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News

Early Morning Fire at Bill’s Pizzeria Closes Main Street

A fire erupted at Bill's Pizzeria on Main Street, Hopkinton, noticed by a passerby. Quick response from Hopkinton Fire Department, aided by Westborough and Ashland units, brought 17 firefighters to the scene. The blaze, confined within a wall near Town Hall, was swiftly controlled, preventing major damage. The building's structural integrity and a fortunate shift change aided the prompt extinguishing. The pizzeria expects a brief closure for cleanup but should reopen soon. The cause is under investigation.
News

Country Club Cruiser Nabbed by HPD

An HPD dispatcher, Robert Savolt, effectively identified a suspect, Ian Mahoney, who drove dangerously at Hopkinton Country Club. Using partial plate details and cross-referencing data, he narrowed the suspect to Mahoney. Despite initial resistance, Mahoney was arrested and arraigned after Detective Sergeant Gregg DeBoer built a case with further evidence and witness identification.

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News

Six Sergeants send Letter of No Confidence to Police Chief

During the Hopkinton Select Board meeting, Muriel Kramer critiqued Police Chief Joseph Bennett for not hiring for vacant positions, faltering progress on drug testing and body camera implementation, and concealing a no-confidence letter from sergeants. The sergeants’ letter expressed frustrations over stalled promotions and increasing responsibilities without advancement, ultimately warning of potential departmental exodus.
Opinion

Letter: Kramer is to be Commended for Courageous Stand

Timothy Boivin expresses gratitude to Select Board Chair Muriel Kramer for courageously highlighting Chief Bennett’s numerous performance issues, and Boivin supports her call for an independent investigation. He suggests the National Guard manage the police department until new leadership is established, and commends Kramer for her integrity and support of the survivor.
News

Kramer calls for Independent Investigation of Police Chief

In a tense Select Board meeting, Chair Muriel Kramer delivered a critical mid-year review of Police Chief Joseph Bennett, citing leadership failures and broken promises. Amidst public calls for his suspension tied to a violation of Massachusetts General Law, Kramer highlighted issues such as an absent succession plan and scheduling delays for police accreditation. The Board exposed Bennett's noncompliance with reporting standards amidst an ongoing DA investigation. Though divided on the approach, no immediate action was taken, but Bennett was given until March 12 to respond to the criticisms.
News

Why does Sexual Assault of a Minor not Require Immediate Notification for HPD?

In 2018, Hopkinton Police Lieutenant John Porter established General Order 2018-0004, mandating immediate notification to the Chief or Deputy Chief in cases potentially implicating the department's liability or public interest. This included a list of critical incidents but notably omitted sexual assault of minors. The order required updating with leadership changes, leading to compliance challenges. A violation of this order was highlighted in the Kroll investigation report regarding Sergeant Tim Brennan's failure to report alleged sexual assaults of minors, although sexual assault was not specified in the order, raising concerns about the policy's adequacy.
Opinion

Letter to SB: Suspend Chief Bennett Now

At a Hopkinton Select Board meeting, a citizen, Timothy Boivin, criticized the handling of a case involving the release of personal information of a child rape survivor by the police chief, despite an earlier apology from the board. Boivin condemned the board for firing Sgt. Brennan, who supported the survivor, while keeping Chief Bennett, whose actions may lead to a lawsuit against the town. Boivin urged the board to suspend Bennett, halt promotions, and seek the National Guard's aid in managing the police department to restore trust and protect the survivor.
News

Hopkinton Firefighters Participate in Multiagency Federal Radiological Training Program

Chief Gary Daugherty is pleased to share that the Hopkinton Fire Department recently attended...
Public Safety

BRENNAN FIRED.

Sergeant Timothy Brennan was fired from the Hopkinton Police Department in a 4-1 decision by the Hopkinton Select Board after a contentious three-hour meeting. Chair Muriel Kramer voted against termination. Brennan vows to contest the decision through arbitration, supported by locals who displayed emotional solidarity.
Public Safety

Rally for Brennan on Decision Day

Approximately 85 individuals rallied at Town Hall to express solidarity with Sergeant Tim Brennan of the Hopkinton Police, who was facing a hearing. Welcomed as a hero, Brennan encountered chants of gratitude from the supportive crowd but modestly continued on to his hearing.
News

DeBoer and Santoro Promoted to Sergeant

Detective Gregg DeBoer and Officer Matthew Santoro were promoted to Sergeants by Hopkinton's Select Board after initial delays and controversy. DeBoer, with the department since 1999, and Santoro, on board since 2016, received unanimous approval. The promotions follow Chief Bennett's recommendation and the community's vocal support after postponement in September.
Public Safety

Hopkinton Police Incident Log for February 5, 2024

The town's sozzled driving school graduated three this week, while fender-benders and ruffled locals spiked like New Year's champagne. Police played tow-truck tag, spilled gas therapist, and high-stakes hide and seek with a potentially phantom perambulator. Lost passports, barking dogs, and mysterious driveway dancers made sure boredom was blissfully banished.
News

Supercut: Brennan Supporters Express Outrage during Select Board Forum

During a Hopkinton Select Board meeting on January 30, over 24 residents voiced their frustrations regarding the handling of Sergeant Tim Brennan's Loudermill hearing and the disclosure of a rape victim's personal information linked to former Deputy Chief Jay Porter. The issue remains unresolved as the board deferred action.
News

Select Board aims to fix typo that made Police Chief “weak”

The Hopkinton Select Board's agenda for the upcoming meeting includes a proposal to amend the town charter, changing the police chief's role from "weak" to "strong.” This shift grants greater autonomy to the chief, akin to the town's fire chief, altering police department authority on policies and procedures. Initially implemented in 2006, the charter was revised in 2017, removing mentions of "strong" and "weak" distinctions and potentially changing oversight from elected officials to the police chief. This raises concerns about governance, accountability, and transparency in local law enforcement policy-making.
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Opinion

Former Selectman Mosher Endorses Herr, Clark

John Mosher endorses Brian Herr and Joe Clark for the Hopkinton Select Board, highlighting their commitment to community, strong leadership skills, and relevant experience. Herr is praised for his thoughtful deliberation and deep local involvement, while Clark is recognized for his financial expertise and dedication to public service. Mosher stresses that their contributions are essential as Hopkinton faces growth, budget strains, and significant municipal challenges, emphasizing the impact of future decisions on the town's trajectory.
News

HDTC: “Campaign Materials are not Allowed at the Polling Station” (So Don’t “Flash it Around”)

The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee shared a flyer on Facebook listing endorsed Democratic candidates for the upcoming election on May 20. They encouraged voters to bring it with them to the polling station, potentially violating Massachusetts laws.
Announcements

HopNews Announces Classified Ads

HopNews introduces a new Classified Ads section aimed at providing a secure platform for local commerce, distinguishing itself from sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist by thoroughly reviewing each ad to combat scams. This service encourages community interaction and local buying and selling activities, offering free listings for most items and nominal fees for high-value transactions like real estate and vehicles. HopNews invites local residents to utilize this service for safer and community-focused transactions.
Politics

Follow the Money: Select Board Campaign Donations

On May 13, Hopkinton candidates submitted Campaign Finance Reports. In the Select Board race, Joe Clark led fundraising followed by Kyla McSweeney. The election is set for May 20.

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