HOPKINTON - Saturday's Town Meeting went off without a hitch for the Hopkinton School District. All of the warrants were approved as proposed, according to the district's business administrator Michelle Clark.

Voters approved the district's operating budget of $17,640,137, which represents an increase of $462,469 over last year's budget.

The new budget includes $269,000 in increased retirement costs as well as special education costs totaling $186,000; $55,000 for new equipment and materials for a new math program that will cost $40,000.

Voters also supported a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the district's support staff, which would cost $68,357 in the first year, $66,209 in the second year, and $47,911 in the third year.

The first year of the contract will increase the tax rate by 10 cents per $1,000 valuation, or $30 on a $300,000 home.

A request to place $50,000 in the district's general contingency fund to meet the cost of any unanticipated expenses that may arise during the school year was supported, as was a request to add $10,000 to the district's vehicle replacement capital reserve fund.

Also approved was a transfer of $10,000 to the health insurance trust fund, which helps offset unexpected increases in health care premiums.

Adding $50,000 to the school building repair and maintenance trust was also approved.

The increases approved by voters on the school side of the budget will result in residents owning a home valued at $300,000 paying approximately $291more in property taxes.

nfoster@newstote.com