News
Routine ramp closures at I-90/I-495 interchange continue Monday
Overnight work on ramps at the Interstate 90/Interstate 495 interchange in Hopkinton continues this week. According to a notice from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, routine construction on the I-90/I-495 interchange will commence Monday and continue...
Commission on Disability votes for new leadership, announces state funding for library accessibility improvements
The Commission on Disability on Monday elected a new slate of leaders and discussed its plans to highlight areas of concern for people with disabilities through a joint event with the Department of Public Works. Nancy “Punky” Drawe was voted as the new chair,...
Conservation Commission reviews plans for proposed commercial office building off Lumber Street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep5Wx04hT5I&t=4515s The Conservation Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to continue the hearing on a proposed commercial office building off Lumber Street until Oct. 7 after reviewing plan changes and proposed new language. REC...
Select Board hearing on plaque honoring enslaved Hopkinton residents generates discussion on jurisdictional issues
The Select Board on Tuesday reviewed a request by the Hopkinton Historical Society to commemorate the history and contributions of people enslaved in Hopkinton with a plaque on the Town Common. It stirred discussions about accuracy, the request for Select Board input...
Select Board deems Hayward Street dog ‘dangerous’; approves RFP for McFarland-Sanger House disposition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI-r5xvrXWY During its four-hour meeting Tuesday, the Select Board unanimously voted to determine that a Hayward Street dog is dangerous after hearing descriptions of the dog’s attacks on a neighbor’s chickens and cat. The dog, named...
Town Hall video incident prompts employee training
Town Manager Elaine Lazarus on Tuesday told the Select Board that a visit by First Amendment auditors videotaping in Town Hall on Sept. 12 has led to the scheduling of a formal training session for employees next week. “We’ll continue to provide town employees with...
Tempers flare during Crust & Co. license discussion
At Tuesday's Select Board meeting, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus acknowledged that Crust & Co., the pizza shop located in the former home of Hillers Pizza, opened without a building inspection being performed. The common victualer (CV) license was approved 4-1 at...
Arrests/Police Log, Sept. 24 edition
ARRESTS Sept. 19 3:30 p.m. The Ashland Police Department reported a person at the State Park on Cedar Street who was trespassed from the property. Officers Justin Cappuccio and Kyle Quinzani responded and stopped the individual in his vehicle at the park entrance. A...
Parks & Rec considers future of Pyne Field as it puts together FY 27 CPC requests
The Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday voted to ask for additional funds for the Pyne Field project as well as funding for two additional projects ahead of the upcoming Community Preservation application deadline of Oct. 9. During a review of possible...
Planning Board: New principal planner named; Starbucks parking hearing continued
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22u09_Fo6VE&t=684s In a short meeting Monday night, John Gelcich, the town’s Director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, announced to the Planning Board that the person succeeding him as principal planner has been hired. Aneri...
MassDOT to close I-90/I-495 ramps Thursday night
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced it will close ramps at the Interstate 90/Interstate 495 intersection later this week. The ramp from I-495 to I-90 westbound will close Thursday night at 11 p.m. and open up at 5 a.m. Friday morning. Traffic will...
Real Estate Transactions, Sept. 22 edition
‘Handshake deals and desk drawers’: Investigation shows former Parks & Rec director violated state procurement laws
An investigation by the Office of the Inspector General showed that a former Parks & Recreation director intentionally circumvented the state’s procurement laws by arranging a “handshake agreement” with a local food truck vendor, the OIG announced Monday in a...
Town measures response to ‘First Amendment auditors’ as new details on auditor emerge
While officials at Town Hall refused further comment on the situation, more information has been learned about the First Amendment auditor who paid a visit last week, which led to a town employee pulling a fire alarm. Last Friday, so-called "First Amendment auditors"...
CPC recaps project progress as FY 27 application deadline approaches
The Community Preservation Committee on Thursday reviewed progress made on previously approved projects and reminded the public that the application deadline for the upcoming fiscal year is on the horizon. Under the Community Preservation Act that was signed in 2000,...
Trails Committee reviews new trail proposals, talks e-bike use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVgDbwNEFL8 The Trails Committee at its meeting Wednesday heard proposals for new trails at Cameron Woods and improvements to the Lake Maspenock Causeway Trail. Member David Freed presented a plan for two trails at Cameron Woods and the...
Video of Town Hall fire alarm incident leads to calls for termination, training
The release of a video by “First Amendment auditors” taken at Town Hall on Friday has town officials working to train staff on improving engagement with members of the public. The video, uploaded Monday to YouTube, shows public health nurse Simone Carter pulling a...
PFAS forum educates residents on potential sources, MWRA connection process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGF-dKVsidQ The town’s hour-long forum Tuesday night at the Hopkinton Public Library provided residents with information on efforts to keep per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS in the town’s water system below the current...
Arrests/Police Log, Sept. 17 edition
ARRESTS Sept. 10 5:46 a.m. On West Main Street, Officer Eva Cann arrested a 67-year-old from Saugus on a default warrant arrest. Sgt. Cody Normandin made arrangements with Alltown Fresh for his vehicle and trailer to stay in the parking lot. [Editor’s note: The...
