Monday, May 20, 2024
Polls Open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Hopkinton Middle School
Candidate Statement
My name is Kyla McSweeney and I am running for a seat on the Select Board.
My husband James and I moved to Hopkinton in 2007 and are raising our children here. Quinn is 14 and in the 8th grade at Hopkinton Middle School, and Sierra is 11 and in the 5th grade at Hopkins.
I am a Director in the State Department of Early Education and Care, where I manage contracts and large grant programs requiring close attention to fiscal and regulatory matters. Formerly I was Director of the Children’s Corner at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I also have a law degree from Suffolk University and have worked as a public interest attorney.
I have been involved in the town in various capacities in the 16 years I have lived here. I began my service on the Center School Council and then served on the Marathon School Council. I served on the committees in order to support the building of Marathon School and more recently the new Elmwood School. In 2021, I was elected to the Hopkinton Cemetery Commission and served as Secretary, which has familiarized me with the workings of town government. I have also been a Girl Scout leader in town for the past 6 years.
I believe that my fiscal and budgetary experience will be helpful in town budget matters. We have embarked on several ambitious projects in the past years such as the Downtown Corridor Project, a water remediation project, the new Marathon School and now additions to Hopkins and a new Elmwood School. These have tapped our resources, and many residents feel stretched by increasing tax rates. I believe we need to consider our planning with this in mind and think innovatively about how we can increase our revenues outside of raising residential tax rates.
My experience in law and policy has provided me with the ability to listen to different viewpoints and bring people together. Recent events and matters in town have resulted in a division of perspectives. I hope to be able to listen to diverse opinions of Hopkinton citizens and be respectful of the range of perspectives that residents have.
Having served in the role of Director many times and under different circumstances, I have experience attracting and retaining committed and professional employees, and I appreciate the need to do so. I believe we need to continue to seek strategies to attract high caliber candidates, support our town employees, and retain exceptional talent in all areas including public safety.
I feel that our town has much to be proud of including excellent schools, beautiful recreation areas, and a many committed volunteers. I hope to bring my professional experience and history of civic engagement to the Select Board, strengthening our community and applying a fresh perspective to the challenges ahead.
I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 20 at the Middle School.
Candidate Statement
I am Peter M. Mimmo, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, and I am running for Hopkinton Select Board. I am running for Select Board because I care about our town, and I’m concerned about the challenges facing our community. We all know these challenges, and they are far reaching. They range from a challenging budget to the quality of our water, and to the difficult issues concerning our Police Department. I believe I have the experience and temperament to help navigate our Town through these difficult issues.
Hopkinton has been my home since 2015. My wife Diane and our sons Andrew and Owen moved here from Northbridge where we lived for 14 years. As a Northbridge resident, I was appointed to the Town’s Personnel Board and served for many years. I also was privileged to serve on a Town Manager search committee, and our collaboration and hard work resulted in successfully hiring a Town Manager who worked for Northbridge for 10 years.
After moving to Hopkinton, I sought opportunities to serve my community. In 2022, I was privileged to be elected to our Board of Assessors, and I thank the voters for putting their trust in me. As a Board Member, I have worked with my colleagues and our Town’s professional staff to assure that property in our Town is fairly assessed, and to fairly evaluate applications for tax abatements, and approve applications for tax exemptions for our veterans, seniors, and those experiencing financial hardship. I have seen firsthand the professionalism and openness of our staff when engaged with residential taxpayers.
When I am not serving my community, I am a busy lawyer. I am an attorney with nearly 20 years of experience working for the Commonwealth as a civil litigator. I have worked in health and human services, public safety, and I am currently working for a state agency responsible for enforcing our state’s civil rights laws where I work toward the overarching goal of eradicating unlawful discrimination in employment, businesses open to the public, and in housing. I have dedicated my career to public service, and all of my professional accomplishments have centered around advancing the public interest for all the citizens of our Commonwealth.
