Continuing coverage of the the Select Board, issues at Town Hall, and the Town of Hopkinton’s financial outlook.

Town Manager Khumalo Resigns
Dec 4, 2023 12
Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo is reportedly leaving his position for the private sector. Khumalo has served since June 2009, his appointment succeeding the abrupt

Chuck Wallace Urges the Select Board to address Employee Turnover
Dec 1, 2023 10
Longtime Hopkinton resident, Chuck Wallace, expresses concern regarding the rapid turnover of staff at Town Hall, with many key positions currently unfilled. Wallace, a retired

Police Union Delivers another Scathing Letter to Select Board
Oct 18, 2023 2
VP of Hopkinton Police Arbitration Association (HPAA), Cody Normandin, delivered a letter to the Select Board and Town Manager Norman Khumalo criticizing the board’s handling

Locals Agree: This Intersection is more Dangerous than Ever
Oct 18, 2023 5
The redesign of the Main Street and Hayden Rowe Street intersection, aimed at enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety, appears to increase danger. The new layout

On Police, Kramer offers a Solution in search of a Problem
Oct 11, 2023 13
Hopkinton Select Board Chair Muriel Kramer is driving hard toward police reform. But with so many pressing issues before the board, why is now the

Appropriations Committee projects $1.7 million budget shortfall in 2025
Oct 10, 2023 2
The Appropriations Committee provided a look into the 2025 budget, noting that $88 million will not be enough to fund critical town departments.

Town leaves more than a million on the table in uncollected water & sewer revenue
Oct 5, 2023 9
Hopkinton DPW loses an estimated 77 million gallons of water per year – sent to customers for free – costing the town more than $1

Analysis: Police Union Challenges Select Board on Promotions. Who’s right?
Sep 22, 2023 6
The Hopkinton Police Union asserts that the Select Board is violating the terms of the contract. The Select Board believes that they have jurisdiction over

Town Reports: Inconsistent, Erroneous, and Unanimously Approved by Voters
Sep 15, 2023 10
The process to prepare the Annual Town Report takes several months, and they must be approved by voters at Town Meeting. But does anyone read

Police Union to Select Board: “That was disgraceful”
Sep 7, 2023 17
Today, HopNews received a copy of a signed letter to the Hopkinton Select Board on behalf of the Hopkinton Police Arbitration Association; MassCOP Local 254.

Kramer halts Police Promotions
Sep 6, 2023 18
Two officers were up for promotion last night. Their family & friends were in attendance. Select Board chair Muriel Kramer had other ideas.

22% of Hop Voters are Democrats, but they Dominate Town Boards
Aug 30, 2023 12
Democrats are 22% of town voters but hold 84% of the seats on Elected Boards. This article explores some of the underlying reasons for the

Essay: Town Meeting No Longer Serves Hopkinton
Aug 10, 2023 13
Town Meeting is a vestige from a time long gone, and it is unsustainable for fast growing communities like Hopkinton. In this essay, HopNews discusses

Defying voters, Select Board reinstates UCTC
Aug 2, 2023 8
Despite an overwhelming number of voters approving Article 47 at Town Meeting, the Hopkinton Select Board decided to allow the UCTC to continue in its

On Trails, Voters sent a Clear Message. The Select Board Disagrees.
Jul 8, 2023 10
At Town Meeting, Hopkinton overwhelmingly voted to disband the UCTC. Only the Select Board has the power to do that, and thus far they’re reluctant.

Hopkinton Taxpayers Face a Difficult Road Ahead
Jun 21, 2023 11
In a report to the Town, the Appropriation Committee presented a dire picture for taxpayers over the next ten years. This may have a negative

Town Hall Struggles with Turnover
May 25, 2023 30
Town Hall has experienced an extraordinary level of turnover in a short amount of time. Many key positions remain unfilled with no candidates in the

Select Board Votes Against RECC
Feb 14, 2023 1
On February 14, the Select Board voted 3-2 against joining the Inter-Municipal Agreement that would form a RECC.