After Friday night’s explosive hearing on the potential termination of Hopkinton Police Sgt. Tim Brennan, documents were released by the town that mistakenly included identifying information of the alleged sexual assault survivor in the case of the accused assailant,...
News
Town vows to ‘defend itself’ as Crosspoint lawsuit on property compensation continues
The town continues to dispute a claim made by a Main Street property owner that unfair compensation was awarded for a portion of its land that was taken by eminent domain for the Main Street Corridor Project. Crosspoint Associates owns 61 Main Street, the...
Boisterous Brennan hearing crowd demands accountability from Select Board, police
Tempers flared at Friday night's Loudermill hearing, with many audience members shouting their displeasure toward the Select Board and the Hopkinton police chief. The Loudermill hearing was convened to discuss the potential termination of Sgt. Tim Brennan. He was...
Emotions high, Brennan hearing continued so sides can negotiate agreement
An emotional and contentious meeting Friday ended with the Select Board deciding to continue the Loudermill hearing regarding Sgt. Tim Brennan’s future with the Hopkinton Police Department in order to give the parties time to try to find an amicable solution. Prior to...
Trails Committee makes strides on proposed Chamberlain-Whalen trail, website
The Trails Committee at its hybrid meeting Thursday night announced significant strides on several of its initiatives, including trail development at the Chamberlain-Whalen subdivision and the creation of its website. Member Chuck Dauchy shared the “pending but very...
Union support letter for Sgt. Brennan highlights ‘superlative career and personality’
As Hopkinton Police Sgt. Tim Brennan prepares to appear before the Select Board for a Loudermill hearing on his potential termination, Local 254, the Police/Fire Dispatchers Union, submitted a letter to the Select Board urging members to take Brennan's "superlative...
Arrests/Police Log, Jan. 17 edition
ARRESTS None this week. [Editor's note: Hopkinton Independent policy for the arrests section is to remove the arrested individual's name after it has been posted for approximately one week.] POLICE LOG January 9 1:01 a.m. Officer Sean McKeon checked on Parkwood Drive...
Deadline for Senior/Disabled Tax Relief Fund applications Feb. 23
The Hopkinton Tax Relief Committee is encouraging eligible Hopkinton homeowners to apply for assistance from the Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Fund. Applicants must be at least 60 years old or have a state-recognized disability, and they must own and occupy a...
Commission on Disability delivers presentation on accessibility laws, regulations
The Commission on Disability at its virtual meeting Monday night heard a detailed presentation on building accessibility requirements from one of its members. Member Mike DiMascio, a registered fire protection engineer, explained the scope of several accessibility...
UPDATE: Fate of Sgt. Brennan, implicated in Porter case, to be determined at rescheduled meeting Friday
The fate of Hopkinton Police Sgt. Tim Brennan, who has been linked to a criminal court case involving retired Deputy Chief John "Jay" Porter, will not be decided until Friday because Tuesday's Select Board hearing was rescheduled due to the overnight snowstorm. The...
Real Estate Transactions, Jan. 17 edition
Hopkinton lends hand to region during state migrant crisis
The Hopkinton Health Department and Project Just Because have combined their efforts to help those in need locally as well as to assist migrants who have come to the region in recent months. Health Department Director Shaun McAuliffe has worked to help refugees...
Select Board Roundup: Greenhouse gas report presented; proposed change to town voting policy questioned
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night heard the Sustainable Green Committee’s annual year-end report, which showed that greenhouse gas emissions decreased slightly between 2017 and 2021 despite the town’s growing population and concerning temperature shifts....
Arrests/Police Log, Jan. 10 edition
ARRESTS January 4 2:51 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle struck two houses on Grove Street and fled the scene. Multiple officers responded, and Officer Nicholas Walker caught up with the vehicle on Main Street. A 52-year-old Wood Street resident was arrested and...
Conservation Commission approves proposed addition to Whitehall Brook Trail
The Conservation Commission at its meeting Tuesday night approved a request for an extension to the Whitehall Brook Trail at 66 Fruit Street that would allow for observation of beaver activity. Chuck Dauchy appeared before the Conservation Commission as both the trail...
Parks & Rec Commission approves policy for non-resident registrations
The Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday unanimously adopted a policy regarding registration for residents and non-residents. The Commission will review the policy in one year and then thereafter, likely every three years. Director Jon Lewitus said that he had...
Heavy rain, strong winds anticipated overnight Tuesday to Wednesday
Forecasters are predicting heavy rains and strong winds from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. The rain is likely to cause flooding issues, while the wind could lead to trees/branches falling on streets and hitting power lines. Residents are advised to charge...
Planning Board discusses draft plan for MBTA Communities Act compliance
The Planning Board at its meeting Monday night reviewed a draft plan that would comply with the regulations of the MBTA Communities Act and amend the town’s zoning bylaws. Under the MBTA Communities statute, also referred to as 3A, 177 cities and towns that are in the...
Digitization, communication tops Board of Health agenda
During his mid-year review, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe reported work on his three goals — concerning strategic planning, record digitization and a communication plan for PFAS in private wells — are “in progress.” The update took place during Monday’s Board of...
Town experiences growing pains during leadership transition period
During the past year, Hopkinton has experienced the departure of several town leaders and the announcement of Town Manager Norman Khumalo’s retirement from municipal government to pursue a private sector position. Examples include the Department of Public Works and...