MassVoter.com← Bridgewater Town CouncilBridgewater Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
January 24, 2023
12 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Fred Chase, Dr. Kevin Perry, William (Bill) Wood, Erik Moore, Mark Linde, Shawn George, Bradford McKinnon, Dennis Gallagher
Absent: Susan Robinson
Every vote, in order
O-FY23-040 Approve the meeting minutes from January 10, 2023, which were duly seconded. Motion passed 7-0-1 (Councilor Gallagher abstained). ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT Council President Chase noted that co
To approve the meeting minutes from January 10, 2023, which were duly seconded. Motion passed 7-0-1 (Councilor Gallagher abstained). ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT Council President Chase noted that committee assignments have been completed and Town Council Clerk will send out by the end of the week. PROCLAMATIONS - None CITIZEN OPEN FORUM • Bernice Morrissey, 150 Lakeside Drive: Opposes Ordinance D-FY23-006. Handed out documents to the councilors. • Sam Baumgarten, 60 Short Street: Opposes Claremont proposal, will diminish and harm resources. • Pat Neary, 225 Lakeside Drive: Welcomed new councilors. Opposes zoning proposal. • Kitty Doherty, 524 Conant Street: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Vernon Domingo, 36 Saddle Drive: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Jean DiBattista, 260 Lakeside Drive: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Janet Hanson, Pleasant Street: Opposes changes to the zoning. • Mike Willia
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 10, 2023, which were duly seconded. Motion passed 7-0-1 (Councilor Gallagher abstained). ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT Council President Chase noted that committee assignments have been completed and Town Council Clerk will send out by the end of the week. PROCLAMATIONS - None CITIZEN OPEN FORUM • Bernice Morrissey, 150 Lakeside Drive: Opposes Ordinance D-FY23-006. Handed out documents to the councilors. • Sam Baumgarten, 60 Short Street: Opposes Claremont proposal, will diminish and harm resources. • Pat Neary, 225 Lakeside Drive: Welcomed new councilors. Opposes zoning proposal. • Kitty Doherty, 524 Conant Street: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Vernon Domingo, 36 Saddle Drive: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Jean DiBattista, 260 Lakeside Drive: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Janet Hanson, Pleasant Street: Opposes changes to the zoning. • Mike Williams, 40 Saddle Drive: Opposes changes to zoning and wants Saddle Drive paved. • Melissa Ramondetta, 317 Lakeside Drive: Opposes zoning, read a letter into the record. • John Fitzgerald, 369 Lakeside Drive: Opposes zoning change. • Robert DiBattista, 260 Lakeside Drive: Opposes zoning change • Francis Jeffries, 35 Shaw Road: Opposes zoning ordinance. • Carlton Hunt, Austin Street: Opposes zoning ordinance. APPOINTMENTS - None HEARINGS - None LICENSE TRANSACTIONS None PRESENTATIONS Bridgewater's Planned Development District Zoning Purpose, History and Considerations (Moore) Councilor Moore gave a presentation on Planned Development District. Land is divided into areas called zones and each contain certain regulations. Critical to comprehensive Master Plan. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Fire Station Update: Town Manager Dutton noted that the design phase was underway; September bid date. High Street Dam and Bridge project Update: Town Manager Dutton noted that this has been a 6 year process. Significant project impact; start date this week until December 2023. Road closed 6/15/23 for 4 months. Notices will be sent out. No weekend or holiday construction without approval. Weekday hours 7am to 3:30pm. Word done around time of year restrictions. Councilor Moore asked if the 6/15/23 date could be delayed until school is out for the summer. Town Manager Dutton noted that he could ask the contractor as there is a short period of time to do the bridge. Councilor Wood asked that Oak Street Bridge be looked at. Town Manager Dutton noted that he has reached out to Mass DOT. DISCUSSIONS - None COMMITTEE REPORTS - None LEGISLATION FOR ACTION a) Order O-FY23-040: Certified Assessors Compensation Budget and Finance meeting 1/23/23. Finance Committee meeting 1/23/23. Town Manager Dutton noted that this was adopting state law for assessor education certifications. Councilor George made a motion to approve Order O-FY23-040, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
O-FY23-041 Approve Order O-FY23-041
To approve Order O-FY23-041
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve Order O-FY23-041, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
O-FY23-042 Approve Order O-FY23-042
To approve Order O-FY23-042
