MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2022–2023 Board · Regular meeting
February 28, 2023
17 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Mark Townsend, Sarah Hewins, John Cotter, Jim Hoffman
Absent: Jen Bogart
Every vote, in order
Council on Aging (COA) Restructuring of Refrigerator, Freezer and Generator Support System
Approve the COA request and source of ARPA funding at the discretion of the Town Administrator
Approve the COA request and source of ARPA funding at the discretion of the Town Administrator. Cotter asked why this and a few other smaller items are not on a capital request. Fennessy stated that once Cares Act funds were released and then ARPA, these items were being looked at through this type of funding. Fennessy stated this also helps take the burden off of the capital plan and the goal is to use ARPA and not leave any money that would be returned to the County. Cotter stated that he felt that if capital plan was being funded correctly there wouldn't be a need to use ARPA funds for these items. Townsend stated that when the ARPA funds came available, some of the needs a few years out on the capital plan were requested by the departments
Yes: Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendNo: Cotter
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to approve the COA request and source of ARPA funding at the discretion of the Town Administrator, second by Hoffman. Cotter asked why this and a few other smaller items are not on a capital request. Fennessy stated that once Cares Act funds were released and then ARPA, these items were being looked at through this type of funding. Fennessy stated this also helps take the burden off of the capital plan and the goal is to use ARPA and not leave any money that would be returned to the County. Cotter stated that he felt that if capital plan was being funded correctly there wouldn't be a need to use ARPA funds for these items. Townsend stated that when the ARPA funds came available, some of the needs a few years out on the capital plan were requested by the departments. Vote 3-1 (Cotter).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Town Hall IT/Technology Conference Room Upgrades
Approve the Town Hall IT/Technology conference room requests and the ARPA funding to be done at the Town Administrator's discretion
Approve the Town Hall IT/Technology conference room requests and the ARPA funding to be done at the Town Administrator's discretion
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to approve the Town Hall IT/Technology conference room requests and the ARPA funding to be done at the Town Administrator's discretion, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Codification of Bylaws
Approve codification of bylaws to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator
Approve codification of bylaws to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to approve codification of bylaws to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator, second by Cotter. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Cotter)
Habitat for Humanity- Affordable Housing Units
Approve the Habitat for Humanity request to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator
Approve the Habitat for Humanity request to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator. Hewins stated that she thinks this is a great one-time opportunity. She reminded the Board that a 40B proposal had already come to the Board and she does not think the way that 40B as proposed was the way to do it. Habitat's will take longer and it is more respectful to those in need of affordable housing and to the Town. Cotter asked if there was $200,000 to be coming from the Community Preservation Committee. Hewins stated this is the plan that was submitted. Fennessy stated that it was too late for Habitat to apply for CPC funding this year. Cotter asked if the properties have been decided yet. Hewins stated 149 Main St. is too wet, and there are other locations available for options. Cotter asked if 157 Plymouth St. was already in tax title. Hewins stated Habitat looked at the current lots first, but that there are others available. Cotter asked if the Town is gifting the value of the properties plus what's being requested for ARPA funds to Habitat. Hewins stated that Habitat would pay the back taxes and we would be giving up a lot. Hewins stated the Town is not in the business of building homes. Fennessy stated that any property that is considered would need to go out to bid, and not just transferred to Habitat. Townsend stated he believes there are Community Preservation funds available of up to approximately $600,000 for affordable housing. He questioned why we would
Yes: HewinsNo: Cotter, Hoffman, Townsend
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Habitat for Humanity request to be ARPA funded at the discretion of the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Hewins stated that she thinks this is a great one-time opportunity. She reminded the Board that a 40B proposal had already come to the Board and she does not think the way that 40B as proposed was the way to do it. Habitat's will take longer and it is more respectful to those in need of affordable housing and to the Town. Cotter asked if there was $200,000 to be coming from the Community Preservation Committee. Hewins stated this is the plan that was submitted. Fennessy stated that it was too late for Habitat to apply for CPC funding this year. Cotter asked if the properties have been decided yet. Hewins stated 149 Main St. is too wet, and there are other locations available for options. Cotter asked if 157 Plymouth St. was already in tax title. Hewins stated Habitat looked at the current lots first, but that there are others available. Cotter asked if the Town is gifting the value of the properties plus what's being requested for ARPA funds to Habitat. Hewins stated that Habitat would pay the back taxes and we would be giving up a lot. Hewins stated the Town is not in the business of building homes. Fennessy stated that any property that is considered would need to go out to bid, and not just transferred to Habitat. Townsend stated he believes there are Community Preservation funds available of up to approximately $600,000 for affordable housing. He questioned why we wouldn't use those funds for affordable homes instead of using the ARPA funds. Townsend asked if two of the three homes could have a local preference. Belmore stated of the three homes being considered, two can have local preference and the third cannot per guidelines of the DHCD. She stated that this is a state requirement, not a Habitat for Humanity guideline. Vote 1-3 (Townsend, Cotter, Hoffman).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
EMS HVAC Upgrade
Approve EMS HVAC upgrade and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve EMS HVAC upgrade and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator. Townsend questioned why this item was not on the capital plan. Ryan stated this is something that has always been in need and he did not put it on the capital plan and when the ARPA funds became available, he thought it would be a good time to request the funding
From the minutes
“Motion to approve EMS HVAC upgrade by Hewins and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator, second by Hoffman. Townsend questioned why this item was not on the capital plan. Ryan stated this is something that has always been in need and he did not put it on the capital plan and when the ARPA funds became available, he thought it would be a good time to request the funding. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
