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TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – March 20, 2018
HCAM-TV Studios, 77 Main St., Hopkinton MA 6:30 PM
Board of Selectmen Members Present: John Coutinho, Chair, Claire Wright, Vice Chair, Todd
Cestari, Brian Herr, Brendan Tedstone
School Committee Members Present: Jean Bertschmann, Chair, Nancy Richards-Cavanaugh,
Vice Chair, Meenakshi Bharath, Jennifer Devlin, Jon Graziano
Officials Present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Director of Land Use and Town Operations
Elaine Lazarus, Superintendent of Schools Cathy MacLeod, Acting Superintendent of Schools
Carol Cavanaugh, Director of Finance and Operations (Schools) Susan Rothermich, Finance
Department Temporary Staff (Town) William Remillard
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Coutinho called the meeting to order at 6:36 PM with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
FY19 BUDGET WORKING SESSION: Mr. Khumalo noted that the Board voted on 3/9/18 to
give direction to the Town Manager to work with the School administration on a version of the
budget that shows no more than a 5% tax impact on the average taxpayer, and which reflects
roughly the same proportional split as the FY18 budget. He stated that he has been working
collaboratively with the school administration to craft a budget that meets the target, and they are
very close to making a recommendation to both boards. He noted that the discussion also
includes repurposing and/or redirecting funding sources including free cash, which if not used
for capital, can be used for other purposes that reduce the tax impact. He referred to the snow
and ice deficits, for example, which is already at $600,000 this year, with another storm coming.
He noted that the School Committee has had transportation contract savings which will help, and
there are other ideas that the involved boards need to discuss before there is a recommendation.
He stated they will meet the target, and are continuing to fine tune the numbers. Ms. MacLeod
stated the process needs to include the School Committee, which discussed some ideas/solutions
at a meeting yesterday, and the process takes time as numbers shift.
Mr. Herr questioned the funding source/revenue changes, and it was noted that at a minimum, it
involves free cash and re-prioritization of some maintenance. Ms. Wright suggested shaving a
small amount from everything in the budget except fixed costs. Mr. Cestari stated he is
concerned that the Appropriations Committee will not have sufficient time for review. Mr.
Graziano noted that the FY18 budget has an impact on the FY19 school budget because they
have typically carried over funds and pre-paid some costs, but they can’t do that this year. It was
stated that the Schools are deficit spending in FY 18. Ms. Devlin stated the schools have budget
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drivers, and the general education portion of the budget only went up 0.25%. She stated she
wants to see the whole puzzle. Mr. Coutinho stated that looking at the whole puzzle is the job of
the Board of Selectmen. He noted that there is no direction to cut from last year’s budget, they
are only talking about increasing FY 19 budgets in a manner that results in a 5% tax impact,
which is higher than the 3.5% set in the budget policy statement. The Board discussed the
budget issues further, and the need to continue openness and transparency in this process.
It was determined that the Board will attend the School Committee meeting on 3/29/18, in the
hope that both boards can vote on the budgets at that time, and that the Appropriations
Committee should be invited to attend. It was noted that if the Board can’t vote on 3/29, then it
could do so at its meeting on 4/3.
Ms. MacLeod stated that the schools will need to cut programs, noting that things have changed
and if the Town can’t offer the same services as before, then people need to talk about that. In
response to a question, Mr. Khumalo stated that the 5% overall tax impact means an additional
$489/year on the average single family home.
Rebecca Robak, Appropriations Committee member, urged the boards to vote on 3/29 so that the
Appropriations Committee can begin its review.
ELMWOOD SCHOOL STATEMENT OF INTEREST (SOI): Ms. MacLeod reviewed her
memo to the Board and the School Committee dated 3/12/18 regarding the submission of an SOI
to the MSBA for the Elmwood School. She described the Eligibility Period phase, which would
be initiated if the MSBA invites the Town to participate. It was noted that there is no cost to the
Town to proceed with the SOI. MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Tedstone to
approve the following motion:
Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on March 20, 2018, prior to the SOI submission
closing date, the Board of Selectmen of Hopkinton, MA, in accordance with its charter, by-laws,
and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School
Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated March 29, 2018 for the Elmwood
School located at 14 Elm Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748 which describes and explains the
following deficiencies and the priority category (s) for which an application may be submitted to
the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future for (1) Priority #4: prevention of
severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments and (2) Priority #5:
replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows,
boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy
related costs in a school facility; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting
this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way
guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other
funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town
to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
Vote to Approve: The vote on the motion was 5 in favor with none opposed.
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MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Tedstone to adjourn the meeting. Vote to
Approve: 5-0.
Adjourned: 8:12 PM
Approved: March 27, 2018
Documents used at the meeting:
Memo dated 3/12/18 to Hopkinton School Committee/Board of Selectmen from Cathy MacLeod, re:
Statement of Interest regarding the Elmwood School with attachments: Required Form of Vote to Submit
a Statement of Interest; MSBA Core Program Process Overview; MSBA Accelerated Repair Program
Process Overview
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