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.

Town leaders provide input on charter revisions ahead of STM

FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday heard from members of several town boards and committees regarding charter revisions it plans to propose to voters at Annual Town Meeting in May. Residents will have a chance to hear the proposals during Special Town Meeting on Oct. 26.

An early item that drew significant discussion was changing the way the town manager handles the appointment of employees across all departments. Currently, the Select Board affirms all new hires regardless of level. The CRC is proposing a change that would allow the town manager to handle all appointments except director-level positions.

Chair Connor Degan, also the town clerk, said that there have been previous issues with employees who weren’t able to start or left in the middle of the hiring process because they took a job elsewhere. By shifting this authority, he explained, the hope was to speed up and streamline the hiring process.

While Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch voiced support for the change, chair Shahidul Mannan was opposed.

“I want to see the data and the rationale for this,” Mannan said, stressing that the Select Board’s job is to oversee the town’s budget and manage expenses. Planning Board member Brian Johnson also asked about what data was driving the decision.

Degan said the committee had asked the town’s Human Resources Department and learned there was no hard data to back up the suggestion, only “specific incidents.”  He also countered that the Select Board has to approve any job listing, and that, in recent history, the affirmation process has “effectively been a rubber stamp in practice.”

A proposal to shift the town clerk from an elected position to being appointed also drew discussion from attendees. CRC vice chair Peter Mimmo advised the change could help the town find a skilled person to fill the role outside its geographic boundaries but acknowledged the value of the role staying in town.

“I believe the town clerk should answer to the people,” said Board of Health vice chair Mary Jo Ondrechen, who stood against the proposal.

“Issues of election integrity have arisen, and we have confidence in the town clerk we’ve elected,” she continued. “I would like to continue to see this position elected by voters.”

Select Board vice chair Matt Kizner said he liked the “optionality” of the change but sided with keeping the position elected. He noted that the town clerk often is new residents’ “first point of introduction to the apparatus of the town.”

Added Kizner: “We talk a lot about preserving the community of Hopkinton, the character of Hopkinton. What does that philosophically mean? I think it philosophically means the first time you roll into town looking for help, the first person you meet is your neighbor.”

Other charter revisions discussed at the meeting included shifts in membership for both the Community Preservation Committee and Cemetery Commission, updates to the town’s recall provisions, formalizing the town manager’s role in supporting board-appointed directors and general housekeeping items.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Conservation Commission on Tuesday heard from administrators of the Charleswood School project regarding stormwater issues found at the site following a weekend storm.

Power interruptions at the Ashland water treatment plant could cause water discoloration for residents on the east side of Hopkinton, according to the Water-Sewer Department.

Hopkinton High School girls cross country coach Jean Cann said she hopes the team can find a love of running despite challenges this season.

This week’s Police Log features two arrests, along with reports of a dog dragging a dog walker, a truck doing donuts in a school parking lot and a branch falling on a car.

The latest Arts Residency highlights Josée Vachon, a musician who has reached international audiences while representing the Franco-American community of New England.

MassDOT has announced a 24-hour ramp closure at the I-90/I-495 Interchange in Hopkinton starting Friday night.

Town meetings tonight include the Open Space Preservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Crews work to free a tractor-trailer from underneath the rail bridge just over the Hopkinton line in Southborough on Tuesday.

PHOTO/PHYLLIS DOIG