MassVoter.com← Hopkinton Select BoardHopkinton Select Board · 2019–2020 Board · Regular meeting
April 28, 2020
10 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Brendan Tedstone, John Coutinho, Brian Herr, Irfan Nasrullah, Mary Jo LaFreniere
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
CALL to Order
Enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with non-union staff and Town Manager, Fire Chief and Police Chief, because the Chair declares that...
To enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with non-union staff and Town Manager, Fire Chief and Police Chief, because the Chair declares that discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, to allow Norman Khumalo and Elaine Lazarus to participate in the discussion, and to convene in Open Session at the conclusion of Executive Session
Yes: Herr, LaFreniere, Nasrullah, TedstoneThe roll call does not list John Coutinho, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Nasrullah to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with non-union staff and Town Manager, Fire Chief and Police Chief, because the Chair declares that discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, to allow Norman Khumalo and Elaine Lazarus to participate in the discussion, and to convene in Open Session at the conclusion of Executive Session. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-4, No-0..” (Motion: Herr, second: Nasrullah)
Police Chief Ceremony
Appoint Joseph E. Bennett III as Police Chief and to approve the contract
To appoint Joseph E. Bennett III as Police Chief and to approve the contract
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to appoint Joseph E. Bennett III as Police Chief and to approve the contract. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: LaFreniere)
Consent Agenda
Approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) approve the Minutes of the 4/7/20 Select Board meeting; 2) approve a Parade Permit application submitted by the Veterans Celebration Committee for...
To approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) approve the Minutes of the 4/7/20 Select Board meeting; 2) approve a Parade Permit application submitted by the Veterans Celebration Committee for Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, subject to the condition that the event must comply with COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines in effect on the date of the event, including the possibility that the event must be held remotely; 3) accept a $600.00 gift to the Police Department from the Hopkinton Chinese American Association; 4) accept a $150.00 Ambulance Fund gift from Artie & Dottie Pyne in memory of Francis Pyne; 5) accept a $100.00 Ambulance Fund gift from Michael and Patricia Zepf in memory of Francis Pyne; 6) accept a $25.00 Ambulance Fund gift from William Hamilton Jr. and Alice Hamilton in memory of Francis Pyne; 7) accept a $500.00 gift by the Fidelity Charitable Fund on behalf of Nate and Michelle Williams Charitable Fund in honor of Richard Rahill, firefighter Patrick Rahill's grandfather; 8) and adjust the terms of Cultural Council members Jonathan Meltzer, Richard Jacobs and Laura Stacey, to run from 12/19/17 to 12/19/20
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) approve the Minutes of the 4/7/20 Select Board meeting; 2) approve a Parade Permit application submitted by the Veterans Celebration Committee for Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, subject to the condition that the event must comply with COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines in effect on the date of the event, including the possibility that the event must be held remotely; 3) accept a $600.00 gift to the Police Department from the Hopkinton Chinese American Association; 4) accept a $150.00 Ambulance Fund gift from Artie & Dottie Pyne in memory of Francis Pyne; 5) accept a $100.00 Ambulance Fund gift from Michael and Patricia Zepf in memory of Francis Pyne; 6) accept a $25.00 Ambulance Fund gift from William Hamilton Jr. and Alice Hamilton in memory of Francis Pyne; 7) accept a $500.00 gift by the Fidelity Charitable Fund on behalf of Nate and Michelle Williams Charitable Fund in honor of Richard Rahill, firefighter Patrick Rahill's grandfather; 8) and adjust the terms of Cultural Council members Jonathan Meltzer, Richard Jacobs and Laura Stacey, to run from 12/19/17 to 12/19/20. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: LaFreniere)
Continued Public Hearing, Petition to Relocate Utility Pole on West Elm Street
Close the public hearing
To close the public hearing
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Nasrullah to close the public hearing. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: Nasrullah)
Approve the relocation of Pole T.79/E.79 as detailed on the revised plan submitted to the Board
To approve the relocation of Pole T.79/E.79 as detailed on the revised plan submitted to the Board
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere to approve the relocation of Pole T.79/E.79 as detailed on the revised plan submitted to the Board. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: LaFreniere)
FY 2020 and 2021 Budget Updates
Institute 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
That the Board institute 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
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Herr and SECONDED by Mr. Coutinho that the Board institute 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. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Herr, second: Coutinho)
Town Manager Report
Vote to approve the form of Notices of Taking and authorize 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...
That the Select Board vote to approve the form of Notices of Taking and authorize 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
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Ms. LaFreniere that the Select Board vote to approve the form of Notices of Taking and authorize 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. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: LaFreniere)
Approve 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...
To approve 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 authorize the Town Manager to send the draft Access Agreement to those property owners
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Nasrullah to approve 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 authorize the Town Manager to send the draft Access Agreement to those property owners. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: Nasrullah)
Renew the Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement and to designate the Town Manager as the Town's representative on the Board of Directors
To renew the Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement and to designate the Town Manager as the Town's representative on the Board of Directors
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Herr to renew the Metrowest Veterans Services District Agreement and to designate the Town Manager as the Town's representative on the Board of Directors. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: Herr)
Future Agenda Items
Adjourn
To adjourn the meeting
From the minutes
“MOVED by Mr. Coutinho and SECONDED by Mr. Nasrullah to adjourn the meeting. ROLL CALL: Mr. Tedstone-Yes; Mr. Coutinho-Yes; Mr. Herr-Yes; Mr. Nasrullah-Yes; Ms. LaFreniere-Yes. Vote to Approve: Yes-5, No-0..” (Motion: Coutinho, second: Nasrullah)
From the Hopkinton Select Board’s official minutes in the town’s Laserfiche document archive (Agendas & Minutes). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Hopkinton Independent (photos by John Cardillo): Brian Herr and Joe Clark (May 2024), Shahidul Mannan and Matthew Kizner (May 2025); Amy Ritterbusch, Hopkinton Independent candidate questionnaire (June 2020).
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