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.

Select Board votes to allow Horribles Parade permit, deny town sponsorship

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Horribles Parade has its permit but not insurance coverage from the town following a hearing in front of the Select Board on Tuesday night.

The board unanimously voted to approve the parade permit but was split 3-2 on a separate motion to have the town sponsor the parade, allowing it to use the town’s insurance. An addendum on the permit motion conditioned approval as long as the organizers found liability insurance elsewhere.

The Horribles Parade is a July 4 tradition in Hopkinton going back over 100 years. The parade traditionally involves floats intended to satirize politicians and other public figures. In recent years, critics have characterized it as a “partisan” event that inflames divisions in town.

While board members were supportive of the Horribles Parade and mindful of protecting the free expression of participants, there were concerns regarding the town’s liability and the lack of input the town would have as a co-sponsor.

“You’re coming to us asking for our co-sponsorship but it doesn’t seem as though you’re asking for our feedback and engagement in what the event should look like, who should be there, how it should be put on,” said member Matt Kizner.

Members Amy Ritterbusch and Shahidul Mannan also were skeptical of the sponsorship request. Mannan pointed to “budget restraints” and the affordability of potential insurance claims if the board were to do this for the 16 parades it approved last year.

“There is precedent here, folks,” said member Brian Herr, in opposition to other board members’ comments. “I think here in Hopkinton we should maintain and press ahead.”

“We’re residents who want to keep a tradition going,” said Dan McIntyre, who appeared alongside Ken Weismantel to ask for the permit and the sponsorship. Both men are involved with organizing this year’s Horribles Parade with the Hopkinton Republican Town Committee

They claimed the town has covered the parade’s insurance for the last 10-15 years through sponsorship with the Parks & Recreation Department. However, the Parks & Rec Commission delayed that sponsorship this year, citing a desire to get feedback from the Select Board first.

During the course of the discussion, members floated the idea of developing a parade committee to get “more involvement from all parties.”

“We’re trying to make this a town parade,” said McIntyre. “If we can get more people involved over the year … that would be great.”

Latest News

Due to pending feedback regarding a potential stormwater runoff issue, the Planning Board on Monday opted to continue a minor site plan review for the UniBank/Starbucks parking lot 85-89 West Main Street.

Two Hopkinton brothers are training to become youth badminton stars, gearing up to compete at the top level in national and international play.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on boys volleyball junior Felix Dieckmann, an exchange student from Germany who recorded over 100 kills for the Hillers in their first varsity season.

This week’s Senior Snippets features information on a request for variety show volunteers, a hiking group and language classes.

Town meetings tonight include the Elementary School Building Committee (6) and Trails Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

The Hopkinton Community Summer Band conducts its first practice of the season Tuesday evening at Hopkinton High School. The volunteer band, under the direction of Hopkinton Public Schools music director Craig Hay, will perform July 27 at the Town Common as part of the Parks & Rec Concerts on the Common series.

PHOTO/JOHN RITZ