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve Order O-FY23-042, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
O-FY23-043 Approve Order O-FY23-043
To approve Order O-FY23-043
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve Order O-FY23-043, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY23-007 Refer Ordinance D-FY23-007 to advertising
To refer Ordinance D-FY23-007 to advertising
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY23-007 to advertising, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY23-008 Refer Ordinance D-FY23-008 to advertising
To refer Ordinance D-FY23-008 to advertising
From the minutes
“Councilor Wood made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY23-008 to advertising, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: Wood)
D-FY23-006 Refer Ordinance D-FY23-006 to Budget and Finance and FinCom
To refer Ordinance D-FY23-006 to Budget and Finance and FinCom
The minutes record the result as 7–0, but the list of names does not match that count, so individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“Councilor Linde made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY23-006 to Budget and Finance and FinCom, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - out of room at the time of the vote; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-0.” (Motion: Linde)
D-FY23-006 Table Ordinance D-FY23-006, do not know enough about the project. Councilor Wood noted that table means to kill the item until re-introduced. Would like to hear from Planning Board. They will have a h
To table Ordinance D-FY23-006, do not know enough about the project. Councilor Wood noted that table means to kill the item until re-introduced. Would like to hear from Planning Board. They will have a hearing. Councilor Perry noted that more information is needed, do not recommend tabling, would like a presentation from the new CED director
Yes: Chase, Linde, McKinnon, MooreNo: Gallagher, Perry, WoodAbstained: GeorgeAbsent: RobinsonShawn George recused (shown as abstained).
From the minutes
“Councilor Moore made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY23-006, do not know enough about the project. Councilor Wood noted that table means to kill the item until re-introduced. Would like to hear from Planning Board. They will have a hearing. Councilor Perry noted that more information is needed, do not recommend tabling, would like a presentation from the new CED director. results recorded as follows: Perry - No; Linde - Yea; George - Recused; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - No; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - No; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 4-3-0.” (Motion: Moore)
D-FY23-009 Table Ordinance D-FY23-009
To table Ordinance D-FY23-009
Yes: Chase, George, LindeNo: Gallagher, McKinnon, Moore, Perry, WoodAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY23-009, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - No; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - No; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - No; McKinnon - No; Wood - No; Robinson - Absent. Motion fails 3-5-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY23-009 Refer Ordinance D-FY23-009 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee
To refer Ordinance D-FY23-009 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee
Yes: Chase, Gallagher, Linde, McKinnon, Moore, Perry, WoodNo: GeorgeAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor Wood made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY23-009 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-1-0.” (Motion: Wood)
O-FY23-045 Refer Order O-FY23-045 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee
To refer Order O-FY23-045 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee
From the minutes
“Councilor Linde made a motion to refer Order O-FY23-045 to Budget and Finance and Finance Committee, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: Linde)
O-FY23-045 Adjourn (O-FY23-045)
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to adjourn, which was duly seconded. A voice vote was taken with the results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon - Yea; Wood - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: George)
From the Bridgewater Town Council’s official minutes, posted on the town’s CivicClerk portal. We check every roll call against the recorded count and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Town of Bridgewater Town Council page (bridgewaterma.gov); Paul Murphy from his MIT staff page. Mark Linde from a BTV (Bridgewater access TV) “Candidate’s Corner” video. Mary McGrath and Michaela Spagone from the Town of Bridgewater video of the September 15, 2026 Town Council meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member).
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