The appointment of the new police lieutenant was a central focus of the meeting. The board members considered the strengths and qualifications of the candidates, Sergeants Van Ralton, Mcneel, and O’Neal, who were all recognized for their dedication to the community and extensive law enforcement experience. After careful consideration of each candidate’s responses on leadership, policies, and community engagement, the board members selected Sergeant Van Ralton for his strategic planning, executive presence, and leadership abilities demonstrated in his current role. The decision was difficult due to the high caliber of all candidates, but the board expressed confidence in Van Ralton’s fit for the leadership role. The appointment was made official with a motion, seconded and approved via a roll call vote.

In addition to the police department’s promotions, the board addressed the upcoming retirement of Town Manager Mr. Camalo, expressing gratitude for his 15 years of service. Mr. Camalo was commended for his dedication to financial stability, transparency, and fostering a diverse workforce. He was honored with gifts and accolades from board members and guests.

Environmental concerns were also a prominent part of the discussion, with the board considering an endorsement for a specialized building code aimed at addressing the climate crisis. The Sustainable Green Committee presented a detailed explanation of the specialized code’s implications for new construction, its role in reducing building emissions, and potential access to grants for environmental projects. The presentation included data specific to Hopkinton, with charts showing trends and pathways for various building types under the specialized code, and emphasized the long-term cost savings for residents. The board was encouraged to adopt the specialized code at the upcoming town meeting.

Further environmental topics included the pre-wiring for electric appliances in new constructions, reducing carbon emissions, and the installation of solar panels. The board discussed the need for south-facing roofs for optimal solar energy utilization and weighed the potential environmental benefits against unintended consequences such as increased tree removal.

The meeting also included the confirmation of other town appointments, including Melissa Menard as head chef for the Senior Center, Jess Diamond as young adult librarian, and Antonio Garcia as a custodial maintenance worker in the facilities department. Each new appointee was welcomed and their enthusiasm and qualifications were noted.

Updates were provided on the hiring processes for key positions within the town, including the Deputy Police Chief and Deputy Fire Chief, as well as the progress of the search for a new Town Manager, with a due date for resumes set for May 6th.

The board discussed the review process for promotions within the Hopkinton Police Department, detailing procedural guidelines and alignment with the current police union contract. The discussion also included the release of a letter from the attorney regarding a grievance, with the board agreeing to wait for further direction.

As the meeting progressed, presentations from the Police Chief introduced various members of the department, emphasizing their roles, experiences, and approaches to community policing and leadership.

The meeting concluded with preparations for the upcoming town meeting, including modifications to the warrant articles and voting on recommendations for town meeting articles. A future meeting date was proposed to celebrate recent promotions and to address outstanding matters before the motion to adjourn.