The Select Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt the comprehensive town budget for fiscal year 2027, allowing it to advance to the Appropriation Committee for discussion.

Since the budget last came before the board in January, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that there were a few important changes because of new information. The certified free cash amount is now $16,178,850. Free cash is used for capital and other expenses.

Lazarus said the state’s proposed budget now calls for $147,001 less state aid than the town had predicted. She cautioned that this amount may change as the state budget moves through the Legislature.

One notable change is that there is $15,000 in the budget for the holiday lights this year. This was achieved by reducing the appropriation for the electronic voting system rental now that it will be purchased as part of the capital plan. Last year, donations paid for the holiday lights after a public outcry over the town not funding them.

Brian Herr asked about the overall impact of the budget on taxpayers. Chief Financial Officer Kyla La Pierre said the levy showed a 2.3% increase from FY 26, which is consistent with the previous year.

She added that the average tax bill is about $14,000. The FY 27 amount is expected to increase by around $700.

Matthew Kizner questioned whether the budget included any allocation for the repaving of Loop Road with leftover money from the Hopkins School renovation project. LaPierre said that it does not.

Any remaining funds from the project, funded in the FY 24 budget, would be rescinded, she noted. They could then be reallocated to another project.

At the March 3 meeting, Susan Rothermich, the school assistant superintendent for finance and operations, explained that Town Meeting would not be able to vote on funding that suggested project until 2027 because the final Hopkins number will not be known until the fall.

E-bike speed limit, CV fingerprinting top ATM article debate

The board began its review of articles for the May 2 Annual Town Meeting. Lazarus pointed out that about half of the 40 articles needed Select Board recommendations.

Imposing a 10-mph speed limit on e-bikes and other electric vehicles (Article 28) prompted discussion. Board members called for more input from stakeholders at the March 17 meeting before making a recommendation.

Lazarus said town counsel reviewed a draft policy that was written after discussions with key stakeholders. They agreed that e-bikes and electric mobility devices should be allowed on shared-use paths, but with a speed limit.

The proposed bylaw would allow the Trails Committee to hold a public hearing that would help it identify the shared-use paths and apply the speed limit, she added.

Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore pointed out that police enforcement may not be practical.

Kizner cautioned that the town may be “over-legislating,” even if it is trying to do “the right thing for the right reasons.”

The need for civilian fingerprinting as a part of the common victualer (CV) license application process (Article 29) arose as another area of concern. DelPriore said Hopkinton would be the only Massachusetts community to require it, if approved.

Amy Ritterbusch and vice chair Shahidul Mannan said they would like Town Meeting to have a say on it, since the issue was raised at several meetings. Kizner and Herr raised concerns about violating civil liberties and being a turnoff for businesses.

Chair Joe Clark said he would like to see a draft policy before making a decision. Kizner suggested reaching out to the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce for an opinion.

Board seeks to streamline articles

The board voted 5-0 to keep Article 5 on the warrant this year. This article requests approval of Town Clerk Connor Degan’s salary. This is the town’s only salaried elected position.

Lazarus said the new town counsel pointed out that this could be included in the budget rather than as an article.

Ritterbusch suggested that it be left as an article for this year and reconsidered before the next ATM. Kizner agreed, citing the need for public feedback.

Also, the board voted unanimously to remove the article regarding Chapter 90 highway funds from the warrant  DelPriore pointed out that it is unnecessary.

Clark asked for a streamlined list of articles that need the board’s recommendation for the nest meeting. He also sought a list of routine articles that Degan previously suggested could be consolidated for quicker approval.

Cautious approach taken on Clinton Street streetlight

The board voted 4-1 to revisit the request for a streetlight on Clinton Street after abutters, the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission are notified and have a chance to submit comments. Kizner, a neighborhood resident, cast the dissenting vote.

Pavel Balavur, a resident of 92 Clinton Street, made the request. The address is located halfway between Front Street and East Street

“Due to the dense canopy of tall trees along this road, very little ambient light reaches the street, making it extremely dark at night,” he stated in his request. “Visibility is limited, which creates safety concerns for drivers. This area is known for frequent wildlife activity, including deer and coyotes, which can suddenly cross the road and pose a risk to vehicles in low-light conditions.”

Dave Daltorio, the town’s engineer/facilities director, said he researched the location to ascertain that it is in a town right-of-way. He commented that streetlights on Clinton Street are “far and few between.”

He added that the Hopkinton Police Department notified him that there were between 10-15 crashes on Clinton Street over the past five years.

Daltorio recommended the streetlight installation. He said it could be included in the department’s operating budget.

Added Daltorio: “If it provides an improvement to public safety, I’m always on board for it.”

Kizner agreed that a streetlight is needed because of the traffic volume. He described Clinton Street as windy and hilly in a dark, forested area. He also complimented the resident for being proactive.

Herr countered that he did not want to set a precedent by installing a streetlight because of a residential request. He called streetlights “some folks’ pleasure and other folks’ pain.”

“I think we need to check this out from different angles,” he continued. He suggested that the Planning Board, Conservation Commission or Board of Appeals take up the issue.

Added Herr: “If we start popping up streetlights where everybody complains or has a concern, we’re going to look like a Christmas tree.”

Mannan and Ritterbusch suggested a middle-of-the-road approach. They agreed that abutters should be notified. They also suggested that the Planning Board and Conservation Commission provide feedback.

Clark noted that because it is a safety issue, it will be taken up by the board again soon.