Hopkinton council asks regional school district to clear and return Hope Valley School property

The Hopkinton Town Council on March 17 approved sending a memorandum of understanding to the regional school district asking that the former Hope Valley School property be vacated and returned in cleared condition so the town can plan reuse.

Councilors described the draft MOU as a practical request to ensure the town receives the building and grounds in a condition that allows prompt reuse or re‑tenancy. The draft provisions discussed at the meeting asked the district to vacate the premises at lease termination; empty all rooms, hallways, offices, storage areas and outbuildings of contents; pump the septic system prior to turnover; fill the on‑site fuel/oil tank; and transfer keys. The draft also asked that the building be left in “broom‑swept” condition.

Town members noted the request follows earlier problems when a previous building (referred to in the meeting as the 1904 building) was returned with leftover contents that complicated demolition and reuse. Speakers told the council they want to avoid a similar situation at the former Hope Valley School and to make the property ready for whatever the council decides next, including potential tenanting or reuse by the town.

Public commenters raised competing priorities and costs associated with school property reuse. Several residents reminded the council that substantial repairs (HVAC and roof work were cited by speakers) will be required before the site could be repurposed. One resident, Steve Moffat of Diamond Hill Road, told the council the school will likely require significant funding and that a future bond may be needed if the town pursues full rehabilitation. Another resident, Joe Morrow, urged the council to consider whether town offices could be moved into the school property, noting the town already owns the site and that converting it could avoid a larger expenditure elsewhere.

Council action: members moved and seconded a motion to send the draft memorandum to the regional school district; the motion passed on a recorded roll call with all councilors voting in favor.

Why this matters: returning the building in a cleared state affects timelines and costs for any municipal reuse; the MOU’s requirements (septic pumping, removal of contents, fuel-tank handling) remove immediate liabilities and reduce clean-up time for the town. Councilors said the MOU is intended as a starting point and can be edited before final transmission.

Next steps: the town manager (staff) will finalize the memorandum with council edits and send it to the regional school district. Councilors asked staff to follow up on potential capital needs and grant opportunities before deciding on long-term reuse.