The Select Board on Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve a budget message of financial restraint for the upcoming fiscal year, mirroring the level-service funding message of FY 26.

Member Matt Kizner cast the dissenting vote. He said he was “not in alignment with that message.” He wanted to see a more conservative approach and “some level-funding messaging as well” because of the looming deficit on the horizon over the next few years due to capital projects.

The meeting was held jointly with the School Committee, the Board of Assessors and the Capital Improvement Committee to gain their input. This is the first step in the process, which will be refined over the coming months before May’s Annual Town Meeting.

Chief Financial Officer Kyla LaPierre stressed that the preliminary level-service budget was based on a 2.5% tax increase. This plan, she said, assumes that the expenses for non-school town departments only will increase by 2%. To maintain level service, LaPierre said the school budget would need to be increased by 7.6% over FY 26 because of school building projects.

All town department budget requests must be submitted by Oct. 24, she added.

Although LaPierre called the estimates “conservative,” the total sources of funding for the town add up to $138,027,801, an increase of 0.2%.

“We do believe that we will have over $11 million in free cash for FY 27,” she noted as a positive point.

LaPierre cautioned that there will be less free cash in subsequent years. She attributed this to greater accuracy in reviewing the town’s financial landscape.

Capital projects will impact future budget cycles, she said. School projects and the work toward the town’s anticipated connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) connection likely will cause future deficits.

Stressed LaPierre: “The planning for FY 27 is going to be critically important on how to set us up for the following years.”

School Committee chair Kyla McSweeney noted that the special education reserve that previously was part of the town budget now falls under the school budget. This will “show a big increase.” However, she stressed that it is the “same amount” but located in a different budget than in previous years.

LaPierre clarified that this reserve had been funded from free cash beginning in 2022 as part of the town’s operating budget for “unknown expenditures.” She said the FY 27 amount is roughly $1.15 million.

TIF talks with pickleball/padel club OK’d

The board unanimously voted to allow Town Manager Elaine Lazarus and town counsel to enter into negotiations for a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with the owner of a new pickleball/padel club.

TIFs allow new businesses to pay lower tax rates when they initially open if they provide a community benefit. The amount gradually increases as the business becomes more established. Lazarus explained that TIF agreements can run from 5-30 years.

Yev Galper, the founder of Open Play Pickleball & Padel Club, presented his request. The 25,000-square-foot facility is under construction at 124 East Main Street and expected to open in December. Galper described it as a “state-of-the-art” center that will include 19 indoor and outdoor courts. It also will include a golf simulator and community space.

Galper said this project represents a $5.5 million investment in Hopkinton with a unique concept. He described it as an opportunity for Hopkinton to become an epicenter for pickleball and padel players. He noted that the popularity of both sports exploded during the pandemic. While he said padel is wildly popular in Europe, it is gaining traction in America.

“It’s the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s just coming to the U.S.,” he said. “It creates a really amazing opportunity to attract players and tournaments and leagues.”

The club also will feature a hall of fame area, mirroring the 26.2 Foundation’s effort to honor Boston Marathon champions, added Galper.

Galper said he has been meeting with the Parks & Recreation Department about his plans for months. He also is working with the high school to develop varsity programs. He is a sponsor of Wicked Pickle, the upcoming pickleball tournament run by the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center, on Oct. 25.

Members said they were impressed with Galper’s passion and community outreach efforts.

New town counsel chosen

The board voted 4-0 to select Mead, Talerman & Costa as its new town counsel. The firm, headquartered in Newburyport, will replace current town counsel Harrington Heep. Member Brian Herr recused himself from the discussion.

After receiving additional information from the three firms competing for the role, Mead, Talerman & Costa stood out to board members because of its knowledge of the area. Its fees are similar to Harrington Heep’s.

Member Matthew Kizner said he was impressed that if supplemental counsel were needed because of potential conflicts with neighboring communities on intermunicipal agreements (IMAs), the cost for special counsel would be deducted from its fee.

“I know this was a drawn-out process,” said chair Joe Clark after the vote. “It was an important one, so I’m glad we took the time to go through this.”

Church Street portion to be 1-way

The board approved the plan to make a portion of Church Street one-way southbound, from Main Street to Church Place, in a unanimous vote.

Church Place is a one-block-long street across from St. John’s Parish that connects to Hayden Rowe Street.

Herr reminded the public that this change was proposed previously as part of the Main Street Corridor Project. It also aligns with the expansion plans for the Hopkinton Public Library, which sits at the corner of Main Street and Church Street.

Lazarus noted the change will not happen immediately.

Pine Island Road repair approved

The board unanimously approved a request by Director of Public Works Kerry Reed for the town to fund repairs to Pine Island Road. Although it is not a publicly accepted town road, the road’s condition is in severe disrepair. The cost for this work is $474.73.

During the public comment period, two Pine Island Road residents confirmed that the road is in bad condition. One pothole was described as 5 inches deep.

Reed stressed that pothole repair and work on a berm is “consistent with what we do for other roads.”

She also had concerns about the overall condition of the road. Reed said it would need to be upgraded for the town to consider accepting it in the future.

Funding for private road repairs typically is paid for by the residents. Reed noted that Hopkinton has other options. They include Select Board or Town Meeting approval or funding for betterments.