The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with Elaine Lazarus, officially making her Hopkinton’s town manager.
Lazarus was unanimously appointed to the position at the Select Board’s July 9 meeting. She had been serving as interim town manager since the departure of her predecessor, Norman Khumalo, in April. Over the past three decades, she has been the town’s assistant town manager, planning director, director of the Land Use Department and town planner.
“We’re all so happy with this contract and look forward to having a bright future with you,” member Shahidul Mannan told Lazarus.
Lazarus said she was “very excited” to serve the community in this role. Town Clerk Connor Degan administered the oath of office, completing the official process.
Budget talks begin with emphasis on belt-tightening
The Select Board met jointly with the School Committee, the Appropriations Committee and other stakeholders to discuss the calendar and messaging for the fiscal year 2026 budget process. For the first time, the Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) was included, which CIC chair Matthew Kizner praised.
Lazarus said the Select Board will be voting on the budget message on Oct. 1. After that, town departments will begin working on their budgets. They are due to Lazarus on Nov. 1, after which listening sessions with the Select Board will take place throughout the month.
Select Board chair Brian Herr stressed to everyone that the residential tax burden is rising over the next several years. Departments need to recognize this when they make their requests. The property tax for an average house will rise from $12,500 to $18,500 by 2030.
Said Herr: “We have to be crazy frugal like we’ve never been before to make this work.”
Kizner stressed that the number Herr referenced is contingent upon no new capital spending.
Appropriation Committee members stressed the need to keep the town’s operational budget in mind as well.
School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh said the approach will be to ask for “things that we really need” and not include “things we’d really like.”
Mannan said the town will have to “tighten its belt for at least the next decade.”
Lazarus explained that the budget advisory group will consist of herself; Chief Financial Officer Kyla LaPierre; the chairs of the Appropriation Committee, School Committee and CIC; a Select Board liaison and alternate; school superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and assistant superintendent Susan Rothermich. They will meet weekly to share information.
Carol Cavanaugh gave a presentation that highlighted the growth in the number of students and how it impacts the department’s budget. The three major budget drivers, she explained, are school enrollment, special education needs and fulfilling contractual obligations.
Herr noted that Hopkinton has historically been low in regard to per pupil spending while producing high-ranking schools and stellar students.
HPD officers promoted to sergeant
The Select Board voted unanimously to promote Hopkinton Police Department officers Cody Normandin and Shannon Beloin to the role of sergeant.
HPD Chief Joseph Bennett appeared before the board over Zoom to explain the “rigorous promotional process” that included multiple interviews as well as a 100-question exam.
“I think if you’ve met them, you’ll know they’re both very smart, they’re very well educated, and they represent the department and serve the community in an outstanding fashion,” Bennett said.
“Between both of these candidates, I couldn’t ask for anything more out of them,” added Lt. Scott van Raalten, noting they will serve as role models for new officers entering the HPD.
Bennett added that there are four incoming officers being trained in the Police Academy. There have been offers extended to two people. If accepted, Bennett said the force will be beefed up to 26.
Draft redaction policy to get another round of edits
Town counsel Bryan Bertram explained that he incorporated feedback from the Select Board into the latest proposed redaction policy. He added a flow chart illustrating all the steps of review that will take place once it is enacted.
Both Mannan and Select Board member Joe Clark said the policy should include a step for using an artificial intelligence software review. Degan noted that he has researched three software vendors used in Massachusetts.
Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch said the term “sensitive information” should be defined, and Bertram said he would include illustrative examples.
Bertram noted that the edited document included a section on training. He also welcomed suggestions to strengthen it.
This item was tabled for reconsideration at an upcoming meeting.
New water/sewer advisory board discussed
The Select Board discussed the charge and composition of a new water and sewer advisory board. Lazarus produced a draft document for review.
Its purpose would be to inform the Select Board, Lazarus and the Department of Public Works about policy matters regarding water and sewer systems, the water and sewer enterprise fund, and issues containing contaminants such as PFAS.
Ritterbusch expressed some hesitancy about the proposal. She asked whether it would help or hinder the DPW’s work. Lazarus said there were concerns expressed but that it is meant to help the three entities.
Clark agreed and suggested that the board receive DPW input before approving the advisory board.
New hiring review process approved
A new hiring review process passed, with Ritterbusch and vice chair Mary Jo LaFreniere abstaining.
The idea for the process was to review whether positions were necessary to fill when someone leaves as a means of trimming the budget. Clark said that Lazarus’s recommendation should be trusted to justify a position.
Ritterbusch was concerned that the hiring process for needed positions would be slowed down by this and abstained from voting. LaFreniere likewise abstained, noting she was “not ready” to vote for it.
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