Hopedale
Upcoming
Administrator - Select Board
The Hopedale Select Board will vote on a contract for an interim town administrator and accept a firefighter resignation. Public comments will be heard.
- Vote to approve and sign contract for Interim TA Gallagher
- Vote to accept resignation of Firefighter J. Cote effective August 16, 2026
CMMPO
The CMMPO is reviewing proposed changes to regional highway project funding and timelines. The amendment includes a significant cost increase for intersection improvements in Worcester and a schedule shift for a bridge replacement in Oxford.
- Increase of $1,645,731 for Chandler Street and May Street intersection improvements in Worcester
- Addition of $4,171,534 in Carbon Reduction funding for the Worcester project
- Rescheduling of the Leicester Road bridge replacement in Oxford from FFY 2027 to FFY 2026
- Updated total cost of $4,594,106 for the Oxford bridge replacement project
Road Commissioners
The Board of Road Commissioners will review a request from the Hopedale Community House regarding parking spaces on Hope Street. The board will also review updated Road Opening Permit documents and discuss a fence at the Hopedale Country Club.
- Hope Street parking space redesign request
- Review of revised Road Opening Permit Fee documents
- Hopedale Country Club fence discussion
- Budget and roadway maintenance updates
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability for property at 304-306 South Main Street. They will also discuss a fee waiver for an After the Fact Notice of Intent at 10 Charlesview. Other business may include topics not anticipated by the chair.
- Public hearing on RDA for 304-306 South Main St
- Discussion of fee waiver for After the Fact NOI at 10 Charlesview
Hopedale Cultural Council
The council is debriefing on the 2026 summer band concert series held at the Community Center. Members are also coordinating the upcoming Day in the Park event scheduled for September 19, 2026.
- Debrief of summer concert series (June 17 - July 29)
- Planning for Day in the Park on September 19, 2026
- Discussion of Day in the Park art show, entertainment, and vendors
- Review of Honey Dew fundraisers
- Discussion regarding a Social Media Coordinator
Last 30 days
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will discuss and possibly vote on recommendations for Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 2 and 3. The meeting also reserves time for unanticipated new topics.
- Recommendations and possible vote on STM Warrant Articles 2 and 3
Administrator - Select Board
The Hopedale Select Board will conduct hybrid interviews for three interim town administrator candidates. They will also vote on a contract for the Deputy Fire Chief for FY27-FY29 and accept a $47,894.58 donation to the legal donation fund. Other agenda items include appointing an Assistant Treasurer Collector, discussing Town Counsel appointment, and reviewing the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
- Interim TA candidates: Nathan Bodreau, Michael Gallagher, Kelly Grant
- Vote to approve Deputy Fire Chief McMorrow contract FY27-FY29
- Accept $47,894.58 donation to legal donation fund
- Appoint Emily Boutin as Assistant Treasurer Collector
- Review Special Town Meeting Warrant
Park Commission
The Hopedale Park Commission will vote on whether to retain legal counsel and approve budget expenditures. The meeting also includes announcements and a note on remote meeting authorizations.
- Vote on hiring legal counsel
- Vote on budget expenditures
Finance Committee
The committee will review and potentially vote on recommendations for the June 2026 Special Town Meeting warrant. Members will also discuss the upcoming FY2027 budget, specifically focusing on transfers and the Council on Aging budget.
- June 2026 Special Town Meeting Warrant review
- FY2027 budget and transfers discussion
- Stabilization Fund discussion
- Council on Aging budget discussion
Council on Aging Board
The Council on Aging Board will discuss the transition from the FY26 budget to the FY27 budget. Members will also review the programming calendar for July and August 2026 and discuss senior center social media strategy.
- FY26 year-end financial reporting
- FY27 budget review
- July/August 2026 activities calendar
- Senior Center social media planning
- Local partnership opportunities
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
The MWRTA Advisory Board will discuss and vote on the proposed fixed route network redesign and the final FY27 budget. The board will also discuss the administrator's performance evaluation, optional performance bonus, and FY27 goals, and hold an executive session on pending litigation.
- Executive session to discuss pending litigation strategy
- Approval of FY27 final budget
- Discussion and approval of fixed route network redesign
- Discussion of FY26 annual performance evaluation for administrator
- Approval of FY26 optional performance bonus for administrator
Administrator - Select Board
The town will vote on several financial adjustments, including supplementing the FY 2026 operating budgets. The meeting will also address fund transfers for the water and sewer departments and a salary reduction in the Fire Department's FY 2027 budget.
- Supplementing FY 2026 Operating Budgets
- Water Department Retained Earnings transfers
- Sewer Department Retained Earnings transfers
- Reduction of Fire Department (220) salary line item for FY 2027
Administrator - Select Board
The Select Board will review a warrant for a Special Town Meeting regarding budget supplements and water/sewer department transfers. The board is also discussing the filling of a permanent Town Administrator position and reviewing detailed layout recommendations for the Draper Field project.
