Annual Town Meeting moved swiftly Monday night, with the unanimous passage of two articles allowing a public-private partnership plan for the reuse of the Center School to move forward as the most prominent of the majority of the articles receiving unanimous approval.

The adaptive playground plan for Marathon School also moved forward following some discussion.

The lack of controversial articles seen in previous years allowed the process to move smoothly at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium, Town Clerk Connor Degan served as acting town moderator in the absence of Ellen Rutter, who was away.

Degan stressed from the outset that his goal was to keep things flowing. He kept the pace moving like a well-oiled machine, completing the meeting in one night by 10:44 p.m. One reason was that 12 noncontroversial articles were grouped together and unanimously approved in a consent agenda at the meeting’s start.

“Town Meeting is the legislative body that keeps Hopkinton moving forward,” he said. “But it is more than just any legislature. It’s a gathering of neighbors with the shared aim of charting the path forward for our community.”

Out of 41 articles, the only one defeated was a citizens petition by Ed Harrow calling for the prohibition of the use of compression brakes in town. It stalled, going down in a 35-80 vote, after members said its wording and scope were too broad.

Select Board member Joe Clark (at microphone) and Community Preservation Committee chair Ken Weismantel present on the Center School reuse plan at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Center School reuse gets support

Article 26 described the projects recommended for funding by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The main focus was on the potential reuse of the Center School in a proposed public-private partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

CPC chair Ken Weismantel explained that in order for the proposal to go out to bid, the CPC recommended in this article that $600,000 be approved to fund construction bid documents and engineering plans. Then a request for proposals (RFP) would allow the $10 million project to move forward. The idea previously received enthusiastic support from the Select Board, the Capital Improvement Committee (CIC), the Appropriation Committee and state legislators.

The proposal’s aim is multifaceted. It would provide needed community meeting and activity space as well as offices for the Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services Department. It also would have classroom space for the HCA’s programming. As a central destination in Hopkinton, it would offer creative outlets, particularly for young people, and provide downtown parking.

The RFP would ask for bids from a Hopkinton-based non-profit focused on the arts. The HCA intends to bid on the project and would raise $4 million of the total construction cost, if selected.

In his presentation, Weismantel, aided by Select Board member Joe Clark, described the project’s scope. The plan is to keep the historic 1928 façade of the original building while gutting its interior. The two additions in the back would be demolished, potentially leaving an opportunity for the HCA to develop the space. Weismantel noted this vote would signal “the first step” in a lengthy process.

“This is one of the more exciting projects I’ve seen come around town in a while,” said Clark, noting that preserving the 1928 structure was key.

Added Weismantel: “We’re going to fund this entire project without a debt exclusion and without reaching into your taxpayers’ pockets anymore.”

A few questions arose about the plans shown in the presentation. Weismantel explained that they were more of a “pre-feasibility study” to give members an idea of the project’s potential.

Matthew Kizner, the CIC chair, called the proposal “a new way to leverage the asset that is the beautiful Town Common.” He envisioned more people coming to town because of parking availability, as well as the potential for arts programming on the Town Common.

After the unanimous voice vote in favor of the $600,000 allocation, the body took up Article 37. This asked for the approval to “transfer care, custody and control of the former Center School” to the Select Board so that it could issue the project RFP. It likewise passed unanimously.

Town Clerk Connor Degan explains potential benefits of moving Town Meeting to Saturday. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

ATM to move to Saturday

Stepping away from his role as acting moderator, Degan presented Article 33. It proposed moving  Annual Town Meeting from the first Monday in May to the first Saturday in May and passed 97-39.

Degan said the goal was to increase overall participation at Town Meeting. It would help older residents and people with disabilities who might not have gone in years past due to concerns like night driving and staying through late-night meetings.

He discussed his idea with other town clerks who serve in communities with Saturday Town Meetings to gauge their success rates. He noted that they tended to finish more quickly. Should Town Meeting run over one day, he said the moderator would determine the subsequent date.

