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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes February 15, 2011
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
Board of Selectmen
MINUTES OF MEETING
February 15, 2011
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Town Hall,
18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Selectmen present: RJ Dourney, Todd Cestari, Ben Palleiko
and John Mosher. Michelle Gates was absent. Officials present; Town Manager Norman Khumalo,
Operations Assistant Geri Holland, Town Clerk Ann Click, School Superintendent John Phelan, Town
Accountant Heidi Kriger, Capital Improvements Committee Chair Mike Duffy, Town Engineer and
Facilities Coordinator Dave Daltorio and School Committee Chair Rebecca Robak.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM in Room 211. There was no Executive
Session.
PUBLIC SESSION REOPENED: Chairman Dourney reopened the public meeting at 6:30PM in Room
215 with the Pledge of Allegiance. .
PUBLIC FORUM: ►Mr. Glen Layton of 22 Duffield Road read a prepared statement expressing
concern that residents will not support the construction of an elementary school at Fruit Street as the plan
is currently proposed and suggested a fallback plan be in place in order to save the MSBA funding. He
also suggested that additional funds be sought to revise the study so the Town is prepared to respond to
the MSBA within ten days of the Special Town Election if voters reject the plan. Mr. Layton observed
that Hopkinton parks its school busses in Ashland at an annual cost of $60,000.00. Mr. Palleiko noted
that it will cost $3 Million to $12 Million for repair and maintenance of the Elmwood School. He said
capital investment in exact parity between Elmwood, Hopkins and a new school is not necessary for the
former two to adequately accommodate students in a districted scenario. ► Mrs. Mary Pratt reported that
Governor Patrick plans to end tax exemptions for telecommunication companies and proposes a
requirement that all public employees and retirees enroll in Medicare. She will provide copies of the
Suburban Coalition Report to the Board. In reference to Mr. Layton’s comment about the busses, she
said the matter has been considered before. Chairman Dourney agreed to follow up on the bus issue.
Mrs. Pratt encouraged residents to visit the Transportation Building in Boston to view artwork submitted
for the Globe Art Awards. Superintendent Phelan had submitted names of Hopkinton recipients for
publication in the Hopkinton Independent.
CONSENT AGENDA: Items contained within the Consent Agenda included:
a) Approval of Public Session Minutes from January 25 and February 1, 2011; b) Approval of a parade
permit for the 5th Annual Hopkinton Triathlon Series at Hopkinton State Park on May 8, 2011 and
September 11, 2011; c) Acceptance of a $25.00 gift for the Ambulance Gift Account from Dennis and
Denise Sweeney in memory of Eugene Zawatski; and d) Acceptance of the resignation of John Coolidge
from the Planning Board, effective May 9, 2011 and agreement to notify the Town Clerk’s Office of the
vacancy of an unexpired term to 2013 so it can be placed on the May 16, 2011 Annual Town Election
ballot. Items b) and d) were pulled out for discussion at the request of Mr. Cestari. MOTION by Mr.
Mosher to approve Consent Agenda items a) and c) SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. DISCUSSION: Mr. Tim Richmond from Max Performance said the triathlon
will attract some 600 participants and take place on the dates noted above. He thanked the Runners’ Club
and the HAA for their support. MOTION by Mr. Mosher to approve item b) of the Consent Agenda
SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. DISCUSSION: Mr. Cestari
confirmed with Mrs. Holland that the process for filling the Planning Board vacancy had been clarified by
the Town Clerk. Chairman Dourney asked that a letter be drafted from the Board in recognition of Mr.
Coolidge’s 25 years of service on the Planning Board. MOTION by Mr. Cestari to approve item d) of
the Consent Agenda SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
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Hopkinton Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes February 15, 2011
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: ► Chairman Dourney requested that an update on the elementary school
building initiative be a standing agenda item and that the School Committee be represented.
LIAISON REPORTS: ►Mr. Palleiko reported that the Open Space and Preservation Committee is
getting closer to an agreement on acquiring a targeted parcel of land using CPA funding. He encouraged
residents to attend a forum on the proposed elementary school and commended the Elementary School
Building Committee and the School Committee for effectively communicating so much information to
residents. ►Mr. Cestari announced that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) approved
the school project on February 9. The Town may receive a 44.7% reimbursement if it adopts the CM at
Risk methodology (a 43.7%. reimbursement otherwise). If the proposal fails at the Special Town
Election, a letter explaining why must be submitted to the MSBA.
EAGLE SCOUT PRESENTATION: Tabled.
PUBLIC HEARING/SEWER BETTERMENT ABATEMENT: 7:00 PM
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to open the public hearing SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Mr. Andrew Chung of 326 Purchase Street in Milford explained that a very
small portion of his lot is in Hopkinton (he pays Hopkinton $14.00 in property taxes per year). Mr.
