HomeMy Public PortalAbout20240109 - Select Board - MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
SELECT BOARD
Meeting Minutes -January 9,2024
18 Main St.,Hopkinton,MA -Room 215/216 6:00 PM
Select Board Members Present:Muriel Kramer,Chair,Shahidul Mannan,Vice Chair (6:08 PM),
Amy Ritterbusch,Mary Jo LaFreniere.
Members Absent:Irfan Nasrullah
Officials Present:Town Manager Norman Khumalo,Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus
CALL TO ORDER:Muriel Kramer called the public meeting to order at 6:02 PM in the Town
Hall.She stated that the public has the option of attending the meeting in person or via Zoom,
and the meeting is being recorded.
Ms.Kramer requested a motion to enter executive session pursuant to M.G.L.c.30A,§21(a)
(purpose 3)to consider strategy with respect negotiations with the Fire union,pursuant to M.G.L.
c.30A,§21(a)(purpose 6)to consider the purchase,lease,sale or value of real estate in relation
to properties in the vicinity of Town Hall and South Street;property comprising part of the
Elmwood III subdivision development;and parcels owned by Umina off Chestnut Street,
because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board;
pursuant to M.G.L.c.30A,§21(a)(purpose 3)to consider strategy with respect to litigation:
Armand E.Sabitoni Trustee of The New England Laborers Training Trust Fund et al vs.Town of
Hopkinton et al;because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position
of the Board;approval of Executive Session Minutes;to allow Norman Khumalo and Elaine
Lazarus to participate in the executive session and to reconvene in Open Session at the
conclusion of Executive Session.MOVED by Amy Ritterbusch and SECONDED by Mary Jo
Lafreniere.ROLL CALL:Mary Jo Lafreniere-Yes;Amy Ritterbusch-Yes;Muriel Kramer-Yes.
Vote to Approve:Yes-3,No-0.
CALL TO ORDER:Muriel Kramer called the open session to order at 6:32 PM in the Town
Hall.Board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC FORUM:Connor Degan,speaking as Town Clerk,voiced his disappointment that his
office was not consulted before an Annual Town Meeting article was drafted that would change
town election policy to allow permanent residents who are not United States citizens to vote in
local elections and at town meetings.He stated this major local election reform would be
administratively very difficult for the office to manage,and would require at least one additional
staff member.He advised the Select Board to take a step back and review the process.He stated
the local voters who are not citizens would not be eligible to vote in state and federal elections,
and new voter tracking methods would likely need to be implemented,which would translate
into an additional expense for the town.
SELECT BOARD BUDGET LISTENING SESSION:There were no public comments.
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CONSENT AGENDA:Muriel Kramer asked to pull out the Boston Marathon Parade Permit
application for a separate vote.MOVED by Amy Ritterbusch and SECONDED by Shahidul
Mannan to approve Consent Agenda items a,b and c,consisting of approving the Minutes of the
meetings on December 14,2023 and December 19,2023;accepting a donation of $250 from
Francis &Thomas Marquedant for the Public Library;and approving a Parade Permit
application from the Hoyt Foundation for the second Dick Hoyt Memorial 5 Mile Road Race to
be held on May 25,2024 at 10 am;with the race starting at the Marathon School and ending at
EMC Park with partial road closures that are to be discussed with the Police Department.Vote to
Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
The Board discussed the 128th Boston Marathon Parade Permit application.Mary Jo LaFreniere
stated the application should not come before the Board until February and the application is
incomplete.The Board will consider the application at a future meeting.
BOARD/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:Daniele Pepin,the nominee of the Board of
Realtors for the vacant seat on the Hopkinton Historic District Commission,stated she is a long
time resident and would like to give back to the community.MOVED by Shahidul Mannan and
SECONDED by Amy Ritterbusch to appoint Daniele Pepin to the Hopkinton Historic District
Commission (Board of Realtors nominee),to a term expiring 6/30/2025.Vote to Approve:
Yes-4,No-0.
TOWN EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENTS:Kristin Merrill,Human Resources Generalist,
introduced and reviewed the background of Theodore (Teddy)Gutwill,and requested that the
Board confirm his appointment as a Per Diem Dispatcher.She stated his references described
him as a very hard worker,calm and able to handle pressure without panic and able to handle
demanding customers.MOVED by Shahidul Mannan and SECONDED by Mary Jo Lafreniere
to confirm the Town Manager ’s appointment of Theodore Gutwill as Per Diem Dispatcher.Vote
to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
Kristin Merrill introduced and reviewed the background of Samantha Polk,and requested that
the Board confirm her appointment as an Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department.
