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.

Health Department prepares to control mosquito, tick populations ahead of warmer months

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Health Director Shaun McAuliffe informed the Board of Health on Monday night that his department already has begun planning for tick and mosquito season.

“Now that it’s over 40 degrees, we’re going to see an increase in tick activity,” McAuliffe said. He noted that outside of the COVID-19 pandemic and the normal flu season, insect-borne illnesses are the leading cause of disease in town.

McAuliffe told the board that the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) would be starting up its larval control program. Part of the program involves helicopters dropping “organic fungal pellets” that help eradicate mosquito larva from targeted areas. According to McAuliffe, target areas in Hopkinton include a variety of stagnant ponds, Saddle Hill and Cedar Swamp.

The Health Department has worked closely with the CMMCP in the past to help control mosquito populations in town. The nonprofit sprayed larvicide across town last year during a surge in West Nile virus. Continued effort through the summer and fall of 2024 made Hopkinton a “low-risk” mosquito area.

McAuliffe hopes for similar results from last year.

“[The CMMCP] will broadcast larvicide throughout the spring and summer so we have a greater chance of keeping our mosquito counts low, and we won’t have any interruptions in summer sports or spring sports,” he said.

Latest News

The Parks & Recreation Commission decided on Thursday that it would postpone making a decision on sponsorship of the annual July 4 Horribles Parade until the event received sign-off by the Select Board.

Bill Hamilton’s latest installment of Tales from a Townie tells the story of a porch rocker he got from his grandmother and the 80-year history it had with his family.

This week’s Real Estate Transactions list shows two homes sold, including one for just under $2 million.

The latest Professional Insights from Edward Jones financial advisor Mark Freeman discusses strategies for women caregivers to improve their financial outlooks, especially as they reach retirement age.

The local Knights of Columbus council’s annual Food for Families drive, which benefits the Hopkinton Food Pantry at Project Just Because, begins Saturday and runs through April 6.

Town meetings tonight include the Select Board (6) and the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (6:15).

Photo of the Day

People dig through tables of clothes for young children at the HopSwap community tag sale on Saturday. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO