The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday received an overview of the warrant articles for the May 5 Town Meeting.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus said the current number of proposed articles is 51, but some may be removed. The draft warrant will be presented at the next Select Board meeting.

There are three articles outside of the capital process, she explained. One is a placeholder article from the Open Space Preservation Commission to fund an unspecified land purchase. The second is a citizens petition to fund a legal review of the transfer of open space at Legacy Farms to the Hopkinton Area Land Trust. The third is a citizens petition to prohibit the use of compression-released engine brakes used mainly on diesel trucks.

Three draft items were submitted by the Select Board regarding economic development. The first was a home rule petition that would create an economic development revenue account into which meals tax revenue would be deposited. Member Shahidul Mannan previously recommended additional goals that should be included, so Lazarus incorporated them into the article. References were added to “economic development projects that stimulate economic growth” as well as attracting new businesses, current business retention and improving infrastructure.

The second was an article to create an economic development advisory board. Lazarus said this could be done by a bylaw at Town Meeting, an administrative order or a Select Board vote.

Member Amy Ritterbusch said it would be “much cleaner” to create this board through the Select Board and allow for more flexibility than a Town Meeting article.

The third was to create an economic development office through a bylaw. This office also could be established by the town without a bylaw change and likewise would add flexibility.

Lazarus said doing this through Town Meeting is “unusual,” and she was not “super excited about it.”

Ritterbusch agreed, saying that it would be more prudent to see how much revenue is generated by the meals tax to see if it would support the position. Mannan said the advisory board would and funding would be in place by the time the director would be hired.

Town’s commitment to DEI reaffirmed

Lazarus noted that at the last meeting, a resident asked the Select Board to affirm its stance on the town’s policies on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). That resident was Jak Miller, the library’s assistant director.

Miller’s comments prompted a discussion on the town’s ideology on DEI. Lazarus pointed out that the Select Board voted unanimously to address systemic racism, social injustice and inequality on Dec. 8, 2020.

She added that the preamble to the town’s charter states:

“The Town of Hopkinton welcomes residents of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, gender identifications and sexual orientations; the Town of Hopkinton, further, is committed to providing a climate of safety and acceptance to all residents. The Town of Hopkinton will actively address and resist acts of discrimination, bullying or intimidation.”

Said Lazarus: “This is what we as a government entity adhere to every day.”

“We did the pledge back in 2020,” said Ritterbusch, “and I’d certainly be happy to reaffirm that for myself.”

She noted that people, particularly who are in the transgender and LGB communities, and immigrants who are here legally are feeling “vulnerable.”

LaFreniere noted that she, Ritterbusch and Herr were on the board in 2020 and all took the pledge.

“Obviously, our town has stood up for what is right,” added Mannan. “And we have seen it time and time again.”

“I support those words 100%,” said Herr. “Nothing has changed.”

New school funding agreement OK’d

The board voted 4-0 to authorize Herr to sign the project funding agreement between the town and the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the new Charleswood School. This document allows the town to receive state reimbursement for some of the project’s costs.

Mannan said the project currently is under budget by $8.7 million. The school is expected to cost around $118 million.

Annual race, parade permits approved

The board approved 4-0 several permits for annual town events beginning in mid-April. They include:

• The Marathon Committee’s request for a 100-yard dash to be held on April 19 at 2 p.m.
• The Little League Opening Day Parade scheduled for April 27 at 10:30 a.m. The rain date is May 4.
• The Dick & Rick Hoyt Memorial “Yes You Can” Walk/Run on May 24 at 10 a.m.
• The Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Race to Cure ALS on June 14 at 8:30 a.m.
• The Class of 2025 Senior Car Parade to be held on June 7 at 10 a.m.

Feb. 25 meeting canceled

Due to the number of meetings scheduled by other town entities on Feb. 25, the board decided to cancel its meeting.