With Annual Town Meeting approaching on Monday, May 5, residents will vote on several articles that will impact Hopkinton’s economic future at Annual Town Meeting, including the fiscal year 2026 comprehensive budget.

The warrant includes 41 articles pertaining to budget requests to cover town and school expenses as well as policy initiatives. [Editor’s note: The number of articles was corrected from 44, as there were a few that were pulled late in the process.]

Unlike in recent years, voters are not facing any property tax override requests. When the Select Board kicked off the budget process requests for last October, it recommended a level-service budget, with town departments asked to make only the most necessary requests. Non-school town departments initially were asked to limit their budget requests to no more than a 1.3% increase in order to balance the budget. In January, the percentage was raised to no more than 3.34%.

After months of town departments working to pare down their respective asks and streamlining and combining some services, the town produced a balanced budget of nearly $138 million. This effort also was accomplished by a higher amount of state aid than expected and a certified free cash reserve of more than $18 million (not all of which will be used).

Article 6 asks voters to accept the proposed operating budget.

Adaptive playground expected to generate debate

The project that likely will provoke the most discussion is the proposed construction of an adaptive playground at Marathon School anticipated to cost more than $1.2 million. Article 25 requests that $943,000 be allocated toward the project.

Other than the cost, the crux of the issue has been its location on school grounds. The Community Preservation Committee voted last December to recommend that $300,000 be allocated toward the project. This funding is contingent upon its approval and the balance being funded by another source.

When the request arose at this meeting, a suggestion was made that the School Department pay for at least half of the project because it would be located at a school and not be available for public use during the school day.

Questions have been raised over the past year as to why an adaptive playground was not part of the plans for the new Charleswood School, although its playground design has included some inclusive elements. Others thought a more central location in town would be at the Center School.

At the CPC meeting in December 2024, School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh explained that 198 town-owned parcels were considered for the adaptive playground before deciding on the Marathon site. A feasibility study revealed that Marathon School would be the best location because of its flat terrain and easy accessibility. Because an increasing number of students with disabilities attend the school, proponents said it would provide them with an inclusive play space both during and outside of the school day. It would also benefit the town as a whole.

The Select Board voted unanimously on April 1 to recommend funding for the adaptive playground, citing increasing demand from residents over the past few years.

Support anticipated for Center School reuse plan

One project that appears to have garnered wide support is the potential reuse of the Center School in a proposed public-private partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. In addition to community meeting and activity space, HCA class space and offices for the Parks & Recreation Department and the Youth & Family Services Department have been discussed. The plan is to retain and rehabilitate the 1928 structure and demolish the two additions in the rear. The entire project is expected to cost $10 million.

In order for the project to go out to bid, a request for $600,000 was recommended as part of the CPC’s list of recommended projects contained in Article 27. The money would fund architectural plans and stabilization of the deteriorating building. The request stipulated that a public-private partnership be formed by the end of this project phase, which would allow the HCA to bid for it.

State legislators and Select Board members expressed enthusiasm for the project, which would help revitalize the downtown area and provide needed space for town departments.

In addition, Article 39 asks that the town transfer control of Center School to the Select Board. This article would allow the Select Board to “lease all or a portion of said building for a term not to exceed 99 years, to a non-profit arts and/or community organization based in the Town of Hopkinton, for the advancement of community and/or cultural enrichment activities, programs, and other opportunities, on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deem to be in the best interests of the Town.” The selection process is subject to a competitive bid.

CPC requests include Parks & Rec, historical projects

In addition to the Center School request, Article 27 contains several CPC funding requests. The Parks & Recreation Department asked for $10,000 for a splash pad feasibility study and $24,300 for three water refill stations in town.

Requests under the CPC’s historical reserve include $100,000 for the second phase of the restoration of the Historical Society building at 168 Hayden Rowe Street. Money also was requested for restoration work at the building at Mount Auburn Cemetery and the restoration of the floor in the Library’s Ellsworth Conference Room.

Under the open space reserve, money was requested for stewardship and a conservation restriction for the town’s recently acquired Colella property. In addition, $35,000 toward the purchase and related costs to acquire the Casucci property on Saddle Hill Road was sought.

DPW seeks to replace deteriorating equipment

The Department of Public Works made several capital project fund requests to replace equipment that has surpassed its lifetime. Requests were made for three Water Department vehicles and a new screen system for the Fruit Street wastewater treatment facility. Also, money was requested for the town water main flushing program and the designs for a sewer main replacement and the Grove Street water tank.

Economic development account sought

The Select Board requested that a home rule petition be filed with the state legislature to create a town economic development special revenue account. This account would hold the money generated from the meals tax for use for economic development projects. Attracting and retaining businesses and stimulating economic growth are the goals. The newly created Economic Development Advisory Board would provide advice on projects.

Saturday proposed for future Town Meetings

Article 35 seeks to change Town Meeting from its traditional start on the first Monday in May at 7 p.m. to a morning start on the first Saturday in May. Town Clerk Connor Degan proposed the article, noting that older residents and people with disabilities have difficulty attending weeknight meetings, which can last until midnight.