This years annual 2026 Hopkinton Town Election features two contested races; Nasiba Mannan (Incumbent) & Dimitry Zuckerman are this years two Board of Health Candidates running for one open, 3-year seat. Running for two open, 3-year seats on the school committee are three candidates; Sravan Krishna, Sandra Irwin & Kyla McSweeney (Incumbent).
As we near the annual Hopkinton Town Election on Monday, May 18th we wanted to give the community one last opportunity to hear from the candidates in this years contested races. I recently sent all candidates in the two contested races four questions (candidates in each race received the same questions as opposing candidates in their race). We also gave the candidates the option to share their election profile picture & candidate statement if they wish. Below you can view Q&A and any submitted candidate statement and/or profile picture from both candidates in this years race for the open Board of Health seat. The School Committee Q&A online forum can be found here once it is posted to the public.
Our hope is that this online forum will give the community further valuable information about the candidates in this years contested races. Two other previous opportunities to hear from candidates in this years contested races included the annual Hopkinton Women’s Club Meet the Candidates Night & the HCAM Contested Races Debates. Board of Health candidate, Nasiba Mannan and all three School Committee candidates either attended or participated in some form for both events. We encourage the community to view the above programs for further great information about this years 2026 Hopkinton Town Election.
We also want to remind the community to tune in to the live HCAM election results show on Monday, May 18th starting at 8pm! The program will air live on HCAM-TV & our Youtube Channel and the final un-official election results will be revealed during the live broadcast!
Please note, all candidates were required to submit their responses to this online Q&A forum by today (Friday, May 15th) at Noon and once posted, this page may only be edited for fixes to formatting, inclusion of unseen previous material sent prior to the deadline and/or any correction needed to the stated information and details above this section. The below statements & answers were written by candidates in the 2026 Hopkinton Town Election and does not necessarily reflect the views of HCAM or any of their Board Members or Employees.
Nasiba Mannan (Incumbent) – Candidate for Board of Health
1) Can you please describe what experience, skills or abilities you have that will benefit or be an asset to the Board of Health?
I’m running for re-election to continue strengthening a safe, healthy community and build on the progress the Board of Health and Health Department have made. Over the past three years, we have successfully navigated funding challenges, staffing transitions, and evolving public health needs while continuing to deliver essential services and strengthening the department’s ability to serve residents effectively.
In my professional career, I bring more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare regulation and compliance. I also hold two master’s degrees — one in Nutrition and one in Public Health — and I am currently pursuing an MBA. My academic and professional background has provided me with a strong foundation in public health policy, prevention, healthcare systems, and organizational leadership. I also have more than 14 years of volunteer service in Hopkinton, including serving on the Board of Health, the Veterans Celebration Committee, and the Cultural Council. That experience has given me a deep understanding of our community and the importance of collaboration, and responsive local government. I believe my experience in public health, healthcare compliance, and community service allows me to continue being a strong advocate for both the Board of Health and the residents of Hopkinton.
2) What do you feel is the most important function of the Board of Health and please explain?
The most important function of the Board of Health is to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of the entire community. Much of public health work happens quietly behind the scenes, but it is essential to keep a town running safely and effectively every day. The Board of Health helps ensure restaurants meet safety standards, housing remains sanitary, septic and well systems are properly built, and environmental risks are identified and addressed early.
The board also plays a critical role in protecting schools, public spaces, and community events by helping prevent and respond quickly to public health concerns. In addition, the Board of Health is responsible for adopting and enforcing reasonable health regulations, enforcing state and local public health laws, and carrying out the powers and duties granted under Massachusetts General Laws, the Town Charter, and Town Bylaws. The Health Department also works to keep residents and town officials informed through ongoing education and public presentations on PFAS and safe drinking water practices, while town water operations and treatment infrastructure are overseen separately through the DPW. A strong Board of Health requires showing up and working collaboratively with residents, town departments, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure the community remains informed, supported, and protected.
3) What are your thoughts about the performance of the Board of Health over the past three years?
Over the past three years, I believe the Board of Health has worked diligently and responsibly during a period of significant change and challenge. Despite staffing transitions, funding uncertainty, and evolving public health demands, the board and Health Department continued delivering essential services while modernizing and strengthening operations. I am especially proud of the progress made in improving infrastructure and expanding community health resources, including completing the first phase of department digitization to make property records electronically searchable and more accessible to residents, expanding vaccination efforts, installing air-quality monitors, and adding Sharps Disposal units to support prevention and public safety initiatives.
I also believe the board demonstrated strong leadership in adopting the Nicotine-Free Generation regulation, an important long-term public health measure designed to protect future generations from nicotine addiction. The Health Department has become one of the most data-driven departments in town and continues to perform exceptionally well on state performance measures, earning a near-perfect 97% score on the most recent SAPHE 2.0 (Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community Act) assessment. Hopkinton’s Health Department is widely recognized as a leader in public health across the Commonwealth, with innovative programs and initiatives that have helped shape broader public health conversations and, in some cases, been adopted at the state level. While there is always more work to do, I believe the Board of Health has remained focused on evidence-driven decision making, collaboration, professionalism, and serving the best interests of the community.
4) If elected, what are your goals & objectives while serving on the Board of Health over the next three years?
If re-elected, one of my priorities will be strengthening communication between the Health Department and the community by ensuring public health information is clear, timely, and accessible. I also support adding a dedicated communications position to improve outreach and help residents stay informed, especially as potential federal funding cuts may create new challenges for local public health services and programs.