- Special Town Meeting warrant: FY 2026 budget supplements and Water/Sewer department transfers
- Draper Field layout: Proposed new varsity baseball field and multi-use sod field
- Appointments: Police Sergeant Jeffery Dean and Communications Call Taker Dylan Ferris
- Town Park change orders 2 and 3
- Executive sessions regarding Assistant Treasurer Collector and Deputy Fire Chief contracts
Park Commission
The Hopedale Park Commission will discuss and potentially rescind the Town Administrator's authority to sign documents on behalf of the Commission. They will also consider hiring summer employees, continue budget discussions for equipment like a John Deere tractor and enclosed trailer, and review updates on town park renovations and Draper Field. Other items include a request for summer yoga at the pond and a survey for rare plants at Draper Field.
- Rescind Town Administrator's authority to sign Park Commission documents
- Hire summer employees for park maintenance
- Budget discussion for John Deere tractor and enclosed trailer estimates
- Town Park renovation schedule updates
- Survey for Large Whorled Pogonia plants at Draper Field
Historical Commission
The Hopedale Historical Commission will meet to consider reorganizing its leadership, including selecting a new chair and revisiting residency requirements for the Volunteer Curator. They will also hear updates on the digitization of General Draper's papers, the acquisition of a marble bust of George Draper, and the discovery of a vintage loom at the old Town Hall. Financial reports show $103.85 in expenses and outstanding invoices totaling $592.25.
- Proposed reorganization of Commission and selection of new officers
- Digitization project for General Draper papers prepped for Boston Public Library
- Marble bust of George Draper moved to Little Red Shop Museum
- Vintage floor loom found and assembled from old Town Hall
- Outstanding invoices: $500 to Hopedale Technologies, $92.25 to Dewey Pest & Wildlife
Board of Health
The Board will address an Open Meeting Law violation complaint from Patrick Higgins and Associates. They are also reviewing various property violation letters and a septic plan for 16 Warfield Street.
- Open Meeting Law Violation Complaint (Patrick Higgins and Associates)
- Salmon Home Care, LLC d.b.a. VNA & Hospice of Greater Milford contract
- Septic Plan approval: 16 Warfield Street
- Violations at 286 South Main Street
- Violations and agreement for 96 Freedom Street
CMMPO
The Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization will vote on amendments to the FFY 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), approve the FFY 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and release the draft FY 2026 Public Participation Plan for a 45-day public comment period.
- Approval of Proposed Amendment #7 to the FFY 2026-2030 TIP Highway Project Listing
- Approval of Proposed Adjustment #8 to the FFY 2026-2030 TIP Highway Project Listing
- Release Proposed Amendment #9 to the FFY 2026-2030 TIP Highway Project Listing for 21-day public comment
- Approval of FFY 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
- Release Draft FY 2026 Public Participation Plan for 45-day public comment
Conservation Commission
The Commission will review several land use matters including a compliance certification for 86 Plain Street. They will also receive an update on wetlands replication at 134 Mill Street and hold a continuation hearing regarding Overdale Parkway Lot Two.
- Certification of Compliance: 86 Plain Street
- Wetlands replication update: 134 Mill Street
- Continuation Hearing for Order of Condition: Overdale Parkway Lot Two
- RDA Application: Grafton and Upton Railroad
Ad Hoc Field Committee
The Ad Hoc Field Committee will organize, review a conceptual plan from Tighe & Bond for a field project, advise on requested changes, and hear member and public comment.
- Review Tighe & Bond conceptual plan for field project
- Advise on requested changes to the plan
- Public comment period
Hopedale Cultural Council
The council will approve minutes from May and discuss the 2026 summer band concert series at the Community Center, fundraisers including Papa Ginos and Honey Dew, and the upcoming Day in the Park event on September 19. They will also consider a social media coordinator position and a scholarship for Hopedale High School.
- Band concerts on June 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29 with raindates on Thursdays
- Fundraisers: Papa Ginos and Honey Dew
- Day in the Park on September 19, 2026 (raindate 9/20) at Hopedale Community House
- Consideration of a social media coordinator role
- Scholarship for Hopedale High School 2026
Administrator - Select Board
The Select Board will vote on appointing co-counsel for a public records case, accept a resignation and appoint a new Conservation Commission member, and appoint a temporary moderator for the June 23 Special Town Meeting. They will interview Greg Balukonis for interim town administrator and discuss forming a search committee for a permanent town administrator. The Board will also enter executive session to discuss litigation strategy in multiple lawsuits involving G&U Railroad.
- Vote to appoint co-counsel in GURR v. Hopedale public records case
- Resignation of B. Stock from Conservation Commission, appointment of W. Swift
- Appointment of temporary moderator for 6/23 Special Town Meeting
- Interview for Interim Town Administrator: Greg Balukonis
- Executive session for litigation strategy in G&U cases (Land Court, Superior Court, STB)