No Babysitter? No Excuse!
Please Attend Town Meeting

HOPKINTON ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Begins Monday, May 5, 2008, 7 p.m.
Hopkinton High School Gym 90 Hayden Rowe St (click for directions)

As a non-profit organization dedicated to children, the HPTA encourages all registered voters to attend Annual Town Meeting (ATM). ATM typically concludes by 11 pm, and will run for as many nights as necessary to discuss the entire Warrant. Many important decisions will be made that will affect our children, and the future of the entire town.

The HPTA is pleased to partner with the Champions program, our after school day care provider, to provide childcare free of charge to residents who wish to attend Town Meeting. The Champions program teachers will be on site to supervise children. Please e-mail Jean Bertschmann, HPTA President, at jeanber65@hotmail.com to reserve a spot for your child(ren).

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WHY DO WE NEED TO ATTEND ANNUAL TOWN MEETING (ATM)?

• To approve spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

  At ATM, we approve money for the operating budgets of all town departments. We also approve money for capital items such as new trucks or major repairs to buildings. The source of the money can be from the annual tax levy, existing funds, or bonding (new borrowing).

  • Operating budget articles require a simple majority (more than 50%). Article 5, the School department budget, is one such article.
  • Articles for capital items require a 2/3 affirmative vote if they are to be bonded. Article 48, the Feasibility Study for the renovation or replacement of Center School, is an example.
  
  
• To approve other important Articles that affect our town's finances and services.
• The Warrant for the ATM is available on the web http://www.hopkinton.org/gov/clerk/pdf/ATM_5-5-08.pdf and contains details of all the articles that will be voted on at ATM.

Encourage your spouse, friends and neighbors to attend and have their voices be heard.