The question of how involved the Select Board should be in the hiring of a new deputy fire chief was debated at Tuesday’s meeting.

In receiving updates on the hiring process from Fire Chief Gary Daugherty, the board discussed whether members should be participating in the search for a deputy fire chief at all.

“Why are we in the midst of this currently?” asked chair Brian Herr.

Interim Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that the previous Select Board had elected to engage more in the interview and review process. To that end, the town had sought consultation for sourcing external candidates.

The cost of this work and the Select Board’s authority in the matter came under scrutiny.

Member Joe Clark spoke to the cost of an external search.

“I support the department making that decision and moving forward without spending costs,” said Clark, the son of former Fire Chief Ken Clark.

The consultant costs range around $10,000 and would come from the Fire Department’s budget. Lazarus noted this quote does not include advertising the position.

“I see this as the board getting involved with how the department uses its budget,” added Clark.

When asked about the available pool of internal candidates for the deputy chief role, Daugherty expressed confidence in the members of his department.

“We have two or three lieutenants who would make great deputy chiefs,” he said.

Member Shahidul Mannan asked if the chief saw any benefit or necessity in seeking additional external candidates.

Daugherty explained that the town already has invested in decades of training and education for his team. “Bringing in an outside candidate would mean a lot more for me to train,” he said.

Member Amy Rittenbusch brought up the value of a search involving both internal and external applicants but deferred to Daugherty’s judgment.

After more discussion, the board put forth a formal motion to withdraw its guidance and decision-making deliberations from the hiring process for the deputy fire chief position.

“I’m OK with us backing out and letting the chief do as he sees fit,” said Herr.

Town manager hiring process continues

Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates provided updates on the search for a new town manager. The board has been working with Community Paradigm to develop and vet a candidate list.

Lynch ran through the process to date, from gathering community input to screening eligible applicants. The pool has been narrowed down to four candidates.

“We will be generating a finalist report [soon],” Lynch said. The board is to receive that report by June 13.

Lynch then reviewed next steps. The board will be conducting final interviews and making a decision early to mid-July.

A candidate meet and greet for the public also was discussed. Reviewing their schedules, board members selected June 20 from 6-8 p.m. for the event. The Hopkinton Library will be the likely venue.

Proposal for economic development council discussed

Advocating for increasing and improving economic activity in town, Mannan presented his case for establishing an Economic Development Advisory Council.

“Our budget has grown,” said Mannan, “and needs significant revenue to keep up with growth and inflation.”

Significant capital projects have generated tax increases with more infrastructure projects on the horizon. Budgetary forecasts predict potential gaps of between $2 million to $5 million per year.

Despite budgetary concerns, the town has multiple avenues for economic growth. The near completion of the downtown corridor, available space on South Street, and the town’s expanding biotech scene all are advantages that can be leveraged, Mannan argued.

To capitalize on these opportunities, Mannan proposed a new economic development framework for the town. The primary goal would be establishing an advisory council for economic growth.

“The mission would be to foster a vibrant and resistant economy,” said Mannan.

This council would work on strategic planning, attracting and retaining businesses, and community engagement, among other functions. It would include town officials, resident representatives and other stakeholders.

A secondary aim of Mannan’s proposal is putting an economic development office in place. Under advisement from the council, the office would be solely devoted to developing economic opportunities in town.

Clark offered up thoughts about directing Julia Chun, the town’s sustainability, economic development and equity project manager, to focus more on economic development activities as part of short-term efforts. Mannan and Lazarus were receptive to the idea and agreed to review Chun’s current workload.

Herr wondered how many towns in the surrounding area might have dedicated offices like Mannan has proposed. He recommended Lazarus ask Chun to research the matter further.

Additionally, Herr asked about the return on investment if an economic development office is implemented.

“We would need more thorough financial analysis, strategic thinking and direction setting,” Mannan responded.

“But even if we ramp up utilization of South Street, easy math will show us that [revenue] is in the millions,” he added.

Ritterbusch mentioned the effect economic development might have on residential growth.

“It does make the town more vibrant and enjoyable,” she said, “but it doesn’t necessarily increase the commercial tax base if the residential also increases.”

Proposed rate increases for water/sewer reviewed

Kerry Reed, director of Public Works ,and Eric Carty, superintendent of Water and Sewer, were on hand to review proposed water and sewer rate increases.

Matt Abrahams of the Abrahams Group led the discussion. He began by reviewing the 17.5% water rate increase approved for fiscal year 2024. This decision was made in-step with the multi-year plan to increase water rates by 30% for FY 25 and FY 26.

Abrahams described this as a “nice step” toward covering connection costs with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, but water expenses and revenue are complicating future planning.

He cited authorized capital expenses over the town’s water retainings, delayed connection fee revenues and a more robust capital plan as exacerbating factors on the water budget.

“We’re now looking at a 40% increase instead,” said Abrahams.

He provided options to deal with this rate adjustment. A more aggressive approach would see rates climb to 50% next year, then fall to 15% and 7% in the years following.

If the board elected to increase the rates just to 40% next year, rates would drop to 25% in FY 26 and then 7% in FY 27.

The forecast for sewer rate increases is more gradual. While sewer retainings are stronger, Abrahams still recommended a 5% annual increase. He cautioned rate changes would need to be higher in subsequent years if the board elected not to raise them this year.

A public meeting on rate setting is scheduled for June 18.

New Police Academy officer appointed

Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Lt. Scott Van Raalten presented Adam Rowe for appointment as a Police Academy officer.

The board asked Rowe, a Hopkinton native, about his commitment to the town’s values and building trust with the community. He reflected on his work in the public school system as a substitute teacher and the way it informs how he’d engage with the community.

“In building rapport with students from multiple diverse communities, I hope to provide them with someone they can come to if they find themselves in a situation where police are involved,” Rowe said.

Bennett recounted a story about Rowe making instant connections with the department and strongly recommended the board appoint Rowe to the position.

Van Raalten echoed the chief’s statements. “To find [a] hometown boy who’s invested in the community is an incredibly fortunate opportunity not just for the department but for the town as well.”

The board voted unanimously to approve Rowe’s appointment. He will begin academy training in Boylston this July.

Town employee appointments approved

The board interviewed and appointed two new employees to positions with the town.

Sam Gutwill, an experienced firefighter from Sherborn, is joining the Communications Department as a per diem dispatcher. He will work alongside his brother, also a town dispatcher.

Roberta Anderson is stepping into the role of senior library assistant after serving as a substitute library assistant at the Hopkinton Public Library. Her appointment fills out the library staff.