HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100427 - Select Board - Meeting MinutesBoard of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2010 Page 1
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
April 27, 2010
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at
Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Selectmen present: Brian Herr,
Matthew Zettek, Michelle Gates and Todd Cestari. RJ Dourney was absent.
Administrative Personnel in attendance: Town Manager Norman Khumalo; Assistant to
the Town Manager Geri Holland, and Human Resources Director Maryrose DeGroot.
Other officials present: Police Chief Rick Flannery, School Committee Chair Nancy
Burdick and Parks & Recreation Commission Chair Ken Driscoll.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Herr called the public meeting to order at 6:30PM in
Room 215 with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC FORUM: ►Amy Ritterbusch of Grove Street requested that the Town
reconsider cuts proposed for the schools. Chairman Herr said the issue may be revisited
on April 29, as more input from the School Committee will be available then. ►Susie
Johnson of Spring Street and representing the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library
said her organization supports the Town’s acquisition of the Library from the Board of
Trustees. ►Maureen Belger of Colella Farm Road suggested that $106,000.00 in federal
stimulus funds should be applied to the schools. She also expressed support for
maintaining the existing CPA surcharge. ►Mary Pratt concurred with regard to the
stimulus money, noting the increase of students enrolled who have special needs.
CONSENT AGENDA: Items contained in the Consent Agenda include: a) approval of
4/13/10 Public Session minutes, b) approval of a one-day wine and malt license for
Stephanie G. Jewelers for a wine and cheese reception on April 30, 2010, and
c) acceptance of Ambulance Gifts as follows: William and Kara Dion ($75.00) in honor
of the Hopkinton Police Department; Paul Phipps Insurance ($50.00) in memory of
Evelyn Swener; Mary Pratt ($25.00) in memory of Thomas Weaver; Andrew & Ruth
Maffei ($100.00), Thomas & Elaine Terry ($50.00) and the Wilmington, VA Firefighters
Association ($50.00) in memory of Catherine Bartlett. MOTION by Mr. Cestari to
approve the Consent Agenda SECONDED by Mr. Zettek. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4,
No-0, Absent-1.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: NONE
LIAISON REPORTS: ►Mr. Cestari said the Youth Commission seeks volunteers to
help with after school activities at the FCCH on May 5 (early release day). Interested
parties should contact NancyLaGasse@verizon.net. ►Mr. Zettek announced that the 2nd
Annual Green Up Day will take place from 8:30AM to 12:00PM on May 1. Volunteers
will meet at the Town Common. He also reported that the Council on Aging will conduct
a rummage sale at the Senior Center on May 13, 14 and 15. Mr. Zettek invited citizens to
participate in the Taps Vigil on May 2 at 7:00PM at the Town Common Gazebo
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2010 Page 2
sponsored by the Veterans Celebration Committee. ►Chairman Herr announced that the
HopSwap to benefit the schools will take place on May 1 at the High School from
10:00AM to 1:00PM. He also reported that the HPTA will hold a carnival at the Town
Common on May 8.
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS: Consolidation of 1st Floor Department
Mr. Khumalo and Mrs. DeGroot announced that no changes will take place in the
Accounting Department, that the Deputy Assessor’s hours will be reduced to 37.5 per
week. The administrative assistant in the Assessor’s Office will stay at 40 hours per
week, but will be trained to help in the Treasurer/Collector’s and Town Clerk’s offices.
A 19-hour per week administrative assistant position will be eliminated from the Town
Clerk’s Office and two administrative assistant positions, one at 40 hours per week and
one at 25 hours per week, will be eliminated from the Treasurer/Collector’s Office and
replaced with at 32-hour per week Assistant Treasurer. In the Town Manager’s Office,
an administrative assistant position will have hours reduced from 40 to 37.5 per week.
