Candidate Statement
My name is Lya Batlle-Rafferty and I am running for School Committee.
In our current climate of growth in the school system, budget expansion, and enrollment projection challenges, I believe that the ideal candidate is one who has prior experience with school boards as well as data analysis and financial management.
I had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Trustees for a non-profit school when our family lived in Pittsburgh. During my tenure there, our school grew to two schools and our Principal assumed a role similar to that of our Hopkinton Superintendent. I was a co-founder of the PTA and served in that group for eight years. In the meantime, I worked with Pittsburgh Dataworks, a big data consortium, where I joined top representatives of the IBM Watson group in initiating a high school big data competition for the surrounding school districts. We ran the competition successfully for three years, eventually obtaining funding for all expenses incurred by the school districts, and it continues until this day.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science and a Master’s degree is in Adult Education and Training, I understand the importance of both data analysis and education. My career focuses on the algorithms needed to help others make better decisions. Also, I earned a deep understanding for how our budgets affect the taxes of Hopkinton residents from my three years on the Hopkinton Board of Assessors. This was a great position for someone like me, who loves the intersection of good mathematics and the people they affect.
I moved to Hopkinton five years ago for many reasons, and primary among them was the quality of the school system. The high school more than lived up to expectations. One of my children is now at UMass Amherst and the other is about to graduate this May. As I said when I ran for Board of Assessors, the first time I walked around downtown all I could think was that I walked into a Normal Rockwell painting. Over the years, our town has not disappointed, and my husband and I have been delighted with Hopkinton as a whole.
My areas of particular interest include:
- Diversity and inclusion. As a Latina and the mother of two children who received support, I understand that every year of a child’s life is precious and every scar they receive due to poor treatment can cause lasting damage.
- Careful analysis of the school projections. Our Growth Study Committee has found some interesting facts about student growth in town. As a data scientist, I’m interested in whether the projections from those numbers are in any way similar to the ones we are getting and if not, why not.
- A focus on long-term budget projections. I know that budgets are a negotiation with the town and residents. I understand that it’s hard to see enrollments and budgets escalate year after year, even though we want the best for our children. As someone who has worked on five year strategic plans for schools, I believe I can help balance current and future needs and take a proactive approach.
I respectfully ask for your vote in the June 29 town election.
Candidate Statement
Hello Hopkinton Neighbors,
My name is Lesley Ficarri, and I am running for re-election to the Board of Assessors for a 3-year term.
The Board of Assessors’ key responsibilities are to support the Assessing Department in valuing real estate and personal property, considering tax abatements and exemptions, and providing data and analysis needed to set the annual tax rate in accordance with applicable Massachusetts laws.
Being on this Board has been a great opportunity to serve our community. When I first joined the Board I integrated quickly and learned about how revenue is generated for the Town of Hopkinton through our taxes. I leveraged my background and skills as a human resources executive to make decisions considering legal frameworks and data along with the impact on our residents and businesses. Sound judgement, high ethics and the ability to maintain confidentiality guided us during each meeting.
My husband, Pete, and I grew up near Pittsburgh, PA. We moved to Massachusetts in 1998 and to Hopkinton in 2001 when we built our house. We previously volunteered for the town. I served on the Personnel Committee, and Pete was on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Zoning Advisory Committee. We have made great friends here and very much enjoy living in Hopkinton.
Please join me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LesleyforHopkinton/.
I hope to continue serving you on the Board of Assessors, and I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 20th.
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 Muriel Kramer, and I serve on the Planning Board. I have long been interested in planning for Hopkinton that truly contemplates and balances the priorities of the voters, the rights of property developers, and the concerns of neighbors affected by any development. A process that engages all stakeholders respectfully and considers thoughtfully the many and often competing priorities is necessary to both plan for and support growth that is revenue enhancingand in keeping with the small town charm of Hopkinton, the reason so many of us first moved here.
I am ready to re-engage more actively in town government. I have served on the Board of Appeals (2002-’04), chaired the Master Plan Committee (2004-’06), and served as a selectwoman including two years as chair (2005-’08). I have also served as the Deputy Town Moderator (2009-2017) and as a Commissioner of Trust Funds (2014 – 2017).
Candidate Statement
My name is Irfan Nasrullah, and I am proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Hopkinton Select Board.
Some might say I’m an old timer here in Hopkinton; my family first moved here in 1981. There was a lot then for a high school freshman to find attractive about Hopkinton, a small centrally located town with wonderful natural beauty, trails, and plenty of space to explore.
I’ve always known that Hopkinton was the town where I wanted to raise my own family. When I purchased the family homestead in 2013, I came to know that while I had loved Hopkinton as a child, I appreciated it even more as a father. Both the school system and the sense of community are second to none.
I have found my experience on both the Planning Board and the Select Board to be incredibly humbling and rewarding at the same time. I’ve come to know more people and understand we all share common values and a vision for our town. I’ve also come to understand the dedication and effort those before me have put in.
My skill set and experience have served me well in helping the town continue to grow in a manner that expands on the community character and builds on its values. My qualifications as an environmental attorney who also practices in real estate positions me as someone whom I believe can bring valuable insight to the Select Board.
I believe my professional and municipal experience, combined with a dedication to the town and its people, make me an ideal candidate for the Select Board. I respectfully ask for your vote on May 17.
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.