PARTICIPATORY BUDGET PROGRAM
The Town of Hopkinton is pleased to share an opportunity for residents and community organizations to submit projects for consideration to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Town budget.
This process is known as a Participatory Budget, which is a budget for which residents or community organizations can submit projects for consideration to be funded by the Town.
A total of $100,000 in project funds have been set aside for projects submitted by the public, costing less than $25,000 each. Residents and community organizations are encouraged to submit projects that cost less than $25,000 and will benefit the community for five years or more.
Participatory Budget processes in other communities have resulted in projects that include trail signage, gateway improvements, public bus shelters, tree planting, public art, and accessibility enhancements. In Fiscal Year 2024, Hopkinton’s Participatory Budget process resulted in the funding for a flashing traffic beacon at the crosswalk of Grove St. and Pleasant St., installation of electric vehicle charging stations, fitness station along Center Trail, free CPR and first aid classes, and tree planting, stone wall work and turf work at the Town-owned Hughes Farm property on Hayden Rowe. Implementation of these projects is underway.
Submissions are due by noon on Monday, March 25. Deliver or mail the budget submission form and supporting documents to the Select Board/Town Manager’s Office, 18 Main St., Hopkinton, MA 01748, or email to Vasudha Dutta at vdutta@hopkintonma.gov. Click here to download the Participatory Budget Capital Request Form.
An evaluation committee will be convened to review the submissions and will be comprised of Town officials including the Chief Financial Officer, Senior Accounting Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and those with expertise and knowledge in fields that relate to the submissions received.
Once reviews are completed by the committee, selected submissions will be forwarded to the Town Manager. Approved requests will be sent to the Appropriation Committee and will be integrated into the FY 2025 budget. The final step for the selected submissions is approval at Town Meeting on Monday, May 6. The approved capital projects will ultimately be funded through free cash.
Questions about the submission process can be directed to Elaine Lazarus, Assistant Town Manager, at 508-497-9701 and elainel@hopkintonma.gov.
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