The town shared an update on the Main Street Corridor project on March 10, indicating that construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021.

The project is scheduled to go out to bid later this spring, with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) selecting a contractor in the fall or winter.

There had been talk of a ceremonial groundbreaking immediately after this April’s Boston Marathon, but with the race getting postponed to September, it’s not yet clear how the town will proceed.

Select Board member Brian Herr noted that with most companies — including construction and engineering firms — slowing down due to the coronavirus outbreak, it could create some delays. But he remained optimistic that a ceremony could take place following the Sept. 14 Marathon.

“It’s still the hope that we’ll get the groundbreaking physically done — we’ll stick a shovel in the ground,” Herr said. “But it’s also going to coincide with when we’re ready to award bids and things like that. We do see it all slowing down and we’re going to adjust as we need to.”

School bus fees to increase

At its March 12 meeting, the School Committee agreed to increase the bus transportation fees for Grades 7-12 to $200 per student, with a $400 family cap. The fees had been $155 for individuals with a $310 family cap. Fees must be paid before May 1. A late fee of $80 will be added to fees paid after May 1 and through June 30.

Making these changes, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh said, “will allow us to bear a small fraction of the burden of the growing education budget on the shoulders of those who are using the transportation services and not on our town citizens in general.”

Meanwhile, Hopkinton Public Schools announced that the school bus application period for the 2020-21 school year is open. The deadline for fee-based busing is May 1.

For full information on school busing for the next school year, visit the HPS website (hopkinton.k12.ma.us) and navigate to the Transportation page (via the District Departments header at the top of the website).

Eagle Scout Kaushik recognized

Aditya Kaushik poses with his parents, Meena Kaushik (left) and Sundar Sivaraman, at the March 10 Select Board meeting, where he was recognized for his Eagle Scout project.
PHOTO/CHRISTINE STRICKLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

At its March 10 meeting, the Select Board honored Aditya Kaushik for becoming an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, Kaushik partnered with Hopkinton Area Land Trust to help create a trail at the Ora Cheney Conservation Area — land the town owns in the Bear Hill district of town (near Elizabeth Road). The trail is named for former HALT director Dave Goldman.

In addition to creating the trail, Kaushik and his fellow volunteers removed trash — two dumpsters’ worth, Kaushik recalled — and installed three benches.

“I’m glad with how the project turned out,” Kaushik said. “I know a lot of people are using the trail now, and that really makes me glad because of all the hard work I put in, and it’s getting good use.” …

Hopkinton Women’s Club representatives (from left) Marie Smith and Nancy Tarsi receive a certificate of appreciation from Select Board members John Coutinho, Brendan Tedstone, Brian Herr and Mary Jo LaFreniere.
PHOTO/CHRISTINE STRICKLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

The Hopkinton Women’s Club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, also was recognized at the Select Board’s March 10 meeting.

The Hopkinton Women’s Club was founded in 1920. The group is best known for its Meet the Candidates night, when the organizations host local election candidates for a Q&A, the publication and distribution of the annual Hopkinton Community Register and Telephone Directory, and the numerous scholarships and awards it provides.

Town orders unlicensed take-out to stop

The town’s Health Department sent a letter to the owners of a Locust Street home (in the Legacy Farms development) ordering them to cease operating an unpermitted take-out food service establishment.

According to the letter, the Health Department received an anonymous complaint about the establishment and was provided a copy of the menu with ordering and pickup procedures.
“Absent the proper permitting and licensure, you are hereby ordered to cease and desist all take-out food service operations from this residence,” the letter stated.

The letter closed by asking for a written response indicating that all unpermitted food service operations at the address had ceased.