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.

Five-year grant aimed at preventing youth substance use

Hopkinton High School juniors and HOP Youth members Kashvi Gupta (left) and Audrey Evans plant flags in the grass island at Town Common in August to commemorate lives lost due to substance abuse. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD

Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention has been awarded a $625,000 grant from the federal government to continue supporting its staffing and programming over the next five years.

The funding comes from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The money will be disbursed yearly at $125,000 for the next five years. HOP’s drug free communities coordinator, Erin Bartolini, said the funding is from the same grant program the organization accessed in its first five-year cycle.

“The goal is for this to be a 10-year program, and with this grant, it will be,” said Bartolini.

She characterized the money as “essential funding” that will allow HOP to continue offering its same programs and services. These include its peer vaping program at the middle school, opioid and Narcan training at Hopkinton High School and continuing its youth advocacy and leadership programs.

In the new grant cycle, Bartolini said HOP aims to start developing a “social norms” program that will take data about substance misuse and focus on the positives. The organization also hopes to develop a program with its youth coalition to show the wider community what youth are seeing and experiencing. She said that it likely would be some sort of photo campaign.

Bartolini added that included in the grant was a proposal to educate the community on the risks of marijuana use in youth and its effects on brain development.

As part of the grant, HOP must meet certain reporting requirements and update ONDCP and CDC on its progress. Bartolini said the main focus is progress over time and reviewing the benchmarks the organization lined out in its grant application across all substances.

“We’re thrilled that we were recognized for our effort and continuing to get funding,” said Bartolini. “What we’re doing seems to be working, and it’s nice to be recognized for our efforts.”

She noted that HOP is looking to continue growing its youth coalition and partnerships out in the community. Bartolini also stressed that the organization’s work takes effort.

“Prevention takes time, and it takes the entire community to really show improvement,” Bartolini said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Officials are investigating Golden Pond Assisted Living following the death of a resident last week, with local agencies identifying heating issues in the building.

The Select Board on Tuesday discussed a proposed drone delivery hub in Westborough after hearing “tremendous inquiries” from Hopkinton residents who oppose the plan.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Select Board voted to adopt a budget message for fiscal year 2028 that could result in a $5.7 million deficit if significant cuts are not made.

The Select Board voted to have the town move forward with developing an economic development director position on Tuesday after hearing an economic plan developed by MAPC and other town partners.

A Hopkinton man was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon following a two-car crash on Revolutionary Way Sunday.

This week’s Police Log features three arrests, along with reports of protesters on the Fruit Street bridge, a lost laptop and an individual collecting mussels.

Town meetings tonight include the Commission on Disability (7).

Photo of the Day

Members of the Commission on Disability, including Jennifer O’Neil (back left), Pamela Loch (back middle), vice chair Amy Ritterbusch (front left) and chair Nancy “Punky” Drawe (front right), pose for a photo Wednesday on the Hopkinton Public Library ramp with library interim co-assistant director Danielle Wolber (back right). Hand railings on the ramp recently were installed thanks to funds the commission helped secure with help from state officials.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD