HomeMy Public PortalAbout20230131 - Select Board - Meeting Minutes (002)TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Select Board
Meeting Minutes –January 31,2023
18 Main Street,Hopkinton MA -Room 215/216 6:00 PM
Select Board Members Present:Amy Ritterbusch,Chair,Mary Jo LaFreniere,Vice Chair,Muriel
Kramer,Shahidul Mannan
Select Board Members Absent:Irfan Nasrullah
Officials Present:Town Manager Norman Khumalo,Assistant Town Manager Elaine Lazarus
CALL TO ORDER:Chair Amy Ritterbusch called the public meeting to order at 6:10 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.Board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA:MOVED by Mary Jo LaFreniere and SECONDED by Shahidul
Mannan to approve the Consent Agenda,consisting of acceptance of a gift of $30.00 from
Rebecca Gaffney to the Hopkinton Public Library for the purchase of books,in the memory of
Cheryl Walker.Vote to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
NEW TOWN EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT:Mr.Khumalo introduced Beryl Wagner,and
recommended that the Board confirm her appointment as Procurement and Grants Manager.He
described her background and experience.Ms.Wagner described her interest in working in
Hopkinton and being part of the team.She stated she enjoys the profession,and working with
others on their projects.MOVED by Ms.LaFreniere and SECONDED by Ms.Kramer to
confirm the Town Manager ’s appointment of Beryl Wagner as Procurement and Grants Manager.
Vote to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
LIAISON REPORTS:Ms.LaFreniere reported that the Cemetery Commission has indicated
that all is well at the cemeteries.Mr.Mannan stated the Elementary School Building Committee
#2 will be making a site selection on Feb.14.Ms.LaFreniere stated that tax relief applications
are now being accepted.
PUBLIC FORUM:Roxanne Donahue,15 Pike St.,referred to a draft Short Term Rental bylaw
being considered this evening by the Board.She cited events in her neighborhood within the last
year or two,where a house was purchased and became a short term rental on Airbnb.She stated
the owner converted it into 2 units without permits,which was eventually addressed by working
with the Town on compliance.She stated that neighbors were left with an unregulated hotel-type
occupancy in a family friendly quiet neighborhood.She stated it has largely been resolved at this
point and is now a more traditional rental,but this could happen anywhere in Hopkinton.She
stated there was overflowing trash,parties,and other problems.She stated the proposed bylaw
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puts some guardrails on the use by requiring a license,and includes enforcement.She stated the
current owner rents a number of properties for this use elsewhere,and it is a business.She stated
that the Town should be proactive and regulate the use.
Pat O’Brien,13 Ray St.,cited concerns with the proposed Regional Emergency Communications
Center (RECC)regarding the impact of the removal of dispatchers from the Police Station.He
recounted an incident in the past where a dispatcher was instrumental in catching a suspect,
stating that if the dispatcher wasn’t physically in Hopkinton it would not have happened.He
stated the RECC should not move forward unless staffing to avoid a dark station is addressed.
Carol Esler,16 Oakhurst Rd.,stated that the use of herbicides in Lake Maspenock was voted
down at a Town Meeting in 2015.She stated she has many reservations about the use of
herbicides,especially diquat,which is banned in Europe and elsewhere.She stated there are
other methods of weed removal that can be used instead,weeds are only a nuisance at the end of
the season,and the Board should look at the chemicals being used.She stated she is opposed to
the use of herbicides,which also contain PFAS.She stated the Lake Maspenock Weed
Management Advisory Committee needs more supervision.
Darlene Hayes,1 Third Rd.,referred to remarks made by a Cumberland Farms representative at
the Board’s Jan.24 meeting.She stated he commented that the Town had not responded to his
emails.She stated that she has called and emailed Cumberland Farms many times about safety
concerns at their location,and many of the calls and emails were not responded to.She expressed
appreciation for the Town’s efforts to address the safety issues there.
Dan Bennett,3 Pike St.,referred to a letter provided to the Board from Pike Street residents
regarding short term rentals.He noted that issues the neighborhood has dealt with include early
morning and late night arrivals and departures,with cars coming and going at all hours,and
trash.He stated by licensing and regulating the use,it would give residents a place to go if there
needs to be some action.He stated that other businesses are regulated in a similar way,and these
should be too.He stated the Board should submit the article into the annual town meeting
warrant so it can be considered by all residents.
