BOSTON (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) July 13, 2000-- Standard&Poor's today assigned its double-'A' rating to Hopkinton, Mass.' $3.38 million GO bonds due Aug. 1, 2001-2020. The bonds are scheduled to sell July 19, 2000. The outlook is stable. In addition, Standard&Poor's raised its rating on the town's $19.7 million GO bonds to double-'A' from double-'A'-minus. The rating upgrade is due to: -- A relatively diverse and growing economic base, complimenting access to the strong Boston metropolitan economy; -- Consistently favorable financial operations; -- A favorable debt position; and -- Above-average wealth and income levels and rising property values. Slightly offsetting these factors are higher, but still manageable, debt service charges. The bonds are secured by the
