HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150428 - Select Board - Executive Minutes
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Executive Session Meeting Minutes
April 28, 2015
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA. Selectmen present: John Mosher, Todd Cestari, Ben
Palleiko, Michelle Gates, John Coutinho. Administrative staff present: Norman Khumalo, Jamie
Hellen.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cestari called the public meeting to order at 6:00 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,Fire and Dispatch,
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 recommended
by the Elementary School Building Committee,because an open meeting may have a
detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board;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 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, Ms. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0.
DISCUSSION:
Collective Bargaining Updates: The Town Manager updated the Board on current negotiations:
1.The latest negotiations with the Police were cancelled and rescheduled;
2.The Town Manager and Fire Department have gone back and forth regarding the ground
rules for upcoming negotiations. The Manager did share the decision made by the
Board on the Lieutenant promotional process; and
3.Current negotiations with the Dispatcher’s Union have focused on strategy (i.e. a 3-year
or a one-year contract). [John Coutinho entered executive session during this topic].
Real Property Updates: The Town Manager gave short updates on properties to be considered
at Town Meeting, including:
1.The Town Manager announced that, based on more recent conversations with the seller,
the Town has been successful in moving the price down to $299,000 for 2.5 acres to be
used for the cemetery for the 15 Claflin Avenue property. The Town is still In the
process of conducting the soil tests. The parcel would accommodate the use for an
estimated 20 to 30 years;
2.The Pratt representatives have a deal in place with the scouts for a potential lodge. The
final points of discussion are creating a buffer around the scout lodge. Ultimately, there
will be a Master Plan for the entire parcel. The P&S should be finalized within the next
day or two; and
3.ESBC properties: The Board discussed the remaining details on the two properties
coming before Town Meeting and the strategy around messaging the potential purpose
at Town Meeting.
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, Ms. Gates-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0. The
Board moved into public session at 6:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd A. Cestari, Chairman