HopNews has confirmed that the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization will be offering child care for parents that attend Special Town Meeting. The meeting, which will see residents consider initiatives such as the Elmwood School replacement, is expected to be widely attended.
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Last week, HopNews published an Op-ed encouraging the town to remove the barriers of participation for parents with young children, who are often juggling competing priorities on weeknights.
Child care will be available in the Middle School Library, and will be staffed by volunteers and parents. The volunteers will provide a movie and activities for the children for the duration of the meeting. Pre-registration is not required, but it is encouraged to make check-in faster and easier.
>> RELATED: Pre-register for Child Care at Special Town Meeting
Voting will not be allowed in the childcare room, but there will be a television in the library broadcasting Special Town Meeting so parents can leave to vote if needed.
So what about our senior center citizens, people who might have to work or those who are sick and unable to attend. It appears this is geared mostly for those residents with younger children who they need to vote in favor for this school.
I think it’s important to make the meeting accessible to all and to be able to hear all points of view before taking a vote. If you, or any others in town, require accommodations to make this meeting accessible to you or a loved one, you can fill out this form for the Select Board no later than 3 business days before the event. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTZsL0JHivJnaZhD7wJq1C3lw-Gqb0-GTZypcNBF1PGMqm_A/viewform
Legally I believe you must be present at the Middle School to vote, but I believe the town is making accommodations for both those who are older residents and those with disabilities. This is a town wide decision… everybody’s voice and vote matters.
Thank you to the HPTO for helping remove this obstacle to participating for those who need childcare.
I missed this comment Ellen …and I wish I hadn’t. If this is a significant issue (getting our seniors to any town meeting) I wasn’t aware of it. If you have ideas about how to get more folks to meetings or the polls, I think you should voice them. I want to help.
Kudos to the Hopkinton PTO for stepping up and helping busy parents attend a critically important Town Meeting. Thanks! And also a big “Thank You” to HopNews for bringing up this important issue.
How will this work for young children when the meeting runs until 11 p.m. ?