Part one of Annual Town Meeting was held at Hopkinton Middle School last night. While the Town Clerk has yet to release an official count, it appears just 343 of 13,076 registered voters were in attendance. In total, attendees approved warrant items totaling $171,982,393, adding to the unprecedented debt levels the town is already grappling with.

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Here are the highlights from the evening:

• After a bit of wrangling, Moderator Ellen Rutter was able to get a Consent Agenda passed, moving several non-controversial items off the main agenda.
• In what seemed to be a foregone conclusion, Town Clerk Connor Degan’s salary was approved at $85,882. Judging from the laughter that erupted once the vote total was shown, it’s likely that the smattering of “No” votes were his friends giving him a gentle ribbing.
• The meeting was progressing too slowly for resident Ed Harrow, who suggested that for the easy votes, the moderator might rely on a voice vote rather than the electronic clickers. Ms. Rutter was amenable to the idea and indeed the agenda was expedited.
• The Operating budget was approved at $121 million.
• HCAM’s budget was reauthorized after a resident submitted an amendment to increase the funding amount by $50,000, citing the station’s critical role in facilitating government transparency. “I am touched by the support of our community,” said Station Director Jim Cozzens following the meeting.
• The Information Technology department received approval to digitize the town’s records. The $667k measure will add $22 to the average Hopkinton home’s (assessed at $852,400) tax bill for 5 years, and will need to be approved by voters on May 20.
• Article 18 was brought forth by the School Committee and sought a Districtwide HVAC replacement. In her presentation, committee Chair Nancy Richards-Cavanaugh informed the body that the School Committee had decided to recommend “No Action” on the measure as the costs had been rolled in to the Article 19, the Hopkins Addition / Renovation project. While the Select Board and Appropriation Committee had no issue with skipping the article, Chair of the Capital Improvement Committee, Matthew Kizner, did. Kizner expressed ire that his committee had not been consulted on the change, and asked the School Committee to show how the change would affect the overall Hopkins Addition budget. Richards-Cavanaugh assured Kizner and the larger body that the Hopkins Addition amount had remained unchanged. The debate continued until it was called off, and the body voted to take “No Action” on Article 18.
• Which led to Article 19, the Hopkins Addition and Renovation. After a presentation by Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh and District CFO Susan Rothermich (which was hastened by Moderator Rutter), the debate over whether to fund the project commenced, contemplating a $48 million ask from voters. Rounds of applause separated the speeches from citizens who argued passionately for both sides. At one point resident Darlene Hayes “called for the question” in an attempt to end the debate, but her measure was defeated and the discussion continued. After several more minutes the speakers had exhausted themselves and the vote was held. Needing a 2/3 majority to pass, the measure did, with 242 voting affirmatively and 101 voting against. It next heads to the May 20 ballot for confirmation.
• Nearing 11:00 PM, Rutter was able to squeeze in a few public works projects before voters headed for the exits. A drainage improvement project on Ash Street and a culvert replacement on Granite Street were approved, while a $780,000 sidewalk and roadway improvement project on Bear Hill was denied.

The meeting will be continued tonight following the Special Town Meeting and there is much that remains to be discussed. The Special Town Meeting will ask voters to fund fire station improvements and to weigh in on the Sgt. Tim Brennan matter. For the regular meeting, attendees will decide on the purchase of a downtown parking lot, an exemption for some senior citizens to avoid paying taxes for school projects, adopting the Specialized Energy Code for new construction homes, and the proposed MBTA Zoning overlay.

The meeting begins at 7:00 PM at Hopkinton Middle School and is open to all Hopkinton registered voters.