Town Manager Weekly Update - March 12, 2026
Elaine Lazarus
There are a lot of events planned in Hopkinton this March and April! In March we have a guided trail walk this Sunday, Artful Connections on the 17th, Bright Brains, Strong Futures on March 19, and Fire and Light on March 21 - all of which are noted below, along with some upcoming events in April. There are more, too! You may want to check the Hopkinton Public Library, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, and other organizations for more. The Boston Marathon is on April 20, so look out for events and activities as it gets closer.
Guided Trail Walk - Sunday, March 15
The Hopkinton Trails Club will lead a guided trail walk on March 15 at 1:00 pm, at the Hopkinton State Park, Duck Pond trails. Explore the Hopkinton State Park trails on the other side of Route 85. The main path runs from the DCR ranger station (the Smokey The Bear sign) over to Duck Pond, though a beautiful woods with many stories. Daniel Shays, a pipeline from Lake Whitehall, stone quarrying, and more. Meet at the parking area by the ranger station on Rt. 85 (Cedar St.). Waterproof footwear is recommended.
Artful Connections - Tuesday, March 17
Charusmitha Ram and Betsy Johnson will host the event on March 17 at 6:30 pm at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (98 Hayden Rowe). Refreshments are available; the event is free and open to all.
This series is a collaboration between the Hopkinton Freedom Team and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, with support from Riverside Properties, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Hopkinton Cultural Council, and Hopkinton Youth and Family Services. For more information, see the flyer below or the Hopkinton Center for the Arts website: hopartscenter.org
Bright Brains, Strong Futures - Thursday, March 19
Virtual Event for parents/caregivers of middle & high school students.
Thursday, March 19th at 7 pm
Jessica Lahey is originally from the MetroWest region and has gone on to become a New York Times Best Selling Author, Educator, Journalist, and mother of two. She blends research into real-life parenting scenarios, the perfect combination of effective parenting/caregiving support.
Video Teaser: 3 min Event Speaker Preview!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZ4x0TNV58
Register for 3/19 event:
tinyurl.com/BUILDINGBRIGHTBRAINS
This free event is brought to you as part of the Building Bright Brains campaign, a partnership of prevention coalitions including Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) with funding from state and federal public health and prevention grants.
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.
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/
Honoring Veterans
Are you a Veteran or someone who would like to honor the many service members of Hopkinton? Join fellow local Veterans at the Hopkinton Town Common gazebo for Taps on the first Sunday of every month, promptly at 1900 (7:00 pm).
Town Budget Process
The Town’s FY27 budget process is continuing, and has now moved to the Appropriation Committee. Meetings are scheduled for March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, and April 13. Town department budget presentations begin on March 16. Meetings are held virtually, and are open to all. The link to join is on the meeting agenda, which will be posted on the calendar listing for the meeting at www.hopkintonma.gov.
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>*.