4 March, 2013
In a letter addressed to Selectman Chairman Ben Palleiko dated February 1, Boston Athletic Association (BAA) Executive Director Thomas Grilk announced that in 2013 the B.A.A. was able to increase its level of support and contribution to the Town of Hopkinton to the amount of $85,000.
This money, made possible through the support of the John Hancock Financial Services, is provided to Hopkinton and other Marathon communities in varying amounts, to help defray the significant costs of planning and cooperation with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and other federal, state, and local public safety agencies.
The letter also committed additional funds in 2014 and 2015 totaling $90,000 and $95,000, respectively.
“The B.A.A. is both pleased and proud to commit such an unprecedented and noteworthy level of support to the Town of Hopkinton, totally $270,000 over the next three years,” wrote Grilk.
The Marathon Fund Committee was established in 1986 to make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen regarding use of the annual gift to the Town by the Boston Athletic Association. After allocating funds to cover the various expenses the Town incurs related to public safety and logistics for the race, the remaining dollars are allocated by the Marathon Fund Committee for student-athlete scholarships for Hopkinton High School seniors, as well as to fund grants to various needy community groups in support of recreation, athletics, and community.
As of July 1, 2012, the fund balance totaled $25,892.87. Payments made since that date, including such items as scholarships and funds for the Senior Center exercise program, left the fund with a balance of $14,688.87 as of January 18, 2013. Another $4,371.78 is outstanding, leaving just over $10,000 available for Marathon Fund authorization. The additional $85,000 for 2013 was expected to be paid on or around March 1, 2013.
