HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180403 - Select Board - Meeting Minutes TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – April 3, 2018
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HCAM-TV Studios, 77 Main St., Hopkinton MA 5:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Members Present: John Coutinho, Chair, Claire Wright, Vice Chair, Todd
Cestari (5:07 PM), Brian Herr, Brendan Tedstone
Officials Present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Director of Land Use and Town Operations
Elaine Lazarus
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Coutinho called the public meeting to order at 5:00 PM in the HCAM-
TV Studios, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES:
MOVED by Mr. Herr to establish a standing affirmative motion to approve/support all articles
considered this evening. Mr. Cestari arrived at this time. SECONDED by Mr. Tedstone. Vote
to Approve: 5-0.
Article - Chapter 90 Funds - Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan - John Westerling, Director of Public
Works, stated that the $190,000 requested would update the 2004 CWMP. Mr. Khumalo
presented updated information on projections for the water and wastewater enterprise accounts.
It was noted that going forward, revenues will not be enough to cover expenses, including debt
service, noting that retained earnings have been used to balance the budget. The Board discussed
the financial status and the purpose of the CWMP, to plan for future expansion of the system.
Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Hayden Rowe Water Main Replacement - Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Cedar Street Water Main Replacement, C Street to the Rt. 85/135 intersection - Vote to
Approve: 5-0
Article - Sidewalk Master Plan Phase 2 - Mr. Westerling noted the article would fund the
following sidewalks: 1) on Hayden Rowe from EMC Park to Chestnut St.; 2) on West Main St.
from Lumber St. to Downey St.; 3) on Wood St. from Proctor St. to Walker St.; 4) on Wild Rd.
from #11 Wild Rd. to Briarcliff Dr. The Board discussed the issues, including the need for
sidewalks on the same side of Hayden Rowe as the Marathon Elementary School, pedestrian
safety and the tight budgets this year. Vote to Approve: 1 (Coutinho) - 4 (Herr, Cestari,
Wright, Tedstone).
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Article - Pratt Farm Wellfield - Mr. Westerling stated the article would fund testing and
permitting, but not construction. The Board discussed whether to defer the project another year.
Mr. Westerling stated that adding the new wells would help with the blending to treat
manganese. Vote to Approve: 4 (Coutinho, Herr, Wright, Tedstone) - 1 (Cestari).
Article - Purchase of Dump Truck S-30 - The Board discussed the condition of the current dump
truck and repair costs. Vote to Approve: 5-0
ARticle - Purchase of Dump Truck S-13 - The Board discussed the condition of the current dump
truck and repair costs. Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Purchase of Backhoe - It was noted that the purchase would be funded 50% from water
enterprise and 50% from sewer enterprise. The Board discussed the condition of the current
backhoe, and it was noted that facilities for washing etc. at the new DPW should improve the
longevity of such vehicles. Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Purchase of Multi-Purpose Municipal Tractor - Mr. Westerling noted that the tractor
would add to the fleet used to clear sidewalks after storms, resulting in sidewalks cleared faster
and reducing driver fatigue. Vote to Approve: 1 (Wright) - (Coutinho, Herr, Tedstone,
Cestari).
The Board discussed the order of articles on the warrant, which are presently grouped by subject
matter. It was noted that it could be a topic for discussion at the Moderator’s meeting.
Article - Main Street Corridor Project (Non-Participatory Items) - Dave Daltorio, Town
Engineer/Facilities Coordinator, noted the article would fund items that MassDOT does not fund,
mostly undergrounding of utilities and street light changes. He noted that 70% of the cost is for
the Eversource design. Mr. Khumalo stated that MassDOT needs confirmation from the Town
that it will pay for the undergrounding for the project to move to 75% design. It was noted that
the funds will not be borrowed until needed. Vote to Approve: 5-0.
Articles - Main Street Corridor Project Easements - It was noted that the three articles relate to
temporary and permanent easements needed for the project, and it is a 9 to 12 month process
with appraisals for every easement. Vote to Approve: 5-0 on all three articles.
Article - Election Precinct Tabulator - Connor Degan, Town Clerk, described the optical scan
machine, one of two approved by the Secretary of State. Vote to Approve: 5-0.
Article - Fire Communications - Vote to Approve: 5-0.
Article - Fire Department Vehicle - Deputy/Inspector - Steve Slaman, Fire Chief, stated the
proposal is to replace the deputy’s vehicle and keep it temporarily for the second Inspector
position, and it would not be a permanent increase in the fleet. Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Ambulance Replacement - It was stated that it would be paid from the ambulance fund.
Vote to Approve: 5-0
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Articles - Information Technology Items: End User Hardware, Public Safety Server, Town Hall
Security. Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Two Police Vehicles - Vote to Approve: 5-0
Article - Turf Fields - Mr. Khumalo stated the School Superintendent has asked for a debt
exclusion vote/ballot question for the turf field article. Mr. Cestari stated he is not in favor of
funding the item this year due to the budget situation. Mr. Herr disagreed, noting it would be an
investment in the town and Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds will pay a portion of the
cost. He stated that putting it on the ballot means that the community will decide. MOVED by
Mr. Herr to approve a debt exclusion ballot question at the May, 2018 ATM election to support
the development and construction of turf fields at the school campus, with the understanding that
$1,700,000 will be paid by CPA funds, and there will be private fundraising. Mr. Degan noted
that this item is not on the Board’s agenda and recommended that it be discussed at the next
meeting. The Board agreed to postpone the vote.
MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Tedstone to adjourn the meeting. Vote to
Approve: 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM.
It was noted that the meeting had been adjourned prematurely, with one agenda item remaining.
MOVED by Mr. Tedstone and SECONDED by Ms. Wright to reopen the public meeting. Vote
to Approve: 5-0. The meeting was reopened at 7:21 PM.
PLANNING BOARD VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Mr. Coutinho announced a vacancy
on the Planning Board due to the resignation of Kelly Karp. The Board thanked Ms. Karp for
her service and noted that those interested in appointment may apply using the online
application.
MOVED by Mr. Tedstone and SECONDED by Ms. Wright to adjourn the meeting. Vote to
Approve: 5-0.
Adjourned: 7:23 PM.
Approved: April 10, 2018
Documents used at the meeting:
Draft 2018 Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Document entitled “Water Enterprise Fund - Key Drivers”, undated