Library, Senior Center May Close Without Tax Override In Hopedale

HOPEDALE, MA — Hopedale residents could face a key decision in May: approve a noticeable tax increase, or face the closure of the library and senior center, plus other cuts in the school and parks departments.

On May 16, Hopedale Town Meeting will vote on a proposed $1.35 million tax override to fund a wider town budget shortfall. If approved at Town Meeting, voters on May 23 would face a special election to approve the override.

Either way, the override would cost Hopedale residents, according to town officials.

Approving the override would mean a property tax bill increase of about $562 for the owner of an average-priced home — plus the usual annual tax increase, which is estimated at about $268 for fiscal 2024 for the owner of an average-priced home.

Voting down the override could mean the closure on July 1 of the Bancroft Memorial Library — and along with it the loss of state aid for the library and summer reading programs. Senior programs would also go away, including the senior center, the senior tax credit program, plus meal and transportation programs.

Bancroft Memorial Library Director Tricia Perry said town residents would most likely lose borrowing privileges from the CW MARS Libraries consortium — a library sharing network that includes scores of libraries, including Milford, between I-495 and the Berkshires.

Hopedale Public Schools would lose mental health programs, plus the possible loss of teachers, classroom aides and substitutes. The parks department would cut summer programs, outdoor concerts, and would remove toilets at sports fields.