A memorial service will be held at the Town Common on Saturday, Sept. 11, to recognize the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and also remember the veterans who died since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally, funeral services for veterans are...
Jerry Spar
Mass. education commissioner announces statewide mask requirement for K-12 students, staff
The state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education — after previously indicating each district would make its own determination — on Tuesday announced a statewide mask requirement for all public K-12 students and staff through at least Oct. 1. Education...
Severe weather expected Sunday as hurricane heads toward region
UPDATE, Sunday, 7 p.m.: The storm has shifted west, sparing Hopkinton from the worst weather. The National Weather Service indicated that there remains the possibility for heavy rain as Henri moves across Southern New England on Monday morning, but "little to no...
Independent Thoughts: Library highlights part of Hopkinton’s Black history
Librarian Linda Connelly recently put together an interesting and timely display on the Hopkinton Public Library’s main floor. Part of the display focuses on a black sock doll that was donated to the Hopkinton Historical Society about 50 years ago from a family living...
Nasrullah’s ascension sign of town’s diversity
When Irfan Nasrullah was elected chair of the Select Board on June 1 — believed to be the first non-white resident to hold the top governmental volunteer position in town — it was not only a statement by Hopkinton but, in a way, a message to the nation. The...
Town seeks remedy to accident-prone location on West Main Street
At the Aug. 3 Select Board meeting, the board addressed an issue raised by a resident regarding a traffic issue at Cumberland Farms on West Main Street, where a number accidents — including some serious ones — have occurred. Resident Darlene Hayes made a request — her...
Town: Main Street project contractor strikes another gas line after violating Dig Safe law
The town announced Wednesday that the Main Street Corridor Project contractor, A.F. Amorello & Sons, struck an active gas line while doing work Monday near the intersection of Main Street and Pleasant Street. Eversource Gas was notified and repaired the leak...
Bollywood band to perform on Town Common this Sunday
The Parks & Recreation Department's Concert on the Common this Sunday will have an Indian flavor, as Din Check — billed as New England's premier Bollywood band — performs at 5 p.m. The performance coincides with India Independence Day and is part of Parks &...
Superintendent to discuss return to school, face coverings at School Committee meeting Thursday
An email from Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh to district families Monday indicated that Thursday’s School Committee meeting will include a presentation — but not a vote — about the return to school and face coverings to help protect against COVID-19. The...
Independent Thoughts: Volunteering hits home for group of local teens
One of the many negative consequences of COVID pandemic had been a restriction on volunteering. In particular, each summer a number of Hopkinton teenagers join charitable or religious organizations that travel to other...
Town Hall Q&A: Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus
Elaine Lazarus first came to Hopkinton in 1992 as town planner and she has played key roles in the town’s growth over the past three decades. She currently serves as assistant town manager. Lazarus grew up in Raynham and got her undergraduate degree from UMass in...
Select Board roundup: Carter new public health nurse, Schneiderman outreach coordinator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HyI9fbFWNQ 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...
Select Board unanimously approves Bill Miller as fire chief
At Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Bill Miller was unanimously approved to be the town’s next fire chief, pending successful contract negotiations. Miller, who has served as deputy fire chief the past five years, received the recommendation of outgoing Fire Chief...
COVID cases rise, but high vax rate sparks optimism in town
First the bad news: Yes, the COVID situation is trending in the wrong direction, and that includes in Hopkinton. Now the good news: As of late July, about 92 percent of eligible individuals in town had been vaccinated — ranking Hopkinton among the highest statewide —...
Residents encouraged to apply for vacant seats on town boards
Select Board Vice Chair Amy Ritterbusch noted that while the Select Board has appointed many people to town committees over the past few weeks, there are several boards and committees with vacancies for which no one has applied, and new openings occur frequently....
Electric Youth, featuring pair of Hopkinton teens, to perform on Town Common this Sunday
When the teenage song-and-dance group Electric Youth hits the Town Common this Sunday (July 25) at 5 p.m. as part of the Parks & Rec Concerts on the Common series, there will be a couple of familiar faces on the stage. Hopkinton teens Kelsey Breslin and Finley...
Independent Thoughts: Beach day for local students consists of cleanup work
When members of the Hopkinton High School organization Beachlex head to the ocean this summer, it’s usually for something more than soaking up the sun or going for a swim. Members are making trips to beaches around Southern New England to beautify the areas and...
Sanborn named HHS football coach
Mark Sanborn has been named varsity football coach at Hopkinton High School, athletic director Rich Cormier announced Thursday. He replaces Dan MacLean, who stepped down after guiding the Hillers for two seasons. This past year the Hillers went 2-3 in the "Fall 2"...
Select Board hesitant to play hardball with solar developer
A resident’s push for the town to take aggressive measures to prevent a solar development on forested land off Frankland Road was not well received by the Select Board at Tuesday night’s meeting. Ann Karnofsky, chair of Save the Forest citizens group, spoke about the...
Select Board roundup: Town hires new assistant senior services director
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLcosCn_IJc At Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Jessica Migneault was confirmed as assistant senior services director. She replaces Ashley Shaheen, who left last July for another job. Migneault has worked for the housing authority in...