Town Manager Weekly Update - October 30, 2025
Elaine Lazarus
Hopkinton Police Department Receives Grant
The Hopkinton Police Department received $34,999.60 through the Municipal Road Safety (MRS) Grant Program, which helps local police departments address a community’s traffic safety issues through enforcement, equipment and other traffic safety initiatives.
Hopkinton will use about $3,500 from this grant to purchase a new radar sign that helps track and display vehicle speeds. The remaining $31,500 will fund overtime shifts focused solely on traffic enforcement. Officers assigned to these shifts will conduct highly visible enforcement in specific areas to promote safe driving and reduce crashes.
The Department will also participate in several national safety campaigns sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These include enforcement periods focused on impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving.
This project was supported by an NHTSA grant, awarded by the MA Office of Grants and Research.
"Traffic safety remains a top priority within the Hopkinton Police Department," said Chief Joseph Bennett. "I am grateful for the work of Lieutenant Aaron O'Neil and Sergeant Cody Normandin toward this award."
Events
- November 3 at 7 pm - Learn About Dementia - At Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe. Open to residents of all cities and towns; sponsored by the Council on Aging, More information below.
- November 4 at 3 pm - Charleswood Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony - At the construction entrance at the Marathon Elementary School, 129 Hayden Rowe
- November 5, 12, 18 & 19 - Hopkinton Health Dept. Vaccine Clinics - See information, locations and times below.
- November 8 and 9 - The Hopkinton Historical Society will host a salute to Hopkinton’s military history at the History Center (168 Hayden Rowe) on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, from 11 am - 4 pm each day.
- November 9 at 1 pm - The Hopkinton Trails Club will host a guided walk of College Rock on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 1 pm. The walk will start at the College Rock parking area across from 23 College Street. For more information, visit Hopkinton Trails Club Events. College Rock Park is a conservation area owned by the Town of Hopkinton and managed by the Conservation Commission.
Health Department Vaccine Clinics
Vaccine clinics are being held at the Senior Center:
Link to register: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/hopkinton?site=hopkinton-senior-center
And at the Public Library:
Link to register: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/hopkinton?site=hopkinton-public-library
Sand for Seniors - Delivered To Your Door
Seniors! You may have a bucket of sand delivered to you, to spread along slippery or icy walkways to prevent slips and falls. Please call the Hopkinton Senior Center at 508-497-9730 to sign up and ask questions. This program is sponsored by the Hopkinton Senior Services Department, the Fire Department, and the Department of Public Works.
The Fiscal Year 2027 Town Budget - Share Your Ideas
The Hopkinton Select Board is responsible for submitting a budget each year to the Appropriation Committee and to Town Meeting. The Board wants your ideas and recommendations for the fiscal year 2027 budget (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), which is being developed now. The budget will be voted at the May, 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The Select Board will have time set aside at its November 4, 2025 meeting to hear your recommendations for the budget. All ideas are welcome. This is the first in a series of budget listening sessions, and there will also be an online form for submitting comments and ideas as well.
The budget timeline calls for municipal services budgets to be submitted by town departments by November 1, and the Town Manager will submit a consolidated budget to the Select Board on January 20. Capital project requests were due to the Capital Improvement Committee on October 24. The School Department is conducting a parallel and open budget process. Public hearings will be held throughout this process, by the Select Board, School Committee, and Appropriation Committee. Public hearings are just one of the ways you can participate.
How Could Your Government Work Better?
Do you have an interest in municipal government in general or in Hopkinton in particular? The form and organization of Hopkinton’s government is set forth in a Home Rule Charter that was adopted by the Town in 2006 following extensive work by a Charter Commission made up of Hopkinton residents. The Charter requires a review and report by a special Charter Review Committee every 10 years. Amendments were adopted to the Charter in 2017 after the first 10-year review.
It is now time to begin the second 10-year review. The Charter provides for the appointment of a 7-member Charter Review Committee, which will consist of seven (7) members who shall be appointed as follows:
- The Select Board, School Committee and Appropriation Committee shall each appoint one (1) person;
- The remaining four (4) members shall be appointed by a committee consisting of one (1) designee each of the Select Board, the School Committee, the Appropriation Committee, the Town Moderator and the Town Clerk.
Membership on the Charter Review Committee is open to all residents, and volunteers need not be members of the boards that are making the appointments. If you are interested in serving on this Committee, please apply using the link to the application below. The appointment will be for the life of the project, which could be up to two years. Please reach out to the Town Manager’s office or the Town Clerk’s office if you have any questions about the Charter or this process.
Interested residents must apply via the Online Volunteer form on the Town website here: Town of Hopkinton, MA: Board Application. The intent is to appoint members in November, so please apply soon. Thank you for considering this opportunity.
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