HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100713 - Select Board - Meeting MinutesBoard of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010 Page 1
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
July 13, 2010
A meeting of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at
Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton Massachusetts. Selectmen present: RJ Dourney,
Todd Cestari (arrived at 5:50PM), Michelle Gates, John Mosher and Benjamin Palleiko.
Administrative Personnel in attendance; Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Operations
Assistant Geri Holland, Human Resources Director Maryrose DeGroot, and
Treasurer/Collector Maureen Dwinnell. Other officials present; Police Chief Richard
Flannery.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:30PM in Room 211.
Chairman Dourney entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss contract
negotiations and allow the participation of Police Chief Richard Flannery, Mrs. DeGroot,
Mr. Khumalo and Mrs. Holland. So MOVED by Mrs. Gates and SECONDED by Mr.
Palleiko. The ROLL CALL vote follows: Mr. Dourney-Yes; Mrs. Gates-Yes; Mr.
Mosher-Yes; Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Absent-1.
CONTINUE PUBLIC MEETING: Chairman Dourney re-opened the public meeting in
Room 215 with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:30PM. He announced that the Police
Department labor contract had been ratified.
PUBLIC FORUM: ►Mrs. Mary Pratt inquired about the open position within the
Police Department and suggested that the Town make adjustments to compensate for cuts
made to Quinn Bill funding. She also reported that several residents who are not
connected to Town sewer object to the DPW using General Fund money for sewer related
purposes rather than raising sewer rates. Mrs. Pratt said she has the list of legislators
working on the casino Conference Committee and suggested that the Board/Town
Manager send a letter to members requesting local input and mitigation if the bill passes.
She also advised that a list of events for which additional insurance is necessary
(Horribles Parade, Marathon, Tercentennial) be compiled.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Items contained within the Consent Agenda
include: a) a Marathon Fund request for $1,000.00 from the Council on Aging for
exercise classes; b) approval of a one-day wine and malt license for the Southborough
Rod & Gun Club for its annual barbecue on 9/19/10; c) Public Session minutes from
6/29/10; and d) approval of a Municipal Purpose Bond for $3,278,703.00 at an interest
rate of 2.4%. MOTION by Mr. Cestari to approve Consent Agenda items a, b and c
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Unanimous. Mr. Cestari noted that
he was recorded in the 6/29/10 minutes as having been present for a vote when he was
not. MOTION by Mrs. Gates to accept the 6/29/10 Public Session minutes as amended
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Unanimous.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010 Page 2
Municipal Purpose Bond: Mr. Khumalo reported that Hopkinton’s bond rating had been
upgraded from AA to AA+ by Standard & Poor. He acknowledged the efforts of Mrs.
Dwinnell and the finance team, as well as the importance of an informed citizenry. Mr.
Khumalo said several factors were cited by Standard & Poor for the upgrade, including
access to economic opportunities in the greater Boston area, a stable residential tax base
with a growing commercial/industrial presence, comparably strong household income
levels and low unemployment, strong and consistent property tax collection, and a rapid
debt amortization schedule. The Town can improve its rating further by increasing
reserves. Mrs. Dwinnell said eight bids had been received for the bond. She provided
the Board with an overview of the municipal purposes to be funded by the bond. Each
purpose had been approved by Annual Town Meeting over a number of years.
MOTION by Mr. Cestari that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the sale of
$3,278,582.63 in general obligation municipal purpose loan of 2010 bonds of the Town
dated July 15, 2010, the bonds to Hutchinson, Shockey, Earley and Co. at the price of
$3,559,285.63, and accrued interest is hereby approved and confirmed. The bonds shall
be payable on July 15 of the years and in the principle amounts and their interest at the
respective rates as follows: 2011 - $478,703.00 at 3% interest; 2012 - $460,000.00 at 3%
interest; 2013 - $445,000.00 at 3% interest; 2014 - $440,000.00 at 3% interest; 2015 -
$360,000.00 at 4% interest; 2016 - $240,000.00 at 4% interest; 2017 - $225,000.00 at 5%
interest; 2018 - $215,000.00 at 4% interest; 2019 - $215,000.00 at 5% interest ; 2020 -
$200,000.00 at 5% interest. Further voted that, in connection with the marketing and sale
of the bonds, the preparation and distribution of a notice of sale and preliminary initial
statement dated June 22, 2010, and a final official statement dated July 6, 2010, the
official statement and each form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and
hereby are ratified, confirmed and approved and adopted. Further voted that the Town
Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to execute and
deliver a continuing disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC rule 15C; 2-12 in
such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be
incorporated by reference of the bonds for the benefit of the holders of the bonds from
time to time. Further voted that each member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk
and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are authorized to take any and all such actions and
execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined
by them or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions
of the foregoing votes SECONDED by Mrs. Gates. VOTE to Approve: Unanimous.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: ►Mrs. Gates requested a discussion of the future of the
Lake Maspenock Dam Committee and a discussion regarding the Housing Committee.
