[{"id":6173,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/hopnews-helps-town-find-23k-in-unclaimed-property\/","name":"hopnews-helps-town-find-23k-in-unclaimed-property","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cash-under-Tree.jpeg?fit=1800%2C1200&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Cash on the tree"},"title":"HopNews helps Town find $23k in Unclaimed Property","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Dec 21, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-12-21 21:46:27","modifiedDate":"2023-12-21 18:32:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-12-21 23:32:05","commentCount":"3","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=peterarch-publishing-com' rel='pp_notify_user'>peter@arch-publishing.com<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":12},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The Massachusetts State Treasurer Unclaimed Property Division is holding thousands of dollars of Hopkinton's money, HopNews reveals."},{"id":6007,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/town-manager-khumalo-resigns\/","name":"town-manager-khumalo-resigns","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/norman-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1773&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo"},"title":"Town Manager Khumalo Resigns","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Dec 4, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-12-04 21:15:55","modifiedDate":"2023-12-04 21:00:16","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-12-05 02:00:16","commentCount":"20","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":56},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo is reportedly leaving his position for the private sector. Khumalo has served since June 2009, his appointment succeeding the abrupt resignation of former Town Manager Tony Troiano, convicted of manslaughter. Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus will act as temporary town manager."},{"id":5980,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/chuck-wallace-urges-the-select-board-to-address-employee-turnover\/","name":"chuck-wallace-urges-the-select-board-to-address-employee-turnover","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/town-hall.jpg?fit=1350%2C900&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Chuck Wallace Urges the Select Board to address Employee Turnover","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Dec 1, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-12-01 21:11:56","modifiedDate":"2023-12-01 16:13:59","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-12-01 21:13:59","commentCount":"12","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":42},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Longtime Hopkinton resident, Chuck Wallace, expresses concern regarding the rapid turnover of staff at Town Hall, with many key positions currently unfilled. Wallace, a retired police lieutenant, urges the Select Board to investigate the cause of this exodus and take corrective measures. He fears the continuing loss of talented personnel may damage Hopkinton's reputation as an employer. The board will discuss Wallace's concerns at their December 5 meeting."},{"id":5507,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/police-union-delivers-another-scathing-letter-to-select-board\/","name":"police-union-delivers-another-scathing-letter-to-select-board","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Police-Images-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1381&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Police Flag"},"title":"Police Union Delivers another Scathing Letter to Select Board","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Oct 18, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-10-18 18:54:24","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:23:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:23:21","commentCount":"2","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":7,"sec":42},"status":"publish","excerpt":"VP of Hopkinton Police Arbitration Association (HPAA), Cody Normandin, delivered a letter to the Select Board and Town Manager Norman Khumalo criticizing the board's handling of recent police promotions. The union believes the Select Board lacks understanding of the promotional process and does not adequately trust the Chief of Police's decisions. Normandin detailed the promotional process to clarify misconceptions and responded to criticisms. The letter also questions the board's support for the police department and its hiring processes."},{"id":5501,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/locals-agree-this-intersection-is-more-dangerous-than-ever\/","name":"locals-agree-this-intersection-is-more-dangerous-than-ever","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_1078-1.jpg?fit=2028%2C1335&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Locals Agree: This Intersection is more Dangerous than Ever","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Oct 18, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-10-18 17:59:35","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:23:42","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:23:42","commentCount":"5","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":21},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The redesign of the Main Street and Hayden Rowe Street intersection, aimed at enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety, appears to increase danger. The new layout includes parked cars obstructing drivers' line of sight and a stop sign and line placed far from Main Street's entrance. Local residents avoid the intersection and express fear over the narrow design. \"I'm afraid we're going to see something nasty here,\" said one."},{"id":5403,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/on-police-kramer-offers-a-solution-in-search-of-a-problem\/","name":"on-police-kramer-offers-a-solution-in-search-of-a-problem","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/kramer-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1731&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"On Police, Kramer offers a Solution in search of a Problem","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Oct 11, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-10-11 16:17:36","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:26:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:26:21","commentCount":"13","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/opinion\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Opinion<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/opinion\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Opinion<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":53},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Hopkinton Select Board Chair Muriel Kramer is driving hard toward police reform. But with so many pressing issues before the board, why is now the time?"