Mr.Khumalo recognized Renee Chen,Deputy Assessor,who has agreed to step up and help in
the onboarding and overseeing the cross training of Ms.Polk.MOVED by Shahidul Mannan and
SECONDED by Amy Ritterbusch to confirm the Town Manager ’s appointment of Samantha
Polk as Administrative Assistant,Finance.Vote to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
ANNUAL GREENHOUSE GAS REPORT &PROGRESS ON CLIMATE ACTION
PLAN:Sustainable Green Committee members Geoff Rowland,Chair,Amy Groves,and Nicole
Simpson joined the Board,along with Julia Chun,Sustainability,Economic Development and
Equity Project Manager.Amy Groves reviewed projections indicating how Hopkinton’s climate
has changed and is anticipated to change,noting that Hopkinton’s projected average annual
temperature is expected to soar from about 55 degrees in 2030 to about 63 degrees in 2090.She
stated that while this increase may not seem significant,the rise in temperature would increase
the number of 90-degree days and potentially triggers health risks for older residents and those
with breathing difficulties,and threatens the ecosystem.She stated that the number of colder
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days will go down,and that some cold weather helps to regulate the water cycle,replenish soil
nutrients and control pests.She stated that flooding is expected to become more common.
Geoff Rowland stated that the climate has substantially changed in recent decades and will be
even more challenging for future generations if mitigating actions are not taken.He reviewed the
progress that can be made toward Net Zero.He stated the Climate Action Plan encourages
installing heat pumps and solar panels,switching to electric vehicles,partnering with businesses
to reduce carbon emissions,and adopting a municipal aggregation plan.He stated that
community engagement has made residents more aware of the benefits of sustainable living,and
reviewed accomplishments including the award of a $35,000 grant from the Metropolitan Area
Planning Council’s Accelerating Climate Resiliency program.Julia Chun noted that residents
and business owners need to become stewards in this process.Geoff Rowland stated the grant
will be community engagement for the climate action plan.He stated that the Municipal
Aggregation plan has been submitted to the State,and there is a 12 to 18 month process.He
stated the specialized energy code article will be reintroduced at the Annual Town Meeting.Julia
Chen noted that its passage would allow Hopkinton to become a Climate Leader Community,
making the town eligible for more grants,and reviewed the engagement process.Nicole
Simpson stated the specialized code has now been adopted by 31 communities,representing 25%
of the State’s population.She stated the Committee is working to address the questions raised
and seeking more data.She stated the Town can’t reach Net Zero without addressing buildings.
She stated the Committee is looking to partner with the Select Board to encourage employees
and boards/committees to work toward the Net Zero effort.
Shahidul Mannan asked about efforts to partner with neighboring towns to build a larger voice,
and it was noted that the Committee is active in a network,and has partnered with Westborough
on events.Amy Ritterbusch asked if there are any articles coming to Town Meeting for vehicles
or other things that we should be thinking about green alternatives.Geoff Rowland stated the
Hopkins School addition project is working toward being green.Mr.Khumalo referred to the
Town’s Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy,noting that the Capital Improvement Committee has raised
questions about the costs of green efforts and the desire to meet goals.Ms.Ritterbusch asked if
there are incentives to install heat pumps,and it was stated there are financial incentives and
rebates.
FY 24 MIDTERM EVALUATIONS:Muriel Kramer stated the midterm evaluations of the
direct reports of the Select Board will take place at the January 30 meeting.Mr.Khumalo
suggested that the Chair could sit with the direct reports to articulate the goals,and then the full
Board could participate in the assessment.
2024 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING:Mary Jo LaFreniere stated she is working on an article to
exempt seniors over the age of 65 and within a certain income level to be exempt from tax
increases pertaining to school building projects.She stated the intent is to keep seniors in their
homes.
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Shahidul Mannan asked if the Town could appropriate funds into the tax relief fund.Mr.
Khumalo noted that it is almost impossible for the Town to fund it directly,and encouraged
messaging to the community to provide support.
