Hopkinton’s government may have a completely different look a year from now, pending the decision of the town’s voters.

One citizen-petitioned warrant article proposes the Board of Selectmen be reduced from five to three members, while another petition asks voters to switch from the current town administrator form of government to one with a town manager.

The biggest difference between the two forms is that a town manager has the power and duties outlined by state law, while a town administrator has no authority and must work under the Board of Selectmen, which retains authority, according to the New Hampshire Local Goverment Center.

“Basically, the difference is how you run the town. It’s up to the voters in the town what they prefer,” said Interim Town Administrator Bob Veloski. “Am I going to say one is better than the other? No way. They are just different.”

Veloski said one of Hopkinton’s strengths is its government, something that won’t differ regardless of any changes voters decide to make on election day.

“There’s good and bad in both of them, so it just comes down to what the people want for their form of government,” he said. “There are differences in every town in the way people approach things. Hopkinton has a very strong form of government. They listen to the people and respond to the people.”

Board members sent out information to voters which includes specific differences between an administrator and a manager. By informing voters on these contrasting roles, Veloski said he expects residents will make a decision they believe is in the best interest of the town.

“Informed voters are the best thing for the town – people who do their homework and research and use that information,” said Veloski, who has been in his current role in Hopkinton since late- August. “We have a lot of those people in town, and it normally shows on election day.”