Child care was the main issue that generated discussion. Some residents spoke about either asking a spouse to stay home to care for their children or the expense of hiring a babysitter. Other speakers contended that likely babysitters would be involved in sports or family activities on the weekend, as would some ATM participants.

Former Select Board member and chair Muriel Kramer suggested that Scouts and National Honor Society members looking to fulfill their volunteer hour requirements could serve as babysitters.

Town budget passes easily

After a brief discussion, the fiscal year 2026 operational budget unanimously passed. This balanced budget of $137.9 million, a 12% increase from FY 25, was the culmination of months of efforts by town departments to keep their requests to the bare minimum.

The budget emphasized fiscal responsibility while maintaining level services. This was accomplished with the allocation of 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). It included a 5.8% increase in funding for Hopkinton Public Schools and an 11.3% increase for town and school employee benefits and insurance.

Economic development article passes

Members voted unanimously for the creation of a special revenue account for economic development. It would contain the money garnered from the meals tax of 0.75%, which was implemented in January. The creation of this account ultimately must be approved by the Legislature.

The goal of this fund is to diversify the tax base by attracting new businesses while supporting current ones. The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce endorsed the article. Kyla LaPierre, the town’s chief financial officer, said the meals tax generated $12,000 in this year’s first quarter.

Following are results from all articles at Annual Town Meeting.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES/RESULTS

Article 1: Acceptance of town reports
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 2: Fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations and transfers
Vote to take no action approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 3: Unpaid bills from prior fiscal years
Approved by voice vote (four-fifths majority required)

Article 4: Set the salary of elected officials
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 5: FY 26 operating budget
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 6: FY 26 revolving funds spending limits
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 7: PEG access and cable-related funding
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 8: Chapter 90 highway funds
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 9: Transfer to Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 10: Transfer to the general stabilization fund
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 11: Transfer to the Capital Expense Stabilization Fund
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 12: Transfer to the School Special Education Reserve Fund
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 13: Home rule petition — economic development special revenue account
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 14: Pay-as-you-go capital expenses
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 15: Rescind authorized but voided capital projects
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 16: Water Department vehicle replacement
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 17: Water Department vehicle replacement
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 18: Town-wide water main flushing program
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 19: Grove Street water tank design
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 20: Water Department vehicle replacement
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 21: Supplemental appropriation for MWRA connection design work
Approved 128-21 (simple majority required)

Article 22: Fruit Street Wastewater Treatment Facility screen system replacement
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 23: Sewer main replacement design
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 24: Adaptive playground at the Marathon Elementary School
Approved 125-41 (simple majority required)

Article 25: Community preservation funds
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 26: Community preservation recommendations
Motion 1 approved by voice vote (simple majority required)
Motion 2 approved by voice vote (simple majority required)
Motion 3 approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 27: Amend zoning bylaw definition of “veterinary clinic”
Approved, 119-20 (two-thirds majority required)

Article 28: Amend zoning bylaw reference
Approved, 135-2 (two-thirds majority required)

Article 29: Amend zoning bylaw for accessory dwelling units
Approved, 128-12 (simple majority required)

Article 30: Amend zoning bylaw for Floodplain District
Approved, 132-3 (two-thirds majority required)

Article 31: Amend Council on Aging bylaws
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 32: Amend bylaw to establish revolving fund for Finance Department
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 33: Change day and time of Annual Town Meeting
Amendment to change language in sections 47-2 and 47-3 of bylaw, Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)
Approved, 97-39 (simple majority required)

Article 34: Prohibition on use of engine compression brakes
Failed, 80-35 (simple majority required)

Article 35: Accept gift of land – 0 John Matthew Road
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 36: Accept gift of land – 69 Frankland Road
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 37: Lease of Center School
Approved by voice vote (two-thirds majority required)

Article 38: Temporary easement at 32 Chestnut Street for sidewalk construction
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 39: Amend charter to include appointment powers by the Board of Library Trustees
Approved, 88-27 (simple majority required)

Article 40: Authorize fee for written demands
Approved by voice vote (simple majority required)

Article 41: Accept “Prudent Investment Rule”
Approved via consent agenda, voice vote (simple majority required)