Featured: News
Special Town Meeting votes to amend budget, leading to lower tax bills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HczR_D2vRUo Special Town Meeting on a frigid Thursday evening approved its sole article unanimously. This vote amended the fiscal year 2026 operating budget to align with actual debt and insurance costs, which are lower than what was...
New concept for July 4 parade presented to Select Board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e0Kus7MYaA The chairs of the town committees for both major political parties presented a united front to the board as they discussed pursuing an Independence Day parade focused on town pride. Amy Groves, the Hopkinton Democratic Town...
Select Board experiments with new public forum rules; Lake Maspenock weed control efforts reviewed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e0Kus7MYaA The Select Board on Tuesday implemented some new rules during the public forum period to demonstrate responsiveness to participants’ comments. Previously, this period at the start of each meeting allowed residents and others...
Parks & Rec accepts holiday lights donation, pushes forward on Pyne Field redesign
At a short meeting Tuesday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission accepted a donation to fund the annual holiday lights at Town Common and discussed handling the program in future budgets. Lewitus began the conversation explaining that a crowdfunding effort led...
Arrests/Police Log, Dec. 3 edition
ARRESTS None this week. [Editor’s note: The Hopkinton Independent’s policy for the arrests section is not to include the names of individuals who have been arrested.] POLICE LOG Nov. 25 12:46 a.m. Officer Aline Matos checked on Ash Street property. 8:50 a.m....
Planning Board confronts ‘unique’ case in Auciello Drive amendment request
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPV0XxQ-B94 The Planning Board on Monday approved 6-0 a requested modification to a subdivision plan made nearly 34 years ago, striking a clause stating that its private road be maintained by the property owners rather than by the town....
Real Estate Transactions, Dec. 1 edition
Holiday lights fundraiser surpasses goal
The organizer of the fundraiser for the holiday lights on the Town Common announced Sunday that more than enough money has been raised to provide for the lights. Juanita Hanson sent an email to donors indicating the fundraiser had brought in $11,240, well over the...
HPD investigates graffiti at Hank Fredette Skate Park
The Hopkinton Police Department is searching for individuals who painted graffiti on the ramps and other structures at the Hank Fredette Skate Park inside EMC Park over the weekend. In a post on Facebook, the HPD shared images of the graffiti and asked for assistance...
Conservation Commission, School Department discuss proposed Loop Road maintenance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T39gHVnyYUk In a rare in-person meeting at the Hopkinton Senior Center, the Conservation Commission on Tuesday informally discussed the need for improvements to Loop Road with school construction project managers. Located within the...
Arrests/Police Log, Nov. 26 edition
ARRESTS None this week. [Editor’s note: The Hopkinton Independent’s policy for the arrests section is not to include the names of individuals who have been arrested.] POLICE LOG Nov. 18 2:07 a.m. Sgt. Shannon Beloin made checks of the school fields on Hayden...
Zoning Advisory Committee considers revisions to MBTA Communities zoning
The Zoning Advisory Committee agreed at its meeting on Monday to continue a conversation on a potential change to the town’s current MBTA Communities Act zoning. The change would address feedback on Hopkinton’s MBTA Communities zoning bylaw, which was approved by...
Town Manager explains necessity of Dec. 4 STM to amend budget
A Special Town Meeting is being convened on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium. The sole article calls for a vote to amend the town’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget. An overestimate of the town’s operating expenses has led to an unexpected...
Real Estate Transactions, Nov. 24 edition
Main Street Corridor Project update: West end paving completed, cleanup set for next week
According to the latest update on the Main Street Corridor Project released Friday, A.F. Amorello & Sons has finished paving the west end of the project. Amorello will return on site next week to finish winter cleanup. After that, the company will remain offsite...
CPC chair advises Parks & Rec to alter focus of Pyne Field redesign project
The Community Preservation Committee on Tuesday suggested that the Parks & Recreation Department change the scope of its Pyne Field redesign project after safety concerns were raised by the Planning Board the previous evening. Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus...
Parks & Rec debates future of Pyne Field project following Planning Board input
The future of the Pyne Field redevelopment project is in question following Tuesday's meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission. The commission held a brief meeting to talk about the latest updates to the project and recent feedback received by the Planning...
Select Board approves Dec. 4 Special Town Meeting to address budget issue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vU_BEY-58 The Select Board voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve holding a Special Town Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in order to adjust the operating budget for fiscal year 2026. This will be the only article on the warrant. After...
Select Board roundup: Town Manager gets positive review; CV license discussion resumes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vU_BEY-58 Select Board members on Tuesday gave Town Manager Elaine Lazarus praise for her accomplishments in her first year in the role during her first annual review. Human Resources Director Jessica Lewerenz said she received...
