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.
Jacobs calls his service on Board of Health a ‘real privilege’
Board of Health chair Richard Jacobs listens to comments during a public forum on Wednesday. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
Chair Richard Jacobs bid farewell to his colleagues on the Board of Health at its meeting Wednesday night.
In brief remarks to the board, Jacobs thanked his fellow members and Health Director Shaun McAuliffe for their work. “Thank you for letting me serve,” said Jacobs.
In particular, Jacobs called out McAuliffe’s work in guiding the Health Department. “It’s people like Shaun who lead the way,” said Jacobs.
“It’s your commitment and steadfastness that make you unsinkable,” he added.
Jacobs’ second term with the Board of Health ends June 1. While he had the option to seek a third term, he elected to leave the board and let others come in to serve and lead. Raymond Malcolm Smith is the sole candidate running to take Jacobs’ seat in this year’s Town Election.
During his six years of service, Jacobs helped oversee the town’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as PFAS issues in public wells. Other initiatives enacted during Jacobs’ tenure included updated tobacco regulations, the establishment of a revolving fund for the Health Department and a naloxone training program to combat the opioid crisis.
This work has led the Health Department, as Jacobs described it, to become “a great center of excellence.”
Speaking with the Independent, Jacobs stated that his decision to step away from the board centered around his family. He noted a desire to spend more time with his grandchildren, along with his own children.
“I came out of retirement to do this,” he said of his work with the Board of Health. “It was a real privilege to be a part of this.”
Jacobs spent 20 years in radiology at UMass Memorial Medical Center before moving into work in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.
At the conclusion of his comments, Jacobs promised it would not be the last time the board members saw him. “I will not be gone, I will be here often,” he said.
Latest News
Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty appeared before the Select Board on Tuesday to discuss their goals for fiscal year 2026.
Due to continued violations at the Newbury Glen subdivision project, the Conservation Commission on Tuesday voted to cease issuing building permits to the developer until improvements are made.
The Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday discussed the status of its current Community Preservation projects and discussed how the Center School reuse plan would affect future CPC requests.
This week’s Police Log features two arrests, along with reports of a vandalized mailbox, fireworks set off around Teresa Road and Front Street, and a sinkhole in a Main Street driveway.
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is hosting Enter Stage Left Theater’s production of “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone” on Friday.
Town meetings tonight include the School Committee (6:30).
Photo of the Day
Turkeys strut their stuff in the Legacy Farms North neighborhood.
PHOTO/SMITA RAJ
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