24 April, 2020
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here: https://coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
While Town Hall and municipal buildings are physically closed to the public, we are open for business. Many transactions can be completed online, and we are available via phone and email to assist during regular business hours. A full Town Directory can be found here. A box at the front door of Town Hall may be used to drop off correspondence, applications, etc., and they may also be mailed or emailed. Parks, Playgrounds and Playing Fields are closed.
As of 11:00 a.m. on 4/23/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 71 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 53 of those cases are active, with 17 recoveries and 1 death. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard: We are in “the surge” (expected peak) period. During this time, and as testing increases, we expect to continue to see an increase in active cases both in Hopkinton and throughout the Commonwealth.
To reduce asymptomatic spread throughout the community, the Health Department urges the residents of Hopkinton to utilize face coverings that cover the nose and mouth, whenever you are in public buildings and spaces, where social distancing may be difficult. Frequent hand washing, avoiding hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth, is critical. If you are ill or symptomatic, stay home.
Virtual Town Hall Office Hours - NEW UPDATE Hopkinton will continue to expand this program. Next week the Treasurer/Collector's Office will host a Virtual Office Hours on Tue (4/28) from 12-noon to 2pm. A representative from the Office will be available to answer questions or help you with transactions. Click here for more information.
Eviction and Foreclosure Protections - NEW UPDATE Governor Baker signed legislation into law to protect homeowners and tenants from eviction and foreclosure. An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 emergency ensures housing stability for residents and families, and can be read in its entirety at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4647.
Department of Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard - NEW UPDATE An enhanced, comprehensive and detailed COVID-19 data report, which includes trend data in a variety of areas (e.g. information on cases rates, testing, geography of confirmed cases etc.), death related data and specific data on COVID-19 hospital census information, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, rest homes (with known clusters), and PPE distribution is updated daily by 4PM. City and town case data are published weekly each Wednesday. Click https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-april-22-2020/download to access the report.
Hopkinton Public Schools: Governor Charlie Baker, in a press conference Tuesday, announced that Public Schools in Massachusetts would not be reopening for the 2019-2020 school year. Therefore, the Hopkinton Public Schools will continue through June 17, 2020 with the remote teaching and learning we currently have in place.
As always, students and families with food needs should reach out to Food Services Director Michelle Babin at mbabin@hopkinton.k12.ma.us
Hopkinton Annual Town Election: As many may have already heard, the Annual Town Election has been rescheduled by the Hopkinton Select Board to be held on June 29, 2020. The Town Clerk is encouraging EVERYONE to vote absentee or by mail. Absentee ballots may now also be requested by anyone who has a condition that puts them at higher risk of COVID-19.
Absentee or Mail-in Early Voting Ballots may be requested by printing out the Absentee or Mail-in Early Voting Ballot Application, completing it with a real signature, and sending it to the Town Clerk’s office by using any of these options:
● Scanning and Emailing to townclerk@hopkintonma.gov (smartphone scans are accepted)
● Dropping it off in the payment slot at the front entrance of the Town Hall
● Mailing to Town of Hopkinton, Town Clerk, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748
If you are not yet registered to vote in Hopkinton, you may register online. The last day to register to vote will be ten days prior to the new election date.
Click following link for Early Vote by Mail Application
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Municipal-Early-Ballot-Appli...
Click following link for Absentee Ballot Application
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-...
Click following link for to Register to Vote/Check your Registration
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/
Stay Updated & More Resources: You can find many resources and more information at https://coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
Hopkinton also posts frequently on social media. Our Twitter is the best place to keep up with all happenings Hopkinton. You don’t need an account to see our twitter feed: https://twitter.com/HopkintonMA
Complete list of Emergency Orders and Guidance from Mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency
