HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100301 - Select Board - Meeting MinutesBoard of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2010 Page 1
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
March 1, 2010
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, March 1, 2010 at
Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Selectmen present: Brian Herr,
RJ Dourney, Michelle Gates and Todd Cestari. Matthew Zettek was absent.
Administrative Personnel in attendance: Norman Khumalo; Town Manager, Maryrose
DeGroot; Human Resources Director, and Geri Holland; Assistant to the Town Manager.
Other officials present: Appropriations Committee members Ron Eldridge, Stuart
Cowart, Mary Lou Haroian, and Joseph Karner; School Committee members Nancy
Burdick, Troy Mick and Jean Bertschmann; and School Superintendent John Phelan.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Herr called the meeting to order at 6:30PM in Room 215
with the Pledge of Allegiance.
FY2011 BUDGET DISCUSSION CONTINUED: Mr. Khumalo said that, even though
fixed costs raised the line item for General Government, this account is level funded in
terms of service provision. The Human Resources Department line item increased by
$110,000.00 to fund salaries for the HR Director and Benefits Coordinator. This expense
had been recorded in the Town Manager’s Office account in FY2010. The proposed
Facilities budget increases by $65,000.00 because it was under funded last year. Mr.
Khumalo clarified the difference between recycling collection and disposal and recycling
expenses. The former applies to the cost of curbside pick-up and disposal. The latter
covers operations of the recycling center (toilet rental, recycling bins, stickers, etc.).
Waste disposal, which had been previously addressed through the DPW account, is
handled through a 53 ½ account. Mr. Khumalo’s proposal of $232,000.00 for Fire
Department overtime is based on an average of past budgets. The Fire Chief is working
to establish a long-term strategy for managing overtime. Mr. Khumalo recommends
$105,000.00 for IT upgrades in order to improve efficiency and customer service. A
part-time position at $26,000.00 per year is recommended for the Youth Commission.
The DPW will continue to maintain properties managed by Parks and Recreation and bill
P&R on a monthly basis. The rate for health insurance has increased from 8.4% to 11%
but overall costs are lower in FY2011 because there are fewer employees.
Mrs. Gates suggested that the Youth Commission establish a fee-based structure similar
to the one used by P&R. Ms. Haroian suggested that the School Department refrain from
budgeting for salary increases until collective bargaining negotiations are complete. Dr.
Phelan said such an approach could result in layoffs if pending contracts call for increases
and they are not approved at Town Meeting. He said the $550,000.00 proposed for step
increases is based on a 0% increase in base salaries. Ms. Haroian maintained that salary
increases need to be reexamined given the current economic climate. Mr. Dourney
concurred.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2010 Page 2
Mr. Eldridge asked why only $200,000.00 had been budgeted for snow and ice removal
next year, noting that the Town has already spent $550,000.00 this winter. Mr. Khumalo
responded that under state law, a town can deficit spend on this account. He added that
he wanted to minimize the tax impact for FY2011 and move forward on cost savings
initiatives in this budget proposal. Mr. Eldridge said a letter to taxpayers justifying the
average $179.00 increase in property taxes should be included with the budget. He
proposed lowering the 2% CPA surcharge so that it covers debt for existing projects. The
remainder could offset some of the property tax increase.
The School Committee requested a 0.5% increase ($170,000.00) to maintain class sizes
and programs. Dr. Phelan called the school budget maintenance of effort. In addition to
the loss of 34.7 positions, some language, music, professional development and tutoring
programs have been cut over the last three years and the school infrastructure is in need
of attention. In response to Mrs. Gates, Mrs. Bertschmann said funds raised by the
HPTA are used to fund professional development, student enrichment programs and
materials. Dr. Phelan added that it also provides seed money for school initiatives when
possible. In response to Mrs. Bertschmann, Mrs. Gates said that state regulations prohibit
transportation fees at regional schools like Keefe Tech. She said it is also difficult to
compare athletic fees between Hopkinton schools and Keefe Tech because enrollment in
sports at Keefe is low due to income restraints among students. Mrs. Gates is trying to
find other areas at Keefe Tech where savings can be achieved. Mr. Khumalo noted that
Keefe’s summer camp programs may provide credits for Hopkinton.
Mrs. Gates said new initiatives and programs are not appropriate this year and suggested
that more cuts can be made without impacting essential services. She said expenses for
IT and the Youth Commission should be deferred until the economy improves. Mr.
Cestari said the Youth Commission proposal is not unreasonable if it helps keep youth
positively engaged. Mr. Dourney said he may support the Youth Commission proposal if
the other needs are addressed. Dr. Phelan advised that the Town not put off
improvements to IT, noting the savings and efficiencies such upgrades have made in the
schools. Chairman Herr requested that Mr. Khumalo prepare responses to questions
regarding the stabilization fund, CPA, capital projects, impact on the schools, contract
negations, IT upgrades and the Youth Commission for the March 9, 2010 meeting. The
Board of Selectmen will vote at that meeting to send the proposed FY2011 budget to the
Appropriations Committee for review. Mr. Eldridge commended Mr. Khumalo and
Finance Director Heidi Kriger for the flow of communication during this process.
OTHER BUSINESS: Boston Marathon – MOTION by Mr. Dourney that a letter be
drafted from the Board of Selectmen to the Chinese delegation to the Boston Marathon
SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
ADJOURN: MOTION by Mr. Dourney to adjourn SECONDED by Mr. Cestari.
VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Meeting adjourned at 8:15PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Aghababian, Recording Secretary Accepted: 3/23/10