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.

Hopkinton’s municipal aggregation plan gets approval from state officials

Logo for Hopkinton Power Choice, the town’s proposed municipal aggregation plan.

In a brief update Tuesday night, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus informed the Select Board that the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) had approved Hopkinton’s municipal aggregation plan.

The plan now will move to a bidding stage to find an energy supplier, Lazarus said. She explained that process would begin this month and she has “some meetings scheduled to move that project forward.”

This approved municipal aggregation program allows the town, rather than individual customers, to purchase electricity from a supplier. Known as Hopkinton Power Choice, the plan fixes electricity prices under a long-term contract (typically one to three years).

According to proponents of the program, it would offer access to a wider range of electric plans, cleaner energy sources and price stability.

Although the town first voted for an aggregation plan over a decade ago, it stalled due to pricing concerns. The process picked up again last year, culminating in a public presentation in August and a hearing in front of the DPU this past January.

Latest News

Issues with outbreak reporting at Hopkinton Public Schools has prompted a response from the Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Frederick Taylor, 77, a Hopkinton native and longtime resident, passed away on March 2.

The Hopkinton Trails Club will hold its next monthly meeting on March 12 at the Hopkinton Public Library.

Town meetings tonight include the Superintendent Search Screening Committee (5) and the Hopkinton Marathon Committee (6:30).

Photo of the Day

Two coyotes check out the area behind a home in Woodville on a recent day.

PHOTO/ED HARROW