Hopkinton Today: Thursday, Oct. 22

by Jerry Spar | Oct 22, 2020 | Hopkinton Today, Z-Lead Image Front Page

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.

The Select Board discussed the Metropolitan Area Planning Council pledge to address systemic racism at Tuesday night’s meeting following a request from residents that the town sign on to it. However, concerns were raised about some of the wording and how it might lead to legal issues if Hopkinton were to adopt the pledge.

Also at the Select Board meeting, members discussed possible changes or clarifications to its policies, most notably the public comment portion, following the August controversy when anonymous commenters were allowed to criticize a Planning Board member.

At Tuesday night’s Conservation Commission meeting, the commission unanimously ruled that a Lumber Street couple who had two forestry cutting plans approved by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation could not remove trees to access one of the desired parcels of land without an approved notice of intent, thus putting the project on hold.

Hopkinton High School reported another COVID-19 positive case, with the principal indicating that affected families have been notified and learning would continue as usual for everyone else.

The town’s latest COVID-19 update has information on housing assistance, Halloween and a mental health initiative.

Photo of the Day: Election volunteers Linda Di Bona (left) and Colleen Charleston watch as a voter fills out a ballot during early in-person voting at the Senior Center on Wednesday.