Hopkinton Select Board Meeting April 7, 2026
Vice Chair Shahidul Mannan presided over the meeting in the absence of Chair Joe Clark. The meeting began with the public forum. Mannan explained that the public forum would run from 6:00 to 6:15 P.M., with each participant allotted two minutes to speak.
Survivors Take Center Stage at Public Forum
The public forum drew a room full of residents, including survivors of sexual assault, advocates, and community members. The forum ran until its 6:15 P.M. cutoff, with additional speakers turned away and directed to the end of the meeting.
The primary focus of the night was a years-long pattern of alleged inaction by town leadership in response to sexual assault complaints connected to Peter Sismanis and Hiller’s Pizza, a business he formerly owned. a local business owner with a town license.
Marie Laskowski of Ashland Opened with Stark Figures
Laskowski began with, “250 Days. No Independent Investigation, no formal process change, and no accountability.” Laskowski told the board that 250 days had passed since the matter first came before them. She named four survivors: Amanda, Christina, Isabel, and Lynn. She said several more were present in the room. “Each one of these victims has been re-traumatized by that silence.”
She told the board that Amanda, one of the women named, died three years ago at the age of 33 after an overdose. Amanda never recovered from the harm done by her assailant. Further, she never recovered from what Laskowski described as the town’s decision to protect the assailant’s business interests.
“Amanda’s sister is here tonight,” Laskowski said. “Her family knows trauma all too well. It is burying your sister, your daughter, at the age of 33. It is raising three children without their mother.” She argued that every time the board took no action — every time a license was renewed without comment, every time officials said they had done everything they could — it sent these women a message.
“The message was this: you are not worth it. You are not protected. You do not matter enough for this institution to be uncomfortable on your behalf,” Laskowski said.
She called on the board to hold a public hearing on Police Chief Joseph Bennett. She closed by directing board members to look at the survivors seated in the room before deciding against a public hearing.
Tim Boivin of Hopkinton Calls out Police Chief and Board Directly
He echoed Laskowski’s call for accountability and went further, telling the board directly that Hopkinton is not safe for women or young girls. Bovin said he believed Chief Bennett was aware of what was occurring in his department. He also addressed the board over the publicizing of a rape survivor’s name, directing his comments specifically toward one board member, Amy Ritterbush.
“You publicized her name, and you’re still on the board,” Boy said. “You have no honor, you have no shame.”
Boivin, who described himself as having been involved in advocacy on this issue for more than a year — writing letters and opinion pieces — said the situation had damaged not just the survivors, but their families as well.
He warned the board that the group of residents demanding action was now organized and would not stop. “So, you better get off your duffs and do something,” he said. “And do something about your police chief, especially.”
Pat O’Brien of Hopkinton
Not all public forums addressed the ongoing controversy. Retired Hopkinton police officer Pat O’Brien, also a representative of Friends of Hopkinton, reported on the successful Fire and Light event held at Town Common on March 21. He described the event as a success, with strong attendance from residents of all ages.
He thanked everyone involved in the successful event. “This was a keeper,” O’Brien said. “We hope to do it again next year.”
Karen Crum of Hopkinton Presented Recommendations on HPD Reform
Crum submitted a written document containing recommendations for the Select Board, the town manager, and the assistant town manager. She said the document was compiled between September 2025 and January 2026 and drew on feedback from current and former Hopkinton Police Department employees, Hopkinton residents, and officials from other agencies.
Among the recommendations were calls for more community policing and additional officer training. One item stood out to her as particularly significant given the timing. “The [suggestion in the document] that really stood out to me — and it was ironic, because it happened today — was to bring back RAD training for women and students in Hopkinton,” Crum said.
RAD, or Rape Aggression Defense, is a personal safety program taught to women and students. Crum told the board that while a biannual RAD training simulation had taken place that day at Hopkinton High School involving officers from multiple neighboring towns, the Hopkinton Police Department no longer participates.
“They used to,” she said. “But they haven’t since 2023.” Crum noted she had redacted one section of the document to protect the identity of a current police officer who contributed information.
Heather Stanek of Worcester Calls Out Board Members for Disrespectful Behavior
Heather Stanek of Worcester said she had not planned to speak but felt compelled to address what she described as dismissive behavior from board members during the emotional testimonies. “Snickering and rolling your eyes when someone is speaking — the people who voted to put you on this board — is incredibly disrespectful,” Stanek said. She addressed one board member, Kissner, by name, asking him to stop rolling his eyes.
Kissner responded through the chair, apologizing if that was how it appeared and stating that it was not his intent.
Stanek said it takes significant courage for residents to speak publicly before the board, particularly on matters as sensitive as sexual assault. “My entire body is shaking,” she told the board. “This is not me doing anything different than the natural response I have coming before a Select Board who dismisses women, who dismisses survivors, who dismisses their entire female population.”
Public Forum Ended at 6:15
Mannan ended the public forum in accordance with a rule the board had previously adopted to maintain meeting schedules. The remaining speakers were told they could return during a second public forum period later in the meeting.
