Timing of Demolition Work: A Community Concern

Can the Town Control the Timing of Demolitions?

The short answer is yes—and the recent incident with the Hopkinton Drug building shows us why this matters.

The collapse of Hopkinton Drug wasn’t just a matter of bad timing. It revealed an oversight in protecting our community during major construction projects. Thankfully, no one sustained injuries, and this represents nothing short of a miracle. Hopkinton dodged a big fat bullet.

Who Issues Building Demolition Permits?

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 143, and the State Building Code (780 CMR) grant municipalities the authority to issue permits. This authority extends to both building permits and demolition permits.

Director of Municipal Inspections

Christopher McWhite serves as the Director of Municipal Inspections for the Town of Hopkinton. He oversees the issuance of building and demolition permits through the Land Use, Planning, and Permitting Department at Town Hall. McWhite serves as both the Building Official and Zoning Official for the town.

Hopkinton General Bylaws specifically define the “Building Inspector.” This definition includes “The Hopkinton Director of Municipal Inspections, Local Inspector, or person(s) otherwise authorized to issue demolition permits.” This gives McWhite the authority to issue demolition permits under Massachusetts law and town bylaws. Hopkinton currently has several checkpoints:

• 20-day review period after all documents are submitted
• Review by the Building, Health, Police, and Fire departments
• Required notifications to neighbors and utility companies
• Compliance with environmental requirements, such as asbestos removal

What the Law Allows

Massachusetts law allows municipalities the authority to impose “conditions, safeguards, and limitations on time or use” for permits. In plain English, this means Hopkinton can legally say “no” to demolition work during certain hours.

Current Safety Rules

• 24-hour notice before demolition begins
• Management plans for traffic and pedestrian movement during the work
• Dust control actions to minimize air pollution
• Street permits for public roads

Building officials also have strong enforcement powers. They can suspend permits, issue stop-work orders, and mandate repairs of unsafe conditions.

What Happened?

Let’s look at the timeline:

The construction company scheduled the demolition for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, which coincided with the first day of school. The developers received their permit on July 17, leaving the town with nearly six weeks’ notice.

The collapse occurred at 2:43 P.M., as high school and middle school students were heading home, and before elementary dismissal. The south wall fell onto the Main Street sidewalk and into the road. This created major traffic problems during one of the busiest times of day for families.

It appears that the town didn’t consider restricting the timing despite conflicting with the first day of school.

How Do Other Communities Address This?

Massachusetts cities and towns have increasingly used timing controls:

• Boston requires special review processes that can delay demolitions for public input
• Historic preservation bylaws in many communities impose 6—12-month delay periods
• Special permit processes often include timing restrictions as standard conditions

Common-Sense, Reasonable Solutions for Hopkinton

There are many reasonable steps Hopkinton could adopt (while still being pro-business):

School Calendar Coordination: Require developers to check with the school superintendent before scheduling major demolition during school periods.

Peak Time Protections: No hazardous demolition work during school drop-off and pickup times. Those times are roughly 7:30—8:30 A.M., and 2:30—3:30 P.M. on school days.

Enhanced Safety for High-Traffic Areas: Extra safety measures for demolitions near busy pedestrian areas like Main Street.

Better Public Notice: Providing advance notification to residents about major demolitions that may impact traffic or safety.

The Bottom Line

Hopkinton had the legal authority to impose timing restrictions on the demolition permit. The town either chose not to use this power, didn’t know it had the power, or never checked.

There is a difference between having the right tools and using them effectively. Massachusetts law grants municipalities broad authority to impose conditions on demolition permits, including restrictions on the timing of work.

Hopkinton can, and should, implement controls to regulate demolition timing, thereby protecting public safety and minimizing disruptions to the community. It’s essential to note that Hopkinton can accomplish this without incurring any additional delays in the permitting process.

Currently, there is a 20-day review period once all documents are received. Does a review process exist? In any case, a checklist can be easily added without extending the 20-day review period.

Moving forward, Hopkinton has an opportunity to be proactive by utilizing its existing legal authority more effectively to protect residents. This is especially important for our students and families during the planning of major construction projects.

Press Release from Elaine Lazarus, Town Manager – August 28, 2025

“On Wednesday, August 27, the Fire Department and Police Department were called to 52 Main Street, where a partial collapse of the building had occurred. A planned demolition of the former Hopkinton Drug building had been underway at the site.

Upon arrival, they found that the front wall of the building, about 40 feet in length, had collapsed onto the Main Street sidewalk. All of the workers on-site were accounted for, and there were no reported injuries.

The collapse occurred in an area with unknown pedestrian traffic. Given the circumstances and the nature of the collapse, the Fire Department quickly deployed its technical rescue team and searched the area using specialized camera equipment. This equipment is designed to search confined spaces and collapse voids both visually and auditorily.

A thorough search of the area was conducted to ensure that no individuals were trapped under the debris. In collaboration with the demolition company, the Fire Department team worked to clear the debris from the sidewalk, thereby eliminating any further hazards.

While some damage was reported to traffic poles, signs, and the crosswalk light, no additional injuries or safety concerns were noted. During the response activity and then staying until the site was secure, Police officers and detail officers worked to control access to the site and traffic in the area, ensuring public safety.

The Director of Municipal Inspections responded to the scene to assess the building structure and ensure that the site was adequately secured after the debris was removed from the road and sidewalk. The response by the Hopkinton team was quick, professional, and impressive. 

Thank you to the Dispatchers, the Fire Department, the Police Department, detail officers, building officials, and others, who provided direct response and support during this time. In the following days, there will be a debrief and assessment to determine what happened and to identify next steps.”

— Elaine Lazarus, Town Manager