Town Manager Weekly Update - March 19, 2026
Elaine Lazarus
Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention Youth Coalition Received the 2026 Upstream Prevention Award
Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention Youth (HOP Youth) Coalition was honored with the 2026 Upstream Prevention Award from the 84 Movement at the Massachusetts State House on March 18th for their leadership in youth nicotine prevention and mental health promotion. This award recognizes youth groups working to address root causes of health inequities, including tobacco use and racism. HOP Youth is a local Chapter of The 84 Movement, a program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Their efforts include advancing a Nicotine-Free Generation policy, which prohibits the sale of nicotine products to individuals born after January 1, 2025, along with a ban on nicotine oral pouches in Hopkinton. HOP Youth also delivers peer-led vaping prevention education to all 7th-grade students and launched the Green Bandana Project at Hopkinton High School to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. In addition, they create and promote substance-free social opportunities for local youth through community events and wellness-focused activities.
HOP Youth is part of the broader Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) coalition, celebrating 10 years of prevention in Hopkinton. HOP and HOP Youth are always looking for new coalition members in the community. If you are interested in learning more, please contact ebart...@hopkintonma.gov.
Community Reading Day at Hopkins School
Several community members participated in Community Reading day at the Hopkins School on March 18.
Fire and LIght - Saturday, March 21
Friends of Hopkinton and the Hopkinton Lions present Fire and Light, a night of fun, music, entertainment and food, at the Town Common on Saturday, March 21, from 6-8 p.m. Free event. Rain date: 3/28.
From the Friends of Whitehall
The Friends of Whitehall’s Annual Meeting will be held on Wed. April 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sanctuary at Woodville (Woodville Baptist Church), 249 Wood St. After a brief business meeting and review of our 2025 accomplishments, our guest speaker, Alyssa Giaquinto of Giaquinto Wildlife Center in Marlboro, will talk about wildlife rehabilitation, native owls, and everyday actions that help protect wildlife. She will be accompanied by Bella, her ambassador barn owl, and discuss the important role ambassador animals play in education and conservation. There will also be an opportunity for questions.
The Friends of Whitehall’s annual membership appeal letter was sent out earlier this year to neighborhoods around the lake, however anyone who is interested in the lake is encouraged to join us at the meeting and consider membership. More information can be found on our website: www.friendsofwhitehall.org. We would love to expand our membership to all areas of Hopkinton and surrounding towns. We hope you will consider joining us in our efforts to preserve Lake Whitehall and its surrounding areas and we look forward to seeing you on April 1st. Our spring lake and trail cleanup is scheduled for Sat. April 25 and from 9 a.m. until noon. We hope you will consider coming to that also.
Picking Up After Your Dog
It’s (almost) spring! Just a reminder that cleaning up after your dog is good for public health and the environment.
- Pet waste can contain bacteria and parasites causing infections.
- Dog waste may pose a health threat to swimmers, wildlife, and other dogs. It can pollute the water and lead to beach closures.
- Pet waste is full of excess nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth.
- When washed into lakes and streams, waste decays, uses up oxygen, and sometimes releases ammonia which can kill fish.
SOME TIPS
- Always carry a plastic bag to pick up your pet's waste.
- Reuse old bags (grocery, sandwich, newspaper, produce, or bread bags) to pick up and contain pet waste.
- Keep a supply of bags near your dog's leash.
- Tie bags onto the leash if you don't have a pocket or pack.
- Do not throw pet waste near a storm drain; use a trash can.
- Make sure to dispose of pet waste in a sealed bag so it doesn't spill during trash collection.
Recycling and Reuse Day - April 4
10 am to 1 pm at Marathon Elementary School, 129 Hayden Rowe. For Hopkinton and Ashland residents. Please see the information in the flyer below and at HopGreen - Events.
In addition to items for disposal/recycling such as electronics and mattresses, you can also bring documents for shredding, recent/like new books to support the Hopkinton Public Library, 5 cent deposit bottles and cans to support the Hopkinton Senior Center, plastic film to support the Hopkinton High School Environmental Club, and food pantry items (non-expired).
There is a fee for disposal of certain items. For pricing and full list of what is accepted, visit gogreenteamjunk.com
Marathon Quilt Guild 30th Anniversary Show - April 11 and 12
The Marathon Quilt Guild is hosting its 30th Anniversary Show, "A Thread Runs Through It", April 11 - 12, 2026 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe. 10 am - 5 pm. Tickets are $10/person; children 12 and under are free.
The Marathon Quilt Guild, located in Hopkinton, is celebrating its 30th anniversary by presenting this quilt show which will celebrate 30 years of the guild’s history, the 130th running of the Boston Marathon, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Show highlights include a unique “Go the Distance” Boston Marathon Invitational Quilt Exhibit; a Special Exhibit of commemorative Marathon quilts; quilts of all sizes and techniques; Scavenger Hunt; children’s quilt raffles; raffle baskets; handmade Boutique items; a textile yard sale; Quilts of Valor project; and a drop off opportunity for National Quilt Project blocks.
The show includes the first public unveiling of their unique polyptych Boston Marathon quilt project, entitled "Go the Distance". This project is the result of the collaboration of more than 40 quilt artists across the state.
The Marathon Quilt Guild is grateful for the support and partnership of the Boston Athletic Association; 26.2 Foundation; Hopkinton Center for the Arts; Middlesex Savings Bank; and the Hopkinton Cultural Council.
Tickets and other information is available at https://marathonquilters.com/
Annual Town Meeting - Saturday, May 2
The FY27 budget and other town business will be considered and voted on at the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 2, at 9:00 am, at the Hopkinton Middle School. All registered voters may attend and vote. Budget documents are posted on the website now, and there’s more to come. Town Meeting & Budgetsaccount are public records unless qualified as an exemption under the
*Massachusetts Public Records Law
<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preidx.htm>*.