The decision was immediately challenged from the floor. A community member objected loudly, noting that survivors were present in the room. “They have survivors here,” she said. “I’m just making that known to anyone watching this.” Mannan politely acknowledged the frustration but said the published agenda and its timing would be followed. “We empathize, but we have to follow the order,” he said.
Consent Agenda Approved 4-0
The board approved six routine consent agenda items. This covered meeting minutes, a road race permit, and a temporary alcohol license for a Knights of Columbus fundraiser. Additionally, Lions Club signage along several town roads and a National Library Week proclamation were approved. Finally, the appointment of two new library employees — Donna Carlson as Senior Library Assistant and Alison McCahon as Substitute Library Assistant- was approved.
Public Hearing – Streets
A public hearing was held pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 82 Section 21, to discuss accepting and laying out the following streets as public ways:
- Auciello Drive
- Linden Street
- Whisper Way
Whisper Way: Planning Board Approval Clears Path to Town Meeting
Whisper Way received the least discussion of the three streets. The Planning Board approved and sponsored its acceptance the day before the hearing, and the board voted to advance it to the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) as Article 32. No public comment was raised, and no objections were noted.
Auciello Drive: A 30-Year Administrative Fix With a $170,000 Question
Auciello Drive has served as a de facto public street for roughly 30 years, receiving town services such as trash pickup, school bus stops, and snow plowing. Planning Board member Parker Happ told the board the road was built in the 1990s as part of a private subdivision, and that a longstanding condition holding the original owner responsible for maintenance had been removed by the Planning Board in December. An engineering review is in progress.
Happ argued that accepting the road was largely an administrative correction and that the town’s liability exposure is the same whether it acts or not.
DPW Director Kerry Reed disagreed. She told the board that roads accepted as public ways are expected to meet current subdivision standards, and Auciello Drive does not. Her department estimated the cost to bring it up to standard at approximately $170,000, which would be borne by the town upon acceptance. Reed said she saw no significant downstream risk to leaving things as-is, though she acknowledged a potential stormwater concern given that the town’s drainage system partially discharges onto the road.
Board members noted that the citizen petition does not require improvements as a condition of acceptance, meaning the town would take on the road as-is. They also acknowledged this likely will not be the last such request, with Pine Island Road already identified as a similar case on the horizon. The board indicated it was comfortable letting ATM make the final call. Auciello was approved 4-0.
Linden Street: Practical Reasons to Accept, But Objections Raised
Linden Street had a clearer rationale. The town is already planning a water main replacement project on East Main Street and wants to extend that work to Linden Street, which has public water infrastructure despite being a private road. Acceptance would also allow for the installation of a fire hydrant to meet emergency response standards. DPW and the Planning Board both recommended acceptance, with no additional costs beyond the larger East Main Street project already heading to ATM.
A resident and trustee of a family trust objected on two grounds: that abutting property owners hold ownership to the centerline of the street under Massachusetts’ derelict fee statute, and that a storm drain line built in the 1950s causes recurring flooding on several properties that was not reflected in the town’s draft acceptance plan. The board said it wanted responses from DPW and the Planning Board before drawing conclusions and continued the hearing.
The board decided to discuss Linden Street at the next SB meeting.
Board and Committee Assignments
The board voted 4-0 to appoint Pamela Locke to the Commission on Disability, filling an unexpired term through June 30, 2026, at which point she will be eligible for reappointment.
Common Victualer License Renewal — Aramark at Dell Approved 4-0
The board renewed the common victualer licenses for Aramark at Dell at 176 South Street and 228 South Street. The board approved the renewal 4-0. This renewal had been continued since December while Dell completed outstanding requirements. Board members thanked Dell and Aramark for their patience and for engaging in good faith throughout the process.
Public Hearing: Flammable License — 5 Parkwood Drive
The board opened a public hearing on an application for a license to store flammable and combustible liquids, solids, and gases under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148, Section 13.
Revvity came before the Select Board seeking a flammable license for 5 Parkwood Drive in Hopkinton. The company is moving its Boston operation to an existing Revvity facility in town. They plan to manufacture research reagents and chemicals for pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
Fire Chief Gary Daugherty said the project had already been reviewed by the fire department and a third-party fire protection engineer. Daugherty said he was comfortable recommending approval because the plan came from an engineer the town uses on major projects. In addition, Revvity added safety measures beyond code requirements. Daugherty added, “Even though this looks like big numbers for these chemicals, they will be spread out throughout that whole building in different labs.”
The Select Board approved the license for storage of a total of 1,920 gallons of flammable liquids and 12,480 gallons of combustible liquids, 3-0. Kizner recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest.
Public Hearing: General Bylaw Amendments for Annual Town Meeting
The board held a public hearing on proposed bylaw amendments for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
Municipal Aggregation Revolving Fund
The board reviewed a proposed revolving fund to hold revenue from the town’s municipal aggregation (solar) program. State law requires these funds to be spent on energy-related expenses. The board described the change as an accounting clarification, not a policy shift. It keeps aggregation revenue separate from the general fund. The board expressed support.