Chung said the lines are in place for him to connect his home to the Milford sewer system. Mr. Daltorio
said the betterment laws passed for the Phase VI project established a frontage and area calculation
through which the betterment assessment was determined. Mr. Palleiko confirmed with Attorney
Raymond Miyares that, based on Hopkinton’s zoning laws, the portion of Mr. Chung’s property in Town
is undevelopable. Attorney Brian Falk recommended that the Board grant the abatement, as the property
received no benefit from the Hopkinton connection. MOTION by Mr. Cestari to close the public hearing
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. MOTION by Mr. Cestari
that the Board of Selectmen grant an abatement in the final sewer betterment assessed to Andrew Chung
of 0 South Street in the full amount assessed as $1,333.33, and instruct the Town Manager’s Office to
give written notice to Mr. Chung within ten days SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
LIAISON REPORTS continued: ►Mr. Mosher said the Municipal Advocate named Somerville as the
healthiest city in Massachusetts. Initiatives contributing to this designation include widening walkways
and bike paths, upgrades to parks, municipal gardens, healthier school meals, etc. He suggested that
Hopkinton has implemented many similar initiatives. ►Chairman Dourney said the Budget Advisory
Team will meet on February 16. He announced that the Historic Society will dedicate its new building on
February 27 with an open house from 2:00 to 4:00PM and invited citizens to visit.
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION CANDIDATE PROCESS: Town Clerk Ann Click said the list of
vacancies is on the Town web page and will be updated to reflect the Board’s vote regarding the
unexpired term on the Planning Board. Interested parties may obtain nomination papers from the Town
Clerk’s Office, get at least 50 signatures and return the papers for certification. They may also run in
either the Democrat or Republican Caucus held on April 8. Candidates can also conduct write-in
campaigns.
300th ANNIVERSAY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE UPDATE: Mrs. Click reported that the
Committee has met four times and has developed a strategic plan to move forward. The Committee is not
ready to disclose its mission statement yet and expects to name a chair within three months. There are 15
people on the Committee. Mrs. Click thanked Chuck Joseph for presenting his film on Hopkinton’s
history to the Committee. The meetings are public and posted on the Town website.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT SCOPE BUDGET AGREEMENT:
Mr. Miyares explained that this is the second of three agreements related to the Fruit Street school project,
the first being the feasibility study agreement and the last to be the grant agreement. It doesn’t authorize
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the Town to spend money, but locks everything into place. Mr. Tom Drechsler of 22 Holt Street
requested that information related to the cost obligation to the Town and contribution by the state be made
available. Superintendent Phelan agreed to post a cost summary on the School website. School
Committee Chair Rebecca Robak said the Town is expected to pay $23,154,225.00 (using a debt
exclusion) with a state contribution of $14,883,693.00. She confirmed that the School Committee voted
unanimously in favor of this motion. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko that the Board of Selectmen authorize
the Chairman to execute a project scope budget agreement with the Massachusetts School Building
Authority setting forth the scope, budget, schedule and potential participation of the MSBA in the
construction of a new elementary school on Town owned property located at 50 Fruit Street in Hopkinton
to replace the existing Center Elementary School SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
STM BALLOT QUESTION: Mr. Miyares presented the Special Town Meeting Warrant question for
the Special Election on March 28. Mr. Palleiko clarified that the motions made by the Board were
procedural necessities to set the administrative groundwork for the STM and Election. MOTION by Mr.
Cestari that the Board of Selectmen place the following question on the ballot for the Special Town
Election to be held on March 28, 2011, “Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the
provisions of Proposition 2 ½, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to
construct a new elementary school on Town-owned property located at 50 Fruit Street in Hopkinton to
replace the existing Center Elementary School?” SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. DISCUSSION: Mr.
Layton suggested amending the question to clarify that a new school would not be a replacement, as it
would accommodate grades Pre-K through 5, not Kindergarten and First Grade like the Center School.
Chairman Dourney allowed that, as the language was recommended by Town Counsel and intertwined
with the MSBA grant, he was not inclined to change the motion. He did say that Mr. Layton’s point
should be well communicated to voters. Mr. Khumalo reminded the Board that the language has to be
ready by February 18. Mr. Miyares said changing the language would be difficult and suggested the
Town redouble its effort to communicate with the voters. Mr. Palleiko said he is comfortable with the
language. Mr. Cestari suggested that a language change might be a limiting factor for the new building’s
use in the future. Mr. Mosher thanked Mr. Layton for his input. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0,
Absent-1.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT: Capital Improvement Committee’s Ten Year Plan:
Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) Chair Mike Duffy presented a ten-year spending projection using
a scenario in which all departmental requests are granted. These projects, including a satellite fire station
in East Hopkinton, a recreation center at Legacy Farms and additional recreation facilities at Fruit Street,
have not been approved by voters and are not incorporated into current spending plans, as noted by Mr.
