MassDOT in Hopkinton Oct. 30 to discuss I-495/I-90 interchange

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host a meeting at the Marathon Elementary School cafeteria on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss the I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project.

The purpose of the meeting, conducted by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), is to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) filed by MassDOT for this project. Written comments are due to the EOEEA by Dec. 6, 2019. Written comments should be sent to Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Attn: Page Czepiga, Assistant Director, MEPA Office, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 or page.czepiga@state.ma.us referencing this project with the designation EEA#15334.

The I-495/I-90 interchange serves as a major crossroads for commuter traffic and is used by nearly half of freight trucking entering Massachusetts. MassDOT’s conversion to all-electronic, open-road tolling allows the agency to make safety and operational improvements to the interchange, which will enhance commerce and facilitate economic growth locally and regionally.

Greyhound Friends open house Nov. 3

As it prepares to reopen, Greyhound Friends will hold an open house on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at its facility at 167 Saddle Hill Road. The event is open to all.

“Greyhound Friends is relaunching its work in greyhound adoption and advocacy,” said  board president Caryn-Amy Rose. “Our adopters, volunteers and friends have been eager to see us reopen our adoption kennel, and we are excited to welcome everyone back. We hope to see many of our Hopkinton neighbors stop by. Whether they are ‘greyhound people’ or not, we are eager to meet them and demonstrate who we are and what we can do for the dogs who will soon pass through our doors on their way to loving homes.”

Added kennel and operations manager Theresa Shepard: “We are planning a fun and full day for our visitors on November 3, whether they are coming to see us for the first time or returning as old friends. Our kennel building has been updated to reflect the most current practices and standards, and we will give tours throughout the day. There will be refreshments available, as well as music, activities, and our customary remembrance ceremony for adopters to honor their pets no longer with us since our last gathering.”

For more information, visit greyhound.org.

Growth Study Committee workshop Nov. 20

The Hopkinton Growth Study Committee will hold a workshop on Nov. 20 at the Hopkinton High School cafeteria. The public is invited to see what the Growth Study Committee has been up to this fall, ask questions and share ideas. The committee will share what the data is indicating, as well as five common myths about growth in town. For more information, visit hopkintonma.gov/gsc or email chair Amy Ritterbusch at growthstudychair@hopkintonma.gov.

ZAC public forum moved to Nov. 7

The Zoning Advisory Committee has scheduled a public forum for Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in Room 215/216 at Town Hall. The purpose of this forum (which was originally scheduled for Oct. 21) is to hear ideas and proposals for desired changes to the zoning bylaw and/or the zoning map. Zoning bylaws generally regulate the use of land, buildings and structures. This is an opportunity to propose changes to the land uses permitted in specific areas in Hopkinton, the manner in which certain uses are permitted, dimensional requirements, or other ideas with respect to land use regulation. The committee invites residents, businesses, town board/committee and organization representatives to the forum to present ideas and suggestions. Proposals may also be submitted in writing prior to the forum to John Gelcich, principal planner (jgelcich@hopkintonma.gov).

Veterans Day events planned

The annual Hopkinton Veterans Day ceremony will he held on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Hopkinton Senior Center. The Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. for the event.

That evening, the annual Hopkinton Veterans Dinner, sponsored by the Hopkinton Veterans Celebration Committee, will he held at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club.

Town conducts smoke testing of sewers

In order to improve the sewer service in the area, the town has contracted Weston & Sampson to conduct smoke testing of the sanitary sewers Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the months of October and November.

During the test, white smoke is introduced to the sanitary sewer system via a smoke-generating machine. During this procedure, white smoke will be venting from holes in manhole covers located in the street and from plumbing vent pipes located on or near the roof surface of buildings. This is normal and should not cause alarm.

Smoke should not enter any premises unless there is a dry trap in an unused fixture or a defect in the building’s plumbing. Residents may wish to pour two gallons of water down any basement floor drains or unused plumbing fixtures to ensure that the drain trap will be effective.

Should smoke be detected within a home or building, do not be alarmed. The smoke is non-toxic and non-staining and dissipates quickly through open windows. Anyone with a lung ailment or respiratory condition such as asthma or emphysema should stay away from the smoke. Any smoke within a building should be immediately reported to the Fire Department at 911 and the persons conducting the tests.

Because the smoke is capable of causing irritation, the town and the testing company are seeking to identify locations of residents with related health conditions. Anyone with a lung ailment should contact Weston & Sampson at 508-293-1074 and leave a message with their information, or call the Hopkinton DPW at 508-497-9740.

Residents are not required to be at home during the smoke testing. If there is a pet home, precautions should be taken to ventilate the area where the pet will be.

Senior Center seeks outreach coordinator

The Town of Hopkinton is seeking a 30-hour outreach coordinator for its Senior Center.

Under the direction of the Senior Services director, the outreach coordinator will perform professional and administrative work in communicating the exciting programs and services of the flourishing Senior Center to meet the needs of and enhance the quality of life of the town’s beloved senior population and more. The outreach coordinator performs caring home visits to the seniors of Hopkinton in order to assess needs and communicate programs. This position also schedules rides for medical appointments and regularly interacts with staff, other town departments, government and agencies, as required.

For more information, visit the Human Resources Department at Town Hall, log on to hopkintonma.gov or email hr@hopkintonma.gov. Application deadline is Nov. 11.