Throughout my service, I have always made myself available to residents because I believe public service requires openness, and engagement with the community. I attended both the HCAM contested candidates’ debate and the Hopkinton Women’s Club “Meet the Candidates” event and was disappointed that we could not have a discussion because my opponent did not participate. I believe elected officials should make themselves available and openly share their ideas with the residents they hope to represent. It has been an honor to serve Hopkinton, where my family has proudly lived for a long time. If re-elected, I will continue providing thoughtful, evidence-based leadership while listening to, engaging with, and respectfully representing all members of our community
Thank you again for the opportunity to participate.
Dimitry Zuckerman – Candidate for Board of Health
1) Can you please describe what experience, skills or abilities you have that will benefit or be an asset to the Board of Health?
I have a technical and engineering background, with experience in IT, systems, process improvement, and practical problem-solving. These skills are useful for understanding regulations, reviewing information carefully, asking the right questions, and helping improve communication and efficiency. I also have experience as a small business owner and small-scale farmer, which gives me a practical understanding of food safety, animal care, water use, waste handling, and the challenges residents and local businesses face when working through permitting and compliance.
I believe I would bring a balanced perspective to the Board of Health. Public health decisions often require both careful attention to regulations and an understanding of real-life situations. My goal would be to listen respectfully, review issues thoughtfully, and help residents receive clear, fair, and consistent guidance.
2) What do you feel is the most important function of the Board of Health and please explain?
The most important function of the Board of Health is to protect the health and safety of the community. This includes areas such as food safety, septic and wastewater issues, disease prevention, housing and environmental health concerns, and emergency preparedness. These responsibilities may not always be visible to the public, but they directly affect the quality of life and safety of residents.
At the same time, I believe the Board should also serve as an educational and guiding body. Residents and businesses should not feel that the Board is only there for enforcement. A strong Board of Health should help people understand requirements, prevent problems before they happen, and create a fair process that protects public health while treating people with respect.
3) What are your thoughts about the performance of the Board of Health over the past three years?
I respect the work of the Board of Health and the responsibilities it has carried over the past several years. Public health boards are often asked to deal with complex issues, sometimes with limited resources, and their work is very important to the town. I appreciate the time and service of those who volunteer or work to protect the community.
At the same time, I believe there is always room to improve transparency, communication, and public understanding of Board decisions. Residents benefit when processes are clear, expectations are explained early, and decisions are easy to follow. If elected, I would support efforts to make the Board’s work more accessible, predictable, and helpful to the public.
4) If elected, what are your goals & objectives while serving on the Board of Health over the next three years?
My goals would be to support strong public health protections, improve communication with residents, and help make Board processes more clear and practical. I would like residents and small businesses to better understand what is required of them before problems occur. Clear guidance can save time, reduce frustration, and improve compliance.
I would also focus on environmental health, including water protection, septic and wastewater issues, food safety, and responsible local agriculture. Hopkinton is growing, and it is important that public health decisions balance safety, environmental responsibility, and the needs of residents. I would approach the role with an open mind, careful attention to facts, and a commitment to serving the whole community.
Nasiba Mannan Candidate Statement: I am Nasiba Mannan and I am running for re-election to the Board of Health to continue strengthening a safe, healthy community.
Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of supporting our Health Department through significant change and challenge. We navigated funding hurdles, staffing transitions, and public health issues while continuing to deliver essential services and strengthening the department’s ability to serve residents.
Public health is the work that keeps a town running safely behind the scenes — ensuring restaurants meet safety standards, housing remains sanitary, septic and well systems are properly built, and environmental risks are addressed early. It also protects schools, public spaces, and community events by preventing and responding quickly to health concerns.
One of my primary goals was modernizing Health Department operations. Today, the first phase of digitization is complete, with most property records now electronically searchable. Board of Health also adopted the Nicotine-Free Generation regulation, helping protect future generations from nicotine addiction. We have more work to do.
The department has expanded vaccination efforts, added Sharps Disposal units, and installed air-quality monitors to strengthen prevention and community health resources. As public health faces funding uncertainty, thoughtful planning and evidence driven leadership remain essential.
If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, one of my key priorities will be strengthening how the Health Department communicates with our community. Clear, timely communication around public health updates, health promotion, and disease prevention is essential. I will advocate for adding a dedicated communications professional to the department to ensure residents receive important health alerts, updates, and educational resources in a consistent and accessible way.
Hopkinton is fortunate to have a Health Department that is recognized as a leader in public health across the Commonwealth, and we are especially lucky to be guided by the outstanding leadership of Health Director and Public Health Nurse.
In my professional career, I come from a strong healthcare regulation and compliance background. I am also not new to the community or to public service. I have volunteered in town government for over a decade which included the Board of Health, the Veterans Celebration Committee, and the Cultural Council.
My family has proudly called Hopkinton home for over a decade. Our children grew up here, and we’ve been grateful to raise our family in such an active and engaged community.
I remain committed to evidence-based practices, and equitable access to public health resources and services. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Hopkinton, and I would be proud to continue that work if given the opportunity.
Dimitry Zuckerman Candidate Statement: My name is Dimitry Zuckerman, and I am running for the Hopkinton Board of Health because I care deeply about keeping our community healthy, safe, and well-prepared for the future. As a Hopkinton resident, small farmer, engineer, and small business owner, I bring a practical, problem-solving perspective to public health, local regulations, environmental protection, and community service.
I believe the Board of Health should protect public health while also being approachable, transparent, and fair to residents, homeowners, families, and small businesses. My goal is to support responsible decision-making, clear communication, and balanced policies that protect public safety while helping people understand and successfully follow the rules.