Town Meeting Warrant Finalized

At last week’s meeting, the Board of Selectmen finalized the warrant (agenda) for annual Town Meeting coming up in May. Town Meeting begins Monday, May 5 at 7:00pm at the Middle School. The meeting typically adjourns at 11:00pm and is continued on consecutive evenings usually running for at least two nights. There are 42 articles on the warrant this year, we have highlighted a few key articles below, but you can Click Here to Read the Full Warrant.

• Article #8 – Underride – This would reduce Hopkinton’s excess levy capacity (its ability to tax without an override) by $1,250,000. In recent years Hopkinton has not taxed to the full 2 1/2% increase allowed by state law and therefore has an excess levy capacity.
• Article #14 – Pay-As-You-Go Capital Expenses
  • Pierce/Sabre Fit-out Rescue Equipment – Fire Dept. $112,149
  • Replacement of Two Front-Line Cruisers and One Mobile Data Terminal – Police Dept. $71,727
  • Two Building and Grounds Department Trucks – School Dept. $90,000
  • Hopkins School Ceiling Tile Replacement – School Dept. $203,000
  • Upgrade Middle School Auditorium Stage Components – School Dept. $32,000
  • Upgrade Fire Alarm System – Horns/Strobes – School Dept. $25,000
  • Joint IT Upgrades at the Center and Elmwood Schools – School Dept. $100,000
  • Hayden Rowe Drainage – DPW $80,000
  • Keefe Regional Technical School Roof $69,850
  • Read more about the Pay-As-You-Go articles…
• Article #15 – Library Construction – $6,255,000
  • In March, Hopkinton moved up to #3 on the waiting list for a state Library Construction Grant. If Hopkinton residents approve funding for the renovation and expansion of our library at Town Meeting on May 5 and at the Town Election on May 19, then Hopkinton may proceed to signing a grant agreement with MBLC as soon as July. Once a grant agreement is signed, Hopkinton will get its first payment of the $4.5 million grant and the town may begin design refinement. The target date for opening of the renovated and expanded library is December 2016. Read more at the HPLF website.
• Article #16 – Sidewalk Construction & Rehabilitation Program $1,519,000
  • Construction of 10,000 feet of new sidewalks on various streets over the next five years, including three different spots on Ash Street and sections of Wood, Elm and East and West Main streets.
• Article #17 – Hayden Rowe Traffic Calming near the schools $400,000
• Article #18 – Main Fire Station Roof $400,000
• Article #19 – International Horton Ambulance $270,000
• Article #20 – Vactor Truck – $395,000
• Article #21 – Evaluation Studies for School Roof Repairs (Hopkins and High School) – $30,000
• Article #22 – School Safety and Security – $152,400
• Article #25 – Bylaw Change: Farmer’s Market Wine Sampling on Town Common
• Article #32 – Zoning Bylaw Change: Open Space Mixed Use Development (OSMUD) Overlay District – Hockey Rink
• Article #39 – Acquisition of Property at 25 Ash Street (abutting Center School property)
• Article #41 – Scenic Road Designation – Chamberlain Street

Click Here to Read the Full Warrant