The Select Board on Tuesday night heard from Department of Public Works Director Kerry Reed about the need for residents to take water conservation seriously, as the demand during the recent heatwave severely strained the town’s wells.

Reed noted that while the state has downgraded the drought status, the town’s water restrictions still are in effect because “the wells continue to have issues catching up and keeping up with the demand.”

While this is not unusual for communities during the summer, Reed said the demand during last week’s heatwave surged to 1.7 million gallons per day (MGD) at its peak, which is close to double the amount of the average town usage per day.

Stressed Reed: “We are reemphasizing that the current water restrictions include no lawn watering and no nonessential use.”

While the restriction only applies to residents on the municipal water system, she also encouraged well users to be conscientious about their water usage.

Status of MWRA plan outlined

Reed also updated the board about the status of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) connection project. To move the project forward, an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) with Southborough needs to be negotiated, Reed explained. The town is planning to connect to the MWRA system via Southborough, which in turn needs to upgrade its facilities. The IMA will need to be finalized before the final design phase can move forward.

Town staff met on May 30 with the Southborough Select Board chair and some of that town’s staff members to discuss the IMA, she added.

On June 25, Reed attended the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (WSAB) meeting, where a consultant explained the steps to complete before an application can proceed to the MWRA. The project must obtain multiple permits from state agencies. The consultant reached out to Reed on June 27 to inform her that he requested a joint scoping session with the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office to advance the permitting process.

In addition, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus on June 3 sent a letter to the state’s Office of Water Resources to request a water needs forecast.

An updated alternative analysis also is on tap, Reed said, as well as determining the location of the town’s new pump station.

Said Reed: “That will answer a lot of the questions the state agencies may have and that the public may have.”

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan asked about the current water volume estimate the town is requesting from the MWRA. Reed said the number being floated is 2.7 MGD. The town will work with state agencies to finalize it.

Chair Joe Clark said the discussion about the number has “gone back and forth” for months. He asked if the town needed to agree on the 2.7 MGD number now in order for the permitting process to move forward. Reed recommended the 2.7 MGD number, while the WSAB has discussed a lesser number as well as buying more water from Ashland.

Said Reed: “Why would we limit ourselves with our initial ask?”

“I think this board’s focus this year is moving this project along,” stressed Clark, adding that the number is a starting point for discussion.

Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore noted that John Gelcich, the town’s newly appointed director of the Land Use, Planning and Permitting Department, is working on an evaluation of the town’s future water needs. He is scheduled to present his findings at the next Select Board meeting on Aug. 5.

Reed stressed that the MWRA will charge Hopkinton only for the amount of water it uses. But the infrastructure needs to be in place, the consultant said, whether the town gets “one drop” or its total water supply from the MWRA.

Gelcich’s new title approved

Earlier in the meeting, Gelcich was confirmed as the director of the Land Use, Planning and Permitting Department. He has been serving as interim director for several months and has worked as the town’s principal planner since 2019.

Said Lazarus: “In these roles, he has led complex permitting processes, facilitated inclusive public engagement and managed both long-range planning and day-to-day departmental operations with professionalism and skill.”

Committee appointments OK’d

The Select Board approved in a 4-0 vote the appointment of residents to several of the town’s committees. There were no contested appointments, as most of the applicants were requesting reappointment.

Patrick McGowan was a new appointee to the Council on Aging, while Aditya Singh was appointed to the WSAB. Harini Jeyaraman is converting her current role as a high school representative on the Youth Commission to a three-year term as a full member.

Andrew Proos will join the Trails Committee. He attended the meeting along with current members David Freed and Jack Buckley to affirm their commitment to their roles.

Knoll Road RFP approved

DelPriore updated the board about 28 Knoll Road, a lot the town acquired about 12 years ago. Town Meeting approved it for disposition in 2013, he said. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund previously had identified it as having potential for development as a single-family affordable housing unit.

The town now has prepared a request for proposals (RFP) with town counsel, he added. DelPriore requested the board’s approval as well as permission to advertise the disposition.The board approved this in a 4-0 vote.

DelPriore added that he expected it to be purchased by a nonprofit organization.

Member Brian Herr noted that there are two similar properties that have devolved into “total disrepair.” He hoped to prevent this lot from becoming an eyesore. Herr said the other properties, located at Baker Lane and Oliver Lane, have been tied up with mortgage and foreclosure issues.

Lazarus said the deeds had conditions where the town and the state had to approve the mortgages. While the town and the state have signed settlement agreements that she hoped would allow those properties to keep their original affordable housing designation, she explained that the foreclosure process is slow and involves mortgage companies.