MassVoter.com← Ashland Select BoardAshland Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
November 15, 2023
8 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Robert Scherer, Claudia Bennett, Yolanda Greaves, Brandi Kinsman, Joseph Magnani
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Robert Scherer took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Support the single tax rate as presented
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to support the single tax rate as presented, which was seconded by Ms. Kinsman. Vote: 5-0-0. Motion approved.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to support the single tax rate as presented, which was seconded by Ms. Kinsman. Vote: 5-0-0. Motion approved..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Kinsman)
Public Comment
Dissolve the Project Management Team
Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to dissolve the Project Management Team, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Discussion continued; Deepa Venkat, Planning Board, suggested having the Consultant weigh in; Ms. Kendall agreed and does not believe the current Project Management Team can function together. Ms. Tesmenitsky feels they are a strong team, and can work well together, that she and Ms. Jurezyk play a vital role. Ms. Greaves noted the Project Management Team has gotten to some good points but it has been difficult; she noted she is tom on dissolving the Team. We have a good product, there is a benefit; there should be further discussion. Mr. Magnani agreed that they should wait to discuss this with the Consultant, unless it needs to be resolved now. Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0.
A joint vote of the Planning Board and the Select Board: “Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0.” The count covers both boards and the minutes do not say who voted which way, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to dissolve the Project Management Team, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Discussion continued; Deepa Venkat, Planning Board, suggested having the Consultant weigh in; Ms. Kendall agreed and does not believe the current Project Management Team can function together. Ms. Tesmenitsky feels they are a strong team, and can work well together, that she and Ms. Jurezyk play a vital role. Ms. Greaves noted the Project Management Team has gotten to some good points but it has been difficult; she noted she is tom on dissolving the Team. We have a good product, there is a benefit; there should be further discussion. Mr. Magnani agreed that they should wait to discuss this with the Consultant, unless it needs to be resolved now. Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0..” (Motion: Kinsman, second: Bennett)
For the meeting to go past 10:00 PM
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion for the meeting to go past 10:00 PM, which was seconded by Ms. Kinsman. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion for the meeting to go past 10:00 PM, which was seconded by Ms. Kinsman. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Kinsman)
Maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses
Motion: Mr. Arjona made a motion to maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses, which was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky. Discussion continued as to the content of the document. Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained) The Planning Board adjourned at 10:15 PM; Mr. Scherer thanked the Planning Board for the discussion and is certain that all will continue to do their great work.
Yes: Greaves, SchererNo: Bennett, KinsmanAbstained: MagnaniA joint vote of the Planning Board and the Select Board on a Planning Board member’s motion: “Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained)”. The count covers all ten members of both boards present, and the minutes name the two who voted no and the one who abstained, so Robert Scherer and Yolanda Greaves are shown voting yes. The motion passed on the combined count. The motion was made by Mr. Arjona, who is not a member of the Select Board. It was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky, who is not a member of the Select Board.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Arjona made a motion to maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses, which was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky. Discussion continued as to the content of the document. Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained) The Planning Board adjourned at 10:15 PM; Mr. Scherer thanked the Planning Board for the discussion and is certain that all will continue to do their great work..”
Ashland is United 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
Support the funding of BAA Grants Award Total of $25,500.00 as recommended, and the Select Board Community Grant Awards Total $14,750.00
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to support the funding of BAA Grants Award Total of $25,500.00 as recommended, and the Select Board Community Grant Awards Total $14,750.00, which was seconded by Mr. Magnani. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to support the funding of BAA Grants Award Total of $25,500.00 as recommended, and the Select Board Community Grant Awards Total $14,750.00, which was seconded by Mr. Magnani. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Magnani)
Approve the consent agenda
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to approve the consent agenda which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0. « Town Manager Report a.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to approve the consent agenda which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0. « Town Manager Report a..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Bennett)
Waive the 15-day waiting period for the new Assistant Recreation Director
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to waive the 15-day waiting period for the new Assistant Recreation Director, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0. © Board Reports Claudia Bennett: Ms. Bennett discussed attending the Ashland Indians Diwali Event, she noted it was a very nice event and there were 500-600 people in attendance.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to waive the 15-day waiting period for the new Assistant Recreation Director, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0. © Board Reports Claudia Bennett: Ms. Bennett discussed attending the Ashland Indians Diwali Event, she noted it was a very nice event and there were 500-600 people in attendance..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Bennett)
Adjourn
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Magnani. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Magnani. Vote: Motion approved. 5-0-0..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Magnani)
From the Ashland Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): WACA-TV Ashland videos — Brandi Kinsman (July 2026), Makeda Keegan (September 2026), Joseph Magnani (May 2026), Yolanda Greaves (May 2025) and Claudia Bennett (March 2025). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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