MassVoter.com← Dracut Board of SelectmenDracut Board of Selectmen · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
November 21, 2023
15 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Alison Genest, Joseph DiRocco, Jennifer Kopcinski, Tony Archinski, Heather Santiago-Hutchings
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approval of Minutes
Approve the Minutes with the Typo Amendment
Motion made by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings to Approve the Minutes with the Typo Amendment. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings to Approve the Minutes with the Typo Amendment. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Santiago-Hutchings, second: Kopcinski)
Public Hearing
Stay with a Single Tax Rate
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Stay with a Single Tax Rate. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Stay with a Single Tax Rate. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: DiRocco)
Agenda Items
Approve the Common Victualler's License, Matthew Schaffer, Manager at 1084-1092 Lakeview Avenue, Unit A
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Common Victualler's License, Matthew Schaffer, Manager at 1084-1092 Lakeview Avenue, Unit A. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Common Victualler's License, Matthew Schaffer, Manager at 1084-1092 Lakeview Avenue, Unit A. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Archinski)
Roy Corbeil - Requesting Appointment to the Open Space Committee
Appoint Roy Corbeil to the Open Space Committee
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Appoint Roy Corbeil to the Open Space Committee. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Appoint Roy Corbeil to the Open Space Committee. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: DiRocco)
Board of Selectmen - Approval of Licenses for 2024
Approve All Licenses for 2024
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve All Licenses for 2024. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve All Licenses for 2024. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Archinski)
Amy Hamilton, Recreation Director - Requesting Acceptance of a New Scoreboard
Accept the Donation of a New Scoreboard for Dracut's Hovey Field
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Accept the Donation of a New Scoreboard for Dracut's Hovey Field. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Accept the Donation of a New Scoreboard for Dracut's Hovey Field. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: DiRocco)
Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, Kopcinski, Santiago-HutchingsNo: Archinski
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Use Town Counsel as Needed with Office Hours and for Executive Sessions
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Use Town Counsel as Needed with Office Hours and for Executive Sessions. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Use Town Counsel as Needed with Office Hours and for Executive Sessions. Motion seconded by Mr. Archinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Archinski)
Accept the Donations made by the Old Home Day Committee Listed on the Town Manager's Memorandum to the Board dated November 16, 2023
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the Donations made by the Old Home Day Committee Listed on the Town Manager's Memorandum to the Board dated November 16, 2023. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 0. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings abstained from voting as she is a Member of the Old Home Day Committee.
Yes: Archinski, DiRocco, Genest, KopcinskiAbstained: Santiago-Hutchings
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the Donations made by the Old Home Day Committee Listed on the Town Manager's Memorandum to the Board dated November 16, 2023. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 0. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings abstained from voting as she is a Member of the Old Home Day Committee..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane for Labor Counsel
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane for Labor Counsel. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Under Discussion. Mr. Archinski discussed his working with Unions and Attorney Maccaro's past experience working with Unions. Attorney Maccaro stated that he always treats everyone fairly. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane for Labor Counsel. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Under Discussion. Mr. Archinski discussed his working with Unions and Attorney Maccaro's past experience working with Unions. Attorney Maccaro stated that he always treats everyone fairly. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with KP Law for Special Counsel for Legal Services as it pertains to Cannabis
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with KP Law for Special Counsel for Legal Services as it pertains to Cannabis. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago- Hutchings. Under Discussion: Mr. DiRocco stated that Attorney Deluca convinced him that Special Counsel is needed. Mr. Archinski stated that does not understand why Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane could not do the work relative to the new Cannabis regulations. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, Kopcinski, Santiago-HutchingsNo: Archinski
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with KP Law for Special Counsel for Legal Services as it pertains to Cannabis. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago- Hutchings. Under Discussion: Mr. DiRocco stated that Attorney Deluca convinced him that Special Counsel is needed. Mr. Archinski stated that does not understand why Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane could not do the work relative to the new Cannabis regulations. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
Ann Vandal, Town Manager - Discuss Town Charter Review Process
Reconsider the Board's Vote on October 10, 2023, to have an Elected Town Charter Review Commission
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Reconsider the Board's Vote on October 10, 2023, to have an Elected Town Charter Review Commission. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, KopcinskiNo: Archinski, Santiago-Hutchings
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Reconsider the Board's Vote on October 10, 2023, to have an Elected Town Charter Review Commission. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Form a Town Charter Review Committee of Citizens with each Selectman having an Appointee along with the Town Manager
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Form a Town Charter Review Committee of Citizens with each Selectman having an Appointee along with the Town Manager. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago- Hutchings. Motion failed 2 to 3. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted yes with Mr. DiRocco, Mrs. Kopcinski and Mrs. Genest voting no.
Yes: Archinski, Santiago-HutchingsNo: DiRocco, Genest, Kopcinski
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Form a Town Charter Review Committee of Citizens with each Selectman having an Appointee along with the Town Manager. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago- Hutchings. Motion failed 2 to 3. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted yes with Mr. DiRocco, Mrs. Kopcinski and Mrs. Genest voting no..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
Have Public Hearings with a Smaller Committee of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager and Town Counsel
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to have Public Hearings with a Smaller Committee of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager and Town Counsel. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed the "shall create committee" piece of the Town Charter. Attorney Deluca stated that the Board could have hearings with the public first, then could appoint a Town Charter Review Committee if they choose to. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, KopcinskiNo: Archinski, Santiago-Hutchings
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to have Public Hearings with a Smaller Committee of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager and Town Counsel. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Under Discussion: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed the "shall create committee" piece of the Town Charter. Attorney Deluca stated that the Board could have hearings with the public first, then could appoint a Town Charter Review Committee if they choose to. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mr. Archinski and Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: DiRocco)
Board of Selectmen - Discuss Town Manager's Compensation and Vote Thereof
Give the Town Manager a $5,000 Merit Bonus
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to give the Town Manager a $5,000 Merit Bonus. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to give the Town Manager a $5,000 Merit Bonus. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
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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