Palleiko. Under this scenario, the Town would need to raise $1 Million more in revenue in FY2012 and
require $530,000.00 in debt exclusions. Mr. Duffy said that every $1 Million spent has a $0.30 impact on
the tax rate. The taxes on a single-family home valued at $485,000.00 would increase from $60.00 in
FY2012 to $943.00 in FY2016 based on capital expenses. In response to Mr. Mosher, Mr. Duffy said
preparing the Hopkins and Elmwood Schools for younger children, including repairs to Elmwood, would
cost $12 Million. Mr. Cestari observed that the CIC numbers are rough and said the ESBC is shopping
banks to obtain more accurate estimates. The plan assumes a $10 Million borrowing for the Library, with
private donations lowering the figure to $6 Million. All borrowings would be over twenty years.
FY2012 Budget Update: Town Accountant Heidi Kriger provided an overview of revenues and expenses
for FY2011 and said they were on track. Current estimates project an increase for FY2012 over FY2011
at about $2.3 Million, or a FY2012 budget of $59,527,000.00. This takes into account $240,000.00 in
debt that will be retired. Mr. Khumalo said budgets for many departments will be level funded. A
$5,000.00 increase for the Accounting Department budget is due to a mandated GASB 45 evaluation and
the MIS/IT Department’s budget increase of $71,000.00 will cover an improved telephone system,
improved data communication, scanning software and upgrades to the firewall and networking activities.
A $156,000.00 increase for the Police Department will cover the filling of a vacancy, two new cruisers
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and contractual increases. Contract increases in the Fire Department will cost $25,000.00. The
$894,000.00 requested by the School Committee includes a $54,000.00 assessment from Keefe Tech.
The Public Service budget is up $50,000.00 and Human Services is level funded. The Parks and
Recreation Department has requested $79,000.00 to address maintenance needs of the Fruit Street
complex and the Town Common. Health insurance, retirement and unemployment benefits are up $1.1
Million. In response to Chairman Dourney, Mr. Khumalo said the Town may not save significantly if it
adopts the state group insurance plan, as its demographic is different than other towns that subscribe. Ms.
Kriger presented four scenarios with regard to taxes for FY2012. The first would raise taxes by the 2.5%
allowed by law and use the full $900,000.00 of excess levy capacity, which would result in a $560,000.00
surplus. The second would increase taxes by 2.5% and use half the excess levy capacity, resulting in a
$109,000.00 surplus. The third scenario uses none of the excess levy capacity while raising taxes by
2.5%, which will leave a $341,000.00 deficit. If no tax increase is implemented and no excess capacity is
used, a $1.4 Million deficit will result.
Chairman Dourney said the voters who approved the Fruit Street athletic complex expected savings, not
additional maintenance expenses. Mr. Khumalo responded that, over time, fees will cover maintenance.
He said he has several options to present to Parks & Recreation to lower costs. Mr. Mosher suggested
coordinating grounds maintenance between the Town and the schools. It was agreed that insurance costs
have to be brought under control.
Town Facilities Management Update: Mr. Khumalo reviewed that the Board had authorized the Town
Manager to put a Town Facilities Study Group in place to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Town
owned buildings in the Downtown area, including Town Hall, the Library, and the Center School. The
Capital Improvement Planning Committee will develop a comprehensive plan for the use of these
facilities. The Elementary School Building Committee and Permanent Building Committee will provide
construction management frameworks on all projects approved at Annual Town Meeting. The Town has
invested in a Town Engineer/Facilities Coordinator to see to the day-to-day support of facilities
management. Mr. Mosher requested a plan for future use of the Center School in six months. Mr.
Khumalo responded that Land Use, Planning and Permitting Director Elaine Lazarus is compiling cost
information in preparation for Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Khumalo also said an update on the new DPW
facility will be ready in four weeks.
Hopkinton Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board: Mr. Khumalo said that, pursuant to Article 7 of the
May 2009 Annual Town Meeting and Article 33 of the May 3, 2010 Annual Town Meeting and Article 7
of the Town Bylaws, he requests that the Board of Selectmen authorize Town staff to advertise for
members of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board. MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to authorize the Town
Manager or his designee to advertise for members of the Hopkinton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Board SECONDED by Mr. Mosher. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
OLD BUSINESS: ►Chairman Dourney said that Mrs. Gates wishes to discuss the sidewalk from the
MBTA station to the Hopkinton State Park. Mr. Khumalo said he has requested a presentation at the next
meeting. ► Chairman Dourney suggested scheduling the next Board meeting in two weeks rather than
three. Mrs. Holland advised him that the next meeting is Wednesday, March 2, 2011 so the Board can
sign the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Chairman Dourney said he’d like an update on the
elementary school issue at that meeting.
ADJOURN: Chairman Dourney entertained a motion to adjourn. So MOVED by Mr. Cestari and
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Meeting adjourned at 9:22
PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Aghababian
Recording Secretary
Date accepted: 3/8/11