MassVoter.com← Dracut Board of SelectmenDracut Board of Selectmen · 2021–2022 Board · Regular meeting
November 23, 2021
10 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Alison Genest, Joseph DiRocco, Heather Santiago-Hutchings, Tony Archinski, Jesse Forcier
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
AGENDA ITEMS
Approve the Common Victualler's License
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Common Victualler's License. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Common Victualler's License. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Forcier)
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the Common Victualler's License. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the Common Victualler's License. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Forcier)
Approve a One-Day Beer & Wine License on Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harmony Hall, 1660 Lakeview Avenue
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve a One-Day Beer & Wine License on Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harmony Hall, 1660 Lakeview Avenue. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve a One-Day Beer & Wine License on Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harmony Hall, 1660 Lakeview Avenue. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Forcier)
Approve the Beaver Brook Farmhouse Preservation Restriction
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the Beaver Brook Farmhouse Preservation Restriction. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the Beaver Brook Farmhouse Preservation Restriction. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Forcier)
Execute the Deed for the Beaver Brook Farmhouse
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Execute the Deed for the Beaver Brook Farmhouse. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Execute the Deed for the Beaver Brook Farmhouse. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Forcier)
Accept the $1,900 Donation for a Peer Review at 40 Salem Road
Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Accept the $1,900 Donation for a Peer Review at 40 Salem Road. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Accept the $1,900 Donation for a Peer Review at 40 Salem Road. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forcier, second: DiRocco)
Approve a 3% Increase in the Town Manager's Salary
Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Approve a 3% Increase in the Town Manager's Salary. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mr. Forcier stated that this is a very modest raise, is pretty common and is a little more than what . the Unions have received. Mr. Forcier stated that this is the Town Manager's first evaluation and first pay increase. Mts. Genest discussed the Unions receiving 2% increases. Mr. Forcier stated that they do not base the Town Manager's salary on what the Unions received. Mr. Archinski agreed with Mr. Forcier and stated that the Town Manager's salary is not based on what the Union's received. Mr. Archinski discussed the comparable universe of Town Manager's and stated that a 3% increase is reasonable. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she would comfortable with a 3% increase. Mrs. Genest stated that she would be voting for a 2% increase, as she wants it level with others. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mrs. Genest voted no.
Yes: Archinski, DiRocco, Forcier, Santiago-HutchingsNo: Genest
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Approve a 3% Increase in the Town Manager's Salary. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mr. Forcier stated that this is a very modest raise, is pretty common and is a little more than what . the Unions have received. Mr. Forcier stated that this is the Town Manager's first evaluation and first pay increase. Mts. Genest discussed the Unions receiving 2% increases. Mr. Forcier stated that they do not base the Town Manager's salary on what the Unions received. Mr. Archinski agreed with Mr. Forcier and stated that the Town Manager's salary is not based on what the Union's received. Mr. Archinski discussed the comparable universe of Town Manager's and stated that a 3% increase is reasonable. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she would comfortable with a 3% increase. Mrs. Genest stated that she would be voting for a 2% increase, as she wants it level with others. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mrs. Genest voted no..” (Motion: Forcier, second: DiRocco)
Instruct Attorney Hall to Enter into Contract Negotiations with the Town Manager for a 3 Year Contract until May 2025
Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Instruct Attorney Hall to Enter into Contract Negotiations with the Town Manager for a 3 Year Contract until May 2025. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mr. DiRocco stated that Mrs. Vandal has done an exceptional job since she took over. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked if it is typical to have contract negotiations start six months prior to a contract expiring? Attorney Hall stated yes, it is typically usual for negotiations to start one- year in advance. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she has seen that in other contracts and suggested adding a six-month advance negotiation start to Mrs. Vandal contract. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked if a three-year contract was typical? Attorney Hall stated yes. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed Article 4, Section 1. Attorney Hall stated that the Town Manager's contract states that she has to give a 60 day notice of voluntary termination which is industry driven. Attorney Hall stated that if the Board wanted, they could add more time into the contract. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that there is minimal professional development in the Town Manager's current contract and would like more to be added. Attorney Hall stated that more could be added. Mr. Archinski stated that he is uncomfortable with a three-year contract as he feels as though they are saddling the next Board member, but he would be voting for the contract. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Instruct Attorney Hall to Enter into Contract Negotiations with the Town Manager for a 3 Year Contract until May 2025. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mr. DiRocco stated that Mrs. Vandal has done an exceptional job since she took over. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked if it is typical to have contract negotiations start six months prior to a contract expiring? Attorney Hall stated yes, it is typically usual for negotiations to start one- year in advance. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she has seen that in other contracts and suggested adding a six-month advance negotiation start to Mrs. Vandal contract. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked if a three-year contract was typical? Attorney Hall stated yes. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed Article 4, Section 1. Attorney Hall stated that the Town Manager's contract states that she has to give a 60 day notice of voluntary termination which is industry driven. Attorney Hall stated that if the Board wanted, they could add more time into the contract. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that there is minimal professional development in the Town Manager's current contract and would like more to be added. Attorney Hall stated that more could be added. Mr. Archinski stated that he is uncomfortable with a three-year contract as he feels as though they are saddling the next Board member, but he would be voting for the contract. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forcier, second: DiRocco)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the Minutes of August 24, 2021
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Minutes of August 24, 2021. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Minutes of August 24, 2021. Motion seconded by Mr. Forcier. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Forcier)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Adjourn the Meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Forcier to Adjourn the Meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forcier, second: DiRocco)
From the Dracut Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Board of Selectmen). We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Board of Selectmen photos): The Lowell Sun — Kristie Wohlander and Heather Santiago-Hutchings (courtesy photos, April 2026), Don Plummer and Josh Taylor (courtesy photos, May 2024), Tony Archinski (Cameron Morsberger, May 2023). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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