Monday, May 15, 2023
Polls Open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Hopkinton Middle School
Candidate Statement
School Committee Candidate Statement
Greetings,
I would like to take a moment of your time to introduce myself and provide information on my background. My name is Adam R. Munroe. I am a candidate for the Hopkinton School Committee.
I have been a resident of Hopkinton for many years and my family’s history within the town goes back decades. My wife Heather and our three children truly enjoy calling Hopkinton our home. Our youngest child is currently a student in the Hopkinton school system. He enjoys being a student and often brings home exciting and interesting news from school.
I find Hopkinton provides a unique sense of community. We share wonderful schools, amazing events, and unparalleled community engagement with our public library, parks, and recreation opportunities. These advantages, and many more, are surpassed only by the overwhelming sense of dedication and service of those who have committed themselves to ensuring Hopkinton remains the safe and comfortable town we call home.
In the spirit of community service, I ask for the opportunity to serve on our School Committee. While Hopkinton is a great town, we also face many challenges. Fiscal acumen, economic equity, and transparency are core values that inspire my desire to serve on the committee. The residents of Hopkinton should expect a school committee that is engaged, responsible, and ensures that the core values Hopkinton residents are represented in the education of its students.
I currently serve as a member of Hopkinton’s Marathon Committee, where over the past several years I have fostered lasting relationships with many officials and others, which has allowed me to demonstrate teamwork, collaboration, and trust. Additionally, I serve on the Hopkinton Board of Assessors and help to ensure the tax base is executed in a fair and equitable manner in line with state regulations. I believe this steadfast oversight ensures that all residents in Hopkinton can feel confident that their interests are being handled in a transparent and professional manner.
My background has always been in service to others. I am a former paramedic with over 20 years of service. I continued my service journey to become a registered nurse, first obtaining my Associate degree, then Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Currently I am completing a PhD candidacy with a focus in Nursing Education.
My current roles include being department chair of a nursing program at a local community college and a registered nurse in a busy local emergency department. I have also served as a visiting lecturer in the Nursing Department at Framingham State University. All of these require fastidious attention to detail, an understanding of a variety of perspectives, an in-depth understanding of analytic data, and ability to apply critical thinking to evolving situations. My responsibilities as the chair of the nursing department include evaluating current educational practices for the nursing program and making recommendations for evidence-based changes and modifications to support sound educational practices while also embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion from across the community. Additionally, developing budgets, reviewing policies, developing and executing strategic plans, collaborating with administrators, faculty, staff, and students are responsibilities I feel will transfer well to the school committee.
I sincerely feel my proven skills, dedication to community, compassionate caring, and core values make me a great candidate for your consideration.
Thank you for your support.
Adam R. Munroe PhD(c), MSN, BSN, ADN, RN
Board of Assessors Candidate Statement
I would like to take a moment of your time to introduce myself and provide some information on my background. My name is Adam R. Munroe. I am a candidate for re-election to the Town of Hopkinton Board of Assessors.
I have been a resident of Hopkinton for thirteen years and my family’s history within the town goes back decades. My wife Heather, and three children truly enjoy calling Hopkinton our home.
I find Hopkinton provides a unique sense of community. Wonderful schools, amazing events, unparalleled community engagement including our public library, parks, and recreation opportunities. These, and many more, are surpassed by the overwhelming sense of dedication and service of those who have committed themselves to ensuring Hopkinton remains the safe and comfortable town we call home.
In the spirit of community service I ask for the opportunity to continue to serve on our Board of Assessors. While Hopkinton is a great town, we also face many challenges. Fiscal responsibility, economic equality, and transparency are core values that inspire my work on the board.
I currently serve as a member of Hopkinton’s Marathon Committee where over the past several years have fostered lasting relationships with many officials and others which have allowed me to demonstrate teamwork, collaboration, and trust.
My background has always been in service to others. I am a former paramedic with over 20 years of service. I continued my service journey to become a registered nurse. First obtaining my Associate degree, then Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees. Currently I am completing a PhD candidacy with a focus in Nursing Education. My current roles include being a registered nurse in a busy local emergency department as well as being a visiting lecturer in the Nursing Department at Framingham State University. While you may wonder how this experience relates to becoming a member of the Board of Assessors; let me explain. All of these require fastidious attention to detail, an understanding of a variety of perspectives, an in-depth understanding of analytic data, and ability to apply critical thinking to evolving situations.
I sincerely feel my proven skills, dedication to community, compassionate caring, and core values make me a great candidate for your consideration.
Thank you for your support.
Adam R. Munroe PhD(c), MSN, RN
Candidate Statement
Hello! My name is Susan Stephenson and I am a candidate for election to the Hopkinton School Committee. I just moved to Hopkinton from Pennsylvania in September, but I have made many visits here over the past 25+ years. I decided to settle here because I like the friendly, small-town atmosphere. Additionally, my values align more closely with those of the people here than in my former home in Western PA. I am a retired English teacher and have devoted my working life to education. I want to use my knowledge and experience in education to give back to my new community.
