As Hopkinton Police Sgt. Tim Brennan prepares to appear before the Select Board for a Loudermill hearing on his potential termination, Local 254, the Police/Fire Dispatchers Union, submitted a letter to the Select Board urging members to take Brennan's "superlative...
Hopkinton Select Board
UPDATE: Fate of Sgt. Brennan, implicated in Porter case, to be determined at rescheduled meeting Friday
The fate of Hopkinton Police Sgt. Tim Brennan, who has been linked to a criminal court case involving retired Deputy Chief John "Jay" Porter, will not be decided until Friday because Tuesday's Select Board hearing was rescheduled due to the overnight snowstorm. The...
Select Board Roundup: Greenhouse gas report presented; proposed change to town voting policy questioned
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night heard the Sustainable Green Committee’s annual year-end report, which showed that greenhouse gas emissions decreased slightly between 2017 and 2021 despite the town’s growing population and concerning temperature shifts....
Town experiences growing pains during leadership transition period
During the past year, Hopkinton has experienced the departure of several town leaders and the announcement of Town Manager Norman Khumalo’s retirement from municipal government to pursue a private sector position. Examples include the Department of Public Works and...
Recovered from last month’s stroke, Kramer yet to decide about reelection candidacy
In an interview after Tuesday's Select Board meeting, Select Board chair Muriel Kramer said she has fully recovered from a stroke she experienced last month and said she has not decided whether or not to run for reelection this May. On Dec. 10, Kramer announced that...
Select Board unanimously selects Daugherty as town’s fire chief
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night unanimously chose interim Fire Chief Gary Daugherty Jr. as the town’s permanent chief. Board members interviewed Daugherty and fellow finalist John W. Ignatowicz, the current acting fire chief in Pelham, New Hampshire, for...
Select Board set to interview finalists for fire chief position
The Select Board is expected to choose the town’s new fire chief after interviewing the two finalists at its meeting Tuesday night. Both candidates, interim Chief Gary T. Daugherty Jr. and John W. Ignatowicz, possess more than 25 years of firefighting experience and...
Select Board hears options for town buildings presented in facilities study
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night heard several options for the future repurposing of four key town-owned properties. To gain more insight into the best ways to use the buildings, the Select Board unanimously approved the issuance of requests for proposal...
Select Board roundup: Marathon invitational entries awarded, federal trademark requested for Marathon Committee slogan
The Select Board Tuesday night awarded invitational entries to the Boston Marathon from the Boston Athletic Association to town departments and nonprofits as a main focus of its two-hour meeting. It also discussed the need to register the Marathon Committee's...
Town addresses ‘fraudulent invoice’ from HopNews, media advertising policy
Select Board chair Muriel Kramer at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting addressed a fraudulent invoice sent by the owner of a local news blog. In an email to the Independent Tuesday evening, Town Manager Norman Khumalo stated that Peter Thomas, the owner and publisher of...
Domino’s Pizza considered for 70 Main Street location
At its meeting Tuesday, the Select Board will consider granting a common victualer's license for a Domino's pizza restaurant in downtown Hopkinton. Celal Fatih Gokdag of Waltham applied for the new license on Nov. 27. If approved, the establishment will operate from...
Select Board encourages residents to attend Monday’s STM early; Boston Marathon fundraising minimum debated
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night encouraged residents to arrive at Monday’s Special Town Meeting early, as attendance is expected to be high. Four articles will be voted on, with the one generating the most interest being Article 1 on the proposed...
Select Board welcomes new town staff members, recognizes volunteers
The Select Board confirmed newly appointed town staff members and recognized longtime volunteers at its meeting Tuesday night. “These are happy moments,” said Town Manager Norman Khumalo before the candidates were introduced to the board. All were approved in 4-0...
Community input planning session seeks ideas for downtown revitalization, connectivity
The town is holding a community input planning session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to generate ideas on how to revitalize the downtown area and increase connectivity through its shared spaces. This state-funded forum, which will be held at the Hopkinton Public Library's...
School resource officer role detailed to Select Board
The Select Board heard a comprehensive presentation on the role of the school resource officer in supporting students at its meeting Thursday night. Joined by members of the School Department and Hopkinton Youth & Family Services, Hopkinton Police Department Chief...
Select Board Roundup: STM will use electronic voting; 4 warrant articles approved
The Select Board at its meeting Thursday night approved the warrant for the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting, where electronic voting will be implemented for the first time. Town Clerk Connor Degan addressed the joint meeting of the Select Board and the School Committee...
HPD officer candidate questions why employment offer was rescinded in August in light of officer shortage
From the time he was a teen, Melvin Ligon Jr., 47, knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. Inspired by officers he met while attending the Boston Public Schools, the Boston native devoted his career to working as a security and school police officer. The Millis...
Select Board appoints new police officer, reviews HPD goals
The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night unanimously appointed Brian Ziniti as a Hopkinton Police Department officer and focused on the department’s goals. Police Chief Joseph Bennett, who attended the meeting via Zoom, introduced Ziniti to the board. “Hopkinton...
Select Board roundup: FY 25 budget message calls for level-service funding; police hiring policy discussed
The Select Board during its meeting Tuesday night approved by a 4-0 vote a budget message that stressed frugality to town departments when making their fiscal year 2025 budget requests. The town is bracing for a challenging budget season, with a current projected...
Select Board sets dates for November’s Special Town Meeting, election
At a 10-minute meeting Tuesday night, the Select Board voted 4-0 to set the date for the Special Town Meeting for Monday, Nov. 13, and the Special Town Election for Tuesday, Nov. 28. The primary goal of this Special Town Meeting (STM) is to vote on the proposal for a...