Overview of Hopkinton Charter

 

The recommendations found in the Hopkinton Charter have been made after long deliberation and extensive research, and the commission has made every effort to involve both citizens and officials in the process. The members of the Charter Commission believe adoption of this charter will significantly improve our town’s governmental structure and its ability to deal with contemporary problems, both on a day-to-day and long-range basis. 

Overview

The Charter Commission’s 17-month study of our Town government has served to confirm a view long held by many, that Hopkinton has been and is fortunate to have an outstanding group of men and women serving in its elected and appointed town positions.  The changes we are proposing should in no way be construed as criticism of any of them or the way in which they perform their assigned tasks. Quite the contrary, we believe adoption of the proposed charter will aid them in a more efficient and effective delivery of services to the citizens and taxpayers. 

Explanation of Proposed Charter

The Town of Hopkinton currently operates under a collection of state statutes, general laws and special laws that are not consolidated in a particular document.  The commission’s proposed charter contains all of the provisions related to the basic operation and conduct of Town government in one document.  This charter clearly describes the powers, duties, and responsibilities of Town officials and the relationships between departments. 

With Hopkinton’s large population growth, the business of the Town has expanded significantly and has become more complex for part-time officials to administer. The proposed charter centralizes administrative authority in order to permit a greater amount of coordination. The commission believes an organizational structure that includes a Town Manager and a Finance Director will provide more accountability and efficiency of day-to-day operations and allow the part-time Board of Selectmen, Appropriations Committee, and other volunteer boards to concentrate more fully on establishing policies and overseeing operations.

In addition, by adopting our own Home Rule Charter, we can determine the organization of local government without state approval, thereby assuming more responsibility for our own destiny and becoming more autonomous.

Statement of Major Differences

The major differences between the proposed charter and the existing laws of the Town are as follows:

            1.  The position of Town Manager is established.  This position builds upon

                 the existing position of Executive Secretary.  The Town Manager is given

                 responsibility to oversee daily town business, manage administrative

                 affairs, coordinate activities of town agencies and appoint specific officers of   

                 the Town.

            2.  A Finance Department led by a Finance Director is established.  It is the

                 intent of the Charter Commission that the Finance Director position be created

                 by expanding the responsibilities of an existing financial position.  The

                 Finance Director is given responsibility to coordinate financial management

                 practices, facilitate long-range planning, and supervise the annual budget

                 process.

            3.  The position of Police Chief is changed from a weak chief to a strong chief.

                 This brings the degree of autonomy for this position more in line with

                 that of the Fire Chief’s position.

4.      A recall provision for elected officials is established.

5.      Three-year terms are established for the offices of the Town Moderator and Town Clerk.

Conclusion

The Charter Commission believes that the operation of town government has become increasingly time-consuming and complex and transferring more day-to-day duties from part-time volunteers to full-time employees will enhance effectiveness. This Charter provides a governmental structure that has better defined administrative coordination, an improved financial process, and more built-in accountability. We also acknowledge that the vast majority of townspeople desire to continue conducting legislative affairs in an Open Town Meeting.

The Commission feels that this Charter will provide the framework for more efficient management of government for the future, and will afford maximum Home Rule consistent with the Constitution of the Commonwealth.  This Charter contains provisions for amendment, if and when needed.