Having served as a teacher for 36 years, I am passionate about quality education. I taught in the Seneca Valley School District in PA, which was always ranked in the top 10 districts in the state. I am aware of the budgetary challenges facing the Hopkinton school system. If I am elected to the School Committee, my commitment will be to keep Hopkinton schools top-ranked. It will not be easy to maintain quality education in the face of budgetary constraints, but I am not afraid of tough problems and will always keep the needs of all students my top priority.
In my previous school district I served as department chair and also as a union leader. Having worked with School Board members and the superintendent’s office, I have a deep understanding about school needs, about the interests of all the parties, and about how schools are governed.
I am opposed to censorship and to political interference in school curricula. While this may not be a problem currently in Massachusetts, we need to be watchful of the situation on the national level.
On a personal note, my hobbies are gardening, woodworking, taking an art class, and playing with my golden retriever Wallace.
I pledge to serve the needs of all students in the very best way possible and to stand up for continued top-quality education in Hopkinton. I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday May 15, 2023.
Candidate Statement
My name is John Cardillo and I’m running for Town Constable.
I have lived in Hopkinton for the past twenty-five years and have been involved in many activities in town. I have coached softball for my daughter Kimberly and was assistant Little League baseball coach for my son Jason. (Jason went on to play baseball for Hopkinton High School.) I was also on the Hopkinton Little League Board as equipment manager. I was involved with the Hopkinton High School (HHS) cheerleading (of which Kimberly was a part) as their unofficial photographer and part time fundraiser. The HHS Cheerleaders where extremely successful winning local and state competitions, and a national title in Kim’s junior year. Her senior year Kim was elected Team Captain. For the last 4.5 years I have been a photographer for the Hopkinton Independent, an experience I’ve enjoyed immensely! I also just celebrated my tenth year as a volunteer at the Boston Marathon here in Hopkinton (in the corrals).
Both my children have benefited from their education here in Hopkinton. Jason went on to the University of Vermont and Kimberly went to the University of South Carolina. Jason received a degree in Mechanical Engineering, as did Kimberly, at the University of South Carolina, and Kimberly went on received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Both now live and work in Colorado. My wife and I loved raising our children in Hopkinton because of the opportunities it afforded them, and the multitude of activities, provided by the town, which kept them both engaged and involved.
I decided to retire after 30 years in high tech, shortly after the passing of my wife, Cindy, to cancer, in October 2017. At that time, I might have chosen to leave Hopkinton to be closer to my children in Colorado. But after much thought and soul searching, I decided to stay! This is my home!
Currently I serve on three town committees: the Cultural Council, the Woodville Historic Commission, and the Veterans’ Celebration Committee.
Hopkinton is an inviting, vibrant community that continues to grow both in population and diversity, as well as opportunity. Please allow me the opportunity to give back to our community as your Constable.
Please see this site for more information regarding the what a Constable can do in Massachusetts: Constables in Massachusetts (constables-mbca.org)
Candidate Statement
Last fall I was asked to fill an unexpired term for a Trustee of the Hopkinton Library and now am seeking a full three year term through this year’s election.
Hopkinton represents my third library Trustee position served over the past twenty years. I served six years with the Norfolk Library in Norfolk, CT from 2003-2009 and another six years with the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury, CT from 2011-2017. In my work with all three libraries I gained a strong appreciation for how they serve as a key cultural center in their respective communities. I had read during the early days of the internet, Kindle, and other technological means of viewing books and publications that libraries would soon face extinction but nothing could have been further from the truth.
Not only has circulation continued to grow with avid increasing demand for printed books but library programs involved with art, literature, music, and public information continually play a transformative learning platform for citizens of all ages. Hopkinton has a beautiful library building and a friendly professional staff that works hard to maximize its circulation offerings and new programmatic initiatives designed to make the library a true learning center.
I feel my experience and interest in maintaining the highest standards for this special institution will aid in the important role of the Library Board of Trustees.
Candidate Statement
I am Ravi Dasari and I’m running for the open seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Hopkinton has been my home for over 8 years. I love it here!
I would love to have your support for my service on the Commission.
I was involved in setting up the turf pitches for Cricket with the help of Hopkinton Parks and Recreation and this led to the growth of Cricket as one of the popular sports in Hopkinton.
The Parks and Recreation Commission provides incredible programs and classes to our citizens. Having started the Hopkinton Cricket Club, I think I have the leadership experience and responsibility to help improve the Commission and directly connect with the citizens of Hopkinton.
Preservation of indoor and outdoor sports are something I feel passionate about and have been involved in before, so I want to develop and enhance the existing spaces that are used in our community.
I am committed to support the future development of community programs and ongoing operations, and promote the mission of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Hopkinton is filled with natural, historical, cultural, artistic, and recreational resources that cultivate outstanding experiences and learning for all people.
It would be an honor to serve our community and hope to have your support this election.
Candidate Statement
My name is Mary Duggan and I am a candidate for the position of
Commissioners of Trust Funds.
My husband, Richard, and I have lived in Hopkinton since 1985. We
saw Hopkinton as an ideal town in which to raise our children. Our two sons and our daughter all attended Hopkinton schools. When we moved to town, the population was fewer than 8 thousand people, and traffic was minimal. While those things have changed significantly over the years, Hopkinton still has that small-town appeal for me.
