Town Manager Weekly Update - December 18, 2025
Elaine Lazarus
ADA Grant Awarded
Thanks to the efforts of the Hopkinton Commission on Disability, the Town has been awarded a $45,792 grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability, to prepare an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for town (non-school) facilities that complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its amendments. The project will evaluate town buildings, parks, sidewalks, and parking areas, and will detail and prioritize corrective actions. The Town last completed an ADA evaluation and transition plan in 2007/2008.
The 7-member Commission on Disability was established in 2022, and its purpose is to coordinate or carry out programs in coordination with the Mass. Office on Disability and advise the Select Board on the same, to bring about full and equal participation in all aspects of life in the Town for people with disabilities. The Commission may research local issues, challenges and opportunities encountered by people with disabilities, make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, and activities of town departments as they affect people with disabilities, and encourage public awareness of disability issues, among other duties. Thank you to the Commission for initiating this project!
Charter Review Committee Appointed
A Charter Review Committee has been appointed to conduct a 10-year review of the Town Charter. Members are: Connor Degan, Nancy Richards-Cavanaugh, Jean Bertschmann, Peter Mimmo, Patrick O’Brien, Jamie Wronka, and Muriel Kramer.
The form and organization of Hopkinton’s government is set forth in a Home Rule Charter that was adopted by the Town in 2006 following extensive work by a Charter Commission made up of Hopkinton residents. The Charter requires a review and report by a special Charter Review Committee every 10 years. Amendments were adopted to the Charter in 2017 after the first 10-year review. The Town Charter is available on the Town website at this link: Charter or by calling or visiting the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall. The meetings of the Charter Review Committee are open to the public.
May 2, 2026 Annual Town Meeting
The Saturday, May 2 Annual Town Meeting Warrant will open on Jan. 2 and close on Feb. 1. During this period, warrant articles may be submitted via the Town Manager’s office.
Town Meeting is Hopkinton’s legislative body and votes the annual budgets, funds capital projects, adopts bylaws, approves land acquisition and disposition, among other business matters. All registered voters may attend the annual town meeting and vote. Budget and article-related documents will be posted on the Town website as they are created. Every Town meeting action takes place under a warrant article, which gives a description of the action. It’s those warrant articles that must be submitted between Jan. 2 and Feb. 1.
FY 2027 Town Budget Process
The Town’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2027 (7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027) began this past fall, and continues to move forward. At the Select Board meeting on January 20, the Town Manager’s comprehensive budget will be presented, and the process then moves to Select Board review. The Select Board meetings in February and early March will feature Town departments describing their budget requests, and at a meeting on March 10, the Select Board is scheduled to adopt a budget and forward it to the Appropriation Committee for its review and public hearing. All of these meetings are open to the public.
Feedback and comment on Town budgets is welcome. Please note your thoughts, recommendations and comments about the Town’s budget using an online form, or paper versions that will be available at the Library and Senior Center. The form is accessible at this link or by using the QR code below: FY27 Budget Listening Form
You may also pass along your comments and recommendations to me via email at ela...@hopkintonma.gov.
Emergency Preparedness
The Hopkinton Fire Department has a lot of guidance and information on emergency preparedness for weather events and other circumstances. Check them out on the website here: Emergency Preparedness
Letter From the Hopkinton Health Department
Dear Parents and Residents of Hopkinton,
As the holiday season approaches and we look forward to welcoming our college students back home, we want to emphasize the importance of prioritizing everyone's health and safety. The return of students from various campuses presents a potential risk for the spread of contagious diseases within our families and community.
To help ensure a healthy and joyful reunion for all, we strongly advise you to have a proactive conversation with your child before they begin their journey home.
Recommended Conversation Points:
- Symptom Screening: Ask them directly if they are feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms of common communicable illnesses (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, digestive issues).
- Pre-Travel Testing: Encourage testing if they are experiencing symptoms or have had a known exposure, following current public health guidance. The CDC website or your local health department are a great resource for the latest health guidelines.
- Travel Planning: If they are sick, work together to determine the safest possible travel plan or consider delaying their return until they are well enough not to pose a risk to others.
- Contingency Planning: Discuss a plan for isolation should they arrive home and subsequently develop symptoms or test positive for an illness.
These simple, preventative steps can make a significant difference in protecting vulnerable family members, such as grandparents, young children, or those with underlying health conditions, and our broader community.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe. We wish you and your family a wonderful and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely, The Hopkinton Health Department
Dry January Mocktail Night
Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) will host a Dry January Mocktail Night at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) on Friday, January 9! In honor of Dry January, parents are invited to enjoy live music, sample zero-proof mocktails, explore the art exhibits, and mingle with fellow community members. Reserve your tickets now via the HCA website at this link: https://www.hopartscenter.org/events
Farmers Market - Sundays from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Weston Nurseries, 93 East Main Street.
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