After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Hopkinton Select Board, led by Chairman Joe Clark, got down to business.

Public Forum

Ken Weismantle: Thanked HCAM for hosting his recent presentation on water needs. This was the second in his series on water issues facing Hopkinton. The third in the series has been recorded. It focuses on the inner basin transfer process and will be aired near the end of June. He has already started on the fourth presentation, which will be on the alternatives to the connection to MWRA.

Weismantle invited Paul Gallagher, chair of the water sewer advisory board (WSAB), to the water resources commission’s (in-person) meeting, where Gallagher met the other commissioners and the commission staff. At that time, Hopkinton had just sent a letter asking the Water Resource Commission staff to update Hopkinton’s water needs forecast, and apparently, Gallagher got an earful.

Hopkinton has a long history of unaccounted-for water above the standard of 10%. With such a high unaccounted-for water percentage, it isn’t easy to do an accurate water needs analysis. Gallagher was asked about Hopkinton’s plans for 1) meter replacement, 2) A36 water audits, and 3) leak detection.

The Water Resources Commission is serious about water conservation efforts measured by unaccounted-for water. Hopkinton will have to make some serious progress in locating and fixing the unaccountable-for water before the commission will approve an inner basin transfer (MWRA). Finding the leaks and having accurate meters could reduce the need for future rate increases.

Sam Docknevich: Spoke in support of the Horribles Parade this year and asked the select board to approve the parade permit application so that the town liability insurance would cover the parade and the police detail rate would be at the town rate.

The parade is designed to unite people, encourage the expression of opinions, and allow everyone to have fun. Last year’s return was well-received, with many attendees and residents sharing positive feedback.

Docknevich noted that there was no hate speech, no names called out on floats, no water balloons, and no use of garden hoses to soak the crowd. He thought the event was conducted safely and remained civil throughout. Docknevich believes it’s imperative to welcome different opinions and show that people from all political parties and backgrounds can come together to celebrate free speech and the true spirit of Independence Day on July 4th.

Beth Malloy: Malloy spoke out against the Horribles parade. She questioned Parks and Rec’s coverage of the parade under their insurance. It doesn’t make sense to her because “we have charities that use our common, and they don’t get any cut [price reduction].

Malloy is also concerned that the Town is already divided over the “whole hashtag Tim situation.”

Ed Harrow: He is in favor of the Horribles Parade. Speaking of Chuck Joseph’s discussion on Monday evening. “We learned that in the mid-1770s, your predecessors were discussing and voting on purchasing firearms for the townspeople. I believe the number was 12 muskets, ammunition, and gunpowder.” That is serious stuff, and our predecessors were engaged in those conversations.

He also spoke about Peter Gray, a professor at BC who is a big fan of free play. Harrow views the Horribles Parade as an example of free play and encourages the board to support it. Quoting Friedrich Hegel’s “We learn from History,” Harrow believes this situation is an example.

Harrow thought we should consider the previous speaker (Malloy), who said the Horribles Parade was one-sided. Harrow said it was one-sided because one side chose not to participate. He reiterated that he dislikes partisan elections, but that does not mean he is against political debate.

Steve Snow: Supports the Horribles Parade. He mentioned that we, as a town, had already voted not to be a partisan town. According to Snow, “This is a parade for everybody. And let’s be clear, if you’re a politician, you should be made fun of when you mess up,” because that’s how it works.

Snow has been trying to get an agenda on the table. “The town meeting in 2024 voted to reinstate Sergeant Timothy Brennan, but it has been tabled forever.” Snow believes that the Town Counsel should not run the Town of Hopkinton. “The people should run it through the select board, not the Town Counsel.”

Len Holden: While not a current resident, Holden is a former longtime resident, a past selectman, a past park and recreation commissioner, and the past chairman of the Horribles Parade. He and his wife took over the parade when it was fading.  

Holden said the parade was always a family event. He grew up on Mayhew Street and Summer Street, when the neighborhoods had floats, and everyone was involved. “Often, the fathers would put in one float while the mothers and kids would create another.” When Holden and his wife chaired it, they established a Selectman’s Trophy to exemplify the Horribles tradition. There was a family trophy for music, etc., along with a grand prize for the best overall float.

