Hopkinton Voters Raise and Lower Taxes

More than 2,100 voters went to the polls on May 19, and approved of two ballot questions, one that lowered taxes and another that raised them, according to the unofficial results sent out by Town Clerk Geri Holland.

Voters approved of Question 1, a proposal that approved of a Proposition 2 1/2 “underride,” lowering the town’s levy limit by $1.25 million. It was approved by a nearly three-to-one margin, 1,421 to 528. 

A second question, approval of a $6.25 million debt exclusion to renovate and expand the Hopkinton Public Library, was also victorious, by a nearly two-to-one-margin, 1,363 to 736.

In the School Committee race, the only contested race for the town election, Kelly Knight topped the ticket with 1,230 votes. Lori Nickerson came in second with 1,173, besting Frank Sivo, who came in third, by a little more than 140 votes. Sivo received 1,028 votes. Knight won three of the four precincts, with Nickerson taking Precinct 3 by two votes.

Others winning election by default included John Coutinho, who won for the Board of Selectmen; John Palmer, who was elected to the Board of Assessors; Jennifer Belesi, who won for the Board of Health; Julie Harris and Stanley Pulnik who won for Board of Library Trustees; Claire Wright, who won for Cemetery Commissioners; Muriel Kramer, who won a three-year seat on the Commissioners of Trust Fund board; Warren Johnson, who won for the Housing Authority; Timothy Kilduff and Amy Markovich for Parks and Recreation Commission; and Francis DeYoung, who won for Planning Board.