On the agenda: Hopedale meeting — data center (Jun 29)

TOWN OF HOPEDALE

54 Hopedale Street - P.O. Box 7
Hopedale, Massachusetts 01747
Tel: 508-634-2203

www.hopedale-ma.gov

Hopedale Select Board
Meeting Agenda
**Amended**
Monday June 29, 2026
Draper Meering Room, Town Hall
Hybrid Meeting 6:00pm
This Meeting Is Being Recorded

Select Board
Glenda Hazard-Chair
Bernard Stock
Carole Mullen

10:37 am, Jun 29, 2026

Meeting Call to Order
A. Interim TA Interviews
1. Nathan Bodreau- 6pm
2. Michael Gallagher- 6:30pm
3. Kelly Grant- 7pm
B. Consent Items
1. Vote to Approve and Sign Contract- Deputy Fire Chief McMorrow FY27-FY29
2. Vote to accept donation check- $47,894.58 to the legal donation fund
B. Appointments and Resignations
1. Appointment of Assistant Treasurer Collector- Emily Boutin
C. New Business
1. Town Counsel Appointment- Discussion, potential vote**
D. Old Business
1. Interim TA Position- discussion, potential vote
2. Town Administrator Screening Committee Update
3. Treasurer Collector Update
4. Special Town Meeting Warrant Review
F. Public and Board Member Comments
G. Request for Future Agenda Items
I. Adjournment

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Please note the Select Board agenda may be subject to change and items not anticipated may be
discussed and all listed agenda items may be subject to a vote
Public Comments – The Hopedale Select Board encourages citizens to attend its meetings and welcomes
their views on pertinent subjects. Anyone may comment for up to three minutes during the Public
Comment portion of the agenda regarding an issue that is not on the agenda. However, given that no
public notice of the topic has been provided, the Select Board will not engage in discussion. The Select
Board will give your issue appropriate consideration. Anyone may also comment during any agenda item
for up to three minutes.

Michael H. Gallagher

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Management professional with extensive experience in transitional leadership in both the public and private
sectors. Expertise leading best-of-breed service organizations, from municipalities to investment services and
publishing firms. Developed and managed multimillion dollar capital and operating budgets in both the public and
private sectors. Developed transitional roadmaps and process improvement plans for organizations focused on
superior service delivery. Experienced negotiator with a proven track record settling complex labor contracts with
government and school unions as well as agreements with vendors in the private sector. Managed support teams
in mission-critical 24x7 environments. Established collaborative working relationships with constituents, peers,
direct reports, and vendors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AMG Services
Professional consulting services company.

06/2022 - Present

Owner/President
Provide professional consulting to both the public and private sectors in various disciplines including IT, Finance
and general management of any organization.
Capital Strategic Solutions
Professional consulting company focusing on providing services to public sector entities.

05/2023 - Present

Business Operations Manager/Senior Project Manager
Provide professional consulting to both the public sector in various disciplines including IT, Finance and general
management of any organization.
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Participated in an operational audit for the Town of Manchester-By-The Sea by reviewing the Town’s IT
processes, procedures and infrastructure and developing a report for the Select Board
Assisted the Town of Natick in establishing a Community Preservation Act process and procedures

Town of Norfolk
Municipality of approximately 11,000 residents located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

07/2025 – 01/2026

Acting Town Administrator/Consultant/Chief Procurement Officer
Appointed as acting Town Administrator July 1, 2025 with the departure of the Town Administrator to allow the
Board of Selectmen to properly search for and hire the next full time Town Administrator. Remained as part of the
staff to assist with the transition of the new Town Administrator and act as the Chief Procurement Officer.
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Standardized the procurement process by utilizing contract templates containing language that was more
favorable to the Town
Mentored administration staff utilizing their talents to provide needed services for the Town
Successfully navigated the Town through a special Town Meeting containing some contentious articles
Assisted in the implementation of a citizens’ academy to educate the residents regarding the operation of
the Town
Negotiated a contract between the Town and its PEG access provider

Town of Northborough
Municipality of approximately 18,000 residents located in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Acting Town Administrator/Consultant/Chief Procurement Officer

08/2023 – 12/2023

Appointed as acting Town Administrator August 2023 with the departure of a previous Interim Town Administrator
to allow the Board of Selectmen to properly search for and hire the next full time Town Administrator. Remained
as part of the staff to assist with the transition of the new Town Administrator and act as the Chief Procurement
Officer.
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Standardized the procurement process by utilizing contract templates that were more favorable to the
Town
Mentored administration staff for succession planning within the Town Administrator’s Office
Developed a 10-year capital improvement plan and five-year operating budget
Participated in the selection for the new town administrator