},{"id":5381,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/appropriations-committee-projects-1-7-million-budget-shortfall-in-2025\/","name":"appropriations-committee-projects-1-7-million-budget-shortfall-in-2025","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/budget.jpeg?fit=1958%2C1305&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Appropriations Committee projects $1.7 million budget shortfall in 2025","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Oct 10, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-10-10 13:53:26","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:27:22","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:27:22","commentCount":"2","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":26},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The Appropriations Committee provided a look into the 2025 budget, noting that $88 million will not be enough to fund critical town departments."},{"id":5349,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/town-leaves-more-than-a-million-on-the-table-in-uncollected-water-sewer-revenue\/","name":"town-leaves-more-than-a-million-on-the-table-in-uncollected-water-sewer-revenue","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-water-meter.jpeg?fit=1575%2C787&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Town leaves more than a million on the table in uncollected water & sewer revenue","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Oct 5, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-10-05 09:29:00","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:28:17","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:28:17","commentCount":"9","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":11},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Hopkinton DPW loses an estimated 77 million gallons of water per year - sent to customers for free - costing the town more than $1 million."},{"id":5285,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/analysis-police-union-challenges-select-board-on-promotions-whos-right\/","name":"analysis-police-union-challenges-select-board-on-promotions-whos-right","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/img_0645-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Analysis: Police Union Challenges Select Board on Promotions. Who's right?","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Sep 22, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-09-22 19:43:46","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:29:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:29:47","commentCount":"6","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":31},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The Hopkinton Police Union asserts that the Select Board is violating the terms of the contract. The Select Board believes that they have jurisdiction over promotions. Read our analysis."},{"id":5228,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/town-reports-inconsistent-erroneous-and-unanimously-approved-by-voters\/","name":"town-reports-inconsistent-erroneous-and-unanimously-approved-by-voters","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/town-report.jpg?fit=1346%2C1072&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Town Reports: Inconsistent, Erroneous, and Unanimously Approved by Voters","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Sep 15, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-09-15 13:30:35","modifiedDate":"2024-05-05 10:48:04","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-05-05 14:48:04","commentCount":"10","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":1},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The process to prepare the Annual Town Report takes several months, and they must be approved by voters at Town Meeting. But does anyone read them?"},{"id":5184,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/police-union-to-select-board-that-was-disgraceful\/","name":"police-union-to-select-board-that-was-disgraceful","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/img_0645-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Police Union to Select Board: \u201cThat was disgraceful\u201d","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Sep 7, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-09-07 19:09:48","modifiedDate":"2023-10-10 13:41:03","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-10 17:41:03","commentCount":"17","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":54},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":5179,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/kramer-halts-police-promotions\/","name":"kramer-halts-police-promotions","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/hopkinton-police-station.jpg?fit=400%2C400&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Police station in Hopkinton, MA"},"title":"Kramer halts Police Promotions","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Sep 6, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-09-06 21:35:48","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:31:53","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:31:53","commentCount":"18","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":8},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Two officers were up for promotion last night. Their family & friends were in attendance. Select Board chair Muriel Kramer had other ideas."},{"id":5107,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/22-percent-of-hop-voters-are-democrats-but-they-dominate-town-boards\/","name":"22-percent-of-hop-voters-are-democrats-but-they-dominate-town-boards","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/hopkinton-town-hall-red-blue.jpg?fit=1818%2C1086&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"22% of Hop Voters are Democrats, but they Dominate Town Boards","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Aug 30, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-08-30 20:12:30","modifiedDate":"2023-10-24 10:01:36","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-24 14:01:36","commentCount":"12","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":2},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Democrats are 22% of town voters but hold 84% of the seats on Elected Boards. This article explores some of the underlying reasons for the power imbalance."