WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 10/21/26

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING – MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 26th at 7 pm at the middle school auditorium. 

Check out eHop’s summary of the STM articles and come prepared to vote! Hope to see you there! 

SELECT BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Select Board reviewed the warrant for Monday’s Special Town Meeting. While the board previously voted on the town-sponsored articles, it decided not to vote on the 18 citizens’ petitions, leaving decisions to the voters. Chair Shahidul Mannan proposed a five-minute “state of the town” address at STM to update residents on town accomplishments and challenges, including an anticipated budget shortfall. Some members supported the idea, while the vice chair Matthew Kizner was opposed to it. 

In other business, the board unanimously joined a coalition of 16 towns opposing Amazon’s use of delivery drones, operating from its Westborough facility. They also voted to reappoint Mead, Talerman & Costa as town counsel, despite noting some challenges with the firm over the past year, discussed member criticism over some amendments proposed by the Charter Review Committee, and heard from the Commission on Disability about their recent achievements. 

Select Board preps for STM Monday (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/21/26) 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

At its last meeting, the School Committee heard each school’s improvement plans, which shared a focus on student support, English language arts instruction and leadership development. The elementary school principals are working together to expand the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support put in place last school year, and to implement a pilot program stressing English language arts literacy. The middle school is expanding career and technical education opportunities, and the high school is addressing attendance, school culture and post-graduation preparation. 

The committee also heard a technology presentation by the Director of Technology, Digital Learning & Innovation, and approved student travel and grants. The superintendent reminded residents to stay off school property during school hours for safety reasons.

School Committee reviews school improvement plans (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/17/26)

PLANNING BOARD 

At its Monday meeting, the Planning Board continued hearings on the proposed development of 13 condominiums behind BoMain Pizza Bar & Grill. Concerns were raised about the impact to abutting residents on Claflin Street, potential strains on town infrastructure, and the project’s designation as either a mixed-use or multifamily development. Questions were also raised regarding the gated access at both ends of the development, and the need for variances. The project team will revise its plans before the next hearing on November 16th.

In other business, the board approved a project amendment allowing a change of use to the rear building at 87 Hayden Rowe Street, and appointed Peter Mimmo as its liaison to the Community Preservation Committee to replace former member Parker Happ who resigned from the board. 

Planning Board continues hearing on mixed-use housing proposal at BoMain property (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/20/26) 

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

At its last meeting, the Community Preservation Committee began reviewing funding requests for the upcoming fiscal year, warning that available funds may not cover every project. Major requests include $2.8 million for the second phase of the Center School reuse project (covering repairs to the original building’s exterior) submitted by the Permanent Building Committee, and $3 million for the Pyne Field redesign, along with funding for park and court lighting improvements submitted by the Parks & Recreation Department. Additional smaller funding requests were submitted by the Board of Library Trustees and the Open Space Preservation Commission. 

The committee also raised concerns about missing invoices and quarterly reports for the adaptive playground project, and discussed its opposition to a Charter Review Committee’s proposed recommendation to make one of its at-large seats elected rather than appointed. 

CPC kicks off FY 28 funding cycle with review of requests (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/16/26)

Regarding the Center School reuse project, per a town press release, demolition work is expected to begin November 2.

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

At its Tuesday meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed resolving competition between Fruit Street’s vending machines and new concession stand, after concerns arose over overlapping products, pricing, and vending machines being covered with tarps. Both vendors expressed a willingness to cooperate, and commission members emphasized the importance of keeping both options available for visitors. The commission voted to renew the vending machine contractor’s agreement and plans to reassess the arrangement after the season. 

Parks & Rec meets with Fruit Street concession vendors to resolve dispute (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/21/26)

Additionally, at its meeting last week, the Parks & Recreation Commission unanimously voted to request $3 million in Community Preservation funding for the Pyne Field redesign, choosing a design with a smaller cricket pitch that would preserve 58 parking spaces and reduce the risk of overflow parking near JB Sawmill’s truck easement. The commission will gather more information about field design, irrigation, maintenance costs and parking before finalizing the proposal.

The commission also discussed plans to pursue funding for lighting upgrades at Carrigan Park in partnership with Hopkinton Little League and renew its request for lights at the Fruit Street pickleball courts. The pickleball lighting proposal will need to address environmental concerns raised when it was previously rejected by voters at Annual Town Meeting in May.

Parks & Rec submits updated Pyne Field design for CPC funding (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/14/26) 

BOARD OF HEALTH

At its Monday meeting, the Board of Health unanimously voted to send Golden Pond Assisted Living a letter demanding prompt corrective action for ongoing heating problems and food safety violations identified during an inspection. Health officials reported increased medical transports, growing resident complaints and concerns about intimidation. A resident death recently occurred in a room that was allegedly excessively heated. The facility was given an October 21st deadline to remediate the issues addressed, with a warning of further action for failure to comply.

Board of Health rebukes Golden Pond over heating issues, food safety (Article by Nick Schofield, 10/20/26)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD 

At its last meeting, the Economic Development Advisory Board discussed the 96 page economic development document presented at the October 6th Select Board meeting, debating whether it should be treated as a report of recommendations or an actionable plan. Members praised the report but questioned whether it would be advisable to hold off on approving it until after an economic development director is hired. An separate action plan can be pulled from the larger report. 

The Board also voted 4-0-1 to support Article 19 at Special Town Meeting, which is a citizen’s petition proposing the development of a new sidewalk master plan. 

EDAB seeks clarity on language around economic development plan (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/14/26)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE

At its last meeting, the Elementary School Building Committee approved a $200,769 budget change for temporary paving and a berm on Hayden Rowe Street for the Charleswood School project, in response to utility line relocation delays, to ensure a plowable road surface for the winter months. The committee also approved about $6 million in invoices and discussed stormwater runoff issues following heavy rains, for which corrective measures are underway. It was also noted that contingency funds for the project exceed $25 million. 

ESBC OK’s temporary roadwork, discusses stormwater issues (Article by Susan Gonsalves, 10/21/26)

EARLY VOTING OPEN AT TOWN HALL

Early voting is now open at Town Hall. The last day for early voting will be October 30th, while Saturday October 24th will be the last opportunity for early voting on the weekend. Vote early and check it off your to-do list!