Town of Somerset
Municipality of approximately 28,000 residents located in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

09/2021 – 10/2023

Acting Town Administrator/Consultant/Chief Procurement Officer
Appointed as acting Town Administrator November 2021 with the departure of the former Town Administrator to
allow the Board of Selectmen to properly search for and hire the next full time Town Administrator. Remained as
part of the staff to assist with the transition of the new Town Administrator and act as the Chief Procurement
Officer.
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Implemented a ten-year capital improvement plan to encourage long-term thinking by the department
heads
Developed an inclusive budget process that included department heads, the Advisory and Finance
Committee and Board of Selectmen
Created electronic repositories for all budgetary and contractual documentation
Successfully negotiated a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the AFSCME
Union representing the highway, water and wastewater staff
Established a Capital Improvement Stabilization Account with the approval of Town Meeting
Implemented processes for awarding contracts to vendors ensuring compliance with all procurement laws
Reviewed the Town’s current IT infrastructure and processes to develop a plan to implement solutions that
will add effectiveness and efficiency to the Town’s service delivery model
Mentored the new town administrator and provided a seamless transition

Town of North Attleborough
Municipality of approximately 28,000 residents located in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

10/2015 – 06/2021

Town Administrator/Acting Town Manager/ Assistant Town Manager
Functioned as the Chief Executive Officer of the Town. Responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the
Town and various Town Departments, exclusive of the School Department and Electric Department. Chief
procurement officer for the Town. Liaison to MEMA and FEMA for all COVID-19 grant funding and accounting.
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Created electronic document repository for all procurement contracts
Formulated spreadsheets for the efficient tracking of all COVID-19 expenses for CARES Act and FEMA
reporting
Established the position of economic development coordinator to build relationships with local business
entities and to assist in the redevelopment efforts and revitalization of the downtown
Joined the Governor’s Community Compact and was awarded grants for multiple initiatives for the town
Revamped the capital improvement process requiring departments to provide return on investment (ROI)
information for all capital improvement expenses
Developed 10-year budget and 20-year capital plan projections
Established a collaborative approach to budgeting by including all department heads in the process
Implemented new processes to establish efficiencies and effectiveness of service delivery to residents
Launched a new web site to provide more transparency into the general operation of the Town
Worked with the town clerk to establish an online meeting posting process
Subscribed to ClearGov to provide more data and budget transparency to the residents of the town
Established a safety and security committee to review vulnerabilities and develop mitigation plans

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Negotiated changes in health insurance coverage options saving the Town approximately $800,000
annually
Successfully lobbied for a Proposition 2½ Override adding $6.5 million to the tax levy
Championed the acceptance of an online town wide permitting process
Collaborated with multiple departments to offer online options for doing business with the Town

Town of Weymouth, Weymouth MA
Municipality of approximately 55,000 residents located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts

01/2008 – 10/2015

Director, Administrative Services
Reported to the Mayor and functioned as Deputy to the Mayor, Chief of Staff and IT Director in addition to other
duties. Directed the activities of multiple departments (Information Technology, Human Resources, Legal,
Building Maintenance, Parks and Recreation, Elder Services, Veterans Services, Youth and Family Services and
Emergency Mgt).
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Negotiated multi-year contracts with all collective bargaining units throughout the town
Saved approximately $6 million by negotiating an agreement with the various town unions to join the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission
Consolidated functions and automated processes resulting in annual savings of approximately $150K
Negotiated contract amendments to increase revenues from cellular service rental agreements
Assisted in the budget preparation process to deal with constraints imposed by reduced state aid
Collaborated with the school department to implement a town wide VoIP communication solution
Obtained multiple grants to support IT infrastructure improvements
Implemented virtual server and SAN architecture to meet departmental demands
Introduced smart phones and tablets to enable better communication among employees
Installed Wi-Fi hot spots throughout various town buildings providing secure and guest connectivity
Expanded town owned fiber network to support increased utilization of data voice and video networks

Town of Weymouth – School Committee
5/1993 – 12/2005
A body politic elected town wide and charged with setting policy for the Weymouth Public Schools.
School Committee Member
Elected to four terms (13 years) as a member of the Town of Weymouth School Committee, serving as chairman
for four years, vice chairman four years, secretary four years. Appointed as a member of the budget and
collective bargaining sub-committees for 11 years. Set policy for the school system and developed operational
and capital budgets that met the needs of the students and school system, while operating in a fiscally responsible
manner.
Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo and Co, LLC, Boston, MA
Investment management organization specializing in high asset investors

11/2006 – 12/2007

Director, Technology Infrastructure
Directed the activities of the infrastructure support teams (network services, systems management, desktop
support, application support, help desk, and disaster recovery) responsible for all infrastructure systems,
operations and application support for GMO worldwide.
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Realigned personnel resources and redesigned IT operational processes to more effectively and efficiently
deliver services to the worldwide GMO user community
Developed long term high availability infrastructure architecture plans to position GMO to execute strategic
corporate initiatives
Introduced service delivery metrics and reporting to provide objective data models using ITIL frameworks
Instituted problem management and change control processes
Replaced aging corporate network architecture with new Cisco solution to position GMO to grow and
implement new applications

New York Times Company, New York, NY / The Boston Globe, Boston, MA
Leading daily newspapers in the New York and Boston metropolitan areas

4/2004 – 11/2006

Director, Technology Operations and Support
Directed the activities of all New York Times data center personnel across the US with specific focus on all
activities and teams providing production and back-office IT operations services (data center operations, network
operations, desktop support, systems management, database administration, data and telecommunications, and
web system management) in a heterogeneous environment. Responsible for business continuity planning and
disaster recovery preparedness and testing for all New York Times Companies. Supported The Boston Globe
and affiliated New England Media Group companies. Managed an enterprise project to consolidate 9 New York
Times Company data centers into 2 facilities in New York and New England.
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Realigned personnel resources and redesigned IT operational processes using Six Sigma methodologies
to better deliver services as part of an overall IT transformation initiative (Streamline to Grow) reducing
operating costs by $8 million annually
Developed long term infrastructure architecture plan to position New England Media Group to execute
strategic corporate initiatives
Introduced service delivery metrics and reporting to provide objective data models
Instituted problem management and change control processes
Designed new consolidated backup solution and strategy for New England Media Group properties
Established a long-term capital plan to migrate all server architecture to a client/server model utilizing
blade architecture and storage are networks

Neutron Communications, Inc., Medford, MA
1/2003 - 4/2004
A startup consulting and services company providing technical guidance to small and mid-size companies.
Owner/Operator
Directed the activities of teams providing technical consulting services to small and mid-size organizations.
Managed multiple projects and personnel resources within client companies as well as third party vendors.
Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA
The world’s largest mutual fund company and leading supplier of investment services.

5/1997 – 12/2002

Director, Technical Services
Directed activities of multiple teams responsible for middleware architecture, operating system, and platform
support across all distributed systems within Fidelity Investments. Provided 24x7 technical support for mission
critical applications on multiple platforms. Managed multiple product lines within FISC Operations. Provided crisis
management in the unlikely event of a service interruption.
Intranet, Inc., Newton, MA
A software development vendor specializing in electronic payment systems.

4/1994 – 5/1997

Manager, Technical Services
Managed technical teams in multiple locations providing second and third tier customer support. Managed
technical team responsible for all internal hardware, software, and networking systems from the desktop to the
data center. Interfaced with multiple vendors to ensure IntraNet’s technology remained state-of-the-art.
SunGard Financial Systems, Inc., Waltham, MA
8/1989 – 4/1994
A software development company providing solutions to the banking and broker/dealer industries to track cash
positions and portfolios.
Data Center Manager
Managed corporate data center staff supporting 300 time sharing customers nationwide. Supported the internal
infrastructure from the desktop to the data center. Responsible for all corporate capital budgeting, evaluating and
selecting hardware and software products in line with corporate philosophy of open systems architecture.

Bowne & Co., Inc., Piscataway, NJ
A leading financial printing company with multiple domestic and international locations.

2/1984 - 8/1989

General Manager, Bowne Information Services, Inc.
Designed and built a corporate data center. Consolidated all IT hardware from various satellite locations to the
corporate data centers. Managed a staff of 15 technicians responsible for 24x7 operation of corporate
manufacturing and MIS data centers supporting approximately five hundred users at twenty-eight nationwide
locations. Managed corporate communications network including all hardware and software for satellite and
terrestrial circuits.
EDUCATION
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
• BSBA – Management Information Systems
• AS – Electronic Data Processing
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
• MA Certified Public Procurement
Officer (MCPPO)
• National Incident Management System
IS-100, IS-200, IS-700
• Information Technology Information
Library (ITIL) Foundation
• Six Sigma Green Belt