In terms of my professional career, I graduated from college with a
degree in elementary education. With teaching positions scarce at that time, I began working for New England Telephone within a year of graduation. I worked there in various managerial positions as New
England Telephone ultimately evolved into Verizon. After 36 years of
service, I retired from Verizon and began to look for volunteer
opportunities. Almost immediately, I found Project Just Because, a
wonderful organization where I have volunteered for the last twelve years.
One of my passions is dog rescue. In addition to owning two rescue
dogs, I was a volunteer for four years with Last Hope K9 Rescue. Like most Hopkinton residents, I always look forward to the Boston Marathon. I served as a Boston Marathon volunteer for several
years, doing whatever was needed, from stuffing envelopes initially to barrier set up and clothing pick-up throughout town.
In February of 2019, I was given the opportunity to serve out the
remaining term of a former Commissioner of Trust Funds. During that time, I assumed the role of secretary and learned a great deal about the process for management of funds. I found this experience to be both interesting and rewarding, as it allowed me, in some small way, to give back to the town. In June of 2020, I was elected to a three year term on the commission and I currently serve as chair. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve the town again as a member of this board if I am re-elected in May.
Candidate Statement
Hello Hopkinton!
I am running for re-election to Parks and Rec again! It has been a challenging few years, but our commission really stepped up and made sure there were lots of learning and fun still to be had. We changed and adapted our programs to accommodate the unprecedented times. Once COVID restrictions lessened, we jumped right back into our regular programming, plus added some interesting new classes and activities, such as Archery and Puzzle Palooza among many others.
I was involved in The Sandy Beach Ad Hoc committee which has made many improvements to Sandy Beach that will make it a safer and more enjoyable local gem.
The Dog Park is completed and has been very successful and well attended. The people and dogs I meet there enjoy and have been so appreciative of the park, and we will continue to make improvements on it, like adding another pavilion.
The Summer Concert Series obviously had to be cancelled in 2020, but the last couple of summers have been fantastic. I added a bunch of diverse bands and a variety of music, including the Bollywood Band Din Check, which was very fun and very popular! This summer the local favorites are coming back, as well as Din Check, but I have added a few new interesting bands, including The Good Times Banjo Band that is sure to be a hoot. I hope you will come check out the great free music on our beautiful Town Common!
I will continue to work hard for this town and hope to have your support this election.
Don’t forget to apply for your early vote-by-mail or absentee ballots!
Candidate Statement
My name is Amy Ritterbusch and I am running for a second term on the Hopkinton Select Board. I am a hard worker, I do my research and I have a long history of involvement with the town and schools. This is a critical time for Hopkinton due to the rapid growth and development we continue to experience, and the resulting budget challenges. I don’t have all the answers, but I am working hard to keep the public informed after each meeting by recording Actions Taken videos with HCAM and publishing written Actions Taken on eHop. During the campaign process I am reaching out to residents from all parts of town, lifelong residents and newcomers.
My husband Tim and I have lived in Hopkinton for 19 years. We own a modest 140-year old home in the center of Hopkinton and enjoy walking in the downtown area as well as on the trails. We have three children, one high-schooler (Grade 12) who walks to school, as well as two HHS graduates (2018 and 2020). I have a BA from UMass Amherst and currently work as a Software & Web Analyst for the Wellesley Public School district. I have held many volunteer roles in town over the years. At the moment I am serving as chair of the Select Board and as a member of the Hopkinton Center Historic District Commission. I have previously served on the Planning Board, the Growth Study Committee and the Design Review Board. I am a founding member of eHop and have served as an eHop board member since 2007. I also volunteer with Girl Scout Troop 65040, although this will be my last year as my daughter is graduating.
It is important to have Select Board members who are knowledgeable, informed and actively engaged with the issues and the residents. My communications background, technical and research skills are a good compliment to the skill sets of the other board members. I work hard to stay on top of the issues in town and I bring that knowledge to the Select Board. I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 15, 2023.
Candidate Statement
Hello, my name is Matthew Wronka, and I am a 2023 candidate for Hopkinton’s Planning Board.
Our town continues to be blessed with a growing community. How we develop the town to manage this growth will have a lasting impact: protecting our wonderful trails and green space, and providing new opportunities for recreation, all while encouraging commercial growth to broaden our tax base.
My wife and I moved to Hopkinton ten years ago, and last year I joined the Planning Board when a vacancy opened. In addition to the challenges the board is facing with respect to zoning changes mandated statewide, I’m proud of the initiatives the board has chosen to tackle this year, in particular continuing to improve the town’s walkability: connecting parts of town–neighborhoods, parks, and other resources–with safe pedestrian corridors. Improved connectivity helps bring our broad community closer, while improving utilization of–and access to–existing investments such as parks and the town’s network of trails.
We look forward to discussing the opportunities we’re proposing, as well as feedback on where other opportunities exist for improving connectivity, during our public comment session on March 21st.
I look forward to continuing work with the board on this and other issues, and I ask for your vote on May 15th.