Hopkinton Today: Thursday, March 11

by Jerry Spar | Mar 11, 2021 | Hopkinton Today

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 video or two to brighten your morning.

An email Wednesday from Hopkinton High School principal Evan Bishop to HHS families indicated three members of the HHS community tested positive for COVID-19. This comes on the heels of an email Tuesday noting there were two cases. The run on cases comes as the district discusses reopening plans. Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updated its guidelines, requiring elementary schools in the state to open full-time by April 5 and middle schools by April 28. A date for high school reopening is to be announced in April.

The Conservation Commission at its meeting on Tuesday voiced support for Grasshopper Energy to start clearing a limited number of trees as part of its plan to construct a 2.4 megawatt solar array off Wilson Street, but held off on approving larger pieces to the project until more information has been obtained.

There are times when Hopkinton’s Jimmy Hervol might feel like he is a world away from the PGA Tour. The 2015 HHS graduate is competing on the mini-tour known as Minor League Golf. The payouts are in the hundreds or, on a good week, in the thousands of dollars. But then there are times when Hervol knows he can play with anyone in the world. One of those times occurred in a tournament in late January as Hervol fired a 60.

Cross-country skiing has seen a boost in popularity during the pandemic, for obvious reasons. It’s an outdoor sport that naturally lends itself to social distancing. For Hopkinton Parks & Recreation, that made it a perfect addition to its lineup of winter programs. The recently concluded cross-country skiing program in town was a big hit — and would have been even bigger had more people been able to find equipment to rent.

Town meetings tonight include the Appropriation Committee (6), School Committee (7) and Historic District Commission (7).

Photo of the Day: Attending Wednesday’s grand reopening ceremony for The Spoon, the popular diner on Lumber Street that is welcoming customers again after a two-month hiatus, were (from left) town manager Norman Khumalo, Select Board members Amy Ritterbusch and Mary Jo LaFreniere, Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce president Cristina Morrissiey, restaurant owner Sam Prescott and her mother/business partner, Mary Prescott, Hopkinton Police Officer Molly McGaffigan, Select Board member Irfan Nasrullah and Chamber of Commerce representatives Amanda Faucher, Paul Ostrander and Bryan Brown.