Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Group demands investigation into HPD over Hillers Pizza

Protestors stood outside Town Hall on Saturday to “demand the truth” and seek accountability from the town for allowing Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis to operate a business in Hopkinton despite his status as a sex offender. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD

A group of protestors met at Town Hall on Saturday to protest what it calls “questionable municipal leadership” and demand accountability from the Hopkinton Police Department regarding Petros “Peter” Sismanis, the former owner of Hillers Pizza.

The protest coincided with the launch of a new website called “Demand the Truth.” According to the website, organizers hope to share information across the community, encourage community participation and push for accountability.

Marie Laskowsky, an Ashland resident who helped organize Saturday’s protest, has raised questions at previous Select Board meetings as to why the HPD declined to note Sismanis’ criminal convictions and sex offender status in any common victualer license applications for Hillers Pizza.

Sismanis was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation back in June. A previous indecent assault conviction in 1998 led to him registering as a sex offender. He reportedly is in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, awaiting potential deportation due to his status as a Greek citizen.

A recent letter from HPD Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten to Town Manager Elaine Lazarus stated that Massachusetts General Law prohibits the sharing of sexual assault information to the public record. He stressed that “the withholding of such records is not discretionary” and that his department at no time concealed or altered information related to Sismanis.

Laskowsky shared a different perspective. “We’re not asking you to give over any sensitive information,” she said. “The information was already public.” She pointed to news reports regarding Sismanis’ case and other court records.

For the protestors, accountability is their primary concern. Laskowsky shared that her group wants an independent investigation into the HPD and Chief Joseph Bennett. “That’s all we’re asking,” she said. “I think it’s pretty clear.”

Laskowsky’s group plans to speak at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Deputy Police Chief Scott van Raalten, in a letter to Town Manager Elaine Lazarus, stated that the Hopkinton Police Department did not conceal or alter information relating to the owner of Hillers Pizza during the common victualer licensing process.

The Community Preservation Committee voted on Thursday to allow the Hopkinton Housing Authority to finish an improvement project with oversight from the CPC.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts held its Decade of Dreams celebration Saturday night, and we have photos.

The Hopkinton Public Library will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday for re-carpeting of the main floor.

Town meetings tonight include the Planning Board (7).

Photo of the Day

The Grinch (Hopkinton High School class of 1968) checks in with Hopkinton Police Sgt. William Burchard to promote the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. The collection box is at the police station awaiting donations that will be distributed to children of local families in need of assistance.