WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 07/29/26

PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE

At its Monday meeting, the Permanent Building Committee voted 3-0 to select Vertex as the owner’s project manager for the Center School reuse project, after interviewing three firms – Vertex, RGB Architects, and Colliers Project Leaders. The committee chose Vertex based on its extensive experience with recent Hopkinton school projects (it is the OPM for the Charleswood School construction and Hopkins School addition/renovation), as well as its familiarity with the town and depth of resources. The next step will be to present the recommendation to the Town Manager’s Office for contract negotiations regarding the project scope and fee. One of the first tasks for the OPM will be to review bids for the demolition phase of the project. 

PBC chooses owner’s project manager for Center School project (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 07/28/26)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

At its Thursday meeting, the School Committee discussed a proposal to authorize $136,953 for a study and to develop a funding request for Special Town Meeting this fall to relocate the two-story modular classrooms at Elmwood School to Hopkins School, in anticipation of the grade reconfigurations next summer with the Charleswood School opening. While it was noted that the modulars could support future enrollment growth, concerns were raised about the present need for them given current enrollment and the potential $2 million cost of the move amid rising taxes and other capital projects. The committee voted to table the proposal and agreed to revisit it at a later date. 

In other business, the committee welcomed several new administrators to the district, provided updates on school improvement projects, and accepted a number of grants. 

School Committee tables study about moving modulars to Hopkins School (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 07/24/26) 

The committee also heard about the high achievement scores attained by Hopkinton High School students on the most recent Advanced Placement exams as compared to the state and global averages. 

HHS students achieve high results on AP exams (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 07/28/26)

BOARD OF HEALTH 

At its Thursday meeting, the Board of Health unanimously voted to adopt regulations prohibiting the sale of kratom and synthetic THC products in town, following a brief public hearing where a handful of residents voiced support of the proposed regulations. These new regulations will take effect July 30 and will impose a $1,000 fine for violations, with additional fines and potential suspension of Board of Health permits to be imposed for repeated offenses. This decision was based on scientific evidence and public input, with the asserted goal of protecting public health and keeping children safer. This is in line with a growing number of Massachusetts communities that have adopted or are considering similar restrictions. The board also updated tobacco retail regulations to require compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, helping prevent the sale of unapproved products.

Board of Health passes regulations banning sale of kratom, synthetic THC products (Article by Nick Schofield, 07/24/26) 

MAIN STREET CORRIDOR UPDATE

The latest Main Street Corridor Update included the following information regarding ongoing work, as well as work planned for the week of August 17th: 

What to Expect for the Week of July 27th to July 31st, 2026

• Amorello will continue installing the sidewalk sub-drain by 25/35 Main
• Removal of cracked sidewalk panels
• Prepping those sidewalk areas (gravel, fine grading, formwork) in preparation for concrete placements.

Upcoming Work for the Week of August 17th

Final paving on the east side of the project from the Fire Station to Ray Street is currently planned for the week of August 17th

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