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.
Gasser reflects on tenure as HALT president
Morrie Gasser, president of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, will step down after his term expires in October.
The Hopkinton Area Land Trust is adjusting its leadership as Morrie Gasser prepares to step down as president of the organization.
Gasser, a longtime member of HALT and its board of directors, is vacating his role as he moves out of Hopkinton. He joined the nonprofit “as soon as it started accepting members” sometime in the 1990s, he explained, and became a board member in 2015. He took on the role as president when founder and former president Dave Goldman retired from the position in 2019.
According to Gasser, the transition out of the role had been in the works for about a year. He stated in an email that he had informed the board of his intention to step aside in the near future but had not specified a time frame.
“This year I finally made the decision to move out of my big house in Hopkinton after 35 years,” Gasser stated, “and given that I would be moving to another town … I decided the time is now right to step down when my term expires in October.”
Gasser plans to remain on HALT’s board of directors with a more limited presence. He also will work with the board and his successor to make sure the transition is successful, and he intends on working to pass along the skills he has learned to others in the organization.
In regard to his success in the role, Gasser stated he was “proud of the trajectory of HALT” during his term but stressed the credit is shared with the rest of the board. He highlighted the nonprofit’s improved financial position since he took over in 2019, which he explained was accomplished through increased donations, investment interest and more frugality in its operations.
“I believe that [HALT] has a much more visible presence in town,” he added. Gasser stated HALT has built that visibility through initiatives like outreach programs, event sponsorship and participation, coordination with town committees, a revamped website and educational signs at town entrances.
Added Gasser: “One initiative I do take credit for is opening up our trails to the mountain biking community, which includes a large, dedicated group of individuals eager to help with trail construction and maintenance.”
In a press release, HALT thanked Gasser for his work in “advancing the Trust’s mission to protect Hopkinton’s open space and natural resources.”
“Morrie’s dedication, expertise and countless volunteer hours have helped strengthen HALT and advance land conservation in Hopkinton,” stated vice president Steve Levandosky in the press release. “We are grateful for his leadership as president and pleased that he will continue to serve on the Board.”
Both Gasser and another HALT representative noted that the organization’s board of directors has a vacancy and encouraged residents interested in conservation, trails and/or open space to apply.
— NICK SCHOFIELD
Latest News
Abutters to a proposed mixed-use development on Main Street encompassing the BoMain restaurant and land behind it raised concerns about the project during the Planning Board meeting Monday.
At its meeting Monday night, the Planning Board voted to oppose a recommendation from the Charter Review Committee to reduce its membership.
Paving on Main Street has been pushed to Thursday and Friday as other preparation work continues.
This week’s Senior Snippets features an upcoming lifelong learning course, a pottery class and this month’s book club.
David Dockstader, 81, of Hopkinton died Aug. 15. He was a 1963 graduate of Hopkinton High School.
Jill Sarafinas, 68, of Hopkinton passed away Aug. 14.
Town meetings tonight include the Housing Authority (6), Trails Committee (7) and Zoning Advisory Committee (7).
Photo of the Day
A bee hangs from a flower growing in the pollinator gardens on the Hughes Farm Trail.
PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
0 Comments