February vacation is a good time to escape the snow and freezing temperatures with a visit to a place that offers more sun. For Hopkinton High School senior Amanda Hansen and junior Kayla McCann, a different opportunity presented itself: a visit to the Land of the...
News
School Committee sends budget to town
The Hopkinton School Committee certified the FY20 School Budget during its Jan. 17 meeting, sending the $48,059,950 budget to the town for final approval. Next year’s budget represents a $3,003,300 increase — 6.67 percent — over FY19. “It was really important to us to...
Fire delays expansion of Start Line Brewery
The expansion of Start Line Brewery into the space formerly occupied by Water Fresh Farm took a scary turn on Jan. 29 when a fire broke out in a second-floor maintenance closet at the building located at 151R Hayden Rowe St. The Hopkinton Fire Department responded...
Charity quilt-a-thon brings joy to those who give as well as receive
Despite the chilly temperatures and icy roads, eight women, including Hopkinton resident Susan Webber, gathered to work on and create handmade comfort quilts at the Power of the Quilt Project’s annual MLK Day of community service quilt-a-thon. The event was held at...
Fire official offers advice for staying safe during winter
A recent headline in The Washington Post warned, “The polar vortex has fractured, and the eastern U.S. faces a punishing stretch of winter weather.” Following a bitter blast of arctic air in recent weeks, the Northeast has experienced dangerously low temperatures....
Lykan TIF heads to voters
Agreement among 6 warrant articles at Feb. 11 Special Town Meeting At their meeting on Jan. 29 selectmen unanimously approved the proposed tax increment financing agreement, (TIF) for Lykan Biosciences, LLC, moving the proposal one step closer to its next required...
Sweet 16 for Timlin
Event registration opens Jan. 31 The Sharon Timlin Memorial Event began in 2004, when the Red Sox were still seeking their first Word Series title in almost nine decades. Like the Red Sox, who have won four championships since then — with the most recent coming this...
Long road ahead for Elmwood Farms development
Planning Board advises more updates to 30-year-old plan Representatives for the Elmwood Farms III development, a subdivision off Blueberry Lane that was approved 30 years ago, paid a visit to the Planning Board on Jan. 14 and left with some work to do. The project...
Sunshine Preschool founder Martin now an author of parental advice book
Christine Martin is passionate about children’s positive growth and development and commits her life and livelihood to upholding that mission. Days spent with children are her happiest ones. “Learning about young children, how they learn, how they think, what is most...
BOA denies special permit for Cedar Street multi-family unit
Owner plans to reconsider options At the conclusion of a public hearing held on Jan. 9, the Board of Appeals voted unanimously to deny a special permit that would have moved forward the construction of a multi-unit structure on Cedar Street. The applicant, Janice...
Schools consider expanding solar presence
Additional panels at Marathon part of plan to reduce expenses The Hopkinton Public Schools will be hoping for clear skies and sunny days ahead as they pursue two solar power opportunities to reduce expenses for the district. HPS director of finance Susan Rothermich...
Photos: Parks & Rec outdoor ice rink
Ice to see you The Parks and Recreation outdoor rink in front of Hopkinton Middle School opened to the public on Jan. 13, and among the first skaters to hit the ice were 4-year-old Olivia (left) and 3-year-old Miles. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR Steady as she goes...
HPS submits budget request with 6.67 percent increase
Additional enrollment cited as key factor The Hopkinton Public Schools will be requesting a $48,059,950 budget for the FY20 school year; a budget that represents a 6.67 percent increase over FY19. “It was really important to us to maintain the level of excellence that...
Children’s librarian Denise Kofron feted at retirement celebration
A large crowd gathered in the children’s room of the Hopkinton Public Library on Jan. 14 as patrons, both young and old, gathered to wish children’s librarian Denise Kofron farewell. Kofron, affectionately known as “Mrs. K,” will retire at the end of January. Kofron,...
Lykan Bioscience seeks support for tax break to locate to South Street
Special Town Meeting set for Feb. 11 to vote on TIF Representatives from Lykan Bioscience appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 15 to provide an update regarding the company’s interest to locate in Hopkinton and to discuss the board’s support for a tax...
Independent Thoughts: Scouts honored to welcome girls
When the Boy Scouts of America announced last year that the organization would start welcoming girls into its ranks for the first time in its 100-plus years of existence, it garnered a lot of attention. It was welcome news to Kim Brennan, a mother of two teenage Boy...
Hopkinton Veterans Breakfast: A study of military history
At their monthly breakfast in December, Hopkinton veterans remembered Pearl Harbor and other historic military events that happened on or about Dec. 7. The packed house of veterans began discussions by recollecting America's declaration of war against Austria-Hungary...
Denial of solar plan appealed
After a four-month series of public hearings, the Planning Board on Oct. 1 voted to deny a Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Special Permit Application by TJA Clean Energy to build a facility on 34 acres off Wilson Street. On Dec. 4, the applicant filed an appeal to that...
Lions host annual Santa’s Special Kids Breakfast
The Hopkinton Lions Club held their fourth annual Santa’s Special Kids Breakfast at Golden Pond Assisted Living last month to provide a special holiday event for children with special needs. This event, started three years ago by Anne Beauchamp of Hopkinton, seeks to...
Hopkinton Public Library ‘transforming lives’
Attendance up dramatically during first year of new building After the Hopkinton Public Library’s first full year open in its new building, foot traffic increased 47.7 percent, which equals more than one person every two minutes while the library is open. And that’s...