HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210528 - Select Board - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
Select Board
Meeting Minutes – May 28, 2021
Remote Meeting via Zoom 12:00 Noon
Select Board Members Present: Brendan Tedstone, Chair,Irfan Nasrullah, Vice Chair, Mary Jo
LaFreniere, Amy Ritterbusch, Muriel Kramer
Officials Present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus
CALL TO ORDER:Chair Brendan Tedstone called the public meeting to order at 12:00 Noon.
Chair Tedstone called the name of each Select Board member. Irfan Nasrullah, Mary Jo
LaFreniere, Amy Ritterbusch and Muriel Kramer responded affirmatively that they were present
and could hear him. Chair Tedstone called the names of staff members, and Norman Khumalo
and Elaine Lazarus responded affirmatively that they were present. Chair Tedstone listed
additional speakers anticipated at the meeting.
Chair Tedstone stated that the meeting is being conducted remotely consistent with Governor
Baker ’s Executive Order of March 12, 2020, due to the current State of Emergency in the
Commonwealth due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.He noted that in order to mitigate
the transmission of the virus, the Board is complying with the Executive Order that suspends the
requirement of the Open Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly accessible physical
location. Chair Tedstone stated that the Executive Order allows public bodies to meet entirely
remotely as long as the public body makes provisions through adequate, alternative means to
ensure that interested members of the public are provided reasonable access to the deliberations
of the meeting. He noted that for this meeting the Board is convening by video conference via
Zoom Webinar as posted on the Town’s web meeting calendar and the Board’s agenda
identifying how the public may join. He stated that the meeting may also be broadcast by
HCAM. He noted that the meeting is being recorded and some attendees are participating by
video conference. Chair Tedstone stated that all supporting materials that have been provided to
the Board are available on the Town website via the web meeting calendar, unless otherwise
noted. He stated that all votes taken in the meeting will be conducted by roll call vote.
Board members welcomed new member Muriel Kramer to the Board.
POLICE OFFICER APPOINTMENT:Norman Khumalo stated that in accordance with the
Town Charter, the Select Board is the appointing authority for Police Department employees. He
noted there has been a deliberate and extensive hiring process, and welcomed Kevin Sager to the
final phase of interviews. Police Chief Joseph Bennett described the process, thanked those who
had been involved in the interviews to date, and noted that physical and psychological screening
had been completed. He stated that Kevin Sager is a 13 year veteran of the South Portland,
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Maine, Police Department, where he held the rank of Sergeant. He noted that Mr. Sager
researched the Hopkinton Police Department, was very well prepared for the interviews, and
chose Hopkinton, which is a complement to the Department.Kevin Sager described his
background, noting that he grew up in Hopkinton.
Irfan Nasrullah asked what it is about Hopkinton and its Police Department that attracted Mr.
Sager to want to work in Hopkinton. Kevin Sager stated that he looked at the Town’s social
media accounts, noted that it was selected as the safest community in the country, and it is an
accredited department, which says a lot about the policies in place. He stated that South Portland
is also an accredited department, and it sets a department apart from other agencies. He noted
that he has fond memories of seeing Police Officers at the Marathon start when growing up and
admired their work.
Amy Ritterbusch asked Mr. Sager to describe his approach to de-escalating verbal and physical
behaviors. Kevin Sager replied that he has crisis training on mental health issues and
de-escalation, noting that he works to remain calm with people because it may be the worst day
of their lives, and he wants to be on the same page as them. He noted that he goes slow, reassures
them and works to provide what they need.
Muriel Kramer noted that as a licensed social worker she has seen Police Officers respond to
difficult situations with true compassion, and asked what Mr. Sager does to take care of himself
in the stressful job, and what can the community do to support the Department and the
individuals who work there. Mr. Sager referred to mental health resources working with the
Department, which is very helpful. Muriel Kramer asked about Mr. Sager ’s vision for his
professional future. Mr. Sager stated he would like to provide guidance to younger officers, and
looks forward to supervisory and leadership roles.
Brendan Tedstone asked Mr. Sager about an experience that stands out as favorable and one that
he might approach differently. Mr. Sager cited experiences working with other officers on safety
issues and Department policy.
MOVED by Irfan Nasrullah and SECONDED by Mary Jo LaFreniere to appoint Kevin Sager as
a Police Officer for the Town of Hopkinton, effective May 28, 2021.ROLL CALL:Irfan
Nasrullah-Yes; Mary Jo LaFreniere-Yes; Amy Ritterbusch-Yes;Muriel Kramer-Yes; Brendan
Tedstone-Yes.Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT: Norman Khumalo stated that there has been a Massachusetts
Public Records Request for the executive session minutes of March 16, 2021, and in accordance
with the Board’s Rules of Procedure, the first step is a staff level review and then an
announcement that they will be released. He noted that the Open Meeting Law requires that
when a request is received, the Board consider the request at its next meeting. He stated he is
announcing publicly that the executive session minutes of March 16, 2021 will be released in
redacted form. In response to a question, it was noted that the Board had previously reviewed
and approved the minutes.
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Muriel Kramer stated the Select Baord reviewed a request for an agenda item for the June 1
meeting from the Freedom Team regarding flying a flag at Town Hall. It was noted that due to
the Memorial Day holiday, the agenda had already been posted, but that the proponents could
speak at the Public Forum portion of the agenda.
MOVED by Irfan Nasrullah and SECONDED by Mary Jo LaFreniere to adjourn the meeting.
ROLL CALL:Irfan Nasrullah-Yes; Mary Jo LaFreniere-Yes;Amy Ritterbusch-Yes; Muriel
Kramer-Yes; Brendan Tedstone-Yes.Vote to Approve:Yes-5, No-0.
Adjourned: 12:29 PM
Approved: June 15, 2021
Documents used at the meeting:
●Kevin Sager cover letter and resume
●Script for Remotely Conducted Open Meetings, Select Board 5/18/2021
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