The Hopkinton Town Manager and Police Chief briefed the council April 21 on two operational items: a grant-funded police motorcycle program and an updated schedule for the Laurel Street Bridge replacement.

Chief of Police Keith described a grant application to acquire two off-lease police motorcycles to support a community-policing program. He said five or six officers expressed interest and that motorcycles would be used primarily for town events (for example, field days and parades) to increase positive community interactions and support recruitment. The chief said the proposed purchase would be fully funded by the grant and would not require town funds for acquisition.

Council members asked about long-term maintenance and storage. The chief and councilors said they had identified winter storage and maintenance options (including an arrangement with a local motorcycle shop). The chief said the plan is to pilot the program with limited community-event use and pursue additional grant or federal forfeiture funding for future maintenance or equipment turnover.

Town manager and staff also reported that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation had closed Laurel Street Bridge out of caution after a routine inspection found more deterioration than previously anticipated. The bridge carries roughly 6,760 vehicles daily, and it is part of the Ashaway Corridor project that includes paving and two bridges. DOT told the town the final design for superstructure replacement is underway and that, after permitting changes, the department now plans to advertise the Laurel Street Bridge project in early 2026 with construction expected to begin in mid-2026. Town staff said they will continue to press DOT to accelerate the schedule where possible.

No council vote was required on these informational items; councilors expressed broad support for the motorcycle program subject to funding and implementation details and acknowledged the bridge timetable is driven by state permitting and STIP programming.