},{"id":4934,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/essay-town-meeting-no-longer-serves-hopkinton\/","name":"essay-town-meeting-no-longer-serves-hopkinton","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/town-meeting-book.jpg?fit=1497%2C1576&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Town Meeting Hopkinton, MA"},"title":"Essay: Town Meeting No Longer Serves Hopkinton","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Aug 10, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-08-10 20:08:26","modifiedDate":"2024-05-05 10:39:39","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-05-05 14:39:39","commentCount":"13","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/opinion\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Opinion<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/opinion\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Opinion<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":11,"sec":14},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Town Meeting is a vestige from a time long gone, and it is unsustainable for fast growing communities like Hopkinton. In this essay, HopNews discusses the history of town meeting, the problems the format creates, and alternative forms of government."},{"id":4693,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/defying-voters-select-board-reinstates-uctc\/","name":"defying-voters-select-board-reinstates-uctc","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/CenterTrailatLoopRd.jpg?fit=1779%2C1080&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Defying voters, Select Board reinstates UCTC","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Aug 2, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-08-02 17:42:32","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:36:22","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:36:22","commentCount":"8","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":48},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Despite an overwhelming number of voters approving Article 47 at Town Meeting, the Hopkinton Select Board decided to allow the UCTC to continue in its current form."},{"id":4623,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/on-trails-voters-sent-a-clear-message-the-select-board-disagrees\/","name":"on-trails-voters-sent-a-clear-message-the-select-board-disagrees","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/trailhead.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"Hopkinton Town Forest trailhead"},"title":"On Trails, Voters sent a Clear Message. The Select Board Disagrees.","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Jul 8, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-07-08 16:23:19","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:38:22","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:38:22","commentCount":"10","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":30},"status":"publish","excerpt":"At Town Meeting, Hopkinton overwhelmingly voted to disband the UCTC. Only the Select Board has the power to do that, and thus far they're reluctant."},{"id":4476,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/hopkinton-taxpayers-face-a-difficult-road-ahead\/","name":"hopkinton-taxpayers-face-a-difficult-road-ahead","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/property_tax-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Hopkinton Taxpayers Face a Difficult Road Ahead","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Jun 21, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-06-21 19:02:53","modifiedDate":"2023-10-19 15:40:39","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-10-19 19:40:39","commentCount":"11","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":11},"status":"publish","excerpt":"In a report to the Town, the Appropriation Committee presented a dire picture for taxpayers over the next ten years. This may have a negative effect on the Elmwood School project."},{"id":4083,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/town-hall-struggles-with-turnover\/","name":"town-hall-struggles-with-turnover","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/town-hall.jpg?fit=1350%2C900&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Town Hall Struggles with Turnover","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"May 25, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-05-25 22:20:12","modifiedDate":"2023-11-20 12:25:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2023-11-20 17:25:12","commentCount":"30","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":9},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Town Hall has experienced an extraordinary level of turnover in a short amount of time. Many key positions remain unfilled with no candidates in the waiting."},{"id":2402,"link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/select-board-votes-against-recc\/","name":"select-board-votes-against-recc","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hopnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/recc-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1427&quality=100&ssl=1","alt":"RECC Center"},"title":"Select Board Votes Against RECC","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"HopNews Staff","link":"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/author\/hopnews\/?mab_v3=5402"},"date":"Feb 14, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-02-15 01:53:16","modifiedDate":"2024-03-18 16:00:03","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-18 20:00:03","commentCount":"1","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/hopnews.com\/category\/news\/hopkinton-public-safety\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Safety<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/tag\/town-hall-finances\/' rel='post_tag'>town-hall-finances<\/a>","pp_notify_user":"<a href='https:\/\/hopnews.com\/?taxonomy=pp_notify_user&term=hopnews' rel='pp_notify_user'>hopnews<\/a>","pp_notify_role":"","pp_notify_email":"","pp_editorial_meta":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":4},"status":"publish","excerpt":"On February 14, the Select Board voted 3-2 against joining the Inter-Municipal Agreement that would form a RECC."}]