Council approves updated MOU with Chariho Regional School District for Hope Valley Elementary; oil tank provision discussed
Summary
The Hopkinton Town Council approved an updated memorandum of understanding with the Chariho Regional School District relating to Hope Valley Elementary School and discussed an oil‑tank provision in the draft that referenced tank capacity and an amount to be left for town use.
The Hopkinton Town Council on May 19 voted to approve an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chariho Regional School District relating to the Hope Valley Elementary School building.
Council discussion focused on an oil‑supply clause in the draft MOU. Speakers said the district had at one time filled the school's oil tank to a stated capacity, described in the meeting as a 6,000‑gallon tank. The draft MOU contains language referencing 1,000 gallons as a negotiated item the town asked to have left in the tank when possession transfers; councilors discussed that tax dollars had paid for the fuel and said leaving some oil for interim heating and hot water use would be appropriate.
A councilor moved to approve the updated MOU; the motion passed by roll call with councilors James, Davis, Roy, Burns and Gary recorded as voting 'aye.' The meeting record notes the matter will continue to be coordinated with the school committee as required by intergovernmental procedure.
Councilors did not provide a detailed accounting of fuel value or an exact transfer procedure on the public record; the transcript records both a 6,000‑gallon tank reference and a line in the draft that reads '1,000 gallons.'
