Select Board steers clear of official support for Ukraine

At its meeting March 15, the Select Board considered a resident’s request for a town-sponsored display to show support for NEWS BRIEFS Ukraine, but members ultimately did not more forward after questions were raised about the town taking a political stance.

Brendan Tedstone said he is “totally in support of the Ukraine,” but was concerned such a move could set a dangerous precedent.

“I don’t know anybody who’s not in favor of showing our solidarity toward Ukraine,” he said. “But as a town and as a board, do we make political statements in town? … I hate to be that guy that’s dropping the anchor, but right now the board is amenable to this, which is certainly a socially acceptable thing. What happens if in six months there might be a new composition of the board and something else comes up and it’s offensive. I want to see what our position is on making official political statements through the town.”

Town Manager Norman Khumalo agreed that such a statement could lead to future concerns but noted: “The board does not have a policy in place to guide this decision making.”

Chair Irfan Nasrullah said he would support a resident or private group organizing a rally or other show of support for the embattled nation, which has been under attack from neighboring Russia.

“I just don’t want to be taking sides,” Nasrullah said. “Personally, I have chosen a side, and that’s the Ukraine, it’s a no-brainer. But on behalf of the town I think we have to take a step back and say, ‘Should the town make this political statement?’ ”

Amy Ritterbusch suggested a show of support for refugees might be more appropriate. But in the end, the board took no action on the request.

Town to hire law firm for PFAS

The Select Board unanimously approved a request from the town manager to sign a retainer agreement with the law firm of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC for “evaluation, advice and prosecution of all available legal claims against any and all parties, individuals and/or corporations that may be liable under the law for injuries and/or property damages suffered by the town arising out of the contamination of water supplies” by PFAS and similar substances.

Khumalo said town counsel recommended approval of the agreement, noting that the firm has “the institutional capacity to work on this new and emerging issue.”

Khumalo also noted that Napoli Shkolnik PLLC will not receive payment from the town “unless there is successful recovery.“

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Asked about how the firm would determine who was responsible for the contamination, Khumalo said he was hesitant to divulge the strategy, but he did reveal, “The focus is going to be on the manufacturers.”

DPW presents new weed treatment program

Nearly two years after nixing a plan to use herbicides to treat weeds in Lake Maspenock, and after voters at a previous Town Meeting also voted it down, the Conservation Commission on March 15 took up a revised plan from the Department of Public Works.

This time, it may have legs, largely because, unlike before, there are multiple proposals — a “toolbox of options” — to help combat invasive weed growth in the lake, a popular recreational spot teeming with wildlife and with many residents living along its shores. However, the use of pesticides remains among the recommendations, and that doesn’t sit well with some residents.

While expressing thanks to the DPW, the Town Weed Advisory Committee and its consultant, David Mitchell, for submitting a multi-faceted plan, the Conservation Commission ultimately continued a public hearing on the plan until its next meeting on March 29.

Organic grass for Town Common?

At its meeting March 8, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed the possibility of switching to organic grass at the Town Common as well as updates regarding the Fruit Street fields project and spring and summer programming.

Jim Agabedis of Minuteman Landscaping attended the meeting to present a plan for organic lawn care on the Town Common. Agabedis explained the basics of organic lawn care, describing the process as safe, natural and effective, as well as a means to restore health to soil damaged by chemical treatments. Services may include soil testing, a soy-based fertilizer program, weed control, aeration and overseeding.

Commissioners asked questions about weather constraints, aesthetics, weeds and costs associated with switching to a chemical-free lawn care plan. Parks & Recreation Director Jay Guelfi was to share cost estimates at the next meeting and also will seek additional bids.

Democratic town caucus April 8

The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee will hold its nominating caucus for the May Town Election on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Hopkinton Town Hall, Room 215. Check-in and registration will begin at 6 p.m.

Registered Hopkinton Democrats or unenrolled voters who switch to Democrat that night may vote. Unenrolled voters must be registered as unenrolled for at least one week prior to the caucus. Republicans and third-party voters may not participate in the caucus.

The Hopkinton Democratic town caucus is to nominate and endorse candidates for the Annual Town Election on May 16.

The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee (HDTC) holds regular