Hopkinton resident Peter Mimmo, who has served on the Board of Assessors since 2022, has announced his candidacy for Select Board. He is running for one of two 3-year seats on the board, in a crowded field that features candidates Brian Herr, Joe Clark, and Kyla McSweeney. The election will be held on Monday, May 20.

Mr. Mimmo says he was motivated to run for the Select Board as a continuation of his long service to the public. By day he is a civil litigation attorney for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, focused on representing the Commonwealth and public employees in labor-related matters. Before moving to Hopkinton in 2016, Mr. Mimmo resided in Northbridge, and served on the Personnel Board from 2002 – 2014 and the Town Manager Search Committee in 2006.

“I bring an experienced set of eyes to labor and employment issues, which Hopkinton will have a lot of in the coming years,” said Mr. Mimmo, referencing impending collective bargaining agreements with the police, fire, and teacher’s unions, as well as contracts for a new Town Manager, Deputy Chief of Police, and Police Lieutenant.

Mimmo also emphasized his skills as a listener. “I think it’s clear that residents in town don’t feel like they’re being heard. I want to be available to make people feel as though they’re being heard.”

“If I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I’m going to make myself available for open office hours,” he continued. Mimmo indicated that while the public forum section of Select Board meetings are helpful, they’re not enough. “I want to have a discussion, a discourse with people,” he said.

Mr. Mimmo cited the Elementary School Building Committee – 2 as a prime example of how transparency in government should work. Led by Chair Jon Graziano, “they did an excellent job of communicating, and held many community outreach sessions and tried to answer all questions,” he said. 

Mr. Mimmo’s wife, Diane, is an active volunteer and fundraiser for the Hopkinton Veteran’s Celebration Committee, and is running the 128th Boston Marathon in support of the MetroWest YMCA for the second consecutive year. Mrs. Mimmo previously served on the Northbridge School Committee and is an accountant and Partner at PwC. Together, the Mimmo’s have two sons; Andrew, who graduated HHS in 2021 and now attends Boston College, and Owen, a freshman at HHS.

Mr. Mimmo cites several accomplishments during his time on the Board of Assessors, including working to assure that property tax is fairly assessed, tax abatement applications are fairly evaluated, and the approval of tax exemptions for veterans, seniors and families experiencing financial hardship. 

He says if elected, he’ll work hard to attract and retain the best talent for town hall. Mimmo is also calling for the creation of an Economic Development Advisory Board. “We should support our local businesses, and make full use of the town’s MassBio Platinum status to revitalize the South Street corridor,” he said. Mimmo also plans to “work aggressively” to resolve the PFAS problem in town water.

When he’s not working, Mr. Mimmo frequently runs (though he’s quick to point out that his wife is the real runner in the family) and is an avid reader, particularly Stephen King novels. 

Voters will have the opportunity to learn more about Mr. Mimmo in a televised debate scheduled for April 28 at 4:00 PM. For more information, or to contact Mr. Mimmo, see his profile at the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee site or on Facebook.