Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Voters approve all STM articles, debate meals excise tax

Voters approved all eight articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant Monday night, dedicating most of the debate time to the MBTA zoning proposal and an article about a meals excise tax.

Select Board member Joe Clark presented the excise tax to voters with the help of Chamber of Commerce member Paul Ostrander.

Clark and Ostrander pointed to lagging economic activity in town and higher rates of property tax as drivers behind pushing for the tax.

Funds raised could pay for a full-time economic development officer and grants to encourage businesses to set up shop in Hopkinton. Clark said the town will bring a motion about how to use the funds to Annual Town Meeting in May 2025.

Residents expressed concerns over the tax and lack of specifics regarding where the money will go, worrying it was “putting the cart before the horse.”

Multiple meeting attendees recommended the town delay the vote until May, citing impact on businesses dealing with factors like the Main Street Corridor Project and being unsure of how the money will be used.

Clark explained implementing this tax now would allow the town to start collecting revenue and get a sense of how much income might be generated annually.

“We’ll lose out on six months of revenue [if we wait],” said Clark. “If this goes through, it goes into effect Jan. 1.”

After further discussion, residents approved the article by a margin of 186-113.

All other articles on the STM warrant, with the exception of the MBTA zoning article, passed either unanimously or by overwhelming majority in voice votes.

Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce member Paul Ostrander (right) provides information about a proposed meals excise tax at Monday night’s Special Town Meeting while Select Board member Joe Clark looks on. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Latest News

After over an hour of debate and an attempt to amend the motion, residents voted 236-167 to approve the Planning Board’s proposed MBTA Communities Act overlay district at Special Town Meeting Monday night.

This week’s Real Estate Transactions list shows 11 property sales, four of which were more than $1 million.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will host “horn-fueled R&B, rock, soul and funk band” Soul Function Boston this Friday night.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Assessors (5:30) and the Select Board (6)

Photo of the Day

A deer sticks its head in front of a camera mounted in the Whitehall Conservation Area.

PHOTO/COURTESY ED HARROW