Holden believes the Horribles Parade is a long-standing tradition. Last year, the Grand Marshal was our distinguished State Representative. He received criticism, but still enjoyed it and wants to participate again. 

Eric Sonnet: Sonnet supports Ken Weismantle and his work on the Town’s water and sewer issues. Sonnet and Weismantle held various positions with the Water and Sewer Commission and the DPW, including leading both.

Sonnet oversaw the fees for nine consecutive years as the Select Board chair. “During the nine years I served, we did not raise the water rate by even a penny. We also did not raise the sewer rate by a single penny for nine years. And when I see proposals to increase the rates by 25% after a 40% increase the previous year, followed by 10% increases each subsequent year—essentially tripling the water and sewer rates over three years—I sit back and think that tripling the rates in three years requires much more analysis of the current water supply.”

Sonnet encourages citizens to heed the advice of Mr. Weismantle, who serves on the state water resources board and understands what it takes to get approval.

Sonnet also supports the Horribles Parade: “Having been an elected politician in this Town for so long, I recognize that if you do something silly, it will be on a float. It adds accountability to some of the foolish actions we are encouraged to take. I’ve lived here 38 years, and in those 38 years (except for the COVID year), last year was the first time the Democrats didn’t put a float in the parade. They have a bigger organization than the Republicans and the neighborhoods.”  

Amy Ritterbusch, speaking as a citizen: Ritterbusch wanted to address something that happened a few weeks ago. She is concerned that people are not choosing their words more carefully. “There was a lot of discussion about age and whether individuals had children, and I believe we need to treat everyone with respect. These are not questions you would ask in a job interview—how old someone is, or whether they have or plan to have children.”

Ritterbusch recounted something that happened when she interviewed for a midterm vacancy on the Planning Board. She had school-aged children at that time, and a planning board member asked if she would have time for the role, “which is a question mothers often face.”

She was also asked—as a joke—what her favorite color was, which made her think she wasn’t being taken seriously. She concluded that those questions should not be asked in a job interview and asked the board to treat applicants respectfully.

Legislative Update:

Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and State Representative James Arena-DeRosa joined the meeting to give a legislative update. The MA House and Senate are reconciling their fiscal year 2026 budgets; the House approved its budget in April and the Senate in May. Key budget priorities include drug-price reductions, education, and mental health.

Liquor Licenses: Local officials now decide how many liquor licenses a town may issue. Cities are receiving a 2.2 percent increase in local aid, which includes funding for handicapped access, Project Just Because, and school mental health programs in Hopkinton.

EV Charging, Potential Cuts: The Senate is also funding electric vehicle charging stations, but faces uncertainty regarding federal Medicaid cuts that could impact the state budget by $15 billion. Other concerns include potential reductions of up to $3–4 billion to K–12 and higher education that could severely affect Hopkinton students, especially those with special needs.

Climate: To help meet climate goals, the Senate suggests eliminating the 6.25% sales tax on construction materials to lower the cost of housing projects. The Senate will also pass the Shield Act to protect women’s health and gender care and increase funding for the Attorney General, veterans, seniors, food insecurity, and special needs.

Cell Phones in School: The cell phone ban in schools is currently being debated in the Senate to promote mental health, limit distractions, reduce cheating and cyberbullying, and foster safer, healthier learning environments. “We passed a huge tax cut last session, and we want to pass another one without a tax increase or drawing on the rainy-day fund,” said State Representative James Arena-DeRosa.

PFAS: He has been concerned about PFAS water contamination in Hopkinton and is collaborating with other towns to secure more cleanup funding. Arena-DeRosa advocated for a review of the Chapter 70 education funding formula to help defray costs for small towns and noted funding to bring the Bobby Gibb statue downtown as a significant achievement for women’s sports.

Tuition: He stated that the budget covers 100 percent of special education reimbursements and supports legislation that would cap out-of-state tuition hikes. Arena-DeRosa reiterated his support for Hopkinton and thanked town officials for their cooperation.

Consent Agenda and Recognition of the Community

The Consent Agenda was approved by the board unanimously and consisted of:

• Approval of meeting minutes and a $1,000 donation from the Sustainable Green Committee to the Hopkinton Public Library.
• Hiring of Amanda Landry as library Youth Services Supervisor.
• Approval of a farmer’s market alcohol license for Craft Tea Kombucha.
• Fiscal year transfers and resignation acknowledgments.

