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HopNews is an online news source that creates compelling, local content for residents of Hopkinton, Massachusetts and the surrounding community.
After 43 + plus years, I’m getting out. The movers told me they can’t wait to drive down the bike lane outta here.
So what is the Illustrator trying to imply here? Residents are not suppose to move on to other locations, if they want to, now that they can when their children graduate from the Hopkinton school system perhaps to be closer to family in other parts of the country, or a job change, or health considerations or for a myriad of other private reasons …….to each their own without criticism.
A.T. Graveline
Currently and Happily of Upton, MA
Formerly of Hopkinton, MA
The illustrator is pointing out that many people move into the town just for the schools, then when the kids graduate, they hang a shingle. Not many establish roots and make a permanent home in town. It’s basic economics, move where you get them most bang out of your buck. I have known any people who have done this over the years.
Who’s to say who has permanent roots….…have 12 years at least I’d say in some cases. Really none of anyone’s business unless too much time with too little to do.
Seems to be trying to stir up dissent, as usual, between the “townies” and those who relocate here because it makes sense for them at a point in time in their lives. I’m tired of it, frankly. Having lived in other towns due to work relocations, this is the first place I’ve lived where it was a constant theme. It’s so negative and tiresome. People moved in and out of my small hometown (which also had pretty good schools) and I don’t recall anyone every saying anything negative about them.
I thought it was obvious. Residents move in for the schools, vote every override presented and then move when their kids graduate. We are left stuck with the bill.
You might have sorta hit the nail on the head there. Basically every political debate in town could be defined on lines between the townies and people who just want to live here, even beyond the normal NIMBY vs YIMBY growing pains of most metro areas. The last select board race was basically a choice between change and the same old hopkinton and we voted for the latter. There’s an ongoing campaign to rehire a fired town employee premised on his personal connections in town. Hopkinton has a sort of immune system that gets weirdly defensive if you point out we are a bustling suburb in a metro area and not some tight knit small town where nobody ever leaves
For the record…I am not a townie and look forward to exiting Hop at some point….my youngest son will graduate high school next year. He does not go to school in HOP due to bullying.
As for your comment about re-hiring Tim Brennan…..it’s not premised on personal connections. Tim is a good man. He was wrongfully terminated and it’s highly probable the town will be deemed negligent and financially responsible.
Regarding the townies vs the new people who want to live here….spot on.
Hopkinton is not a bad place to live. It’s improved a lot over 15 years. However, the town has been led by unqualified people (most recent Select Board). Hope the recent changes will improve the dynamics. Yet hope is not a strategy!
There’s nothing wrong with moving on when you find you no longer need a house that’s now too large and perhaps too expensive to maintain. Residents should feel welcome and part of the community while living in town and wished well when they leave. It’s all part of life’s cycle. It’s normal and healthy. No judgment necessary.
OMG the whining. This town is like a college campus! A beautiful quad, restaurants, great recreation opportunities, hiking, boating (three lakes), two State Parks, and the new bike lane and downtown work. Schools with a national reputation! Centrally located, easy access to anywhere. Fabulous! Put in 10, 15 years, and then sell your dorm for two or three times what you paid for it! Take the money and run!
Does 31 years here mean i can’t leave w/o flack? The schools were not, uh, high caliber when I moved in And now it’s too congested. People have been retiring elsewhere forever to be closer to their interests, be it family or 2nd homes
Now, I haven’t been here long. I’ve been a carpetbagger for only 37 years. My thought on the cartoon was to point out that people become empty nesters when there child/children graduate and decide to downsize. But, what do I know, I’m still here after my kids graduated.