HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200825 - Growth Study Committee - Meeting MinutesHOPKINTON GROWTH STUDY COMMITTEE
Tuesday August 25, 2020
Held via Zoom
Attendees: Amy Ritterbusch, Muriel Kramer, Tim Brennan, Fran DeYoung, Chuck Joseph, Fin Perry,
Michelle Murdock, Dave Wheeler, Absent: Wilson St Pierre Liaisons: Joe Markey SC, Shahidul mannan
AC Audience: Jen Devlin, Dr. Carol Cavanaugh, Chief Joe Bennett, Officer Jay Porter
Called to order: 7:35 PM
Meeting notes with action items and votes noted
Amy Ritterbusch is now SB liaison. Need to re-organize and consider effect of COVID-19 if it has changed
the dynamic and purpose of the committee. We need to reorganize and consider format going forward.
Muriel nominated Fran as Chair but not the right time for him. Chuck nominated Fin as Chair. Muriel
second. Roll call vote: Fran DeYoung yes, Chuck Joseph yes, Tim Brenna yes, Muriel Kramer yes, Fin Perry
yes, and Michelle Murdock yes.
For Vice Chair, Tim Brennan nominates Michelle Murdock. Chuck Joseph seconds. Roll call vote: Fran
DeYoung yes, Chuck Joseph yes, Tim Brenna yes, Muriel Kramer yes, Fin Perry yes, and Michelle
Murdock yes.
GSC voted to withdraw article from ATM for Economic Development Officer. Moved by Muriel,
Seconded by Fran. Tim commented on the importance but recognizing town’s financial position. Roll call
vote: Fran DeYoung yes, Chuck Joseph yes, Tim Brenna yes, Muriel Kramer yes, Fin Perry yes, and
Michelle Murdock yes. Hopefully the SB can be the champion for this if it goes forward next year.
Chief Bennett: HPD Strategic Plan. He is proud of the document and feedback from residents. There are
8 major goals with leaders assigned. Has appeared on Hopkinton Hangout to publicize role of social
worker in the Department. Many don’t know about the diversion work but has been in place for a long
time.
Going forward ideas:
More detailed report with data
Build out a set of metrics that we follow; become more operational in function for AC and CFO
to utilize
Work through PB, get in front of PB to reassess function of committee and have a new member
appointed to take Amy’s seat.
Manage expectations
Move parcel mapping project forward
Develop growth management strategies, what type of growth do we want to see.
Consider ways to leverage ZAC in this group’s process
Implications of national response to racial equity concerns, BLM movement. People are
rethinking about what is happening in the suburbs now. Questions about density and
affordability.
How do we want our public schools to progress?
How do we want to address loss of growth dollars especially in next few years if COVID-19 has a
negative impact on growth?
Extreme positions in any direction are probably not the answers. There are substantial ethical
concerns to balance.
Reimbursement rates from the State may shift due to affluence factor.
Could be big spike in school enrollment next year post COVID-19. Kindergarten parents may
have waited as an example. Children that have been enrolled in private schools this year may be
back.
Adjourn 9PM, motion Muriel, second Fran, Role call vote: Fran DeYoung yes, Chuck Joseph yes, Tim
Brenna yes, Muriel Kramer yes, Fin Perry yes, and Michelle Murdock yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel Kramer, GSC Clerk