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
• Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
• Massachusetts Municipal Management Association (MMMA)
• Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources Association
(MMHR)
• Hockomock YMCA Board of Incorporators
• Appointed Member North Attleborough Retirement Board

Kelly Grant
Municipal Experience
Executive Assistant, Assistant Town Administrator,
Town of Hopedale, MA Sept 2023- Present
With the guidance and mentorship of many in Hopedale, I have taken every opportunity that is
offered to me to help, lead and grow. From grant submissions, to working in the Treasurer’s
office, project management and accounting, formal communications and website updates, nonunion, union and healthcare negotiations, I have been able to expand my knowledge and skillset
tremendously. I have been a part of the interview and hiring team for our new Treasurer
Collector, Accountant and Principal Assessor, career Firefighters and restructuring of the Finance
Department. I handle all the payables for both Police and Fire as well as all of Chapter 90,
Complete Streets, and grant reimbursements for the Highway Department. I have recently taken
on the task of getting the entire Police Detail invoicing operations back on track after an
unfortunate personnel issue. I am the towns Workers Compensation and I.O.D. administrator. I
am responsible for compiling all department budgets into a workable budget book that I maintain
and edit throughout the budget season to be presented at town meeting.
Bellingham Select Board, Bellingham, MA
Member, Vice Chair May 2020-September 2023
I served for 4 years as a Select Board member and 1 year as Vice Chair. I am adept in utilizing
excellent leadership and organizational skills and innovation to guide town committees, boards,
and agendas. Experienced in guiding departments and recommending initiatives for programs
and advocating for infrastructure needs. I had a firm grasp on our $78Mil town budget as well as
enterprise funds and school budget. I enjoy working with the residents to solve issues in the town
and am very involved throughout the community. The Chair and I were responsible for the
interview process of hiring new Police and Fire Chiefs as well as hiring a new DPW Director and
Assistant DPW Director.
Bellingham Capital Improvements Committee
Member, June 2015-Sept 2023, Clerk, June 2015-May 2019
As a member of the Capital Committee for the past 8 years, we review all Capital Improvement
requests for over $50,000. This can range from repairs to gym floor, new fire apparatus, and
municipal buildings. Through this committee, I was also part of the DPW Building committee,
which was created as we prepared to build a new DPW office building on the property we
purchased adjacent to the new DPW garages.
Bellingham Finance Committee; Bellingham, MA
Member, Secretary, Clerk June 2015- May 2020
As a member of the Finance Committee, it was our duty to review the budget as well as hold
meetings with each department and department head to review theirs individually, hear all items
on the fall and spring Town Meeting warrants, hold public hearings, review capital items
presented for review and recommendation, and work closely with the town CFO. As Clerk of this
committee, it was my responsibility to formulate the meeting agenda and confirm all
participants, take detailed meeting notes and minutes, handle all correspondence and invoices.
Development and printing of ATM/STM Book

Other Previous Employment
Public School Paraprofessional- Various districts throughout MA.
March 2017 – Apr 2018
As a paraprofessional I worked with children individually or in small groups by providing basic
instruction on reading, writing, math, and other education related activities assigned by teachers'
directions. I worked with students from Pre-K-Grade 11 in various degrees of severity.
Griswold Home Care Inc.; Everett, MA
Office Manager, Senior Care Manager, Human Resources Mar 2008 -Mar2017 As the office
manager, I transitioned our entire business from an independent contract model to a full
employment model, which involved creating original applications, handbooks, and orientation
processes that adhere to both state and federal regulations. I oversaw and managed over 40
employees including their payroll and HR needs within the office. I was the first point of contact
for any potential new client or caregivers, and I coordinated their services from intake to end of
care. I wore many different hats and thrived in an environment where no two days are the same.
EDUCATION
Framingham State College (MA) BA, Sociology and Business Framingham State College
(MA) MPA Certificate Program (Public Administration), MCPPO Certified
SKILLS
MS: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint Google Workplace/ G Suite Management >40 employees
Payroll and ADP VADAR
Accounts Payable/Receivable Civics+ Web Management
Committee and Community Involvement
A Bellingham Public School Strategic Plan (2018-19)
B. Bellingham Master Plan Committee (2019-2021)
C. Bellingham Charter By-Law Review (2021-2023)
D. Chair of Bellingham Days, town wide summer celebration, all money donated to different
Bellingham non-profit groups (2021-2024)
REFERENCES
Upon request

