The Hopkinton Select Board convened virtually on February 25, 2026, in what members acknowledged was the board’s first fully remote meeting. The wide-ranging session included FY27 departmental budget presentations, a unanimous decision to pursue an independent public safety audit, a liquor license transfer, and a vote setting the annual town meeting for 9 A.M. on May 2.

Consent Agenda and Business Licenses

The board unanimously approved the meeting minutes. It also accepted several donations to the fire department made in memory of longtime resident Artie Pine. The board accepted the resignations of Jeff Goldberg from the Council on Aging and Holly Moran from the Commission on Disabilities.

Kisner highlighted the vacancy on the Disabilities Commission. Ritterbush said two members who missed four consecutive meetings plan to step down. She added that regular attendees who are not yet board members may apply to fill the open seats.

Starbucks at 85 West Main Street received its annual license after passing all inspections. Two Aramark locations at 176 and 228 South Street received extensions through March 4 to complete a 90-minute suppression test and replace exit lights.

FY27 Budget Highlights

The board reviewed budgets for accounting, finance, senior services, the Community Preservation Committee, and the town manager’s office. The accounting and finance departments each held increases close to 2 percent. Finance Director Kyla LaPierre said the department is now fully staffed. She added that using a grant, the town launched a new payroll platform, Harper’s, on January 1.

Senior Services Director Amy Beck presented a level-services operating budget. She reported that the center logs more than 14,000 visits per year and provides over 7,500 meals and 5,000 rides annually. She brought two capital requests: replacing the deteriorating carpet in the lobby and the staff hallway. The deteriorating adhesive is causing tripping hazards.

Beck also requested a new emergency exit door from the dining room to the rear patio. This request stemmed from active-shooter training that identified the dining room’s single egress route as a potential bottleneck. Both requests drew support, with members encouraging consultation with the fire department on the door project.

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Chair Ken Weismantel outlined FY27 projects:

• Continued rehabilitation of the former Center School
• Design work for a cricket pitch and baseball field at Fruit Street
• Two land purchases.

The board pressed Weismantel to develop a longer-range strategic vision for the fund’s roughly $7 to $8 million balance. Kisner called for clarity on spending goals over a five- to twenty-five-year horizon. Weismantel suggested conversations with the Open Space Committee and Parks and Recreation to establish that direction.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus submitted a budget that included several notable items.

• Animal control officer hours will increase from 20 to 25 per week. This is to address rising call volume.
• Employee benefits and insurance costs are projected to rise approximately 8.6 percent.
• A mid-year hire of a full-time economic development position will be funded at half-yearly salary. This is through a meals tax revenue account, estimated at $60,000 for the coming fiscal year.

Alcohol License Transfer Approved for Orale Mexican Restaurant

The board unanimously approved transferring an all-alcohol license from Orale, Inc. to the newly formed Orale Mexican Restaurant, Inc. (owner Victor Roman) at 22-24 Main Street. The transfer required a revised application. That’s because it is a multi-step amendment rather than a direct transfer. The approval carries the same ten conditions in place since 2023, including a prohibition on amplified music.

Public Safety Audit Takes Shape

The Select Board met with public safety and school leaders to plan an independent audit of public safety policies. The group included the police chief, fire chief, school superintendent, dispatch director, and senior staff.​

Officials welcomed outside review and noted current work. Superintendent Evan Bishop said the district runs monthly tabletop exercises with police and fire through a district safety task force. He added that teams recently trained with the I Love You Guys’ Foundation on post-incident reunification.​

Lieutenant Matt McNeil reported that the police department earned accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission after a review of more than 120 policies. Board members praised the achievement.​

The board outlined priorities for the audit. They want plans for evacuating multiple nearby schools, stronger crisis communication with the community, updated readiness around the town’s LNG facility, and refreshed Boston Marathon safety plans. Town Manager Lazarus will draft a scope for consultants, using budgeted funds as a placeholder until the firm’s costs are available.

Annual Town Meeting Set for May 2 at 9 A.M.

The board voted unanimously to hold the 2026 annual town meeting at 9 A.M. on Saturday, May 2, at the middle school. The Saturday format is new for Hopkinton. Board members hope it will draw broader participation than evening sessions.

Setup crews will arrive around 8 A.M., with much of the preparation completed the preceding Friday when the building is not in use for school. The board will identify spillover dates before the meeting in case the warrant cannot be completed in one day.

The draft warrant includes citizen petitions on drainage improvements and acceptance of Auciello Drive. Kisner noted the street-acceptance petition is likely to generate substantive debate, given the petitioner’s track record of thorough preparation. He emphasized a broader unresolved question about the town’s standards for accepting private roads. Full article-by-article review will continue at upcoming meetings.

Weights and Measures Contract and Position Postings

The board approved a one-year contract with the Massachusetts Division of Standards to provide sealer-of-weights-and-measures services at $6,700, roughly $1,000 above the prior budget for the position. The previous sealer passed away, and Lazarus recommended using the year to understand the role before writing a new job description.

The board approved posting three vacancies:

• Deputy communications director to supervise dispatch operations
• Seasonal DPW laborers for park and cemetery maintenance from May through August
• Part-time senior center van driver.

Other Business

Members discussed participation in the school department’s CFO search, with the March 11 interview date creating scheduling conflicts. The chair will coordinate with the superintendent to confirm timing.

The board also agreed to submit individual charter review survey responses collectively without further editing. Liaison reports covered three upcoming Ramadan gatherings in late February and early March, as well as a recap of the town’s Chinese New Year celebration, which drew approximately 300 residents.

The session closed with a vote to enter executive session to address contract negotiations with the police and fire chiefs and consider a potential land purchase on East Cedar Street.