Town Manager Weekly Update - January 29, 2026
Elaine Lazarus
The National Weather Service and the MEMA Agency Meteorologist continue to monitor another round of Arctic cold expected to impact the Commonwealth overnight tonight and into Friday. Across the state, air temperatures will range from -5°F to 5°F, with wind chill values between -15°F to -25°F. This level of cold can result in frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes and increases the risk of frozen or burst pipes if not properly insulated. Winds will relax during the day on Friday, which will help reduce the severity of the wind chills. However, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist across southern New England through early February.
What you can do during extreme cold weather:
- Continue to check the media for emergency information.
- Follow instructions from public safety officials.
- Reduce outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.
- Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands and feet. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
- Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Make sure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are well ventilated.
- If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets.
- Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to prevent them from freezing. Let a trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
- If your pipes freeze, open all faucets all the way, remove any insulation, and heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer or wrap with towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
- Check with your local authorities or Call 2-1-1 to find warming centers or shelters near you.
- In the event of a power outage, you may need to take extra precautions or go to an emergency shelter to stay warm.
- Know the symptoms of and watch out for cold-related illnesses. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
- Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.
The information is from the website link here:Extreme Cold Safety Tips | Mass.gov. The site also contains tips on preparing for cold weather and what to look for in cold-related illnesses.
Additional tips, courtesy of the Hopkinton Health Department:
Given the recent snow, residents should also verify that their outdoor vents are clear from snow to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you heat with oil, check the level of oil tanks to verify there is adequate supply to take you through this cold spell. If you have shallow sloped roofs, consider raking the snow off the roof (safely), to remove the existing load and make "room" for additional load should there be another storm. Keep your car’s gas tank filled to avoid problems with supply lines.
Winter weather driving tips: Winter Weather Driving Tips: Prepare Your Vehicle | NHTSA
Trash Collection Information:
For residents who could not get their trash collected because of the recent storm, EL Harvey will provide an optional trash drop-off service at the Hopkinton recycling center at 394 Wood Street between 7:00 am - 3:00 pm on Friday (1/30) and Saturday (1/31). Residents may drop off bagged household waste into dumpsters that will be located at the center. These dumpsters will be located opposite the recycling dumpsters, in the location where yard waste is usually collected. This service is only being offered to help those who could not get their trash collected because of the storm and will not be offered on other days.
Please note that trash pickup continues to be on a delayed schedule this week (i.e. if your regular day is Friday, your trash will be picked up on Saturday). Trash & recycling will be picked up on the regular schedule next week.
If you have questions, want to report a missed pick-up, or need to request a bin be replaced, please call E.L. Harvey customer service directly at (508) 836-3000 or Top-tier Customer Service | E.L. Harvey Westborough.
Storm Cleanup Thank You: The storm last Sunday and Monday deposited nearly 2 feet of snow in Hopkinton. A big thank you to the Hopkinton Dept. of Public Works employees and their contractors who worked throughout the storm, and continue to work, to clear the roads, sidewalks, municipal parking lots, schools, and other town facilities. Thank you to residents and businesses who have helped to dig out hydrants and sidewalks. Thank you to the Hopkinton Facilities Dept. for taking care of the walkways and other areas in and around town buildings.
Hopkinton Youth & Family Services February Newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/n7reub
Apply for Assistance from Senior & Disabled Tax Relief Fund; Application Deadline Feb. 20, 2026
Hopkinton homeowners who are 60 and older or disabled are encouraged to apply for assistance with paying their property tax bills. Applicants must be at least 60 years old or have a state-recognized disability, and applicants must own and occupy a single-family home in Hopkinton as their primary residence. The maximum income for a household of one is $57,000, $73,000 for a household of two, $80,000 for a household of three, and $88,000 for a household of four.
The application is available online (Hopkinton Tax Relief Application Form .pdf), at Town Hall (18 Main St.), the Senior Center (28 Mayhew St.), the Hopkinton Public Library (13 Main St.), and from Youth and Family Services. The Treasurer’s Office will mail the form to those who call 508-497-9715 to request one. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Feb. 20.
FY 2027 Town Budget Process
The Town’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2027 (7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027) is underway. At the Select Board meeting on February 3, the following Town departments will be presenting their budget requests: Public Library, Information Technology & Innovation Services, Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, Youth and Family Services, Town Clerk, Board of Health, and Land Use, Planning & Permitting.
For more information, see the comprehensive budget proposal on the Town website at the 2026 annual town meeting link here: Town Meeting & Budgets
Feedback and comment on the Town budget is encouraged. Please note your thoughts, recommendations and comments about the Town’s budget using this online form: FY27 Budget Listening Form
You may also pass along your comments and recommendations to me via email at ela...@hopkintonma.gov. Thank you in advance!
Save the Date - Community Recycling and Reuse Day - April 4
Saturday, April 4, 2026 10am-1pm
Marathon School
Rain or Shine
Questions: hopgr...@gmail.com
If you like to get outside in the winter (when it warms up a little), there are many places in the area to visit:
Hopkinton Trail Guide/Land and Maps: Hopkinton Trail Guide / Land and Trail Maps
Hopkinton Trails Club: Hopkinton Trails Club
Hopkinton Area Land Trust: Hopkinton Area Land Trust
Mass Audubon: 7 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
Sudbury Valley Trustees: Sudbury Valley Trustees
The Hopkinton Trails Club will hold a guided trail walk in Hopkinton on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 pm at the Whitehall Conservation Area & Laurel Ridge. This is a beautiful area at Lake Whitehall, with woodland and shoreline trails. It will take you through the Whitehall Conservation Area and some of the new Laurel Ridge property. Meet at the Whitehall Conservation Area parking lot, between 273 & 279 Wood Street. Note: If there's snow and the parking lot isn't plowed, the start will move to the Lake Whitehall boat ramp parking area, just a short distance away on Wood Street. Notice will be posted on the Trails Club website (see above) if there's a change.
Winter Farmers Market - Sundays from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Weston Nurseries, 93 East Main Street.
Veterans Breakfast - First Friday of every month, 9:00 am at the Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street.
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