HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150407 - Select Board - Executive Minutes
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Executive Session Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2015
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA. Selectmen present: John Mosher, Todd Cestari, Ben
Palleiko, John Coutinho. Selectmen Not Present: Michelle Gates. Administrative staff present:
Norman Khumalo, Jamie Hellen.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cestari called the public meeting to order at 5:38 PM in Room
211.
The Chair entertained a motion to enter executive session to discuss strategies with respect to
collective bargaining updates by the Town Manager relative to Police and Fire, because an
open meeting may have detrimental effects on the bargaining positions of the Board; to discuss
considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property in regards to a property on
Claflin Avenue, Pratt Estate, the Wycoff Parcel and the parcels being considered by the
Elementary School Building Committee, because an open meeting may have a detrimental
effect on the negotiating position of the Board; to discuss the deployment of security personnel
or devices, or strategies with respect to emergency communications and the 2015 Boston
Marathon; to discuss strategy with respect to litigation with respect to NSTAR/Eversource (DPU
15-02), because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the
board; to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel
relative to Town Hall, Library, Police, Fire, DPW and Senior Center; to allow town staff Norman
Khumalo and Jamie Hellen to participate; and, to enter public session at the conclusion.
MOVED by Mr. Palleiko and SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher-Yes, Mr.
Cestari-Yes, Mr. Palleiko-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-3, No-0.
DISCUSSION:
Collective Bargaining Updates: The Town Manager reported that he has made slow progress
with the Police department negotiations. The union presented a counter offer, which included
the following provisions: 2.9% for each of the three contract years; EMT stipend converting to a
percentage of the base salary; a new step 6 for officers; shift differential (5% evenings and 8%
overnights) and, an increase in detail pay rate by $1 per hour each year of the contract.. The
Town Manager suggests to the Board a 2.5%, 1.75%, and 1.75% increase each year of the
contract. The Town Manager announced that he is working on scheduling the first negotiations
meeting with the Fire Department union.
Property Purchases: The Town Manager updated the Board on the current status of the parcels
being considered for purchase by the Town, including:
1. 15 Claflin Avenue: soils tests have been scheduled;
2. The Wycoff Parcel purchase and sale has been signed by Ms. Wycoff;
3. The Elementary School Building Committee voted the “Irvine parcel” as the preferred
parcel and the “Todaro parcel” as a secondary site for the new Center School; and
4. Pratt Estate: Mr. Palleiko and The Town Manager informed the Board that the Hopkinton
Scouts Association and the Pratt Estate representative are considering a draft
term-sheet for the parcel and a cooperation agreement that would allow the construction
of a scout lodge on the parcel.
Pay Classification Plan: Mr. Mosher requested a potential work session on this issue. After
general consensus from the other Board, the members discussed what times would work and
agreed to explore a future Tuesday that a Board meeting was not already scheduled.
[Chief Lee entered executive session]
The Chair asked the Chief if after Saturday’s hostage threat at the Public Library there is
anything that needs to be done. Chief Lee said there are no credible threats, or any threats at
all relating to the Marathon.
[Chief Clark entered executive session]
The Chair emphasized if there was anything the Chief’s needed from the Board to let them
know.
[John Coutinho entered executive session]
[Chief Lee & Chief Clark exited Executive Session]
The Chair entertained a motion to exit executive session and reconvene in public session.
MOVED – Mr. Mosher SECONDED – Mr. Palleiko ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr. Cestari,
Mr. Palleiko-Yes, Mr. Coutinho-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. The Board moved into
public session at 6:26 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd A. Cestari, Chairman