MassVoter.com← Dracut Board of SelectmenDracut Board of Selectmen · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
January 14, 2025
9 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Tony Archinski, Heather Santiago-Hutchings, Jennifer Kopcinski, Alison Genest, Josh Taylor
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Jennifer Kopcinski recused herself from one item.
Every vote, in order
Approval of Minutes
Approve the Minutes of October 29, 2024
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Approve the Minutes of October 29, 2024. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Approve the Minutes of October 29, 2024. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: Genest)
Approve the Minutes of November 12, 2024
Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Approve the Minutes of November 12, 2024. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Approve the Minutes of November 12, 2024. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Taylor, second: Kopcinski)
Public Hearings
Open the Public Hearing
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Open the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Open the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: Taylor)
Continue the Public Hearing until January 28, 2025
Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Continue the Public Hearing until January 28, 2025. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Continue the Public Hearing until January 28, 2025. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Taylor, second: Genest)
Open the Public Hearing
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Open the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Open the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: Genest)
Close the Public Hearing
Motion made by Ms. Genest to Close the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Ms. Genest to Close the Public Hearing. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Genest, second: Kopcinski)
Grant the Approval of the Transfer of the Section 15, Off Premises, Wine and Malt Beverages License from 197 Merrimack Store, LLC, d/b/a Muddy River Beer & Wine to Prosperity Retail Group, LLC,...
Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Grant the Approval of the Transfer of the Section 15, Off Premises, Wine and Malt Beverages License from 197 Merrimack Store, LLC, d/b/a Muddy River Beer & Wine to Prosperity Retail Group, LLC, Rashi Soni, Manager, located at 197 Merrimack Avenue. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. Taylor to Grant the Approval of the Transfer of the Section 15, Off Premises, Wine and Malt Beverages License from 197 Merrimack Store, LLC, d/b/a Muddy River Beer & Wine to Prosperity Retail Group, LLC, Rashi Soni, Manager, located at 197 Merrimack Avenue. Motion seconded by Ms. Genest. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Taylor, second: Genest)
Agenda Items
Grant National Grid a/k/a Boston Gas, a Grant of Easement for 144 Greenmont Avenue and 1530 Bridge Street
Motion made by Ms. Genest to Grant National Grid a/k/a Boston Gas, a Grant of Easement for 144 Greenmont Avenue and 1530 Bridge Street. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Archinski, Genest, Santiago-Hutchings, TaylorThe minutes say Jennifer Kopcinski recused herself from this item, so Jennifer Kopcinski is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Ms. Genest to Grant National Grid a/k/a Boston Gas, a Grant of Easement for 144 Greenmont Avenue and 1530 Bridge Street. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Genest, second: Taylor)
Advise the ZBRC to Table until the State comes back with Language and Guidelines
Motion made by Ms. Genest to Advise the ZBRC to Table until the State comes back with Language and Guidelines. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Under Discussion: Mrs. Kopcinski agrees that this should be tabled especially with the recent Supreme Court ruling. Mrs. Kopcinski stated that there are too many questions right now and they need to wait for the States guidelines. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked what the 90-day Emergency Order entails? Mrs. Manugian explained that the Town needs a new Action Plan by February 13, 2025, and stated that she would look into that more, but there are a lot of questions. Mr. Archinski asked what happens if this is brought back to Town Meeting? Attorney Deluca read MGL 40A, Section 5, and explained that Town Meeting is not able to consider the same proposal for two years. Attorney Deluca explained that the Planning Board could recommend the same proposal within two years, and it could be brought back to the June 2025 Town Meeting, or a Special Town Meeting could be called. Attorney Deluca discussed the Rockport case being two court filings by a Citizens Group and Rockport being dismissed from one of the cases. Attorney Deluca explained that the second matter is at the Federal Court in Boston by the same Citizens Group which is still pending. Attorney Deluca explained that in the first case, the Court determined that the petitioners lacked standard. Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Ms. Genest to Advise the ZBRC to Table until the State comes back with Language and Guidelines. Motion seconded by Mr. Taylor. Under Discussion: Mrs. Kopcinski agrees that this should be tabled especially with the recent Supreme Court ruling. Mrs. Kopcinski stated that there are too many questions right now and they need to wait for the States guidelines. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings asked what the 90-day Emergency Order entails? Mrs. Manugian explained that the Town needs a new Action Plan by February 13, 2025, and stated that she would look into that more, but there are a lot of questions. Mr. Archinski asked what happens if this is brought back to Town Meeting? Attorney Deluca read MGL 40A, Section 5, and explained that Town Meeting is not able to consider the same proposal for two years. Attorney Deluca explained that the Planning Board could recommend the same proposal within two years, and it could be brought back to the June 2025 Town Meeting, or a Special Town Meeting could be called. Attorney Deluca discussed the Rockport case being two court filings by a Citizens Group and Rockport being dismissed from one of the cases. Attorney Deluca explained that the second matter is at the Federal Court in Boston by the same Citizens Group which is still pending. Attorney Deluca explained that in the first case, the Court determined that the petitioners lacked standard. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Genest, second: Taylor)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →