PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 27 | No. 16 | August 5, 2026
Board of Health bans kratom, synthetic THC By Nick Schofield Interim Editor
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PHOTO/STEPH STEVENS
fter hearing no opposition from the public, the Board of Health on July 23 voted unanimously to adopt regulations prohibiting the sale of kratom and synthetic THC products in Hopkinton. The vote came after a brief public hearing at the Hopkinton Senior Center. A handful of residents showed up to voice their support for the proposed regulations. Resident Paula Haas stated she was “aghast” that products featuring kratom were available for purchase in town. “I hope that the regulations will be adopted,” she concluded. Kratom is an extract from a tropical tree native to South Asia. Its traditional use involves chewing the leaf of the tree that has a weak form of the chemical. According to the Food and Drug Administration, some utilize the plant as treatment for pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety, depression and opioid use/ withdrawal.
FUN RUN
Children take off down the track at Hopkinton High School during the Parks & Recreation Department’s track and field clinic with Skyhawks Sports Academy.
Board of Health | 8
Select Board debates use of Flock cameras
INSIDE
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
Town revises financial policies
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BUSINESS
Flock cameras | 4
PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
he Select Board on July 21 heard concerns about the Hopkinton Police Department’s use of Flock cameras to capture license plate and vehicle data. Flock cameras utilize artificial intelligence to scan license plates. They also capture vehicle details, such as make, model and color. They utilize artificial intelligence to scan license plates and capture identifying details of a vehicle, such as make, model and color. Law enforcement agencies can use Flock’s network to track specific vehicles nationwide. The cameras have been credited with helping to solve high profile crimes such as a shooting at Brown
SELECT BOARD
One of the town’s two Flock cameras is mounted on Hayden Rowe Street, near Marathon School.
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Swoon to reopen under new ownership
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SCHOOLS
Committee rethinks plan to relocate modulars
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