By Theresa Knapp 

At a Special Town Meeting on Nov. 18, Hopedale residents addressed money matters; increased the veterans’ tax abatement annual cost of living increase; and approved a $97,000 capital request for a Little Red Shop Museum foundation repair. 

Voters also approved, with a close voice vote, a transfer $388,117 in excess levy funds to the Stabilization Fund, despite an unfavorable recommendation from the Finance Committee.  

The Select Board moved to pass over [not discuss] three articles: (1) a request for planning money for town property at 150-154 Mendon Street; (2) a request for money to purchase assessing-related mapping upgrades; and (3) to supplement FY26 budgets. 

The two articles that drew the most discussion were Article 11, which sought permission, and ultimately passed, to authorize the Select Board to purchase three more condominium units at 54 Hopedale Street to serve as municipal space; and Article 12, a citizens’ petition that sought to increase the Hopedale Select Board from three members to five, which was not recommended by the Finance Committee. 

Condo purchases 

Discussion around the condo purchases lasted about 15 minutes. An audience member noted a previous Town Meeting had approved the purchase of two units in that building, and asked why more units are now needed. 

“It provides the town future opportunity should the town decides it needs it for various departments,” explained Town Administrator Mitch Ruscitti, noting the hope is to “acquire that building in its totality, piece by piece,” which he says would be cheaper ($2 million to $2.5 mil) than building a new Town Hall ($35 mil to $50 mil). “We’re just asking you tonight to provide us with that additional opportunity, space to grow into that building...It’s short money now for a long-term benefit.” 

The additional units will be used for storage and public meeting space. Ruscitti said the costs of the units are $170,000, $200,000, and $230,000, and said the town will offset the cost with $185,000 of unused ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds that had to be used by the end of 2025.  

Increasing Select Board from three to five members

“Three doesn’t represent our community anymore,” said lead petitioner Nicole Small, at the start of a 25-minute discussion. 

Select Board Chair Scott Savage, speaking as a resident and not an elected official, spoke in favor of the measure, and had originally proposed the idea at a June meeting of the Select Board. He said increasing the board to five members would provide broader representation with more perspectives, reduce the risk of gridlock and improve continuity through staggered elections, and increase the quorum from two members to three so that two select people can have a private conversation about board business without breaking Open Meeting Law. 

Select Board member Glenda Hazard spoke on Town Meeting floor and said increasing to five members, and changing the quorum, could decrease transparency related to Select Board member discussions. 

Select Board member Bernie Stock suggested that, if the town wants to investigate the change, a committee should be formed and more research done before a vote is taken. 

The article failed with a voice vote. Small demanded a ballot vote but was denied by the moderator. 

A full recording of the meeting can be found at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/hopedale_ma