The Select Board on Tuesday decided to table its discussion on the proposed zero emission vehicle policy for town vehicles, citing the need for input from the Hopkinton Police Department.

Julia Chun, the town’s sustainability, economic development and equity project manager, explained that she has partnered with the Sustainable Green Committee on the draft policy. The board would need to approve it if it wanted the town to be designated as a “climate leader” by the state. That would allow Hopkinton to be eligible for state grants. It is similar in scope to Hopkinton’s designation as a “green community”

Through this policy, town vehicles would be purchased “in a hierarchy.” Zero-emission vehicles would be prioritized, then hybrids and lastly those that use gas.

During the public comment period, Bill Flannery spoke against the policy as a private citizen. He serves on the town’s Appropriation Committee and expressed concerns about the cost of the vehicles and infrastructure to support them.

Flannery noted that at a February Select Board meeting, both HPD Chief Joseph Bennett and Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten “had expressed concerns about costly maintenance issues and warranty coverage with hybrid cruisers.” Van Raalten said last month that other local police departments were experiencing similar issues with hybrid vehicles.

Said Flannery: “It seems this lack of confidence has us replacing cruisers much sooner than we have in the past.”

This proposed policy, he said, would eventually “force the town to an all-electric police cruiser” fleet, a “relatively new concept.” He advocated for exempting police cruisers from this requirement “permanently or at least for a few years” until more data from other police departments can be reviewed.

Chun noted that police vehicles are not exempt either from this policy after June 30 or from a green community standpoint. They will be replaced in a staggered way, as the current vehicles wear out.

Said Chun: “So either way, we will need to begin changing over our fleet to electric vehicles.”

Vice Chair Mary Jo LaFreniere agreed that a “phased approach” needed to be taken.

Member Joe Clark expressed concern over police cruisers losing their exemption because of their nearly constant usage.

Geoff Rowland, chair of the Sustainable Green Committee, stressed that “the vast majority of the state” is covered under the green communities designation. Also, only “a handful of vehicles” aren’t going to be exempt. They include vehicles over 8,500 pounds, such as fire trucks and snow plows.

Member Amy Ritterbusch asked about whether charging stations would be placed at the police station. Chun said she will speak with Bennett early in May. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus noted that money has been allocated in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget for a charging station at the new town parking lot.

“I think we’re hearing quite a few questions and concerns,” said member Shahidul Mannan. “And it’s very important that we have enough information and data to support our mission and the goal.”

He also asked about the time needed to fully charge a police cruiser, which would be about seven hours.

Ritterbusch made a motion to approve the policy, but it did not receive a second.

Clark, Mannan and LaFreniere said they were comfortable tabling the discussion until the next meeting in order to gather more input from HPD. Chair Brian Herr recused himself from the discussion, as it posed a potential conflict of interest because of his solar business activity.

Deputy fire chief, lieutenant promoted

Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty introduced his picks for deputy fire chief and lieutenant, who were promoted from within the ranks.

Deputy Fire Chief Scott Jurasek began his career as an HFD call firefighter in 2001, advancing to a permanent firefighter role in 2003. He has been a lieutenant for the past 15 years, holds a degree in fire science and is a member of the technical rescue team.

Daugherty noted that Jurasek was honored by the state in 2022 as its Firefighter of the Year.

“A firefighter’s life is never easy,” Jurasek said as he thanked his family members. “It’s never easy on a family, but they’ve supported me more than they’ll ever understand.”

The lieutenant vacancy will be filled by John de Rivera. He joined the HFD in 2018 after serving with West Boylston’s Fire Department for three years. He is a firefighter paramedic and the department’s emergency management services coordinator. De Rivera likewise thanked his family and colleagues for their support.

Trails sign project discussed

Linda Chuss, the Trails Committee secretary, presented a design she created for a trial project to identify four of Hopkinton’s trail areas. She had worked on this as a member of the former Trail Coordination and Management Committee.

“Trails are a huge asset to our town, not only for residents but for visitors,” she said of the towns 40 or so trails. “But not enough people know that many of the trails exist.”

To heighten awareness, the committee proposed putting brown roadside trail signs at four trailheads for the Center Trail, the trail behind Center School, the Hughes Farm Trail and the Fruit Street trails at Pratt Farm and Whitehall Brook.

Ritterbusch recommended seeking input from the Design Review Board regarding the signs. The Center School sign in particular would have to be reviewed by the Historic District Commission.

Herr expressed concern about the Center Trail sign. He noted that the Main Street Corridor Project work is not yet complete. Concerns also arose about roadside signs, which should be discussed with the Department of Public Works.

Trails Committee chair Peter LaGoy said public outreach is a priority for the new Trails Committee. Public listening sessions and visits to other committees will be planned to “reset what folks want in regard to trails in town.”

He and Chuss noted that the new committee is becoming cohesive and making progress on its goals.

Town moderator to miss ATM

Ellen Rutter, who serves as town moderator, told the board she will be unable to attend the Annual Town Meeting on May 5 due to her being out of the country for her son’s college graduation.

She added that Town Clerk Connor Degan “is well equipped” to serve in this role.

“Thanks for your partnership over the past few years,” she told the board. “It’s been an honor to serve as Hopkinton moderator and participate in Town Meeting —  a great example of important local democracy in action.”