Most of my work has been as a labor and employment counsel. In this role, I have conducted multiple investigations into employee misconduct, and defended the decisions of management and have held those employees accountable for their gross misconduct. Alternatively, when management makes a mistake, which does and will always occur, as counsel I would work with representatives of management, labor and the aggrieved employee to bring the matter to a fair resolution.
I have represented the Commonwealth in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with our state’s largest labor unions and resolved countless labor disputes. In this role, I have worked hard to build rapport with union leaders.
In my experience, whether as a municipal volunteer or as an attorney for our Commonwealth, I have come to appreciate some important values that I think are indispensable when serving the public trust. Transparency, honesty and following through on promises made were key to successfully navigating difficult, and oftentimes contentious disputes. Respect given was always respect earned, and I believe these principles apply with equal force to municipal government.
All of my work in public service has been rewarding, and I hope to continue to that service as a member of our Select Board.
I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Candidate Statement
My name is Anne Beauchamp. I am running as a candidate for re-election to the Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees, and would appreciate your vote.
I believe public libraries say a lot about a community and I am proud of how our library represents Hopkinton. I have always depended heavily on my local library; libraries have enriched every aspect and stage of my life. When I moved to Hopkinton in 2013, our library was ‘the little engine that could,’ being much bigger in soul than in physical presence. Thanks to our neighbors’ hard work and voters’ approval, we have a library facility that can embody our library’s mission to “inspire exploration, discovery, and engagement as we enrich and strengthen the social network of our diverse community.” I am excited for the opportunity to continue my work with the Board and the Library Director for the benefit of the community.
I graduated from Smith College and the University of Kansas. At Wellesley Public Schools, I lead equity-focused strategic use of educational data. With a husband and three daughters ages 6, 11, and 14, my main volunteerism has been leading my older daughters’ Girl Scout troops and supporting the troops’ works of community action. I have also been a classroom support volunteer and established and ran an accessible Santa visit event in town.
I would be honored to receive your vote of support in the Town of Hopkinton Annual Election on Monday, May 20, 2024.
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
I’m running for the Planning Board in Hopkinton because I want to help our town grow in the right way. I’ve worked in multiple startups, dealing with everything from Cloud storage to data management. Before that, I learned a lot about politics in Illinois, working to solve local issues by listening to people and not just arguing over party labels.
I believe in Hopkinton. We’ve got a great history and a bright future. I want to make sure we grow without losing what makes our town special. This means keeping our schools top-notch, protecting our green spaces, and making sure growth doesn’t push people out of their homes.
I’ve always been involved in the community, from being a Scout to helping out in political campaigns. These experiences taught me how important it is to listen and work together. I see some big challenges ahead, like making sure housing is affordable and bringing more businesses to town. But I’ve got ideas and the energy to tackle them.
What sets me apart is my ability to talk to anybody and work out solutions. I’m not scared to knock on doors or make calls to hear what you think. That’s how I plan to find out what matters most to you and make those things my priority on the Planning Board.
I’m excited about this opportunity and ready to work hard for all of us in Hopkinton. Together, we can make sure our town stays a great place to live, work, and play.
Candidate Statement
My name is Lucia Lopez and I am running for the 3-year position on the Planning Board. My desire to serve on the Planning Board stems from my interest in housing as well as a desire to give back to our community.
As a stay-at-home mom to two young children, I understand the needs of young families in our community. Having been fortunate enough to have served on the Hopkinton Housing Authority and to currently serve on the Tax Relief Committee and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, I have also seen the struggles that our seniors and low-income residents face. I firmly believe that Hopkinton belongs to all of its residents, and we can work together to solve our current problems and strengthen our community.
I have a bachelor’s degree in planning and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on policy, organization, and leadership studies. In my career, I have worked as a diversity program coordinator in a research organization and in college residential life. Since moving to Hopkinton over a decade ago, I have also managed our multi-family home. My educational and career experiences have provided me with the skills to analyze difficult problems and always consider how potential solutions will affect the people involved.