Overall, FTE’s have been reduced by 1.75. Mrs. DeGroot said two layoffs are planned,
but Mr. Khumalo said one of the positions may be absorbed at Town Hall. Mr. Zettek
expressed appreciation to the municipal staff for working so efficiently despite a
significant reduction in manpower. Mrs. Gates noted that the first floor at Town Hall will
basically remain in tact, providing continuity for residents. MOTION by Mr. Zettek that
the Board of Selectmen support the Town Manager’s reorganization of the Offices of the
Town Clerk, Treasurer/Collector, Accounting, Assessing, and Human Resources
Departments, as well as the Town Manager’s Office SECONDED by Mr. Cestari.
VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
Eagle Scout Presentation – Troop 1 Scoutmaster Phil Bartlett said Scout Mark James
Garner could not make the meeting and requested that the presentation be rescheduled.
CPC Surcharge – CPC Chairman John Coolidge reported that his board voted
unanimously not to reduce the CPA surcharge from 2% to 1.1% as requested in Article 52
sponsored by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Clerk agreed to provide copies of the
CPA provisions at Town Meeting, per request by Mrs. Belger. MOTION by Mr. Cestari
that the Board of Selectmen take no action on Article 52 SECONDED by Mr. Zettek.
VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Colella’s Supermarket: All Alcohol Beverage License: Alter of
Premises – Chairman Herr read the public notice. MOTION by Mr. Zettek to open the
public hearing SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-
1. Mr. Adam West, whose property abuts Colella’s, said he was present to stay informed
and voiced no objection to the request. Likewise, Police Chief Flannery said the
relocation of the liquor department within the store provided for better oversight and
security. Store owner Dale Danahy said the footprint of the building will remain the
same. The main entrance will be relocated and handicap parking spaces will be moved
accordingly. Mrs. Gates asked why there was no comment from the Director of Land
Use and Permitting. Mr. Khumalo said the Director has indicated that she has no
objection. Chairman Herr suggested that some comment from that office be received in
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2010 Page 3
writing for such applications in the future. MOTION by Mr. Zettek to close the public
hearing SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of Selectmen approve the alcoholic beverage
application under MGL Chapter 138, Section 41 from Colella’s Super Market located at
61 Main Street in Hopkinton, MA to alter its premises SECONDED by Cestari.
VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
Administrative Order to Establish a Permanent Building Committee – Chairman Herr
read the public notice. MOTION by Mr. Zettek to open the public hearing SECONDED
by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Mr. Khumalo proposes the
establishment of a volunteer-based Permanent Building Committee to provide a
mechanism for overseeing the design, construction, reconstruction, alteration or
enlargement of buildings or other facilities owned by the Town or undertaken on land
owned, leased or operated by the Town. Projects under the purview of the School
Department would not be overseen by the PBC. He cited the development of Fruit Street,
the Senior Center parking lot expansion, Town Hall renovations, the Library, ADA
projects and the intermunicipal project with Milford as being projects which could benefit
from the creation of a professional team to oversee them. Mr. Khumalo said record
keeping could be improved and said individuals with conflicts of interest could not
participate in the planning phase of any project. Mr. Cestari suggested that the proposal
be considered by the incoming Board of Selectmen and Planning Board following the
May election. School Committee member Ms. Rebecca Robak said the SCOM would
support the proposal as currently written. Mr. Ken Weismantle said the Planning Board
has not reviewed the current draft of the proposal and that he was speaking as a citizen.
He suggested that a paid staff person may be necessary to coordinate and oversee the
projects and that volunteers with specific expertise related to the individual projects
should be included (i.e., engineers familiar with the sewer project, those involved with
Library operations, etc.). Mr. Bruce Karlin commended Mr. Khumalo for encouraging
broad participation in all proposed initiatives. Mr. Ken Driscoll of Parks & Recreation
spoke in support of the proposal. MOTION by Mr. Cestari to continue the discussion on
May 25 SECONDED by Mr. Zettek. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
Administrative Order: Hopkinton Public Library – Chairman Herr read the public
notice. MOTION by Mr. Zettek to open the public hearing SECONDED by Mr.
Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. The Administrative Order will
establish and organize the Hopkinton Public Library as a municipal agency that will
assume care and custody of the Library, its appurtenances, and all property that is or will
become owned by the Town with respect thereto, and provide for the professional and
orderly administration and management of the Library in the future. The draft order calls
for three elected trustees, but the current Board suggests more (the number of trustees
must be divisible by 3). Legal counsel for the Town and the Library will work on the
language to make it more specific. MOTION by Mr. Zettek to continue the public
hearing on April 29 at 6:30PM SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4,
No-0, Absent-1.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2010 Page 4
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT: ATM Articles Review – Discussion of Article 50
regarding the transfer of the Library was tabled until April 29. With regard to Article 5 to
amend the salary of the Town Clerk, Mrs. DeGroot said the proposed figure had been
reduced to $62,468.16, which is slightly below the market average. Per request by Mrs.
Gates, Mrs. DeGroot agreed to do a market comparison including the Town Clerk with
surveys for Treasurer/Collector, Assessors, etc. Mrs. Gates said she is concerned about
morale, fairness and the Town’s ability to attract good applicants in the future.
MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of Selectmen support Article 5 SECONDED by
Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-3, No-1 (Mrs. Gates), Absent-1. Regarding
Article 30 to extend the vote on the Fruit Street Fields Project, Mr. Driscoll reported that
Hopkinton Youth Soccer is expected to submit a letter of commitment on April 28 and
that it had received a commitment from the Middlesex Bank. He suggested that the
article be pulled from the Warrant. Chairman Herr said there would be no added risk in
extending the vote for one more year. MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of
Selectmen support Article 30 SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4,
No-0, Absent-1. Article 48 provides for the transfer, sale or disposal of real property
located at 84 West Main Street. The Board of Public Works unanimously voted to
support the article. MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of Selectmen support Article
48 SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of Selectmen declare 84 West Main Street as no
longer needed for highway purposes SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve:
Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Article 53 to amend the Town Charter was tabled until the
hearing on April 29.
Article 45 - Mr. Cestari requested that the Board of Selectmen vote again on Article 45,
which would change the zoning for several parcels on West Main Street from residential
to business, as he wishes to change his vote from no to yes. MOTION by Mrs. Gates
that the Board of Selectmen support Article 45 SECONDED by Mr. Cestari.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Zettek said he voted against the article based on the position of the
Planning Board. A recent vote of the Planning Board rejected the article 4 to 3. VOTE
to Approve: Yes-3, No-1 (Mr. Zettek), Absent-1.
Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy – Mr. Khumalo requested that the Board adopt a town-
wide Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy prior to May 14. The policy is one of the five
criteria the Town needs to meet to be certified as a green community and will apply to
vehicles used by administrative staff, not those related to public safety or maintenance.
The policy will not apply to school busses. The draft proposal has been circulated to the
Police and Fire Departments, the DPW, the School Committee and School
Superintendent. Mr. Khumalo reported that he has received feedback in support of the
measure. When asked by the Board if the School Committee supports the Fuel
Efficiency Vehicle Policy, SCOM Chair Mrs. Burdick answered in the affirmative.
MOTION by Mr. Zettek that the Board of Selectmen approve the adoption of a town-
wide Fuel Efficiency Policy SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4,
No-0, Absent-1.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2010 Page 5
Sealer & Weights Fees – Mr. Louis Sakin, Inspector/Sealer of Weights and Measures,
proposed that the fee schedule be adjusted to reflect those of other towns. Revenues from
this source, which are deposited into the General Fund, would increase from $8,965.00 to
$11,896.00. Mr. Sakin said such inspections save money for merchants and consumers
by ensuring that devices are operating correctly. Chairman Herr said a vote on such an
increase should take place after local businesses have been informed of the proposal.
ADOURN: MOTION by Mr. Zettek to adjourn SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE
to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1. Meeting adjourned at 9:55PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Aghababian, Recording Secretary
Approved: May 25, 2010