Town Manager Weekly Update - August 14, 2025
Elaine Lazarus
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. This week I noticed how great the Town Common looks! Thank you to the Hopkinton Garden Club for the plantings that beautify the Common from spring to fall, to the Hopkinton DPW for your continued attention to the Common in many ways, and to Hopkinton Parks and Recreation which coordinates, manages and cares for the Common year-round.
Water Use Advisory
With water use rising, no rain in over 2 weeks and minimal chances in the forecast, groundwater levels continuing to decline and well capacities decreasing, we ask everyone to continue to conserve. Those who are still running automatic lawn sprinklers despite the restrictions, need to turn them OFF immediately, as they are jeopardizing the town's water supply.
Events: Information on some upcoming events is below.
August 5 to August 26 - Dog Days Programs - Public Library - Information in the Library Newsletter: Hopkinton Public Library Newsletter - August 2025
August 17 - Hopkinton Trails Club Walk - Berry Acres, 1:00 pm - see information on the location below
August 17 - Concert on the Town Common - Studio Two. 5:00 pm, Free.
August 24 - Concert on the Town Common - Din Check. 5:00 pm, Free.
September 4 - Recovery City, 6:30 pm, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe, Free. See flyer below.
September 13 - Ash Hop Porchfest, Hopkinton and Ashland Ash Hop Porchfest
September 13 - Hopkinton Family Day
September 21 - 2nd Act Performance: “I’ll Never Do That”, 7:00 pm, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe, Free. See flyer below.
In case of inclement weather, check the Parks & Recreation website for cancellation notices for the outdoor concerts: Hopkinton Parks and Recreation
Trails Club Walk - Sunday, August 17 at 1 pm
The Hopkinton Trails Club will hold a guided walk of the Berry Acres area. This often overlooked area has a lot to offer. Trails, streams, beaver activity, and some new bridges! Meet at the Ice House Pond parking area on West Main St. by the old Trail Depot. A map of the parcel and trails is here: https://www.hopkintontrailsclub.com/images/maps/berryterry.png
Police Department News
The Hopkinton Police Department has been awarded $32,000 to fund the Police K9 Program. Officer Nick Walker was selected as the future handler. Officer Walker will select the K9 and attend training this fall.
Roadwork Notice
On Monday August 18th Lumber St will be closed between Granite St and house #249 for the removal of hazardous rocks along the side of the road from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Please seek alternate routes.
Residents that live on Lumber St between #239 and the Milford town line will have to use Purchase St. in Milford to Haven St. to Lumber St. during these work hours.
Residents that live on Lumber St between Granite St. and #237 will be allowed through.
Town Board and Committee Vacancies
The following appointed Town boards and committees have current or upcoming vacancies. The Town website has information about the duties of specific Boards and Committees here: Town of Hopkinton, MA: Boards. Interested residents must apply via the Online Volunteer form on the Town website here: Town of Hopkinton, MA: Board Application
Most of the members of the boards and committees listed below are appointed by the Select Board; appointments would be made at an upcoming meeting. For questions, please contact Vasudha Dutta at 508-497-9701.
Appropriation Committee
Board of Appeals (Associate Member)
Board of Registrars
Capital Improvement Committee
Conservation Commission
Cultural Council
Historical Commission (Associate Member)
Hopkinton Historic District Commission
Veterans Celebration Committee
Water & Sewer Advisory Board
Woodville Historic District Commission
Keefe Regional Technical School Committee
The Girl Who Ran - The Bobbi Gibb Statue
This week, work began on the installation of The Girl Who Ran statue of Bobbi Gibb, at the corner of Main Street and Hayden Rowe. In 1966, Bobbi Gibb was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Learn more about the run and the statue at this link: https://www.26-2.org/the-girl-who-ran
The Bobbi Gibb Marathon Sculpture Project was coordinated by the 26.2 Foundation. The statue (by sculptor Bobbi Gibb), was unveiled in 2021 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, and its installation on Main St. has been pending completion of the Main Street Corridor Project. You can see the statue there until it is moved to the new location.