She also reported that the Marathon Fund Committee requests a presence when
disbursements from the Fund are approved. The MFC was not involved during the last
grant cycle. Mr. Khumalo said he wants to discuss the Lake Maspenock Dam Committee
issue with the Town Engineer/Facilities Coordinator and Mrs. Pratt prior to its inclusion
on a future agenda. ►Mr. Mosher would like to discuss the use of technology for some
Board meetings. ►Chairman Dourney requested a presentation by the Fire and Police
Departments on their goals for next year. Mrs. Gates recommends that the Fire Chief
continue to assess capital needs and provide updates to the Capital Improvements and
Finance Committees. She said the Fire Chief should also pursue grants for training and
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010 Page 3
other needs. Chairman Dourney concurred, saying both public safety departments should
make training and development key objectives. ►Chairman Dourney requested a
discussion with the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments on emergency
management protocol. He also requested an update from the Board of Public Works on
outstanding issues. Chairman Dourney referred to the 7/12/10 joint meeting with the
Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Appropriations Committee and
recommended that financial requirements be attached to each of the SCOM’s strategic
initiatives. Mr. Khumalo concurred, adding that other municipal departments should do
so as well.
LIAISON REPORTS: ►Mrs. Gates reported that over 200 people attended the first
Movie Night on the Common on July 9 and encouraged residents to attend on 7/16. The
Sunday Concert of the Common was also well attended. She announced that the HHS
Drama Club has been invited to a competition in Scotland next year. These students will
sell raffle tickets at Town Common events and engage in other fundraising activities.
She asked that residents support this effort. Mrs. Gates announced that the CAA will
conduct a barn raising and cookout on 7/17/10. ►Mr. Palleiko reported that the
Downtown Revitalization Committee continues to move forward on a grant application,
which has been submitted to the state. The DTRC is developing a project timeline in
preparation for the next Town Meeting. The Library Board of Trustees continues to
move forward on its grant application. ►Chairman Dourney reported that Town Counsel
found the changes in the FY2011 school budget to have been managed appropriately and
legally.
SELECTMEN REPRESENTATIVES: MOTION by Mr. Cestari to assign Selectmen
Representatives as follows: 1) Todd Cestari to the Elementary School Building
Committee, 2) Michelle Gates to the Housing Committee, 3) RJ Dourney to the
MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority, 4) Ben Palleiko to the Open Space
Preservation Committee and 5) John Mosher to the Sustainable Green Committee
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. DISCUSSION: Mr. Khumalo advised that Mr. Mosher’s
resignation from the Sustainable Green Committee would provide an opportunity for
another citizen to serve on it. Mr. Mosher offered his resignation from the Sustainable
Green Committee. The above MOTION was WITHDRAWN by Mr. Cestari.
MOTION by Mr. Cestari to accept Mr. Mosher’s resignation from the SGC
SECONDED by Mr. Palleiko. VOTE to Approve: Yes-4, No-0, Recused-1.
MOTION by Mr. Palleiko to approve the Selectmen Representatives as listed above
SECONDED by Mr. Cestari. VOTE to Approve: Unanimous.
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS: Gaming Bill/Milford Casino Update.
Mr. Khumalo reported that an expanded bill is in conference committee, with the next
meeting taking place on 7/15/10. He noted that the Senate bill differs significantly from
the House version. Chairman Dourney said a casino in Milford will not complement
development and preservation goals pursued by Hopkinton and urged citizens to contact
members of the Conference Committee to voice opposition to the proposal. Mr.
Khumalo will compose a letter to send to Conference Committee members and post it on
the Town website.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2010 Page 4
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT: Hopkinton Public Library Update: Mr. Khumalo
reported that Town Counsel is working with counsel retained by the Library Board of
Trustees on completing the conveyance of the Library. Library Director Rownak
Hussein and Trustee Laura Barry said they are happy with the contract. Shared
Collaboration Overview: Mr. Khumalo said the Board of Health has indicated in writing
its intention to participate in a collaboration with Holliston, Medway and Ashland to
improve the quality and delivery of health services using grant funding.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
ADJOURN: MOTION by Mrs. Gates to adjourn SECONDED by Mr. Mosher.
Meeting adjourned at 7:48PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Aghababian, Recording Secretary
Approved: 7/27/10