near commission property, and approved the release of eight units for the fourth phase of The Trails development, noting that previous stormwater management violations have been resolved. Finally, the commission continued the reconsideration hearing on the long-running matter regarding the development of a single-family home at 12 North Mill Street until June 30th. 

Conservation Commission gets update on Charleswood School dewatering plan (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 06/10/26) 

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission heard from DPW Director Kerry Reed and town engineer Dave Daltorio to review the plan for a paved pedestrian path connecting Blueberry Lane to EMC Park, through Fitch Avenue. This was approved at the 2023 Town Meeting and went out to design last year. The commission was informed that the project will require cutting down 19 trees along the proposed route. It was noted that this number appeared high because any plant greater than 4 inches in diameter is considered to be a tree, and that only four or five of the listed trees are over 10 inches. The project could start as early as mid-July if approved without objection. During the public comment period, several residents expressed objections to the current plan, opposing the tree removal and building of another paved path in town. Daltorio noted that residents in the area have expressed interest in path use and utilizing it as an alternative to driving. Reed noted that because objections were raised, the tree warden no longer has the authority to approve the tree removal and the matter must go to the Select Board for approval or request for a redesign. Despite this, the commission still voted to approve the path design. The matter will be put on the next Select Board agenda.

 Parks & Rec hears tree removal plan for path to EMC Park (Article by Nick Schofield, 06/10/26) 

LAKE MASPENOCK – NOTICE 

The town has announced that herbicide treatments will be conducted at Lake Maspenock on Tuesday, June 16, and residents are advised to refrain from using the lake for recreational or agricultural purposes for a period of time. Boating, fishing, swimming and watering of livestock should be avoided until Thursday, and lake use for irrigation is not advised until June 22.  

Lake Maspenock herbicide treatment scheduled for Tuesday (Hopkinton Independent, 06/11/26) 

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT 

The latest Main Street Corridor Project update shared the following: 

What to Expect for the Week of June 15th to June 19th, 2026

• Test pit at the manhole in the driveway of Hiller’s Cleaners is scheduled for Monday, June 15th. Access may be limited; avoid parking behind the building.
• Trench across Marathon Way to install irrigation conduit.
• Driveway work at 25/35 Main Street – the driveway by the Muffin House will be closed; there will be alternating traffic in and out via the east side driveway.

Detours or Alternating Traffic will be used as needed for project work.