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Home My Public Portal About20200310 - Select Board - Meeting Minutes TOWN OF HOPKINTON Select Board Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2020 Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton MA 6:00 PM Select Board Members Present: Brendan Tedstone, Chair, John Coutinho, Vice Chair, Brian Herr, Mary Jo LaFreniere Select Board Members Absent: Irfan Nasrullah Officials Present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Tedstone called the public meeting to order at 6:00 PM in Room 211 of the Town Hall. The Chair entertained a motion to enter into executive session to approve Executive Session minutes, to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with DPW, Fire and Dispatch Communications unions and Non-Union staff, Police Chief, because the Chair declares that discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, to consider strategy with respect to the lease, sale, or value of real property in relation to the Main Street Corridor Project, the Upper Charles Trail, the lease of East Main St. property to the 26.2 Foundation, the purchase of real estate at 6 Walcott Street and 7 School Street, because the Chair declares that discussion in an open meeting may have detrimental effects on the negotiation position of the Board; to discuss strategy relative to the deployment of security resources in the context of the Governor declaring a State of Emergency in Massachusetts today, the emergency which was not anticipated by the Chair at the time the agenda was posted, to allow Norman Khumalo, Elaine Lazarus, Shaun McAuliffe, Kasey Mauro and Lisa Whittemore to participate in the discussion; and to convene in Open Session after the conclusion of Executive Session. MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-3, No-0. Mr. Coutinho arrived at the meeting during executive session. REOPEN OPEN SESSION: Mr. Tedstone reopened the Open Session with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:55 PM in Room 215/216. PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments. Mr. Tedstone announced that the Town continues to monitor the Covid-19 outbreak, and later tonight it will convene in executive session with the School Committee, representatives of the Board of Health and others, and will 1 issue a statement later. Mr. Tedstone announced that the St. Patrick’s Day event on 3/12/20 at the Senior Center has been cancelled. PROCLAMATION: Aditya Kaushik described his Eagle Scout project, building a new trail and benches at the Ora Cheney Conservation Area for the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, which also included land cleanup. He noted that many people are now using the new Dave Goldman Trail. The Board congratulated Mr. Kaushik and expressed appreciation for the project. HOPKINTON VIDEO: Mr. Khumalo noted that through a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, a promotional video for Hopkinton has been prepared. The Board viewed the video and expressed appreciation. RECOGNITION: The Board recognized the Hopkinton Women’s Club in honor of its 100th anniversary on March 22. Activities over the years were listed, including awarding scholarships and the annual “Meet the Candidates Night”. The Board presented a Certificate of Recognition for all that the Hopkinton Women’s Club has done for the Town over the years. CONSENT AGENDA: MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to approve the Minutes of the Feb. 25, 2020 Select Board meeting. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Mr. Herr advised Parade Permit applicants that as the Covid-19 situation evolves, the events may need to change over the next few months. MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho to approve a Parade Permit for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on October 4, 2020 and the 17th Annual Timlin 5K Road Race/Race to Cure ALS on June 20, 2020. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Mr. Coutinho thanked the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund for their gifts to the Town. Mr. Herr left the meeting at this time. Mr. Tedstone thanked those who donated to the Ambulance Fund in memory of Francis J. Pyne. He noted that a new simulator which re-enacts ambulance calls for training purposes is now at the Fire Dept., and it was funded through the Ambulance Fund. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to accept a $10,000 gift from the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund for the Tax Relief Fund, a $5,000 donation from the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund for senior transportation, and donations totalling $495.00 to the Ambulance Fund in memory of Francis J. Pyne. Vote to Approve: Yes-3, No-0. Mr. Herr returned to the meeting at this time. HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS/26.2 FOUNDATION - SPECIAL TEMPORARY ALCOHOL LICENSE: Kelly Grill, Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA), 2 and Rachel Warrick, Marty’s, appeared before the Board. Ms. Warrick described the event to unveil the Bobbi Gibb statue on April 13, 2020 at the HCA, noting that it is an invitation only event and they are expecting 250 people. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr to approve a Special Temporary Alcohol License for the HCA for the 26.2 Foundation event on April 13, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the HCA. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to approve a fee waiver for the application. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. ST. JOHN’S THE EVANGELIST CHURCH ANNUAL H.S. YOUTH FUNDRAISER - SPECIAL TEMPORARY ALCOHOL LICENSE: MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr to approve a Special Temporary Alcohol License for St. John’s the Evangelist Church for a Youth Group fundraiser on April 4, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the St. John’s Parish Hall. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to approve a fee waiver for the application. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 7:40 PM, MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho to enter Executive Session to discuss strategy relative to the deployment of security resources in the context of the Governor declaring a State of Emergency in Massachusetts today, to allow staff, Board of Health and School Committee members to be present, and to reconvene in open session at the conclusion of Executive Session. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr.-Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. REOPEN OPEN SESSION: At 8:21 PM Mr. Tedstone reopened the open session. Mr. Tedstone read a prepared statement: The Select Board, School Committee, representatives of the Board of Health and staff met in executive session to discuss the State of Emergency issued by Governor Baker and new developments in Hopkinton regarding the Covid-19 virus. We were told there are 2 presumptive positive cases now quarantining in Hopkinton under public health supervision. A separate announcement on this matter from the School Committee will be forthcoming. Shaun McAuliffe, Health Director, and Lisa Whittemore, Chair, Board of Health, joined the Board. Ms. Whittemore noted that this is a rapidly unfolding situation, and Mr. McAuliffe and the team are communicating with the Mass. Dept. of Public Health (DPH) and the CDC as it evolves. She stated that the Health Dept. has decided to treat any exposed individual in Hopkinton as high risk, which means they are under the most restrictive self quarantine, to ensure the safety of all. She noted there are 41 presumptive cases in Middlesex County, which includes 2 presumptive cases in Hopkinton. She stated they are communicating with the Senior Center, the schools and others. She noted they will continue to provide updates through various communications channels. She stated she thinks they will see an increase in cases because testing is improving. She advised people to use common sense, wash hands, don’t touch your face, and stay home if you are sick. Mr. McAuliffe noted that they are in constant contact with DPH and working aggressively to manage cases and develop policies and procedures. 3 BOARD & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT: MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to appoint Christine Enos to the Cultural Council, to a term expiring 3/10/2023. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. FY 2021 COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET: Mr. Khumalo noted that the goal of this meeting is to introduce a solution to the budget, and both the School Committee and Select Board will meet on Thursday at the School Committee meeting to discuss the budget further. He reviewed the budget development history, and noted that the Budget Advisory Group has been meeting weekly. He noted that the School Committee originally requested an 8.9% increase, and they have tried to find more funding for the schools without an increase in tax impact, as directed by the Board He stated they have put together a plan that meets that direction. He described the key recommendations, including applying all of the increased State Aid to the school budget, retaining the original $291,000 in cuts on the Town side and shifting an additional $133,000 from the Town side to the School Dept. He described the cuts to fire hydrant maintenance and public safety to fund the schools. He noted that $444,394 from the Legacy Farms Host Community Agreement funding anticipated into the School Stabilization Fund would be applied to the school budget, adding that it was intended for educational costs incurred during Legacy Farms development as bridge funding before the tax revenue is fully realized. He noted that the net effect is an 8.2% increase for the School Dept., and is within a 2.5% impact on existing property owners, separate from debt exclusions. He stated it would support all current and proposed school staff, and all equipment and support. He noted that this solution uses one-time money to support recurring costs (new staff), which sets the Town up for a problem in the next fiscal year if enrollment projections are correct. He noted the Town can use this time to evaluate the projections before considering an override. He thanked those who have helped to develop the budget. He stated the next step after Thursday would be to forward the budget to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Herr noted that this is a unique budget year and he supports this solution, and does not support an override this year. Ms. LaFreniere stated that General Government has not increased at all for several years, and the employees are working hard. She noted that Public Works has been affected as more roads and other responsibilities are added, and this budget would do that again. She stated she wants to give the General Government side credit for their ability to look at their budgets and make sacrifices. