Town Election June 29 – New Date!
Cast your ballot by Monday, June 29, 2020 before the polls close!
Polls Open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
at Hopkinton Middle School
Stay Safe – if voting in person wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from other voters
Stay Safe – Vote by Mail or Absentee Ballot this year!
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
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
I would love to have your support for my service on the Parks and Recreation Board in Hopkinton.
I am committed to support the future development of community programs, ongoing operations, and promote the mission of the Hopkinton Parks and Recreation department.
The Park and Recreation Department provides incredible programs and classes to our citizens. Being the Medical Reserve Corps Director for over 150 communities in Massachusetts, I think I would have the leadership experience and responsibility to help improve the department, and directly connect with the citizens of Hopkinton.
Preservation, trails, 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.
Hopkinton is filled with natural, cultural, artistic, historical, and recreational resources that cultivate outstanding experiences and learning for all people.
It would be an honor to serve our community and having support from you would mean a lot to me!
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
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
I decided to run for a seat on the Hopkinton Housing Authority Board and hope you will consider voting for me. I have been a resident of Hopkinton since 1995 who has previously served on the Friends of the Seniors for several years and as a Library Trustee.
In 2013 & 2014, I became more associated with the needs for greater community support at the Housing Authority when my son did his Eagle Scout project there. Since then, I have gotten to know several of the residents and realize this community needs greater advocacy for services.
In my professional life I am a graduate of Regis College (Economics / Communications) so long ago it was before they let boys in, a Certified Event & Meeting Planner and I am currently the Community Outreach Director at a local radio station. I live in the Sandy Beach neighborhood with my husband Michael who works as a grocer and also a Constable in Hopkinton and two adult children who are both graduates of Hopkinton High school. Andrew graduated from Mass Maritime 2019 and Melissa is a sophomore at Framingham State.
I hope to be able to network and outreach within the regional community to better serve these community neighbors with better enhancements through coordinating volunteer service projects, opportunities for better access to transportation and creating fun events. Many of these residents who reside with the residences of the Hopkinton Housing Authority, first served us and our country – supporting them and their neighborhood needs seems a good way to give back to this community.
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
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.