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Hopkinton Today for Friday, Nov. 15: Upcoming STM vote highlights MBTA Communities deadline

by | Nov 15, 2024 | Featured: Features, Hopkinton Today

Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Deadline for MBTA zoning looms ahead of Town Meeting

Monday’s Special Town Meeting will see a vote on recently recommended approvals from the Planning Board for zoning overlay districts that comply with the MBTA Communities Act.

Getting to this vote has been a battle between officials who want to provide a plan that complies with state law and residents who worry about the impacts of high-density, multi-family zoning.

Voters rejected the first plan proposed at Annual Town Meeting in May. The Planning Board also has had trouble recommending a plan from options it developed since that meeting.

The concerns that residents have over the zoning are not unique to Hopkinton. Millbury was the latest town to reject an MBTA Communities plan at a Special Town Meeting this past Saturday, with its citizens worrying the zoning could “alter the character of the town.”

Due to complaints about the potential strain on public services and schools, Framingham has had to delay a vote on its plan.

The town has just over 40 days to submit a plan ahead of the state’s Dec. 31 deadline.

Failure to comply would mean loss of access to certain grant funding.

State Attorney General Andrea Campbell could sue the town, also. Her office brought the town of Milton in front of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court in October for failing to comply with the law.

Southborough MBTA commuter rail station

Hopkinton’s proximity to the Southborough commuter rail station qualifies the town as an MBTA adjacent community and makes it subject to a state law designed to increase housing near public transit. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Latest News

Over the span of 20 years, more than 9,000 second graders from Hopkinton have toured the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, spending time with persons with disabilities and learning what inclusion is all about.

Learn about the Hopkinton Public Library’s English Language Learners program and Hopkinton residents running the New York City Marathon in the latest installment of Independent Thoughts.

This week’s Baypath Adoptable Animal is McKinley, a well-mannered dog with a playful spirit who “loves snuggling and showing affection.”

The latest Professional Insights from Edward Jones Financial Advisor Mark Freeman discusses the three main routes business owners can take when planning their exit strategy.

The Interstate 90 eastbound ramp to Interstate 495 northbound in Hopkinton will close for overnight work tonight into Saturday morning.

Photo of the Day

Hopkinton’s Grade 6 football team won the Eastern Massachusetts AYF Division 2 Super Bowl title this past Saturday with a 13-7 victory over Attleboro. Hopkinton rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit, scoring on a 1-yard run by Dylan Medeiros, a 10-yard pass from Nate Pantera to his brother, Jack, and a PAT pass from Nate Pantera to Malcolm Ricci. Carson O’Donnell forced a key fumble to set up the winning score, and the defense held strong in the final minutes.

Youth football champions

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