Featured: News
Legacy Farms food investigations continue; accused residents deny charges
The Health Department’s efforts to limit illegal food distribution in the Legacy Farms neighborhood continues, and while some offenders have closed up shop, others have continued to operate in the shadows, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe said. However, two residents...
Hopkinton man faces charges of failing to pay $467K in excise taxes related to vaping business
A Hopkinton man will appear in court on July 9 to answer to charges of allegedly failing to pay more than $467,000 in excise taxes between 2020 and 2022, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday. Ashraf Youssef, 61, was the owner of AAA Smoke...
Conservation Commission, The Trails work on stormwater management compliance issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5fORukliIE The Conservation Commission on Tuesday night decided to continue a cease and desist hearing against The Trails at Legacy Farms. Chair Jeff Barnes said he would work on a “roadmap forward” with Conservation Administrator Kim...
Parks & Rec Commission discusses withdrawn EMC Park lot parking agreement
The Parks & Recreation Commission learned Tuesday night that the high school’s proposed parking agreement for EMC Park had been withdrawn. Parks & Recreation Director Jon Lewitus reported a conversation between he and Susan Rothermich during a separate...
Real Estate Transactions, June 24 edition
Residents meet town manager finalists as end of selection process nears
Residents sat down with the finalists for the town manager position Thursday night at the Hopkinton Public Library. This meet and greet was one of the final steps in the selection process. The Select Board felt it was important for the public to interact with the...
Water demand strained during heat wave; conservation encouraged
There is a severe water shortage in town due to this week's heat wave, warned Hopkinton Water-Sewer Manager Eric Carty on Thursday afternoon, advising residents to be judicious in their usage because of "an enormous strain on the water system." "Pumps are struggling...
Trails Committee makes progress on Center Trail to Chamberlain Road extension
The Trails Committee at its meeting Wednesday night discussed the slow but steady progress being made on the Center Trail to the Chamberlain Road extension. “The price of free work is that it moves slowly and on its own timetable,” explained member Chuck Dauchy. The...
Herr pushes for action on Main Street Corridor transformers, creates liaison role
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dedwnVvF7fU Select Board chair Brian Herr at Tuesday's Select Board meeting pushed for the creation of a special liaison for the Main Street Corridor Project and an explanation for the continuing delay of the electrical transformers...
July 4 Horribles Parade permit approved despite concerns about ‘satire’
After some discussion, the Select Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the permit for the July 4 Horribles Parade, weighing the participants’ right to free speech against the potential for satirical floats to inflame divisions in town. Historically, before the...
Select Board tackles water issues, discusses Center School reuse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dedwnVvF7fU The Select Board Tuesday night reluctantly voted to raise water rates by 40% but kept sewer rates flat for the upcoming fiscal year. Select Board chair Brian Herr questioned the high raise as well as the alternate presented...
Select Board decides to slow deputy police chief hiring process, announces town manager finalists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dedwnVvF7fU The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night decided unanimously to slow down the process for hiring a deputy police chief despite the process reaching its penultimate stage in order to allow for the review of police manual...
Police investigate after strangers allegedly offered ride to youth at Town Common
Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett announced late Tuesday night that the Police Department was investigating an incident that took place Tuesday afternoon at the Town Common. Following are details from the press release: Around 2:40 p.m., Hopkinton Police responded...
Planning Board works on new MBTA Act strategy
The Planning Board met Monday night and informally agreed on an immediate course of action regarding the MBTA Communities Act Law, which was voted down at Annual Town Meeting last month but is likely to return for another vote at an upcoming Special Town Meeting in...
Real Estate Transactions, June 17 edition
Lake Maspenock weed treatment set for Monday; no recreational activities advised for 2 days
The battle against invasive aquatic weeds marches on as town officials prepare to treat Lake Maspenock with herbicides next week. The treatment, scheduled for June 17, will be applied to the lake’s north basin. It will be focused on the area around Sandy Beach and...
Conservation Commission focuses on Hopkins stormwater management
During its meeting Tuesday night, the Conservation Commission unanimously approved a notice of intent to manage excess water as part of the addition plans for Hopkins Lower Middle School. Conservation Administrator Kim Ciaramicoli detailed a long process of “several...
Real Estate Transactions, June 10 edition
Independent founder Duckett passes away at 77
Hopkinton Independent founder Sarah Lothrop Duckett passed away Friday at the age of 77 after a period of declining health. A longtime resident of Fenton Street near downtown Hopkinton, Duckett started the paper in 1999. She sold it to co-owners David Bagdon of Bagdon...
