MassVoter.com← Ayer Select BoardAyer Select Board · 2022–2023 Board · Regular meeting
March 27, 2023
12 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Jannice L. Livingston, Shaun C. Copeland, Scott A. Houde
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Jannice L. Livingston took part remotely.
- Shaun C. Copeland took part remotely.
- Scott A. Houde took part remotely.
- Shaun C. Copeland arrived after the meeting began (6:34 PM).
Every vote, in order
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approve the meeting agenda, as amended
Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by J. Livingston to approve the meeting agenda, as amended. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 2-0.
Yes: Houde, LivingstonShaun C. Copeland arrived at 6:34 PM, after this vote, and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by J. Livingston to approve the meeting agenda, as amended. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 2-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Livingston)
Public Hearing - Fiscal Year 2024 Water & Sewer Rates Recommendation
The SB Select Board vote to increase water & sewer rates and connection fees as proposed by the Rate Committee effective July 1, 2023 by increasing the Water Rates by 2% effective July 1, 2023;...
Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by J. Livingston that the SB Select Board vote to increase water & sewer rates and connection fees as proposed by the Rate Committee effective July 1, 2023 by increasing the Water Rates by 2% effective July 1, 2023; increasing the Sewer Rates by 5% effective July 1, 2023; Revising the Connection fees to the following effective July 1, 2023: $4,800 per ERU for Water Services 1", 1.5", 2"; 6,000 per ERU for a Sewer Service. By Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 2-0.
Yes: Houde, LivingstonShaun C. Copeland arrived at 6:34 PM, after this vote, and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by J. Livingston that the SB Select Board vote to increase water & sewer rates and connection fees as proposed by the Rate Committee effective July 1, 2023 by increasing the Water Rates by 2% effective July 1, 2023; increasing the Sewer Rates by 5% effective July 1, 2023; Revising the Connection fees to the following effective July 1, 2023: $4,800 per ERU for Water Services 1", 1.5", 2"; 6,000 per ERU for a Sewer Service. By Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 2-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Livingston)
Close the public hearing at 6:34 PM
Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland to close the public hearing at 6:34 PM. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland to close the public hearing at 6:34 PM. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.” (Motion: Houde, second: Copeland)
Adam Renda, Superintendent, Ayer Shirley Regional School District - 2023 Statement of Interest (SOI) Process for new ele
The Ayer Select Board support a Statement of Interest for a new elementary school in the Town of Ayer
Motion: A motion was made by S, Houde and seconded by S. Copeland that the Ayer Select Board support a Statement of Interest for a new elementary school in the Town of Ayer. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S, Houde and seconded by S. Copeland that the Ayer Select Board support a Statement of Interest for a new elementary school in the Town of Ayer. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Copeland)
Mark Archambault, Town Planner - District Local Technical Assistance Program Grant Letter of Support
Write a letter of support for the DLTA grant application
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to write a letter of support for the DLTA grant application. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to write a letter of support for the DLTA grant application. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Houde)
Site Recommendation for Center for Active Living
The SB approve the creation of a building committee to review the Center for Active living, as proposed
Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland that the SB approve the creation of a building committee to review the Center for Active living, as proposed. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland that the SB approve the creation of a building committee to review the Center for Active living, as proposed. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Copeland)
Approve the execution of ; easement and agreement with National Grid for the Jonathan Drive Cross-Country Water Main, as presented
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to approve the execution of ; easement and agreement with National Grid for the Jonathan Drive Cross-Country Water Main, as presented. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde; aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to approve the execution of ; easement and agreement with National Grid for the Jonathan Drive Cross-Country Water Main, as presented. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde; aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Houde)
Town Manager's Report - Administrative Update/Review of Town Warrant{(s)
Appoint Marilyn Schmalenberger as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire June 30, 2024
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to appoint Marilyn Schmalenberger as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire June 30, 2024. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to appoint Marilyn Schmalenberger as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire June 30, 2024. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.” (Motion: Copeland, second: Houde)
Adopt Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to adopt Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to adopt Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Houde)
Approve Amendment #1 to the Cell Tower Agreement
Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland to approve Amendment #1 to the Cell Tower Agreement. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S. Copeland to approve Amendment #1 to the Cell Tower Agreement. Roll Call Vote: S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Copeland)
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approve the meeting minutes from March 7, 2023
A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to approve the meeting minutes from March 7, 2023. Roll Call Vote: S. Copeland, aye; S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by S. Houde to approve the meeting minutes from March 7, 2023. Roll Call Vote: S. Copeland, aye; S. Houde, aye; J. Livingston, aye. Motion passed By Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Houde)
Enter into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, Section 214, Exemption #3 (Union Negotiations) to ratify the Town Hall Clerical Union Contract and to adjourn at the conclusion of the...
A motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S, Copeland to enter into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, Section 214, Exemption #3 (Union Negotiations) to ratify the Town Hall Clerical Union Contract and to adjourn at the conclusion of the Executive Session. He further noted that discussing these matters in Open Session would be detrimental to the Town's negotiating strategy. By Roll Call Vote: J. Livingston, aye; S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye. Motion passed by Roll Call Vote 3-0.
From the minutes
“a motion was made by S. Houde and seconded by S, Copeland to enter into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, Section 214, Exemption #3 (Union Negotiations) to ratify the Town Hall Clerical Union Contract and to adjourn at the conclusion of the Executive Session. He further noted that discussing these matters in Open Session would be detrimental to the Town's negotiating strategy. By Roll Call Vote: J. Livingston, aye; S. Houde, aye; S. Copeland, aye. Motion passed by Roll Call Vote 3-0..” (Motion: Houde, second: Copeland)
From the Ayer Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2025 on) and Document Center (Agendas, Minutes and Packets › Minutes › Select Board, 2018–2024). 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): stills from Ayer Public Access Corporation (APAC) videos — Chris Tavares (June 24, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind his nameplate), Jannice Livingston (August 31, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind her nameplate) and Shaun Copeland (APAC’s “Scout Finds Out” episode titled with his name, about 2019–20). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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