26 January, 2016
HOPKINTON – Today, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito signed a Community Compact agreement with Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Chair Benjamin Palleiko.
“We are excited to announce this new partnership between the Commonwealth and the Town of Hopkinton,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “We look forward to working with local officials, especially to realize their goal of promoting local agriculture and economic development.”
Community Compacts are one tool the administration is utilizing to strengthen the partnership between cities and towns and the Commonwealth. By entering a Community Compact, a community agrees to implement self-selected best practices. As part of this partnership, the Commonwealth agrees to fulfill a set of commitments and works to provide assistance for a community based on their chosen best practice. More than half of the Commonwealth’s 351 municipalities have applied to become Compact Communities and 117 Compacts have been signed, reflecting 240 chosen best practices.
In its Compact, the Town of Hopkinton has chosen to work with the Commonwealth toward implementing the following best practices:
Promoting Local Agriculture: Preparing a master plan for a recently acquired 32-acre Pratt Farm with the goals of integrating unique land use opportunities and preservation of water resources and the view shade of the last remaining active farm in Hopkinton. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, through the District Local Technical Assistance Grant program, will assist the Town in its planning.
Housing and Economic Development – Preparing for Success: Defining economic development challenges and assess opportunities through collaboration between the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED). The EOHED will provide a grant to conduct an evaluation that will establish baseline economic data for developing a joint program with the Chamber.
The Community Compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker-Polito Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth. In a Community Compact, a community will agree to implement a best practice they select from across a variety of areas. The Compact also articulates the commitments the Commonwealth will make on behalf of all communities, including helping the community attain their chosen best practice. For more information or to apply for a Community Compact go to www.mass.gov/ccc.