EMS Security System
Approve EMS security system and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve EMS security system and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator. Fennessy stated this item may be more of a challenge to get approved as cameras are not covered, but since narcotics are in ambulances, it is possible it could be covered
From the minutes
“Motion to approve EMS security system and ARPA funding to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Cotter. Fennessy stated this item may be more of a challenge to get approved as cameras are not covered, but since narcotics are in ambulances, it is possible it could be covered. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Cotter)
EMS Cardiac Monitors
Approve EMS cardiac monitors and funding to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve EMS cardiac monitors and funding to be determined by the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion to approve EMS cardiac monitors by Hewins and funding to be determined by the Town Administrator, second by Cotter. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Cotter)
Middle-High School Renovation of Culinary Kitchen and Community Café
Approve Middle High School culinary request and ARPA funding determined by the Town Administrator
Approve Middle High School culinary request and ARPA funding determined by the Town Administrator. Hoffman asked if Fennessy would check with the Commissioners to see if this would be approved. Fennessy stated funding for this may be from the direct non-entitlement funding, but he will verify that with the County Commissioners. Cotter asked about the timeline. School Chief Finance Officer Ron Griffin stated that the project would begin this summer and be completed for the start of school. Cotter asked about what the $745,000 would be funding. Griffin stated it is for the culinary HVAC and some equipment, and noted that there is an upgrade on the capital request which is for the main kitchen in the school which is located in the cafeteria and serves breakfast and lunch
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Middle High School culinary request by Hewins and ARPA funding determined by the Town Administrator, second by Hoffman. Hoffman asked if Fennessy would check with the Commissioners to see if this would be approved. Fennessy stated funding for this may be from the direct non-entitlement funding, but he will verify that with the County Commissioners. Cotter asked about the timeline. School Chief Finance Officer Ron Griffin stated that the project would begin this summer and be completed for the start of school. Cotter asked about what the $745,000 would be funding. Griffin stated it is for the culinary HVAC and some equipment, and noted that there is an upgrade on the capital request which is for the main kitchen in the school which is located in the cafeteria and serves breakfast and lunch. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Fire HVAC
Approve Fire HVAC ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve Fire HVAC ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator. Fennessy stated this is for upgrades in the north and south stations
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Fire HVAC ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Fennessy stated this is for upgrades in the north and south stations. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Fire Dispatch and Information Technology Upgrades
Approve Fire Dispatch and Information Technology Upgrades request and ARPA funding source to be decided at the discretion of the Town Administrator
Approve Fire Dispatch and Information Technology Upgrades request and ARPA funding source to be decided at the discretion of the Town Administrator. Cotter confirmed that these upgrades are not for the new fire station. Fennessy stated this will connect the north and south stations to the new central station
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Fire Dispatch and Information Technology Upgrades request and ARPA funding source to be decided at the discretion of the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Cotter confirmed that these upgrades are not for the new fire station. Fennessy stated this will connect the north and south stations to the new central station. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Fire Security Access Controls in North and South Stations
Approve Fire security access controls request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve Fire security access controls request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Fire security access controls request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Public Safety Dispatch Software Upgrades
Approve public safety dispatch software upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve public safety dispatch software upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion to approve public safety dispatch software upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Public Safety Fiber Network Completion to all Town Buildings
Approve public safety fiber network completion to all Town buildings ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve public safety fiber network completion to all Town buildings ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion to approve public safety fiber network completion to all Town buildings ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Public Safety Receiving Sites, Radio Infrastructure, Mobile Repeaters and IT Upgrades
Approve public safety receiving sites, radio infrastructure, mobile repeaters and IT upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
Approve public safety receiving sites, radio infrastructure, mobile repeaters and IT upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator
From the minutes
“Motion to approve public safety receiving sites, radio infrastructure, mobile repeaters and IT upgrades ARPA request and funding source to be determined by the Town Administrator by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Approval of Minutes
Approve minutes of January 28, 2023
Approve minutes of January 28, 2023
From the minutes
“Motion by Hoffman to approve minutes of January 28, 2023, second by Hewins. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Approve the minutes of February 7, 2023
Approve the minutes of February 7, 2023
Yes: Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendAbstained: Cotter
From the minutes
“Motion by Hoffman to approve the minutes of February 7, 2023, second by Hewins. Vote 3-0-1 (Cotter abstained).” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Next Meeting
Adjourn at 8:00pm
Adjourn at 8:00pm
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn at 8:00pm by Cotter, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Hoffman)
From the Carver Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2025 on) and its Document Center archive (earlier years). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Mark Townsend and Sarah Hewins from Wareham Week (January 2026); Jim Elliman from Area 58 video of the October 6, 2026 Select Board meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member). Members without a photo show initials.
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