Residents made their voices heard, with numerous speakers endorsing specific individuals for the leadership roles on the board. This public engagement underscored the importance of the subsequent agenda item, the Select Board reorganization, during which the board was to elect a new chair and vice chair for the upcoming year.

The election process itself was a focal point. Multiple nominations were put forward for the position of chair, sparking debate and discussion among board members. The conversation revolved around the importance of adhering to the established process and acknowledging the will of the constituents. Brian Herr emerged as the elected chair, with the board subsequently selecting Mary Jo LaFreniere as vice chair.

The board’s agenda extended beyond reorganization, addressing several appointments and community concerns. The board approved the appointment of a new assistant treasurer collector and a food service worker at the senior center. Additionally, the board considered the appointment of the treasurer collector as the tax title custodian, which was subsequently approved after brief deliberation.

A public hearing was held regarding an entertainment license application by the Hopkinton Parent-Teachers Organization for a carnival at the high school. The board listened to the community’s concerns about the carnival’s neighborhood impact and discussed measures to mitigate potential issues, such as security enhancements and adherence to regulations. The motion to approve the carnival included specific conditions to address these concerns.

The meeting also covered a utility pole hearing with a request from Verizon New England for a continuance. The board agreed to postpone the discussion to allow for further clarification from Eversource, scheduling the continuance for the next meeting.

Adjustmentsttention was given to the hiring process for key town positions, such as the deputy police chief and the deputy fire chief. The board established a Review Committee for the deputy police chief position, which included board members and stakeholders. The deputy fire chief position sparked debate regarding whether to conduct an internal or external search and concerns over the impact on the budget. Ultimately, the board decided to table the decision pending further information.

The town manager hiring process was another area of interest, with Community Paradigm assisting the screening committee, which had received 19 candidates. The process was progressing with plans to conduct final interviews in the coming months. Some board members expressed the desire to incorporate more public feedback and involve the school committee in the final interviews.

The board addressed privacy concerns related to the screening committee’s process and the open meeting law guidelines, clarifying that the committee was not appointed by the board and would operate under executive session. Additionally, the possibility of a public meet and greet for the town manager finalists was raised.

Public comment policies were also discussed, with the board agreeing on the importance of hearing from residents while maintaining a consistent approach. One solution offered was for residents to submit their questions via email.

The board approved a farmers market license application for Aon App Sellers LLC to sell wine at the Hopkinton Farmers Market, following a discussion on public safety and disposal of sample cups.

Parking issues were a recurring theme in the meeting. The board deliberated on the municipal parking lot’s failed funding article and discussed alternate solutions to the town’s parking challenges. A declaration of surplus property at zero Hayward Street was also approved following a town meeting vote.

Updates on various town projects, including the Main Street Corridor project and staffing positions, were provided. The recent marathon event’s success was acknowledged, with praise given to the marathon committee and Girl Scouts. The board also reviewed the Marathon Fund Committee’s scholarship awards and the Tax Relief Committee’s financial challenges.

Future agenda items included discussions on the MBTA communities act, water and sewer enterprise funds, and setting limits of authority for town departments. The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session concerning litigation strategy, with the decision made not to reconvene in open session afterward.