“A picture is worth a thousand words” is an adage that explains myriad ideas that can enter people’s minds while looking at art. Shelly Moran, the math coach for the Hopkinton Public Schools, has been figuring out creative ways to engage young learners in arithmetic...
Mary Ellen Gambon
School Committee discusses strategy for dealing with COVID surge: Case numbers ‘are a little bit alarming’
The School Committee held its Thursday night meeting virtually due to the town’s spike in COVID-19 cases, which has led to increased absenteeism in school this week both from cases and parents’ fear that their children could contract the disease. Superintendent Carol...
Planning Board approves bond release for Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision project
The Planning Board at its meeting Monday night approved the bond release for the Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision project after amending the amount due to a discussion about the number of street trees on the site. Vice Chair Mary Larson-Marlowe chaired this portion of...
School Committee roundup: Special education costs soar; Elmwood proposal moves into feasibility period
In addition to re-implementing the mandatory mask policy at Hopkinton High School by a 3-2 vote, the School Committee discussed other issues at its meeting Thursday night. Special education costs rise Karen Zaleski, the student services district director, noted that...
Divided School Committee votes to make masks mandatory at HHS due to surge in COVID-19 cases
The School Committee on Thursday voted 3-2 to re-institute the mandatory mask policy at Hopkinton High School beginning today after a nearly hour-long discussion. “Everyone, I’m sure, has been hearing about the school outbreak,” said Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh....
‘Officer Phil’ heads into final weeks as school resource officer
In an era when police nationwide have faced increased scrutiny, particularly in schools, Officer Phil Powers is a shining example of what a community officer should be. The veteran Hopkinton school resource officer of more than 20 years reflected on his career and his...
Connelly Farms subdivision down to 8 lots, nears Conservation Commission approval
The Conservation Commission at its Tuesday night meeting continued the Connelly Farms subdivision project hearing until Jan. 4 but acknowledged that the process “is at the 5-yard line.” Scott Goddard, representing Ravenwood LLC and developer Ron Nation, said that the...
School Committee discusses budget with town leaders
The School Committee began its hybrid meeting Thursday night with a joint session with the Select Board and the Appropriation Committee to discuss the Fiscal Year 2023 school budget requests. “We really do have a very good idea of where we stand right now,”...
Hopkinton teen makes mark with Dee’s Tees
A Hopkinton High School student’s compassion and his mother’s hobby have combined into an effort to spread messages of inclusivity through a home T-shirt business. Jen Halliday said her 14-year-old son, Dimitri, better known as Dee, began creating shirts with unique...
Planning Board roundup: Fox Hollow wall an issue; LFN tot lot fence OK’d
The Planning Board at its meeting Monday night continued a request to eliminate a requirement for approximately 400 feet of stone wall to be reconstructed across three lots on the Foxhollow Road subdivision that was part of a previously approved plan. Foxhollow is an...
School Committee votes to institute another mask-optional trial period at HHS
Following the success of the mask-optional trial period for COVID-vaccinated students and staff at Hopkinton High School over the first three weeks in November, the School Committee voted 4-0-1 at Thursday’s meeting to implement a second trial period, running Dec....
D’Urso remembered for dedication to community, children
Community leaders reflected on the years of dedication to all facets of Hopkinton displayed by Frank D’Urso Jr., who died unexpectedly Sunday at the age of 57. D’Urso, who lived in town for 22 years, was heavily involved in local government. He might be best known for...
School Committee gets start on FY23 budget with department requests
The School Committee at its Thursday night meeting heard budget requests for Fiscal Year 2023, including the requests to accommodate the increasing need for services for students with disabilities. Karen Zaleski, the director of student services and child find...
ConCom roundup: Ash Street developer called out for vegetation disturbance
At its meeting Tuesday night, the Conservation Commission heard one case regarding unauthorized vegetation disturbance at a single-family home construction site at 178 Ash Street. In 2018, the commission approved the project, which is situated in a buffer zone on a...
Town Hall Q&A: Town Clerk Connor Degan
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series focusing on town employees. Connor Degan has spent most of his life in Hopkinton, attending the public schools and graduating from Hopkinton High School. He graduated from Roger Williams University in 2014 with...
School Committee debates mask policy for athletics, gets MCAS update
The School Committee at its Monday night meeting discussed two major issues: the policy regarding wearing masks at school athletic events as well as the district’s MCAS scores. Athletic Director Rich Cormier appeared before the committee to request its guidance about...
School system impacted by staffing shortages
Many school districts across the nation have experienced staff and supply shortages, and Hopkinton has been no exception. Schools Finance Director Susan Rothermich said there are three areas where employment needs are the greatest: bus drivers, cafeteria workers and...
School Committee chair: ‘Not an easy decision’ on unmasking
School Committee Chair Nancy Cavanaugh has received mixed feedback on the new policy allowing vaccinated individuals the choice to remove their masks at Hopkinton High School, although there was more public input before the decision was made. “With regard to [the Oct....
Conservation Committee roundup: Modifications approved for Connelly Farms, The Trails projects
The Conservation Commission at its Tuesday night meeting expressed approval with major modifications to two ongoing projects: Connelly Farms and The Trails, Hopkinton. Scott Goddard, representing Ravenwood LLC and developer Ron Nation, told the commission that “a...
Planning Board approves tree cuttings at Eversource LNG facility
The Planning Board discussed Eversource’s improvement project at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at 52 Wilson Street for the majority of Monday’s hour-long meeting. The main issue was the request for additional tree cuttings at the southern border of the site...