Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — October 14, 2025
The meeting was largely administrative, but tension was present during public comments regarding municipal neglect of the Transfer Station and parking shortages.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Wastewater and Stormwater Asset Management
Ongoing assessment of critical infrastructure and sludge removal projects. Affected: All Hopkinton residents
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of Consent Agenda (AP Manifest 10/14/2025, Intent to Excavate OP #25-227-01-E, and Riverside Dr Settlement)
Motion by Bram, seconded by McKeon. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Authorization for Chair Dunlap or Town Administrator Hambleton to sign Hazen and Sawyer and wastewater infrastructure contracts.
Motion by Bram, seconded by McKeon. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Approval of Select Board Public Meeting Minutes from September 22, 2025.
Motion by Bram, seconded by McKeon. McKeon abstained. Passed.
2-0
Approval of Nonpublic Session III Meeting Minutes from September 8, 2025 (Sealed).
Motion by Bram, seconded by McKeon. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Approval of Nonpublic Session I Meeting Minutes from September 22, 2025 (Sealed).
Motion by McKeon, seconded by Bram. McKeon abstained. Passed.
2-0
Approval of Nonpublic Session II Meeting Minutes from September 22, 2025 (Sealed).
Motion by McKeon, seconded by Bram. McKeon abstained. Passed.
2-0
Approval of Nonpublic Session III Meeting Minutes from September 22, 2025 (Sealed).
Motion by McKeon, seconded by Bram. McKeon abstained. Passed.
2-0
Purchase of a new (demonstration) rescue boat for the Fire Department.
Motion by Dunlap, seconded by Bram. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Acceptance of mediated settlement agreement between AUS, LLC and the Town of Hopkinton regarding 2023 tax year appeal.
Motion by Bram, seconded by McKeon. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Reimbursement to Discover Contoocook for the 2025 Summer Concert Series.
Motion by Bram, seconded by Dunlap. Disbursed $500. Passed unanimously.
3-0
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
Points of Pride
The Board recognized the completion of the HOP grant project ($43,750), Hopkinton's bronze designation in the SolSmart program, and local community efforts including the PTA and a horseshoe moving project.
Speakers: Karen Hambleton, Alyssa McKeon, Victoria Bram
Administrative Approvals
The Board reviewed and approved the Consent Agenda, various meeting minutes (including sealed nonpublic minutes), and authorized specific signatories for wastewater contracts.
Speakers: Sabrina Dunlap, Victoria Bram, Alyssa McKeon, Karen Hambleton
Stormwater, Wastewater, and Lagoon Projects
An overview of ongoing and completed projects, including asset management plans and upcoming wastewater condition assessments and sludge removal.
Speakers: Beverly Mesa-Zendt
Fire Department Updates
Discussion regarding the purchase of a demonstration rescue boat, a proposed streamlined fee system for special duty ambulance details, and the need for a special event permit process.
Speakers: Jeff Yale, Sabrina Dunlap, Victoria Bram, Alyssa McKeon, Karen Hambleton
Resident Request: Paving of Town-owned Land
Resident Sean LaBrie requested the paving of a 30-foot wide dirt strip of Town-owned land used to access his driveway.
Speakers: Sean LaBrie, Sabrina Dunlap, Karen Hambleton
Skate Park Update
Loren Clement reported that the skate park group has officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Speakers: Loren Clement
Public Forum: Parking and Transfer Station
Residents raised concerns regarding parking shortages in Contoocook Village and issues regarding the Transfer Station, including unauthorized use and uninstalled fencing.
Speakers: Katherine Mitchell, Loren Clement, Bonnie Christie
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Transfer Station Management and Oversight
A resident raised specific concerns regarding unauthorized access, the failure to install fencing, and the functionality of the electronic gate, suggesting a lapse in municipal oversight.
Board position: The Board acknowledged the issues had been neglected but did not provide a timeline for resolution, merely promising to revisit them.
medium concern
02
Contoocook Village Parking Shortage
Residents expressed concern that business growth is outstripping available parking, impacting both economic vitality and pedestrian safety.
Board position: The Board engaged in discussion regarding potential use of Town-owned properties but offered no immediate plan or commitment.
medium concern
Split votes
Approval of September 22, 2025, Public Meeting Minutes
2-0
Approval of Nonpublic Session I, II, and III Meeting Minutes (Sept 22, 2025)
2-0
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Work on permanent placement and plaque installation for the collected horseshoes.
Assigned: DPW · Due: Next year
Work with other Town departments to establish a special event permit process.
Assigned: Fire Department · Due: By next summer
Consult with Town Counsel regarding the request to pave Town-owned land near Sean LaBrie's property.
Assigned: Karen Hambleton
Notable statements
This evening was the first time an all-female Board has presided over a Hopkinton Select Board meeting. — Victoria Bram · During the Points of Pride section, noting the absence of Mr. Donohoe and Mr. Whitley.
The dollar amount [for the Summer Concert Series reimbursement] should have been higher. — Sabrina Dunlap · Discussing the $500 reimbursement to Discover Contoocook.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
4
Total speakers
1
Addressed
3
Partial
0
Not addressed
Sean LaBrie
Partial
Mr. LaBrie provided historical context regarding a 30-foot wide dirt strip of Town-owned land that provides access to his driveway. He noted that the strip is currently in disrepair and requested information on how to have it paved.
Key concern
Request to have the Town-owned dirt access strip adjacent to his property paved.
Board responseThe Board discussed possible options, and the Chair suggested the Town Administrator consult with Town Counsel before making any decisions.
The Board did not grant the request or provide a solution, but they initiated a formal step (consulting legal counsel) to determine how to proceed.
Loren Clement
Addressed
Mr. Clement provided an update regarding the skate park group, noting that they have officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. He shared a detailed report on the group's recent activities, accomplishments, and future plans.
Key concern
Providing a status update on the skate park nonprofit organization.
The speaker was providing an update/report rather than a grievance or request, which the Board received as part of the agenda item.
Katherine Mitchell
Partial
Ms. Mitchell addressed the ongoing shortage of parking in the Contoocook Village business area, noting that new businesses have increased demand. She suggested the Town might consider utilizing Town-owned properties for additional parking spaces.
Key concern
Lack of parking spaces in Contoocook Village and pedestrian safety.
Board responseThe Board and Town Administrator discussed the state of parking and pedestrian safety, potential improvement options, and how these issues might tie into Economic Development Committee ideas.
The Board engaged in a discussion regarding the issue and potential avenues for improvement, but no immediate action or specific plan was implemented during the meeting.
Bonnie Christie
Partial
Speaking via telephone, Ms. Christie raised concerns regarding the monitoring of the Transfer Station, specifically regarding authorized user access and the status of the electronic gate. She also questioned the delay in installing the Transfer Station fence and the scheduled trash pickup day.
Key concern
Management and oversight of the Transfer Station (access control, gates, fencing, and scheduling).
Board responseThe Board acknowledged that these topics had not received attention recently due to various circumstances but committed to revisiting them in the coming months.
The Board acknowledged the neglect of these issues and promised future attention, but they did not provide immediate resolutions or timelines for the specific items mentioned.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-27.