News
Lake Maspenock advocates push for limited use of herbicides to control weeds
Thickening invasive weeds in Lake Maspenock have some residents calling for a potential limited use of herbicides to contain the growing problem that threatens to choke off the aquatic life there. “The problem has been going on for years,” explained Sabine St. Pierre,...
Widow of elderly man who died after going missing offers thanks, defends Golden Pond
Elizabeth Noon reached out to the Independent on Sunday to share her thoughts after the passing of her husband. Jim Noon died Sept. 16, four days after being rescued by emergency personnel a short distance from The Communities at Golden Pond assisted living facility....
Main Street Corridor Project update: Bike lane paving this week
As part of the Main Street Corridor Project this week, paving of the bike lane (top course) is scheduled for Wednesday. Crews also will work on landscaping, with hydroseeding scheduled for Monday, and perform various on-site cleanup. Working hours for the Main Street...
Man who went missing from Golden Pond last week has died
The 84-year-old man who went missing from The Communities at Golden Pond assisted living last week died Saturday, according to an obituary at the Eaton Funeral Homes website. James Noon, was rescued last Tuesday a short distance from the facility after disappearing...
After controversial delay, Select Board discusses hiring/promotion policy with police chief
The police hiring controversy dominated much of Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, as members held a discussion with Chief Joseph Bennett about the department’s policy and how board members could become more involved. The controversy started at the Sept. 5 meeting, when...
Arrests/Police Log, Sept. 20 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 September 12 12:32 a.m. Officer Nicholas Walker checked on a...
Zoning Advisory Committee seeks public input on MBTA Communities zoning as deadline looms
The Zoning Advisory Committee at its meeting Monday night sought community feedback as the town formulates its response to the state’s MBTA Communities Act. The state adopted the MBTA Communities Law in 2021 to spur the development of multifamily housing by right in...
Commission on Disability holds first meeting, sets goals for community engagement
The Commission on Disability held its first meeting Monday night, electing officers and outlining goals for community engagement and awareness of accessibility issues in town. Holly Morand, also a School Committee member, was elected chair in a 4-0 vote. Alex Danahy...
Real Estate Transactions, Sept. 20 edition
OSPC approves open space land donation off Whisper Way
The Open Space Preservation Commission at its meeting Thursday night approved the donation of open space to the town at a Whisper Way subdivision after a contentious Planning Board meeting showed that the process should have taken place before building permits were...
Main Street Corridor Project update: Sidewalk work this week; peeling light poles eventually will be replaced
As part of the Main Street Corridor Project this week, crews will form and pour sidewalks, and place loam and seeding in various areas. Sidewalks are nearing completion, but changes are required in the area in front of the Korean Presbyterian Church (2 Main Street)....
Select Board members respond to criticism after vote to delay police promotions
In the wake of a surprise 4-1 vote to delay the promotion request for two Hopkinton Police Department officers to the rank of sergeant at the Select Board meeting on Sept. 5, one Select Board member explained his rationale for his decision to the Hopkinton...
Resident tip leads to cease-and-desist letters to illegal food operations in town
Health Director Shaun McAuliffe told the Board of Health at its meeting Wednesday that an email he received led to his investigation that uncovered five illegal food operations in town. “We had received a complaint about a food service establishment that was operating...
Conservation Commission focuses on violations at The Trails, Leonard Street
Editor's note: In a previous version of this article, the Edgewood at Hopkinton development was misidentified as a subdivision off Blueberry Lane. The Conservation Commission at its meeting Tuesday night reviewed violations incurred by several ongoing development...
Fire chief: Missing man likely never went far from Golden Pond but was hidden in bushy area
The elderly man who disappeared from the Golden Pond assisted living facility on Sunday night and was rescued Tuesday morning never strayed that far from the grounds, interim Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty believes, but because he was in a “very deep, thick area...
Health Department to offer drive-through flu vaccine clinics in October
The Hopkinton Health Department announced two drive-through flu clinics in October. The first is for older adults. It will be held Friday, Oct. 13, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center (28 Mayhew Street). Nursing staff from the Health Department will be at the...
Arrests/Police Log, Sept. 13 edition
ARRESTS September 8 2:17 a.m. Officer Nicholas Saletnik stopped a vehicle that passed him at 80 mph on West Main Street. A 29-year-old from Milford was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding in violation of special regulation, and...
Planning Board roundup: Strength of inclusionary zoning bylaw tested by Keystone proposal; Whisper Way hearings continued
The Planning Board met for nearly four hours Monday night in a marathon session where two contentious cases dominated the meeting. Several hearings were continued, including three regarding a Whisper Way development where land was slated to be conveyed as open space....
UPDATE: Missing elderly man found ‘conscious and alert’ near Golden Pond
[Editor's note: This story was updated with information from the State Police at 2 p.m.] The elderly man who had been missing since Sunday night was found alive at approximately 10:40 a.m. Tuesday by members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response...
