At its meeting Thursday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed updates regarding Town Meeting, the Fruit Street fields, the dog park, summer programming and property requests.

At Town Meeting on Tuesday, the Fruit Street turf field replacement project (Article 28) passed 168-7 by standing count vote. “This is going to start to really move rapidly,” Parks & Recreation Director Jay Guelfi said of the project. Guelfi reported that three project bids have been received, two of which were under the department’s budgeted number.

Commission Chair Dan Terry noted that the May 16 Town Election is “one last hurdle” for the project, as the funding request will be on the ballot. “People who use the fields need to get out and vote that day,” Terry said. “Hopefully it’ll be one more reason for people to get out and vote.”

All Community Preservation Committee requests were approved at Town Meeting, Guelfi noted, which means projects like new pickleball courts are set to move forward.

Property requests approved

The commission approved a request from the Hopkinton Veterans to use the Town Common on May 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Memorial Day ceremony. The commission also approved a request from the Hopkinton Cultural Council to use the Town Common on Oct. 29 for a fall community jack-o’-lantern display.

Additional updates shared

Guelfi reported that the department is in the process of hiring 70-100 people for its summer staff and clinics. Registrations and revenue are approximately 25 percent ahead of 2019’s pace. “Things are back to normal,” Guelfi said. “It’s going to be a busy summer between programs and projects.”

Hopkinton High School student Rohan Preis presented his senior project to the commission. Preis, who teaches youth tennis, is organizing a fundraiser to refurbish the Reed Park tennis courts, which he noted are in need of professional cleaning and repair. His goal is to raise $1,000 through a GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/1c9ae89b. Guelfi noted that the department has funds that may be used to supplement the project as needed …

The dog park gazebo has been delivered and will be installed next week. The park also will receive upgrades to its water system.