I will bring my passion for housing, problem solving, and community to the Planning Board, and I ask for your support on May 20, 2024.
Candidate Statement
My name is Beth Ann Malloy and I am running for the one-year seat on Hopkinton Housing Authority. I was appointed to the Housing Authority last year when a seat became available, and I hope to be able to continue.
I moved to Hopkinton in 1995, joining my husband Mike who bought his first house in town in 1991. We have found Hopkinton to be a very compassionate, safe, and caring community and we have enjoyed both living and working here. After our kids were in full day school I went to work for Hopkinton Public Schools for 9 years, working primarily with our intensive needs students. For the past 12 years I have been employed by the Michael Lisnow Respite Center. I am inspired by my friends there. My husband is a software engineer and has been with Dell/EMC for 25 years. We raised both our children in Hopkinton. Dillon is currently a mechanic at Westboro Toyota. Colleen is a paralegal at a law firm in Framingham.
Our family was very involved in the scout organizations in Hopkinton. I was an Assistant Cub Master for Pack 97. I lead both the girls and boys in our town through scouts. While with the scouts I purchased a program called “Lost in the Woods” from search and rescue. I wrote the script and taught the program to both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts for many years. I also spearheaded a program we called ‘Hopkinton Helping Hands’. We coupled a Cub Scout Den with an elder citizen in town, offering yard clean ups and friendship. My goal was to bring young families and our elder community together.
Camp Sunshine in Casco ME is an amazing place where I have volunteered for 12 years. Camp Sunshine provides both respite and fun to children with life threatening illnesses and their families. I have generally volunteered for several sessions per year. Volunteering keeps my feet and spirit grounded. I spent many years volunteering with Project Just Because, Serenity House, and CAA and school drama programs. Our family has enjoyed dog rescue by fostering 19 pups, some of whom found homes in town.
I served on the Affordable Housing Fund Committee for 8 years. During this time we worked on adding to our inventory. Working with the Planning Board, we asked that future developers provide the town with units in lieu of cash payouts. I hope to continue to bring my organizational skills, strength, and knowledge to my seat on the Hopkinton Housing Authority. And I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Hopkinton.
Candidate Statement
My name is Amanda Murphy (formerly Robichaud) and I am a candidate for Commissioners of Trust Funds.
I have lived in Hopkinton for the last 10 years with my 2 children. I have been an active volunteer in town. I was the Secretary of Hopkinton Little League for 3 years, overseeing the operations of the organization which served over 700 baseball and softball players. I have also been on the Executive Board of the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization for 7 years, first serving as the Assistant Treasurer, and most recently as the current Treasurer. I am currently a weekly volunteer at Project Just Because.
I spent 20 years working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Assurance practice and then Learning & Development, across 3 offices, Boston, Helsinki, and Florham Park, NJ. I currently work part-time as an accountant/bookkeeper and accounting tutor.
Now that my children are older (a freshman in college and a freshman in high school), I would like to be more involved in the town as a whole. I feel my work and prior volunteer experience in accounting/bookkeeping prepares me well to be a Commissioner of Trust Funds.
I ask for your vote on May 21st.
Candidate Statement
My name is Amy O’Donnell and I am running for re-election to the Parks and Recreation Commission. My husband Ed and I moved to Hopkinton almost 12 years ago with our four boys. From the beginning, we have been warmly embraced by the people of Hopkinton and continue to appreciate the overwhelming sense of home and community. I’ve had the pleasure to become actively involved in Hopkinton Lacrosse, the Integrated Preschool School Council, and the Religious Education Program at St. John’s Church. Being a part of these wonderful local organizations has only reinforced my desire to help more.
