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.

As HFD battles more brush fires, reducing hazards is key

The Hopkinton Fire Department responded to a brush fire Saturday afternoon on Wildlife Drive.

“It was a half of an acre [fire],” said HFD Lt. John Sheridan. “We extinguished it. … There were no injuries.”

The Fire Department still is looking into the cause of the fire, but the ongoing drought was cited as a factor.

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, last month was the second driest October on record in the state.

Southern New England now is 6-9 inches of rain below average, according to CBS News. Short-term forecasts show no significant rainfall in sight, either.

Fire risk remains high, so residents should do what they can to reduce fire hazards. Actionable steps include:

• Halting any outdoor burning; this includes the use of fire pits, outdoor stoves, chimneys, etc.
• Exercising caution while using any lawn equipment, as sparks, hot engines and gasoline can ignite leaf litter and other combustibles.
• Storing ashes from indoor fires into metal cans or buckets filled with water and avoiding dumping them outdoors or in the trash.
• Putting out any smoking materials in water or sand and abstaining from discarding them outdoors.

The Hopkinton Fire Department extinguishes a brush fire in Bellingham on a regional call last week. PHOTO/HOPKINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Latest News

Town officials discussed the eight articles on this year’s Special Town Meeting warrant and what they mean for residents.

Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh explained the reasons behind her recently announced retirement, which include spending more time with her husband and four grandchildren.

Acknowledging its budget for community projects is tight for the coming year, the Community Preservation Committee continued reviewing projects requesting fiscal year 2026 funds.

Eversource will continue underground work on Main Street in the coming week as part of the Main Street Corridor Project.

During its first look at next year’s school calendar, the School Committee Thursday night debated the merits of the district’s vacation schedule.

Gerald (Jerry) Cassidy Jr., 86, passed away last month. Cassidy grew up in town and was inducted into the Hopkinton High School Hall of Fame in 1993.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts presents “Artful Connections: Stories from the Dinner Table” on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with poet and storyteller Cheryl Perreault.

Town meetings tonight include the Special Town Meeting (7).

Photo of the Day

A young guest eyes the available buffet options during the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton’s GlamJam Diwalia Gala at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Saturday. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO