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.

Clark: Loop Road capital expense not going before residents ‘doesn’t feel right’

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

The Select Board has called for a Special Town Meeting the same day as Annual Town Meeting in the hopes of voting on a repair project for Loop Road.

Loop Road, described by School Committee chair Kyla McSweeney as a driveway to Hopkins School, is in need of repair. In February, the committee approved a change order not to exceed an estimated $1.8 million to repave a larger area of the road at Hopkins and replace existing sidewalks. The change order would be part of the ongoing Hopkins School renovation project.

The School Committee’s decision to fund the road improvements via change order has ruffled some feathers. During a joint meeting, members of the Select Board expressed concerns that a project with such a high sticker price was not being put in front of residents for a vote.

Board member Matt Kizner remarked during the meeting that the School Committee’s approach did not adhere to the normal process of approving and validating capital expenses at Annual Town Meeting.

“I’m incredibly concerned that this looks like a circumvention of that process,” Kizner remarked at the March 26 meeting.

School Committee members have since reaffirmed their decision, citing concerns about delays. As well, they claimed that the paving of Loop Road has been discussed as part of the Hopkins project if money was available and that it falls under the project’s scope.

“The School Committee can do what it voted [on] or can choose to go to Town Meeting,” Town Manager Elaine Lazarus said regarding the Special Town Meeting. “Both options are legal.”

Select Board chair Joe Clark added that there are no questions about the legal aspect of the Loop Road issue, but at a time where the town is “under tremendous financial pressure,” he believed residents should have a say.

“When you have what I’d consider a large expense not going in front of the people … that just doesn’t feel right,” said Clark.

He added that he personally is not opposed to the paving project, but he would prefer the option be available to residents.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

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This week’s Real Estate Transactions list shows four homes sold, including one for $1.8 million.

The latest Professional Insights from Kim Foemmel of Foemmel Fine Homes highlights the benefits a splash of color can have on making a home appeal to buyers.

This week’s Library Corner features information on quilting programs for children and adults, a session on Medicare planning and a performance of songs of the American Revolution.

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host its next monthly walk at Cameron Woods on Saturday.

Town meetings tonight include the Capital Improvement Committee (5), Select Board (6), Conservation Commission (7), Historical Commission (7) and Economic Development Advisory Board (7).

Photo of the Day

Volunteers collect goods at Saturday’s Recycling & Reuse Day at Marathon School. The event was organized by the Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee in conjunction with Green Team, Eversource and the Town of Ashland.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO