PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 26 | No. 26 | December 17, 2025
New option offered for compliance with MBTA zoning rules By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
T
PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
he Zoning Advisory Committee on Dec. 8 considered a new option proposed by the town’s principal planner that would allow Hopkinton to reach compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act’s zoning requirements. After an hour of discussion, the committee decided to hold a meeting on Dec. 17 in the hope of choosing a plan to present to the Planning Board for review. At the previous meeting, Aneri Patel, the town’s principal planner, pointed out that the state determined that the zoning approved by Special Town Meeting in 2024 was conditionally compliant, according to the state’s website. After a contentious process over two years, the three districts approved by the town included Walcott Valley, The Preserve condominiums and a section of downtown. In order to comply with the law, the zoning districts must accommodate
MERRY AND BRIGHT
Holiday lights brighten the Town Common on Dec. 6 at the conclusion of the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Stroll and the Girl Scouts Caroling on the Common events.
Zoning | 12
Center School reuse plan evolves
INSIDE
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
SCHOOLS
T
SPORTS
NEWS
Report of leak at LNG plant draws emergency response Calendar to remain inclusive for ’26-27
Center School | 7
PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
he Permanent Building Committee on Dec. 9 reviewed preliminary plans for the reuse of the Center School in a public-private partnership between the town and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. Town Meeting in May unanimously passed a request for a $600,000 to fund construction bid documents and engineering plans. This funding via the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) allowed a request for proposals (RFP) to move the $10 million project forward. The HCA recently was awarded project part-
Plans continue to progress for the development of the former Center School property on Ash Street.
3 13
Pantera, Kenney garner attention for O-line play
15
THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAILS! Custom-built model home! 2 Whisper Way, Hopkinton 5 beds, 5.5 baths with walkout finished basement
Hff
1st floor bedroom suite plus 1200 sqft primary bedroom wing on 2nd floor with 3 posh walk-in closets
FOEMMEL Fine Homes
2WHISPERWAY.COM
Private backyard that backs up to 200 acres of conservation and trails
CALL TODAY FOR A TOUR • Kim Foemmel • 508-808-1149 • FoemmelFineHomes.com
1
#
Agent in Hopkinton for 4 Years (per mls)