Candidates running for town government positions in the May 19 election showcased their skills at Wednesday’s Meet the Candidates Night at the HCAM-TV studio.
Sponsored by the Hopkinton Women’s Club, the event allowed incumbents and fresh faces to explain their reasons for running and to take questions from the public about their stances on key issues. While the candidates focused on their public service and budget concerns, at times their responses were tinged with humor.
Only two of the races this year are contested. For the Select Board, incumbent Shahidul Mannan is competing with Capital Improvement Committee chair Matthew Kizner and political newcomer Jeffrey Doyle for two seats.
The Board of Assessors race has Peter Mimmo running for reelection against Frederick Mayer. Mimmo also is running for a seat on the Planning Board.
Moderator Kathie Hebden allowed each candidate to make a two-minute opening statement. She later fielded a small number of emailed questions to candidates. No audience members asked questions.
Select Board hopefuls outline views
Doyle noted that his family has lived in town for “almost 100 years,” starting when his great-grandfather moved here in the 1930s. This is Doyle’s first time running for office in town after moving back two years ago. He has worked in cybersecurity sales for the past decade and said he is “focused on the roots of the town.”
Last year, Doyle said “there was a lot of buzz” about some resident groups not feeling like they were being heard. While he noted the atmosphere has improved since then, he was motivated to run “to make sure that continues in the right direction of listening to the folks in the town.”
“I think my focus is having a Select Board that is focused on the future of the town,” he added, with his main concern being the town’s water supply.
He added that he is a supporter of Live4Evan, a charity named for one of Doyle’s childhood friends from Hopkinton, including running in the 2022 Boston Marathon as a fundraiser.
Kizner stressed his nearly six years of service on the CIC, serving for more than half of that time as its chair. He also is a former Zoning Advisory Committee member. Professionally, Kizner has worked for almost 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
“I like digging into data and asking questions,” he explained. “And I understand that change happens through collaboration and compromise, and not through conquest.
“What matters to me is whether your ideas and issues are relevant to Hopkinton and the things that we are discussing around our mutual kitchen tables,” added Kizner. Some of these issues include rising property taxes, supporting emergency response workers, the schools and safe drinking water.
Mannan emphasized his decade-long commitment to public service in Hopkinton. He has served on the Appropriation Committee, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee and Select Board, among other roles. He has an undergraduate degree in engineering and a master of business administration in finance. Professionally, he is an executive who manages data and AI strategy for major healthcare organizations.
“Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving our town during a time of growth, challenge and opportunity,” said Mannan. “I have worked hard alongside many of you to make progress on clean water and PFAS remediation, to support our schools and public safety teams, and to help move forward key projects like the downtown corridor, the skate park and now the new elementary school.”
Another point he stressed was his work to make Hopkinton “a more inclusive and sustainable town.” He also championed the creation of the Economic Development Advisory Board.
Added Mannan: “That’s why I’m running again: to keep listening, to keep building and to keep working for you.”
Kristen Turner asked the candidates to confirm that they are not past due on any Hopkinton tax bill, given the town’s reliance on property taxes for most of its revenue. All confirmed that they have paid their taxes.
In a moment of levity, Kizner and Doyle added jokingly that they also paid to have their dogs licensed. School Committee incumbents Kyla McSweeney and chair Nancy Richards-Cavanaugh, who are running uncontested, also confirmed paying their taxes. Richards-Cavanaugh sheepishly admitted that her dog license renewal is overdue.
Board of Health candidate Raymond Malcolm Smith was asked by Caitlin Tirrell if he would support the policy that unvaccinated students must stay home if there is a measles outbreak. He answered affirmatively, noting that “measles is a critically dangerous disease.”
Darlene Hayes asked whether he would support increasing the size of the Board of Health. He said he would.
An anonymous submission — which Hebden did not read in full, calling it “a little inappropriate” — questioned Richards-Cavanaugh for running for a fourth term.
In response, Richards-Cavanaugh noted that she is running unopposed and still has a child in the school system. She added that this will be the final time she will run.
Candidates’ skills highlighted
Mimmo and his family moved to Hopkinton in 2015. He is an attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who helps enforce the state’s civil rights laws.
“I’ve been honored to be a member of this board since 2022,” he said of his stint with the Board of Assessors.
As a member, Mimmo supported the town’s Hero Act, which helped increase the amount of tax exemptions for veterans, and resolved multiple tax appeals that were pending with the appellate tax board. He plans to advocate for more senior tax exemptions if elected to a second term.
Hebden read from the resume submitted by Mayer, who was unable to attend the event.
She said Mayer, who is better known as Ted, was on the Board of Assessors from 1986-92. He was a certified financial planner for 42 years and worked as an investment advisor for Wells Fargo before his retirement. He also served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Many seats unopposed
The following people, not including those listed above, are running for uncontested positions:
- Stanley Pulnik and Susan Porter for Board of Library Trustees
- Gina Harper for Cemetery Commission
- Susan Kurys for Commissioner of Trust Funds
- Amy Groves for constable
- Beth Malloy for Housing Authority
- Kyle Smith for Parks & Recreation Commission
- Amna Diwan for Planning Board
- Connor Degan for town clerk
- Zachary Kosan for town moderator
I appreciate the fact that the Doyle’s have been in town for 100 years. Jeff has no history in volunteering for this or any community committees. He’s not a regular voter nor attends ATM. I will place my vote for the two candidates who have put their time and energy into serving the town of Hopkinton. Shahidul Mannan and Matthew Kizner have each taken on many roles within our town. I believe they have earned their ‘seat at the table.’