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TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Executive Session Meeting Minutes
June 02, 2015
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA. Selectmen present: John Mosher, Todd Cestari, Ben
Palleiko, Brian Herr, John Coutinho. Administrative staff present: Norman Khumalo, Jamie
Hellen.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Palleiko called the public meeting to order at 6:10 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,because an open meeting
may have detrimental effects on the bargaining positions 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. Cestari and SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher-Yes, Mr.
Cestari-Yes, Mr. Coutinho-Yes, Mr. Herr-Yes, Mr. Palleiko-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5,
No-0.
DISCUSSION:
Police Department Collective Bargaining Updates: The Town Manager informed the Board that
the union has requested to talk to the Board directly for collective bargaining contract
negotiations. Mr. Khumalo informed the Board members that the Town has offered a 2.5%,
1.75% and 1.5% for each year, respectively, of a 3-year contract. As of the time of Executive
Session, the union has not countered the Town’s offer; but, rather, sent a letter asking to
negotiate with the Board directly.
[Mr. Herr left executive session in the middle of the discussion]
The Board discussed various strategies for the negotiations. The members came to a
reasonable resolution of 2.5%, 2% and 2% for three-year contract. The desire was to avoid any
lengthy arbitration process. If rejected by the union, the Town will proactively file for arbitration.
The Town Manager mentioned there are a dozen or so housekeeping items that both sides
agree, as well as consensus on other items the Town is asking for, specifically control over
health insurance premium contribution rates.
MOVED by Mr. Mosher that if there is not significant movement by the Union by July, the Board
authorized the Town Manager and Special Labor Counsel to file for mediation/arbitration
SECONDED – Mr. Coutinho ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr. Cestari, Mr. Coutinho-Yes,
Mr. Palleiko-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0.
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. Coutinho-Yes, Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. The Board moved into public
session at 6:34 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Benjamin L. Palleiko, Chairman