Accountability posts

At the May 13, 2024 Hopkinton Select Board meeting, three significant decisions were made on items that were not listed on the public agenda — meaning residents had no advance notice to prepare, research, or attend specifically for those discussions.

The biggest involves the Transfer Station Pay-by-Bag program, which will change how every Hopkinton household pays for trash disposal. Specific pricing was discussed and effectively set ($1.15 for small bags, $2.75 for large bags, $120/ton tipping fees) without the item appearing on the published agenda. Eight residents — the largest public turnout of the meeting — showed up to raise concerns about waste reduction philosophy, enforcement, curbside pickup alternatives, and pricing fairness. Their comments are not documented in the official meeting minutes, which list them by name in attendance but record nothing of what they said. The board moved the policy forward and directed staff to meet with Webster's Select Board before a public hearing is scheduled.

Two other off-agenda items also resulted in formal votes: a 5-0 authorization for the Town Administrator to represent Hopkinton in mediation with utility company PSNH (scheduled for May 22), with no public disclosure of the nature or financial stakes of the dispute; and a 4-0 vote (with Chair Dunlap abstaining) to approve a new employee health insurance plan with 50/50 shared deductible costs. Neither item was on the agenda residents could have reviewed before the meeting.

Transparent local government depends on residents knowing in advance what will be discussed and decided — that's the purpose of a public agenda. When consequential policy changes, legal authorizations, and benefit decisions are added without notice, the public loses its opportunity to participate meaningfully. Hopkinton residents should ask the Select Board to ensure items requiring a vote are posted on the agenda before the meeting, not added the night of.