Vote Monday, May 20, 2019 @ 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
at the Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton MA 01748
Candidate Statement
My name is Mary Jo LaFreniere and I am running for re-election to the Select Board.
In Hopkinton, we face many challenges as we struggle to accommodate our town’s growth. That’s why I believe that a strong financial and municipal background is so important for a Select Board candidate. In addition to serving on the Select Board, I served for many years on the Board of Assessors. I am a former Massachusetts Accredited Assessor and have served as a professional assessor for the towns of Holliston and Plainville. Here in Hopkinton, I have served as a Commissioner of Trust Funds and on the Tax Relief Committee. I have also had the opportunity to advocate for the town through my service on the Marathon Committee. At the State level, I was District Director for Senator David Magnani.
As a Select Board member, I have been honored to serve as liaison to the Board of Health, Parks & Recreation, Board of Assessors, Sustainable Green Committee, Cemetery Commission, Council on Aging, Tax Relief Committee, and Marathon Committee. As liaison to the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, I was delighted to help bring a wheelchair accessible bus route to the Hopkinton Senior Center.
If reelected I will focus on:
- Successfully completing the Downtown Corridor Project and attracting new business to the downtown area
- Continuing to attract business and industry to South Street and other commercial areas
- Keeping our school rankings high amidst the challenges of a pandemic
- Preserving Hopkinton’s natural resources with a special focus on climate action
- Encouraging the use of our unique open spaces
- Promoting the wonderful programs and resources at the Senior Center
- Helping us to return to a full Marathon each spring!
Our family moved to Hopkinton when our boys were three years old and three months old. Over the years I came to love our friendly town with its strong school system and beautiful natural environment. Now as the town grows, I hope to continue to serve all of our residents, old and new alike, and foster a sense of community so that we can all share the same wonderful Hopkinton experience that my family and I have enjoyed.
I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Candidate Statement
My name is Shahidul Mannan and I am running for a seat on the Select Board. I have substantial experience with town activities and committees which address Hopkinton’s budget, growth, and school issues.
Currently I am serving on the Planning Board and I have also served on the Growth Study Committee. Recently I was appointed to the Community Preservation Committee as well. In the past, as a member of the town’s Appropriation Committee, I had the privilege of overseeing a balanced budget for seven years, keeping our taxes in check with underrides at a critical time while we had to support our schools and services to match the tremendous growth across town. I have an engineering degree and an MBA in finance. I am a technology professional with executive leadership experience in software and innovation for the last 20+ years.
My wife Nasiba and I came to the US 26 years ago and we are celebrating our 10th year in Hopkinton. We love spending time in our parks, lakes, and beautiful trails, as well as dining in our newly vibrant downtown. We have two children. Ryann is a college junior who attended the Hopkinton schools, worked at the Hopkinton Public Library and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts as a student, and is now studying business at Indiana University. Rayna is a 7th grader at Hopkinton Middle School and enjoys arts and music at the HCA.
I view the Select Board as the town’s critical leadership body, where members need to be engaged and knowledgeable about residents’ priorities and issues. Currently, Hopkinton is undergoing rapid growth, an increase in school size, a diversification of the town population, a revamping of the downtown area, and now Covid 19 related challenges. I will use my town experience in governance and professional expertise in finance to face these challenges. My diverse background, unique budgetary experience, and professional leadership expertise will complement the qualifications of our current board members and strengthen our town leadership. I promise to always listen to town residents‘ priorities and opinions. I will always reach out to new and old residents of all backgrounds because I believe we are one town, one community.
I respectfully ask for your vote in the Town Election on May 16, 2022.
Candidate Statement
I’m Ellen Rutter. I’m running for Hopkinton Town Moderator. As your Moderator, I’ll bring a fresh perspective to Town Meeting. Moderator responsibilities include making sure that the Meeting is run according to our laws and Town Charter.
