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I write with enthusiastic support for Shahidul Mannan to the Hopkinton Select Board. He has been a resident of Hopkinton for 10 years with his wife, college student son and middle school daughter. In that time he has demonstrated dedication to our community's health,...
Shahidul Mannan has quietly and respectfully been making positive contributions to Hopkinton for many years. Between Planning Board, Appropriation Committee, Community Preservation Committee and Growth Study Committee, Shahidul has been working hard for our town. He...
I am writing in full support of Mary Jo LaFreniere run for Select Board. Mary Jo’s commitment to this town cannot be overstated. She spent years on the Board of Assessors, one of the quiet boards that many people don't realize is so vital to the workings of our...
I am writing in regards to the upcoming School Committee election and specifically one candidate, Ashley Fogg. I have been a resident of Hopkinton for five years, currently have four children enrolled in the Hopkinton Public Schools district, and am a former educator...
The Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) passed along a response from the town dated March 21, 2022, which states that property owners have been contacted but that our property is not an abutter at this time. This is inappropriate, especially considering that the UCTC...
It is with genuine excitement that I am writing to endorse Holly Morand for School Committee. Holly is a thoughtful, intelligent and well-informed candidate who I have the pleasure of knowing through her outstanding work with the Hopkinton Freedom Team. I have...
Editor’s note: For clarification, this letter refers to Monica Cannon-Grant, who organized the 2021 Town Common rally for Mikayla Miller, and Cannon-Grant’s recent arrest on charges of fraud, which was covered in the March 23 issue of the Independent. As a person who...
Imagine: A day will come when those who have the power to destroy the world suddenly feel a transformational shift in their hearts to save the world. Believe: A day will come when every heart on earth opens to the healing energy of love, kindness, compassion, empathy,...
It has recently come to my attention that a significant part of the charge given to the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) is as follows: “The UCTC will … develop and steward a planning process that includes extensive community input, and that fosters openness and...
I received my copy of the March 9 edition of the Hopkinton Independent and was disappointed to see the caption “Great Ball of Fire” under the picture of the fire on the front page. Given that someone’s (or several people’s) homes were destroyed, this caption is in...
The land behind Center School should remain as open space. This green space provides the citizens of Hopkinton with a valuable recreational resource. There is a playground for young children, a grassy field for recreational activities, hiking trails and a picnic grove...
Recently a letter was sent to 600 people abutting Lake Maspenock. It is a letter of intent that did not state what the intent is. It would allow the town to treat the lake for weed growth including using herbicides. This is the same plan that was voted down in town...
The COVID pandemic is an ongoing test for our community. Particularly here in Hopkinton, despite the challenges, our community pulled together and has done the right thing throughout this trial. We are wearing the masks, we are getting vaccinated at the highest rates...
I would like to write in support of diverse voices on our School Committee. I personally believe that mask mandates should be left up to our Board of Health. I, though, fully support Joe Markey and Meg Tyler’s right to pursue a mask-optional policy for our schools....
I do not agree with School Committee members Joe Markey and Prof. Meg Tyler’s stance on masks. I think masks should be in place until our Board of Health Director mandates otherwise. I do, however, support the two School Committee members’ rights to hold a differing...
As a Hopkinton resident and parent of a third- and fifth-grader in our community, I urge the School Committee to add a vote regarding face coverings to Thursday's meeting agenda. Subsequently, I would then encourage the committee to vote to allow ALL students in the...
I was surprised and disappointed to see a letter printed recently from a resident telling the public to “be careful with pit bulls.” These are wonderful dogs that make great family pets with the right care and training. An owner surrender to a shelter can mean lots of...
The Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) presented its proposed route in December and has received significant public feedback appreciative of the efforts and also challenging segments 1 to 6 for safety concerns and more. The paved trail would start on Route 85 where...
I really disagree with our local veterinarian who was calling others in the public “ignorant” and that “it is unfair to single out pit bulls,” when someone notes future dog adopters “should be careful with pit bulls.” The statement “Be careful with pit bulls” is based...
Many thanks to Mary Ellen Gambon for her thorough reporting on the Jan. 19 meeting of the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC), where an alternative route was presented by the Hopkinton Trails Club. There was only one error in the piece, but an important one. The...
