09/29/2025
Hopkinton Residents: WE NEED YOUR “YES” VOTE ON September 30TH, 2025
Resolution Amendment: The Hopkinton Fire District & Hopkinton-Ft. Jackson Fire Dept. once again seek your support! We are seeking your “Yes” vote, on Sept 30th, to pass an Amendment to the, already approved, Resolution allowing us to build a New Fire Station. There will be an Informational gathering on Sept 22nd at the Hopkinton Town Hall at 7pm.
Please understand this is NOT a change/ request allowing the raise of taxes, allow us to try and explain below.
What does a Resolution Amendment mean? Simply that there is a proposed change to the original Resolution already passed by the wonderful citizens of Hopkinton.
Original Resolution Approved by Hopkinton Taxpayers:
Maximum Burden on Hopkinton Taxpayers – $2.5 Million
Maximum “Project” cost - $2.5 Million
Resolution Amendment (Sept 30th Vote):
Maximum Burden on Hopkinton Taxpayers - $2.5 Million
Maximum “Project” cost - $3.5 Million
• This increase in “Project” cost will be covered by:
o $1 Million NYS VFIRE Grant
o $75K DANC Grant
• Any additional grant awards in the future must be used to ease the burden on taxpayers, not allow increase of “Project” cost.
Original Resolution – Taxpayers Approved spending $2.5 Million on a new station.
Resolution Amendment – Taxpayers would still only pay, at maximum, $2.5 Million for a New Fire Station.
Why is the Resolution Amendment needed?
• Construction Bids came in higher than projected taking the total “Project” cost over the original $2.5 Million maximum “Project” cost defined in the Original Resolution. We are asking to only raise that maximum “Project” cost to $3.5 Million. However, with the help of grants totaling $1,075,000 so far, and the approval of this Amendment, we can still proceed with construction of the new station without an increased burden on the taxpayers.
Will a “Yes” vote raise my taxes?
• NO, The burden on the taxpayers will not go any higher than the original approved $2.5 Million. The Hopkinton Fire District has been adjusting taxes over the last several years in anticipation of the building mortgage.
What does a “Yes” vote allow to happen?
• In short, this will allow the Hopkinton Fire District to proceed with the construction of the new station based on Bids currently received. The ability to proceed will only be possible by allowing “Project” cost to exceed the original $2.5 budget while remaining under $3.5 Million. Again, NO increase in taxes/ taxpayer burden.
What are the consequences of a “No” vote:
• Complete redesign:
- Thousands of dollars lost in Architectural and Engineering fees.
- Hundreds of lost volunteered hours spent in meetings, coordinating paperwork, applying for permits, and seeking grants.
- New Architectural/ Engineering fees.
- Numerous new applications/permits to include, APA, DOT and USDA review.
- Possible loss of $1,075,000 in grants (these grants have time limits and must be used on this Project)
- Taxpayer Burden, in the end, would still be $2.5 Million.
