A discussion about municipal water sparked a broader conversation about the Board of Health’s communication strategies at its meeting Monday night. 

Chair Nasiba Mannan kicked things off by noting that the Water & Sewer Advisory Board recently completed an analysis of the town’s water system. The analysis, reviewed by the WSAB at its meeting Sept. 23, showed declines in PFAS and “a significant magnitude of safety,” according to chair Paul Gallaher.

Board of Health members noted that despite the positive data about the town’s water supply, residents still are expressing concerns over water quality.

“Anecdotally, I’ve had friends complain that their water’s brown,” said vice chair Mary Jo Ondrechen. She questioned whether construction around town, in part, contributes to overall water quality.

Health Director Shaun McAuliffe confirmed that construction plays a role, noting that it shakes loose iron and manganese on the pipes rather than releasing dirt into the system. 

“We’re sensitive to the fact that there’s a significant amount of iron deposits in the pipes,” said McAuliffe. “When there’s a break, it’s a significant amount of iron and manganese that gets stirred up.”

The discussion shifted to how water quality issues are communicated. McAuliffe said the Department of Public Works manages informing residents of water issues on its website. 

Member Malcolm Smith wondered how many residents actually check the website and whether there were active alerts. “As I’ve said before, we have to have an active communication system, not a passive one,” he said.

McAuliffe and others confirmed that the town does send out alerts when there are water system issues such as broken water mains. He added that the issue could be addressed, but implementing a warning system had the capacity to not work as intended.

“My main concern was that if we put [an alert] out on code red, which we can get to everybody, in theory people will stop listening,” said the health director. Ondrechen referred to it as the “old ‘crying wolf’ strategy.”

Mannan clarified for the board that it does not have the authority to establish a communications policy. She stated that she and McAuliffe had attempted to get a communications specialist for the department but had not been successful. 

The only other remedy the board has is to make recommendations to the Select Board, Mannan explained.

“Communications is our business, as it pertains to the fact that important health information is not getting out to the community,” Ondrechen countered.

McAuliffe said he could look into what other code options are available for communications through the town system. Mannan affirmed she was open to the board sending its recommendations while not overstepping its authority.

Department prepares for Medicaid/SNAP cuts

During his director’s report, McAuliffe informed the board that he was working with state and local partners to assist seniors and disabled residents ahead of pending cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other safety-net programs.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congress in 2025, includes funding cuts and policy changes to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces, along with other programs. These changes, along with those to SNAP, are set to kick in Oct. 1.

In a follow-up email, McAuliffe stated that the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance reported 372 SNAP cases and a total of 607 clients in Hopkinton as of August.

McAuliffe noted there was “a lot of discussion” happening with support agencies and other organizations about what other safety net options are available for residents. “There’s a lot up in the air,” he admitted.

The Health Department is working with nonprofits such as Project Just Because on food insecurity, McAuliffe explained. He added that he also was working on what his department can do to assist with things such as vaccinations, as well as what other partnerships can be made to meet the anticipated increase in need.

Public health nurse Simone Carter expressed frustration, noting that Hopkinton has been asked “to pick up the slack” of other regional health agencies being forced with cuts. “It’s a mess, and it’s going to be a mess for a long time,” she said.

Carter recommended seniors visit the SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) counselor at the Hopkinton Senior Center. She suggested those who aren’t seniors who need support reach out to the Health Department directly.