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TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
Executive Session Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2014
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA. Selectmen present: John Mosher, Todd Cestari, 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 5:40 PM in Room
211.
To discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining updates by the Town Manager with
respect to the Dispatcher’s Union, 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
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
updates by Town Counsel, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the
litigation position of the board; to conduct contract negotiations with nonunion personnel; to
allow town staff Norman Khumalo, Debbie Hilton-Creek, Ray Miyares, Chris Heep and Jamie
Hellen to participate; and to convene in public session at the conclusion.
MOVED by Mr. Palleiko and SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr.
Cestari-Yes, Mr. Palleiko-Yes, Mr. Coutinho-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0.
DISCUSSION:
Dispatcher’s Union Contract: The Town Manager gave a brief overview of the Dispatcher’s
Union contract to the Board.
Ash Street Parcel: The Town Manager gave an update to the Board regarding the Ash Street
property that is for sale next to the Center School. The Town Manager has agreed to meet with
Chuck Joseph and Faith Easter on the parcel on Ash Street. The Town is digesting the recent
meeting and the information given by the Assessor’s Office.
Lumber Street: The Town Manager gave an update on the recent negotiations with the host
community agreement and the proponents of the Mews development on Lumber Street. The
Board had a discussion with Town Counsel and town staff on their perspectives of where the
negotiations are with the applicant. The Chair requested town staff assemble a list of options of
the costs of water for the project and use this project as a litmus test for any future projects on
the value of water.
Pending Litigation Update: Town Counsel gave the Board a short summary on the status of
pending litigation before the Town:
1.The Hopkins v. Board of Appeals settlement offer has come forward. Town Counsel
gave a short review of the suit to the Board and informed them a possible trial date may
be at some point in the fall. The plaintiff is requesting $35,000 in a settlement.
MOVED - Mr. Palleiko MOVES to authorize Town Counsel to go back to the Plaintiff with a
$10,000 settlement offer and an agreement to not subdivide into a Chapter 40B application.
SECONDED Coutinho. ROLL CALL: Mr. Mosher- Yes, Mr. Cestari - Yes, Mr. Coutinho, Mr.
Palleiko-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0.
2.Doe v. Town of Hopkinton. Town Counsel had the Selectmen must sign non-disclosure
confidentiality agreements. Town Counsel had each member sign the agreements in
Executive Session.
3.The pending LNG case.
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
- Yes, Mr. Coutinho, Mr. Palleiko-Yes. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0. The Board moved into
public session at 7:03 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd A. Cestari, Chairman