Six Eagle Scouts Honored

The board honored local Eagle Scouts for their community projects. Board members lauded the Scouts’ tenacity, leadership, and community contributions to the Town. The following Eagle Scouts were recognized:

• Alex Stephan: Eagle rank earned February 2025. Service project: Spanish language legal aid services promotion.
• Necalli Vela-Garcia: Eagle rank earned January 2025. Service project: Picnic Bench, and Refurbish StoryWalk at the Hopkinton Public Library.
• Ryan Pepin: Eagle rank earned January 6, 2025. Service project: Mini FreeLibrary and Meditation Garden at St. Matthew Parish, Southborough.
• Samuel Peace: Eagle rank earned November 18, 2024. Service Project: Tomato Garden at Hopkinton Senior Center.
• Aniketh Mikkilineni: Eagle rank earned August 22, 2024. Service Project: Signage for McFarland-Sanger House.
• Aryan Samaga: Eagle rank earned August 17, 2023. Service Project: Hydroponic Garden for India Heritage Temple in Grafton

Horribles Parade permit

A permit was filed for the July 4th Horribles Parade, asking the Town to sponsor the parade and provide liability insurance (at no additional cost) as it has always done.

Permit Approval: The board voted unanimously to grant the parade a permit, provided the organizing group offers the proper insurance coverage.

Town Sponsorship and Insurances: Another motion to make the Town a co-sponsor of the parade and add the parade to the Town’s insurance policy failed to pass (Ritterbusch, Kizner, Mannan: NO, Clark, Herr: YES).

Ritterbusch, Kizner, and Mannan expressed concern about creating a precedent that other events could follow, the fairness of providing insurance only for this parade, and the necessity for a uniform policy. The parade organizers were encouraged to establish a more inclusive and permanent Parade Committee for the future.

Water and Sewer Rates

Water Rates: The board approved a 25% water rate increase proposed by town staff, effective July 1, 2025. This came after much discussion about the importance of building back retained earnings, addressing the deferred maintenance backlog, and avoiding the financial hardship that has resulted in the delayed implementation of projects and borrowing from free cash over the past few years.

The Water and Sewer Advisory Board had recommended a 10 percent increase—less than half that of the one imposed—but the board chose the higher rate to maintain fiscal health and prepare for prospective capital projects.

Sewer Rates: A 10% hike in sewer rates was also agreed upon to meet operational demands and fund the rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants. The board said rates did not go up last year and needed to play catch-up.

Price Breaks for the State’s Vulnerable Residents: The board also extended a $200 annual break on water and sewer bills available to residents who meet the criteria for certain property tax exemptions, maintaining a long-standing policy of assisting seniors and low-income households.

What’s Behind the Math?

Finance Director: Kyla LaPierre – preliminary tax bills for FY26 Ms. LaPierre said there is an update on the preliminary tax bills for Fiscal Year 26. Residents were warned to anticipate increases, mainly because of proposed new debt exclusions for high school capital plans.

Preliminary bills reflecting a projected growth of 3% are issued to prepare residents for greater final bills when new property valuations and tax rates are set. The board emphasized transparency and early communication to help residents budget accordingly.

Appointments to Boards and Committees: Volunteers, New and Returning. The board appointed several to town boards and committees—uncontested—and interviewed applicants for the new Economic Development Advisory Board. The criteria favored those who had been at the meeting and who had relevant experience in planning, finance, and community engagement.

Economic Development and Preservation Advisory Board: Five at-large members were selected. Terms were initially set for 1–3 years in order to achieve staggered terms among members. The board favored those who attended the meeting and brought a wide range of expertise. Committee for the Celebration of Veterans: The four confirmed applicants, including an Air Force veteran joining the board for the first time, have all been appointed to three-year terms, and the selection of all four of these distinguished veterans signifies the board’s respect for military service and dedication to acknowledging its veterans.

Other Business Public Hearing – Utility Pole Relocation: The board reopened a continued public hearing on the relocation of poles on Hayden Row street, with abutters concerned about tree removal, and that mitigation plans are in place.