At Hopkinton Middle School's Annual Town Meeting, attended by 343 of 13,076 registered voters, several significant fiscal decisions were made, totaling $171,982,393. Highlights included passing the Operating budget at $121 million, approving a salary for Town Clerk Connor Degan, and agreeing to digitize town records at a cost of $667k. Debates ensued over the Hopkins Addition project, with its $48 million need achieving the required 2/3 majority. Public works projects also received attention, with some approved and others denied. The discussion will continue in a Special Town Meeting addressing additional civic matters.

Hopkinton will host its Annual Town Meeting on May 6 and a Special Town Meeting on May 7 at Hopkinton Middle School. Attendees will vote on 52 articles during the Annual Meeting and 5 additional proposals in the Special Meeting, addressing issues from town budget increases and water management to a major school renovation project. Key topics include significant debt considerations due to capital requests, particularly a $48 million expansion for Hopkins Elementary, and the adoption of a specialized Stretch Energy Code aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Voting will be electronic, with large attendance expected.

The Hopkinton police are requesting help to identify a vehicle responsible for considerable damage on the Hopkinton Country Club golf course at 5:00 PM today. The vehicle nearly hit several golfers. Individuals with any information should contact the police at (508) 497-3401.

Gary Trendel, Chair of Hopkinton Planning Board, supports Article 39 of the MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw, promoting strategic housing development while ensuring compliance with state laws and minimizing local disruption. Despite being unavailable for the 2024 Annual Town Meeting due to a business trip, he emphasizes the importance of voting 'YES' to maintain control over local development and prevent potential lawsuits and financial penalties from the state. His outlined zones highlight efforts to align housing growth with legal requirements and local infrastructure capacities, essentially safeguarding Hopkinton's future.