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.

Why do yard signs keep going missing?

Back in October, the Hopkinton Independent first reported on a rash of missing yard signs opposing the use variance request for a proposed gas station and country store at 290 West Main Street. After a brief investigation, it was confirmed that the town removed the signs, with officials claiming their placement violated town zoning bylaws.

Questions in that case remain. A records request submitted to the town regarding the zoning enforcement actions has yet to be fulfilled. In the meantime, yard signs continue to disappear from residents’ yards.

Over the weekend, residents reported to the Hopkinton Police Department that a number of political signs had been removed from yards on Front Street, Main Street and North Mill Street. According to the HPD incident log, a vehicle was spotted taking signs from multiple properties on Front Street.

In an email to the Independent, building inspector Christopher McWhite stated that these most recent incidents were not actions undertaken by his office.

“No removal of signs was reported to me by any member of this department in the month of November,” McWhite stated.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Massachusetts residents “have the right to display signs in their yards or on their other personal property so long as the signs meet reasonable requirements adopted by local government that relate to public safety.” Sign stealing remains a punishable offense in all 50 states.

This most recent disappearance of political signs coincided with the run-up to Tuesday’s national and state elections. Whether the signs were removed by bad actors remains unclear.

Signs removed during zoning enforcement actions undertaken by the Building Inspector’s office in October were stored behind the shed at Town Hall. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Latest News

Documents obtained from Milford District Court lay out the case against Hopkinton Middle School custodian Benjamin Hogan, who was arraigned earlier this week on charges related to possession of child pornography.

Persistent drought conditions have led to the Fire Department banning outdoor burning. The town also is pulling water deeper from its wells, affecting water quality.

Starting off the postseason strong, Hopkinton High School girls soccer routed Shrewsbury on Tuesday night, and we have photos.

This week’s Police Log features two arrests, along with reports of multiple yard signs being stolen, a small brush fire and cars passing school buses on Hayden Rowe Street.

Evening ramp closures at the Interstate 495 southbound/Interstate 90 interchange continue tonight into Friday morning.

Town meetings tonight include the Open Space Preservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

The surface of Lake Whitehall is almost as smooth as glass. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO