Select Board Actions Taken – 04/28/2020
Police Chief Ceremony • Consent Agenda • Continued Public Hearing – Utility Pole on West Elm Street • FY 2020 AND FY 2021 Budget Updates • Town Manager Report
The meeting video is available on the HCAM YouTube Channel and the Actions Taken are posted in blue below.
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
SELECT BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 6:00 PM
Remote Meeting
6:35 PM COVID-19 UPDATE
4. The Select Board will receive an update from the Board of Health on the Town’s response to COVID-19.
6:55 PM POLICE CHIEF CEREMONY
5. The Select Board will conduct an official swearing-in ceremony for Police Chief Joseph E. Bennett III.
The Select Board approved the contract and appointment of Joseph E. Bennett III to the position of Police Chief. (5-0)
View Video ~10 minutes
7:15 PM CONSENT AGENDA
6.
i. MINUTES – The Select Board will consider approving the Minutes of the 4/7/20 meeting.
ii. PARADE PERMIT – MEMORIAL DAY – VETERANS CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
The Select Board will consider approving a Parade Permit for a Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2020. There will be an assembly at Evergreen Cemetery at 9:45 a.m., then a Parade at 10:30 a.m. from Mayhew St./Main St. to the Town Common.
iii. GIFTS
The Select Board will consider accepting the following gifts:
a. $600.00 to the Hopkinton Police Department from the Hopkinton Chinese American Association.
b. $150.00 Ambulance Fund Gift from Artie & Dottie Pyne, 3 Curtis Rd., Hopkinton, in memory of Francis Pyne.
c. $100.00 Ambulance Fund Gift from Michale Zepf and Patricia Zepf, 18 Eastview Rd., Hopkinton, in memory of Francis Pyne.
d. $25.00 Ambulance Fund Gift from William Hamilton Jr. and Alice Hamilton, 18 McNeil Circle, Hopkinton, in memory of Francis Pyne.
e. $500.00 by the Fidelity Charitable Fund on behalf of Nate and Michelle Williams Charitable Fund in Honor of Richard Rahill – firefighter Patrick Rahill’s grandfather.
iv. CULTURAL COUNCIL TERMS:
The Select Board will consider adjusting the terms previously voted for 3 Cultural Council members, as follows, so that each member will serve a full 3-year term to comply with statutory requirements:
Jonathan Meltzer – term 12/19/17 – 12/19/20 (extended from 6/30/20)
Richard Jacobs – term 12/19/17 – 12/19/20 (extended from 6/30/20)
Laura Stacey – term 12/19/17 – 12/19/20 (extended from 6/30/20)
Supporting Exhibits: Parade Permit Application; Parade Permit Permitting Team Comments
The Select Board approved the Consent Agenda, and included a condition of the Parade Permit for Memorial Day. (5-0)
View Video ~3 minutes
7:20 PM CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING – PETITION TO RELOCATE AND ADD UTILITY POLES ON WEST ELM STREET – VERIZON AND NSTAR ELECTRIC (EVERSOURCE)
7.WEST ELM STREET – VERIZON AND NSTAR ELECTRIC (EVERSOURCE)
The Select Board will consider a petition submitted by Verizon and NSTAR Electric (Eversource) to erect and maintain poles and their respective wires and cables to be placed thereon, together with anchors, guys and other sustaining and protecting fixtures as said Companies may deem necessary, in the public way, in the vicinity of 42 West Main St. The pole is required to be relocated so that the Fire Department can access a new house, and the new pole across the street is required for stability.
1. Relocate one (1) jointly owned pole numbered T.79/E.79 to a point on the northwesterly side of West Elm Street approximately two hundred twenty-two (222) feet southwesterly from the center line of Priscilla Road.
2. Place one (1) jointly owned pole numbered T.79S/E.79S on the northwesterly side of West Elm Street at a point approximately two hundred twenty-two (222) feet southwesterly from the center line of Priscilla Road.
Since the initial hearing on 4/7/20, there is agreement to use a push brace attached to the new pole in front of 42 West Elm St. and there will not be a need for the new pole across the street.
Supporting Exhibits: Revised Plan; Revised Order
The Select Board approved the relocation of utility pole T.79/E.79 as detailed on the revised plan. (5-0)
View Video ~8 minutes
7:40 PM FY 2020 AND FY 2021 BUDGET UPDATES
8. The Select Board will consider FY 2020 and 2021 Budget updates.
The Select Board instituted an immediate hiring freeze of all Town positions; said hiring freeze would not apply to active recruitments of which an offer has already been made by the Town. (5-0)
View Video ~30 minutes
7:50 PM TOWN MANAGER REPORT
9.
a. Main Street Corridor Project Update. The Select Board will consider authorizing the Town Manager to send Notices of Taking to property owners after the Order of Taking has been recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
b. Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement Renewal: The Select Board will consider renewing Hopkinton’s membership in the Metrowest Veterans Services District (The District) Agreement and designating the Town Manager as Hopkinton’s representative on the District’s Board.
Supporting Exhibits: Town Manager Report; Draft Notices of Taking and Attachments; FY2021 Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement by and among Hopkinton, Ashland, Medway and Holliston.
The Select Board approved of the form of Notices of Taking and authorized the Town Manager to send Notices of Taking to all affected property owners once the Order of Taking has been recorded and filed with the Registry of Deeds. (5-0)
The Select Board approved of the form of the Access Agreement and accompanying cover letter to those property owners that require improvements to their electrical service to connect to the new underground utilities and authorized the Town Manager to send the draft Access Agreement to those property owners. (5-0)
The Select Board voted to renew the Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement and to designate the Town Manager as the Town’s representative on the Board of Directors (5-0)
View Video ~10 minutes