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES: The Board reviewed a list of annual town meeting articles, and a draft Trench Safety Officer Bylaw, Street Opening Permits Bylaw, and an amendment to the Dog Licensing bylaw. There were no questions or comments. TOWN MANAGER REPORT: Mr. Khumalo stated the Town has received the 100% design comments from MassDOT, and VHB is incorporating them into the plans. He stated that the project schedule was reviewed with the Chamber of Commerce today. He noted that the Town has begun the process of nailing down the process with MassDOT and hope it can be advertised in mid-June. 4 Mr. Khumalo referred to the memo from the Treasurer/Collector regarding establishing the maximum useful life of the modular classrooms for the borrowing. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr that the maximum useful life of the departmental equipment listed below to be financed with the proceeds of the following borrowings authorized by the votes of the Town passed December 9, 2019 (Articles 4 and 5) and February 3, 2020 (Questions 2 and 3) is hereby determined pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 7(1) to be as follows: ●Purpose: Modular Classrooms at the Hopkins School; Borrowing amount,$3,000,000; Maximum useful life, 20 years ●Purpose: Modular Classrooms at the Elmwood School; Borrowing amount, $2,000,000; Maximum useful life, 20 years Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Mr. Khumalo referred to the request for a waiver to allow Mirick O’Connell to represent the 26.2 Foundation with respect to the lease and development of the East Main St. property, because Mirick O’Connell also serves as the Town’s labor counsel. He noted that Joseph Baldiga, the attorney who will represent the 26.2 Foundation, is on the Board of the Foundation. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr to consent to allow Mirick O’Connell to represent the 26.2 Foundation Inc. before the Town in relation to the lease and development of an International Marathon Center at 0 East Main Street; and to allow the Town Manager to sign the consent letter. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Mr. Khumalo stated that the next step in the acquisition of 6 Walcott Street, voted at the 2019 annual town meeting, is to execute the required documents for the closing. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere that, with respect to the acquisition of the property located at 6 Walcott Street, the Select Board vote to (1) accept the deed and Trustee’s certificate from the Seller, Joseph D. Marquedant, Trustee of Walcott Street Realty Trust; (2) execute an Order of Taking for the property; (3) authorize Town Counsel to negotiate and sign any and all documents necessary to effectuate the purchase of the property. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Mr. Herr asked about the next step for the Select Board for the Main Street Corridor Project, and Mr. Khumalo noted that on April 7 the Board will vote Orders of Taking for temporary and permanent easements. LIAISON REPORTS: Mr. Coutinho reported attending a Parks & Recreation/26.2 Foundation meeting relative to planning the East Main St. parcel. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: There were no future agenda items identified. MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr to adjourn the meeting. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. Adjourned: 8:51 PM 5 Approved: March 17, 2020 Documents used at the meeting: ●Draft Minutes of the 2/25/20 Select Board meeting ●Hopkinton video, untitled ●Application for Parade Permit from Aaron Nemzer dated 2/4/20 re Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, and supporting documents ●Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Permitting Team Comments ●Application for Parade Permit from 17th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Event dated 1/28/20, and supporting documents ●17th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Event Permitting Team Comments ●Ambulance Fund Gifts in Memory of Francis J. Pyne, Select Board Meeting March 10, 2020 ●Letter received Feb. 24, 2020 to John Neas from New England Laborer’s Trust Fund ●Special Temporary Alcohol License Application from Hopkinton Center for the Arts and 26.2 Foundation for Bobbi Gibb event, dated 2/20/20, and supporting documents ●HCA-26.2 Foundation Bobbi Gibb Presentation Permitting Team Comments ●Special Temporary Alcohol License Application from St. John’s the Evangelist Church, H.S. Youth Group Fundraiser, dated 2/19/20, and supporting documents ●St. John’s Youth Group Annual Fundraiser Permitting Team Comments ●Application Form, Carol M. Enos, Cultural Council ●Town of Hopkinton, General Revenue By Source, Town of Hopkinton, Cyclically Sensitive Revenue as a Percentage of Total Revenue, and supporting documents ●March 2, 2020 Draft List of Annual Town Meeting Articles ●Draft Article, Dog Licensing, General Bylaw Chapter 62 ●Draft Article, New Trench Safety Officer Bylaw ●Draft Article - Street Opening Permits - New General Bylaw ●Memo dated 3/6/20 to Select Board from Norman Khumalo, re: Staff Report Select Board March 10, 2020 Meeting ●Memo dated 2/29/20 to Select Board from Chris Heymanns, Treasurer/Collector, re: Elmwood and Hopkins Schools Modular Classroom Borrowing, Useful Life Determination, and supporting documents ●Quitclaim Deed, 6 Walcott Street ●Walcott Street Realty Trust, Trustee Certificate ●Order of Taking, 6 Walcott Street 6