There are a number of articles on the warrant for Monday’s Special Town Meeting that span everything from tax exemptions to rezoning. The Independent recently sat down with town officials to understand each of the articles on the STM warrant and their impact on...
Nick Schofield
Parks & Rec Commission debates priorities for CPC funding
The Parks & Recreation Commission spent its meeting Tuesday night prioritizing projects for Community Preservation Committee funding. Chair Dan Terry previously presented Parks & Rec’s projects to the CPC at its meeting on Oct. 18. During that meeting, CPC...
Highway Department reminds residents of winter parking ban
The Department of Public Works is reminding residents about parking restrictions and snow removal bylaws as winter approaches. In a recent press release, highway manager Mike Mansir laid out the bylaws governing both winter parking bans and pushing snow into the...
Schools Notebook: HHS Drama to present ‘Addams Family Musical’
Hopkinton High School’s Drama Department plans to spook and delight audiences this month as it brings “The Addams Family Musical” to the stage. The production runs from Nov. 21-24 at HHS and features a cast, crew and band composed almost entirely of students — more...
Court documents detail investigation into school custodian
New information outlines the case against Benjamin Hogan, the Hopkinton Middle School custodian charged with possession of child pornography. Documents that the Independent obtained from Milford District Court detail the criminal complaint filed against Hogan. As...
As drought continues, Fire Department bans outdoor burning
A press release put out by the Hopkinton Fire Department on Tuesday underscores just how bad drought conditions in town and across the state have become. In the press release, Chief Gary Daugherty announced there would be a temporary prohibition on all “open,...
Election results: Residents support Democrats, reject most ballot measures
On Election Day in Hopkinton, more than 10,000 residents cast their votes in both national and state races — close to the turnout numbers Town Clerk Connor Degan predicted. The total includes about 5,000 who voted early. Based on unofficial results — about 100...
Middle school custodian arraigned on child pornography charges
Benjamin Hogan, a member of Hopkinton Middle School's custodial staff, was arraigned in Milford District Court on one count of possession of child pornography on Monday. In an email to the Independent, the Worcester County District Attorney's office confirmed Hogan's...
Hopkinton voters show ‘a lot of energy’ for this year’s election
If early voting is an indication of enthusiasm for the national and state elections, it may be safe to say that Hopkinton residents are feeling energized about this election cycle. According to Town Clerk Connor Degan, his office received over 5,000 early voting and...
Gas station projects in crosshairs of SGC workgroups
The Climate Action & Building Workgroups of the Sustainable Green Committee on Monday night talked about ways to regulate projects like the proposed gas station at 290 West Main Street in the future. SGC chair Geoff Rowland began the discussion by reviewing the...
Health Department looks for avenues to help with staffing
The Board of Health spent its meeting Monday night focused on the Health Department’s budget for the next fiscal year. Health Director Shaun McAuliffe took the board through his proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 and the changes he hopes to get approved. McAuliffe’s...
Girl Scouts’ art display encourages community volunteering
Can wire, gesso and acrylic paint make a difference in the community? For a group of Hopkinton Girl Scouts, the answer to that question is yes. Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 82358 completed a service project for Project Just Because (PJB) that involved the hanging of...
Building inspector takes responsibility for yard sign removal, cites complaint
After a week of confusion regarding the taking of anti-gas station yard signs on multiple streets, the town’s building inspector confirmed that it was his office behind the removal. Christopher McWhite, Hopkinton’s director of municipal inspections, and Town Manager...
Hopkinton Boy Scout troops venture to Alaska, Mount Katahdin
High adventure was the theme of the summer for Boy Scout troops in Hopkinton. Troop 1 and Troop 4 explored the wilderness on opposite coasts, challenging themselves and building lifelong skills along the way. Troop 1 Hopkinton's high adventure trip was an exercise in...
Town Manager: Anti-gas station signs taken by ‘zoning enforcement officials’
Earlier this week, a number of residents who had put up yard signs opposing a proposed gas station at the corner of School Street and West Main Street discovered that their signs had been removed. Some individuals provided security video showing what appeared to be an...
Residents turn out to discuss, question proposed West Main Street gas station
After a spirited round of public comment from a packed room at the Hopkinton Senior Center Wednesday night, the Board of Appeals voted to continue the hearing on a proposed gas station at 290 West Main Street until Nov. 13. Residents showed up en masse to speak their...
Residents report missing lawn signs ahead of hearing on West Main Street gas station
Ahead of an important Board of Appeals meeting Wednesday night, residents are puzzled at the disappearance of lawn signs opposing a proposed gas station in town. Just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a West Elm Street resident reported they had a lawn sign removed from their...
Parks & Rec Commission discusses proposed changes to financial aid policies
The Parks & Recreation Commission engaged in an extended debate about financial aid policies during its meeting Monday night. Jon Lewitus, director of the Parks & Recreation Department, brought the matter before the commission in the hopes of amending and...
Baypath moves forward with plans for new shelter
Baypath Humane Society is one step closer in its mission to provide greater animal care services throughout the MetroWest area. The organization announced it has entered a public funding phase for its proposed facility at 66 Fruit Street. It has raised $4 million and...
Officials confirm spotted lanternfly infestation in Hopkinton
In an email to town officials, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources confirmed an infestation of spotted lanternflies was present in Hopkinton. Survey teams spotted the invasive insects during a recent field survey. Jennifer Forman, an environmental...