HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150519 - Select Board - Executive Minutes
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Executive Session Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2015
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA. Selectmen present: John Mosher, Todd Cestari, Brian
Herr, John Coutinho. Selectmen Not Present: Ben Palleiko. 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 Wyckoff 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;and to conduct strategy sessions in
preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel with respect to the Finance Director;to
allow town staff Norman Khumalo and Jamie Hellen to participate;and,to enter public session
at the conclusion.
MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher-Yes, Mr.
Cestari-Yes, Mr. Coutinho-Yes, Mr. Herr-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Herr stated that he and Mr. Cestari are officially sworn in as members and have taken their
Oaths of Office.
Collective Bargaining Updates: The Town Manager updated the Board on current collective
bargaining negotiations:
1.Dispatcher’s Union: Mr. Khumalo informed the Board that the Dispatcher’s Union are
agreeable to a one-year contract; however, they also put forth their requests to reflect
the changes in working conditions, including:
a.Increase personal days from three (3) to four (4);
b.Additional time-off for the dispatch supervisor owing to 5 & 2 schedule which is
different from the 4 & 2 schedule for the dispatchers;
c.An annual physical fitness test to earn compensatory time benefit; and
d.a COLA of 2% plus 2% stipend or 2.5% plus $1,000 stipend for current
dispatchers.
The Town and the Unions agree conceptually to a one-year contract to allow both parties to
monitor and assess the operation of the new joint dispatch department..
The Board members offered some strategic feedback to the Town Manager, including
objections to the physical fitness proposal request and how best to structure the stipend
proposal..
Real property updates: The Town Manager informed the Board that appraisals for Irvine,
Todaro, Pratt Farm and 15 Claflin Street parcels approved at Town Meeting and the Town
Election been scheduled. The Town has contracted with Steve Elliot, who has offered the Town
a reasonable rate because the Principal Assessor is providing the base information on the
properties. Mr. Elliot is charging $10,000 for all four appraisals.
DPU 15-02 NSTAR Hearing update: The Town continues to put pressure on
NSTAR/Eversource relative to request for zoning relief for the expansion of the South Street
substation. We recognize this decision will be based, in part, on the progress the Company has
made towards meeting the three areas needing accommodation identified by the Town, namely
(i) waiver of the requirement of a 8' Wall between the generator and transformer at the Wood
Street site; (ii) extension of a 13 kV line to Fruit Street; and (iii) undergrounding utilities on Main
Street.
The Chair entertained a motion to exit executive session and reconvene in public session.
MOVED – Mr. Coutinho SECONDED – Mr. Mosher ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr. Cestari,
Mr. Coutinho-Yes, Mr. Herr-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. The Board moved into
public session at 6:52 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd A. Cestari, Chairman