At Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Town Manager Norman Khumalo reported that Hopkinton is applying for a grant to help defray the costs associated with the PFAS water treatment plan.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) PFAS6 interim response grant program is designed to reimburse impacted public water systems for costs and expenses already incurred in immediately responding to a discovery of PFAS6 contamination in the drinking water supply prior to implementing a long-term treatment plan, Khumalo explained.

Khumalo noted that 105 customers have applied for assistance under the town’s PFAS water rebate program, which reimburses individuals in the sensitive subgroups (those advised not to consume the water) for bottled water purchases.

An article for the design and installation of a filtration system at Well 6 to reduce the level of PFAS in the water entering the system to a level below the state’s maximum contaminant level will be submitted for consideration at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting.

Timlin Event OK’d pending COVID guidelines

The board approved a parade permit for the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K on June 18. After two years as a virtual event, the race is scheduled to be held in person this spring.

Race director Rich Kennedy said the organizers will err on the side of safety and can wait until six weeks before the race before making a final decision on whether or not to keep it live.

The permit was approved subject to guidance from the state’s Department of Public Health.

Trail signs approved

Trails advocate Peter LaGoy asked for permission to place signs in the right of way of Hayden Rowe Street encouraging residents to attend town meetings about the proposed Upper Charles Trail extension. LaGoy is pushing an alternative proposal to the one suggested by the town’s Upper Charles Trail Committee.

“[The signs will go] on Hayden Rowe where the conceptual plan shows proposed crossings and where the route goes along the roadway,” LaGoy explained.

After some discussion, the board unanimously approved the request, limiting it to 15 signs, each no bigger than 18×24 inches, only to be installed for one week at a time and to be removed for snow plowing and for the Boston Marathon.

Appointments confirmed

In conjunction with the Housing Authority, the board voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Tobin to fill its vacant seat. The term expires June 30, 2026.

In conjunction with the Cemetery Commission, the board voted unanimously to appoint Linda Kimball to fill the vacant seat on the commission, expiring at the 2022 Annual Town Election.

Michael Riley was appointed to the Board of Appeals to a term expiring this July 1, and Beth Malloy was appointed constable to a term expiring at the 2022 Annual Town Election.

The board confirmed the town manager’s appointment of two new town employees. Dawn Duplessis will be the administrative assistant for Senior Services, and Cassandra Bigness is the Drug Free Communities Coalition coordinator for Youth and Family Services.