The Select Board on Tuesday approved short-term and long-term financing to support $90.4 million for the town’s capital projects in a 3-0 vote.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that the town has had to borrow money to finance capital projects, including the new Charleswood School.

Treasurer/Collector CJ Paquette said that the bidding process for the short-term, bond anticipation note (BAN) financing is complete, as well as the long-term, bond financing.

Regarding the BAN, he said five bids were received. The lowest bidder was Fidelity Capital Markets. The net interest rate received was 3.499%, which includes a premium of $744,550.25.

Six bids were received for the bond financing, with Bank of America being the lowest bidder. The net interest rate received was 3%, which includes a premium of $777,840.

Paquette told the board that it would be voting on the interest rates without including the premium, which will lower them to the amounts indicated.

Member Matt Kizner noted that because of the town’s AAA bond rating, Hopkinton gets a premium benefit.

“I should also note that I think we’re extremely thrilled with what we got back for rates, considering the markets,” Paquette said.

Rapscallion restaurant license approved

The board voted to approve the common victualer license and all-alcohol license for Rapscallion, a new restaurant and brewery located at 22 South Street, the former location of Quattro.

“We’re looking forward to coming to Hopkinton,” said owner/operator Peter Daniel. “We’ve heard a lot of good things.”

He noted that the family-owned business has been in operation for more than 20 years and has a few other establishments in Massachusetts.

Blueberry Lane electric conduit proposals OK’d

The board approved 3-0 a proposal by Eversource to implement underground conduit connection service to provide electricity to three homes on Blueberry Lane.

An Eversource representative appearing over Zoom explained that there was a conduit at 31 Blueberry Lane that was installed years ago before the new subdivision (now under construction) was considered. It needs to be relocated because it must go into a hand hole on the property. The same situation exists for 29 Blueberry Lane.

The third application would provide service from a transformer to Fitch Lane, she added.

Hayden Rowe utility pole request continued

After receiving input from an abutter about possible tree impact, the board voted 3-0 to continue a hearing about the relocation of two utility poles on Hayden Rowe Street near Chamberlain Street.

Don Bonner, a Verizon representative, explained that the poles need to be relocated in order to widen the road at Marathon School in anticipation of the new Charleswood School on an adjacent property.

Steve Munier, who lives at 137 Hayden Rowe Street, expressed concern about the mature trees there. One pole abuts his property. He wanted to make sure that the trees remained to keep the natural buffer between his property and traffic.

Another concern was that the wires would impact the trees. Bonner said tree trimming may be done, but no trees would be removed.

Brian Herr, who chaired the meeting in the absence of chair Joe Clark and vice chair Shahidul Mannan, suggested continuing the hearing until more information about the tree clearance could be obtained.

Bonner offered to go to the residence after the meeting to discuss the matter with Munier.

Open employee positions debated

Lazarus explained that the board voted last September that it would review the proposed posting of all vacant town positions.

Kizner questioned the necessity of a maintenance mechanic if the position has been vacant for five months and the town has “made do.”

“In corporate America, I would never be able to hold down to an open head count for five months,” he said.

Added Kizner: “I’m going to ask this question on every single [request] I see going forward that goes more than six months.”

Herr explained that after a position has been posted with the board’s approval and it is not filled within six months, the process is that the board would have to vote to reconsider the posting.

Kizner asked if a reconsideration vote has ever been done, and Herr said it has not. Kizner suggested that this is a policy change that should be brought forward at a future meeting.

“Some of these hires are hard to find,” Herr explained. “But if you want to put that on a future agenda item … you can do that.”

Member Amy Ritterbusch added that sometimes the town is not attracting candidates because the pay rate is not high enough. Other times, there may be a lack of qualified candidates.

Herr noted that Kizner’s request was “a process question” that needed to be addressed by town staff.

Hamilton, Carty thanked for service

As the meeting began, Herr thanked Bob Hamilton, HCAM-TV’s government meeting producer, for his years of dedicated service to the town as he leaves the position.

“Without him and his colleagues at HCAM, getting this information out to the public would be that much harder,” Herr said.

“I really appreciate all you do concerning transparency in Hopkinton,” added Ritterbusch.

Herr also congratulated Eric Carty, the water/sewer director, for 40 years of service to the town on his anniversary. Carty, who is retiring, said he was happy to contribute to his hometown.