FY 2024 BUDGET AND CAPITAL HEARINGS:Joseph Bennett,Police Chief,stated that the
Police Department’s budget is an assessment of needs,noting that the majority of the budget is
personnel.He noted that personnel costs would increase 13%due to contractual obligations in
FY24.He stated that three new cruisers constitute the Department’s capital request.He noted that
there are some inflationary increases,and a level services budget is proposed.The Board
discussed with Chief Bennett the onboarding of new officers and the importance of retention and
recruitment,and he noted that community support means a lot.In response to a question about
potential increases in the future,Chief Bennett stated that Board support for management
structure changes will be helpful in the future.He stated the Department is moving to the next
section of accreditation and coming into compliance with POST,and will bring in a consultant to
assist.He stated he is looking at staffing,and anticipates growing to 35 officers in accordance
with the strategic plan,but it is also a function of management structure and the volume and type
of calls.
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Ms.Ritterbusch questioned the citizen engagement item in the budget request,and Chief Bennett
stated it would resume community engagement that ended during the Covid-19 pandemic,and
requires the payment of overtime,with a Sergeant leading a team to develop programs and
objectives.Ms.Ritterbusch asked if there are items that would have been requested but were not
due to budgetary constraints,and Chief Bennett replied no.Ms.Kramer asked about anti-racism
training in the Department,and Chief Bennett stated it has been ongoing for several years,and is
layered throughout the work and in the metrics collected.Ms.Ritterbusch asked if Department
policies are online and searchable,and Chief Bennett stated the Department is looking at a
vendor service to organize and post the many policies,which can change frequently.
William Miller,Fire Chief,described the Department’s goals for effective response to the
community,noting that as the Town continues to grow,so do requests for services.He stated in
2022 there was a 3.1%increase in requests for services and a 12.2%increase in call volume from
2021 to 2022.He stated that for FY24,four additional positions are requested,one per duty
group,at a cost of $269,815,and an additional person in Fire Prevention for community risk
reduction for $86,607.He stated that community risk reduction has been very important,but with
the call volume going up,the personnel isn’t available for that activity.He stated the intent is to
raise minimum staffing which is currently at 2004 levels,and it’s not safe right now.He stated
the additional staffing is needed to handle multiple calls at once,and the goal is to get to 5 but
the need is for 6.He reviewed the expense requests,which include inflationary increases for
supplies.Mr.Mannan asked about a 5 year plan for staffing,and Chief Miller stated future
growth in staff would be 10 or more.He stated the increases are due to the growth in population,
which has meant an increased number of calls.
Chief Miller reviewed capital requests for $90,000 to replace a 2011 pickup with equipment,
$70,000 to replace a 2011 Chevy Tahoe,$89,242 to replace a 25-year old Breathing Air Fill
Station,and $70,000 to study a future addition to Station 2.He noted getting to the west side of
the community is a response-time issue,and using Station 2 would improve the situation and the
ISO rating.In response to a question about mutual aid response,Chief Miller stated that for
medical calls the responding town is geographically driven based on the location of the call.He
stated for a fire,there is a set process (run cards)with Ashland first.
Meaghan DeRaad,Communications Director,described the FY24 budget request for the
Communications Department,with an 11%increase for personnel due to contractual increases,2
new positions including one middle management position,and extra coverage for when multiple
calls are anticipated,such as during a big storm.She stated that 54%of the salary request is due
to contractual obligations.In response to a question about the towns that provide the most
support when Hopinton needs backup,she referred to the Fire Chief response regarding a fire,
and noted that for medical it is geography based,with the most frequent responses coming from
Milford,Westborough and Ashland.In response to a question about staffing,Ms.DeRaad stated
there are 8 full time dispatchers plus the Director,and a new mid-level management position is
needed due to the administrative workload.She indicated that the Department will grow as the
community grows.Ms.DeRaad stated there are no capital requests for FY24,but there is an
ongoing study funded last year to determine what equipment is needed.She noted there are a few
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locations with poor radio call reception that need to be addressed.
David Daltorio,Town Engineer/Facilities Coordinator,described the duties of the Department,
noting the goal is to provide clean safe spaces for people.He described the FY24 budget request,
where personnel costs that went up in FY23 are being offset by decreases in utilities,streetlights
and other items,for an overall request for an additional 1.65%.He stated it is a level service
budget.He noted that utilities savings are primarily due to cost effective measures and additional
fiscal year data for heating oil,for example,that allows for better estimating.He noted that the
shutdown of Center School has reduced costs,and the Town has achieved some savings from
solar energy facilities.A question was asked about the costs associated with Center School,and
Mr.Daltorio stated he can provide data,noting that costs now are less than when it was used for
a school.Mr.Mannan asked about the net zero goal for the Town and opportunities at town
buildings.Mr.Daltorio stated it will be a challenge to get to net zero,he is working with
consultants on solar canopies at some town buildings,and is looking at effective options for
pumping stations.He stated that the capital request is for drainage at EMC Park,which is related
to the Skate Park.He noted there were cost increases to restore an original detention basin design
and to finish the project that was never completed in the past.
Ms.Kramer stated the Board is contemplating spending beyond the Town’s means,and this is
not sustainable in the future.
