Simone Carter was unanimously confirmed by the Select Board on Tuesday as the new public health nurse for the town. She replaces Kasey Mauro, who stepped down from her full-time role in June.

Carter, a native of Louisiana who lives in town with her family, most recently had been working for the Natick/Walpole Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). She received strong recommendations, according to Town Manager Norman Khumalo.

“The references that we spoke to confirmed what we already heard during the interview, that you are compassionate, you have the ability to adapt very quickly — which is what we have experienced here in Hopkinton over the last two years related to public health issues that have come up,” Khumalo said. “We also confirmed your ability to cope with stress. In addition, we heard that you pay attention to details, and that comes along with the care that you provide to your patients. Also, spectacularly, that you are a true professional.”

Asked why she chose to apply for the opening in Hopkinton, Carter said she felt it was “the next right thing to do.”

“This is going to sound a little corny, but I have a little bit of a calling,” she said. “I think most folks who go into these types of health care scenarios do. You do it because you feel called to it. And I live here. I have a sense of ownership and community — ownership in the sense that I take pride in where I live.”

Schneiderman OK’d as outreach coordinator

Julia Schneiderman was unanimously confirmed by the board to be the new outreach coordinator at the Senior Center. She replaces Marlene Troupes.

Schneiderman spent 12 1/2 years with BayPath Elder Services before working the last two years as supportive services coordinator with Tri-Valley, Inc., a nonprofit that helps seniors and people with disabilities.

“The references confirmed what we really enjoyed finding out during the interview process: very pragmatic problem-solver, good with follow through, a collaborator, always friendly, nonthreatening, compassionate, down to earth, and is a moving library of a very broad range of community resources,” Khumalo said.

Schneiderman called the position her “dream job,” adding: “I love working with elders.”

The board also unanimously confirmed the hirings of Shivani Raval as procurement and grants manager, and Donald Jazzerowski as custodian in the Facilities Department.

Repligen eyes South Street location, seeks TIF

A representative from the drug company Repligen appeared before the board to discuss the company’s interest in taking over a vacant building on South Street and working on a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) agreement to provide incentive.

Steve Curran, the company’s vice president, global operations, explained that Repligen, which was founded in 1981, switched a few years ago to become a “solution company.”

“We provide tools and solutions to help drug companies get to market faster,” Curran said.

The company’s headquarters are in Waltham, and it already expanded to Marlborough.

Repligen is looking at 99 South St., which has been vacant for nine years. Its intention is to add 200 jobs and invest $15 million of private investment into the building.

The board unanimously approved the town manager to negotiate a TIF. An agreement ultimately would require approval at Town Meeting.

Misc.: Lake Maspenock weed problem continues

Department of Public Works Director John Westerling and Lake Maspenock Weed Management and Advisory Committee member Drew Logan checked in with an update. Logan said this past winter’s extended drawdown of the lake was not as effective as hoped and the weed problem is an issue that again will need to be addressed, possibly with more aggressive methods. …

Scott Gonfrade was appointed constable and James Frederick was appointed traffic constable, with both terms expiring June 30, 2024. …

The board accepted the resignation of Rory Warren from the Board of Appeals. The board accepted the resignation “with deep regret” and thanks him for his service. …

For the Board of Registrars of Voters, Doris Early, nominated by the Democratic Town Committee, was named to fill the seat that expires in February 2023. The Republican Town Committee has yet to nominate someone to replace Brian Karp, who will continue to serve for the time being. Karp switched from Republican to unenrolled, according to Town Clerk Connor Degan. …

Degan gave the board a heads-up that there is a plan in place to redraw the town’s four precincts into five, which will be required when the latest census results confirm the town’s increase in population. …

The board approved a gift of $1,000 to the Police Department from the Hopkinton Cricket Club and expressed gratitude for the gesture.