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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 10, 2012
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
April 10, 2012
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Town
Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Selectmen present: Todd Cestari, Ben Palleiko,
Michelle Gates, Brian Herr, John Mosher. Officials present: Town Manager Norman Khumalo.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cestari called the meeting to order in Room 215 with the
Pledge of Allegiance. He stated Mr. Palleiko and Mr. Herr will be arriving late, however, the
remainder of the Board will proceed.
SEWER ABATEMENT REQUESTS:
Andrew Chung, 0 South Street (R33-41A) – Andrew Chung addressed the Board. He stated he
lives in Milford, and a small portion of his property is in Hopkinton, which is why he is
requesting the abatement. Mr. Khumalo stated town staff and Town Counsel have reviewed this
request and are jointly recommending the Board grant this abatement. MOTION by Mrs. Gates
to grant an abatement of the final sewer betterment assessed to Andrew Chung for his parcel at
0 South Street, for the full assessed amount of $2,856.80, and instruct the Town Manager’s
office to give written notice of the Board’s decision within 10 days, SECONDED by
Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-0.
Valpey Fisher, 75 South Street (R29-7-0), 0 South Street (R29-7-B) – Bill Welch, representing
Valpey Fisher, addressed the Board. He stated for 75 South Street the company has been
assessed $136,927, and for 0 South Street the assessment is $159,351. The applicant stated the
0 South Street parcel is a swamp and does not feel a betterment should be assessed for that
parcel. Town Counsel advised that an abatement of 25% of the betterment be granted to reflect
the fact that the parcel is wet, but a portion is buildable. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to grant in
part application for abatement of the final sewer betterment to Valpey Fisher Corporation for its
parcel on 0 South Street known as R29-7-B in the amount of 25% of the assessed amount, or
$73,315.80 and instruct the Town Manager’s office to give written notice of the Board’s decision
within 10 days, MOTION by Mr. Herr to amend the motion to reflect an abatement of 50%,
with the corresponding dollar amount, SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5,
No-0, Abstained-0. ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION by Mr. Palleiko, as amended,
SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
The applicant, Valpey Fisher Corporation, withdrew its application for abatement for 75 South
Street (R29-7-0).
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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 10, 2012
90 Elm Street LLC, 86,88A, 88B, 88C and 90 Elm Street (R23-10) – Mr. Khumalo stated the
applicant has requested a continuation of this discussion to the Board’s next meeting.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT AND BALLOT QUESTIONS: The Board
continued its discussion of approving questions to be placed on the ballot for the Annual Town
Election to be held on May 21, 2012, and its review of the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Mr. Khumalo stated he would like the Board to consider a new ballot questions relative to the
underground services for downtown, per the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee.
MOTION by Mr. Herr to move Question 10 as written in the draft Annual Town Meeting
Warrant, page two, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-3, No-2,
Abstained-0.
The Board reviewed the Town Meeting Warrant articles that were recommended by the Town
Manager or fall under the statutory authority of the Board.
MOTION by Mr. Herr to transfer $17,000 from the Stormwater System Improvements to 107
Highway Expenses, and $36,000 from 457 Recycling, Collection & Disposal to Highway
Expenses, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support Article 2, SECONDED by Mr. Herr. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mrs. Gates to approve Article 5, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
Susan Marchand reviewed the changes which have been made to the town side operational
budget since the last budget discussion. She stated the total Town Manager recommended
budget is $64,444,539.
MOTION by Mrs. Gates to accept the budget changes as presented this evening, and
recommended by the Appropriations Committee and support Article 7, SECONDED by Mr.
Herr. VOTE to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0. MOTION by Mrs. Gates to amend the
previous motion and approve Articles 7 and 8 combined, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE
to Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support Article 28, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Mosher to support Article 29, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Mosher to support Article 30, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-5, No-0, Abstained-0.
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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 10, 2012
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support Article 31, SECONDED by Mr. Herr. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support Article 32, SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0.
MOTION by Mr. Herr to support Article 39, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding Article 57, which would allow for the purchase of the
property at 2 West Main Street by the Town. The Downtown Initiative Steering Committee
supports this purchase to alleviate traffic impacts at the intersection.
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to support Article 57, SECONDED by Mr. Herr. VOTE to
Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0.
Mr. Khumalo requested that the Board vote to authorize the Town Manager and Town Counsel
to enter into negotiations relative to Article 57, which would allow the possibility of having a
number prior to Town Meeting. MOTION by Mr. Herr that the Board of Selectmen enter into
negotiations with the property owner at 2 West Main Street in anticipation of Article 57 being
presented at Annual Town Meeting, with the expectation they would reach a tentative agreement
that could possibly be presented as part of the article discussion, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko.
VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-1, Abstained-0.
ADJOURN: MOTION by Mr. Herr to adjourn, SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to
Approve: Unanimous. Meeting adjourned.
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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 10, 2012
Summarized Transcription by
//Patricia McDonnell// Date: June 26, 2012
Patricia McDonnell
Certified Transcriber, OfficeSolutionsPlusLLC.com
//Elizabeth Tice// Date: June 26, 2012
Elizabeth Tice, President
Office.Solutions.PlusLLC.com
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