Hopkinton Releases Survey On Town Meeting Participation

HOPKINTON, MA — Hopkinton Town Manager Norman Khumalo released a survey for residents to complete regarding Annual Town Meeting last week.

The Town of Hopkinton is working to better understand residents’ feelings about Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting and gather feedback about possible modifications to Town Meeting
logistics or procedures that may help to increase participation in the
town’s legislative body.

There were problems getting and maintaining a quorum at the three sessions held earlier this month.

The survey includes 17 questions and asks the respondent their feelings about Annual Town Meeting, how they get information on Town Meeting, what prevents them from attending or what what may encourage them to attend more often. The survey also includes possible changes to Town Meeting procedures and some demographic questions.

"Annual Town Meeting is an important legislative process and community participation is vital to
help ensure the decisions that are made are reflective of our residents' sentiments," Khumalo said. "We encourage residents to take a few moments to complete this survey. Your responses will provide us with important information that will help us as we plan for next year's Annual Town Meeting."

The survey is open to all adult residents of Hopkinton no matter if they are a registered voter or have attended Annual Town Meeting. The survey will remain open through Friday, June 3.

The survey responses will be reviewed by the Town to help inform possible changes to
future Annual Town Meetings.

Complete the survey here.

The Town of Hopkinton currently has one Annual Town Meeting held on the first Monday of May. Town Meeting approves the town budget, sets general bylaws and zoning bylaws, and affects individual property taxes. Annual Town Meeting is open, which means everyone can attend and every person registered to vote in Hopkinton may vote on Town Meeting items.