PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 24 | No. 9 | April 19, 2023
PFAS fix now more expensive, origins unclear By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
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PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
he town’s efforts to eliminate PFAS from the water supply continue to get more expensive, while questions about where the chemicals originated continue to surface without any concrete answers. At the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved $600,000 for the filtration project to treat the tainted well water while the town explores a connection with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority pipeline through Southborough. However, the town is negotiating a contract with Bay State Regional Contractors for $1,198,737. Additionally, consultant Weston & Sampson has proposed a contract for construction, administration and compliance with Department of Environmental Protection permits in the amount of $217,500, and the town previously made a purchase of filtration vessels for $157,177. That puts the total at $1,573,414, leaving a shortfall of $973,414. Town Manager Norman Khumalo
WHEEL POWER
Handcycle and duo participants race down East Main Street at the start of the 127th Boston Marathon on a foggy Monday morning.
PFAS | 6
INSIDE
Fire claims lives of couple, dog
TOWN MEETING
By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
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Fire | 28
Discussions continue about warrant articles
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NEWS PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
fire at 69 Hayward Street on Easter Sunday morning caused the deaths of a popular veterans advocate and his wife, as well as their dog. Don MacNeill was pronounced dead after being taken from the home to the hospital early in the morning of April 9. Judy MacNeill died the following day. “The Town of Hopkinton hasn’t seen something like this ever that I can remember in its history,” Fire Chief Bill Miller said. “It was a tragic morning.
UCTC debates response to citizens’ petitions
SPORTS
Resident seeks to bring youth tackle football back
The home at 69 Hayward Street was gutted by the April 9 fire.
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