The town is holding a community input planning session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to generate ideas on how to revitalize the downtown area and increase connectivity through its shared spaces. This state-funded forum, which will be held at the Hopkinton Public Library's...
News
Board of Health approves new town biosafety regulation
The Board of Health at a 20-minute meeting Monday evening approved the town's new biosafety regulation 2-0 in an effort to safeguard the public and monitor the use of all biological agents in town. Health Department Director Shaun McAuliffe explained that the...
Town will vote on adopting state’s specialized stretch energy code at STM
The town will decide whether to adopt the state's energy policy on new building construction at the Special Town Meeting on Nov. 13, one of four articles up for a vote that evening. Proposed by the Sustainable Green Committee, the article seeks to promote more...
Volunteers sought for cultural district designation partnership
Julia Chun, Hopkinton's sustainability, economic development and equity project manager, announced that applications are being accepted for people interested in joining a partnership to form a cultural district designation for Hopkinton. Cultural districts are areas...
State Rep. Arena-DeRosa to hold office hours at Senior Center Nov. 28
State Rep. James Arena-DeRosa will be hosting in-person office hours in Hopkinton on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 10-11:30 a.m. The session will take place at the Hopkinton Senior Center, located at 28 Mayhew Street. Residents are invited to stop by to ask questions of...
Arrests/Police Log, Nov. 1 edition
ARRESTS October 29 4:55 a.m. A caller reported parties passed out in a vehicle on South Street. Sergeant William Burchard and Officer Augusto Diaz responded, arrested a 21-year-old Northbridge resident and charged him with marked lanes violation, negligent operation...
Commission on Disability crafts language for STM release of community accessibility survey
The Commission on Disability at its hybrid meeting Monday night added new language to its draft survey on the needs of people with disabilities in Hopkinton. The survey will be distributed at the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting and at other public buildings in town. In...
Real Estate Transactions, Nov. 1 edition
Main Street Corridor Project update: Sign work possible this week
As part of the Main Street Corridor Project this week, Road Safe may be on-site for sign work — resetting, removing and replacing. Working hours for the Main Street Corridor Project are 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. No detours, one-lane closures or road closures are allowed...
Investigation determines Sgt. Brennan violated HPD policy by failing to report alleged rape
A report on an external investigation of a Hopkinton Police Department sergeant currently on paid administrative leave showed he had previous knowledge of accusations of child rape against retired Deputy Chief John “Jay” Porter that went unreported to the department....
School resource officer role detailed to Select Board
The Select Board heard a comprehensive presentation on the role of the school resource officer in supporting students at its meeting Thursday night. Joined by members of the School Department and Hopkinton Youth & Family Services, Hopkinton Police Department Chief...
Select Board Roundup: STM will use electronic voting; 4 warrant articles approved
The Select Board at its meeting Thursday night approved the warrant for the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting, where electronic voting will be implemented for the first time. Town Clerk Connor Degan addressed the joint meeting of the Select Board and the School Committee...
State suspends Golden Pond’s certification for ‘a minimum of 30 days’ after second failed compliance review this year
For the second time this year, the Communities at Golden Pond has been ordered by the state not to accept new residents after failing an on-site compliance review earlier this month. On Oct. 3, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs conducted an on-site compliance...
Trails Committee suggests forum for dog owner education, etiquette on trails
The Trails Committee at its meeting Wednesday discussed having a community forum to educate dog owners about the town’s leash law and get resident feedback on potential areas where dogs may be able to be unleashed. Chair Peter LaGoy explained that some residents...
HPD officer candidate questions why employment offer was rescinded in August in light of officer shortage
From the time he was a teen, Melvin Ligon Jr., 47, knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. Inspired by officers he met while attending the Boston Public Schools, the Boston native devoted his career to working as a security and school police officer. The Millis...
Conservation Commission grants approvals for soil absorption system, single-family homes
The Conservation Commission met in person Tuesday night at the Hopkinton Senior Center, where it approved improvements to a soil absorption system, plans by the MBTA to do sedimentation sampling, and two notices of intent for single-family homes. The commission voted...
Arrests/Police Log, Oct. 25 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 October 17 2:19 a.m. On East Main Street, Officer Nicholas Walker...
Real Estate Transactions, Oct. 25 edition
ZAC tackles ways to meet MBTA Communities zoning requirements
The Zoning Advisory Committee at its meeting Monday night discussed the ways that some properties could be zoned in order for Hopkinton be compliant with the state’s MBTA Communities law. Under the MBTA Communities statute, also referred to as 3A, 177 cities and towns...
Hopkinton Police cautions residents about Halloween ‘booing’ trend
With Halloween next Tuesday, the Hopkinton Police Department recently alerted the community to a holiday-related trend that has spooked some residents and prompted calls to the station. "In the past weeks, we have responded to multiple 911 calls from concerned...