Before diving into the agenda, Select Board Chair Muriel Kramer set aside a few minutes to thank outgoing Town Manager Norman Khumalo for his years of dedicated service to our town. 

Khumalo joined Hopkinton as its second Town Manager in June 2009.

“He has shepherded this town through tremendous growth and challenges, and notably helped development Hopkinton’s town government in many important ways.” Kramer cited Hopkinton’s financial processes, which she called “incredibly efficient and based on sound financial practices”.

Others spoke too, including former Board Chair Brendan Tedstone, who thanked Khumalo for his mentorship. “You taught me a whole lot more than I taught you,” said Tedstone. 

“From the day you got here to today, when you’re finishing up, the town is, by far, in a much stronger position,” Tedstone added. 

Kramer presented Khumalo with several gifts, including flowers for his wife, and a winged foot sculpture commemorating the 100th marathon. 

Visibly emotional, Khumalo took to the microphone to express his gratitude to the board and the town.

“From the day I sat on a small chair in this room…interviewed by the Select Board in 2009, I felt welcome and at home. Suffice to say, finding a home away from home in Zimbabwe is not an easy task. Hopkinton made that very easy for me and my family.”

Khumalo was rewarded with a standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech. 

Public Forum

Hopkinton’s Citizen of the Year

Former chair of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee Darlene Hayes addressed the board at Public Forum, first to thank Khumalo. “The abundance of phone calls and tremendous amounts of emails, you’ve always been respectful, always responsive to me, and all my annoying questions,” she said. 

Hayes then suggested to the board that they might learn from neighboring communities. “Ashland does a really good job of having a citizen of the year”, she said. She then requested the board consider Dottie Ferriter-Wallace, Chair of the Marathon Committee.

Another call for the chief to be place on leave

Resident Timothy Boivin, a perennial speaker during Public Forum, pointedly asked the board why Chief Joseph Bennett has not been placed on paid administrative leave. A pregnant pause ensued, with Kramer responding that the board would not be respond to his question. 

“He’s under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and by the Northwest District Attorney’s office,” said Boivin. “Going by the precedent that was with Deputy Porter and Sergeant Brennan, who were placed on administrative leave…I just remind you that the precedent was set.”

“If this board will not place the senior law enforcement officer in this town on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into why he released the personal identifying information of a child rape survivor and her children, in blatant violation of state law, well, you’re done,” Boivin continued.

“With the exception of Ms. Kramer, I don’t know how the rest of you sleep at night,” he concluded.

Police union: “You bargained with us in bad faith”

Detective Sergeant Gregg DeBoer, representing the Hopkinton police union, spoke to admonish the board for their role in the promotional process of the police officers he represents. The union contends that the hiring process the Select Board conducted for the Lieutenant’s position was not in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. 

“Certain members of the Select Board continue to willfully disregard the collective bargaining agreement between the town and our union as it relates to promotions,” said DeBoer.

“To be clear, we have agreed to a robust and comprehensive process related to the promotions of sergeants and lieutenants.”

The union’s issue is that Select Board members are not allowed to participate in the promotional process of a sergeant or lieutenant. “You bargained that away,”  said DeBoer. In exchange, the Select Board agreed to have a “trusted representative” from Human Resources participate in interviews and promotions. Despite this agreement, the Select Board has taken a heavy hand in the recent promotions of both DeBoer and Santoro, as well as the Lieutenant hiring process that would come later in the meeting. 

“The Town bargained with us in bad faith,” he concluded.

Shahidul Mannan describes racial attacks

Board Member Shahidul Mannan was the last to speak at public forum.

“Today I would like to address a grave concern that has recently touched not only myself, but also our respected peer, and our families” he began. “It is imperative that I discuss the sensitive matter of racial attacks within our town.”

“In recent weeks and months I have endured threats, harassment, and racial profiling,” he said.

Mannan described an incident where he was stopped at a recent event and was asked “if and why was still living in this town”.

“These actions have been made all the more poignant by their visibility in the local media, a town newspaper, and solidified or normalized by the silence against such injustices.”

“Racism, bias and profiling has no place in our Hopkinton, my beloved town,” he concluded.

Watch Mr. Mannan’s speech below.

Elaine Lazarus is appointed Interim Town Manager

In an offline session, the Select Board had decided to appoint Elaine Lazarus to the Interim Town Manager position. Ms. Lazarus has previously served as the Assistant Town Manager to Mr. Khumalo, and she initially joined Hopkinton in 1992, first working as the Principal Planner. 

“We’re very delighted to have sealed that deal and appointed you as Interim Town Manager,” said Kramer, as Khumalo looked on, smiling.

“I’m honored, I’m grateful, I’m excited, and I’m very much looking forward to serving the town in this new role,” said Lazarus. 

Moments later she was sworn in to office by Town Clerk Connor Degan. 

Mr. Khumalo’s last day in the office was Friday, April 12. Per his contract, his last official day with the town coincides with the fiscal year end of June 30, but according to sources he has accrued substantial vacation time, which he is using now.

Lieutenant Interviews, and van Raalten is Appointed

The official agenda item read “The Select Board will consider interviewing Sergeant Aaron O’Neil, Sergeant Mathew McNeil, and Sergeant Scott Van Ralten (sic), as finalist candidates for the Lieutenant position, as recommended by Police Chief Joseph Bennett.” This caused confusion about what was actually set to occur; Would the board schedule interviews? Would they arrive at a decision? 

It turns out the board did both. Sergeant’s O’Neil, McNeil, and van Raalten each appeared before the board in uniform for an interview, flanked by Chief Bennett. Each officer presented very different styles of leadership and approach, with O’Neil soft-spoken and confident, McNeil plainspoken and with a sense of humor, and van Raalten polished and commanding. The board asked the same set of questions to each man. 

At the conclusion of the interviews, the board asked the chief for his recommendation. Bennett complimented all three of them, but said van Raalten “came out significantly on top”. 

“Since August 2022, he has effectively served as my second in command,” said Bennett, offering the board his recommendation.

After a five minute recess, the board reconvened and took turns sharing their thoughts on each candidate. Through their comments it became apparent that the board was split on who to appoint, with Irfan Nasrullah, Amy Ritterbusch, and Mannan indicating their support for van Raalten, and Kramer and Mary Jo Lafreniere leaning toward O’Neil. Subsequently, a motion was introduced to appoint van Raalten as Lieutenant, and it was approved.