Parks & Recreation Fall Registration is Live!
A link to the program activity guide is here: FallCatalog_8.5.25.pdf
Recognition
Hopkinton resident Devansh Vellanki, a dedicated 8 year old chess player, achieved international milestones this summer, representing Team USA on the global stage. At the 35th Pan-American Youth Chess Festival in Callao-Lima, Peru (July 27–Aug 3, 2025), Devanish earned a triple podium finish. There were participants from more than 25 countries across North and South America.
Gold Medal – Classical Chess (U08 Champion)
Silver Medal – Blitz Chess
Bronze Medal – Rapid Chess
He also officially earned the FIDE Candidate Master (CM) title – a prestigious international distinction granted by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
In the FIDE World Cadet Cup (U08/U10/U12) in Batumi, Georgia, Europe (June 22–July 3, 2025), Devansh represented the U.S. at this invitation-only tournament featuring top youth players from over 35 countries. He:
Was the only undefeated U08 player in Stage 1 (5.5/7)
Finished Top 5 in the World after two competitive rounds
Faced some of the strongest U08 talents globally.
Last year, Devansh emerged as the National Champion in the K-1 category at the 2024 National Elementary School (K-6) Championship in Columbus, Ohio. Over four days of intense competition among 147 participants, he secured the gold medal with an unbeaten score of 6.5/7. 1586 players from 42 states competed to determine the nation’s top elementary school players. USChess: https://new.uschess.org/news/champions-crowned-columbus-k-6-concludes
Air Quality Impacts from Canadian Wildfires
As you know, we have been periodically affected by smoke from Canadian wildfires this summer. Residents are encouraged to monitor Hopkinton's Purple Air PM2.5 air quality monitors for real time air quality information. Hopkinton's air sensors can be viewed at the link below. It’s also helpful if you are traveling, as the interactive map shows sensor readings in many locations worldwide.
US EPA PM2.5 Air Quality Standards Interactive Map by PurpleAir
State Public Health Officials Announce West Nile Virus Risk Level Changes
Mosquito-borne disease risk is elevated in multiple communities
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on August 12 announced that the risk for West Nile virus (WNV) is now high in multiple communities due to ongoing evidence of mosquito samples carrying the virus. The risk level for WNV has been elevated in the following municipalities: Acton, Bedford, Billerica, Boston, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell, and Newton.
The State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the first WNV-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year on June 17. Since then, there have been 168 WNV-positive mosquito samples detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. There has also been one animal case of WNV confirmed this year in a goat in Lunenburg. No human cases of WNV have been confirmed in Massachusetts so far this year.
In addition to WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. Belchertown, Granby, Pelham, and Ware in Hampshire County are currently at moderate risk for EEE. The following 12 municipalities in Bristol and Plymouth counties, a historic area of EEE activity, are also currently at moderate risk: Bridgewater, Carver, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Lakeville, Middleborough, Plympton, Raynham, Taunton, and West Bridgewater. There have been seven EEE-positive mosquito samples detected and no confirmed human or animal cases so far this year.
“Both West Nile virus and EEE pose risk to the people in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “The weather remains warm and somewhat humid, which increases mosquito activity. I encourage everyone to take measures to protect themselves: use mosquito repellent when outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants, and be aware of peak mosquito hours.”
WNV and EEE are generally transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 19 human cases of WNV in Massachusetts reported in 2024 and no animal cases. There were four human cases of EEE in Massachusetts last year with one death and three animal cases.
“WNV findings in mosquitoes have accelerated rapidly over the last several weeks,” said State Epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown, DVM, MSc, MPH. “We are now in the peak time for transmission of mosquito-borne disease to people and it is important for people to know that so they can take steps to protect themselves.”
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
Learn more about mosquito-borne diseases, including all WNV- and EEE-positive results on DPH’s Arbovirus Surveillance Information page, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.
account are public records unless qualified as an exemption under the
*Massachusetts Public Records Law
<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preidx.htm>*.