TOWN OF
HOPEDALE
SPECIAL TOWN
MEETING
Tuesday June 23,
2026
7pm

Warrant Articles

Dennett Auditorium
Junior-Senior High
School
25 Adin Street

ARTICLE 1
SUPPLEMENT FY 2026 BUDGETS
(Select Board)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds a sum of money to
supplement FY 2026 Operating Budgets, or take any other action related thereto.
MOTION: Move that the Town vote to transfer $832,696.91 from Stabilization, and
$237,050 from Ambulance Receipts Reserves for a total of $1,069,746.91 to fund the
following deficits:
Town of Hopedale
FY2025 Deficits to be Funded from Stabilization Fund #83
Fund #

Fund Name

Account Name

1

General Fund

Transfer from Stabilization

$ (341,809.29) $ (341,809.29) ****

23

Chapter 90

Chapter 90 Highway

(10,931.31) $ (352,740.60)

26

Town Federal Grants

FY22 Assistance to Firefighter AFG FEMA

(52,323.91)

(405,064.51)

27
27
27
27

Town State Grants
Town State Grants
Town State Grants
Town State Grants

Massworks Infrastructure Project
FY21 Comm Compact IT Grant
FB Green Communities Grant
FB Hazard Mitigation Plan Grant

(193,845.29)
(8,520.00)
(2,623.70)
(12,799.20)

(598,909.80)
(607,429.80)
(610,053.50)
(622,852.70)

29
29
29
29

Other Special Revenue
Other Special Revenue
Other Special Revenue
Other Special Revenue

FB Rustic Bridge Donations
Opioid Task Force
Project Lead the Way
PB Review 370 South Main Street

(9,900.00)
(632,752.70)
(8,500.00)
(641,252.70)
(6,421.98)
(647,674.68)
(3,191.43) $ (650,866.11)

41

Fire/Ambulance Vehicles

Fire Truck STM 11/23, Art. 11

(5,073.00) $ (655,939.11)

Total

****

Amount

$ (655,939.11)

General Fund Appropriation Deficit (Budget)
Special Article Deficit (Health Insurance)

$ (141,200.59)
(200,608.70)
$ (341,809.29)

1

Cumulative

Town of Hopedale
FY2026 Deficits to be Funded from Stabilization Fund #83
Dept. #

Dept. Name

Account Name

166

Parking Clerk

Salaries Appointed Officials

191

Computer System

Repair & Maintenance

(12,000.00)

(12,150.00)

423
423
423

Snow & Ice
Snow & Ice
Snow & Ice

Additional Gross Overtime
Repairs & Maintenance
Sand and Salt

(30,119.18)
(11,667.07)
(28,921.55)

(42,269.18)
(53,936.25)
(82,857.80)

693

Red Shop

Repairs & Maintenance

(200.00)

(83,057.80)

914

Medicare

Fringe Benefits

(53,000.00)

(136,057.80)

945

Liability Insurance

Liability Ins. Premiums

Total

Amount
$

Cumulative

(150.00) $

(150.00)

(40,700.00) $ (176,757.80)
$ (176,757.80)

Town of Hopedale
Fire Transfers from RRA
Account Number
01-220-5100-5110
01-220-5100-5130
01-220-5100-5135
Total

Account Name

Amount

Salaries & Wages Permanent
Additional Gross Overtime
Retainers

105,000.00
112,050.00
20,000.00
$ 237,050.00

2

ARTICLE 2
WATER DEPARTMENT TRANSFERS
(Water and Sewer Commissioners)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the amounts from the Water Department
Retained Earnings to the below accounts, or take any other action related thereto
MOTION: Move that the Town vote to transfer the following:
· $148,641 from Water Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Interest (Debt)
· $28,053 from Water Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Health
Insurance
- $8,000 from Water Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Legal
- $18,310 from Water Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Salaries
- $70,000 from Water Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Building
Repair/Maintenance

ARTICLE 3
SEWER DEPARTMENT TRANSFERS
(Water and Sewer Commissioners)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the amounts from the Sewer Department
Retained Earnings to the below accounts, or take any other action related thereto
MOTION: Move that the Town vote to transfer the following:
- $8,000 from Sewer Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Legal
- $18,310 from Sewer Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Salaries
- $20, 052 from Sewer Department Certified Retained Earnings to FY26 Health
Insurance

ARTICLE 4
AMEND FY2027 FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET
(Select Board)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Fire Department (220) appropriation as voted
under Article 2 of the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting by reducing Salary line item , or
take any other action related thereto.
MOTION: PASS OVER

3