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Home My Public Portal About20141118 - Select Board - Minutes 1 Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 TOWN OF HOPKINTON Board of Selectmen September 11, 2014 A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Selectmen present: Todd Cestari, John Mosher, Ben Palleiko, Michelle Gates, John Coutinho. Officials present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Operations Assistant Jamie Hellen. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cestari called the public meeting to order at 5:36 PM in Room 211. The Chair entertained a motion to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining updates by the Town Manager, 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 Lumber Street and Ash Street, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board; to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the board; to conduct contract negotiations with nonunion personnel. MOVED by Mosher and SECONDED by Coutinho. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr. Cestari-Yes, Mr. Palleiko, Mr. Coutinho-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. REOPEN PUBLIC SESSION: Chairman Cestari reopened the Public Session in Room 215 with the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was observed in honor of September 11. Chairman Cestari announced the following changes to the agenda that were not anticipated at the time of posting: 1. FY14 Evaluation of Interim Police Chief Chuck Wallace 2. A Boot Drive parade permit for the Fire Department’s MDA Boot Drive 3. Alteration of Agenda Item #6 in order for the Board to discuss the Board of Realtor clause in the bylaw rather than consider appointments. Chairman Cestari recognized Town Clerk Geri Holland on the completion of her Municipal Clerk certification. PUBLIC FORUM: Residents were invited to share ideas, opinions, or ask questions regarding town government. Thomas Terry, 17 Maple Street, addressed the Board. He expressed concern with the interview of Ms. Claire Wright which was conducted at a previous Board meeting. He cautioned the Board that moving forward they be careful not to tell volunteers being appointed to Boards how they should vote. 2 Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Jeff Doherty, 3 Angels Way, addressed the Board regarding the intersection of School Street and West Main and the slow pace of the work at that location. He asked that an electrical engineer be sent to the location to change the interval of the light cycle to allow more frequent left-hand turns. Chairman Cestari asked Mr. Khumalo to address this issue with Mr. Westerling. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Parade Permits: The Board considered approving the following parade permit and street closing: Hopkinton Parent-Teacher Association, Marathon Way/Town Common, Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Close Ash Street from Marathon Way to Park Street. II. Appointments: The Board considered approving appointment of Margaret Shaw to the Board of Appeals as an associate member to complete a five-year term to expire on June 30, 2018. III. Resignations: The Board considered accepting the resignation of Susan Marshall from the 2014 Visioning Steering Group. IV. Minutes: The Board considered approving public session minutes of June 24 and August 18, 2014. V. Gift: The Board considered accepting $640.00 in donations to the Hopkinton Ambulance Fund in memory of Anthony J. Vento. VI. Notice of Taking: The Board considered approving the final step in accepting the following streets as public ways: Appaloosa Circle, Equestrian Drive, Hazel Road, Susan Drive. VII. Bond Anticipation Note Renewal: The Board considered accepting the Treasurer’s request to approve and sign a Bond Anticipation Note in the amount of $300,000 for the MUNIS Integrated Financial System. MOTION by Mr. Mosher to approve the consent agenda, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. CONSERVATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENT: The Board considered appointing Ed Harrow or Shannon Reilly as At-Large member of the Conservation Commission to complete a term to expire on June 30, 2016. A discussion was held on how to proceed with this type of vote when there is more than one candidate for a position. Chairman Cestari recommended using a written ballot, rather than a spoken nomination as has been done in the past. It was decided to proceed with the Board’s current policy and to discuss a potential new procedure at a future Board Meeting. 3 Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Mr. Harrow addressed the Board and provided information on his background. Questions from the Board were addressed. Ms. Reilly addressed the Board and provided information on her background. Questions from the Board were addressed. MOTION by Mr. Mosher to appoint Ed Harrow as an At-Large Member of the Conservation Commission, SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Abstained-1 (Coutinho abstained). HISTORICAL COMMISSION APPOINTMENT: The Board considered appointing Harold Schmidt or Shannon Reilly as At-Large member of the Historical Commission to complete a term to expire on June 30, 2017. Mr. Schmidt addressed the Board and provided information on his background. Questions from the Board were addressed. Ms. Reilly addressed the Board and provided information on her background. Questions from the Board were addressed. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to appoint Shannon Reilly as an At-Large Member of the Historical Commission, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS: The Board considered applications of Mike Auen as the Board of Realtor’s representative to the Historic District Commission to complete a three-year term to expire on June 30, 2016, and Ken Johnson as the Board of Realtor’s representative on the Woodville Historic District Commission to complete a three-year term to expire on June 30, 2017. Chairman Cestari explained that the town does not have a Board of Realtor’s to make a recommendation for appointment. It was decided not to act on these appointments at this time and to post these positions as appointments of the Board of Selectmen after seeking input from the Historic District Commission. PRIVATE WAYS UPDATE: John Westerling, DPW Director, provided the Board with an update on the status of maintenance on private ways. He indicated there are approximately six miles of private ways that the town currently plows and several roadways need temporary repair before this winter to prevent damage to town equipment. These roads are Penny Meadow Lane, Morse Lane, Rice Street, and Mechanic Street. He stated Penny Meadow Lane has been sold and the owner has indicated the repairs will be made prior to winter. After discussion a decision was made to have the Chairman write a letter to the Planning Board regarding the acceptance of these streets as public ways. MOTION by Mr. Mosher to approve expenditures to make improvements, up to $1000 per public way, to Morse Lane, Rice Street, and Mechanic Street for the winter, SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. FRUIT STREET SOLAR FARM: David Daltorio, Town Engineer, addressed the Board. He stated they have four proposals for installation of a solar farm at Fruit Street. He reviewed these proposals with the Board. After discussion it was decided that Mr. Daltorio would provide 4 Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 written analysis to the Board and he, along with the Director of Finance, would discuss this again at the Board’s next meeting. METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL (MAPC) MEMBERSHIP: The Board discussed the Town’s membership in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Mrs. Gates outlined some of the benefits of membership but questioned whether the Town should continue membership. The Board agreed that the MAPC did not represent them in the recent casino discussions and actually thwarted the Board’s work in this area. MOTION by Mrs. Gates to initiate action to withdraw from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0 (Mosher opposed). FIRE DEPARTMENT MDA BOOT DRIVE PERMIT: The Board discussed granting a parade permit for the Fire Department to conduct the MDA Boot Drive on Saturday, September 20, 2014. This application was submitted to the Board today. MOTION by Mr. Mosher to approve the Fire Department’s parade permit for fundraising for the MDA, SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Abstained-0. (Mr. Palleiko was absent for this vote). LUMBER STREET/MEWS DEVELOPMENT HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT: The Board reviewed the Host Community Agreement for the Lumber Street/Mews Development. Town Counsel Miyares reviewed the agreement with the Board. He stated they have been working on this agreement for 18 months, and it is a three party agreement between the Town, Mill Creek Development, and the property owner. Discussion was held and the Board’s questions were addressed. INTERIM POLICE CHIEF FY14 EVALUATION: The Board conducted a performance evaluation of Interim Police Chief Wallace. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Interim Police Chief review for FY14, SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. FIRE CHIEF FY14 EVALUATION: The Board conducted a performance evaluation of Fire Chief Clark. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Fire Chief’s review for FY14, SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. TOWN MANAGER FY14 EVALUATION: The Board conducted a performance evaluation of Town Manager Khumalo. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Town Manager’s review for FY14 as amended, SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. 5 Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 FY 15 GOALS FOR TOWN MANAGER, POLICE CHIEF, FIRE CHIEF: The Board discussed and established goals for FY15 for the Town Manager, Fire Chief, and Police Chief. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Fire Chief’s FY15 goals 1 and 3, add a fifth goal relative to Performance Metrics, and will revisit goals 2 and 4 at the next meeting, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Police Chief’s FY15 goals, including adding a fourth goal for the completion of the Public Safety Dispatch project, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Town Manager’s FY15 goals, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. FIRE CHIEF STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: Per MGL C 268A S 19, Fire Chief Clark requested a finding by the Board regarding his disclosure of a financial interest relative to administration of a promotional process in the Fire Department and participation in the collective bargaining contract negotiations. Fire Chief Clark explained the background of this disclosure, which involves the potential promotion of a family member. He has contacted the State Ethics Commission and received their advice on how to proceed in this matter. After discussion it was determined that the Board required further information and copies of the forms they will be required to complete. Discussion was continued until the Board’s next meeting. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Khumalo discussed with the Board changing the hours of operation at town hall as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support the town hall hours of operations as submitted by the Town Manager, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. ADJOURN: MOTION by Mr. Mosher to adjourn, SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. VOTE to Approve: Unanimous. Meeting adjourned. Correspondence to the Board of Selectmen 1. Various letters regarding 203 Pond Street (August 12, 2014 hand delivered to Selectmen) 2. New England Mountain Bike Association correspondence regarding Whitehall Woods Preservation (August 2014)