Municipal EV Charging Revolving Fund
The town plans to install electric vehicle chargers at multiple sites in FY27, including the municipal lot, near the police station, at DPW, at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, and at Hopkinton Elementary. Many chargers will be grant-funded. The proposed revolving fund would hold charging fees and use them to cover repair and maintenance costs.
Geoff Rowland, chair of the Sustainable Green Committee (SGC), said the SGC supports the article. Matt Kizner raised a broader concern about the growing number of revolving funds and asked the board to have a governance conversation. The board noted the bylaw can be updated in future years if the town wants to expand how surplus funds are used.
Police Detail Agency Fund and Cruiser Revolving Fund
Town Accountant Cindy Johnston presented a proposal to clean up accounting for the police detail program. The existing agency fund had been collecting officer pay, administrative fees, and cruiser rental fees together, resulting in annual reconciliation issues with the department’s software.
The fix: limit the agency fund strictly to officer pay and move admin and cruiser fees to a new revolving fund. Admin fees bring in roughly $20,000 to $25,000 per year. The department’s software maintenance costs approximately $16,000 per year, so fee revenue should cover it. Johnston also recommended raising cruiser rental fees, which have not been updated in decades. The board supported the change and asked for a before-and-after comparison slide for the ATM.
Fire Alarm Bylaw Update
Fire Chief Gary Doherty presented proposed amendments to the town’s fire alarm bylaw, last updated in 2006. The goal is to reduce false alarms and streamline enforcement. Key changes include replacing embedded definitions with a reference to the current NFPA 72 national code, so the bylaw automatically stays current. Notification to businesses can now be sent by email rather than certified mail.
The fine schedule is simplified, with a $250 fine applying from the fourth violation onward. A section referencing the town’s old fire alarm system, removed about 15 years ago, will be deleted entirely. The board supported all changes and moved the article forward.
E-Bike Speed Limit Bylaw
The board discussed a proposed bylaw setting a speed limit for e-bikes and similar electronic mobility devices on shared-use paths and trails. The limit would not apply to human-powered cyclists.
Supporters said a posted limit gives non-e-bike users a basis to request compliance and helps the town manage liability if a rider injures someone. HPD Chief Bennett, joining via Zoom, acknowledged enforcement challenges. Officers would respond to identified problem behavior rather than actively patrol trails.
Matt Kizner cautioned that enforcement carries real costs that the community should not underestimate. The penalty structure escalates from a written warning for a first violation to a $100 fine for a second, a 15-day confiscation for a third, and a six-month confiscation for fourth and subsequent violations.
Civil Fingerprinting for Common Victualer Licenses
Board discussion was mixed. Elaine Lazarus confirmed the requirement applies to whoever signs the application, not remote ownership. Brian Herr supports it at the local level. He raised concerns about civil liberties, noting that no other Massachusetts municipality currently applies this standard to common victualer licensees. Matt Kizner said the board had requested Chamber of Commerce input, but has not received it. He wants to hear from them before the town takes a final position. Amy Ritterbusch said the community should weigh in, pointing to other professions, such as teaching, that already require fingerprinting. Police estimated the policy would require 150 to 210 FTE hours of staff time annually to administer.
Chair Manan noted that Hopkinton has already institutionalized CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) checks for business licenses. This is a step, he said, that is rare among neighboring towns, including Ashland. He said the proposed fingerprinting requirement would likely make Hopkinton the first town in New England to require all three checks for common victualer licensees. He acknowledged costs and implementation challenges but said the measure would help identify criminals and sex offenders attempting to do business in town.
Manan also stressed the importance of economic development to the town — not only for tax relief but for residents’ quality of life, including new restaurants and amenities. He said the board wants to strike the right balance between public safety and being business-friendly.
The board agreed to send the article to ATM for a public vote.
New Elementary School Construction on Schedule and Under Budget
Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) Chair Jon Graziano updated the Select Board on the new elementary school, reporting that construction is on schedule and tracking under budget.
Construction is proceeding wing by wing. The A-wing is furthest along, followed by B and C. As of April 7, the final concrete floor pour on the C-wing is underway and is the last pour needed. The team is now focused on making all three wings weathertight before interior work begins.
On Main Street, utility pole relocations are nearly finished. Two poles near the Marathon driveway are expected to move within the week, with wire transfers and pole removals to follow. Preliminary work on Hayden Row improvements is planned for the April school vacation, with major construction scheduled for the summer to avoid disrupting the school year.
Graziano credited favorable bid timing for the strong budget performance. The bid went out as construction inflation was leveling off and contractors were eager to secure multi-year work. He said the focus now is on controlling change orders.
When asked about move-in timing, Graziano said the plan is to move Elmwood students over winter break, deferring to Superintendent Bishop on operational details. He noted a full move could have a waterfall effect, potentially allowing Hopkins Elementary students to move into the current Elmwood building and freeing up space at the middle school.
Board members were invited to tour the site. Graziano said he will coordinate with the general contractor, Vertex, to arrange a group visit.
The statements made during Public Forum and all public comment portions of this meeting — including public hearings and any resident testimony — are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of HopNews. HopNews has not independently verified all claims made by speakers during the meeting.
