News
Select Board chair Kramer ‘resting and doing well’ after experiencing stroke
Select Board chair Muriel Kramer announced that she experienced a stroke Wednesday evening, which prevented her from engaging in community activities late last week. In an email to the Independent early Sunday afternoon, Kramer issued a public statement about what...
Travel blog recognizes Hopkinton as ‘most peaceful town’ to visit in country
A travel blog recently named Hopkinton the "most peaceful town to visit" in the country. Hopkinton topped the list in the "12 Most Peaceful Towns To Visit In The United States" article published in The Travel, noting its extremely low violent crime rate and abundance...
Open Space Preservation Commission seeks updated documents for development off Whisper Way
At Thursday's Open Space Preservation Commission meeting, Land Use Department administrative assistant Shannon Isaacs told the commission that she was asked by Principal Planner John Gelcich to obtain an updated map and plan for the 12-unit subdivision off Whisper Way...
Judge compels town to release police internal investigation records in Porter case by Jan. 9
The judge in the ongoing court case against former Hopkinton Police Deputy Chief John “Jay” Porter on Wednesday said he would file an order compelling the town to provide internal investigation records to him if he did not receive them by Jan. 9. If this request is...
Sandy Beach Subcommittee outlines safety, other concerns
During its meeting Wednesday, the Parks & Recreation Sandy Beach Subcommittee discussed needs at Lake Maspenock and filled in new Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus about ongoing issues such as lack of oversight at the gate, equipment needing repairs, signage...
Conservation Commission questions Lumber Street condo development’s stormwater plan
The Conservation Commission asked for additional information on stormwater infiltration requirements before deciding whether to issue a certificate of compliance for Deerfield Estates, a condo development off Lumber Street. Capital Group Properties was listed as the...
Select Board roundup: Marathon invitational entries awarded, federal trademark requested for Marathon Committee slogan
The Select Board Tuesday night awarded invitational entries to the Boston Marathon from the Boston Athletic Association to town departments and nonprofits as a main focus of its two-hour meeting. It also discussed the need to register the Marathon Committee's...
Town addresses ‘fraudulent invoice’ from HopNews, media advertising policy
Select Board chair Muriel Kramer at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting addressed a fraudulent invoice sent by the owner of a local news blog. In an email to the Independent Tuesday evening, Town Manager Norman Khumalo stated that Peter Thomas, the owner and publisher of...
Arrests/Police Log, Dec. 6 edition
ARRESTS November 28 9:50 p.m. Officer Cody Normandin completed a motor vehicle stop on South Street and subsequently arrested a 40-year-old from Milford and charged him with operation of motor vehicle with license suspended, operation of motor vehicle with license...
Domino’s Pizza gets approval for Main Street location; owner aims to open by early January
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday approved a common victualer’s license for Domino’s Pizza to operate out of 70 Main Street. The building is the site of the former Old Town Liquors, and there are apartments above the first-floor business. “It’s always a great...
Party leaders agree that key to moving forward after caucus elimination is return to civility in politics
The narrow passage of Article 2 by a 245-214 vote at the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting to eliminate party caucuses and party affiliation on town election ballots signaled a shift away from what has become a divisive political culture over the past decade both locally...
Legacy Farms wastewater treatment plant addresses high nitrogen levels
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection in early November cited the private wastewater treatment plant at Legacy Farms for having a higher than permitted level of nitrogen discharge in the groundwater. The problem has been corrected and nitrogen levels are...
Open Planning Board seat goes to newcomer Happ
The Planning Board at its joint meeting with the Select Board Monday night voted 9-1 for Parker Happ to become its newest member. Happ interviewed for the open seat along with Peter Thomas, who received a lone vote of support from Planning Board chair Gary Trendel....
Real Estate Transactions, Dec. 6 edition
Fruit Street bridge over MBTA tracks set to reopen later this month
The Hopkinton Department of Public Works on Monday shared that the Fruit Street bridge over the MBTA tracks and Sudbury River is to be reopened later this month, citing an update from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MassDOT indicated that removal of...
Town Manager Khumalo announces his pending departure
Town Manager Norman Khumalo announced Monday that he will be leaving his job as Hopkinton's town manager after nearly 15 years. In a public relations statement from the town, he announced that he is retiring in early 2024 after more than 30 years in municipal service...
Domino’s Pizza considered for 70 Main Street location
At its meeting Tuesday, the Select Board will consider granting a common victualer's license for a Domino's pizza restaurant in downtown Hopkinton. Celal Fatih Gokdag of Waltham applied for the new license on Nov. 27. If approved, the establishment will operate from...
Parks & Rec deals with delays on skate park, pickleball courts, cricket pitch
The Parks & Recreation Commission at its Thursday meeting lauded the success of the first Skateboard & BMX Jam on Nov. 12, saying it will generate enthusiasm for the renovations to the skate park at EMC Park. But unforeseen delays will postpone its opening...
Traffic study to be conducted on Main Street side streets Dec. 7
A traffic study will be conducted on Thursday, Dec. 7, on side streets along the Main Street Corridor Project in response to public requests, according to a town press release. VHB, the town's engineering consultant, will be installing four video counters on...
