On April 27, Hopkinton High School Car Club held its first annual car show, featuring nearly 200 vehicles, including a Tesla Cybertruck and a 1932 Ford Roadster. Club president Surya Raja Amudhan and faculty advisor Anthony Gonzalez credited the event's success to meticulous planning and community collaboration. The event attracted car enthusiasts of all ages, highlighted by diverse car models and personalized modifications. The club aims to expand future events, potentially incorporating fundraising activities.
Hopkinton's Boy Scout Troop 4 hosted its Annual Pancake Breakfast, offering a variety of pancakes to a full crowd at St. John the Evangelist Church. Concurrently, activists outside sought signatures to recall Select Board members Ritterbusch, Mannan, and Lafreniere, amid local discontent.
On December 13, Chuck Joseph will present the history of Hopkinton since the 1950s at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. The lecture follows the town's growth from a small farming community to a thriving suburb, and ends with a Q&A session. Sponsored by the Hopkinton Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce, the event is open to all.
The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce is re-introducing its "Business of the Year" award in 2023, with Weston Nurseries named as the honoree. The family-run business is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the award ceremony will take place during the Chamber's Holiday Celebration. The event will feature foods with a 1920s theme, a cash bar, and a bonfire for marshmallow roasting.
On November 14, the Hopkinton Public Library will host a wildfire educational program from 6:30-7:30 pm. The program, led by Alex Belote, Fire Program Coordinator for the Bureau of Forestry and Fire Control, will cover fire history, mitigation, and national strategies for living with fire. The event, organized by Friends of Whitehall, is free and open to all.
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts concluded their Wicked Weekend with a 5k fun run and 100m dash for kids where participants earned a pumpkin as reward. Top finishers were Tim Bolick with a time of 16:03, and Kim Dixon, the top female finisher, with a time of 18:40.
Deadwoodville, a spooky town created by the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and volunteers, offers a unique experience, complete with unsettling characters and gruesome oddities. It showcases a creative set design and talented actors. The production is a collaboration with the Metrowest YMCA. Recommendations are for children aged 10 and upwards, with a less scary version offered for younger visitors.
The Hopkinton Public Library and Hopkinton Trails Club will host a "not so spooky" nighttime walk on the Center Trail on Friday, October 27. The easy walking trail will be illuminated by a near-full moon, giving attendees a new perspective. The community-friendly event at Hopkinton High School includes post-walk cider and donut holes.
Robert Buday, the author of "Competing on Thought Leadership," is holding a free seminar on December 10 at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough. In the seminar, professionals can learn how to raise their profile as experts on a limited budget. The talk is designed for professionals who wish to attract clients by showcasing their expertise through forms such as blogs, books, articles, podcasts, etc., rather than traditional promotional formats.
On November 1, MassWildlife's Dr. Dave Wattles will host a program for residents to learn about eastern coyote biology, how coyotes use suburban areas, and how communities like Hopkinton can take effective steps to coexist with coyotes.
During a prolonged Town Meeting, articles were approved to fund HVAC replacements and structural repairs at two fire stations. Additionally, a citizen's petition passed to advocate for the reinstatement of Sergeant Tim Brennan, who was controversially fired. Discussions also included law enforcement policy adherence, town personnel actions, and amendments concerning environmental testing. Major points included various community members vocalizing both support and opposition, leading to several democratic decisions, though not all articles were successful. The meeting highlighted robust civic engagement and varied opinions on town governance and community values.
At Hopkinton Middle School's Annual Town Meeting, attended by 343 of 13,076 registered voters, several significant fiscal decisions were made, totaling $171,982,393. Highlights included passing the Operating budget at $121 million, approving a salary for Town Clerk Connor Degan, and agreeing to digitize town records at a cost of $667k. Debates ensued over the Hopkins Addition project, with its $48 million need achieving the required 2/3 majority. Public works projects also received attention, with some approved and others denied. The discussion will continue in a Special Town Meeting addressing additional civic matters.
Hopkinton will host its Annual Town Meeting on May 6 and a Special Town Meeting on May 7 at Hopkinton Middle School. Attendees will vote on 52 articles during the Annual Meeting and 5 additional proposals in the Special Meeting, addressing issues from town budget increases and water management to a major school renovation project. Key topics include significant debt considerations due to capital requests, particularly a $48 million expansion for Hopkins Elementary, and the adoption of a specialized Stretch Energy Code aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Voting will be electronic, with large attendance expected.
The Hopkinton police are requesting help to identify a vehicle responsible for considerable damage on the Hopkinton Country Club golf course at 5:00 PM today. The vehicle nearly hit several golfers. Individuals with any information should contact the police at (508) 497-3401.