Voters chose not to cut the Hopkinton Recreation Department in the name of savings at Town Meeting. This comes despite the fact that residents spoke loud and clear on Election Day, when they voted selectmen Chairman Louise Carr out and brought in two members who have been outspoken against increased taxes.

At Town Meeting, on Wednesday, March 14, a ballot vote revealed residents still support their recreation department, opposing the petition by a vote of 394-228.

“I don’t think we should even consider getting rid of the recreation department,” said resident Jane Schoch.

“They do an awful lot for our youth and have a lot of activities for older adults. We need to support some of the fantastic things this department does for our town.”

Recreation Director Robert Mattes said his department has 620 registered participants, which doesn’t include those who don’t sign up, but go to the haunted house, Easter egg hunt, breakfast with Santa, and other activities.

But Joanie McIntire, who barely lost her bid for selectman, said she signed the petition to eliminate the recreation department.

“I think we need to have a serious discussion about needs and wants, and unfortunately, I think the recreation department is a want,” said McIntire.

She suggested a more selfsustaining program, paid for by activity fees rather than tax dollars.

Resident Romeo Dubreuil put forth the petitioned warrant article.

“Cutting the tax burden may not be easy, but it must be realized,” said Dubreuil.

“We need our schools, our public safety department, and our public safety, but we do not need a recreation department.”

Vernon Miller, however, said he is a volunteer for the recreation department and fully supports keeping it around, despite the many hours required of him and other volunteers.

“We bust our butts to make Hopkinton a more interesting place to live,” said Miller. “Is (the recreation department) a luxury? Yes. No one is debating that. But is this something that makes a lot of our lives nicer, and is it something we should keep? Absolutely.”

Carr explained the recreation department budget involves much more than just programs, including lifeguards for Kimball Pond, maintenance of several restrooms around town, lighting of ballfields and background checks on those who are hired and volunteer to work with town children.

Though residents voted to keep the recreation department, the matter of its operating budget still remained.

David Lancaster, budget committee member and founder of the Hopkinton/Contoocook Taxpayers Association, proposed cutting $20,360 from the recreation department’s budget.

But budget committee Chairman Karen Irwin said selectmen already cut out a summer day camp and part-time program coordinator.

Voters rejected the motion.

Another motion to cut the recreation department’s budget in half was also rejected.

After more debate, the full recreation department budget of $126,764 was approved.

Columbia Hall
Another petitioned article, dealing largely with the recreation department, requested the town close Columbia Hall, out of which the recreation department currently runs, within six months of the Slusser Senior Center opening.

The article was advisory in nature only.

John Carey, who submitted the article, said he supports the operating costs of the senior center, only if Columbia Hall is closed and all operating expenses for the recreation department are moved to the senior center.

“It is advisory in nature and meant to send a clear message to selectmen,” he said.

Carey first proposed an amendment to the article to add what he termed to be the original language, which he said was cut by selectmen.

The amendment was approved.

Residents then debated continuing to maintain Columbia Hall as opposed to holding onto it for its historic nature.

Dan Dustin wanted residents to think about what they were voting on before making a decision.

“My great-great-great-uncle Gilbert Dustin, was mustered into the Union Army during the Civil War in Columbia Hall, my father graduated from high school in Columbia Hall, and my wife sang on rollerskates in Columbia Hall,” said Dustin. “This is a historic building, and we need to know that before we dump it.”

Dustin and the majority of other residents got their way and the article failed.