Outgoing Select Board chair Muriel Kramer is no stranger to local politics. As she moves forward as a candidate in the Governor’s Council race, she reflected on her decades of public service in town and future plans in a recent interview with the Independent. “I...
Mary Ellen Gambon
Nasrullah proudly reflects on Select Board tenure
Outgoing two-term Select Board member and former chair Irfan Nasrullah reflected on the victories and challenges he experienced during his tenure as he sought to add more diversity to local government. Nasrullah said he was moved to run for office because of the...
Primer for Town Meeting May 6-7
With Annual Town Meeting approaching on Monday, May 6, and a Special Town Meeting the following evening, several articles will have key impacts on residential taxpayers. In addition to three capital requests brought before the Select Board, the Special Town Meeting...
Reports of racism, misogyny addressed at Select Board meeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2SS4ryH1so&t=188s&ab_channel=HCAM The topic of racism emerged during the public comment period of Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, as several residents spoke out in support of vice chair Shahidul Mannan and outgoing member...
Select Board says farewell to Kramer, Nasrullah; welcomes new town employees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2SS4ryH1so&t=188s&ab_channel=HCAM The Select Board bid farewell to two of its leaders at Tuesday's meeting, as chair Muriel Kramer and veteran member Irfan Nasrullah appeared at their final meeting as members. Vice chair...
Fight breaks out in courtroom hall after Milford man arraigned on murder charge in Decoff case
A fight broke out in a hallway in Framingham District Court Tuesday after a Milford man was arraigned on a murder charge in the death of a Milford woman in what authorities have called an apparent road rage incident. Ryan Sweatt, 36, of Milford was charged with...
Board of Health talks ‘budget variances,’ pesticide regulation
The Board of Health at its meeting Monday learned about what now former Town Manager Norman Khumalo referred to as “health services budget variances” that led to the department experiencing a recent shortfall and how the situation was resolved. Health Department...
Man accused of hitting Milford woman in road rage incident now will face murder charges
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Hopkinton Police Department Chief Joseph Bennett confirmed in a joint statement Monday evening that Ryan Sweatt, 36, a resident of Milford, will face a murder charge on Tuesday in connection with striking and killing Destini...
Upper Charles Trail Committee makes slow progress on revising its charge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4E3Tkcrso0 The Upper Charles Trail Committee on Wednesday met to continue its work on revising its charge, as requested by the Select Board, but progress was slow. At the start of the meeting, chair Jane Moran asked the members to...
Select Board candidates dig into town’s issues at Meet the Candidates forum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moH57hvcIxU The four Select Board candidates for two open seats shared their views on some of the major concerns facing Hopkinton at Tuesday night's Meet the Candidates forum for the May 20 election. Topics ranged from bringing...
Planning Board continues Elmwood Farms III stormwater permit hearing after discussing water issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSAMPZ6ylI0 The Planning Board at its meeting Monday night continued the stormwater management permit hearing for the Elmwood Farms III subdivision off Blueberry Lane after discussing issues the neighborhood has been experiencing with...
Trails Committee discusses upcoming ‘Dogs on Trails?’ forum
The Trails Committee at its meeting Wednesday night laid out its plans for its upcoming forum seeking public input on trial periods for dogs to be allowed off-leash on trails. “Dogs on Trails?” will take place on Wednesday, May 1, at the Hopkinton Senior Center from...
Select Board vice chair Mannan alleges ‘racial attacks’ in Hopkinton
In an uncharacteristic appearance during the public comment period at Tuesday's Select Board meeting, board vice chair Shahidul Mannan said he has been threatened as a person of color and targeted in racial profiling incidents. “I would like to address a grave concern...
Van Raalten earns police lieutenant promotion in 5-0 Select Board vote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdYNpsu9oU&ab_channel=HCAM The Select Board voted 5-0 to elevate Hopkinton Police Department Sgt. Detective Scott van Raalten to the rank of lieutenant at Tuesday night’s meeting, besting two highly ranked sergeants with his...
Khumalo says farewell after 15 years; Lazarus sworn in as interim town manager
Norman Khumalo on Tuesday night ended his 15-year role as Hopkinton’s town manager as the Select Board voted to appoint Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus to serve as the interim town manager. Board and community members reflected on Khumalo’s tenure and...
McCluskey returns home to support Hopkinton Emergency Fund with Boston run
Growing up on Rocky Woods Road in Hopkinton, Stephen McCluskey was heavily influenced by the running of the Boston Marathon in his hometown. His “hidden goal” was to run it someday. Now the former Hopkinton High School athlete is running the marathon in support of the...
Trendel surmounts Boston Marathon goal by running for One Summit
Hours after chairing a Planning Board meeting, Gary Trendel laced up his running shoes for a 3:45 a.m. run, training for his first Boston Marathon before heading to work. Trendel is running on behalf of One Summit (onesummit.org), a North Andover nonprofit that pairs...
Woman struck by vehicle on Hayden Rowe has died
A 26-year-old woman who had sustained serious injuries after she was struck by a vehicle Thursday night on Hayden Rowe Street died on Saturday, according to a Facebook post from her mother Sunday morning and confirmed by Hopkinton's police chief. "Sadly, yes, she died...
Milford man arraigned in alleged road rage incident in Hopkinton as victim clings to life
A Milford man was arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court while the woman he allegedly ran down with his vehicle Thursday night remains in critical condition Saturday. Ryan Sweatt, 36, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious...
Select Board completes HPD Chief Bennett’s midyear review, offers goals for improvement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsCHKqI6ZrM&ab_channel=HCAM The Select Board on Friday night completed its review of Hopkinton Police Department Chief Joseph Bennett, pointing out recent accomplishments and areas for improvement. This three-hour meeting came less...