Health Director Shaun McAuliffe informed the Board of Health Monday night that the town’s budget tightening measures will force a reduction in health services. “We are told the hiring process is on hold,” he informed the board. “With the 1.3% increase, there’s a...
In a unanimous decision, the Community Preservation Committee voted Thursday night to halt further spending of CPC funds on engineering plans for an adaptive playground project. Chair Ken Weismantel explained the reason for suspending the expenditures, citing concern...
https://www.youtube.com/live/fauI15bUNzo Due to a last-minute filing by the owners of The Trails development project, the Conservation Commission Tuesday night declined to approve the release of three new foundations. “I don’t think myself or the commission members or...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3FsL6CptxI Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Lt. Scott van Raalten appeared before the Select Board Tuesday as van Raalten was appointed as the town’s new deputy police chief. Before the proceeding began, Select Board chair...
It’s hard for Emilia Ali to pin down her genre of music. “Maybe the easiest thing to say is that my genre is ‘weird pop,’ ” the Hopkinton High School graduate said. “It’s a blend of influences I’ve collected over the years.” Ali — a singer and songwriter signed to the...
On screen, an overhead shot moves in to focus on a man running across a snow-covered trail on the shores of Lake Whitehall. A caption beforehand reads: “In the winter of 2014, Roger Kabler came to believe he was visited by the spirit of Robin Williams.” So begins...
Not a lot of clubs can boast about being around for 20 years. Far fewer can hold that distinction with as loose a structure as the Hopkinton Trails Club. “I’m impressed it’s gone on this long, considering how informal we are,” said John Ritz, co-chair of the Hopkinton...
After Tuesday night’s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, a new parking plan for Pyne Field is under evaluation. Community Preservation Committee chair Ken Weismantel and vice chair Eric Sonnett were on hand to pitch the new plan to the commission. Weismantel...
Hopkinton Health Director Shaun McAuliffe and members of the Board of Health lauded public health nurse Simone Carter during Tuesday night’s meeting for her work and leadership in public nursing. “Simone deserves some praise,” said McAuliffe. He and the board...
The holiday season brings more opportunities to gather and enjoy the company of friends and family. But parties where underage individuals are supplied alcohol or adults overindulge and engage in dangerous behaviors could land hosts in hot water. This is the message...
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will be holding a hearing on Jan. 22 to hear public comments on the town's proposed municipal aggregation plan. The virtual public meeting will be open to all residents. Those interested in providing feedback on the...
After a two-day bench trial, a judge on Friday found Hopkinton resident Stephen Murphy guilty on a charge of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident that caused property damage. On Jan. 4, Murphy was arrested following...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
