The Select Board reviewed budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year from several key town departments Tuesday night. Members acknowledged that the majority of the asks were crucial for providing residents with essential town services.

Schools discussion raises Loop Road repaving concern

Superintendent Evan Bishop and Susan Rothermich, the assistant superintendent of finance and operations, presented the School Department’s request. Bishop noted that the board previously reviewed it in December, and “nothing has changed.”

The School Department proposed a nearly $71.84 million operating budget, a 5.84% increase over this year. Some of this amount will be offset by revolving funds.

Salaries make up the bulk of the operational budget at nearly $56.9 million. The new Charleswood School will necessitate additional staffing.

The capital budget request was for $4,398,233, a 6.41% jump from the previous fiscal year.

Brian Herr said he was concerned about the repaving project recently discussed for Loop Road using leftover funds from the Hopkins School renovation project.  He said the decision should be voted on at Town Meeting, where he believed “it will pass with flying colors.”

“If we don’t do it that way, I think there will be a lot of angst,” he said.

Rothermich explained that the department would know the final number for the Hopkins project in the fall. The remaining debt would be rescinded, and the amount “would then be transferred to another project.” Town Meeting would be able to vote on the Loop Road repaving and sidewalk project in May 2027.

HFD makes 3 capital requests

The Hopkinton Fire Department requested nearly $4.4 million for its operational budget. This is a 6.41 percent increase over the previous year.

HFD Chief Gary Daugherty explained that this is a “zero-based” budget. All salary increases are “solely driven by contractual obligations.” All line items were either level-funded or decreased.

He noted that last year, firefighters responded to 2,665 calls, a 4.4% increase.

Capital requests included nearly $93,100 each for two 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe special services vehicles for the chief and deputy fire chief. The chief’s current vehicle will be used by the fire prevention unit.

“The reason we’re going with the bigger vehicle is because of the stuff that it carries,” Daugherty said. Some of that includes EMS equipment, life jackets and defibrillators.

HFD also requested nearly $216,000 for three cardiac monitors. This money will be taken from the ambulance fund. The monitors will provide faster diagnostic capabilities for EMTs assessing cardiac cases.

HPD asks for records manager, taser upgrade

The Hopkinton Police Department submitted a budget request for nearly $3.9 million. This is a 4.63% increase over the previous year. Most of that money is for personnel.

HPD Chief Joseph Bennett said he would like to request $60,000 for a civilian records manager. This person would categorize public records, handle detail billing and assist with Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) requests, among other responsibilities.

He added that the department has relied on help from interns, town employees and outside contractors to handle some of this work.

Select Board member Matthew Kizner said this request reflects “some of what the community has been asking for” regarding transparency.

On the capital side, Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten that $155,000 will be used for a five-year contract to upgrade the department’s taser equipment and provide training. The town’s previous five-year contract already has expired. Parts are no longer being produced for the older models.

Tasers have been used during mental health crisis calls and have reduced the risk of injury to officers as well as to the people they are trying to help, he added.

Bennett explained that three HPD cruisers need to be replaced. This will cost about $1.38 million over five years. The cruisers are purchased on a rotating basis.

Also, the communications/dispatch budget increased by 8% to just over $1 million.

Concerns with Fruit Street garage

Dave Daltorio, the facilities/engineering department manager, presented his operating budget request totaling $1,746,003, a 4.78% increase

There are several capital requests. The largest expense was $1.5 million for HVAC improvements for the police station. The HVAC system for the Senior Center also will be evaluated for an upgrade at a cost of $250,000.

Townwide building maintenance was budgeted for $25,000. A study for the reuse of the Elmwood School will cost $75,000. Vehicle replacement will cost $100,000.

The only expense that drew questions was $75,000 for a needs assessment for the Fruit Street garage. It houses vehicles for all town departments, Daltorio explained. The building has experienced leaks, and the electrical and sprinkler systems need to be upgraded. Also, the parking lot, he said, is “falling apart.”

The alternative would be to replace the building, but Daltorio said that is an expensive ask.

Herr questioned putting money into a building that is deteriorating. Kizner agreed, noting that the investment in the town’s equipment is at risk by being inadequately stored.

DPW hit with major project costs

The Department of Public Works operating budget encompassed several areas. The total recommended amount was $5,669,172. This is slightly higher than the $5,634,057 allocated for FY 26.

DPW director Kerry Reed said she prioritized nine capital requests. The most important one was nearly $289,000 to replace a dump truck with a swaploader that allows for dumping and hauling.

Construction of a water tank at Grove Street will cost $2,100,000, she noted.

Reed highlighted a request for Well 1 rehabilitation, noting that the well has partially collapsed. The cost will be $515,000, which will come from the enterprise fund.

Grove Street drainage repairs and sidewalk improvements are estimated to cost $1 million, Reed said. Water and sewer main replacement and road repaving of Briarcliff Drive, Thayer Heights Road, Hemlock Street and Blueberry Lane will cost $885,000.

Reed noted that her original request for $800,000 for the pavement management program was trimmed by $200,000.

“We’re not going to be able to pave as many roads,” she said. “So people are going to have to expect that.”

A vehicle undercarriage pressure washer will cost $115,000. Reed noted that this will be used by several town departments, including police and fire.

The Grist Mill Dam rehabilitation project on North Mill Street will cost $1,450,000. The state identified deficiencies with the bridge, culvert and dam structure.

Water quality improvements at Lake Whitehall, including stormwater management controls, would be a $587,500 expense.

The Sewer Department’s budget request totaled $3,364,205.77. This included a $500,000 request for a sewer meter station upgrade to the Westborough connection. Hopkinton must pay its share of the upgrade as part of an intermunicipal agreement.

Another request was for $250,000 for a sewer system evaluation survey. Improvements to the wastewater treatment facility will cost $70,000. A portable generator will cost $175,000.