Hopkinton residents make key decisions at Town Meeting — including ratifying our annual ~$100M budget. It is an important forum for residents, committees and employees to help govern Hopkinton!
At Town Meeting in May 2018, I was the Deputy Town Moderator and in February 2019 I served as Acting Town Moderator for our Special Town Meeting. I’ve gotten good feedback on my approach at both meetings.
Throughout my career in marketing, meeting facilitation has been one of my primary responsibilities. In my current job, I facilitate complex meetings for a pharma company. I’ve been regularly recognized for effectively engaging all stakeholders, navigating complex discussions and getting to fair outcomes efficiently. I’m excited to bringing my experience and skills to the Town Moderator role.
I’ve raised my two kids in Hopkinton, where since 2000 we’ve appreciated the fabulous education our schools offer and enjoyed many town programs. My community engagement has included volunteering on my neighborhood board, serving on the board at my church and participating in local politics.
As Hopkinton grows, we need to ensure that all Hopkinton voices are heard. We need to manage our meetings effectively and efficiently. We need to keep Hopkinton moving forward.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support on May 16, 2022.
Candidate Statement
Hi. I’m Sue Kurys and I’m running for re-election to the Commissioners of Trust Funds. The Commissioners oversee the disbursement of funds from Trusts bequeathed to the Town. Their principal duty is to ensure that the funds are used in accordance with the wishes of Hopkinton’s generous benefactors.
In addition to my experience from serving as a Commissioner over the last three years, my other service to the Town and community makes me well-qualified for this role. I am Chair of the Hopkinton Senior and Disabled Tax Relief. My service on local nonprofit boards has always been about ensuring donations and grants are used to further each organization’s mission.
I’ve held leadership roles in strategic planning, marketing and finance throughout my business career. My education includes an MBA from Stanford with a certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management and additional coursework in fundraising and philanthropy at BU.
I’ve lived in Hopkinton for over 20 years. The Trusts overseen by the Commissioners embody core values of Hopkinton’s past, present and future – education, community and the beauty of our Town. It would be an honor to oversee the use of these funds for the benefit of all residents. I respectfully ask for your vote for Commissioner of Trust Funds on May 16, 2022.
Candidate Statement
My name is Patrick Atwell and I am running for the three-year term for Constable.
I have been a resident of Hopkinton since 2012. My wife and I really enjoy the small town charm and the wonderful school system that Hopkinton has to offer for our kids. Because of this, I wanted to give back to the community and decided to volunteer and be active throughout the town. I currently serve on the Veteran’s Celebration Committee and have served on the Planning Board.
Professionally I am a Business Agent / Contract Negotiator for SEIU 888. I received my Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law and Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University, and I am also a certified Negotiator / Mediator. With my work experience combined with my education in understanding and applying the law, I would make a great addition to the town as Constable.
If elected, I will become a member of the Massachusetts Bay Constable Association (MBCA). The MBCA is a valuable resource for becoming a better Constable through training and networking with other constables throughout the state. I will also be bonded through MBCA.
Thank you for your consideration. I respectfully ask for your vote on June 29.
Candidate Statement
Hi, I’m Susan Porter, and I am running as a candidate for reelection to the Hopkinton Public Library Board of Trustees, where I am currently the Chairperson. I would appreciate your consideration in the Town of Hopkinton Annual Election this May.
This has been a trying time for all of us, and the library has certainly not been exempt. Besides the Covid restrictions on hours and patron access, we have had many personnel changes, including a new Director.
Because these changes, I feel that the Board of Trustees needs to maintain consistency and assist the new director, Nanci Hill, in familiarizing herself with Hopkinton and the Hopkinton Public Library. I and the Board look forward to working with her and are excited to see what she will bring to our library. To that end, I am running for reelection.
I have lived in Hopkinton for 46 years. My husband Michael and I raised our daughter Alexis here, and she now lives in town with her family.
I graduated from Boston University and worked as a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse. I retired several years ago from my position as a Health Care Consultant.
