News Update – Special Town Meeting Edition
Special Town Meeting 11/18/24
A Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, November 18 at 7:00 PM at Hopkinton Middle School, 88 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton MA 01748. There are eight (8) articles on the warrant.
Key Documents
- Special Town Meeting Warrant 2024-11-18 (PDF)
- Special Town Meeting Warrant & Motions Document 2024-11-18 (PDF)
- You may watch the meeting on the HCAM YouTube Channel, but you must be present to vote.
Articles to be Voted
Article 1: Reauthorize Means Tested Senior Property Tax Exemption (Sponsor: Board of Assessors). The Town of Hopkinton Senior Solutions Guidebook reviews the current tax relief opportunities for seniors, veterans and their families: Senior Solutions Guidebook.pdf
Article 2: Accept MGL Ch. 59 Sec. 5 Clause 22I – Veterans Tax Exemption, Cost of Living Adjustment (Sponsor: Board of Assessors). More information about the HERO Act and other tax exemptions for veterans: Local Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans | Mass.gov
Article 3: Accept MGL Ch. 59 Sec. 5 Clause 22J – Veterans Tax Exemption, Additional Exemption (Sponsor: Board of Assessors). More information about the HERO Act and other tax exemptions for veterans: Local Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans | Mass.gov
Article 4: Adopt Local Meals Excise (Sponsor: Select Board). Information about local option excise taxes, including meals: Local Option Excise Taxes | Mass.gov
Article 5: Transfer Care, Custody & Control of Hughes Farm Parcels (Sponsor: Town Manager). The Hopkinton Trail Guide with information and maps for certain parcels, including Hughes Farm: Hopkinton Trail Guide / Land and Trail Maps
Article 6: Rescind Authorized but Unissued Debt (Sponsor: Town Manager)
Article 7: Establish Board of Health Revolving Fund (Sponsor: Board of Health)
Article 8: MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw (Sponsor: Planning Board)
- MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay Zoning Presenation for the Planning Board Meeting on 10/07/24
- Documents for the Planning Board Public Hearing: MBTA Communities – Special Town Meeting
- Documents for Special Town Meeting: Article 8: MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw
Town Meeting 101
Never been to Hopkinton Town Meeting before? Don’t worry, you are not alone, 90% of registered voters have not attended ANY of the last 6 Annual Town Meetings! Watch our short video to see how it works…
You do not need to bring anything to Town Meeting. However, many people find that bringing a phone/tablet (silenced) or a notebook and pen or pencil is helpful to make notes during the discussions. Only water is allowed in the auditorium, no other food or drink is allowed in the room. There is a reusable water bottle filling station and a drinking fountain outside the auditorium. Many people also find that something to occupy one’s hands is helpful. If you are a knitter, for example, bring a small project. There are plenty of padded stationary folding auditorium style chairs, which are reasonably comfortable. But remember you’ll be there for a long time, so wear comfortable clothes.
Town Meeting begins at 7 pm and is held in the Middle School Auditorium. Allow time to park and walk to the building. As you enter the building head directly to the sign-in tables. To actually vote in the auditorium, you must be a Hopkinton resident registered to vote and you must sign in at the voter table. Your name will be checked off and you’ll be given an Electronic Voting Device (clicker) and small piece of paper marked “Voter Pass.” Hold on to these, you will need them when it is time for the votes to be counted. Handouts: You may opt to save paper by viewing the documents on your phone and skip the handouts table (recommended). There will be a table of handouts and fact sheets regarding all the proposed articles to be voted on from the town boards and committees. There is some terrific information here that may answer many of your questions. The information will also be displayed on the auditorium screen above the stage during the meeting. In addition, CART live captioning will be provided. Please ask when you check in if you have any questions.
You do not have to be present for the entire town meeting to vote, though the more that participate in whole, the more balanced the democratic process. A quorum of 1% of the registered voters (131 voters) in town is needed for the transaction of any business. There is no set time to check in. The meeting will be broadcast live via HCAM TV (Comcast 8/Verizon 30/Streaming live at on the HCAM YouTube Channel), but you MUST be present to vote. You just need to check in prior to the vote, whenever you arrive. You only have to check in once, and you can come and go from the auditorium as you please. You can text (with phone switched to silent mode) from within the auditorium, although there is minimal cell coverage. Step outside to make a phone call.
The Select Board presides over the meeting, which is facilitated by the Town Moderator, Ellen Rutter, and recorded by the Town Clerk, Connor Degan. The format of the meeting itself follows procedures set out in the Town Bylaws (similar to Robert’s Rules of Order). Articles are presented, motions made, discussions ensue. Sometimes it can be a little confusing if an amendment comes up, so keep your ears open. Listen carefully — and you’ll learn a lot.
The committee or board presenting each article may make a brief presentation before each article. The Town Moderator will facilitate a question and answer period for registered residents. If you choose to ask a question or comment on an article, step up to one of the microphones located in the auditorium aisles. Wait for the moderator, to recognize you, then state your name and address, and keep your comments brief, civil, and to the point. The comment, question and answer period will end when either #1 the moderator sees that no one else is waiting at the microphone to speak or #2 a voter comes to the microphone, is recognized by the moderator, and says “I move the question” or “I call the question.” The motion to end debate must then be seconded and then adopted by a ⅔ vote.
As for the actual voting, many votes start as a voice vote. The moderator asks all in favor and all opposed. If the voice vote sounds close, it will go to a electronic clicker count. In case of technical difficulties, a standing count may be done using the “Voting Pass” slip of paper.
Although you can leave at any time, we recommend you do NOT leave until the meeting is officially adjourned. Someone may ask for a recount, and if a large group has already left, the outcome could be different, especially if the original vote was close. If you have any other questions about Town Meeting, please ask.