Amy Ritterbusch referred to the draft article to expand voting rights,noting that others submitted
to the legislature have not progressed.Muriel Kramer stated it is important to find out how
people feel about it,noting the Town is very diverse.Mary Jo LaFreniere stated she is opposed to
the article,and voters should be citizens.Muriel Kramer noted that it is important to include all
those who live here,raise their families here,and own homes here.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT:Norman Khumalo reported on the following-
●Main Street Corridor Project -No new information;referred to memo to the Board.
●Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)treatment project -The contractor advised
that the project would wrap up by May 2024.He stated the delay is due to the delay in
production of the frame supported membrane structure.The work will resume January
22,2024.
●Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)Connection:Mr Khumalo informed
the Board that the Mass.Dept.of Conservation &Recreation has agreed to have a
conversation with the Town with regard to installing a booster pump station on State
property along Route 85,for which a meeting would be scheduled soon.
●Lake Maspenock Dam Licenses:Mr.Khumalo referred to the construction access
licenses authorized at the 2023 annual town meeting to facilitate repairs to the Lake
Maspenock Dam,stating the documents are ready for execution.Mr.Khumalo stated that
the petition to the Legislature to authorize the taking in Milford has had a hearing and he
hopes for quick action.MOVED by Shahidul Mannan and SECONDED by Amy
Ritterbusch to authorize the Town Manager to execute Construction Access Licenses
with the Town of Milford,and with William and Catherine Sweeny,to access certain
parcels of land off Pine Island Rd.in the Town of Milford.Vote to Approve:Yes-4,
No-0.
Mary Jo LaFreniere stated there is a Legislator who is working on a program having to do with
the use of firefighting foam and its PFAS contamination.She stated the Town should contact
them and apply for the benefits that are available.Amy Ritterbusch asked if there will be any
votes needed for the MWRA connection at the 2024 annual town meeting,and Mr.Khumalo
stated he does not know yet.Ms.Ritterbusch suggested that the Board could consider whether to
dissolve or reactivate the Lake Maspenock Dam Advisory Committee,as it has not met in many
years.Shahidul Mannan requested that a graphic showing key timelines for the MWRA project
be provided.
LIAISON REPORTS/BOARD INVITES:Ms.Ritterbusch stated the Commission on
Disability will host a public forum on January 22,2024 at the Senior Center at 7 p.m..She stated
that the Planning Board had its first public hearing regarding the MBTA Communities zoning.
Ms.LaFreniere stated there is a MetroWest Regional Transit Authority meeting in February,and
she had attended the meetings of the Cemetery Commission and the Marathon Committee and all
were moving forward with the tasks and projects at hand.Ms.Kramer stated that all Select Board
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members have the opportunity to meet with the Police Chief individually to discuss the
promotion process and to meet and interview the candidates.She stated that Chief Bennett would
facilitate the meetings.She stated the probable date for the Board’s promotion discussion is
January 30,2024.She stated the Police Chief also intends to post another Sergeant exam for the
department,and filling the Lieutenant position is also on the radar.
MOVED by Mary Jo Lafreniere and SECONDED by Shahidul Mannan to adjourn the meeting.
Vote to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
Adjourned:8:10 PM
Approved:January 30,2024
Documents used at the meeting:
●Draft Minutes of the December 14,2023 and the December 19,2023 meetings
●Hoyt Memorial Run &Walk Parade Permit Application and supporting documents;Permitting
Team Comments
●Letter dated 12/6/2023 to Norman Khumalo re:128th Boston Marathon Parade Permit -Monday,
April 15,2024,with attachments
●Email dated 12/12/2023 to Vasudha Dutta from Elyse Libeskind re:Board of Realtors Nominees -
Hopkinton Historic District Commission,Hopkinton.
●Resume &cover letter of Samantha Polk
●Resume of Theodore Gutwill
●Presentation:Sustainable Green Committee,2023 Year End Report to the Hopkinton Select Board
●May 2024 Annual Town Meeting Timeline &FY 25 Budget Calendar rev 12-1-2023
●Draft Article -Home Rule Petition to Allow Lawful Permanent Residents to Vote in Local Elections
and at Town Meetings
●2024 Annual Town Meeting Notice
●Memo to Select Board from Norman Khumalo dated 1/5/24,Re:Staff Report -Select Board January
9,2024 Meeting,with attachments
●Script and Motions for Hybrid Meeting,Select Board 1/9/24
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