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.

Board approves tree removal, recommends tree replacement

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Select Board voted 4-0 to approve the removal of trees in the back of EMC Park as part of a plan to construct a path between the park and the Elmwood Farms neighborhood.

The board held a hearing about the tree removal after objections were raised by the public at a Parks & Recreation Commission hearing on June 9. Parks & Rec voted in support of the project, but because a minimum of one person raised an objection, the tree warden did not have the authority to move forward without Select Board approval.

Approved at Annual Town Meeting in 2023, the project includes building a 5-foot-wide path going between EMC Park and Fitch Avenue, connecting to Blueberry Lane. Constructing the path requires the removal of 19 trees.

The Department of Public Works also recommended building a 10-foot driveway that would allow vehicles to get back behind the Hank Fredette Skate Park and the nearby catch basin for maintenance.

DPW director Kerry Reed reviewed the plan and the June 9 public hearing for the Select Board, along with the objections. She noted that issues raised by residents included environmental concerns, privacy, security and screening. Reed also told the board that she would be meeting with the Open Space Preservation Commission at its June 17 meeting because part of the path crosses onto open space property.

Following questions about funding and the involvement of other town committees such as the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission, Select Board members expressed support for the plan.

“I think this is environmentally friendly and safe for children,” said member Amy Ritterbusch.

Vice chair Matt Kizner voiced a preference for preserving “the arboreal character” of the community. “With that said,” he continued, “I think one of the only reasons I would be comfortable doing [the project] is to enhance the accessibility of community services to the community.”

Kizner concluded his remarks by stating that while he did not “want to make a habit of something like this,” the town already had voiced its desire for the path with its vote at ATM.

Ritterbusch asked Reed whether the motion before them could be amended to include tree replacement at the park. Reed responded that the motion was limited to the removal of trees. However, Parks & Rec had brought up the idea during the public hearing and the DPW is open to it. As she had explained to Parks & Rec, Reed said there could be room in the tree warden’s budget to fund replacement trees depending on what the goals were.

She stated that replacing the trees seemed like “a reasonable use of this funding,” but warned that not all the trees would be replaced.

“One of the challenges with replacement trees is finding the space for them,” Reed added. “I don’t think we’ll see 19 trees replaced, but I think we can replace some of the high value ones.”

After hearing support for the project from an abutter on Blueberry Lane, the Select Board voted 4-0 to approve the tree removal plan. Ritterbusch added a recommendation to the motion that Parks & Rec consider replacing the trees.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Select Board on Tuesday made appointments to the police chief screening committee and appointed Hopkinton Police Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten as interim chief.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Elementary School Building Committee agreed to bring in a third party to resolve conflicting explanations about soil infiltration issues at the Charleswood School site.

The Water & Sewer Department will take Wells 7 and 8 offline next week for repairs after a mechanical failure.

This week’s Police Log features reports of children hanging out of a moon roof, individuals going night fishing at Sandy Beach and a person missing from Revolutionary Way.

The latest Arts Residency highlights Hopkinton High School junior Victoria Jackson, who has won two silver keys and one gold key in the Scholastic Arts Awards for her photography.

Town meetings tonight include the School Committee (7) and Community Preservation Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

The Hopkinton Community Summer Band conducts its first practice Tuesday night at Hopkinton High School. The group will perform at the Town Common on July 19.

PHOTO/JOHN RITZ