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.

Parks & Rec to wait for Select Board approval on annual Horribles Parade

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

On Tuesday night, chair Dan Terry clarified the Parks & Recreation Commission’s position on the Hopkinton Republican Town Committee’s request for sponsorship of this year’s Horribles Parade.

“We’ve decided to wait until the Select Board approves it,” said Terry.

His clarification came during the public comment portion of the Parks & Rec meeting. Resident Beth Malloy spoke in opposition to the parade and questioned why the Parks & Rec Department was being considered as a sponsor for the event.

“I don’t understand why Parks & Rec would loan their insurance to a political party,” said Malloy. She went on to detail how last year’s Horribles Parade, in her opinion, had been “lame and really sad” and did more to divide the town than bring it together.

Views of the parade continue to be divided. HRTC chair Jim Mirabile said in a previous meeting with the Parks & Rec Commission that he had received only positive feedback from last year’s event.

The HRTC went to Parks & Rec in March to request sponsorship of the annual parade. The committee resurrected the event last year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the former organizers declining to continue running it. At that meeting, the commission directed the HRTC to get approval from the Select Board first before it offered sponsorship.

Responding to Malloy’s comments, Terry said that if “the Select Board thinks that they need us to be involved so that the town is protected insurance-wise, I would vote to recommend it.”

However, he expressed concern over why both the Select Board and Parks & Rec needed to give their approvals, given the parade doesn’t rent the Town Common nor relies on any other Parks & Rec property.

“I don’t see any reason why the Select Board couldn’t OK the whole permit,” said Terry.

Latest News

The Planning Board voted Monday night to remove an article from the May 5 Annual Town Meeting warrant intended to rezone a parcel of land on South Street from residential lakefront to business.

Alex Brito looks to “gather miles for those who have fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy” as he runs the Boston Marathon in support of Hopkinton’s Veterans Celebration Committee.

Our latest Business Profile highlights the many classes Hopkinton Center for the Arts has lined up for its summer programming.

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host its next guided walk on the trails around Legacy Farms South this Saturday.

Town meetings tonight include an Appropriation Committee public hearing (5) and the School Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Volunteers gathered at Sandy Beach on Saturday for the annual spring cleanup event hosted by the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO