Before the Select Board continued its departmental budget proposal review for fiscal year 2026 Tuesday night, several residents advocated for funding for that would benefit Hopkinton’s older and younger residents.

The uncertainty over potential federal funding cuts, combined with the town’s fiscal constraints, prompted people to advocate for the Hopkinton Public Library and Senior Services.

The Accounting/Procurement & Grants budget request also was under review, but its proposal showed a savings from the previous year. Youth & Family Services, during its presentation, outlined its concerns about potential staff cuts if federal grant funding dries up.

Residents advocate for priorities

“Hopkinton, like most of Massachusetts, is also an aging community,” Sam Docknevich, the Council on Aging (COA) secretary, read from a COA letter drafted earlier in the day. He pointed out that in 2020, 19% of Hopkinton’s population was age 60 and older. By 2030, that population is expected to grow to 27%.

A 2024 community needs assessment showed challenges facing older residents who want to age in place. They included lack of affordable and accessible housing, financial insecurity because of higher taxes, cost of living and housing, and limited transportation options for people who don’t drive. These concerns likely will grow as the older population swells.

He added: “Meeting the needs of seniors is just as important as meeting the needs of Hopkinton’s children.”

COA vice chair Paula Haas, speaking as a resident, pointed out that some younger residents intend to move out of town once their children graduate from school. This detracts from the “warm feeling of being a community” that older residents value.

Nancy “Punky” Drawe, the COA chair, spoke of her heavy involvement in the Senior Center. Also, five forms were submitted to the Select Board in support of the Senior Center and were included in its packet.

Warren Carter, vice chair of the Library Board of Trustees, said funding the library’s budget request was “a no-brainer.” He pointed out that the total value of the library’s services “represents about $23 million a year.”

Linda Clancy, a member of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library, called the library a “gem” that offers free resources for all ages.

Departments make cases for funding

The Youth & Family Services budget presentation gave the most dramatic view into what proposed federal funding cuts could mean for Hopkinton. Director Dawn Alcott Miller explained that “on the surface,” the budget request is slightly less than it was for FY 25 at just over $348,000.

But the current review of federal grants has led to “a state of uncertainty” because half of the department’s staff is funded by three federal grants. This includes two youth substance use prevention staff members funded through grants. A “piece of” the remaining three staff members is covered by a Mental Health Awareness Training grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

A social worker position remains vacant, Alcott Miller said, although offers have been made to applicants who declined them.

“We’re the only department I think that is heavily grant funded,” she added, noting that mental health training and promotion programs as well as the youth internship program may have to be slashed.

She added that former presidents, including current President Donald Trump, supported Drug-Free Communities grants, so she is trying to remain “hopeful.”

Included in the budget request is $25,000 for Project Just Because, a non-profit statewide food pantry. Alcott Miller said that while the South Street operation has received that amount over the past 10 years, its costs are increasing.

“You bring a tremendous service to the town and to its youth,” said Select Board chair Brian Herr. He called the potential pulling of federal funding “a nationwide problem caused by a bunch of stuff in D.C.”

“We cannot let our world get dictated by that nonsense,” he added.

Senior Services director Amy Beck said the department’s FY 26 operating budget increased by 5.79% over FY 25 to just over $578,000. Most of that is for the two salaried positions, but more than 100 volunteers help provide services to seniors.

Her one worry was being able to afford the price of postage for the Senior Center newsletter, which is sent to about 2,500 homes per month. She hoped more people would be willing to read it online.

Said Beck: “Senior Services is able to do a lot with a little, and we always find ways to make it work.”

Vice chair Mary Jo LaFreniere pointed out to Council on Aging members who expressed support that the letter they submitted needs to be sent to their state legislators, as some of their requests can only be accomplished at that level.

Library director Nanci Hill told the Select Board that she was requesting nearly $1,050,000, an increase of about 5.8% over FY 25, to keep level services. This amount is only 0.83% of the town budget despite its overall positive impact on the town, she noted.

Staffing encompasses 92% of the budget, Hill said. She explained that in order to remain certified by the state, the HPL must spend 15% of its budget on materials. While the town provides less than one-third of that amount, the rest of it comes from trusts, which she said are “becoming depleted.”

Said Hill: “At some point, we’re going to have to really seriously look at the fact that the other sources of income … are not going to sustain keeping up the level that’s required in order to become certified or stay certified.”

Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch asked if the library’s foundation or the friends group could help. Hill said they primarily pay for programming rather than materials.

Hill said the $24,000 membership fee to the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (CWMARS) consortium of regional libraries in her budget request allows access to 7.6 million items, as well as database and software discounts.

She stressed that the library has been open on weekends without incurring any additional cost to the town. When the budget process began, she feared having to cut weekend access because she wouldn’t have been able to afford staffing.

Cindy Johnson, the senior accounting manager/town accountant, requested $288,612 for FY 26, a decrease of 8.6%. She explained that before people were hired, outside consultants had to be hired to complete financial reporting and prepare for audits.