MAY 1,2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT:The Board discussed potential
annual town meeting articles not yet submitted into the warrant.Mr.Khumalo recommended
inserting a placeholder for a Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIF)for Altaeros Energies,in
the event that they secure a new location in Hopkinton.MOVED by Ms.Kramer and
SECONDED by Mr.Mannan to submit the following articles into the 2023 Annual Town
Meeting warrant:1)PILOT Agreement for Wilson Street Solar/Grasshopper Energy and 2)TIF
Agreement for Altaeros Energies.Vote to Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
The Board discussed the draft Short Term Rental Bylaw.Ms.LaFreniere stated she is aware that
people have Airbnb's as business ventures,and is disturbed that someone was able to make
changes to a property for this purpose without going to Town boards.She stated it might be time
for the bylaw.Ms.Ritterbusch agreed,noting that the businesses are going to be operated and it
might be beneficial to have some guidelines.Ms.Kramer stated she is concerned that it is a
reaction to a specific problem and the Assistant Building Inspector is not in support,but perhaps
the Town should weigh in.Mr.Mannan stated he wants to protect neighborhoods and it is ok to
put it on a warrant pending more information,and expressed concern with over-regulating.
MOVED by Ms.LaFreniere and SECONDED by Mr.Mannan to submit an article proposing
adoption of a Short Term Rental bylaw on the 2023 Annual Town Meeting warrant.Vote to
Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
The Board asked about citizens petitions submitted into the annual town meeting warrant,and it
was stated that petitions were submitted relative to the Upper Charles Trail and the Upper
Charles Trail Committee,two rezoning requests,a general bylaw amendment to require gun club
shooting to be indoors,and a request concerning a lease of the Town’s 66 Fruit Street property.
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Mr.Mannan asked when the Board will review staff efforts to balance the FY24 budget.Mr.
Khumalo stated efforts to balance the budget are not ongoing,and this discussion is open until
the Board transmits a budget to the Appropriation Committee.He stated it should be a collective
decision with the Board.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT:Mr.Khumalo reported there are no Main Street Corridor
Project developments to report.He stated that the Town recently sent out a new PFAS notice due
to the latest test results.He reported that at the last meeting to discuss the MWRA connection
project in Southborough,there was productive discussion and some understanding of what would
be in an intermunicipal agreement.He stated that Southborough would take the project to their
annual town meeting on March 25.
Ms.LaFreniere stated that Marathon Fund Scholarship applications are available,and any
graduating Hopkinton resident is eligible regardless of what high school they attend.
Mr.Mannan asked about the status of the new municipal parking lot at 25 &35 Main St.Mr.
Khumalo stated the conveyance is being finalized,noting delays were due to the addition of
charging station infrastructure which need to be in easements,and powering up the lights needed
a new Eversource work order.He stated the lot should be conveyed in a matter of weeks.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:No future agenda items were identified.
MOVED by Ms.LaFreniere and SECONDED by Mr.Mannan to adjourn the meeting.Vote to
Approve:Yes-4,No-0.
Adjourned:8:10 PM
Approved:February 14,2023
Documents used at the meeting:
●Beryl Wagner Resume
●Memo dated 1-20-2023 to Select Board from Norman Khumalo re:Fiscal Year (FY)2024
Comprehensive Budget Transmittal
●Presentation slides titled “Police Department Budget Presentation 1/31/2022
●Presentation slides titled “Hopkinton Fire Dept.FY 24 Budget Overview
●Presentation slide titled “Public Safety Communications FY2024 Budget Discussion,Select Board
Meeting,January 31,2023”
●Presentation slides titled “Engineering/Facility Department,FY24 Budget &Capital
Presentation/Discussion,Select Board Meeting -January 31,2023”
●2023 Annual Town Meeting Submitted/Potential/Anticipated Articles
●Draft General Bylaw 10/20/22,Chapter 164,Short Term Rental of Residential Property
●Draft General Bylaw 10-20-22,Chapter 164,Short Term Rental of Residential Property
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●Letter dated Jan.25,2023 to Select Board from Maureen &Dan Bennett,Sarah &Ben Pahanik,Amy
&Greg Comcowich,Kerri &Pete Joy,Laura &Brent McKenzie,Jen &Win Sargent,Roxanne
donahue,Mary Murphy &Brian Herr
●Email dated 1/31/23 to Select Board from Michael Shepard,re:Short Term Rentals
●2023 Annual Town Meeting &FY24 Budget Timeline
●2022-10-28 Hopkinton Select Board Goals FY23
●Memo dated Jan.27,2023 to Select Board from Norman Khumalo,re:Staff Report -Select Board
January 31,2023 Meeting,with attachment
●Script and Motions for Hybrid Meeting,Select Board 1/31/23
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