Our four boys are very active in the many activities and sports in town. A great number of these activities are programs sponsored by Parks and Recreation at our recreation fields and facilities around Hopkinton. I would like to continue to use my passion to help the Commission by focusing my attention on these youth sports and programs to maintain their high quality for years to come. I feel my background as an engineer with a focus on efficiency and process improvement can be an asset on the Commission.
I welcome your thoughts and look forward to the opportunity to continue this collaboration with the families of Hopkinton.
Candidate Statement
My name is Mary Jo Ondrechen and I am running for the Board of Health in Hopkinton. My decision to run was catalyzed by my concern about contaminants in the town water supply. I believe that my experience and expertise can help to contribute to solutions that ensure a safe, clean water supply. We also need to plan so that we are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to the next public health emergency. I am also concerned about the lingering mental health effects of the pandemic, particularly on our young people.
I earned a doctoral degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Currently I serve as Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Northeastern University in Boston. The research group that I lead now consists of seven doctoral students, three Masters students, five undergraduates, and a Visiting Faculty Researcher from the University of Illinois Chicago. Our current and recent research endeavors span a variety of biomedical problems, including COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Previously I have consulted for the Department of Energy on technologies to clean up toxic waste in the environment. I have played active roles in the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) to evaluate innovative technologies for the remediation of environmental contaminants and to promote the regulatory acceptance of innovative technologies that prove to be effective.
I ask for your vote on Monday May 20th at the Hopkinton Middle School.
Candidate Statement
It has been my privilege to have served on the Library Board of Trustees, first as a member appointed by the Select Board on the first public board and several times as an elected official. During those terms I advocated for the library and worked with other board members and directors to establish library policies and assure that the library remains a bastion of free speech and is a welcoming place for all citizens of our community.
For the last several years I have been active in the Friends of the Library, helping to raise funds to cover items and programs that the town does not budget for. I look forward to serving the community as a Trustee once again and ask for your support on election day.
Candidate Statement
My name is Jamie Wronka. I am running for the Hopkinton School Committee. Like many families, my husband and I moved to Hopkinton in 2012 for the excellent school district. Maintaining the integrity and quality of our schools while balancing the importance of fiscal responsibility is a vital challenge that affects all residents of Hopkinton.
I have been an occupational therapist for nearly 20 years. In 2022 I moved from clinical care into a visiting professor role at Worcester State University. My experience and skills developed in clinical and educator settings are essential for a school committee member.
My passion that inspired me to run for School Committee has been ignited over the past year as Vice Chair of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council. One of my children receives support via an IEP. I walk in the shoes of a special education parent, who works full time and has two other children (and two dogs). I hope to empower every student and every family to thrive within the public education guaranteed to every child in our country. I know the challenges all families face navigating our systems – and the importance of strong policies, close and thoughtful budget decisions, and supervision of the leader of our schools are inarguably vital as we navigate this period of tremendous population growth in town.
I have over a decade of service to the town of Hopkinton, serving on committees since 2013 (Conservation Commission, Trail Coordination and Management Committee, and Upper Charles Trail Committee). I have also been an active volunteer with the Hopkinton Mom’s Group, which I encourage young families to consider joining as a support system, and the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization – I currently serve as VP of Membership and co-VP at Elmwood School. I understand the time commitment serving on School Committee requires. I was one of the organizers supporting the Yes vote for the Elmwood School replacement and volunteered to babysit children in the Middle School Library during that special town meeting (thank you to everyone who came out!).
I have a deeply vested interest in public education. I attended public schools from first grade through graduate school. My mother was a public elementary school nurse. Growing up in NJ, my school was very diverse and my education experience was richer for it. I am thrilled to see increasing diversity in Hopkinton, giving my children and the whole community a better lens through which to view the world.
My campaign is rooted in my desire to continue to serve Hopkinton. It is rooted in my experience as a professional and as a parent of three young children.
I ask for your support on May 20th, 2024. Together, we will address the challenges facing our schools. We will work towards our future Hopkinton where every student thrives.